Luke Muscat Drops 'Feed the Deep' and a Raw Reflection on Solo Dev Life

Welcome back to Make It Big In Games, where we dive deep into the stories behind the games and the creators who shape our industry. Today, we're spotlighting Luke Muscat, a name many of you probably don't already know. Still, you're more likely to be familiar with what he designed/made back in the day — Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride. Muscat has just released his solo game, Feed the Deep, and he's also shared a candid look at the toll solo development has taken on him. Let's break it down.

Luke Muscat, the game design heavyweight who gave us Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride, just released his latest title, Feed the Deep. If you're expecting a polished dev blog announcement, think again. Alongside the launch, Muscat dropped an unscripted, unfiltered video that's as much about the mental grind of solo development as it is about the game itself.

Lovecraftian Roguelike Madness

Feed the Deep is not just another roguelike; it's a compulsive dive into a Lovecraftian nightmare. The game is set in a world where humanity, oblivious to the dangers below, built floating cities over an abyss. You'll collect resources, upgrade your gear, and fend off some seriously creepy underwater wildlife, all while you explore procedurally generated undersea caves. If you're a fan of Dome Keeper or Spelunky, this game will likely scratch that itch of yours, but it's got Muscat's unique touch.

Muscat describes the game as "an atmospheric deep-sea adventure with Lovecraftian vibes," which might be an understatement. The game's design is tight, the tension real, and the sense of discovery ever-present. Plus, with a soundtrack by Cedar Jones, who worked on Jetpack Joyride, the audio experience will likely be as immersive as the gameplay.

Solo Dev Journey

Muscat's video, "My Game Is Out and I Am Tired", is a departure from the usual polished content we'd usually see from him. It's raw, unfiltered, and brutally honest. He talks about the toll of working six days a week, for nearly ten hours a day, and how the grind has affected him as he's pushing 40.

"Right now, I'm just so cooked," Muscat admits, reflecting on his experiences with burnout, past and present. Despite the exhaustion, his love for game development shines through. "I like a challenge. I like hard work," he says. He's not just doing this to get a game out the door; he's pushing himself to see what he can achieve, even if it means flirting with burnout again.

More Than Just a Game

For Muscat, Feed the Deep is more than just a game launch. It's a critical step in his goal of releasing three solo games in five years—a self-imposed challenge to see if he can build a sustainable indie career. The clock is ticking, with two years gone and one game released. The financial and emotional stakes are high, but Muscat remains realistic. "The game doesn't need to do amazing... my goal is I would love for it to fund the next game," he confides, underscoring the razor-thin line between passion and pressure.

Suppose you've been following Muscat's journey on YouTube. In that case, you'll know that this release culminates a long, gruelling process. And if you haven't, now's the perfect time to dive in. Feed the Deep is available on Steam for just seven bucks (with a launch discount to sweeten the deal), and if you appreciate the indie grind, a review will go a long way.

Luke Muscat's Feed the Deep isn't just a game—it's the product of a veteran developer pushing himself to the limit and a must-play for anyone interested in the indie game scene. Dive deep, and don't forget to come up for air.

Thanks for joining us at Make It Big In Games today. We love spotlighting the stories that fuel our industry, and we hope Luke Muscat's journey has inspired you to embark on your own creative adventures. Keep grinding, keep dreaming, and we'll see you in the next deep dive!

Check out Feed the Deep on Steam

First published August 17, 2024

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