Lowbo | 就是萝卜
@lowbo.io
https://www.lowbo.io/
Senior Game Designer. Formerly Sprocket Games, Riot Games R&D, LoL game modes, etc. 我会说一点中文(普通话)。PNW. 🏳️🌈
Senior Game Designer. Formerly Sprocket Games, Riot Games R&D, LoL game modes, etc. 我会说一点中文(普通话)。PNW. 🏳️🌈
Pinned
Lowbo | 就是萝卜
@lowbo.io
· Sep 19
Lowbo
I'm a game designer powered by curiosity and enthusiasm. Subscribe for occasional thoughts on game design.
www.lowbo.io
Hello again! It's time for a new pinned post. I am between jobs, so I've set up a portfolio website and blog here:
www.lowbo.io
If anything I've ever said here or elsewhere has intrigued you, I'd love suggestions for topics. I do better with a prompt. Hope to see you soon!
www.lowbo.io
If anything I've ever said here or elsewhere has intrigued you, I'd love suggestions for topics. I do better with a prompt. Hope to see you soon!
Another blog post! I wrote about Silksong and “artificial difficulty." (this was totally topical when I wrote the first draft a month and a half ago)
www.lowbo.io/silksong-and...
www.lowbo.io/silksong-and...
Silksong and The Right Kind of Friction
Silksong brought back Difficulty Discourse in force. We've got all the usual hits: accessibility, artistic vision, and a thousand memes. When a single boss inspires a hate subreddit with thousands of ...
lowbo.io
November 6, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Another blog post! I wrote about Silksong and “artificial difficulty." (this was totally topical when I wrote the first draft a month and a half ago)
www.lowbo.io/silksong-and...
www.lowbo.io/silksong-and...
I am often deeply moved by comments on youtube videos of old songs. It may not be the most skilled poetry, but the sincerity of the message is so powerful to me.
October 28, 2025 at 5:46 PM
I am often deeply moved by comments on youtube videos of old songs. It may not be the most skilled poetry, but the sincerity of the message is so powerful to me.
biblically accurate
b̶̗̠̤̙̺̰̙͇͆̀̒̍̀̂́̕ả̶̡̛̛̛̛͎͔̟̯̤͑̈͐̌̈́̄̓͆̓͛̎͌͛͋͑̆̇̄͐͋̋͊̓̋̊͐̍͗̓͒̆̊̓̂͆̀̾̇̑̈́́͊̾̚͘͘̚̕͝͝͠s̷̢̢̢̧̡̝͖̮͉̰̯̫̮̪̳̲͕̯̟͉̮͚̙͚͓͕̫̣̦͔͓̺̫̻̤̲͆͒̾͂͌̐̑͊̈́͒͛̆̊̍̌͛̇̇̍̾͗̎͐͑̆͒̓̀́̏͊̓̈́͋̓̐͂͘͜͝͝͠͝͝e̴̡̡̡̘̲̺̥͎̥̭͙̲̪̱͔̞͔̠͖̞̞̦̱͉̤̭̼̗͖̥͕͕͙̦̹̠͙͓̤̰͎̼̱̪̹͉̱̞͉̯̠̜͎͙̗͖̣͒̊̒̌͒͗̓̀͗͒͐̽̈̔̑̆͑͑̆̀̀̒̉̿̕̕͜͜͜ͅͅb̷̧̡̪̺̯̱͍͚̻͕̗̬͓̞̈́̈́̽̋̑̈́͒̓́̒̓̇̀̾̕͝a̶̧̢̦͕̗͔͓͙̦̜̬̯̟͉̪̱̮̲͍̻̹͓͍̪̦̥͎̩̫͉͈͙̰̹̞̯̭͔̩̹͛̅͗̑̂̋̍͌͒́̈̆̚͜ͅͅḻ̵̢̢̧̢̨̧̟̗̖̰͇̦̺͕̫̖͈͎͈̪̺̗͚̖̱͎̞͚̥͇̺̱̜͛̃̀̂̾̆̈͝ͅļ̴̧̨̬͔̱͎̳̬͉̘̝̻̹͔͓͍͈̙̣̳̝̗͙͉̬̭̦̗̥̜̠̘̯̯͖̜̠̦̱̰̱̮̤̣̥̼̯̞̉
October 28, 2025 at 6:42 AM
biblically accurate
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
reading slaughterhouse 5 for the first time and i was absolutely knocked senseless by this passage, which is so true and relevant that it feels like it was pulled from a history book
October 26, 2025 at 6:01 PM
reading slaughterhouse 5 for the first time and i was absolutely knocked senseless by this passage, which is so true and relevant that it feels like it was pulled from a history book
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
so I am obviously biased but if you’re interested in smart thinking about game design I think this starter pack is your best quick resource on social media for it. sorry in advance for my contribution of all the animal pics to it.
Hello, Bluesky! If you love thinking, talking, and/or writing about game design, check out our starter pack! go.bsky.app/AsBK784 We're an organization committed to tackling the toughest problems in games and sharing what we learn with the world!
October 26, 2025 at 10:11 PM
so I am obviously biased but if you’re interested in smart thinking about game design I think this starter pack is your best quick resource on social media for it. sorry in advance for my contribution of all the animal pics to it.
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
New podcast episode! This week, I talk with @lowbo.io (Benjamin Lindsay), a former Riot game designer who worked on League of Legends and on Riot's illustrious and secretive R&D projects. We talked about Silksong, League of Legends, and what "good game design" even means! makegamesdrinkcoffee.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:33 PM
New podcast episode! This week, I talk with @lowbo.io (Benjamin Lindsay), a former Riot game designer who worked on League of Legends and on Riot's illustrious and secretive R&D projects. We talked about Silksong, League of Legends, and what "good game design" even means! makegamesdrinkcoffee.com
I was on a podcast! :O Was a lot of fun chatting with @nemo10.bsky.social about Silksong, League of Legends, and philosophical approaches to game design. Check it out! youtu.be/DtHTlp5Fvjs
I’m a Certified Yapping Enjoyer so if anybody reading has a podcast, I’d be happy to be on yours too!
I’m a Certified Yapping Enjoyer so if anybody reading has a podcast, I’d be happy to be on yours too!
S1E4 - Benjamin Lindsay - Game Designer (formerly: Riot), "Give Everyone a Cookie!"
YouTube video by Make Games, Drink Coffee
youtu.be
October 23, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I was on a podcast! :O Was a lot of fun chatting with @nemo10.bsky.social about Silksong, League of Legends, and philosophical approaches to game design. Check it out! youtu.be/DtHTlp5Fvjs
I’m a Certified Yapping Enjoyer so if anybody reading has a podcast, I’d be happy to be on yours too!
I’m a Certified Yapping Enjoyer so if anybody reading has a podcast, I’d be happy to be on yours too!
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
I think smaller teams make better games. I think happy people make better games.
I think every studio should be thinking of the team as their #1 product and strength, and the games are the OUTPUT of that team.
People should be trained, given opportunities, given reasons to WANT to be there
I think every studio should be thinking of the team as their #1 product and strength, and the games are the OUTPUT of that team.
People should be trained, given opportunities, given reasons to WANT to be there
October 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I think smaller teams make better games. I think happy people make better games.
I think every studio should be thinking of the team as their #1 product and strength, and the games are the OUTPUT of that team.
People should be trained, given opportunities, given reasons to WANT to be there
I think every studio should be thinking of the team as their #1 product and strength, and the games are the OUTPUT of that team.
People should be trained, given opportunities, given reasons to WANT to be there
1000 MBAs could never prepare you for the reality that people like Good Shit and will reward you for delivering it
dropout, a company that inspires fan loyalty by being full of expert craftspeople who love their craft and care deeply about delivering a good product! imagine!
October 21, 2025 at 7:09 PM
1000 MBAs could never prepare you for the reality that people like Good Shit and will reward you for delivering it
www.instagram.com/reel/DQFKD_w... I feel like I'm going to see a lot writeups about this on how to develop fan loyalty by *performing* authenticity without ever considering *embodying* it
dropouttv on Instagram: "⭐When we announced a price increase earlier this year (for new and returning subscribers ONLY), we saw something strange happen - m…"
⭐When we announced a price increase earlier this year (for new and returning subscribers ONLY), we saw something strange happen - many people were ASKING us to charge them more for their Dropout subscription. We thought about it, and we decided to honor that request (for anyone who wants to). Head over to dropout.tv/superfan to learn more 🌠#dropout #superfan
www.instagram.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:07 PM
www.instagram.com/reel/DQFKD_w... I feel like I'm going to see a lot writeups about this on how to develop fan loyalty by *performing* authenticity without ever considering *embodying* it
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
About this second principle, which is VERY important:
I often find myself designing and tweaking to pre-empt the complaints that I have internalised after years of community management. But when you do that, you're designing for the wrong person. Design it for the sicko who gets you completely
I often find myself designing and tweaking to pre-empt the complaints that I have internalised after years of community management. But when you do that, you're designing for the wrong person. Design it for the sicko who gets you completely
Playtesting Is Play is one I bang on about a lot but that’s maybe not so obviously applicable. Maybe “Don’t make the game for people who won’t like it”. Call it “sickos only” or “every game it’s player”.
What's your number one personal game design principle? And even better - does it have a cool name?
October 21, 2025 at 6:11 PM
About this second principle, which is VERY important:
I often find myself designing and tweaking to pre-empt the complaints that I have internalised after years of community management. But when you do that, you're designing for the wrong person. Design it for the sicko who gets you completely
I often find myself designing and tweaking to pre-empt the complaints that I have internalised after years of community management. But when you do that, you're designing for the wrong person. Design it for the sicko who gets you completely
I open up Reddit and I immediately see a NSFW-ish example of "idea that seems ridiculous at first is in fact very promising"
newatlas.com/disease/butt...
newatlas.com/disease/butt...
October 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I open up Reddit and I immediately see a NSFW-ish example of "idea that seems ridiculous at first is in fact very promising"
newatlas.com/disease/butt...
newatlas.com/disease/butt...
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
For TTRPGs I had something I thought of as the "postcard principle".
"The game's themes and intent should be well-expressed and prominently surfaced by the mechanical rules - ideally it should not be possible to slip a postcard between the two."
"The game's themes and intent should be well-expressed and prominently surfaced by the mechanical rules - ideally it should not be possible to slip a postcard between the two."
What's your number one personal game design principle? And even better - does it have a cool name?
October 21, 2025 at 2:37 PM
For TTRPGs I had something I thought of as the "postcard principle".
"The game's themes and intent should be well-expressed and prominently surfaced by the mechanical rules - ideally it should not be possible to slip a postcard between the two."
"The game's themes and intent should be well-expressed and prominently surfaced by the mechanical rules - ideally it should not be possible to slip a postcard between the two."
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
The TLDR Principle: if it takes more than a couple of short sentences to explain how to play then it’s not going to work as a quick, casual game
What's your number one personal game design principle? And even better - does it have a cool name?
October 21, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The TLDR Principle: if it takes more than a couple of short sentences to explain how to play then it’s not going to work as a quick, casual game
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
People Want To Strangle Horses
Every game should have at least one stranglable horse. It is a desire deeply rooted in the human psyche.
brainmage.itch.io/i-will-stran...
Every game should have at least one stranglable horse. It is a desire deeply rooted in the human psyche.
brainmage.itch.io/i-will-stran...
October 21, 2025 at 2:48 PM
People Want To Strangle Horses
Every game should have at least one stranglable horse. It is a desire deeply rooted in the human psyche.
brainmage.itch.io/i-will-stran...
Every game should have at least one stranglable horse. It is a desire deeply rooted in the human psyche.
brainmage.itch.io/i-will-stran...
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
Not so much a design term as a production term;
Hot List -> A prioritized list of stuff that is broken that really should get fixed before the next build/milestone/playtest.
Hot List -> A prioritized list of stuff that is broken that really should get fixed before the next build/milestone/playtest.
What's your number one personal game design principle? And even better - does it have a cool name?
October 21, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Not so much a design term as a production term;
Hot List -> A prioritized list of stuff that is broken that really should get fixed before the next build/milestone/playtest.
Hot List -> A prioritized list of stuff that is broken that really should get fixed before the next build/milestone/playtest.
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
When it comes to narrative design and game writing, the phrase "story starts with the controller" has been burned into my brain for just about my entire career.
What's your number one personal game design principle? And even better - does it have a cool name?
October 21, 2025 at 4:30 PM
When it comes to narrative design and game writing, the phrase "story starts with the controller" has been burned into my brain for just about my entire career.
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
Meaningful decisions doesn't mean opaque decisions.
What's your number one personal game design principle? And even better - does it have a cool name?
October 21, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Meaningful decisions doesn't mean opaque decisions.
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
This one is kind of silly since it's named after the thing i want to avoid, but "butter sword syndrome" is an issue where your attacks don't feel like they have any impact upon the enemy. I usually try to avoid it by giving the player attacks plenty of push, even against tougher mobs and bosses.
What's your number one personal game design principle? And even better - does it have a cool name?
October 21, 2025 at 5:05 PM
This one is kind of silly since it's named after the thing i want to avoid, but "butter sword syndrome" is an issue where your attacks don't feel like they have any impact upon the enemy. I usually try to avoid it by giving the player attacks plenty of push, even against tougher mobs and bosses.
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
Playtesting Is Play is one I bang on about a lot but that’s maybe not so obviously applicable. Maybe “Don’t make the game for people who won’t like it”. Call it “sickos only” or “every game it’s player”.
What's your number one personal game design principle? And even better - does it have a cool name?
October 21, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Playtesting Is Play is one I bang on about a lot but that’s maybe not so obviously applicable. Maybe “Don’t make the game for people who won’t like it”. Call it “sickos only” or “every game it’s player”.
Oh, this one is huge for me too. The Principle of Charity is vitally important in any philosophical endeavor, which includes game design. This applies both internally and externally - sometimes thinking through an idea that's awful at first will lead to someplace productive.
Imagine the good version.
Life-altering advice from the pal Tom Bissell, I rely on this literally every day and it guides every choice I make. It's easy to assume something won't work, or be too hard. But the second I zoom out and exhale and imagine the good version...the road to victory appears
Life-altering advice from the pal Tom Bissell, I rely on this literally every day and it guides every choice I make. It's easy to assume something won't work, or be too hard. But the second I zoom out and exhale and imagine the good version...the road to victory appears
What's your number one personal game design principle? And even better - does it have a cool name?
October 21, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Oh, this one is huge for me too. The Principle of Charity is vitally important in any philosophical endeavor, which includes game design. This applies both internally and externally - sometimes thinking through an idea that's awful at first will lead to someplace productive.
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
Imagine the good version.
Life-altering advice from the pal Tom Bissell, I rely on this literally every day and it guides every choice I make. It's easy to assume something won't work, or be too hard. But the second I zoom out and exhale and imagine the good version...the road to victory appears
Life-altering advice from the pal Tom Bissell, I rely on this literally every day and it guides every choice I make. It's easy to assume something won't work, or be too hard. But the second I zoom out and exhale and imagine the good version...the road to victory appears
What's your number one personal game design principle? And even better - does it have a cool name?
October 21, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Imagine the good version.
Life-altering advice from the pal Tom Bissell, I rely on this literally every day and it guides every choice I make. It's easy to assume something won't work, or be too hard. But the second I zoom out and exhale and imagine the good version...the road to victory appears
Life-altering advice from the pal Tom Bissell, I rely on this literally every day and it guides every choice I make. It's easy to assume something won't work, or be too hard. But the second I zoom out and exhale and imagine the good version...the road to victory appears
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
I try to write games with rules that leave a gap for the player to fill in; try to provide enough of the shape that they can fill in the gap without it becoming a chore
I don't actually have a name for it but you could call it the "what do you think should go there?" principle
I don't actually have a name for it but you could call it the "what do you think should go there?" principle
What's your number one personal game design principle? And even better - does it have a cool name?
October 21, 2025 at 6:12 PM
I try to write games with rules that leave a gap for the player to fill in; try to provide enough of the shape that they can fill in the gap without it becoming a chore
I don't actually have a name for it but you could call it the "what do you think should go there?" principle
I don't actually have a name for it but you could call it the "what do you think should go there?" principle
Reposted by Lowbo | 就是萝卜
Surprise is a virtue that most gamee lack after the first hour.
What's your number one personal game design principle? And even better - does it have a cool name?
October 21, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Surprise is a virtue that most gamee lack after the first hour.