Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games

We're joined by Stephanie Boluk (UC Davis), Patrick LeMieux (UC Davis), and Eileen Hollinger (Capybara Games) to discuss Pilot Quest, the 44th game in the UFO 50 collection. “The Campanella has crashed! Fix it by harvesting resources and exploring the wild zone.” Next week: Mini & Max Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Collection of Mana  https://mana.square-enix-games.com/en-us/games/collection-of-mana  Actraiser Renaissance https://www.square-enix-games.com/en_US/games/actraiser-renaissance Progress Quest http://progressquest.com/ Candy Box II (Sequel to Candy Box)  https://candybox2.github.io/candybox/  Cow Clicker http://cowclicker.com/ A Dark Room https://adarkroom.doublespeakgames.com/ Cookie Clicker https://cookieclicker.com/  Clicker Heroes  https://www.clickerheroes.com/ AdVenture Capitalist https://hyperhippo.com/games/adventure-capitalist/ Universal Paperclips https://www.decisionproblem.com/paperclips/ The Barnacle Goose Experiment https://everest-pipkin.com/barnacle-goose/ Banana https://store.steampowered.com/app/2923300/Banana/ Neptune’s Pride https://np.ironhelmet.com/#landing Game Dev Story https://store.steampowered.com/app/1847240/Game_Dev_Story/ Knytt https://archive.org/details/Knytt/ Cosmo’s Cosmic Adventure https://www.gog.com/en/game/cosmos_cosmic_adventure GameMaker https://gamemaker.io/en Edinburgh Festival Fringe https://www.edfringe.com/  Mel McGlensey is NORMAL https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/mel-mcglensey-normal Into the Depths: Kentucky Route Zero - Part 1  https://eggplant.show/into-the-depths-kentucky-route-zero-part-1  Into the Depths: Super Mario World - Part 1 https://eggplant.show/into-the-depths-super-mario-world-part-1    https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow  http://discord.gg/eggplant https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow  

We're joined by Alfredo Barraza (Riot Games), Adam Dolin (God of War: Ragnarok), and Colin and Sarah Northway (Northway Games) to discuss Elfazar’s Hat, the 43rd game in the UFO 50 collection. “Elfazar is hailed as a great magician, but his captive animals are ready to strike back!” Next week: Pilot Quest Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Pocky & Rocky Reshrined https://store.steampowered.com/app/2200580/Pocky__Rocky_Reshrined/ I Was a Teenage Exocolonist https://exocolonist.com/  Vancouver Game Garden https://vangamegarden.com/ 99: Charting the Future with Sarah Northway (I Was a Teenage Exocolonist) https://eggplant.show/99-charting-the-future-with-sarah-northway-i-was-a-teenage-exocolonist   https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow  http://discord.gg/eggplant https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow

Star St. Germain, a game developer known for her work on Hollow Vista and Highland Song, joins fellow creators Madison Karrh and Zach Aikman to explore Night Manor, a standout title in the UFO 50 collection. They discuss the game's innovative design and its distinct lack of dialogue, creating a unique horror experience. The conversation dives into storytelling in gaming, nostalgic connections to classic titles, and the emotional depth that comes from player choices. Insights about the mechanics and atmosphere of Night Manor offer a fresh perspective on horror adventure games.

In this bonus installment of our current Into the Depths series, we continue diving into Caves of Qud. This sprawling open-world roguelike has been in development since 2007 and Early Access since 2015. Doug and Rob - joined by special guest host Star St. Germain - chat about sidequests with one of the game’s narrative designers, Caelyn Sandel. This episode we talk about the Servidian Meadow, the Hindren, Bey Lah, the integration of political and cultural commentary into worldbuilding, writing workflows, Mamon Souldrinker, Warden Une, Fraying Favorites, Many Eyes, Caelen Sandshell, _, and the cyclical nature of influence on Qud’s world. Don't forget to join our Discord and play along with the series!  Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Show Notes: Buy Caves of Qud on itch.io: https://freeholdgames.itch.io/cavesofqud  Caves of Qud soundtrack: https://freeholdgames.itch.io/caves-of-qud-soundtrack  The Qud Survival Guide: https://ectafoole.itch.io/the-qud-survival-guide Star on bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/thisisstar.bsky.social  Star on itch: thisisstar.itch.io Star’s website: https://www.thisisstar.com/  Caelyn on bsky:  https://bsky.app/profile/ectafoole.bsky.social  Caelyn’s Fiction work ectafoole.itch.io https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow  http://discord.gg/eggplant https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow

In this discussion, Trent Kusters, co-founder of League of Geeks, John Axon from Capybara Games, and narrative designer Adam Dolin dive into 'Lords of Diskonia.' They explore the blend of tabletop and video game mechanics, showcasing how disc-flicking games create unique social dynamics. Personal anecdotes abound, from cycling across Japan to humorous game nights. The trio also critiques pacing issues in gameplay while celebrating their shared passion for gaming. Their camaraderie and insights into indie development make this a delightful listen!

In this conversation, game designers Stephanie Boluk and Patrick LeMieux from UC Davis, along with Trent Kusters from League of Geeks, delve into the unique RPG 'Grimstone'. They share their game development journeys, highlighting Patrick's nostalgia for RPG Maker 2000. The discussion includes the game's emotional character selections, retro gameplay mechanics, and its satirical take on a hellish Texas landscape. They also tackle the challenges players face in navigating the game, from resource management to combat, alongside themes of personal growth and Indigenous representation.

Jay Ma, the brilliant mind behind Into the Breach, Steve Gillham, an aspiring game developer and UFO 50 aficionado, and Adam Dolin, an acclaimed writer from God of War: Ragnarok, join the conversation. They dive into the frenetic world of 'Star Waspir,' sharing insights on its challenging gameplay and unique mechanics. Personal anecdotes sprinkle humor throughout, as they discuss the balance of nostalgia and frustration in tough games. Listeners will enjoy tales of community collaboration and the creative spark that fuels indie game development.

Join Tonda Ros, a game developer known for Blueprint and Mythic Spoiler, alongside doseone, a musician behind the soundtracks of Enter the Gungeon and Samurai Gunn. They dive into the intriguing world of Rakshasa, discussing its unique mechanics and the emotional depth of gameplay where even death can't halt your fight against demons. The duo also shares personal journeys in gaming and creativity, highlights from their childhood, and the importance of community in gaming. Plus, they explore the nostalgic design elements reminiscent of classic NES games.

This podcast features Carolyn Petit, a veteran games journalist and managing editor at Kotaku, alongside Scott Anderson, a software engineer at Unity with a rich background in both AAA and indie games. They dive into Valbrace, the latest addition to UFO 50, highlighting its innovative mechanics and nostalgic ties to classic dungeon crawlers. The conversation also touches on player challenges with gameplay dynamics, the evolution of RPG customization, and the excitement surrounding the Cherry Rush charity speedrun event, fostering a vibrant discussion of community and creativity in gaming.

Join Alex Jaffe, a lead champion designer at Riot Games, Scott Anderson, a graphics engineer at Unity, and Alfredo Barraza, a gameplay trailer expert at Riot. They dive into the mechanics of 'Hyper Contender,' exploring its dynamic gameplay and nostalgic elements of fighting games. The trio shares personal anecdotes, discusses studio dynamics and the community's role in game development, and reflects on innovation versus accessibility in game design. Their banter is filled with humor and insights about the gaming industry's evolution.