• Developer Spotlight: Dan Marshall (Director, Size Five Games).
  • Latest Project: Earth Must Die – A comedy adventure with a "serious heart."
  • Current Obsession: Atomfall, described as a smart, focused British mystery-shooter.
  • The "Evergreen" Title: XCOM 2 holds Marshall’s highest Steam playtime at 218.9 hours.
  • Essential Tool: Snipping Tool is his non-negotiable daily driver for workflow.

The Marshall Files: From Indie Hits to Alien Dictators

Dan Marshall isn't just another dev; he’s the mind behind The Swindle and Lair of the Clockwork God. His current project, Earth Must Die, puts players in the boots of an alien dictator. While it’s billed as a comedy, Marshall is clear about the underlying message: "fuck fascists." It’s that raw, punk-rock energy we’ve come to expect from Size Five Games. We believe this focus on "serious heart" is exactly why his games cut through the noise of the crowded indie market.

What’s on the Test Bench? Atomfall and Dungeon Builders

Marshall usually ditches games the second the credits roll, but Atomfall has managed to break that cycle. He initially dismissed it as "British Fallout," but found a focused, mystery-driven shooter that rewards investigation over mindless side-questing.

He’s also keeping Into the Restless Ruins installed for some creative "cribbing." He’s a fan of its Tetris-like dungeon building where your own poor choices lead to your demise. It’s a design philosophy he previously explored in The Swindle, and we’re eager to see how those "pickled" situations evolve in his future work.

The 200-Hour Club: XCOM 2 and the "One More Turn" Trap

Every veteran gamer has that one title they can't quit. For Marshall, it’s XCOM 2. Clocking in at 218.9 hours, it’s the only game on his rig that hits those numbers. He nails why it’s so addictive: the gameplay loop of "mopping up" base management only to get sucked into a four-hour mission cycle. It’s his emergency game—the one that stays on the SSD forever.

Retro Reality Checks: Fallout 1 vs. X-Wing

It’s refreshing to hear a dev admit to bouncing off a classic. Marshall gave Fallout 1 about twenty minutes before the desert claimed him, citing a need for a modern remake to truly get into it. However, X-Wing (1993) remains a high point. He specifically praises its non-linear difficulty, arguing that the "all over the place" challenge levels made you feel like a "jobbing pilot" rather than a character in a predictable video game. Our take? We need more games that aren't afraid to break the linear difficulty curve.

The Pro’s Secret Weapon: Snipping Tool

In a move that might baffle some "hardcore" users, Marshall swears by the Snipping Tool. For him, it’s an essential daily driver for work and social media. While it’s built into Windows, he treats it as the ultimate productivity hack. If you aren't using it to grab and crop data on the fly, Marshall (and our tech desk) would argue you’re doing it wrong.

Desktop Status: Impeccable

Despite the chaos of game development, Marshall keeps his desktop "impeccable." It’s the sign of a dev who knows exactly where his assets are—a trait that clearly translates into the tight, mechanically sound adventures Size Five Games is known for.