Brianna Jenkins | Causeway Studios

For me its probably has to be city builders (though cozy games come close). Something about the the multitasking, micro-manage-y gameplay loop really engages me. Highlights last year for me were Frostpunk 2, Ixion, and Against the Storm. #QuestionsWithCauseway

Frodo: I wish so much unbelievably stupid shit had not happened in my time Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times. This is all exceptionally stupid, though

There are a lot of games I'm excited for, but a standout is the Fable reboot! I grew up playing the series, so they hold a special spot in my heart. I'm excited to see what comes next and hoping that we get a fantastic world filled with the goofiness I remember. #QuestionsWithCauseway

Need an indie game for January? Play what one review just called “a really surprising masterpiece” for less than $10!

(Not sure why they said “surprising” 😅)

Also, Tuesday is the anniversary of the release and I’d be eternally grateful to hear what you thought and who your favorite character was!

Steam Detective Fest - Now through January 19 at 10 AM PT

The Haunting of Joni Evers is on sale for 40% off in the Steam Detective Fest!

Missed us during the Winter Sale? Now's your chance to help Joni navigate her haunted home, family trauma, and much much more!

store.steampowered.com/app/2828590/...

I actually just finished this last night. I waited to pick it up because I wanted to play it on my (new) Steam Deck. It was a great experience! The characters and the writing are wonderful, and the mechanics were super fun.

I was ready to do anything for that beefy boy.

Tough choice for me this year, but Silent Hill F is my GOTY!

I've always been a big fan of the SH series, and I think F was a breath of fresh air narratively and mechanically. I loved Hinako's journey every step of the way. Also, it is absolutely, horrifyingly, gorgeous. #QuestionswithCauseway

Gamers Are Overwhelmingly Negative About Gen AI in Video Games, but Attitudes Vary by Gender, Age, and Gaming Motivations. Learn about how gender, age, and gaming motivations shape the perception of Gen AI in video games.

everyone dislikes genai in games, but kids and story-focused players the most.

sounds like we'll be ok. just have to stay the course here and the "inevitable" new technology nobody likes will die. again.

quanticfoundry.com/2025/12/18/g...

Check out our game! It is a great choice to play one evening over the holidays. A decent bit spooky, and a lot heartfelt.

EVERYONE GET MORE PASSIONATE AND SELF INDULGENT ABOUT CREATIVITY AND BEING HUMAN NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So excited to show off a little more of the new game we're developing!

We've started working with Adaptive Probe Volumes, and our spaces are looking great. ✨️

"Good story, good voice acting, *really* good writing, immersive spooky vibe that doesn't rely at all on cheap jump scares, absolutely my sort of horror game."

The biggest of props to our whole team for creating an experience that resonated so well with players.

if you're into AI "advisors" and find their insights helpful, may I non-ironically recommend seriously considering: tarot

- connection to your subconscious
- therapeutic or confessional as need be
- patterns of meaning
- self-determined takeaways
- no need to google facts afterwards

What I'm trying to internalize: "Rest is an ingredient for momentum."

Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was really fulfilling to craft both the quiet, subtler spaces and then being able to go over the top in the intense moments.

In an effort to make my profile feel more like me, I'd like to introduce my pups! 🐶

Talia is the big one - a Great Pyrenees, 10 years old this year.
Daisy is the little one - an English Bulldog, 5 years old this year.

They make my life fuller and my days easier. ❤️

Save 30% on The Haunting of Joni Evers on Steam The Haunting of Joni Evers is a dark supernatural mystery about a broken family from small-town Oklahoma. Haunted by a specter that's hunted her family for generations, Joni must uncover the mysteries...

Anyway, if you enjoyed my post, please consider checking out The Haunting of Joni Evers, and keep a lookout for more information about what we're @causewaystudios.com working on next!
store.steampowered.com/app/2828590/...

On a more technical note, Joni uses the Unity HDRP, and the majority of our lighting is baked, with touches of real-time.

While I believe the lighting in Joni was very successful, I do think our current project will take it a step further, both due to my own growth and the new tools in Unity 6.

I think the first 3 shots I've shared convey these quieter moments well - a generally softer lighting scheme, punctuated by breadcrumbs of light to guide the player through exploration.

The final shot illustrates the tense, dramatic lighting we used for our spookier, climactic moments.

Joni involves both moments of quiet contemplation as the player explores, and more intense sequences of supernatural confrontation.

For the former, I took inspiration from games like What Remains of Edith Finch, and for the latter, I looked to 80s horror movies like Poltergeist.

Yesterday I mentioned how I am a multidisciplinary game artist - one discipline that I really enjoy, and spent a lot of time on for The Haunting of Joni Evers was lighting.

Today, I'm sharing some examples that I think illustrate the moods of Joni well, and how lighting contributed.

Hi y'all. I'm a little late to the bsky party, but thought I should introduce myself as I work on my social media presence. I'm Brianna Jenkins, Art Director @causewaystudios.com, a small indie studio in NW Arkansas.

🎨Multidisciplinary Game Artist
🐶Dog Mom
🕹️Avid Gamer
📚Daily Reader
🌲Nature Enjoyer

I adore the Ghost games, but this is frustrating to read. WE, as a game industry, have to do a better job of protecting the talented, creative people that bring miracles, what we call video games, to life. The “angry” minority is brittle. Small and brittle. You can’t cave to that.

A very good week, new stuff looks sick, love this team. @gregwrogers.bsky.social @brijenkins.bsky.social @amandafarough.ca @futterish.fsquared.biz @abrasounds.bsky.social

@causewaystudios.com #indiedev

This week, we finalized our vertical slice for @causewaystudios.com’s second game. We’re excited to start sharing it with Interested Parties.

Come break the fabric of reality with us!