Dialogue Tree
A podcast that talks about video games, sometimes telling stories. It offers discussions on gaming topics and narrative content. Hosted by Andrew Valentine, the show blends commentary with creative storytelling. More information is available at the show's website, dialoguetree.cc.
Episodes
050: Play forever? Understanding UFO 50 w/ Static Canvas and Bassicfun
Fiction, friction, full blown addiction.
Static Canvas:
https://www.youtube.com/@Buliaros18-Static-Canvas
Bassicfun:
https://www.youtube.com/@bassicfun78
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/050-play-forever-understanding-ufo
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
049: Game Chat: The Duskbloods, Mina The Hollower, Splatoon and more
Mix it up and start again.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/049-game-chat-the-duskbloods-mina
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
048: Heat engine (Pt. 1): four friends, one big walk
Big talk.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/048-heat-engine-pt-1-four-friends
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
047: Stay fresh: living a Nintendo summer w/ Tokyo Game Life
Booyah.
Tokyo Game Life:
Website
BlueSky
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/047-stay-fresh-living-a-nintendo
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
046: The beautiful game: rediscovering the joy of football in Despelote
"Yes, it's possible"
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/046-the-beautiful-game-rediscovering
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
045: Exposition: IMPACT! Indie Games w/ Lyndy Bailey and Ash Gwinnell
A day with the devs.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/045-exposition-impact-indie-games
IMPACT:
https://impress.games/impact/2026
IMPRESS:
https://impress.games/
Lyndy Bailey:
https://bsky.app/profile/lyndyb.bsky.social
Ash Gwinnell:
https://ashleygwinnell.co.uk/
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
044: New .wav: Eyre on Pride, religion and her vision of chiptune
Life's a cabaret.
Show notes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/044-new-wav-eyre-on-pride-religion
Eyre:
https://eyr.ee/
Eyre - Eyesparkle:
https://the-intelligence-division.bandcamp.com/album/eyesparkle
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
043: A MAZE d, not confused: Ben Swithen on Trans Theft Horso
On gender gladness, gathering hormones and the joy of battenberg.
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/043-a-maze-d-not-confused-ben-swithen
Trans Theft Horso:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2268550/Trans_Theft_Horso/
A MAZE Berlin:
https://2026.amaze-berlin.de/
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
042: Underscores #3: a day in the life
Morning, dreamer.
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/042-underscores-3-a-day-in-the-life
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
041: Simulacra Fantastica: the seamless science fiction of Capcom's PRAGMATA
Our true intent is all for your delight.
Show notes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/041-simulacra-fantastica-the-seamless
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
040: A human touch: Listening to The Midnight Walk
Of clay and fire.
Joel Bille:
https://joelbille.com/
Christian Björklund:
https://qaw.se/
Ola Sivefäldt:
https://www.mobygames.com/person/129426/ola-sivefaldt/
Show notes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/040-a-human-touch-listening-to-the
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
039: Limitless Space II: The reality of the Virtual Boy w/ Patrick Ehlers of Nintendo Cartridge Society
Seeing red, for real.
Nintendo Cartridge Society:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/nintendo-cartridge-society/id1163990138
Show notes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/039-limitless-space-ii-the-reality
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
038: My river is ending: ZIPIT! Games on The Wide Open Sky is Running out of Catfish
Capturing the impossible.
The Wide Open Sky is Running out of Catfish:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3172760/The_Wide_Open_Sky_is_Running_out_of_Catfish/
Tom Halfhill and Nessie:
https://halfhill.com/nessie.html
Show notes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/038-my-river-is-ending-zipit-games
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
037: Close reading: Dr Rob Gallagher on Artgames after GamerGate
Lessons learned.
Dr Rob Gallagher:
https://bsky.app/profile/gealga.bsky.social
Artgames after GamerGate:
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-04435-8
Show notes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/037-close-reading-dr-rob-gallagher
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
036: Uncanny valley: Toby Alden on the horror of LOVE ETERNAL
We are the dreamer.
LOVE ETERNAL:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3010610/LOVE_ETERNAL/
Show notes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/036-uncanny-valley-toby-alden-on
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
035: Express yourself: Chris Wade and Fabian Rastorfer on the evolution of the 3D platformer
Don't go for second best.
Show notes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/035-express-yourself-chris-wade-and
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
034: Enough to tell a story: an ABC of 2026
Stranger things will come before you.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/034-enough-to-tell-a-story-an-abc
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
033: Postcards
Happy holidays.
Margot Plays
Rupert Cole
Lucy Blundell aka Kinmoku Games
Dom aka VIDEODOJO
John Blackshaw
Patrick Knisely aka One Frog Games
Alpha Chrome Yayo
Zach Jones
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
032: Some dreams come true: Alpha Chrome Yayo on Promise Mascot Agency
Promises made, promises kept.
My game of the year, and the man who made that happen.
Alpha Chrome Yayo:
https://alphachromeyayo.bandcamp.com/
Promise Mascot Agency OST:
https://kaizengameworks.bandcamp.com/album/promise-mascot-agency-original-soundtrack-side-alpha-chrome-yayo
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/032-some-dreams-come-true-alpha-chrome
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.
031: Escape from Los Angeles: 3 hidden gems of 2025 w/ Patrick Knisely
Triple threat. Some games you'll like, and a chat with the person that made one of them.
One Frog Games:
https://bsky.app/profile/onefroggames.bsky.social
Monochrome Heights:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2336210/Monochrome_Heights/
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/031-escape-from-los-angeles-3-hidden
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
030: Community centre: Lucy Blundell on VIDEOVERSE
What we lost, and what we learned.
Lucy Blundell:
https://www.kinmoku.games/
VIDEOVERSE:
https://www.kinmoku.games/videoverse
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/030-community-centre-lucy-blundell
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
029: Road trip to Dream Land: Kirby Air Riders w/ Eliza from Kirby Informer
Warp speed.
Kirby Informer:
https://linkin.bio/kirbyinformer
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/029-road-trip-to-dream-land-kirby
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
028: Time flies: The Séance of Blake Manor
The true horror is the ticking clock.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/028-time-flies-the-seance-of-blake
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
027: Look Mom, I'm an artist: Edie Woolf on art, rhythm and the art of the rhythm game
Step on the gas.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/027-look-mom-im-an-artist-edie-woolf
Edie Woolf:
https://www.ediewoolfillustration.co.uk/
Edie Woolf on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/edie.woolf
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
026: Strong roots: Luke Sanderson on Turnip Mountain and the best of Steam Next Fest (October 2025)
Unbeetable.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/026-strong-roots-luke-sanderson-on
Luke Sanderson on BlueSky:
https://bsky.app/profile/lukesanderson.bsky.social
Turnip Mountain on Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2138410/Turnip_Mountain/
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
025: Show, don't tell: Nama Takahashi on Öoo, ElecHead and the design of new ideas
An explosion of creativity.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/025-show-dont-tell-nama-takahashi
Nama Takahashi:
https://namatakahashi.notion.site/en
David Howe:
https://superswitchheadz.com/
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
024: Super effective: Nathan Ellingsworth on Pokémon Legends Z-A and recapturing lapsed fans
You can go back.
Nathan Ellingsworth:
The Goldenrod Gazette (Nathan’s Pokémon newsletter)
Nathan on X
Nathan on BlueSky
Secret Rare podcast
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/024-super-effective-nathan-ellingsworth
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
023: Underscores #2: a night, 8pm - 6am
A night out.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/023-underscores-2-a-night-8pm-6am
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
022: Meet Lululu Entertainment: the story of Henry Halfhead
Half head, all heart.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/022-meet-lululu-entertainment-the
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
021: Noble bugs: 3 conversations about Hollow Knight: Silksong (feat. Margot Plays, Grub Hunter and Sean Clement)
Onwards and upwards.
Guests:
Margot Plays
Blackshaw Design
Sean Clement
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/021-noble-bugs-3-conversations-about
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
020: The good kind of production line: the games of Thomas K. Young
Mark Wahlberg, the nature of productivity, and the best indie dev you've never heard of.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/020-the-good-kind-of-production-line
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
019: No cost too great: the push and pull of Hollow Knight and the path to Silksong
So above, so below.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/019-no-cost-too-great-the-push-and
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
018: Problem solved: designing music for puzzle games with Rupert Cole and Zach Jones
A good problem to have.
The composers of the soundtracks to Is This Seat Taken? and Mind Over Magnet share their thoughts on puzzle games, and their approach to composing for them.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/018-problem-solved-designing-music
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
017: Playlist #3 (Toree Saturn, Donkey Kong Bananza, Mina The Hollower)
The $5 GOTY.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/017-playlist-3-toree-saturn-donkey
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
016: Dear me, I was...
A still life revisited.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/016-dear-me-i-was
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
015: Donkey Kong Bananza
Punching up. Finding joy in an old enemy.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/015-donkey-kong-bananza
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
014: Limitless space: 30 years of the Virtual Boy
Double vision. Celebrating a beautiful disaster.
Shownotes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/014-limitless-space-30-years-of-the
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
013: Underscores #1: chill games to study to
A radio show. Chillwave, in the heatwave.
Show notes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/013-underscores-1-chill-games-to
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
012: Meet VideoDojo: the team that built Game Builder Garage
This week, an interview with Dom, the founder of VideoDojo.
VideoDojo, founded in 2011, is a multi faceted YouTube channel that became the rallying point for a creative community that took an almost forgotten game and elevated it beyond what was ever expected of it. In this episode, in honour of the 4th anniversary of the game and VideoDojo's efforts to mark it with a large scale game jam and the
011: Playlist #2 (Ruffy and the Riverside, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, Morsels)
A walk, some talk, and a surprise.
Show notes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/011-playlist-2-ruffy-and-the-riverside
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
010: 10 years of Her Story
Post modern post fiction. Revisiting 2015, via 1994, to learn about 2025.
Music in the show by Chris Zabriskie, bought on Bandcamp:
https://chriszabriskie.bandcamp.com/
Show notes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/010-10-years-of-her-story
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
009: Bö: Path of the Teal Lotus
“There is something in the nature of tea that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation of life.”
White knuckles, clenched teeth, a brow drenched in sweat. This week, my favourite game of 2024.
Show notes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/009-bo-path-of-the-teal-lotus
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
008: System Transfer: the launch of the Switch 2 (Fast Fusion, Welcome Tour, Mario Kart World)
New era, same magic. It is happening again.
Show notes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/008-system-transfer-the-launch-of
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
007: Lateral Thinking: a eulogy for the Nintendo Switch
A history, a funeral, a celebration. This is the dream of Gunpei and Jack.
Show notes:
https://adialoguetree.substack.com/p/lateral-thinking-a-eulogy-for-the
Artwork:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Show:
https://www.dialoguetree.cc
006: Promenade
A boy, a poulp, a dream.
-------------------------
Promenade on r/IndieGaming:
https://www.reddit.com/r/IndieGaming/comments/1b1h13t/my_first_video_game_is_released_now_promenade_is/
Holy Cap:
https://www.holycapstudio.com/en/home/
OST:
https://yponeko.bandcamp.com/album/promenade-original-soundtrack
------------------------
Show:
Artwork by Pixel Benny
Dialogue Tree
Me
005: Standing outside the casino: An alternative view on Balatro
A reluctant confession, an awkward admission, a bad beat, and the fold.
The Balatro Timeline:
https://localthunk.com/blog/balatro-timeline-3aarh
Show:
Artwork by Pixel Benny
Dialogue Tree
Me
004: Playlist #1 (Promise Mascot Agency, CATO: Buttered Cat)
Two weird worlds. One long drive.
OSTs:
Promise Mascot Agency OST #1
Promise Mascot Agency OST #2
CATO: Buttered Cat OST
Show:
Artwork by Pixel Benny
Dialogue Tree
Me
003: Spiritfarer
Whenever we go, wherever we go, what do we leave?
Spiritfarer:
https://thunderlotusgames.com/games/spiritfarer/
OST:
https://maxll.bandcamp.com/album/spiritfarer-original-soundtrack
Toon Boom interview:
https://www.toonboom.com/thunder-lotus-games-on-animating-the-afterlife-in-spiritfarer
Show artwork by Pixel Benny:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Dialogue Tree:
http://andrewvalentine.cc
www.dialog
002: BZZZT
Jump. Dash. Run. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
BZZZT:
https://cinemax.cz/bzzzt-steam
OST (buy):
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2556250/BZZZT_Soundtrack/
OST (stream):
https://open.spotify.com/album/5gNwmjoZns6iOWEev0bZyo
Dialogue Tree:
Show artwork by Pixel Benny:
https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Me:
http://andrewvalentine.cc
www.dialoguetree.cc
001: Breath of the Wild
A story about learning to play again.
Show artwork by Pixel Benny - https://pixelbenny.carrd.co/
Me, online - http://andrewvalentine.cc
Dialogue Tree, online - www.dialoguetree.cc
000: Start Screen
A trailer. A pilot. A guide. Some rules.
This is Episode 0 of Dialogue Tree.
