Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games

Laure De Mey and Kitt Byrne, creators at Balloon Studios, share their journey crafting the Victorian puzzler Botany Manor. They discuss designing immersive environments inspired by real manors and the creative challenges of blending narrative depth with gameplay. The duo explores themes of sisterhood and resilience, drawing parallels to 'Little Women'. Listeners will also uncover the intriguing history of priest holes, revealing how these secret hideouts enhance modern gaming through intriguing puzzles and stories.

Darius Kazemi, a game design guru, joins Michael Brough, the innovative mind behind the roguelike game Cinco Paus. They dive into the captivating ‘Slice & Dice’, exploring its intriguing curses and blessings system and how these elements impact player strategy. They also compare various scoring methods, highlighting their influence on gameplay dynamics. With personal anecdotes, they share how these games revive passion and build resilience, while discussing the collaborative essence of game design in an ever-evolving tech landscape.

Billy Basso, the sole developer of the indie hit 'Animal Well', and his business partner Dan Adelman share insights on their unique game design. Joined by Adam Conover, they discuss the game's slow-burn development and layers of gameplay. Fascinating anecdotes reveal how childhood fears influenced their creative process, while exploring the delicate balance of player challenge and enjoyment. They also tackle the struggles of maintaining game secrets while engaging a community eager for discovery, highlighting the importance of collaboration in indie game development.

Interactive artist/developer Darius Kazemi joins to discuss the unique humor and design of the 'yahtzee roguelike' game Slice & Dice. They share beginner tips, explore game modes like Classic Unfair & Cursed, and discuss the game's maximalist design. The episode teases upcoming content on cursed hyper mode and encourages audience engagement for future discussions.

Left to our own devices without a guest, we get a little goofy - thankfully our listener letters overfloweth, so we dive into a few of them. Thanks, listeners! Show Notes: Jupiter Sunrise Dinner with the Band GeoGuesser World Cup 2023 Knytt Seiklus Daniels: Why We Tell The Stories We Tell Pale Fire

Hosts reflect on their experiences at the 2024 Game Developers Conference, sharing anecdotes and highlights from the event. They discuss innovative games showcased at GDC, including role-puzzling adventures and lockpicking mini-games. The chapter also explores the transition from press to developer, hosting dynamics, and the launch of a new spin-off series called 'Eggplant Parm'. Additionally, they delve into game design challenges, emotional connections with players, and memorable moments from past GDC experiences.

We're joined by LocalThunk, solo creator of the hypnotic deckbuilder Balatro. We discuss flauting the fashion of a genre and going into development blind, the benefits of balacing by feel, and why Balatro shouldn't exist. Show Notes: Balatro LocalThunk Big two Luck Be a Landlord Slice & Dice Slay the Spire Risk of Rain 2

Renowned game designer Eric Chahi joins the podcast to discuss his VR game Paper Beast and the challenges of world-building in virtual reality. They explore the impact of human activities on wildlife, the creative process in game design, the importance of collaboration, and the evolution of technology in game development.

Jon Ingold, co-founder of Inkle Studios and brain behind narrative gems like 80 Days and Heaven's Vault, joins to delve into his latest adventure, A Highland Song. He discusses how the game allows players to 'fail forward' in a unique narrative structure. The conversation reveals insights into the development of Ink, a scripting language transforming storytelling in games. Jon also shares his motivations behind creating immersive landscapes and the intricate mechanics that deepen player engagement, all while emphasizing the evolution of narrative-driven experiences.

In this anniversary episode, the hosts discuss various topics including the significance of David's navel, ideas for EggplantCon, Kentucky bands, regret and nostalgia at the 'no quarter' exhibition, an immersive gaming experience at Everest, Pipkins, the Poppy Grower, creating games for two-year-olds, pride in gaming achievements, opinions on Sports Friends games, excitement for the future of video games, and the resurgence of alternate reality games.