Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games
192 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 127 ratingsCandid conversations with game creators that dive deep into the art, craft, and process of making games.
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Episodes
137: Reflecting (and More) on GDC 2024
April 22, 2024 03:10 - 1 hour - 66.6 MBFour of ours hosts went to the 2024 Game Developers Conference, and we lived to share anecdotes, interesting games we saw, and the highlights (and injuries) of our week! Also, Rob chases down a handful of other lovely devs to tell us the best/hardest things about making games right now. Show Notes: Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure Experimental Game Workshop Museum of Mechanics: Lockpicking Once Upon a Jester Misshapen Mediterranea Inferno Kill Lincoln The Crush House
136: Going in Blind with Balatro
April 05, 2024 06:39 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBWe're joined by LocalThunk, solo creator of the hypnotic deckbuilder Balatro. We discuss flauting the fashion of a genre and going into development blind, the benefits of balacing by feel, and why Balatro shouldn't exist. Show Notes: Balatro LocalThunk Big two Luck Be a Landlord Slice & Dice Slay the Spire Risk of Rain 2
135: Harnessing the Algorithm with Eric Chahi
March 15, 2024 16:00 - 1 hour - 61.6 MBWe're joined by renowned designer Eric Chahi (Another World, From Dust) to discuss his singularly surreal VR adventure Paper Beast. We discuss building a living ecosystem born from constraints, how the craft has changed over the decades, and the indecency of technology. Show Notes: Eric Chahi Paper Beast Another World From Dust Heart of Darkness Strandbeest TsuShiMaMiRe Paprika Pale Blue Dot
134: Striving for Imperfection with Jon Ingold (A Highland Song)
February 24, 2024 22:29 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBWe're joined by Jon Ingold, co-founder of Inkle Studios (80 Days, Heaven's Vault) to discuss A Highland Song - a wild adventure through the Scottish Highlands. We chat about creating narrative-driven games without a critical path, allowing players to fail forward, and the origins of Inkle's beloved narrative scripting language, ink. Show Notes: Jon Ingold A Highland Song Inkle Studios ink The Forever Labyrinth Rick Dangerous TV Superstars Inform MUDs Uncharted 3's horse...
133: Celebrating Our 5th Anniversary!
February 09, 2024 17:00 - 1 hour - 62.9 MBWe (belatedly) celebrate the 5th anniversary of our show with a sprawling, silly, reflective episode with a full house of hosts! Thanks for listening to us for all this time. <3 Show Notes: Bob Mould Heat: Pedal to the Metal Everest Pipkin's The Poppy Grower Learning Moonring with Zach A Link to the Past Redux Paper Beast Late Show 3-Legged Race: Video Game Speedrunner Edition Tharsis Blue Thunder Everyday Shooter PixelJunk Monsters Puzzled Pint Sleep No More Te...
132: Welcoming Rob!
January 30, 2024 06:32 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBWe welcome Rob Dubbin (he/they) as a permanent member of the host pool! We discuss his journey from Late Night into making games, applicable lessons learned in the writers' room, and the importance of making your own shot. Show Notes: Rob Dubbin NYU Game Center Babycastles Wonderville Game Studies Study Buddies I Am America (And So Can You!) Earl Grey ZZT by Anna Anthropy London Jerry: Freelance Mailman Stephen Colbert at the White House Correspondants' Dinner Samurai...
131: Using All of Your Tools with Kevin Poupard (Jusant)
January 12, 2024 17:00 - 1 hour - 72.6 MBWe're joined by Kevin Poupard, co-creative director of the beautiful, meditative climbing game Jusant. We discuss the pains and gains of physics, trying something new as a studio, and anthropomorphizing mountains. Plus special guest co-host Mark Brown of Game Maker's Toolkit! Thanks Mark! Show Notes: Jusant GMTK - How Jusant Makes Rock-Climbing More Immersive Mind Over Magnet Grow Home Shadow of the Colossus
130: Games of the Year 2023
December 31, 2023 22:39 - 2 hours - 122 MBWe sit down with our newest co-host, writer/developer Rob Dubbin, to each count down our Top 5 games of 2023, alongside picks from previous show guests and our listeners. Happy New Year! Our GOTY picks (SPOILERS): Zach: Super Locomotive Kirby's Dream Land 2 The F Train Simulator Playing Wii-U with a kid Yamaha TENORI-ON Sarah: Betrayal at Club Low Puzzmo Crosswords The Emerald Flame Case of the Golden Idol Organized Labor Andy: System Shock (remake) Pikmin 1+2 (remakes)...
129: Reinforcing Worldbuilding through Gameplay with Spoils
December 23, 2023 14:38 - 1 hour - 125 MBDaria Radu, Ben Wilson, and our very own Douglas Wilson join us to discuss their trick-taking card game Spoils, featured as an optional game within story-driven adventure game Saltsea Chronicles. We discuss the genesis of the game, drawing inspiration from worldbuilding, trick-taking as a mechanic, the programming of the AI systems, and more. Show Notes: Episode 69: Building a Better Bridge with Ben Wilson Spoils - A Development Retrospective Briscola Chiamata Bridge Skat The ...
128: "Yes, And"-ing Your Design with Albert Birney and Gabriel Koenig (Tux and Fanny)
December 13, 2023 07:30 - 1 hour - 63.7 MBThe creators of Tux and Fanny - Albery Birney and Gabriel Koenig - stop by to discuss their existential and hilarious adventure game Tux and Fanny. We discuss collaboration as improv comedy, the benefit of working with people from outside of games, and creating a Saturday morning cartoon from another world. Show Notes: Tux and Fanny (game) Tux and Fanny (film) Albert Birney Gabriel Koenig Dr. Mario or: House I Learned to Love Video Games Again and Accidentally Made One Pixilar...
127: Plotting a Course with Hannah Nicklin and Harry Josephine Giles (Saltsea Chronicles)
November 26, 2023 00:34 - 1 hour - 59.7 MBWe're joined by creative director Hannah Nicklin and writer Harry Josephine Giles to discuss Die Gute Fabrik's beautiful new story-driven adventure, Saltsea Chronicles. We dig into the world-building and construction of the playable ensemble cast, the writer's room that pulled it off, and building out design process as design. Show Notes: Saltsea Chronicles Die Gute Fabrik Hannah Nicklin Harry Josephine Giles Ink Deep Dive: Designing a narrative for multiple middles and multip...
126: Building Your Own Platform with Zach Gage (Puzzmo)
November 12, 2023 15:33 - 1 hour - 130 MBWe talk to our very own Zach Gage about his brand new games website, Puzzmo. We talk about player curiosity, newspaper games, Crosswords, and more. Show Notes: Episode 37: Designing Around Language with Zach Gage Puzzmo manifesto AVCX How Hard Could It Be? (crossword puzzle by Rob Dubbin)
125: Exploring Your Own Landscape with Mars First Logistics
October 28, 2023 15:28 - 1 hour - 87.5 MBIan MacLarty and Kalonica Quigley join us to discuss their open world physics simulation game, Mars First Logistics. We talk about the tech art behind the game's visual style, the procedurally generated landscape, the humor of the gameplay, and more. Show Notes: Mars First Logistics Catacombs of Solaris Apartment Red Desert Render Out of Bounds: Exploring the Limits of Videogames Ian's tech art posts Jumpgrid Bennett Foddy blog post about zk map
124: Thinking Inside the Box with Patrick Traynor (Patrick's Parabox)
October 07, 2023 18:12 - 1 hour - 46.2 MBWe're joined by Patrick Traynor, creator of Patrick's Parabox, a mind-bending recursive puzzle game about boxes within boxes. We discuss following your gut to what a game wants to be, being part of the puzzle design community, and our core philosophies behind puzzle design. Show Notes: Patrick's Parabox Patrick Traynor Linelith I Wanna Be the Guy Fangames Sokosoko Sokoban Stephen's Sausage Roll Singles - Rebecca Sugar Patrick's Parabox OST Osmos Puzzle Level Idea Strat...
123: (Rerun) Maximizing Minimalism with Disc Room
August 25, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 71.2 MBWe're taking a small summer break, so please enjoy one of our favorite episodes from 2020 with a new introduction from Doug! The ENTIRE all-star Disc Room team - Kitty Calis, JW Nijman, Doseone, and Terri Vellmann - stop by for a rowdy disc-ussion on their new arcade sci-fi avoid-em-up. We chat about making the Margherita pizza of games, nailing the details to make a simple concept sing, and making the most of team collaborations. Show notes: Disc Room Launch trailer Kitty Calis ...
122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol)
August 11, 2023 16:00 - 2 hours - 104 MBWe're honored to be joined by Gilles De Coster, host of our favorite Belgian reality TV game show - De Mol - to talk about the process, inspirations, and execution of the sublime game design behind its thrilling, subversive challenges. We spend the first hour giving all the context you'll need to follow along, before diving into the interview. This is a special one for us, check it out! Show Notes: De Mol (SPOILERS) The Mole (inferior American version) Wie is de Mol? (Dutch version) ...
121: Developing Your Taste with Abhi (Venba)
July 28, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 47.5 MBWe're joined by Abhi to discuss Venba - Visai Games' short narrative cooking game about family, love, and loss. We discuss uniting narrative and gameplay, making a very personal game in a commercial industry, and creating a cooking experience with its own distinct flavor. Show Notes: Abhi Venba Papers, Please Assemble with Care Idli Exit/Corners Wholesome Games Laundry Bear Games Alpha Something - Venba soundtrack Keel Haul Abhi's picks: Favorite cooking videos: L...
120: Making a Case for Intuition with Andrejs Kļaviņš (The Case of the Golden Idol)
July 14, 2023 17:48 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBWe're joined by Color Gray Games' Andrejs Kļaviņš to discuss their deeply rewarding detective game The Case of the Golden Idol. We discuss building on the game's cross-media inspirations, finding the 'aha!' moments in playtesting, and trusting yourself to trust your players. Show Notes: The Case of the Golden Idol Color Gray Games Andrejs Kļaviņš Resonance Return of the Obra Dinn gamedeveloper.com interview GMTK - What Makes a Good Detective Game? Understanding Comics Wi...
119: Collaborating in Character with Ashly Burch and Guerrilla Games (Horizon)
June 30, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 63.4 MBWe're joined by actor Ashly Burch and Guerilla Games' Ben McCaw and Jochen Willemsen to deconstruct their deeply collaborative work on the Horizon game franchise - building the character of Aloy, the role of performance capture, and carving out nuance and evolution in a blockbuster series. Show Notes: Horizon Forbidden West Horizon series Ashly Burch Ben McCaw Jochen Willemson Hey Ash Whatcha Playin'? Tenzin (Uncharted 2) Gildun (Horizon character) Seyka (Horizon character)
118: Exploring Your Curiosity with Rita Orlov (PostCurious)
June 16, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 52.6 MBWe're joined by Rita Orlov to discuss her PostCurious catalog of captivating narrative tabletop puzzle games, including her journey from physical and fine art into games, why designers love bouldering, and trusting players to summit her puzzles. Show Notes: Rita Orlov PostCurious The Emerald Flame Threads of Fate KickStarter Lauren Bello Rita’s furniture Rita's masks Prague tunnels Bouldering Chip’s Challenge Syberia Rush Hour Society of Curiosities Traveler's ...
117: Answering Your Questions without a Guest (June 2023 Edition)
June 02, 2023 16:50 - 1 hour - 67 MBFour of our hosts get a little loopy answering questions submitted by our listeners, from how we all met, to our favorite game controllers, to the importance of mechanics vs vibes. We plan to do more of these episides once in a while, so let us know what you think and send us your most burning, random questions! Show Notes: Andean Abyss Zach's dreamy eyes Game of Thrones board game NeGcon Gravis PC GamePad PsychOdyssey Dysforgiveness Unify XOXO Festival Edgar Rice Soir...
116: Finding Hope in Loss with Red Hook Studios (Darkest Dungeon II)
May 19, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 57.2 MBWe're joined by co-founders Tyler Sigman and Chris Bourassa to discuss Red Hook Studios' new roguelike road trip of the damned, Darkest Dungeon II. We explore heroism by contrast, the delicate stakes of making an unforgiving game more forgiving, and fostering the will to get back up again when the road gets tough. Show Notes: Red Hook Studios Darkest Dungeon II Tyler Sigman Chris Bourassa Fury (2014 movie)
115: Doubling Down on Intuition with Kenny Sun (Mr. Sun's Hatbox)
May 08, 2023 07:23 - 1 hour - 47.4 MBWe're joined by Kenny Sun (Twinfold) to chat about his slapstick, roguelite platformer Mr. Sun's Hatbox. We talk about the benefits of setting a prototype down for a while, what humor can let you get away with, and trusting your instincts. Show Notes: Kenny Sun Mr. Sun's Hatbox Kenny's concert photography Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Gabe Cuzzillo Ape Out
114: Loving Mondays with Cosmo D (Betrayal at Club Low)
April 21, 2023 22:47 - 1 hour - 57 MBWe're joined by Greg “Cosmo D” Heffernan to discuss his IGF-winning, dice-fueled fever dream Betrayal at Club Low. We explore his fascinating journey from making music to making games, balancing for transparency, and letting your love of the process guide you. Show Notes: Cosmo D Betrayal at Club Low Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories Boiler Room London live set Despelote Glasslands Gallery Gloomhaven The Brooklyn Strategist Disco Elysium Fate role-playing system Charles P...
113: On top of the Fires of Hell w/ Daniel Benmergui (Storyteller)
April 09, 2023 17:32 - 1 hour - 174 MBWe're joined by Daniel Benmergui (I Wish I Were the Moon, Fidel Dungeon Rescue), creator of the narrative-weaving puzzle game Storyteller. We discuss the challenges of designing playful and snappy interaction, wrangling cause and effect, and managing expectations for a game 15 years in the making. Daniel Benmergui Storyteller Cosmicomics Petri Purho I Wish I Were the Moon Today I Die Fidel Dungeon Rescue Scribblenauts Florence worm club Framed Façade
112: Playing in the Moment with Videogamo (DOBOTONE)
March 24, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBWe're joined by Hernán Sáez of Videogamo (DOBOTONE, NAVE) to discuss his beautifully ephemeral party/arcade games, as well as Marie Foulston, a playful curator/creative director who commissioned Videogamo's latest work, GOL-E-GOL. We discuss site-specific experiences, and the slippage between hardware and software realms. Show Notes: Hernán Sáez Marie Foulston Videogamo Máximo Balestrini NAVE Arcade DOBOTONE Gol-E-Gol Videogames: Design/Play/Disrupt Wild Rumpus No Quart...
111: Finding Your Groove with John Johanas (Hi-Fi RUSH)
March 11, 2023 00:40 - 1 hour - 54.6 MBWe're joined by John Johanas, Director of Tango Gameworks' pitch-perfect rhythm action game Hi-Fi RUSH. We discuss the many challenges of creating a world and systems that stay on beat, while John and Sarah discuss the creation of the character she plays in the game (!), Korsica. Show Notes: John Johanas Hi-Fi RUSH Tango Gameworks Sekiro Skate's text-based prototype Everyday Shooter Tormentor X Punisher Patapon PaRappa the Rapper GuitarFreaks Guitar Hero Live Dyad ...
110: Making Friends with Madison Karrh (Birth)
February 24, 2023 22:59 - 1 hour - 54.7 MBWe're joined by Madison Karrh, the solo dev behind Birth, a curious new adventure puzzle game about building a companion to quell your loneliness. We discuss the density and voyeurism of exploring city spaces, embracing the aesthetics of death, and making games that respect your time on earth. Show Notes: Madison Karrh IndieCade: Canabalt's Adam Saltsman's Pursuit of the Infinite Cole Imperi (Thanatologist) Double Fine's PsychOdyssey Everyone I Know Keeps Breaking Things A Ch...
109: Answering Your Questions without a Guest
February 11, 2023 02:56 - 1 hour - 68.9 MBNo guest this week, so we chat about the motley selection of games we're playing, before hopping into some thoughtful listener questions. We talk reality shows, historical board games, our go-to podcasts, and the importance of making things for yourself. Show Notes: Betrayal at Club Low Noita Slice & Dice Hi-Fi RUSH Duolingo I Imported EDF6, And Here's Why You Should Too Boss Fight Books - Season 6 Kickstarter OODA loop Paolo Pedercini's Making Games in an F****d Up Wor...
108: Designing For Delight with Vectorpark (Windosill)
January 27, 2023 17:00 - 1 hour - 58.7 MBPatrick "Vectorpark" Smith joins us to discuss his curious and inspiring oeuvre, the lost art of Flash games and DVD menus, and the pros and cons of keeping your art to yourself. Show Notes: Vectorpark Windosill Patrick's paintings Haunt the House Dorling Kindersley's 1995 Encyclopedia of Nature Daniel Clowes Chris Ware's Jimmy Corrigan Julie Doucet Jim Woodring's Frank "Playdate" by Chris Ware Richard McGuire TET Playables Hollow Ponds Noby Noby Boy
107: Welcoming Laura!
January 13, 2023 17:00 - 1 hour - 56.5 MBWe welcome Laura E. Hall (they/she) as a permanent member of the cast! Fresh off a session of their online escape game The Traveler's Guide to Little Sodaburg, we dig into its web-savvy design, how the last few years have impacted the immersive games space, and the inspirations behind a rad career of experience design. Show Notes: Laura E. Hall The Traveler's Guide to Little Sodaburg The Pop Star's Room of Doom Pursuit of the Assassin Artist Palace Games Sleep No More Meow Wo...
106: Games of the Year 2022
December 30, 2022 17:00 - 2 hours - 115 MBPer tradition, we sit down with immersive puzzle designer Laura E. Hall - and bonus guest writer/developer Rob Dubbin - to count down our Top 5 games of 2022, alongside picks from previous show guests and our listeners. Happy New Year! Our GOTY picks (SPOILERS): Laura: Pentiment Bureau of Multiversal Arbitration Immortality The Case of the Golden Idol The Emerald Flame Rob: Kubb I Was a Teenage Exocolonist Fun City Slice & Dice Babble Royale Andy: Metroid Dread Pentimen...
105: Making History with Josh Sawyer (Pentiment)
December 16, 2022 17:00 - 1 hour - 51.2 MBJosh Sawyer (Fallout: New Vegas, Pillars of Eternity) joins us to discuss Obsidian's historical, narrative-driven adventure game Pentiment. We chat about text boxes as game feel, creating hard player choices that don't feel bad, and putting yourself in your art. Show Notes: Josh Sawyer Pentiment The Name of the Rose Pitching a 16th Century Murder Mystery - AIAS Game Maker's Notebook Juice It or Lose It talk Lettermatic Night in the Woods So where *is* Tassing, actually? (T...
104: Thanksgiving Leftovers
December 08, 2022 00:30 - 1 hour - 75.3 MBOur guest couldn't make it, so we gathered some listener questions and got weird! Join us for Thanksgiving recipes, our favorite recent game mechanics, and some "state of the industry" musings. Enjoy! Show notes: Vectorpark Meathead's AmazingRibs.com Manchego mashed potatoes Kabocha Pie Nick's pancake recipe Paprika Recipe Manager Sarah's Konsoll talk Sarah as She-Venom Marvel Snap Caper: Europe Air, Land & Sea God of War: Ragnarok Pax Pamir John Company T...
103: Day of the Devs Special
November 20, 2022 00:19 - 1 hour - 64 MBWe (well, Nick) stops by the annual Day of the Devs event in San Francisco, and chats to a bunch of lovely developers about the games they're showing there, their biggest design challenges, and what it feels like making games in the cursed year of 2022. Show notes: Day of the Devs Double Fine iam8bit Pietro Righi Riva Saturnalia Chandana Ekanayake Thirsty Suitors Jasper Oprel Indiana Jonas Surmount Madison Karrh Birth Billy Basso Animal Well Xalavier Nelson Jr...
102: Playing on Your Own Terms with Wayward Strand
November 04, 2022 23:36 - 1 hour - 52.2 MBGhost Pattern's Jason Bakker and Georgia Symons join us to discuss their heartfelt interactive story Wayward Strand. We meander through its immersive theater inspirations, the origins of its airship, and the process of rethinking player agency in the attention economy. Show Notes: Jason Bakker Georgia Symons Ghost Pattern Wayward Strand Need 4e+9 Speed The Last Express Sleep No More The Drowned Man The Life Aquatic VicScreen Freeplay
101: Working in a Vacuum with Heavenly Bodies
October 21, 2022 16:00 - 1 hour - 51.5 MBAlexander Perrin and Joshua Tatangelo join us to discuss their expressive, physics-driven space puzzler Heavenly Bodies. We chat about designing a challenging game that isn't antagonistic, a funny game whose comedy is inherent, and their inspirations (or lack thereof). Show Notes: Heavenly Bodies 2pt Interactive Pogo Cat Short Trip Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy Meredith Hall Untitled Goose Game Simpsons space scene
100: Just One (Hundred) with Friends of Eggplant
October 04, 2022 16:39 - 2 hours - 85.6 MBWe're joined by dear friends of the show Laura E. Hall, Bennett Foddy, and Doseone for a Doug-masterminded, Eggplant-themed game of Just One. Stick around after the insanity for a reflection on the past four years of the show, how our lives have changed since, and what the show means to us (and you - thanks for the letters!). Show notes: Laura E. Hall 31 Days of Halloween newsletter Find Satoshi Bennett Foddy Doseone Demon Throttle Immortality Hyper Demon Just One Antho...
99: Charting the Future with Sarah Northway (I Was a Teenage Exocolonist)
September 16, 2022 16:00 - 1 hour - 59.2 MBSarah Northway (Northway Games) joins us to discuss her sprawling new narrative RPG I Was a Teenage Exocolonist. We discuss juggling a staggering script, deckbuilding as storytelling, and some of the wilder places that the game's time looping can go. Show notes: Northway Games Sarah Northway I Was a Teenage Exocolonist Museum of Other Realities Princess Maker (series) Groundhog Day Signs of the Sojourner Dragon Age (series) Jogging House
98: Escaping Your Fate with Coin Crew Games (Escape Academy)
September 02, 2022 16:00 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBCo-founders Wyatt Bushnell and Mike Salyh - and special guest co-host Laura E. Hall - join us to discuss Coin Crew's awesome new co-op escape room game Escape Academy. We discuss pandemic pivoting to the digital space, designing for arcades vs. living rooms, and the perils of playtesting in both mediums. Show notes: Coin Crew Games Escape Academy Laura E. Hall Planning Your Escape The Traveler's Guide to Little Sodaburg Space Squad in Space Two Bit Circus Hot Wheels: King ...
97: Hosting Online Reality Games (ORGs) w/ Ash Neleh
August 19, 2022 17:58 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBAsh Neleh, host of the ! Series of online reality games, joins Doug for a conversation about adapting reality TV competition games for online fan communities. We talk about the 18-year history of the ! Series, as well as some of the favorite twists he's designed. Show notes: ! Series Wiki ! Series Discord De Mol
96: Eavesdropping for Inspiration with Grace Bruxner (Frog Detective)
August 05, 2022 16:00 - 1 hour - 45.8 MBFrog Detective creator Grace Bruxner joins us to discuss the inspirations and process behind her charming detective series, including the upcoming Frog Detective 3: Corruption at Cowboy County. We discuss sticking to scope (or not), making the most of adventure game tropes, and finding inspiration in the mundane. Show notes: Grace Bruxner Frog Detective ALIEN CASENO Games Talks 2020: Grace Bruxner Building Games Around Humor (GDC talk) L.A. Noire Frog Detective Twitter accoun...
95: (Rerun) Making Generous Games with Terry Cavanagh (Dicey Dungeons)
July 22, 2022 16:48 - 1 hour - 60.4 MBWe're taking a small summer break, so please enjoy one of our favorite episodes from a few years ago. And check out the new mobile version of Dicey Dungeons, and the free DLC! Terry Cavanagh (Super Hexagon, VVVVVV) joins us to talk about his fantastic roguelike deckbuilder, Dicey Dungeons. We discuss the thread of generosity in his game design, the challenges of working across genres, and what might be next for Terry! Show notes: Terry's distractionware.com Dicey Dungeons VVVVVV ...
94: Learning to Unclench with Ben Esposito (Neon White)
July 08, 2022 21:54 - 1 hour - 60.1 MBBen Esposito (Donut County, What Remains of Edith Finch) joins us to talk about his heavenly new card-powered, speedrunning FPS Neon White. We discuss making tight designs by keeping things loose, what a "career" of indie games feels like, and making games u wish 2 see on the Dreamcast. Show notes: Ben Esposito Neon White Donut County Arcane Kids Glitch City Super Meat Boy Killer7 Cowboy Bebop Trigun Hunter x Hunter GoldenEye 007 Lovely Planet Machine Girl Sonic...
93: Cheating Depth with Card Shark
June 24, 2022 16:00 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBCard Shark creators Arnaud De Bock of Nerial (Reigns) and Nicolai Troshinsky join us to discuss their innovative new adventure game about cheating. We discuss its filmic inspirations, the narrative progression of chaining tricks, and designing a game loop of teaching and testing. Show notes: Arnaud De Bock Nicolai Troshinky Nerial Reigns Pikuniku UFO On Tape Loop Raccord Barry Lyndon The Expert at the Card Table Gambling Sleight of Hand - Steve Forte The Magic Castle
92: Untangling Language with Knotwords
June 10, 2022 07:05 - 1 hour - 61.5 MBKnotwords creators Jack Schlesinger and our own Zach Gage chat to us about their elegant new logic puzzle word game. We discuss "cracking" the game design they'd been chasing forever, and how they created the puzzle/word generator that makes it great. Show notes: Jack Schlesinger Zach Gage Knotwords Nikoli puzzles Alcazar Two Not Touch puzzles Good Sudoku SpellTower+ Bit Pilot Wordle Calvin & Hobbes This episode edited by Dylan Shumway, thanks Dylan!
91: Finding Poetry in Geometry with Mahdi Bahrami (Tandis)
May 27, 2022 16:00 - 1 hour - 54.9 MBMahdi Bahrami joins us to discuss his beautiful, mind-bending new puzzle game Tandis. We discuss teaching complex geometry concepts without any numbers, poetry as playtesting, and drawing a line through Mahdi's math-inspired oeuvre. Show notes: Mahdi Bahrami Tandis Engare Farsh ArsTechnica Tandis review Waldorf Education Mercator Projection
91: Finding Poetry in Geometry with Mahdi Bahrami
May 27, 2022 16:00 - 1 hour - 54.9 MBMahdi Bahrami joins us to discuss his beautiful, mind-bending new puzzle game Tandis. We discuss teaching complex geometry concepts without any numbers, poetry as playtesting, and drawing a line through Mahdi's math-inspired oeuvre. Show notes: Mahdi Bahrami Tandis Engare Farsh ArsTechnica Tandis review Waldorf Education Mercator Projection
90: Rethinking Reality with Tender Claws
May 13, 2022 20:37 - 1 hour - 57.2 MBTender Claws' Samantha Gorman and Danny Cannizzazo join us - alongside guest co-host Star St. Germain - to discuss their singular immersive theater experience The Under, creating an enriching social space in VR, and gameplay as an act of rebellion. Show notes: Tender Claws The Under Virtual Virtual Reality Star St. Germain Tumball Piehole The Severance Theory: Welcome to Respite Royal Shakespeare Company's Dream Talk 'n Play The Invention of Morel Uncle Roy All Around ...
90: Rethinking Reality with Tender Claws (The Under Presents)
May 13, 2022 20:37 - 1 hour - 57.2 MBTender Claws' Samantha Gorman and Danny Cannizzazo join us - alongside guest co-host Star St. Germain - to discuss their singular immersive theater experience The Under, creating an enriching social space in VR, and gameplay as an act of rebellion. Show notes: Tender Claws The Under Virtual Virtual Reality Star St. Germain Tumball Piehole The Severance Theory: Welcome to Respite Royal Shakespeare Company's Dream Talk 'n Play The Invention of Morel Uncle Roy All Around ...