The Secret Lives of Games 147: Digging Deep with The Roottrees are Dead
Oct 10, 2025
Laura chats with Jeremy Johnston, an independent game developer known for his puzzle games, and Robin Ward, a software developer who co-created the Steam remake of The Roottrees are Dead. They discuss the evolution of their intriguing murder-mystery game from a Global Game Jam prototype to a full release. Highlights include creating a unique hint system, incorporating AI art ethics, and the challenges of expanding a free game. The duo also shares their inspirations from titles like The Return of the Obra Dinn, exploring the community's growing appetite for engaging puzzle games.
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From Jam Sketch To Family Tree
- Jeremy sketched the entire family tree in a Miro board and kept most original names into the final game.
- He imagined Sudoku-like logic where clues place people, then refined that into the diary and photo system.
Jam Prototype Was 'Absolute Garbage'
- The Global Game Jam prototype was rough and barely solvable, mostly just a tree and AI-generated faces.
- Jeremy used the jam to create assets and a playable core, then extended it in spare months.
Extend Jams With Focused Follow‑Up Time
- Continue a strong jam prototype by scheduling extra focused months to reach intended scope.
- Use iterative playtests and expand playtester count as the game grows.