Roguelike Radio

Johannes Christmann and Rieger Gehling, developers on Curious Expedition, share insights on game design and conference experiences. They discuss the importance of community and the unique atmosphere at IRDC. Tom Ford dives into procedural quest generation, highlighting innovative techniques for engaging gameplay. The panel debates the balance of permadeath in roguelikes and the need for modifiable game rules. Additionally, Christian Janssen explores embedding historical themes in design, making for a captivating conversation on roguelike development trends.

This is episode 87 of Roguelike Radio, where we have a look at many of the games from the 7DRL week. Talking this episode are Darren Grey, Eben Howard, Paul Jeffries and Ed Kolis.  Read more »

Join Eben Howard, a roguelike developer known for his experimental projects like Emo Squid, and Aaron Steed, a game developer who thrives on the 7-Day Roguelike challenge. They dive into unique mechanics for 7DRLs, exploring the complexities of 3D design versus traditional gameplay. Hear their insights on integrating audio for feedback, the challenges of multiplayer, and the joys of leveraging procedural generation. With tips on prototyping fast and focusing on standout mechanics, this discussion is packed with wisdom for aspiring game creators!

This episode features DarkGod, an independent developer renowned for Tome, and Jim Shepard, the creator of Dungeonmans. They delve into the challenges of getting their games greenlit on Steam and share personal insights from their Kickstarter experiences. DarkGod discusses integrating live server features to enhance player interactions, while Jim reflects on community feedback driving ongoing development. The conversation also touches on the evolution of roguelikes, with thoughts on genre blending, mobile adaptations, and exciting future plans for both games.

This is episode 84 of Roguelike Radio, where we discuss Nethack, on the 10th anniversary of its last release. Talking this episode are Darren Grey, John Harris, Jeff Lait, David Ploog, Patric Mueller, Derek Ray and Pasi Kallinen. Read more »

Dive into the fascinating world of ASCII in roguelikes! Discover how ASCII's origins revolutionized early gameplay and its practical benefits for developers. Learn how this symbolic interface empowers players and allows for creativity without heavy art costs. Navigate through the design pitfalls of glyph reusability and accessibility considerations for a diverse audience. Explore the balance between graphics and clarity, and hear recommendations for accessible starter games. ASCII isn't just nostalgia; it's a vibrant, minimalist canvas for modern game design!

This is episode 82 of Roguelike Radio, where we interview Zeno, maker of Hydra Slayer and HyperRogue. Talking this episode are Darren Grey, KawaiiDragoness and Zeno. Read more »

Aaron Steed, an indie developer known for his rogue-like puzzle games, and Mark Johnson, creator of Ultimate Ratio Regum, delve into the intricate world of puzzle design. They discuss the balance between clarity and surprise in puzzle creation, exploring the depth of procedural mechanics in games. Aaron shares insights on blending randomness in puzzles for replayability, while Mark outlines innovative approaches to systemic puzzle design. Together, they examine the challenges of ensuring puzzle solvability and keeping them engaging, highlighting the importance of integrating puzzles into the gameplay.

This is episode 80 of Roguelike Radio, where we talk about UnReal World, the decades old Finnish iron age survival roguelike. Talking this episode are Eben Howard, GameHunter and Sami Maaranen (creator of UnReal World). Read more »

Tom Ford, a developer with expertise in mobile roguelike design, joins Eben Howard, an avid roguelike enthusiast, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of mobile gaming. They explore the importance of rethinking touch interfaces, advocating for intuitive controls over on-screen buttons. The duo dives into specific design innovations like WazHack’s side-scrolling mechanics and Dungeon Ascendance’s context-aware gameplay. They also emphasize the need for short, engaging sessions and effective inventory management to enhance player experience on mobile devices.