61 - Making games is fun when your efforts aren't wasted

Heart Gamedev Podcast

#Video Games #Lifestyle #Benjamin Kean Anderson

19:09

This episode is brought to you by Landrum Talent Solutions, a national recruiting firm specializing in marketing and HR positions. Our guest today has been keeping us up to date with the current state of hiring for marketers on a quarterly basis, which has taken us on quite a roller coaster ride. Today we’re going to look at how marketing and communication execs are responding to the latest developments in the world while still needing to get their work done. To take a look at the latest here, I’d like to welcome back to the show Sue Keith, Corporate Vice President at Landrum Talent Solutions. About Sue Keith Sue Keith is Corporate Vice President at Landrum Talent Solutions. With deep expertise in navigating complex labor markets, Sue has a front-row seat to the evolving dynamics of marketing roles, hiring trends, and the broader implications of AI and economic uncertainty. RESOURCES Landrum Talent Solutions: https://www.landrumtalentsolutions.com Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands Online Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrand Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com…

about a year ago 11:50

M4A•Episode home

In this episode I talk about my progress toward the new WASarD steam demo and I contrast my experience working on Demonlocke (without using the production point approach) with my experience working on WASarD (where I've tried to apply production point).

Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

70 episodes

Heart Gamedev Podcast

61 - Making games is fun when your efforts aren't wasted

Heart Gamedev Podcast

published about a year ago

M4A•Episode home

Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

70 episodes

#Video Games #Lifestyle #Benjamin Kean Anderson

All episodes

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
69 - I Make Time for Gamedev 18:27

5 weeks ago18:27

18:27

Progress is slow but steady. I'm happy with the progress and improvements I've seen in the most recent prototypes. Should game developers focus on paying themselves a fair wage? Do we make ourselves a martyr of our own development too often? Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
68 - Test New Features Extensively BEFORE Polishing Them 10:58

8 weeks ago10:58

10:58

Part time WASarD development isn't fast enough for me but it's going to have to be enough for now. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
67 - It's Been a While 9:18

22 weeks ago9:18

9:18

A short update about WASarD and my business as I get back into podcasting. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
66 - Finding Time for WASarD 20:45

35 weeks ago20:45

20:45

In this episode I talk through some design thoughts for WASarD and my struggles to find time to work on the game. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
65 - I'm back! 14:08

41 weeks ago14:08

14:08

In this episode I talk about my break from WASarD and my plans moving forward with the game. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
64 - The end of my 4-week push 13:14

1 year ago13:14

13:14

I talk about what I accomplished in the last 2 weeks of my 4 (turned into 5) - week push. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
63 - Update, what I'd do differently, and the high jump analogy 29:30

1 year ago29:30

29:30

This episode is a long one. I talk about my progress on WASarD, what I'd do differently if I could start over, and the high jump analogy. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
62 - A quick WASarD update (2 weeks into my 4-week push) 10:07

1 year ago10:07

10:07

In this episode I talk about the progress I've made in the last 2 weeks and the things I'd like to get finished in the next 2 weeks. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
61 - Making games is fun when your efforts aren't wasted 11:50

1 year ago11:50

11:50

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
60 - Focusing on WASarD 8:28

1 year ago8:28

8:28

In this episode I talk about focusing a bit more on WASarD for the next month. I also talk about the difference between making a game that is fun to play and making a game that is appealing to players. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
59 - Capsule art for the new Steam page 8:19

1 year ago8:19

8:19

This is a short episode I didn't want to make but I made anyway to try and get back into the flow of things. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
58 - My experiences with "crunch" 22:20

1 year ago22:20

22:20

In this episode I answer a listener question and talk about my experiences with crunch.

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
57 - Artstyle Progress + Releasing More than 1 Game 23:09

1 year ago23:09

23:09

I'm back! In this episode I talk about progress on the WASarD artstyle and my thoughts on how most game developers only release a single game. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
56 - Developing new features alongside existing features 14:23

1 year ago14:23

14:23

In this episode I talk about plugging the new dungeon rooms into my existing level generation code. I also talk a bit about this video by Jonas Tyroller: https://youtu.be/o5K0uqhxgsE?si=xsDR3GqyTXdKSX_i Here is the jungle mockup if you want to check it out: https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@heartbeast/111926243132595207 Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
55 - New jungle mockup + workflow process success 14:30

1 year ago14:30

14:30

In this episode I talk about a new jungle mockup on Mastodon (and how it was received) and I talk about the workflow implementation from last week's episode. Here is the jungle mockup if you want to check it out: https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@heartbeast/111926243132595207 Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
54 - Breaking down the mockup into a workflow 14:23

1 year ago14:23

14:23

In this episode I talk through my process for breaking down the WASarD mockups into a workflow that will be faster inside my game engine (Godot 4). Here is a post with the first iteration of the new artstyle: https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@heartbeast/111885765158360905 Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
53 - Do people like the new WASarD artstyle? 22:31

1 year ago22:31

22:31

In this episode I talk about the reception of the new WASarD artstyle. I also ramble a bit about some more technical aspects of programming in Godot. Here is a post with the first iteration of the new artstyle: https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@heartbeast/111885765158360905 Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
52 - Two Week Update + New WASarD Artstyle? 24:40

1 year ago24:40

24:40

In this episode I discuss: Learning 3D Modeling, Texturing, Rigging, and Animation Making a small 3D game during a self imposed game jam with my brother My thoughts on a new WASarD Artstyle Enjoying gamedev is the real benefit of the Production Point approach Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
51 - The numbers on the new demo + a small anecdote 9:35

2 years ago9:35

9:35

In this episode I talk about the numbers for the new itch.io demo and I tell a short story about my nephew playing the game. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
50 - Don't Project Unwanted Behavior into the Future 21:12

2 years ago21:12

21:12

In this episode I talk about my progress this week with WASarD. I had a pretty bad day on Tuesday and decided I wasn't going to let that day carry over into the rest of the week. I'm happy to report that Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday went much better. I also talk briefly about a new book idea I'm working on. The working title is "How to Make Time for your Indie Game (without quitting your day job)." The premise of the book is a list of "time finding motivators" or things you can do that will motivate you to make time for your game. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/ P.S. WOW! 50 episodes already. Thanks for all the support!…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
49 - What I Learned After Watching Playtesters This Weekend (and where to go next) 20:18

2 years ago20:18

20:18

In this episode I talk about the things I learned while watching playtesters try the new WASarD Build and where I'm planning to take the project from here. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
48 - Game "Size" Means Different things to Devs and Players 23:45

2 years ago23:45

23:45

In this episode I talk about how the "size" of a game can mean different things to developers than it does to players. I also talk about the biggest thing I would change for my next project (thought it might be premature to talk about that since WASarD is only just about to enter production haha) Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
47 - Balancing Discipline, Motivation, Habits, and Momentum 12:21

2 years ago12:21

12:21

In this episode I confess to not making much progress on WASarD over the last couple of days. I also talk about why I think that is and how I might better balance my discipline, motivation, habits, and momentum to make better progress in the future. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
46 - When to Publish my Steam Demo? 17:16

2 years ago17:16

17:16

In this episode I talk about publishing my demo on Steam and consider the implications of when to publish it based on a recent video by Shaun Spalding. Video by Shaun Spalding: https://youtu.be/OV0s442AbMQ?si=o9M8YfgFlpXEHb_m Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
45 - Sickness, Thoughts on the New Year, and Leaving Twitter 14:48

2 years ago14:48

14:48

In this episode I give a quick update on WASarD, my health, my plans for the new year, and leaving twitter. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
44 - Implementing the New Stats Object 18:54

2 years ago18:54

18:54

In this episode I talk about implementing the new stats object, the problems that have come from that, and the fun I'm having creating damage and fire rate calculating functions. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
43 - Some Progress + Stress and Recovery 17:52

2 years ago17:52

17:52

In this episode I talk about the progress I made this week, my worry that I haven't prototyped quite enough to justify implementing some new features, and my new fixation on the idea of stress and recovery. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
42 - Rebuilding Momentum after a Lull 14:59

2 years ago14:59

14:59

In this episode I talk about rebuilding momentum after taking a month off of WASarD. I also talk about my plans moving forward in December. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
41 - Gamedev Part Time 26:36

2 years ago26:36

26:36

In this episode I talk about my current work situation, how I feel about part time gamedev, and my progress with WASarD. P.S. I forgot to mention this in the episode, but I did release a new demo of the game on itch. You can check it out here: https://uheartbeast.itch.io/wasard Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
40 - Secondary Spells and Black Magic 22:26

2 years ago22:26

22:26

In this episode I talk through my design notes on secondary spells. I'm still trying to find the right balance on secondary spells in order to create interesting build variety and replay value. Play the old demo here: https://uheartbeast.itch.io/wasard Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
39 - Why has my progress been so slow? 12:39

2 years ago12:39

12:39

In this episode I talk about why I think my progress has been slower on WASarD recently. I also talk about my plans moving forward. Play the old demo here: https://uheartbeast.itch.io/wasard Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
38 - The Calendar for the next Demo 12:07

2 years ago12:07

12:07

In this episode I talk about my specific plans over the next 3 weeks for the new WASarD demo. Play the old demo here: https://uheartbeast.itch.io/wasard Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
37 - Thoughts on my Progress this Week 13:07

2 years ago13:07

13:07

In this episode I talk about the progress I made toward implementing secondary spells and my plans for the next demo. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
36 - Thinking Through Secondary Spells 15:28

2 years ago15:28

15:28

In this episode I mention wishlist numbers again and talk through my ideas on pacing and the functionality of secondary spells. Wishlist WASarD on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
35 - An Interesting Discovery about Relics in my Game 12:57

2 years ago12:57

12:57

In this episode I talk about relics in WASarD and some interesting things I learned about how they should work. Wishlist the game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
34 - Projecting Wishlist Numbers, Knockback Fixes, and Wall Bouncing 30:54

2 years ago30:54

30:54

In this episode I discuss the following topics: The design problem of when to give the player relics and secondary spells Wishlist number predictions for launch (based on my current numbers) Solving my problems with knockback and wall bouncing Wishlist the game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
33 - Wishlist Numbers? Good Enough. Now I Need to Shut Up and Get to Work. 22:11

2 years ago22:11

22:11

In this episode I talk about my wishlist numbers, my plan moving forward after the teaser trailer, and how I'm preparing the game's codebase for production. Wishlist the game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
32 - Teaser Trailer YouTube Comments and Wishlist Numbers 27:46

2 years ago27:46

27:46

In this episode I talk about releasing the teaser trailer, the comments that I got on it, and the wishlist numbers. I also talk about the future of the project, some finances, and the decision to move ahead without doing a Kickstarter. Wishlist the game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
31 - My Steam Trailer Goal 20:45

2 years ago20:45

20:45

In this episode I talk about optimizing your steam page, building a wishlist, how pixel art looks better in motion, and general advice from Chris Zukowski (howtomarketagame.com) I also ramble about the dangers of early access. Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard Wishlist the game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
30 - I added secondary spells! How did it go? 13:19

2 years ago13:19

13:19

Yesterday I implemented the secondary spell feature! In this episode I talk about how it went. I also talk about the game's trailer being the current bottleneck to the Steam page, Kickstarter, and subsequently production. Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard Wishlist the game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
29 - Injecting Motivation by Watching Recorded Playtesting Sessions 8:31

2 years ago8:31

8:31

In this episode I talk about how watching recorded playtesting sessions motivates me to work even harder on my game. Maybe this is a virtuous cycle. I can't help but notice how useful it is. Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard Wishlist the game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151870/WASarD/…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
28 - The Kickstarter and Steam Page are Taking Forever 33:52

2 years ago33:52

33:52

Topics in this episode include: Small improvements to the game Improvements to the Steam page and Kickstarter I'm still slow at this part I need to prove that I can make money doing the work I'm doing

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
27 - All I need is 2.5 Hours of Gamedev 19:59

2 years ago19:59

19:59

Topics for this episode include: Why I started this podcast Going too long without working on the actual game Preparing the Kickstarter trailer The question for pre-production is: "What can I make in x time?" The Question for Production is: "How long with this take me to make?" Do I need to adjust my 5-year plan? Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard Here is the demo if you'd like to play it: https://uheartbeast.itch.io/wasard…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
26 - Organic Traffic on Itch.io 8:55

2 years ago8:55

8:55

In this short episode I talk about the organic traffic the WASarD demo is getting on Itch.io. I also read one of the recent comments about the game and give my thoughts on it. Follow the project on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartbeast/wasard Here is the demo if you'd like to play it: https://uheartbeast.itch.io/wasard…

Heart Gamedev Podcast

1
25 - My Goals for the Week 16:46

2 years ago16:46