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The Secret Lives of Games

The Secret Lives of Games

The Secret Lives of Games · Nick Suttner

271 episodesENExplicit

Show overview

The Secret Lives of Games has been publishing since 2018, and across the 8 years since has built a catalogue of 271 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode. That works out to roughly 440 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.

Episodes typically run over ninety minutes — most land between 1h 22m and 1h 44m — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. Roughly 24% of episodes carry an explicit flag from the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Leisure show.

The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 days ago, with 17 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 64 episodes published. Published by Nick Suttner.

Episodes
271
Running
2018–2026 · 8y
Median length
1h 30m
Cadence
Fortnightly

From the publisher

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

Latest Episodes

View all 271 episodes

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

May 15, 20261h 18m

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

May 9, 20261h 29m

All Systems Brough - Corrypt

May 3, 20261h 56m

TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 5

Apr 30, 20261h 34m

TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 4

Apr 24, 20261h 42m

TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 3

Apr 18, 20261h 28m

TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 2

Apr 10, 20261h 33m

156: Filling Buckets with Tonda Ros (Blue Prince)

Apr 10, 20262h 3m

TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 1

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) 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

Apr 3, 20261h 35m

All Systems Brough - Zaga-33

E

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 https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/04/zaga-33.html 868-BACK (Next Fest demo on February 23rd, 2026!) https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/ Michael Brough's Website https://www.smestorp.com/ The Besties https://www.themcelroy.family/podcasts/besties/ Post Games https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/post-games/id1815131711 Rand's Zaga-33 Guide https://discord.com/channels/690388280767807518/1442555333091262566/1475568523018371295 Drop7 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drop7 Desert Golfing https://store.steampowered.com/app/757040/Desert_Golfing/ 7 Day Roguelike (7DRL) version of Zaga-33 https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/03/7drl-zaga-33.html Assorted comments on Zaga-33 https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/05/zaga-33-assorted-comments.html Blog about scoring in games https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/05/score-comment-threads-dominant.html Brick101 Review of all 36 combo powers in Zaga-33 https://brick101.com/reviewing-all-36-combo-powers-in-zaga-33/ Blog about iOS sale numbers https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/06/ios-sale-numbers.html Follow-up blog on iOS sales numbers https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/06/because-we-may-results.html Blog on zaga, score, expressivity, and personality https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/08/zaga-score-expressivity-personality.html Blog on creating advancement in roguelikes https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2013/03/7drl-day-2.html 7 Day Roguelike website https://7drl.com/ PRACTICE 2013: Michael Brough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4iswqa8r-Q https://secretlives.games/ https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow

Apr 1, 20261h 35m

155: GDC 2026 LIVE Special!

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 Discussed in this episode: Scripto https://scripto.live/ 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 https://dustbiters.com/ Tooth and Tail https://store.steampowered.com/app/286000/Tooth_and_Tail/ Brogue https://sites.google.com/site/broguegame/ Caves of Qud https://www.cavesofqud.com/ Monaco 2 https://store.steampowered.com/app/1063030/Monaco_2/ https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog

Mar 23, 20261h 29m

154: Gathering Community with Ben Rausch and Anja Venter (Playtopia)

E

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! Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Discussed in this episode: Playtopia Festival https://playtopiafestival.co.za/about/ Shroom and Gloom https://teamlazerbeam.itch.io/shroom-and-gloom Jamming to map creative scenes and practices by Anya Venter https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02681102.2023.2281423 A MAZE Festival https://2026.amaze-berlin.de/ The future of public game arts festivals and non-commercial games culture by Robert Yang https://www.blog.radiator.debacle.us/2026/02/the-future-of-public-game-arts.html Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant https://grants.draknek.org/ Don't Get Your Hopes Up https://store.steampowered.com/app/3795490/Dont_Get_Your_Hopes_Up/ boshi's place https://boshis.place/events/ Glitch City https://glitch.city/ Blood on the Clocktower https://bloodontheclocktower.com/?country=US Pro Jank Footy https://store.steampowered.com/app/3621330/Pro_Jank_Footy/ Plum Road Tea Dream https://store.steampowered.com/app/3206340/Plum_Road_Tea_Dream/ Plum Road Tea Dream (Performance) https://plum-road-tea-dream.com/#performance Dressmaker https://store.steampowered.com/app/4019220/Dressmaker/ Cozy Lives Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cozylivesgames/reels/ Free Lives Discord https://discord.com/invite/freelives Sex with Friends https://store.steampowered.com/agecheck/app/3407070/ Wee Boats https://store.steampowered.com/app/3578080/Wee_Boats/ Relooted https://store.steampowered.com/app/3255890/Relooted/ Cadence https://store.steampowered.com/app/362800/Cadence/ Starfriends https://starfriends.online Playtopia 2025 Showcased Games https://playtopiafestival.co.za/games-2025/ https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog

Mar 18, 20262h 6m

153: Returning to the Wasteland with Jan Willem Nijman, Joonas Turner, and Jukio Kallio (Nuclear Throne)

E

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 https://nuclearthrone.com/ Controls You Can Feel: Putting Tactility Back Into Touch Controls https://youtu.be/OIOitNx9RHI?si=vcV3GCcsiy1W4Efr Spelunky https://www.spelunkyworld.com/ Shoot First https://www.indiedb.com/games/shoot-first Crimsonland https://www.crimsonland.com/ Downwell https://downwellgame.com/ Tormentor x Punisher https://tormentorxpunisher.com/ PAPERHEAD https://store.steampowered.com/app/2680280/PAPERHEAD/ Jukio's Bandcamp https://jukiokallio.bandcamp.com/ https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog

Mar 6, 20261h 52m

All Systems Brough - Kompendium

E

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 https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/06/kompendium.html 868-BACK (Next Fest demo on February 23rd, 2026!) https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/ Michael Brough's Website https://www.smestorp.com/ Liz's talk at boshi's place (Brooklyn, NYC | February 19th, 2026) https://boshis.place/events/26-02-20-boshi-s-lecture-series-presents-liz-ryerson https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2702430653 Harry's work https://hellothisismy.website/work/ Kompendium IGF judge feedback https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/04/kompendium-igf-feedback.html Mutual learning blog post https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/04/mutual-learning-aesthetic-for.html Metagaming: Playing, Competing, Spectating, Cheating, Trading, Making, and Breaking Videogames by Stephanie Boluk and Patrick LeMieux https://www.upress.umn.edu/9780816687169/metagaming/ Multicolor Alien Olympic https://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/node/2970 Glitch Tank https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2011/12/glitch-tank.html Being good at Glitch Tank blog post https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2013/05/being-good-at-glitch-tank.html At a Distance by Terry Cavanagh https://distractionware.com/atadistance/ Brough on iOS sale numbers https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/06/ios-sale-numbers.html Garbage In, Garbage Out https://jonathanwhiting.com/games/garbagein/press.html Exuberant Struggle http://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2011/02/exuberant-struggle.html Brough writing on zero sum nature of 1v1 games https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2011/10/two-player-lessons.html TIGSource Versus Competition https://www.tigsource.com/versus-competition/ TIGSource Versus Competition Rules https://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=17083.0 TIGSource Versus Competition 2011 Voting https://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=18424.0 TIGSource Versus Competition 2011 Winner (0space by Beau) https://www.tigsource.com/2011/03/31/tigcompo-winner-0space/ 0space itch download https://teknopants.itch.io/0space Jesus vs Dinosaurs https://grapefrukt.itch.io/jesus-vs-dinosaurs The Impossible Reversal by Peter McDonald https://www.upress.umn.edu/9781517916220/the-impossible-reversal/ Run and Jump: The Meaning of the 2D Platformer https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262547390/run-and-jump/ A Is To B As B Is To C https://bocpages.org/wiki/A_Is_To_B_As_B_Is_To_C Chesh https://www.damiansgames.com/chesh Brough's blog post about O https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/10/o.html Brough on the new year (circa 2012) https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-year-cleansing.html Side By Side S1 E3: Kompendium https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWScEl_DbpM Earthrise One https://www.earthrise.one/ Miscellaneous Two Player iPad Games https://eriksvedang.wordpress.com/shoot/ https://rustymoyher.com/press/bloop/ https://secretlives.games/ https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow

Feb 21, 20262h 42m

152: Walking Over It with Gabe Cuzzillo and Bennett Foddy (Baby Steps)

E

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 https://www.babystepsgame.com/ Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111942/ My Summer Car https://store.steampowered.com/app/516750/My_Summer_Car/ zk map (for stranger) https://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/node/11388 La belle noiseuse (1991) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101428/ Kelly Reichardt https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0716980/ Perfect Days (2023) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27503384/ The Taste of Things (2023) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19760052/ NYU Game Center Lecture Series Presents Jane Ng https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yWIoRuwpm0 DESPELOTE: FIFTH TRAILER (now on nintendo switch) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MXKlgMZ3Jc The Love That Remains (2025) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33381401/ Solo (Australian ad) 1983 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCkz0JsaU8k Solo Man ad, Australia 1986 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T3RS78Tp58 Solo (Australian ad) 1984 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_1nZZrv8aU Frog Detective 3 https://store.steampowered.com/app/1171320/Frog_Detective_3_Corruption_at_Cowboy_County/ https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog

Feb 13, 20262h 59m

All Systems Brough - Vertex Dispenser

E

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 https://store.steampowered.com/app/102400/Vertex_Dispenser/ Michael Brough's Website https://www.smestorp.com/ Four color theorem https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_color_theorem Graph coloring https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graph_coloring Starcraft II https://starcraft2.blizzard.com/en-us/ Splatoon https://splatoon.nintendo.com/ Dota 2 https://www.dota2.com/home Droqen's rare color graph/explanation https://discord.com/channels/690388280767807518/1442554518092120186/1465039921147412510 lots of michael brough games https://smestorp.itch.io/lots-of-michael-brough-games The Sense of Connectedness https://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=16151.0 Kompendium https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/06/kompendium.html The End of Gameplay https://droqen.itch.io/the-end-of-gameplay Utopia Clicker https://tinysubversions.com/game/utopia/ A Jackpot of Skulls https://brainfruit.studio/games/jackpot _update() Jam https://adamatomic.itch.io/update-jam https://secretlives.games/ https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow

Jan 30, 20261h 52m

151: Games of the Year 2025

E

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! Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Our GOTY Picks (SPOILERS!): ~~~~~~~~~ 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 Immersipedia https://eggplant.show/ https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog

Jan 8, 20263h 55m

All Systems Brough - 868-HACK

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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 https://www.smestorp.com/ XPerience Studios https://xperiencestudios.org/ "King Me": A Defense of King-Making in Board Game Design https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UraJElx1ebg Leder Games https://ledergames.com/ Wehrlegig Games https://wehrlegig.com/ 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 https://vivafringe.wordpress.com/2017/07/20/lets-spoil-868-hacks-secret-level-and-talk-about-good-secrets-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 https://secretlives.games/ https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog

Dec 19, 20252h 7m

150: Making It Great with Kimmo Lahtinen (Sektori)

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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 https://www.rezinfinite.com/ 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 https://www.adventure.game/ https://secretlives.games https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog

Dec 12, 20251h 22m

Into the Depths: Caves of Qud Finale

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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 https://bsky.app/profile/unormal.bsky.social Warm static – Official Caves of Qud wiki https://wiki.cavesofqud.com/wiki/Warm_static Independent Games Summit: What Even is 1.0?: Indefinite Early Access and Live Development https://gdcvault.com/play/1035081/Independent-Games-Summit-What-Even End-to-End Procedural Generation in Caves of Qud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV-DZqdKlnE Tile-Based Map Generation using Wave Function Collapse in 'Caves of Qud' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdCgi9E90jw Caves of Qud Discord https://discord.com/invite/cavesofqud Eris – Girsh Illustration https://www.reddit.com/r/cavesofqud/comments/1n449aw/girsh_qas_and_qon/ A Mythopoetic Interface Reading of Caves of Qud (Roguelike Celebration 2025) https://www.youtube.com/live/UQNfH9pKWd4?si=jFy9VTRZzLPJHn4W&t=1091 Sproggiwood https://store.steampowered.com/app/311720/Sproggiwood/ Slav Epic Paintings by Alphonse Mucha https://www.muchafoundation.org/en/gallery/themes/theme/slav-epic https://secretlives.games/ https://bsky.app/profile/secretlivesofgames.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/eggplantshow http://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog (full rebrand still in progress, lol)

Nov 26, 20253h 54m
The Secret Lives of Games 2018-2026