Moonlight Game Devs

Bryn Welch is the lead designer on Dungeon Top by One Up Plus Entertainment, a 3 person indie games studio. They share the story of their latest game, Dungeon Top.

Among many other things, he shared his interesting backstory of getting the job by criticising the CEO's game prototype extensively and his approach of motivating the player by "making them feel smart". We also discussed the dynamic between him and his CEO, who is also doing the programming, which revolves around rapidly iterating and improving the game.

It was a really fun and insightful chat, hope it helps folks out there improve their games!
Get Dungeon Top on Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1146230/DungeonTop/

Follow One Up Plus Entertainment:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spellswordcards/- Website: https://www.spellswordcards.com/
- Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/35192786
Follow Moonlight Game Devs:
- Website: https://moonlightgamedevs.com/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/devs_moonlight
- Discord: https://discord.gg/rfcYJJB
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MoonlightGameDevs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Moonlight-Game-Devs-117297853384521
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrGAw9i5HoaByeiQAV5FaLA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonlightgamedev/

Gang Beasts is a highly successful indie game, grossing millions in revenue and was also nominated for the British Academcy Games Awards for best multiplayer game. 
I had a chat with Michael Brown, who is one of the three brothers that co-founded the studio together, to get some game dev "behind the scenes" insights into the game. We had a chat about their non-traditional background and how they got started making games.
We also talked about their iteration and learning process that helped them get the game to where it is today, with several rewrites of the entire code base. I hope you guys enjoy the episode!

Get Gang Beasts on Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/285900/Gang_Beasts/

Follow Boneloaf:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/boneloaf- Website: http://www.boneloaf.co/
- Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/search/?developer=Boneloaf
Follow Moonlight Game Devs:
- Website: https://moonlightgamedevs.com/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/devs_moonlight
- Discord: https://discord.gg/rfcYJJB
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MoonlightGameDevs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Moonlight-Game-Devs-117297853384521
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrGAw9i5HoaByeiQAV5FaLA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonlightgamedev/

Timophy Fitz Randolph has spent over 10 years making games, including the mobile hit "Where is my Water?" as lead designer at Disney! Now, due recent circumstances, he finds himself  going full indie with his latest side project, Pro Gymnast.

During the discussion, he talks about what it was like developing games as a high school student 20 years ago and his earlier games. One of these games was actually called "Gymnast" and laid the foundation for his latest game - inspired by his own passion for the sport.

We then go into a deeper discussion on how he went about designing and creating the game. I found out how his thought process behind creating tools for himself, that he later allows the players to use as part of the game to create their own content (like a replay and level editor).

Hope you guys learned as much as I did, Tim was a really interesting guest!

Wishlist Pro Gymnast:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1214520/Pro_Gymnast/
Follow Tim:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/walaber- Discord: https://discord.gg/KKeGKaC- Website: https://www.walaber.com/pro-gymnast
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walaber_ent/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChTGiLmGJ7gj_P7vPGhyhtw
- Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/search/?developer=Walaber%20Entertainment%20LLC&snr=1_5_9__2000
Follow Moonlight Game Devs:
- Website: https://moonlightgamedevs.com/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/devs_moonlight
- Discord: https://discord.gg/rfcYJJB
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MoonlightGameDevs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Moonlight-Game-Devs-117297853384521
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrGAw9i5HoaByeiQAV5FaLA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonlightgamedev/

Leyla Johnson is the CEO of Mohawk Games, a company founded by her husband Soren. The title that they are currently working on is called Old World, available on early access, and is reminiscent of games such as Sid Meier's Civilizations IV, for which her husband was the lead designer.

She shared how she transitioned into the games industry by helping her husband design and improve the company's first game, Offworld Trading Company. From there, we discuss the steps it took for them to eventually release Old World, the complications that came up in that time and more.

Finally, we chat about games company building and the culture in the industry. Leyla shares how she is actively hoping to create the inclusive climate and culture in her own company, that she would like to see everyone in the industry adopt.

The Podcast Episode about Olga of Kiev:
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vcmlkaWN1bG91c2hpc3Rvcnk/episode/YmQ2Njk0YzYtNDcwOS0xMWU4LTk5ODMtZWJjYWFmYzA5Nzdl?hl=de&ved=2ahUKEwi_h8DmldHqAhXOzqQKHU8EClQQjrkEegQICxAE&ep=6

Get Old World on the Epic Games Store:
https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/product/old-world/home

Follow Leyla:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeylaCatJ- Discord: https://discord.gg/RNTfYZK- Website: https://www.mohawkgames.com/
Follow Moonlight Game Devs:
- Website: https://moonlightgamedevs.com/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/devs_moonlight
- Discord: https://discord.gg/rfcYJJB
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MoonlightGameDevs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Moonlight-Game-Devs-117297853384521
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrGAw9i5HoaByeiQAV5FaLA

VR has popularised a new wave of sword fighting games, one of these first titles was Sword Master VR develope by Eric Tereshinski (commonly known under his YouTube alias MasterIndie).
We continue our previous chat on VR and his latest game Jet Island, covering many interesting topics along the way. One of these was the multiplayer in Jet Island and how he implemented it.

Another conversation point was marketing a VR game and how he built his first game, Sword Master VR, to be content creator friendly by adding in show features. Finally, he reflects and gives us some tips on how he would advise someone who is looking to make a living by creating games.

Get Jet Island on Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/587220/Jet_Island/

The Job Simulator Interview mentioned in this episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peVuqvB7RPQ&t=566s

Follow Eric:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Master_Indie- Discord: https://discord.gg/jMUSH2j- Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/search/?developer=Master%20Indie&snr=1_5_9__2000- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ETeeskiTutorials- Website: http://www.masterindie.com/
Follow Moonlight Game Devs:
- Website: https://moonlightgamedevs.com/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/devs_moonlight
- Discord: https://discord.gg/rfcYJJB
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MoonlightGameDevs
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrGAw9i5HoaByeiQAV5FaLA

Eric Tereshinski (commonly known under his YouTube alias MasterIndie) has been creating game development tutorials and participating in game jams for a long time. For the past years, he has been exploring the possibilities that VR offers for interactive games. He self-published two well received action VR games on Steam, the latest one being Jet Island, a title where players fly around an open world on a hover board.
We had a very long discussion on the topic of VR game development, hence this episode was split into two parts. In the first, we focus on how to get started in virtual reality game development, the tools that you need and the differences between headsets. We also discuss his approach to game design and inspirations for his latest game, which takes a very unconventional approach to VR game design and ignores the threat of motion sickness.
For me, it was a very eye-opening discussion on the possibilities in VR and the different design challenges involved for this new medium.

Get Jet Island on Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/587220/Jet_Island/

The Job Simulator Interview mentioned in this episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peVuqvB7RPQ&t=566s

Follow Eric:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Master_Indie- Discord: https://discord.gg/jMUSH2j- Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/search/?developer=Master%20Indie&snr=1_5_9__2000- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ETeeskiTutorials- Website: http://www.masterindie.com/
Follow Moonlight Game Devs:
- Website: https://moonlightgamedevs.com/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/devs_moonlight
- Discord: https://discord.gg/rfcYJJB
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MoonlightGameDevs
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrGAw9i5HoaByeiQAV5FaLA

BLOOPERS AT THE END OF THE EPISODE!
Huw Millward's journey into game development began with him wanting to teach himself how to code in C++ by making simple console text prompt games. After receiving positive feedback upon releasing one of these games, he started turning it into what is now known as Warsim: The Realm of Aslona.
In the interview, he shared his approach to engaging and growing the community around the game, by actively listening to their feedback and improving the game. He also mentioned strategies on how he encouraged players to make suggestions and report bugs! It was a very interesting chat that was very eye opening and shows the power of hitting the right niche with your game. 
Get Warsim on Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/659540/Warsim_The_Realm_of_Aslona/?beta=0

Article mentioned in the episode:
https://medium.com/@huw2k8/the-indie-game-with-75-million-fantasy-races-inside-it-b9ee6ddf1102

Follow Huw Millward

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MegatonMilita?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/WarsimRpg/
• Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/36825731
  
  Follow Moonlight Game Devs:
• Website: https://moonlightgamedevs.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/devs_moonlight
• Discord: https://discord.gg/rfcYJJB
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MoonlightGameDevs
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrGAw9i5HoaByeiQAV5FaLA

Primal Light is a linear action platformer designed by a two-man team, Fat Gem Games. One of the developers joined me to share the story behind their game.

As a result of learning Python for machine learning, Shane (lead programmer on the team) decided to start working on Primal Light in Pygame. He soon ran into engine limitations and switched over to Godot, which is what the engine is now built in.

They also revealed how over the course of developing their game, they made drastic changes over time. One of these was the pivot from creating a metroidvania, a genre known to be particularly complex to develop, to a more linear style of game. It was a very insightful interview that anyone working on their game part-time is going to learn a lot from!

Get Primal Light on Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/771420/Primal_Light/

Follow Fat Gem Games:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PrimalLightGameref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
• Discord: https://moonlightgamedevs.com/podcast/primal-light/discord.gg/JKQe4En

Follow Moonlight Game Devs:

• Website: https://moonlightgamedevs.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/devs_moonlight
• Discord: https://discord.gg/rfcYJJB
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MoonlightGameDevs
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrGAw9i5HoaByeiQAV5FaLA

Matt Larrabee is the solo developer behind Greylock Studios and the upcoming bullettime FPS IMPACT.In this interview discussion, he shared how the resource constraints of being a solo developer lead to the interesting decision of creating a protagonist for his game that only has one arm.

Matt uses Unreal Engine to develop his game and we went into technical details as to how he created some of features in his game, for example the Voxel Plugin that he used to create the destructible environments.

We also had a chat about investment offers that he has gotten from VC and game publishing firms. It was a very informative episode and really highlighted the power of Unreal Engine - I hope you enjoy it!

Check out IMPACT on Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1227690/IMPACT/

Get Voxel Plugin:
https://voxelplugin.com/

Follow Greylock Studios:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/impactgamefps
• Discord: http://localhost:8000/podcast/impact/discord.gg/cHsm52z

Follow Moonlight Game Devs:

• Website: https://moonlightgamedevs.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/devs_moonlight
• Discord: https://discord.gg/rfcYJJB
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MoonlightGameDevs
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrGAw9i5HoaByeiQAV5FaLA

Tom Goodchild has spent all of his career working at games companies of various sizes. He shares some of the things that he had done at these companies as an employee and what it actually means to be a professional game designer.    After working in the industry for many years, Tom decided he wanted to build his own game and quit his job! That game ended up being Socketeer, a top-down 2D roguelite.     During the discussion, he admitted to making mistakes with his first indie project that he is hoping to avoid for the development of his next game. We also talked about the challenges that occured and how to prepare for doing your own thing as an employee, before diving in head first as your own boss.

Buy Socketeer on Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/750500/Socketeer/

Follow Ice Beam Games:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/icebeamgames
• Website: https://icebeam.co.uk/

Follow Moonlight Game Devs:

• Website: https://moonlightgamedevs.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/devs_moonlight
• Discord: https://discord.gg/rfcYJJB
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MoonlightGameDevs
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrGAw9i5HoaByeiQAV5FaLA