Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games

EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Waldorf’s Journey

Feb 14, 2025

Join Liz Ryerson, a game writer and activist, and Ben Esposito, the indie developer behind Donut County, as they dive into 'Waldorf’s Journey.' They explore its rich narrative tied to family and nature, unveiling its nostalgic yet contemporary design. The duo also reflects on their journeys through game development, touching on GamerGate and celebrating indie culture. With discussions on the surreal themes in gaming and the emotional depth of soundtracks, this conversation inspires both industry veterans and casual gamers alike.

01:38:34

Creator website

Episode guests

Liz Ryerson

Ben Esposito

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Waldorf's Journey creatively combines intuitive gameplay mechanics with a profound narrative, offering players an engaging exploration of dreams and existential themes.

The podcast emphasizes the role of community in gaming, highlighting how players connect through shared experiences and discussions within a collaborative Discord environment.

The hosts discuss the game's design choices, particularly how its playful aesthetics contrast with deeper themes of environmentalism and existential urgency.

Deep dives

Introduction to UFO50 and Community Engagement

The group of game developers engages in conversations about the process and art of making games through a series titled UFO50, where they explore 50 unique games over the span of a year. The community aspect is emphasized through mentions of a Discord channel where players can connect and share insights while playing along with the featured games. One of the hosts expresses excitement about returning to the series after a break, highlighting the effort of the team to maintain consistency during their absence. The introduction sets up a collaborative and inviting environment for both creators and fans of indie games.

Intro

2min

Gratitude and Guest Introductions in a Gaming Journey

2min

Reflections on Gaming Culture and Celebrating Indie Innovations

2min

Celebrating 200 Episodes with Indie Game Insights

3min

Exploring 'Waldorf's Journey': A Unique Game Design Experience

18min

Exploring Dream Themes and Dark Signage in Gameplay

3min

Dreamscapes in Gaming

7min

Whimsical Golf Game Strategies

12min

Whimsical Connections in Gameplay and Nature

12min

10.

Unpacking Game Narratives and Mechanics

13min

11.

Creativity in Gaming: Poetry and Play

4min

12.

Exploring the Legacy of Waldorf's Journey

1min

13.

The Artistry of Arcade Gaming

16min

14.

Personal Updates and Community Engagement

2min

We're joined by Liz Ryerson (Sounds from the Abyss) and Ben Esposito (Neon White) to discuss Waldorf’s Journey, the 21st game in the UFO 50 collection.

"Waldorf didn't go looking for adventure. He was just trying to enjoy a nice nap..."

Next week: Porgy

Audio edited by Dylan Shumway

Show Notes:

Terry’s Other Games – A collection of Terry Cavanagh’s smaller works https://terrycavanagh.itch.io/terrys-other-games

Paralect https://igf.com/paralect-0

Waldorf’s Journey Speedrun World Record by MACH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv2IlhR1fQw

Neon White https://neonwhite.rip/

Liz Ryerson’s Bandcamp https://bandcamp.com/lizryerson

Sounds from the Abyss mixes https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEdRlER1F5rGvaoE-XbV6jz6OymxQw4jx&si=HFcDTYa5DPqD_aD5

Great Art by Liz Ryerson https://www.mostancient.com/shop/great-art

GDC Experimental Game Workshop links: