The Secret Lives of Games

The Secret Lives of Games
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Video Games
  • Every two weeks

Candid conversations with game creators that dive deep into the art, craft, and process of making games.

  1. All Systems Brough - BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS

    5 hr ago

    All Systems Brough - BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS

    We're joined by Liz Ryerson (musician, writer, podcaster), Patrick LeMieux (UC Davis), and Andi McClure (BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS, Jumpman) to discuss BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS; a generative art game/tool made in 72 hours. It's the seventh installment in our yearlong special series exploring the work of Michael Brough: All Systems Brough. This episode: BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS Next episode: Helix Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: 868-BACK (Out now!! Go buy it!!) https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/  https://finji.itch.io/868-back  Michael Brough's Website https://www.smestorp.com/  BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS (stable itch.io release!) https://mermaidindustries.itch.io/become-a-great-artist-in-just-10-seconds  BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS (web build) https://dryad.technology/artist/  BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS (original Ludum Dare entry) https://web.archive.org/web/20160616205009/http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-27/?action=preview&uid=4987 SUPERHYPERCUBE https://superhypercube.com/  KidPix (public domain version) https://kidpix.app/  Increpare games (Stephen Lavelle) https://www.increpare.com/  Game Title https://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/node/2258  Andi McClure's Anti-games/Sweet Nothings https://runhello.com/anti-games  A MAZE. / Berlin 2022: Ambient Play Systems (In and Outside of Games) by Flan Falacci https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRDPXMhwkXc   Great Art by Liz Ryerson https://www.mostancient.com/shop/great-art  Making another roguelike game (yay/boo) by Michael Brough https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2015/06/making-another-roguelike-game-yayboo-my.html  Become a First Rate Artist in Just 30 Seconds https://eliot-l.itch.io/become-a-first-rate-artist-in-just-30-seconds  FUCK MARIO by Liz Ryerson https://ellaguro.blogspot.com/2014/03/fuck-mario.html  Platform Games Catalog by Patrick LeMieux (including F****d Marios) https://patrick-lemieux.com/LeMieux-Platform_Games.pdf  BECOME A GREAT ARTIST IN JUST 10 SECONDS AND KNUCKLES https://twitter.runhello.com/mcclure111/status/576896540565901312/  BECOME A GREAT ARTIST dress https://twitter.runhello.com/mcclure111/status/573172507773026304/ BECOME A GREAT ARTIST GitHub https://github.com/mcclure/bitbucket-backup/tree/archive/repos/ufo/contents  Saint Elizabeth (Liz's new album!) https://ellaguro.bandcamp.com/album/saint-elizabeth  Notes from the Underground by Liz Ryerson https://ellaguro.blogspot.com/2026/06/notes-from-underground.html  ArtCtrl painting palette interface for BECOME A GREAT ARTIST https://vimeo.com/1080330014/fa8866803f  MOSS (programmable brush-based art tool by Rob's studio) https://moss.town/  Icosa https://data.runhello.com/j/iso/post/  Andi's Game Catalog https://runhello.com/  Scrunch (Andi's Ludum Dare 30 art tool/game) https://web.archive.org/web/20150221165706/http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-30/?uid=4987  The Zium (virtual museum collective) https://theziumsociety.itch.io/    https://secretlives.games/  https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog

    2h 28m
  2. All Systems Brough - VESPER.5

    2 Jun

    All Systems Brough - VESPER.5

    We're joined by Izzy Kestrel (Funomena, No Goblin, A Good Videogame) and Alfredo Barraza (Riot Games) to discuss VESPER.5; a durational, tile-based exploration game. It's the sixth installment in our yearlong special series exploring the work of Michael Brough: All Systems Brough. This episode: VESPER.5 Next episode: Become a Great Artist Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: 868-BACK (Out now!! Go buy it!!) https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/  https://finji.itch.io/868-back  Michael Brough's Website https://www.smestorp.com/  All Systems Brough - A Chat with Michael https://secretlives.games/website/all-systems-brough-a-chat-with-michael  VESPER.5 http://mightyvision.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/vesper5.html  THE LONGING https://store.steampowered.com/app/893850/THE_LONGING/  Road to the IGF: Michael Brough's VESPER.5 (Article about GDC showcase of VESPER.5) https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/road-to-the-igf-michael-brough-s-i-vesper-5-i-  Super Friendship Club VESPER.5 Forum https://web.archive.org/web/20160407200028/http://superfriendshipclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=618  Meaning through repetition (reflection on releasing VESPER.5) https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/08/meaning-through-repetition.html  GDC 2013 - Interview with Michael Brough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocqSV6f137M  Pippin Barr on VESPER.5 https://web.archive.org/web/20170711093026/http://www.pippinbarr.com/2012/08/14/you-should-play-vesper-5/  Michael Brouge's VESPER.6 by Joel Goodwin https://www.electrondance.com/michael-brouges-vesper-6/ Gardens of Time: Design Problem Solving https://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/node/2931  Steve Reich - Section I (Slowed Down 800%) - Ambient / Minimalism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3AMpfdbc7U  EXPERIMENT 12 Anthology https://www.geocities.ws/experimenttwelve/  145: Addressing Memory with Plunderludics  https://secretlives.games/145-addressing-memory-with-plunderludics  i heard you like videogames https://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/node/2366  scarfmemory https://www.smestorp.com/scarfmemory.html  Post-Future Vagabond https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2013/11/post-future-vagabond.html  Bending the River https://www.metabolicstudio.org/653  The Old Timey Computer Show https://otcs.minuspoint.com/  Inferno by Boards of Canada https://boardsofcanada.bandcamp.com/album/inferno  imagineNATIVE Festival https://imaginenative.org/ STAY SHARP // Rogue Skin Reveal Trailer - VALORANT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1u1kUdDOys  Rushing Beat Trilogy https://www.chronocrash.com/forum/threads/rushing-beat-trilogy.5208/  THE GAME DESIGN CHALLENGE: The Thirty-Year Game https://www.gdcvault.com/play/1023124/THE-GAME-DESIGN-CHALLENGE-The    https://secretlives.games/  https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog

    1hr 59min

  3. 29 May

    TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 9

    We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14).  Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 9 - the Reunion / Reveal! How did The Mole do it? Thanks for listening this season! Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about the episodes, and more. Links: Thanks Robin for our Mol guessing game website! Tip him here: https://ko-fi.com/rbnvi 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

    1hr 30min
  4. All Systems Brough - A Chat with Michael

    28 May

    All Systems Brough - A Chat with Michael

    We're joined by Michael Brough himself for a bonus chat on the thrilling occasion of 868-BACK's release day. Don't worry, we don't spoil the new game at all (except to say it's fantastic! Go buy it now on Steam!!) We discuss Michael's journey to this launch day, how his process for making art has and hasn't changed over the years, how he's learned to care for himself creatively and otherwise amidst periods of illness, how he does (and doesn't) draw connections between artistic mediums, and his impressions of our series so far, among other reflections from his development career.  This (bonus) episode: A Chat with Michael! Next episode: VESPER.5 Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: 868-BACK (Out now!! Just go buy it!!) https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/  Michael Brough's Website https://www.smestorp.com/  Quinns Quest Reviews: Stonetop! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH5-uQj4uOA Forbidden Solitaire https://greyaliengames.com/forbiddensolitaire/index.php  Titanium Court https://store.steampowered.com/app/2364580/Titanium_Court/  Amberspire https://store.steampowered.com/app/3350750/Amberspire/  https://secretlives.games/  https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog

    1hr 52min

  5. 22 May

    TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 8

    We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14).  Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 8 - the Finale! The Mole is finally unmasked. That's about it for tourist season in Portgual (though big wave season starts around November!) but we'll be back next week for the Ep 9 reunion in Belgium. 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: Thanks Robin for our Mol guessing game website! Tip him here: https://ko-fi.com/rbnvi 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

    1hr 31min

  6. 15 May

    TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 7

    We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14).  Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 7. Who is the Mole, and how does this elimination echo last season's Final Four? 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: Danny Hawk - Folk Games, Flash Communities and Tiktok https://newrules.website/2021/01/12/danny-hawk-folk-games-flash-communities-and-tiktok/ Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH3giaIzONA 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

    1hr 18min

  7. 9 May

    TSLOG TV Plays De Mol (2026 season) - Episode 6

    We're recapping the 2026 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 14).  Laura, Jey, and Doug recap Episode 6. Who is the Mole, and who will play Juliet to Wout's Romeo? 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

    1hr 30min
  8. All Systems Brough - Corrypt

    3 May

    All Systems Brough - Corrypt

    We're joined by Naomi Clark (NYU Game Center, Consentacle, A Game Design Vocabulary) and Frank Lantz (Q-UP, Universal Paperclips, also NYU Game Center) to discuss Corrypt, a totally normal block-moving game where nothing weird happens. It's the fifth installment of All Systems Brough, our yearlong special series exploring the playable arcana of Michael Brough. This episode: Corrypt Next Month: VESPER.5 Audio edited by Dylan Shumway. Discussed in this episode: Corrypt https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2012/12/corrypt.html  868-BACK (Launching May 28, 2026! Wishlist now!!) https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/  Michael Brough's Website https://www.smestorp.com/  The Talk of Magicians – Liz Ryerson https://ellaguro.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-talk-of-magicians.html I Solved Klotski – 2swap https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGLNyHd2w10  Corrypt Post-Cariem – Michael Brough https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2014/07/corrypt-post-cariem.html  Michael Brough: Going with the grain (A MAZE. Indie Connect 2013, Berlin) – A MAZE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYXInr3N5UQ  Game Title https://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/node/2258 Game Title: Lost Levels https://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/node/2268 Stephen Gillmurphy's definition of videogames https://www.harmonyzone.org/Videogames.html  Fractal Block World https://store.steampowered.com/app/1540570/Fractal_Block_World/  Road to the IGF: Michael Brough's Corrypt  https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/road-to-the-igf-michael-brough-s-i-corrypt-i-  Michael Brough - The Roots of Roguelikes in Fantasy Fiction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpX2wWwhKdE  Corrypt Speedrun (5:44) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BAVUc_2SEc  Donkeyspace (Frank Lantz's Blog) https://franklantz.substack.com/ NYU Game Center Spring Showcase https://gamecenter.nyu.edu/event/nyu-game-center-spring-showcase-2026/ https://secretlives.games/  https://discord.gg/tslog https://www.patreon.com/tslog

    1hr 57min
See All (276)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Candid conversations with game creators that dive deep into the art, craft, and process of making games.

Information

  • Creator
    The Secret Lives of Games
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    276
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Secret Lives of Games 2018-2026
  • Show Website
    The Secret Lives of Games

You Might Also Like