In this episode of the Amata World Podcast, we dive into the enchanting world of analog gaming with London-based board game designer Alan Wallet. Blending creativity, emotional impact, and innovative tech, Alan shares his incredible journey from mechanical engineering to crafting immersive tabletop experiences. He discusses the creative process behind his upcoming games, 'War of the Toads' and 'Posers,' and explores how board games serve as a powerful antidote to screen fatigue by fostering authentic human connections. The conversation takes a fascinating turn into the intersection of technology and tabletop gaming, revealing how AI is being utilized not to replace human artistry, but as an advanced algorithmic playtesting tool to balance complex game mechanics. Alan also highlights the profound social impact of board games, noting their ability to create structured, safe spaces for neurodivergent players and his ambition to design games that evoke deep, complex emotions.

Key Takeaways

• Analog gaming offers a vital human remedy in the AI era: Tabletop games are rising in popularity as an authentic, screen-free way to forge real human connections.

• AI serves as a powerful analytical ally, not a creative replacement: While the board game community resists generative AI for art, algorithmic AI agents are revolutionizing playtesting by running data-driven simulations to balance game mechanics.

• Board games provide structured social sanctuaries: The clear rule sets of tabletop games create accessible environments for social interaction, offering profound benefits for neurodivergent and autistic individuals.

• The future of tabletop gaming lies in emotional depth: The medium has the unique potential to explore profound human experiences, such as integrating the real mental toll of conflict into war game mechanics.

To find more about Allan:

Portfolio: https://aw-designs.myportfolio.com/

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/164676/alan-wallat

AAAR GAMES

Website: https://aaargames.co.uk/

This is where you can sign-up for the WAR OF THE TOADS newsletter.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaar.games/

War of the Toads

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aaargames/war-of-the-toads-a-pocket-sized-18-card-game

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/467275/war-of-the-toads

POSERS

https://www.boardcubator.com/games/posers/

https://poserslaunchparty.rsvpify.com/

https://guesstheposer.netlify.app/

Additional links:

Resources: Ellie Dix's blog for new designers.

https://www.thedarkimp.com/blog/

Testing boardgames with AI

https://www.whatifgames.co.uk/using-ai-in-board-games-design-a-conversation-with-alan/

https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/02/26/how-artificial-intelligence-can-make-board-games-better

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In this episode of the Amata World podcast, Henry Stuart, Co-founder of Visualise and Meta Camera, shares his incredible journey through the evolving landscape of XR technology. Exploring the evolution of immersive media from early 360-degree photography to high-stakes virtual reality filmmaking, the conversation traces his path from a biology graduate to an industry leader. He discusses capturing monumental events like the 2011 Royal Wedding and the 2012 Olympics, highlighting how the advent of Oculus headsets transformed his agency, Visualise, into a powerhouse for VR and AR innovation.

The conversation turns to one of Henry’s most challenging projects: a high-stakes VR production for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development inside the Chernobyl exclusion zone. He recounts the intense logistical and physical challenges of filming in a heavily militarized, radioactive environment during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. They also explore how Henry leverages VR for profound social impact, detailing his work with Mission Rabies in Malawi to build donor empathy, and with St. John Ambulance's Young Responders program, which uses choice-driven VR scenarios to teach disengaged youths life-saving first-aid skills for knife wounds. Transitioning to practical advice, Henry shares actionable tips for aspiring creators, noting that modern, affordable 360 cameras and standard non-linear editors like Adobe Premiere make immersive storytelling more accessible than ever.

Finally, Henry offers a contrarian take on the trajectory of immersive technology, arguing that the true future of the XR industry lies not in bulky, isolating VR headsets, but in lightweight, contextually aware AR smart glasses. For anyone interested in the intersection of technology, storytelling, and social impact, this episode provides a thrilling and deeply knowledgeable glimpse into where immersive media has been and exactly where it is heading.

You can connect to Henry on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrystuart

Learn more about Meta Camera:Website: https://meta-camera.io

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meta_camera

Learn more about Visualise:

Website: https://visualise.com

Other projects mentioned:

Mission Rabies: https://www.missionrabies.com

St John Ambulance’s Young Responders Program: https://www.sja.org.uk/get-involved/young-people/young-responders

Each week we release an episode in the field of either Metaverse/Gaming, Web3/Crypto/Blockchain, AI or XR and if we have an extra week, we are posting an episode with a guest from Creative industries. Tune in, there are more amazing guests and stories to come up in the future.

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In this episode of the Amata World podcast, producer and creative technologist Chris White joins us to demystify the intersection of artificial intelligence and modern filmmaking. With nearly two decades of genre storytelling experience, from launching MTV's cult horror franchise My Super Psycho Sweet 16, to executive producing V/H/S: Viral, to creating the interconnected sci-fi worlds of Portals and DOORS, Chris has built a career around scalable, character-driven narratives. Now, as an executive producer on Backrooms (alongside A24, Atomic Monster, 21 Laps Entertainment, and Chernin Entertainment) and producer on the upcoming The Heretiks, he offers a pragmatic look at how creators can leverage emerging technology to tell bigger stories on tighter budgets. He shares his journey from initial experimentation with generative tools to integrating them into the professional pipeline of high-stakes productions.

The conversation navigates the complexities of the hybrid production model, where traditional live-action is augmented by AI post-production. White breaks down how tools like Runway are being used to handle dangerous stunts, manipulate environmental visuals, and create high-fidelity pre-visualizations that secure investor funding where traditional pitch decks fail. He also addresses the elephant in the room: the ethics of AI, likeness licensing, and the pushback from traditionalist circles. White challenges the "lack of soul" critique, arguing that AI is merely an evolution of the creative toolkit, comparable to the industry's shift toward CGI in the 1990s. As an instructor at Arcana Academy, where he teaches AI filmmaking with a strong emphasis on classical narrative craft, he brings both the practitioner's and the educator's perspective to the debate.

Looking ahead, White envisions a future where audiences prioritise narrative immersion over the specific technical processes behind the curtain. Whether you are a skeptical traditionalist or a tech-forward creative, this episode provides a realistic roadmap for how the industry is quietly embracing AI to bypass the gatekeepers and unlock new levels of production quality.

You can connect to Chris on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cwcreatorproducer/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xmister_whitex

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1184214

Each week we release an episode in the field of either Metaverse/Gaming, Web3/Crypto/Blockchain, AI or XR and if we have an extra week, we are posting an episode with a guest from Creative industries. Tune in, there are more amazing guests and stories to come up in the future.

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In this episode of the Amata World podcast, we speak with Bridget Doran, founder and CEO of Traceport. Traceport is a blockchain-based infrastructure platform that provides an API enabling any organization to prove their data externally — think of it as a digital public notary that uses cryptographic verification to ensure data has never been altered. Bridget shares her journey from database administration and nonprofit tech into Web3, discovering BitcoinSV in 2019 after becoming disillusioned with the scalability limitations of other blockchain platforms.

Bridget discusses how building Traceport for Charities (a SaaS application demonstrating the platform) led to a bigger vision: abstracting blockchain complexity so any sector - compliance, IoT, pharmaceuticals, or beyond - can use immutable data attestation without understanding the underlying technology. She explains the revolutionary concept of "applications logging into you" rather than vice versa, and why Bitcoin SV's scalability (1-2 million transactions per second) makes enterprise-grade blockchain verification finally practical.

Key takeaways

• Traceport's API acts as a digital notary with cryptographic verification—organizations can prove their data hasn't changed, and the public can verify it independently (not just trust Traceport's word)

• The pivot from charity-focused SaaS to infrastructure API came through the iterative process of building—founders shouldn't get locked into their initial vision

• Each organization using Traceport gets its own cryptographically isolated space for data attestation, making it plug-and-play ready for any sector

• The "apps log into you" paradigm shift: cryptographic keys enable zero-knowledge proof of identity without handing over personal data

• IoT and compliance are promising sectors where organizations are required to prove data integrity

• Micropayments on scalable blockchain could transform developing economies by removing middlemen

• Bitcoin SV's new node software handles 1-2 million transactions per second, enabling enterprise use cases that weren't previously practical

Bio:

Bridget Doran is the founder and CEO of Traceport, a blockchain infrastructure platform providing cryptographic data verification. With 20+ years in technology and financial systems across Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits, she co-founded the Minnesota Blockchain Initiative and has been teaching and building on Bitcoin SV since 2019.

You can connect to Bridget on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bcdoran

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bridgetdoran

Website (Bitcoin teaching app – Gaming lesson): https://bitcoin-teaching-tool.vercel.app/lessons/blockchain-gaming

Learn more about Traceport:

Website: https://traceport.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/traceport-io

Website (Traceport for charities): https://traceport.io/charities/

Each week we release an episode in the field of either Metaverse/Gaming, Web3/Crypto/Blockchain, AI or XR and if we have an extra week, we are posting an episode with a guest from Creative industries. Tune in, there are more amazing guests and stories to come up in the future.

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In this episode of the Amata World podcast, we speak with Daniel Clothiaux, an AI researcher and co-creator of Tower Crawl and the Wyrd platform. Daniel shares his background in AI and his current indie game project, Tower Crawl, and an experimental platform called Wyrd. He discusses the inspiration behind Tower Crawl, which emerged from experimenting with AI tooling and structuring a chat loop into a game engine. Daniel highlights the unique user freedom that AI unlocks in gaming, allowing players to do crazy things and explore possibilities beyond traditional game constraints. He also touches on the challenges of developing AI-driven games, including maintaining coherence, managing costs, and adapting to language model updates. Daniel expresses his hopes and fears for the future of the gaming industry, emphasising the importance of meaningful and creative experiences over addictive but shallow AI-driven content. He envisions a future where the community can craft their own game worlds and collaborate with brands to shape their favourite media.

Key takeaways

• Generative AI unlocks unprecedented user freedom in gaming, allowing players to explore creative possibilities beyond traditional game constraints.

• Developing AI-driven games presents unique challenges, including maintaining coherence, managing costs, and adapting to language model updates.

• Community involvement is crucial in shaping the future of AI-driven games, with players actively contributing to world-building and game design.

• The future of the gaming industry holds both promise and potential pitfalls, with the need to prioritize meaningful and creative experiences over addictive but shallow AI-driven content.

You can connect to Daniel on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-clothiaux-7748b727b

Find out more about Tower Crawl:Website: https://tower-crawl.fun

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TowerCrawl

Find out more about Wyrd:

Website: https://wyrd.gg

Each week we release an episode in the field of either Metaverse/Gaming, Web3/Crypto/Blockchain, AI or XR and if we have an extra week, we are posting an episode with a guest from Creative industries. Tune in, there are more amazing guests and stories to come up in the future.

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In this episode of the Amata World podcast, we speak with Artyom Mihailovich, an augmented reality and spatial computing engineer with over ten years of experience in iOS development, specialising in ARKit, Metal and RealityKit, Apple’s toolkit for XR experience on iOS. Artyom shares his journey into AR, starting with a drawing application for mental health patients and evolving into shader creation and consulting for companies integrating AR. He discusses his dream projects, including collaborations with Apple, and his passion for creating high-quality, VFX-like AR experiences. Artyom also touches on the current limitations of AI in AR development, his preference for native iOS development over cross-platform solutions like Unity, and his work on a B2B AR platform for real estate. Finally he offers advice for aspiring AR developers, emphasizing the importance of understanding 3D and matrices, and shares his hopes for the future of AR, focusing on improved quality and immersive experiences.

Key takeaways

• Augmented reality development is still a niche field where AI has limited capabilities, offering job security for skilled developers.

• Native iOS development provides superior AR experiences compared to cross-platform solutions like Unity, especially for complex applications.

• A strong foundation in 3D concepts, matrices, and shader programming is essential for aspiring AR/XR developers.

• The future of AR lies in creating high-quality, immersive experiences that blend seamlessly with the real world, driven by advancements in hardware and software.

You can connect to Artyom on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artyommihailovich

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artyom.mihailovich

X: https://x.com/Qmff0NbsLUPji1W

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/artyom.mihailovich

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In this episode of the Amata World podcast, we talked to Ilya and Alesja, co-founders of Safest Way, an app designed to calculate the safest routes for pedestrians by analyzing data on street lighting, CCTV, and crime. They share their inspiration behind Safest Way, which stemmed from personal experiences of feeling unsafe while walking at night. The conversation covers how AI, particularly computer vision and language models, is used to assess the subjective perception of safety by analyzing street imagery. Challenges include data quality, diverse viewpoints on safety, and licensing restrictions on using platforms like Google Street View. We also touched on future plans, including hyper-personalization of routes based on individual preferences and the development of a safety foundation model. They also offered advice to those starting with AI, emphasizing the importance of identifying the problem first and strategically applying AI tools rather than over-relying on them.

Key takeaways:

• Safest Way uses AI to enhance pedestrian safety by analyzing objective data (lighting, crime) and subjective perceptions of safety (street imagery).

• The subjective perception of safety is complex and varies based on individual factors such as gender, age, and personal experiences.

• Data quality and diversity are significant challenges in using AI to assess safety, requiring strategic data collection and labeling efforts.

• Future plans include hyper-personalization of routes based on individual preferences and the development of a safety foundation model for urban environments.

• AI should be applied strategically to solve specific problems, rather than being seen as a universal solution.

You can connect to Alesja on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alesja-gilvear-8868b839

Connect with Ilya:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyankou

To find out more about The Safest Way:

Website: https://safestway.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/safest-way

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safestwayapp

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/safestwayapp

Download Safest Way:

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/safest-way/id6502523910

Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.safestway

Follow us:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amata-world-podcast/

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In this episode of the Amata World podcast, Dhruv Sharda from Coinstore discusses his journey in the crypto and Web3 space, sharing key lessons from his experiences, including adapting to market changes and the importance of clear communication. He emphasizes the need for founders to focus on building a strong community, being consistent, and investing in themselves. Dhruv also touches on the evolving landscape of Web3, highlighting the potential of real-world asset tokenization and the importance of education and awareness to avoid scams. He encourages founders to be visible, share their stories, and build practical solutions, as the market increasingly rewards practicality and clear communication.

Key takeaways:

• Adaptability is crucial in the volatile crypto market; founders must be ready to pivot and adjust their strategies.

• Building a strong, active community is essential for project success, even more so than having a large budget.

• Founders should invest in themselves and be visible, as people connect with people before products.

• Clear communication and a simple, understandable story are vital for attracting users and partners.

• The Web3 space is maturing, with a growing emphasis on practicality and real-world applications like RWA tokenization.

You can connect to Dhruv on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhruv-sharda/

To find out more about Coinstore:

Website: https://www.coinstore.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coinstore

Twitter/X: https://x.com/CoinstoreExc

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