[Talk::Overflow #14] - Highlights from Better Software Conference 2025 [Part 1]
Your curated digest of the most impactful sessions.
Welcome to the 14th edition of Talk::Overflow!!
This week, we're diving into the Better Software Conference (BSC) 2025, spotlighting the standout talks from Day 1 and Day 2. These sessions are packed with insights on programming paradigms, performance optimization, tools, and game development—perfect for developers looking to sharpen their skills and rethink their approaches. Whether you're a game dev, systems engineer, or just passionate about better software, these talks will inspire you to level up your craft.
Day 1 Talks
The Big OOPs: Anatomy of a Thirty-five-year Mistake – Casey Muratori
Why Watch: Dive into a fascinating historical dissection of object-oriented programming (OOP) and its evolution over 35 years. Casey traces OOP's roots from early influences like Simula and Bjarne Stroustrup's work to modern alternatives like entity-component systems, using real-world examples from games like Thief: The Dark Project. You'll explore encapsulation boundaries, the pitfalls of inheritance hierarchies, and why runtime structures might outperform compile-time ones. This talk is a must-watch for any developer grappling with programming paradigms—it'll challenge your assumptions, provide historical context, and equip you with fresh perspectives on designing maintainable, efficient software architectures that avoid common OOP traps.
Parallelizing the Physics Engine – Dennis Gustafsson
Why Watch: Dive into the art of multi-threading game physics for smoother simulations. Dennis shares techniques for optimizing memory allocation, balancing speed and precision, and integrating forces. Essential for anyone building high-performance engines or realistic gameplay physics.
Tools of the Trade – Bill Hall (gingerBill)
Why Watch: Bill Hall, creator of the Odin language, makes the case for math as an essential programming tool. From calculus for animation to linear algebra and frame-rate-independent simulations, this talk equips you with practical math-driven techniques for solving complex problems and optimizing code.
File Pilot: Inside the Engine – Vjekoslav Krajačić
Why Watch: An insider’s guide to building File Pilot, a lightning-fast Windows file explorer. Vjekoslav walks through layered architecture, arena-based memory management, async multi-threading, and performance tricks. Learn how to balance speed, simplicity, and scalability in tool development.
Day 2 Talks
Cracking the Code: Realtime Debugger Visualization Architecture – Ryan Fleury
Why Watch: Ryan unveils the internals of the Rad Debugger’s real-time visualization system. Explore data pipelines, caching, multi-context evaluation, and rendering non-textual data like 3D geometry. A goldmine for developers building debuggers or data visualization tools.
You Should Finish Your Software – Eskil Steenberg
Why Watch: A motivational call to action: stop endlessly iterating and start shipping. Eskil shares lessons on breaking projects into reusable components, stabilizing APIs, and focusing on accomplishments over capabilities—helping you create software with lasting impact.
Programming Vehicles in Games – Wassim Alhajomar (Wassimulator)
Why Watch: A masterclass in crafting immersive car physics, from engine torque modeling to tire slip formulas and procedural audio. Learn to balance realism and performance for gameplay that feels both accurate and fun.
Most of Your Projects Are Stupid. Please Make Some Actual Games. – Ted Bendixson
Why Watch: Ted pushes devs to stop making endless prototypes and start shipping real games. With tips on low-friction prototyping, entity structures, and smart marketing, this is your roadmap to turning ideas into commercial successes.
Dynamic Phase Alignment in Audio – Sander J. Skjegstad
Why Watch: A breakthrough in solving time-difference-of-arrival issues in audio. Sander introduces methods like dynamic time warping and FFT phase overwriting to perfectly align tracks in real time—ideal for game audio, film sound, and immersive experiences.
💬 Like what you read?
You’re reading Talk::Overflow #14 — the weekly digest for developers who want to stay sharp and skip the noise.
→ Browse past issues
→ Suggest a talk
→ Share it with the friends
Stay curious. Stay kind.
— Talk::Overflow