The Secret Lives of Games

Candid conversations with game creators that dive deep into the art, craft, and process of making games.

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21 episodes
Updated Tuesday
Explicit

Episodes21

Newest first

Tuesday · 1 hr 46 min
All Systems Brough - Helix
We're joined by v buckenham (Downpour, Beasts of Balance), Izzy Kestrel (Electrifying Incident, A Little Game Called Mario), and Bennett Foddy (Baby Steps, QWOP, Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy) to discuss Helix, a spiral-action shmuplike about staying alive. It's the eighth installment in our yearlong special series exploring the work of Michael Brough: All Systems Brough. Next episode: Imbroglio Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Helix https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/helix/id562550427 868-BACK (Out now!! Go buy it!!) https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/ https://finji.itch.io/868-back Michael Brough's Website https://www.smestorp.com/ Maypole https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maypole Game Design Deep Dive: The unique touchscreen action game controls of Helix https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/game-design-deep-dive-the-unique-touchscreen-action-game-controls-of-i-helix-i- Bit Pilot http://www.bitpilotgame.com/ Tilt to Live https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tilt-to-live-hd/id391837930 Super Hexagon https://superhexagon.com/ Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved remake https://store.steampowered.com/app/8400/Geometry_Wars_Retro_Evolved/ Endings (Michael's 2015 blog) https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2015/01/endings.html Playdate https://play.date/ Nex Playground https://www.nexplayground.com/ Hylics https://mason-lindroth.itch.io/hylics Vangers https://www.gog.com/en/game/vangers Tools for Creativity class (virtual) with v buckenham https://sfpc.study/sessions/fall-26/tools-for-creativity School for Poetic Computation https://sfpc.study/ bimbo static site generator https://iznaut.itch.io/bimbo https://secretlives.games/ https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
July 12 · 2 hr 7 min
157: Going Off-Grid with Brooke Husic (Puzzmo Crosswords)
We chat with Brooke Husic (Puzzmo, New Yorker, A24) about creating, stewarding, and showrunning a daily crossword for the web-based puzzle phenomenon, Puzzmo. Our discussion covers Puzzmo's first 1,000 days, Brooke's prolific career as a constructor, the impact of cultural biases on crosswords, the early-2020s indie-puzzle development boom, the need to care for both solvers and setters during revisions, the interconnectedness of difficulty and context, the relationship between constructor and venue, and so! much! more! Also: Don't forget to check out today's Puzzmo midi crossword, its 1,001th, a special collaboration between two names that will be familiar to listeners of this episode. Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: Puzzmo https://www.puzzmo.com/today/ Today's Brooke and Rob collab puzzle, "Time to get up!" https://www.puzzmo.com/puzzle/2026-07-12/crossword Puzzmo Data Initiative https://data.puzzmo.com/ Brooke's 30-day Crossword Tutorial Mini-series https://www.brookehusic.com/puzzminis/ Brooke's puzzle blog https://xwordsbyaladee.blogspot.com/ Rob's Puzzmo crossword debut, "Baker's Corner" https://www.puzzmo.com/puzzle/2024-05-10/crossword Lollapuzzoola https://bemoresmarter.com/ American Values Club (AVCX) https://avxwords.com/about-us/ Ingrid https://ingrid.cx/ Brooke on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/xws.bsky.social https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
July 5 · 2 hr 27 min
All Systems Brough - BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS
We're joined by Liz Ryerson (musician, writer, podcaster), Patrick LeMieux (UC Davis), and Andi McClure (BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS, Jumpman) to discuss BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS; a generative art game/tool made in 72 hours. It's the seventh installment in our yearlong special series exploring the work of Michael Brough: All Systems Brough. This episode: BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS Next episode: Helix Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: 868-BACK (Out now!! Go buy it!!) https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/ https://finji.itch.io/868-back Michael Brough's Website https://www.smestorp.com/ BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS (stable itch.io release!) https://mermaidindustries.itch.io/become-a-great-artist-in-just-10-seconds BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS (web build) https://dryad.technology/artist/ BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS (original Ludum Dare entry) https://web.archive.org/web/20160616205009/http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-27/?action=preview&uid=4987 SUPERHYPERCUBE https://superhypercube.com/ KidPix (public domain version) https://kidpix.app/ Increpare games (Stephen Lavelle) https://www.increpare.com/ Game Title https://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/node/2258 Andi McClure's Anti-games/Sweet Nothings https://runhello.com/anti-games A MAZE. / Berlin 2022: Ambient Play Systems (In and Outside of Games) by Flan Falacci https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRDPXMhwkXc Great Art by Liz Ryerson https://www.mostancient.com/shop/great-art Making another roguelike game (yay/boo) by Michael Brough https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2015/06/making-another-roguelike-game-yayboo-my.html Become a First Rate Artist in Just 30 Seconds https://eliot-l.itch.io/become-a-first-rate-artist-in-just-30-seconds FUCK MARIO by Liz Ryerson https://ellaguro.blogspot.com/2014/03/fuck-mario.html Platform Games Catalog by Patrick LeMieux (including Fucked Marios) https://patrick-lemieux.com/LeMieux-Platform_Games.pdf BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS AND KNUCKLES https://twitter.runhello.com/mcclure111/status/576896540565901312/ BECOME A GREAT ARTIST dress https://twitter.runhello.com/mcclure111/status/573172507773026304/ BECOME A GREAT ARTIST GitHub https://github.com/mcclure/bitbucket-backup/tree/archive/repos/ufo/contents Saint Elizabeth (Liz's new album!) https://ellaguro.bandcamp.com/album/saint-elizabeth Notes from the Underground by Liz Ryerson https://ellaguro.blogspot.com/2026/06/notes-from-underground.html ArtCtrl painting palette interface for BECOME A GREAT ARTIST https://vimeo.com/1080330014/fa8866803f MOSS (programmable brush-based art tool by Rob's studio) https://moss.town/ Icosa https://data.runhello.com/j/iso/post/ Andi's Game Catalog https://runhello.com/ Scrunch (Andi's Ludum Dare 30 art tool/game) https://web.archive.org/web/20150221165706/http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-30/?uid=4987 The Zium (virtual museum collective) https://theziumsociety.itch.io/ https://secretlives.games/ https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
June 2 · 1 hr 58 min
All Systems Brough - VESPER.5
We're joined by Izzy Kestrel (Funomena, No Goblin, A Good Videogame) and Alfredo Barraza (Riot Games) to discuss VESPER.5; a durational, tile-based exploration game. It's the sixth installment in our yearlong special series exploring the work of Michael Brough: All Systems Brough. This episode: VESPER.5 Next episode: Become a Great Artist Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: 868-BACK (Out now!! Go buy it!!) https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/ https://finji.itch.io/868-back Michael Brough's Website https://www.smestorp.com/ All Systems Brough - A Chat with Michael https://secretlives.games/website/all-systems-brough-a-chat-with-michael VESPER.5 http://mightyvision.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/vesper5.html THE LONGING https://store.steampowered.com/app/893850/THE_LONGING/ Road to the IGF: Michael Brough's VESPER.5 (Article about GDC showcase of VESPER.5) https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/road-to-the-igf-michael-brough-s-i-vesper-5-i- Super Friendship Club VESPER.5 Forum https://web.archive.org/web/20160407200028/http://superfriendshipclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=618 Meaning through repetition (reflection on releasing VESPER.5) https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/08/meaning-through-repetition.html GDC 2013 - Interview with Michael Brough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocqSV6f137M Pippin Barr on VESPER.5 https://web.archive.org/web/20170711093026/http://www.pippinbarr.com/2012/08/14/you-should-play-vesper-5/ Michael Brouge's VESPER.6 by Joel Goodwin https://www.electrondance.com/michael-brouges-vesper-6/ Gardens of Time: Design Problem Solving https://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/node/2931 Steve Reich - Section I (Slowed Down 800%) - Ambient / Minimalism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3AMpfdbc7U EXPERIMENT 12 Anthology https://www.geocities.ws/experimenttwelve/ 145: Addressing Memory with Plunderludics https://secretlives.games/145-addressing-memory-with-plunderludics i heard you like videogames https://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/node/2366 scarfmemory https://www.smestorp.com/scarfmemory.html Post-Future Vagabond https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2013/11/post-future-vagabond.html Bending the River https://www.metabolicstudio.org/653 The Old Timey Computer Show https://otcs.minuspoint.com/ Inferno by Boards of Canada https://boardsofcanada.bandcamp.com/album/inferno imagineNATIVE Festival https://imaginenative.org/ STAY SHARP // Rogue Skin Reveal Trailer - VALORANT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1u1kUdDOys Rushing Beat Trilogy https://www.chronocrash.com/forum/threads/rushing-beat-trilogy.5208/ THE GAME DESIGN CHALLENGE: The Thirty-Year Game https://www.gdcvault.com/play/1023124/THE-GAME-DESIGN-CHALLENGE-The https://secretlives.games/ https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
May 29 · 1 hr 29 min
TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 9
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14). Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 9 - the Reunion / Reveal! How did The Mole do it? Thanks for listening this season! Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about the episodes, and more. Links: Thanks Robin for our Mol guessing game website! Tip him here: https://ko-fi.com/rbnvi Every Game in this City podcast (S1, which includes Laura, Jey, Doug) https://soundcloud.com/idlethumbs/sets/every-game-in-this-city Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol) https://secretlives.games/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel https://secretlives.games/eggplant-tv-plays-de-mol-2025-season-interview-with-wouter-verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series https://www.patreon.com/tslog https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
May 28 · 1 hr 52 min
All Systems Brough - A Chat with Michael
We're joined by Michael Brough himself for a bonus chat on the thrilling occasion of 868-BACK's release day. Don't worry, we don't spoil the new game at all (except to say it's fantastic! Go buy it now on Steam!!) We discuss Michael's journey to this launch day, how his process for making art has and hasn't changed over the years, how he's learned to care for himself creatively and otherwise amidst periods of illness, how he does (and doesn't) draw connections between artistic mediums, and his impressions of our series so far, among other reflections from his development career. This (bonus) episode: A Chat with Michael! Next episode: VESPER.5 Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: 868-BACK (Out now!! Just go buy it!!) https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/ Michael Brough's Website https://www.smestorp.com/ Quinns Quest Reviews: Stonetop! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH5-uQj4uOA Forbidden Solitaire https://greyaliengames.com/forbiddensolitaire/index.php Titanium Court https://store.steampowered.com/app/2364580/Titanium_Court/ Amberspire https://store.steampowered.com/app/3350750/Amberspire/ https://secretlives.games/ https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
May 22 · 1 hr 30 min
TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 8
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14). Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 8 - the Finale! The Mole is finally unmasked. That's about it for tourist season in Portgual (though big wave season starts around November!) but we'll be back next week for the Ep 9 reunion in Belgium. 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: Thanks Robin for our Mol guessing game website! Tip him here: https://ko-fi.com/rbnvi Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol) https://secretlives.games/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel https://secretlives.games/eggplant-tv-plays-de-mol-2025-season-interview-with-wouter-verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series https://www.patreon.com/tslog https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
May 15 · 1 hr 18 min
TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 7
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14). Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 7. Who is the Mole, and how does this elimination echo last season's Final Four? 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: Danny Hawk - Folk Games, Flash Communities and Tiktok https://newrules.website/2021/01/12/danny-hawk-folk-games-flash-communities-and-tiktok/ Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH3giaIzONA Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol) https://secretlives.games/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel https://secretlives.games/eggplant-tv-plays-de-mol-2025-season-interview-with-wouter-verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series https://www.patreon.com/tslog https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
May 9 · 1 hr 29 min
TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 6
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14). Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 6. Who is the Mole, and who will play Juliet to Wout's Romeo? 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://secretlives.games/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel https://secretlives.games/eggplant-tv-plays-de-mol-2025-season-interview-with-wouter-verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series https://www.patreon.com/tslog https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
May 3 · 1 hr 56 min
All Systems Brough - Corrypt
We're joined by Naomi Clark (NYU Game Center, Consentacle, A Game Design Vocabulary) and Frank Lantz (Q-UP, Universal Paperclips, also NYU Game Center) to discuss Corrypt, a totally normal block-moving game where nothing weird happens. It's the fifth installment of All Systems Brough, our yearlong special series exploring the playable arcana of Michael Brough. This episode: Corrypt Next Month: VESPER.5 Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Corrypt https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/12/corrypt.html 868-BACK (Launching May 28, 2026! Wishlist now!!) https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/ Michael Brough's Website https://www.smestorp.com/ The Talk of Magicians – Liz Ryerson https://ellaguro.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-talk-of-magicians.html I Solved Klotski – 2swap https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGLNyHd2w10 Corrypt Post-Cariem – Michael Brough https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2014/07/corrypt-post-cariem.html Michael Brough: Going with the grain (A MAZE. Indie Connect 2013, Berlin) – A MAZE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYXInr3N5UQ Game Title https://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/node/2258 Game Title: Lost Levels https://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/node/2268 Stephen Gillmurphy's definition of videogames https://www.harmonyzone.org/Videogames.html Fractal Block World https://store.steampowered.com/app/1540570/Fractal_Block_World/ Road to the IGF: Michael Brough's Corrypt https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/road-to-the-igf-michael-brough-s-i-corrypt-i- Michael Brough - The Roots of Roguelikes in Fantasy Fiction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpX2wWwhKdE Corrypt Speedrun (5:44) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BAVUc_2SEc Donkeyspace (Frank Lantz's Blog) https://franklantz.substack.com/ NYU Game Center Spring Showcase https://gamecenter.nyu.edu/event/nyu-game-center-spring-showcase-2026/ https://secretlives.games/ https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
April 30 · 1 hr 34 min
TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 5
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14). Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 5. Who is the Mole, and how will this episode's big twist echo throughout the rest of the season? 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://secretlives.games/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel https://secretlives.games/eggplant-tv-plays-de-mol-2025-season-interview-with-wouter-verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series https://www.patreon.com/tslog https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
April 24 · 1 hr 42 min
TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 4
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14). Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 4. Who is the Mole, and will Doug end up getting the lowest possible score in our Mole guessing game? (this isn't golf, Doug). 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://secretlives.games/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel https://secretlives.games/eggplant-tv-plays-de-mol-2025-season-interview-with-wouter-verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series https://www.patreon.com/tslog https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
April 18 · 1 hr 28 min
TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 3
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14). Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 3. Who is the Mole, and why was Yannis laughing so hysterically at some November rain? 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://secretlives.games/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel https://secretlives.games/eggplant-tv-plays-de-mol-2025-season-interview-with-wouter-verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series https://www.patreon.com/tslog https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
April 10 · 1 hr 33 min
TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 2
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14). Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 2. Who is the Mole, and should they receive an Oscar for their duplicitous performance? 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: Four Wishes (independent Korean reality tv show) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLimMCLxaXz0Gj-2ueyEdshOaKK9mQzj_0 Every Game in this City podcast (S1, which includes Laura, Jey, Doug) https://soundcloud.com/idlethumbs/sets/every-game-in-this-city Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol) https://secretlives.games/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel https://secretlives.games/eggplant-tv-plays-de-mol-2025-season-interview-with-wouter-verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series https://www.patreon.com/tslog https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
April 10 · 2 hr 3 min
156: Filling Buckets with Tonda Ros (Blue Prince)
We chat with Tonda Ros (Dogubomb) one year after the release of his genre-blending room-drafting puzzlebox sensation, Blue Prince. Our discussion covers Tonda's year as the game's representative in the world; his inspirations across digital, analog, and tabletop works; cultivating player appreciation for virtual spaces; managing player hunches through playtesting; balancing lore with puzzle mechanics; comparing game development with filmmaking; and so! much! more! Kind of like the game itself, we just keep going. Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: Blue Prince https://www.blueprincegame.com/ Mythic Spoiler https://mythicspoiler.com/ My Perfect Console – Tonda Ros https://www.myperfectconsole.com/episode/129 realMyst https://cyan.com/realmyst/ Digital version of MAZE: Solve the World's Most Challenging Puzzle by Christopher Manson https://www.reddit.com/r/Python/comments/1l9urle/website_version_of_christopher_mansons_1985/ "It Seems I Have Found Myself In Another Mysterious House" by Rob Dubbin https://roblemsolving.com/games/2025/04/25/mysterious-house.html The Castles of Mad King Ludwig https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/155426/castles-of-mad-king-ludwig Dominion https://www.riograndegames.com/games/dominion/ Ascension https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/69789/ascension-deckbuilding-game Blue Prince Soundtrack by Trigg and Gusset https://triggandgusset.bandcamp.com/album/blue-prince-the-original-soundtrack Jewels in the Attic https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/16608/jewels-in-the-attic Tales of the Crystals https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9755/tales-of-the-crystals The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029120/ The Graduate (1967) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061722/ MIO: Memories in Orbit https://store.steampowered.com/app/1672810/MIO_Memories_in_Orbit/ https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
April 3 · 1 hr 35 min
TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 1
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14). Laura, Jey, and Doug tango with Episode 1 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: Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol) https://secretlives.games/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel https://secretlives.games/eggplant-tv-plays-de-mol-2025-season-interview-with-wouter-verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series https://www.patreon.com/tslog https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
April 1 · 1 hr 35 min
All Systems Brough - Zaga-33
We're joined by Chris Plante (Besties, Post Games), Hayden "Docky" Scott-Baron (Planet Coaster), and Rand Hall (voicemailer extraordinaire, Zaga-33 guide writer) for the fourth title in our year of All Systems Brough, a year-long exploration of the work of Michael Brough: Zaga-33. This episode: Zaga-33 Next Month: Corrypt (and Lost Levels) Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Zaga-33 https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/04/zaga-33.html 868-BACK (Next Fest demo on February 23rd, 2026!) https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/ Michael Brough's Website https://www.smestorp.com/ The Besties https://www.themcelroy.family/podcasts/besties/ Post Games https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/post-games/id1815131711 Rand's Zaga-33 Guide https://discord.com/channels/690388280767807518/1442555333091262566/1475568523018371295 Drop7 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drop7 Desert Golfing https://store.steampowered.com/app/757040/Desert_Golfing/ 7 Day Roguelike (7DRL) version of Zaga-33 https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/03/7drl-zaga-33.html Assorted comments on Zaga-33 https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/05/zaga-33-assorted-comments.html Blog about scoring in games https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/05/score-comment-threads-dominant.html Brick101 Review of all 36 combo powers in Zaga-33 https://brick101.com/reviewing-all-36-combo-powers-in-zaga-33/ Blog about iOS sale numbers https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/06/ios-sale-numbers.html Follow-up blog on iOS sales numbers https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/06/because-we-may-results.html Blog on zaga, score, expressivity, and personality https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/08/zaga-score-expressivity-personality.html Blog on creating advancement in roguelikes https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2013/03/7drl-day-2.html 7 Day Roguelike website https://7drl.com/ PRACTICE 2013: Michael Brough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4iswqa8r-Q https://secretlives.games/ https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow
March 23 · 1 hr 29 min
155: GDC 2026 LIVE Special!
Recorded live from the Game Developers Conference 2026! They gave us time in the Official Podcast Box, so we made the most of it discussing the process of writing for the IGF Awards, reflecting on the culture of GDC, and even having a couple surprise guests drop in. Let's get loose! Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: Scripto https://scripto.live/ Starfriends https://shop.brainfruit.studio/products/starfriends-card-game 2026 Independent Games Festival Awards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoH4EmfB4Z4 Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet https://store.steampowered.com/app/205730/Insanely_Twisted_Shadow_Planet/ Dustbiters https://dustbiters.com/ Tooth and Tail https://store.steampowered.com/app/286000/Tooth_and_Tail/ Brogue https://sites.google.com/site/broguegame/ Caves of Qud https://www.cavesofqud.com/ Monaco 2 https://store.steampowered.com/app/1063030/Monaco_2/ https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
March 18 · 2 hr 6 min
154: Gathering Community with Ben Rausch and Anja Venter (Playtopia)
Doug and Rob are joined by Stephanie Boluk (UC Davis) and Patrick LeMieux (UC Davis) chat with Ben Rausch (Team Lazerbeam) and Anja Venter (Free Lives) about the Playtopia Festival for Indie Games & Immersive Arts that they help organize. They discuss some of the Festival's origins, the logistics of producing in-person games events, the state of alt-control/arts-focused games events around the world, the relationship between South African culture and Playtopia's structure, the importance of showing the new generation how to create these spaces, the balance of growing and maintaining a festival community, and more! Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: Playtopia Festival https://playtopiafestival.co.za/about/ Shroom and Gloom https://teamlazerbeam.itch.io/shroom-and-gloom Jamming to map creative scenes and practices by Anya Venter https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02681102.2023.2281423 A MAZE Festival https://2026.amaze-berlin.de/ The future of public game arts festivals and non-commercial games culture by Robert Yang https://www.blog.radiator.debacle.us/2026/02/the-future-of-public-game-arts.html Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant https://grants.draknek.org/ Don't Get Your Hopes Up https://store.steampowered.com/app/3795490/Dont_Get_Your_Hopes_Up/ boshi's place https://boshis.place/events/ Glitch City https://glitch.city/ Blood on the Clocktower https://bloodontheclocktower.com/?country=US Pro Jank Footy https://store.steampowered.com/app/3621330/Pro_Jank_Footy/ Plum Road Tea Dream https://store.steampowered.com/app/3206340/Plum_Road_Tea_Dream/ Plum Road Tea Dream (Performance) https://plum-road-tea-dream.com/#performance Dressmaker https://store.steampowered.com/app/4019220/Dressmaker/ Cozy Lives Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cozylivesgames/reels/ Free Lives Discord https://discord.com/invite/freelives Sex with Friends https://store.steampowered.com/agecheck/app/3407070/ Wee Boats https://store.steampowered.com/app/3578080/Wee_Boats/ Relooted https://store.steampowered.com/app/3255890/Relooted/ Cadence https://store.steampowered.com/app/362800/Cadence/ Starfriends https://starfriends.online Playtopia 2025 Showcased Games https://playtopiafestival.co.za/games-2025/ https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
March 6 · 1 hr 52 min
153: Returning to the Wasteland with Jan Willem Nijman, Joonas Turner, and Jukio Kallio (Nuclear Throne)
Rob and Zach chat with Joonas Turner (Downwell, Noita, Cult of the Lamb), Jukio Kallio (Fall Guys, Minit, Dave the Diver), and Jan Willem "JW" Nijman (Super Crate Box, Ridiculous Fishing, Minit) about their landmark twin-stick wasteland shooter, Nuclear Throne, and its recent blowout 10th anniversary update. They discuss reopening a project after a decade, balancing through play, the decision to not implement traditional invincibility frames, the shifting culture of what makes a design "engaging," and more! Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: Nuclear Throne https://nuclearthrone.com/ Controls You Can Feel: Putting Tactility Back Into Touch Controls https://youtu.be/OIOitNx9RHI?si=vcV3GCcsiy1W4Efr Spelunky https://www.spelunkyworld.com/ Shoot First https://www.indiedb.com/games/shoot-first Crimsonland https://www.crimsonland.com/ Downwell https://downwellgame.com/ Tormentor x Punisher https://tormentorxpunisher.com/ PAPERHEAD https://store.steampowered.com/app/2680280/PAPERHEAD/ Jukio's Bandcamp https://jukiokallio.bandcamp.com/ https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog