Exploring the Belief Engine with Mike Monroe & Scott McKie

TVGB chatted with the guys behind DEAD LETTER DEPT., and let me tell you, this game is something else. It’s like typing meets horror — sounds weird, right? Anyway, Mike Monroe and Scott McKie run the show at Belief Engine, based in the rainy Pacific Northwest, but they’ve been chillin’ in Japan for a bit. Why? Good question. Even they seem to wander on that point.

So, TVGB kicks off with 12 years of Belief Engine. Like, how’d they even start? Mike jumped in, “Yeah, 12 years. We began it, thinking, ‘Can we even do this?’ Went full-time in, like, 2020. It was a job, had to take it!” He was all about video games and stuff at this place called DigiPen in Washington. Left Colorado and dove in, 2004. Can you imagine?

Scott’s story? Fine Arts major from Massachusetts, then thought, “Computer Science? Yeah, let’s add more school.” Moved to Washington too. Then went, “Wait, school’s expensive. I need cash.” So, not the best plan initially, but hey, who hasn’t been there?

Anyway, Mike focused on the games and 3D art scene. They both tried out making games together. Tons of prototypes. Seriously, lots.

TVGB asked if a specific game inspired them. Scott laughed, “We like similar stuff, yet totally different things. Belief Engine’s mostly for our pet projects. DEAD LETTER DEPT.? Mainly Mike’s baby. We mix ideas a lot, cross something… I dunno, pollination? Yeah, that.”

Now, I think — I’m way off-topic, right? Oh, Mike liked quirky, niche games. Scott’s into defense games, because watching someone else play them? Interesting. Who knew?

TVGB asked about some brainy concept—James Alcock’s belief engine thing. Mike dodged that one. “Nah, not in the game. Leaving home inspired it. Anxiety about moving. Helping lost mail. Yeah, that made sense. And there’s a housing crisis, too.” He drones on about personal stories and friends moving places. I zoned out a bit… Washington, military towns, needing something new.

And Scott, with his creepy data job from college. Boston overnight shift — why was a warehouse even that creepy? Turns out, just his imagination and bad lighting. He loved the mind-wandering aspect. “The less talking, the better,” he quipped. Exactly like a horror game would let you think, I guess.

Then they wanted the game to induce that ‘flow state’ — like Tetris. You know, mentally somewhere else while doing repetitive tasks. “Entering the zone,” said Scott. It’s just kind of a magic space.

Mike tested a prototype — didn’t know if it’d work. “A typing horror? Hmm. Sure, let’s see. And then, well, I didn’t hate it.” It unfolded from there. Sounds sort of accidental. I can relate.

Their chats led to this weird game, DEAD LETTER DEPT. Creepy, right? Scott riffs about rusty city tunnels and Japanese adventures. Honestly, it’s like Silent Hill inspirations—or was it rust across tunnels? Hard to follow. They explore, soaking in Japan’s eerie charm. Taking photos of weird architecture.

Scott’s all into a Japanese learning game now. Partly RPG, partly language. Sounds educational, yet he thrives in complex systems. “Get lost designing it,” he said. So true! Gotta love that enthusiasm.

And music — can’t forget DEAD LETTER DEPT.’s soundtrack. It’s late. Mike’s like, “Still gotta do it!” Scott bragged he listened on walks, on autoplay. Ain’t that the way with good tracks?

Japan’s adventures? Sound pretty rad. There’s some museum trek planned, like it’s a three-hour hike, hoping not to land in sketchy mountain walks. Navigating with basic Japanese? Gutsy!

So, that’s them — Mike and Scott at Belief Engine. All set with DEAD LETTER DEPT., figuring out the next puzzle piece, and exploring Japanese culture. Keep watching them, folks. This ride ain’t over. You can grab DEAD LETTER DEPT. on Steam and maybe, just maybe, hear their awesome soundtrack coming soon. Cool, right?