The Indie Diarist – Details, episodes & analysis

New format, new questions, new show! The first episode I recorded in 2025 had to be something special – so welcome to the official start of Season 3 of The Indie Diarist!

In this one, I welcomed Ahmed from Lunar Games, a good old friend of the show who's working on a puzzle adventure game called My Father Lied.

As we journeyed through a revamped intro section and a whole new set of questions for his Indie Diary, Ahmed discussed his love for storytelling and the importance of creating positive stories for audiences all around the world, chasing his dream to defy misconceptions around his culture – the cradle of civilisation: Iraq and Mesopotamia.

Hope you enjoy! 🎒💛

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Support Ahmed 🎒💛

Wishlist My Father Lied: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2488850/MY_FATHER_LIED/

Twitter: https://x.com/lunargamesUruk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunargames.sumeria/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lunargames.assyria

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lunargamesuruk.bsky.social

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

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/83DqsNhBE7

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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 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theindiediarist.bsky.social

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

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

In this episode, I spent some time with an old friend of the show and someone I've been planning to host for a long time: Stephen from Dire Kitten Games! Stephen is developing Scholomatch, a matching game / visual novel, and he has a lot of advice on how to help games stand out in their niche. Enjoy! 🎒💛

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Support Stephen 🎒💛

- Wishlist the game: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2113350/Scholomatch/

- Threads: https://www.threads.net/@direkittengames

- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/direkittengames.bsky.social

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

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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 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theindiediarist.bsky.social

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

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

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: info@meaningmachine.games

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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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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

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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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

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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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

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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Support the show 🎒💛

• Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvj
• Become a Patron: ⁠https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠
• Leave a donation: https://ko-fi.com/theindiediarist⁠
• Follow on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠
• Follow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediarist

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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Support the show 🎒💛

• Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvj
• Become a Patron: ⁠https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠
• Leave a donation: https://ko-fi.com/theindiediarist⁠
• Follow on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠
• Follow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediarist

In this episode, I spent some time with Dave Sims, a solo dev working on his chaotic multiplayer card game Bullcrap! and a longstanding member of The Indie Diarist's Discord!

From making character eyes larger to discussing the passion of game development, this was a much cosy and warm episode to both record and re-listen to. Hope you enjoy!

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Support Dave 🎒💛

- Play Bullcrap! : https://store.steampowered.com/app/2123430/BULLCRAP/

- Website: https://loadeddeckgames.com/

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoadedDeckGames

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

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bullcrap.guy

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Support the show 🎒💛

• Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvj
• Become a Patron: ⁠https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠
• Leave a donation: https://ko-fi.com/theindiediarist⁠
• Follow on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠
• Follow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediarist

In this episode, I spent some time with Sheldon "CyrusTheVirus Studios" to talk about his metroidvania Cold Lazarus and his path into game dev – which was all but conventional! Starting from a self-taught basis, Sheldon managed to get a degree in software development and is now working on his own game on the side. Enjoy!

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Support Sheldon 🎒💛

• Wishlist Cold Lazarus: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2766570/Cold_Lazarus/
• Website: https://cyrusthevirusstudios.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyrusthevirus_studios/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctvStudios
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cyrusthevirusstudios

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Support the show 🎒💛

• Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvj
• Become a Patron: ⁠https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠
• Leave a donation: https://ko-fi.com/theindiediarist⁠
• Follow on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠
• Follow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediarist