Hey, Good Game – Details, episodes & analysis

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Hey, Good Game

Nate Kadlac, Aaron Kardell, Joseph Rueter

Leisure

Business

Frequency: 1 episode/8d. Total Eps: 63

Hey, Good Game explores the stories behind your favorite brainy games. Each week, we interview game creators and dig into what it takes to build a successful indie game, how to monetize, and how to get traction.

Site

RSS

Apple

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Apple Podcasts

🇨🇦 Canada - games
15/05/2025
#89
🇨🇦 Canada - games
14/05/2025
#49
🇫🇷 France - games
03/03/2025
#80
🇫🇷 France - games
02/03/2025
#51
🇫🇷 France - games
01/03/2025
#37
🇫🇷 France - games
28/02/2025
#31
🇫🇷 France - games
27/02/2025
#21
🇬🇧 Great Britain - games
17/02/2025
#93
🇬🇧 Great Britain - games
16/02/2025
#51
🇬🇧 Great Britain - games
23/01/2025
#91

Spotify

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Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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https://discord.gg/
482 shares
https://discord.gg/kmyFvXJ44s
2 shares
https://discord.com/invite/yAYmSWZ
2 shares

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidoo/
7 shares
https://www.linkedin.com/in/franklantz/
3 shares
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-tait/
2 shares

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RSS feed quality

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Score global : 69%

Publication history

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From Side Project to 35,000 Monthly Users: The MathHeads Story

Episode 44

mardi 15 octobre 2024 • Duration 36:10

Aman Rawal and Ben Hollier, the minds behind MathHeads, a game designed to make mental math enjoyable. The conversation spans the development journey and multiplayer features of MathHeads, elaborating on backend challenges, user experience, and the game’s reception. It further explores strategies in managing a mix of game modes and user engagement through platforms like Discord. The discussion highlights marketing strategies leveraging Reddit and Google Ads, tackles the intricacies of monetization and infrastructure, and showcases unexpected collaboration opportunities, such as with the World Mental Calculation League.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Community Engagement: The importance of engaging with users through platforms like Discord. MathHeads utilized user feedback extensively to improve their site and gather data on user behavior.
Iterative Development: The value of releasing basic versions of the game to get early feedback and iterating based on user responses.
Monetization Challenges: The journey to monetizing the platform, including failed attempts with Google AdSense and deciding to build a larger user base before focusing heavily on monetization.
Backend Challenges: The complexities of developing real-time, head-to-head multiplayer functionalities and managing cross-platform issues (iOS vs. Android).
Partnerships and Accountability: Highlighting the importance of having a team or partners to stay accountable and motivated, which can be crucial for maintaining momentum in developmental projects.
User Personalization: Offering different game modes and difficulty levels to appeal to a wide range of users.
Networking and Exposure: Through community and organic growth, they came across various partnerships and opportunities, albeit some didn’t align perfectly with their current capabilities or goals.
Regular Updates and Communication: Ensuring to keep the user base informed about updates through regular communication on platforms like Discord.

Check out Ben and Aman's Resources:

https://mathheads.net/

(00:00) - Focusing on User Experience and Growth
(00:47) - Introduction to the Hey, Good Game Podcast
(01:01) - Meet the Creators of Math Heads
(02:16) - Favorite Games of the Creators
(03:55) - The Origin Story of Math Heads
(06:13) - Challenges and Features of Math Heads
(16:39) - User Engagement and Community Building
(18:25) - Discord's Role in QA and Community Management
(19:52) - Marketing Strategies and Initial Launch
(22:42) - Challenges with Monetization and Ads
(24:56) - Unexpected Opportunities and Collaborations
(28:33) - Future Plans and Team Dynamics
(30:17) - Advice for Aspiring Game Creators
(31:45) - Balancing User Feedback and Data
(34:36) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Check out our brainy games:

Sumplete - https://sumplete.com
Squeezy - https://imsqueezy.com/
Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.com
Mathler - https://mathler.com
Crosswordle - https://crosswordle.com
Sudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.com
Hitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.com
Wordga - https://wordga.com

Quizwise: From Hobby Project to 140k Monthly Quiz Takers

Episode 43

mardi 8 octobre 2024 • Duration 50:33

Andrew Bartle, the creator of the quiz game, QuizWise. With over 25 years of experience as a software developer, Andrew shares his journey from developing games as a child to founding a successful quiz platform. He discusses the importance of passion in game development, the influence of his late collaborator Barry Lakeman, and how A/B testing played a pivotal role in the site's evolution. Andrew talks about his experience with various ad providers, the impact of AI, and the dedication to maintaining the educational value of QuizWise.

In this episode, you'll learn:

QuizWise Origins: QuizWise was conceptualized as a SEO experiment and as a site with broad content appeal.
Content Creation Process: The questions are created thoughtfully, focusing on enduring relevance rather than transient details.
User Engagement and Feedback: Feedback from users, both positive and corrective, is highly encouraged and valued to maintain the site's quality.
AI Utilization: While the questions at QuizWise are not generated by AI, ChatGPT's API is used for quality control to check for accuracy, correctness, and typographical issues.
Ad Revenue and Challenges: The platform supports itself through ad revenue, attempting to balance the user experience without intrusive advertisements.
Changing ad providers can be challenging due to initial disruption but can also lead to significant revenue shifts.
Future Plans and Aspirations: There's interest in potentially developing new games and leveraging current user engagement.
Community and Legacy: Andrew’s bond with his quiz-making colleagues and the legacy of Barry Lakeman play an integral part in the story of QuizWise.

Check out Andrew's Resources:

https://www.quizwise.com/
https://www.facebook.com/QuizWise/

(00:00) - Introduction and Life Lessons from Game Development
(00:38) - Welcome to the Hey, Good Game Podcast
(00:52) - Meet Andrew Bartle, Creator of QuizWise
(01:43) - Favorite Games and Family Fun
(03:33) - Early Days of Gaming and Programming
(11:29) - The Journey of QuizWise
(25:05) - Reflecting on QuizWise and Weirdle
(26:16) - Quiz Difficulty and Structure
(28:12) - Engaging Teachers and Students
(29:02) - User Engagement and Marketing
(30:19) - Ad Providers and Revenue
(40:30) - AI in Quiz Creation
(43:45) - The Art of Crafting Quiz Questions
(45:57) - Feedback and User Interaction
(50:05) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Check out our brainy games:

Building Word Games Without Frameworks With Cassidy Williams

Episode 34

mardi 6 août 2024 • Duration 47:13

Cassidy Williams is a prolific content creator, developer advocate, and builder. Aaron Kardell and Joseph Rueter discuss Jumblie—a word game inspired by a coding challenge—and Cassidy's previous games.

Cassidy shares her journey, the influence of her time in Spain, SEO, her love for board games like Agricola and Civ 6, and her stint as a mascot at Iowa State University.

Check out Cassidy's Resources:
https://jumblie.com
https://cassidoo.co
https://x.com/cassidoo
https://github.com/cassidoo
https://www.patreon.com/cassidoo
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidoo/
--

(00:00) - Introduction and SEO Nerd Talk
(00:29) - Interview with Cassidy Williams
(00:51) - Cassidy's Journey with Jumblie
(03:17) - Cassidy's Favorite Games
(04:41) - General Mills Internship Experience
(06:07) - College Mascot Adventures
(09:33) - Living in Spain
(13:47) - SEO and Scooby Doo
(15:46) - Founding Cosigned
(21:23) - The Birth of Contenda
(21:57) - AI Tools Before the Hype
(22:34) - Challenges and Pivots
(23:11) - The Brain Story Tool
(24:06) - The End of Contenda
(24:57) - Switching to Gaming
(25:21) - Creating 13 Potions
(29:40) - The Jumblie Journey
(40:45) - Challenges of Puzzle Editing
(43:35) - Future of Jumblie and Final Thoughts

Check out our brainy games:

How to Build a Successful Art Career by Embracing Creative Selfishness

Episode 33

mardi 30 juillet 2024 • Duration 54:47

Peter Mohrbacher, creator of Angelarium, emphasizes the importance of creating art for yourself rather than trying to please others or meet market expectations. He argues that the best art comes from a place of "creative selfishness" - following your own obsessions and interests without worrying about external validation. This approach has allowed him to maintain a unique artistic voice while building a successful business around his personal project. However, he acknowledges that this path isn't for everyone, as many artists struggle with the business side of self-publishing and marketing their work.

Check out Peter's Resources:
https://www.angelarium.net
https://angelarium.shop
https://www.patreon.com/angelarium
https://x.com/bugmeyer
https://bugmeyer.tumblr.com/
https://www.facebook.com/angelarium
https://www.pinterest.com/petemohrbacher/

(00:00) - Introduction to AI Prompting
(00:26) - Welcome to Hey Good Game Podcast
(00:42) - Interview with Peter Mohrbacher
(02:08) - Peter's Favorite Game: Elden Ring
(05:54) - The Art of Angelarium
(19:15) - Challenges of Sharing Art Online
(27:04) - Embracing Creative Obsessions
(28:10) - Balancing Art and Business
(29:00) - Challenges in the Art Business
(32:38) - Gamifying Social Media and Marketing
(35:00) - Corporate Exploitation in the Art World
(37:33) - Venturing into Tabletop RPGs
(41:39) - Navigating Patreon and Crowdfunding
(48:58) - Scams and Online Security
(54:42) - Conclusion and Future Projects

Check out our brainy games:

How to Create a Viral Puzzle Game From Scratch

Episode 32

mardi 23 juillet 2024 • Duration 01:08:26

Greg Karber is the creator of the hit murder mystery puzzle game Murdle. Greg shares the fascinating journey of Murdle's creation, from a simple puzzle made for a friend to a bestselling book series and popular daily online game.

We dive into Greg's influences, how he monetizes Murdle, and the balance between game mechanics and storytelling.

Check out Greg's Resources:
https://murdle.com/
https://murdle.com/book/
https://x.com/gregkarber
https://discord.gg/kmyFvXJ44s
https://www.reddit.com/r/murdle/
https://www.tiktok.com/@gtkarber
https://www.instagram.com/gregkarber/
https://bsky.app/profile/gtkarber.bsky.social
http://killerpartymusical.com/

Check out our brainy games:

Sumplete - https://sumplete.com
Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.com
Mathler - https://mathler.com
Crosswordle - https://crosswordle.com
Sudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.com
Hitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.com
Wordga - https://wordga.com
Squeezy - https://imsqueezy.com/

How to Design Board Games That People Love

Episode 31

mardi 16 juillet 2024 • Duration 40:20

Cole Medeiros' career in game design is driven by passion and authenticity. He started creating games as a child (GUBS in fourth grade) and has successfully transitioned this early interest into a professional career.

His approach emphasizes the importance of genuine enthusiasm for the project, close collaboration with partners (as seen in his work with ConcernedApe), and the ability to balance the creative and business aspects of game development.

Cole's journey showcases how personal passion can lead to successful game creation, from indie board games to working on major titles like Stardew Valley.

Check out Cole's Resources:
https://www.stardewvalley.net/
https://colemedeiros.com/
https://x.com/TheGubsGuy
https://gamemaker.io/en
https://www.tabletopsimulator.com/

Contact
contact@stardewvalley.net

(00:00) - Introduction and Career Reflection
(00:13) - Welcome to the Hey, Good Game Podcast
(01:00) - Meet Cole Medeiros: Game Designer Extraordinaire
(01:42) - Discussing Favorite Games and Board Game Design
(04:21) - Designing Games for Different Audiences
(07:23) - Choosing and Developing Game Ideas
(11:30) - User Testing and Publishing Experiences
(13:57) - The Journey of GUBS and Web of Spies
(22:31) - Collaborating on Stardew Valley: The Board Game
(27:32) - Insights on Game Design and Personal Motivation
(37:09) - Current Projects and Future Plans
(39:23) - Conclusion and Contact Information

Check out our brainy games:

How to Design Obsessive Games by Breaking the Rules

Episode 30

mardi 9 juillet 2024 • Duration 55:46

Zach Gage might be one of the most innovative game designers you've never heard of.

He's the creator of Good Sudoku, Really Bad Chess, and 30+ other games that reimagine classic puzzles for the digital age.

Now he's taking on the New York Times with Puzzmo.com

We spent an hour exploring his creative process and the future of puzzle games.

Check out Zach's Resources:
http://www.stfj.net
https://www.puzzmo.com
https://www.playgoodsudoku.com/
http://www.reallybadchess.com/

(00:00) - The First Game Creations
(00:48) - Welcome to the Hey, Good Game Podcast
(00:59) - Insights from Zach Gage's Interview
(02:26) - Introducing Zach Gage
(04:18) - Zach's Gaming Preferences and Bag Obsession
(10:25) - Zach's Artistic Family Background
(12:16) - Early Exhibits and Creative Opportunities
(15:40) - Designing Good Sudoku
(23:50) - Creating Really Bad Chess
(26:22) - Struggling with Chess: A New Perspective
(27:54) - The Game Design Process
(29:06) - Challenges in Game Tutorialization
(30:38) - Innovative Game Examples
(34:00) - Building Puzmo: From Concept to Reality
(46:56) - The Role of Community and Distribution
(50:19) - Balancing Business and Creativity
(53:53) - Connecting with the Audience

Check out our brainy games:

How FreeCell Snuck Its Way Into Millions of PCs

Episode 29

mardi 25 juin 2024 • Duration 36:45

Episode 29: Jim Horne is the creator of Microsoft FreeCell and xwordinfo.com. Jim shares his journey from early programming to joining Microsoft in 1988, where he secretly added FreeCell to Windows.

His passion for crosswords led to writing for the New York Times and developing xwordinfo.com. Jim discusses his time at Microsoft, including sharing an office wall with Steve Ballmer, and the serendipitous nature of his career. He touches on the "unsolvable" FreeCell game and his recent collaboration on "I'm Squeezy." Throughout, Jim highlights the intersection of music and programming, offering insights into early computing, casual games, and the crossword community, demonstrating how pursuing interests can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Check out Jim's resources:
https://www.xwordinfo.com
https://freecell.org/
Wordplay
https://imsqueezy.com

(00:00) - Jim Horne and His Musical Background
(01:44) - Jim Horne's Journey to Microsoft and FreeCell
(03:35) - The Creation and Popularity of FreeCell
(05:11) - Jim's Musical Adventures and Microsoft Theater
(06:41) - Jim's Early Love for Games and Programming
(10:30) - The FreeCell Phenomenon and Shareware Success
(19:22) - Blogging and Crossword Puzzles with The New York Times
(22:29) - Creating XWord Info and the Crossword Community
(28:44) - The Legacy of FreeCell and New Ventures
(34:02) - Advice for Aspiring Game Creators

Check out our brainy games:

Say Yes to Creativity: Tracy Fullerton's 10-Year Project

Episode 28

mardi 18 juin 2024 • Duration 58:30

Episode 28: Tracy Fullerton is a pioneering game designer, educator, and USC Games Program Director emeritus. The conversation covers Tracy's extensive career in game design, her creation of the game 'Walden,' and her unique approach to blending philosophy with gameplay.

Tracy opens up about the decade-long development of 'Walden,' the challenges and joys of translating Thoreau's philosophies into an immersive experience, and her experiences mentoring the next generation of game designers.

We talk about why you shouldn't say "No," the intricacies of player emotional experience goals, and the importance of being a passionate and generous designer.

Check out Tracy's Resources:
https://www.waldengame.com/
https://www.gameinnovationlab.com/
https://www.thenightjourney.com/
https://www.tracyfullerton.com/
https://gameinnovationlab.itch.io/walden
https://www.gamedesignworkshop.com

(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast
(01:27) - Meet Tracy Fullerton
(04:01) - Tracy's Early Gaming Experiences
(07:58) - The Birth of Spiderdance
(12:44) - Creating Walden, a Game
(20:01) - Challenges and Persistence
(24:44) - Pricing Strategy and Educational Impact
(29:15) - Launching on Multiple Platforms
(29:28) - Impact of COVID on Game Launches
(30:09) - International Reach and Localization Challenges
(31:47) - Player Feedback and Diverse Audience
(32:22) - Teaching First-Person Game Mechanics
(36:28) - The Night Journey Collaboration
(43:01) - Mentoring and Teaching Game Design
(48:37) - Balancing Passion Projects and Career
(52:48) - Game Design Workshop 20th Anniversary
(57:35) - Conclusion and Contact Information

Check out our brainy games:

Sega’s Downfall Was… Sega?

Episode 27

mardi 11 juin 2024 • Duration 01:04:20

Episode 27: Blake Harris is the acclaimed author of "Console Wars" and "The History of the Future." Blake shares his journey from a struggling screenwriter to a successful author, diving into the intense rivalry between Sega and Nintendo that defined a generation of gaming.

He reveals insights into the internal conflicts at Sega that contributed to their downfall and discusses the revolutionary impact of Oculus and virtual reality on the tech landscape.

Blake also offers a sneak peek into his upcoming book about comedy legend Larry David, creator of "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm," complete with humorous anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories. From the challenges of getting in touch with industry giants like Seth Rogen to the joys and struggles of writing about beloved cultural icons, this episode is packed with compelling stories and valuable lessons on persistence, research, and the art of storytelling.

Check out Blake's Resources:
https://twitter.com/blakejharrisNYC
https://www.amazon.com/Console-Wars-Nintendo-Defined-Generation/
https://www.amazon.com/History-Future-Facebook-Revolution-Virtual/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/author-blake-j-harris-and-the-history-of-the-future/
Console Wars Documentary