Roguelike Radio Episode 163: Interview with Tanya X Short
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Mar 26, 2025 Tanya X Short, co-founder and head of Kitfox Games, shares her journey from studying English to game design. She discusses Kitfox's evolution from indie devs to publishing megasims and sheds light on their role with Dwarf Fortress. Tanya analyzes the balance between procedural content and production values, emphasizing stylized art that sparks imagination. She also reflects on the integration of AI tools in game development and the importance of preserving a designer's voice while fostering player interaction. Plus, a sneak peek into Kitfox's upcoming projects!
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Forming Kitfox In An Incubator
- Tanya X. Short described forming Kitfox via an incubator after leaving MMO work and recruiting strangers from the local indie scene.
- She used that freedom to focus on procedural generation as a designer and business strategy.
Publishing Grew From Distribution Needs
- Kitfox began publishing small team projects to simplify distribution, taxation, and storefront presence.
- That practical infrastructure made publishing friends' games like Dwarf Fortress a natural extension of their studio.
Kitfox Funded, Tarn Drove Dwarf Fortress UI
- Tanya explained Kitfox did not design Dwarf Fortress's UI improvements; Tarn and Zach implemented most UX changes.
- Kitfox's role was enabling breathing room, funding, and persuading the community to accept changes.
