Cafe Booleans: A Game Dev Podcast Cafe Booleans

Join SA video game developers John Oestmann, Susie Emery and Jackson Michael as they hang out at Cafe Booleans and chat about culturally innovative games they’ve discovered and the development stories behind them ☕🎮

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For our final episode of the year, Alex and Kosta have sent in a heartfelt reflection on the history of Booleans, and now pass on the torch to John, Susie and Jacko.

We also use this episode to launch our new format, focusing on innovative and culturally interesting games as a springboard for conversation, rather than the current news cycle.

[Content Warning: One of the games discussed, Yume Nikki, contains some elements which reference death and suicide. Please see the timestamps below if you would like to skip our discussion around this game]

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Timestamps

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[01:13] Special Message from Alex and Kosta

[13:11] Yume Nikki - 2004 Surreal RPG Maker Proto-Walking-Sim developed by Kikiyama

[40:04] Community Messages

[44:04] Outer Wilds - 2019 Time-Loop Space Adventure developed by Mobius Digital

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Game Information Adapted From

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yume_Nikki

https://www.pcgamer.com/the-horrifying-legacy-of-yume-nikki-the-homebrew-game-that-became-a-phenomenon/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Wilds

https://www.gamesradar.com/the-making-of-outer-wilds/ 



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Community Messages

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GameMaker is now free for non-commercial projects: https://gamemaker.io/en/blog/gamemaker-free-platforms

SAGE Game Exhibition happening on 16/17 February 2024:

https://www.sagameexhibition.com/ 



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Other Mentions

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Toby Fox interviews Kikiyama (English Translation): https://chartcarr.neocities.org/secretbase_4 

Hokkikomori (syndrome): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4912003/ 

Welcome to the NHK (anime): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_to_the_N.H.K. 

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (novel): https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58784475 

Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (game): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Majora%27s_Mask 

Twelve Minutes (Netflix game): https://help.netflix.com/en/node/126637

Geocaching (activity): https://www.geocaching.com/play 

The Infinite Game (book): https://simonsinek.com/books/the-infinite-game/ 

Slow TV (tv show genre): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_television 

Cafe Booleans is back! ☕🎮

Alex Ferrabetta and John Oestmann are joined by Jacko to re-open the Cafe doors. Old friends join in spirit 👻

We discuss Sega's steps towards AI-powered User Generated Content tools, and the current state of Video-Game-to-Film Adaptations.

We also had planned to play through the Slam Jam 3 entries, however due to technical issues and the realization it really isn't that fun to listen to without visuals, we decided to give all entries a shout-out instead!



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Links from this episode:

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Slam Jam 3 Entries: https://itch.io/jam/slam-jam-3/entries


Sega teams up with AI startup Eques on voxel-based generation tool so players can generate content: https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/sega-teams-with-ai-startup-eques-on-voxel-generation-tool 

Nintendo Is Teaming Up With Sony To Create A Live-Action The Legend Of Zelda Movie:

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-is-teaming-up-with-sony-to-create-a-live-action-the-legend-of-zelda-movie/1100-6518986/



GTA Company Take-Two Will Be "Very Selective, And Very Careful" With Film Adaptations:

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-company-take-two-will-be-very-selective-and-very-careful-with-film-adaptations/1100-6519049/



Wikipedia list of Video Game Film Adaptations:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_based_on_video_games


SIFTR - Aussie Games Published List: https://www.sifter.com.au/add-my-game-to-sifters-australian-made-games-list



Global Game Jam site applications now open: https://globalgamejam.org/



UniSA Research into how AI / Automation is affecting Workflows/Feelings/Products in Video Game Audio:

Email john.oestmann@unisa.edu.au

Dive into Episode 3 of "The Business of Indie Game Development" series for a fresh take on indie gaming.

🏰 We start with an exploration of King Arthur as the ultimate fanfiction, illuminating the power of shared storytelling.

📜 A quick history lesson on copyright and intellectual property paves the way for a deep dive into the world of mods and fan games.

🌳 Did you know that many game ideas often evolve from pre-existing ones, like ARMA and Fortnite?

🚫 The restrictions surrounding public domain works and the challenges of placing your own creations within this scope.

🕹️ We highlight examples of public domain games and free cultural works, shedding light on the potential of this approach.

🤝 Finally, we discuss the societal benefits of shared creativity. Could this approach be a viable alternative as we move into the future of indie gaming?

Hosts:

John Oestmann - @john_oestmann

Alex Ferrabetta - @amferrabetta

Kosta Canatselis - @kostacana

Join us in this second episode of The Business of Indie Game Development series:

🎯 The importance of marketing your indie game and how it's a mindset, not just a task

📈 We discuss the marketing funnel and its importance in understanding your audience's journey

💡 Explore how to build a strong marketing mindset, and why promoting your game early is vital

👥 Learn the benefits of community building, and how it can help hype your game, improve it through feedback, and establish a sense of legitimacy

🔎 Understand how to identify your game's target audience and why it's crucial for your game's success

📚 Discuss strategies for reaching out to influencers and streamers to boost your game's visibility

Join us as we demystify the world of indie game marketing, providing actionable insights to help you succeed in the business of game development.

Hosts:

Alex Ferrabetta @amferrabetta 

Susie Emery @susannahkemery 

John Oestmann @john_oestmann 

Kosta Canatselis @kostacana



Join us on the Adelaide Game Developer Discord: https://bit.ly/AGDdiscord

Listen in, and let's level up our indie game marketing together 🚀🎮

Join us for the first episode of The Business of Indie Game Development series, where we delve into:

🎯 Navigating legal structures for indie game devs

💼 Understanding budgeting, finance, and payment structure in the gaming industry

🤝 Assembling a solid team and tip on working with contractors

🔐 Protecting your intellectual property and dealing with challenges

🎮 Sharing our and other game developers' experiences, tools, and insights in game development business

Legal Structures, Budgeting & Finance - crucial elements for indie game developers to succeed in the gaming world. We'll help you understand the basics and set a strong foundation for your game development journey.

Stay tuned and level up your indie dev business skills 🧡

Alex Ferrabetta - @amferrabetta
Kosta Canatselis - @kostacana

Check out:


Slicing Pie: A Fair Equity Split for Bootstrapped Startups
LegalZoom: Legal Forms and Agreements for Game Developers
(Spotify) Live Booleans Episode - Protecting your video game's IP with Cam Rogers
(YouTube) Perfectly Fair Cofounder Equity Splits for Startups Company

Adelaide Game Developer Discord: https://bit.ly/AGDdiscord

In this last episode for 2022 we chat with Hannah Crosby, multi-disciplinary Artist currently a Senior 3D Artist at Gameloft Brisbane, about:

❇️ How 'The Sims' kicked off Hannah's journey as a professional artist

🎬 Working in games and film for 16 years

🧊 Designing in 3D while being limited by technology of a given time

🤔 Process and working with technical artists at Gameloft

😍 Designing environments that capture certain feelings

🏞️ Bringing The Oregon Trail environments to life

🔍 GCAP panel discussing metaphors in visual media

👩‍🎨 Advice for aspiring artists

GUEST LINKS:

Hannah Crosby: Website | LinkedIn

LIVE BOOLEANS LINKS

Hosts: @amferrabetta | @kcanatselis

Follow us on Twitter @LiveBooleans

Email us at livebooleanspodcast@gmail.com

⭐ Want to help support Live Booleans? Review us on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen!