Shows
Hey, Good GameFunding Dreams & Crafting Stories: Lessons From an Indie Game VisionaryIndie-game luminary Tatiana Delgado joins Nate to trace her 20-year journey from drawing paper games as a kid to co-founding Madrid’s Out of the Blue Games. She explains how titles like Call of the Sea create emotional tension without combat, why early VR prototyping was both thrilling and nausea-inducing, and how small studios can balance artistic vision with funding realities. Tatiana also teases two new projects—Lovecraft-flavored sequel Call of the Elder Gods and branching visual-novel series The Vigilante Diaries—while sharing hard-won advice on user testing, team culture, and pitching in today’s crowded market.2025-07-0137 min
Hey, Good GameFrom Zero to Hooked in 20 Seconds: The Stopwatch Strategy for Sustainable IndiesWhat does it take to turn a minimalist text-based game into a global phenomenon?Indie developer and software craftsman Amir Rajan joins us to unpack his unconventional path from enterprise software to the top of the App Store with A Dark Room. In this episode, we explore how Amir built the DragonRuby Game Toolkit, why betting on hyper-niche communities pays off, and how rapid prototyping drives sustainable success in indie dev. From cracking console publishing to navigating the unpredictable App Store ecosystem, Amir shares hard-earned insights into the creative and financial realities of going solo...2025-06-2446 minHey, Good GameWhy Most Web Games Skip the Sound—and What They’re MissingWhat does it take to create unforgettable game audio—from eerie soundscapes in Death Stranding to iconic branding in Mortal Kombat? Composer and sound designer Joel Corelitz joins us to talk about his path from writing music for pharmaceutical ads to shaping the sonic identity of major titles. We dive into the creative process, what good feedback really sounds like, the overlooked potential of sound in web games, and why sometimes doing the work is more important than waiting for inspiration.Check out Joel's Resources:https://joelcorelitz.com/http://twitter.com/joelcorelitzht...2025-06-1747 minHey, Good GameFrom Craps Tables to Sudoku Grids: A Microsoft Vet's Journey into Puzzle SettingMeet David Workman, known in the puzzle world as "HalfBakedLunatic" - a Microsoft veteran who creates Sudoku puzzles so difficult he can't solve them himself.David shares the incredible story of how he invented TiVo's core technology in 1996, only to watch it slip away when his two-page concept paper got buried at Microsoft. He reveals his epic gambling simulation that proved why casinos always win (even with unlimited money, you'd eventually make bets exceeding the world's GDP), and explains the paradox of puzzle creation - building something is the opposite of solving it.With 64 puzzles...2025-06-1040 minHey, Good GameThe Faceless Creator Behind One of YouTube’s Brainiest ChannelsIn this episode, we talk with Jason Todd—aka Timberlake—the faceless creator behind the YouTube channel Smart Hobbies. Jason shares how he turned Sudoku from a personal pastime into a thriving YouTube channel with over 900K views on a single video. We dive into the strategy behind his growth, why he stays off-camera, how he connects with an older audience, and the surprising power of Sudoku games in a fast-paced creator economy.Check out Timberlake's Resources:https://www.youtube.com/@SmartHobbieshttps://buymeacoffee.com/timberlakebhttps://www.instagram.com/timberlakesmarthobbiesGames Ment...2025-06-0356 minHey, Good GameFrom Red Dead to WordGlyph: The Actor Who Built a Word Game With Toothpicks and CodeKevin Glikmann, actor and creator of WordGlyph, joins us to share his wild creative journey—from voicing unforgettable characters in Red Dead Redemption to hand-building one of the most unusual word games on the internet. We talk about the inventing spirit that started with childhood roller coaster blueprints, the challenge of onboarding players in a genre-breaking game, and how Kevin used AI to accelerate coding without losing control. He also shares scrappy marketing tactics, ASMR game videos, and why rejection just means you’re onto something original.Check out Kevin's Resources:https://wordglyph.xyz/2025-05-2759 minHey, Good GameOne Game, 50 Million Views: How Word Salad Took OffSamuel Johnston, co-founder of Bleppo and co-creator of Word Salad, joins us to share how a daily word game turned into a viral hit with over 50 million views. We talk about designing for TikTok, teaching new users game mechanics, building games that are fun (not addictive), and what it’s like growing a studio by betting on the right kind of sharing.Check out Samuel's Resources:https://bleppo.co.uk/https://wordsalad.onlinehttps://numbersalad.com/https://steks.net/Game MentionsMorrowindRimWorldDiablo IIDay of th...2025-05-2050 minHey, Good GameHow to Build a Crossword Puzzle (That People Actually Want to Play)David Steinberg went from submitting crosswords to the New York Times at age 12 to becoming the editorial manager at Andrews McMeel. In this episode, he shares how puzzles captured his imagination, what makes a great daily game, and why accessibility, surprise, and player-first design are key to long-term success. We also dive into how AI, onboarding, and syndication are shaping the future of games for indie developers and solvers alike.Check out David's Resources:https://syndication.andrewsmcmeel.com/puzzles/category/puzzleshttps://www.gocomics.comFind David Online:http://www.customcrossword.com2025-05-1341 minHey, Good GameWhy Most Daily Games Are Broken (And How to Fix Them)In this episode of Hey, Good Game, we sit down with Jeff Doka — creative director, writer, and co-founder of World Seekers, a GPS-based deckbuilding game that fuses exercise and entertainment. Jeff shares lessons from building Chess Puzzle Blitz, why most daily games fail to create lasting habits, and how deep mechanics and storytelling can transform casual gaming experiences. We dive into the realities of bootstrapped game development, the art of crafting daily puzzle loops, and why designing for real-world benefit (not just dopamine hits) might be the future of gaming. Plus: why AI isn’t replacing good storytelling anytime soon...2025-04-2958 minHey, Good GameHe Made a Game So Big It Needed 27 Puzzle DesignersElyot Grant, CEO and Game Director at Lunar Studios. Elyot shares his prolific journey from academia to game development, highlighting his expertise in creating engaging puzzles and successful indie games like Prisma. He discusses his favorite classic games, including Tetris and StarCraft, and provides deep insights into the intricacies of game design and puzzle creation. Elyot also recounts compelling stories about their Kickstarter campaign for Prisma and using Reddit to build an early audience. Additionally, he sheds light on the making and scaling of 'Islands of Insight,' a puzzle game known for its vast number of h...2025-04-221h 01Hey, Good GameFired, Broke, and 2 Weeks from a Hit: How Gabriel Stürmer Started Clap Clap GamesGabriel Stürmer, CEO of Clap Clap Games. Gabriel shares his remarkable journey from working in e-commerce at Dell to venturing into gaming with Cupcake Entertainment and eventually founding his own game studio. Despite facing the setback of being fired from Cupcake, Gabriel taught himself game development through Unity tutorials and successfully published two hit games, 'Submarine Jump' and 'Snow Patrol,' with renowned publishers. He discusses the intricate process of game testing, the evolution of hyper-casual games, and the challenges of staying ahead in the mobile gaming industry with limited resources. Gabriel also offers insights into b...2025-04-1554 minHey, Good GameWhen to Hire a Composer: Game Music Insights with John Robert MatzIn this episode, we dive deep into the world of video game music composition with John Robert Matz, the talented composer behind scores for games like For the King, Tchia, and Gunpoint. John Robert shares his journey from classically trained musician to award-winning game composer, offering insights into his creative process and how he approaches each unique project.John Robert discusses how he creates authentic musical experiences by incorporating period-appropriate instruments and techniques, from medieval fantasy scores to French Revolution-era compositions. He explains the importance of bringing composers into game development early, revealing how music can shape...2025-04-0853 minHey, Good GameFrom Nokia Engineer to Indie Game Creator | Building DeCodexIn this episode of the Hey, good Game podcast, host Joseph Rueter interviews Áron Csatlós, a software engineer from Hungary and the creator of the cryptography puzzle game Decodex, which is available at playdecodecks.com. Áron shares his journey from working at Nokia for over a decade to creating various games and AI-powered tools, including Ground Kids, a personalized training plan generator. The discussion covers Áron's inspirations, development practices like building in public, and his strategies for engaging players. Áron also talks about his favorite games, including chess and League of Legends, and provides insights into his future game...2025-03-2522 minHey, Good GameThink Like a Game Designer: Justin Gary on AI, Community, and Creative IterationJustin Gary, CEO of Stoneblade Entertainment and author of 'Think Like a Game Designer.' They discuss Gary’s core design loop framework, focusing on how AI can enhance each step: inspiring, framing, brainstorming, prototyping, testing, and iterating. Gary talks about the importance of games in learning and building connections, his favorite games, and the role of AI in accelerating game design. The conversation extends to community building, the similarities between game design and other creative processes, and effective marketing strategies. Gary also touches on the value of adding consistent value to communities, giving a peek into upcoming projects an...2025-03-1849 minHey, Good GameTetris, Chess, and Go: Martin Grider’s Indie Game Design PlaybookMartin's journey in game development, starting from his early days as a web developer to his current focus on iOS mobile applications. Martin shares his thoughts on AI in game development, his preferences for using Swift and Godot over Unity, and his experience with board game conversions and licensing. Martin also delves into his design philosophy, the challenges of monetizing games in the App Store, and his latest game projects, including a Zelda-ish 2D story-based game. Check out Martin's Resources:http://abstractpuzzle.com/http://martingrider.name/http://chesstris.com/...2025-02-1843 minHey, Good GameFrom Angry Birds to Escape Rooms: The Game Design Journey of Johannes AhvenniemiJohannes Ahvenniemi, a seasoned mobile gaming industry professional with a diverse portfolio, including working on hits like Best Fiends and Angry Birds. Johannes shares how his interest in games started at a very young age, inspired by his brother. He discusses his passion for creating quality games without ads, his consulting work, and innovative projects like escape puzzle magazines and Sudoku solvers. Johannes also shares his experiences working at top companies like Seriously Digital and Rovio Entertainment and founding Papukaija to make games for underserved audiences. Tune in to learn more about his unconventional journey and ambitious...2025-02-1138 min
Hey, Good GameModern Game Design Using Paper and AI: The Couples Game StoryA masterclass in modern game development with Osebo, revealing his journey from sketching word puzzles on a flight to Jamaica to launching Couples Game using AI tools and smart design principles. Learn how this former Tumblr and Facebook designer leverages LLMs to create engaging puzzles while building Castle's next-gen mobile game engine – proving that the best games start with pen and paper before embracing cutting-edge tech.Check out Osebo's Resources:https://castle.xyz/https://www.couples.game/https://evenings.fm/Socials: https://www.osebo.bloghttps://ww...2025-01-1455 minHey, Good GameTeaching Bridge to Fund Hollywood DreamsBrian Reynolds, co-owner of The Bridge Teachers, brings a unique blend of creativity and gaming expertise to the world of bridge instruction. As an actor, writer, and director, Brian partnered with his wife Samantha to transform bridge education through their subscription-based platform thebridgeteachers.com.Key takeaways include:- Their innovative approach to teaching bridge through accessible online content- The transition from personal instruction to scalable digital education- The potential market of 37 million bridge players in the U.S.- Their mission to modernize bridge education and attract younger players...2025-01-0758 minHey, Good GameBuilding Random Trivia Generator: From Hobby to Household NameSlavi Grozev, the creator of Random Trivia Generator. Slavi, originally an acoustic engineer, shares his journey of developing the popular trivia website, discussing his inspiration from long drives and quiz bowls during his time at engineering school. Despite having a full-time job and family commitments, Slavi dedicates time daily to update and evolve the platform. The conversation delves into Slavi's approach to building the site, handling user submissions, and future plans for new features. The episode also highlights Slavi's philosophy on user interaction, design focus, and the challenges of monetizing a passion project while keeping it accessible....2024-12-1045 minHey, Good GameHow to Level Up Your Chess Game: Building ChessHub.comDavid Ngo is the creator of ChessHub.com and a software engineer at Amazon. They delve into David's background in software development, his passion for chess, and the creation and evolution of ChessHub.com. David shares insights into game development, user feedback, and the challenges and triumphs he faced. They also discuss domain acquisition, monetization strategies, and future features aimed at improving the chess learning experience for users.Check out David's Resources:https://www.chesshub.com/analysis/new--(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:24) - David Ngo's Background and ChessHub Overview
(01:07...2024-12-0331 minHey, Good GameBuilding a Better Chess Brain: The Story Behind Blitztactics' Fast-Paced Learning PlatformLinmiao Xu is the creator of Blitztactics.com. Lin, a software engineer and avid chess enthusiast, shares his experiences developing Blitztactics—a fast-paced online chess puzzle platform. They discuss Lin's 'blitz chess' addiction, his forays into charcoal art inspired by Dark Souls, and the creative processes during his travels in Asia. Lin also delves into his involvement in training neural networks for Stockfish, a leading chess engine, and his professional role in developing generative image models at Playground. The conversation wraps up with Lin's future aspirations in game development and his philosophy on creativity and progression....2024-11-2633 min
Hey, Good GameHave You Ever Played A Game By Email?Richard Rognlie, the creator of Gamerz.net. Richard discusses his extensive background in programming, from early interest sparked by family to his career in defense contracts and web development. The conversation delves into the unique platform of Gamerz.net, which hosts over 270 play-by-email games. Richard shares insights into game design, the evolution of the site, and his experiments with various interfaces and mediums. The episode highlights the enduring appeal and challenges of asynchronous game play facilitated through email, touching on topics like user engagement, accessibility, and the potential future of the platform.Check out Richard's Resources:2024-11-1931 min
Hey, Good GameSandro Wahl's Journey Building Make It MemeIn this episode, we chat with Sandro Wahl, CEO and founder of PreAlpha, and the mind behind Make It Meme, a multiplayer game that turns meme creation into a social experience. Sandro shares his journey of creating the viral game, Make It Meme. He discusses the challenges of moderation, monetization, and the upcoming 2.0 version of the game. We also explore the social dynamics of memes and how Make It Meme has become a cultural touchstone for its players.Check out Sandro's Resources:https://prealpha.dev/https://makeitmeme.com/https://www.linkedin...2024-11-1238 min
Hey, Good Game2048's Creator Returns: How He Built a Global Gaming Phenomenon at Age 19In this episode, we sit down with Gabriele Cirulli, who created the viral hit game 2048 when he was just 19 years old. What started as a five-day coding experiment became a worldwide phenomenon, leading Gabriele through an unexpected journey of viral success, burnout, and eventually finding peace with his creation. After stepping away from the game for years, he recently quit his job at 1Password to work on 2048 full-time, launching a completely reimagined version with new features and improved performance. Surprisingly, Gabriele shares his unconventional view on the thousands of copycats his game inspired, seeing them as...2024-11-0554 minHey, Good GameFrom Hobby to Hit: The Ninja.io Journey with Rens RongenRens Rongen, the creator of the popular web game Ninja.io, to discuss the intricate process of game development, his inspirations, and how he balances his corporate work with his passion for creating engaging games. Rens shares insights into his creative process, the challenges of launching a multiplayer game, and the importance of community feedback in refining a project. He also touches on the role of publishers, the impact of advertising, and the joy of seeing users engage with his creations. As he prepares for the next chapter in both his personal and professional life, Rens reflects on the...2024-10-2939 minHey, Good GameBuilding Multiplayer Card Games: Insights from CardsJD.comJimmy Dickinson, the creator of CardsJD.com. Jimmy shares his journey from early console gaming to becoming a full-time indie developer, shedding light on the unique challenges of building multiplayer games. The discussion covers his transition from Intel to game development, offering insights into successful platform ports and the importance of versatile coding skills. James emphasizes marketing strategies, including App Store Optimization (ASO) and Search Engine Optimization (SEO), alongside his rebranding journey for better platform recognition.In this episode, you'll learn:Game Development Insights: They will hear about Jimmy Dickinson’s journey in game development, including hi...2024-10-2250 minHey, Good GameFrom Side Project to 35,000 Monthly Users: The MathHeads StoryAman Rawal and Ben Hollier, the minds behind MathHeads, a game designed to make mental math enjoyable. The conversation spans the development journey and multiplayer features of MathHeads, elaborating on backend challenges, user experience, and the game’s reception. It further explores strategies in managing a mix of game modes and user engagement through platforms like Discord. The discussion highlights marketing strategies leveraging Reddit and Google Ads, tackles the intricacies of monetization and infrastructure, and showcases unexpected collaboration opportunities, such as with the World Mental Calculation League.In this episode, you'll learn:Community Engagement: The im...2024-10-1536 minHey, Good GameQuizwise: From Hobby Project to 140k Monthly Quiz TakersAndrew Bartle, the creator of the quiz game, QuizWise. With over 25 years of experience as a software developer, Andrew shares his journey from developing games as a child to founding a successful quiz platform. He discusses the importance of passion in game development, the influence of his late collaborator Barry Lakeman, and how A/B testing played a pivotal role in the site's evolution. Andrew talks about his experience with various ad providers, the impact of AI, and the dedication to maintaining the educational value of QuizWise.In this episode, you'll learn:QuizWise Origins: QuizWise was...2024-10-0850 min
Hey, Good GameContexto: From Side Project to Full-Time Game CreatorNildo Jr., known for the word-guessing game Contexto. Nildo discusses his inspiration from tech and mathematics, his migration to Norway, and the development of Contexto during the pandemic. He also shares insights into the challenges of maintaining the game, the importance of user feedback, and the educational potential of games.In this episode, you'll learn:Follow Your Passion and Curiosity: His fascination with algorithms and AI, leading him to create Contexto, highlights how following your interests can lead to significant accomplishments.Importance of Simplifying User Experience: Nildo discussed the challenges of simplifying Semantle to make it...2024-10-0145 min
Hey, Good GameScoring Like Hell: Garry SchymanGarry Schyman, a renowned composer for film, television, and video games. Garry shares insights from his prolific career, discusses the intricacies of game scoring, and offers valuable advice on creativity and composing. He also delves into his experiences teaching at USC, the impact of AI on the music industry, and the joy of working on games like Bioshock and Dante’s Inferno. This episode is a deep dive into the world of game music composition and the evolving landscape of the industry.In this episode, you'll learn:Always Do Your Best Work: Garry highlights the importance of...2024-09-2449 min
Hey, Good GameBehind the Scenes with Hey, Good Game (and a Simple Request)Nate Kadlac and Aaron Kardell reflect on the past 18 months of building the business and podcast. They share insights into their journey, including their bootstrapping philosophy, ad partner experiments, and the expansion of their content. The duo discusses their favorite games, the importance of maintaining control by avoiding venture capital, and their continuous efforts to respond to user feedback and improve their games. They also highlight the diversity of recent podcast guests and invite listeners to suggest future guests and provide reviews to help the podcast grow.Check out Hey GG's games and...2024-09-1728 min
Hey, Good GameThe Art of Voice Acting in Video Games and the AI Challenge with Keythe FarleyKeythe talks about the resurgence of pinball games, his favorite video games over the years, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the industry. The conversation delves into the ethical implications of AI, voice cloning, and the importance of fair compensation for voice actors.In this episode, you'll learn:Keythe shares his history with video games, from his early days playing pinball and arcade games like Pac-Man to more recent titles like Tomb Raider and Red Dead Redemption. Keythe shares personal anecdotes and reflections, offering a holistic view of the life of a voice actor. H...2024-09-1046 min
Hey, Good GameHow I Became the Flute Guy for Video GamesJosh Plotner is a renowned musician, producer, and arranger known for his work in films, TV, and video games. Based in New York, Josh has been a freelance musician for over a decade, specializing as a saxophonist and woodwind multi-instrumentalist.At age three, Josh's journey began with a passion for saxophone, eventually expanding to other woodwind instruments. His versatility led him to Broadway, where he currently subs for The Lion King, playing 13 different flutes. This experience sparked his interest in world flutes, leading to a vast collection of instruments from various cultures.In this episode...2024-09-0344 min
Hey, Good GameHow to Build and Launch Successful Web Games Using AIDaniel Tait is a prolific indie game developer who has created several popular puzzle games, including Mathler, CrossWordle, and Sumplete. Despite not considering himself a professional programmer, Daniel has a knack for quickly building and launching games that capture players' attention.In this episode, we explore Daniel's journey from tinkering with games as a kid to becoming a successful indie developer. He shares insights on:How he created Mathler, his breakout hit inspired by Wordle, using an open-source clone and basic math equationsHis approach to rapidly prototyping and launching games, often spending just a w...2024-08-2744 min
Hey, Good GameOne Game a Week: Two Years of Non-Stop CreationGabe Cornish is a game creator with over 40 published games on itch.io and a decade of experience in the game industry. He's worked on hit mobile titles like Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery at Jam City and more recently at Paradox Interactive. Gabe is passionate about making game development more accessible and sustainable for creators.In this episode, we explore Gabe's journey in game development and his unique perspective on creating games for fun rather than profit. He shares insights on:• Make games regularly, even if they're small and imperfect, to maintain enthusiasm and improve sk...2024-08-2033 min
Hey, Good GameBootstrapping Chess.com Into 10 million Daily PlayersEric Allebest, co-founder and CEO of Chess.com, joins the podcast to discuss how he's revolutionized the world of online chess. With 5-10 million daily players and nearly $100 million in annual revenue, Chess.com has become the go-to platform for chess enthusiasts worldwide.Eric shares his journey from e-commerce to building a chess empire, starting with Schoolhouse Chess and Wholesale Chess before launching Chess.com. He reveals how the company has weathered surges and plateaus in popularity, including the massive boost from Netflix's "The Queen's Gambit."In this episode, you'll learn:• How Chess.co...2024-08-1352 min
Hey, Good GameBuilding Word Games Without Frameworks With Cassidy WilliamsCassidy Williams is a prolific content creator, developer advocate, and builder. Aaron Kardell and Joseph Rueter discuss Jumblie—a word game inspired by a coding challenge—and Cassidy's previous games. Cassidy shares her journey, the influence of her time in Spain, SEO, her love for board games like Agricola and Civ 6, and her stint as a mascot at Iowa State University. Check out Cassidy's Resources:https://jumblie.comhttps://cassidoo.cohttps://x.com/cassidoohttps://github.com/cassidoohttps://www.patreon.com/cassidoohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cass...2024-08-0647 min
Hey, Good GameHow to Build a Successful Art Career by Embracing Creative SelfishnessPeter Mohrbacher, creator of Angelarium, emphasizes the importance of creating art for yourself rather than trying to please others or meet market expectations. He argues that the best art comes from a place of "creative selfishness" - following your own obsessions and interests without worrying about external validation. This approach has allowed him to maintain a unique artistic voice while building a successful business around his personal project. However, he acknowledges that this path isn't for everyone, as many artists struggle with the business side of self-publishing and marketing their work.Check out Peter's Resources:https...2024-07-3054 min
Hey, Good GameHow to Create a Viral Puzzle Game From ScratchGreg 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/@gtkarber...2024-07-231h 08Hey, Good GameHow to Design Board Games That People LoveCole 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.2024-07-1640 min
Hey, Good GameHow to Design Obsessive Games by Breaking the RulesZach 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.comWe 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/--(00:00...2024-07-0955 min
Hey, Good GameHow FreeCell Snuck Its Way Into Millions of PCsEpisode 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, a...2024-06-2536 min
Hey, Good GameSay Yes to Creativity: Tracy Fullerton's 10-Year ProjectEpisode 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...2024-06-1858 min
Hey, Good GameSega’s Downfall Was… Sega?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 h...2024-06-111h 04
Hey, Good GameBuilding Games at the NY Times: Interview With Jeff PetrielloEpisode 26: Jeff Petriello, a game producer at the New York Times and a game design educator at NYU Game Center, shares his unique journey from producing movies to producing games played by millions of people.Go behind the scenes at the New York Times, learn what it's like to shepherd hits like Wordle, and create games from scratch like Strands. Working closely with the New Games Squad and the Gameplay Squad, Jeff shares what inspires him, his teaching experiences, and the significant role of games in building social connections.This episode is filled...2024-06-041h 06Hey, Good GameAaron Tried To Buy WordleRight before the New York Times announced they acquired Wordle in the low-mid seven figures, Aaron attempted to buy Wordle, and wordle.com. Listen to Aaron's story on why he started building games, and how that led to his attempt to purchase the popular daily word game that took the world by storm.How close did he get? Listen and find out!--(00:00) - Introduction to the Hey, Good Game Podcast
(01:17) - The Unstoppable Rise of Wordle
(02:12) - Aaron's Journey into Game Development
(06:38) - The Evolution of Online Game Monetization
(13:24) - The...2024-05-2832 min
Hey, Good GameHow Canuckle Became a Canadian FavouriteEpisode 24: In this episode, explores the journey of Mark and Jeff Rogers, creators of Canuckle and Canoku games, inspired by Wordle. It delves into their background, game development process, hiatus, renewal with added features, community engagement strategies, collaborations with other game creators and notable organizations, partnerships for sponsorships and merchandise, future plans, and potential partnerships with entities like the New York Times' Wordle. The discussion also includes their use of AI, philanthropic endeavors, and lessons learned in promoting their games.Check out Mark and Jeff Rogers' Games and Resources:Canuckle: www.canucklegame.caCanoku...2024-05-2149 min
Hey, Good GameCrafting Delight With WordsEpisode 23: In this episode, we dive deep into the creative process behind the game WordPeaks with its creator, Devin Spikowski. Discover the inspirations, design decisions, and the unique journey from concept to a game enjoyed by thousands.Check out Devin's Games and Resources:https://vegeta897.github.io/word-peaks/https://twitter.com/vegeta897https://github.com/vegeta897https://cohost.org/vegeta897https://vegeta897.carrd.co/https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@vegeta897--(00:00) - Kicking Off with Devin of WordPeaks
(00:12) - Introducing the Hey, Good...2024-05-1438 min
Hey, Good GameThe Beauty of Games With Frank LantzEpisode 22: This conversation features a deep and insightful discussion with Frank Lantz, the director of the New York University Game Center and an award-winning game designer. Throughout the interview, Lantz explores the intricate relationship between games, culture, and education, highlighting how games can serve as a potent medium for both artistic expression and intellectual challenge.Check out Frank's Games and Resources:“The Beauty of Games” - A book by Frank LantzUniversal Paperclips - A game by Frank Lantzhttps://twitter.com/flantzhttps://www.franklantz.net/https://www.franklantz.net...2024-05-071h 07
Hey, Good GameSell or Scale? The Strategic Sale of SemantleEpisode 21: David Turner created Semantle.com, a unique word-guessing game focusing on semantic relationships. Turner shares insights on his journey from ideation to acquisition, his creative process, and upcoming projects like a graphical adventure game. We also chat about game design challenges, user testing, creativity in game development, and effective marketing strategies.Check out David's games and links:https://semantle.com/https://twitter.com/SemantleGamehttps://games.novalis.org/https://middlesgame.com/novalis@novalis.org--(00:00) - Kicking Off with a Creative Idea
(00:16) - Welcome to the...2024-04-3044 min
Hey, Good GameShaping Words with Grant Warman: The Story of PolygonleEpisode 20: Grant Warman, the creator of Polygonle and Quadragonal word games, discussing the game mechanics, user feedback, collaboration with other games, and plans for future projects. Check out Grant's games and links:https://polygonle.com/https://quadragonle.com/https://www.reddit.com/r/polygonle/https://discord.gg/https://www.facebook.com/people/Polygonlehttps://twitter.com/PolygonleGame--(00:00) - Words of Wisdom for New Game Creators
(01:43) - Deep Dive into Polygonle with Grant Warman
(02:42) - The Competitive World of Super Smash Brothers
(06:08) - Exploring the Mechanics...2024-04-2340 min
Hey, Good GameWaffle: How this game reached 500k daily playersEpisode 19: James Robinson runs the ever-popular game, Wafflegame.net. In his first-ever podcast, he shares the history of Waffle, where it is headed, and how it has reached 500,000 daily players.James discusses the game's design, user feedback, and the human-centric approach to game creation. Themes include his accidental success, and the future plans for Waffle Studio.Check out James's games and links:https://wafflegame.net https://www.facebook.com/wafflegamehttps://www.threads.net/@thatwafflegamehttps://twitter.com/thatwafflegame--(00:00) - Opening Remarks and Podcast Introduction
(00:25...2024-04-161h 08
Hey, Good Game“It's either Minesweeper or smoking, I can't write if I have to give up both.”Episode 18: Today's episode join me and lets explore the fascinating journey of Minesweeper through an interview with Damien Moore, the visionary behind MinesweeperGame.com. Delve into the origins of Minesweeper, the celebrities who played this game, its evolution, strategic gameplay, online community, and the intricate mathematics that define this beloved game.Check out Damien's games and links:https://minesweepergame.com/https://minesweepergame.com/forum/--(00:00) - Introduction to the Hey, Good Game Podcast
(01:43) - Diving Deep into Minesweeper's History and Community
(02:46) - Damien Moore: The Finer Miner's Journey
(04:55...2024-04-0255 minHey, Good GameGDC Unplugged: Our First Trip to the Game Developer ConferenceHey, Good Game podcast hosts Nate Kadlac and Aaron Kardell attend the GDC conference in San Francisco for the first time. They share their experiences at the event, interactions with different booths, and their plans for potential future participation. Check out Hey GG's games and links:https://www.hey.gg/https://lilsnack.co/https://poki.com/https://www.coolmathgames.com/--(00:00) - Welcome to the Hey, Good Game Podcast!
(00:27) - First Impressions of GDC: Diving into the Deep End
(00:48) - The Vibrant Community and Networking Opportunities
(01:19...2024-03-2613 min
Hey, Good GameFrom Crosswords to Squeezy: Jeff Chen's Creative AdventureEpisode 16: Today's episode features an interview with Jeff Chen, the creator of the new game Squeezy, discussing his journey in creating the game, his experience in puzzle making and writing, including the challenges and successes. Jeff also shares his writing experience and the upcoming puzzle book collaboration with Stuart Gibbs. He emphasizes the importance of persistence, listening to feedback, and living with frustration for aspiring game creators.Check out the games and resources from this episode:https://imsqueezy.com/https://www.jeffchenwrites.com/https://www.xwordinfo.com/--(00:00...2024-03-1950 min
Hey, Good GameWill Sudoku ever be stopped?Episode 15: In today's episode features an interview with Jeff Widderich, the president of Syndicated Puzzles, who discusses his background, experience on Dragon's Den, game creation, the challenges faced in the puzzle industry, and the future of game design. Widderich shares insights on the importance of spatial thinking, the necessity for new and innovative puzzles, the competitive nature of puzzles, and the potential for multi-solution puzzles. He emphasizes the need for game designers to remain independent and the significance of creativity in puzzle design. Additionally, he addresses the influence of trends, the struggle to break through in the game industry...2024-03-1253 min
Hey, Good GameNerdle: The Math Game Bill Gates Loves to PlayToday we're excited to sit down with Richard Mann, the CEO and founder of Nerdle, a math game similar to Wordle. Richard discusses the development of Nerdle, the challenges of creating math games that are fun for kids, the game's advertising model, the launch of a new game called 2D Nerdle, and the importance of user feedback.We also dive into how Nerdle is run as a family operation, and why many of the ideas for the game happen over dinner. Check out Richard's website:https://nerdlegame.com/https://www.leaderboardle.com/2024-03-0542 min
Hey, Good GameBONUS: How To Earn a Living From Your Game, How Game Creators are Using AI, and moreWe're back with Joseph, Nate, and Aaron! They discuss the past 12 episodes of the podcasts, what stood out from our conversations, how game creators earn a living from their games, and the differences between creators.The conversation ends with reflections on the progress of their business, Hey Good Game, and its growth strategy in buying and building games. Check out Hey GG's games and links:https://www.hey.gg/--(00:00) - Introduction and Podcast Improvements
(00:24) - Reflecting on the Journey and Guest Experiences
(01:27) - The Impact of Games...2024-02-2737 min
Hey, Good GameHow Lil Snack is Redefining Daily GamesLil Snack is a new daily game platform created by Eric Berman and Travis Chen. They talk about their approach to creating a new game every day with the desire to be an app recommended by friends in text messages. They credit AI for their ability to be nimble, noting that the technology helps with the middle part of their creative process such as research and creating the specific puzzle format. The conversation reveals the journey of Eric and Travis from building games to launching Lilsnack and highlights various aspects of their startup like maintaining low friction in game...2024-02-2047 min
Hey, Good GameKings, Pawns, and Coders: Turning Passion into Chessworld.netOur recent chat with the creators of ChessWorld pushes the edges on what you might know about correspondence-style Chess as a game. Tryfon (aka Kingscrusher) and his brother Nick share how maintaining ChessWorld allows them to pursue a passion for playing chess while also earning a living. They talk about how Tryfon’s enjoyment of chess guided the development of the platform, his approach to running Chessworld.net on an ad-free, subscription-based model, and how his experiences in online gaming have influenced his strategies and learning in chess. Check out Tryfon's Website and Socials:Chessworld.net...2024-02-1354 min
Hey, Good GameThe Future of Puzzle Creation with KrazydadJoin us as we delve into Jim Bumgardner's fascinating odyssey within the realms of coding and brainteasers. We explore his profound insights on the convergence of computers, music, and puzzle creation, alongside his clever utilization of Foursquare's capabilities which paved the way for his brainchild—the acclaimed puzzle hub—KrazyDad. Our chat also touches upon his confidence in AI's revolutionary impact across sectors, reflections on past revenue models via advertising, and the aspiration to draft a definitive guide on crafting puzzles. Amid the depth, we find moments of levity with tributes to "Star Battle" puzzles and entertaining tales from Jim...2024-02-061h 03
Hey, Good GameRacing Through Rabbit Holes in The Wiki GameThe Wiki Game is a fun, web-based game that connects two random Wikipedia article links. Alex shares his journey of how he started out, using concepts like six degrees of separation to create a game involving Wikipedia articles, and how it has steadily grown over the years to around 60,000 - 80,000 unique users a month. Despite challenges like hacking incidents and handling various user complaints, for Alex, the game remains a labor of love. He also talks about his ideas for the future of the game — a freemium model targeting larger private groups, the forthcoming launch of version 3, and how he...2024-01-3045 min
Hey, Good GameModernizing a Classic Puzzle With Sven's SudokuPadIn this episode, hosts Aaron Kardell and Joseph Rueter of the 'Hey, Good Game' podcast sit down with game developer Sven Neumann. They discuss the creation and development of Sven's SudokuPad, used by Cracking the Cryptic, his early interest in technology and gaming, as well as his vision for the platform's future. Neumann also discusses the considerations of building a social platform for Sudoku, which would include features like subscribing to channels and categorizing puzzles.Play Sven's Games:Sven's SudokuPadSven's Website--(00:00) - Intro
(00:37) - Interview with...2024-01-2348 min
Hey, Good GameHow Abe Train's First Game Globle Went GlobalYou’d be surprised how a well-established corporate worker like Abe Train started creating games for a living! From big-name companies like Tesla, General Motors and Hello Fresh, to creating his own brand and entering a niche that he loves, Abe has a great story to share behind his success.This is how a corporate worker traded his stable life to venture out into the industry of game development and created the hit game, Globle.Nate Kadlac (https://twitter.com/kadlac) and Aaron Kardell (https://twitter.com/akardell) chat with Abe Tr...2024-01-1638 min
Hey, Good GameBridging the Word Gap: How Woogles is Revolutionizing ScrabbleUnlock the secrets of Scrabble with Woogles creators César Del Solar and Jesse Day, who join us to discuss the power of two-letter words and parallel plays that can transform your word game skills. As we chat with these Scrabble aficionados, we uncover not only their journeys into the world of competitive Scrabble but also how their diverse backgrounds and love for the game led to the inception of Woogles. Their friendly banter on topics from condiments to the platform's chess-inspired beginnings gives a glimpse into the camaraderie and passion fueling their successful, polished online presence, crafted when t...2024-01-0946 min
Hey, Good GameBehind the Success of KenKen: An Interview with Robert FuhrerRobert Fuhrer explores his years-long journey in the toy and game industry in this interview. He reminisces about the many experiences that shaped his career from early exposure to the toy industry, his first creation, his various partnerships and ventures and how he ended up being the owner of the popular puzzle game, KenKen. His journey reflects the crucial importance of relationships in business, being outspoken about opportunities, and taking on ventures with undefined outcomes. Fuhrer also talks about his experience with marketing and fiercely competitive business models and gives some sage advice to aspiring game developers....2024-01-021h 17
Hey, Good GameHorror, Puzzles, and Pragmatism: The Improbable Journey of CineNerdleStep into the shadowy corridors of game development with our esteemed guest, Nilanth Yogadasan, the creative genius behind the eerie yet addictive games, CineNerdle and CineNerdle 2. His games reach over 30,000 daily players, and over 15 million games played. Our conversation takes a deep dive into Nilanth's inspiration, drawing heavily from his passion for horror cinema, and how it fuels the enigmatic puzzles in CineNerdle. Alongside his passion, Nilanth's journey also encompasses the trials and tribulations of maintaining a successful game, providing a fascinating glimpse into a game maker's mind.Play Nilanth's games: https://www.cinenerdle.app/2023-12-2641 min
Hey, Good GameFrom Rubik's Cube Champion to Game Development: Toby Mao's JourneyAre you ready to step into the intriguing world of game development, entrepreneurship, and the pursuit of excellence? Let me welcome you to a captivating conversation with Toby Mao, the driving force behind 18XX Games and a Rubik's Cube record holder. His diverse journey weaves through the set of Pursuit of Happiness with Will Smith, creating 18XX games, to leading roles at Airbnb and Netflix, and now, co-founding Tobiko Data. Toby's relentless passion for excellence, his exciting career path, and his remarkable ability to excel in various fields will leave you inspired.Play Toby's game:18...2023-12-1933 min
Hey, Good GameTurning $30 Into $25,000 a Month with Online SolitaireGet ready to unlock the mysteries of game development and indie hacking as we entertain an inspiring chat with Holger Sindbæk, the enterprising mind behind Online-Solitaire.com and WorldOfCardGames.com. Gain a new perspective from Holger's inspiring journey from designer to developer, and how he transformed his passion project into a significant income source. We promise you'll be intrigued by Holger's analytical approach to game development, hints of strategies that boosted an existing game, and his current fascination with Diablo 4 - quite the leap from solitaire!Play Holger's games: online-solitaire.comWorldofcardgames.com...2023-12-1253 minHey, Good GameThe World of Casual Games: A Discussion with the Hey, Good Game TeamWhat do games mean to you? As kids, games have had a large impact on our lives. Now as adults, join our inaugural and nostalgia-fueled episode as we, your hosts Joseph, Aaron, and Nate, explore the significance of childhood games and how they shaped us. We also discuss how games have played a significant role in our entrepreneurial journeys.In this episode, you'll learn:• About the evolution of programming languages• Games as an introduction to entrepreneurship• Why daily games work so well• Casual gaming and community involvement• The impact of streaks...2023-12-0527 min
Better Today Than YesterdayThe Glorious Activity We All NeedHi Friend, Last summer, the family was off doing their own thing, and I found myself at home alone with three hairy and very barky friends. I didn’t feel obligated to participate in what they were doing. In truth, I wasn’t invited. That allowed me to be alone without pressures, family responsibilities, email, calendars, or other distractions - all guilt-free.But I wasn’t alone. I was in solitude. Glorious solitude. This solitude allowed me the space to think and do what I wanted needed. I chose a stack of books, a run...2023-06-0404 min
Weekly Dish on MyTalk2/18/23 | Hr 2: Knife SkillsStephanie March and Stephanie Hansen discuss knives with Joseph Rueter in the 2nd hour of the show. ALSO: Steakhouse sides and Tom Hanks' 'Diet Cokagne'!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.2023-02-1842 min
The Small But Mighty Marketing PodcastChasing Curiosity and Doing Data Right: ‘How I Work’ EP18 with Joseph Rueter (Vivront)Send us a textChasing Curiosity and Doing Data Right: ‘How I Work’ EP18 with Joseph Rueter (Vivront)Joseph Rueter is the founder and CEO of Vivront, a cutlery sharpening service by mail that simultaneously supports school nutrition challenges. He’s a dedicated entrepreneur having founded multiple companies leveraging software innovation, product development, and his “do it yourself” attitude.Joseph joins Josh Becerra in episode 18 of How I Work to explain how chasing curiosity has contri...2022-03-0736 min