Jacob Vela

Enemies in general feel faster and more aggressive, but the game gives you better tools to deal with them like casts that slow enemies. You play as a witch in this game after all, not a warrior like Zagreus was.

It might be because I played a lot of Hades so I was a lot more familiar with that game (and had more upgrades), but Hades II feels a lot harder. Which it could be, since this game is aimed at people who already played and beat the first one. Game is very good though.

(Epilepsy warning, probably.)
I think I won Maze Mice.

I use my fight stick for platformers and other 2D games all the time, it's great fun. Would do the same for leverless as a way to get used to it, plus it just feels great.

It was a great tournament run for everyone here, love to see the SSF vs SSF grand finals.

Nintendo Switch Pricing Update - News - Nintendo Official Site Pricing for the original Nintendo Switch™ family of systems and products will change in the United States based on market conditions, effective August 3, 2025. These include Nintendo Switch – OLED Mod...

And here's Nintendo in August increasing prices for the Switch 1 (not 2) in the US "based on market conditions" which is somehow even dumber.

In all three cases, call them what they are. Taxes that the US government is choosing to impose on you for imports.

PlayStation 5 price changes in the U.S. New prices effective starting on August 21.

To not exclusively throw shade at Microsoft, here's Sony's similar statement when they increased the price of Playstations in August due to "a challenging economic environment."
Again, come out and say exactly why you're increasing prices.

Some people still somehow don't understand that a tariff is an import tax, not a bill that you send the other country for sending their goods over. Especially where there is no alternative good that's produced in your country. Call them what they are so people can feel it directly in their wallets.

Price increase for Xbox consoles in the US "due to changes in the macroeconomic environment."
Look, if you're going to be vague about it, you're part of the problem. Just say what it is, tariffs being imposed by the current administration are increasing the price in the form of an import tax.🧵

Save 20% on Star Rift Saga on Steam Embark on a Metroidvanian journey across a mysterious alien world where every ability unlocks new secrets and every corner hides danger or discovery. Fight enemies and bosses across multiple biomes, c...

Star Rift Saga is on sale for 20% off for a week long deal on Steam!
You can also pick up one of the bundles on the store page for an additional discount on other items.

This is becoming progressively more common. In some genres (fighting games) it's not a good sign if DLC is NOT announced before launch.
Feels worse somehow when it's a non-competitive game like an RPG though. Like they're selling part of a game instead of making new content.

Mike made a pretty bold assumption here about my brain not exploding, but I do appreciate being called an indie dev daredevil.
I was on Mike's podcast where I talked about the basics of what indie devs should know about the law. Give it a listen so I can do it again and talk about other topics.

I had a good time! You're making a cool show that's a good experience to be a guest on.

Work has begun on Star Rift Saga's 1.1 content update.
Here's a preview of a new robot that will appear in translocator rooms.

Someone else did the edit, actually! I just captured footage and had some general ideas.

YouTube video by Studio Vela Star Rift Saga Gameplay Trailer | Release Date and Demo

I'm pretty happy with how the trailer for Star Rift Saga came out, even though looking at it now a good amount of the art has been updated between this being cut and release.
youtu.be/mKGVuYlQA0Y?...

I actually think something more like a tac shooter is the better baseline. Fight the other team, get upgrades, get stronger, get bigger objectives.

Laser tag design jam when? Would play all of the above.

Make them learn this MOBA (Multiplayer Offline Battle Arena) through the age-old tutorial of some staff member reading through the instructions real quick five minutes before they get into the arena. They'll be fine!

On the other hand, laser tag wands.

I'm out here wishing for better objectives and reentry systems in laser tag, and you're thinking of how to turn it into the coolest larping ever.
Would play your convoluted laser tag vision, even if it confuses young kids and their parents playing with them alike.

YouTube video by Chuhai Labs Wild Blue | Gameplay Trailer | PC & Xbox Series X|S

I came across this trailer last night and I have rarely needed a game beamed straight into my eye holes so immediately as this one. The opening made me think Star Fox, and the gameplay confirmed everything I look for out of that.
Hey @chuhailabs.com, I need a release date ASAP.

Okay yeah, Kirby Air Riders seems like it's building on that prototype. It sure is Air Ride, but again. And more. Which is what fans have wanted. I have my reservations, but game looks solid.
Love how many of the visual effects were seemingly pulled straight from Smash. Efficient.

Hot take: I think the original Kirby Air Ride is only alright.

It's still fun, but mostly a good prototype for different ideas rather than a great game on its own merits.

I have no idea how Game Changer is going to get any wilder for their next season, but I'm excited to find out.

Rivals of Aether is also an example of being inspired by Smash without just imitating it. It takes the ideas and builds on them differently, in terms of systems and character designs.
Rivals 2 does err closer to Smash more with the addition of shields and ledges, but still does unique things.

Save 35% on Rivals of Aether II on Steam Rivals of Aether II is the sequel to the hit indie fighting game, Rivals of Aether. Play as both new and returning elemental fighters in the next generation of platform fighters.

Rivals of Aether II is a good game. It's a platform fighter like Smash Bros but designed intentionally and has an online mode that actually works. Character designs are super cool with everyone doing some very neat tricks.
It is free to try and on sale this weekend for Evo. Go try it out!

Save 20% on Star Rift Saga on Steam Embark on a Metroidvanian journey across a mysterious alien world where every ability unlocks new secrets and every corner hides danger or discovery. Fight enemies and bosses across multiple biomes, c...

As a reminder, Star Rift Saga's launch discount ends tomorrow at 10 AM! Pick it up at a discount before then!

I feel like a full-on arcade cabinet from you was inevitable given what you've worked on thus far. It was only a matter of needing woodworking.

I dunno, I tend to think that if my friends can make me angry in a multiplayer game that's a sign of a quality game.

Calling any game that is complete and/or not receiving new updates dead or obsolete is unsustainable and dumb, but Apple codifying such a fallacy as policy is bad for the industry as a whole, but especially for small devs.
Let games be complete works without the constant need for new content.