156: Filling Buckets with Tonda Ros (Blue Prince)

156: Filling Buckets with Tonda Ros (Blue Prince)

Author: The Secret Lives of Games April 10, 2026 Duration: 2:03:47

We chat with Tonda Ros (Dogubomb) one year after the release of his genre-blending room-drafting puzzlebox sensation, Blue Prince. Our discussion covers Tonda's year as the game's representative in the world; his inspirations across digital, analog, and tabletop works; cultivating player appreciation for virtual spaces; managing player hunches through playtesting; balancing lore with puzzle mechanics; comparing game development with filmmaking; and so! much! more! Kind of like the game itself, we just keep going.

Audio edited by Dylan Shumway

Discussed in this episode:

Blue Prince
https://www.blueprincegame.com/ 

Mythic Spoiler
https://mythicspoiler.com/

My Perfect Console – Tonda Ros
https://www.myperfectconsole.com/episode/129 

realMyst
https://cyan.com/realmyst/ 

Digital version of MAZE: Solve the World's Most Challenging Puzzle by Christopher Manson
https://www.reddit.com/r/Python/comments/1l9urle/website_version_of_christopher_mansons_1985/ 

"It Seems I Have Found Myself In Another Mysterious House" by Rob Dubbin
https://roblemsolving.com/games/2025/04/25/mysterious-house.html

The Castles of Mad King Ludwig
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/155426/castles-of-mad-king-ludwig

Dominion
https://www.riograndegames.com/games/dominion/ 

Ascension
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/69789/ascension-deckbuilding-game 

Blue Prince Soundtrack by Trigg and Gusset
https://triggandgusset.bandcamp.com/album/blue-prince-the-original-soundtrack 

Jewels in the Attic
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/16608/jewels-in-the-attic 

Tales of the Crystals
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9755/tales-of-the-crystals

The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029120/

The Graduate (1967)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061722/

MIO: Memories in Orbit
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1672810/MIO_Memories_in_Orbit/


https://secretlives.games 

https://discord.gg/tslog

https://www.patreon.com/tslog


Ever wonder what really happens between the initial spark of an idea and the final product you play? The Secret Lives of Games pulls back the curtain, offering a rare, unvarnished look at the creative journey. Each episode is built around a candid conversation with a game creator, moving far beyond simple promotion to explore the messy, beautiful, and often surprising realities of their work. You’ll hear about the late-night breakthroughs, the frustrating dead ends, and the personal philosophies that shape the games we love. This podcast is less about reviews or news and more about understanding the human effort behind the pixels and code. It’s for anyone who’s curious about the art and craft of game development, whether you’re a seasoned player, an aspiring designer, or simply fascinated by creative processes. Listen in for genuine stories about problem-solving, narrative design, artistic choices, and the intricate process of building interactive worlds. These are the detailed, behind-the-scenes discussions that reveal how games truly come to life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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