The Secret Lives of Games EP: A Year of UFO 50 - [REDACTED]
Sep 12, 2025
Join game scholar Stephanie Boluk, who dives deep into narrative and design at UC Davis, and Steve Gillham, an indie game creator, as they unpack the hidden layers of UFO 50. They explore the scavenger hunt's accessible clues and the eerie atmosphere of Miasma Tower, tracing its roots in RPG Maker and examining its critiques of gamification. From bizarre office details to ephemeral encounters, they highlight how the game's design invites both exploration and community engagement, making discoveries feel legendary.
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Accidental Discovery In Barbuda
- Steve Gillham stumbled into the scavenger hunt about 15 minutes into playing Barbuda and triggered terminal discoveries.
- That early accidental discovery propelled him deep into the meta and community discussion.
Hidden Meta Layer Makes One Game Of Fifty
- UFO 50's terminal clues turn a huge compilation into a single, discoverable meta experience.
- Players can stumble into the scavenger hunt or follow clues, making the meta-layer accessible and welcome.
Terminal Is A Disassembler Of Game State
- The terminal functions as a live disassembler showing game state rather than a simple code-entry device.
- Understanding this transforms how players interact with paused screens and hidden stateful messages.
