Episodes
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Episode 66: Zac Gorman (Spooky Express, Over the Garden Wall)
In this episode, Alan is joined by Zac Gorman (Spooky Express, Over the Garden Wall) to discuss his career journey from indie webcomics to animation to writing, different experiences working on the Costume Quest TV show and Over the Garden Wall, his Thisby Thestoop book series, and what it's like...
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Episode 65: William David (Looking for Fael, Tetrobot and Co.)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by William David (Looking for Fael, Tetrobot and Co.) Topics discussed include the differences between designing puzzle games and narrative games, games with simple interaction schemes, and combinatorial puzzle systems.
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Episode 64: Felix Kramer (freelance producer)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Felix Kramer (freelance producer on Tunic, Sable, Untitled Goose Game, Blaseball, and more). In this rambling conversation we discuss what a producer is/does, differences between indie games and AAA, and companies we'd like to work at/learn from.
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Episode 63: Yapping about Boardgames
In this episode, Alan, Mairi and Rachel take a break from videogames to discuss all things board games. Games mentioned include: Our collections Baba Is You: The Board Game That Time You Killed Me A Message From the Stars Mindbug: First Contact Stardew Valley: The Board Game Dorfromantik: The…
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Episode 62: Bobby Vanden (He Who Watches)
In this episode, Alan and Ben are joined by special guest Bobby Vanden to talk about He Who Watches, which is OUT NOW! Topics discussed include how the game changed over time, the playtesting process, and tips for speedrunners.
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Episode 61: Blaž Urban Gracar (Herd, workworkwork)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Blaž Urban Gracar (LOK, LOK Digital, Herd, Workworkwork). Topics discussed include the process of manufacturing physical games, the design process behind Herd and Workworkwork, and a surprisingly long diversion about Yu-Gi-Oh! and similar card...
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Episode 60: Paul aka FLEB (20 Small Mazes, Strange Jigsaws)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Paul aka FLEB (20 Small Mazes, Strange Jigsaws). Topics discussed include developing three games at the same time, scope creep, and the life and career of Peter Molyneux.
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Episode 59: Robin Ward and Jeremy Johnston (The Incident at Galley House)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Mairi are joined by Robin Ward and Jeremy Johnston (The Incident at Galley House). This is a no-spoilers conversation! Topics discussed include differences between the original Type Help and The Incident at Galley House, what impact voice acting had on the game…
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Episode 58: Martin Binfield (Schrodinger's Cat Burglar)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Martin Binfield (Schrodinger's Cat Burglar). Topics discussed include similarities between puzzle games and stealth games AND similarities between puzzles and jokes, how much Schrodinger's Cat Burglar has changed over the past eight years, and...
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Episode 57: Ausiàs Dalmau (Is This Seat Taken?)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Ausiàs Dalmau Roig (Is This Seat Taken?). Topics discussed include designing puzzles with multiple solutions, their partnership with Wholesome Games, and what they're working on next.
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Episode 56: Blookerstein (Dittori)
In this episode, Alan is joined by Draknek & Friends' Publishing Manager, Ben Wilson, and they chat to Luke of Blookerstein Games, the creator of Dittori. Topics include the reception to the game’s announcement and demo, learning when it’s the right time to optimise, what it’s like to work with...
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Episode 55: Cerebral Puzzle Showcase and Thinky Direct
In this episode, host Alan is joined by Mairi Nolan (Cerebral Puzzle Showcase) and Joseph Mansfield (Thinky Games) to discuss the Cerebral Puzzle Showcase 2026 and the recently premiered Thinky Direct! Discussed games include: The Land Forgotten Dittori 868-BACK Lock In Some Puzzles Red Frame…
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Episode 54: Michael Brough (868-BACK, Corrypt)
In this episode, Alan and Syrenne are joined by Michael Brough (868-BACK, Corrypt). Topics include returning to game development while disabled, how 868-BACK is a more ambitious game than previous works, the development of Corrypt, and yearning for the past.
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Episode 53: Rachel Watts (Thinky Games, Indieventure podcast)
In this episode, Alan and Syrenne are joined by Rachel Watts, the editor in chief of Thinky Games (thinkygames.com) and co-host of the Indieventure Podcast. Topics include the economics of covering games, what makes puzzle games unique and what it’s like to write a book about Cocoon.
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Episode 52: Stephen Lavelle (Stephen's Sausage Roll, PuzzleScript, English Country Tune)
In this episode, Alan chats to Stephen Lavelle, the creator of Stephen's Sausage Roll, which just hit 10 years old! Topics include how Stephen's Sausage Roll started as an attempt to make a really bad game, his main regret about PuzzleScript, the benefits of making a level editor for Oeuf, and...
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Episode 51: Tad Cordle (A Little Perspective, Sensorium)
In this episode, Alan and Syrenne are joined by Tad Cordle, the creator of Sensorium and the recently released A Little Perspective. Topic include game development in Dreams, perspective in puzzle games, and designing puzzles around all five senses.
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Episode 50: Bobby Vanden aka Danga Games (He Who Watches) - our next published game!!
In this episode, Alan and Syrenne are joined by Bobby Vanden, the creator of He Who Watches. We just announced that we're publishing this game, so obviously we're very excited about this one! Topics discussed include the inspirations for the game, how to accommodate for motion sickness in a game...
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Episode 49: Ben Taylor aka sunnyjum/munted finger (Can of Wormholes)
In this episode, Alan and Syrenne are joined by Ben Taylor, the creator of Can of Wormholes. Topics include the design ethos of doing a lot with a little, how he came up with Can of Wormholes' innovative hint system, and whether or not Alan can be goaded into adding more content to A Monster's...
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Episode 48: Levi Pinkert (Loophole)
In this week's podcast, we talk to Levi Pinkert, creator of Loophole, about what ideas make it from drawing board to actual development, how to make the judgement call on ambition Vs. realism, and the terrible crime of not featuring pushable blocks in a grid-based puzzle game.
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Episode 47: Eli Rainsberry (A Monster's Expedition, Saltsea Chronicles, Wilmot Works It Out)
In this episode, Alan and Syrenne are joined by Eli Rainsberry, the composer and sound designer of A Monster's Expedition, Saltsea Chronicles, Wilmot Works It Out, and more. Topics include how they got into the industry, the development of A Monster's Expedition, and how designing music for…
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Episode 46: Adam Saltsman (Finji)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Adam Saltsman, the co-founder of Finji and the developer of CORGISPACE. Topics include the development of CORGISPACE, game design, despair about the industry, and PICO-8.
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Episode 45: Dan Pearson (Head of Marketing @ Draknek & Friends)
Alan is joined by Dan Pearson, Draknek & Friends' newest member of the team. Topics include his career from journalism to game development, the challenges of marketing puzzle games, and designing puzzles to get into the mind of players.
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Episode 44: Our Favourite Games of 2025 (with Joseph Mansfield)
Join us for our second year of GOTY festivities at the Draknek & Friends Official Podcast. Syrenne and Alan are once again joined by Mairi and Joseph for this look at a lot of our favorite games from the last year. Games discussed: Blue Prince Is This Seat Taken? The Roottrees are Dead Glowkeeper...
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Episode 43: Pip Warr (A Monster's Expedition, Spooky Express, Little Kitty Big City)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Pip, the writer and narrative director of A Monster's Expedition and Spooky Express. Topics include the development of A Monster's Expedition, worldbuilding in non-linear games, and writing localization notes about comedy. Pip lost her train…
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Episode 42: Luis Díaz Peralta "Ludipe" (Sushi For Robots, Thinky Dailies)
In this episode, Alan is joined by Luis, the developer of Sushi for Robots and the new "Thinky Dailies." Topics discussed include the Thinky Dailies, his weird and lucky career, and the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant.
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Episode 41: Alan and Adam deGrandis have a rambly chat
In this episode, while Syrenne was on a much-needed vacation, Alan took the opportunity to chat to Adam deGrandis for an hour about all things game dev!
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Episode 40: Oolimry (Glowkeeper)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Oolimry, the developer behind Glowkeeper. Topics include the development of Glowkeeper, designing a Metroidbrainia, and how to test secrets in game.
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Episode 39: Spooky Express Retrospective
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by the majority of the development team behind our recently released game Spooky Express. Listen to over an hour of development anecdotes and discussion about how the game came to be! This episode contains minor spoilers.
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Episode 38: Priscilla Snow (Spooky Express, A Good Snowman, Patrick's Parabox)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Priscilla Snow the composer who worked on games like Spooky Express, A Good Snowman is Hard to Build, and Patrick's Parabox. Topics include the getting into composing for games, the specifics of working on Spooky Express, and weird bespoke...
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Episode 37: Melanie Zawodniak (Gamer, Podcast Editor)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Melanie Zawodniak the editor of this very podcast! In this very casual episode, we talk about puzzle games, livestreaming, and Kingdom Hearts.
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Episode 36: Adam deGrandis (Spooky Express, A Monster's Expedition)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Adam deGrandis, the art director on Spooky Express and A Monster's Expedition. Topics include the development of the games, his time teaching, a dive through some gaming history, and a surprisingly long tangent about music.
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Episode 35: Zach Barth (Kaizen: A Factory Story, Opus Magnum, etc.)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Zach Barth, one of the developers behind Kaizen: A Factory Story and Zachtronics. Topics include the development of Kaizen, making accessible Zach-likes, and systems design.
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Episode 34: Ben Wilson (Draknek & Friends)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Ben Wilson the other producer at Draknek & Friends. Topics include his journey through the games industry, crossword puzzles, and card games.
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Episode 33: Robin and Jeremy (The Roottrees are Dead)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Robin and Jeremy, the developers behind The Roottrees are Dead. Topics include the origins of the game, the remake on Steam, and genre classifications.
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Episode 32: Chao Cui (Kiko's Apple Adventure)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Chao Cui, the developer behind Kiko's Apple Adventure. Topics include the development of the game, designing a sokoban with movable stages, and the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant.
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Episode 31: Corey Martin (Bonfire Peaks, Tire Boy)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Corey Martin the developer behind Bonfire Peaks. Topics include the development of Bonfire Peaks and its DLC sequel, Bonfire Peaks Lost Memories, his other work on games like Tire Boy, and puzzles in non-puzzle games.
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Episode 30: Dana Trebella (Spoke & Wheel Strategy)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Dana Trebella, the founder of Spoke & Wheel Strategy. Topics include best practices for how and when to message your game, common marketing pitfalls, and stories of working with the Draknek team.
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Episode 29: Lucie Viatgé (Spooky Express)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Lucie Viatgé, the concept artist behind Spooky Express. Topics include the development of Spooky Express, her time at KO-OP, and her relationship with puzzle games.
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Episode 28: Cerebral Puzzle Showcase and Thinky Direct
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Joseph Mansfield for his threepeat appearance on the podcast to discuss the Cerebral Puzzle Showcase 2025 and the recently premiered Thinky Direct! This episode has a video version that you can watch here: https://youtu.be/RVNMsXXeatk A copy…
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Episode 27: Zachary Johnson (Stage Fright)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Zachary Johnson, a developer behind games like Joggernauts and Stage Fright. Zach is also the inspiration for Draknek's next game, Spooky Express - a fact he did not know when the recording started. Topics include an overview of Zach's career,...
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Episode 26: Luke Spierewka (Pup Champs)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Luke Spierewka, the developer behind Pup Champs and Railbound. Topics include the development of Afterburn's games, developing games in shorter turnarounds, and lessons learned across multiple successive puzzle games.
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Episode 25: Lucas Le Slo (Spooky Express)
In this special episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Lucas Le Slo, a puzzle designer on the newly announced Spooky Express. Topics include the development of Spooky Express and its inception, the project's goals, as well as Lucas' other work on puzzle games such as Lab Rat.
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Episode 24: The Electrifying Incident Retrospective
In this episode... Well, sometimes when you set out to create something, it doesn't actually end up looking at all like what your goal was. That statement applies to both this podcast episode as well as The Electrifying Incident. Syrenne and Alan are joined by Ben and Phoenix from the development...
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Episode 23: Annika Maar (Duck Detective)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Annika Maar the developer behind Duck Detective. Topics include the development of the game, short development timelines, and making approachable and funny games with deep thinky mechanics.
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Episode 22: Gwen Frey (Lab Rat)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Gwen Frey the developer behind Lab Rat. Topics include the development of the game and its large scope, Gwen's long career in games, and the state of funding in the industry.
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Episode 21: Izzy Kestrel (Electrifying Incident)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Izzy Kestrel from the Electrifying Incident development team. Topics include the development of TEI, Thinky Games as social experiences, Gex, and A Little Game Called Mario.
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Episode 20: Tana Tanoi (Shape Sender Deluxe)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Tana Tanoi, the developer behind Shape Sender Deluxe. Topics include the development of Shape Sender Deluxe, the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant, and the difficulties of making a thinky physics puzzle game.
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Episode 19: Balloon Studios (Botany Manor)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Laure and Kitt from Balloon Studios, the developer behind Botany Manor. Topics include the development of the game, the inspiration for setting the puzzles in a manor, and tricking players into playing puzzle games.
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Episode 18: Joseph Mansfield (ThinkyGames.com)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Joseph Mansfield, the manager of ThinkyGames.com. Topics include discussions of thinky games we love, what Joe's been up to, and a long tangent about Bonfire Peaks and The Legend of Zelda series. The vibes on this one are immaculate.
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Episode 17: RBOR Games (Bean and Nothingness)
In this episode, hosts Alan and Syrenne are joined by Nic Ford, Jordan Watkins, and Michael Von Korff, the developers behind Bean and Nothingness. Topics include the development of the game, designing complex interactions while balancing the game, and designing puzzle games for hardcore puzzle fans.
About this show
Join Alan and Syrenne from Draknek & Friends as they talk to developers of some of their favorite puzzle games, shedding light onto how games get made and the people behind them!
Hosted by
Draknek & Friends
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