Retro Space Ball Developer Rik Oclon

3D Generalist Rik Oclon calls in to discuss his project Retro Space Ball, how he navigated a huge debacle with a major games publisher (and received no payment), and he gives us some great data about his player base as well as some insight into his marketing and community management research.

Read more

Boss Fight Books Author Sebastian Deken

Sebastian Deken calls in to discuss his book, Final Fantasy VI from Boss Fight Books, and how his musical background led to his unique approach in covering the game. We go over the Final Fantasy series’ history in the US and how the games have progressed over time. There is almost no gotcha journalism.

Read more

Retro Developer Paul Nicholas

Update: Paul is turning heads again with his demake of No Man’s Sky. Check out Low Mem Sky at Itch.io!

This week, UK-based retro developer Paul Nicholas Skypes in to talk about his recent development project, SCUMM-8, a Pico-8 recreation of LucasArts’ legendary engine for Maniac Mansion among other hits from the golden age.

Read more

The Legend of Extreme Paintbrawl’s Mysterious Soundtrack

I was talking shop with a close friend recently about OST composition (he’s an extraordinary musician, producer, and almost certainly one of my studio’s future composers) when he brought up a desire to compose a game soundtrack he would really enjoy listening to, even when he’s not playing the game. It’s a noble goal, and in fact, it immediately made me think of Extreme Paintbrawl (Head Games/Creative Carnage, 1998): a game most agree is greatly inferior to its own music. 

Read more