Bringing quality back. A conversation with Jonathan Blow The No-Frauds Club 2022-11-12 | We welcome Jonathan Blow back to The No-Frauds Club to discuss hidden conflicts in game design, and what progress, if any, has been had in the past two decades.Follow Jonathan: twitter.com/Jonathan_BlowSamo Burja's essay on live players vs dead players: samoburja.com/live-versus-dead-playersClubhouse Conversations playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWg1_xB5HVrEmZwYPoDU4rxSpotify link: open.spotify.com/show/5DDTJZytcZYfoizAj1LKNw0:00:00 The return of Jonathan Blow (again!)0:00:09 Hidden conflicts in game design0:05:40 Real-time strategy, and defining "story"0:15:45 Can the player's fiction become a story?0:29:02 Incremental, yet incomplete steps to dynamic story0:39:20 When choices don't really matter0:46:59 What if the player's performance was the choice?0:54:54 RTS is dead. What happened?1:04:46 You CAN judge things objectively!1:11:22 A good thing with a niche audience is more than possible1:13:54 Don't fear being deep1:25:02 AI art and the apocalypse1:47:28 A quote in two parts, on the industry and consumers1:54:16 Live vs dead players2:02:29 Closing thoughtsVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYFont used is a Autobus Omnibus#Podcast #TheWitness #gamedev #JonathanBlow #Indie
Long Live Antikythera! Crows Nest 013 The No-Frauds Club 2024-05-08 | In this Crow's Nest - WITH CAMERAS - Pr0nogo and Veeq7 discuss the success of Fraud Launcher 2 in proliferating Cosmonarchy across the cosmos, and muse on AI and pathfinding improvements that will undoubtedly come to shape the custom engine of Antikythera.Crow's Nest playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvXbrrLLiclWPRonr7VwVIsWAlso available on podcast apps via anchor: https://anchor.fm/fraudsclub-crows-nestOur channels:youtube.com/@Pr0nogoyoutube.com/@Veeq7Support us! ko-fi.com/pr0nogoandveeq7Links discussed:Cosmonarchy - fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bwThe Xibalba setting - fraudsclub.com/xibalbaVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmY0:00:00 Show intro - with CAMERAS!0:01:47 General musings on Cosmonarchy0:12:10 Anya pathing and Antikythera's future0:22:30 A discussion on pathing and chokes0:31:50 ko-fi questions!0:32:13 Lucifirius: If Pr0nogo is a crow, and Neblime is a lemon...0:34:20 Myrian: How would TNFC make a small-scale RTS?0:43:10 The Shambler: How would TNFC make an RTS with upgrades?0:51:10 Btyb: How would TNFC make an RTS/RPG with creeps and heroes?0:59:11 3crow: What are your wishes and plans for enemy AI in Antikythera?1:04:12 Closing thoughts#RTS #programming #podcast
We Have Liftoff! Crows Nest 012 The No-Frauds Club 2024-03-31 | We have achieved Fraud Launcher 2, spread the word of Cosmonarchy to streamers and casters, and managed to make great progress on technical limitations. Veeq7 and Pr0nogo discuss all this, along with RTS storytelling, in this episode of Crow's Nest!Crow's Nest playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvXbrrLLiclWPRonr7VwVIsWAlso available on podcast apps via anchor: https://anchor.fm/fraudsclub-crows-nestOur channels:youtube.com/@Pr0nogoyoutube.com/@Veeq7Support us! ko-fi.com/pr0nogoandveeq7Links discussed:Cosmonarchy - fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bwThe Xibalba setting - fraudsclub.com/xibalbaDiggity's Cosmonarchy casts - youtube.com/watch?v=FglEXNqMkOYSaiyanKCM's Cosmonarchy stream - youtube.com/watch?v=3vHBkx4h6ikBrandon McNulty - youtube.com/@WriterBrandonMcNultyThinking Fast and Slow - drive.google.com/file/d/0B7y91D08k6X8RkRranBfd05fTEU/preview?resourcekey=0-dYgxzjaJ0yMVuRZ1PMdP3AVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmY0:00:00 Show intro0:01:35 Fraud Launcher 2 is HERE!0:17:35 Focusing on competitive play0:27:48 Campaign content and RTS story considerations1:11:36 Reflections on code/tool quality; concrete tasks vs ambiguous tasks1:25:03 ko-fi questions!1:25:30 3crow: A question about Xibalba regencies1:29:51 Myrian: An unbeatable AI1:36:54 The Shambler: Veeq7's past experiences with fictional works1:43:18 Closing thoughtsq7#RTS #programming #podcast
What Brood War Got Right. A conversation with @SaiyanKCM The No-Frauds Club 2024-03-17 | Welcome to a conversation chock-full of Brood War discussion with @SaiyanKCM!Check out Saiyan's video on SC2 vs BW: youtube.com/watch?v=BMp2-k3dEHkFollow Saiyan's twitch: twitch.tv/saiyanscClubhouse Conversations playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWg1_xB5HVrEmZwYPoDU4rxSpotify link: open.spotify.com/show/5DDTJZytcZYfoizAj1LKNw0:00:00 Introduction0:00:30 Is Brood War the greatest RTS?0:06:27 Contrasting with SC2, from aesthetics to balance0:18:44 Brood War's professional growth0:29:15 What emerges from difficulty and clunkiness?0:41:39 What happens when you move away from BW?0:58:05 Educating viewers as a broadcaster1:08:20 Ways to improve the spectator experience1:13:22 Discussing the format of ASL1:19:01 What is KCM Race Survivor all about?1:28:18 What's next for Saiyan?1:32:18 Final wordsVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYThumbnail font is "a Autobus Omnibus"#Podcast #gamedev #starcraft #RTS #classic
Difficulty IS Content! A conversation with @TheElectricUnderground The No-Frauds Club 2024-03-12 | From difficulty being integral to a game's design, to speedrunning being best left to the sidelines, and even to the role of game reviewers in shaping casual discourse, a lot of ground is covered in this conversation with Mark of @TheElectricUnderground!Check out Mark's documentary: youtube.com/watch?v=t7RY0FHTI68Look out for Mark's forthcoming video called "RPGs Need Scoring Systems" by subscribing to his channel: youtube.com/channel/UC0Fwhzr1yeoQ84yC3Isd4LgClubhouse Conversations playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWg1_xB5HVrEmZwYPoDU4rxSpotify link: open.spotify.com/show/5DDTJZytcZYfoizAj1LKNw0:00:00 Introducing Mark!0:00:10 More freedom = less expression0:05:02 The pitfalls of speedrunning 0:15:15 Reviewers are not tastemakers0:22:37 Reclaiming the example of Dark Souls0:31:08 Difficulty IS content!0:43:05 Games often don't know what they are0:58:51 Teaching players the competitive mindset1:10:39 Story shouldn't outrank gameplay!1:20:25 Gamification has poisoned game design1:39:04 Learning from the great works of the past1:57:32 Great premises make for great experiences2:08:56 Most settings and plots are not designed for games2:19:15 Addressing replayability problems intelligently2:28:54 Looking outside your niche; dynamic difficulty2:46:19 We live in a very ironic culture2:51:00 Closing wordsVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYThumbnail font is "a Autobus Omnibus"#Podcast #gamedev #Indie #stg #shmup
The Fourth Race. Crows Nest 011 The No-Frauds Club 2024-02-02 | The two chief Not-Frauds return to discuss Cosmonarchy Brood War's fourth race, the Askosi!Crow's Nest playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvXbrrLLiclWPRonr7VwVIsWAlso available on podcast apps via anchor: https://anchor.fm/fraudsclub-crows-nestOur channels:youtube.com/@Pr0nogoyoutube.com/@Veeq7Support us! ko-fi.com/pr0nogoandveeq7Links discussed:Cosmonarchy BW - fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bwThe Xibalba setting - fraudsclub.com/xibalbaDry Creek Wrangler School YT - youtube.com/@DryCreekWranglerSchoolVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmY0:00:00 Show intro0:01:19 What have we been up to? Launcher & "crigs"0:21:08 Discussing the Askosi, CMBW's impending 4th race1:03:06 ko-fi questions!1:03:51 The Shambler: If you had to add 6 different types of health to Cosmonarchy (including the pre existing shields/regular health), what would those other health types look like?1:09:00 Myrian: What RTS faction archetypes are ya'll most fond of?1:18:02 3crow: What is your level of engagement with philosophy? Are there any schools of thought or thinkers that you've found compelling?1:27:20 Show outro
Planning for 2024! Crows Nest 010 The No-Frauds Club 2024-01-13 | Pr0nogo and Veeq7 return to the Crow's Nest after a long time away! It's time to lay out our plans for 2024, and recap some of the most meaningful developments of the past year.Crow's Nest playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvXbrrLLiclWPRonr7VwVIsWAlso available on podcast apps via anchor: https://anchor.fm/fraudsclub-crows-nestOur channels:youtube.com/@Pr0nogoyoutube.com/@Veeq7Support us! ko-fi.com/pr0nogoandveeq7Links discussed:Cosmonarchy BW - fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bwThe Xibalba setting - fraudsclub.com/xibalbaVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmY0:00:00 Our RTS mission statement0:28:15 A recap of 20230:40:10 Plans for the Kairos scripting language0:56:40 Laying out our plans for 20241:11:43 ko-fi questions!1:14:50 Chumbeque - What are your plans to getting factions to a manageable size in a MVP?1:26:15 3crow - What are some ideas you have for Askosi AI personalities?1:32:45 Myrian - How do you go about designing a faction icon/symbol?1:38:54 Show outro - next Crow's Nest#podcast #gamedev #RTS
RTS Combat Pacing. Crows Nest 009 The No-Frauds Club 2023-04-22 | Pr0nogo and Veeq7 dive into RTS combat pacing, using examples from Brood War, Warcraft 3, Starcraft 2, and Cosmonarchy Brood War.Crow's Nest playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvXbrrLLiclWPRonr7VwVIsWAlso available on podcast apps via anchor: https://anchor.fm/fraudsclub-crows-nestOur channels:youtube.com/@Pr0nogoyoutube.com/@Veeq7Links discussed:Cosmonarchy BW - fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bwThe Xibalba setting - fraudsclub.com/xibalbaOur conversation with Raigan Burns - youtu.be/0s9Lme7n4NYPr0nogo and Veeq7's ko-fi page - ko-fi.com/pr0nogoandveeq7Visit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmY0:00:00 Leeeet's get reaaaaady to CROW'S NEST0:00:40 RTS combat pacing is the central discussion point0:02:30 Starcraft 2's breakneck pace0:08:38 Drawing some counter-examples from Warcraft 30:22:00 Combat pacing is best evaluated in competitive environments!0:34:32 Brood War's combat pacing is... weird...0:42:00 Adjusting combat in Cosmonarchy Brood War0:56:50 Is there such a thing as an "ideal" combat pace?1:14:09 Chad questions! Support the show!1:14:44 Keyan - A question about town center design1:37:18 Myrian - Proposed implementations of terrain manipulation1:45:45 Antikythera updates from Veeq71:53:53 Indie Fund demo updates from Pr0nogo2:00:14 Lessons Pr0nogo has learned from his work in Counter-Strike2:19:16 Talking about Heavensent, our future FPS project2:35:12 A summary and the show's close#podcast #gamedev #RTS
Complexity and Depth. Crows Nest 008 The No-Frauds Club 2023-04-09 | Pr0nogo and Veeq7 discuss complexity, depth, and MORE!Crow's Nest playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvXbrrLLiclWPRonr7VwVIsWAlso available on podcast apps via anchor: https://anchor.fm/fraudsclub-crows-nestOur channels:youtube.com/@Pr0nogoyoutube.com/@Veeq7Links discussed:Our conversation with Raigan Burns - youtu.be/0s9Lme7n4NYCosmonarchy BW - fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bwPr0nogo and Veeq7's ko-fi page - ko-fi.com/pr0nogoandveeq7Visit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmY0:00:00 Fraudulent podcast reporting0:01:29 Problems with progression systems0:08:01 A tangent on pathfinding0:13:37 Deep ideas from simple systems0:18:00 Soft restrictions vs hard restrictions0:27:09 A tangent on Vultures and Spider Mines0:29:50 Overcomplicated interactions are asking to be simplified!0:40:58 Condescending tutorials and RNG are bandage fixes0:50:06 "Leveling up" is a hollow replacement for getting better1:02:36 Chad questions from ko-fi supporters1:03:01 Keyan - Static defense design philosophy1:19:30 A tangent on CMBW pacing1:31:06 Myrian - Characterizing races through gameplay1:47:50 Fraudulent engine reporting1:59:08 The games Pr0nogo has played recently2:01:50 Close Nest actually#podcast #gamedev #RTS
RTS Economics. Crows Nest 007 The No-Frauds Club 2023-03-29 | Pr0nogo and Veeq7 discuss the pacing and complexity of harvesting resources within RTS games, as well as a helpful spattering of other neat subjects!Crow's Nest playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvXbrrLLiclWPRonr7VwVIsWAlso available on podcast apps via anchor: https://anchor.fm/fraudsclub-crows-nestOur channels:youtube.com/@Pr0nogoyoutube.com/@Veeq7Links discussed:Cosmonarchy BW - fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bwPr0nogo and Veeq7's ko-fi page - ko-fi.com/pr0nogoandveeq7Veeq7's Rerun stream - youtube.com/watch?v=MggYz-jcpLUThorin's video on "the one thing" - youtu.be/Hv6-Z8l07lsVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmY0:00:00 Welcomeq7! Discord server changes and more0:07:01 Antikythera updates and individual unit importance0:16:16 Tile size and environment art0:18:25 Techtree sizes in our first game, and general tech thoughts0:27:35 Battle reactions and "aggressive mode"0:35:32 March madness in CMBW - entity limits! APM logging!0:45:10 Economic and early pacing - what's up with that?1:13:23 ko-fi Q3A questions!1:14:04 Keyan: Unique methods of harvesting resources in CM:R?1:23:51 A tangential question about Rhazellium campaign design1:29:22 Myrion: Can you discuss your campaign/mission design?1:37:02 Talking about incoherence between gameplay and story1:48:52 Myrion: Can you discuss things like the Kolypo Azos "madness" mechanic?1:53:53 The extra-dimensionality of Sycora, Catethron, and Kolypo Azos2:02:30 Pr0nogo plays Gotham Knights2:12:27 Veeq7 plays Rerun2:23:22 Pr0nogo plays Wizard of Legend2:28:30 Thinking about permanence, in Dwarf Fortress, Onitar, and more2:34:12 The conclusion of this two and a half hour Crow's Nest#podcast #gamedev #RTS
Lessons Learned. Crows Nest 006 The No-Frauds Club 2023-03-22 | Pr0nogo and Veeq7 regale us with tales of the growth and lessons provided by working on CMBW, discuss some ideas for exploring new concepts within the RTS genre, and briefly sum up Pr0nogo's idea for a turn-based strategy game that *doesn't* have RNG!Crow's Nest playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvXbrrLLiclWPRonr7VwVIsWAlso available on podcast apps via anchor: https://anchor.fm/fraudsclub-crows-nestOur channels:youtube.com/@Pr0nogoyoutube.com/@Veeq7Links discussed:Cosmonarchy BW - fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bwPr0nogo and Veeq7's ko-fi page - ko-fi.com/pr0nogoandveeq7Onitar game documentation - fraudsclub.com/onitarRerun steam page - store.steampowered.com/app/2161130/RerunXibalba documentation - fraudsclub.com/xibalbaVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmY0:00:00 Hi0:05:00 An email about another game, and talking about outreach in general0:08:44 How making new stuff helps you grow0:16:38 Possibility vs predictability, and player skill0:32:43 Pros and cons of standardizing core aspects of your game0:40:26 Exploring content and game design in our current and future work0:45:31 A brief tangent on interviews (e.g. the Clubhouse Conversations)0:48:00 Back to exploring new ideas...0:53:58 Pr0nogo's Unreal Engine project (a turn-based RPG)1:22:26 Considering private conceptual or Q&A streams for ko-fi supporters1:25:11 What Veeq7 is doing NEXT... in Antikythera!#podcast #gamedev #RTS
The Future of the RTS! Crows Nest 005 The No-Frauds Club 2023-03-12 | Pr0nogo and Veeq7 talk about what will make the games of The No-Frauds Club different from our competitors, and recount what we have learned from the recent player-vs-player action within Cosmonarchy BW.Crow's Nest playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvXbrrLLiclWPRonr7VwVIsWAlso available on podcast apps via anchor: https://anchor.fm/fraudsclub-crows-nestOur channels:youtube.com/@Pr0nogoyoutube.com/@Veeq7Links discussed:Cosmonarchy BW - fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bwPr0nogo and Veeq7's ko-fi page - ko-fi.com/pr0nogoandveeq7ko-fi introduction video - youtu.be/I0AaR2VlwhsVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmY0:00:00 We're back... again!0:02:26 Shout-out to the ko-fi homies0:11:50 Our first Indie Fund pitch, vs our second0:21:57 Word of mouth vs advertising0:28:50 In search of an evolution of the RTS genre0:39:50 Examining common problems with RTS content0:47:46 Advice from Indie Fund backers for our second pitch0:51:38 Cosmonarchy BW's player-vs-player bloom0:58:40 Pacing in CMBW1:22:24 Signing off with closing words!#podcast #gamedev #RTS
Antikythera So Far... Crows Nest 004 The No-Frauds Club 2023-01-21 | Pr0nogo and Veeq7 break down the progress we've made on Antikythera, our custom engine, in the month of January 2023. We also discuss a bit about our motivations to create good games, where videogames are as a medium, and some functional philosophy we've gravitated towards over the years.Crow's Nest playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvXbrrLLiclWPRonr7VwVIsWAlso available on podcast apps via anchor: https://anchor.fm/fraudsclub-crows-nestOur channels:youtube.com/@Pr0nogoyoutube.com/@Veeq7Links discussed:Cosmonarchy BW - fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bwPr0nogo's substack - pr0nogo.substack.comPr0nogo and Veeq7's ko-fi page - ko-fi.com/pr0nogoandveeq7ko-fi introduction video - youtu.be/I0AaR2VlwhsAn old video on "process over product" - youtu.be/lf0ecJZ2zIMVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmY0:00:00 Welcome to the show!0:00:51 Blender's dumb UI0:11:54 Unifying disparate assets into a coherent art style0:15:31 Antikythera - networking and multithreaded pathing0:23:11 Ambiguity and functional philosophy0:33:40 We don't have masterpieces in the videogame medium0:38:31 Custom engine? More like "engine layer"0:47:33 Hidden content, dynamic content, and what sets ours apart1:03:48 A quick summary of what's left before the pitch1:06:59 Some thing is better than no thing1:10:42 As you are on the path, the path appears1:12:02 We would like to make many games1:18:36 Final thoughts, some shout-outs, and teasing the next episode#podcast #gamedev #RTS
Pacing and Learning. Crows Nest 003 The No-Frauds Club 2022-12-30 | Pr0nogo and Veeq7 discuss some games they've played recently, the pacing of RTS gameplay, and the latest progress on Antikythera in this episode of Crow's Nest.Crow's Nest playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvXbrrLLiclWPRonr7VwVIsWAlso available on podcast apps via anchor: https://anchor.fm/fraudsclub-crows-nestOur channels:youtube.com/c/Pr0nogoyoutube.com/@Veeq7Links discussed:Cosmonarchy BW - fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bwFive Nations - store.steampowered.com/app/1565670/Five_NationsVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmY0:00:00 Christmas tidings!0:00:50 Halo Infinite and enemy characterization0:25:16 Designing a respectful tutorial0:33:51 Accessibility, and why we removed supply0:38:10 Pacing in an RTS, and lessons we've learned1:05:09 Forever improving our design process1:11:38 Closing the subject of pacing in RTS1:18:35 Antikythera updates! Plus, our next moves1:31:55 Final words#podcast #gamedev #RTS
Progress Report: Antikythera and Onitar, November 2022 The No-Frauds Club 2022-11-27 | Progress Report: Antikythera, November 2022This video sums up events between March and November, and presents the direction we're heading in as the year draws to a close.Antikythera page: fraudsclub.com/antikytheraOnitar design documentation: fraudsclub.com/onitarCosmonarchy BW: fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bwProgress report playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWlDARhgAS-ogyDdRZ2_UAhVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYThumbnail font is a Autobus Omnibus#videogame #independent #engine
Finish Your Game! Crows Nest 002 The No-Frauds Club 2022-10-10 | Pr0nogo and Veeq7 discuss singleplayer and multiplayer content updates, balance changes, and design ethics in this episode of Crow's Nest.Crow's Nest playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvXbrrLLiclWPRonr7VwVIsWAlso available on podcast apps via anchor: https://anchor.fm/fraudsclub-crows-nestOur channels:youtube.com/c/Pr0nogoyoutube.com/@Veeq7Links discussed:fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bw - Cosmonarchy BW, our conversion for SC1youtu.be/jnV9ejtji_A - Pr0nogo clip, "SC2 is a Cargo Cult"youtube.com/watch?v=R_x5uvhs3Jo - Pr0nogo clip, "Why League of Legends players are toxic"Byte Lynx - store.steampowered.com/app/1996600/Byte_LynxVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmY0:00:00 Show introduction0:00:30 Preserving the state of singleplayer content0:09:35 Rejecting the perpetual update cycle0:15:13 How we plan to balance our games0:25:15 The negative effects of repeated updates0:30:44 A brief tangent on micro missions0:34:00 The contradictions within LoL/SC20:39:40 Attacking the "status quo" argument0:44:55 Calling on developers to finish their games0:49:38 The decline of standards in the games industry0:58:02 Byte Lynx and closing thoughts#podcast #gamedev #RTS
The No-Frauds Club on: Automation The No-Frauds Club 2022-10-08 | In the aftermath of several RTS games entering very public development cycles, this design pillar acts as a response to those clamoring for (or defending the addition of) more automation into the genre, and provides test cases for developers to avoid going too far with such a dangerous device.Visit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYCosmonarchy BW footage courtesy of Pr0nogo - fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bwStarcraft 2 footage courtesy of SC2HL - youtube.com/watch?v=kce_95i2v94Immortal pre-alpha footage courtesy of Zardecil - youtube.com/watch?v=nXygolSg5EMImmortal wallpaper courtesy of Sunspear Games - sunspeargames.com/artDylan Khan's messages - https://files.catbox.moe/edo1l9.pngVideo text font: The Next FontThumbnail font: a Autobus Omnibus#videogame #gamedev #automation
Total Ownership! Crows Nest 001 The No-Frauds Club 2022-09-17 | Pr0nogo and Veeq7 feather a new nest in the inaugural episode of their design podcast, and discuss the RTS genre, taking ownership over your work, and designing for interactions first.Crow's Nest playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvXbrrLLiclWPRonr7VwVIsWAlso available on podcast apps via anchor: https://anchor.fm/fraudsclub-crows-nestOur channels:youtube.com/c/Pr0nogoyoutube.com/@Veeq7Links discussed:fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bw - Cosmonarchy BW, our conversion for SC1youtube.com/watch?v=5IUj1EZwpJY - Casey Muratori's "The Only Unbreakable Law"fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchy-bw/show.php?target=protoss/star-sovereign - CMBW's Star SovereignVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmY0:00:00 Show introduction0:01:28 Age of Empires 4 and RTS controls0:08:33 Automation and multitasking in RTS0:13:08 "Focus" as a resource, and core gameplay0:17:48 Campaign design talk (AoE4, Five Nations)0:23:45 Design ethics that deny player choice0:28:46 The engine choice of Immortal and Stormgate0:35:00 Taking ownership of your products0:41:51 Frost Giant Studios and fraudulent transparency0:47:08 Who knows what they really want? And hard counters0:53:43 RTS games can provide immense toolkits1:01:38 Maintaining immersion between gameplay and cutscenes1:12:18 Antikythera's latest pathfinding updates1:15:29 Closing thoughts#podcast #gamedev #RTS
At the thought frontier. A conversation with IskatuMesk The No-Frauds Club 2022-05-27 | We welcome IskatuMesk, a longtime modder, designer, and games commentator, to The No-Frauds Club! Join us for a discussion about exploring uncharted territory in video games.Clubhouse Conversations playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWg1_xB5HVrEmZwYPoDU4rxSpotify link: open.spotify.com/show/5DDTJZytcZYfoizAj1LKNw0:00:00 Introducing IskatuMesk0:00:20 Finding the thought frontier0:29:11 Being able to take total ownership of your work0:43:00 Moving between RTS and ARPG design spaces1:05:51 Computer-controlled enemies in video games1:17:25 Designing fair enemies that do not pull punches1:31:05 Increasing difficulty without simple number multipliers1:46:33 Conceptualizing compelling 3D level design1:52:15 Linking different sublevels together2:05:02 The third-person camera, and its drawbacks2:16:37 How running D&D games influenced Mesk's design philosophy2:32:21 Bemoaning the impact of dice rolls2:50:48 Would diceless D&D be more attractive?2:59:42 What would the outcome have to be to allow Mesk to be content?3:07:31 Final wordsVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYFont used is a Autobus OmnibusThumbnail background courtesy of campaigncreations.org#Podcast #RTS #ARPG #IskatuMesk #Gamedev
Eighteen thousand hours. A conversation with Jonathan Blow The No-Frauds Club 2022-05-19 | We welcome Jonathan Blow back to The No-Frauds Club to discuss Braid, The Witness, his game design philosophy, and how it all dovetails with the modern state of art and culture.Follow Jonathan: twitter.com/Jonathan_BlowClubhouse Conversations playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWg1_xB5HVrEmZwYPoDU4rxSpotify link: open.spotify.com/show/5DDTJZytcZYfoizAj1LKNw0:00:00 The return of Jonathan Blow0:00:11 When games are "about something" and Jonathan's upcoming game0:05:16 How games can set themselves apart from films and books0:16:39 On the motivations of writers in the games industry0:23:51 What if we never get to the better thing? And Elden Ring0:41:55 Understanding what's good, by accident or otherwise0:53:39 Braid, and another angle on what the story could be1:01:32 Balancing ideas and execution, and how they intertwine1:07:51 Clarifying quantity vs quality, and the importance of one component1:16:21 When feature creep affects the player1:26:13 Being critical of games, and responding to critique1:46:57 The merits of the critic, and "art reviews" vs "product reviews"1:58:29 Seeking alternatives, and the homogenization of media2:15:07 The reputation of being "elitist"2:24:41 The Witness, one of Jonathan and Darion's favorite puzzles2:57:20 As a designer, comprehending the player's experience3:07:03 Closing thoughts and a bit of an attaboyVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYFont used is a Autobus Omnibus#Podcast #Braid #TheWitness #JonathanBlow #Indie
Back to the classics. A conversation with Auguste Semmler Massonnat The No-Frauds Club 2022-05-13 | We welcome Auguste "Semmler" Massonnat, a veteran esports commentator, to The No-Frauds Club! Join us for an exotic sandwich with flavors from commentary, ethics, technology, gaming, and meaning.Follow Semmler: twitter.com/OnFireSemmlerClubhouse Conversations playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWg1_xB5HVrEmZwYPoDU4rxSpotify link: open.spotify.com/show/5DDTJZytcZYfoizAj1LKNw0:00:00 Introducing Semmler0:00:34 Pushing esports broadcasts to be more conversational0:05:06 Were HenryG and Sadokist the greatest to do it?0:10:37 The olofboost, and how Semmler learned to handle social media0:16:20 Post-pandemic mania, and how it's impacted Counter-Strike0:22:37 Reflecting on Flashpoint, and what it might have been0:26:06 ESL, Faceit, and Saudi Arabia0:32:25 "Woke hypocrisy" in esports0:40:59 Jujutsu, an enduring mindset, and doing difficult things0:48:22 When Valve "blackpilled" Semmler on CS:GO0:51:38 Mass appeal, microtransactions, and difficulty in games1:00:43 Algorithms and the atomization of society1:06:58 Contemplating an AI takeover of the arts1:10:55 Mixed messaging on CS:GO sanctions1:16:58 Dirty "debate" tactics and socially touching grass1:20:05 Was the internet better when it was less populated?1:27:54 Searching for meaning, Jordan Peterson, and accepting imperfection1:35:30 Reverance for ancient art, and choosing your friends wisely1:44:23 Friends fondly remembered, thick as thieves1:48:48 Is Semmler satisfied with his career?1:49:57 Waving goodbyeVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYFont used is a Autobus OmnibusThumbnail background courtesy of esport.aftonbladet.se#Podcast #Semmler #CSGO #Esports #CounterStrike
Nerding out on RTS design! A conversation with Erik DoA Lonnquist The No-Frauds Club 2022-03-18 | We welcome Erik "DoA" Lonnquist, a veteran and journeyman esports caster, to The No-Frauds Club! Join us for a discussion of strategy within competitive games, and design that enables them.Follow DoA: twitter.com/ggDoAClubhouse Conversations playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWg1_xB5HVrEmZwYPoDU4rxSpotify link: open.spotify.com/show/5DDTJZytcZYfoizAj1LKNwVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmY0:00:00 Introduction0:00:15 Why does DoA love strategy games?0:01:55 RTS games are hard!0:09:37 DoA's favorite RTS races0:11:34 Mastering multiple factions in an RTS0:16:03 Considering pick/bans in RTS and MOBA games0:19:52 Educating the uninitiated viewer for less-intuitive esports0:26:34 The role of casters in a more beginner-friendly broadcast0:29:26 Considering the design flaws of SC2 and BW0:40:05 Frequency (and quality) of meta-defining patches0:46:15 DoA's final words0:46:53 OutroThumbnail image courtesy of Blizzard EntertainmentFont used is a Autobus Omnibus#Podcast #DoA #Esports #BW #RTS
Progress Report: Antikythera, March 2022 The No-Frauds Club 2022-03-07 | This video discusses February's progress on fog of war, the game state API, and networking, and sets the stage for what to expect in the next update.Antikythera page: fraudsclub.com/antikytheraIndie Fund website: indie-fund.comMonetization design pillar: youtube.com/watch?v=r8mcL_0Um2IDevstream archive: fraudsclub.com/meta/#development-archivesProgress report playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWlDARhgAS-ogyDdRZ2_UAhVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYThumbnail font is a Autobus OmnibusNotice font is The Next Font#videogame #independent #engine
Grounded in the game. A conversation with Duncan Thorin Shields The No-Frauds Club 2022-03-02 | We welcome Duncan "Thorin" Shields, the Esports Historian, to The No-Frauds Club! Join us for a discussion of competitive metagames within esports, the role of developers, and the integrity of popular titles.Follow Thorin: twitter.com/thorinClubhouse Conversations playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWg1_xB5HVrEmZwYPoDU4rxSpotify link: open.spotify.com/show/5DDTJZytcZYfoizAj1LKNwVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYTimestamps:0:00:00 Introduction0:00:12 Thorin's favorite seasons in League of Legends...0:07:30 ...and favorite eras of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive0:11:05 Is the AWP nerf an example of developers nerfing the pro scene?0:15:36 The (false?) dichotomy of balancing for pro play vs casual play0:24:35 Teams and players who were heavily-impacted by meta shifts0:35:43 The timing of patches and meta shifts0:41:12 VALORANT, Overwatch, and developers "forcing" esports into existence0:49:17 Why is League of Legends so popular?0:54:21 DotA 2, and developers being "grounded" in their game0:58:26 Leaving room between patches for organic evolution1:02:44 Interfacing with competitive games1:11:42 A more complete statement on a developer's involvement in esports1:17:27 Would Thorin ever consider consultation work to help developers?1:19:57 OutroThumbnail art components courtesy of:- Jassy2012 (trees)- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (background art)- League of Legends (background art)Font used is a Autobus Omnibus#Podcast #Thorin #Esports #LoLEsports #CSGO
Just out of reach. A conversation with Ross Scott of Accursed Farms The No-Frauds Club 2022-02-26 | We welcome Ross Scott, the creative behind Accursed Farms, to The No-Frauds Club! Join us for a discussion of computer UI, game worlds, dream software, inspirations for Ross's forthcoming movie, and more.Follow Ross: twitter.com/accursedfarmsRoss recommends:Comic on the state of gaming - imgur.com/a/BaMJzzUComic on game difficulty - https://i.imgur.com/mZO6bQm.jpgThe best 2D to 3D conversion software (so far) - github.com/yu-li/TCMonoDepthReal-time 2D to 3D conversion software for VR (prototype) - https://www.vrin.app/Clubhouse Conversations playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWg1_xB5HVrEmZwYPoDU4rxSpotify link: open.spotify.com/show/5DDTJZytcZYfoizAj1LKNwVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYTimestamps:0:00:00 Introduction0:00:09 OS user interface0:17:45 Microsoft's hegemony and Windows updates0:29:06 Dead game news0:32:09 The "dream software" and similar programs0:38:31 AI, the creative process, and game worlds0:49:31 Customization: is it going away for good?0:54:45 Positive and negative trends in games1:13:44 Freeman's Mind, and talking about the Half-Life franchise1:23:37 Valve's focuses, and discussing open world games1:29:11 Cutscenes in games, from FPS to RTS1:36:55 Some flaws with Starcraft II and Supreme Commander1:46:06 Not shy about skipping filler!1:58:43 Staying genuine as a video creator, and not staying in your lane2:10:23 Ross's influence as a director2:16:13 A pair of impossible hypotheticals, and virtual reality2:23:09 Seeking video editing help! How does Ross know when a video is good?2:30:49 AI, technology, and disagreements with Elon Musk2:44:39 What happens after the movie?2:47:35 Teasers for upcoming content2:48:25 OutroThumbnail art components courtesy of:- Jassy2012 (trees)- Half-Life (background art)Font used is a Autobus Omnibus#Podcast #AccursedFarms #Machinima #Design #videogame
Following the fun. A conversation with Raigan Burns The No-Frauds Club 2022-02-19 | We welcome Raigan Burns, designer and musician of Metanet Software, to The No-Frauds Club! Join us for a discussion on the N line of platformers, the pursuit of greatness, and the conceptual processes of game design.Follow Raigan: twitter.com/raiganburnsRaigan recommends:Michael Brough's site - http://www.smestorp.comCinco Paus - smestorp.itch.io/cinco-pausDoom the Roguelike - drl.chaosforge.orgHyper Light Drifter - store.steampowered.com/app/257850/Hyper_Light_DrifterProbability 0 - store.steampowered.com/app/258070/Probability_0Starseed Pilgrim - store.steampowered.com/app/230980/Starseed_PilgrimSerene Velocity - imdb.com/title/tt0159727Home - store.steampowered.com/app/215670/HomeClubhouse Conversations playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWg1_xB5HVrEmZwYPoDU4rxSpotify link: open.spotify.com/show/5DDTJZytcZYfoizAj1LKNwVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYTimestamps:0:00:00 Introduction0:00:10 Deciding what skills to test, and how to test them0:09:47 Making mastery optional, yet enticing0:23:29 "Fake" difficulty0:32:45 Deciding when it's done, and the path to completing N++0:45:16 The impact of feedback, positive and negative0:52:18 When niche creations lose their luster1:01:45 How team size sabotages creative vision1:14:10 Keeping things fresh without changing too much1:23:00 The team size of Metanet Software1:27:41 Drawing inspiration from other games1:37:36 Notable negative experiences that provided inspiration1:47:40 Pushing back on casual games with the original N1:52:04 Dissecting "cameraman" games, cinematic trends, and so on2:11:08 Poverty of words, misuse of genres, and calling everything "games"2:20:27 Objectivity in game design2:30:54 How music is used in video games2:49:58 Using dialogue in ways only games can2:54:22 Considering dynamic events and environments3:00:23 Conclusion: possibilities of what games could be3:02:27 OutroThumbnail art components courtesy of:- Jassy2012 (trees)- N++ (background art)Font used is a Autobus Omnibus#Podcast #Raigan #NPlusPlus #Programming #Design #indie #videogame
Progress Report: Antikythera, Feb 2022 The No-Frauds Club 2022-02-06 | This video introduces our video game engine, Antikythera, and details our plans for the next month of development.Antikythera page: fraudsclub.com/antikytheraProgress report playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWlDARhgAS-ogyDdRZ2_UAhVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYThumbnail font is a Autobus Omnibus#videogame #independent #engine
The No-Frauds Club on: Monetization The No-Frauds Club 2021-12-20 | This video details our December 2021 take on the monetization model we plan to use within our products.Meta page: http://www.fraudsclub.com/metaThe No-Frauds Club design pillar playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWympmSOYM_OVwzOt_9ktkLVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYVideo font is Open SansThumbnail font is a Autobus OmnibusThumbnail component: http://clipart-library.com/clipart/2032210.htm#videogame #independent #monetization
Knowing where to start. A conversation with Casey Muratori The No-Frauds Club 2021-12-12 | We welcome Casey Muratori, veteran software engineer and game engine programmer, to The No-Frauds Club! Join us for an in-depth discussion about the state of modern programming.Follow Casey: twitter.com/cmuratoriCasey recommends:Supreme Court oral arguments - oyez.orgThe Case Against Education by Brian Caplan - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Case_Against_EducationClubhouse Conversations playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWg1_xB5HVrEmZwYPoDU4rxSpotify link: open.spotify.com/show/5DDTJZytcZYfoizAj1LKNwVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYTimestamps:0:00:00 Introduction0:00:17 Casey the educator, and principles of programming0:05:19 Discord runs in a web browser!0:06:10 On the real-world importance of good software0:13:40 What Casey learned from Handmade Hero0:19:34 Showing everyone how to get started0:24:03 Star Code Galaxy is a proper attempt at programming education0:27:09 What compels Casey to do what he does?0:31:45 The importance of speed0:38:02 Knowing where to start, if you're open to the idea0:46:22 How do you deal with "fads" in programming?0:53:46 Does Casey play video games?0:58:31 Exploring interactive fiction1:09:26 Considering the art pipeline problem1:18:38 The origin of Meow the Infinite, and potential followups1:28:36 Leveling up the end user experience1:39:24 Credentialing, and the problems with education1:47:54 Improving tech interviews1:53:54 The case against education2:06:00 Modern discourse, or lack thereof2:13:01 Balancing freedom of speech with freedom to listen2:29:18 Algorithms: boogeyman or legitimate threat?2:36:39 Closing thoughtsThumbnail art components courtesy of:- Jassy2012 (trees)- unknown author (background pattern)Font used is a Autobus Omnibus#Podcast #CaseyMuratori #Programming #HandmadeHero #indie #videogame #game #engine
Games are interesting! A conversation with Jonathan Blow The No-Frauds Club 2021-12-05 | We welcome Jonathan Blow, veteran game developer, programmer, and thinker, to The No-Frauds Club! Join us for an in-depth discussion about the medium of videogames.Follow Jonathan: twitter.com/Jonathan_BlowClubhouse Conversations playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWg1_xB5HVrEmZwYPoDU4rxSpotify link: open.spotify.com/show/5DDTJZytcZYfoizAj1LKNwVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYTimestamps:0:00:00 Introduction0:00:20 What has Jonathan been working on recently?0:07:30 Aspects of development which Jonathan enjoys doing0:13:40 What helps Jonathan complete large projects?0:19:30 The ramifications of growing in competence0:24:38 Game developers face ever-growing complexity0:41:22 The definition of "making a game" has changed0:55:15 Are games and software uniquely far from their peak?1:12:24 "Good art is borne from limitations"1:23:22 Will we ever see sequels?1:31:35 The fiction advances, but the gameplay does not1:47:10 Other ways of telling stories1:51:40 Handholding players2:05:31 Last words - games are interesting!2:08:02 OutroThumbnail art components courtesy of:- Jassy2012 (trees)- Amisiablut (background pattern)Font used is a Autobus Omnibus#Podcast #JonathanBlow #indie #videogame #game
Welcome to The No-Frauds Club! The No-Frauds Club 2021-12-05 | This video describes some of the core tenets of The No-Frauds Club, and acts as a primer for all who are interested in our work.Links discussed:Meta page: http://www.fraudsclub.com/metaOur engine: http://www.fraudsclub.com/antikytheraOur RTS/ARPG/MOBA crossbreed: http://www.fraudsclub.com/onitarOur original science-fiction universe: http://www.fraudsclub.com/xibalbaOur real-time strategy game: http://www.fraudsclub.com/cosmonarchyOur ARPG roguelite: http://www.fraudsclub.com/dreamholdOur conversation with Jonathan Blow: youtu.be/rck9tiLoo8UThe No-Frauds Club design pillar playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN70PQ8mAOvWympmSOYM_OVwzOt_9ktkLVisit The No-Frauds Club!Website: http://www.fraudsclub.comDiscord server: discord.com/invite/s5SKBmYThumbnail font is a Autobus Omnibus#indie #videogame #game
