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Generating the world of Sunless Skies
Sunless Skies presents an opportunity to refine the formula we created in Sunless Sea. In order to make sure the sequel improves upon the first game, we’re at how we generate the shape and layout of the world itself.
Nov. 24, 2016
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6 PR lessons learned from launching the episodic indie game The Lion’s Song
To celebrate this week’s launch of Episode 2, we want to share some episodic-specific PR lessons we learned from supporting developer Mipumi Games in launching Episode 1 of the game.
Nov. 24, 2016
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Moon Hunters & Procedural Space
Do procedural generators have to stay behind the scenes in a game design, or can they break free and have meaning within a game? Let's look at Kitfox Game's Moon Hunters to find out!
Nov. 23, 2016
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Playing with Friends in Destiny
Social connections are important to the experience of many online games. In Destiny´s PvP hub The Crucible, strong social connections also appear to be important for player performance.
Nov. 23, 2016
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Swap Fire: My First Console Game
How we turned our 2012 7DFPS entry into a Nintendo Wii U couch multiplayer extravaganza for up to four combatants and one lucky commentator.
Nov. 23, 2016
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How Games Can Undermine Emotional Stakes
In this article, game writer Sande Chen discusses how the nature of video game playing undermines the emotional stakes in linear storytelling.
Nov. 23, 2016
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Studying gameplay progression on runners
This blog post reviews some design considerations I made while studying popular runners games. The gameplay progression is deconstructed into a flowchart to highlight the importance of different elements.
Nov. 23, 2016
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The Price of Frustration
Games are getting more frustrating all the time...by design. Why is this and what are the costs to developers? Monetization expert Ramin Shokrizade sheds some light on the subject.
Nov. 23, 2016
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A Systemic Approach to Game Design
Some people think in terms of narrative, some in terms of atmosphere, some in terms of emotions. I think in terms of systems.
Nov. 22, 2016
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Video Game Deep Cuts: Dishonored Guardian's Credits
The latest Video Game Deep Cuts, picking the smartest longform video game articles and videos of the week, examines Dishonored 2 from multiple angles, The Last Guardian, & alternate game credits displays.
Nov. 21, 2016
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The financial reality of being indie and doing just okay
"Indie dev doing okay but still struggling" probably isn't a story the press would care for but it's still a story many indie devs can probably relate to.
Nov. 21, 2016
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Autumn of Indie Game Markets
Game markets follow predictable patterns of growth, harvest and if you’ve been lucky enough, stockpiling for the coming frost. Here is what happens when game markets mature.
Nov. 21, 2016