Trent Kusters
@trentkusters.bsky.social
studio director League of Geeks • co-host AIAS #GameMakersNotebook • GDC board • co-creator Armello + Solium Infernum + Jumplight Odyssey
Reposted by Trent Kusters
What if the measure of how much skill it takes to do you job is if AI is useful for it. What if we flipped pay scales to account for that
A study by Dayforce shows 87% of executives use AI for work, compared to 57% of managers and just 27% of employees.
I think this explains the massive disconnect we see in how CEOs talk about AI versus everyone else. It also raises the question of how useful it truly is for frontline work?
I think this explains the massive disconnect we see in how CEOs talk about AI versus everyone else. It also raises the question of how useful it truly is for frontline work?
Execs are embracing AI more than their employees are, new research suggests
Research from HR software company Dayforce suggests that executives are leaning into AI far more than their employees.
www.businessinsider.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:04 PM
What if the measure of how much skill it takes to do you job is if AI is useful for it. What if we flipped pay scales to account for that
Every conversation I've had with Keita since we first met over a decade ago has been in a word, completely refreshing. He is defiantly an artist in the face of so much commercial pressure within our medium. This episode is one not to be missed.
Thanks Keita, for your vulnerability and honesty here.
Thanks Keita, for your vulnerability and honesty here.
On #GameMakersNotebook, @trentkusters.bsky.social chats with Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi about his new game "to a T" from @uvula.jp, going from sculpting to his first job at Bandai Namco, the origins of Katamari, and his philosophy on creating experiences not available in the real world
November 28, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Every conversation I've had with Keita since we first met over a decade ago has been in a word, completely refreshing. He is defiantly an artist in the face of so much commercial pressure within our medium. This episode is one not to be missed.
Thanks Keita, for your vulnerability and honesty here.
Thanks Keita, for your vulnerability and honesty here.
If you've got kids in your family and are looking for swashbuckling adventures that have the consequence and grit of the dark fairy tales of old, this collection of Alex and my Armello novellas will make for fine bedside storytime fodder.
The book quality and design is something special too. 💖
The book quality and design is something special too. 💖
Just six days left of @tdcpresents.bsky.social's Kickstarter campaign for this premium hardcover collection of novellas set in the Kingdom of Armello!
The current stretch goal will bring the number of included novellas up to nine(!). Share far and wide, please!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
The current stretch goal will bring the number of included novellas up to nine(!). Share far and wide, please!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
Armello: The Founding and the Fall
Ten years ago Armello brought tabletop adventures to life. Now, delve into its lore-rich world with this gorgeous hardcover omnibus!
www.kickstarter.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:39 AM
If you've got kids in your family and are looking for swashbuckling adventures that have the consequence and grit of the dark fairy tales of old, this collection of Alex and my Armello novellas will make for fine bedside storytime fodder.
The book quality and design is something special too. 💖
The book quality and design is something special too. 💖
I love Brandon. A colossal, enduring force for good. ❤️
We did something different with the credits for Demonschool. We used this format: name, title, lengthy description of what they did. Often you see credits in games where you don't know what the credited developer was actually responsible for. We wanted to give people proper, actual credit.
November 25, 2025 at 6:53 AM
I love Brandon. A colossal, enduring force for good. ❤️
I wrote this story almost 15 years ago as a tone and style test for Armello, but also as a worldbuilding activity. No one except five or so folks within LoG have ever read it. Excited for it to be a part of this omnibus alongside Alex’s gems.
I and the team at @leagueofgeeks.com have been absolutely floored by everyone's incredible support for Armello: The Founding and the Fall!
We just cleared our cover print set stretch goal, and the new goal is a fun one: A BRAND NEW short story added to the book!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
We just cleared our cover print set stretch goal, and the new goal is a fun one: A BRAND NEW short story added to the book!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
November 23, 2025 at 11:02 PM
I wrote this story almost 15 years ago as a tone and style test for Armello, but also as a worldbuilding activity. No one except five or so folks within LoG have ever read it. Excited for it to be a part of this omnibus alongside Alex’s gems.
Rolled credits on Keeper last night. A truly astounding experience that rises and rises from start to finish to become something almost transcendent in spirit.
An incredible achievement.
Do not miss this. It may be the best 5hr game you’ll play in years.
An incredible achievement.
Do not miss this. It may be the best 5hr game you’ll play in years.
Where do you think YOU'RE going?
(No, seriously. Where do you think you're going? Is it a board game night? If so, can we come with you? We love board games!)
KEEPER - Available NOW on @Xbox.com and @Steampowered.com!
doublefine.com/games/keeper
(No, seriously. Where do you think you're going? Is it a board game night? If so, can we come with you? We love board games!)
KEEPER - Available NOW on @Xbox.com and @Steampowered.com!
doublefine.com/games/keeper
November 19, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Rolled credits on Keeper last night. A truly astounding experience that rises and rises from start to finish to become something almost transcendent in spirit.
An incredible achievement.
Do not miss this. It may be the best 5hr game you’ll play in years.
An incredible achievement.
Do not miss this. It may be the best 5hr game you’ll play in years.
Reposted by Trent Kusters
Working in the game industry
November 18, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Working in the game industry
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with blops6, but it was the most ethically bankrupt & creatively shizofrenic game I've ever played.
A CoD campaign every few years was my guilty pleasure, but with the BDS boycott & the clear disdain for developers and their players, I'll likely never play CoD again.
A CoD campaign every few years was my guilty pleasure, but with the BDS boycott & the clear disdain for developers and their players, I'll likely never play CoD again.
Insulting to the players, insulting to the IP, insulting to the medium, the developers. And the craft itself. Fuck you executives who pushed this garbage.
frvr.com/blog/call-of...
frvr.com/blog/call-of...
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is littered with AI art slop, because your $70 means nothing anymore
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is littered with AI generated artwork which makes the $70 feel like a complete rip-off.
frvr.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:05 AM
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with blops6, but it was the most ethically bankrupt & creatively shizofrenic game I've ever played.
A CoD campaign every few years was my guilty pleasure, but with the BDS boycott & the clear disdain for developers and their players, I'll likely never play CoD again.
A CoD campaign every few years was my guilty pleasure, but with the BDS boycott & the clear disdain for developers and their players, I'll likely never play CoD again.
Hey chat is it good if your computer crashes during the game’s benchmark,
November 17, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Hey chat is it good if your computer crashes during the game’s benchmark,
Reposted by Trent Kusters
Ambrosia Sky: Act One is now available! Here's how you can support the game:
💸 Buy the game on Steam & EGS!
✅ Leave us a review!
💛 Join our community Discord!
💌 Follow us on our socials!
📚 Read our devlogs and updates!
You can find links to all of these here: linktr.ee/softrains
💸 Buy the game on Steam & EGS!
✅ Leave us a review!
💛 Join our community Discord!
💌 Follow us on our socials!
📚 Read our devlogs and updates!
You can find links to all of these here: linktr.ee/softrains
November 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Ambrosia Sky: Act One is now available! Here's how you can support the game:
💸 Buy the game on Steam & EGS!
✅ Leave us a review!
💛 Join our community Discord!
💌 Follow us on our socials!
📚 Read our devlogs and updates!
You can find links to all of these here: linktr.ee/softrains
💸 Buy the game on Steam & EGS!
✅ Leave us a review!
💛 Join our community Discord!
💌 Follow us on our socials!
📚 Read our devlogs and updates!
You can find links to all of these here: linktr.ee/softrains
All of you should be playing Ambrosia Sky. 🫵🏼
Life is unfair. Millions of people around the world dream of going to Paris, and this weekend I was in Paris and all I wanted to do was go home and continue playing Ambrosia Sky. 🤷♂️😁
November 16, 2025 at 11:04 PM
All of you should be playing Ambrosia Sky. 🫵🏼
Reposted by Trent Kusters
This episode of the Game Maker's Notebook with @trentkusters.bsky.social and Dave Oshry from @newblood.games is a wild ride.
The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook: From Used Car Salesman to Indie Game Publisher: The New Blood Story
chats with of . Together they discuss how he went from games journalism to publishing; navigating the ins and outs of publishing on PC and how they landed their first deal; how nostalgia meets…
gamemakersnotebook.libsyn.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:01 AM
This episode of the Game Maker's Notebook with @trentkusters.bsky.social and Dave Oshry from @newblood.games is a wild ride.
Reposted by Trent Kusters
"World's first potential trillionaire has killed 600,000 people, including 400,000 children" is the only headline that anyone should ever read about Elon Musk
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 1:33 AM
"World's first potential trillionaire has killed 600,000 people, including 400,000 children" is the only headline that anyone should ever read about Elon Musk
Reposted by Trent Kusters
One stretch goal down, and the next one revealed! Hell yeah, get it! Come and join the party!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
The Armello #Kickstarter I'm running with @leagueofgeeks.com just smashed its first stretch goal! EVERY BACKER is getting an upgraded book with gorgeous endsheets and a ribbon bookmark.
And our next stretch goal? A full set of COVER ART PRINTS for every backer! www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
And our next stretch goal? A full set of COVER ART PRINTS for every backer! www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
November 6, 2025 at 4:13 AM
One stretch goal down, and the next one revealed! Hell yeah, get it! Come and join the party!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
Reposted by Trent Kusters
Let's goooo! Can we hit the first stretch goal in DAY ONE? :O
Less than $4k away from unlocking the first stretch goal of the campaign; brilliantly painted endsheets by @tycarey.bsky.social of the King's rise and fall, as well as a golden bookmark ribbon to save progress in your adventure.
Share the good word far and wide!
kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
Share the good word far and wide!
kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
November 5, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Let's goooo! Can we hit the first stretch goal in DAY ONE? :O
Reposted by Trent Kusters
We're all going to write pieces about what you can learn from tonight but it's actually pretty simple: The frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.
November 5, 2025 at 4:34 AM
We're all going to write pieces about what you can learn from tonight but it's actually pretty simple: The frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.
Let's goooo! Can we hit the first stretch goal in DAY ONE? :O
Less than $4k away from unlocking the first stretch goal of the campaign; brilliantly painted endsheets by @tycarey.bsky.social of the King's rise and fall, as well as a golden bookmark ribbon to save progress in your adventure.
Share the good word far and wide!
kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
Share the good word far and wide!
kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
November 5, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Let's goooo! Can we hit the first stretch goal in DAY ONE? :O
Reposted by Trent Kusters
😎😎😎😎 GOOD THINGS CAN STILL HAPPEN 😎😎😎😎
November 5, 2025 at 5:22 AM
😎😎😎😎 GOOD THINGS CAN STILL HAPPEN 😎😎😎😎
Reposted by Trent Kusters
When your 10 year old IP is crushing kickstarters in just three hours. Hell yeah, gang! We love to see it.
Can't wait to have this pretty book in my hands. 📔👀🤤
Can't wait to have this pretty book in my hands. 📔👀🤤
Congratulations, Armellians! Another legendary artifact from the Kingdom Armello has been brought into the real world.
Big love to our friend @tdcpresents.bsky.social on a successful campaign!
First stretch goal has been announced and is almost there!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
Big love to our friend @tdcpresents.bsky.social on a successful campaign!
First stretch goal has been announced and is almost there!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
November 5, 2025 at 12:22 AM
When your 10 year old IP is crushing kickstarters in just three hours. Hell yeah, gang! We love to see it.
Can't wait to have this pretty book in my hands. 📔👀🤤
Can't wait to have this pretty book in my hands. 📔👀🤤
Already >50% funded in less than 30 mins! Spread the word and get in there! 🦁👑📔📈
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
📣The Kickstarter is now LIVE for The Founding and the Fall, a premium hardcover collection of Armello novellas by author, @tdcpresents.bsky.social.
There are some limited number pledge tiers with some pretty special Armello merch, so get in there early!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
There are some limited number pledge tiers with some pretty special Armello merch, so get in there early!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
November 4, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Already >50% funded in less than 30 mins! Spread the word and get in there! 🦁👑📔📈
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
Reposted by Trent Kusters
Reposted by Trent Kusters
You left. Now they're dead.
Immersive sim narrative first person cleaner AMBROSIA SKY is coming out NEXT WEEK!
"beautiful, intimate, and deeply affecting" - @ign.com
"equal parts System Shock and Powerwash Simulator" -
@pcgamer.com
Steam & Epic, November 10, 9am EST. Links below!
Immersive sim narrative first person cleaner AMBROSIA SKY is coming out NEXT WEEK!
"beautiful, intimate, and deeply affecting" - @ign.com
"equal parts System Shock and Powerwash Simulator" -
@pcgamer.com
Steam & Epic, November 10, 9am EST. Links below!
October 31, 2025 at 6:49 PM
You left. Now they're dead.
Immersive sim narrative first person cleaner AMBROSIA SKY is coming out NEXT WEEK!
"beautiful, intimate, and deeply affecting" - @ign.com
"equal parts System Shock and Powerwash Simulator" -
@pcgamer.com
Steam & Epic, November 10, 9am EST. Links below!
Immersive sim narrative first person cleaner AMBROSIA SKY is coming out NEXT WEEK!
"beautiful, intimate, and deeply affecting" - @ign.com
"equal parts System Shock and Powerwash Simulator" -
@pcgamer.com
Steam & Epic, November 10, 9am EST. Links below!
Reposted by Trent Kusters
This game has one of the smoothest difficulty curves I've ever felt in a "puzzle sickos" game. I've been stumped for the exactly correct amount of time by every single puzzle. It's a quite the feat. Highest recommendation.
(I'm playing on my phone, but I'm sure other platforms would be good too.)
(I'm playing on my phone, but I'm sure other platforms would be good too.)
Spooky Express has just launched into Halloween and it's the perfect cozy-spooky puzzler for the long nights.
Take charge of the Spooky Express; the only rail service willing to carry the undead passengers of deepest, darkest Trainsylvania.
spooky.express
Take charge of the Spooky Express; the only rail service willing to carry the undead passengers of deepest, darkest Trainsylvania.
spooky.express
October 31, 2025 at 12:48 AM
This game has one of the smoothest difficulty curves I've ever felt in a "puzzle sickos" game. I've been stumped for the exactly correct amount of time by every single puzzle. It's a quite the feat. Highest recommendation.
(I'm playing on my phone, but I'm sure other platforms would be good too.)
(I'm playing on my phone, but I'm sure other platforms would be good too.)
Extremely excited for this. @tdcpresents.bsky.social, original author of all of Armello's novellas, came to us with a fever dream of bringing them into the real world as a premium hardcover omnibus. Not only have we worked with him to do so, but licensed Armello to him so that this is truly his.
The date is set. Next week all of Armello's Novellas, including a brand new one, The Bandit Clan, will be available on Kickstarter in a glorious premium hardcover omnibus! Written by Alex Kain and designed by LoG co-founder, Ty Carey.
Info & updates here! 👇🏼
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
Info & updates here! 👇🏼
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
October 30, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Extremely excited for this. @tdcpresents.bsky.social, original author of all of Armello's novellas, came to us with a fever dream of bringing them into the real world as a premium hardcover omnibus. Not only have we worked with him to do so, but licensed Armello to him so that this is truly his.