Racing and liquid raves PHANTOM SPARK is precision racing without the pressure

Racing and liquid raves PHANTOM SPARK is precision racing without the pressure

Author: SIFTER September 18, 2024 Duration: 40:07

If you love the feeling of racing until you perfect the line PHANTOM SPARK might be exactly what you're looking for. Joon Van Hove (NUTS) one part of Icelandic studio Ghosts shares how Torfi Asgeirsson nailed the gameplay before anyone else even came on board.

How subtle storytelling, but no plot, was an essential design element, that builds to competitive online leaderboards. Enjoy the retro aesthetic but don't put too much emphasis on Wipeout or F-Zero when you play.

Adam Christou guest hosts this episode of Lightmap.

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Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

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SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.


Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes of your favourite video games? Lightmap-Conversations with video game creators pulls back the curtain, offering genuine, in-depth chats with the people who bring these worlds to life. This isn't just a series of interviews; it's an award-winning Australian podcast that digs into the messy, fascinating, and deeply human creative process. Each episode feels like you're sitting in on a candid conversation between friends, one of whom just happens to be a brilliant developer, a visionary artist, or a composer whose music defines entire gaming eras. You'll hear stories about the breakthroughs and the breakdowns, the initial spark of an idea and the years of grind it takes to shape it into something you can play. Hosted by SIFTER, the podcast moves beyond just the finished product to explore the craft of interactive media itself. By focusing on the creators' personal journeys and professional challenges, Lightmap provides a unique perspective you won't find in standard reviews or previews. It’s for anyone who's ever finished a game and immediately wanted to know how it was made, or for anyone curious about the intersection of art, technology, and storytelling. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that are as much about the people as they are about the pixels.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 100

Lightmap - Conversations with video game creators
Podcast Episodes
Won't Someone Think of the Children?! Why Australia Bans Video Games [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:07
It is well-known amongst both developers and players that Australia has one of the most onerous and hardline classification systems in the world. From AAA titles including FALLOUT 3 to indies including DISCO ELYSIUM and…
The gritty and pretty world of award winning twin stick "shooter" DAP [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:35
‍Iris and Paul Anstey of Melbourne's Melting Parrot are first time game developers, but their teamwork on DAP a spooky adventure game with a charcoal drawing aesthetic is a combination of this couple's interests. Recentl…
THE ARTFUL ESCAPE is a scifi adventure into a prog rock album cover [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:59
Johnny Galvatron of Melbourne's Beethoven & Dinosaur almost became a 3D animator, but musical success with his band the Galvatrons saw him head down another path. A love of games and storytelling never left him and once…
Become a cute Aussie spider on a mission in WEBBED by Sbug Games [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:03
Webbed is an cute pixel art platformer from Queensland based Sbug Games and features an adorable spider using her web-spinning skills and LASER EYES to save her boyfriend! Originally designed as a Just Cause 2 demake, th…
How piles of quokkas are teaching kids this National Science Week [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:58
Dr Michael Kasumovic is an evolutionary biologist at UNSW and founder of science education organisation Arludo who this week is taking to Twitch as part of National Science Week to teach kids through video games. Quokkap…