The Secret Lives of Games – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

The Secret Lives of Games

Leisure

Frequency: 1 episode/11d. Total Eps: 279

Candid conversations with game creators that dive deep into the art, craft, and process of making games.

Site

RSS

Apple

Data updated on 09/09/2026

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇨🇦 Canada - videoGames
10/09/2026
#70
🇨🇦 Canada - videoGames
09/09/2026
#43
🇨🇦 Canada - videoGames
08/09/2026
#65
🇺🇸 USA - videoGames
08/09/2026
#93
🇨🇦 Canada - videoGames
07/09/2026
#49
🇺🇸 USA - videoGames
07/09/2026
#81
🇨🇦 Canada - videoGames
06/09/2026
#25
🇬🇧 Great Britain - videoGames
17/08/2026
#85
🇬🇧 Great Britain - videoGames
16/08/2026
#54
🇬🇧 Great Britain - videoGames
08/08/2026
#93

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

See all

https://secretlives.games
22 shares
https://eggplant.show/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol
18 shares
https://secretlives.games/
18 shares

https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow
68 shares
https://www.youtube.com/@Zatoichi1962-m6v
4 shares
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEdRlER1F5rGvaoE-XbV6jz6OymxQw4jx&si=HFcDTYa5DPqD_aD5
3 shares

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multibowl
2 shares
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Meat_Boy
2 shares
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_Island
2 shares

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

See all

RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 52%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

Recent episodes with titles, durations, and descriptions.

See all

158: Moonlighting in the Dungeon with Mark Essen (Blood Dungeon)

Friday, September 4, 2026 • Duration 01:23:05

We chat with Mark Essen (Nidhogg, Wheel World) about his "feverish bullet heaven platformer" Blood Dungeon. We discuss making a small game in the shadow of a bigger project, the constraints it takes to do it sanely, and building on the foundations of a nascent genre.

Discussed in this episode:

Messhof
https://messhof.com

Blood Dungeon
https://messhof.com/blooddungeon

exp. zine - Vampire Survivors
https://expzine.com/2026/07/21/vampire-survivors-poncle-2022/

Death to the Self-Playing Game
https://www.jank.cool/death-to-the-self-playing-game/?ref=aftermath.site

Messhof Marchive
https://messhof.com/freeware

https://secretlives.games

https://discord.gg/tslog

https://www.patreon.com/tslog

Read moreCollapse

All Systems Brough - Helix

Tuesday, August 4, 2026 • Duration 01:46:53

We're joined by v buckenham (Downpour, Beasts of Balance), Izzy Kestrel (Electrifying Incident, A Little Game Called Mario), and Bennett Foddy (Baby Steps, QWOP, Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy) to discuss Helix, a spiral-action shmuplike about staying alive. It's the eighth installment in our yearlong special series exploring the work of Michael Brough: All Systems Brough.

Next episode: Imbroglio

Audio edited by Dylan Shumway.

Discussed in this episode:

Helix
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/helix/id562550427

868-BACK (Out now!! Go buy it!!)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/
https://finji.itch.io/868-back

Michael Brough's Website
https://www.smestorp.com/

Maypole
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maypole

Game Design Deep Dive: The unique touchscreen action game controls of Helix
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/game-design-deep-dive-the-unique-touchscreen-action-game-controls-of-i-helix-i-

Bit Pilot
http://www.bitpilotgame.com/

Tilt to Live
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tilt-to-live-hd/id391837930

Super Hexagon
https://superhexagon.com/

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved remake
https://store.steampowered.com/app/8400/Geometry_Wars_Retro_Evolved/

157: Going Off-Grid with Brooke Husic (Puzzmo Crosswords)

Sunday, July 12, 2026 • Duration 02:07:35

We chat with Brooke Husic (Puzzmo, New Yorker, A24) about creating, stewarding, and showrunning a daily crossword for the web-based puzzle phenomenon, Puzzmo. Our discussion covers Puzzmo's first 1,000 days, Brooke's prolific career as a constructor, the impact of cultural biases on crosswords, the early-2020s indie-puzzle development boom, the need to care for both solvers and setters during revisions, the interconnectedness of difficulty and context, the relationship between constructor and venue, and so! much! more! Also: Don't forget to check out today's Puzzmo midi crossword, its 1,001th, a special collaboration between two names that will be familiar to listeners of this episode.

Audio edited by Dylan Shumway

Discussed in this episode:

Puzzmo
https://www.puzzmo.com/today/

Today's Brooke and Rob collab puzzle, "Time to get up!"
https://www.puzzmo.com/puzzle/2026-07-12/crossword

Puzzmo Data Initiative
https://data.puzzmo.com/

Brooke's 30-day Crossword Tutorial Mini-series
https://www.brookehusic.com/puzzminis/

Brooke's puzzle blog
https://xwordsbyaladee.blogspot.com/

Rob's Puzzmo crossword debut, "Baker's Corner"
https://www.puzzmo.com/puzzle/2024-05-10/crossword

Lollapuzzoola
https://bemoresmarter.com/

American Values Club (AVCX)

All Systems Brough - BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS

Sunday, July 5, 2026 • Duration 02:27:37

We're joined by Liz Ryerson (musician, writer, podcaster), Patrick LeMieux (UC Davis), and Andi McClure (BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS, Jumpman) to discuss BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS; a generative art game/tool made in 72 hours. It's the seventh installment in our yearlong special series exploring the work of Michael Brough: All Systems Brough.

This episode: BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS

Next episode: Helix

Audio edited by Dylan Shumway.

Discussed in this episode:

868-BACK (Out now!! Go buy it!!)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/
https://finji.itch.io/868-back

Michael Brough's Website
https://www.smestorp.com/

BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS (stable itch.io release!)
https://mermaidindustries.itch.io/become-a-great-artist-in-just-10-seconds

BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS (web build)
https://dryad.technology/artist/

BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS (original Ludum Dare entry)
https://web.archive.org/web/20160616205009/http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-27/?action=preview&uid=4987

SUPERHYPERCUBE
https://superhypercube.com/

KidPix (public domain version)
https://kidpix.app/

Increpare games (Stephen Lavelle)
https://www.increpare.com/

Game Title
https://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/node/2258

Andi McClure's Anti-games/Sweet Nothings
https://runhello.com/anti-games

A MAZE. / Berlin 2022: Ambient Play Systems (In and Outside of Games) by Flan Falacci
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRDPXMhwkXc

All Systems Brough - VESPER.5

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 • Duration 01:58:52

We're joined by Izzy Kestrel (Funomena, No Goblin, A Good Videogame) and Alfredo Barraza (Riot Games) to discuss VESPER.5; a durational, tile-based exploration game. It's the sixth installment in our yearlong special series exploring the work of Michael Brough: All Systems Brough.

This episode: VESPER.5

Next episode: Become a Great Artist

Audio edited by Dylan Shumway.

Discussed in this episode:

868-BACK (Out now!! Go buy it!!)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/
https://finji.itch.io/868-back

Michael Brough's Website
https://www.smestorp.com/

All Systems Brough - A Chat with Michael
https://secretlives.games/website/all-systems-brough-a-chat-with-michael

VESPER.5
http://mightyvision.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/vesper5.html

THE LONGING
https://store.steampowered.com/app/893850/THE_LONGING/

Road to the IGF: Michael Brough's VESPER.5 (Article about GDC showcase of VESPER.5)
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/road-to-the-igf-michael-brough-s-i-vesper-5-i-

Super Friendship Club VESPER.5 Forum
https://web.archive.org/web/20160407200028/http://superfriendshipclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=618

Meaning through repetition (reflection on releasing VESPER.5)
https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/08/meaning-through-repetition.html

GDC 2013 - Interview with Michael Brough
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocqSV6f137M

Pippin Barr on VESPER.5
https://web.archive.org/web/20170711093026/http://www.pippinbarr.com/2012/08/14/you-should-play-vesper-5/

Michael Brouge's VESPER.6 by Joel Goodwin https://www.electrondance.com/michael-brouges-vesper-6/

TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 9

Friday, May 29, 2026 • Duration 01:29:37

We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14).

Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 9 - the Reunion / Reveal! How did The Mole do it?

Thanks for listening this season!

Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about the episodes, and more.

Links:

Thanks Robin for our Mol guessing game website! Tip him here:
https://ko-fi.com/rbnvi

Every Game in this City podcast (S1, which includes Laura, Jey, Doug)
https://soundcloud.com/idlethumbs/sets/every-game-in-this-city

Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol)
https://secretlives.games/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol

TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel
https://secretlives.games/eggplant-tv-plays-de-mol-2025-season-interview-with-wouter-verstichel

TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series
https://www.patreon.com/tslog

https://secretlives.games

https://discord.gg/tslog

https://www.patreon.com/tslog

Read moreCollapse

All Systems Brough - A Chat with Michael

Thursday, May 28, 2026 • Duration 01:52:25

We're joined by Michael Brough himself for a bonus chat on the thrilling occasion of 868-BACK's release day. Don't worry, we don't spoil the new game at all (except to say it's fantastic! Go buy it now on Steam!!) We discuss Michael's journey to this launch day, how his process for making art has and hasn't changed over the years, how he's learned to care for himself creatively and otherwise amidst periods of illness, how he does (and doesn't) draw connections between artistic mediums, and his impressions of our series so far, among other reflections from his development career.

This (bonus) episode: A Chat with Michael!

Next episode: VESPER.5

Audio edited by Dylan Shumway.

Discussed in this episode:

868-BACK (Out now!! Just go buy it!!)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/

Michael Brough's Website
https://www.smestorp.com/

Quinns Quest Reviews: Stonetop!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH5-uQj4uOA

Forbidden Solitaire
https://greyaliengames.com/forbiddensolitaire/index.php

Titanium Court
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2364580/Titanium_Court/

Amberspire
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3350750/Amberspire/

https://secretlives.games/

TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 8

Friday, May 22, 2026 • Duration 01:30:46

We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14).

Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 8 - the Finale! The Mole is finally unmasked.

That's about it for tourist season in Portgual (though big wave season starts around November!) but we'll be back next week for the Ep 9 reunion in Belgium.

Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about the episodes, and to play a Mol guessing game with us.

Links:

Thanks Robin for our Mol guessing game website! Tip him here:
https://ko-fi.com/rbnvi

Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol)
https://secretlives.games/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol

TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel
https://secretlives.games/eggplant-tv-plays-de-mol-2025-season-interview-with-wouter-verstichel

TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series
https://www.patreon.com/tslog

https://secretlives.games

https://discord.gg/tslog

https://www.patreon.com/tslog

Read moreCollapse

TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 7

Friday, May 15, 2026 • Duration 01:18:00

We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14).

Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 7. Who is the Mole, and how does this elimination echo last season's Final Four?

Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about the episodes, and to play a Mol guessing game with us.

Links:

Danny Hawk - Folk Games, Flash Communities and Tiktok
https://newrules.website/2021/01/12/danny-hawk-folk-games-flash-communities-and-tiktok/

Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH3giaIzONA

Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol)
https://secretlives.games/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol

TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel
https://secretlives.games/eggplant-tv-plays-de-mol-2025-season-interview-with-wouter-verstichel

TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series
https://www.patreon.com/tslog

https://secretlives.games

https://discord.gg/tslog

https://www.patreon.com/tslog

Read moreCollapse

TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 6

Saturday, May 9, 2026 • Duration 01:29:33

We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14).

Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 6. Who is the Mole, and who will play Juliet to Wout's Romeo?

Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about the episodes, and to play a Mol guessing game with us.

Links:

Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol)
https://secretlives.games/122-finding-decency-in-reality-with-gilles-de-coster-de-mol

TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel
https://secretlives.games/eggplant-tv-plays-de-mol-2025-season-interview-with-wouter-verstichel

TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series
https://www.patreon.com/tslog

https://secretlives.games

https://discord.gg/tslog

https://www.patreon.com/tslog

Read moreCollapse

The Secret Lives of Games – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

The Secret Lives of Games – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other99+

Youtube99+

Wikipedia99+

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other99+

Youtube99+

Wikipedia99+