The Secret Lives of Games

In this lively finale, Droken, a tarot deck creator, conducts a whimsical reading linked to the year's themes. Jon Axon, Star Saint Tremaine, and Dose One provide comedic flair with a Mad Libs segment, crafting a bizarre love letter to UFO 50. Alfredo Barraza delights with a live gameplay interlude, blending music and community interaction. The hosts reflect on the year and share touching listener tributes, encapsulating the series' journey with laughter and heartfelt moments.

Join game scholar Stephanie Boluk, who dives deep into narrative and design at UC Davis, and Steve Gillham, an indie game creator, as they unpack the hidden layers of UFO 50. They explore the scavenger hunt's accessible clues and the eerie atmosphere of Miasma Tower, tracing its roots in RPG Maker and examining its critiques of gamification. From bizarre office details to ephemeral encounters, they highlight how the game's design invites both exploration and community engagement, making discoveries feel legendary.

In this insightful discussion, independent game creator Izzy Kestrel, known for her experimental projects, shares her unique experiences with speedrunning and her emotional journey during a 50-day play experiment of Cyber Owls. Game developer Shawn Alexander Allen explores the creative context of the fictional studio and the mashup of retro inspirations. Rand Hall adds depth with listener commentary, enriching the exploration of gameplay mechanics and the interplay between parody and difficulty. Together, they celebrate the challenges and triumphs of the Cyber Owls universe.

Join Liz Ryerson, a multifaceted musician and writer, Adam Conover, the comedic mastermind behind Adam Ruins Everything, and Steve Gillham, a seasoned games critic, as they dive into the universe of Campanella 3. They dissect its rail-shooter mechanics, debate franchise identity, and analyze the nuances of difficulty and player strategies. The trio also explores the game's rhythmic design and hidden microgames, all while teasing intriguing narratives within the UFO 50 collection. Expect insights and laughs in this engaging conversation!

Join indie game developers Daniel Mullins, creator of Inscryption, and Tonda Ros, known for Blue Prince, as they dive into the arcade shooter Seaside Drive. They discuss its unique gameplay and nostalgic aesthetics, while reflecting on the challenges of boss fights and speedrunning. The duo also explores the emotional connections players have with curated collections like UFO 50. In a playful twist, they share insights on upcoming projects, community engagement, and the joys of retro gaming, blending humor and innovation in this vibrant discussion.

Join Scott Anderson, a veteran graphics engineer from Unity, Jackie Vecchitto, co-founder of Holy Wow Studios known for Trombone Champ, and Xalavier Nelson, head of Strange Scaffold. They dive into the quirky world of Quibble Race, mixing humor with darker themes. The team discusses the evolution of game mechanics, the intersection of gaming and gambling, and the emotional impact of quirky narratives. Personal anecdotes and reflections on nostalgia add depth to their lively conversation, making for a fun exploration of indie game development.

We're joined by Alfredo Barraza (Riot Games), Stephanie Boluk (UC Davis), and Patrick LeMieux (UC Davis) to discuss Combatants, the 46th game in the UFO 50 collection. "The evil Red Ants have taken your land! Fight Back and defend your queen!" Next week: Quibble Race Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Starcraft: Remastered https://starcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/ Pikmin 1+2 Bundle https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/pikmin-1-plus-2-bundle-switch/ Little King's Story https://store.steampowered.com/app/390310/Little_Kings_Story/ Tinykin https://www.tinykingame.com/ Patapon https://www.bandainamcoent.com/games/patapon-1-plus-2-replay Tooth & Tail https://www.toothandtailgame.com/ The Grasshopper: Games, Life, and Utopia by Bernard Suits https://broadviewpress.com/product/the-grasshopper-third-edition/#tab-description Manifesto: The 21st Century Will Be Defined By Games by Eric Zimmerman https://kotaku.com/manifesto-the-21st-century-will-be-defined-by-games-1275355204 Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change The World by Jane McGonigal https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reality-is-broken-jane-mcgonigal/1100817884?ean=9780143120612 Game Studies Study Buddies 51 – Suits – The Grasshopper https://rangedtouch.com/2022/09/29/51-suits-the-grasshopper/ EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Mini & Max https://eggplant.show/ep-a-year-of-ufo-50-mini-max Gio on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/gwishin.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow http://discord.gg/eggplant https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow

We're recapping the 2025 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 13). In this very special bonus episode, Laura, Jey, Doug, and Melissa sit down with Wouter Verstichel (Director/Showrunner of De Mol) to discuss the experience of working on the show. Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about the episodes, and more. Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Links: Eggplant's De Mol 2024 recap series, including live finale interviews: https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow 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 https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow http://discord.gg/eggplant https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow

Join game developers Billy Basso, creator of the whimsical Animal Well, and Ben Wilson from Saltsea Chronicles, alongside Kayin, famed for I Wanna Be the Guy, and comedian Adam Conover. They dive into the quirky adventure of Mini and Max, exploring themes of nostalgia and the magic of miniature worlds. The conversation touches on game design intricacies, the emotional connections players foster, and humorous anecdotes about life and gaming. They also delve into the artistry of procedural generation and share insights on their creative journeys.

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