Hey, Good Game

From Haunted Pixels to Conservation: Peter Lazarski on Art, Accessibility, and Indie Game GritIndie developer and visual artist Peter Lazarski—aka Imaginary Monsters—joins Nate to explore his creative evolution from childhood horror obsessions to crafting cult-favorite lo-fi games like Halloween Forever and Deathstate. Known for his pixelated gothic aesthetic and offbeat charm, Peter shares how games like Earthbound shaped his visual language and love for physical editions.The conversation touches on Peter’s iterative design process, how he blends art with mechanics, and why accessibility and emotional tone matter in indie games. He also unpacks the ethos behind his newest project, Don’t Kill the Bats—a whimsical but meaningful game raising awareness for bat conservation.Peter reflects on developing under an alias, building community through mentorship, and finding creative purpose in strange, spooky spaces.Check out Peter's Resources:https://imaginarymonsters.comhttps://imaginarymonsters.shop https://twitch.tv/imaginarymonsters https://discord.gg/imaginarymonsters 🎮 Favorite Games Mentioned:EarthBound (SNES) – Peter’s all-time favoriteTactics Ogre (Re-release) – Currently playingPersona 5 – Currently playingF-Zero, Super Mario World – Childhood favoritesCommander Keen, DOOM, Wolfenstein – Early PC gamingMonster Party (NES) – Referenced for sprite interpretationMetroid II (Game Boy) – Admired for its enemy art in the manualAyuda Mort – ZX Spectrum-style indie game that influenced Halloween ForeverCastlevania – Referenced as a typical “bat enemy” gameSplatterhouse – Mentioned as a game style he’d love to tryRolling Stock – Mentioned earlier as a favorite (possibly in a different episode or cut)--(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest (01:41) - Peter Lazarski's Gaming Preferences (02:15) - Early Gaming Influences and Inspirations (04:42) - The Impact of Earthbound and Physical Game Editions (13:36) - The Evolution of Halloween Forever (18:04) - Challenges and Iterative Development (23:56) - Art and Mechanics in Game Design (26:44) - Nostalgia and Artistic Style (28:59) - Visual Exploration and Prototyping (30:36) - The Evolution of Imaginary Monsters (33:14) - Navigating the Alias (39:48) - Community and Mentorship (43:54) - Design Philosophy and Accessibility (48:38) - Introducing 'Don't Kill the Bats' (50:54) - Connecting with Imaginary Monsters (52:21) - Conclusion and Farewell --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Award-winning artist, animator, and game designer Michael Frei joins Nate and Joseph to share his creative journey from apprentice construction draftsman to co-founder of Zurich’s Playable, the indie studio behind critically acclaimed interactive works like Plug & Play, Kids, and the meditative mortality sim Time Flies.Michael breaks down his minimalist approach to game design—how stripping away noise can lead to emotional clarity—and explains why humor, absurdity, and interaction are central to his artistic voice. He reflects on transitioning from animation to games, his fascination with weird player dynamics, and why making something personally meaningful matters more than chasing trends.Frei also shares lessons from testing, iterating, and publishing across platforms, as well as advice for aspiring indie creators navigating simplicity, success, and staying creatively grounded in a crowded market.Check out Michael Frei's Resources:https://michaelfrei.io/https://x.com/panichttps://bsky.app/profile/michaelfrei.iohttps://www.instagram.com/michaelfrei10/Games Mentioned:FIFA - Michael's favorite game to playGliderNot About UsPlug and PlayTime FliesWindowsillFeet Ahead--(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast (00:22) - Meet Michael Frei: The Minimalist Game Designer (01:11) - Michael's Gaming Preferences and FIFA (02:45) - The Origin of 'Time Flies' (04:42) - Early Inspirations and Programming (06:04) - From Construction Draftsman to Animation (08:49) - Transition to Interactive Art and Games (14:20) - Principles of Minimalist Game Design (15:55) - Animation Style and Player Interaction (18:12) - Defining Success and Monetization in Games (21:22) - User Testing and Feedback (22:51) - The Iterative Process of Animation (23:11) - The Creative Journey Behind 'Cars' (25:13) - Designing for Different Consoles (27:59) - Advice for Aspiring Indie Game Developers (30:26) - The Art of Drafting and Line Art (34:01) - Inspiration and Influences (40:38) - The Making of 'Time Flies' (43:13) - Where to Find More About the Creator --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Pete Muller is not your average guest—he’s a quant hedge fund legend, a touring singer-songwriter, and a prolific puzzle constructor whose creations appear in The New York Times and The Washington Post. In this episode we dive into Pete’s polymath life: his journey from math to markets, from poker tables to music stages, and how puzzles tie it all together. We also discuss his latest creation, the “Think Twice” puzzle, and what drives him to keep solving, creating, and performing. Whether you love games, music, or stories about reinvention, this conversation will surprise and inspire.Check out Pete's Resources:https://petespuzzleplayground.com/https://www.petemuller.com/https://www.forbes.com/profile/peter-muller/https://www.youtube.com/@PeteMullerMusic/featuredhttps://www.pdtpartners.com/Games Mentioned:Poker - Pete's favorite game to playCrosswordsVariety crypticsBridgeChessPing pongUltimate FrisbeeBlackjackWordleLetter BoxedStray Cat StrutMeta PuzzleScrabbleSudokuSpelling BeeKenKen--(00:00) - Introduction to Pete Muller: A Modern Polymath (01:58) - Pete's Favorite Games and Puzzles (03:39) - From Poker to Quantitative Trading (06:05) - The Evolution of PDT Partners (10:34) - Balancing Music and Finance (13:13) - The Art of Puzzle Creation (20:20) - Meta Puzzles and Musical Connections (24:42) - Introducing the Mini Meta Puzzle (25:49) - Creating and Testing the Mini Meta (27:11) - The Think Twice Puzzle Concept (28:49) - Developing the Think Twice App (30:58) - Scoring and User Engagement (36:20) - Puzzle Addiction and Mental Workouts (39:44) - Mindfulness and Avoiding Burnout (41:30) - Hosting and Community Involvement (45:21) - The Future of AI in Puzzles (47:32) - Final Thoughts and Contact Information --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Indie-game luminary Tatiana Delgado joins Nate to trace her 20-year journey from drawing paper games as a kid to co-founding Madrid’s Out of the Blue Games. She explains how titles like Call of the Sea create emotional tension without combat, why early VR prototyping was both thrilling and nausea-inducing, and how small studios can balance artistic vision with funding realities. Tatiana also teases two new projects—Lovecraft-flavored sequel Call of the Elder Gods and branching visual-novel series The Vigilante Diaries—while sharing hard-won advice on user testing, team culture, and pitching in today’s crowded market.Check out Tatiana's Resources:https://www.outbluegames.comhttps://x.com/OutBlueGameshttps://x.com/arileaGames Mentioned:Portal 2 - Tatiana's favorite game to playWonder Boy seriesMystRivenAladdin VRWarhammer--(00:00) - to Call of the Sea (00:32) - Tatiana Delgado (01:32) - Gaming Journey (02:15) - Career and Inspirations (10:29) - Out of the Blue Games (13:52) - Development Philosophy (19:16) - in VR Game Development (21:14) - on User Testing and Feedback (25:52) - and Ethical Considerations (26:50) - and Pricing Strategies (31:22) - Projects and Final Thoughts --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

What does it take to turn a minimalist text-based game into a global phenomenon?Indie developer and software craftsman Amir Rajan joins us to unpack his unconventional path from enterprise software to the top of the App Store with A Dark Room. In this episode, we explore how Amir built the DragonRuby Game Toolkit, why betting on hyper-niche communities pays off, and how rapid prototyping drives sustainable success in indie dev. From cracking console publishing to navigating the unpredictable App Store ecosystem, Amir shares hard-earned insights into the creative and financial realities of going solo in the game industry.Whether you’re a seasoned dev or just starting out, this episode offers an honest look at the intersection of craft, code, and commerce.Check out Amir's Resources:https://amirrajan.net/https://x.com/amirrajanhttps://github.com/amirrajanhttps://www.twitch.tv/amirrajanhttps://www.youtube.com/@amirrajanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amirrajan/https://www.reddit.com/user/amirrajan/Games Mentioned:Illusion of Gaia - Amir's favorite game to playSlay the SpireBalder's Gatemildly interesting RTSDark RoomDe Noble CircleInside VistaDragon Ruby Game Toolkit--(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest (00:27) - Amir Rajan's Background and Achievements (01:48) - Favorite Games and Gaming Nostalgia (03:17) - Corporate Life and Transition to Game Development (04:57) - The Inspiration Behind Dragon Ruby (07:57) - Challenges of Mobile App Development (11:01) - Creating Dragon Ruby Game Toolkit (16:01) - The Success of A Dark Room (20:35) - Sustainable Game Development Strategies (22:49) - Indie Game Development Strategies (23:38) - The Importance of Short Release Cycles (24:38) - Cross-Platform Distribution (26:56) - Navigating Console Releases (31:16) - Monetization Strategies (37:15) - Fail Fast and Iterate (39:02) - Community and Networking (43:40) - Maintaining and Updating Games (44:51) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

What does it take to create unforgettable game audio—from eerie soundscapes in Death Stranding to iconic branding in Mortal Kombat? Composer and sound designer Joel Corelitz joins us to talk about his path from writing music for pharmaceutical ads to shaping the sonic identity of major titles. We dive into the creative process, what good feedback really sounds like, the overlooked potential of sound in web games, and why sometimes doing the work is more important than waiting for inspiration.Check out Joel's Resources:https://joelcorelitz.com/http://twitter.com/joelcorelitzhttp://instagram.com/joelcorelitzhttps://joelcorelitz.bandcamp.com/https://www.youtube.com/@joelcorelitzmusicGames Mentioned:Dark Souls - Joel's favorite game to playHalo InfiniteDeath StrandingMortal Kombat OneThe Unfinished SwanNine SoulsThe Last ClockwinderHyperlight BreakerHyperlight DrifterLazy River--(00:00) - Introduction to Joel Kitz and Wave Plant (00:56) - Joel's Favorite Games and Balancing Work and Play (03:36) - The Journey from Advertising to Game Composing (08:52) - The Creative Process and Musical Language (15:51) - Feedback and Collaboration in Game Music (19:30) - Budgeting for Game Music and Audio Branding (25:30) - Exploring Sound Design in Games (26:14) - The Role of Musicality in Sound Design (30:02) - Challenges in Sound Design and Asset Management (31:04) - Collaborations and Working Solo (32:29) - Impact of AI on Creative Work (35:30) - Teaching Game Music Composition (38:23) - Starting a YouTube Channel (41:46) - Formal Education vs. Self-Learning in Music Composition (43:49) - Reflecting on Career Choices (44:59) - Current and Upcoming Projects (46:08) - Connecting with Joel Online --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Meet David Workman, known in the puzzle world as "HalfBakedLunatic" - a Microsoft veteran who creates Sudoku puzzles so difficult he can't solve them himself.David shares the incredible story of how he invented TiVo's core technology in 1996, only to watch it slip away when his two-page concept paper got buried at Microsoft. He reveals his epic gambling simulation that proved why casinos always win (even with unlimited money, you'd eventually make bets exceeding the world's GDP), and explains the paradox of puzzle creation - building something is the opposite of solving it.With 64 puzzles published and 10 featured on the legendary Cracking the Cryptic YouTube channel, David has earned his place among elite puzzle setters. His masterpiece had viewers watching for 45 minutes before a single digit was placed. Plus: the hilarious tale of licensing Elvis for $1,200 while a cockroach photo nearly cost millions.Check out David Workman's Resources:http://www.halfbakedlunatic.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mediabizdev/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCkyCXQNZY5ZhoSy1dL8b1Qhttps://logic-masters.de/Raetselportal/Benutzer/eingestellt.php?start=0&name=HalfBakedLunaticGames Mentioned:Craps - David's favorite game to playPinochleSudokuKropki puzzles--(00:00) - Introduction to Puzzle Setting (00:28) - Meet David Workman: The Prolific Puzzle Setter (01:08) - David's Favorite Games and Betting Strategies (01:46) - The Martingale Betting Strategy Explained (07:22) - David's Journey in the Broadcast Electronics Industry (09:30) - The Birth of TiVo: A Missed Opportunity (10:55) - Licensing Elvis Presley and Other Fun Stories (12:40) - David's Love for Sudoku and Puzzle Setting (16:40) - Challenges and Joys of Creating Puzzles (19:42) - Tools and Techniques for Puzzle Setting (23:05) - Creative Puzzle Themes and Ideas (28:11) - Monetization and Publishing Platforms (29:27) - Corporate Events and Custom Puzzles (33:12) - David's Favorite Puzzles and Their Stories (39:06) - Closing Thoughts and Where to Find David's Puzzles --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

In this episode, we talk with Jason Todd—aka Timberlake—the faceless creator behind the YouTube channel Smart Hobbies. Jason shares how he turned Sudoku from a personal pastime into a thriving YouTube channel with over 900K views on a single video. We dive into the strategy behind his growth, why he stays off-camera, how he connects with an older audience, and the surprising power of Sudoku games in a fast-paced creator economy.Check out Timberlake's Resources:https://www.youtube.com/@SmartHobbieshttps://buymeacoffee.com/timberlakebhttps://www.instagram.com/timberlakesmarthobbiesGames Mentioned:Sudoku - Timberlake's favorite game to playWingspanScrabbleChess--(00:00) - Introduction and Top Videos Overview (00:20) - Welcome to the Hey, Good Game Podcast (01:12) - Meet Jason Todd, AKA Timberlake (01:51) - Jason's Favorite Games (02:22) - The Birth of Smart Hobbies (04:04) - The Faceless Channel Strategy (06:25) - Jason's Background and Career (08:33) - The Journey to YouTube Success (10:35) - Content Creation and Audience Engagement (23:44) - Revenue Streams and Future Plans (29:30) - Balancing Work and Personal Life (29:49) - Overcoming Regret and Embracing Routine (30:18) - Collaborating in the Sudoku Community (33:35) - Growing Your YouTube Channel (34:14) - Choosing the Right Platform for Courses (39:15) - Understanding Your Audience (41:51) - The Importance of Quality Content (45:36) - Exploring the Benefits of Sudoku (52:07) - Future of Sudoku and Community Building (54:55) - Connecting with Timberlake --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Kevin Glikmann, actor and creator of WordGlyph, joins us to share his wild creative journey—from voicing unforgettable characters in Red Dead Redemption to hand-building one of the most unusual word games on the internet. We talk about the inventing spirit that started with childhood roller coaster blueprints, the challenge of onboarding players in a genre-breaking game, and how Kevin used AI to accelerate coding without losing control. He also shares scrappy marketing tactics, ASMR game videos, and why rejection just means you’re onto something original.Check out Kevin's Resources:https://wordglyph.xyz/https://kevinglikmann.comGame MentionsChess - Kevin's favorite game to playWordGlyphRed Dead RedemptionScrabbleUpwordsChopper (Apple II)--(01:20) - – Playing Bullet Chess and Getting Stuck (03:15) - – Inventing at Age 9: A Roller Coaster Pitch to Disneyland (05:00) - – Creative Parents and Early Exposure to Production (06:30) - – From Airplane Spoofs to Apple II Coding (08:00) - – Taking Apart the Rubik’s Cube to Make It Harder (09:30) - – Balancing Left-Brain Code with Right-Brain Performance (11:00) - – Vulnerability in Acting vs. Game Design (14:00) - – Why Seth Breyers Didn’t Return in Red Dead 2 (16:30) - – Favorite Roles and Joy of Physical Acting (18:40) - – Why Game Creation Is So Much Harder Than Voice Acting (20:00) - – Kevin’s Failed Game Inventions (Scrap Ball, Word Race) (22:30) - – From Toy Agents to Hasbro Rejections (24:00) - – Where Word Glyph Began: Breaking Letters Into Segments (25:30) - – Toothpicks, Flash Prototypes, and the Original Word Glyph (27:30) - – The Wordle Wake-Up Call (28:45) - – Building Word Glyph with JavaScript and AI (31:30) - – The Frustration of Not Knowing Your Own Code (34:00) - – Marketing Scrappiness: Reddit, Y Combinator, TikTok (37:17) - – Creating Linguistic and Math Angles with AI-Generated Articles (40:02) - – Discovering ASMR as a Game Marketing Tactic (42:17) - – Why Influencers Cost $15K+ (and What to Do Instead) (44:02) - – The Power of DIY Press, Product Hunt, and Discord (48:02) - – Onboarding Through Experience, Not Instructions (51:02) - – Game Design Tip: Help Players Win Early (52:17) - – How Kevin Uses Community Boards for Learning & Retention (53:32) - – Why Bad Moves in Ads Might Work (55:02) - – What Kevin Would (and Wouldn’t) Do Differently --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Samuel Johnston, co-founder of Bleppo and co-creator of Word Salad, joins us to share how a daily word game turned into a viral hit with over 50 million views. We talk about designing for TikTok, teaching new users game mechanics, building games that are fun (not addictive), and what it’s like growing a studio by betting on the right kind of sharing.Check out Samuel's Resources:https://bleppo.co.uk/https://wordsalad.onlinehttps://numbersalad.com/https://steks.net/Game MentionsMorrowindRimWorldDiablo IIDay of the TentacleRed AlertNYT StrandsNYT Connections--(00:29) - Meet Samuel Johnston: Founder of Bleppo (01:14) - Samuel's Favorite Games (02:07) - Nostalgic Gaming Moments (04:12) - Creating Non-Addictive Games (07:48) - The Birth of Bleppo (10:12) - Developing Word Salad (11:52) - The Art of Cryptic Crosswords (14:50) - Setting Puzzles: A Creative Process (23:34) - Reaching the First Thousand Players (24:21) - Challenges in Marketing and Monetization (24:48) - Pivoting to a New Strategy (25:07) - Leveraging Social Media for Growth (26:58) - Collaborating with Small Content Creators (27:31) - Unexpected Success Stories (36:12) - Refining the Onboarding Process (45:31) - Future Plans and Reflections --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

David Steinberg went from submitting crosswords to the New York Times at age 12 to becoming the editorial manager at Andrews McMeel. In this episode, he shares how puzzles captured his imagination, what makes a great daily game, and why accessibility, surprise, and player-first design are key to long-term success. We also dive into how AI, onboarding, and syndication are shaping the future of games for indie developers and solvers alike.Check out David's Resources:https://syndication.andrewsmcmeel.com/puzzles/category/puzzleshttps://www.gocomics.comFind David Online:http://www.customcrossword.comhttps://www.xwordinfo.com/Thumbs/?author=David+Steinberg60 Seconds With David SteinbergGame Mentionshttps://beekeeperlabs.com/crossfire/https://www.playbalatro.com/https://store.steampowered.com/app/2400510/Dungeons__Degenerate_Gamblers/https://playthebazaar.com/https://imsqueezy.com/https://crosswordfiend.com/--(00:59) - David's Favorite Game Right Now (02:13) - Discovering Crosswords and Early Inspirations (03:54) - First Attempts and Early Rejections (04:46) - Getting Published and Shifting Focus (06:27) - The Appeal and Evolution of Crosswords (09:14) - Creating Crosswords: Tools and Tips (12:56) - Solving Strategies and Tournament Insights (14:58) - Crossword Tournaments and Competitions (18:49) - The Future of Crosswords and Puzzle Games (21:49) - Easy Mode for Friday Crosswords (22:03) - Evolution of Puzzle Creation (23:20) - Criteria for Syndicating Puzzles (25:12) - Measuring Puzzle Success (27:23) - Surprising Aspects of Syndication (28:28) - Trends in the Puzzle and Gaming Industry (33:04) - Merging Comics and Puzzles (35:42) - AI in Puzzle Creation (37:29) - Onboarding Players in Puzzle Games --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

In this episode of Hey, Good Game, we sit down with Jeff Doka — creative director, writer, and co-founder of World Seekers, a GPS-based deckbuilding game that fuses exercise and entertainment. Jeff shares lessons from building Chess Puzzle Blitz, why most daily games fail to create lasting habits, and how deep mechanics and storytelling can transform casual gaming experiences. We dive into the realities of bootstrapped game development, the art of crafting daily puzzle loops, and why designing for real-world benefit (not just dopamine hits) might be the future of gaming. Plus: why AI isn’t replacing good storytelling anytime soon, and how rolling a D20 perfectly describes indie life.If you care about games that actually make your life better — you’ll love this one.Check out Jeff's Resources:https://www.4leaflabs.com/https://www.finalbossediting.com/https://www.worldseekersgame.com/https://www.amazon.com/Distributor-Jeff-Doka-ebook/dp/B0DMPYTBGHhttps://www.amazon.com/Running-Wlid-Novella-Anthology-Book/dp/1955062676Socials:https://www.facebook.com/worldseekersgamehttps://www.instagram.com/worldseekers_game/https://bsky.app/profile/finalbossediting.bsky.social----Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Elyot Grant, CEO and Game Director at Lunar Studios. Elyot shares his prolific journey from academia to game development, highlighting his expertise in creating engaging puzzles and successful indie games like Prisma. He discusses his favorite classic games, including Tetris and StarCraft, and provides deep insights into the intricacies of game design and puzzle creation. Elyot also recounts compelling stories about their Kickstarter campaign for Prisma and using Reddit to build an early audience. Additionally, he sheds light on the making and scaling of 'Islands of Insight,' a puzzle game known for its vast number of handcrafted puzzles, emphasizing the blend of artistry and algorithmic generation in game design. This episode is filled with valuable tips for indie developers and puzzle enthusiasts alike.Check out Elyot's Resources:http://lunarchstudios.com/https://user-74792.artstation.com/Socials:http://twitter.com/lunarchstudioshttps://www.facebook.com/Prismata/https://www.youtube.com/lunarchstudios--(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (02:17) - Elyot Grant's Gaming Preferences (04:41) - Deep Dive into Tetris (16:09) - Challenges and Weaknesses in Gaming (19:43) - Kickstarter and Game Development Journey (30:58) - Building a Community at Expos (31:55) - Building a Community Around a Game (32:49) - Challenges of Collecting Emails at Conventions (35:28) - The Reddit Story: Turning a Failure into Success (42:09) - Kickstarter Campaign: Seizing the Momentum (45:49) - Islands of Insight: Crafting 10,000 Handcrafted Puzzles (53:56) - The Value of Handmade Puzzles vs. Generated Puzzles (01:00:04) - Conclusion and Future Projects --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Gabriel Stürmer, CEO of Clap Clap Games. Gabriel shares his remarkable journey from working in e-commerce at Dell to venturing into gaming with Cupcake Entertainment and eventually founding his own game studio. Despite facing the setback of being fired from Cupcake, Gabriel taught himself game development through Unity tutorials and successfully published two hit games, 'Submarine Jump' and 'Snow Patrol,' with renowned publishers. He discusses the intricate process of game testing, the evolution of hyper-casual games, and the challenges of staying ahead in the mobile gaming industry with limited resources. Gabriel also offers insights into building a successful partnership and maintaining efficiency in a small team. Listeners get a glimpse into the dynamic world of mobile game development and the resilience required to succeed.Check out Gabriel's Resources:https://clapclap.games/https://linktr.ee/clapclap.gamesSocials:https://www.tiktok.com/@clapclap.gameshttps://www.facebook.com/ClapClapGameshttps://www.instagram.com/clapclap.gameshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/clapclap-games/--(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (02:36) - Gabriel Sturmer's Background and Career Journey (04:43) - The Birth of Clap Games (07:18) - First Game Prototypes and Initial Success (12:21) - Scaling and Testing Games (16:31) - Current Development Process and Challenges (24:44) - Testing and Analytics Tools (27:45) - Iterating and Adding Complexity to Games (28:16) - Publishing Platforms: iOS, Android, and Web (29:02) - Challenges in Mobile Game Development (30:07) - The Importance of Ad Creatives (33:31) - Hiring and Team Dynamics (39:29) - Business Model and Working with Publishers (46:56) - The Story of Snow Patrol (53:12) - Conclusion and Contact Information --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of video game music composition with John Robert Matz, the talented composer behind scores for games like For the King, Tchia, and Gunpoint. John Robert shares his journey from classically trained musician to award-winning game composer, offering insights into his creative process and how he approaches each unique project.John Robert discusses how he creates authentic musical experiences by incorporating period-appropriate instruments and techniques, from medieval fantasy scores to French Revolution-era compositions. He explains the importance of bringing composers into game development early, revealing how music can shape and enhance the player experience beyond just background ambiance.With his studio filled with dozens of instruments he plays himself—from French horns and trumpets to ukuleles and medieval wind instruments—John Robert demonstrates his commitment to incorporating live performances in his work. Whether discussing his research into New Caledonian music for Tchia or explaining how UI sounds interact with background scores, this conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into the art and craft of creating memorable gaming soundscapes.Check out John's Resources:http://johnrobertmatz.bandcamp.com/https://johnrobertmatz.com/index.htmlhttps://soundcloud.com/John-Robert-MatzSocials:https://x.com/JohnRobertMatzhttps://www.youtube.com/viper50bmghttps://www.instagram.com/johnrobertmatz/https://www.facebook.com/JohnRobertMatz/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-robert-matz-a40b8a60/--(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest (01:07) - John's Favorite Games (03:05) - The Composer's Perspective on Game Music (05:50) - John's Studio Setup and Instrument Collection (09:24) - John's Musical Journey and Career Path (15:05) - Approach to Game Music Composition (18:39) - Budget Considerations in Game Music (23:05) - The Role of Music in Indie Games (25:49) - Enhancing Player Immersion with Music and Sound Design (26:11) - UI Sound Design and Its Challenges (30:12) - Inspiration from Fellow Composers (33:32) - Exploring Historical Music for Modern Compositions (42:23) - Creating Authentic Soundscapes for Video Games (47:11) - Common Misconceptions About Hiring Composers (51:16) - Current and Upcoming Projects (52:29) - Where to Find More About John Robert Matz --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

In this episode of the Hey, good Game podcast, host Joseph Rueter interviews Áron Csatlós, a software engineer from Hungary and the creator of the cryptography puzzle game Decodex, which is available at playdecodecks.com. Áron shares his journey from working at Nokia for over a decade to creating various games and AI-powered tools, including Ground Kids, a personalized training plan generator. The discussion covers Áron's inspirations, development practices like building in public, and his strategies for engaging players. Áron also talks about his favorite games, including chess and League of Legends, and provides insights into his future game development plans.Check out Áron's Resources:https://www.playdecodex.com/https://ko-fi.com/csaron92https://www.reddit.com/r/Decodex/https://bsky.app/profile/playdecodex.bsky.socialSocials:https://twitter.com/csaron92https://hu.linkedin.com/in/aroncsatloshttps://www.instagram.com/csaron92/--(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast (00:25) - Meet Áron Csatlós: The Mind Behind Decodex (01:47) - Áron's Gaming Preferences (04:13) - Exploring Ground Kids (05:16) - Travel Tales and Building in Public (08:47) - The Birth of Decodex (13:37) - Marketing Strategies and Community Building (18:47) - Future Projects and Final Thoughts --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Justin Gary, CEO of Stoneblade Entertainment and author of 'Think Like a Game Designer.' They discuss Gary’s core design loop framework, focusing on how AI can enhance each step: inspiring, framing, brainstorming, prototyping, testing, and iterating. Gary talks about the importance of games in learning and building connections, his favorite games, and the role of AI in accelerating game design. The conversation extends to community building, the similarities between game design and other creative processes, and effective marketing strategies. Gary also touches on the value of adding consistent value to communities, giving a peek into upcoming projects and his remote, diverse team at Stoneblade.Check out Justin's Resources:https://stoneblade.com/https://justingarydesign.substack.com/https://www.thinklikeagamedesigner.com/https://www.reddit.com/user/Justin_Gary/ Socials:https://x.com/JustinGaryhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/justingary/--(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest (01:44) - The Essence of Games and Their Impact (03:50) - Favorite Games and Community Building (09:03) - The Role of AI in Game Design (11:40) - Prototyping and Iteration in Game Design (22:20) - Emotional Connection in Game Design (28:35) - Building Community in Games (29:21) - Creating Engaging Game Formats (30:08) - The Role of Story in Games (31:44) - The Importance of Super Fans (32:05) - Marketing Strategies for Games (35:05) - Parallels Between Game Design and Business (39:33) - Embracing Uncertainty and Risk (46:48) - Current and Future Projects (50:30) - Connecting with the Community --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Martin's journey in game development, starting from his early days as a web developer to his current focus on iOS mobile applications. Martin shares his thoughts on AI in game development, his preferences for using Swift and Godot over Unity, and his experience with board game conversions and licensing. Martin also delves into his design philosophy, the challenges of monetizing games in the App Store, and his latest game projects, including a Zelda-ish 2D story-based game. Check out Martin's Resources:http://abstractpuzzle.com/http://martingrider.name/http://chesstris.com/Socials:https://www.linkedin.com/in/livingtech/https://www.facebook.com/AbstractPuzzle/about--(00:00) - Introduction to AI in Game Development (00:25) - Welcome to the Hey! Good Game Podcast (00:35) - Meet Martin Greider: Creator of Abstract Puzzle (01:21) - Martin's Favorite Games and Tetris Variants (02:08) - The Journey of GoTetris and Programming Languages (03:36) - Porting Games to Android and Thrive's Development (05:32) - Challenges of Swift and Game Engines (07:45) - Freelancing and Board Game Conversions (10:05) - Licensing and the Evolution of Digital Board Games (18:08) - Paid vs. Free Apps: The Monetization Dilemma (23:48) - Developing for Apple Vision Pro (27:25) - Income Sources and New Game Projects (39:04) - Game Design Philosophy and Chess Variants (44:12) - Conclusion and Where to Find Martin Online --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Johannes Ahvenniemi, a seasoned mobile gaming industry professional with a diverse portfolio, including working on hits like Best Fiends and Angry Birds. Johannes shares how his interest in games started at a very young age, inspired by his brother. He discusses his passion for creating quality games without ads, his consulting work, and innovative projects like escape puzzle magazines and Sudoku solvers. Johannes also shares his experiences working at top companies like Seriously Digital and Rovio Entertainment and founding Papukaija to make games for underserved audiences. Tune in to learn more about his unconventional journey and ambitious future projects.Check out Johannes's Resources:https://adartis.fi/http://tikola.com/https://cluehound.com/ https://sudokugen.com/https://adartis.fi/games-by-sam/Socials:https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannes-ahvenniemi-0b71ab19/--(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast (00:26) - Guest Introduction: Johannes Ahvenniemi (01:18) - Johannes' Favorite Games (02:40) - Escape Room Games and Market (05:08) - Early Coding Journey (07:39) - Transition to Professional Game Development (08:31) - Experience at Rovio (11:18) - Game Industry in Finland (13:45) - Time at Seriously Digital (15:18) - Starting Independent Projects (23:12) - Games by Sam (32:43) - Consulting and Future Plans (36:53) - Conclusion and Contact Information --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

A masterclass in modern game development with Osebo, revealing his journey from sketching word puzzles on a flight to Jamaica to launching Couples Game using AI tools and smart design principles. Learn how this former Tumblr and Facebook designer leverages LLMs to create engaging puzzles while building Castle's next-gen mobile game engine – proving that the best games start with pen and paper before embracing cutting-edge tech.Check out Osebo's Resources:https://castle.xyz/https://www.couples.game/https://evenings.fm/Socials: https://www.osebo.bloghttps://www.instagram.com/0sebo/https://x.com/0sebohttps://bsky.app/profile/osebo.bsky.social--(00:00) - Introduction and Welcome (01:24) - Interview with Osebo: Game Design Insights (02:16) - Osebo's Favorite Games (06:48) - The Resurgence of Chess in New York (08:08) - Osebo's Gaming Journey (11:32) - From Design to Programming (14:38) - Professional Journey: Tumblr and Facebook (16:33) - Exploring VR and Oculus (21:13) - Castle: A Cognition Gym (22:51) - Team and Vision at Castle (24:57) - Game Creation and Monetization (29:18) - Prototyping on the Way to Jamaica (30:15) - Prototyping the Game Mechanics (30:46) - Building and Sharing the Game (31:39) - Community Feedback and Adjustments (33:33) - The Role of AI in Game Development (36:31) - Challenges and Innovations in Word Games (39:03) - Organic Growth and Community Engagement (43:33) - Future Plans and Monetization (49:12) - Evening.fm and Independent Radio (54:19) - Conclusion and Contact Information --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com