Now that I have some distance from my GDC talk, I think if I were to boil down my game design advice into a single sentence, it might be something like:
Focus less on adding stuff to your game, and more on developing connections between the stuff you already have.
09.09.2025 16:39 β π 184 π 31 π¬ 4 π 3
This convo I had highlights the difference in what "respect your time" means in games.
A lot of players want to trade time for in-game progress. It's purely transactional: 1 hour = 1 progress
But I want to feel like my actions matter i.e. what I do with time creates progress, not time itself.
05.09.2025 18:52 β π 1676 π 379 π¬ 62 π 66
Circadian Dice on Steam
Circadian Dice is a game inspired by single-player deck-building games, but instead of upgrading a deck, you build up a set of dice! Use 10 different heroes and 60 game-warping relics to take on 13 ha...
Tooting my own horn here, but our dice-building game Circadian Dice was designed to be played in 10-30 minute runs (depending on the chosen scenario) and people seem to enjoy that aspect of it. I would gladly provide you with a key if you would like to try it!
store.steampowered.com/app/1893620/...
05.08.2025 17:03 β π 3 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0
Looking great! π₯π₯π₯
07.07.2025 16:29 β π 2 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0
SWOS and Civilization for endless replayability, and The Chaos Engine since I might finally have enough time on my hands to beat it.
01.07.2025 13:02 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0
Maybe Acquire? Many of Sid Sackson's designs feel modern to me, but I agree, Cosmic releasing in 1977 is pretty wild.
28.06.2025 16:31 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0
Thanks for the encouragement! We're still doing all our game development as a hobby so we have to choose what we spend our time on. Currently it's our new project rather than ports of CD, so still no plans for switch/mobile - sorry! It would be different if we were in it for the money, for sure! π
19.06.2025 07:49 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0
Fantastiskt!
Jag och nΓ₯gra kollegor i SkΓΆvde slΓ€ppte Circadian Dice pΓ₯ itch 2021 och pΓ₯ Steam 2022. Jag gillar verkligen det du och Thomas gΓΆr sΓ₯ det vore kul att ha med det i listan Γ€ven om det inte Γ€r nΓ₯got AAA-spel direkt π
store.steampowered.com/app/1893620/...
shuffleup.itch.io/circadian-dice
13.06.2025 11:13 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0
Recently Iβve been seeing more people getting tired of βeverything becoming a roguelikeβ.
I think part of is games trying to integrate "roguelike elements" without actually making a roguelike? which just ends up being a permadeath mode + plain percentage stat upgrades with no real variety
07.06.2025 15:18 β π 316 π 24 π¬ 11 π 0
Did my first few rounds this morning and it's absolutely amazing. Love all your games, thanks to you and Gryzor for your hard work!
31.05.2025 07:47 β π 3 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0
#Gaurodan is out!
The 2013 game has been completely redone to fit my current vision of traditional arcade game design. It's denser (more levels but less overall length), with better pacing, mechanics and a proper scoring system.
Music by @gryzor87.bsky.social β«
Info and downloads at locomalito.com
30.05.2025 07:46 β π 1085 π 363 π¬ 38 π 38
So many fond memories of playing these back in the day. The transparent "crystal screen" was cool technology, but also kind of a stupid gimmick that just made those games more awkward to play. The games themselves were great, though!
23.05.2025 08:24 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0
Once Upon a Galaxy (mobile game screenshot) showing a shop of 3 characters and a spell to choose from
In Galaxy, you draft from a shop with only three characters in it. (and, usually, a spell)
What cards can show up, and when? How often do they show up? What are "the odds"?
Let's chat #indiedev #gamedesign - how does Galaxy provide regular, meaningful decisions with only 4 options? (π§΅)
18.03.2025 19:11 β π 19 π 6 π¬ 2 π 3
Upcoming #SteamEvent alert! π
β¨π² Dice Dimensions (March 5 - 12) π²β¨ hosted by @ansharpublishing.bsky.social is the celebration of games where the roll of the dice takes centre stage! The event will showcase more than 50 titles, so make sure to join us next month!
#DiceDimensions #Gaming
11.02.2025 13:14 β π 6 π 4 π¬ 0 π 2
This was a really fun read, thank you! Alien Breed was a great series with amazing atmosphere. I even kind of enjoyed Alien Breed 3D after I upgraded my A1200 with a turbo card!
16.02.2025 20:13 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0
Keep Driving, our management RPG about life on the open road, is OUT NOW!
π Explore an early 2000s setting
π₯ Unique turn-based 'battle' system
π§ Strategic resource management
π Pick up folks along the way
π Youβre young, you have timeβ¦
Available on Steam: s.team/a/2756920
06.02.2025 13:02 β π 808 π 286 π¬ 31 π 46
Keep Driving - RELEASE DATE! ππ
Our management RPG about life on the open road
launches on...
ποΈFebuary 6ποΈ
on Steam for PC (Windows)
Check out the new trailer π½ Sound on! πΆ
#keepdriving #steam #gaming
20.01.2025 14:30 β π 324 π 105 π¬ 16 π 19
The SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash games are at the top for me. Amazing card art, fun vibes and simple yet deep rules make me come back again and again. Joustus from Shovel Knight: King of Cards gets an honorable mention!
14.01.2025 14:00 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0
For sure. For some reason the pogo stick christmas tree sections are what I remember the most vividly. Brilliant, simple fun!
And Holiday Lemmings! Man, I miss coverdisks π₯
17.12.2024 14:32 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0
I remember enjoying both of these, especially Psycho Santa! I should look around to see if I still have the disks somewhere...
17.12.2024 13:26 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0
Since a lot of gamedevs are coming across to Bluesky, here's a reminder that my sound effect tool ChipTone is good! And free! And runs right in the browser!
sfbgames.itch.io/chiptone
23.11.2024 11:10 β π 1193 π 350 π¬ 51 π 18
The ending screen of a successful Solitomb run, with a final time of 32:38 and a final score of 3260.
It took me a few runs to figure out how to play Solitomb properly, but once I learned a few tricks the game opened up and each turn became a super satisfying little puzzle. Really looking forward to trying the new classes! krajzeg.itch.io/solitomb @krajzeg.bsky.social
23.11.2024 12:15 β π 2 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0
Super fun, excited to play more! π
22.11.2024 18:56 β π 2 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0
Solitomb is *HERE!* π
βοΈ krajzeg.itch.io/solitomb βοΈ
Stack cards into combos, fight monsters, add new abilities to your build and emerge victorious (eventually, sometimes)!
Please share this to help spread the word and enjoy the game! π€
#pico8 #gamedev #indiegame
22.11.2024 17:00 β π 399 π 135 π¬ 27 π 30
I'm excited to announce:
Solitomb, the solitaire/poker/dungeon-crawling/roguelike thing, is coming out next Friday, November 22nd! π₯³
πStack cards π Form combos βοΈ Fight monsters πΉ Gain abilities π€ Emerge victorious
If you like what you're seeing, help spread the word?
#pico8 #gamedev #indiegame
15.11.2024 17:00 β π 245 π 68 π¬ 15 π 6
Tactical Breach Wizards - creative and player-friendly tactics gameplay that never becomes frustrating due to unlimited undo. It also has very funny dialogue, great characters and a surprisingly deep narrative. Loved it from start to finish!
UFO 50 a very close second.
14.11.2024 08:44 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0
YouTube video by YCJY games
Keep Driving - Reveal Trailer
After years of teasing, we're excited to finally reveal our next game:
ππΏKEEP DRIVINGπΏπ
Itβs an atmospheric management RPG about life on the open road. Customize your car, pick up hitchhikers and drive around.
Youβre young, itβs the early 2000s, and you have looots of time. Sound on! π
02.10.2024 13:19 β π 65 π 21 π¬ 3 π 5
Retired video game programmer. 40+ years developing videogames and software.
Creator of games for the BBC Micro, Electron, NES, SNES, PC, XBox, PS3/4, Mobile, Vita, 3DS.
I am currently rescuing and archiving old game development disks.
LEGO Dev/AFOL.
Boardgame enthusiast, podcaster, books: Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design, Universe Explained with a Cookie games: Versailles 1919 and Super Skill Pinball. He/him
https://open.substack.com/pub/gametek
#pixelart and #lofi enthusiast obsessing over small games with big pixels. Made #picoCAD and a long time ago Icy Tower.
Wishlist Icy Tower!
π http://s.team/a/3014860
Get the inside scoop with my newsletter:
π https://apskeppet.se/newsletter.html
Solving the toughest problems in game design. Mostly a yearly weekend retreat for professional game designers. https://polarisgamedesign.com/
Author of Neuromancer and, most recently, Agency (still above from βKill Switchβ, The X-Files, Season 5, Episode 11, co-written with Tom Maddox)
Once Upon a Galaxy is a collectable card battler by Million Dreams Games π₯³ Live on Steam, Android and iOS!
#IndieDev, #GameDesign, engineering, "Artisan of Joy"
TRY MY STRATEGY GAME! - Once Upon a Galaxy - galaxy.fun
twitch.tv/drajjon
βMake way for Superman!β said Superman as he punched everyone at the Coffee Bean. He/him. Los Angeles. Dog. Mustache.
Gayest Episode Ever: https://gayestepisodeever.com
Thrilling Tales of Old Video Games: https://thrillingtalesofoldvideogames.com
Student of media and art. Systems and game designer, former music technology professional. https://liminal.games https://playful.work
Makin' horror games - currently working on a horror rage platformer
Playing video games since 1976.
Writing about them since 1983.
Design Director at System Era. I post a lot of brunch photos. she/her.
Independent games researcher, Ethan Johnson. Preserving gaming history!
Patreon: http://tinyurl.com/pdp5pdrj
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@play_history/videos
Blog: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/
Editor of Gaming Alexandria
Co-Founder, Gamer-In-Chief of BAFTA-winner Bossa Studios. Chairman tinyBuild. Driver of the ZX Spectrum Next. Retro computing fan. Maker. Space enthusiast.
The ZX Spectrum Next is the official recreation of the legendary ZX Spectrum home computer using FPGA technology, updated for the 21st century!
Visit us at: www.specnext.com
(WILL-ert) | Investigating forgotten gaming history | Creator of the greatest Metroid video on Youtube | Asexual, autistic, artistic, π³οΈββ§οΈ(she/her) | Linktree: https://katewillaert.com/link-tree
analog/digital game designer.
previously at Thunderful -- worked on Lost In Random and a SteamWorld title.
indie games: catnipped.itch.io
blog: catnipped.bearblog.dev
she/they/he
based in Gothenburg ,Sweden.
tabletop games + app games + pie + AsAm Adoptee + She/Her = ruining games one skeet at a time. hates puns - but in a fun way. @saltandsass.bsky.social. i keep 3 things: secrets, promises, and grudges.
Struggling to pass as human since the mid-80s. Not fussy about my pronouns. Features editor at @retrogamermag.bsky.social with occasional bylines elsewhere. https://hkt3030.neocities.org/
UK based company since 1984
Electronics design, manufacturing and consultancy.
Inventing, designing and manufacturing electronics products for industry and consumers.