Chris Gardiner: How Failbetter Games Masters Meaningful Player Choices - Indie Diary #87

This is a special one! I spent some time with Chris Gardiner, Head Writer and Narrative Director at London-based studio Failbetter Games, to talk about the studio's approach to narrative, game design, community, and player engagement.I've been a longtime fan of Failbetter Games and their work ever since the team released Sunless Sea in 2015, and it's always a pleasure to catch up with a member of their team.Hope you enjoy!-----------Support Chris and Failbetter Games 🎒💛 All games: https://store.steampowered.com/search/?developer=Failbetter%20GamesWishlist Mandrake: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3710210/Mandrake/FBG Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/failbettergames.comNewsletter: https://www.failbettergames.com/followChris' Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chrisgardiner.bsky.social-------------------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediaristYouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristTwitch: https://twitch.tv/theindiediarist⁠TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theindiediaristThreads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristTwitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

In this episode, I spent some time with Timbo Johnson, a lovely solo developer from Wales with a burning passion for making small, fun, and beautiful games with amazing art. Though Timbo secretly has a dream... Will he make the game he's been dreaming of since childhood? Enjoy! 🎒💛 -----------Support Timbo 🎒💛Itch: https://timbojay.itch.io/Bubble Frog DX: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3262600/Bubble_Frog_DX/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@timbojay----------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediaristYouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristTwitch: https://twitch.tv/theindiediarist⁠TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theindiediaristThreads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristTwitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

Happy end of January! In this episode, I spent some time with Oswin (also known as Nimso), the developer of cosy platformer Shallow Pond, to talk about creative problem solving and how to approach some of the toughest challenges in game design / game development. Enjoy! 🎒💛-------------------------Support Nimso 🎒💛Find Shallow Pond on Steam:https://store.steampowered.com/app/2950750/Shallow_Pond/Play the Demo for free:https://store.steampowered.com/app/4183670/Shallow_Pond_Demo/Follow the development of the game:X: https://x.com/nimsodevThreads: https://www.threads.com/@nimsodevTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nimsodevYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Nimsodev-------------------------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediaristYouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristTwitch: https://twitch.tv/theindiediarist⁠TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theindiediaristThreads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristTwitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

In this FIRST episode of 2026, I spent some time with George, a solo developer working on a delightful party-based roguelite game called Luminas. From making your dream game to learning to prioritise work, this was a lovely one to open the new season of the show with! Enjoy! 🎒💛--------------Support George 🎒💛- Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3724100/Luminas_Parasite_Reign/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luminas_parasite_reign/- Discord: https://discord.gg/uprvfpJ4kdSupport the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediaristYouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristTwitch: https://twitch.tv/theindiediarist⁠TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theindiediaristThreads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristTwitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

Happy Holidays friends! This episode is a podcast version of The Silksong Paradox, a long-form video essay on the story of Team Cherry and Silksong's development journey. A little bonus to end the year!It's also a preview of the Indie Chronicles audio series, which will be available exclusively to Patreon members from episode 2 onwards.Enjoy! 🎒💛 ---------Gain access to future episodes in advance: https://patreon.com/theindiediarist----------------YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristTwitch: https://twitch.tv/theindiediarist⁠TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theindiediaristThreads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristTwitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠----------------Kotaku SplitScreen Interview featured in the original video: youtube.com/watch?v=6bQP2rmNBpI

In the last Indie Diary of the year, I spent some time with the folks at Zeitglas, a lovely development studio based in Switzerland that has just released Sanatorium, a mental asylum simulator game. Such a great story from these two and a lovely pair of guests, glad to have it as the last Indie Diary of 2025! Enjoy! 🎒💛--------------Support Zeitglas 🎒💛- Discord: https://discord.gg/USE5bJRHEH- Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2059090/Sanatorium__A_Mental_Asylum_Simulator/- Web 1: https://sanatoriumgame.com/https://shorelinegames.com/game/sanatorium/--------------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediaristYouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristTwitch: https://twitch.tv/theindiediarist⁠TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theindiediaristThreads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristTwitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

We all know children love games and toys: they're fun and give them a creative outlet for their imagination. But did you know video games can be priceless in hospitals too? For this episode, I spent some time with Gamer-in-Residence Steven Mair from the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, digging into why games matter to children and how crucial they can be in a hospital environment. A really heartwarming one. Enjoy! 🎒💛--------------Support Steven and the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity 🎒💛- Email Steven at Steven.Mair[at]glasgowchildrenshospitalcharity.org- Donate to the hospital: https://www.justgiving.com/charity/glasgowchildrenshospitalcharity- Hospital website: https://www.glasgowchildrenshospitalcharity.org/- Games for the Weans: https://www.glasgowchildrenshospitalcharity.org/games-for-the-weans------------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediaristYouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristTwitch: https://twitch.tv/theindiediarist⁠TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theindiediaristThreads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristTwitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

In this episode, I spent a lovely hour with Nathan & Mason, two longtime friends and co-developers of Hermit and Pig, a story-rich, turn-based RPG about mushrooms and... social anxiety, among other things! Nathan & Mason have really mastered the concept of pouring all of yourself into your creations, and their passion for the game they're making comes through in every second of the episode. Enjoy! 🎒💛-------Support Nathan & Mason (Heavy Lunch Studio) 🎒💛Steam - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2408350/Hermit_and_Pig/BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/heavylunchco.bsky.socialDiscord - https://discord.gg/uJ2GtYKESYInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/heavylunchco/?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@heavylunchcoYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HeavyLunchStudioWebsite and Newsletter - https://hermitandpig.com/---------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediaristYouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristTwitch: https://twitch.tv/theindiediarist⁠TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theindiediaristThreads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristTwitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

In this episode, I spent some time with Eugene, developer of Dead Cells-inspired roguelike Katanaut. From handling player feedback to battling perfectionism, Eugene's journey is definitely worth hearing about! Also, I could probably listen to his voice to relax before sleep. Enjoy! 🎒💛-------------------------Support Eugene 🎒💛Twitter:https://x.com/VoidmawGamesBsky: https://bsky.app/profile/voidmawgames.bsky.socialDiscord: https://discord.gg/VP6vyEQSzUSteam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3032830/Katanaut/--------------------------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediaristYouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristTwitch: https://twitch.tv/theindiediarist⁠TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theindiediaristThreads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristTwitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

NOTE: My audio capture pains around my microphone continue in this episode, but I'm getting closer to a fix 🥲 sorry everyone! I'll have them sorted for Episode 81!In this one, I spent some time with Joseph McCormack, a solo developer working on a third-person RPG called Aetherfall - which blends martial arts and elemental interactions. Joseph is working on a very ambitious game for a solo developer, and he has many learnings to share for others doing the same! Enjoy! 🎒💛 -----------Support Joseph 🎒💛- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aetherfallgame/- Twitter: https://x.com/home- Discord: https://discord.gg/HYNt3fkn- Try Aetherfall: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3678790/Aetherfall/--------------Support the show 🎒💛 Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediaristYouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristTwitch: https://twitch.tv/theindiediarist⁠TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@theindiediaristThreads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristTwitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠