Paul Kilduff-Taylor
@mode7games.bsky.social
Indie games // Electronic music // Words
Mode 7 // nervous_testpilot + _ensnare_ // Mode Collapse
modecollapse.com - read my words about things
mode7.games - games
nervoustestpilot.com - music
Mode 7 // nervous_testpilot + _ensnare_ // Mode Collapse
modecollapse.com - read my words about things
mode7.games - games
nervoustestpilot.com - music
There's always been a strange mischaracterisation that those of us who have consistently pushed for games to be culturally aligned with other forms of media are just doing so to be pretentious wanks. I *am* a pretentious wank but that's not my motivation - games need cultural support.
Unvarnished truth. This is the one area where I give a crap about games being taken seriously ‘as an artform’.. because as it stands, funds are limited, and frankly select for charlatans.
If you’re unwilling to lie about a 10x return, you’re fucked. So liars get funded
If you’re unwilling to lie about a 10x return, you’re fucked. So liars get funded
The UK videogames sector seems to be facing a duality:
On one hand, it is trying to convince investors that it's a high-growth, low-risk sector so that it raises financing.
On the other hand, it is trying to convince government that it's suffering from market failure, so it receives funding. 1/9
On one hand, it is trying to convince investors that it's a high-growth, low-risk sector so that it raises financing.
On the other hand, it is trying to convince government that it's suffering from market failure, so it receives funding. 1/9
January 26, 2026 at 4:53 PM
There's always been a strange mischaracterisation that those of us who have consistently pushed for games to be culturally aligned with other forms of media are just doing so to be pretentious wanks. I *am* a pretentious wank but that's not my motivation - games need cultural support.
Reposted by Paul Kilduff-Taylor
So one interesting thing about the design of TR-49 I should stick in a talk somewhere: the VO dialogue isn't a branching tree. Like, at all. It's actually the same conversation model as Heaven's Vault: a bucket of content, roughly prioritised, driven by a what-do-you knowledge model. This gives:
January 24, 2026 at 6:22 PM
So one interesting thing about the design of TR-49 I should stick in a talk somewhere: the VO dialogue isn't a branching tree. Like, at all. It's actually the same conversation model as Heaven's Vault: a bucket of content, roughly prioritised, driven by a what-do-you knowledge model. This gives:
You hear this advice all the time because a) it is correct and b) Git is so incredibly annoying that it's always tempting not to use it
Every so often I hear of indie studios working without version control systems, and I am shocked and appalled. This is seriously dangerous and you should stop immediately and get your shit sorted. Perforce or GitHub are right there, they're free for small teams, go use them NOW.
January 24, 2026 at 11:47 AM
You hear this advice all the time because a) it is correct and b) Git is so incredibly annoying that it's always tempting not to use it
Can't remember where I read this but isn't there a thing where people consistently see "elf machinery" that is running everything behind the scenes? Sounds quite reassuring tbh
Amazing article, 2 thoughts
1) absolute cosmic horror fuel (as per Ethan’s note)
2) they gave it to mice. Did the mice see mouse-sized people or even tinier mice?
1) absolute cosmic horror fuel (as per Ethan’s note)
2) they gave it to mice. Did the mice see mouse-sized people or even tinier mice?
Fascinating. Also....what if the tiny people are real and all around us and the mushrooms just let us see them.
January 23, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Can't remember where I read this but isn't there a thing where people consistently see "elf machinery" that is running everything behind the scenes? Sounds quite reassuring tbh
Reposted by Paul Kilduff-Taylor
Destroy All Monsters (1968)
January 22, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Destroy All Monsters (1968)
*Exceptional* thumbnail work from @jesawyer.bsky.social - never has such pragmatic insight been accompanied by such fucking horrendous visuals
January 22, 2026 at 6:48 PM
*Exceptional* thumbnail work from @jesawyer.bsky.social - never has such pragmatic insight been accompanied by such fucking horrendous visuals
A moment of sympathy for cinema workers in the UK right now at locations that are showing both Hamnet and the National Theatre production of Hamlet
January 22, 2026 at 5:18 PM
A moment of sympathy for cinema workers in the UK right now at locations that are showing both Hamnet and the National Theatre production of Hamlet
Reposted by Paul Kilduff-Taylor
It's a good bundle
The ultimate pixel bundle has been created! @ant-workshop.com's Into the Restless Ruins + @trampolinetales.com's Luck be a Landlord is now available in a glorious bundle over on Steam.
store.steampowered.com/bundle/66640...
store.steampowered.com/bundle/66640...
January 19, 2026 at 3:17 PM
It's a good bundle
Incredible foley moment from Heat
January 18, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Incredible foley moment from Heat
If you think institutional knowledge decay is bad in AAA wait until you hear about indie game dev
This is probably the most sensible thing a game dev has ever said.
January 16, 2026 at 11:24 AM
If you think institutional knowledge decay is bad in AAA wait until you hear about indie game dev
Reposted by Paul Kilduff-Taylor
Sometimes a game trailer comes out and demands your full attention. This is one of those times.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnVb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnVb...
Obey The Insect God - Official Trailer
YouTube video by GameTrailers
www.youtube.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Sometimes a game trailer comes out and demands your full attention. This is one of those times.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnVb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnVb...
Reposted by Paul Kilduff-Taylor
HEY HEY it's NEWS 'O CLOCK.
'EARTH MUST DIE' is coming out on the 27th of Jan, which is alarmingly soon!
Please pop over here and wishlist it, and do share if you're able. Thank you.
store.steampowered.com/app/3639780/...
'EARTH MUST DIE' is coming out on the 27th of Jan, which is alarmingly soon!
Please pop over here and wishlist it, and do share if you're able. Thank you.
store.steampowered.com/app/3639780/...
January 14, 2026 at 5:02 PM
HEY HEY it's NEWS 'O CLOCK.
'EARTH MUST DIE' is coming out on the 27th of Jan, which is alarmingly soon!
Please pop over here and wishlist it, and do share if you're able. Thank you.
store.steampowered.com/app/3639780/...
'EARTH MUST DIE' is coming out on the 27th of Jan, which is alarmingly soon!
Please pop over here and wishlist it, and do share if you're able. Thank you.
store.steampowered.com/app/3639780/...
Minor rant: it frustrates me that in film something like the 80's pop soundtrack and Daniel Lopatin's ace electronic score for Marty Supreme is accepted but if you score a game in anything other than a hyperliteral way the gamers are immediately spinning in their chairs about how it "doesn't fit"
January 13, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Minor rant: it frustrates me that in film something like the 80's pop soundtrack and Daniel Lopatin's ace electronic score for Marty Supreme is accepted but if you score a game in anything other than a hyperliteral way the gamers are immediately spinning in their chairs about how it "doesn't fit"
Wow that must be like...really hard for you
January 13, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Wow that must be like...really hard for you
2025 was a real mixed bag of a year for me but definitely net positive. Bunch of music completed (Amberspire and Timelake); some of it released (Knights in Tight Spaces and Siegecaster) which is always something I'm happy about.
New big game dev project coming in 2026 - more soon.
New big game dev project coming in 2026 - more soon.
December 31, 2025 at 8:13 PM
2025 was a real mixed bag of a year for me but definitely net positive. Bunch of music completed (Amberspire and Timelake); some of it released (Knights in Tight Spaces and Siegecaster) which is always something I'm happy about.
New big game dev project coming in 2026 - more soon.
New big game dev project coming in 2026 - more soon.
Reposted by Paul Kilduff-Taylor
Bad at the old self-promotion thing, aren't I. You've got a couple more days to preorder the deluxe edition: www.lostincult.co.uk/simogo
December 31, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Bad at the old self-promotion thing, aren't I. You've got a couple more days to preorder the deluxe edition: www.lostincult.co.uk/simogo
If you are a cultural critic referring to a technical process in your work, then taking 30 minutes to talk to someone who *actually employs that process for a practical purpose* could save you from the big embarrassing sustained fart noise that overwhelms all your subsequent points
December 29, 2025 at 8:13 PM
If you are a cultural critic referring to a technical process in your work, then taking 30 minutes to talk to someone who *actually employs that process for a practical purpose* could save you from the big embarrassing sustained fart noise that overwhelms all your subsequent points
Reposted by Paul Kilduff-Taylor
I haven't been shouting about Highrook as much as I should have this autumn/winter, but this was a nice reminder to do so!
Go buy my cosmic horror narrative board/card game thing! 30% off, thats basically a tenner (UK folk)!
Go buy my cosmic horror narrative board/card game thing! 30% off, thats basically a tenner (UK folk)!
Happy Holidays folks!
ScreenHub just listed Highrook as one of its top ten indies for 2025!
www.screenhub.com.au/news/feature...
Coincidentally you can get the game for 30% off right now!
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
ScreenHub just listed Highrook as one of its top ten indies for 2025!
www.screenhub.com.au/news/feature...
Coincidentally you can get the game for 30% off right now!
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
The 10 best indie video games of 2025 | ScreenHub: Film, TV, Streaming and Games
The best indie video games of 2025 include a god-fighting roguelike, manor mystery puzzlers, a quirky open world adventure, and more.
www.screenhub.com.au
December 19, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I haven't been shouting about Highrook as much as I should have this autumn/winter, but this was a nice reminder to do so!
Go buy my cosmic horror narrative board/card game thing! 30% off, thats basically a tenner (UK folk)!
Go buy my cosmic horror narrative board/card game thing! 30% off, thats basically a tenner (UK folk)!
Reposted by Paul Kilduff-Taylor
GET EVERY STRANGE SCAFFOLD GAME FOR LESS THAN $60 BUCKS IN THE STEAM WINTER SALE
*13* DANG GAMES OF WILD VARIETY AND AMBITION--AND DISCOUNTS ON EVERYTHING ELSE WE DO GOING FORWARD
MAYBE CHECK IT OUT BECAUSE THAT'S A WILD DEAL???
store.steampowered.com/bundle/35090...
*13* DANG GAMES OF WILD VARIETY AND AMBITION--AND DISCOUNTS ON EVERYTHING ELSE WE DO GOING FORWARD
MAYBE CHECK IT OUT BECAUSE THAT'S A WILD DEAL???
store.steampowered.com/bundle/35090...
December 18, 2025 at 7:27 PM
GET EVERY STRANGE SCAFFOLD GAME FOR LESS THAN $60 BUCKS IN THE STEAM WINTER SALE
*13* DANG GAMES OF WILD VARIETY AND AMBITION--AND DISCOUNTS ON EVERYTHING ELSE WE DO GOING FORWARD
MAYBE CHECK IT OUT BECAUSE THAT'S A WILD DEAL???
store.steampowered.com/bundle/35090...
*13* DANG GAMES OF WILD VARIETY AND AMBITION--AND DISCOUNTS ON EVERYTHING ELSE WE DO GOING FORWARD
MAYBE CHECK IT OUT BECAUSE THAT'S A WILD DEAL???
store.steampowered.com/bundle/35090...
This looks rad
reminder you can sign up to be notified when it launches here
Sign up for news about the Game Writing Kaleidoscope
In early 2026 we’ll be publishing The Game Narrative Kaleidoscope, a collection of over 100 short essays by game writers about writing.
Featuring some very famous names, some highly experienced free...
forms.gle
December 17, 2025 at 9:26 PM
This looks rad
Reposted by Paul Kilduff-Taylor
12 original tracks by nervous_testpilot accompany you as you guide your exiles to safety in The Banished Vault. Its soundtrack embodies the soul of the game, with moody, ambient pieces that reflect the loneliness of outer space and the fear of what you still might stand to lose.
December 12, 2025 at 4:05 PM
12 original tracks by nervous_testpilot accompany you as you guide your exiles to safety in The Banished Vault. Its soundtrack embodies the soul of the game, with moody, ambient pieces that reflect the loneliness of outer space and the fear of what you still might stand to lose.
Reposted by Paul Kilduff-Taylor
@mode7games.bsky.social and DREAMTRAK absolutely killed on the music for The Banished Vault. go pick it up here nervoustestpilot.bandcamp.com/album/the-ba...
December 12, 2025 at 8:06 PM
@mode7games.bsky.social and DREAMTRAK absolutely killed on the music for The Banished Vault. go pick it up here nervoustestpilot.bandcamp.com/album/the-ba...
No incentive for posting this other than the fact that they are ace and their products are fab - if you are even tangentially interested in synths you should look into @kilohearts.com Phase Plant for $99 right now - rocks for the basics; opens up into a modular world
kilohearts.com/products/pha...
kilohearts.com/products/pha...
Kilohearts Phase Plant - New Era Synthesis
Phase Plant is a multi-award-winning, semi-modular softsynth developed for music producers and sound designers. A free 10-day trial is available.
kilohearts.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:41 AM
No incentive for posting this other than the fact that they are ace and their products are fab - if you are even tangentially interested in synths you should look into @kilohearts.com Phase Plant for $99 right now - rocks for the basics; opens up into a modular world
kilohearts.com/products/pha...
kilohearts.com/products/pha...
Yes thank you I *will* self-importantly point out that I got a lovely shout-out from @destructoid.bsky.social for my Knights in Tight Spaces soundtrack, calling it "wicked" no less. Made my day - thank you!
www.destructoid.com/despite-the-...
www.destructoid.com/despite-the-...
Despite the hefty dose of video game music, Spotify Wrapped pegged me as a 57-year-old
When do I get to sing 'My Way'?
www.destructoid.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Yes thank you I *will* self-importantly point out that I got a lovely shout-out from @destructoid.bsky.social for my Knights in Tight Spaces soundtrack, calling it "wicked" no less. Made my day - thank you!
www.destructoid.com/despite-the-...
www.destructoid.com/despite-the-...
Reposted by Paul Kilduff-Taylor
Do you like narrative incremental games with about repetitive jobs for mysterious companies? Well then have I got a game for you...
Welcome to Halcyon Dynamics! In your new role you'll be expected to process digits efficiently and build a small well-motivated team. Don't overthink it; they're definitely just digits. A narrative-driven incremental management sim. store.steampowered.com/app/4218750?...
December 3, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Do you like narrative incremental games with about repetitive jobs for mysterious companies? Well then have I got a game for you...