In this episode, I’m joined by Grayson Cotrell, technical artist and destruction specialist, to break down how real-time destruction actually works in modern games.

Grayson shares how he builds AAA-quality destruction systems, how to make game effects feel alive, and why blueprinting might be the most important skill for technical artists today.

If you’re a game dev, technical artist, VFX artist, or someone curious about real-time procedural systems this one is packed with insight.

We dive deep into:

• Houdini to Unreal Engine workflows

• Importing simulations (FBX, VDB, VAT)

• Blueprint systems for interactive destruction

• Niagara particle layering

• Real-time vs pre-simulated effects

• Cinematics for game VFX

• Mentorship vs recorded courses

• Time management for large creative  ...