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Date
Titre
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10 Dec 2024
Building Random Trivia Generator: From Hobby to Household Name
00:45:50
Slavi Grozev, the creator of Random Trivia Generator. Slavi, originally an acoustic engineer, shares his journey of developing the popular trivia website, discussing his inspiration from long drives and quiz bowls during his time at engineering school. Despite having a full-time job and family commitments, Slavi dedicates time daily to update and evolve the platform. The conversation delves into Slavi's approach to building the site, handling user submissions, and future plans for new features. The episode also highlights Slavi's philosophy on user interaction, design focus, and the challenges of monetizing a passion project while keeping it accessible.
Check out Slavi's Resources: https://www.randomtriviagenerator.com/ https://twitter.com/randomtrivia https://www.facebook.com/randomtriviagenerator
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(00:00) - Introduction and Early Marketing Challenges
(00:22) - Podcast Welcome and Listener Engagement
(01:36) - Interview with Slavi Grozev Begins
(02:24) - Slavi's Favorite Game: Heroes of Might and Magic
(04:55) - Career Journey: From Chemical to Noise Engineer
(08:23) - The Birth of Random Trivia Generator
(11:36) - Building and Growing the Trivia Platform
(17:03) - User Engagement and Content Creation
(21:56) - Future Features and Enhancements
(22:28) - Early Growth and Viral Moments
(23:59) - Impact of the Pandemic
(26:30) - Acquisition Offers and Business Decisions
BONUS: How To Earn a Living From Your Game, How Game Creators are Using AI, and more
00:37:00
We're back with Joseph, Nate, and Aaron! They discuss the past 12 episodes of the podcasts, what stood out from our conversations, how game creators earn a living from their games, and the differences between creators.
The conversation ends with reflections on the progress of their business, Hey Good Game, and its growth strategy in buying and building games.
From Crosswords to Squeezy: Jeff Chen's Creative Adventure
00:50:31
Episode 16: Today's episode features an interview with Jeff Chen, the creator of the new game Squeezy, discussing his journey in creating the game, his experience in puzzle making and writing, including the challenges and successes. Jeff also shares his writing experience and the upcoming puzzle book collaboration with Stuart Gibbs. He emphasizes the importance of persistence, listening to feedback, and living with frustration for aspiring game creators.
Check out the games and resources from this episode:
How to Build and Launch Successful Web Games Using AI
00:44:21
Daniel Tait is a prolific indie game developer who has created several popular puzzle games, including Mathler, CrossWordle, and Sumplete. Despite not considering himself a professional programmer, Daniel has a knack for quickly building and launching games that capture players' attention.
In this episode, we explore Daniel's journey from tinkering with games as a kid to becoming a successful indie developer.
He shares insights on:
How he created Mathler, his breakout hit inspired by Wordle, using an open-source clone and basic math equations
His approach to rapidly prototyping and launching games, often spending just a weekend to get an MVP out
Leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT to overcome technical challenges and generate unique puzzles
The pros and cons of selling some of his most popular games
His latest project, WordNerd.co, which aims to be a hub for word game enthusiasts
You'll learn:
Why Daniel prefers to launch games quickly and imperfectly rather than polishing them extensively
How he uses domain name availability to influence game ideas (23 Words came from 23words.com being available!)
His simple but effective launch strategy using Hacker News and Reddit
The importance of building games you enjoy playing yourself
The Wiki Game is a fun, web-based game that connects two random Wikipedia article links. Alex shares his journey of how he started out, using concepts like six degrees of separation to create a game involving Wikipedia articles, and how it has steadily grown over the years to around 60,000 - 80,000 unique users a month. Despite challenges like hacking incidents and handling various user complaints, for Alex, the game remains a labor of love. He also talks about his ideas for the future of the game — a freemium model targeting larger private groups, the forthcoming launch of version 3, and how he has resisted using ads to fund the project.
GDC Unplugged: Our First Trip to the Game Developer Conference
00:13:11
Hey, Good Game podcast hosts Nate Kadlac and Aaron Kardell attend the GDC conference in San Francisco for the first time. They share their experiences at the event, interactions with different booths, and their plans for potential future participation.
Episode 27: Blake Harris is the acclaimed author of "Console Wars" and "The History of the Future." Blake shares his journey from a struggling screenwriter to a successful author, diving into the intense rivalry between Sega and Nintendo that defined a generation of gaming.
He reveals insights into the internal conflicts at Sega that contributed to their downfall and discusses the revolutionary impact of Oculus and virtual reality on the tech landscape.
Blake also offers a sneak peek into his upcoming book about comedy legend Larry David, creator of "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm," complete with humorous anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories. From the challenges of getting in touch with industry giants like Seth Rogen to the joys and struggles of writing about beloved cultural icons, this episode is packed with compelling stories and valuable lessons on persistence, research, and the art of storytelling.
Today we're excited to sit down with Richard Mann, the CEO and founder of Nerdle, a math game similar to Wordle. Richard discusses the development of Nerdle, the challenges of creating math games that are fun for kids, the game's advertising model, the launch of a new game called 2D Nerdle, and the importance of user feedback.
We also dive into how Nerdle is run as a family operation, and why many of the ideas for the game happen over dinner.
Building Word Games Without Frameworks With Cassidy Williams
00:47:13
Cassidy Williams is a prolific content creator, developer advocate, and builder. Aaron Kardell and Joseph Rueter discuss Jumblie—a word game inspired by a coding challenge—and Cassidy's previous games.
Cassidy shares her journey, the influence of her time in Spain, SEO, her love for board games like Agricola and Civ 6, and her stint as a mascot at Iowa State University.
Episode 15: In today's episode features an interview with Jeff Widderich, the president of Syndicated Puzzles, who discusses his background, experience on Dragon's Den, game creation, the challenges faced in the puzzle industry, and the future of game design. Widderich shares insights on the importance of spatial thinking, the necessity for new and innovative puzzles, the competitive nature of puzzles, and the potential for multi-solution puzzles. He emphasizes the need for game designers to remain independent and the significance of creativity in puzzle design. Additionally, he addresses the influence of trends, the struggle to break through in the game industry, and his perspectives on the Sudoku industry. Widderich also discusses geographic influences on his business and expresses his desire for new energy and innovation in the puzzle market.
Check out the games and resources from this episode:
From Side Project to 35,000 Monthly Users: The MathHeads Story
00:36:10
Aman Rawal and Ben Hollier, the minds behind MathHeads, a game designed to make mental math enjoyable. The conversation spans the development journey and multiplayer features of MathHeads, elaborating on backend challenges, user experience, and the game’s reception. It further explores strategies in managing a mix of game modes and user engagement through platforms like Discord. The discussion highlights marketing strategies leveraging Reddit and Google Ads, tackles the intricacies of monetization and infrastructure, and showcases unexpected collaboration opportunities, such as with the World Mental Calculation League.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Community Engagement: The importance of engaging with users through platforms like Discord. MathHeads utilized user feedback extensively to improve their site and gather data on user behavior.
Iterative Development: The value of releasing basic versions of the game to get early feedback and iterating based on user responses.
Monetization Challenges: The journey to monetizing the platform, including failed attempts with Google AdSense and deciding to build a larger user base before focusing heavily on monetization.
Backend Challenges: The complexities of developing real-time, head-to-head multiplayer functionalities and managing cross-platform issues (iOS vs. Android).
Partnerships and Accountability: Highlighting the importance of having a team or partners to stay accountable and motivated, which can be crucial for maintaining momentum in developmental projects.
User Personalization: Offering different game modes and difficulty levels to appeal to a wide range of users.
Networking and Exposure: Through community and organic growth, they came across various partnerships and opportunities, albeit some didn’t align perfectly with their current capabilities or goals.
Regular Updates and Communication: Ensuring to keep the user base informed about updates through regular communication on platforms like Discord.
Bridging the Word Gap: How Woogles is Revolutionizing Scrabble
00:46:59
Unlock the secrets of Scrabble with Woogles creators César Del Solar and Jesse Day, who join us to discuss the power of two-letter words and parallel plays that can transform your word game skills. As we chat with these Scrabble aficionados, we uncover not only their journeys into the world of competitive Scrabble but also how their diverse backgrounds and love for the game led to the inception of Woogles. Their friendly banter on topics from condiments to the platform's chess-inspired beginnings gives a glimpse into the camaraderie and passion fueling their successful, polished online presence, crafted when the world went virtual.
Episode 24: In this episode, explores the journey of Mark and Jeff Rogers, creators of Canuckle and Canoku games, inspired by Wordle. It delves into their background, game development process, hiatus, renewal with added features, community engagement strategies, collaborations with other game creators and notable organizations, partnerships for sponsorships and merchandise, future plans, and potential partnerships with entities like the New York Times' Wordle. The discussion also includes their use of AI, philanthropic endeavors, and lessons learned in promoting their games.
Josh Plotner is a renowned musician, producer, and arranger known for his work in films, TV, and video games. Based in New York, Josh has been a freelance musician for over a decade, specializing as a saxophonist and woodwind multi-instrumentalist.
At age three, Josh's journey began with a passion for saxophone, eventually expanding to other woodwind instruments. His versatility led him to Broadway, where he currently subs for The Lion King, playing 13 different flutes. This experience sparked his interest in world flutes, leading to a vast collection of instruments from various cultures.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How Josh transitioned from Broadway to video game music
The unique challenges and opportunities in video game music composition
Josh's approach to remote recording and building an online presence
The importance of flexibility and communication when working with clients
How Josh creates educational content to fill gaps in online resources for niche instruments
Josh shares insights on:
The similarities between flutes from different cultures
The impact of 3D printing on instrument manufacturing
Strategies for succeeding in the music industry, including networking and specialization
Join us as we delve into Jim Bumgardner's fascinating odyssey within the realms of coding and brainteasers. We explore his profound insights on the convergence of computers, music, and puzzle creation, alongside his clever utilization of Foursquare's capabilities which paved the way for his brainchild—the acclaimed puzzle hub—KrazyDad. Our chat also touches upon his confidence in AI's revolutionary impact across sectors, reflections on past revenue models via advertising, and the aspiration to draft a definitive guide on crafting puzzles. Amid the depth, we find moments of levity with tributes to "Star Battle" puzzles and entertaining tales from Jim's adventures in the music world.
“It's either Minesweeper or smoking, I can't write if I have to give up both.”
00:55:07
Episode 18: Today's episode join me and lets explore the fascinating journey of Minesweeper through an interview with Damien Moore, the visionary behind MinesweeperGame.com. Delve into the origins of Minesweeper, the celebrities who played this game, its evolution, strategic gameplay, online community, and the intricate mathematics that define this beloved game.
Episode 23: In this episode, we dive deep into the creative process behind the game WordPeaks with its creator, Devin Spikowski. Discover the inspirations, design decisions, and the unique journey from concept to a game enjoyed by thousands.
From Angry Birds to Escape Rooms: The Game Design Journey of Johannes Ahvenniemi
00:38:21
Johannes Ahvenniemi, a seasoned mobile gaming industry professional with a diverse portfolio, including working on hits like Best Fiends and Angry Birds. Johannes shares how his interest in games started at a very young age, inspired by his brother. He discusses his passion for creating quality games without ads, his consulting work, and innovative projects like escape puzzle magazines and Sudoku solvers.
Johannes also shares his experiences working at top companies like Seriously Digital and Rovio Entertainment and founding Papukaija to make games for underserved audiences. Tune in to learn more about his unconventional journey and ambitious future projects.
Brian Reynolds, co-owner of The Bridge Teachers, brings a unique blend of creativity and gaming expertise to the world of bridge instruction. As an actor, writer, and director, Brian partnered with his wife Samantha to transform bridge education through their subscription-based platform thebridgeteachers.com.
Key takeaways include: - Their innovative approach to teaching bridge through accessible online content - The transition from personal instruction to scalable digital education - The potential market of 37 million bridge players in the U.S. - Their mission to modernize bridge education and attract younger players - The cognitive health benefits of regular bridge playing
Building Games at the NY Times: Interview With Jeff Petriello
01:06:03
Episode 26: Jeff Petriello, a game producer at the New York Times and a game design educator at NYU Game Center, shares his unique journey from producing movies to producing games played by millions of people.
Go behind the scenes at the New York Times, learn what it's like to shepherd hits like Wordle, and create games from scratch like Strands.
Working closely with the New Games Squad and the Gameplay Squad, Jeff shares what inspires him, his teaching experiences, and the significant role of games in building social connections.
This episode is filled with valuable insights for aspiring game designers and enthusiasts alike.
Kings, Pawns, and Coders: Turning Passion into Chessworld.net
00:54:59
Our recent chat with the creators of ChessWorld pushes the edges on what you might know about correspondence-style Chess as a game. Tryfon (aka Kingscrusher) and his brother Nick share how maintaining ChessWorld allows them to pursue a passion for playing chess while also earning a living. They talk about how Tryfon’s enjoyment of chess guided the development of the platform, his approach to running Chessworld.net on an ad-free, subscription-based model, and how his experiences in online gaming have influenced his strategies and learning in chess.
Building Multiplayer Card Games: Insights from CardsJD.com
00:50:42
Jimmy Dickinson, the creator of CardsJD.com. Jimmy shares his journey from early console gaming to becoming a full-time indie developer, shedding light on the unique challenges of building multiplayer games. The discussion covers his transition from Intel to game development, offering insights into successful platform ports and the importance of versatile coding skills. James emphasizes marketing strategies, including App Store Optimization (ASO) and Search Engine Optimization (SEO), alongside his rebranding journey for better platform recognition.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Game Development Insights: They will hear about Jimmy Dickinson’s journey in game development, including his move from corporate jobs to full-time indie development.
Challenges in Multiplayer Game Development: Jimmy discusses the intricacies and challenges, especially around maintaining chat and player interactions in multiplayer games.
Entrepreneurship and Game Monetization: Insights into Jimmy's entrepreneurial mindset, strategies for monetizing games without disrupting player experience, and the balance between in-app purchases and ads.
Community Building: Learn about Jimmy's emphasis on community building, from running chess tournaments to managing Facebook groups effectively.
Technical Aspects and SEO Strategy: How Jimmy deals with technical challenges such as implementing leaderboards, optimizing for different platforms (iOS, Android), and his strategies for SEO to increase game visibility.
Innovative Problem Solving: Hear about Jimmy’s unique approach to solving various problems with innovative tools, making offline functionalities more robust, and how he leverages his coding skills.
The Art of Voice Acting in Video Games and the AI Challenge with Keythe Farley
00:46:59
Keythe talks about the resurgence of pinball games, his favorite video games over the years, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the industry. The conversation delves into the ethical implications of AI, voice cloning, and the importance of fair compensation for voice actors.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Keythe shares his history with video games, from his early days playing pinball and arcade games like Pac-Man to more recent titles like Tomb Raider and Red Dead Redemption.
Keythe shares personal anecdotes and reflections, offering a holistic view of the life of a voice actor. His experiences illustrate the passion and dedication required to succeed in this field.
Reflecting on his experiences in motion capture and performance capture, Keythe highlights how these technologies enhance storytelling but also bring additional challenges for actors to accurately convey physical and emotional nuances.
Keythe shares insights on:
Voice acting for video games involves understanding and performing for multiple storylines and outcomes simultaneously.
Every project can have a different recording schedule.
Successful voice acting requires both technical skills (like clear enunciation) and emotional availability, as actors rely solely on their voice to convey the full depth of their character.
The industry is constantly evolving, and voice actors need to stay updated with new technologies and methodologies while ensuring fair compensation and ethical considerations.
Garry Schyman, a renowned composer for film, television, and video games. Garry shares insights from his prolific career, discusses the intricacies of game scoring, and offers valuable advice on creativity and composing. He also delves into his experiences teaching at USC, the impact of AI on the music industry, and the joy of working on games like Bioshock and Dante’s Inferno. This episode is a deep dive into the world of game music composition and the evolving landscape of the industry.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Always Do Your Best Work: Garry highlights the importance of always putting your best effort into every project, as you never know who will hear it and what opportunities might come from it.
Understanding the Project's Needs: Learn how Garry navigates the process of defining the musical needs for a game or film, balancing client expectations with creative experimentation.
AI as a Tool or Threat: Understand Garry’s perspective on the role of AI in music composition, seeing it as a possible tool for creativity but also a threat to traditional compositional work.
Teaching and Mentoring: Appreciate the value of mentorship and education through Garry’s experiences teaching aspiring composers at USC.
Scoring Hell: Enjoy intriguing stories from Garry's career, like the unique experience of scoring for Dante’s Inferno and recording at the famed Abbey Road Studios.
From Rubik's Cube Champion to Game Development: Toby Mao's Journey
00:33:27
Are you ready to step into the intriguing world of game development, entrepreneurship, and the pursuit of excellence? Let me welcome you to a captivating conversation with Toby Mao, the driving force behind 18XX Games and a Rubik's Cube record holder. His diverse journey weaves through the set of Pursuit of Happiness with Will Smith, creating 18XX games, to leading roles at Airbnb and Netflix, and now, co-founding Tobiko Data. Toby's relentless passion for excellence, his exciting career path, and his remarkable ability to excel in various fields will leave you inspired.
How to Level Up Your Chess Game: Building ChessHub.com
00:31:13
David Ngo is the creator of ChessHub.com and a software engineer at Amazon. They delve into David's background in software development, his passion for chess, and the creation and evolution of ChessHub.com. David shares insights into game development, user feedback, and the challenges and triumphs he faced. They also discuss domain acquisition, monetization strategies, and future features aimed at improving the chess learning experience for users.
Right before the New York Times announced they acquired Wordle in the low-mid seven figures, Aaron attempted to buy Wordle, and wordle.com. Listen to Aaron's story on why he started building games, and how that led to his attempt to purchase the popular daily word game that took the world by storm.
How close did he get? Listen and find out!
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(00:00) - Introduction to the Hey, Good Game Podcast
(01:17) - The Unstoppable Rise of Wordle
(02:12) - Aaron's Journey into Game Development
(06:38) - The Evolution of Online Game Monetization
(13:24) - The Attempt to Acquire Wordle
(29:14) - Reflections and the Future of Daily Brainy Games
Behind the Success of KenKen: An Interview with Robert Fuhrer
01:17:40
Robert Fuhrer explores his years-long journey in the toy and game industry in this interview. He reminisces about the many experiences that shaped his career from early exposure to the toy industry, his first creation, his various partnerships and ventures and how he ended up being the owner of the popular puzzle game, KenKen. His journey reflects the crucial importance of relationships in business, being outspoken about opportunities, and taking on ventures with undefined outcomes. Fuhrer also talks about his experience with marketing and fiercely competitive business models and gives some sage advice to aspiring game developers.
Tetris, Chess, and Go: Martin Grider’s Indie Game Design Playbook
00:43:48
Martin's journey in game development, starting from his early days as a web developer to his current focus on iOS mobile applications. Martin shares his thoughts on AI in game development, his preferences for using Swift and Godot over Unity, and his experience with board game conversions and licensing.
Martin also delves into his design philosophy, the challenges of monetizing games in the App Store, and his latest game projects, including a Zelda-ish 2D story-based game.
Say Yes to Creativity: Tracy Fullerton's 10-Year Project
00:58:30
Episode 28: Tracy Fullerton is a pioneering game designer, educator, and USC Games Program Director emeritus. The conversation covers Tracy's extensive career in game design, her creation of the game 'Walden,' and her unique approach to blending philosophy with gameplay.
Tracy opens up about the decade-long development of 'Walden,' the challenges and joys of translating Thoreau's philosophies into an immersive experience, and her experiences mentoring the next generation of game designers.
We talk about why you shouldn't say "No," the intricacies of player emotional experience goals, and the importance of being a passionate and generous designer.
Contexto: From Side Project to Full-Time Game Creator
00:45:42
Nildo Jr., known for the word-guessing game Contexto. Nildo discusses his inspiration from tech and mathematics, his migration to Norway, and the development of Contexto during the pandemic. He also shares insights into the challenges of maintaining the game, the importance of user feedback, and the educational potential of games.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Follow Your Passion and Curiosity: His fascination with algorithms and AI, leading him to create Contexto, highlights how following your interests can lead to significant accomplishments.
Importance of Simplifying User Experience: Nildo discussed the challenges of simplifying Semantle to make it more accessible, eventually leading to the creation of Contexto.
Creating Engaging and Shareable Content: One critical feature Nildo emphasized was the shareability of game results. This aspect was crucial for the game's success as it encouraged users to spread the word, leading to organic growth through social media and word-of-mouth.
Handling Feedback: Learning to handle both positive and negative feedback is essential. Positive feedback might be less frequent but recognizing that negative feedback can provide areas for improvement is vital.
Iterative Development and Continuous Improvement: The importance of continual iteration and improvement of games was highlighted, especially how feedback from users directly influenced the design and features of Contexto and other games.
Educational Value of Games: Nildo strongly believes in the educational impact of games. His desire to see his games used in educational environments showcases how digital entertainment can have a significant educational aspect.
Risk Management and Full-Time Commitment: Transitioning from a secure job to making game development his full-time occupation required careful consideration and personal growth, illustrating the need to balance risk management with pursuing one's passion.
Community and Social Play: The social aspect of games was a recurrent theme, where Nildo shared stories of people playing Contexto with family, friends, and coworkers. This social engagement adds an additional layer of enjoyment and connection among players.
Shaping Words with Grant Warman: The Story of Polygonle
00:40:40
Episode 20: Grant Warman, the creator of Polygonle and Quadragonal word games, discussing the game mechanics, user feedback, collaboration with other games, and plans for future projects.
Turning $30 Into $25,000 a Month with Online Solitaire
00:53:29
Get ready to unlock the mysteries of game development and indie hacking as we entertain an inspiring chat with Holger Sindbæk, the enterprising mind behind Online-Solitaire.com and WorldOfCardGames.com. Gain a new perspective from Holger's inspiring journey from designer to developer, and how he transformed his passion project into a significant income source. We promise you'll be intrigued by Holger's analytical approach to game development, hints of strategies that boosted an existing game, and his current fascination with Diablo 4 - quite the leap from solitaire!
Episode 29: Jim Horne is the creator of Microsoft FreeCell and xwordinfo.com. Jim shares his journey from early programming to joining Microsoft in 1988, where he secretly added FreeCell to Windows.
His passion for crosswords led to writing for the New York Times and developing xwordinfo.com. Jim discusses his time at Microsoft, including sharing an office wall with Steve Ballmer, and the serendipitous nature of his career. He touches on the "unsolvable" FreeCell game and his recent collaboration on "I'm Squeezy." Throughout, Jim highlights the intersection of music and programming, offering insights into early computing, casual games, and the crossword community, demonstrating how pursuing interests can lead to unexpected opportunities.
From Hobby to Hit: The Ninja.io Journey with Rens Rongen
00:39:38
Rens Rongen, the creator of the popular web game Ninja.io, to discuss the intricate process of game development, his inspirations, and how he balances his corporate work with his passion for creating engaging games. Rens shares insights into his creative process, the challenges of launching a multiplayer game, and the importance of community feedback in refining a project. He also touches on the role of publishers, the impact of advertising, and the joy of seeing users engage with his creations. As he prepares for the next chapter in both his personal and professional life, Rens reflects on the lessons learned and his plans for future projects.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Childhood Influence: Rens’ interest in game development was sparked in his childhood through drawing and playing games like Warcraft and Starcraft that allowed creating custom maps.
Design Iteration: The episode highlights the importance of continuous iteration and how skills in design and graphics can evolve over time with practice.
Technical Evolution: The transition from Flash to HTML5 significantly impacted Rens' development process, enabling more sophisticated multiplayer implementations.
Feature Creep: The game development journey showed how feature creep can gradually turn a hobby project into a serious commitment.
Importance of Feedback: Early user feedback is crucial. Releasing the game early, even in an imperfect state, allows for iterative improvements based on player responses.
Choosing a Domain and Branding: The process of choosing a memorable and marketable domain name, such as ninja.io, is discussed, including challenges with availability and cost.
Monetization Strategies: Understanding monetization via ads and considering other forms like selling customizations.
Leveraging Publishers: Partnering with publishers like Poki can significantly amplify reach but may require compromises such as implementing language filters to meet platform standards.
Handling Traffic Surges: Preparing for and managing server loads during significant spikes in user traffic after a major launch.
Building a Community: Using platforms like Discord to engage users, gather feedback, and create a sense of community which may include organizing tournaments and user-generated content.
Maintaining Balance: Balancing direct user interaction with productivity, as it can be both beneficial and distracting.
Adaptability and Learning: Applying lessons learned from Ninja.io to future projects, including avoiding technical debt and setting up more organized and sustainable development processes.
Life Changes: Handling personal life changes (like expecting a child) while managing ongoing projects and planning future endeavors.
Perfectionism: The challenge of overcoming perfectionism and understanding that initial releases won’t be perfect but can improve significantly through iteration.
Balancing Innovation and Stability: The need to innovate while ensuring the stability and scalability of the game’s infrastructure.
Overall, this episode offers an in-depth look at the holistic development process of an indie game, from inspiration to long-term planning, and integration of user feedback, providing valuable lessons for aspiring game developers and entrepreneurs.
Gabe Cornish is a game creator with over 40 published games on itch.io and a decade of experience in the game industry. He's worked on hit mobile titles like Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery at Jam City and more recently at Paradox Interactive. Gabe is passionate about making game development more accessible and sustainable for creators.
In this episode, we explore Gabe's journey in game development and his unique perspective on creating games for fun rather than profit. He shares insights on:
• Make games regularly, even if they're small and imperfect, to maintain enthusiasm and improve skills • Don't judge your creations too harshly - you never know what will resonate with players • Consider freeware development as a sustainable way to weather industry uncertainty • Look for alternative monetization methods like Patreon to support ongoing creative work
Modern Game Design Using Paper and AI: The Couples Game Story
00:55:13
A masterclass in modern game development with Osebo, revealing his journey from sketching word puzzles on a flight to Jamaica to launching Couples Game using AI tools and smart design principles.
Learn how this former Tumblr and Facebook designer leverages LLMs to create engaging puzzles while building Castle's next-gen mobile game engine – proving that the best games start with pen and paper before embracing cutting-edge tech.
Episode 22: This conversation features a deep and insightful discussion with Frank Lantz, the director of the New York University Game Center and an award-winning game designer. Throughout the interview, Lantz explores the intricate relationship between games, culture, and education, highlighting how games can serve as a potent medium for both artistic expression and intellectual challenge.
Resources Mentioned: Balatro - Mentioned as a current favorite game of Frank Lantz. Portal - Highlighted as possibly the funniest and one of the greatest games, with contributions from Eric Wolpaw. Disco Elysium - Cited as an example of excellent narrative in games. Kentucky Route Zero - Mentioned for its narrative focus. The Stanley Parable and The Beginner's Guide GeoGuessr
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(00:00) - Exploring Comedy's Influence in Game Design
(00:31) - Welcome to Hey, Good Game Podcast
(00:54) - Post-Interview Reflections and Takeaways
(02:09) - Deep Dive with Frank Lantz: A Gaming Luminary
(03:36) - The Art and Challenge of Comedy in Games
(05:14) - Navigating the Addictive Nature of Games
(07:40) - Universal Paperclips: Designing for Disengagement
(26:18) - The Role of Narrative and Writing in Games
(31:12) - Games as Social and Cultural Artifacts
(33:53) - Exploring the Social Impact of Gaming
(34:21) - The Art of Taste and Social Connections in Cooking vs. Gaming
(34:39) - The Evolution of Gaming Communities and Cultural Shifts
(36:06) - The Founding and Philosophy of the NYU Game Center
(37:53) - Teaching Game Design as a Creative Discipline
(39:16) - Games as Cultural Forms and Their Deep Connection to Computer Science
(39:49) - The Intricacies of Game Design and Its Historical Significance
(40:51) - Finding Joy and Social Exchange in Sports and Games
(42:30) - Bridging Generational Gaps in Gaming Understanding
(46:47) - The Fascination with Watching Games and eSports
(51:41) - The Intellectual Depth of Bridge and Its Cultural Phenomenon
(57:42) - Envisioning the Future of Games and Their Role in Society
(01:05:28) - The Journey of Games Towards a Richer Cultural Spectrum
(01:06:01) - Closing Thoughts and Where to Find More
In this episode, we chat with Sandro Wahl, CEO and founder of PreAlpha, and the mind behind Make It Meme, a multiplayer game that turns meme creation into a social experience.
Sandro shares his journey of creating the viral game, Make It Meme. He discusses the challenges of moderation, monetization, and the upcoming 2.0 version of the game. We also explore the social dynamics of memes and how Make It Meme has become a cultural touchstone for its players.
Bootstrapping Chess.com Into 10 million Daily Players
00:52:04
Eric Allebest, co-founder and CEO of Chess.com, joins the podcast to discuss how he's revolutionized the world of online chess. With 5-10 million daily players and nearly $100 million in annual revenue, Chess.com has become the go-to platform for chess enthusiasts worldwide.
Eric shares his journey from e-commerce to building a chess empire, starting with Schoolhouse Chess and Wholesale Chess before launching Chess.com. He reveals how the company has weathered surges and plateaus in popularity, including the massive boost from Netflix's "The Queen's Gambit."
In this episode, you'll learn:
• How Chess.com changed the definition of who can be a chess player, vastly expanding the market • The importance of balancing community, content, and product in building a successful gaming platform • Why streaming and content creation have been crucial to Chess.com's growth strategy • How the company navigates the challenges of running a complex gaming ecosystem
Richard Rognlie, the creator of Gamerz.net. Richard discusses his extensive background in programming, from early interest sparked by family to his career in defense contracts and web development. The conversation delves into the unique platform of Gamerz.net, which hosts over 270 play-by-email games. Richard shares insights into game design, the evolution of the site, and his experiments with various interfaces and mediums. The episode highlights the enduring appeal and challenges of asynchronous game play facilitated through email, touching on topics like user engagement, accessibility, and the potential future of the platform.
Building a Better Chess Brain: The Story Behind Blitztactics' Fast-Paced Learning Platform
00:33:55
Linmiao Xu is the creator of Blitztactics.com. Lin, a software engineer and avid chess enthusiast, shares his experiences developing Blitztactics—a fast-paced online chess puzzle platform. They discuss Lin's 'blitz chess' addiction, his forays into charcoal art inspired by Dark Souls, and the creative processes during his travels in Asia.
Lin also delves into his involvement in training neural networks for Stockfish, a leading chess engine, and his professional role in developing generative image models at Playground. The conversation wraps up with Lin's future aspirations in game development and his philosophy on creativity and progression.
Episode 19: James Robinson runs the ever-popular game, Wafflegame.net. In his first-ever podcast, he shares the history of Waffle, where it is headed, and how it has reached 500,000 daily players.
James discusses the game's design, user feedback, and the human-centric approach to game creation. Themes include his accidental success, and the future plans for Waffle Studio.
Quizwise: From Hobby Project to 140k Monthly Quiz Takers
00:50:33
Andrew Bartle, the creator of the quiz game, QuizWise. With over 25 years of experience as a software developer, Andrew shares his journey from developing games as a child to founding a successful quiz platform. He discusses the importance of passion in game development, the influence of his late collaborator Barry Lakeman, and how A/B testing played a pivotal role in the site's evolution. Andrew talks about his experience with various ad providers, the impact of AI, and the dedication to maintaining the educational value of QuizWise.
In this episode, you'll learn:
QuizWise Origins: QuizWise was conceptualized as a SEO experiment and as a site with broad content appeal.
Content Creation Process: The questions are created thoughtfully, focusing on enduring relevance rather than transient details.
User Engagement and Feedback: Feedback from users, both positive and corrective, is highly encouraged and valued to maintain the site's quality.
AI Utilization: While the questions at QuizWise are not generated by AI, ChatGPT's API is used for quality control to check for accuracy, correctness, and typographical issues.
Ad Revenue and Challenges: The platform supports itself through ad revenue, attempting to balance the user experience without intrusive advertisements.
Changing ad providers can be challenging due to initial disruption but can also lead to significant revenue shifts.
Future Plans and Aspirations: There's interest in potentially developing new games and leveraging current user engagement.
Community and Legacy: Andrew’s bond with his quiz-making colleagues and the legacy of Barry Lakeman play an integral part in the story of QuizWise.
Greg Karber is the creator of the hit murder mystery puzzle game Murdle. Greg shares the fascinating journey of Murdle's creation, from a simple puzzle made for a friend to a bestselling book series and popular daily online game.
We dive into Greg's influences, how he monetizes Murdle, and the balance between game mechanics and storytelling.
Behind the Scenes with Hey, Good Game (and a Simple Request)
00:28:12
Nate Kadlac and Aaron Kardell reflect on the past 18 months of building the business and podcast.
They share insights into their journey, including their bootstrapping philosophy, ad partner experiments, and the expansion of their content. The duo discusses their favorite games, the importance of maintaining control by avoiding venture capital, and their continuous efforts to respond to user feedback and improve their games.
They also highlight the diversity of recent podcast guests and invite listeners to suggest future guests and provide reviews to help the podcast grow.
Horror, Puzzles, and Pragmatism: The Improbable Journey of CineNerdle
00:41:43
Step into the shadowy corridors of game development with our esteemed guest, Nilanth Yogadasan, the creative genius behind the eerie yet addictive games, CineNerdle and CineNerdle 2. His games reach over 30,000 daily players, and over 15 million games played. Our conversation takes a deep dive into Nilanth's inspiration, drawing heavily from his passion for horror cinema, and how it fuels the enigmatic puzzles in CineNerdle. Alongside his passion, Nilanth's journey also encompasses the trials and tribulations of maintaining a successful game, providing a fascinating glimpse into a game maker's mind.
Modernizing a Classic Puzzle With Sven's SudokuPad
00:48:09
In this episode, hosts Aaron Kardell and Joseph Rueter of the 'Hey, Good Game' podcast sit down with game developer Sven Neumann. They discuss the creation and development of Sven's SudokuPad, used by Cracking the Cryptic, his early interest in technology and gaming, as well as his vision for the platform's future. Neumann also discusses the considerations of building a social platform for Sudoku, which would include features like subscribing to channels and categorizing puzzles.
How to Build a Successful Art Career by Embracing Creative Selfishness
00:54:47
Peter Mohrbacher, creator of Angelarium, emphasizes the importance of creating art for yourself rather than trying to please others or meet market expectations. He argues that the best art comes from a place of "creative selfishness" - following your own obsessions and interests without worrying about external validation. This approach has allowed him to maintain a unique artistic voice while building a successful business around his personal project. However, he acknowledges that this path isn't for everyone, as many artists struggle with the business side of self-publishing and marketing their work.
The World of Casual Games: A Discussion with the Hey, Good Game Team
00:27:00
What do games mean to you? As kids, games have had a large impact on our lives. Now as adults, join our inaugural and nostalgia-fueled episode as we, your hosts Joseph, Aaron, and Nate, explore the significance of childhood games and how they shaped us.
We also discuss how games have played a significant role in our entrepreneurial journeys.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• About the evolution of programming languages • Games as an introduction to entrepreneurship • Why daily games work so well • Casual gaming and community involvement • The impact of streaks on motivation
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SHOW NOTES
(00:00) - Introduction and Personal Gaming Experiences
(00:49) - Childhood Memories and Early Gaming Experiences
(01:35) - The Magic of Zelda and Early Nintendo Games
(03:42) - The Evolution of Gaming and Coding
(04:49) - The Intersection of Gaming and Entrepreneurship
You’d be surprised how a well-established corporate worker like Abe Train started creating games for a living! From big-name companies like Tesla, General Motors and Hello Fresh, to creating his own brand and entering a niche that he loves, Abe has a great story to share behind his success.
This is how a corporate worker traded his stable life to venture out into the industry of game development and created the hit game, Globle.
Nate Kadlac (https://twitter.com/kadlac) and Aaron Kardell (https://twitter.com/akardell) chat with Abe Train from Trainwreck Labs, the creator of popular online games including Globle and Globle Capitals.
Lil Snack is a new daily game platform created by Eric Berman and Travis Chen. They talk about their approach to creating a new game every day with the desire to be an app recommended by friends in text messages. They credit AI for their ability to be nimble, noting that the technology helps with the middle part of their creative process such as research and creating the specific puzzle format. The conversation reveals the journey of Eric and Travis from building games to launching Lilsnack and highlights various aspects of their startup like maintaining low friction in game access, leveraging ephemeral gaming experiences, incorporating user feedback, and their strategy for monetization.
Episode 21: David Turner created Semantle.com, a unique word-guessing game focusing on semantic relationships. Turner shares insights on his journey from ideation to acquisition, his creative process, and upcoming projects like a graphical adventure game. We also chat about game design challenges, user testing, creativity in game development, and effective marketing strategies.
Cole Medeiros' career in game design is driven by passion and authenticity. He started creating games as a child (GUBS in fourth grade) and has successfully transitioned this early interest into a professional career.
His approach emphasizes the importance of genuine enthusiasm for the project, close collaboration with partners (as seen in his work with ConcernedApe), and the ability to balance the creative and business aspects of game development.
Cole's journey showcases how personal passion can lead to successful game creation, from indie board games to working on major titles like Stardew Valley.
2048's Creator Returns: How He Built a Global Gaming Phenomenon at Age 19
00:54:54
In this episode, we sit down with Gabriele Cirulli, who created the viral hit game 2048 when he was just 19 years old.
What started as a five-day coding experiment became a worldwide phenomenon, leading Gabriele through an unexpected journey of viral success, burnout, and eventually finding peace with his creation. After stepping away from the game for years, he recently quit his job at 1Password to work on 2048 full-time, launching a completely reimagined version with new features and improved performance.
Surprisingly, Gabriele shares his unconventional view on the thousands of copycats his game inspired, seeing them as a beautiful extension of creativity rather than theft. From dealing with the pressure of unexpected success to embracing an open-source mindset, Gabriele's story offers unique insights into what happens when a side project suddenly becomes a global sensation.
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