When Pixel Art Tells a Spooky Story

Aug 19, 2025

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From Haunted Pixels to Conservation: Peter Lazarski on Art, Accessibility, and Indie Game Grit

Indie developer and visual artist Peter Lazarski—aka Imaginary Monsters—joins Nate to explore his creative evolution from childhood horror obsessions to crafting cult-favorite lo-fi games like Halloween Forever and Deathstate. Known for his pixelated gothic aesthetic and offbeat charm, Peter shares how games like Earthbound shaped his visual language and love for physical editions.

The conversation touches on Peter’s iterative design process, how he blends art with mechanics, and why accessibility and emotional tone matter in indie games. He also unpacks the ethos behind his newest project, Don’t Kill the Bats—a whimsical but meaningful game raising awareness for bat conservation.

Peter reflects on developing under an alias, building community through mentorship, and finding creative purpose in strange, spooky spaces.

Check out Peter's Resources:
https://imaginarymonsters.com

https://imaginarymonsters.shop

https://twitch.tv/imaginarymonsters

https://discord.gg/imaginarymonsters

🎮 Favorite Games Mentioned:

EarthBound (SNES) – Peter’s all-time favorite
Tactics Ogre (Re-release) – Currently playing
Persona 5 – Currently playing
F-Zero, Super Mario World – Childhood favorites
Commander Keen, DOOM, Wolfenstein – Early PC gaming
Monster Party (NES) – Referenced for sprite interpretation
Metroid II (Game Boy) – Admired for its enemy art in the manual
Ayuda Mort – ZX Spectrum-style indie game that influenced Halloween Forever
Castlevania – Referenced as a typical “bat enemy” game
Splatterhouse – Mentioned as a game style he’d love to try
Rolling Stock – Mentioned earlier as a favorite (possibly in a different episode or cut)

(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
(01:41) - Peter Lazarski's Gaming Preferences
(02:15) - Early Gaming Influences and Inspirations
(04:42) - The Impact of Earthbound and Physical Game Editions
(13:36) - The Evolution of Halloween Forever
(18:04) - Challenges and Iterative Development
(23:56) - Art and Mechanics in Game Design
(26:44) - Nostalgia and Artistic Style
(28:59) - Visual Exploration and Prototyping
(30:36) - The Evolution of Imaginary Monsters
(33:14) - Navigating the Alias
(39:48) - Community and Mentorship
(43:54) - Design Philosophy and Accessibility
(48:38) - Introducing 'Don't Kill the Bats'
(50:54) - Connecting with Imaginary Monsters
(52:21) - Conclusion and Farewell

Check out our brainy games:

Sumplete - https://sumplete.com
Squeezy - https://imsqueezy.com/
Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.com
Mathler - https://mathler.com
Crosswordle - https://crosswordle.com
Sudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.com
Hitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.com
Wordga - https://wordga.com