A screenshot from The Stanley Parable Demonstration. It has a wall of buttons, inviting the player to choose just one.
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 158: Players don’t know what’s under the hood.
Games *appear* as infinite possibility machines-but are really just cascading if-then statements.
The Stanley Parable Demonstration’s narration had the appearance more *could* happen.
#GameDesign #GameDev
In the game 'Press X to be okay' you need to be pushing that x button.
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 157: There is an experience happening above the controller.
I first heard this from Frank Lantz at an NYU event, but it’s the core part of Press X to Be Okay.
The stress isn’t on the screen, it’s in the input.
And the stress is real.
#GameDesign #GameDev
A puzzle from Professor Layton and the Last Specter.
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 156: It’s OK to have an experience comprised of mini-games.
The “party game” genre is big on this but isn’t the only way.
Professor Layton and the Last Specter ties the experience together with mini-game/puzzles placed in context.
#GameDesign #GameDev
In Harbor Rescue, you collect the buoys and avoid the hurricanes. The only problem? New hurricanes appear where a collected buoy was.
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 155: Have rules for the boundary.
Harbor Rescue had lots of obstacles in play:
💀I didn’t want to kill players for hitting the wall.
🧗I also didn’t want a “hold” where they could plan ahead.
🌊Instead, there’s a current pushing around the edge.
#GameDesign #GameDev
#BLUD by Exit 73 Studios
- Maintains 120FPS with few occasional dips to 110FPS. Runs perfectly smooth. Gamepad Supported. -
Steam Deck LCD Docked 1440p 120hz
Steam Page 👇
store.steampowered.com/app/1921480/...
My Curator Page 👇
store.steampowered.com/curator/4594...
A single grass piece for 100% encounter rate in this Pokemon game.
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 154: Introduce concepts in context.
Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Special Demo had a segment on capturing Pokémon. To illustrate only wild Pokémon can be caught, they had ONE segment of grass with 100% encounter rate.
Frugal!
#GameDesign #GameDev
Instructions telling players to be both quick and precise, while trying to introduce flow.
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 153: You can’t force a flow state.
And you *especially* can’t force it on new players by telling them to be quick AND accurate.
Flow is when play happens without thinking; it’s when players are relaxed & familiar with the mechanic.
#GameDesign #GameDev
DROPSHOT in 6 days!
store.steampowered.com/app/3465190/...
Sudoku Deluxe was a well-designed early mobile game where players could leave notes for themselves without committing to completing the puzzle.
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 152: Provide reminders between sessions.
It’s hard for players to pick up after a long absence.
Pre-written journal updates (like in RDR2) work for this.
Sudoku Deluxe allowed you to note guesses (in the margins) & pick up where you left off.
#GameDesign #GameDev
I played Doggy Caesarean Birth because it sounded like a trainwreck of a title.
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 151: Devote resources to your unique points.
Tired: Regular Simulator
Inspired: Animal Simulator
If you game’s fantasy is something that players can’t get anywhere else, you’re likely to get eyeballs.
#GameDesign #GameDev
My job as a game designer is to make the hands go UP.
#indiedev #gamedev #winner
a screenshot from "Monster Thurst!" created by high school students in NYC during a game jam.
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 150: Mentor others.
Being a mentor is easier than you think & combats impostor syndrome.
I volunteered to help high school students during a game jam as they made Monster Thurst! - an endless runner about a *very* thirsty monster.
#GameDesign #GameDev
Go out there and wishlist/buy some of these games to support Black Developers
@bvigaming.bsky.social
@aerialknight.com
@shawndoublea.bsky.social
@writnelson.bsky.social
lv1gaming.com/games-to-che...
I cannot express to you what a chokehold "I like shorts! They're comfy and easy to wear!" has on me. I think it or say it several times a year.
(Usually while wearing shorts.)
(Because they're comfy and easy to wear.)
A screenshot from Pokemon Red/Blue saying "Hi! I like shorts! They're comfy and easy to wear!"
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 149: Mind the grind.
Deliver on the core fantasy of your game *every session*.
I played through Pokémon (Blue) in 30-45 minute spurts while commuting to NYC. Every session, I caught or evolved a new species and/or earned a badge.
#GameDesign #GameDev
The Pony Express Google Doodle game
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 148: Checkpoints are tricky to balance.
Too few:
- Punish players by having them re-do lots before the tricky part.
Too many:
- Force players to live with all mistakes.
The Pony Express Google Doodle quickly got back on the horse.
#GameDesign #GameDev
A snippet of the game "The Writer Will Do Something".
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 147: Word choice matters.
Sometimes, words are all you have to convey your idea.
In games, in tweets, in conversation.
Choose ‘em carefully.
The Writer Will Do Something is a poignant text game about shoehorning in story.
#GameDesign #GameDev
New arcade cabinet!
Let’s make some games!
#gamedev #indiedev #arcade
I’ll be there at the MICA arcade cabinet with a mini-game called “Future Battlegrounds: Tank Warfare 3D” that got cut during the development of #BLUD
tinheartinteractive.itch.io/fantasy-adve...
New Years is for looking forward & back.
Found this clip prepping for MAGFest next week.
Here’s to the best 2026 can be!
youtu.be/sRY1NG1P_kw?...
“Take Me Home” as we drive home.
(It’s Dad jokes all the way down)
Hey look, Beatdown City Survivors on a list of best demos on Steam!
You can check it out here!
beatdown.city/bdcsrstm
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 146: Expand the options of self expression.
Sure, some players aim to give the “best” choice (for the most points) but many play to make the experience their own.
Romance Central--a Dance Central April fools gag--had many varied choices.
#GameDesign #GameDev
Roll up the world with Katamari Damacy!
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 145: Don’t limit yourself to “realism".
No one can double jump.
Make choices in line with design goals;
don’t be beholden to what works IRL.
Katamari Damacy delightfully toys with the environment not taking anything too seriously.
#GameDesign #GameDev
Peggle 2 (as the whole series did) did a great job of showcasing the near misses.
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 144: Move the camera to focus on action.
Pan.
Screen shake.
Zoom.
The camera is the player’s view on the world; use it to show them the exciting things. It’s where they’re looking anyhow. Peggle 2 focuses nicely on that last peg.
#GameDesign #GameDev
Tin Heart Interactive turns four!
This year saw new projects, partners, and jams that couldn't fit a short rant - check out our anniversary highlight reel!
Special thanks to @exit73games.bsky.social, @atari.com (and more!) to making the year the best it could be! Here's to more in 2026!
Orion Trail by Schell Games featured a mechanic for critical success and critical failure.
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 143: Expand depth of outcomes with critical success/critical failure. 🎲
Are things just "bad"
or are they
REAL BAD™️?
Orion Trail increased a chance at success via character stats or crew members, but critical pass/fail was always a possibility.
#GameDesign #GameDev
Proteus was a PS3 game where you explored a procedurally generated island with little/no instructions.
#BiteSizeGameDesign Lesson 142: Utilize the pattern-seeking nature of the brain.
Repetition is a bare minimum requirement for giving feedback. Players naturally look for links between repeated sounds or assets if there is little else to go on.
Proteus had little/no guidance.
#GameDesign #GameDev
