The Secret Lives of Games
The Secret Lives of Games
Candid conversations with game creators that dive deep into the art, craft, and process of making games.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 7, 2020 • 1h 14min
56: Sourcing Locally with Ngoc Vu (Necrobarista)
Necrobarista's lead artist Ngoc Vu sits down to tell us how her team created the singular aesthetic of their kinetic visual novel, and talks us through its inseparable Melbourne inspirations. Show notes: Ngoc Vu Route 59 Games Necrobarista Long Live the Queen (the game Ngoc couldn't remember!) Tumblr Cinegraphs Rabbit Rush Kotaku anime frustration article Tachikoma Bin chickens Ned Kelly Sidney Nolan Understanding Comics Tilt to Live
Oct 31, 2020 • 2h 10min
Into the Depths: Spelunky 2 - Part 4
In the fourth installment of our deep-dive Spelunky 2 miniseries, we wade into the deepest secrets and SPOILERS of the game, covering the entire "chain" path and far beyond, giving our impressions, tips, and design musings along the way. Show notes: Mummy's voice meme A breakdown of 2013's most fascinating video game moment Ancient Egyptian sacrificial mythology Nick's first trip to Duat Our new voicemail number: 312-809-9680
Oct 22, 2020 • 1h 38min
55: Maximizing Minimalism with Disc Room
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 JW Nijman Doseone Terri Vellmann Pizza Margherita Disc Room Game Jam VVVVVV Chris Ware Monolith Bit Pilot
Oct 16, 2020 • 1h 36min
Into the Depths: Spelunky 2 - Part 3
In the third installment of our deep-dive Spelunky 2 miniseries, we continue the discussion on its unique difficult curve, debate the latest changes to the game, and talk through the design of worlds 3-5. Show notes: Noita 1.0 Thanks for a Great Launch (Update) JakeTreester's Reddit criticisms (big spoilers!) Nick's Olmec whiff Nick's Jiangshi whiff Colin's Daily in a GIF
Oct 10, 2020 • 1h 25min
54: Trusting Your Gut with Tj Hughes (Nour: Play With Your Food)
Tj Hughes (Terrifying Jellyfish) joins us to talk about his upcoming experimental food/art game Nour: Play With Your Food. We discuss games as toys, making things accessible by making them weird, and the most important element of both cooking and design (spoilers: it's love). Show notes: Tj Hughes Nour: Play With Your Food Feesh Panoramical Electroplankton Tabor Robak on Video Games Food in FFXV Breakfast in Dreams Hero of Time, Vegan of Hyrule Toasted Ravioli City Museum
Oct 2, 2020 • 1h 28min
Into the Depths: Spelunky 2 - Part 2
In the second installment of our deep-dive Spelunky 2 miniseries, we discuss the game's radical approach to difficulty, break down and contrast the second worlds of the game, and compare results on the Daily challenge.
Sep 25, 2020 • 1h 24min
53: Keeping it Short with Adam Robinson-Yu (A Short Hike)
A Short Hike creator Adam Robinson-Yu chills with us to chat about his cozy exploration game, from its Humble origins and inspirations, to balancing feature density with scope. Show notes: A Short Hike Adam Robinson-Yu Pitfall Planet Adam's Itch.io page Fund: Futures Crafting a Tiny Open World: A Short Hike Postmorterm Building Games Around Humor: Lessons from The Haunted Island, A Frog Detective Game Stugan Breakwaters Kickstarter doseone's new album
Sep 18, 2020 • 1h 22min
Into the Depths: Spelunky 2 - Part 1
In the first installment of our deep-dive Spelunky 2 miniseries, we have a - spoiler-free! - discussion of the first world of the game, design changes big and small and their implications, and what this sequel does to recapture the essence of what make the series so special. Show notes: Spelunky 2 Noita Surviving Spelunky 2: Tips for a Successful Expedition/Transition Northway Games I Was a Teenage Exocolonist Museum of Other Realities Polygon Spelunky 2 review Ojiro's Spelunky 2 death Nick's Spelunky 2 shotgun forgetfulness eggplant.show
Sep 11, 2020 • 1h 25min
52: Barking Up the Right Tree with Lucy Morris (Best Friend Forever)
Lucy Morris (Starcolt) joins us to talk about her recently-released dating/pet care sim Best Friend Forever! We discuss running a studio in a small community, building three dimensional characters, and the emotional travails of launching a game. Show notes: Lucy Morris Lovegames podcast bffgame.dog Launch Day: the emotional cost of releasing a game Jared Rosen + Dream Daddy Love Transcends All (Geographical) Boundaries acrylic
Aug 28, 2020 • 1h 25min
51: Good Sudoku with Zach Gage
We kick off a new era with a fully rebranded show! After navel-gazing about the changes, we talk to our own Zach Gage about making a Sudoku game that loves you. Show notes: eggplant.show Good Sudoku doseone Richard Hogg Northway Games Sportsfriends Osmos The Worst Idea of All Time Hot Tub Time Machine Arcane Kids Manife$to The Miracle Sudoku The Berenst#in Bears problem Put Your Name on Your Game GDC talk
