Lightmap - Conversations with video game creators

Forever is here and two of the driving developers behind it all have joined SIFTER to explain their quest for a fresh start on the WORLD OF WARCRAFT experience. Executive Producer Holly Longdale and Associate Production Director Clay Stone take us through the big picture and small details that brought Forever to life and why it's so important to the future of the WoW experience.In this episode of Lightmap, we learn how the team is balancing player trust with leading fearlessly, the 'time bubble' theory of Forever's setting in the timeline, and we explore Holly's theory for new spell combos between classes that could shake up the meta... forever! With side quests through what Bluey taught Clay about game design and Holly's newfound passion for BlizzCon fashion, this is one every WoW fan, hardcore or casual, will want to delve into.Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratingsApple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discordSIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahneand Mitch Lohare Senior Producers and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

Tali Faulkner (UMURANGI GENERATION) has a lot to say about our colonial history and the people whose lives have been touched by it. In PENGUIN COLONY you control a variety of different penguins across a frozen land as you discover the deep story of Māori cultural history and cool PS1 era graphics. The penguins are a metaphor mate. In this episode of Lightmap we learn about the how this modern first nations story is told and why Tali feels a responsibility to tell stories through games.Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratingsApple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discordSIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahneand Mitch Lohare Senior Producers and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

If you're a fan of the Gameboy era Zelda games, MINA THE HOLLOWER would have caught your eye. When you found out it's the team behind SHOVEL KNIGHT, I bet you got pretty excited.Well David D'Angelo and Nick Wozniak developers on the game say don't get it twisted, while the game is inspired by Link's Awakening and Oracle of Ages and Seasons, it's a different take on the top-down adventure.In this episode of Lightmap we learn about the balance between nostalgia and modern gameplay, why adding the modifiers and accessibility features were core to the game and make sure it was spooky enough.Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratingsApple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discordSIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne and Mitch Loh are Senior Producers and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

Game design legend Josh Sawyer sat down with Roy Wagner at PAX Australia to talk about his journey into the industry, from being a fan of Black Isle Studios to eventually working on the games that inspired him.Sawyer digs into the tension between indie and AAA development and why studios like Obsidian still make smaller, experimental projects like PENTIMENT. We also chat about the big question everyone wants to know: Could Obsidian make another Fallout now that they sit under the same Microsoft umbrella as Bethesda?Sawyer shares how much cross pollination actually happens between the studios and whether Microsoft keeps them separate.Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratingsApple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discordSIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

In the entertainment industry, a triple threat refers to someone ridiculously talented at acting, singing and dancing. So, what does that make Alanah Pearce, the Australian video game writer, actor, content creator, film producer, and one-time boxer: a quintuple threat?The Dispatch voice actor recently announced Charred Pictures, a production company that helps indie game developers adapt their work for film and TV while retaining creative control — adding yet another string to her bow. Traditionally, Hollywood adaptations of video game franchises take advantage of recognisable characters and settings, while leaving the original creative vision behind.Alanah has a plan to let game developers have more say about how their work gets adapted: and there’s already more demand than she can keep up with.Ahead of her appearance at ALT GAMES in Sydney, Alanah spoke to SIFTER to discuss all things indie development, what Hollywood can learn from video games, and the importance of community.Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discordSIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

How do you keep a game like World of Warcraft that has had ten previous expansions, fresh?Paul Kubit is Associate Game Director and sat down with Seamus Byrne ahead of the launch of WoW's 11th expansion which promises revamped zones, a return to Quel'Thalas and the much coveted in-game housing.It's a second chapter in a three part series which is also a first for the long running MMO.Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratingsApple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discordSIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

How do you follow up on a massive hit like Binding of Issac? With piles and piles of cats fed into the mill to defeat your enemies and possibly solve every problem. Edmund McMillen joins Lightmap for an in depth chat about the cat breeding and battle simulator, plus we talk about the Camdrone Project.Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discordSIFTERSIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

Join us for a deep dive into the sonic worlds of 2025’s best sounding games with special guest Meena Shamaly - composer, bard, and host of Game Show on ABC Classic.From the haunting choirs of Hollow Knight: Silksong to the mythic rhythms of Hades II, we explore how music shapes emotion, gameplay, and storytelling. Meena brings his unique perspective as both a composer and broadcaster to unpack the artistry behind these unforgettable soundtracks.🎮 Featured Games & Tracks:🌌 CLAIR OBSCUR: EXPEDITION 33 – Lumière, Une vie à t'aimer🐛 HOLLOW KNIGHT: SILKSONG – Lace, Choral Chambers🔥 HADES II – Mountain of the Gods, Coral Crown🌊 SWORD OF THE SEA – Sword of the Sea, The Perfect Wave🐊 SOUTH OF MIDNIGHT – Hazel’s Story, Rougarou – Boss Fight🗻 GHOST OF YÔTEI – The Yôtei Six, Ghost of Yôtei🚀 THE OUTER WORLDS 2 – Hope Continues – Title Theme, Fibonnaci⚔️ KINGDOM COME: DELIVERANCE II – Saint Barbara Theme, Nuptials🌀 MALYS – Malys, The Strip🧪 DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH – Should We Have Connected, To the WilderPocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratingsApple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discordSIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

I can hear the sounds of controllers being thrown from here. We spoke to Australian developer Bennett Foddy (QWOP, Getting Over It, Baby Steps) who is now based in New York about difficulty, the biggest misconceptions about his work and the time someone threw a controller at his museum exhibit, as well as many other fun topics.You can catch Bennett Foddy In Conversation at ACMI on the 14th of January.Nom sits down with him for this episode of Lightmap our interview show.Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratingsApple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discordSIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris Button and Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.

You've probably seen their videos, you might have even pondered where the hell is Morley.Well its in our hometown and we travelled all the way across the country to chat to some people who are like a 20minute drive away.Vi, Riley Aaron and Ricky from the Good Games Morley⁩ crew shared how they've actually defeated and consumed the algorithm, how people aren't super impressed when they actually visit Morley and how a little bit of promo for the shop has taken off.Mitch and Roy sit down for this episode of Lightmap our interview show recorded at PAX Australia 2025.Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratingsApple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discordSIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou, Chris Button, Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.