
Advertise on podcast: The Secret Lives of Games
Rating
4.9from
This podcast has
266 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
The Secret Lives of GamesExplicit
Yes
Date created
2018/09/05
Latest episode
2026/04/18
Average duration
131 min.
Release period
11 days
Description
Candid conversations with game creators that dive deep into the art, craft, and process of making games.
Unlock The Secret Lives of Games podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details
Email contact information
Direct podcast contact details

Listeners
Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details
Podcast Insights

Social media
Check The Secret Lives of Games social media presence
Podcast episodes
Check latest episodes from The Secret Lives of Games podcast
TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 3
2026/04/18
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14).
Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 3. Who is the Mole, and why was Yannis laughing so hysterically at some November rain?
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
TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 2
2026/04/10
We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14).
Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 2. Who is the Mole, and should they receive an Oscar for their duplicitous performance?
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:
Four Wishes (independent Korean reality tv show)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLimMCLxaXz0Gj-2ueyEdshOaKK9mQzj_0
Every Game in this City podcast (S1, which includes Laura, Jey, Doug)
https://soundcloud.com/idlethumbs/sets/every-game-in-this-city
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
156: Filling Buckets with Tonda Ros (Blue Prince)
2026/04/10
We chat with Tonda Ros (Dogubomb) one year after the release of his genre-blending room-drafting puzzlebox sensation, Blue Prince. Our discussion covers Tonda's year as the game's representative in the world; his inspirations across digital, analog, and tabletop works; cultivating player appreciation for virtual spaces; managing player hunches through playtesting; balancing lore with puzzle mechanics; comparing game development with filmmaking; and so! much! more! Kind of like the game itself, we just keep going.
Audio edited by Dylan Shumway
Discussed in this episode:
Blue Prince
https://www.blueprincegame.com/
Mythic Spoiler
https://mythicspoiler.com/
My Perfect Console – Tonda Ros
https://www.myperfectconsole.com/episode/129
realMyst
https://cyan.com/realmyst/
Digital version of MAZE: Solve the World's Most Challenging Puzzle by Christopher Manson
https://www.reddit.com/r/Python/comments/1l9urle/website_version_of_christopher_mansons_1985/
"It Seems I Have Found Myself In Another Mysterious House" by Rob Dubbin
https://roblemsolving.com/games/2025/04/25/mysterious-house.html
The Castles of Mad King Ludwig
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/155426/castles-of-mad-king-ludwig
Dominion
https://www.riograndegames.com/games/dominion/
Ascension
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/69789/ascension-deckbuilding-game
Blue Prince Soundtrack by Trigg and Gusset
https://triggandgusset.bandcamp.com/album/blue-prince-the-original-soundtrack
Jewels in the Attic
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/16608/jewels-in-the-attic
Tales of the Crystals
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9755/tales-of-the-crystals
The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029120/
The Graduate (1967)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061722/
MIO: Memories in Orbit
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1672810/MIO_Memories_in_Orbit/
https://secretlives.games
https://discord.gg/tslog
https://www.patreon.com/tslog
TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 1
2026/04/03
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
All Systems Brough - Zaga-33
2026/04/01
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
GDC 2026 LIVE Special!
2026/03/23
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
154: Gathering Community with Ben Rausch and Anja Venter (Playtopia)
2026/03/18
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
153: Returning to the Wasteland with Jan Willem Nijman, Joonas Turner, and Jukio Kallio (Nuclear Throne)
2026/03/06
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
All Systems Brough - Kompendium
2026/02/21
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
152: Walking Over It with Gabe Cuzzillo and Bennett Foddy (Baby Steps)
2026/02/13
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
All Systems Brough - Vertex Dispenser
2026/01/30
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
Games of the Year 2025
2026/01/08
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
All Systems Brough - 868-HACK
2025/12/19
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
Making It Great with Kimmo Lahtinen (Sektori)
2025/12/12
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
Into the Depths: Caves of Qud Finale
2025/11/26
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)
Podcast reviews
Read The Secret Lives of Games podcast reviews
Bellinater 2025/03/30
Been listening a long time
I remember when this show was about spelunky and I was desperate to listen to people talk about roguelikes. It’s always been a very good games podcast...
Andeez the guy 2024/10/13
Love UFO50
Been listening to this podcast for years. If you’re a design nerd you gotta listen. I hope it never ever goes away. Also, I’d just like to use this ou...
archangels89 2024/09/21
Best game design podcast ever!
Best game design podcast ever!
Seamor Buts 2023/08/18
The best video game design podcast on the internet
The title says it all. Simply the best video game design podcast on the internet. And maybe the best kept secret, because this is what I’ve been sear...
mvelasco07 2023/06/07
A new favorite!
Eggplant has quickly become a favorite in my feed! I love the engaging conversations and insightful content. I truly learn something every time I list...
turbo plop 2023/07/06
Pronoun Garbage
I love Spelunky. Once I saw there was a podcast about I had to try it out. I listend to the first 40 episodes and jumped around on the Into The Depths...
happy_farts 2022/12/08
Best Video Game Podcast
I’ve listened to way too many video game podcasts and none are as joyful or insightful to me as Eggplant. Absolute critical listening for anyone inter...
Halirin 2022/11/09
Great interviews, discussions, and insight
Some fine young men (and Sarah)making a difference one interview at a time!
Frankieg33 2022/11/07
Unique view into the world of games in general with fantastic hosts
Such an interesting perspective on video games unavailable anywhere else. The hosts are warm and knowledgeable and have excellent taste which makes li...
sharkplains 2022/08/16
Really cool show
The Unwrapped of video games podcasts. 10/10.
Podcast sponsorship advertising
Start advertising on The Secret Lives of Games relevant audience podcasts
You may also like to advertise on these Podcasts

4.7208100
Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier
Robin Barefield

4.613510
Booker & Alex - Daily Audio
Audacy

5104116
The Down Low
The Down Low

4.8232447
True Stories with Seth Andrews
Seth Andrews

4.9416115
What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead
Tablet Magazine

4.416225
Today in Canadian History
Marc Affeld and Joe Burima

4.777187
Sonic The Comic The Podcast
Dave Bulmer and Chris McFeely

3.341500
Warriors Wrap Up
Audacy

4.9150339
PDR College podcast- Paintless Dent Repair / Removal Business and Marketing
Keith Cosentino & Shane Jacks

4.9193221
Vigor Life Podcast
Vigor Life Podcast
