Hey, Good Game Nate Kadlac, Aaron Kardell, Joseph Rueter

Greg Karber is the creator of the hit murder mystery puzzle game Murdle. Greg shares the fascinating journey of Murdle's creation, from a simple puzzle made for a friend to a bestselling book series and popular daily online game.
We dive into Greg's influences, how he monetizes Murdle, and the balance between game mechanics and storytelling.
Check out Greg's Resources:https://murdle.com/https://murdle.com/book/https://x.com/gregkarberhttps://discord.gg/kmyFvXJ44shttps://www.reddit.com/r/murdle/https://www.tiktok.com/@gtkarberhttps://www.instagram.com/gregkarber/https://bsky.app/profile/gtkarber.bsky.socialhttp://killerpartymusical.com/
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Check out our brainy games:
Sumplete - https://sumplete.comKakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/

Cole Medeiros' career in game design is driven by passion and authenticity. He started creating games as a child (GUBS in fourth grade) and has successfully transitioned this early interest into a professional career. 
His approach emphasizes the importance of genuine enthusiasm for the project, close collaboration with partners (as seen in his work with ConcernedApe), and the ability to balance the creative and business aspects of game development. 
Cole's journey showcases how personal passion can lead to successful game creation, from indie board games to working on major titles like Stardew Valley.
Check out Cole's Resources:https://www.stardewvalley.net/https://colemedeiros.com/https://x.com/TheGubsGuyhttps://gamemaker.io/enhttps://www.tabletopsimulator.com/
Contact contact@stardewvalley.net
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(00:00) - Introduction and Career Reflection

(00:13) - Welcome to the Hey, Good Game Podcast

(01:00) - Meet Cole Medeiros: Game Designer Extraordinaire

(01:42) - Discussing Favorite Games and Board Game Design

(04:21) - Designing Games for Different Audiences

(07:23) - Choosing and Developing Game Ideas

(11:30) - User Testing and Publishing Experiences

(13:57) - The Journey of GUBS and Web of Spies

(22:31) - Collaborating on Stardew Valley: The Board Game

(27:32) - Insights on Game Design and Personal Motivation

(37:09) - Current Projects and Future Plans

(39:23) - Conclusion and Contact Information
--Check out our brainy games:
Sumplete - https://sumplete.comKakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Zach Gage might be one of the most innovative game designers you've never heard of.
He's the creator of Good Sudoku, Really Bad Chess, and 30+ other games that reimagine classic puzzles for the digital age.
Now he's taking on the New York Times with Puzzmo.com
We spent an hour exploring his creative process and the future of puzzle games.
Check out Zach's Resources:http://www.stfj.nethttps://www.puzzmo.comhttps://www.playgoodsudoku.com/http://www.reallybadchess.com/
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(00:00) - The First Game Creations

(00:48) - Welcome to the Hey, Good Game Podcast

(00:59) - Insights from Zach Gage's Interview

(02:26) - Introducing Zach Gage

(04:18) - Zach's Gaming Preferences and Bag Obsession

(10:25) - Zach's Artistic Family Background

(12:16) - Early Exhibits and Creative Opportunities

(15:40) - Designing Good Sudoku

(23:50) - Creating Really Bad Chess

(26:22) - Struggling with Chess: A New Perspective

(27:54) - The Game Design Process

(29:06) - Challenges in Game Tutorialization

(30:38) - Innovative Game Examples

(34:00) - Building Puzmo: From Concept to Reality

(46:56) - The Role of Community and Distribution

(50:19) - Balancing Business and Creativity

(53:53) - Connecting with the Audience
--Check out our brainy games:
Sumplete - https://sumplete.comKakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Episode 29: Jim Horne is the creator of Microsoft FreeCell and xwordinfo.com. Jim shares his journey from early programming to joining Microsoft in 1988, where he secretly added FreeCell to Windows. 
His passion for crosswords led to writing for the New York Times and developing xwordinfo.com. Jim discusses his time at Microsoft, including sharing an office wall with Steve Ballmer, and the serendipitous nature of his career. He touches on the "unsolvable" FreeCell game and his recent collaboration on "I'm Squeezy." Throughout, Jim highlights the intersection of music and programming, offering insights into early computing, casual games, and the crossword community, demonstrating how pursuing interests can lead to unexpected opportunities.
Check out Jim's resources:https://www.xwordinfo.comhttps://freecell.org/Wordplayhttps://imsqueezy.com
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(00:00) - Jim Horne and His Musical Background

(01:44) - Jim Horne's Journey to Microsoft and FreeCell

(03:35) - The Creation and Popularity of FreeCell

(05:11) - Jim's Musical Adventures and Microsoft Theater

(06:41) - Jim's Early Love for Games and Programming

(10:30) - The FreeCell Phenomenon and Shareware Success

(19:22) - Blogging and Crossword Puzzles with The New York Times

(22:29) - Creating XWord Info and the Crossword Community

(28:44) - The Legacy of FreeCell and New Ventures

(34:02) - Advice for Aspiring Game Creators
--Check out our brainy games:
Sumplete - https://sumplete.comKakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Episode 28: Tracy Fullerton is a pioneering game designer, educator, and USC Games Program Director emeritus. The conversation covers Tracy's extensive career in game design, her creation of the game 'Walden,' and her unique approach to blending philosophy with gameplay.
Tracy opens up about the decade-long development of 'Walden,' the challenges and joys of translating Thoreau's philosophies into an immersive experience, and her experiences mentoring the next generation of game designers.
We talk about why you shouldn't say "No," the intricacies of player emotional experience goals, and the importance of being a passionate and generous designer.
Check out Tracy's Resources:https://www.waldengame.com/https://www.gameinnovationlab.com/https://www.thenightjourney.com/https://www.tracyfullerton.com/https://gameinnovationlab.itch.io/waldenhttps://www.gamedesignworkshop.com
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(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast

(01:27) - Meet Tracy Fullerton

(04:01) - Tracy's Early Gaming Experiences

(07:58) - The Birth of Spiderdance

(12:44) - Creating Walden, a Game

(20:01) - Challenges and Persistence

(24:44) - Pricing Strategy and Educational Impact

(29:15) - Launching on Multiple Platforms

(29:28) - Impact of COVID on Game Launches

(30:09) - International Reach and Localization Challenges

(31:47) - Player Feedback and Diverse Audience

(32:22) - Teaching First-Person Game Mechanics

(36:28) - The Night Journey Collaboration

(43:01) - Mentoring and Teaching Game Design

(48:37) - Balancing Passion Projects and Career

(52:48) - Game Design Workshop 20th Anniversary

(57:35) - Conclusion and Contact Information
--Check out our brainy games:
Sumplete - https://sumplete.comKakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Episode 27: Blake Harris is the acclaimed author of "Console Wars" and "The History of the Future." Blake shares his journey from a struggling screenwriter to a successful author, diving into the intense rivalry between Sega and Nintendo that defined a generation of gaming. 
He reveals insights into the internal conflicts at Sega that contributed to their downfall and discusses the revolutionary impact of Oculus and virtual reality on the tech landscape.
Blake also offers a sneak peek into his upcoming book about comedy legend Larry David, creator of "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm," complete with humorous anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories. From the challenges of getting in touch with industry giants like Seth Rogen to the joys and struggles of writing about beloved cultural icons, this episode is packed with compelling stories and valuable lessons on persistence, research, and the art of storytelling.
Check out Blake's Resources:https://twitter.com/blakejharrisNYChttps://www.amazon.com/Console-Wars-Nintendo-Defined-Generation/https://www.amazon.com/History-Future-Facebook-Revolution-Virtual/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/author-blake-j-harris-and-the-history-of-the-future/Console Wars Documentary
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(00:00) - Connecting with Seth Rogen: A Game-Changing Experience

(00:33) - Interview with Blake Harris: Insights and Takeaways

(01:38) - Blake Harris's Journey: From Console Wars to New Projects

(04:22) - The Fascinating World of Sega and Nintendo

(07:34) - From Video Games to Authorship: Blake's Path

(20:35) - Challenges and Triumphs in Writing Console Wars

(29:34) - The Impact of Sega's Internal Conflicts

(33:21) - The Oculus Story: A Mind-Blowing Experience

(34:49) - Challenges in VR: Monetization and Market Penetration

(35:58) - The Evolution of VR Hardware

(36:59) - The Search for VR's Killer App

(40:22) - The Social and Practical Applications of VR

(50:31) - The Impact of Politics on Oculus

(54:15) - Larry David: From Seinfeld to Curb Your Enthusiasm

(55:24) - The Joy of Writing About Larry David

(57:59) - Conclusion and Future Projects
--Check out our brainy games:
Sumplete - https://sumplete.comKakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com