Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ben Droste @bendroste.bsky.social · 7h

The booth is actually in a really good spot pointing at the main entrance. I don't think I'll have any trouble attracting attention, I'm actually more concerned I might be too busy at times as the demo is a big longer than normal, but I'll have my Steam Deck as a backup third playable station.

1 1

Ben Droste @bendroste.bsky.social · 10h

In retrospect I should have designed that background art to not obscure the titie so terribly... Though I didn't think I would be fitting three TVs on there at the time.

1

Ben Droste @bendroste.bsky.social · 10h

Where I will be frantically trying to redirect the attention of people headed towards the Nintendo booth this weekend.

2 3 25

Ben Droste @bendroste.bsky.social · 11h

Note to self: you have a booth of your own to run and the game comes out in December anyway.

...But I wanna play it! 😭

9

Ben Droste @bendroste.bsky.social · 11h

"This is still an Xbox" is not as reassuring as you think it is.

1 6

Ben Droste @bendroste.bsky.social · 11h

bart simpson and lisa simpson are standing next to each other with the words wow look at all the colors man written below them

ALT: bart simpson and lisa simpson are standing next to each other with the words wow look at all the colors man written below them

media.tenor.com

2

Ben Droste @bendroste.bsky.social · 13h

Trecking back into the convention centre carrying a pair of small metal side tables and a foldout mini picnic table for game dev reasons that I assure you make total and complete sense.

4

Reposted by Ben Droste

Elissa @elissablack.com · 1d

The Oatmeal did a comic on “AI art”. It’s good.

A cartoonist's review of AI art - The Oatmeal

This is a comic about AI art.

theoatmeal.com

1 3 6

Ben Droste @bendroste.bsky.social · 1d

Some really great advice I once read (I don't remember where, it might have even been on Derek's blog) was "sell the fantasy, not the feature list".

As a dev I often get caught up talking about the mechanics and design of my games, it took some time to learn that isn't what sell games to players.

Derek Lieu - Game Trailer Editor @derek-lieu.com · 1d

Great video on how most games don’t need a gameplay hook, they need to create an experience people want to play.

It’s like how lots of game trailers have title cards like: “harvest, prep, cook, plate, serve!” without ever stating a goal of say:

“Make your dream Taiwanese food restaurant!"

What Sells on Steam: You Don't Need a Hook

YouTube video by Jonas Tyroller

www.youtube.com

1

Ben Droste @bendroste.bsky.social · 3d

Day 1 of No-CAP spent sleeping in after the opening night party, a half day of work, then meandering over to Boatbuilders in time for everyone to begin making their way out of GCAP.

I could get used to this kind of gamesweek.

5

Reposted by Ben Droste

Guy 'Yug' Blomberg @yug.bsky.social · 4d

JUST LAUNCHED!

TheGameClub.com - like a book club but for games!

Join or host group gatherings all over the world to discuss our your shared experience. The game is just the icebreaker, the goal is to forge friendships.

Use promo code HEYLOOKLISTEN for 50% off today!

Welcome to The Game Club

It's like a book club, but for games.

TheGameClub.com

9 12

Ben Droste @bendroste.bsky.social · 3d

I am a professional game developer

1 3

Reposted by Ben Droste

Supper Mario Broth @mariobrothblog.bsky.social · 6d

Due to the unique way Super Mario Bros. stores its maps, its level designers were at the mercy of the decorative hills and bushes when placing bottomless pits. While the pits can be placed freely, the decorations are non-negotiable and dictate the level design.

24 400 2K

Ben Droste @bendroste.bsky.social · 6d

I think the blue is more eye catching, both suit the tone of your game, and you should still hire a capsule artist 😉

1 2

Reposted by Ben Droste

Memory's Reach @100stones.bsky.social · 7d

Smashing together several trailers and a bunch of new demo footage to create a looping sizzle reel for PAX. Hoping there is enough variety in the 7-minute loop that it doesn't drive me insane by the end of the show 😅
#indiegames #pax #paxaus #paxaus2025

2 7

Reposted by Ben Droste

Jacob Janerka @jacobjanerka.bsky.social · 11d

🎷THE DUNGEON EXPERIENCE DEMO IS OUT NOW!🎷

3 41 130

Ben Droste @bendroste.bsky.social · 11d

Google exec 1: "This new AI tool in the Photo editor that automatically pops up and every time the user changes tabs, it's not too intrusive is it?"

Exec 2: "Nah people are practically begging for this stuff."

Exec 1: "OK great, ship it!"

A screenshot of google photo edit mode showing an intrusive AI edit interface obscuring a large portion of the image while the user is trying to make adjustments to the lighting.

1

Reposted by Ben Droste

Memory's Reach @100stones.bsky.social · 13d

Recently added these carriable dodecahedron shaped objects to the game. They can roll like a ball or sit steady like a cube, cast interesting shadows, and interact with different player powers. Lots of fun things you can do with them!

2 3

Ben Droste @bendroste.bsky.social · 16d

Important science being done 🎮

Jake Birkett - Veteran Indie @greyalien.bsky.social · 18d

This was interesting. I'm a non-inverter.

www.theguardian.com/games/2025/s...

Why do some gamers invert their controls? Scientists now have answers, but they’re not what you think

The phenomenal response to an article we published on this question led to detailed cognitive research – and the findings have implications that go way beyond gamers

www.theguardian.com

Ben Droste @bendroste.bsky.social · 21d

*Opens contract in Adobe Reader*
"This appears to be a long document. Save time by reading a (AI generated) summary"

Sure, what could go wrong. 🙄

1

Ben Droste @bendroste.bsky.social · 26d

Haven't even had time to start Silksong yet due to everything I've got going on, and now we have imminent release dates for Hades II and Metroid Prime 4 as well?

There are too many games. Stop releasing games.

Reposted by Ben Droste

Memory's Reach @100stones.bsky.social · 29d

No one found any of the secrets though... I think I hid them too well 😆

1 4

Reposted by Ben Droste

Memory's Reach @100stones.bsky.social · 29d

Took the new upcoming PAX demo along to the monthly game dev meetup last night for a public playtest. It went really well... but I also came back with two pages of notes of bugs, issues, and other improvements 😄 But hey, that's what I took it along for! I'm feeling really good about PAX this year 🎉

1 3 9

Reposted by Ben Droste

Terra Firma 2 🗺️ @workingasintended.bsky.social · Sep 9

We just dropped the Terra Firma 2 Demo on Steam!

Jump in today and check out:
✅ 7 Campaign Missions
⛏️ Sandbox Mode

It's your turn to control ecosystems! 🌍

#sandbox #indiegames #simulation #nature

5 10

Reposted by Ben Droste

Clinton Shepherd @foolhardygames.bsky.social · Sep 8

"The Bridge", my short, arcade-y, tower-defense-like is now up on @itch.io for anyone to play; foolhardygames.itch.io/the-bridge

Use your limited crew of three to defend against an ever encroaching enemy until the infernal BRIDGE can be destroyed!
#pico8 #gamedev

3 22 60