The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook 17 Year Development Journey with Caves of Qud
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Feb 10, 2025 Brian Bucklew and Jason Grinbalt, co-founders of Freehold Games, dive into their monumental 17-year development journey of the science fantasy roguelike, Caves of Qud. They discuss the intricacies of balancing bespoke and procedural design, emphasizing the importance of community input and technological evolution. Listeners will find insights into the unique water ritual mechanics reflecting real social dynamics and the unexpected player creativity that leads to bizarre game moments. Their passion and challenges make for an engaging tale of indie game development.
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Early Game Memories
- Jason Grinbalt's early game memories involved playing RPGs at Brian Bucklew's house.
- This is where he was introduced to tabletop RPGs like D&D and Gamma World, sparking his interest in game development.
Power of Suggestion
- The limited rendering power of older games encouraged developers to "gesture" at worlds rather than create detailed depictions.
- This allowed players' imaginations to fill in the gaps, fostering a deeper connection with the game world.
Gamma World Influence
- Brian Bucklew's first RPG was Gamma World because D&D was banned in his religious household due to the satanic panic.
- The game's emphasis on procedural generation heavily influenced Caves of Qud's development.