News

Dissolving A Company - A primer on ending it all
Dissolving A Company - A primer on ending it all
So the company didn’t work out. It happens. With all of the recent studio closures, I thought I would put together this brief guide to shutting down.
Oct. 3, 2018
At Meaningful Play: Design Thinking X Game Design
At Meaningful Play: Design Thinking X Game Design
Design Thinking is more than a legacy of interdisciplinary practice or trendy Product Design methodology. It is everything good Game Design is supposed to be. Part of a series exploring topics from Michigan State University's Meaningful Play Conference.
Oct. 3, 2018
Why One Size Does NOT Fit All in Virtual Reality
Why One Size Does NOT Fit All in Virtual Reality
The Oculus Quest is Facebook's latest innovation in the virtual and mixed reality space. However, a few choice words on how their ecosystem is structured could make the difference between effectively owning their market, or being a slave to it.
Oct. 3, 2018
A Missing Opportunity - Artificial Intelligence in Games
A Missing Opportunity - Artificial Intelligence in Games
This post covers my experiences trying to leverage AI to generate game content rather than make them actors in a planned story. I cover the difference of perspective that is necessary to take advantage of our medium through our AI agents.
Oct. 3, 2018
Profitable Indie Game Development with Adam Saltsman
Profitable Indie Game Development with Adam Saltsman
Adam Saltsman, also known as Adam Atomic, made the endless runner Canabalt in 2009, where an anonymous runner runs in one direction and is able to jump and slide upon landing. Since then, Adam has formed his studio Finji, continuing to produce and have pu
Oct. 2, 2018
Narrativizing Night in the Woods
Narrativizing Night in the Woods
How do systems and story interact? This article examines how Night in the Woods puts the mechanics in support of the story - not the other way around.
Oct. 2, 2018
Turning Food Into Architecture Makes For Great Game Design
Turning Food Into Architecture Makes For Great Game Design
Concept Artist turns food into architecture to create world maps in Cookie Jam Blast.
Oct. 1, 2018
Batman: Arkham Design Analysis (Part 1)
Batman: Arkham Design Analysis (Part 1)
Excerpts focused on design analysis from my video analysis/review series of the Arkham series.
Sept. 29, 2018
Years in the Making: The Long Game of Boyfriend Dungeon
Years in the Making: The Long Game of Boyfriend Dungeon
From the outside, Boyfriend Dungeon appeared to blow up "out of nowhere". The indie team lead talks openly about the labour and years of patience that went into building its success.
Sept. 29, 2018
Why the AAA Market Doesn't Need Paid Cheat Codes
Why the AAA Market Doesn't Need Paid Cheat Codes
In light of Devil May Cry 5's microtransaction announcement, I discussed my thoughts on games that allow you to pay to skip content, and why that backfires for most consumers.
Sept. 28, 2018
Kliuless? Gaming Industry ICYMI #5
Kliuless? Gaming Industry ICYMI #5
Each week I compile a gaming industry insights newsletter that I share with other Rioters, including Riot’s senior leadership. This edition is the public version that I publish broadly every week as well. Opinions are mine.
Sept. 28, 2018
Part 3, Narrative bridging on testing an experience
Part 3, Narrative bridging on testing an experience
In the third and last part of the series, on how to assure the quality of an experience from a narrative and cognitive perspective. The final pieces for a framework that concerns engagement, emotions, learning, pacing and control, will be presented.
Sept. 28, 2018