All Systems Brough - Helix

All Systems Brough - Helix

Author: The Secret Lives of Games August 4, 2026 Duration: 1:46:53

We're joined by v buckenham (Downpour, Beasts of Balance), Izzy Kestrel (Electrifying Incident, A Little Game Called Mario), and Bennett Foddy (Baby Steps, QWOP, Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy) to discuss Helix, a spiral-action shmuplike about staying alive. It's the eighth installment in our yearlong special series exploring the work of Michael Brough: All Systems Brough.

Next episode: Imbroglio

Audio edited by Dylan Shumway.

Discussed in this episode:

Helix
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/helix/id562550427

868-BACK (Out now!! Go buy it!!)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/868BACK/ 
https://finji.itch.io/868-back 

Michael Brough's Website
https://www.smestorp.com/ 

Maypole
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maypole

Game Design Deep Dive: The unique touchscreen action game controls of Helix
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/game-design-deep-dive-the-unique-touchscreen-action-game-controls-of-i-helix-i-

Bit Pilot
http://www.bitpilotgame.com/

Tilt to Live
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tilt-to-live-hd/id391837930

Super Hexagon
https://superhexagon.com/

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved remake
https://store.steampowered.com/app/8400/Geometry_Wars_Retro_Evolved/

Endings (Michael's 2015 blog)
https://mightyvision.blogspot.com/2015/01/endings.html

Playdate
https://play.date/

Nex Playground
https://www.nexplayground.com/

Hylics
https://mason-lindroth.itch.io/hylics

Vangers
https://www.gog.com/en/game/vangers

Tools for Creativity class (virtual) with v buckenham
https://sfpc.study/sessions/fall-26/tools-for-creativity

School for Poetic Computation
https://sfpc.study/

bimbo static site generator
https://iznaut.itch.io/bimbo

 

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: 50

The Secret Lives of Games
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