In this episode, we check out the best selling games on itch.io and speculate what qualities make them sell so good...
But first, Marley has been checking out niche YouTubers (00:03:21), including a stealth camping expert who gives advice for camping in roundabouts and a fast food reviewer who uses slo-mo, house music, and multiple cameras to review mediocre burgers and tacos.
Cole, meanwhile, went to a convention in full Sailor Moon cosplay and has endured the highs and lows that come with that experience (00:10:04). They offer useful tips for the best way to avoid paying the extra four bucks on a plastic cup and talk about how many great events they were able to see…
We also spend some time not talking about movies, but continuing our discussion of the writers' and actors' strikes in Hollywood (00:14:15).
Then, onto TTRPGS!
Firstly, we check out the kickstarter for Eat The Reich by Grant Howitt and Will Kirkby (00:17:12). (This is the vampire-commandos-drink-hitler TTRPG, for those unaware.) With no game preview released, we scour the kickstarter page for info about the characters, the setting, the sensitivity consultants, and the mysterious new Havoc Engine that this game will be using…
Cole’s also been gifted The Deck of Stories by 1985 Games (00:31:37), a card game which boasts that it “helps you create a legendary adventure in fifteen minutes.” But can it really? (Spoiler: Cole tries it live on the pod and comes up with a chapter from Lord of the Rings, so probably the answer is pretty much yes.)
Then, Marley talks about Thinly Veiled by Chloe Sobel (00:38:48), an expansion of Good Society that adds ghosts, mediums, and spiritualists. Marley’s intrigued by it since it provides a lot of really interesting historical context to the belief in ghosts and how they might influence traditions and class relations.
Then, onto the main topic (00:47:16), in which we take a look at the top selling physical games on itch.io and speculate what makes them rise to the top of the charts. Good art, community copies, a known brand, game jams, popular streamers taking interest, and, perhaps, a certain je ne sais quoi…
(Marley also gives a little background from his experience as a game designer as he accidentally got in the top 8 one time.)
Then, on to shout outs (01:08:35)!
Cole is about halfway through recordings for the CalazCon actual play (which you can follow along at their patreon).
We also want to shout out our own Patreon, which has a bonus episode coming out in the next few days…
Prolific designer Meguey Baker is also looking for support in her fight with breast cancer. You can send through donations here!
Finally, Marley is gonna be writing for Vampire The Masquerade - Milan Uprising, a crowd-funded board game which has made over $750,000 USD!
And Marley has also been writing and playtesting a vampire mystery for Strange Squad.
Featuring Cole (@IceColeBrew) and Marley (@Mynar_Lenahan)
Produced by Marley, as well.
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