In this episode, I spent some time with Trinket, an incredibly passionate and talented horror developer who's working on visual novel Veins Like Tapeworms, scheduled for release in February 2025. Trinket and I ended up discussing stories, creativity, and the secrets to a good horror game, in an episode that's as exciting as it's delightfully short! Enjoy! 🎒💛

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Support Trinket 🎒💛

https://store.steampowered.com/developer/AwesomeTrinket

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3106780/Veins_Like_Tapeworms/

https://bsky.app/profile/awesometrinket.bsky.social

https://trinket-games.tumblr.com/

https://x.com/Trinket_Games

https://awesometrinket.itch.io/

In this episode, I spent some time with Mario and Virginie, two lovely game developers and co-founders of eXplore Studio, tuning in from Germany. Mario and Virginie are working on The Kaiyo Mission, a space exploration game bringing together a range of cultural influences and planned for release in December this year. Mario and Virginie are pouring a lot of heart and soul into this project, and this episode shows that. Enjoy! 🎒💛

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Support eXplore Studio:

- Wishlist The Kaiyo Mission: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2248280/The_Kaiyo_Mission/

- Website: https://explorestudiogames.com/

- Twitter: https://x.com/thekaiyomission

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekaiyomission/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thekaiyomission

In this episode in collaboration with Gentleland.net, I spent some time with Laurenz, an architecture turned solo game dev who's working on story-driven action RPG Edenfall: Legacy of the First Wardens. Laurenz ran an incredibly successful Kickstarter campaign, and here he shares some tips for other developers wishing to do the same. Enjoy! 🎒💛

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Support Laurenz:

- Wishlist Edenfall: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2249060/Edenfall_Legacy_of_the_First_Wardens/

- Website: https://www.everfluxgames.com/

- Twitter: https://x.com/everfluxgames

- Discord: https://discord.gg/tHWWuucahp

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In this episode, I spent a beautiful hour with Manu from Crisalu Games - an Argentinian team working on Viscera Cleanup-inspired game Goblin Cleanup. Despite not even being in early access, the game already looks incredibly polished – to the point it feels like in the final stages of polish already! In this episode, I chatted with Manu about the game, being a game dev in Argentina, and a lot more. Enjoy! 🎒💛

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Support Manu:

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What's your stance on using AI for game development? In this episode, I connected with the amazing team behind Dead Meat, a narrative investigation name I had the chance to try out at WASD, which uses a large language model as the basis for its narrative structure - but with a human twist. If you've been wondering whether AI is good or bad for the industry... this episode might change your mind! Enjoy! 🎒💛

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- Wishlist Dead Meat: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2628740/Dead_Meat/

- Say hi to Meaning Machine: [email protected]

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Support the show 🎒💛

- Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvj

- Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiarist

- Become a Patron: ⁠https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠

- Follow on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

- Follow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediarist

In this episode, I spent some time with Rob Pigott, a queer, non-binary game developer, writer and screenwriter from New York who's working on Bitter Silver, a love letter to Cowboy Bebop. Rob is a huge fan of narrative adventures, and their passion for stories shines through every minute of this episode. Enjoy! 🎒💛

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Support Rob:

- Back Bitter Silver on KS: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lookoutdrivegames/bitter-silver-a-cowboy-bebop-inspired-visual-novel

- Wishlist Bitter Silver: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1906930/Bitter_Silver/

- Follow Rob and Lookout Drive Games: https://allmylinks.com/lookout-drive-games

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What happens when a bunch of friends come together to develop a game from shared experiences? Something like InkForge Studios, most likely! In this episode, I spent some time with Archie and Oli, two members of the team, who told me all about a delightful game I tried at WASD this year – I'll Be Brave Tomorrow. Trust me – this is going to pull at some emotional heartstrings. Enjoy! 🎒💛

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Support InkForge:

- Wishlist the game: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2741070/Ill_be_Brave_Tomorrow__Indie_Narrative_Platformer/

- Check out the team: https://www.inkforgestudios.com/

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You know I always love talking to a fellow writer! In this episode, I spent some time with Amber Scott, head storyteller and lead writer for Only By Midnight – a Canadian indie studio about to release its dystopian darling, Ctrl.Alt.Deal. The episode touches on a lot of great topics, from burnout in the industry to inspiring players with your stories, and it's definitely worth a listen. Enjoy! 🎒💛

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Support Amber 🎒💛

- Check out Ctrl.Alt.Deal on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2146390/ctrlaltDEAL/

- Website: https://www.ctrlaltdeal.com

- Facebook: Only By Midnight

- Twitter/X: @OnlyByMidnight

- Instagram: onlybymidnight

- Bluesky: @onlybymidnight.bsky.social

- TikTok: @onlybymidnight

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I don't get to say this often, but an exciting episode awaits! In this one, I spent some time with Alex, one of the very first members in The Indie Diarist's Discord server, who's working on both a vampire-themed visual novel and an RPG in his Harrowed World universe. We had the chance to discuss the meaning of horror, switching engines, vampires, and a lot more – for a packed episode with loads to discover. Enjoy! 🎒💛

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Support Alex:

- Try the free visual novel: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2715020/Harrowed_World_Whats_Past_Is_Portents__Vampire_Visual_Novel/?curator_clanid=44405163

- Wishlist Portents In Red: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2529270/Harrowed_World_Portents_In_Red__Vampire_RPG/?curator_clanid=44405163

- Website: https://www.harrowedworld.com/

- Discord: https://discord.com/invite/ctwZzMcVne

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In this episode, I spent some time with Fiveamp Co-Founder Kevin Messenhimer, who's working with his team on a delightful survival roguelite shooter called NIMRODS. From validating your game ideas to finding a unique hook for your game, this episode is packed with little soundbites! Enjoy!

- F.Godmom (DOS game Kevin mentions on the episode): ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F.Godmom⁠

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Support Kevin 🎒💛

- Wishlist NIMRODS: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2086430/NIMRODS_GunCraft_Survivor/

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fiveamp

- Discord: https://discord.com/invite/pXYBZ6DU

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