From Combat Engineer to Game Producer: Lewis Manalo’s Journey into Gaming

In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Lewis Manalo, Co-Founder and Executive Producer at Old Glory Studios, for a wide-ranging conversation on his incredible journey—from NYU film school to combat engineer in the 82nd Airborne Division, and back to civilian life as a creative force in the gaming and film industries. Lewis shares how witnessing 9/11 from his Jersey City apartment changed the trajectory of his life, leading him to enlist and deploy to Afghanistan during OEF. He talks about his time in uniform, including early missions with the 101st Airborne, and the cultural differences between units that stood out to him. After transitioning out of the Army, Lewis faced unexpected challenges reentering the film world, even needing to remove his military service from his resume at times. But through perseverance and his passion for storytelling, he found his niche—first in writing and then in the world of AAA video games like Ghost Recon and Dying Light 2. Now the Co-Founder and Executive Producer of Old Glory Studios, Lewis opens up about launching a veteran-led game studio, creating their upcoming title ExoBorn, and how his military experience continues to shape the narratives he brings to life. This episode is a must-listen for veterans navigating creative careers, gamers curious about what it takes to build a studio, and anyone who loves a powerful story of service, resilience, and reinvention. Thanks for listening! Here"s how you can find us to continue the conversation: Tweet us at @brendan_aronson Follow us on Instagram at @themilitaryvet Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter at https://www.themilvet.org/resources-for-veterans Check out our video content on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@themilitaryvet