Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games

We're joined by Stephanie Boluk (UC Davis), Patrick LeMieux (UC Davis), and Gab Koenig (Tux and Fanny) to discuss Rock On! Island, the 30th game in the UFO 50 collection. “Rally your cavemen and defend your cave from waves of attacking dinosaurs.” Next week: Pingolf Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Jon Perry – How Tabletop Design Helped Shape ‘UFO 50’ https://gdcvault.com/play/1035154/How-Tabletop-Design-Helped-Shape  Bloons TD 6 https://store.steampowered.com/app/960090/Bloons_TD_6/ PixelJunk Monsters 2 https://store.steampowered.com/app/749800/PixelJunk_Monsters_2/  Orcs Must Die! https://store.steampowered.com/app/102600/Orcs_Must_Die/  Dungeon Defenders https://store.steampowered.com/app/65800/Dungeon_Defenders/  Go Home Dinosaurs! https://store.steampowered.com/app/216090/Go_Home_Dinosaurs/  Tillmonk Spreadsheet with Rock On! Island Maps https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SKJjhP__EzNfMxeaDgvVVizerLlmimvsrVh-z13CAlo/edit?gid=358915784#gid=358915784  Brick101 Save Between Waves Mod https://github.com/davidmpickett/ufo50-rock-on-island-save-state  Tooth and Tail https://store.steampowered.com/app/286000/Tooth_and_Tail/  Blood on the Clocktower https://bloodontheclocktower.com/  A Year of UFO 50 - Mortol https://eggplant.show/ep-a-year-of-ufo-50-mortol  Into the Depths: Kentucky Route Zero - Part 1 https://eggplant.show/into-the-depths-kentucky-route-zero-part-1  A Year of UFO 50 - Party House https://eggplant.show/ep-a-year-of-ufo-50-party-house  “Yes, And”-ing Your Design with Albert Birney and Gabriel Koenig (Tux and Fanny) https://eggplant.show/128-yes-and-ing-your-design-with-albert-birney-and-gabriel-koenig-tux-and-fanny    https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow  http://discord.gg/eggplant https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow

We're recapping the new 2025 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 13).  Laura, Jey, and Doug break down Episode 4 and share their Mole suspicions.  Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about the episodes, and to play a Mol guessing game with us. Links: Wie is de Mol (Netherlands) Season 14, Episode 3https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTgfpKoX96M&list=PL0V4yzkm-Av38Wy9dJZCLGsjOhKzXDVRp&index=3 Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol) https://eggplant.show/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol Eggplant's De Mol 2024 recap series https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow Eggplant Discord http://discord.gg/eggplant

We're joined by guest hosts Adam Saltsman (Finji), Trent Kusters (League of Geeks), and Teddy Dief (We Are OFK) to discuss Vainger, the 29th game in the UFO 50 collection. “The Vainger returns to Io and finds itself betrayed. The enemy must be found and eradicated.” Next week: Rock On! Island Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Prince of Prussia  https://adamatomic.itch.io/prince Deus Ex  https://store.steampowered.com/app/6910/Deus_Ex_Game_of_the_Year_Edition/  The Swapper https://store.steampowered.com/app/231160/The_Swapper/  Transistor https://www.supergiantgames.com/games/transistor/ Uncle Slam's record Vainger speed run https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q12oY8A5ekA Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown https://store.steampowered.com/app/2751000/Prince_of_Persia_The_Lost_Crown/  Bloodborne https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/bloodborne/ Magic, Kevlar, and Conspiracies with Tactical Breach Wizards Dev Tom Francis https://interactive.libsyn.com/magic-kevlar-and-conspiracies-with-tactical-breach-wizards-dev-tom-francis  Usual June https://store.steampowered.com/app/2702430/Usual_June/ Hyper Light Drifter https://store.steampowered.com/app/257850/Hyper_Light_Drifter/  We Are OFK (game) https://store.steampowered.com/app/1490340/We_Are_OFK/ We Are OFK (artist page) https://www.ofk.cool/ Teddy Dief’s webpage https://www.teddydief.com/ Gaburi Chicken, LA https://gaburiusa.com/ A Year of UFO 50 – Warptank https://eggplant.show/ep-a-year-of-ufo-50-warptank A Year of UFO 50 – Camouflage https://eggplant.show/ep-a-year-of-ufo-50-camouflage Surviving Overland with Adam Saltsman https://eggplant.show/28-surviving-overland-with-adam-saltsman A Year of UFO 50 – Porgy https://eggplant.show/ep-a-year-of-ufo-50-porgy A Year of UFO 50 – Bushido Ball https://eggplant.show/ep-a-year-of-ufo-50-bushido-ball   https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow  http://discord.gg/eggplant https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow

We're recapping the new 2025 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 13).  Laura, Jey, and Doug break down Episode 3 and share their Mole suspicions.  There's never been a better time to get into De Mol. Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about the episodes, and to play a Mol guessing game with us. Links: Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol) https://eggplant.show/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol Eggplant's De Mol 2024 recap series https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow Eggplant Discord http://discord.gg/eggplant

We're joined by guest hosts Xalavier Nelson Jr. (I Am Your Beast) and Bennett Foddy (Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy) to discuss Rail Heist, the 28th game in the UFO 50 collection. “The most infamous train robbers in the west pull off a series of daring heists.” Next week: Vainger Audio edited by Dylan Shumway.   Discussed in this episode:   Colt Express https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/158899/colt-express Invisible, Inc. https://store.steampowered.com/app/243970/Invisible_Inc/ Gunpoint https://store.steampowered.com/app/206190/Gunpoint/  SteamWorld Heist https://www.gog.com/en/game/steamworld_heist  Hotline Miami https://store.steampowered.com/app/219150/Hotline_Miami/  Killer Queen https://killerqueenarcade.com/  Leisure Suit Larry https://store.steampowered.com/app/763970/Leisure_Suit_Larry_1__In_the_Land_of_the_Lounge_Lizards/ Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 3 https://store.steampowered.com/app/2116510/Creepy_Redneck_Dinosaur_Mansion_3/ Baby Steps https://store.steampowered.com/app/1281040/Baby_Steps/ https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow  http://discord.gg/eggplant https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow  

We're recapping the new 2025 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 13).  Laura, Jey, and Doug break down Episode 2 and share their Mole suspicions.  There's never been a better time to get into De Mol. Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about the episodes, and to play a Mol guessing game with us. Links: Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol) https://eggplant.show/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol Eggplant's De Mol 2024 recap series https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow Eggplant Discord http://discord.gg/eggplant  

In this lively discussion, game developers Kayin, known for 'I Wanna Be The Guy', and Jay Ma, celebrated for 'Into the Breach', explore the immersive world of 'Divers' from the UFO 50 collection. They dive into unique game mechanics, emotional storytelling, and nostalgic influences that shape modern RPGs. Listeners are treated to anecdotes about navigating gameplay challenges, the importance of sound design, and how ambiguity enhances player engagement. With humor and camaraderie, they underscore the value of community in the gaming landscape.

We're recapping the new 2025 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 13).  Laura, Jey, and Doug break down Episode 1 and share their Mole suspicions.  There's never been a better time to get into De Mol. Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about the episodes, and to play a Mol guessing game with us. Links: Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol) https://eggplant.show/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol Eggplant's De Mol 2024 recap series https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow Eggplant live from the De Mol 2024 finale https://www.patreon.com/posts/eggplant-de-mol-105398809 Eggplant Discord http://discord.gg/eggplant Taskmaster - Get To 11 Points as Fast as Possible https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgLthsvxyAs  

Join game developers Jon Perry and Derek Yu as they dive into the creative process behind their game Hot Foot, a unique entry in the UFO 50 collection. They share nostalgic anecdotes about childhood games and discuss the delicate balance of multiplayer vs. single-player dynamics. Hear about the challenges of making gameplay accessible while maintaining excitement and fairness. Their insights on collaboration and character development highlight the evolution of game design and the joy of community engagement at GDC 2025.

For the 2nd year in a row, we're recapping the new 2025 season of Flemish De Mol. And this time, we're posting the episodes to the main feed here. There's never been a better time to get into De Mol. Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about the episodes, and to play a Mol guessing game with us. Links: Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol) https://eggplant.show/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol Eggplant's De Mol 2024 recap series https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow Eggplant live from the De Mol 2024 finale https://www.patreon.com/posts/eggplant-de-mol-105398809 Discord http://discord.gg/eggplant