Jon Ingold
@jon.inkle.co
Narrative @inkle.co he/him
Writer: TR-49 / EXPELLED! / A Highland Song / Heaven's Vault / Overboard! / Over the Alps / Sorcery! / 80 Days. ink co-creator.
Writer: TR-49 / EXPELLED! / A Highland Song / Heaven's Vault / Overboard! / Over the Alps / Sorcery! / 80 Days. ink co-creator.
Pinned
Jon Ingold
@jon.inkle.co
· Oct 18
AdvX 2018 - Jon Ingold - Sparkling Dialogue: A Masterclass
YouTube video by AdventureX
www.youtube.com
Little thread of talks about writing and interactive narrative I've done, so I can pin it here:
First up - Sparkling Dialogue from Adventure X; how to make interactive conversations that have flow and meaning to them
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vRf...
First up - Sparkling Dialogue from Adventure X; how to make interactive conversations that have flow and meaning to them
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vRf...
Reposted by Jon Ingold
There's a new puzzle adventure coming on January 21 from
@inkle.co: "A World War II computer. An archive of lost books. A world-changing secret." We've gotten to try TR-49 already... Let's just say you'll want to wishlist this one ASAP. #indiegames
punishedbacklog.com/inkle-tr-49-...
@inkle.co: "A World War II computer. An archive of lost books. A world-changing secret." We've gotten to try TR-49 already... Let's just say you'll want to wishlist this one ASAP. #indiegames
punishedbacklog.com/inkle-tr-49-...
You Should Be Very Excited for inkle's New Puzzle Game
TR-49, a new game by inkle Studios set to release on January 21, 2026, features a World War II computer and an archive of lost books.
punishedbacklog.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:19 PM
There's a new puzzle adventure coming on January 21 from
@inkle.co: "A World War II computer. An archive of lost books. A world-changing secret." We've gotten to try TR-49 already... Let's just say you'll want to wishlist this one ASAP. #indiegames
punishedbacklog.com/inkle-tr-49-...
@inkle.co: "A World War II computer. An archive of lost books. A world-changing secret." We've gotten to try TR-49 already... Let's just say you'll want to wishlist this one ASAP. #indiegames
punishedbacklog.com/inkle-tr-49-...
Reposted by Jon Ingold
fantastic insights into how to open a game (or even, broadly, a story), with examples that are delightful to unfold and a love for the craft of writing and storytelling that is infectious and propulsive (ingold's specialty).
A short post on the opening lines of a game: how they work, and what they can do. (With examples. Possibly indulgent, but I think the topic is interesting.)
Opening lines
So? How should we begin?
medium.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:49 PM
fantastic insights into how to open a game (or even, broadly, a story), with examples that are delightful to unfold and a love for the craft of writing and storytelling that is infectious and propulsive (ingold's specialty).
Reposted by Jon Ingold
In case you missed it: inkle's next game will be out in less than two weeks.
If our account disappears between then and now, this trailer is why.
If our account disappears between then and now, this trailer is why.
🚨⚠️ Release Date Disclosure! ⚠️🚨
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
TR-49 - Official Trailer
YouTube video by inkleStudios
www.youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:17 PM
In case you missed it: inkle's next game will be out in less than two weeks.
If our account disappears between then and now, this trailer is why.
If our account disappears between then and now, this trailer is why.
A short post on the opening lines of a game: how they work, and what they can do. (With examples. Possibly indulgent, but I think the topic is interesting.)
Opening lines
So? How should we begin?
medium.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:57 AM
A short post on the opening lines of a game: how they work, and what they can do. (With examples. Possibly indulgent, but I think the topic is interesting.)
I have no idea really what the standard setup for voice acting heavy games is, but for A Highland Song we did one session where we recorded scenes as though it was a play - two actors, working off each other. (It was for the goshawk sequences, and if you played the game you’ll know why.)
TR-49 is out on 21st Jan!!!!
It’s the product of the wonderful @inkle.co team and a truly genius idea - but that’s classified for now…
But seriously, I loved working on this last year with @jon.inkle.co and @paulwarren.bsky.social 😊 and from the bits I’ve heard, @pabosher.com is brilliant too!
It’s the product of the wonderful @inkle.co team and a truly genius idea - but that’s classified for now…
But seriously, I loved working on this last year with @jon.inkle.co and @paulwarren.bsky.social 😊 and from the bits I’ve heard, @pabosher.com is brilliant too!
January 8, 2026 at 9:40 PM
I have no idea really what the standard setup for voice acting heavy games is, but for A Highland Song we did one session where we recorded scenes as though it was a play - two actors, working off each other. (It was for the goshawk sequences, and if you played the game you’ll know why.)
Reposted by Jon Ingold
TR-49 is out on 21st Jan!!!!
It’s the product of the wonderful @inkle.co team and a truly genius idea - but that’s classified for now…
But seriously, I loved working on this last year with @jon.inkle.co and @paulwarren.bsky.social 😊 and from the bits I’ve heard, @pabosher.com is brilliant too!
It’s the product of the wonderful @inkle.co team and a truly genius idea - but that’s classified for now…
But seriously, I loved working on this last year with @jon.inkle.co and @paulwarren.bsky.social 😊 and from the bits I’ve heard, @pabosher.com is brilliant too!
🚨⚠️ Release Date Disclosure! ⚠️🚨
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
TR-49 - Official Trailer
YouTube video by inkleStudios
www.youtube.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:52 PM
TR-49 is out on 21st Jan!!!!
It’s the product of the wonderful @inkle.co team and a truly genius idea - but that’s classified for now…
But seriously, I loved working on this last year with @jon.inkle.co and @paulwarren.bsky.social 😊 and from the bits I’ve heard, @pabosher.com is brilliant too!
It’s the product of the wonderful @inkle.co team and a truly genius idea - but that’s classified for now…
But seriously, I loved working on this last year with @jon.inkle.co and @paulwarren.bsky.social 😊 and from the bits I’ve heard, @pabosher.com is brilliant too!
Review of The Flood - “Well written, engaging, melancholic and elegiac without being hopeless, it lives up to the first part of the story and leaves me eager for its conclusion”
To conclude my self-indulgent first week of January best-of-palooza, here are a dozen of my favourite things I read in 2025.
11 from 2025 (and the last 6 weeks of 2024), and one re-read project that had a huge impact on me. Ranging from big-pub bestsellers to the most low fi of self-pub efforts.
11 from 2025 (and the last 6 weeks of 2024), and one re-read project that had a huge impact on me. Ranging from big-pub bestsellers to the most low fi of self-pub efforts.
Favourite books of 2025
Tough year, some great books
borrowed-and-blue.beehiiv.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Review of The Flood - “Well written, engaging, melancholic and elegiac without being hopeless, it lives up to the first part of the story and leaves me eager for its conclusion”
i got an ecard like this once in 1999
accidentally introduced a bug to the game where all the text got replaced with "you"
January 7, 2026 at 1:35 PM
i got an ecard like this once in 1999
Reposted by Jon Ingold
Oh yeah this review gets me <3
Asterism ( @shimmerglitch.bsky.social )
A super sweet handcrafted game, which is also a rock music album. You hate AI and want games made by humans? You won't get any more human than that!
store.steampowered.com/app/2187450/...
A super sweet handcrafted game, which is also a rock music album. You hate AI and want games made by humans? You won't get any more human than that!
store.steampowered.com/app/2187450/...
Save 50% on Asterism on Steam
Immerse yourself in the cosmic symphony of Asterism - a playable indie-rock concept album set in outer space. Follow astronaut Ruby as she embarks on an emotional journey of self-discovery through a s...
store.steampowered.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Oh yeah this review gets me <3
!!! TR-49 trailer is now live !!!
🚨⚠️ Release Date Disclosure! ⚠️🚨
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
TR-49 - Official Trailer
YouTube video by inkleStudios
www.youtube.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:46 PM
!!! TR-49 trailer is now live !!!
Reposted by Jon Ingold
🚨⚠️ Release Date Disclosure! ⚠️🚨
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
TR-49 - Official Trailer
YouTube video by inkleStudios
www.youtube.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:45 PM
🚨⚠️ Release Date Disclosure! ⚠️🚨
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
Reposted by Jon Ingold
Just got off the phone to the lawyer. It's all official. A cup of coffee, and then -- details. As many as we're allowed to give.
Today is the day to tell a strange story.
The long version we'll tell later, but the short version is this. In an attic, in his late great-uncle's house, @jon.inkle.co found a locked trunk. It took twenty years to open. Last summer he did.
Inside was a wiring diagram, and a stack of books.
The long version we'll tell later, but the short version is this. In an attic, in his late great-uncle's house, @jon.inkle.co found a locked trunk. It took twenty years to open. Last summer he did.
Inside was a wiring diagram, and a stack of books.
January 6, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Just got off the phone to the lawyer. It's all official. A cup of coffee, and then -- details. As many as we're allowed to give.
At @adventurex.bsky.social I gave a talk on creating stories from scratch: from idea to full outline, in 25 minutes, with jokes.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
AdventureX 2025 – Talk: Jon Ingold "Always Trade Up: from Inspiration to Storyline"
YouTube video by AdventureX
www.youtube.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:46 PM
At @adventurex.bsky.social I gave a talk on creating stories from scratch: from idea to full outline, in 25 minutes, with jokes.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Reposted by Jon Ingold
Making games is a LOT easier than getting eyeballs on them, lemme tell ya!
Speaking of... our weird bird deckbuilder has a great new free playtest build out:
🦜 Daily flights!
🦩 Tutorial!
🦚 2 playstyles!
🦆 So… many… birds!!!
Join us! Or tell a friend!
store.steampowered.com/app/3473440/...
Speaking of... our weird bird deckbuilder has a great new free playtest build out:
🦜 Daily flights!
🦩 Tutorial!
🦚 2 playstyles!
🦆 So… many… birds!!!
Join us! Or tell a friend!
store.steampowered.com/app/3473440/...
Sparrow Warfare on Steam
Free the birds in fierce strategic deckbuilder SPARROW WARFARE! Combine sets of tiles to progress. Unlock wildtiles to make crazy combos. And lead your magnificent bird army to freedom!
store.steampowered.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Making games is a LOT easier than getting eyeballs on them, lemme tell ya!
Speaking of... our weird bird deckbuilder has a great new free playtest build out:
🦜 Daily flights!
🦩 Tutorial!
🦚 2 playstyles!
🦆 So… many… birds!!!
Join us! Or tell a friend!
store.steampowered.com/app/3473440/...
Speaking of... our weird bird deckbuilder has a great new free playtest build out:
🦜 Daily flights!
🦩 Tutorial!
🦚 2 playstyles!
🦆 So… many… birds!!!
Join us! Or tell a friend!
store.steampowered.com/app/3473440/...
Reposted by Jon Ingold
Wondering which games The Point 'n Clicker is looking forward to the most this year? Take a look at this 2026 adventure game anticipation post!
@inkle.co @losttoken.bsky.social @sparrowland.bsky.social @trueascension.bsky.social @postmodernadv.bsky.social @arumastudios.bsky.social
@inkle.co @losttoken.bsky.social @sparrowland.bsky.social @trueascension.bsky.social @postmodernadv.bsky.social @arumastudios.bsky.social
2026 Adventure game anticipation!
The Point 'n Clicker blogspot adventure game reviews and playthrough posts by Johnny Nys
the-point-n-clicker.blogspot.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Wondering which games The Point 'n Clicker is looking forward to the most this year? Take a look at this 2026 adventure game anticipation post!
@inkle.co @losttoken.bsky.social @sparrowland.bsky.social @trueascension.bsky.social @postmodernadv.bsky.social @arumastudios.bsky.social
@inkle.co @losttoken.bsky.social @sparrowland.bsky.social @trueascension.bsky.social @postmodernadv.bsky.social @arumastudios.bsky.social
Aged 9. Built a “trap“ in the garden - a plank over a pivot with a stone on one end, the idea being a burglar would step on the far end and thus catapult the stone into their head. Decided to test it.
It worked great. Woke up on the sofa; my mother saw me drop and had carried me inside.
It worked great. Woke up on the sofa; my mother saw me drop and had carried me inside.
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 5, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Aged 9. Built a “trap“ in the garden - a plank over a pivot with a stone on one end, the idea being a burglar would step on the far end and thus catapult the stone into their head. Decided to test it.
It worked great. Woke up on the sofa; my mother saw me drop and had carried me inside.
It worked great. Woke up on the sofa; my mother saw me drop and had carried me inside.
Reposted by Jon Ingold
2026 beginning of the year cleaning up files on my PC and found this one a friend send me when working on some code.
Every developer can relate.
#solodev #indiedev #development
Every developer can relate.
#solodev #indiedev #development
January 5, 2026 at 6:22 AM
2026 beginning of the year cleaning up files on my PC and found this one a friend send me when working on some code.
Every developer can relate.
#solodev #indiedev #development
Every developer can relate.
#solodev #indiedev #development
Reposted by Jon Ingold
inkle, one of the best to ever do it in narrative games, tackling the deduction game space makes me very excited
Please bookmark or otherwise the following page on store.steampowered.com to receive updates more efficiently.
TR-49 on Steam
Narrative deduction meets audio drama, from the creators of Heaven’s Vault, Overboard! and A Highland Song.
store.steampowered.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:36 PM
inkle, one of the best to ever do it in narrative games, tackling the deduction game space makes me very excited
Reposted by Jon Ingold
"Narrative deduction meets audio drama, from the creators of Heaven’s Vault, Overboard! and A Highland Song."
Well that's eye-catching.
Well that's eye-catching.
Please bookmark or otherwise the following page on store.steampowered.com to receive updates more efficiently.
TR-49 on Steam
Narrative deduction meets audio drama, from the creators of Heaven’s Vault, Overboard! and A Highland Song.
store.steampowered.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:15 PM
"Narrative deduction meets audio drama, from the creators of Heaven’s Vault, Overboard! and A Highland Song."
Well that's eye-catching.
Well that's eye-catching.
Reposted by Jon Ingold
Inkle are an underrated studio and Pendragon is their most underrated, understood game.
A thoughtful, ultra-heavily branching tactics retelling of Arthurian legend where your *actions* in combat matter as much as dialogue choices. Just moving aggressively towards someone can be read as a threat.
A thoughtful, ultra-heavily branching tactics retelling of Arthurian legend where your *actions* in combat matter as much as dialogue choices. Just moving aggressively towards someone can be read as a threat.
Save 30% on Pendragon: Narrative Tactics on Steam
AD 673. Camelot has fallen. The Round Table must rally to save King Arthur. Narrative strategy game from the creators of 80 DAYS, with elegant tactics and a unique, dynamic story every time you replay...
store.steampowered.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Inkle are an underrated studio and Pendragon is their most underrated, understood game.
A thoughtful, ultra-heavily branching tactics retelling of Arthurian legend where your *actions* in combat matter as much as dialogue choices. Just moving aggressively towards someone can be read as a threat.
A thoughtful, ultra-heavily branching tactics retelling of Arthurian legend where your *actions* in combat matter as much as dialogue choices. Just moving aggressively towards someone can be read as a threat.
Huge if true
January 5, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Huge if true
Struggled through Oppenheimer, one of the dullest films I've ever seen, and it's all built to end on a fairly obvious double meaning.
Can't wait for the final line of the Odyssey. "When you've been to war, coming home can be hard" ? "Strength is a wooden horse, it's what inside that counts" ?
Can't wait for the final line of the Odyssey. "When you've been to war, coming home can be hard" ? "Strength is a wooden horse, it's what inside that counts" ?
January 4, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Struggled through Oppenheimer, one of the dullest films I've ever seen, and it's all built to end on a fairly obvious double meaning.
Can't wait for the final line of the Odyssey. "When you've been to war, coming home can be hard" ? "Strength is a wooden horse, it's what inside that counts" ?
Can't wait for the final line of the Odyssey. "When you've been to war, coming home can be hard" ? "Strength is a wooden horse, it's what inside that counts" ?
Reposted by Jon Ingold
NarraScope call for proposals is open! We're at the University at Albany, June 12-14.
Now accepting:
- Talks
- The Showcase (games)
- The Experience (new this year!)
blog.zarfhome.com/2026/01/narr...
narrascope.org
Now accepting:
- Talks
- The Showcase (games)
- The Experience (new this year!)
blog.zarfhome.com/2026/01/narr...
narrascope.org
NarraScope is open for submissions
Happy New Year! NarraScope is once again calling for talks, games, and -- new this year -- experiences. NarraScope will be in Albany, NY this year (June 12-14), thanks to support from the University a...
blog.zarfhome.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:43 AM
NarraScope call for proposals is open! We're at the University at Albany, June 12-14.
Now accepting:
- Talks
- The Showcase (games)
- The Experience (new this year!)
blog.zarfhome.com/2026/01/narr...
narrascope.org
Now accepting:
- Talks
- The Showcase (games)
- The Experience (new this year!)
blog.zarfhome.com/2026/01/narr...
narrascope.org
Reposted by Jon Ingold
It's finally here:
Eurogamer's 50 best games of 2025, ranked
https://www.eurogamer.net/the-50-best-games-of-2025-ranked
Eurogamer's 50 best games of 2025, ranked
https://www.eurogamer.net/the-50-best-games-of-2025-ranked
December 31, 2025 at 10:01 AM
It's finally here:
Eurogamer's 50 best games of 2025, ranked
https://www.eurogamer.net/the-50-best-games-of-2025-ranked
Eurogamer's 50 best games of 2025, ranked
https://www.eurogamer.net/the-50-best-games-of-2025-ranked