This is a special one! I spent some time with Chris Gardiner, Head Writer and Narrative Director at London-based studio Failbetter Games, to talk about the studio's approach to narrative, game design, community, and player engagement.

I've been a longtime fan of Failbetter Games and their work ever since the team released Sunless Sea in 2015, and it's always a pleasure to catch up with a member of their team.

Hope you enjoy!

-----------

Support Chris and Failbetter Games 🎒💛

• All games: https://store.steampowered.com/search/?developer=Failbetter%20Games

• Wishlist Mandrake: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3710210/Mandrake/

• FBG Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/failbettergames.com

• Newsletter: https://www.failbettergames.com/follow

• Chris' Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chrisgardiner.bsky.social

-------------------

Support the show 🎒💛

Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediaristYouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristTwitch: https://twitch.tv/theindiediarist⁠TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theindiediaristThreads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristTwitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

In this episode, I spent some time with Timbo Johnson, a lovely solo developer from Wales with a burning passion for making small, fun, and beautiful games with amazing art. Though Timbo secretly has a dream... Will he make the game he's been dreaming of since childhood? Enjoy! 🎒💛

-----------

Support Timbo 🎒💛

• Itch: https://timbojay.itch.io/
• Bubble Frog DX: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3262600/Bubble_Frog_DX/
• Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timbojay

----------

Support the show 🎒💛

Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediaristYouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristTwitch: https://twitch.tv/theindiediarist⁠TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theindiediaristThreads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristTwitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

Happy end of January! In this episode, I spent some time with Oswin (also known as Nimso), the developer of cosy platformer Shallow Pond, to talk about creative problem solving and how to approach some of the toughest challenges in game design / game development. Enjoy! 🎒💛

-------------------------

Support Nimso 🎒💛

Find Shallow Pond on Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2950750/Shallow_Pond/
Play the Demo for free:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/4183670/Shallow_Pond_Demo/
Follow the development of the game:
X: https://x.com/nimsodev
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@nimsodev
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nimsodev
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Nimsodev

-------------------------

Support the show 🎒💛

Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediaristYouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristTwitch: https://twitch.tv/theindiediarist⁠TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theindiediaristThreads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristTwitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠