Episódios
-
In this special New Year episode 35 of openindie, your hosts Sarah and iV discuss their favourite indie games of 2024 and some of their most anticipated, wishlisted games for 2025.
Timestamps to the games we talked about:
Ballionaire - iV´s 1st pick (1:14)
Element TD 2 - Sarah´s 1st pick (13:34)
Factorio Space Age - iV´s - 2nd pick (23:46)
Portal Revolution - Sarah´s 2nd pick (36:40)
Desktop Explorer - iV´s pick 2025 (47:35)
Mandragora - Sarah´s pick 2025 (55:02)
Thank you for sticking with us and let´s have an awesome 2025 together!
As always, have fun listening!
If you enjoy what we do, tell your friends (and enemies) about us.
-
Before diving into video games, Elli created the successful board game "Worldbreakers: Advent of the Kani," which gained significant attention and praise from industry veterans. Now, discover how Elli's unique background in computational biology and board game design shaped their approach to game development.
Get an inside look at "Flocking Hell," where players navigate fog-covered maps, manage resources, and prepare for inevitable demon invasions across 80 crucial turns. The game launches on Steam in March 2025, complete with nine language options.
Episode Markers:What is Flocking Hell? (01:06)How Elli feels about the upcoming release of Flocking Hell (01:39)A typical run of Flocking Hell (02:32)Ideas that inspired Flocking Hell (05:19)Elli´s favorite feature in Flocking Hell (08:02)Feedback from the Demo (10:21)Playtesters? Wanted! (12:58)Long term plans for Flocking Hell´s development (14:09)Controller & Touch support? (17:24)From Bio Science to board game to video game (19:01)Elli´s life and research done during COVID (21:22)Reason to go develop an Indie game (23:31)A moment as indiegamedev Elli will always remember (24:47)The best part about developing your own game... (26:48)... and the worst part about it (28:55)Elli´s advice for aspiring indie game developers (30:21)Are you a solodev? Who´s helping to make Flocking Hell (33:47)Story behind the Name Sextant Studios (39:50)Funding for developing Flocking Hell (41:57)Does Flocking Hell have a Publisher? (43:28)Elli´s take on the indie dev scene in the US (44:42)Challenges and chances of developing games in the US (46:40)
Whether you're a strategy enthusiast or just love the idea of sheep battling demons, this episode offers a delightful glimpse into the mind of a talented and creative developer.
As always, have fun listening!
If you enjoy what we do, tell your friends (and enemies) about us.
-
Estão a faltar episódios?
-
In this episode of openindie, we sit down with newobject, the indie developer behind the upcoming roguelike game Ballionaire.
After spending two decades in the corporate world and experiencing the 2023 tech layoffs, newobject returned to his lifelong passion for game development. He shares his journey from corporate life to indie dev, the creative process behind Ballionaire, and the challenges of balancing work, family, and crunch mode.
We dive deep into the unique mechanics of Ballionaire — a game inspired by Pachinko and Luck Be A Landlord — where players build chaotic synergies on a static board. newobject also opens up about his favorite features, the joys of watching players discover unexpected synergies, and his advice for aspiring indie developers:
"Make weirder, shorter games and let's experiment more."
Whether you're an aspiring developer or a fan of indie games, this episode is packed with insights, personal stories, and practical advice.
Tune in to learn more about Ballionaire and why it’s set to be a standout in the indie gaming world!
As always, have fun listening!
If you enjoy what we do, tell your friends (and enemies) about us.
-
In episode 32, we dive into the world of chess and Autobattlers with our guest, PlistA, a talented developer from the Netherlands.
He is currently working on AFK Chess (check it out in here), an innovative game that seamlessly blends the strategic depth of chess with the laid-back mechanics of Autobattlers, all wrapped in a beautiful art style.
AFK Chess offers a unique experience that you can enjoy for free on Steam and in your browser. Join us as we explore PlistA's journey, the challenges of solo development, and the inspiration behind this captivating game.
In our talk we mention a Indie Developer Meetup in Amsterdam - you can find more infos here:
Amsterdam Indie Developer Meetup
As always, have fun listening!
If you enjoy what we do, tell your friends (and enemies) about us.
-
One topic we never expected to explore on openindie? The unlikely game dev origins of solo creator Leo, who used PowerPoint to craft point-and-click adventures way back in kindergarten!
Today, that precocious creative spark has culminated in RollScape - Leo's dice-rolling adventure hitting Steam on May 22nd, just a week away from this recording.
We're thrilled to sit down with Leo and unravel the inspiration behind this addictive indie gem. He'll share his motivation for RollScape's unique premise, his journey as a solodev before this debut release, and his ambitious plans for evolving the dice adventure concept.
From PowerPoint tinkering to bringing RollScape's innovative dice gameplay to life, it's a path few could foresee. Tune in as we go behind-the-scenes with Leo on this rollicking ride through the challenges and rewards of indie game development in Belgium.
As always, have fun listening!
If you want to find more info about RollScape and our previous guests, visit us at www.openindie.eu and tell your friends (and enemies!) about our little indie podcast to help us grow.
-
In episode 30, we explore the development journey of Thronefall, a captivating kingdom builder/tower defense game seamlessly blending key elements from classics like Kingdom, tower defense titles, and real-time strategy games.
Thronefall has taken Steam by storm since its early access launch in August 2023, garnering over 8,000 overwhelmingly positive reviews for its innovative hybrid genre approach.
We sit down with Paul, indie dev and co-founder of Berlin-based Grizzly Games. We chart Thronefall's evolution from an overscoped fantasy card game to the tight, tactical experience winning acclaim today. Paul gives insights into Thronefall's design, his accidental origins in indie gaming, and the ups and downs of game dev life in Germany.
Your host Iv engages Paul in a fascinating discussion unraveling the story behind this breakout indie hit. Learn about the creative process shaping the game, balancing life as a compact two-person studio, and Paul's hopes for the future of the German indie scene.
As always, have fun listening :)
If you want to find more info's about this game and our previous guests, visit us at www.openindie.eu and tell your friends (and also your enemies) about us to help our little indie podcast grow.
-
In this episode of our podcast, we delve into the captivating world of Tiny Rogues, a game that seamlessly blends gameplay elements from iconic titles like Hades, Dark Souls, Diablo, and Binding of Isaac.
Tiny Rogues made waves on Steam, amassing over 3,200 reviews with a staggering 97% positivity rate.
Join us as we sit down with Benji, the talented indiedev and founder of Studio Pixlpunk from Austria behind this gem. We explore the journey of Tiny Rogues from its Early Access debut to the highly anticipated massive update released just before the year (2023) ends. Benji shares insights into his gaming career, the challenges of game development, and what it's like crafting games in Austria.
Iv, engages in a conversation with Benji, unraveling the story behind Tiny Rogues and the creative process that led to its success.
As always, have fun listening :)
If you want to find more info's about this game and our previous guests, visit us at www.openindie.eu and tell your friends (and also your enemies) about us to help our little indie podcast grow.
-
In this exciting episode of openindie, join us for an one-on-one interview with James Letherby, co-founder of CATASTROPHIC_OVERLOAD, an indie game dev studio located in Bristol, UK.
Discover the fascinating journey of CATASTROPHIC_OVERLOAD, co-founded by James Letherby and Josh Burr, as James shares their passion for crafting captivating co-op experiences. Learn about their creation "Drink More Glurp," which was released in August 2020 during the pandemic as a unique co-op adventure.
James gives us an insider's look into the upcoming release, "Bish Bash Bots," a fusion of casual tower defense and intense brawling action that promises an adrenaline-pumping delight and co-op fun.
Join us as James shares his personal journey into game programming, the challenges he faced, and the triumphs that fueled his dedication to creating unforgettable gaming experiences.
As always, have fun listening :)
If you want to find more info's about this game and our previous guests, visit us at www.openindie.eu and tell your friends (and also your enemies) about us to help our little indie podcast grow.
-
Three friends - Sarah, Ben and iV - share their top 3 favorite indies of 2022 and what game they are looking forward to in 2023 the most.
#Indiegames from these awesome #indiedevs covered during this cozy talk:Darkest Dungeon 2 by Red Hook Studios Midnight Fight Express by Jacob DzwinelHellslave by Ars GoetiaRetro Gadgets by Evil LicoriceVampire Survivors by poncleThe Last Spell by Ishtar GamesThe Talos Principle by CroteamDome Keeper by BippinbitsDisco Elysium by ZA/UMTiny Rogues by RubidevStray by BlueTwelve StudioReplaced by Sad Cat StudiosUniverse for Sale by Tmesis StudioAs always, have fun listening :) If you want to find more info's about this game and our previous guests, visit us at www.openindie.eu and tell your friends (and also your enemies) about
-
Did you ever want to design, build, and program your own working Game Boy?
I sure did. Maybe like me you are also lacking the necessary soldering, airbrushing and programming skills or simply don’t have the time or the space for a fully fletched electronics workshop. Then you will have a blast with Retro Gadgets from studio Evil Licorice.
Iv talked with Marco Di Timoteo, Luca Marchetti and Marco Bancale about their game, how they got into programming and the gaming industry in Italy and Iceland.
As always, have fun listening :)
If you want to find more info's about this game and our previous guests, visit us at www.openindie.eu and tell your friends (and also your enemies) about us to help our little indie podcast grow.
-
Dome Keeper has a lot going for it: stylish pixel art with great atmosphere, resource management, mixed with mining and exploration and a dash of tower (dome) defense and with rogue like elements. It released on Steam released 27th of September 2022. Iv had the chance to talk to indie studio Bippinbits founder and main developer René abouth the road to Dome Keeper, his passion for games development, the situation for indie devs in Germany and future plans and updates for Dome Keeper.
As always, have fun listening :)
If you want to find more info's about this game and our previous guests, visit us at www.openindie.eu and tell your friends (and also your enemies) about us to help our little indie podcast grow.
-
Back in August 2022, Sarah and iV headed to Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, marking the return of one of gaming's biggest events after the COVID hiatus.
They sat down with 21 talented indie developers to discuss their upcoming and recently released games. Here's a rundown of each conversation, with timestamps included for easy navigation.
Phantom Galaxies (0:00)
Ben Lee from Blowfish Studios (Australia) presents their open-world space sim featuring NFT integration.
Earthlingo (15:40)
Zilin Su and Raymond Corrigan (Australia) demonstrate their language learning game where players control an alien discovering Earth languages.
Broken Roads (32:05)
Craig Ritchie from Drop Bear Bytes (Australia) presents their narrative-driven RPG with turn-based combat in post-apocalyptic Australia.
Richie's Plank Experience (42:15)
Jonathan Bradley from ToastVR (Australia) discusses their popular VR experience.
Box Knight (55:07)
Tom Phillips and Jeremy Kelly-Bakker from We Made A Thing Studios (Australia) present their game about battling through a cursed office tower.
The Orphan: A Pop-Up Book Adventure (1:00:08)
Daniele Martines and Martin Langer from Besworn Games (Germany) demonstrate their unique pop-up book style game.
Blueberry (1:19:45)
Melanie Taylor from Mellow Games (Germany) presents her platformer exploring a woman's journey from birth to death.
Saga of Sins (1:26:13)
Rupert Ochsner from Bonus Level Entertainment (Germany) showcases their 2D action-adventure with stained glass aesthetics.
Airhead (1:32:35)
Andreas Bødker from Octato (Denmark) presents their puzzle adventure about maintaining an inflatable head.
DE-EXIT - Eternal Matters (1:35:26)
Julien Gatumel and Gabriel Jiménez from SandBloom Studio (Spain) demonstrate their surreal voxel adventure.
Planet of Lana (1:40:05)
Adam Stjärnljus and Klas Eriksson from Wishfully (Sweden) present their cinematic puzzle adventure.
Paper Cut Mansion (1:48:47)
Gabriele Caruso from Space Lizard Studio (England) showcases their rogue-lite horror game with handcrafted paper models.
Universe for Sale (1:55:05)
Federico Chiummento and Zeno Colangelo from Tmesis Studio (Italy) present their cryptic sci-fi narrative set on Jupiter.
Backfirewall_ (2:02:15)
Lucie Robert from Naraven Games (Switzerland) demonstrates their comedic first-person adventure inside a smartphone.
Potion Tycoon (2:08:07)
Dmytro Zhovtobryukh from Snowhound Games (Finland) presents their potion creation and marketing simulator.
The Wandering Village (2:21:48)
Roger Winzeler from Stray Fawn Studio (Switzerland) showcases their city builder set on a living creature.
Diluvian Winds (2:27:05)
Nicolas Derio and Mathis Lenormand from Alambik Studios (France) present their climate change-focused adventure.
We Stay Behind (2:32:46)
Marcus Bäumer from Backwoods Entertainment (Germany) discusses their mystery investigation game about a doomed town.
Hamster Playground (2:36:30)
Michał Azarewicz from We Dig Games (Poland) demonstrates their Tamagotchi-style party game.
Tchia (2:46:11)
Phil Crifo from Awaceb (France) showcases their open-world adventure with animal control abilities.
Vikings on Trampolines (2:50:26)
Jo-Remi Madsen and Simon Stafsnes Andersen from D-Pad Studio (Norway) present their party game, following up their hit Owlboy.
As always, have fun listening :)
If you want to find more info's about this game and our previous guests, visit us at www.openindie.eu and tell your friends (and also your enemies) about us to help our show grow.
-
tERRORbane was developed by the italian indie-devs of BitNine Studio – a̷n̴d̷ ̴i̵t̶’̶s̸ ̷f̴u̶l̴l̴ ̵o̵f̸ ̶e̸r̴r̵o̸r̷s̷.̷ Why do we need such a game, when there are enough buggy and glitchy games out there?!
Well, let’s check the story behind this. The story-writer of the BitNine-team, Andrea Leoni, did not only tell me their intentions but also, if players actually have fun playing a broken game. Also, find out, why their studio switched from mobile to other platforms and what the gaming industry is like in Italy.
In this episode Andrea also shares his work on a novel named PowerPlay! - The odd tale about awesome powers, quirky personalities and why they make for an aweful mix. Be sure to check it out here.
As always, have fun listening :)
If you want to find more info's about this game and our previous guests, visit us at www.openindie.eu and tell your friends (and also your enemies) about us to help our little indie podcast grow.
-
Today we look at the point-and-click mystery adventure Crowns and Pawns: Kingdom of Deceit, which mostly takes place in Lithuania.
Set against the rich historical backdrop of Lithuania, this narrative-driven game weaves together real locations, historical facts, and compelling mysteries. Discover how the development team collaborated with historians to create an authentic experience, blending actual Lithuanian landmarks with fictional elements to craft an engaging adventure.
The episode delves into Tag of Joy's journey from mobile AR games to crafting traditional point-and-click adventures, while highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities of game development in Lithuania's growing indie scene. Learn about their innovative approach to puzzle design, their inspiration from classics like Broken Sword, and how they're putting Eastern European game development on the map.
Whether you're interested in game development, cultural representation in games, or point-and-click adventures, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the creation of a modern adventure game that celebrates Lithuania's rich heritage.
As always, have fun listening :)
If you want to find more info's about this game and our previous guests, visit us at www.openindie.eu and tell your friends (and your enemies) about us.
-
This episode takes us to INDIGO, where indie game developers from the Netherlands come together to showcase their work. We sat down with four studios to learn about their current projects.
Billy Bumbum (00:30)
Solo developer Jonathan Barbosa Dijkstra from Frambosa Studio introduces his puzzle game that adds a humorous twist - finally a game that dares to embrace the power of farts!
All Hands on Deck (13:40)
Studio Mantasaur's Lead Designer Manou Jpelaar walks us through their local co-op puzzle game where each player controls one hand. Together, you'll need to coordinate to solve challenges and navigate through the game world.
What's Missing (20:04)
The team at MIG! - programmer Nathan Nieuwenhuizen, environment artist Joyce van der Zon, and character artist Kai Calis - present their surreal puzzle game that will bend your mind in unexpected ways.
Ruth's Journey (26:36)
Three friends who formed Nifty Llama Games are working on this narrative adventure. Creative Director Leander Burger shares their story and gives us a peek into life as an indie developer.
If you want to find more info's about this game and our previous guests, visit us at www.openindie.eu and tell your friends (and your enemies) about us.
-
Today’s game is all about music – No, not Guitar Hero or Lets sing – it’s a simulator where you’ve got to plan, organize and host your own festival! It’s called “Festival Tycoon” and it’s out now for PC.
The developer of this game is Johannes Gäbler, he’s from Austria and “Festival Tycoon” is his very first game.
He designed that while still studying! How he managed to develop this management game, why he came up with the idea in the first place and what other stories he has to share, now on openindie.
As always, have fun listening :)
If you want to find more info's about this game and our previous guests, visit us at www.openindie.eu and tell your friends (and also your enemies) about us.
P.s.: Johannes Band is called "Lighter on the Moon" check them out here: https://instagram.com/lighteronthemoon and leave them a nice comment <3
-
What's your favorite beer? Just don't you dare to say craft beer! In the point and click adventure "Dude, Where Is My Beer?" you just want to drink a honest pilsner but everyone just wants to serve you overprized craft beer - what a nightmare!
Now the Norwegian developer Arik Zurabian wants to continue this quest with "Dude, Where Is My Beer? 2: A New Hop". He already has some ideas for the game but he just needs enough supporters on Kickstarter to get started.
In this episode we asked Arik how his second beer game will differ from the first and how he started out as an indie dev.
As always, have fun listening to this new episode of openindie :)
If you want to find more info's about this game and our previous guests, visit us at www.openindie.eu and tell your friends (and also your enemies) about us.
-
Sometimes adventure can be only one wrong dialed number away. Imagine receiving a voicemail from two strangers urging for help. Time to pick up your phone and get to work. Thomas Keane is the founder and creative director of England based godolphin games. His upcoming game Unknown Number: A First Person Talker utilizes a little explored tool for interaction - your voice. In this episode of openindie Thomas shares his story of how he came up with this unique blend of voice control and atmospheric puzzle game, how he got started as an indie dev and how to make hug sound juuuuuust right.
As always, have fun listening to this new episode of openindie :)
If you want to find more info's about this game and our previous guests, visit us at www.openindie.eu and tell your friends (and also your enemies) about us.
-
2021 is almost over. Time to slow down, get some rest, spend quality time with your loved ones and (of course) play some games. If you are still looking for some recommendations, Sarah, Ben and iV have you covered. In this special episode we tell you about our favorite indie games of 2021 and which ones we are looking forward to in 2022.
Thank you for your amazing support by listening and to all our awesome guests in 2021. Enjoy the holiday season, stay safe, be kind to each other and talk to you next year.
-
With their upcoming game Frank and Drake the Spanish dev studio Appnormals Team covers a story of two roommates who are as different as day and night. Inaki Diaz took the time to talk to Sarah about the unique story, art style and player feedback during a demo of the game. If one game wasn´t enough they are also developing a second game in parallel (Terracotta) that is a pixel-art action puzzle adventure. Reason enough for us to ask what unique challenges the team has to face when working on two games at once.
As always, have fun listening to this new episode of openindie :)
If you want to find more info's about this game and our previous guests, visit us at www.openindie.eu and tell your friends (and also your enemies) about us.
- Mostrar mais
