In this episode Dan interviews Colin McInerney, head of Pedal Board Games and co-lead on "Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 3" (CRDM3). Colin shares his nearly decade-long journey in the gaming industry, touching on his roles in game development, VR, and narrative design. The discussion focuses on the challenging history of CRDM3, its blend of match-three mechanics and humor, and the importance of subverting player expectations in horror and comedy games.

Colin emphasizes the collaborative nature of game development, recognizing the contributions of all team members in creating cohesive experiences. They explore the resurgence of indie games and the desire for originality among players, with discussions on effective storytelling and gameplay balance. The episode wraps up with ideas for collector's edition items for CRDM3, inviting listeners to delve into the quirky world of indie gaming and the creative processes behind it.

Follow Colin and Pedal board on Bluesky:

https://bsky.app/profile/colin.how

https://bsky.app/profile/pedalboard.games

Grab CRM3 on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2116510/Creepy_Redneck_Dinosaur_Mansion_3/

 or Xbox:

https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/creepy-redneck-dinosaur-mansion-3/9NWGK6Z71XQQ

Created & Hosted by Dan Morris

Building Horror Theme by @doom_dood

If you would like to support Building Horror, Fearzine and independent games media, please purchase the magazine or donate via tips or our Ko-Fi Page.

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Discord: Fearzine Official

BlueSky: @fearzinemagazine.com

Website: www.fearzinemagazine.com

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In this episode of Building Horror, we chat with Jack Chapman, a seasoned level designer, about his journey into indie horror game development. He shares his current project, Roost, which integrates personal experiences and inspirations from classic horror games while exploring themes of the UK’s North-South divide through retro aesthetics. Jack discusses the shift towards shorter, narrative-driven indie games, his collaborative approach using platforms like Fiverr, and the importance of atmosphere in horror. He also highlights the necessity of supporting independent projects, offering insights into his vision for Roost and the indie horror landscape.

Follow Jack and progress of ROOST on X https://x.com/ShakaInc and Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/shakainc.bsky.social

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JackChapmanDesign

TikTok: roost.game"

Created & Hosted by Dan Morris

Building Horror Theme by @doom_dood

If you would like to support Building Horror, Fearzine and independent games media, please purchase the magazine or donate via tips or our Ko-Fi Page.

Join the Fearzine Community:

Discord: Fearzine Official

BlueSky: @fearzinemagazine.com

Website: www.fearzinemagazine.com

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In this episode, Dan talks with Piotr Gnyp, Adam Ziółkowski, and Marcin Paczyński from GOG, a platform focused on preserving classic and indie games without digital rights management (DRM). The discussion covers GOG's origins, its commitment to making unplayable games accessible, and its preservation program that highlights the alarming statistic that 87% of games released before 2010 are lost. They share insights on collaboration with larger companies, the rigorous process of re-releasing titles, and GOG's community engagement through the Dream List feature, which allows players to vote on games for preservation. The conversation touches on the industry's increasing acknowledgment of video game culture, the potential of technology to assist in preservation, and the ongoing importance of nostalgia in gaming. The episode as a whole, emphasizes GOG's dedication to restoring classic titles while maintaining their original essence and connecting with the gaming community's interests.

Links to GOG:

https://www.gog.com/en/

Follow the Kickstarter for Issue #4 of FEARZINE

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fearzine/fearzine-issue-4 

Created & Hosted by Dan Morris

Building Horror Theme by @doom_dood

If you would like to support Building Horror, Fearzine and independent games media, please purchase the magazine or donate via tips or our Ko-Fi Page.

Join the Fearzine Community:

Discord: Fearzine Official

BlueSky: @fearzinemagazine.com

Website: www.fearzinemagazine.com

Find us on Facebook - Instagram - Threads - X

Connect with us via email [email protected]

In this episode of Building Horror, I have a compelling discussion with Justin Wood, a video game journalist from Dread Central and one of Fearzine's own. We delve into Justin's inspiring journey through horror games and journalism, reflecting on his early struggles and eventual success in a challenging industry. He shares humorous anecdotes from his start in writing, the friendships he built, and his career transition from factory work to marketing at DreadXP. We analyze the current landscape of horror games, the joy of playing for fun, and reminisce about the communal gaming culture of the past. Justin also touches on his upcoming projects with DreadXP, White Knuckle, which he invites listeners to check out mew take on the classic horror gaming experience.

Connect with Justin:

Justin on X

DreadXP

Created & Hosted by Dan Morris

Building Horror Theme by @doom_dood

If you would like to support Building Horror, Fearzine and independent games media, please purchase the magazine or donate via tips or our Ko-Fi Page.

Join the Fearzine Community:

Discord: Fearzine Official

BlueSky: @fearzinemagazine.com

Website: www.fearzinemagazine.com

Find us on Facebook - Instagram - Threads - X

Connect with us via email [email protected]

In this episode of Building Horror, I engage in a deep conversation with Kirsten Ria, a voice actor and content creator known for their role in the horror game 'Hollow Body.' We explore their journey in the gaming and horror industries, from their early fascination with horror to their recent decision to pursue voice acting. Kirsten shares insights on the unique challenges of voice acting, the importance of emotional depth, and creativity in developing character voices. We also discuss their experiences streaming horror games on Twitch, the excitement of their upcoming projects, including the sequel to 'The Bunny Graveyard,' and the appeal of British horror games. Kirsten's passion for the horror genre and dedication to their craft make for an inspiring discussion relevant to enthusiasts and aspiring creatives alike.

Links to Kirsten:

www.kirstenria.com

X: @KirstenRiaa

Instagram

Created & Hosted by Dan Morris

Building Horror Theme by @doom_dood

If you would like to support Building Horror, Fearzine and independent games media, please purchase the magazine or donate via tips or our Ko-Fi Page.

Join the Fearzine Community:

Discord: Fearzine Official

BlueSky: @fearzinemagazine.com

Website: www.fearzinemagazine.com

Find us on Facebook - Instagram - Threads - X

Connect with us via email [email protected]

In this episode, I chat with James from Malformation Games about indie horror game development, focusing on his transition from AAA titles to founding Malformation. He shares insights about their upcoming game, Ground Zero, a post-apocalyptic survival horror influenced by classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. We discuss the team’s creative dynamics, funding challenges, and the importance of an engaging player experience while navigating the indie game landscape. Please support Ground Zero by wishlisting on steam and stay tuned to Fearzine for more info and our Cover Story in Issue #3 of the magazine.

Links to Malformation Games and Ground Zero:

Malformations Games Website

Ground Zero on Steam

Created & Hosted by Dan Morris

Building Horror Theme by @doom_dood

If you would like to support Building Horror, Fearzine and independent games media, please purchase the magazine or donate via tips or our Ko-Fi Page.

Join the Fearzine Community:

Discord: Fearzine Official

BlueSky: @fearzine.bsky.social

Website: www.fearzinemagazine.com

Find us on Facebook - Instagram - Threads - X

Connect with us via email [email protected]

In this episode, I chat with Nate, a versatile game developer, about his diverse journey from working on AAA games like *Sea of Thieves* to creating his own indie titles, including *Spirit Hunters: Infinite Horde* and the upcoming horror game, *The Bagman*. We explore his passion for reviving retro horror on consoles like the Sega Mega Drive, examining how classic influences shape his design choices. Nate shares insights on transitioning from corporate to indie development, the importance of community support, and the creative challenges he faces in marrying point-and-click mechanics with the urgency of horror gameplay. The conversation also touches on the therapeutic aspects of development and the value of feedback in fostering growth within the gaming community.

Links to Nate:

https://linktr.ee/badtasty

Created & Hosted by Dan Morris

Building Horror Theme by @doom_dood

If you would like to support Building Horror, Fearzine and independent games media, please purchase the magazine or donate via tips or our Ko-Fi Page.

Join the Fearzine Community:

Discord: Fearzine Official

BlueSky: @fearzine.bsky.social

Website: www.fearzinemagazine.com

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In this episode of Building Horror, host Dan Morris speaks with Emily, a Los Angeles-based game developer and content creator, known for her YouTube channel and Instagram following. Emily is currently developing her first psychological horror game, "Lily's World XD," which sets a nostalgic early 2000s backdrop. In the game, players investigate a young girl's computer life, engaging in activities typical of that era while uncovering a darker narrative beneath its colorful and cozy surface.

Links to Emily and her game; Lily's World XD:

Lily's World XD on Steam

Emily on Instagram

Emily on YouTube

Created & Hosted by Dan Morris

Building Horror Theme by @doom_dood

If you would like to support Building Horror, Fearzine and independent games media, please purchase the magazine or donate via tips or our Ko-Fi Page.

Join the Fearzine Community:

Discord: Fearzine Official

BlueSky: @fearzinemagazine.com

Website: www.fearzinemagazine.com

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Connect with us via email [email protected]

In this episode of Building Horror, I talk with Michael Casio, the solo developer behind Tainted Pact Games. We delve into his journey through game development, starting from his computer science background and his passion for narrative-driven design sparked by classics like StarCraft. Michael shares insights from his experiences with games such as Suffer the Night and Terror at Oakheart, discussing the balance between ambition and practicality in horror game creation. We also reflect on nostalgia for the PlayStation 1 and 2 horror era and highlight his current project, Flesh Made Fear, designed to recapture that atmospheric dread. Our discussion touches on the evolving video game distribution landscape and the rising value of physical copies, while I encourage listeners to explore Michael's work available on Steam and Itch.io.

Links to Michael:

Flesh Made Fear Kickstarter

Flesh Made Fear Steam Page

Created & Hosted by Dan Morris

Building Horror Theme by @doom_dood

If you would like to support Building Horror, Fearzine and independent games media, please purchase the magazine or donate via tips or our Ko-Fi Page.

Join the Fearzine Community:

Discord: Fearzine Official

BlueSky: @fearzine.bsky.social

Website: www.fearzinemagazine.com

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Connect with us via email [email protected]

In this episode of Building Horror, I engage with Jeffrey Tomec, a gameplay designer at Wrong Organ, the studio behind the indie horror game Mouthwashing.

We discuss his path as a developer, the studio's unique design philosophy, and the compelling narrative woven into Mouthwashing, which blends personal storytelling with magical realism. Jeffrey recounts the studio's beginnings, highlighting how their first project, How Fish is Made, influenced their creative journey. We explore the game’s mechanics, including its dual timelines and character perspectives, and how these elements enhance player engagement. Jeffrey emphasizes the balance between gameplay and emotional storytelling, reflecting on the evolving horror genre and sharing insights into Wrong Organ's future projects. This conversation offers a deep dive into the artistic and emotional dimensions of indie horror game development.

Links to Jeffrey:

https://x.com/Jeffrey_Tomec

https://x.com/Wrong_Organ

Created & Hosted by Dan Morris 

Building Horror Theme by @doom_dood

If you would like to support Building Horror, Fearzine and independent games media, please purchase the magazine or donate via tips or our Ko-Fi Page.

Join the Fearzine Community:

Discord: Fearzine Official

BlueSky: @fearzine.bsky.social

Website: www.fearzinemagazine.com

Find us on Facebook - Instagram - Threads - X

Connect with us via email [email protected]