Patrick Traynor
@cwpat.me
Puzzle game developer and programmer
Patrick's Parabox, Linelith, I Wanna Maker, and others!
Puzzle design on Thekla's game Order of the Sinking Star
https://cwpat.me/about
Patrick's Parabox, Linelith, I Wanna Maker, and others!
Puzzle design on Thekla's game Order of the Sinking Star
https://cwpat.me/about
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
We're excited to announce that the Cerebral Puzzle Showcase will be returning this summer!
📅 Thurs May 28th - Thurs June 4th
If you have a #puzzlegame you'd like to be considered, please submit it directly here:
www.cerebralpuzzleshowcase.com
The deadline for submissions is 23:59 PDT Mar 31
📅 Thurs May 28th - Thurs June 4th
If you have a #puzzlegame you'd like to be considered, please submit it directly here:
www.cerebralpuzzleshowcase.com
The deadline for submissions is 23:59 PDT Mar 31
Cerebral Puzzle Showcase
Cerebral Puzzle Showcase is a celebration of the most wonderful puzzle games available on Steam, organized by Draknek & Friends.
www.cerebralpuzzleshowcase.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:57 PM
We're excited to announce that the Cerebral Puzzle Showcase will be returning this summer!
📅 Thurs May 28th - Thurs June 4th
If you have a #puzzlegame you'd like to be considered, please submit it directly here:
www.cerebralpuzzleshowcase.com
The deadline for submissions is 23:59 PDT Mar 31
📅 Thurs May 28th - Thurs June 4th
If you have a #puzzlegame you'd like to be considered, please submit it directly here:
www.cerebralpuzzleshowcase.com
The deadline for submissions is 23:59 PDT Mar 31
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
Check out these free puzzle games that inspired an upcoming game from the studio behind The Witness!
The great free puzzle games that inspired and turned into Order of the Sinking Star · Thinky Games
The next big game from the studio behind The Witness has been revealed: Order of the Sinking Star is a grand puzzle adventure that expands and smashes together a bunch of great small & free puzzle games from the past.
thinkygames.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Check out these free puzzle games that inspired an upcoming game from the studio behind The Witness!
IndieCade Festival is now live, and Patrick's Parabox is on sale on Steam as part of the retrospective!
(Parabox was an IndieCade 2019 selection, and that made a big impact for the game and for me!)
www.indiecade.com
store.steampowered.com/sale/IndieCa...
(Parabox was an IndieCade 2019 selection, and that made a big impact for the game and for me!)
www.indiecade.com
store.steampowered.com/sale/IndieCa...
January 16, 2026 at 10:29 PM
IndieCade Festival is now live, and Patrick's Parabox is on sale on Steam as part of the retrospective!
(Parabox was an IndieCade 2019 selection, and that made a big impact for the game and for me!)
www.indiecade.com
store.steampowered.com/sale/IndieCa...
(Parabox was an IndieCade 2019 selection, and that made a big impact for the game and for me!)
www.indiecade.com
store.steampowered.com/sale/IndieCa...
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
Here's the January edition of Thinky Third Thursday, the monthly roundup of thinky puzzle games that have caught our eye:
thinkythirdthursday.com/january-2026
This time we're covering our favourite games from 2025!
thinkythirdthursday.com/january-2026
This time we're covering our favourite games from 2025!
Thinky Third Thursday - January 2026 (2025 GOTYs)
Monthly game recommendations from the puzzle experts at Draknek & Friends
thinkythirdthursday.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:29 AM
Here's the January edition of Thinky Third Thursday, the monthly roundup of thinky puzzle games that have caught our eye:
thinkythirdthursday.com/january-2026
This time we're covering our favourite games from 2025!
thinkythirdthursday.com/january-2026
This time we're covering our favourite games from 2025!
I'm proud to help support the 2026 Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant! :) The grant recipients were just announced, check them out!
January 14, 2026 at 6:17 PM
I'm proud to help support the 2026 Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant! :) The grant recipients were just announced, check them out!
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
This upcoming game by the studio behind The Witness smashes together a bunch of great free puzzle games!
The great free puzzle games that inspired and turned into Order of the Sinking Star · Thinky Games
The next big game from the studio behind The Witness has been revealed: Order of the Sinking Star is a grand puzzle adventure that expands and smashes together a bunch of great small & free puzzle games from the past.
thinkygames.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:33 PM
This upcoming game by the studio behind The Witness smashes together a bunch of great free puzzle games!
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
Baby Steps leads 28th annual IGF Awards nominations
Baby Steps leads 28th annual IGF Awards nominations
Blippo+, Titanium Court, and Horses have also received multiple nods.
www.gamedeveloper.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Baby Steps leads 28th annual IGF Awards nominations
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
Welcome to 2026 - New Year, New Voices! We'll be announcing the winners of our amazing New Voices puzzle grant next week: $15k each for 5 under-represented teams in puzzle development. If you'd like to participate in next year's grant, drop us a line!
grants.draknek.org
grants.draknek.org
Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant
The Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant is a grant opportunity for game developers from traditionally underrepresented groups and backgrounds who are interested in designing and developing puzzle games.
grants.draknek.org
January 2, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Welcome to 2026 - New Year, New Voices! We'll be announcing the winners of our amazing New Voices puzzle grant next week: $15k each for 5 under-represented teams in puzzle development. If you'd like to participate in next year's grant, drop us a line!
grants.draknek.org
grants.draknek.org
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
i posted about all my favorite games from this year. i hope you will fall in love with them too!
One whole year of video game recommendations: www.nathalielawhead.com/candybox/one...
"The international indiegame scene is full of undiscovered gems. They are waiting for you to find them."
#IndieGames
One whole year of video game recommendations: www.nathalielawhead.com/candybox/one...
"The international indiegame scene is full of undiscovered gems. They are waiting for you to find them."
#IndieGames
December 20, 2025 at 2:48 PM
i posted about all my favorite games from this year. i hope you will fall in love with them too!
One whole year of video game recommendations: www.nathalielawhead.com/candybox/one...
"The international indiegame scene is full of undiscovered gems. They are waiting for you to find them."
#IndieGames
One whole year of video game recommendations: www.nathalielawhead.com/candybox/one...
"The international indiegame scene is full of undiscovered gems. They are waiting for you to find them."
#IndieGames
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
Here's the December edition of Thinky Third Thursday, the monthly roundup of thinky puzzle games that have caught our eye: thinkythirdthursday.com/december-2025
Thinky Third Thursday - December 2025
Monthly game recommendations from the puzzle experts at Draknek & Friends
thinkythirdthursday.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Here's the December edition of Thinky Third Thursday, the monthly roundup of thinky puzzle games that have caught our eye: thinkythirdthursday.com/december-2025
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
Clover's Quadrants has a trailer! If you've wanted to get a better idea of how the game actually plays, this video should help.
Clover's Quadrants - Puzzle Game Prerelease Trailer
YouTube video by Idolon
www.youtube.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Clover's Quadrants has a trailer! If you've wanted to get a better idea of how the game actually plays, this video should help.
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
Sneak peek at Outpour's new look!
Outpour is a puzzle game where you redirect flowing water across dreamy cathedral rooftops. Manipulate your surroundings to guide a dynamic water system, traverse high places, and restore harmony to sacred structures.
Outpour is a puzzle game where you redirect flowing water across dreamy cathedral rooftops. Manipulate your surroundings to guide a dynamic water system, traverse high places, and restore harmony to sacred structures.
December 18, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Sneak peek at Outpour's new look!
Outpour is a puzzle game where you redirect flowing water across dreamy cathedral rooftops. Manipulate your surroundings to guide a dynamic water system, traverse high places, and restore harmony to sacred structures.
Outpour is a puzzle game where you redirect flowing water across dreamy cathedral rooftops. Manipulate your surroundings to guide a dynamic water system, traverse high places, and restore harmony to sacred structures.
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
Announcing the nominees for the 2025 Thinky Awards! 🎉
Announcing the nominees for the 2025 Thinky Awards! · Thinky Games
Our annual awards show is returning for another year: you can now see the nominees in every category and cast your vote for the various audience awards.
thinkygames.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Announcing the nominees for the 2025 Thinky Awards! 🎉
I've been working on puzzle design on Order of the Sinking Star at Thekla for the past 2 and a half years, and I'm excited the game has just been announced!!
It's a special game, made by a lot of talented people, and I hope everyone enjoys it when it comes out!
It's a special game, made by a lot of talented people, and I hope everyone enjoys it when it comes out!
The creator of Braid and The Witness reveals his most ambitious puzzle game yet: Order of the Sinking Star.
Read our preview here: gameinformer.com/preview/2025...
Read our preview here: gameinformer.com/preview/2025...
December 12, 2025 at 2:08 AM
I've been working on puzzle design on Order of the Sinking Star at Thekla for the past 2 and a half years, and I'm excited the game has just been announced!!
It's a special game, made by a lot of talented people, and I hope everyone enjoys it when it comes out!
It's a special game, made by a lot of talented people, and I hope everyone enjoys it when it comes out!
The expanded version of Woodworm, a very cute puzzle game where you are a worm creating sculptures, is out now! I quite enjoyed the original itch version, I'm excited to play the full version!
store.steampowered.com/app/3404590/...
store.steampowered.com/app/3404590/...
December 10, 2025 at 5:39 PM
The expanded version of Woodworm, a very cute puzzle game where you are a worm creating sculptures, is out now! I quite enjoyed the original itch version, I'm excited to play the full version!
store.steampowered.com/app/3404590/...
store.steampowered.com/app/3404590/...
I had the pleasure of playtesting Herd in development, and it was such a delight! Lots of environments and puzzle surprises hidden along a shephard's journey. I highly recommend it!! :)
Get the physical version, the stacking pieces are very well manufactured and are the intended play experience!
Get the physical version, the stacking pieces are very well manufactured and are the intended play experience!
Herd is now finally out.
Available as a physical game and as print files. Physical version is also part of the Letibus Bundle for 10% off. There are 100 free community copies of print files on Itch.io.
blazgracar.com/herd
Available as a physical game and as print files. Physical version is also part of the Letibus Bundle for 10% off. There are 100 free community copies of print files on Itch.io.
blazgracar.com/herd
December 9, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I had the pleasure of playtesting Herd in development, and it was such a delight! Lots of environments and puzzle surprises hidden along a shephard's journey. I highly recommend it!! :)
Get the physical version, the stacking pieces are very well manufactured and are the intended play experience!
Get the physical version, the stacking pieces are very well manufactured and are the intended play experience!
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
We’re very excited to announce Thinky Dailies! 🎉 Follow our thinky friend on an adventure through handcrafted daily puzzles!
thinkygames.com/dail...
thinkygames.com/dail...
December 4, 2025 at 3:57 PM
We’re very excited to announce Thinky Dailies! 🎉 Follow our thinky friend on an adventure through handcrafted daily puzzles!
thinkygames.com/dail...
thinkygames.com/dail...
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
"From the developer of ElecHead, Öoo is another brilliantly concise puzzle platformer, one that delights in showing you that it was your understanding, not your abilities, which barred your progress."
👍Derek Likes Öoo: store.steampowered.com/curator/4057...
👍Derek Likes Öoo: store.steampowered.com/curator/4057...
"Öoo" the bomb caterpillar exploration puzzle platformer, is out now! 🎉
Dive into an adventure packed with discovery and clever puzzles, we hope you enjoy it!
👇
store.steampowered.com/app/2721890/...
Dive into an adventure packed with discovery and clever puzzles, we hope you enjoy it!
👇
store.steampowered.com/app/2721890/...
November 24, 2025 at 9:14 PM
"From the developer of ElecHead, Öoo is another brilliantly concise puzzle platformer, one that delights in showing you that it was your understanding, not your abilities, which barred your progress."
👍Derek Likes Öoo: store.steampowered.com/curator/4057...
👍Derek Likes Öoo: store.steampowered.com/curator/4057...
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
great design talk by @namataka.bsky.social about the reactive / observational process behind creating his most recent (and superb) game!
4Gamer 🔗https://www.4gamer.net/games/872/G087218/20251119054/
生高橋氏が語る「Öoo」の開発哲学とは？ 欲求・問題・偶然を生かし，そして入念にテストプレイする［IDC2025］
同作の開発プロセスをベースに，パズルアクションゲームにおけるコンセプトワーク，レベルデザイン，テストプレイの考え方などが語られた
生高橋氏が語る「Öoo」の開発哲学とは？ 欲求・問題・偶然を生かし，そして入念にテストプレイする［IDC2025］
同作の開発プロセスをベースに，パズルアクションゲームにおけるコンセプトワーク，レベルデザイン，テストプレイの考え方などが語られた
生高橋氏が語る「Öoo」の開発哲学とは？ 欲求・問題・偶然を生かし，そして入念にテストプレイする［IDC2025］
www.4gamer.net
November 20, 2025 at 2:16 PM
great design talk by @namataka.bsky.social about the reactive / observational process behind creating his most recent (and superb) game!
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
I loved Strange Jigsaws and I love Fleb www.polygon.com/strange-jigs...
With Strange Jigsaw, puzzlemaker Fleb wants getting stumped to feel like a gift
'I would like people who have never played puzzle games before to be able to complete the game'
www.polygon.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I loved Strange Jigsaws and I love Fleb www.polygon.com/strange-jigs...
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
In this lightning talk, Patrick Traynor goes over the programming of Patrick's Parabox: an award-winning recursive sokoban game!
@cwpat.me
@cwpat.me
The Programming of Patrick's Parabox - Patrick Traynor (ThinkyCon 2025)
Patrick Traynor joins us at ThinkyCon 2025 to present the talk: "The Programming of Patrick's Parabox"
Talk description: This talk covers a few specific programming implementations from the development of Patrick's Parabox, an award-winning recursive sokoban game released in 2022. Specific topics i
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
In this lightning talk, Patrick Traynor goes over the programming of Patrick's Parabox: an award-winning recursive sokoban game!
@cwpat.me
@cwpat.me
I highly recommend this talk from Adam Saltsman! I got a lot out of it!
@adamatomic.bsky.social has created a *lot* of small games, and we were delighted for him to join us at ThinkyCon 2025 to share how he approaches it.
My approach to making small games - Adam Saltsman (ThinkyCon 2025)
Adam Saltsman joins us at ThinkyCon 2025 to present the talk: "CorgiSpace, or, short legs on purpose, or, my approach to making small games"
Talk description: I've made and released 14 games in the last 12 months, all in my very limited free time, and had a super fun time doing it, even though I al
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I highly recommend this talk from Adam Saltsman! I got a lot out of it!
I found the Q-UP demo a hilarious and striking satire! Looking forward to playing the full game now! #TeamUpSide
The biggest day in esports has arrived. Q-UP is out. store.steampowered.com/app/3730790/...
Save 10% on Q-UP on Steam
Sick of long queues, unfair matchups, and arbitrary reflex tests? Try Q-UP, the coin flipping eSport. It's one part clicker, one part multiplayer strategy game, one part demented capitalism simulator,...
store.steampowered.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:14 PM
I found the Q-UP demo a hilarious and striking satire! Looking forward to playing the full game now! #TeamUpSide
ThinkyCon is live now and continues today, Thursday, and Friday! And my lightning talk about Parabox programming starts in a half hour!
November 5, 2025 at 7:32 PM
ThinkyCon is live now and continues today, Thursday, and Friday! And my lightning talk about Parabox programming starts in a half hour!
Reposted by Patrick Traynor
November 4, 2025 at 4:04 PM