Hey, Good Game

David Steinberg went from submitting crosswords to the New York Times at age 12 to becoming the editorial manager at Andrews McMeel. In this episode, he shares how puzzles captured his imagination, what makes a great daily game, and why accessibility, surprise, and player-first design are key to long-term success. We also dive into how AI, onboarding, and syndication are shaping the future of games for indie developers and solvers alike.Check out David's Resources:https://syndication.andrewsmcmeel.com/puzzles/category/puzzleshttps://www.gocomics.comFind David Online:http://www.customcrossword.comhttps://www.xwordinfo.com/Thumbs/?author=David+Steinberg60 Seconds With David SteinbergGame Mentionshttps://beekeeperlabs.com/crossfire/https://www.playbalatro.com/https://store.steampowered.com/app/2400510/Dungeons__Degenerate_Gamblers/https://playthebazaar.com/https://imsqueezy.com/https://crosswordfiend.com/--(00:59) - David's Favorite Game Right Now (02:13) - Discovering Crosswords and Early Inspirations (03:54) - First Attempts and Early Rejections (04:46) - Getting Published and Shifting Focus (06:27) - The Appeal and Evolution of Crosswords (09:14) - Creating Crosswords: Tools and Tips (12:56) - Solving Strategies and Tournament Insights (14:58) - Crossword Tournaments and Competitions (18:49) - The Future of Crosswords and Puzzle Games (21:49) - Easy Mode for Friday Crosswords (22:03) - Evolution of Puzzle Creation (23:20) - Criteria for Syndicating Puzzles (25:12) - Measuring Puzzle Success (27:23) - Surprising Aspects of Syndication (28:28) - Trends in the Puzzle and Gaming Industry (33:04) - Merging Comics and Puzzles (35:42) - AI in Puzzle Creation (37:29) - Onboarding Players in Puzzle Games --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Jeff Doka, the creative director and co-founder of World Seekers, brings a wealth of experience in tech and narrative writing. He dives into the fascinating interplay between AI and game design, sharing insights on its advantages and challenges. Doka emphasizes designing games that promote mental and physical well-being, discussing his innovative GPS-based game. The conversation highlights storytelling techniques, community feedback, and the importance of collaboration in game development, while also addressing the balance between AI assistance and human creativity.

Elyot Grant, CEO and Game Director at Lunar Studios. Elyot shares his prolific journey from academia to game development, highlighting his expertise in creating engaging puzzles and successful indie games like Prisma. He discusses his favorite classic games, including Tetris and StarCraft, and provides deep insights into the intricacies of game design and puzzle creation. Elyot also recounts compelling stories about their Kickstarter campaign for Prisma and using Reddit to build an early audience. Additionally, he sheds light on the making and scaling of 'Islands of Insight,' a puzzle game known for its vast number of handcrafted puzzles, emphasizing the blend of artistry and algorithmic generation in game design. This episode is filled with valuable tips for indie developers and puzzle enthusiasts alike.Check out Elyot's Resources:http://lunarchstudios.com/https://user-74792.artstation.com/Socials:http://twitter.com/lunarchstudioshttps://www.facebook.com/Prismata/https://www.youtube.com/lunarchstudios--(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (02:17) - Elyot Grant's Gaming Preferences (04:41) - Deep Dive into Tetris (16:09) - Challenges and Weaknesses in Gaming (19:43) - Kickstarter and Game Development Journey (30:58) - Building a Community at Expos (31:55) - Building a Community Around a Game (32:49) - Challenges of Collecting Emails at Conventions (35:28) - The Reddit Story: Turning a Failure into Success (42:09) - Kickstarter Campaign: Seizing the Momentum (45:49) - Islands of Insight: Crafting 10,000 Handcrafted Puzzles (53:56) - The Value of Handmade Puzzles vs. Generated Puzzles (01:00:04) - Conclusion and Future Projects --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Gabriel Stürmer, CEO of Clap Clap Games, transitioned from e-commerce at Dell to the gaming world after being fired from Cupcake Entertainment. He shares his riveting journey of self-educating game development and launching successful games like 'Submarine Jump' and 'Snow Patrol.' Gabriel discusses the intricacies of game testing and the evolution of hyper-casual games, emphasizing the importance of player retention in a competitive landscape. He also sheds light on the dynamics of running a small team and the challenges of resource limitations in mobile game development.

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of video game music composition with John Robert Matz, the talented composer behind scores for games like For the King, Tchia, and Gunpoint. John Robert shares his journey from classically trained musician to award-winning game composer, offering insights into his creative process and how he approaches each unique project.John Robert discusses how he creates authentic musical experiences by incorporating period-appropriate instruments and techniques, from medieval fantasy scores to French Revolution-era compositions. He explains the importance of bringing composers into game development early, revealing how music can shape and enhance the player experience beyond just background ambiance.With his studio filled with dozens of instruments he plays himself—from French horns and trumpets to ukuleles and medieval wind instruments—John Robert demonstrates his commitment to incorporating live performances in his work. Whether discussing his research into New Caledonian music for Tchia or explaining how UI sounds interact with background scores, this conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into the art and craft of creating memorable gaming soundscapes.Check out John's Resources:http://johnrobertmatz.bandcamp.com/https://johnrobertmatz.com/index.htmlhttps://soundcloud.com/John-Robert-MatzSocials:https://x.com/JohnRobertMatzhttps://www.youtube.com/viper50bmghttps://www.instagram.com/johnrobertmatz/https://www.facebook.com/JohnRobertMatz/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-robert-matz-a40b8a60/--(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest (01:07) - John's Favorite Games (03:05) - The Composer's Perspective on Game Music (05:50) - John's Studio Setup and Instrument Collection (09:24) - John's Musical Journey and Career Path (15:05) - Approach to Game Music Composition (18:39) - Budget Considerations in Game Music (23:05) - The Role of Music in Indie Games (25:49) - Enhancing Player Immersion with Music and Sound Design (26:11) - UI Sound Design and Its Challenges (30:12) - Inspiration from Fellow Composers (33:32) - Exploring Historical Music for Modern Compositions (42:23) - Creating Authentic Soundscapes for Video Games (47:11) - Common Misconceptions About Hiring Composers (51:16) - Current and Upcoming Projects (52:29) - Where to Find More About John Robert Matz --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Áron Csatlós, a Hungarian software engineer and creator of the cryptography puzzle game DeCodex, shares his journey from Nokia to indie game development. He discusses his inspirations for DeCodex and the importance of building in public to engage players. Áron delves into his innovative project Ground Kids, a tool that combines fitness and gaming for children. He highlights effective marketing strategies and the rise of community collaboration in indie games. Áron also reflects on the gaming culture in Hungary and his exciting future projects.

Justin Gary, CEO of Stoneblade Entertainment and author of 'Think Like a Game Designer,' shares his insights on game design and community building. He discusses how AI can revolutionize the game development process, from brainstorming to prototyping. Gary highlights the deep connections games forge among players and the importance of adding consistent value to communities. He also reveals effective marketing strategies and touches on the parallels between game design and business. Lastly, he gives a sneak peek into upcoming projects and his remote team's diverse culture.

In this session, Martin Grider, the mastermind behind Abstract Puzzle, shares his evolution from web developer to indie game creator. He discusses the intersection of AI and gaming, his preferred programming tools like Swift and Godot, and the nuanced art of board game adaptations. Martin explores the monetization hurdles in the App Store, critiques the freemium model, and offers insights into his latest Zelda-inspired game. With a focus on creative gameplay mechanics, he emphasizes the importance of innovation in the indie game space.

Johannes Ahvenniemi, a veteran in the mobile gaming sector known for his work on Angry Birds and Best Fiends, shares his gaming journey from childhood passion to professional success. He emphasizes the challenges of designing ad-free games and discusses innovative projects like escape puzzle magazines. Johannes reflects on his experiences at Rovio and Seriously Digital, while also highlighting the vibrant game industry in Finland. He reveals his motivation to create inclusive games through his venture, Papukaija, targeting underserved audiences.

Join game designer Osebo Akhigbe, known for Couples.Game and his work with Tumblr and Oculus, as he shares his dynamic journey in game design. He discusses the creative fusion of paper prototyping and AI in modern gaming, revealing how he crafts engaging puzzles and efficiently develops mobile games. Osebo also highlights the resurgence of chess, community engagement in gaming, and the challenges of monetization. Tune in for insights on blending traditional methods with cutting-edge technology!