The So Many Games Podcast

#19 | Phonopolis with Lukáš Kunce

The puzzle narrative game Phonopolis was released earlier this year and showcased a dictatorship-led world shown through gorgeous stop-motion visuals and movements that were made with real cardboard and paints. This artistic choice created a truly unique game with a populated world full of charm and mystery. The puzzles also showed originality through clever use of the environment and fun alternative designs from the norm. Lukáš Kunce is the producer of Phonoplois and head of marketing for Amanita Design, and he kindly spared some time to discuss the many elements that make up the game, including its art, music, its narration and much more! Lukáš Kunce Links Follow Amanita Design on BlueSky. [https://bsky.app/profile/amanita-design.net] Watch Amanita Designs' making-of documentaries [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQlhwM2qw2g]on YouTube Visit the Amanita Design website [https://amanita-design.net/index.html] Check out Phonopolis on Steam [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1206070/Phonopolis/] Chapters [00:00] Intro [01:34] Lukáš Kunce Interview [29:07] Music Break & Patreon [30:28] Lukáš Kunce Interview [56:11] Final Thoughts & Outro [57:58] Messages from Creator Friends So Many Games' Links Follow us on ⁠BlueSky⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/somanygames.co.uk] Check out our ⁠website [https://somanygames.co.uk/] ⁠ [https://somanygames.co.uk/]Visit our Discord server [https://discord.gg/Zee2vYQsUs] Join our Patreon [https://patreon.com/SoManyGames] Take a look at our ⁠Linktree [https://linktr.ee/somanygames] Intro/outro music by ⁠Jerden Cooke [https://bsky.app/profile/jerdencooke.bsky.social] Music Clip Credits The following tracks were used in this episode, which were all taken from the Phonopolis soundtrack composed by Floex: Railway Electro Prison Escape Women's House

#18 | Adorable Adventures with Steven ter Heide

Adorable Adventures is a recently released indie game where you take control of a boar called Boris. The aim of the game is to run around to find your sibling and free your mom by following scents. Steven ter Heide is the creative director for the game, and we had a great conversation on the game's development from its initial concept to its scent mechanic through to why the narration was added into the game. I would like to thank Steven for his time and willingness to share what he did on the game. Steven ter Heide Links Follow Steven on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/steventerheide.bsky.social] Follow Wild Sheep Studio on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/WildsheepStudio/] Visit the Wild Sheep Studio website [https://wildsheepstudio.com/] Check out Adorable Adventures on Steam [https://store.steampowered.com/app/3840230/Adorable_Adventures/] Chapters [00:00] Intro [02:27] Adorable Adventures Interview [55:42] Final Thoughts & Outro [55:42] Messages from Creator Friends So Many Games' Links Follow us on ⁠BlueSky⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/somanygames.co.uk] Check out our ⁠website [https://somanygames.co.uk/] ⁠ [https://somanygames.co.uk/]Visit our Discord server [https://discord.gg/Zee2vYQsUs] Join our Patreon [https://patreon.com/SoManyGames] Take a look at our ⁠Linktree [https://linktr.ee/somanygames] Intro/outro music by ⁠Jerden Cooke [https://bsky.app/profile/jerdencooke.bsky.social] Music Clip Credits The following tracks were used in this episode, which were all taken from the A Short Hike soundtrack composed by Mark Sparling: Boat Buds See You at the Top

#17 | Mina the Hollower with Yacht Club Games

In a major pinch-me moment, we welcomed Sean Velasco and Alec Faulkner to the podcast to discuss their newest game, which isn't Shovel Knight. Their Zelda-like, Game Boy Colour-styled game, Mina the Hollower, is due to be released next week, and we get the lowdown on its development from the idea behind it, the limitations of making such a game, the reasons behind its heavy delay and much, much more. A huge thanks to Sean and Alec for spending some of their time talking to us, and also a big thank you to Luna from the media team for being amazing; they were always so happy to help me with any queries or problems I had. Big thanks to the composer Jake for sending over some tracks from the Mina the Hollower soundtrack for us to use in this episode. Mina the Hollower is due to release on May 29th, 2026, on PC and consoles! Go give it a wishlist so you don't miss it when it releases. Yacht Club Games Links Follow Yacht Club Games on BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/yachtclubgames.bsky.social] Join their Discord [https://discord.gg/khzjjZNdvf] Wishlist Mina the Hollower on Steam [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1875580/Mina_the_Hollower/] Chapters [00:00] Intro [02:40] Yacht Club Games Interview Part One [59:37] Music Break – At Last We Rest (Old Graveyard) [1:01:13] Yacht Club Games Interview Part Two [1:04:22] Final Thoughts & Outro [1:05:44] Messages from Creator Friends So Many Games' Links Follow us on ⁠BlueSky⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/somanygames.co.uk] Check out our ⁠website [https://somanygames.co.uk/] ⁠ [https://somanygames.co.uk/]Visit our Discord server [https://discord.gg/Zee2vYQsUs] Join our Patreon [https://patreon.com/SoManyGames] Take a look at our ⁠Linktree [https://linktr.ee/somanygames] Intro/outro music by ⁠Jerden Cooke [https://bsky.app/profile/jerdencooke.bsky.social] Music Clip Credits The following tracks were used in this episode, which were all taken from the Mina the Hollower Soundtrack composed by Jack Kaufman A Sinking Feeling (Loner's Landing) At Last We Rest (Old Graveyard) The God Harvest (Septemburg)

#16 | London Games Festival with John Rogers & James Bruce

The London Games Festival was held between the 13th and 19th of April 2026, and New Game Plus, the festival's indie game showcase event was held on the 16th and 17th of April. We managed to attend New Game Plus on the 17th, and it was a fun, full day of talking with developers, trying out new games, and meeting familiar faces for the first time. One of those faces was John Rogers from Gaming in the Wild, and he kindly agreed to hop onto this episode to share his thoughts on the event as a whole. We also highlight a few games that we played that deserve your attention. While at the event, I also spoke with James Bruce – co-founder of Saltstone Studios – on their game The Pale Beyond as well as their upcoming spiritual successor, The Hearth and the Harbour. We did try to find a quiet spot to talk, but unfortunately some loud people found us, which was picked up on the mics. We did our best to remove them, but they were quite stubborn to leave the audio, unfortunately. John Rogers Links BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/gaminginthewild.com] Youtube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@GamingInTheWild] Podcast [https://pod.link/1498853997] James Bruce Links Saltstone Studios Website [https://saltstonestudios.com/] Wishlist Hearth and Harbour on Steam [https://store.steampowered.com/app/2528170/The_Hearth_and_Harbour/?snr=1_7_7_151_150_1] The Pale Beyond on Steam [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1266030/The_Pale_Beyond/?snr=1_7_7_151_150_1] Chapters [00:00] Intro [02:26] London Games Festival with John Rogers [59:37] Music Break – Colony from The Pale Beyond Soundtrack [1:01:13] James Bruce Interview [1:27:25] Final Thoughts & Outro [1:29:24] Messages from Creator Friends So Many Games Links Follow us on ⁠BlueSky⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/somanygames.co.uk] Check out our ⁠website [https://somanygames.co.uk/] ⁠ [https://somanygames.co.uk/]Visit our Discord server [https://discord.gg/Zee2vYQsUs] Join our Patreon [https://patreon.com/SoManyGames] Take a look at our ⁠Linktree [https://linktr.ee/somanygames] Intro/outro music by ⁠Jerden Cooke [https://bsky.app/profile/jerdencooke.bsky.social] Music Clip Credits The following tracks were used in this episode. Unstoppable – Wax Heads soundtrack, composed by Gina Loughlin Colony – The Pale Beyond soundtrack, composed by James Bruce Overture – The Pale Beyond soundtrack, composed by James Bruce

#15 | Concept Art in Video Games with Shaun Mooney

Concept art has been used in video game development for years and years, and yet we don't really know much about the role it plays in game development. It may seem like a question that answers itself, but I asked veteran game developer and concept artist Shaun Mooney to dive more into its role. While Shaun was here, I took the opportunity to discuss some of his past projects, including his time at TT Games and his work on the LEGO video games, before we transitioned to his current project, Trash City Turbo, the debut game from his new indie game studio, Machinefun. Shaun Mooney Links Follow Shaun on BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/mooneysart.bsky.social] Check out the Machinefun website [https://www.machinefun.co.uk/] Wishlist Trash City Turbo on Steam [https://store.steampowered.com/app/4484260/Trash_City_Turbo/] Chapters [00:00] Intro [02:51] Shaun Mooney Interview [35:11] Music Break – Helicopter From the Mortal Kombat X Soundtrack [35:45] Shaun Mooney Interview [1:14:38] Final Thoughts & Outro [1:15:59] Messages from Creator Friends So Many Games Links Follow us on ⁠BlueSky⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/somanygames.co.uk] Check out our ⁠website [https://somanygames.co.uk/] ⁠ [https://somanygames.co.uk/]Visit our Discord server [https://discord.gg/Zee2vYQsUs] Join our Patreon [https://patreon.com/SoManyGames] Take a look at our ⁠Linktree [https://linktr.ee/somanygames] Intro/outro music by ⁠Jerden Cooke [https://bsky.app/profile/jerdencooke.bsky.social] Music Clip Credits The following tracks were used in this episode. Mechanically Inclined – taken from the GIGASWORD soundtrack composed by Jack Breen Helicopter from the Mortal Kombat X soundtrack, composed by Dynamedion Passion for Exploring - taken from the VVVVVV soundtrack composed by Magnus Pásson