Hey, Good Game

James Sinclair shares his remarkable journey from immigration lawyer to full-time puzzle crafter and creator of the Artisanal Sudoku Substack—a haven for lovers of elegant, human-made Sudoku variants.In this episode, James breaks down his puzzle design philosophy, his preference for handcrafted logic over AI generation, and how he’s turned personal passion into a growing newsletter, a community of solvers, and a published puzzle book. The conversation covers everything from the joys and challenges of variant Sudoku to the deeper question: What makes a puzzle satisfying to solve?James also shares thoughts on monetization, platform choice, audience building, and why central hubs like Logic Masters Germany play a key role in the global puzzle scene. Plus, he previews Sudoku Con, talks about the fog-based puzzle design he’s experimenting with, and gives rapid-fire takes on puzzle pet peeves, dream collaborations, and favorite solves.🧩 Games, Platforms & Influences MentionedVariant Sudoku – His main craftArtisanal Sudoku – James’s Substack newsletterLogic Masters Germany (LMG) – Puzzle publishing hubCracking the Cryptic – Popular YouTube channel mentionedSudoku Con – Community eventDynamic Fog puzzles – One of James’s current experimentsAI-generated puzzles – Discussed critically🌐 Websites & Platforms MentionedWebsite: https://artisanalsudoku.substack.com/https://substack.com/@artisanalsudoku--(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Background (01:13) - James Sinclair's Favorite Games (02:26) - Discovering Sudoku (05:04) - Exploring Variant Sudoku (08:53) - Starting Artisanal Sudoku (18:09) - Creating and Publishing Puzzles (22:12) - Choosing Substack and Growing an Audience (27:24) - Creating Puzzles for the Newsletter (28:14) - Logic Master Stot Land: A Puzzle Haven (29:21) - The Need for a Central Puzzle Platform (31:40) - Marketing Strategies for Substack (33:09) - The Journey to Publishing a Sudoku Book (38:53) - AI and Handcrafted Puzzles (46:11) - Sudoku Con and Community Events (47:35) - Rapid Fire Questions and Puzzle Preferences (50:15) - Dynamic Fog Puzzles and Final Thoughts --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Bryan Chen joins Nate Kadlac and Aaron Kardell on Hey, Good Game to unravel how a simple coding side project exploded into Duotrigordle, the 32-Wordle brain buster beloved by millions.A computer science student at the University of Waterloo, Bryan walks us through his programming journey from C# exercises in grade school to building viral games during online college lockdowns. The episode explores how Duotrigordle evolved from a dorm-room Discord link into one of the most beloved—and chaotic—Wordle spinoffs online.The trio discusses Bryan’s inspirations (from Waffle to Magic: The Gathering), why he values intuitive UX over flashy features, and how he’s balancing indie game maintenance with his academic and career goals. Bryan also opens up about monetization, treating side projects as portfolio pieces, and the emotional payoff of seeing friends unknowingly become fans of his work.Favorite Games Mentioned by Bryan ChenMagic: The Gathering – His all-time favoriteWordle – Foundational inspirationOctordle / Quordle – Multi-board Wordle influencesWaffle – Admired for clean design and visual polishLeague of Legends – Used its API as a test projectTetris (AI bot project) – As a personal dev exercise🔗 Find Bryan Chen onlineGame: https://duotrigordle.org/Website: https://thesilican.com/GitHub & side projects linked on his website--(00:00) - Introduction and Welcome (00:00) - Going Viral: The Unexpected Success (00:29) - Meet Bryan Chen: Creator of Duotrigordle (01:31) - Bryan's Gaming Journey (01:49) - Magic: The Gathering and Board Games (06:31) - Early Interest in Software Development (08:49) - The Birth of Duotrigordle (16:35) - Iterating and Improving the Game (22:50) - Monetization and Motivations (38:33) - Future Projects and Advice for Creators (42:14) - Conclusion and Farewell --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Angela Swain and Mariam Mollaghaffari join Aaron Kardell on Hey, Good Game to share how two longtime friends turned a nostalgic obsession with wordplay into Silly Little Games—a vibrant, human-crafted daily puzzle experience.Angela (a flight attendant with a journalism background) and Mariam (an architect with design chops) break down the collaborative, scrappy spirit behind their Rebus-style puzzle game Silly Little Codes. From hand-drawing hundreds of clever puzzles in Figma to battling bad developers and solving design challenges (including a keyboard that nearly derailed their launch), the duo talks candidly about their indie journey—complete with frog-fueled editing fights and dream expansions into physical card games.The episode explores how Angela and Mariam are navigating indie game development without coding skills, what they've learned from BlueSky and social media outreach, and why they’ve stayed committed to handcrafted design in an AI-saturated market. They also tease upcoming games under the Silly Little Games umbrella and share honest insights about self-funding, monetization plans, and growing a community of puzzle lovers.🧩 Games & Favorites MentionedSilly Little Codes (Angela & Mariam's daily puzzle game)Backgammon (Mariam’s nostalgic favorite, tied to her Iranian heritage)Bingo and Spoons (Angela’s family-friendly picks)Architecture as Tetris (Mariam compares architectural design to the game)🔗 Website & SocialsWebsite: https://www.playsillylittlegames.comInstagram, Threads, TikTok, BlueSky: @playsillylittlegamesNote: Not on Reddit (permanently banned 😅)--(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast and Guests (01:42) - Favorite Games and Nostalgic Memories (05:09) - The Origin Story of Angela and Mariam's Friendship (07:47) - Creating Silly Little Games: The Initial Idea (11:57) - Designing and Collaborating on Puzzles (30:14) - Challenges in Developing the Digital Game (32:02) - Starting Over: The Struggles of Development (32:46) - Keyboard Woes: A Major Setback (33:59) - Finding the Right Developer (34:54) - Balancing Passion and Practicality (39:59) - Monetization and Future Plans (49:25) - Challenges with Social Media and Promotion (01:02:15) - Looking Ahead: New Games and Growth --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

From Haunted Pixels to Conservation: Peter Lazarski on Art, Accessibility, and Indie Game GritIndie developer and visual artist Peter Lazarski—aka Imaginary Monsters—joins Nate to explore his creative evolution from childhood horror obsessions to crafting cult-favorite lo-fi games like Halloween Forever and Deathstate. Known for his pixelated gothic aesthetic and offbeat charm, Peter shares how games like Earthbound shaped his visual language and love for physical editions.The conversation touches on Peter’s iterative design process, how he blends art with mechanics, and why accessibility and emotional tone matter in indie games. He also unpacks the ethos behind his newest project, Don’t Kill the Bats—a whimsical but meaningful game raising awareness for bat conservation.Peter reflects on developing under an alias, building community through mentorship, and finding creative purpose in strange, spooky spaces.Check out Peter's Resources:https://imaginarymonsters.comhttps://imaginarymonsters.shop https://twitch.tv/imaginarymonsters https://discord.gg/imaginarymonsters 🎮 Favorite Games Mentioned:EarthBound (SNES) – Peter’s all-time favoriteTactics Ogre (Re-release) – Currently playingPersona 5 – Currently playingF-Zero, Super Mario World – Childhood favoritesCommander Keen, DOOM, Wolfenstein – Early PC gamingMonster Party (NES) – Referenced for sprite interpretationMetroid II (Game Boy) – Admired for its enemy art in the manualAyuda Mort – ZX Spectrum-style indie game that influenced Halloween ForeverCastlevania – Referenced as a typical “bat enemy” gameSplatterhouse – Mentioned as a game style he’d love to tryRolling Stock – Mentioned earlier as a favorite (possibly in a different episode or cut)--(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest (01:41) - Peter Lazarski's Gaming Preferences (02:15) - Early Gaming Influences and Inspirations (04:42) - The Impact of Earthbound and Physical Game Editions (13:06) - The Evolution of Halloween Forever (17:34) - Challenges and Iterative Development (23:26) - Art and Mechanics in Game Design (26:14) - Nostalgia and Artistic Style (28:29) - Visual Exploration and Prototyping (30:06) - The Evolution of Imaginary Monsters (32:44) - Navigating the Alias (38:46) - Community and Mentorship (42:52) - Design Philosophy and Accessibility (47:36) - Introducing 'Don't Kill the Bats' (49:52) - Connecting with Imaginary Monsters (51:19) - Conclusion and Farewell --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Award-winning artist, animator, and game designer Michael Frei joins Nate and Joseph to share his creative journey from apprentice construction draftsman to co-founder of Zurich’s Playable, the indie studio behind critically acclaimed interactive works like Plug & Play, Kids, and the meditative mortality sim Time Flies.Michael breaks down his minimalist approach to game design—how stripping away noise can lead to emotional clarity—and explains why humor, absurdity, and interaction are central to his artistic voice. He reflects on transitioning from animation to games, his fascination with weird player dynamics, and why making something personally meaningful matters more than chasing trends.Frei also shares lessons from testing, iterating, and publishing across platforms, as well as advice for aspiring indie creators navigating simplicity, success, and staying creatively grounded in a crowded market.Check out Michael Frei's Resources:https://michaelfrei.io/https://x.com/panichttps://bsky.app/profile/michaelfrei.iohttps://www.instagram.com/michaelfrei10/Games Mentioned:FIFA - Michael's favorite game to playGliderNot About UsPlug and PlayTime FliesWindowsillFeet Ahead--(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast (00:22) - Meet Michael Frei: The Minimalist Game Designer (01:11) - Michael's Gaming Preferences and FIFA (02:45) - The Origin of 'Time Flies' (04:42) - Early Inspirations and Programming (06:04) - From Construction Draftsman to Animation (08:49) - Transition to Interactive Art and Games (13:50) - Principles of Minimalist Game Design (15:25) - Animation Style and Player Interaction (17:42) - Defining Success and Monetization in Games (20:52) - User Testing and Feedback (22:21) - The Iterative Process of Animation (22:41) - The Creative Journey Behind 'Cars' (24:43) - Designing for Different Consoles (27:29) - Advice for Aspiring Indie Game Developers (29:24) - The Art of Drafting and Line Art (32:59) - Inspiration and Influences (39:36) - The Making of 'Time Flies' (42:11) - Where to Find More About the Creator --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Pete Muller is not your average guest—he’s a quant hedge fund legend, a touring singer-songwriter, and a prolific puzzle constructor whose creations appear in The New York Times and The Washington Post. In this episode we dive into Pete’s polymath life: his journey from math to markets, from poker tables to music stages, and how puzzles tie it all together. We also discuss his latest creation, the “Think Twice” puzzle, and what drives him to keep solving, creating, and performing. Whether you love games, music, or stories about reinvention, this conversation will surprise and inspire.Check out Pete's Resources:https://petespuzzleplayground.com/https://www.petemuller.com/https://www.forbes.com/profile/peter-muller/https://www.youtube.com/@PeteMullerMusic/featuredhttps://www.pdtpartners.com/Games Mentioned:Poker - Pete's favorite game to playCrosswordsVariety crypticsBridgeChessPing pongUltimate FrisbeeBlackjackWordleLetter BoxedStray Cat StrutMeta PuzzleScrabbleSudokuSpelling BeeKenKen--(00:00) - Introduction to Pete Muller: A Modern Polymath (01:58) - Pete's Favorite Games and Puzzles (03:39) - From Poker to Quantitative Trading (06:05) - The Evolution of PDT Partners (10:34) - Balancing Music and Finance (13:13) - The Art of Puzzle Creation (19:50) - Meta Puzzles and Musical Connections (24:12) - Introducing the Mini Meta Puzzle (25:19) - Creating and Testing the Mini Meta (26:41) - The Think Twice Puzzle Concept (28:19) - Developing the Think Twice App (30:28) - Scoring and User Engagement (35:18) - Puzzle Addiction and Mental Workouts (38:42) - Mindfulness and Avoiding Burnout (40:28) - Hosting and Community Involvement (44:19) - The Future of AI in Puzzles (46:30) - Final Thoughts and Contact Information --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Indie-game luminary Tatiana Delgado joins Nate to trace her 20-year journey from drawing paper games as a kid to co-founding Madrid’s Out of the Blue Games. She explains how titles like Call of the Sea create emotional tension without combat, why early VR prototyping was both thrilling and nausea-inducing, and how small studios can balance artistic vision with funding realities. Tatiana also teases two new projects—Lovecraft-flavored sequel Call of the Elder Gods and branching visual-novel series The Vigilante Diaries—while sharing hard-won advice on user testing, team culture, and pitching in today’s crowded market.Check out Tatiana's Resources:https://www.outbluegames.comhttps://x.com/OutBlueGameshttps://x.com/arileaGames Mentioned:Portal 2 - Tatiana's favorite game to playWonder Boy seriesMystRivenAladdin VRWarhammer--(00:00) - to Call of the Sea (00:32) - Tatiana Delgado (01:32) - Gaming Journey (02:15) - Career and Inspirations (10:29) - Out of the Blue Games (13:22) - Development Philosophy (18:46) - in VR Game Development (20:44) - on User Testing and Feedback (24:50) - and Ethical Considerations (25:48) - and Pricing Strategies (30:20) - Projects and Final Thoughts --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

What does it take to turn a minimalist text-based game into a global phenomenon?Indie developer and software craftsman Amir Rajan joins us to unpack his unconventional path from enterprise software to the top of the App Store with A Dark Room. In this episode, we explore how Amir built the DragonRuby Game Toolkit, why betting on hyper-niche communities pays off, and how rapid prototyping drives sustainable success in indie dev. From cracking console publishing to navigating the unpredictable App Store ecosystem, Amir shares hard-earned insights into the creative and financial realities of going solo in the game industry.Whether you’re a seasoned dev or just starting out, this episode offers an honest look at the intersection of craft, code, and commerce.Check out Amir's Resources:https://amirrajan.net/https://x.com/amirrajanhttps://github.com/amirrajanhttps://www.twitch.tv/amirrajanhttps://www.youtube.com/@amirrajanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amirrajan/https://www.reddit.com/user/amirrajan/Games Mentioned:Illusion of Gaia - Amir's favorite game to playSlay the SpireBalder's Gatemildly interesting RTSDark RoomDe Noble CircleInside VistaDragon Ruby Game Toolkit--(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest (00:27) - Amir Rajan's Background and Achievements (01:48) - Favorite Games and Gaming Nostalgia (03:17) - Corporate Life and Transition to Game Development (04:57) - The Inspiration Behind Dragon Ruby (07:57) - Challenges of Mobile App Development (11:01) - Creating Dragon Ruby Game Toolkit (15:31) - The Success of A Dark Room (20:05) - Sustainable Game Development Strategies (22:19) - Indie Game Development Strategies (23:08) - The Importance of Short Release Cycles (24:08) - Cross-Platform Distribution (26:26) - Navigating Console Releases (30:14) - Monetization Strategies (36:13) - Fail Fast and Iterate (38:00) - Community and Networking (42:38) - Maintaining and Updating Games (43:49) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

What does it take to create unforgettable game audio—from eerie soundscapes in Death Stranding to iconic branding in Mortal Kombat? Composer and sound designer Joel Corelitz joins us to talk about his path from writing music for pharmaceutical ads to shaping the sonic identity of major titles. We dive into the creative process, what good feedback really sounds like, the overlooked potential of sound in web games, and why sometimes doing the work is more important than waiting for inspiration.Check out Joel's Resources:https://joelcorelitz.com/http://twitter.com/joelcorelitzhttp://instagram.com/joelcorelitzhttps://joelcorelitz.bandcamp.com/https://www.youtube.com/@joelcorelitzmusicGames Mentioned:Dark Souls - Joel's favorite game to playHalo InfiniteDeath StrandingMortal Kombat OneThe Unfinished SwanNine SoulsThe Last ClockwinderHyperlight BreakerHyperlight DrifterLazy River--(00:00) - Introduction to Joel Kitz and Wave Plant (00:56) - Joel's Favorite Games and Balancing Work and Play (03:36) - The Journey from Advertising to Game Composing (08:52) - The Creative Process and Musical Language (15:21) - Feedback and Collaboration in Game Music (19:00) - Budgeting for Game Music and Audio Branding (25:00) - Exploring Sound Design in Games (25:44) - The Role of Musicality in Sound Design (29:00) - Challenges in Sound Design and Asset Management (30:02) - Collaborations and Working Solo (31:27) - Impact of AI on Creative Work (34:28) - Teaching Game Music Composition (37:21) - Starting a YouTube Channel (40:44) - Formal Education vs. Self-Learning in Music Composition (42:47) - Reflecting on Career Choices (43:57) - Current and Upcoming Projects (45:06) - Connecting with Joel Online --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Meet David Workman, known in the puzzle world as "HalfBakedLunatic" - a Microsoft veteran who creates Sudoku puzzles so difficult he can't solve them himself.David shares the incredible story of how he invented TiVo's core technology in 1996, only to watch it slip away when his two-page concept paper got buried at Microsoft. He reveals his epic gambling simulation that proved why casinos always win (even with unlimited money, you'd eventually make bets exceeding the world's GDP), and explains the paradox of puzzle creation - building something is the opposite of solving it.With 64 puzzles published and 10 featured on the legendary Cracking the Cryptic YouTube channel, David has earned his place among elite puzzle setters. His masterpiece had viewers watching for 45 minutes before a single digit was placed. Plus: the hilarious tale of licensing Elvis for $1,200 while a cockroach photo nearly cost millions.Check out David Workman's Resources:http://www.halfbakedlunatic.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mediabizdev/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCkyCXQNZY5ZhoSy1dL8b1Qhttps://logic-masters.de/Raetselportal/Benutzer/eingestellt.php?start=0&name=HalfBakedLunaticGames Mentioned:Craps - David's favorite game to playPinochleSudokuKropki puzzles--(00:00) - Introduction to Puzzle Setting (00:28) - Meet David Workman: The Prolific Puzzle Setter (01:08) - David's Favorite Games and Betting Strategies (01:46) - The Martingale Betting Strategy Explained (07:22) - David's Journey in the Broadcast Electronics Industry (09:30) - The Birth of TiVo: A Missed Opportunity (10:25) - Licensing Elvis Presley and Other Fun Stories (12:10) - David's Love for Sudoku and Puzzle Setting (16:10) - Challenges and Joys of Creating Puzzles (19:12) - Tools and Techniques for Puzzle Setting (22:35) - Creative Puzzle Themes and Ideas (27:09) - Monetization and Publishing Platforms (28:25) - Corporate Events and Custom Puzzles (32:10) - David's Favorite Puzzles and Their Stories (38:04) - Closing Thoughts and Where to Find David's Puzzles --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com