The Secret Lives of Games

EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Seaside Drive

Aug 22, 2025
Join indie game developers Daniel Mullins, creator of Inscryption, and Tonda Ros, known for Blue Prince, as they dive into the arcade shooter Seaside Drive. They discuss its unique gameplay and nostalgic aesthetics, while reflecting on the challenges of boss fights and speedrunning. The duo also explores the emotional connections players have with curated collections like UFO 50. In a playful twist, they share insights on upcoming projects, community engagement, and the joys of retro gaming, blending humor and innovation in this vibrant discussion.
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INSIGHT

Minimalist Shmup, Maximum Feel

  • Seaside Drive is a slick one-to-two player arcade shmup where you drift horizontally and power your gun by moving.
  • The design centers on tight feel, juggling enemies, and vibey presentation rather than complex scoring systems.
INSIGHT

Downwell DNA Shows Through

  • Ojiro Fumotooto (Downwell) directed Seaside Drive and brought Downwell DNA to its mechanics and lighting moments.
  • His short development stint plus Nintendo work shaped Seaside Drive's focused scope and polish.
INSIGHT

A Compact Arcade Dessert

  • Seaside Drive deliberately avoids endless progression and complex combos to deliver a compact, satisfying 15-minute arcade experience.
  • The game prioritizes immediate pleasure and completion over infinite high-score chasing.
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