Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · 7d

Enemies in general feel faster and more aggressive, but the game gives you better tools to deal with them like casts that slow enemies. You play as a witch in this game after all, not a warrior like Zagreus was.

Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · 7d

It might be because I played a lot of Hades so I was a lot more familiar with that game (and had more upgrades), but Hades II feels a lot harder. Which it could be, since this game is aimed at people who already played and beat the first one. Game is very good though.

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · 8d

(Epilepsy warning, probably.)
I think I won Maze Mice.

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · 11d

I use my fight stick for platformers and other 2D games all the time, it's great fun. Would do the same for leverless as a way to get used to it, plus it just feels great.

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · 11d

It was a great tournament run for everyone here, love to see the SSF vs SSF grand finals.

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · 20d

And here's Nintendo in August increasing prices for the Switch 1 (not 2) in the US "based on market conditions" which is somehow even dumber.

In all three cases, call them what they are. Taxes that the US government is choosing to impose on you for imports.

Nintendo Switch Pricing Update - News - Nintendo Official Site

Pricing for the original Nintendo Switch™ family of systems and products will change in the United States based on market conditions, effective August 3, 2025. These include Nintendo Switch – OLED Mod...

www.nintendo.com

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · 20d

To not exclusively throw shade at Microsoft, here's Sony's similar statement when they increased the price of Playstations in August due to "a challenging economic environment."
Again, come out and say exactly why you're increasing prices.

PlayStation 5 price changes in the U.S.

New prices effective starting on August 21.

blog.playstation.com

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · 20d

Some people still somehow don't understand that a tariff is an import tax, not a bill that you send the other country for sending their goods over. Especially where there is no alternative good that's produced in your country. Call them what they are so people can feel it directly in their wallets.

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · 20d

Price increase for Xbox consoles in the US "due to changes in the macroeconomic environment."
Look, if you're going to be vague about it, you're part of the problem. Just say what it is, tariffs being imposed by the current administration are increasing the price in the form of an import tax.🧵

Xbox Support

support.xbox.com

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Reposted by Jacob Vela

Studio Vela- STAR RIFT SAGA is available now! @studiovela.bsky.social · 24d

Star Rift Saga is on sale for 20% off for a week long deal on Steam!
You can also pick up one of the bundles on the store page for an additional discount on other items.

Save 20% on Star Rift Saga on Steam

Embark on a Metroidvanian journey across a mysterious alien world where every ability unlocks new secrets and every corner hides danger or discovery. Fight enemies and bosses across multiple biomes, c...

store.steampowered.com

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · 27d

This is becoming progressively more common. In some genres (fighting games) it's not a good sign if DLC is NOT announced before launch.
Feels worse somehow when it's a non-competitive game like an RPG though. Like they're selling part of a game instead of making new content.

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · 28d

Mike made a pretty bold assumption here about my brain not exploding, but I do appreciate being called an indie dev daredevil.
I was on Mike's podcast where I talked about the basics of what indie devs should know about the law. Give it a listen so I can do it again and talk about other topics.

A thumbnail for the podcast with Phoenix Wright pointing to the words trademark, copyright, and patents. Beneath is text.

Hello, friend!!
Okay, I know what you're thinking. "Mike, legal stuff? Really? That's about as exciting as watching paint dry on a rainy Tuesday." But hold up! This week's conversation with Jacob Vela completely changed how I think about the legal side of game development, and I'm genuinely excited to share it with you.
Jacob has somehow managed to become both a lawyer AND release his own indie game (Star Rift Saga) without his brain exploding. He's basically an indie dev version of Dare Devil, and today he is here to make all this IP and contract stuff actually make sense!

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · 28d

I had a good time! You're making a cool show that's a good experience to be a guest on.

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Reposted by Jacob Vela

Studio Vela- STAR RIFT SAGA is available now! @studiovela.bsky.social · Sep 6

Work has begun on Star Rift Saga's 1.1 content update.
Here's a preview of a new robot that will appear in translocator rooms.

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · Sep 6

Someone else did the edit, actually! I just captured footage and had some general ideas.

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · Sep 6

I'm pretty happy with how the trailer for Star Rift Saga came out, even though looking at it now a good amount of the art has been updated between this being cut and release.
youtu.be/mKGVuYlQA0Y?...

Star Rift Saga Gameplay Trailer | Release Date and Demo

YouTube video by Studio Vela

youtu.be

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · Sep 5

Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · Sep 4

I actually think something more like a tac shooter is the better baseline. Fight the other team, get upgrades, get stronger, get bigger objectives.

Laser tag design jam when? Would play all of the above.

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · Sep 4

Make them learn this MOBA (Multiplayer Offline Battle Arena) through the age-old tutorial of some staff member reading through the instructions real quick five minutes before they get into the arena. They'll be fine!

On the other hand, laser tag wands.

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · Sep 3

I'm out here wishing for better objectives and reentry systems in laser tag, and you're thinking of how to turn it into the coolest larping ever.
Would play your convoluted laser tag vision, even if it confuses young kids and their parents playing with them alike.

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · Aug 21

I came across this trailer last night and I have rarely needed a game beamed straight into my eye holes so immediately as this one. The opening made me think Star Fox, and the gameplay confirmed everything I look for out of that.
Hey @chuhailabs.com, I need a release date ASAP.

Wild Blue | Gameplay Trailer | PC & Xbox Series X|S

YouTube video by Chuhai Labs

www.youtube.com

Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · Aug 19

Okay yeah, Kirby Air Riders seems like it's building on that prototype. It sure is Air Ride, but again. And more. Which is what fans have wanted. I have my reservations, but game looks solid.
Love how many of the visual effects were seemingly pulled straight from Smash. Efficient.

Kirby Air Riders art showing Kirby, Meta Knight, Dedede, and Bandana De riding towards the center of the screen.

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · Aug 18

Hot take: I think the original Kirby Air Ride is only alright.

It's still fun, but mostly a good prototype for different ideas rather than a great game on its own merits.

Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · Aug 12

I have no idea how Game Changer is going to get any wilder for their next season, but I'm excited to find out.

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Jacob Vela @jacobvela.bsky.social · Jul 31

Rivals of Aether is also an example of being inspired by Smash without just imitating it. It takes the ideas and builds on them differently, in terms of systems and character designs.
Rivals 2 does err closer to Smash more with the addition of shields and ledges, but still does unique things.