Shows
Heart Gamedev Podcast70 - Preparing the Code for ProductionI'm making updates and cleaning up the code. Making sure the workflows for adding new content to the game aren't too complicated has been an important step to getting the project ready for production.Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2025-08-2714 minHeart Gamedev Podcast69 - I Make Time for GamedevProgress is slow but steady. I'm happy with the progress and improvements I've seen in the most recent prototypes.Should game developers focus on paying themselves a fair wage? Do we make ourselves a martyr of our own development too often?Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2025-06-2018 minHeart Gamedev Podcast68 - Test New Features Extensively BEFORE Polishing ThemPart time WASarD development isn't fast enough for me but it's going to have to be enough for now.Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2025-06-0210 minHeart Gamedev Podcast67 - It's Been a WhileA short update about WASarD and my business as I get back into podcasting.Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2025-02-2509 minHeart Gamedev Podcast66 - Finding Time for WASarDIn this episode I talk through some design thoughts for WASarD and my struggles to find time to work on the game.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-11-2520 minHeart Gamedev Podcast65 - I'm back!In this episode I talk about my break from WASarD and my plans moving forward with the game.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-10-1014 minHeart Gamedev Podcast64 - The end of my 4-week pushI talk about what I accomplished in the last 2 weeks of my 4 (turned into 5) - week push.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-05-2413 minHeart Gamedev Podcast63 - Update, what I'd do differently, and the high jump analogyThis episode is a long one. I talk about my progress on WASarD, what I'd do differently if I could start over, and the high jump analogy.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-05-1429 minHeart Gamedev Podcast62 - A quick WASarD update (2 weeks into my 4-week push)In this episode I talk about the progress I've made in the last 2 weeks and the things I'd like to get finished in the next 2 weeks.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-05-0610 minHeart Gamedev Podcast61 - Making games is fun when your efforts aren't wastedIn this episode I talk about my progress toward the new WASarD steam demo and I contrast my experience working on Demonlocke (without using the production point approach) with my experience working on WASarD (where I've tried to apply production point).
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-04-2511 minHeart Gamedev Podcast60 - Focusing on WASarDIn this episode I talk about focusing a bit more on WASarD for the next month. I also talk about the difference between making a game that is fun to play and making a game that is appealing to players.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-04-2208 minHeart Gamedev Podcast59 - Capsule art for the new Steam pageThis is a short episode I didn't want to make but I made anyway to try and get back into the flow of things.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-04-1508 minHeart Gamedev Podcast58 - My experiences with "crunch"In this episode I answer a listener question and talk about my experiences with crunch.
2024-03-2122 minHeart Gamedev Podcast57 - Artstyle Progress + Releasing More than 1 GameI'm back!
In this episode I talk about progress on the WASarD artstyle and my thoughts on how most game developers only release a single game.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-03-1823 minHeart Gamedev Podcast56 - Developing new features alongside existing featuresIn this episode I talk about plugging the new dungeon rooms into my existing level generation code.
I also talk a bit about this video by Jonas Tyroller: https://youtu.be/o5K0uqhxgsE?si=xsDR3GqyTXdKSX_i
Here is the jungle mockup if you want to check it out: https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@heartbeast/111926243132595207
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-02-2814 minHeart Gamedev Podcast55 - New jungle mockup + workflow process successIn this episode I talk about a new jungle mockup on Mastodon (and how it was received) and I talk about the workflow implementation from last week's episode.
Here is the jungle mockup if you want to check it out: https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@heartbeast/111926243132595207
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-02-1614 minHeart Gamedev Podcast54 - Breaking down the mockup into a workflowIn this episode I talk through my process for breaking down the WASarD mockups into a workflow that will be faster inside my game engine (Godot 4).
Here is a post with the first iteration of the new artstyle: https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@heartbeast/111885765158360905
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-02-0914 minHeart Gamedev Podcast53 - Do people like the new WASarD artstyle?In this episode I talk about the reception of the new WASarD artstyle. I also ramble a bit about some more technical aspects of programming in Godot.
Here is a post with the first iteration of the new artstyle: https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@heartbeast/111885765158360905
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-02-0722 minHeart Gamedev Podcast52 - Two Week Update + New WASarD Artstyle?In this episode I discuss:
Learning 3D Modeling, Texturing, Rigging, and Animation
Making a small 3D game during a self imposed game jam with my brother
My thoughts on a new WASarD Artstyle
Enjoying gamedev is the real benefit of the Production Point approach
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-02-0524 minHeart Gamedev Podcast51 - The numbers on the new demo + a small anecdoteIn this episode I talk about the numbers for the new itch.io demo and I tell a short story about my nephew playing the game.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-01-2209 minHeart Gamedev Podcast50 - Don't Project Unwanted Behavior into the FutureIn this episode I talk about my progress this week with WASarD. I had a pretty bad day on Tuesday and decided I wasn't going to let that day carry over into the rest of the week. I'm happy to report that Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday went much better.
I also talk briefly about a new book idea I'm working on. The working title is "How to Make Time for your Indie Game (without quitting your day job)." The premise of the book is a list of "time finding motivators" or things you can...
2024-01-1921 minHeart Gamedev Podcast49 - What I Learned After Watching Playtesters This Weekend (and where to go next)In this episode I talk about the things I learned while watching playtesters try the new WASarD Build and where I'm planning to take the project from here.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-01-1520 minHeart Gamedev Podcast48 - Game "Size" Means Different things to Devs and PlayersIn this episode I talk about how the "size" of a game can mean different things to developers than it does to players.
I also talk about the biggest thing I would change for my next project (thought it might be premature to talk about that since WASarD is only just about to enter production haha)
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-01-1223 minHeart Gamedev Podcast47 - Balancing Discipline, Motivation, Habits, and MomentumIn this episode I confess to not making much progress on WASarD over the last couple of days.
I also talk about why I think that is and how I might better balance my discipline, motivation, habits, and momentum to make better progress in the future.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-01-1012 minHeart Gamedev Podcast46 - When to Publish my Steam Demo?In this episode I talk about publishing my demo on Steam and consider the implications of when to publish it based on a recent video by Shaun Spalding.
Video by Shaun Spalding: https://youtu.be/OV0s442AbMQ?si=o9M8YfgFlpXEHb_m
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2024-01-0817 minHeart Gamedev Podcast45 - Sickness, Thoughts on the New Year, and Leaving TwitterIn this episode I give a quick update on WASarD, my health, my plans for the new year, and leaving twitter.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-12-2814 minHeart Gamedev Podcast44 - Implementing the New Stats ObjectIn this episode I talk about implementing the new stats object, the problems that have come from that, and the fun I'm having creating damage and fire rate calculating functions.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-12-0818 minHeart Gamedev Podcast43 - Some Progress + Stress and RecoveryIn this episode I talk about the progress I made this week, my worry that I haven't prototyped quite enough to justify implementing some new features, and my new fixation on the idea of stress and recovery.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-12-0117 minHeart Gamedev Podcast42 - Rebuilding Momentum after a LullIn this episode I talk about rebuilding momentum after taking a month off of WASarD. I also talk about my plans moving forward in December.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-11-2914 minHeart Gamedev Podcast41 - Gamedev Part TimeIn this episode I talk about my current work situation, how I feel about part time gamedev, and my progress with WASarD.
P.S. I forgot to mention this in the episode, but I did release a new demo of the game on itch. You can check it out here: https://uheartbeast.itch.io/wasard
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-11-0826 minHeart Gamedev Podcast40 - Secondary Spells and Black MagicIn this episode I talk through my design notes on secondary spells. I'm still trying to find the right balance on secondary spells in order to create interesting build variety and replay value.
Play the old demo here: https://uheartbeast.itch.io/wasard
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-10-2522 minHeart Gamedev Podcast39 - Why has my progress been so slow?In this episode I talk about why I think my progress has been slower on WASarD recently. I also talk about my plans moving forward.
Play the old demo here: https://uheartbeast.itch.io/wasard
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-10-2112 minHeart Gamedev Podcast38 - The Calendar for the next DemoIn this episode I talk about my specific plans over the next 3 weeks for the new WASarD demo.
Play the old demo here: https://uheartbeast.itch.io/wasard
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-10-1012 minHeart Gamedev Podcast37 - Thoughts on my Progress this WeekIn this episode I talk about the progress I made toward implementing secondary spells and my plans for the next demo.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-10-0713 minHeart Gamedev Podcast36 - Thinking Through Secondary SpellsIn this episode I mention wishlist numbers again and talk through my ideas on pacing and the functionality of secondary spells.
Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-10-0515 minHeart Gamedev Podcast35 - An Interesting Discovery about Relics in my GameIn this episode I talk about relics in WASarD and some interesting things I learned about how they should work.
Wishlist the game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-10-0212 minHeart Gamedev Podcast34 - Projecting Wishlist Numbers, Knockback Fixes, and Wall BouncingIn this episode I discuss the following topics:
The design problem of when to give the player relics and secondary spells
Wishlist number predictions for launch (based on my current numbers)
Solving my problems with knockback and wall bouncing
Wishlist the game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-09-2330 minHeart Gamedev Podcast33 - Wishlist Numbers? Good Enough. Now I Need to Shut Up and Get to Work.In this episode I talk about my wishlist numbers, my plan moving forward after the teaser trailer, and how I'm preparing the game's codebase for production.
Wishlist the game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-09-1422 minHeart Gamedev Podcast32 - Teaser Trailer YouTube Comments and Wishlist NumbersIn this episode I talk about releasing the teaser trailer, the comments that I got on it, and the wishlist numbers. I also talk about the future of the project, some finances, and the decision to move ahead without doing a Kickstarter.
Wishlist the game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-09-0827 minHeart Gamedev Podcast31 - My Steam Trailer GoalIn this episode I talk about optimizing your steam page, building a wishlist, how pixel art looks better in motion, and general advice from Chris Zukowski (howtomarketagame.com) I also ramble about the dangers of early access.
Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
Wishlist the game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-09-0620 minHeart Gamedev Podcast30 - I added secondary spells! How did it go?Yesterday I implemented the secondary spell feature! In this episode I talk about how it went. I also talk about the game's trailer being the current bottleneck to the Steam page, Kickstarter, and subsequently production.
Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
Wishlist the game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-09-0513 minHeart Gamedev Podcast29 - Injecting Motivation by Watching Recorded Playtesting SessionsIn this episode I talk about how watching recorded playtesting sessions motivates me to work even harder on my game. Maybe this is a virtuous cycle. I can't help but notice how useful it is.
Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
Wishlist the game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/
2023-09-0408 minHeart Gamedev Podcast28 - The Kickstarter and Steam Page are Taking ForeverTopics in this episode include:
Small improvements to the game
Improvements to the Steam page and Kickstarter
I'm still slow at this part
I need to prove that I can make money doing the work I'm doing
2023-08-3133 minHeart Gamedev Podcast27 - All I need is 2.5 Hours of GamedevTopics for this episode include:
Why I started this podcast
Going too long without working on the actual game
Preparing the Kickstarter trailer
The question for pre-production is: "What can I make in x time?"
The Question for Production is: "How long with this take me to make?"
Do I need to adjust my 5-year plan?
Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
Here is the demo if you'd like to play it: https://uheartbeast.itch.io/wasard
2023-08-2519 minHeart Gamedev Podcast26 - Organic Traffic on Itch.ioIn this short episode I talk about the organic traffic the WASarD demo is getting on Itch.io. I also read one of the recent comments about the game and give my thoughts on it.
Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
Here is the demo if you'd like to play it: https://uheartbeast.itch.io/wasard
2023-08-2208 minHeart Gamedev Podcast25 - My Goals for the WeekIn this episode I talk about my goals for this week, the demo analytics, and how it can be hard to judge the success of a project based on analytics when you have a large following.
Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
Here is the demo if you'd like to play it: https://uheartbeast.itch.io/wasard
2023-08-2116 minHeart Gamedev Podcast24 - Designer Vision vs Player RequestsIn this episode I talk about adding relics into the game and I start off with a dash relic. I try to find a balance between my vision of how the game should be played and the requests I get from player for how they would like to play it. I also briefly talk about productivity again and over scoping the project.
Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
Here is the demo if you'd like to play it: https://uheartbeast.itch.io/wasard
2023-08-1821 minHeart Gamedev Podcast23 - Post Demo Bug Fixes and What Comes NextI had a lot of thoughts on my mind this morning.
In this episode I discuss the demo and some stress around bug fixes. I talk about attempts to get a sense for the average play duration for the project and the public interest. I also talk through the next steps for Kickstarter and what I need to do to get the Steam page up for wishlists.
Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
Here is the demo if...
2023-08-1520 minHeart Gamedev Podcast22 - Public Itch.io Demo Release and Feedback so FarI released the Itch.io demo yesterday! Surprise. In this episode I talk about the feedback I've gotten so far and my plans moving forward.
Here is the demo if you'd like to play it: https://uheartbeast.itch.io/wasard
Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
2023-08-1121 minHeart Gamedev Podcast21 - Start Menu Draft and a Hacked in Save SystemIn this episode I talk about the progress I made yesterday toward the demo and some future plans and ideas I have moving forward.
Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
2023-08-1006 minHeart Gamedev Podcast20 - Making Progress Again + Do I Even Want to be Successful?I start this episode off by talking about my influx of progress and the new enemy type I added to the game.
In the second segment of the episode I talk about having a harder emotional day and ask myself if I even want to be successful? The answer is clear, and I move on to talk about adding sound effects to the game and an intuition about audio priority.
Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
2023-08-0917 minHeart Gamedev Podcast19 - I missed my Goal for the Itch.io Demo ReleaseIn this episode I postpone the Itch.io release of the demo until next week. I also ramble a bit about quality of life fixes the players may never even notice.
Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
2023-08-0608 minHeart Gamedev Podcast18 - Addressing the Main Pain PointsIn this episode I talk about the main pain points of the game I want to address before releasing the demo on itch.io and my progress implementing finite state machines for my enemies.
Follow WASarD on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
2023-08-0411 minHeart Gamedev Podcast17 - Just so You Know, Programming is HardIn this short episode I rant about the difficulties of programming.
2023-08-0206 minHeart Gamedev Podcast16 - How My Daughter Reacted to the Meta Progression FeatureIn this episode I talk about the results of adding meta progression to the WASarD and my plans for this week.
2023-08-0110 minHeart Gamedev Podcast15 - The Feeling of a Slow Week but Striving for Progress AnywayThis week was harder for me, and I didn't make as much progress as I would have liked. In this episode I talk about how that feels and my plans to finish off the week.
2023-07-2815 minHeart Gamedev Podcast14 - Getting Difficulty Right for WASarDIn this episode I focus on the difficulty of my game and my plans for creating challenges that are fair to the player.
If you want to be notified when WASarD goes live on Kickstarter, here is a link to follow: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
2023-07-2513 minHeart Gamedev Podcast13 - Indie Game Night ThoughtsIn this episode I talk about the indie game night and my thoughts after watching people play the game.
If you want to be notified when the game goes live on Kickstarter, here a link to follow the game: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
2023-07-2117 minHeart Gamedev Podcast12 - Last-Minute Fixes before the Indie Game NightIn this episode I talk about some last-minute fixes before the indie game night, my anxiety and excitement for the event, and my rule of implementing ideas to see how they work instead of trying to anticipate how they will work.
If you would like to be notified when the Kickstarter for my game launches, here is a link where you can follow the project: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
2023-07-2017 minHeart Gamedev Podcast11 - Stressful Bugs, Unforeseen Interactions, and Fixing the Fun out of the GameIn this episode I talk about a bug that is bothering me, some interesting interactions I noticed while watching a playtester, and my fear of fixing the fun out of the the game.
2023-07-1916 minHeart Gamedev Podcast10 - The Spider Enemy and the Kickstarter PageIn this episode I talk about adding the new spider enemy and creating a simple Kickstarter page for WASarD.
I also mention working with my brother toward a soundtrack for the game.
Here is the Kickstarter page where you can sign up to be notified when the Kickstarter goes live: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
2023-07-1810 minHeart Gamedev Podcast9 - I'm Ready for ProductionIn this episode I talk about a few changes I made to WASarD and how I feel it is ready for production. I also answer a listener question about creating pixel art assets for games.
2023-07-1422 minHeart Gamedev Podcast8 - Book Shipping StoryIn this episode I describe a short experience I had while shipping my books to Indiegogo backers.
2023-07-1405 minHeart Gamedev Podcast7 - Post Demo Thoughts and Plans for the Rest of JulyIn this episode I briefly talk about the feedback I received on the demo and talk about my plans for the rest of the month.
2023-07-1117 minHeart Gamedev Podcast6 - The Push for the DemoIn this episode I talk about the final two days of work to release the demo.
2023-07-0120 minHeart Gamedev Podcast5 - Demo Eve and Feeling a Bit StressedIn this episode I talk about my priority list for the demo release on the 30th.
2023-06-2906 minHeart Gamedev Podcast4 - Playtesting on the Steam Deck and Moving ForwardIn this episode I talk about using my Steam Deck to share my current prototype with family members. I also look at how the playtesting sessions went and my plans for the last week I have to spend on this prototype.
2023-06-2608 minHeart Gamedev Podcast3 - Using the Boss to Teach the Engaging ActionI'm adding a slime boss to my current prototype. The first iteration didn't go so well but things worked out in the end.
2023-06-2407 minHeart Gamedev Podcast2 - Being Efficient vs Being EffectiveIn the past I may have leaned too hard into efficiency when making games. In this episode I talk about how I'm trying to lean more into effectiveness and give an example from my current prototype.
If you want to be notified when the game goes live on Kickstarter, here a link to follow the game: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard
2023-06-2307 minHeart Gamedev Podcast1 - An Introduction and My 5 Year PlanIn this episode I introduce myself, my previous games, my book, and my 5 year plan.
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