Roguelike Radio Episode 157: 868-BACK
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Dec 9, 2024 Michael Brough, an independent game developer known for his unique roguelikes like 868Hack, dives into the creation of his sequel, 868-BACK. He shares insights on the evolution of his design aesthetic, emphasizing player discovery through glitchy visuals. Brough discusses his preference for interactive prototypes and the importance of balancing accessibility with complex mechanics. He also reflects on the community's influence on his work and the emotional resonance that abstract games can have. Plus, discover the clever pun behind the game's title!
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Episode notes
Designing Emergent Hacking Mechanics
- Michael Brough describes 868-Hack as a tight 6x6-grid roguelike about hacking that uses resource management and emergent combos.
- He emphasizes discovery through mechanics rather than literal console simulation to create emergent play.
Discovery-Led Development
- Michael says his development process is discovery-first: he uncovers what works while making the game.
- He intentionally constrains false paths so players can discover the interesting parts he found.
Make Discovery Part Of The Player Journey
- Share the developer's discoveries with players by guiding them toward meaningful combinations.
- Avoid explaining everything up front so players enjoy peeling back layers themselves.