Explore every episode of the podcast The Secret Lives of Games
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 158: Moonlighting in the Dungeon with Mark Essen (Blood Dungeon) | 04 Sep 2026 | 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 Blood Dungeon Death to the Self-Playing Game Messhof Marchive
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| All Systems Brough - Helix | 04 Aug 2026 | 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 868-BACK (Out now!! Go buy it!!) Michael Brough's Website Maypole Game Design Deep Dive: The unique touchscreen action game controls of Helix Bit Pilot Tilt to Live Super Hexagon Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved remake Endings (Michael's 2015 blog) Playdate Nex Playground Hylics Vangers Tools for Creativity class (virtual) with v buckenham School for Poetic Computation bimbo static site generator
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| 157: Going Off-Grid with Brooke Husic (Puzzmo Crosswords) | 12 Jul 2026 | 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 Today's Brooke and Rob collab puzzle, "Time to get up!" Brooke's 30-day Crossword Tutorial Mini-series Brooke's puzzle blog Rob's Puzzmo crossword debut, "Baker's Corner" Lollapuzzoola American Values Club (AVCX) Ingrid Brooke on Bluesky
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| All Systems Brough - BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS | 05 Jul 2026 | 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.
868-BACK (Out now!! Go buy it!!) Michael Brough's Website BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS (stable itch.io release!) BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS (web build) BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS (original Ludum Dare entry) SUPERHYPERCUBE KidPix (public domain version) Increpare games (Stephen Lavelle) Game Title Andi McClure's Anti-games/Sweet Nothings A MAZE. / Berlin 2022: Ambient Play Systems (In and Outside of Games) by Flan Falacci Great Art by Liz Ryerson Making another roguelike game (yay/boo) by Michael Brough Become a First Rate Artist in Just 30 Seconds FUCK MARIO by Liz Ryerson Platform Games Catalog by Patrick LeMieux (including Fucked Marios) BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS AND KNUCKLES BECOME A GREAT ARTIST dress BECOME A GREAT ARTIST GitHub Saint Elizabeth (Liz's new album!) Notes from the Underground by Liz Ryerson ArtCtrl painting palette interface for BECOME A GREAT ARTIST MOSS (programmable brush-based art tool by Rob's studio) Icosa Andi's Game Catalog Scrunch (Andi's Ludum Dare 30 art tool/game) The Zium (virtual museum collective)
https://secretlives.games/ https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog | |||
| All Systems Brough - VESPER.5 | 02 Jun 2026 | 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.
868-BACK (Out now!! Go buy it!!) Michael Brough's Website All Systems Brough - A Chat with Michael VESPER.5 THE LONGING Road to the IGF: Michael Brough's VESPER.5 (Article about GDC showcase of VESPER.5) Super Friendship Club VESPER.5 Forum Meaning through repetition (reflection on releasing VESPER.5) GDC 2013 - Interview with Michael Brough Pippin Barr on VESPER.5 Michael Brouge's VESPER.6 by Joel Goodwin Gardens of Time: Design Problem Solving Steve Reich - Section I (Slowed Down 800%) - Ambient / Minimalism EXPERIMENT 12 Anthology 145: Addressing Memory with Plunderludics i heard you like videogames scarfmemory Post-Future Vagabond Bending the River The Old Timey Computer Show Inferno by Boards of Canada imagineNATIVE Festival STAY SHARP // Rogue Skin Reveal Trailer - VALORANT Rushing Beat Trilogy THE GAME DESIGN CHALLENGE: The Thirty-Year Game
https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog | |||
| TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 9 | 29 May 2026 | 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: Every Game in this City podcast (S1, which includes Laura, Jey, Doug) Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol) TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series
https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog | |||
| All Systems Brough - A Chat with Michael | 28 May 2026 | 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!!) Michael Brough's Website Quinns Quest Reviews: Stonetop! Forbidden Solitaire Titanium Court Amberspire | |||
| TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 8 | 22 May 2026 | 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: Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol) TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series
https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog | |||
| TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 7 | 15 May 2026 | 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 Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol) TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series
https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog | |||
| TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 6 | 09 May 2026 | 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) TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series
https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog | |||
| All Systems Brough - Corrypt | 03 May 2026 | 01:56:54 | |
We're joined by Naomi Clark (NYU Game Center, Consentacle, A Game Design Vocabulary) and Frank Lantz (Q-UP, Universal Paperclips, also NYU Game Center) to discuss Corrypt, a totally normal block-moving game where nothing weird happens. It's the fifth installment of All Systems Brough, our yearlong special series exploring the playable arcana of Michael Brough. This episode: Corrypt Next Month: VESPER.5 Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Corrypt 868-BACK (Launching May 28, 2026! Wishlist now!!) Michael Brough's Website The Talk of Magicians – Liz Ryerson I Solved Klotski – 2swap Corrypt Post-Cariem – Michael Brough Michael Brough: Going with the grain (A MAZE. Indie Connect 2013, Berlin) – A MAZE Game Title Game Title: Lost Levels Stephen Gillmurphy's definition of videogames Fractal Block World Road to the IGF: Michael Brough's Corrypt Michael Brough - The Roots of Roguelikes in Fantasy Fiction Corrypt Speedrun (5:44) Donkeyspace (Frank Lantz's Blog) NYU Game Center Spring Showcase | |||
| TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 5 | 30 Apr 2026 | 01:34:23 | |
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14). Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 5. Who is the Mole, and how will this episode's big twist echo throughout the rest of the season? 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) TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series
https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog | |||
| TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 4 | 24 Apr 2026 | 01:42:24 | |
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14). Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 4. Who is the Mole, and will Doug end up getting the lowest possible score in our Mole guessing game? (this isn't golf, Doug). 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) TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series
https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog | |||
| TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 3 | 18 Apr 2026 | 01:28:21 | |
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14). Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 3. Who is the Mole, and why was Yannis laughing so hysterically at some November rain? 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) TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series
https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog | |||
| TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 2 | 10 Apr 2026 | 01:33:14 | |
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14). Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 2. Who is the Mole, and should they receive an Oscar for their duplicitous performance? 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: Four Wishes (independent Korean reality tv show) Every Game in this City podcast (S1, which includes Laura, Jey, Doug) Ep 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol) TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series
https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog | |||
| 156: Filling Buckets with Tonda Ros (Blue Prince) | 10 Apr 2026 | 02:03:47 | |
We chat with Tonda Ros (Dogubomb) one year after the release of his genre-blending room-drafting puzzlebox sensation, Blue Prince. Our discussion covers Tonda's year as the game's representative in the world; his inspirations across digital, analog, and tabletop works; cultivating player appreciation for virtual spaces; managing player hunches through playtesting; balancing lore with puzzle mechanics; comparing game development with filmmaking; and so! much! more! Kind of like the game itself, we just keep going. Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: Blue Prince Mythic Spoiler My Perfect Console – Tonda Ros realMyst Digital version of MAZE: Solve the World's Most Challenging Puzzle by Christopher Manson "It Seems I Have Found Myself In Another Mysterious House" by Rob Dubbin The Castles of Mad King Ludwig Dominion Ascension Blue Prince Soundtrack by Trigg and Gusset Jewels in the Attic Tales of the Crystals The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937) The Graduate (1967) MIO: Memories in Orbit | |||
| TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 1 | 03 Apr 2026 | 01:35:56 | |
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14). Laura, Jey, and Doug tango with Episode 1 and share their Mole suspicions. 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) TSLOG Interview with Wouter Verstichel TSLOG (formerly "Eggplant") De Mol 2024 recap series
https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog
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| All Systems Brough - Zaga-33 | 01 Apr 2026 | 01:35:06 | |
We're joined by Chris Plante (Besties, Post Games), Hayden "Docky" Scott-Baron (Planet Coaster), and Rand Hall (voicemailer extraordinaire, Zaga-33 guide writer) for the fourth title in our year of All Systems Brough, a year-long exploration of the work of Michael Brough: Zaga-33. This episode: Zaga-33 Next Month: Corrypt (and Lost Levels) Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Zaga-33 868-BACK (Next Fest demo on February 23rd, 2026!) Michael Brough's Website The Besties Post Games Rand's Zaga-33 Guide Drop7 Desert Golfing 7 Day Roguelike (7DRL) version of Zaga-33 Assorted comments on Zaga-33 Blog about scoring in games Brick101 Review of all 36 combo powers in Zaga-33 Blog about iOS sale numbers Follow-up blog on iOS sales numbers Blog on zaga, score, expressivity, and personality Blog on creating advancement in roguelikes 7 Day Roguelike website PRACTICE 2013: Michael Brough
https://secretlives.games/ https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow
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| 155: GDC 2026 LIVE Special! | 23 Mar 2026 | 01:29:33 | |
Recorded live from the Game Developers Conference 2026! They gave us time in the Official Podcast Box, so we made the most of it discussing the process of writing for the IGF Awards, reflecting on the culture of GDC, and even having a couple surprise guests drop in. Let's get loose! Audio edited by Dylan Shumway
Scripto Starfriends https://shop.brainfruit.studio/products/starfriends-card-game 2026 Independent Games Festival Awards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoH4EmfB4Z4 Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet https://store.steampowered.com/app/205730/Insanely_Twisted_Shadow_Planet/ Dustbiters Tooth and Tail https://store.steampowered.com/app/286000/Tooth_and_Tail/ Brogue https://sites.google.com/site/broguegame/ Caves of Qud Monaco 2 | |||
| 154: Gathering Community with Ben Rausch and Anja Venter (Playtopia) | 18 Mar 2026 | 02:06:08 | |
Doug and Rob are joined by Stephanie Boluk (UC Davis) and Patrick LeMieux (UC Davis) chat with Ben Rausch (Team Lazerbeam) and Anja Venter (Free Lives) about the Playtopia Festival for Indie Games & Immersive Arts that they help organize. They discuss some of the Festival's origins, the logistics of producing in-person games events, the state of alt-control/arts-focused games events around the world, the relationship between South African culture and Playtopia's structure, the importance of showing the new generation how to create these spaces, the balance of growing and maintaining a festival community, and more!
Discussed in this episode: Playtopia Festival Shroom and Gloom Jamming to map creative scenes and practices by Anya Venter A MAZE Festival The future of public game arts festivals and non-commercial games culture by Robert Yang Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant Don't Get Your Hopes Up boshi's place Glitch City Blood on the Clocktower Pro Jank Footy Plum Road Tea Dream Plum Road Tea Dream (Performance) Dressmaker Cozy Lives Instagram Free Lives Discord Sex with Friends Wee Boats Relooted Cadence Starfriends Playtopia 2025 Showcased Games
https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog | |||
| 153: Returning to the Wasteland with Jan Willem Nijman, Joonas Turner, and Jukio Kallio (Nuclear Throne) | 06 Mar 2026 | 01:52:34 | |
Rob and Zach chat with Joonas Turner (Downwell, Noita, Cult of the Lamb), Jukio Kallio (Fall Guys, Minit, Dave the Diver), and Jan Willem "JW" Nijman (Super Crate Box, Ridiculous Fishing, Minit) about their landmark twin-stick wasteland shooter, Nuclear Throne, and its recent blowout 10th anniversary update. They discuss reopening a project after a decade, balancing through play, the decision to not implement traditional invincibility frames, the shifting culture of what makes a design "engaging," and more! Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: Nuclear Throne Controls You Can Feel: Putting Tactility Back Into Touch Controls Spelunky Shoot First Crimsonland Downwell Tormentor x Punisher PAPERHEAD Jukio's Bandcamp
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| All Systems Brough - Kompendium | 21 Feb 2026 | 02:42:20 | |
We're joined by droqen (The End of Gameplay, Starseed Pilgrim), Liz Ryerson (musician, writer, podcaster), and Harry Lee Shang Lun (Earthrise One) for the third title in our year of All Systems Brough, a year-long exploration of the work of Michael Brough: Kompendium. This episode: Kompendium Next Month: Zaga-33 Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Kompendium 868-BACK (Next Fest demo on February 23rd, 2026!) Michael Brough's Website Liz's talk at boshi's place (Brooklyn, NYC | February 19th, 2026) Harry's work Kompendium IGF judge feedback Mutual learning blog post Metagaming: Playing, Competing, Spectating, Cheating, Trading, Making, and Breaking Videogames by Stephanie Boluk and Patrick LeMieux Multicolor Alien Olympic Glitch Tank Being good at Glitch Tank blog post At a Distance by Terry Cavanagh Brough on iOS sale numbers Garbage In, Garbage Out Exuberant Struggle Brough writing on zero sum nature of 1v1 games TIGSource Versus Competition TIGSource Versus Competition Rules TIGSource Versus Competition 2011 Voting TIGSource Versus Competition 2011 Winner (0space by Beau) 0space itch download Jesus vs Dinosaurs The Impossible Reversal by Peter McDonald Run and Jump: The Meaning of the 2D Platformer A Is To B As B Is To C Chesh Brough's blog post about O Brough on the new year (circa 2012) Side By Side S1 E3: Kompendium Earthrise One Miscellaneous Two Player iPad Games
https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow | |||
| 152: Walking Over It with Gabe Cuzzillo and Bennett Foddy (Baby Steps) | 13 Feb 2026 | 02:59:14 | |
Rob, Doug, Andy, and Sarah chat with Gabe Cuzzillo (Ape Out, Despelote) and Bennett Foddy (Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, QWOP) about their (with Maxi Boch) latest game, the multi-IGF-nominated open-world hard-walking manchild simulator Baby Steps. We discuss the game's in-house approach to voice acting, balancing challenge with humor, creating (and hiding) a looping environment, telling an honest story about masculinity, including explicit content without getting banned from Steam, rock curation, secrets, and so much more! Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: Baby Steps Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist My Summer Car zk map (for stranger) La belle noiseuse (1991) Kelly Reichardt Perfect Days (2023) The Taste of Things (2023) NYU Game Center Lecture Series Presents Jane Ng DESPELOTE: FIFTH TRAILER (now on nintendo switch) The Love That Remains (2025) Solo (Australian ad) 1983 Solo Man ad, Australia 1986 Solo (Australian ad) 1984 Frog Detective 3 | |||
| All Systems Brough - Vertex Dispenser | 30 Jan 2026 | 01:52:29 | |
We're joined by droqen (The End of Gameplay, Starseed Pilgrim), Darius Kazemi (Tiny Subversions, Harvard Applied Social Media Lab), and Tara Macalister (mathematician, composer) to discuss Vertex Dispenser, the second game in our year-long exploration of the work of Michael Brough. Next Month: Kompendium Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Vertex Dispenser Michael Brough's Website Four color theorem Graph coloring Starcraft II Splatoon lots of michael brough games The Sense of Connectedness Kompendium The End of Gameplay Utopia Clicker A Jackpot of Skulls _update() Jam
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| 151: Games of the Year 2025 | 08 Jan 2026 | 03:55:10 | |
The gang's all here to count down our favorite "games" of "2025", alongside a bevvy of great picks from previous guests and listeners. Happy new year!
Our GOTY Picks (SPOILERS!):
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Rob 5. Many Nights a Whisper - Deconstructeam, Selkie Harbour 4. Blue Prince - Dogubomb 3. Skat - German Trick Taking Game 2. UFO 50 - Mossmouth 1. Caves of Qud - Freehold Games
Zach Hollow Knight: Silksong - Team Cherry Pokemon Legends: Z-A - Game Freak Dragon Warrior IV - Chunsoft (Bonus: CorgiSpace - Adam Saltsman) Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (N64) - Lucasarts 1. Kirby and the Forgotten Land - HAL Laboratory
Doug 5. Don't Rank Cuomo - Robert Yang 4. Harold Holt Video Series (first episode) (YouTube uploads) - James Ward 3. Baby Steps - Gabe Cuzzillo, Maxi Boch, Bennett Foddy 2. Dr. Robotnik's Ring Racers - Kart Krew 1. Slice & Dice - Tann
Nick Tall Trails - Brady Soglin Magical Athlete - Takashi Ishida - updated design by Richard Garfield The Attraction - Palace Games San Francisco Hot Streak - Jon Perry 1. Öoo - NamaTakahashi, tiny cactus studio, Tsuyomi
Sarah 5. Consume Me - Jenny Jiao Hsia, AP Thomson, et al. 4. Blue Prince - Dogubomb 3. Slice & Dice - Tann 2. Tiny Bookshop - neoludic games 1. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes - Simogo
Laura The Roottrees are Dead - Evil Trout Inc. Type Help - William Rous Monkey Around: the Wiggle and Giggle Game - Peaceable Kingdom despelote - Julián Cordero, Sebastian Valbuena Death Wears White - Guillaume Montiage/Asmodee
Andy The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Nintendo Hollow Knight: Silksong - Team Cherry Hot Streak - Jon Perry Death Stranding 2: On The Beach - Kojima Productions The Old King's Crown - Pablo Clark
Other picks from guests and listeners: UFO 50 - Mossmouth Consume Me - Jenny Jiao Hsia, AP Thomson, et al. Öoo - NamaTakahashi, tiny cactus studio, Tsuyomi Hollow Knight: Silksong - Team Cherry Blue Prince - Dogubomb Clues By Sam - Ad Artis Oy Magical Athlete - Takashi Ishida - updated design by Richard Garfield Complex 629 - Lillex Studios Donkey Kong Bananza - Nintendo Final Fantasy V - Square Enix Baby Steps - Gabe Cuzzillo, Maxi Boch, Bennett Foddy Puzzmo Crosswords - Puzzmo Team & Collaborators Numberblocks RPG (developed in Izzy Kestrels mind) Lost Cities - Reiner Knizia Deadlock - Valve Hexadecipad NES Tetris Tournament - Patrick LeMieux and Stephanie Boluk Star Waspir (from UFO 50) - Mossmouth Lumines Arise - Enhance, Monstars Outer Wilds - Mobius Digital Zexion - Gallant Leaf PEAK - Landfall Writing essays Elden Ring Nightreign - FromSoftware Unfair Flips - HEATHER FLOWERS DISCOPUP - Parry Mechanics OVER/UNDER - Sam Sorenson Type Help - William Rous Rain World - Videocult Snekburd - Werxzy 2025 Pico-8 Advent Calendar - organized by Kevin Thompson and bikibird Mol Hunt for 2025 Season of De Mol - TSLOG Discord Q-UP - Everybody House Games Many Nights a Whisper - Deconstructeam, Selkie Harbour Vantage - Stonemaier Games The Old King's Crown - Pablo Clark Hot Streak - Jon Perry Cave Noire - Konami Judo (martial art) Retro handheld hobby Clair Obscur | Expedition 33 - Sandfall Interactive Skin Deep - Blendo Games Peekaboo The Séance of Blake Manor - Spooky Doorway Minni & Max (from UFO 50) - Mossmouth Patapon - Pyramid, Japan Studio Promise Mascot Agency - Kaizen Game Works 10S Forever - owch
Miscellaneous Honorable Mentions: Perfect Dark (N64) - Rare ACTION BUTTON REVIEWS Cyberpunk 2077 Party House of the Day (mod of UFO 50) - Mossmouth Cairn - The Game Bakers
Other topics discussed this episode: Why We're Boycotting Xbox (and Maybe You Should Too) - People Make Games Cosmic Encounter - Fantasy Flight Games Upcoming games packed with hidden secrets! – FuryForged Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective - Space Cowboys Klaverjas - Dutch Trick-taking Game 129: Reinforcing Worldbuilding through Gameplay with Spoils despelote - Official Nintendo Switch Trailer
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| All Systems Brough - 868-HACK | 19 Dec 2025 | 02:07:10 | |
We're joined by Shawn Alexander Allen (Beatdown City Survivors), Cole Wehrle (Root), and Drew Wehrle (Pax Pamir) to discuss the first title in our year-long exploration of the work of Michael Brough: 868-HACK. Next Month: Vertex Dispenser
Audio edited by Dylan Shumway
Discussed in this episode:
868-HACK https://868-hack.neocities.org/ Michael Brough's Website XPerience Studios "King Me": A Defense of King-Making in Board Game Design https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UraJElx1ebg Leder Games Wehrlegig Games 7-Day Roguelike Jam blog post https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2013/03/7drl-day-2.html 868-HACK Release Trailer (2015) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMH-yDR35lI PRACTICE 2013: Michael Brough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4iswqa8r-Q Michael Brough on balancing prog costs: https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2014/06/868-hack-prog-costs.html Michael Brough on streak scoring https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2013/05/score-conditions.html https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2017/09/streak-scoring-redux.html James Lantz on 868-HACK https://web.archive.org/web/20160531060339/https://www.decisionproblem.com/inmachinam/?p=175 Dewan https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/439742/dewan Zaynation Complete UFO50 Alternate History Voicemails https://discord.com/channels/690388280767807518/1298414011368607796/1440018452050870385 Michael OBlivion tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R92zN2899s&t=586s Rock Paper Shotgun 868-HACK Review (2015) https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/868-hack-review-pc Michael Brough on passive vs active abilities https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2013/05/uniform-activations.html Vivafringe blog post on 868-HACK Secret Level and Good vs. Bad Secrets Beatdown City Survivors https://store.steampowered.com/app/3383040/Beatdown_City_Survivors/ Molly House & John Company Reprinting https://john-company-molly-house-reprint.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders Michael Brough on Plan B design notes https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2017/07/planb-notes.html Brick101 - new Steam guide for Powerups https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3577171247 Spawn count chart: https://discord.com/channels/690388280767807518/1418970536137981962/1425545294032146494
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| 150: Making It Great with Kimmo Lahtinen (Sektori) | 12 Dec 2025 | 01:22:53 | |
Nick is joined by guest co-host Chris Plante (Post Games) for a chat with Kimmo Lahtinen (aka gimbll) about his dynamite new twin-stick shooter, Sektori. They discuss the joy of the genre, pursuing excellence in an oversaturated genre, and how personal limitations shape solo development. Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: Sektori https://www.gimblll.com/sektori/ Day Repeat Day https://www.gimblll.com/dayrepeatday/ Barbearian https://www.gimblll.com/barbearian/ Drift and Drive https://www.gimblll.com/driftndrive/ Resogun https://housemarque.com/games/resogun Outland https://housemarque.com/games/outland Dead Nation https://housemarque.com/games/dead-nation Super Stardust Portable https://housemarque.com/games/ssp Geometry Wars https://store.steampowered.com/app/8400/Geometry_Wars_Retro_Evolved/ Rez Infinite Post Games podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/post-games/id1815131711 Besties podcast https://www.themcelroy.family/podcasts/besties/ Limetown podcast https://twoupproductions.com/limetown/podcast Quest Tabletop Game
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| Into the Depths: Caves of Qud Finale | 26 Nov 2025 | 03:54:01 | |
We're proud to present the final installment of our over-a-year-long Into the Depths series on Caves of Qud, as well as our last episode with our recently retired Eggplant branding. Caves of Qud is a massive open-world roguelike RPG that has been in development since 2007 and Early Access since 2015, and we give it an appropriately epic sendoff with nearly four hours of deep discussion. Doug and Rob, joined by special guest host Star St. Germain, dive into the game's finale and overarching themes with narrative designer Caelyn Sandel and co-creators Jason Grinblat and Brian Bucklew. Be warned, major spoilers await: We discuss the aftermath of the Tomb of the Eaters, the Moon Stair, the [Redacted], Reclamation, We Are [Redacted], plus other juicy details about how this legendary game finally came to an end… and what's in store for it next. Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Brian's must-follow bluesky Warm static – Official Caves of Qud wiki Independent Games Summit: What Even is 1.0?: Indefinite Early Access and Live Development End-to-End Procedural Generation in Caves of Qud Tile-Based Map Generation using Wave Function Collapse in 'Caves of Qud' Caves of Qud Discord Eris – Girsh Illustration A Mythopoetic Interface Reading of Caves of Qud (Roguelike Celebration 2025) Sproggiwood Slav Epic Paintings by Alphonse Mucha https://bsky.app/profile/secretlivesofgames.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow (full rebrand still in progress, lol)
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| All Systems Brough - Introduction | 21 Nov 2025 | 02:01:41 | |
We're joined by Frank Lantz (Q-UP) and Mare Sheppard + Raigan Burns of Metanet (N++) for the first episode of All Systems Brough, a year-long exploration of the work of Michael Brough. We share our thoughts on why Michael's oeuvre demands a deep dive, add some historical context, and share the plan for the year ahead. We also introduce a (final?) rebrand to the podcast! Next episode: 868-HACK (Tentative) Episode/play order:
Audio edited by Dylan Shumway
Michael Brough's Website Michael O'Blivion's Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@michael_oblivion Flock https://annapurnainteractive.com/en/games/flock Wilmot's Warehouse Boardgame https://www.cmyk.games/products/wilmot Q-UP https://store.steampowered.com/app/3730790/QUP/ Donkeyspace (Frank's Substack) https://franklantz.substack.com/ The Beauty of Games https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262552950/the-beauty-of-games/ Metanet Software https://www.metanetsoftware.com/about-us N++ PRACTICE 2015: Mare Sheppard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBCDeMl4VwY FTL https://subsetgames.com/ftl.html Sylvie's Games A wild start, 41 points with no artifacts! (Cinco Paus LP ep 1) by vivafringe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-8xXBwAdG4 Droqen's website Raigan's bluesky (will give away free copies of Cinco Paus on Christmas!) https://bsky.app/profile/raiganburns.bsky.social Q-UP OST https://kariomart.bandcamp.com/album/q-up-ost 868-HACK (Steam) https://store.steampowered.com/app/274700/868HACK/ Vesper.5 https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/08/vesper5.html
https://www.youtube.com/@thesecretlivesofgames | |||
| 149: Making A Meal Of It with Jenny Jiao Hsia and AP Thomson (Consume Me) | 07 Nov 2025 | 01:38:22 | |
Rob, Sarah, and Doug chat with Jenny Jiao Hsia and AP Thomson about Consume Me, an award-winning autobiographical resource-management RPG about the pressure cooker of young adulthood. We discuss the game's ten-year development cycle, balancing dynamic difficulty in a game about overachievement, the complex dynamics of mining your own story, and more! Heads up: This episode includes discussion of disordered eating and religious upbringing. Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Mentioned in this episode: Consume Me Prototyping Personal Experience – Jenny's talk at A MAZE 2017 Papers Please by Lucas Pope Nina Freeman's games on itch.io Triad by Anna Anthropy Reigns by Nerial Long Live the Queen by Hanako Games Perfect Tides by Meredith Gran Look Back (movie) Look Back (manga) Jenny's TikTok AP's Instagram
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| 148: Carving Out Some Time with Adam Robinson-Yu (Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival) | 24 Oct 2025 | 01:28:29 | |
Laura, Rob, and Sarah chat with Adam Robinson-Yu about The Annual Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival, a communal and virtual festival experience hosted every ~October for the last six years. We discuss the logistics of running a seasonal multiplayer game, encouraging emergent interactions through limited tools, highlighting pumpkin artistry, expressing embodiment in digital space, building secrets over time, and more! NOTE: If you want to avoid spoilers of this year's additions to the game, skip the section from 1:12:40 to 1:22:00! Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival Laura E. Hall's 31 Days of Halloween newsletter Adam's Itch Adam's Bluesky | |||
| 147: Digging Deep with The Roottrees are Dead | 10 Oct 2025 | 01:18:10 | |
Laura chats with Jeremy Johnston and Robin Ward about The Roottrees are Dead, their genealogy, murder-mystery, "static deduction" game. We discuss the development process of taking a jam prototype to full release, developing hints and systems that lead players to satisfying discoveries, and the taxonomy of games like The Roottrees are Dead and The Return of the Obra Dinn. Spoilers abound, so consider playing the game first before tuning in.
Discussed in this episode: The Roottrees are Dead (Steam) https://store.steampowered.com/app/2754380/The_Roottrees_are_Dead/ The Roottrees are Dead (itch.io – Global Game Jam entry) https://jjohnstongames.itch.io/the-roottrees-are-dead Return of the Obra Dinn https://store.steampowered.com/app/653530/Return_of_the_Obra_Dinn/ Outer Wilds https://store.steampowered.com/app/753640/Outer_Wilds/ Her Story https://store.steampowered.com/app/368370/Her_Story/ Family https://owlskip-games.itch.io/family Type Help https://william-rous.itch.io/type-help The Rise of the Golden Idol https://store.steampowered.com/app/2716400/The_Rise_of_the_Golden_Idol/ Blue Prince https://store.steampowered.com/app/1569580/Blue_Prince/ Severance https://tv.apple.com/us/show/severance/umc.cmc.1srk2goyh2q2zdxcx605w8vtx White Lotus https://www.max.com/shows/white-lotus/14f9834d-bc23-41a8-ab61-5c8abdbea505 Righteous Gemstones https://www.max.com/shows/righteous-gemstones/c3bd0a34-c4ce-4ca5-bd6c-820df7340671 Announcement: Eggplant Plays De Mol (2025 Season) https://eggplant.show/announcing-eggplant-plays-de-mol-2025-season The Genius (Korean Game Show) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Genius_(TV_series) Robin Ward's blog (links to socials included) https://eviltrout.com/ The Roottrees are Dead Discord server https://discord.com/invite/Z6Y5sE9Dgt
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| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Epilogue: Final developer interview | 26 Sep 2025 | 02:11:35 | |
We're joined by (most of) the developers of UFO 50 - Derek Yu, Jon Perry, Eirik Suhrke, Tyriq Plummer, and Paul Hubans - to close out our series with a project-spanning discussion of their development process, how they're feeling a year out from launch, and so much more. Next week: Who knows?? Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: 868-HACK https://868-hack.neocities.org/ Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games Presents: A Year of UFO 50 Finale Eggstravaganza - LIVE! Recording https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTHuGIU3wRI Eggplant Merch! https://cottonbureau.com/people/eggplant-the-secret-lives-of-games-podcast A Year of Block Koala https://redcircle.com/shows/4e5322d3-2ea6-42dc-bfb3-18a427384a68 Roguelike Celebration 2025 (Including Fireside Chat with Jon Perry!) https://www.roguelike.club/event2025.html Time Barons https://www.time-barons.com/about.html Middleditch and Schwartz https://www.middleditchandschwartz.com/ SPONTANEANATION with Paul F. Tompkins https://www.earwolf.com/show_archive/spontaneanation-with-paul-f-tompkins-archive/ Scrubbin' Trubble (Tyriq's upcoming game) Madhouse (Paul's upcoming game) https://store.steampowered.com/app/3727130/MADHOUSE/ UFO 50 Physical Edition https://www.fangamer.com/products/ufo-50-game-nintendo-switch-deluxe-edition
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| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Finale Eggstravaganza - LIVE! | 21 Sep 2025 | 03:10:23 | |
Full audio from our epic live series finale, packed with previous series guests, tarot readings, mad libs, touching listener letters, and so much more. Come laugh and cry with us, say goodbye to UFO 50, and hear what's next for Eggplant! Next week: Final interview with the UFO 50 recovery team! Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games Presents: A Year of UFO 50 Finale Eggstravaganza - LIVE! Twitch VOD https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2569097617
Eggplant Merch! https://cottonbureau.com/people/eggplant-the-secret-lives-of-games-podcast
Zatoichi's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@Zatoichi1962-m6v
Eggplant Party House Thread (for Gainsworthy's Party House of the Day challenge!) https://discord.com/channels/690388280767807518/1286353349817663519
The Beauty of Games by Frank Lantz https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262552950/the-beauty-of-games/
A Life Well Wasted
Beyond a Boundary by C. L. R. James https://www.dukeupress.edu/beyond-a-boundary
Jacques' Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jacquesnessmonster/
Sean's Portfolio
Sean's Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/thebigfeel
Sounds from The Abyss mixes https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEdRlER1F5rGvaoE-XbV6jz6OymxQw4jx
Tim Follin - Chronos A Tapestry of Time theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2WgfEj_zjc&list=RDP2WgfEj_zjc&start_radio=1
Tim Follin - Ghouls and Ghosts Level 3 https://youtu.be/BTUD0XuXT8k?si=JpzOvQwBqS98v3EH
Martin Galway - Parallax Theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8LEA23R-Nc&list=RDA8LEA23R-Nc&start_radio=1
Stephane Picq - Gorbi (kgb) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z48ncQu5bh4&list=RDZ48ncQu5bh4&start_radio=1
Wladcy Ciemonski (lords of the darkness) theme by Leszek Holda https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1MlvwuZc74&list=RDv1MlvwuZc74&start_radio=1
Starship Rendezvous - Mysticism (Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata) https://youtu.be/YAILyCJ63iQ?si=XAaP2aah_91U29Zj&t=575
Kaimei-In (Stage 4) [Tiger Road (Arcade)] - Harumi Fujita, Tamayo Kawamoto https://youtu.be/gGEG3DOnJlA?si=Kbii_9lz72OnOR0P&t=638
The Cartoncast https://fancybat.com/cartoncast
https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow | |||
| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - [REDACTED] | 12 Sep 2025 | 02:52:55 | |
We're joined by Stephanie Boluk (UC Davis), Patrick LeMieux (UC Davis), and Steve Gillham (OzymandiasAV) to discuss [REDACTED] hidden within the UFO 50 collection. Massive spoilers ahead! Next week: Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games Presents: A Year of UFO 50 Finale Eggstravaganza - LIVE! Audio edited by Dylan Shumway
Eggplant Merch! https://cottonbureau.com/people/eggplant-the-secret-lives-of-games-podcast FuryForged – What dark secrets hide beneath the surface of UFO 50? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__FyJ-Obu9E UFO 50 WRITE-UP v2 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yuVnnJDmKKGrlTIGVn1Zykp9Tpn4rthGFei1gztRAN4/edit?tab=t.0 MAPPING MUSIC TO MIAS MRMACDUGGAN'S GAME LORE SHEET TERMINAL 101 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Y2gHxlxKlm2jyTIY_7QoNOF6iUjhvfWnOO6mIy6P-H8/edit?gid=0#gid=0 Exeter Book Riddles https://oldenglishpoetry.camden.rutgers.edu/exeter-book-riddles/ Mushroomy Kingdom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhNgQ16s-u8 Deadly Premonition OST – Life is Beautiful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzvXBFwcyek Yume Nikki https://store.steampowered.com/app/650700/Yume_Nikki/ Undertale Off Space Funeral the First https://thecatamites.itch.io/space-funeral Ib https://vgperson.com/games/ib.htm Petscop https://www.youtube.com/petscop UFO 50 Bandcamp https://phlogiston.bandcamp.com/album/ufo-50 Miasma Tower Bandcamp https://phlogiston.bandcamp.com/album/miasma-tower B3313 Mario 64 Mod https://b3313.fandom.com/wiki/B3313 Has anyone else seen this in miasma tower? i dont know how exactly to trigger it https://www.reddit.com/r/ufo50/comments/1guzkfu/has_anyone_else_seen_this_in_miasma_tower_i_dont/ The Grasshopper (and "Words on Play") https://broadviewpress.com/product/the-grasshopper-third-edition/#tab-description Glider (Conway's Game of Life) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glider_(Conway%27s_Game_of_Life) Eric Zimmerman Manifesto: The 21st Century Will Be Defined By Games https://kotaku.com/manifesto-the-21st-century-will-be-defined-by-games-1275355204 Games Climbers Play by Lito Tejada-Flores
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| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Cyber Owls | 05 Sep 2025 | 01:57:32 | |
We're joined by Izzy Kestrel (Gexfeld, A Good Videogame), Shawn Alexander Allen (Treachery in Beatdown City), and the one and only Rand Hall (UFO 50 Voicemailer Extraordinaire) to discuss Cyber Owls, the 50th and final* game in the UFO 50 collection. "A superweapon threatens to destroy the world, and it's up to the Cyber Owls to save the day!" Next week: [REDACTED] Audio edited by Dylan Shumway
Discussed in this episode: Eggplant Merch! https://cottonbureau.com/people/eggplant-the-secret-lives-of-games-podcast Cherry Rush YouTube Highlights https://www.youtube.com/@Cherry-Rush Derek Yu's Wikiquote https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Derek_Yu Roguelike Celebration 2025 (Including Fireside Chat with Jon Perry!) https://www.roguelike.club/event2025.html Izzy's itch.io Izzy's bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/iznaut.com Izzy's Website Snap & Grab https://nogoblin.com/snapandgrab Shawn's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shawndoublea/?hl=en Beatdown City Survivors https://store.steampowered.com/app/3383040/Beatdown_City_Survivors/ Tyriq's Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/fourbitfriday.bsky.social Scrubbin' Trubble The Grasshopper (and "Words on Play") https://broadviewpress.com/product/the-grasshopper-third-edition/#tab-description C.A. Brown https://www.youtube.com/@CABROWN
https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow | |||
| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Campanella 3 | 29 Aug 2025 | 01:45:12 | |
We're joined by Liz Ryerson (musician, writer, podcaster), Adam Conover (Adam Ruins Everything), and Steve Gillham (OzymandiasAV) to discuss Campanella 3, the 49th game in the UFO 50 collection. "It's time for Pilot to return to what he does best -- flying the Campanella through deep space!"
Audio edited by Dylan Shumway
Discussed in this episode: Eggplant Merch! https://cottonbureau.com/people/eggplant-the-secret-lives-of-games-podcast Adam Conover Tickets Wing Commander 1+2 https://www.gog.com/en/game/wing_commander_1_2 Wild Blue https://store.steampowered.com/app/1921490/Wild_Blue/ Thumper The Virtual Museum of Dead Wifery https://lilithzone.itch.io/the-virtual-museum-of-dead-wifery Abnormal Mapping https://www.abnormalmapping.com/ doseone The Unearthed Treasure Room: An Alternative Showcase of Overlooked Games https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNPPJohxAk4 Anodyne 2 https://store.steampowered.com/app/877810/Anodyne_2_Return_to_Dust/ Great Art https://www.mostancient.com/shop/great-art Wood Teeth (doseone EP with Height Keech) https://doseone.bandcamp.com/album/wood-teeth?from=embed
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| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Seaside Drive | 22 Aug 2025 | 01:40:59 | |
We're joined by Daniel Mullins (Inscryption), Tonda Ros (Blue Prince), and Glove (UFO 50 Historian/ska podcaster) to discuss Seaside Drive, the 48th game in the UFO 50 collection. "Nothing's more relaxing than a nice long drive by the sea... Complete with plenty of gunfire!" Next week: Campanella 3
Discussed in this episode: Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games Merch https://cottonbureau.com/people/eggplant-the-secret-lives-of-games-podcast Downwell Branching Paths Cherry Rush (UFO 50 Speedrunning Charity Event — August 29th-31st, 2025) Blue Prince https://www.blueprincegame.com/
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| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Quibble Race | 15 Aug 2025 | 01:58:16 | |
We're joined by Scott Anderson (Unity), Jackie Vecchitto (Trombone Champ), and Xalavier Nelson (Strange Scaffold) to discuss Quibble Race, the 47th game in the UFO 50 collection. "In the seedy world of Quibble racing, sometimes it takes shady tactics to get ahead." Next week: Seaside Drive Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Unity 6.2 Livestream Post Games: Big predictions for the future of games Space-Cast! #47. Bun Bangers (interview with Jon Perry) Hot Streak Gameheads Gameheads Showcase Draknek New Voices Grant Jackie on Bluesky Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor Strange Scaffold
https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow
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| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Combatants | 08 Aug 2025 | 02:14:09 | |
We're joined by Alfredo Barraza (Riot Games), Stephanie Boluk (UC Davis), and Patrick LeMieux (UC Davis) to discuss Combatants, the 46th game in the UFO 50 collection. "The evil Red Ants have taken your land! Fight Back and defend your queen!" Next week: Quibble Race Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Starcraft: Remastered Pikmin 1+2 Bundle Little King's Story Tinykin Patapon Tooth & Tail The Grasshopper: Games, Life, and Utopia by Bernard Suits Manifesto: The 21st Century Will Be Defined By Games by Eric Zimmerman Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change The World by Jane McGonigal Game Studies Study Buddies 51 – Suits – The Grasshopper EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Mini & Max Gio on Bluesky | |||
| Eggplant TV Plays De Mol (2025 season) - Interview with Wouter Verstichel | 04 Aug 2025 | 01:07:34 | |
We're recapping the 2025 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 13). In this very special bonus episode, Laura, Jey, Doug, and Melissa sit down with Wouter Verstichel (Director/Showrunner of De Mol) to discuss the experience of working on the show. Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about the episodes, and more. Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Links: Eggplant's De Mol 2024 recap series, including live finale interviews: 122: Finding Decency in Reality with Gilles De Coster (De Mol):
http://discord.gg/eggplant https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow | |||
| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Mini & Max | 01 Aug 2025 | 02:05:45 | |
We're joined by Billy Basso (Animal Well), Ben Wilson (Saltsea Chronicles), Kayin (I Wanna Be The Guy), and Adam Conover (Adam Ruins Everything) to discuss Mini & Max, the 45th game in the UFO 50 collection. "Mini and her dog Max are locked in the storage room. Harness the magic of shrinking to escape!" Next week: Combatants Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: Animal Well Triple Physical Release The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Outer Wilds Uurnog: Uurnlimited Everything Tux and Fanny Tinykin Caves of Qud Adam Conover Live Tour Zero Fifty One
https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow | |||
| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Pilot Quest | 25 Jul 2025 | 01:54:07 | |
We're joined by Stephanie Boluk (UC Davis), Patrick LeMieux (UC Davis), and Eileen Hollinger (Capybara Games) to discuss Pilot Quest, the 44th game in the UFO 50 collection. "The Campanella has crashed! Fix it by harvesting resources and exploring the wild zone." Next week: Mini & Max Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Collection of Mana Actraiser Renaissance Progress Quest Candy Box II (Sequel to Candy Box) Cow Clicker A Dark Room Cookie Clicker Clicker Heroes AdVenture Capitalist Universal Paperclips The Barnacle Goose Experiment Banana Neptune's Pride Game Dev Story Knytt Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure GameMaker Edinburgh Festival Fringe Mel McGlensey is NORMAL Into the Depths: Kentucky Route Zero - Part 1 Into the Depths: Super Mario World - Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow
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| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Elfazar's Hat | 18 Jul 2025 | 01:48:27 | |
We're joined by Alfredo Barraza (Riot Games), Adam Dolin (God of War: Ragnarok), and Colin and Sarah Northway (Northway Games) to discuss Elfazar's Hat, the 43rd game in the UFO 50 collection. "Elfazar is hailed as a great magician, but his captive animals are ready to strike back!" Next week: Pilot Quest Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Pocky & Rocky Reshrined I Was a Teenage Exocolonist Vancouver Game Garden 99: Charting the Future with Sarah Northway (I Was a Teenage Exocolonist)
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| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Night Manor | 11 Jul 2025 | 01:35:26 | |
We're joined by Star St. Germain (Aconite), Madison Karrh (Birth), and Zach Aikman (Chuhai Labs) to discuss Night Manor, the 42nd game in the UFO 50 collection. "Trapped in a nightmare where you must use your wits to survive and escape!" Next week: Elfazar's Hat Audio edited by Dylan Shumway
Into the Depths: Caves of Qud (Sidequests Special) https://eggplant.show/into-the-depths-caves-of-qud-sidequests-special Clock Tower: Rewind (remaster of original Clock Tower release) https://store.steampowered.com/app/1921490/Wild_Blue/ Déjà Vu: MacVentures Series https://store.steampowered.com/app/343820/Dj_Vu_MacVenture_Series/ The Uninvited: MacVenture Series https://store.steampowered.com/app/343810/The_Uninvited_MacVenture_Series/ Shadowgate (remake) https://store.steampowered.com/app/294440/Shadowgate/ Moida Mansion https://dukope.itch.io/moida-mansion 31 Days of Halloween https://buttondown.com/31daysofhalloween/archive/31-days-of-halloween-october-1-5731/ Maniac Mansion https://www.gog.com/en/game/maniac_mansion King's Quest https://www.gog.com/en/game/kings_quest_1_2_3 The Legend of Kyrandia https://www.gog.com/en/game/legend_of_kyrandia Putt Putt Goes to the Moon https://store.steampowered.com/app/294650/PuttPutt_Goes_to_the_Moon/ Blue Prince https://www.blueprincegame.com/ Lorelei and the Laser Eyes https://annapurnainteractive.com/en/games/lorelei-and-the-laser-eyes Inscryption Crow Country Wild Blue https://store.steampowered.com/app/1921490/Wild_Blue/ Star on bsky https://bsky.app/profile/thisisstar.bsky.social Star on itch Star's website Birth https://store.steampowered.com/app/1889040/Birth/ | |||
| Into the Depths: Caves of Qud (Sidequests Special) | 07 Jul 2025 | 02:30:03 | |
In this bonus installment of our current Into the Depths series, we continue diving into Caves of Qud. This sprawling open-world roguelike has been in development since 2007 and Early Access since 2015. Doug and Rob - joined by special guest host Star St. Germain - chat about sidequests with one of the game's narrative designers, Caelyn Sandel. This episode we talk about the Servidian Meadow, the Hindren, Bey Lah, the integration of political and cultural commentary into worldbuilding, writing workflows, Mamon Souldrinker, Warden Une, Fraying Favorites, Many Eyes, Caelen Sandshell, _, and the cyclical nature of influence on Qud's world. Don't forget to join our Discord and play along with the series! Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Show Notes: Buy Caves of Qud on itch.io: Caves of Qud soundtrack: The Qud Survival Guide: Star on bsky: Star on itch: Star's website: Caelyn on bsky: Caelyn's Fiction work https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow http://discord.gg/eggplant https://www.patreon.com/eggplantshow | |||
| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Lords of Diskonia | 04 Jul 2025 | 02:05:41 | |
We're joined by Trent Kusters (League of Geeks), John Axon (Capybara Games), and Adam Dolin (God of War: Ragnarok) to discuss Lords of Diskonia, the 41st game in the UFO 50 collection. "War has come to Land of Disks, and the red and blue armies are on a collision course!" Next week: Night Manor Audio edited by Dylan Shumway
Discussed in this episode: I Tried Cycling the Length of Japan: 3,000km and 27 Days on the Road | Long Way North https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpH8vt5WLV0 Carrom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrom Crokinole https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/521/crokinole How Tabletop Design Helped Shape 'UFO 50' https://gdcvault.com/play/1035154/How-Tabletop-Design-Helped-Shape JTolmar - Disks Rogue https://noisyowl.com/disksrogue/ Crossbows and Catapults https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2129/crossbows-and-catapults Catacombs (Third Edition) https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/195137/catacombs-third-edition Beast Breaker https://vodeo.games/bb Designing 'MARVEL SNAP' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjhsY2Zuo-c Into the Breach https://subsetgames.com/itb.html Air, Land, and Sea https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/247367/air-land-and-sea Hot Streak https://www.cmyk.games/products/hot-streak BALL X PIT https://www.ballxpit.com/ Storytelling through Systems (requires GDC Vault membership) https://gdcvault.com/browse?keyword=storytelling+through+systems#
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| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Grimstone | 27 Jun 2025 | 02:18:06 | |
We're joined by Stephanie Boluk (UC Davis), Patrick LeMieux (UC Davis), and Trent Kusters (League of Geeks) to discuss Grimstone, the 40th game in the UFO 50 collection. "Praise Biggan, the four of you survived the saloon fire. But somethin' tells me this story's just gettin' started..." Next week: Lords of Diskonia Audio edited by Dylan Shumway.
Discussed in this episode: Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster SaGa Frontier Remastered Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Super Mario RPG Undertale Final Fantasy VIII Remastered Mother 3 Final Fantasy VII Tales of Symphonia Remastered Hylics Huicholes: The Last Peyote Guardians The Road to Dragon Quest Space Funeral Yume Nikki The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu by Tom Lin Game Maker's Notebook - XCOM Creator Julian Gollop Shares Game Design Tips , Dev Stories and More
Stephanie's Bluesky Patrick's Bluesky Trent's Bluesky A Year of UFO 50 - Mortol II A Year of UFO 50 - Rock On! Island A Year of UFO 50 - Mortol A Year of UFO 50 - Fist Hell A Year of UFO 50 - Vainger A Year of UFO 50 - Porgy A Year of UFO 50 - Bushido Ball Into the Depths: Kentucky Route Zero - Part 1
https://bsky.app/profile/eggplantshow.bsky.social | |||
| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Star Waspir | 20 Jun 2025 | 01:44:01 | |
We're joined by Jay Ma (Into the Breach), Steve Gillham (OzymandiasAV), Adam Dolin (God of War: Ragnarok), and Zatoichi (Juggler/UFO 50 Enthusiast) to discuss Star Waspir, the 39th game in the UFO 50 collection. "You are an elite member of the Star Wasps. Pilot your ship and battle the incoming swarm!" Next week: Grimstone Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: ZeroRanger https://se-made.com/ (steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/809020/ZeroRanger/) Ikaruga (Steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/253750/Ikaruga/) (Switch https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/ikaruga-switch/) Stephen's Sausage Roll https://www.stephenssausageroll.com/ Jay Ma on bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/jarmustard.bsky.social Fulcrum Defender (Jay Ma's new game on PlayDate) https://play.date/games/fulcrum-defender/ Abnormal Mapping https://www.abnormalmapping.com/ Canonfire.net piece on ZeroRanger https://canonfire.net/post/743721139224838144/041-zeroranger The Alters https://altersthegame.com/ Zatoichi's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Zatoichi1962-m6v Ikaruga video essay (not discussed on the episode but recommended by Dylan!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbfZoDQhK_8
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| EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Rakshasa | 13 Jun 2025 | 01:49:00 | |
We're joined by Tonda Ros (Blue Prince) and doseone (Enter the Gungeon) to discuss Rakshasa, the 38th game in the UFO 50 collection. "Even death won't stop Jangi from avenging the destruction of his village by demons!" Next week: Star Waspir Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: The Resurrection of Doseone https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/doseone-backwoodz-studioz-all-portrait-no-chorus-interview Gainsworthy's spoiler tagged guide for Rakshasa https://discord.com/channels/690388280767807518/1286352161357299795/1380363338420060321 Connected map of Rakshasa's levels (spoilers!) https://discord.com/channels/690388280767807518/1286352161357299795/1381399766855843891 Never's End https://www.neversendgame.com/ Escape Academy 2 https://store.steampowered.com/app/3296060/Escape_Academy_2_Back_2_School/ SAMURAI GUNN 2 https://samuraigunn2.com/ Enter the Gungeon 2 https://www.devolverdigital.com/games/enter-the-gungeon-2 Baby Steps https://www.babystepsgame.com/
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