Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
What happens when a AAA developer walks away from big studios to build his own game from scratch in a language most developers have never touched?
In this episode, we explore the journey behind Art of Reflection, a first-person puzzle game built in D. Lewis shares why he chose this unconventional language, how systems thinking shaped his design, and what it really takes to build something solo for over four years.
Lewis’ website: lewisnicolle.com
X: https://x.com/hydrozoagames
The Art of Reflection: store.steampowered.com/app/2290770/The_Art_of_Reflection
Wookash Podcast
Show links: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lukasz-sciga
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7tExkDJcI6vvmpCguX8Ygd
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wookash-podcast/id1683109481
Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UC9J9u3apteD0EuFjzRpt71w
RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/dd7643a4/podcast/rss
X: https://x.com/wookash_podcast
0:28 - Introduction and What is Art of Reflection?
3:07 - The Journey of Choosing and Using the D Programming Language
14:23 - Technical Deep Dive: D Language Features and Interoperability
23:59 - Reflections on D, Compile Times, and Engine Development Philosophy
28:35 - The Evolution of Art of Reflection: From 2D Concepts to 3D Mirrors
43:41 - Puzzle Design and Game Mechanics
48:27 - Art of Reflection's Engine Architecture and Rendering Tech
1:03:07 - Optimization Strategies and Performance Challenges
1:09:34 - Contrasting Solo Indie Development with AAA Complexity
1:19:06 - Current Status, Future Plans, and Marketing for Art of Reflection
1:24:16 - Advice for Aspiring Developers and Development Tools
What happens when a AAA developer walks away from big studios to build his own game from scratch in a language most developers have never touched?
In this episode, we explore the journey behind Art of Reflection, a first-person puzzle game built in D. Lewis shares why he chose this unconventional language, how systems thinking shaped his design, and what it really takes to build something solo for over four years.
Lewis’ website: lewisnicolle.com
X: https://x.com/hydrozoagames
The Art of Reflection: store.steampowered.com/app/2290770/The_Art_of_Reflection
Wookash Podcast
Show links: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lukasz-sciga
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7tExkDJcI6vvmpCguX8Ygd
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wookash-podcast/id1683109481
Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UC9J9u3apteD0EuFjzRpt71w
RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/dd7643a4/podcast/rss
X: https://x.com/wookash_podcast
0:28 - Introduction and What is Art of Reflection?
3:07 - The Journey of Choosing and Using the D Programming Language
14:23 - Technical Deep Dive: D Language Features and Interoperability
23:59 - Reflections on D, Compile Times, and Engine Development Philosophy
28:35 - The Evolution of Art of Reflection: From 2D Concepts to 3D Mirrors
43:41 - Puzzle Design and Game Mechanics
48:27 - Art of Reflection's Engine Architecture and Rendering Tech
1:03:07 - Optimization Strategies and Performance Challenges
1:09:34 - Contrasting Solo Indie Development with AAA Complexity
1:19:06 - Current Status, Future Plans, and Marketing for Art of Reflection
1:24:16 - Advice for Aspiring Developers and Development Tools
