Game, Develop, Repeat

Game:  The Idea vs The Design of...  An MMO  Celeste  Hollow Knight  Develop:  My first game (Sut)  How to transition from idea to design  Repeat:  What is your smallest creative idea right now?  What core design assumptions do you have about some genre? My first game, "Sut" is out: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2638880/Sut/ Email me: anxiousbuddhagames(this sentence is to confuse b...

Game:  Final Fantasy 16 Demo  The action RPG angle  FF8 isn't as "sacred" as other FF titles  Clear areas for improvement  Other games entering Final Fantasy's old niche  Develop:  Iteration  Final Fantasy always tries something new  Improve where you know you can  Trying to beat a masterpiece  Repeat:  What game would you like to see remade?  Do you know any "diamond cake...

Game:  Games that invite a binge  Games that invite patience  Playing games differently from their design  Binge games that never end  Develop:  Binge-worthy design elements  Patient design elements  Story Recaps  Repeat:  What gaming pace do you, on average, enjoy more?  How compelling do you want your next game to be?  Tip: Whichever pace you normally take, test out the opposite. My first game,...

Game: Certainty and Uncertainty Saving the game Real world safety Develop: Noticing and embracing security in unfamiliar skills Repeat: Are there skills you're avoiding learning due to uncertainty? Community Shoutout: SurvivalScape (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2862660/SurvivalScape/) My first game, "Sut" is out: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2638880/Sut/ Email me: anxiou...

Game:  The social element  Addictive grinds  Monthly subscriptions  World of Warcraft  Guild Wars 2  Anarchy Online  Everquest  Develop:  Interconnected goals and skills  The developer motivation issue  Addictive vs Entertaining  Repeat:  What is the most entertaining game you've ever played?  What is the most addictive game you've ever played?  Notice the differences in different forms...

Game:  Bubble Wrap  Fishy (https://www.addictinggames.com/action/fishy)  Develop:  Excessive mechanics  Insecure design  Trusting simplicity  Repeat:  What simple actions in life do you find satisfying?  What is the simplist version of a complex game you enjoy? My first game, "Sut" is out: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2638880/Sut/ Email me: anxiousbuddhagames(this sentence is to co...

Game: Bad at games Fundamental gaming skills Razbuten Game Design and Communication Develop: Learning New Skills Bad = new Treating yourself gently (child analogy) Protect your creative passion Repeat: Can you vividly remember a the development of skill you were once terrible at? What things are you currently "bad" at, and are they "new?" My first game, "Sut" is out:...

Game:  Unclear rules  Puzzles  Difficulty curves  Untested skills  Morrowind and Getting Lost  Develop:  finding joy while stuck/lost  game dev update  Repeat:  What creative challenges do you enjoy?  What can you safely explore when stuck? My first game, "Sut" is out: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2638880/Sut/ Email me: anxiousbuddhagames(this sentence is to confuse bots@)gmail.com...

Game:  Mindless Games  Accelerated productivity  Constant rewards  "Oddly Satisfying"  Develop:  Marketing: Serve specific communities  Build rewards into gameplay  Accelerate real life satisfaction  New project update  Repeat:  What mechanics do you find deeply satisfying?  What niche hobbies do you have that might inspire a game?  Seek out fresh perspectives My first game, "Sut&qu...

Game:  Big Picture: Poor communication, taking control from player  Unskippable filler content/cutscenes  Bad default controls  Horrible marketing  Constant waiting  Removing interaction indicators Examples: Skyrim, Celeste, Breath of the Wild  Develop:  Communicate clearly  Have multiple people test it  Don't make assumptions about player mindset  Don't waste people's time  Repeat:...

Game:  Choices-matter genre  Baldur's Gate 3  The Quarry  Disco Elysium  Diablo II and re-rolls  Investment  Develop:  Immediate feedback  Frustrating consequences  Satisfying consequences  Proving impact  Repeat:  What in-game choices do you find most satisfying?  Do you prefer experiencing every option, or embracing one path?  Roll with the consequences. My first game, "Sut" is ou...

Game:  Creating Space  Emotions and Indie Games  A quick note about practical skills  Taking the training wheels off  Game of thrones taught me about myself  Develop:  Just be open  I'm not advocating for preaching  Doesn't have to be a whole emotional journey  Repeat:  How do games help you?  Start experimenting a little more. My first game, "Sut" is out: https://store.steampo...

Game:  What does making games do for you?  Love of the results  Chasing some goal  Fame and Fortune  Develop:  Love of the process  Learning new skills  Growing as a person  Repeat:  What is your favorite part of making games?  Are you taking time to enjoy the process?  Don't overthink it, just enjoy it. My first game, "Sut" is out: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2638880/Sut/ Em...

Game:  The Worms series  Less story  Goofball immersion  Develop:  Knowing your game's emotional impact  Creating space for unintended fun  Repeat:  What is fun for you?  Is your game idea fun?  Should your game idea be fun?  Goof around in games, game development, and life. My first game, "Sut" is out: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2638880/Sut/ Email me: anxiousbuddhagames(thi...

Game:  How reality improves gaming  Childhood love of gaming  Childhood love of touching grass  Develop:  Incentives in Game Development  Players need to digest  Repeat:  What games have you thought about during real life?  How has real life made gaming more fun? Tip: "Touch grass" as often as possible My first game, "Sut" is out: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2638880/Sut/...

Game:  No bad ideas  Insane concept  First rhythm game  Deeply beloved despite absurdity  Just make games  Develop:  Art style   Pure, goofy gameplay  Stop being serious  Design standards and preconceptions  Repeat:  What dumb idea can you think of right now?  How could you make it interesting?  Tip:  It's about skills, not success. My first game, "Sut" is out: https://store.steampo...

Game:  How a few games impacted me:  Final Fantasy 7  Morrowind  Starcraft  Diablo II  Warcraft 3  Stardew Valley  Celeste  Spiritfarer  Develop:  Don't be afraid to share  You can't know what someone else will get from yo ur game  Excessive Gaming  Repeat:  How has gaming impacted you at different points in your life?  Notice the little positive things My first game, "Sut" is...

UPDATED CONTEXT: About half an hour after I finished editing this episode, Sony announced via twitter that they will not be moving forward with the update that initiated this controversy. Game:  Incredible satirical propaganda  Community controls the marketing  Great lore, full commitment  Accidentally creating a union  Develop:  "Everything is game design" - Jonathan Rogers Interview (P...

Game:  Celeste - Confidence  WoW - Investment  JRPGs - Power  Dark Souls - grit  Develop:  The spiral curriculum  Small projects, footholds  Acknowledging victories  Velocity and Acceleration  HealthyGamerGG  Repeat:  What footholds have you recently found?  How might you build your current victories? Tip for myself: Be patient, work consistently My first game, "Sut" is out: https://stor...

Game:  My current project is bad  Gameplay loops  A sense of risk  Develop:  Overcoming Struggles  Exploring new areas  Leveling up  Building a party/community  Repeat:  What type of gameplay is most motivating for you?  What part of working on a project is most motivating for you?  Tip for myself: Sort out priorities, filter for what's most important. My first game, "Sut" is out: h...

Game:  No guarantees, just like creating  Things that paralyze you  Is there ever only one path ahead?  Risk less, work patiently  Develop:  What power do we actually have?  Notice, notice, notice  The invisible work  Considering trying might be harder than trying  Repeat:  What is the worst thing you can do for your creative energy?  How can you get to know yourself better?  Tip for myself:  What...

Game:  Creature collector without the cuteness  Creature Combinations  A darker, otherworldly aesthetic  Story is pretty good, but probably nostalgia  Develop:  A little bit of choice adds a lot of potential  Allow players to explore systems   Check-In:  Still learning how much I have to learn.  Looking into more formal education paths.  Repeat:  What game do you almost love, but something is off?...

Game:  I got a world record  246 way tie  Awesome community  Flowy, skill based speedrunner  Satisfying skill development, significant space for mastery  Incredible soundtrack  Beautiful animations and art  Develop:  Navigating levels in game, alternative selections  Blocking levels based on ability to reach them Leader-boards add a lot to the gameplay  Check-In:  Great programming progress, learn...

Eastshade Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCzhyUsDHPE Game:  Backstory of my current project  Full description of the project  Getting stuck after the prototypes  Develop:  Eastshade Studios video: "Marketing is not why most indie games fail"  Why I'm considering scrapping this project  Scope realizations  Too much stuff to polish  Check-In:  Godot Terrain system  Ko-Fi and T...

Game:  Different types of grinding  Loot Grind  Player Skill Grind  Character Power Grind  Video Game Grind vs Day Job Grind   Develop:  The obvious stuff  Flashing lights, audio rewards  Story with clear conclusion  Near-guaranteed success  No need to plan  Check-In:  Building up momentum  Twitch has been a fun way to start working on art more and bonding with community  Repeat:  What is your mos...