{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"We Thought It Would Be Easy","title":"Ed Fries: The Father of the Xbox is Really a Hacker at Heart","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/6dd5e832\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":5885,"description":"Ed Fries joins hosts Jordan Weisman and Jonathan Grant to show how a teenage arcade hacker became the exec who helped turn Microsoft into a gaming powerhouse. Curiosity first, constraints as fuel, and a ruthless respect for shipping, that hacker ethos still drives how he works & builds things today.\nCheck out Ed's venture fund 1Up Ventures - where he's building a community of the most talented, experienced, and creative independent game developers in the world.\nhttps://1upfund.com/\nDon't forget to check out the IDGA, he world’s largest nonprofit membership organization supporting the people who make games.\nhttps://igda.org/\nQuick reference mentioned by Ed:\n • Amir Satvat’s “Dear parent” letter: A frank, supportive overview for families weighing game careers, with realistic odds and next steps.\nhttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/amirsatvat_dear-parent-of-a-college-high-school-or-activity-7316429901132165125-vFYb/\n • Amir Satvat’s “Harsh truth about game degrees”: Data on employability by role, what to study, and practical alternatives.\nhttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/amirsatvat_the-harsh-truth-about-game-degrees-too-many-activity-7324100230067453952-YaW2/\n00:00 Jordan Weisman and Jonathan Grant welcome Ed Fries\n07:13 Early Hacker Days\n17:37 Excel's \"Sindogs\" Bug\n25:07 Joining Microsoft's Games Group\n29:00 Navigating Corporate Politics\n36:28 Xbox Origins & Brand Battles\n46:39 Building Game Portfolios\n59:52 Post-Microsoft & Family Focus\n01:05:48 Passion vs. Profit in Gaming\n01:15:22 1Up Ventures & New Bets\n01:21:23 Advice for Young Creators\n01:27:52 Regrets & The Fickle Nature of Pitches\n01:34:57 Closing & What's Next\nFollow us on Instagram:\nhttps://www.instagram.com/wethoughtpod\nFollow us on X:\nhttps://www.x.com/wethoughtpod\nFollow us on LinkedIn:\nhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/we-thought-it-would-be-easy","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/Gv92RzMf_9qJhP942JgsZ4dXyhp413A03f47wc56NKE/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hYWFm/MzkyZDlhZTM1NThj/OTZkMzkzMjYwZTQz/YzgzYi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}