Ragnar Tørnquist
@ragso.bsky.social
Writer and director of video games you probably haven’t heard of, including Dustborn, Draugen and Dreamfall. (Also, in a previous life, The Longest Journey and The Secret World, etc.) Creative person at @redthreadgames.bsky.social Making hellosunshine.app
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
damn what is wrong with me, i am having the hardest time concentrating on work, i lament as i compulsively refresh live feeds of unspeakable horrors
January 17, 2026 at 7:52 PM
damn what is wrong with me, i am having the hardest time concentrating on work, i lament as i compulsively refresh live feeds of unspeakable horrors
Let’s move it to Canada. Canada is real nice and they’re not trying to start a war with us.
If I don’t feel safe going to GDC this year, just imagine how someone who doesn’t look like me feels.
If I don’t feel safe going to GDC this year, just imagine how someone who doesn’t look like me feels.
Yeah every day that goes by the more I agree that GDC needs to move out of the United States.
January 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Let’s move it to Canada. Canada is real nice and they’re not trying to start a war with us.
If I don’t feel safe going to GDC this year, just imagine how someone who doesn’t look like me feels.
If I don’t feel safe going to GDC this year, just imagine how someone who doesn’t look like me feels.
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
Worldbuilding is at the heart of Dustborn. Here’s a look at concept art for three locations, by the brilliant Jeffrey Chew 💛
January 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Worldbuilding is at the heart of Dustborn. Here’s a look at concept art for three locations, by the brilliant Jeffrey Chew 💛
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
I'm always encouraged to see people discover, play, and (hopefully) enjoy Dustborn on their own, after everything, without the dissonance and baggage. Love it, hate it, be conflicted — the honest emotional response is why we keep doing this, even when it feels Sisyphean.
At its core, Dustborn by @redthreadgames.bsky.social is a story about the power of language, words, and ideas. What happens when people are bombarded and infected by ceaseless propaganda? When your thoughts aren’t truly your own? When your words can alter people’s realities?
Dustborn is about who controls the narrative and who gets silenced
At its core, Dustborn is a story about the power of language, words, and ideas. What happens when people are bombarded and infected by ceaseless propaganda? When your thoughts and ideas aren’t trul…
grungegamer.wordpress.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:51 PM
I'm always encouraged to see people discover, play, and (hopefully) enjoy Dustborn on their own, after everything, without the dissonance and baggage. Love it, hate it, be conflicted — the honest emotional response is why we keep doing this, even when it feels Sisyphean.
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
I've been running an indie games studio for 15 years now, and it felt like a good time to boil down what I've learned into 4 pieces of advice:
www.pentadact.com/2026-01-08-1...
I hope it's of use, not least because goddamn I forgot how long blog posts take to write.
www.pentadact.com/2026-01-08-1...
I hope it's of use, not least because goddamn I forgot how long blog posts take to write.
January 8, 2026 at 6:02 PM
I've been running an indie games studio for 15 years now, and it felt like a good time to boil down what I've learned into 4 pieces of advice:
www.pentadact.com/2026-01-08-1...
I hope it's of use, not least because goddamn I forgot how long blog posts take to write.
www.pentadact.com/2026-01-08-1...
I hope it's of use, not least because goddamn I forgot how long blog posts take to write.
It's 2026 and the right-wing trolls are STILL obsessed with Dustborn.
For context: a YouTuber probably forgot to enable streamer mode…which exists specifically to mute licensed background radio tracks.
For context: a YouTuber probably forgot to enable streamer mode…which exists specifically to mute licensed background radio tracks.
January 8, 2026 at 4:08 PM
It's 2026 and the right-wing trolls are STILL obsessed with Dustborn.
For context: a YouTuber probably forgot to enable streamer mode…which exists specifically to mute licensed background radio tracks.
For context: a YouTuber probably forgot to enable streamer mode…which exists specifically to mute licensed background radio tracks.
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
The Death Stranding Award for Game of the Year of the Previous Year that I Played this Year: Dustborn. Red Thread Games put out an awesome narrative driven game in 2024 that got them so much shit from a bunch of fucking losers. Don't be put off, check it out if you're the least bit interested.
January 1, 2026 at 4:10 PM
The Death Stranding Award for Game of the Year of the Previous Year that I Played this Year: Dustborn. Red Thread Games put out an awesome narrative driven game in 2024 that got them so much shit from a bunch of fucking losers. Don't be put off, check it out if you're the least bit interested.
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
At its core, Dustborn by @redthreadgames.bsky.social is a story about the power of language, words, and ideas. What happens when people are bombarded and infected by ceaseless propaganda? When your thoughts aren’t truly your own? When your words can alter people’s realities?
Dustborn is about who controls the narrative and who gets silenced
At its core, Dustborn is a story about the power of language, words, and ideas. What happens when people are bombarded and infected by ceaseless propaganda? When your thoughts and ideas aren’t trul…
grungegamer.wordpress.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:06 PM
At its core, Dustborn by @redthreadgames.bsky.social is a story about the power of language, words, and ideas. What happens when people are bombarded and infected by ceaseless propaganda? When your thoughts aren’t truly your own? When your words can alter people’s realities?
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
My end-of-year Hidden Gems list is up on PC Gamer! They asked me for 15. I did 30. Somehow, Weird Little Guys and The Apocalypse were a theme.
2025 was terrible in every other regard, but the games? Good.
I also just updated my Steam Curator Page with all the stuff in the feature and a few others.
2025 was terrible in every other regard, but the games? Good.
I also just updated my Steam Curator Page with all the stuff in the feature and a few others.
30 hidden gems from 2025 to grab before the Steam Winter Sale ends
2025 was an overwhelming year. Let's savor those positives in unlikely places.
www.pcgamer.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:15 PM
My end-of-year Hidden Gems list is up on PC Gamer! They asked me for 15. I did 30. Somehow, Weird Little Guys and The Apocalypse were a theme.
2025 was terrible in every other regard, but the games? Good.
I also just updated my Steam Curator Page with all the stuff in the feature and a few others.
2025 was terrible in every other regard, but the games? Good.
I also just updated my Steam Curator Page with all the stuff in the feature and a few others.
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
Red Thread Games is 13 years old! Like with any teenager, there have been growing pains and great moments too.
We’re heading into 2026 with cautious optimism. Nothing is guaranteed, but there are real reasons to feel hopeful about where things are going.
Thank you for being here. Happy New Year 💛
We’re heading into 2026 with cautious optimism. Nothing is guaranteed, but there are real reasons to feel hopeful about where things are going.
Thank you for being here. Happy New Year 💛
January 1, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Red Thread Games is 13 years old! Like with any teenager, there have been growing pains and great moments too.
We’re heading into 2026 with cautious optimism. Nothing is guaranteed, but there are real reasons to feel hopeful about where things are going.
Thank you for being here. Happy New Year 💛
We’re heading into 2026 with cautious optimism. Nothing is guaranteed, but there are real reasons to feel hopeful about where things are going.
Thank you for being here. Happy New Year 💛
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
A toast! To the good health of the following billionaires:
January 1, 2026 at 2:04 PM
A toast! To the good health of the following billionaires:
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
We did a blog! Wrapping up the year 2025 — and looking ahead to 2026. www.redthreadgames.com/blog/2025/12...
2025 wrap-up — Red Thread Games
Another year done. And after a Pretty Bad Year, 2025 turned out to be a Pretty Good Year.
www.redthreadgames.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:12 PM
We did a blog! Wrapping up the year 2025 — and looking ahead to 2026. www.redthreadgames.com/blog/2025/12...
We did a blog! Wrapping up the year 2025 — and looking ahead to 2026. www.redthreadgames.com/blog/2025/12...
2025 wrap-up — Red Thread Games
Another year done. And after a Pretty Bad Year, 2025 turned out to be a Pretty Good Year.
www.redthreadgames.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:12 PM
We did a blog! Wrapping up the year 2025 — and looking ahead to 2026. www.redthreadgames.com/blog/2025/12...
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
I couldn't find a list of game directors so I created one. My general rubric is simple: these are the people who are directly responsible for the creative direction of the games they work on.
go.bsky.app/6TAQbHE
go.bsky.app/6TAQbHE
December 27, 2025 at 6:04 PM
I couldn't find a list of game directors so I created one. My general rubric is simple: these are the people who are directly responsible for the creative direction of the games they work on.
go.bsky.app/6TAQbHE
go.bsky.app/6TAQbHE
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
Best In-Engine Cinematic With Giant Robots
Slow is the name of the game here and it works super well to create interest and suspense. I've never seen a giant robot fight like this and it makes me want more.
The "follow me" teases gameplay just enough!
Trailer by @redthreadgames.bsky.social
Slow is the name of the game here and it works super well to create interest and suspense. I've never seen a giant robot fight like this and it makes me want more.
The "follow me" teases gameplay just enough!
Trailer by @redthreadgames.bsky.social
Hello Sunshine — official teaser trailer
YouTube video by Red Thread Games
www.youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Best In-Engine Cinematic With Giant Robots
Slow is the name of the game here and it works super well to create interest and suspense. I've never seen a giant robot fight like this and it makes me want more.
The "follow me" teases gameplay just enough!
Trailer by @redthreadgames.bsky.social
Slow is the name of the game here and it works super well to create interest and suspense. I've never seen a giant robot fight like this and it makes me want more.
The "follow me" teases gameplay just enough!
Trailer by @redthreadgames.bsky.social
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
Merry Christmas from all of us at Red Thread Games 🎄💛
This year turned out better than we dared hope. Seeing the response to Hello Sunshine and the support from our community (yes, you!) has been incredible.
The team is currently on a well-deserved break for the holidays. See you in 2026 ✨
This year turned out better than we dared hope. Seeing the response to Hello Sunshine and the support from our community (yes, you!) has been incredible.
The team is currently on a well-deserved break for the holidays. See you in 2026 ✨
December 24, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Merry Christmas from all of us at Red Thread Games 🎄💛
This year turned out better than we dared hope. Seeing the response to Hello Sunshine and the support from our community (yes, you!) has been incredible.
The team is currently on a well-deserved break for the holidays. See you in 2026 ✨
This year turned out better than we dared hope. Seeing the response to Hello Sunshine and the support from our community (yes, you!) has been incredible.
The team is currently on a well-deserved break for the holidays. See you in 2026 ✨
I love the new Apple TV ident — or "sonic logo". I don't love the insinuation that CG is "fake", a "shortcut". There's just as much craft, and art, in computer graphics (disregarding genAI) as there is in practical effects; both have their place in visual storytelling.
December 24, 2025 at 9:42 AM
I love the new Apple TV ident — or "sonic logo". I don't love the insinuation that CG is "fake", a "shortcut". There's just as much craft, and art, in computer graphics (disregarding genAI) as there is in practical effects; both have their place in visual storytelling.
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
It's over a year old, the devs were proud with what they accomplished, and have since moved on to their next game. And yet, Twitter is still so weird about it to the point they paid the AVGN to insult it.
Anyways, the game is $3 on Steam, and $6 DRM-free on GOG. Buy it and support the devs.
Anyways, the game is $3 on Steam, and $6 DRM-free on GOG. Buy it and support the devs.
“Literally funded by EU tax dollars”.
No "dollars" involved, and the EU pre-production arts grant was under 5% of Dustborn’s total budget.
Watching an "industry professional" (ex-iD, Chaosium, Microprose) recycle culture-war rage bait is pretty bleak. This is how disinformation spreads.
No "dollars" involved, and the EU pre-production arts grant was under 5% of Dustborn’s total budget.
Watching an "industry professional" (ex-iD, Chaosium, Microprose) recycle culture-war rage bait is pretty bleak. This is how disinformation spreads.
December 21, 2025 at 5:04 PM
It's over a year old, the devs were proud with what they accomplished, and have since moved on to their next game. And yet, Twitter is still so weird about it to the point they paid the AVGN to insult it.
Anyways, the game is $3 on Steam, and $6 DRM-free on GOG. Buy it and support the devs.
Anyways, the game is $3 on Steam, and $6 DRM-free on GOG. Buy it and support the devs.
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
The silver lining here is that, in one single post, I got the confirmation that Sandy Petersen hates women, indie games, and he loves the establishment.
“Literally funded by EU tax dollars”.
No "dollars" involved, and the EU pre-production arts grant was under 5% of Dustborn’s total budget.
Watching an "industry professional" (ex-iD, Chaosium, Microprose) recycle culture-war rage bait is pretty bleak. This is how disinformation spreads.
No "dollars" involved, and the EU pre-production arts grant was under 5% of Dustborn’s total budget.
Watching an "industry professional" (ex-iD, Chaosium, Microprose) recycle culture-war rage bait is pretty bleak. This is how disinformation spreads.
December 21, 2025 at 5:17 PM
The silver lining here is that, in one single post, I got the confirmation that Sandy Petersen hates women, indie games, and he loves the establishment.
This. Arts funding isn’t a “hand-out”. It’s weeks of applications, interviews, budgets, and reporting. It’s hugely labour-intensive, incredibly competitive — and often an essential lifeline for small independent studios.
Petersen is writing in total ignorance
Anyone whos applied for Arts Funding knows its a drawn-out, grueling process; writing grants is an immense amount of labour, usually for a modest reward (which itself feels like a lottery).
they are the furthest thing from a government hand-out
Anyone whos applied for Arts Funding knows its a drawn-out, grueling process; writing grants is an immense amount of labour, usually for a modest reward (which itself feels like a lottery).
they are the furthest thing from a government hand-out
December 21, 2025 at 5:16 PM
This. Arts funding isn’t a “hand-out”. It’s weeks of applications, interviews, budgets, and reporting. It’s hugely labour-intensive, incredibly competitive — and often an essential lifeline for small independent studios.
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
The fascinating thing about people hating Dustborn is how much it isn’t the game they think it is, not least that the characters are mostly (intentionally) massively flawed people with little interest in overthrowing the system, and major plot points include a failed attempt to live outside it…
“Literally funded by EU tax dollars”.
No "dollars" involved, and the EU pre-production arts grant was under 5% of Dustborn’s total budget.
Watching an "industry professional" (ex-iD, Chaosium, Microprose) recycle culture-war rage bait is pretty bleak. This is how disinformation spreads.
No "dollars" involved, and the EU pre-production arts grant was under 5% of Dustborn’s total budget.
Watching an "industry professional" (ex-iD, Chaosium, Microprose) recycle culture-war rage bait is pretty bleak. This is how disinformation spreads.
December 21, 2025 at 4:54 PM
The fascinating thing about people hating Dustborn is how much it isn’t the game they think it is, not least that the characters are mostly (intentionally) massively flawed people with little interest in overthrowing the system, and major plot points include a failed attempt to live outside it…
“Literally funded by EU tax dollars”.
No "dollars" involved, and the EU pre-production arts grant was under 5% of Dustborn’s total budget.
Watching an "industry professional" (ex-iD, Chaosium, Microprose) recycle culture-war rage bait is pretty bleak. This is how disinformation spreads.
No "dollars" involved, and the EU pre-production arts grant was under 5% of Dustborn’s total budget.
Watching an "industry professional" (ex-iD, Chaosium, Microprose) recycle culture-war rage bait is pretty bleak. This is how disinformation spreads.
December 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM
“Literally funded by EU tax dollars”.
No "dollars" involved, and the EU pre-production arts grant was under 5% of Dustborn’s total budget.
Watching an "industry professional" (ex-iD, Chaosium, Microprose) recycle culture-war rage bait is pretty bleak. This is how disinformation spreads.
No "dollars" involved, and the EU pre-production arts grant was under 5% of Dustborn’s total budget.
Watching an "industry professional" (ex-iD, Chaosium, Microprose) recycle culture-war rage bait is pretty bleak. This is how disinformation spreads.
Reposted by Ragnar Tørnquist
Just a reminder that the best way you can help indies is to leave a review on Steam! The more reviews, the more the Almighty Algorithm pushes the game to other players. This is especially important during the seasonal sales. So with that said…
store.steampowered.com/app/1346360/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1346360/...
Save 20% on Old Skies on Steam
A time travel adventure spanning two hundred years! Dive into the past with time agent Fia Quinn as she embarks on seven trips through time. History is up for grabs, from the speakeasies of Prohibitio...
store.steampowered.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Just a reminder that the best way you can help indies is to leave a review on Steam! The more reviews, the more the Almighty Algorithm pushes the game to other players. This is especially important during the seasonal sales. So with that said…
store.steampowered.com/app/1346360/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1346360/...