Roguelike Radio

Hosts dive into the world of Brogue, exploring its community dynamics and historical gender imbalances. They reflect on the appeal of early gameplay and puzzle design innovations. The discussion shifts to item identification mechanics, with debates on their effectiveness. Andrew introduces his variant, UnBrogue, highlighting new crafting and puzzle elements. They analyze the complexities of monster design and tactical weapon strategies while emphasizing interface decisions. The episode closes with personal tales of near-wins, encouraging listeners to engage with Brogue.

This is episode 91 of Roguelike Radio, where we talk about the first roguelikes we made. Talking this week are Darren Grey, Eben Howard, Jeff Lait and Nicolas Casalini. Read more »

This is episode 90 of Roguelike Radio, where we continue the interview with the Angband devteam.  Read more »

Join longtime Angband developer Aaron Bader, expert Chris Carr, maintainer Robert Au, and variant author Nick McConnell as they dive into the rich history and evolution of Angband. They discuss its origins from Moria, the evolution of the interface, and challenges with community-driven development. Topics include balancing tradition with innovation, recent gameplay changes, and the influence of Tolkien's lore. The team also shares insights on gameplay styles and their thoughts on future possibilities for the beloved roguelike.

Johannes Christmann and Rieger Gehling, developers on Curious Expedition, share insights on game design and conference experiences. They discuss the importance of community and the unique atmosphere at IRDC. Tom Ford dives into procedural quest generation, highlighting innovative techniques for engaging gameplay. The panel debates the balance of permadeath in roguelikes and the need for modifiable game rules. Additionally, Christian Janssen explores embedding historical themes in design, making for a captivating conversation on roguelike development trends.

This is episode 87 of Roguelike Radio, where we have a look at many of the games from the 7DRL week. Talking this episode are Darren Grey, Eben Howard, Paul Jeffries and Ed Kolis.  Read more »

Join Eben Howard, a roguelike developer known for his experimental projects like Emo Squid, and Aaron Steed, a game developer who thrives on the 7-Day Roguelike challenge. They dive into unique mechanics for 7DRLs, exploring the complexities of 3D design versus traditional gameplay. Hear their insights on integrating audio for feedback, the challenges of multiplayer, and the joys of leveraging procedural generation. With tips on prototyping fast and focusing on standout mechanics, this discussion is packed with wisdom for aspiring game creators!

This episode features DarkGod, an independent developer renowned for Tome, and Jim Shepard, the creator of Dungeonmans. They delve into the challenges of getting their games greenlit on Steam and share personal insights from their Kickstarter experiences. DarkGod discusses integrating live server features to enhance player interactions, while Jim reflects on community feedback driving ongoing development. The conversation also touches on the evolution of roguelikes, with thoughts on genre blending, mobile adaptations, and exciting future plans for both games.

This is episode 84 of Roguelike Radio, where we discuss Nethack, on the 10th anniversary of its last release. Talking this episode are Darren Grey, John Harris, Jeff Lait, David Ploog, Patric Mueller, Derek Ray and Pasi Kallinen. Read more »

Dive into the fascinating world of ASCII in roguelikes! Discover how ASCII's origins revolutionized early gameplay and its practical benefits for developers. Learn how this symbolic interface empowers players and allows for creativity without heavy art costs. Navigate through the design pitfalls of glyph reusability and accessibility considerations for a diverse audience. Explore the balance between graphics and clarity, and hear recommendations for accessible starter games. ASCII isn't just nostalgia; it's a vibrant, minimalist canvas for modern game design!