Moon and Sun! Caves of Qud returns for our summer music episode, as I grabbed some time with the composer Craig Hamilton! Since Qud is a dramaturgical triad, we couldn’t NOT do a third episode talking with the creative mind behind the creative sounds of the game. We’re talking Digital Audio Workstations, sci-fi literature, flamethrowers, traditional roguelikes, and so much more! The torsion of an external crank drags a rosin-slathered wheel against a metal cable, whose protestations emerge from the wooden case in a low, melodic groan.

Part 1 of our Qud Qoverage focusing on the story and soundtrack can be found here

Part 2 focusing on the gameplay and mechanics of Qud can be found here

Other topics discussed:

https://www.craigoryhamilton.com/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1247760/Caves_of_Qud_Soundtrack/

https://stumpyfrog.com/sfr24a-caves-of-qud-3lp/

https://eggplant.show/into-the-depths-caves-of-qud-finale

http://www.decklinsdemise.com/mordor.htm

https://store.steampowered.com/app/224500/Gnomoria/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultima_Ratio_Regum_(video_game)

• 00:00 - Intro Premable
• 2:17 - Interview Start!
• 3:14 - Craig’s Musical Origins: Uncle’s Yamaha Keyboard & Early Life
• 6:22 - Mixtapes, High School Bands & College Hardcore Synth Work
• 10:10 - Childhood Dream: Astronaut, Video Game Maker or Musician
• 11:50 - Childhood Gaming: Diablo 1, XCOM & Cinematic Music Influences
• 17:38 - Film Score Influences: Arrival, Blade Runner & Disney Jungle Book
• 19:00 - How Craig Got Hired: Dropsy Tracks & Caves of Qud Audition
• 24:24 - Composition Process: Flavour Text Prompts & Dev Collaboration
• 26:43 - “Onward”: Multiple Versions, Melancholy Quality & New Keyboard
• 33:53 - Diegetic Sound Design: Golgotha Flamethrower & Theme Park Composition
• 38:45 - Craig’s Favorite Track: “Arrival” & Interstellar Inspiration
• 44:46 - “Bey Lah Heritage II”: Western Aesthetic, Harmonicas & Hindren Influence
• 47:36 - “Attack on Grit Gate”: Desperate Blown-Out Battle Sound Design
• 52:34 - Favorite Game Soundtracks: FF7, Nuclear Throne, Katamari Damacy
• 1:05:31 - Craig’s 40 Hours of Qud: Exploration Style & Mutant Builds
• 1:10:47 - The Caves Music: Danger, Oppression & Caving YouTube Inspiration
• 1:15:14 - Cozy Art Lulling Players Into a False Sense of Security
• 1:18:36 - Gnome Moria, Ultima Ratio Regum & Procedural Generation Discussion
• 1:25:21 - Show Wind Down

Next episode: BALL x PIT

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https://grogpod.zone

Intro music: Caves of Qud OST - 3rd Spore Phase

Outro music: Caves of Qud OST - Of Chrome, and How (Sultan’s Song)