Shows
Draknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 35: Zach Barth (Kaizen: A Factory Story, Opus Magnum, etc.)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Zach Barth, one of the developers behind Kaizen: A Factory Story and Zachtronics. Topics include the development of Kaizen, making accessible Zach-likes, and systems design.
2025-08-281h 02Draknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 34: Ben Wilson (Draknek & Friends)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Ben Wilson the other producer at Draknek & Friends. Topics include his journey through the games industry, crossword puzzles, and card games.
2025-08-1446 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 33: Robin and Jeremy (The Roottrees are Dead)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Robin and Jeremy, the developers behind The Roottrees are Dead. Topics include the origins of the game, the remake on Steam, and genre classifications.
2025-07-311h 14Draknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 32: Chao Cui (Kiko's Apple Adventure)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Chao Cui, the developer behind Kiko's Apple Adventure. Topics include the development of the game, designing a sokoban with movable stages, and the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant.
2025-07-1736 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 31: Corey Martin (Bonfire Peaks, Tire Boy)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Corey Martin the developer behind Bonfire Peaks. Topics include the development of Bonfire Peaks and its DLC sequel, Bonfire Peaks Lost Memories, his other work on games like Tire Boy, and puzzles in non-puzzle games.
2025-07-031h 11Draknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 30: Dana Trebella (Spoke & Wheel Strategy)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Dana Trebella, the founder of Spoke & Wheel Strategy. Topics include best practices for how and when to message your game, common marketing pitfalls, and stories of working with the Draknek team.
2025-06-191h 02Draknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 29: Lucie Viatgé (Spooky Express)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Lucie Viatgé, the concept artist behind Spooky Express. Topics include the development of Spooky Express, her time at KO-OP, and her relationship with puzzle games.
2025-06-0548 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 28: Cerebral Puzzle Showcase and Thinky DirectIn this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Joseph Mansfield for his threepeat appearance on the podcast to discuss the Cerebral Puzzle Showcase 2025 and the recently premiered Thinky Direct!This episode has a video version that you can watch here: https://youtu.be/RVNMsXXeatkA copy of each of our shortlist of recommended games, some of which did not get discussed in the episode:Games Discussed:Bonfire Peaks - Lost Memories Parts 2+3Gentoo RescueKiko's Apple AdventureSpooky Express
2025-05-2956 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 27: Zachary Johnson (Stage Fright)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Zachary Johnson, a developer behind games like Joggernauts and Stage Fright. Zach is also the inspiration for Draknek's next game, Spooky Express - a fact he did not know when the recording started. Topics include an overview of Zach's career, stories from Train Jam, and Zach's hopes for Spooky Express.The Spooky Express demo is live now, so go ahead and give it a try after listening to this episode!
2025-05-2252 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 26: Luke Spierewka (Pup Champs)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Luke Spierewka, the developer behind Pup Champs and Railbound. Topics include the development of Afterburn's games, developing games in shorter turnarounds, and lessons learned across multiple successive puzzle games.
2025-05-1555 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 25: Lucas Le Slo (Spooky Express)In this special episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Lucas Le Slo, a puzzle designer on the newly announced Spooky Express. Topics include the development of Spooky Express and its inception, the project's goals, as well as Lucas' other work on puzzle games such as Lab Rat.
2025-05-0841 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 24: The Electrifying Incident RetrospectiveIn this episode...Well, sometimes when you set out to create something, it doesn't actually end up looking at all like what your goal was. That statement applies to both this podcast episode as well as The Electrifying Incident. Syrenne and Alan are joined by Ben and Phoenix from the development team and things go off the rails fast as Syrenne re-experiences the intense scope creep and change that happened on this title.Please keep in mind that this episode contains FULL SPOILERS for all seven achievements of The Electrifying Incident. And remember folks: this...
2025-05-0152 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 23: Annika Maar (Duck Detective)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Annika Maar the developer behind Duck Detective. Topics include the development of the game, short development timelines, and making approachable and funny games with deep thinky mechanics.
2025-04-2453 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 22: Gwen Frey (Lab Rat)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Gwen Frey the developer behind Lab Rat. Topics include the development of the game and its large scope, Gwen's long career in games, and the state of funding in the industry.
2025-04-1754 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 21: Izzy Kestrel (Electrifying Incident)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Izzy Kestrel from the Electrifying Incident development team. Topics include the development of TEI, Thinky Games as social experiences, Gex, and A Little Game Called Mario.
2025-04-1052 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 20: Tana Tanoi (Shape Sender Deluxe)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Tana Tanoi, the developer behind Shape Sender Deluxe. Topics include the development of Shape Sender Deluxe, the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant, and the difficulties of making a thinky physics puzzle game.
2025-04-0353 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 19: Balloon Studios (Botany Manor)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Laure and Kitt from Balloon Studios, the developer behind Botany Manor. Topics include the development of the game, the inspiration for setting the puzzles in a manor, and tricking players into playing puzzle games.
2025-03-2756 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 18: Joseph Mansfield (ThinkyGames.com)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Joseph Mansfield, the manager of ThinkyGames.com. Topics include discussions of thinky games we love, what Joe's been up to, and a long tangent about Bonfire Peaks and The Legend of Zelda series. The vibes on this one are immaculate.
2025-03-201h 09Draknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 17: RBOR Games (Bean and Nothingness)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Nic Ford, Jordan Watkins, and Michael Von Korff, the developers behind Bean and Nothingness. Topics include the development of the game, designing complex interactions while balancing the game, and designing puzzle games for hardcore puzzle fans.
2025-03-1342 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 16: Phoenix Stroh (The Electrifying Incident)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Phoenix Stroh from the Electrifying Incident development team. Topics include the development of The Electrifying Incident, working with Godot, and working with your former professor.
2025-03-0634 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 15: Lukas Hort (Map Map: A Game About Maps)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Lukas Hort, one of the developers behind Map Map: A Game About Maps. Topics include the development of Map Map: A Game About Maps, how cartography puzzle design intersects with level and world design, and being selected for the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant.
2025-02-2742 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 14: Benjamin Davis (A Monster's Expedition, Cosmic Express, A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build, The Electrifying Incident)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Benjamin Davis, the lead programmer on Draknek's games like A Monster's Expedition, Cosmic Express, A Good Snowman is Hard to Build, and the recently announced The Electrifying Incident. Topics include how Alan and Ben met, what it's like to work with Alan on these games, and details on the newly announced game. Come for the details about the new game, stay because Syrenne slowly deteriorates throughout the episode. It's a fun one.
2025-02-2054 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastBonus Episode: YagmanX interviews DraknekIn this bonus episode, YagmanX interviews Draknek! Please note that this interview originally happened in early 2024.You can watch the original video upload here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR9-5FyKJOM
2025-02-1341 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 13: Andrejs Klavins (Golden Idol)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Andrejs Klavins, one of the developers behind The Case of the Golden Idol and The Rise of the Golden Idol. Topics include the development of the Golden Idol games, balancing narrative and deductive reasoning puzzles, and the process of iterating the game design and UX to create the new standard for detective game design.
2025-02-0646 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 12: Furniture & Mattress (Arranger)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Furniture & Mattress, the team behind Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure. Topics include the development of Arranger, designing puzzles and narrative in a world where every step counts, and the challenge of naming games.
2025-01-301h 08Draknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 11: Alex Diener aka ThemsAllTook (Leaf's Odyssey, YouTuber)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Alex Diener AKA ThemsAllTook, the developer of Leaf's Odyssey and a puzzle game YouTuber. Topics include the development of Leaf's Odyssey, the running of the YouTube channel, and how playing and covering games intersects with making them.
2025-01-2356 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 10: Our Favourite Games of 2024 (with Joseph Mansfield)In this very special episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by co-hosts Mairi Nolan and Joseph Mansfield to discuss some of their favorite thinky games of 2024. This episode is pretty spoiler-free, so kick back, enjoy, and learn about why we love some of the games that came out last year.Games discussed: No Case Shall Remain Unsolved, Is this Game Trying to Kill Me?, Duck Detective: The Secret Salami, Isles of Sea and Sky, Blue Prince (Demo), Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, Star Stuff, Leap Year, Tactical Breach Wizards, Botany Manor, Rise of the Golden Idol...
2025-01-161h 18Draknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 09: Mairi Nolan (Draknek & Friends studio manager and escape room aficionado)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Mairi Nolan, the studio manager at Draknek & Friends. Topics include how Mairi got into puzzle games, her love of escape rooms, and what being a studio manager at a company like Draknek & Friends is like.
2025-01-0944 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 08: Harry Shang Lun Lee (Sokobond)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Harry Shang Lun Lee, one of the developers behind Draknek's first major commercial release Sokobond. Topics include the development of Sokobond, how Harry and Alan met, what Harry's been up to since then, and being comfortable with failure and personal growth.
2025-01-021h 08Draknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 07: Samarth Hattangady (Konkan Coast Pirate Solutions)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Samarth Hattangady, the developer behind Konkan Coast Pirate Solutions. Topics include how Samarth started making games, learning how to design great puzzles throughout development, and his experiences with the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant.
2024-12-1939 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 06: Blaž Urban Gracar and Ferran Ruiz Sala (LOK Digital)In this special episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by the developers of LOK Digital, the exciting new Draknek & Friends published release that just surprised launched! Topics include the original design of the LOK book, the journey to the digital version, signing with Draknek & Friends, and the road to launch.
2024-12-1154 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 05: Ánimo Games (Star Stuff)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by the team at Ánimo Games, the developer behind Star Stuff. Topics include how games can relate to education, designing an approachable programming puzzle game, and balancing difficult optional content while keeping forwards momentum through the campaign.
2024-12-0546 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 04: José Hernández (Sokobond Express)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by José Hernández, the developer behind Draknek & Friends' Sokobond Express. Topics include how Jose started making games, how Draknek & Friends discovered and signed the game, and the long iteration process to making Sokobond Express the game you can play today.
2024-11-2833 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 03: Jason Newman (Isles of Sea and Sky)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Jason Newman, the developer behind Isles of Sea and Sky. Topics include how Jason started making games, designing an open world puzzle game, and blending different genres together.
2024-11-2148 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 02: Lenophie (Pâquerette Down the Bunburrows)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Lenophie, the developer behind games like Pâquerette Down the Bunburrows. Topics include how Lenophie started making games, packing a cute game full of secrets, and "chaos vs structure" when designing games.Please note that this episode contains spoilers for the game Pâquerette Down the Bunburrows.
2024-11-1448 minDraknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 01: Arvi Teikari (Baba is You)In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Arvi Teikari, also known as Hempuli, the developer behind games like Baba is You. Topics include how Arvi started making games, what drives him to make puzzle games, and weird Finnish candies.
2024-11-071h 00Draknek & Friends Official PodcastEpisode 00: Pilot with Syrenne McNultyJoin hosts Alan Hazelden and Syrenne McNulty as they kick off the podcast with a conversation about Syrenne's experiences getting into the games industry, getting into production, and eventually moving into thinky puzzle games.Our music is by Priscilla Snow, who you can find at ghoulnoise.bandcamp.com. Our podcast artwork is by Adam DeGrandis. Our podcast was edited by Melanie Zawodniak. Please rate and review us on your podcast service of choice, and be sure to tune in next episode for more interesting conversations.
2024-10-2338 min
Radio Free NintendoEpisode 687: This Podcast Is Also Out NowFEATURING: (00:05:12) A conversation with Manifold Garden producer Syrenne McNulty about the game. (00:59:47) The rest of the Indie World presentation's games.(01:46:18) Planescape: Torment coda.
2020-08-232h 03
The Thirsty Mage RPG Podcast Has Moved - Check Out New Feed BelowBest Reason To Buy A PlayStation 4 - Persona 5Armed with Syrenne's 450 page book on the development of Persona 5, we get into the weeds of the Persona series.
On the Panel:
Thirsty Mage Host - David Lloyd
Game Producer - Syrenne McNulty
Radio Free Nintendo Host - James Jones
Beer of the Night
- Grimbergen Double Ambrée - 6.5% -
Twitter: @TheThirstyMage
Discord: discord.gg/kwR9kxC
Email: David@TheThirstyMage.com
2018-03-2700 minRadio Free Nintendo8th Annual NWR Telethon (2017): Part 4: 8:00 - 10:00FEATURING: Game Making 101 with Syrenne McNultyZach and Carmine Prehistoric Power Hour
2017-12-072h 03Radio Free Nintendo7th Annual NWR Telethon (2016): Part 3: 6:00 - 9:00FEATURING: Pitch Your Game - with Syrenne McNultyFamicast Hour (with John and JJ from 8-4 Play)Super Mario RPG Retrospective
2016-10-183h 01
NWR ConnectivityConnectivity Special: The Zero Time Dilemma SpoilercastWelcome to a very special episode of NWR Connectivity.
Zero Time Dilemma released on June 28 for 3DS, but Donald and friend of the site Syrenne McNulty both reviewed the game and took to the microphone to talk about what they witnessed. There were plenty of questions going into the game, but were they answered well? Or at all?
This podcast contains unfiltered spoilers for the entire Zero Escape trilogy, particularly Zero Time Dilemma, and is best listened to following the completion of the game.
In addition to her work as a critic, Syrenne's independently developed games are now on the...
2016-06-3000 minRadio Free NintendoEpisode 444: Toys-to-AfterlifeFEATURING: Greg takes a break to immerse himself in football season, but friend of the show Syrenne McNulty is back to discuss two 3DS and Wii U games we might not have talked about otherwise: Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, and Disney Infinity 3.0.New Business is rounded off with a comparison of Super Mario 3D World and New Super Mario Bros. U as co-op games, and talk of Astral Breakers, VS. Excitebike, and the Metal Gear Solid entries leading up to MGS 5.Listener Mail: Pikmin 4 hopes and dreams, the future of Nintendo Directs, updating game reviews, Ace Attorney 6 localization, and...
2015-09-132h 08
The Famicast ArchivesThe Famicast 61 - ONE CRAZY BALLOON TRIPFEATURING: Danny is out on holiday, but that doesn't stop the Famicrew plus special guest Syrenne McNulty from bringing you the latest and greatest from Japan.New Business featuring a wide variety of topics including Sonic and Mario Rio 2016 Olympic (arcade location test), Pokken and the latest entry in the Ace Attorney series. The crew talks about and comment on how Satoru Iwata left such an impact on modern gamingAs always, thank you for your feedback! We really appreciate everything you guys have to say about the show! If you want to hear your question or comment read on air...
2015-07-2900 minThe Famicast ArchivesThe Famicast 61 - ONE CRAZY BALLOON TRIPFEATURING: Danny is out on holiday, but that doesn't stop the Famicrew plus special guest Syrenne McNulty from bringing you the latest and greatest from Japan.New Business featuring a wide variety of topics including Sonic and Mario Rio 2016 Olympic (arcade location test), Pokken and the latest entry in the Ace Attorney series. The latest releases, charts and newsThe crew talks about and comment on how Satoru Iwata left such an impact on modern gamingAs always, thank you for your feedback! We really appreciate everything you guys have to say about the show! If you want to hear your question...
2015-07-2900 min
Sup, Holmes?Sup, Holmes? Ep 105 w/ Syrenne McNulty (I've Gotta Run)Holmes chats with Syrenne McNulty, freelance games reviewer and developer of I've Gotta Run.
2014-07-031h 33NWR ConnectivityEpisode 133: Let's Go With Primal RageWelcome to this very special episode of Connectivity! We have two segments for you this week.
The first segment is a new game of NWR Jeopardy, written and hosted by Syrenne McNulty. Syrenne backed Nintendo Force on Kickstarter, earning the reward of hosting a segment of Connectivity. She decided she wanted to torture us all by hosting a game of Jeopardy entirely about WiiWare. Neal co-hosts with her while Guillaume, Alex, and Zach do their best to remember the mess that was WiiWare.
Between rounds one and two of Jeopardy, Alex comes on to provide a quick reaction to the...
2014-05-1000 minNWR ConnectivityEpisode 129: How Babies Are MadeHello and welcome to Episode 129 of Connectivity! We have one super-sized segment for you this week.
Daan, Addison, and special guest Syrenne McNulty come together to talk about games they've been playing and this week's surprisingly dense amount of news. The gang discusses Link Between Worlds, Mario Kart 8, Lego The Hobbit, Disney Magical World, Conception II, NES Remix 2, Tomodachi Life, and a whole lot more.
That's it for this week's show! Be sure to send your listener mail to Connectivity@nintendoworldreport.com. See you next week!
2014-04-1200 minNWR ConnectivityEpisode 125: I've Got to Run!Here we go again on our own, going down that only road we've ever known. The road in question is Connectivity, of course. We have a banger of a show for you this week, with three full segments. Let me just tell you about it.
First up: It's the Alex and Zach show. Two of your favorite Connectibites get their synergy going by discussing the latest news and then breaking into the listener mail bag. You're going to love it, or your money back.
Secondly, there's a big, fascinating interview with the creator of the forthcoming Wii U indie game...
2014-03-1500 min