The Secret Lives of Games
The Secret Lives of Games
Candid conversations with game creators that dive deep into the art, craft, and process of making games.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 16, 2020 • 1h 36min
Into the Depths: Spelunky 2 - Part 3
In the third installment of our deep-dive Spelunky 2 miniseries, we continue the discussion on its unique difficult curve, debate the latest changes to the game, and talk through the design of worlds 3-5. Show notes: Noita 1.0 Thanks for a Great Launch (Update) JakeTreester's Reddit criticisms (big spoilers!) Nick's Olmec whiff Nick's Jiangshi whiff Colin's Daily in a GIF
Oct 10, 2020 • 1h 25min
54: Trusting Your Gut with Tj Hughes (Nour: Play With Your Food)
Tj Hughes (Terrifying Jellyfish) joins us to talk about his upcoming experimental food/art game Nour: Play With Your Food. We discuss games as toys, making things accessible by making them weird, and the most important element of both cooking and design (spoilers: it's love). Show notes: Tj Hughes Nour: Play With Your Food Feesh Panoramical Electroplankton Tabor Robak on Video Games Food in FFXV Breakfast in Dreams Hero of Time, Vegan of Hyrule Toasted Ravioli City Museum
Oct 2, 2020 • 1h 28min
Into the Depths: Spelunky 2 - Part 2
In the second installment of our deep-dive Spelunky 2 miniseries, we discuss the game's radical approach to difficulty, break down and contrast the second worlds of the game, and compare results on the Daily challenge.
Sep 25, 2020 • 1h 24min
53: Keeping it Short with Adam Robinson-Yu (A Short Hike)
A Short Hike creator Adam Robinson-Yu chills with us to chat about his cozy exploration game, from its Humble origins and inspirations, to balancing feature density with scope. Show notes: A Short Hike Adam Robinson-Yu Pitfall Planet Adam's Itch.io page Fund: Futures Crafting a Tiny Open World: A Short Hike Postmorterm Building Games Around Humor: Lessons from The Haunted Island, A Frog Detective Game Stugan Breakwaters Kickstarter doseone's new album
Sep 18, 2020 • 1h 22min
Into the Depths: Spelunky 2 - Part 1
In the first installment of our deep-dive Spelunky 2 miniseries, we have a - spoiler-free! - discussion of the first world of the game, design changes big and small and their implications, and what this sequel does to recapture the essence of what make the series so special. Show notes: Spelunky 2 Noita Surviving Spelunky 2: Tips for a Successful Expedition/Transition Northway Games I Was a Teenage Exocolonist Museum of Other Realities Polygon Spelunky 2 review Ojiro's Spelunky 2 death Nick's Spelunky 2 shotgun forgetfulness eggplant.show
Sep 11, 2020 • 1h 25min
52: Barking Up the Right Tree with Lucy Morris (Best Friend Forever)
Lucy Morris (Starcolt) joins us to talk about her recently-released dating/pet care sim Best Friend Forever! We discuss running a studio in a small community, building three dimensional characters, and the emotional travails of launching a game. Show notes: Lucy Morris Lovegames podcast bffgame.dog Launch Day: the emotional cost of releasing a game Jared Rosen + Dream Daddy Love Transcends All (Geographical) Boundaries acrylic
Aug 28, 2020 • 1h 25min
51: Good Sudoku with Zach Gage
We kick off a new era with a fully rebranded show! After navel-gazing about the changes, we talk to our own Zach Gage about making a Sudoku game that loves you. Show notes: eggplant.show Good Sudoku doseone Richard Hogg Northway Games Sportsfriends Osmos The Worst Idea of All Time Hot Tub Time Machine Arcane Kids Manife$to The Miracle Sudoku The Berenst#in Bears problem Put Your Name on Your Game GDC talk
Aug 14, 2020 • 1h 44min
50: Spelunky 2 with Derek Yu and Eirik Suhrke
We close out this chapter of the podcast with some (spoiler-free!) impressions of the near-final Spelunky 2, with creators Derek Yu and Eirik Suhrke to guide us through their design process and answer your burning questions. The walls are shifting... Some things we discussed: Derek Yu Eirik Suhrke Spelunky 2 release date trailer Super Mario World Downwell Faxanadu
Jul 31, 2020 • 1h 20min
49: Fun with Hexes with Ricky Haggett, Jonathan Whiting, and Tim Schafer (Loot Rascals)
Loot Rascals co-designers Ricky Haggett and Jonathan Whiting join us to discuss their whimsical cosmic roguelike, as does superfan Tim Schafer to help us sing its praises! We discuss playing with hexes in the pub, the function of humor in games, and how Loot Rascals is the first "stranding" game. Some things we discussed: Loot Rascals Hollow Ponds Jonathan Whiting Double Fine Productions RAD Davey Swatpaz Archon: The Light and the Dark Skylanders HeroQuest Good Sudoku Nethack Into the Breach I Am Dead Meowza Jon Boam
Jul 17, 2020 • 1h 49min
48: Making It Personal with Shawn Alexander Allen (Treachery in Beatdown City)
Shawn Alexander Allen joins us to talk about his tactical brawler, Treachery in Beatdown City. We discuss the roots and inspirations of this innovative mash-up, the action economy that makes it tick, and the process of translating life experience into your creative work. Some things we discussed: Shawn Alexander Allen Treachery in Beatdown City Hybrid Heaven V.A.T.S. system Put Your Glock Away, I've Got a Stronger Weapon For You (A Maze talk) @writnelson's Blockbuster thread Cory Arcangel's Super Mario Clouds Being black in America
