Nicholas O / Essay Games
@essaygames.bsky.social
Bundle of Joy is OUT NOW:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3138370/Bundle_of_Joy/
Founder of Essay Games (he/him)
https://essay-games.com/
https://essaygames.itch.io
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3138370/Bundle_of_Joy/
Founder of Essay Games (he/him)
https://essay-games.com/
https://essaygames.itch.io
Pinned
Save 15% on Bundle of Joy on Steam
Bundle of Joy is a lighthearted, story-rich, minigame romp about becoming a parent during the pandemic. Complete all your child-rearing tasks, manage your stress, find time to rest, survive the day,…
store.steampowered.com
Bundle of Joy is OUT NOW!
🎉 🎉 🎉
I can't believe it. I don't really know what to say. What a day.
Please go check it out on #Steam and @itch.io
store.steampowered.com/app/3138370/...
essaygames.itch.io/bundle-of-joy
#indiegames #godot
🎉 🎉 🎉
I can't believe it. I don't really know what to say. What a day.
Please go check it out on #Steam and @itch.io
store.steampowered.com/app/3138370/...
essaygames.itch.io/bundle-of-joy
#indiegames #godot
Hosting Thanksgiving this year went better than expected!
November 28, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Hosting Thanksgiving this year went better than expected!
As promised...!
Here's a bit of a longer blog post about why I think the narrative of The Seance of Blake Manor works so well:
www.essay-games.com/blog/why-bla...
Again, can't recommend this game enough!
Here's a bit of a longer blog post about why I think the narrative of The Seance of Blake Manor works so well:
www.essay-games.com/blog/why-bla...
Again, can't recommend this game enough!
November 26, 2025 at 2:41 PM
As promised...!
Here's a bit of a longer blog post about why I think the narrative of The Seance of Blake Manor works so well:
www.essay-games.com/blog/why-bla...
Again, can't recommend this game enough!
Here's a bit of a longer blog post about why I think the narrative of The Seance of Blake Manor works so well:
www.essay-games.com/blog/why-bla...
Again, can't recommend this game enough!
I've been carving out small bits of studio time the past couple of week. Here's a brief demo of a core mechanics for an upcoming project I'm prototyping.
Eventually dice pools will be affected by NPC dialog, but this "process" has been systematized enough to be very modular with future plans.
Eventually dice pools will be affected by NPC dialog, but this "process" has been systematized enough to be very modular with future plans.
November 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM
I've been carving out small bits of studio time the past couple of week. Here's a brief demo of a core mechanics for an upcoming project I'm prototyping.
Eventually dice pools will be affected by NPC dialog, but this "process" has been systematized enough to be very modular with future plans.
Eventually dice pools will be affected by NPC dialog, but this "process" has been systematized enough to be very modular with future plans.
Reposted by Nicholas O / Essay Games
Really wild situation here: a celebrated and well-regarded indie dev and publisher is facing shutdown because Valve banned their game from Steam and won't talk to them about it, at all.
www.ign.com/articles/uns...
www.ign.com/articles/uns...
Unsettling Horror Game Horses Banned From Steam, Leaving Studio With 'High Risk' of Closure - IGN
Indie horror game Horses is preparing to launch on December 2, on the Epic Games Store, GOG, Itch.io, and the Humble Store. But one place it won't be is on Steam, because Steam has banned the game for...
www.ign.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Really wild situation here: a celebrated and well-regarded indie dev and publisher is facing shutdown because Valve banned their game from Steam and won't talk to them about it, at all.
www.ign.com/articles/uns...
www.ign.com/articles/uns...
not to go full streamer bro on folks, but do ppl have a recommendation for a solid ring/mounted light for video recordings/calls/streams?
I want to update some video content over the school break and thought it might be nice to spruce things up a bit and look just a tiny bit more professional...?
I want to update some video content over the school break and thought it might be nice to spruce things up a bit and look just a tiny bit more professional...?
November 24, 2025 at 2:11 PM
not to go full streamer bro on folks, but do ppl have a recommendation for a solid ring/mounted light for video recordings/calls/streams?
I want to update some video content over the school break and thought it might be nice to spruce things up a bit and look just a tiny bit more professional...?
I want to update some video content over the school break and thought it might be nice to spruce things up a bit and look just a tiny bit more professional...?
Had a really nice time at No Quarter at @nyugamecenter.bsky.social tonight.
But I was absolutely gutted not to make it to the finals of @patricklemieux.bsky.social and @chouxsalad.bsky.social’s tournament with team @wonderville.nyc.
Fierce competition and so much fun.
But I was absolutely gutted not to make it to the finals of @patricklemieux.bsky.social and @chouxsalad.bsky.social’s tournament with team @wonderville.nyc.
Fierce competition and so much fun.
November 23, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Had a really nice time at No Quarter at @nyugamecenter.bsky.social tonight.
But I was absolutely gutted not to make it to the finals of @patricklemieux.bsky.social and @chouxsalad.bsky.social’s tournament with team @wonderville.nyc.
Fierce competition and so much fun.
But I was absolutely gutted not to make it to the finals of @patricklemieux.bsky.social and @chouxsalad.bsky.social’s tournament with team @wonderville.nyc.
Fierce competition and so much fun.
Reposted by Nicholas O / Essay Games
psst, no one is struggling with this - we are trying to create singular things that resonate with a huge audience or resonate hugely with a specific audience. We "struggle" with how tech and VC funding has broken almost every creative economy we have. So thanks but no thanks
November 19, 2025 at 11:54 PM
psst, no one is struggling with this - we are trying to create singular things that resonate with a huge audience or resonate hugely with a specific audience. We "struggle" with how tech and VC funding has broken almost every creative economy we have. So thanks but no thanks
Reposted by Nicholas O / Essay Games
the gulf between the swift brutality with which places like harvard treated students protesting genocide and the endless, endless latitude those same institutions have given people like larry summers tells you everything you need to know
November 20, 2025 at 1:36 AM
the gulf between the swift brutality with which places like harvard treated students protesting genocide and the endless, endless latitude those same institutions have given people like larry summers tells you everything you need to know
I'm making something...
November 20, 2025 at 2:11 AM
I'm making something...
The recent Flock of Dimes album is so good, but of particular note for me is that is has probably the strongest MIDDLE of recent memory.
Tracks 6-8 are all just so achingly excellent.
Can’t recommend enough:
flockofdimes.bandcamp.com/album/the-li...
Tracks 6-8 are all just so achingly excellent.
Can’t recommend enough:
flockofdimes.bandcamp.com/album/the-li...
The Life You Save, by Flock of Dimes
12 track album
flockofdimes.bandcamp.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:26 PM
The recent Flock of Dimes album is so good, but of particular note for me is that is has probably the strongest MIDDLE of recent memory.
Tracks 6-8 are all just so achingly excellent.
Can’t recommend enough:
flockofdimes.bandcamp.com/album/the-li...
Tracks 6-8 are all just so achingly excellent.
Can’t recommend enough:
flockofdimes.bandcamp.com/album/the-li...
Oh hell yes! Congrats Austin!!!
Surprise, we're getting pretty close to the final version of REALIS!
ICYMI: I've been making a TTRPG about mystical moons and living spaceships and sentences that can kill you. A preview is available now (see my pinned post), but the full version draws near!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/cru...
ICYMI: I've been making a TTRPG about mystical moons and living spaceships and sentences that can kill you. A preview is available now (see my pinned post), but the full version draws near!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/cru...
Coming soon: Realis
A new tabletop roleplaying game by Austin Walker
www.kickstarter.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Oh hell yes! Congrats Austin!!!
Reposted by Nicholas O / Essay Games
Dear Bluesky friends, I have an assignment for you as I go off to sleep - I'd love for our courtroom drama deckbuilder about bringing the power to justic to get as many eyes on it as possible in one night. Please spread it far and wide, and follow us. Surprise me! 😍🥰 #IndieDev #GameDev #IndieGames
Earlier this year, we released our debut trailer at Wholesome Direct! We’ve had a load of new followers since then, so in case you missed it, please check out our trailer!
You can follow All Will Rise on our #Kickstarter now: www.kickstarter.com/projects/spe...
#IndieGame #IndieDev #GameDev
You can follow All Will Rise on our #Kickstarter now: www.kickstarter.com/projects/spe...
#IndieGame #IndieDev #GameDev
November 18, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Dear Bluesky friends, I have an assignment for you as I go off to sleep - I'd love for our courtroom drama deckbuilder about bringing the power to justic to get as many eyes on it as possible in one night. Please spread it far and wide, and follow us. Surprise me! 😍🥰 #IndieDev #GameDev #IndieGames
Just rolled credits on @spookydoorway.bsky.social’s The Séance of Blake Manor.
It’s incredible. Definitely one of my favorite games I’ve played this year.
I want to write a longer post about it, but in the meantime I implore folks to check it out.
store.steampowered.com/app/1395520/...
It’s incredible. Definitely one of my favorite games I’ve played this year.
I want to write a longer post about it, but in the meantime I implore folks to check it out.
store.steampowered.com/app/1395520/...
The Séance of Blake Manor on Steam
The Séance of Blake Manor is a supernatural detective mystery, set in 1897 Ireland, where you investigate the disappearance of Evelyn Deane in a remote hotel full of secrets and other-worldly occurren...
store.steampowered.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Just rolled credits on @spookydoorway.bsky.social’s The Séance of Blake Manor.
It’s incredible. Definitely one of my favorite games I’ve played this year.
I want to write a longer post about it, but in the meantime I implore folks to check it out.
store.steampowered.com/app/1395520/...
It’s incredible. Definitely one of my favorite games I’ve played this year.
I want to write a longer post about it, but in the meantime I implore folks to check it out.
store.steampowered.com/app/1395520/...
I rly need to get back to working on a game and stop overthinking it.
November 17, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I rly need to get back to working on a game and stop overthinking it.
Reposted by Nicholas O / Essay Games
Okay, yeah: Endless Mode is now The A.V. Club Games. We speedran this thing. Same editors, same writers, same content, just a different but familiar site. www.avclub.com/new-games-se...
The A.V. Club Games announces a new era
The A.V. Club's games section gets a major boost as Paste's and Endless Mode's games coverage joins the site.
www.avclub.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Okay, yeah: Endless Mode is now The A.V. Club Games. We speedran this thing. Same editors, same writers, same content, just a different but familiar site. www.avclub.com/new-games-se...
Go grab Vid’s latest work!!
Oh shit, ALOM is out
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Go grab Vid’s latest work!!
I was a bit slow on the uptake and wasn't able to get a copy of the recent issue of @debugmag.com, which I'm in!
@aguaspoints.bsky.social talked to me about making games in the anthroposcene & how Essay Games grapples with ongoing ethical/social/political paradoxes.
Does anyone have a copy? :)
@aguaspoints.bsky.social talked to me about making games in the anthroposcene & how Essay Games grapples with ongoing ethical/social/political paradoxes.
Does anyone have a copy? :)
November 14, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I was a bit slow on the uptake and wasn't able to get a copy of the recent issue of @debugmag.com, which I'm in!
@aguaspoints.bsky.social talked to me about making games in the anthroposcene & how Essay Games grapples with ongoing ethical/social/political paradoxes.
Does anyone have a copy? :)
@aguaspoints.bsky.social talked to me about making games in the anthroposcene & how Essay Games grapples with ongoing ethical/social/political paradoxes.
Does anyone have a copy? :)
Had been kind of in a funk the past week or so and hadn’t been exercising.
Just did my normal route around the neighborhood and already feeling better.
Just did my normal route around the neighborhood and already feeling better.
November 13, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Had been kind of in a funk the past week or so and hadn’t been exercising.
Just did my normal route around the neighborhood and already feeling better.
Just did my normal route around the neighborhood and already feeling better.
Reposted by Nicholas O / Essay Games
Reposted by Nicholas O / Essay Games
No.
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm - AUTOMATON WEST
In an interview following the launch of ARC Raiders, the CEO of Embark Studios' parent company Nexon shares his views on AI.
automaton-media.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:42 AM
No.
Even though I have little extra time, I've been thinking abt revisiting my "Unlearn Unity" video from a while back and turning it into a video tutorial series with visual/code examples.
I've been doing a bit more consulting and mentorship lately, and it's shown me there's a need for that "content."
I've been doing a bit more consulting and mentorship lately, and it's shown me there's a need for that "content."
November 12, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Even though I have little extra time, I've been thinking abt revisiting my "Unlearn Unity" video from a while back and turning it into a video tutorial series with visual/code examples.
I've been doing a bit more consulting and mentorship lately, and it's shown me there's a need for that "content."
I've been doing a bit more consulting and mentorship lately, and it's shown me there's a need for that "content."
Just recommend this review to my students when we were discussing “chasing zeitgeist” game design.
For Arc Raiders to ride the wave of human sociability all the way to the bank, while also being so contemptuous of the thing that makes us social animals in its own workflow demonstrates a lack of artistic integrity that I find impossible to ignore.
Our review: https://bit.ly/49bVn01
Our review: https://bit.ly/49bVn01
November 10, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Just recommend this review to my students when we were discussing “chasing zeitgeist” game design.
Reposted by Nicholas O / Essay Games
The quiet contented feeling of folding laundry while kiddos are quietly playing nicely together with a side-of-the-road new toy acquisition.
A good rainy Sunday afternoon.
(Famous last words)
A good rainy Sunday afternoon.
(Famous last words)
November 9, 2025 at 8:20 PM
The quiet contented feeling of folding laundry while kiddos are quietly playing nicely together with a side-of-the-road new toy acquisition.
A good rainy Sunday afternoon.
(Famous last words)
A good rainy Sunday afternoon.
(Famous last words)