Joseph McCormack: Crafting a Unique Third-Person RPG as a Solo Dev - Indie Diary #80

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

NOTE: I'm in the process of switching my setup, which is leading to some occasional audio quality issues 😢 apologies if you notice them in this episode, they'll go away soon!In this episode, I spent some time with David & Jeremy, two Canadian comedy writers for TV turned game developers. They're working on Dumb Sherlock, a hilarious point-and-click adventure, and they have so many learnings for other beginners in the industry! Enjoy! 🎒💛 ------Support David & Jeremy 🎒💛- The One Link: https://dumbsherlock.carrd.co/------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 "Simy", a tattoo artist solo dev working on his first roguelike game 03: Hollow Descent. Simy is preparing to launch his Kickstarter campaign soon, and his journey from tattoo artist to game dev is so interesting! Enjoy. 🎒💛------------Support Simy:- Kickstarter (pre-launch): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ta2gamesstudio/03-a-surreal-roguelike-journey-into-the-unknown- Play the Steam demo: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3782050/O3__Hollow_Descent_Alpha_Demo/- Twitter: https://x.com/Ta2GamesStudio- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ta2.game?lang=en- Discord: https://discord.com/invite/GfpChYu3t7-------------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 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