Hello again! This is a continuation of a series of audio podcasts, featuring myself and other independent game developers.
Each episode will feature a different developer, and the format will be more like a sprawling conversation than a formal interview. Topics covered will vary depending on the developer in question, but some of the same topics will pop up with many of the guests. I’ll also interject some of my own opinions and views into the discussion.
Why am I doing this? Personally, I’m very interested in how other developers work. What motivates them? How do they deal with criticism? What do they find meaningful about games? (if anything?) What are the stories behind the development of their projects? I hope to learn a lot, and also help spread more knowledge around.
Today’s episode is a discussion with prolific indie developer Edmund McMillen. Edmund is on the verge of releasing Super Meat Boy, a larger game project that he’s been working on for some time now. In this episode we talk about motivation, fear, depression, jealousy and maybe even some happy things as well. Edmund’s wife Danielle jumps in later on to talk about relationships and how intense game development schedules can sometimes conflict. I ask the creative couple how they manage to stay sane in spite of all the pressures that come with being independent.
Thanks to Edmund and Danielle for taking time out of their day to discuss!
Developer Name: Edmund McMillen
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Website: http://edmundm.com/
You can listen to the podcast here:
Podcast Download → Episode 2 – Edmund McMillen [1:59:15]
WIP RSS feed up here:
http://infiniteammo.ca/podcast.rss
Feedback Welcome!
Please post your thoughts below. As this is my second attempt at a podcast, I’ll be listening closely. Thanks! 
Interested in being on the podcast? Post in the comments and let me know what you’ve been up to. 
William wrote a Comment on September 28, 2010 at 10:01 am
The “dark” side of independant game development and “celebrity”.
I never heard or read about those subjects before, or maybe I did but not in this way. The podcast is quite dark, yes, but it illuminates my dev day. Thanks a lot Alec, Edmund and Danielle
Plaid Phantom wrote a Comment on September 28, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Great discussion, very thought-provoking.
It seemed to me, though, that you both were being a bit disingenuous to developers who make sequels to their games. You seemed to be saying that sequels are made just to “milk a cash cow” or whatever. It’s very possible that they simply had more to say using that game universe that didn’t fit in the first game. It seemed odd to hear that message from Alec , considering the hints in Aquaria of a possible future sequel.
Alec Holowka wrote a Comment on September 28, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Plaid: I don’t think we believe that all sequels are bad or that all sequels are made only for profit.
That said, there’s still no plan for an Aquaria sequel.
Plaid Phantom wrote a Comment on September 28, 2010 at 4:23 pm
I didn’t think you would have actually believed such a thing, but it sounded to me like that’s what you were saying. Granted, I may have missed a bit of context as I was working and listening at the same time.
Also, you’re a tease.
tracey wrote a Comment on September 28, 2010 at 6:29 pm
clearly some people have absolutely no conception of how exceptionally fortunate they are
Alec Holowka wrote a Comment on September 28, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Oh? Do tell.
tracey wrote a Comment on September 28, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Sorry, I should have made myself clearer. I was referencing my uncle who won the lottery 2 weeks ago when i wrote that.
This is the mega millions powerball winners forum isn’t it?
Daniel B. wrote a Comment on September 28, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Great podcast! Edmund McMillen is awesome! So are you Alec!
MattFister wrote a Comment on September 29, 2010 at 7:08 am
This is excellent and really illuminating!
alastair wrote a Comment on September 30, 2010 at 12:58 am
Thanks for making this, interesting to hear.
Bob wrote a Comment on September 30, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Will the future (and old) podcast be available on iTunes?
Alec Holowka wrote a Comment on September 30, 2010 at 7:39 pm
I’m going to submit the podcast to iTunes when I gather the courage.
But yeah, you can still subscribe to the feed in iTunes. (can copy and past the XML feed URL above)
Vieko Franetovic wrote a Comment on October 1, 2010 at 1:22 am
Hey man – thanks for another great podcast. Very much dig the lax format and length! Looking forward to your next podcast! Cheers.
Roberto wrote a Comment on October 1, 2010 at 3:28 am
Excellent and super interesting listening. Worth going over a couple of times for both podcast so far. Well Done and keep at it, much appreciated!
Tyrone Henrie wrote a Comment on October 19, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Love the candid look at independent development. It helps a lot to hear this stuff when venturing on the indie path yourself. Thanks a lot for the podcast, this is the only way we would get to hear about this side of development so… man, yeah, just… thanks!
Jason Doucette wrote a Comment on November 14, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Thank you doing this podcast and posting this. I’m downloading it now and will definitely listen to it. I think it’s great when people speak up about what they’ve gone through, good and bad.
dbr wrote a Comment on November 26, 2010 at 10:55 am
Thanks all three of you for taking the time to talk through the dark stuff. I really appreciate the openness. Makes me feel better about myself and the struggles I have when trying to do creative work.
Just discovered this podcast by chance and I’m listening through from the beginning.
Mike Vargas wrote a Comment on December 10, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Pretty late to comment on this podcast, but I really loved this episode. I can relate to Edmund’s social anxiety / isolation. He seems to be in a much better environment than me for dealing with it, though.
I’d like to hear how his opinion about the Super Meat Boy situation has changed since this aired.