Author: Link S

Episode 24 – Conversation with Jason Smith, Cultic developer

Posted on | by Link S

In this episode I speak with Jason Smith, solo developer of the currently in-development retro-shooter Cultic. Being published by 3DRealms with a demo currently available on Steam.

Start – 7:00 – Introductions, and talking about Cultic and being published with 3D Realms

7:00 – 11:30 – We talk about Jason’s childhood and playing violent video games as a child that, like most from the core Melennial group, definitely should not have been playing.

11:30 – 26:45 – We talk about how Jason got into development and making video games and advice he can share based on his experiences.

26:45 – 32:45 – We talk about Jason’s two current favorite games

32:45 – 38:30 – We talk about Jason’s favorite games when they were younger/their favorite games of all time

38:30 – 41:00 – We talk about what Jason’s comfort games are and what makes them a comfort game

41:00 – 46:45 – We talk Minecraft

46:45 – 1:09:30 – We talk popular games that just didn’t click with Jason

1:09:30 – 1:27:15 – We talk about hard games as a casual player and his game, Cultic.

1:27:15 – 1:46:00 – We discuss Jason’s favorite trends in gaming, with a little bit of VR talk as well

1:46:00 – Wind down and closing

Follow Jason on Twitter to learn more about him and his game Cultic at https://twitter.com/JasozzGames

Checkout and wishlist the game on Steam at https://store.steampowered.com/app/1684930/CULTIC/

Checkout the Cultic publisher, 3D Realms, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/3DRealms

Be sure to follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RedTunicPodcast for the latest updates about the podcast, guests, and other game related things

Episode 23 – Conversation with Joseph Gribbin, maker of Grapple Dog

Posted on | by Link S

In this episode I speak with Joseph Gribbin, an indie developer that has worked on such games as Magnibox, Turn Undead 2, Spike City, and is currently working on Grapple Dog.

Start – 2:00 – Introductions

2:00 – 15:00 – We talk about how Joseph got into making games, and then stray into discussing imposter syndrome and how it can be dealt with. We then get to talking about how you should take pride in the work you create even if it’s not a huge success.

15:00 – 22:30 – Joseph shares some advice for those looking to get into the industry based off of his experiences, and just experience in general and how not all paths look the same and all examples and advice can be valid

22:30 – 39:00 – We talk about what Joseph’s favorite game when he was younger and why

39:00 – 47:30 – We talk about what makes gaming enjoyable to Joseph, with the conversation shifting to indie-studios and games.

47:30 – 55:30 – We spend some time talking about Joseph’s upcoming game Grapple Dog.

55:30 – 1:15:00 – I turn the floor over to Joseph and we talk about platformers

1:15:00 – End – Wrap Up

Learn more about Joseph by checking him out on Twitter at https://twitter.com/JoGribbin

Check out Grapple Dog on Steam at https://store.steampowered.com/app/1345860/Grapple_Dog/

Be sure to follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RedTunicPodcast for the latest updates about the podcast, guests, and other game related things

Episode 22 – Conversation with Benjamin Rivers, co-owner of BancyCo

Posted on | by Link S

In this episode I speak with Benjamin Rivers, a developer with his wife under the studio BancyCo, makers of games such as Home, Alone With You, and Worse Than Death based out of Toronto, Canada

Start – 5:00 – Introductions and the Toronto game dev scene

5:00 – 19:00 – We talk about how Benjamin got into game development as well as their experiences getting their first game onto Steam and any advice he could offer to those looking to get into it based on his experiences

19:00 – 28:30 – We talk about Benjamin’s comics (Or more specifically manga) and his love for them and how they have influenced him.

28:30 – 35:15 – We talk more about manga and what series Benjamin might recommend to people

35:15 – 42:30 – We talk about Benjamin’s favorite game when he was younger

42:30 – 50:00 – We discuss what Benjamin enjoys with games

50:00 – 57:15 – We talk about Benjamin’s favorite comfort games

57:15 – 1:03:15 – We talk about Act Raiser’s new remake being announced

1:03:15 – End – Wrap Up

To learn more about what Benjamin Rivers and BancyCo is up to, check out their Linktree at https://linktr.ee/BenjaminRivers

Be sure to follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RedTunicPodcast for the latest updates about the podcast, guests, and other game related things

Episode 21 – Conversation with level designer Marc-Andre Hetu Reflector

Posted on | by Link S

In this episode I speak with Marc-Andre Hetu, a level designer that has worked on many games, that has worked on Marvel Avengers as well as the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy and is now currently for Reflector Studios out of Montreal

Start – 3:45 – Introductions

3:45 – 12:30 – I ask Marc-Andre to explain level design to me, and those that might not really fully understand it as well as his views on it, why he enjoys it, and what he aims to do with it.

12:30 – 16:30 – Marc-Andre talks about how he got into level design and working on games and advice he might be able to share based on his experiences

16:30 – 23:30 – We discuss Marc’s favorite video game from when he was younger, and we spend some time discussing that game.

23:30 – 29:00 – I ask Marc if there is a more recent game he’s played that has absolutely wow’d him for it’s level design and what game that might be

29:00 – 31:15 – We talk about what makes gaming enjoyable to Marc

31:15 – 42:30 – We talk about Marc’s favorite role playing game

37:45 – 37:45 – I ask Marc if there are any level design things he sees that he isn’t a fan of and we discuss what those are and why he feels they aren’t the greatest

42:30 – 47:45 – I ask Marc if there is any level design things he sees that he really enjoys and thinks works well

47:45 – 52:45 – I ask Marc what his comfort game is and what he can always play and feel good playing

52:45 – 56:45 – I turn the floor over to Marc and he shares some recommendations on how to find/pick some games and suggests people look into indie games

56:45 – End – Wrap up

You can see more of what Marc-Andre has worked on by viewing him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-andre-hetu-366a0915/

Learn more about Reflector by checking them out at https://www.reflectorentertainment.com/

Be sure to follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RedTunicPodcast for the latest updates about the podcast, guests, and other game related things

Episode 20 – Conversation with indie game developer @GammaFoxTBG

Posted on | by Link S

In this episode I speak with indie game developer and constant Game Jam jammer GammeFoxTBG

Start – 4:00 – Introductions

4:00 – 13:00 – Gamma talks about the game jam scene and how he got into it as well as the games he has worked on and the approach to them

13:00 – 26:30 – We talk about Gamma’s favourite game as a child and what it was about that game they enjoyed, transitioning into discussing playing games with friends and how they are enjoyed, and other games they enjoy while also having a love hate relationship with them.

26:30 – 36:00 – We talk about what makes games enjoyable to Gamma and shift into discussing the joy that can come from solving an open ended problem in games like Factorio

36:00 – 42:15 – We discuss what kind of games Gamma is enjoying currently and what he likes about Rogue-Likes

42:15 – 57:30 – We talk about the Game Jam scene and why they enjoys participating in them and why they feel they are important to look into

57:30 – End – Wrap up with some words of encouragement from Gamma

To learn more about Gamma, check out his twitter @GammaFoxTBG

To check out some of Gamma’s games, check out his itch page gammafoxtbg.itch.io

Or alternatively you can check out their webpage for more information about them gammafoxtbg.com

Check out the below itch io links to learn more about Gamma’s collaborators

struuuudel.itch.io

arkanpixel.itch.io

fer-i.itch.io

alejandrophz.itch.io

Be sure to follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RedTunicPodcast for the latest updates about the podcast, guests, and other game related things

Episode 19 – Conversation with Yacht Club artist, Sandy Gordon @Bandygrass

Posted on | by Link S

In this episode I speak with Yacht Club artist, Sandy Gordon.

Start – 5:00 – Introductions

5:00 – 16:30 – Sandy talks about how they got into pixel art and his journey from the arts, to design, to living briefly in Japan, before finding and getting into pixel art.

16:30 – 21:15- I ask Sandy if he has any advice he can give those looking to get into pixel art and animation

21:15 – 26:00 – We talk about Sandy’s favorite game from when he was younger and what makes that game so special for him.

26:00 – 32:15 – We talk about what makes gaming enjoyable to Sandy and how he enjoys gaming now

32:15 – 40:00 – We talk about what games Sandy has been enjoying now as well as what makes him enjoy games from From Software.

40:00 – 44:30 – Wrapping up

44:30 – End – Closing

To learn more about Sandy, follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Bandygrass where you can also find a link to his animation tutorials

Be sure to follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RedTunicPodcast for the latest updates about the podcast, guests, and other game related things

Episode 18 – Conversation with Discrete Infinity, developer of Immaculate Drag @DscreteNfinity

Posted on | by Link S

In this episode I speak with Discrete Infinity, solo developer of Immaculate Drag, narrative designer, and contributor to many previous games and projects.

Start – 5:15 – Introductions

5:15 – 14:00 – We talk about his first real introduction to video games with Myst as well as his families involvement in gaming in the wake of Myst.

14:00 – 24:00 – Discrete Infinity explains how they got into narrative design… And how that influence really stems from DnD

24:00 – 34:00 – We discuss what people can do if they are looking to try and become narrative designers in the industry

34:00 – 39:30 – We discuss their favorite game as a child and why

39:30 – 51:00 – We discuss their current favorite games and then on to discussing games like Pathologic and what they like from Ice Pick Lodge.

51:00 – 1:07:00 – We discuss their view on the current landscape for fandom and interactions with fans. Their view on the indie development scene.

1:07:00 – 1:20:00 – We dig a little deeper and discuss the communities surrounding bigger and smaller companies and how there is a tendency to see people dehumanize those working at larger communities, disregarding them being just as passionate about their projects.

1:20:00 – 1:24:00 – We discuss their game a little more

1:24:00 – End – Closing up

To learn more about The Immaculate Drag, be sure to check them out on twitter at https://twitter.com/DscreteNfinity

Be sure to follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RedTunicPodcast for the latest updates about the podcast, guests, and other game related things

Episode 17 – Conversation with Necropolis Suite developer at Freesphere, Mark Gregory @markgregory_

Posted on | by Link S

In this episode I speak Freesphere studio head and Necropolis Suite developer Mark Gregory

Start – 3:45 Introductions

3:45 – 5:45 – We discuss Mark’s transition from doing editorial work to video game development.

5:45 – 10:15 – We discuss Mark experimenting with modding if he found any learning experiences, as well as the benefit of constructive criticism from your peers and those looking to help.

10:15 – 18:45 – We discuss what kind of advice Mark would give others based on his experiences and what he’s learned and related topics.

18:45 – 24:45 – We talk about Marks favorite game(s) when he was younger, and discuss Resident Evil

24:45 – 30:15 – We talk about what makes gaming enjoyable to Mark and how he came into liking the SoulsBorne games

30:15 – 37:30 – We talk about Mark just getting into the Rogue-Like genre and the genre as a whole.

37:30 – 43:00 – Mark answers my question on what immersive sim he might recommend to people.

43:00 – 55:15 – We talk the current state of the industry at the time of recording as the Blizzard Activision news had just dropped.

55:15 – 1:05:05 – We talk about the game Mark and Freesphere are currently working on

1:05:05 – End – Closing

To learn more about Freesphere follow them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Freesphere_ or at their site at https://www.freesphere.uk/

To learn more about Necropolis Suite follow them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NecropolisSuite or at their site at https://www.necropolissuite.com/

To learn more about Mark Gregory, follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/markgregory_

Be sure to follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RedTunicPodcast for the latest updates about the podcast, guests, and other game related things

Episode 16 – Conversation with Glitched developer at EnHouseStudios, Nikko @EnHouseStudios

Posted on | by Link S

In this episode I speak with Nikko, developer at EnHouse Studios currently working on the game Glitched.

Start – 2:00 – Introductions

2:00 – 7:30 – We discuss the essence system in Glitched and how it works and why he wanted to do this

7:30 – 16:30 – We discuss how, and what, got Nikko into game development, as well as advice he can share based on his experiences. We also touch on the Kickstarter projects that were used for the game.

16:30 – 23:00 – We discuss Nikko’s favorite game from his childhood and why. We drift into touching on positive nostalgia and the benefits they have.

23:00 – 28:45 – We talk Pokemon

28:45 – 41:15 – We discuss what makes gaming enjoyable to him, and how he enjoys it now.

41:15 – 1:02:00 – We discuss the current landscape of games fandom, and interactions with the fans and community. As well as the topic of Steam reviews, and how it’s easier to fall victim to being more negative about games instead of what is positive when it comes to discussing, or reviewing them.

1:02:00 – 1:06:45 – I turn the floor over to Nikko

1:06:45 – End – Closing

Follow me on Twitter for more updates https://twitter.com/RedTunicPodcast

Check out the below links to learn more about Nikko, and the games he recommended!

Twitter https://twitter.com/EnHouseStudios

Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/594230

Discord: http://discord.gg/xTUWpPK

Nikko on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/neckboi

RPG Maker Games that Nikko Mentioned

Yume Nikki – https://rpgmaker.fandom.com/wiki/Yume_Nikki

Off – https://rpgmaker.fandom.com/wiki/Off

Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass – https://rpgmaker.fandom.com/wiki/Jimmy_and_the_Pulsating_Mass

Episode 15 – Conversation with Ducky Dev, John Szymanski @Ducky_Szymanski

Posted on | by Link S

In this episode I speak with John Szymanski, developer of Rubber Ducky, Kyle is Famous, Charlotte’s Exile (As part of the Dread X Collection), and currently working on MFN and EvoMorphs.

Start – 1:30 – Introduction

1:30 – 5:45 – John and I discuss odd jobs, and odd questions.

5:45 – 12:30 – We discuss Kyle is Famous and, basically, why it exists. As well as it’s sequel/complete version has in store.

12:30 – 28:30 – We discuss what got John into making games and advice from his experiences he might have to share with others looking to get into the field.

28:30 – 38:30 – We discuss John’s favorite video games and as a child and what they were and branch into a discussion about point and click games such as Myst.

38:30 – 46:30 – We discuss what makes gaming enjoyable to John and whether gaming as a family played any part of it

46:30 – End – I turn the floor over to John where we discuss some of his other projects in brief, specifically Evomorphs a tactics based monster collecting game, and his currently untitled MFN game that is better left to check out his Twitter for more information on.

Check out the below links for information about John and what his projects are

Check John out on Twitter at twitter.com/Ducky_Szymanski

Check out the game John and Evan are working on, Evomorphs https://twitter.com/evomorphs

Join the Evomorphs Discord to learn more about it’s devlopment and chat with others about Evomorphs http://discord.gg/TPNFGCd