The Indie Diarist

What's your stance on using AI for game development? In this episode, I connected with the amazing team behind Dead Meat, a narrative investigation name I had the chance to try out at WASD, which uses a large language model as the basis for its narrative structure - but with a human twist. If you've been wondering whether AI is good or bad for the industry... this episode might change your mind! Enjoy! 🎒💛 ------ - Wishlist Dead Meat: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2628740/Dead_Meat/ - Say hi to Meaning Machine: info@meaningmachine.games ------ Support the show 🎒💛 - Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvj - Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiarist - Become a Patron: ⁠https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠ - Follow on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠ - Follow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediarist

In this episode, I spent some time with Rob Pigott, a queer, non-binary game developer, writer and screenwriter from New York who's working on Bitter Silver, a love letter to Cowboy Bebop. Rob is a huge fan of narrative adventures, and their passion for stories shines through every minute of this episode. Enjoy! 🎒💛 ------- Support Rob: - Back Bitter Silver on KS: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lookoutdrivegames/bitter-silver-a-cowboy-bebop-inspired-visual-novel - Wishlist Bitter Silver: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1906930/Bitter_Silver/ - Follow Rob and Lookout Drive Games: https://allmylinks.com/lookout-drive-games ----- Support the show 🎒💛 Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvj Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiarist Become a Patron: ⁠https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediarist

What happens when a bunch of friends come together to develop a game from shared experiences? Something like InkForge Studios, most likely! In this episode, I spent some time with Archie and Oli, two members of the team, who told me all about a delightful game I tried at WASD this year – I'll Be Brave Tomorrow. Trust me – this is going to pull at some emotional heartstrings. Enjoy! 🎒💛 ---------- Support InkForge: - Wishlist the game: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2741070/Ill_be_Brave_Tomorrow__Indie_Narrative_Platformer/ - Check out the team: https://www.inkforgestudios.com/ ------------ Support the show 🎒💛 Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvj Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiarist Become a Patron: ⁠https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediarist

You know I always love talking to a fellow writer! In this episode, I spent some time with Amber Scott, head storyteller and lead writer for Only By Midnight – a Canadian indie studio about to release its dystopian darling, Ctrl.Alt.Deal. The episode touches on a lot of great topics, from burnout in the industry to inspiring players with your stories, and it's definitely worth a listen. Enjoy! 🎒💛 ----------- Support Amber 🎒💛 - Check out Ctrl.Alt.Deal on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2146390/ctrlaltDEAL/ - Website: https://www.ctrlaltdeal.com - Facebook: Only By Midnight - Twitter/X: @OnlyByMidnight - Instagram: onlybymidnight - Bluesky: @onlybymidnight.bsky.social - TikTok: @onlybymidnight ------ Support the show 🎒💛 Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvj Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiarist Become a Patron: ⁠https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediarist

I don't get to say this often, but an exciting episode awaits! In this one, I spent some time with Alex, one of the very first members in The Indie Diarist's Discord server, who's working on both a vampire-themed visual novel and an RPG in his Harrowed World universe. We had the chance to discuss the meaning of horror, switching engines, vampires, and a lot more – for a packed episode with loads to discover. Enjoy! 🎒💛 ----- Support Alex: - Try the free visual novel: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2715020/Harrowed_World_Whats_Past_Is_Portents__Vampire_Visual_Novel/?curator_clanid=44405163 - Wishlist Portents In Red: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2529270/Harrowed_World_Portents_In_Red__Vampire_RPG/?curator_clanid=44405163 - Website: https://www.harrowedworld.com/ - Discord: https://discord.com/invite/ctwZzMcVne ------ Support the show 🎒💛 Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvj Become a Patron: ⁠https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠ Leave a donation: https://ko-fi.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediarist

In this episode, I spent some time with Fiveamp Co-Founder Kevin Messenhimer, who's working with his team on a delightful survival roguelite shooter called NIMRODS. From validating your game ideas to finding a unique hook for your game, this episode is packed with little soundbites! Enjoy! - F.Godmom (DOS game Kevin mentions on the episode): ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F.Godmom⁠ ------ Support Kevin 🎒💛 - Wishlist NIMRODS: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2086430/NIMRODS_GunCraft_Survivor/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fiveamp - Discord: https://discord.com/invite/pXYBZ6DU ------ Support the show 🎒💛 Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvj Become a Patron: ⁠https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠ Leave a donation: https://ko-fi.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediarist

In this episode, I spent some time with Dave Sims, a solo dev working on his chaotic multiplayer card game Bullcrap! and a longstanding member of The Indie Diarist's Discord! From making character eyes larger to discussing the passion of game development, this was a much cosy and warm episode to both record and re-listen to. Hope you enjoy! ------------ Support Dave 🎒💛 - Play Bullcrap! : https://store.steampowered.com/app/2123430/BULLCRAP/ - Website: https://loadeddeckgames.com/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoadedDeckGames - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loadeddeckgames/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bullcrap.guy ------------- Support the show 🎒💛 Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvj Become a Patron: ⁠https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠ Leave a donation: https://ko-fi.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediarist

In this episode, I spent some time with Sheldon "CyrusTheVirus Studios" to talk about his metroidvania Cold Lazarus and his path into game dev – which was all but conventional! Starting from a self-taught basis, Sheldon managed to get a degree in software development and is now working on his own game on the side. Enjoy! --------- Support Sheldon 🎒💛 Wishlist Cold Lazarus: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2766570/Cold_Lazarus/ Website: https://cyrusthevirusstudios.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyrusthevirus_studios/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctvStudios YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cyrusthevirusstudios --------- Support the show 🎒💛 Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvj Become a Patron: ⁠https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠ Leave a donation: https://ko-fi.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediarist

In this episode, I spent some time with Simon Trümpler, a German indie dev currently based in France and developing a top-down shooter called Cozy Space Survivors. Simon's journey into development started when he began exploring QBasic on his dad's computer, and he's never looked back since. Enjoy! ---------- Support Simon 🎒💛 Wishlist Cozy Space Survivors: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2657850/Cozy_Space_Survivors/ Website: https://simonschreibt.de/cozy-space-survivors/ Linktree: https://simont.de/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonschreibt Mastodon: https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@simonschreibt Threads: https://www.threads.net/@simonschreibt Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/simonschreibt.bsky.social ---------- Support the show 🎒💛 Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvj Become a Patron: ⁠https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠ Leave a donation: https://ko-fi.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediarist

In this third and last episode in the collaboration with Indieverse, I spent some time with indie dev and content creator Figerox, who's currently working on a couple of horror projects to help bring his vision to life. Figerox is a super energetic dev, and I hope his story will inspire you! Enjoy! ----------- Support Figerox 🎒💛 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Figerox Itch: https://figerox.itch.io/ ----------- Support the show 🎒💛 Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvj Become a Patron: ⁠https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠ Leave a donation: https://ko-fi.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠ Follow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediarist