Bullet Heaven: The Art of the Shoot 'Em Up (feat. Sanatana Mishra)

In this episode of Blowing Cartridges, we take a closer look at the shoot 'em up (or shmup) genre, one of gaming’s oldest and most enduring genres. Joined by Sanatana Mishra, game developer at Witch Beam Games, we use his first-hand insight in developing Assault Android Cactus to have a wide-ranging discussion.   We discuss what defines a shmup, the key archetypes that make up the genre, and how these games have changed over time. Sanatana also offers thoughts on where the genre stands today and what its future might look like.   Whether you're familiar with shmups or just interested in learning more about a niche but influential corner of video game history, this episode offers an in-depth analysis of a genre that continues to evolve in its own way.   Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino Sanatana Mishra - @witchbeam.com.au   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia