Hey, Good Game cover image

Hey, Good Game

Tetris, Chess, and Go: Martin Grider’s Indie Game Design Playbook

Feb 18, 2025
In this session, Martin Grider, the mastermind behind Abstract Puzzle, shares his evolution from web developer to indie game creator. He discusses the intersection of AI and gaming, his preferred programming tools like Swift and Godot, and the nuanced art of board game adaptations. Martin explores the monetization hurdles in the App Store, critiques the freemium model, and offers insights into his latest Zelda-inspired game. With a focus on creative gameplay mechanics, he emphasizes the importance of innovation in the indie game space.
43:48

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Martin Greider emphasizes the importance of user experience in mobile game design, favoring premium models over monetization through in-app purchases.
  • Despite the growing trend of AI in game development, Greider prioritizes traditional design principles and the integrity of gameplay over AI-driven solutions.

Deep dives

The Evolution of Game Development

Martin Greider, the creator of Abstract Puzzle, emphasizes his journey from web development to specializing in mobile game applications. He recalls starting as a web developer in the early 2000s and gradually transitioning to game development, with early projects like Flash games leading to a focus on unique mobile experiences. His company, Abstract Puzzle, features a range of games, including board games and VR platforms, particularly thriving in the iOS market. Greider's passion for creating thought-provoking games drives his design philosophy, which is focused on enjoyable user experiences and experimentation with traditional game concepts.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode