So, in conclusion: Don't ask us what Hack and Slash really means. It's like saying a game is a #puzzle game. Sure, there are puzzles in the game and it's the main focus, but "Baba is You", "Blue Prince" and "Escape Simulator" are very different breeds. For H&S, it seems to be the same.

(3/3)

Okay, so, Diablo is H&S because you focus on defeating enemies and diving into dungeons. Easy. #DnD players referred to this as H&S campaigns. For others, it's using melee weapons as primary attack.
... Wait, is #Zelda H&S?

(2/3)

Time for our next #genre in our #genreseries - #hackandslash (H&S). These #games focus on #melee combat with potentially ranged weapons as secondary attack options. And of course, H&S games need enemies. Lots of 'em. It's a subgenre of beat 'em up, after all.
... Wait, isn't #Diablo H&S?

(1/3)

And finally, no genre ever stands alone. Platformers are a great way to support any genre. It keeps the game fresh and interesting.

(4/4)

Others #platformer don't allow players to jump. Imagine a game where you can only fall, avoiding obstacles and using platforms for a short relief. Or you control a glove on a ball which can only roll along a surface, using momentum to navigate across obstacles.
(3/4)

While #platformer is theoretically simple they still offer quiet a depth. For example, some games offer additional movement options beside jump and run (dash, power ups, etc.) and show you how hard it can be to climb a mountain.
(2/4)

The next #genre in our #genreseries is #platformer. Such #games focus on navigating the player character from one place to another and involve obstacles like enemies or platforms (hence the naming). Thanks for coming to our TEDx talk.

#indie #gamedev

(1/4)

It's incredibly fun to have a lot of options at your disposal. It allows you to live the fantasy that you as a player want to have. The game world is just the frame for the player.

#gamedev #indie #freedom

(4/4)

Often, there is no intended solution. All are valid for completing the quest though the story & reward often differ based on how it was completed. For example, with solution d) Jesse might not give you a reward (which is unjustified!) and with c) the lion might give you a reward instead.

(3/4)

You might just a) set a trap and wait for it to walk into it, or you might talk to the lion to either b) convince it that the cage is safest or c) tattle on Jesse or you might d) just sit in the cage yourself and define everything outside as inside the cage (a philosophical catch so to say).

(2/4)

Time for the next #genre post. This time we want to introduce #ImmersiveSim. It's basically the #ttrpg genre of #videogames since games of this genre always give players multiple means on how to tackle issue.
Let's imagine Jesse, an #NPC in the game, wants you to catch a lion in a cage.

(1/4)

A ms-paint style drawing of a person with long hair in orange, getting ready to fight

Today, we discussed some stuff and had to draw up our main character. What do you think? Doesn't our MC look pretty?

#gamedev #indie #art #design

We are finally back in our feet, so let's talk about genres in the next few posts. A #Metroidvania is a #nonlinear game with guided progression, like Super Metroid. When we first read guided progression, it felt off but looking back, there's always some guidance on where to proceed.

#gamedev #indie

We have been a bit quite since our last post due to getting sick. We will continue posting in the new year. So until then, happy holidays :)

Owlcat Games Community Insights

The Owlcat Games Community Survey 2025 results are here!
Huge thanks from the Owlcat team to each of the 25,000+ players who took the time and didn’t hesitate to tell us what matters to you.
You are the heart of our community :)
Learn more via the link: owlcat.games/news/98

It took us a year to grow confident enough to announce that we are starting our journey to develop our true real first (2) final version for real game.

Stay tuned for our next updates and help us shape our game in the coming weeks.

#gamedev #journey #announcement #indie #indiegame

It's already mid November?! It still feels like yesterday that we started Farbschmiede but it's already been a year. Damn. The only reason we even noticed this, is because we are currently updating our initial implementation since we now know better.

#gamedev #refactor

There is one script that has to be attached to every new level in our code so the scene is properly set up. Today, I forgot to attach it once again, so I finally implemented the elegant solution and it worked on the first try. #feelsgood.

#gamedev #godot

While we are working every day, we still get the occasional #mondayblues. So we switch up our routine and work on something else.
Or drink #coffee. Lots of coffee.

#gamedev

We tried to find where the 100+ subscribers came from, but since there was no findable marketing campaign, we cannot say anything for certain. We apologize to those waiting.

When we tell people we are on #bluesky, people are often confused. Seems like not wanting to be part of hate, extrem advertisements and monetization isn't a good reason.
As game studio, this also means we will always have #nomicrotransactions.

Why are you on bluesky?

#gamedev

We came back to #silksong a while ago and suddenly couldn't put it down. Now we are close to the 100% finish. After acquiring the last abilities, the mechanies truly shined.
Did anyone else have a similar experience with this or another game?

#metroidvania #design #gamedev #hollowknight

We played less and less #silksong over time. Not because we finished, but because it became tedious. It's probably due to the level design. Anyone else share the feeling?

#metroidvania #hollowknight #leveldesign

Unfortunately, we suck at #silksong so we aren't too far into the game. Still, while exploration is definitely rewarded, we feel that the game is pretty linear in regards to the power up order. Hopefully, the game opens up a bit more later on. Ours sure will.

#gamedev #hollowknight #mechanics

As short update, the campaign we referenced is suddenly funded. It makes no sense to us because there has been no further visible marketing. There are a few more things we find unexpected, so we will investigate and come back with our learnings.
#gamedev #update #marketing #crowdfunding

That feeling when you unlock an ability in #silksong and it's the exact same one you implemented weeks ago is undescribable. And then you notice people will think you are a #copycat. Oops.

#gamedev #metroidvania #mechanics #oops #learningfromsuccess

A bit late to the party, but #silksong has finally released. Of course, we play it entirely for research purposes and not for our own pleasure, so it counts as work time, right? Right?

#gamedev #metroidvania #startup #work #hollowknight

During our Crowdfunding research we found one of the most amazing campaigns. Great, immersive trailer, good description, great artstyle and captivating images that supports the text. Unfortunately, it's shy over 60k because it has no marketing presence.
#marketing #required #crowdfunding #gamedev

Developing a game requires a lot of inspiration. While this cannot be forced, the muse always kisses me right before I fall asleep. Either I then write it down this waking up a little bit, or forget my idea. Stupid conundrum.

How do you get inspired?

Let us know and stay colourful (by sleeping).

If you haven't played Usurper yet and want to try a Metroidvania game, we recommend to check it out.
Do any of you have other recommendations for hidden gems or other sub 100k games?

Let us know until our next post. Stay colourful!

#games #gamedev #steam #analysis #metroidvania #platformer