Episode 111: Invisible Inc

This is episode 111 of Roguelike Radio, where Darren Grey and Mark Johnson interview Jason Dreger and James Lantz, designers of Invisible Inc.

You can download the mp3 of the podcast, play it in the embedded player below, or you can follow us on iTunes.

Topics Discussed:

• James and Jason's roles in the game production, from early concepts to shipping
• Initial inspirations from Syndicate, X-COM, Netrunner and building from Klei's previous title Mark of the Ninja
• How the game is properly stealth-focused, with minimal combat, unlike many games where stealth is a sub-par option
• In-depth discussion of how the procedural generator creates and populates the levels with objectives and challenges
• Generating interesting challenge and variety with procedural content
• Information as a resource and the wealth of information provided to the player to inform their decisions
• The slick art style, story and sound design, and the official Roguelike Radio Award for Best Voice Acting in a Roguelike(y) Game (is there any competition)
• Low degrees of randomness in the game
• The increasing alarm system, based on the roguelike 'hunger clock'
• Push your luck mechanics, and inspiration from 868-HACK
• The game design challenge of players recovering from stealth failures, and the game's repeat turn feature
• Internalising save scumming with similar functioned optional mechanics
• Single agent play for a more traditional roguelike feel
• The upcoming expansion (which has now been out for a while already! Curse our slow editing time...)

Join us next time for an interview with Kornel Kisielewicz, maker of DoomRL.