Kevin Hovdestad
@hovdestad.ca
Director, Brand Development at CATAN Studio
I’m calling it now, we’re taking the year off from puns in 2026.
November 25, 2025 at 6:05 AM
I’m calling it now, we’re taking the year off from puns in 2026.
Reposted by Kevin Hovdestad
Go a step further: Do not read the opinions of your community. It's creative poison.
Often as game designers we love to make people happy. But if you index too much on making the community, or people in the community, happy, then you're ceding too much of your judgment to them.
Often as game designers we love to make people happy. But if you index too much on making the community, or people in the community, happy, then you're ceding too much of your judgment to them.
One of the producers on Guilty Gear Strive said it was basically impossible to source player feedback on balance changes online because nobody had original opinions and would just parrot what the most popular content creators said and so they had to rely on data and I think about that every day.
November 24, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Go a step further: Do not read the opinions of your community. It's creative poison.
Often as game designers we love to make people happy. But if you index too much on making the community, or people in the community, happy, then you're ceding too much of your judgment to them.
Often as game designers we love to make people happy. But if you index too much on making the community, or people in the community, happy, then you're ceding too much of your judgment to them.
You will only ever find me dressed for comfort on a plane, sorry.
Trump's Transportation Secretary on how to improve air travel:
"People dress up like they're going to bed when they fly... We want to push people as we come into a really busy travel season, help people out, be in a good mood, dress up"
"People dress up like they're going to bed when they fly... We want to push people as we come into a really busy travel season, help people out, be in a good mood, dress up"
November 21, 2025 at 12:11 PM
You will only ever find me dressed for comfort on a plane, sorry.
I’m gonna be a zombie from insufficient sleep, but I’m at PAX Unplugged this weekend! Excited to see a bunch of friends and do a little early Christmas shopping. Come by the CATAN booth during the afternoons or message me if you wanna catch up!
November 21, 2025 at 10:07 AM
I’m gonna be a zombie from insufficient sleep, but I’m at PAX Unplugged this weekend! Excited to see a bunch of friends and do a little early Christmas shopping. Come by the CATAN booth during the afternoons or message me if you wanna catch up!
Reposted by Kevin Hovdestad
we don't just need to be funding small studios to make one game, we need to be funding them to make the ones they can fuck up before they can make the ones they learn from.
The winner takes all-instant hit-meme-flywheel mentality that has completely overtaken the games industry and even #indiedev is poison.
It deteriorates the space for risk and sustainable growth, until all that's left is to to either make slot-machines or slop-machines.
It deteriorates the space for risk and sustainable growth, until all that's left is to to either make slot-machines or slop-machines.
November 14, 2025 at 11:13 AM
we don't just need to be funding small studios to make one game, we need to be funding them to make the ones they can fuck up before they can make the ones they learn from.
Reposted by Kevin Hovdestad
A reminder that for every billion dollars made on PC gaming, Newell pockets $300m.
He keeps out of the public eye better than some billionaires, but he is still a libertarian billionaire, and billionaires should not exist.
He keeps out of the public eye better than some billionaires, but he is still a libertarian billionaire, and billionaires should not exist.
Gabe Newell Just Bought a New $500 Million Yacht With a Basketball Court and '15 Gaming Stations'
insider-gaming.com/gabe-newell-...
insider-gaming.com/gabe-newell-...
Gabe Newell Just Bought a New $500 Million Yacht With a Basketball Court and '15 Gaming Stations'
Gabe Newell, the co-founder of Valve, just took receipt of a $500 million yacht with a staggering amount of equipment on board.
insider-gaming.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:43 PM
A reminder that for every billion dollars made on PC gaming, Newell pockets $300m.
He keeps out of the public eye better than some billionaires, but he is still a libertarian billionaire, and billionaires should not exist.
He keeps out of the public eye better than some billionaires, but he is still a libertarian billionaire, and billionaires should not exist.
My incredible friend @joneaves.bsky.social is going to do superhuman things and cycle 1,000km for childhood cancer research, and he’s incredibly close to his fundraising goal. Help push him over the top?
live-for-lily-foundation.grassrootz.com/act-to-mcg/j...
live-for-lily-foundation.grassrootz.com/act-to-mcg/j...
Jon Eaves in ACT to MCG
Hi there
I am riding over 1000km in the 2026 Ride for Lily, to fundraise $5000 to help Live for Lily Foundation fund research in to childhood cancer.
I turn 60 in 2026, which is a pretty awesome t...
live-for-lily-foundation.grassrootz.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:11 AM
My incredible friend @joneaves.bsky.social is going to do superhuman things and cycle 1,000km for childhood cancer research, and he’s incredibly close to his fundraising goal. Help push him over the top?
live-for-lily-foundation.grassrootz.com/act-to-mcg/j...
live-for-lily-foundation.grassrootz.com/act-to-mcg/j...
Reposted by Kevin Hovdestad
Even the island got a good look at the beautiful northern lights! 🥰🌌
November 14, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Even the island got a good look at the beautiful northern lights! 🥰🌌
Reposted by Kevin Hovdestad
Just fucking insane to see the absolute (intentional) collapse of full remote jobs available for AAA studios in so short a time. Why would I EVER move for a job again when I could be laid off weeks after moving my entire life across the globe??
November 14, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Just fucking insane to see the absolute (intentional) collapse of full remote jobs available for AAA studios in so short a time. Why would I EVER move for a job again when I could be laid off weeks after moving my entire life across the globe??
Reposted by Kevin Hovdestad
Well, it's a little clearer now why billionaires are so invested in technology that produces better written emails.
November 12, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Well, it's a little clearer now why billionaires are so invested in technology that produces better written emails.
Reposted by Kevin Hovdestad
My AI strategy? That’s a great question. It’s a nuanced topic that calls for a multipronged approach best outlined in this excellent ebook by thought leaders in the field of intelligence:
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26184
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26184
Simple Sabotage Field Manual by United States. Office of Strategic Services
Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by volunteers.
www.gutenberg.org
November 12, 2025 at 11:30 PM
My AI strategy? That’s a great question. It’s a nuanced topic that calls for a multipronged approach best outlined in this excellent ebook by thought leaders in the field of intelligence:
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26184
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26184
The people opposed to the Microsoft/Sony/Apple/Google walled gardens sure are falling all over themselves to support the Valve one.
Call me if Valve cuts the portion of revenues they're taking from developers, then we'll talk.
Call me if Valve cuts the portion of revenues they're taking from developers, then we'll talk.
November 12, 2025 at 6:53 PM
The people opposed to the Microsoft/Sony/Apple/Google walled gardens sure are falling all over themselves to support the Valve one.
Call me if Valve cuts the portion of revenues they're taking from developers, then we'll talk.
Call me if Valve cuts the portion of revenues they're taking from developers, then we'll talk.
Twitch Plays CATAN is live! Give it a click if you have a few minutes tonight. 🤩
www.twitch.tv/directory/co...
www.twitch.tv/directory/co...
Twitch Plays Catan presented by Charles Schwab - Twitch
Twitch is the world's leading video platform and community for gamers.
www.twitch.tv
November 11, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Twitch Plays CATAN is live! Give it a click if you have a few minutes tonight. 🤩
www.twitch.tv/directory/co...
www.twitch.tv/directory/co...
Reposted by Kevin Hovdestad
“individual employees asked to change behavior in response to catastrophic mistakes made by their high-level leadership over the past 3-7 years” really feels like the overarching story of the current times
"Store employees are now required to smile if they are within 10 feet of a shopper.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
Target is now requiring its employees to smile more
As the holiday season fast approaches, Target is urging its employees to add a little more “jolly” to their work routine.
www.wilx.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:44 AM
“individual employees asked to change behavior in response to catastrophic mistakes made by their high-level leadership over the past 3-7 years” really feels like the overarching story of the current times
Reposted by Kevin Hovdestad
capitalism rules, I love doing extensive research any time I need to replace something because roughly 94% of all products are scam garbage
November 7, 2025 at 11:51 AM
capitalism rules, I love doing extensive research any time I need to replace something because roughly 94% of all products are scam garbage
We're back! Join us Monday, Wednesday, and Friday next week for the first-ever Twitch Plays CATAN event.
November 6, 2025 at 9:56 PM
We're back! Join us Monday, Wednesday, and Friday next week for the first-ever Twitch Plays CATAN event.
Reposted by Kevin Hovdestad
i hate it when something is described as "inscrutable." you have no idea the types of things im able to scrute
November 5, 2025 at 9:40 PM
i hate it when something is described as "inscrutable." you have no idea the types of things im able to scrute
Reposted by Kevin Hovdestad
The new
@Formula1
driver obsession - Catan 👀🎴
@Formula1
driver obsession - Catan 👀🎴
October 30, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The new
@Formula1
driver obsession - Catan 👀🎴
@Formula1
driver obsession - Catan 👀🎴
“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”
November 5, 2025 at 2:17 AM
“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”
You could honestly boil this down to even fewer bullets, IMO:
1. Failure to delegate (this covers all of the "approval" or "direction" issues)
2. Not prioritizing retention (turnover has *enormous* hidden costs)
3. Lack of transparency (this is where weak direction and decision-making live)
1. Failure to delegate (this covers all of the "approval" or "direction" issues)
2. Not prioritizing retention (turnover has *enormous* hidden costs)
3. Lack of transparency (this is where weak direction and decision-making live)
How poor leadership slows down game development
How poor leadership slows down game development
No tool—AI or otherwise—can speed up game development if leaders don't rise to the occasion.
www.gamedeveloper.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:36 PM
You could honestly boil this down to even fewer bullets, IMO:
1. Failure to delegate (this covers all of the "approval" or "direction" issues)
2. Not prioritizing retention (turnover has *enormous* hidden costs)
3. Lack of transparency (this is where weak direction and decision-making live)
1. Failure to delegate (this covers all of the "approval" or "direction" issues)
2. Not prioritizing retention (turnover has *enormous* hidden costs)
3. Lack of transparency (this is where weak direction and decision-making live)
Reposted by Kevin Hovdestad
GAME ON! 😤🏀 We are THRILLED to announce our sponsorship of the Minnesota @timberwolves for the 2026 NBA season! This was a natural partnership alongside our MN headquarters and we cannot wait to start trading timber for wolves! A-wooo! 🪵🐺 #catan #nba #minnesotatimberwolves
November 3, 2025 at 8:29 PM
GAME ON! 😤🏀 We are THRILLED to announce our sponsorship of the Minnesota @timberwolves for the 2026 NBA season! This was a natural partnership alongside our MN headquarters and we cannot wait to start trading timber for wolves! A-wooo! 🪵🐺 #catan #nba #minnesotatimberwolves
Sometimes, we come up with partnership ideas that are a slam dunk.
Trading w̶o̶o̶d̶ timber for s̶h̶e̶e̶p̶ wolves.
www.nba.com/timberwolves...
Trading w̶o̶o̶d̶ timber for s̶h̶e̶e̶p̶ wolves.
www.nba.com/timberwolves...
November 3, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Sometimes, we come up with partnership ideas that are a slam dunk.
Trading w̶o̶o̶d̶ timber for s̶h̶e̶e̶p̶ wolves.
www.nba.com/timberwolves...
Trading w̶o̶o̶d̶ timber for s̶h̶e̶e̶p̶ wolves.
www.nba.com/timberwolves...
Reposted by Kevin Hovdestad
INVENTOR: ive got a great new toy idea for you, it's called... the Radio Flyer
TOY EXEC: oh wow, so it's like a plane that flies via... radio?
INVENTOR: it's not a plane
TOY EXEC: oh...Kay, so it's
INVENTOR: its a little red wagon
TOY EXEC: with ... a radio on it?
INVENTOR: theres no radio
TOY EXEC: oh wow, so it's like a plane that flies via... radio?
INVENTOR: it's not a plane
TOY EXEC: oh...Kay, so it's
INVENTOR: its a little red wagon
TOY EXEC: with ... a radio on it?
INVENTOR: theres no radio
November 2, 2025 at 2:52 AM
INVENTOR: ive got a great new toy idea for you, it's called... the Radio Flyer
TOY EXEC: oh wow, so it's like a plane that flies via... radio?
INVENTOR: it's not a plane
TOY EXEC: oh...Kay, so it's
INVENTOR: its a little red wagon
TOY EXEC: with ... a radio on it?
INVENTOR: theres no radio
TOY EXEC: oh wow, so it's like a plane that flies via... radio?
INVENTOR: it's not a plane
TOY EXEC: oh...Kay, so it's
INVENTOR: its a little red wagon
TOY EXEC: with ... a radio on it?
INVENTOR: theres no radio
Reposted by Kevin Hovdestad
GET IN THE QUEUE
The new
@Formula1
driver obsession - Catan 👀🎴
@Formula1
driver obsession - Catan 👀🎴
October 30, 2025 at 3:44 PM
GET IN THE QUEUE
