Stephen Downey: From Comic Books to Indie Game Dev - Indie Diary #77

In this episode, I spent some time with Outsider Games director Stephen Downey, one of the creative minds behind Tax Force – a game about a tax collector in space. From translating comic books into interactive experiences to the impact of creating worlds for others, this episode is a fun one! Enjoy! 🎒💛---------Support Stephen 🎒💛 Wishlist Tax Force: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2508290/TaxForce/More from Outsider Games: https://store.steampowered.com/search/?developer=Outsider%20GamesDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/outsidergamesTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@outsidergames_devInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/outsidergames/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/outsidergames.bsky.social---------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjSubscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theindiediarist.bsky.socialFollow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

In this episode, I spent some time with Rory from Giraffe Head Studios – one of the developers behind Ragdoll Physics Experiments, and also a content creator at RateMyFuneral on YouTube! From physics-based games to handling criticism in creative projects, this episode is packed with a lot of great moments. Enjoy! 🎒💛 -------------Support Rory 🎒💛Website - https://www.ragdollphysicsexperiements.com/Discord - https://discord.gg/ebvH7dGBP2Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gentleland/rmfs-ragdoll-physics-experimentsYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@giraffeheadstudiosX - https://x.com/GiraffeHeadDev----------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjSubscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theindiediarist.bsky.socialFollow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

In this episode, I spent some time with Ian Lynch, founder of Jaggy Snake Games and an ex developer at CD Projekt RED, Scopely and Donkey Crew – now working on a Pong meets bullet-hell game called Questing. Ian is a writer who's learned to embrace the subjective nature of creative work – and he had so much to share during our chat. Enjoy! 🎒💛 -----------Support Ian 🎒💛Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jaggysnakegames.bsky.socialInsta: https://www.instagram.com/jaggy_snake_games/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jaggysnakegamesQuesting Demo: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3849870/Questing_Demo/--------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjSubscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theindiediarist.bsky.socialFollow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

In this episode, I chatted to David García, responsible for marketing and events at Poison Pill Games - the developers of an adorable roguelike deckbuilder with criminal vegetables. You know I love talking about marketing for indie games, so this one is a must-listen! Enjoy! 🎒💛---------Support David and his team 🎒💛- Check out Vegangsters: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2449390/Vegangsters/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Influencer&utm_campaign=IndieDiarist- Twitter: https://x.com/PoisonPillGames- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/vegangsters.bsky.social- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vegangsters/- David's personal Twitter: https://x.com/devsoulsyre----------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjSubscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theindiediarist.bsky.socialFollow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

In this episode, I spent some time with the Bablabo Games trio, a sweet team of game dev friends from India, creating games with their love and passion for the medium. One of the most wholesome episodes in a while for sure. Enjoy! 🎒💛-----------Support Bablabo Games 🎒💛- Steam Store Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2964000/Hush_Hush_High/- Discord Server: https://discord.gg/BPj9BKznSupport the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjSubscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theindiediarist.bsky.socialFollow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

In this episode, I spent some time with one half of Clumsy Bear Studio, a two-person team based in Poland and working on a delightful little roguelike deckbuilder: Hungry Horrors. Enjoy! 🎒💛--------Support Jerzy 🎒💛 - Try the demo/Wishlist Hungry Horrors: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3048840/Hungry_Horrors/- Itch: https://clumsy-bear-studio.itch.io/hungry-horrors- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/clumsybearstudio.com- Twitter: https://x.com/clumsybeargames- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hungry.horrors.game- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hungryhorrorsgame-------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjSubscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theindiediarist.bsky.socialFollow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

In this episode, I spent some time with Lee Sargent, one third of Australia-based Raguthra Studios – a lovely indie house working on narrative adventures. Lee is a huge fan of "space" in all its possible meanings, and together we discussed how to create spaces that make sense, pouring your passion into your projects, and making something you'll be proud of. Enjoy! 🎒💛 --------Support Lee 🎒💛- Wishlist the game: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3513040/The_Curse_of_the_Howling_Woods/- Threads: https://www.threads.com/@leefromraguthra- Raguthra Website: https://raguthrastudios.com- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RaguthraStudios--------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjSubscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theindiediarist.bsky.socialFollow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

In this episode, I spent some time with a friend of a friend: Undergod Games, developer of action RPG KAILA scheduled for release next year. Together we talked about the creative influences that made the game a reality, and the author's path into game dev. Enjoy! 🎒💛-------Support Tomas 🎒💛- Wishlist KAILA: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1827820/Kaila/- https://x.com/Undergod_games- https://youtube.com/@Undergod_games-------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjSubscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theindiediarist.bsky.socialFollow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

Get ready for the *nicest* episode in the history of The Indie Diarist! 🎒💛For episode 69, I invited over Evan Greenwood, founder and creative director of Devolver Digital-published studio Free Lives, to discuss a rather silly game about male genitalia and the role of playfulness in dismantling masculinity tropes. This episode was just as bonkers as you imagine it to be – but it was also packed with great ideas and thoughts around Evan's process! Hope you enjoy – and prepare for the puns!----------Support Evan and his studio 🎒💛- Free Lives website: https://freelives.net/- Genital Jousting: https://store.steampowered.com/app/469820/Genital_Jousting/- Twitter: https://x.com/freelives?s=21&t=BjL3MQs9xlnD2MEgwhndXA- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freelives_official/?hl=en- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@freelivesgames-------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjSubscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theindiediarist.bsky.socialFollow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠

Time for another Footnote! In this bonus episode, I spent some time with Kaylee López, also known as The Gaming Anthropologist, to chat about the intersection between gaming and anthropology. A super interesting hour, during which we talked about our memories, how games create community, how stories help our survival instincts, and a lot more! Enjoy! 🎒💛---------Support Kaylee 🎒💛- Threads: https://www.threads.com/@the_gaming_anthropologist- Website: https://kayleenlopez.art.blog/- Medium blog: https://medium.com/@anthroriotdata---------Support the show 🎒💛Join the community: https://discord.com/invite/J84aPfSSvjSubscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheIndieDiaristBecome a Patron: https://patreon.com/theindiediarist⁠Follow on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theindiediarist.bsky.socialFollow on Threads: https://threads.net/@theindiediaristFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theindiediarist⁠