Your host Iv sits down with solo developer Sydney, the creator of Qualia, a text-based philosophical game where players must figure out which of two participants is human and which might be AI. Built in the Twine engine, Qualia uses a retro computer interface, atmospheric sound, and embedded video to create an experience that questions consciousness, identity, and artificial intelligence.

Sydney talks about how her background in film shaped Qualia's distinctive aesthetic, blending text and visuals into a world that feels clinical and unsettling. We get into her move to full-time development, the realities of working solo, and her choice to release Qualia for free to build an audience and gather feedback.

We also dive into some behind-the-scenes stories, including the "CSS coin flip" coding challenge, the accidental educational features players love, and the story behind her studio name, CMY2K, a clever nod to color printing and tech anxiety.

If you are into interactive fiction, AI storytelling, or are curious about how narratives change when you mix filmmaking with game design, this episode is for you.

Episode Timestamps:

Intro (0:00)

Meet Sydney & CMY2K (1:06)

Feelings on Releasing Your First Game (Happy Enough) (1:36)

Gameplay, Atmosphere, and Aesthetics of Qualia (3:33)

Engaging with Philosophical Themes and finding Easter Eggs (8:14)

Sydneys Favorite Feature (15:33)

The Strategy Behind Releasing Qualia for Free (18:49)

Most Memorable Moments as a Game Developer (27:56)

Lessons Learned from developing Qualia (33:01)

What's in a Name? (The Origin of CMY2K) (36:11)

Funding, Community Support, and Future Projects (38:48)

Are You Active in the NYC Indie Scene? (40:35)

The Vision for Qualia's Future (42:55)

Outro (45:52)

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