Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games

Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games episodes:

• 06.28.2024

  140: Minding Your Manors with Botany Manor

  We're joined by Laure De Mey and Kitt Byrne of Balloon Studios to chat about their Victorian first-person puzzler Botany Manor. We discuss building a space that feels the right amount of "real," letting history guide your setting, weaving a...

  
• 06.14.2024

  Into the Depths: Slice & Dice - Part 2

  In this 2nd installment of our latest deep-dive miniseries, the crew continue to discuss “yahtzee roguelike” Slice & Dice, a host favorite that has made our GOTY list for two years running.  We're joined once again by series guest co-host...

  
• 06.01.2024

  139: Sticking to Your Systems with Animal Well

  We're joined by Animal Well's sole developer Billy Basso and his business partner Dan Adelman to discuss their genre-defying/defining, steeped-in-secrets hit. Plus special guest co-host Adam Conover (Adam Ruins Everything), as we dig deep into the game's slow-burn development, the...

  
• 05.27.2024

  Into the Depths: Slice & Dice - Part 1

  In the first installment of our Slice & Dice deep-dive miniseries, the crew head Into the Depths with the “yahtzee roguelike” that's shown up on our GOTY list for two years running. We're joined by interactive artist/developer Darius Kazemi to...

  
• 05.08.2024

  138: Getting Goofy with Listener Letters

  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...

  
• 04.22.2024

  137: Reflecting (and More) on GDC 2024

  Four of ours hosts went to the 2024 Game Developers Conference, and we lived to share anecdotes, interesting games we saw, and the highlights (and injuries) of our week! Also, Rob chases down a handful of other lovely devs to...

  
• 04.05.2024

  136: Going in Blind with Balatro

  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...

  
• 03.15.2024

  135: Harnessing the Algorithm with Eric Chahi

  We're joined by renowned designer Eric Chahi (Another World, From Dust) to discuss his singularly surreal VR adventure Paper Beast. We discuss building a living ecosystem born from constraints, how the craft has changed over the decades, and the indecency...

  
• 02.24.2024

  134: Striving for Imperfection with Jon Ingold (A Highland Song)

  We're joined by Jon Ingold, co-founder of Inkle Studios (80 Days, Heaven's Vault) to discuss A Highland Song - a wild adventure through the Scottish Highlands. We chat about creating narrative-driven games without a critical path, allowing players to fail...

  
• 02.09.2024

  133: Celebrating Our 5th Anniversary!

  We (belatedly) celebrate the 5th anniversary of our show with a sprawling, silly, reflective episode with a full house of hosts! Thanks for listening to us for all this time. <3 Show Notes: Bob Mould Heat: Pedal to the Metal...

  
• 01.30.2024

  132: Welcoming Rob!

  We welcome Rob Dubbin (he/they) as a permanent member of the host pool! We discuss his journey from Late Night into making games, applicable lessons learned in the writers' room, and the importance of making your own shot. Show Notes:...

  
• 01.12.2024

  131: Using All of Your Tools with Kevin Poupard (Jusant)

  We're joined by Kevin Poupard, co-creative director of the beautiful, meditative climbing game Jusant. We discuss the pains and gains of physics, trying something new as a studio, and anthropomorphizing mountains. Plus special guest co-host Mark Brown of Game Maker's Toolkit!...

  
• 12.31.2023

  130: Games of the Year 2023

  We sit down with our newest co-host, writer/developer Rob Dubbin, to each count down our Top 5 games of 2023, alongside picks from previous show guests and our listeners. Happy New Year! Our GOTY picks (SPOILERS): Zach: Super Locomotive Kirby's...

  
• 12.23.2023

  129: Reinforcing Worldbuilding through Gameplay with Spoils

  Daria Radu, Ben Wilson, and our very own Douglas Wilson join us to discuss their trick-taking card game Spoils, featured as an optional game within story-driven adventure game Saltsea Chronicles. We discuss the genesis of the game, drawing inspiration from...

  
• 12.13.2023

  128: "Yes, And"-ing Your Design with Albert Birney and Gabriel Koenig (Tux and Fanny)

  The creators of Tux and Fanny - Albery Birney and Gabriel Koenig - stop by to discuss their existential and hilarious adventure game Tux and Fanny. We discuss collaboration as improv comedy, the benefit of working with people from outside...

  
• 11.26.2023

  127: Plotting a Course with Hannah Nicklin and Harry Josephine Giles (Saltsea Chronicles)

  We're joined by creative director Hannah Nicklin and writer Harry Josephine Giles to discuss Die Gute Fabrik's beautiful new story-driven adventure, Saltsea Chronicles. We dig into the world-building and construction of the playable ensemble cast, the writer's room that pulled...

  
• 11.12.2023

  126: Building Your Own Platform with Zach Gage (Puzzmo)

  We talk to our very own Zach Gage about his brand new games website, Puzzmo. We talk about player curiosity, newspaper games, Crosswords, and more. Show Notes: Episode 37: Designing Around Language with Zach Gage Puzzmo manifesto AVCX How...

  
• 10.28.2023

  125: Exploring Your Own Landscape with Mars First Logistics

  Ian MacLarty and Kalonica Quigley join us to discuss their open world physics simulation game, Mars First Logistics. We talk about the tech art behind the game's visual style, the procedurally generated landscape, the humor of the gameplay, and more....

  
• 10.07.2023

  124: Thinking Inside the Box with Patrick Traynor (Patrick's Parabox)

  We're joined by Patrick Traynor, creator of Patrick's Parabox, a mind-bending recursive puzzle game about boxes within boxes. We discuss following your gut to what a game wants to be, being part of the puzzle design community, and our core philosophies behind...

  
• 08.25.2023

  123: (Rerun) Maximizing Minimalism with Disc Room

  We're taking a small summer break, so please enjoy one of our favorite episodes from 2020 with a new introduction from Doug! The ENTIRE all-star Disc Room team - Kitty Calis, JW Nijman, Doseone, and Terri Vellmann - stop by...

  
• 08.11.2023

  122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol)

  We're honored to be joined by Gilles De Coster, host of our favorite Belgian reality TV game show - De Mol - to talk about the process, inspirations, and execution of the sublime game design behind its thrilling, subversive challenges....

  
• 07.28.2023

  121: Developing Your Taste with Abhi (Venba)

  We're joined by Abhi to discuss Venba - Visai Games' short narrative cooking game about family, love, and loss. We discuss uniting narrative and gameplay, making a very personal game in a commercial industry, and creating a cooking experience with...

  
• 07.14.2023

  120: Making a Case for Intuition with Andrejs Kļaviņš (The Case of the Golden Idol)

  We're joined by Color Gray Games' Andrejs Kļaviņš to discuss their deeply rewarding detective game The Case of the Golden Idol. We discuss building on the game's cross-media inspirations, finding the 'aha!' moments in playtesting, and trusting yourself to trust...

  
• 06.30.2023

  119: Collaborating in Character with Ashly Burch and Guerrilla Games (Horizon)

  We're joined by actor Ashly Burch and Guerilla Games' Ben McCaw and Jochen Willemsen to deconstruct their deeply collaborative work on the Horizon game franchise - building the character of Aloy, the role of performance capture, and carving out nuance...

  
• 06.16.2023

  118: Exploring Your Curiosity with Rita Orlov (PostCurious)

  We're joined by Rita Orlov to discuss her PostCurious catalog of captivating narrative tabletop puzzle games, including her journey from physical and fine art into games, why designers love bouldering, and trusting players to summit her puzzles. Show Notes: Rita...

  
• 06.02.2023

  117: Answering Your Questions without a Guest (June 2023 Edition)

  Four of our hosts get a little loopy answering questions submitted by our listeners, from how we all met, to our favorite game controllers, to the importance of mechanics vs vibes. We plan to do more of these episides once...

  
• 05.19.2023

  116: Finding Hope in Loss with Red Hook Studios (Darkest Dungeon II)

  We're joined by co-founders Tyler Sigman and Chris Bourassa to discuss Red Hook Studios' new roguelike road trip of the damned, Darkest Dungeon II. We explore heroism by contrast, the delicate stakes of making an unforgiving game more forgiving, and...

  
• 05.08.2023

  115: Doubling Down on Intuition with Kenny Sun (Mr. Sun's Hatbox)

  We're joined by Kenny Sun (Twinfold) to chat about his slapstick, roguelite platformer Mr. Sun's Hatbox. We talk about the benefits of setting a prototype down for a while, what humor can let you get away with, and trusting your instincts....

  
• 04.21.2023

  114: Loving Mondays with Cosmo D (Betrayal at Club Low)

  We're joined by Greg “Cosmo D” Heffernan to discuss his IGF-winning, dice-fueled fever dream Betrayal at Club Low. We explore his fascinating journey from making music to making games, balancing for transparency, and letting your love of the process guide you....

  
• 04.09.2023

  113: On top of the Fires of Hell w/ Daniel Benmergui (Storyteller)

  We're joined by Daniel Benmergui (I Wish I Were the Moon, Fidel Dungeon Rescue), creator of the narrative-weaving puzzle game Storyteller. We discuss the challenges of designing playful and snappy interaction, wrangling cause and effect, and managing expectations for a...

  
• 03.24.2023

  112: Playing in the Moment with Videogamo (DOBOTONE)

  We're joined by Hernán Sáez of Videogamo (DOBOTONE, NAVE) to discuss his beautifully ephemeral party/arcade games, as well as Marie Foulston, a playful curator/creative director who commissioned Videogamo's latest work, GOL-E-GOL. We discuss site-specific experiences, and the slippage between hardware...

  
• 03.11.2023

  111: Finding Your Groove with John Johanas (Hi-Fi RUSH)

  We're joined by John Johanas, Director of Tango Gameworks' pitch-perfect rhythm action game Hi-Fi RUSH. We discuss the many challenges of creating a world and systems that stay on beat, while John and Sarah discuss the creation of the character...

  
• 02.24.2023

  110: Making Friends with Madison Karrh (Birth)

  We're joined by Madison Karrh, the solo dev behind Birth, a curious new adventure puzzle game about building a companion to quell your loneliness. We discuss the density and voyeurism of exploring city spaces, embracing the aesthetics of death, and...

  
• 02.11.2023

  109: Answering Your Questions without a Guest

  No guest this week, so we chat about the motley selection of games we're playing, before hopping into some thoughtful listener questions. We talk reality shows, historical board games, our go-to podcasts, and the importance of making things for yourself....

  
• 01.27.2023

  108: Designing For Delight with Vectorpark (Windosill)

  Patrick "Vectorpark" Smith joins us to discuss his curious and inspiring oeuvre, the lost art of Flash games and DVD menus, and the pros and cons of keeping your art to yourself. Show Notes: Vectorpark Windosill Patrick's paintings Haunt the...

  
• 01.13.2023

  107: Welcoming Laura!

  We welcome Laura E. Hall (they/she) as a permanent member of the cast! Fresh off a session of their online escape game The Traveler's Guide to Little Sodaburg, we dig into its web-savvy design, how the last few years have...

  
• 12.30.2022

  106: Games of the Year 2022

  Per tradition, we sit down with immersive puzzle designer Laura E. Hall - and bonus guest writer/developer Rob Dubbin - to count down our Top 5 games of 2022, alongside picks from previous show guests and our listeners. Happy New Year!...

  
• 12.16.2022

  105: Making History with Josh Sawyer (Pentiment)

  Josh Sawyer (Fallout: New Vegas, Pillars of Eternity) joins us to discuss Obsidian's historical, narrative-driven adventure game Pentiment. We chat about text boxes as game feel, creating hard player choices that don't feel bad, and putting yourself in your art. Show Notes:...

  
• 12.08.2022

  104: Thanksgiving Leftovers

  Our guest couldn't make it, so we gathered some listener questions and got weird! Join us for Thanksgiving recipes, our favorite recent game mechanics, and some "state of the industry" musings. Enjoy! Show notes: Vectorpark Meathead's AmazingRibs.com Manchego mashed...

  
• 11.20.2022

  103: Day of the Devs Special

  We (well, Nick) stops by the annual Day of the Devs event in San Francisco, and chats to a bunch of lovely developers about the games they're showing there, their biggest design challenges, and what it feels like making games...

  
• 11.04.2022

  102: Playing on Your Own Terms with Wayward Strand

  Ghost Pattern's Jason Bakker and Georgia Symons join us to discuss their heartfelt interactive story Wayward Strand. We meander through its immersive theater inspirations, the origins of its airship, and the process of rethinking player agency in the attention economy....

  
• 10.21.2022

  101: Working in a Vacuum with Heavenly Bodies

  Alexander Perrin and Joshua Tatangelo join us to discuss their expressive, physics-driven space puzzler Heavenly Bodies. We chat about designing a challenging game that isn't antagonistic, a funny game whose comedy is inherent, and their inspirations (or lack thereof). Show Notes: Heavenly...

  
• 10.04.2022

  100: Just One (Hundred) with Friends of Eggplant

  We're joined by dear friends of the show Laura E. Hall, Bennett Foddy, and Doseone for a Doug-masterminded, Eggplant-themed game of Just One. Stick around after the insanity for a reflection on the past four years of the show, how...

  
• 09.16.2022

  99: Charting the Future with Sarah Northway (I Was a Teenage Exocolonist)

  Sarah Northway (Northway Games) joins us to discuss her sprawling new narrative RPG I Was a Teenage Exocolonist. We discuss juggling a staggering script, deckbuilding as storytelling, and some of the wilder places that the game's time looping can go. Show...

  
• 09.02.2022

  98: Escaping Your Fate with Coin Crew Games (Escape Academy)

  Co-founders Wyatt Bushnell and Mike Salyh - and special guest co-host Laura E. Hall - join us to discuss Coin Crew's awesome new co-op escape room game Escape Academy. We discuss pandemic pivoting to the digital space, designing for arcades...

  
• 08.19.2022

  97: Hosting Online Reality Games (ORGs) w/ Ash Neleh

  Ash Neleh, host of the ! Series of online reality games, joins Doug for a conversation about adapting reality TV competition games for online fan communities. We talk about the 18-year history of the ! Series, as well as some of...

  
• 08.05.2022

  96: Eavesdropping for Inspiration with Grace Bruxner (Frog Detective)

  Frog Detective creator Grace Bruxner joins us to discuss the inspirations and process behind her charming detective series, including the upcoming Frog Detective 3: Corruption at Cowboy County. We discuss sticking to scope (or not), making the most of adventure...

  
• 07.22.2022

  95: (Rerun) Making Generous Games with Terry Cavanagh (Dicey Dungeons)

  We're taking a small summer break, so please enjoy one of our favorite episodes from a few years ago. And check out the new mobile version of Dicey Dungeons, and the free DLC! Terry Cavanagh (Super Hexagon, VVVVVV) joins us...

  
• 07.08.2022

  94: Learning to Unclench with Ben Esposito (Neon White)

  Ben Esposito (Donut County, What Remains of Edith Finch) joins us to talk about his heavenly new card-powered, speedrunning FPS Neon White. We discuss making tight designs by keeping things loose, what a "career" of indie games feels like, and making...

  
• 06.24.2022

  93: Cheating Depth with Card Shark

  Card Shark creators Arnaud De Bock of Nerial (Reigns) and Nicolai Troshinsky join us to discuss their innovative new adventure game about cheating. We discuss its filmic inspirations, the narrative progression of chaining tricks, and designing a game loop of teaching...