# An Interview with Zach Barth of Zachtronics

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2017-01-20
- Length: 1h 26m
- Episode: 332
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-20-an-interview-with-zach-barth-of-zachtronics
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/332-an-interview-with-zach-barth-of-zachtronics/

## Summary

Zach Barth, founder of the game studio Zachtronics, discusses his company's niche of making open-ended puzzle games for engineers, focusing on the design and reception of their latest title, Shenzhen I/O. He explains how the studio evolved from a solo hobbyist project to a small team, detailing the acquisition by Alliance and the creative freedom it provides. Barth also covers the technical challenges of designing custom assembly languages for games like TIS 100 and Shenzhen I/O, the use of player metrics to balance difficulty, and the intersection of gaming, education, and engineering culture.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-20-an-interview-with-zach-barth-of-zachtronics#t=0) Introduction: Zach Barth and Zachtronics
- [1:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-20-an-interview-with-zach-barth-of-zachtronics#t=63) The Philosophy of Games for Engineers
- [10:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-20-an-interview-with-zach-barth-of-zachtronics#t=648) Zachtronics History: From Microsoft to Valve
- [22:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-20-an-interview-with-zach-barth-of-zachtronics#t=1361) Game Development: Engines, Code, and Graphics
- [46:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-20-an-interview-with-zach-barth-of-zachtronics#t=2783) Shenzhen I/O: Design, Research, and Mechanics
- [1:00:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-20-an-interview-with-zach-barth-of-zachtronics#t=3640) Team Structure and Artistic Process
- [1:06:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-20-an-interview-with-zach-barth-of-zachtronics#t=3998) Educational Value and Game Design Metrics
- [1:24:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-20-an-interview-with-zach-barth-of-zachtronics#t=5041) Conclusion: Buying Games and Final Thoughts

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Zachtronics (company)
- Shenzhen I/O (product)
- TIS-100 (product)
- Infinifactory (product)
- Space Chem (product)
- Microsoft (company)
- Valve (company)
- Steam (other)
- EEVblog (other)
- Hackaday (other)
- Unity (tool)
- C Sharp (other)
- Wacom (tool)
- GOG (other)
- Humble Bundle (other)

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- [Interview with Zach Supalla - Particle CEO! Tachyon 5G SBC! Blues LoRaWAN Starter Kit!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2024-08-19-interview-with-zach-supalla-particle-ceo-tachyon-5g-sbc-blues-lorawan-starter-ki) (The Electromaker Show)
- [#001 - Introduction to the podcast, with your host, Balint Horvath, Switzerland](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-001-introduction-to-the-podcast-with-your-host-balint-horvath-switzerland) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [293: Skateboard Tricks](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-06-27-293-skateboard-tricks) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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