Pistol Shrimp Podcast

Fred and Dan chat with Mark Yohalem of Wormwood Studios, creators of Primordia, Strangeland, and Fallen Gods. Mark describes how story and gameplay work together, and dives into some of his favorite moments from The Ur-Quan Masters. 0:00 - Theme music0:14 - Introductions1:23 - Starflight and the roots of UQM9:24 - Simulation vs. arcade gameplay16:00 - Exploring space21:22 - Beginning a game story33:40 - Expanding on gameplay39:13 - Importance of controls41:24 - Space opera47:30 - Item systems and RPGs1:00:35 - Sourcing ideas from fans1:11:15 - Mark's start in games1:26:45 - How kids experience games1:34:00 - Writing and gameplay1:40:53 - Games with time limits1:58:02 - Finishing a game projectFollow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/theurquanmasterDiscuss with us on Discord - https://discord.gg/rasVCDmYKpPlease support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/pistolshrimpLearn more about Pistol Shrimp - https://pistolshrimpgames.com/

Dan talks about game design with Peter McLaren and Garry Seto of Massive Damage, creators of Halycon 6 and Star Renegades. The duo share their insights on designing sci-fi concepts, building an indie studio, and the influence of The Ur-Quan Masters. 0:00 - Theme music0:14 - Introductions2:26 - UQM and Super Melee12:48 - Alien dialog16:37 - Creating alien races26:42 - Building an indie studio35:16 - Revitalizing retro game concepts44:27 - Contrived vs. authentic remakes 55:50 - Games growing with their audienceFollow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/theurquanmasterDiscuss with us on Discord - https://discord.gg/rasVCDmYKpPlease support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/pistolshrimpLearn more about Pistol Shrimp - https://pistolshrimpgames.com/

Fred and Dan chat with Charlie Cleveland about Subnautica, Natural Selection, and his leadership at Unknown Worlds. They discuss the influence of The Ur-Quan Masters, and fun is more important than game balance. Charlie highlights the power of multi-linear storytelling, early access, and getting player feedback as soon as possible. Hosted live, on Twitch.0:00 - Theme music0:14 - Introductions2:15 - Charlie's first game6:25 - Designing Super Melee9:38 - Competitive multiplayer17:31 - Game balance versus fun21:57 - Multi-linear storytelling27:13 - Open worlds and procedural generation32:53.- Simulation and systems36:45 - Games with multiple systems40:45 - Cult classics43:00 - Making a sequel51:08 - Co-operative multiplayer53:50 - The foundation for Subnautica56:30 - Natural Selection to Moonbreakers59:30 - Making of Subnautica1:05:57 - Time and money1:12:18 - Player feedback and perspective1:19:14 - Creative success1:24:08 - Open development1:29:28 - Indie vs. AAA1:40:14 - Designing game systems1:51:28 - Multiplayer technology1:59:30 - Game engines2:05:05 - Game fans2:07:06 - Subnautica vs. Below Zero2:10:30 - Early access and story spoilers2:22:35 - Zen of Soduku and casual games2:27:22 - Live service games2:40:10 - Crowdfunding2:44:11 - Creative communityFollow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/theurquanmasterDiscuss with us on Discord - https://discord.gg/rasVCDmYKpPlease support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/pistolshrimpLearn more about Pistol Shrimp - https://pistolshrimpgames.com/

Fred and Dan talk with Mac Walters about his experience on Mass Effect and Jade Empire, plus his transition from his leadership at BioWare to his new studio, Worlds Untold. Mac breaks down his sci-fi inspiration, and how he approaches game writing, building a vision, and working as a team. 0:00 - Theme music0:14 - Introductions01:22 - Mac's path to BioWare06:20 - Inspiration and nostalgia09:20 - How to begin a game story12:00 - Playing your own games13:52 - Creative possibilities and wisdom23:55 - Delivering on an idea28:38 - Prototyping versus finishing41:45 - Building a shared vision47:23 - Distributed teams and remote work59:14 - Individual styles and personalities1:07:10 - Star Wars, Dune, and styles of sci-fi1:15:28 - Sequels versus new stories1:19:45 - Staying inspiredFollow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/theurquanmasterDiscuss with us on Discord - https://discord.gg/rasVCDmYKpPlease support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/pistolshrimpLearn more about Pistol Shrimp - https://pistolshrimpgames.com/

Dan and Fred talk to Richard Cobbett about writing for games, including The Long Journey Home, Sunless Sea, Sunless Skies, and Nighthawks. Richard shares his love for The Ur-Quan Masters, and explains how a good storyteller can draw the player into a game's story, setting, and characters.0:00 - Theme music0:14 - Introductions1:56 - The Long Journey Home4:15 - The Ur-Quan Masters5:52 - Layers of sci-fi writing10:28 - Likeable villains12:33 - Where to start writing21:14 - Narrative design in Sunless Skies31:35 - Writing with a team45:46 - Star Trek and self-referencing50:42 - Changing from the first idea55:33 - Ownership and project size1:00:27 - Sci-fi and procedural generation1:04:19 - Making of Nighthawks1:09:00 - Starting a career in games1:27:10 - Sketches and iteration1:36:30 - Fusing story and gameplay1:49:43 - The unique appeal of UQM 2:02:01 - The adventure game genreFollow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/theurquanmasterDiscuss with us on Discord - https://discord.gg/rasVCDmYKpPlease support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/pistolshrimpLearn more about Pistol Shrimp - https://pistolshrimpgames.com/

Fred and Dan talk to Chris Taylor about leading a game production, including Total Annihilation, Dungeon Siege, and more. Chris talks about running a game studio, engaging the audience, and why it's sometimes better to be an employee than a leader. 0:00 - Theme music0:00 - Introductions1:16 - The UQM Team11:48 - Chris's start in games16:42 - Industrial Light & Magic20:58 - Running a game studio31:37 - Finding the fun34:40 - The "Rock War" RTS43:24 - Writing sci-fi factions47:19 - Creating for an audience56:54 - Fan feedback1:05:35 - Making Dungeon Siege1:21:24 - Development tools and multiplayer1:42:20 - Nostalgia and classic gamesFollow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/theurquanmasterDiscuss with us on Discord - https://discord.gg/rasVCDmYKpPlease support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/pistolshrimpLearn more about Pistol Shrimp - https://pistolshrimpgames.com/

Fred and Dan talk to Andrew Hume and Richard Clifford of MinMax Games, creators of Space Pirates and Zombies. The duo talk about building an indie game studio, the power of procedurally generated content, and the influence of The Ur-Quan Masters.0:00 - Theme music0:14 - Introductions3:03 - Influence on Space Pirates and Zombies10:14 - Discovering a game's focus17:17 - Building an indie game studio24:05 - Finding an audience33:37 - Space combat40:17 - Procedurally generated content48:04 - Retro gaming51:05 - The feeling of UQMFollow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/theurquanmasterDiscuss with us on Discord - https://discord.gg/rasVCDmYKpPlease support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/pistolshrimpLearn more about Pistol Shrimp - https://pistolshrimpgames.com/

Fred and Dan chat with Christine Love about indie game development, including her work on Digital: A Love Story, Get In the Car, Loser!, and more. Christine shares her love of science fiction, and her insights on writing a memorable game story. 0:00 - Theme music0:14 - Introductions1:24 - UQM and science fiction4:50 - Alien characters9:17 - Indie game development15:58 - Writing for games24:07 - Immersing the player30:56 - Early game and tutorials41:17 - Challenge and accessibility49:28 - Stories with comic relief53:04 - Game balance54:56 - Mysteries in UQM59:48 - The UQM sequel1:10:26 - Making a great sequel1:13:48 - Fiction that sticks with you1:18:47 - Cynical vs. authentic remakes 1:33:00 - Satisfying the superfansFollow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/theurquanmasterDiscuss with us on Discord - https://discord.gg/rasVCDmYKpPlease support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/pistolshrimpLearn more about Pistol Shrimp - https://pistolshrimpgames.com/