Adam McDonald
@adammcdlt.bsky.social
Game dev from the Vancouver area. Senior Game Designer at Studio MDHR. Views are my own.
Making Chronoblazer, a 2D shmup with progression and light exploration, in my spare time.
https://adammcdonald.itch.io/
https://adammcd.com
Making Chronoblazer, a 2D shmup with progression and light exploration, in my spare time.
https://adammcdonald.itch.io/
https://adammcd.com
Pinned
Adam McDonald
@adammcdlt.bsky.social
· Oct 21
Here’s my BlueSky intro thread!
I’m mostly here for game dev related stuff. As of this past September, I work full time as a designer at Studio MDHR on an unannounced project. Before that I was with The Initiative/Microsoft working as a level designer on Perfect Dark.
I’m mostly here for game dev related stuff. As of this past September, I work full time as a designer at Studio MDHR on an unannounced project. Before that I was with The Initiative/Microsoft working as a level designer on Perfect Dark.
I’ve been watching dubbed 80s anime recently for some reason. I didn’t really grow up with it or anything, but sometimes stuff would be on late at night and I’d catch a glimpse of it. So I guess I’m nostalgic for that? I like how gritty and sleazy the content tends to be, without feeling gratuitous.
November 29, 2025 at 7:14 AM
I’ve been watching dubbed 80s anime recently for some reason. I didn’t really grow up with it or anything, but sometimes stuff would be on late at night and I’d catch a glimpse of it. So I guess I’m nostalgic for that? I like how gritty and sleazy the content tends to be, without feeling gratuitous.
Reposted by Adam McDonald
November 28, 2025 at 9:50 PM
I was thinking this morning about how some people's entire lives are "make money, get power" and through that lens, the "it does the hard parts for you" tool seems like a miracle. But when you actually like doing the hard things, and find value and meaning in them, then...
November 28, 2025 at 6:20 PM
I was thinking this morning about how some people's entire lives are "make money, get power" and through that lens, the "it does the hard parts for you" tool seems like a miracle. But when you actually like doing the hard things, and find value and meaning in them, then...
Reposted by Adam McDonald
If you’re in the mood for some cool vibes and colors and fun movement, Penny’s Big Breakaway is on sale for 50% off right.
That’s a big…uh…breakaway,,,of pennies…in terms of cost! Did that work? You’ll be giving thanks because this game is a feast!
Is this pitch working? Either way the game rules
That’s a big…uh…breakaway,,,of pennies…in terms of cost! Did that work? You’ll be giving thanks because this game is a feast!
Is this pitch working? Either way the game rules
Save 50% on Penny’s Big Breakaway on Steam
Ready. Set. YO! - Join Penny & Yo-Yo in a kinetic 3D-platformer bursting with innovative gameplay! Showcase your catalog of tricks and chain impressive combos to deliver Penny & Yo-Yo's perfec...
store.steampowered.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:28 PM
If you’re in the mood for some cool vibes and colors and fun movement, Penny’s Big Breakaway is on sale for 50% off right.
That’s a big…uh…breakaway,,,of pennies…in terms of cost! Did that work? You’ll be giving thanks because this game is a feast!
Is this pitch working? Either way the game rules
That’s a big…uh…breakaway,,,of pennies…in terms of cost! Did that work? You’ll be giving thanks because this game is a feast!
Is this pitch working? Either way the game rules
Reposted by Adam McDonald
If you’ve never played Viewfinder you owe it to yourself to do so. It’s like experiencing a truly incredible magic trick AND the puzzles are really clever
Viewfinder (Steam) is $4.74 on Fanatical Flash Sale w/ code OMENVIP buff.ly/OBPVz0E #ad
Deck verified
Deck verified
November 26, 2025 at 9:41 PM
If you’ve never played Viewfinder you owe it to yourself to do so. It’s like experiencing a truly incredible magic trick AND the puzzles are really clever
Black Deck, Gold Stake. Took so long that it made me question if this game is even good. Felt the most “I’m just hoping I get lucky” of every deck/stake so far. Satisfying to finally beat it though.
November 24, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Black Deck, Gold Stake. Took so long that it made me question if this game is even good. Felt the most “I’m just hoping I get lucky” of every deck/stake so far. Satisfying to finally beat it though.
Extrinsic motivation is cool and fine if the game itself is good, but my bit of experience with games that were basically "push buttons in a menu to win until you hit the point where we want you to start spending money" made me decide I physically could not work as a designer on that kind of game.
November 21, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Extrinsic motivation is cool and fine if the game itself is good, but my bit of experience with games that were basically "push buttons in a menu to win until you hit the point where we want you to start spending money" made me decide I physically could not work as a designer on that kind of game.
PSA that Werner Herzog narrates his own audiobooks, and you might be able to borrow them for free through your local library.
November 21, 2025 at 4:33 PM
PSA that Werner Herzog narrates his own audiobooks, and you might be able to borrow them for free through your local library.
Reposted by Adam McDonald
Buy Birdcage here. Do not sleep on it. If you live shmups, this is for you. If you don't, this game is the one that could get you into them. it's incredibly accessible as well as being deep. PLEASE drop a tenner on it. store.steampowered.com/app/2158550/...
Save 10% on BIRDCAGE on Steam
Shoot, slash and weave through bullets and enemies in this story-driven arcade shooter. The RADON Daughters have launched their ultimate weapon. Take control of the experimental gunship HALCYON and br...
store.steampowered.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Buy Birdcage here. Do not sleep on it. If you live shmups, this is for you. If you don't, this game is the one that could get you into them. it's incredibly accessible as well as being deep. PLEASE drop a tenner on it. store.steampowered.com/app/2158550/...
A spending habit I've fallen into but feel good about... I see a new shmup is out, it looks cool, I buy it.
Our debut title, sword action shooting game BIRDCAGE, is out now! Shoot, slash and weave through bullets and enemies in this challenging, story-driven arcade shooter!🕊️🥚
store.steampowered.com/app/2158550/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2158550/...
November 18, 2025 at 5:44 PM
A spending habit I've fallen into but feel good about... I see a new shmup is out, it looks cool, I buy it.
Very WIP but I feel like I'm getting somewhere with this...
I had a mini breakthrough when sketching potential cut scenes (still image kind) for my game, realizing it's not actually hard and overwhelming to attempt to draw in perspective. Got me excited about doing them, so I started on one.
I had a mini breakthrough when sketching potential cut scenes (still image kind) for my game, realizing it's not actually hard and overwhelming to attempt to draw in perspective. Got me excited about doing them, so I started on one.
November 17, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Very WIP but I feel like I'm getting somewhere with this...
I had a mini breakthrough when sketching potential cut scenes (still image kind) for my game, realizing it's not actually hard and overwhelming to attempt to draw in perspective. Got me excited about doing them, so I started on one.
I had a mini breakthrough when sketching potential cut scenes (still image kind) for my game, realizing it's not actually hard and overwhelming to attempt to draw in perspective. Got me excited about doing them, so I started on one.
New Metroid Prime 4 trailer looks cool as hell and gave me some hype back after the mixed previews. "THE ABILITY TO JUMP" made me laugh though.
November 14, 2025 at 5:47 PM
New Metroid Prime 4 trailer looks cool as hell and gave me some hype back after the mixed previews. "THE ABILITY TO JUMP" made me laugh though.
Hand placing tiles on the environments of my game… I like seeing the result, but damn is it tedious work. It’s my own fault for wanting certain tile sets to be complicated for some reason.
November 13, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Hand placing tiles on the environments of my game… I like seeing the result, but damn is it tedious work. It’s my own fault for wanting certain tile sets to be complicated for some reason.
Reposted by Adam McDonald
My takeaway from every new Epstein revelation is that some powerful people victimized many powerless young women, many more knew, some actively enabled it--and we're still being told that MeToo and accountability for sexual violence have gone too far
November 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
My takeaway from every new Epstein revelation is that some powerful people victimized many powerless young women, many more knew, some actively enabled it--and we're still being told that MeToo and accountability for sexual violence have gone too far
I finished the newest season of Foundation last night. I want to like this show, and it throws me crumbs from time to time, but I am sorry to say it's kinda dumb and I laughed at some of the big dramatic moments.
November 12, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I finished the newest season of Foundation last night. I want to like this show, and it throws me crumbs from time to time, but I am sorry to say it's kinda dumb and I laughed at some of the big dramatic moments.
Reposted by Adam McDonald
"Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day I would paint a picture of hot Bowser for official material, announced by Miyamoto himself. 😭 I laughed so hard in disbelief while painting, you have no idea lol"
November 12, 2025 at 5:22 PM
"Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day I would paint a picture of hot Bowser for official material, announced by Miyamoto himself. 😭 I laughed so hard in disbelief while painting, you have no idea lol"
A common post genre in Facebook group game dev groups is “I followed tutorials and bought assets and made a game… but it’s not fun? Any tutorials I can follow to make it fun?”
I feel for these people, but tbh I mostly appreciate the reminder that game design is hard.
I feel for these people, but tbh I mostly appreciate the reminder that game design is hard.
November 4, 2025 at 5:09 AM
A common post genre in Facebook group game dev groups is “I followed tutorials and bought assets and made a game… but it’s not fun? Any tutorials I can follow to make it fun?”
I feel for these people, but tbh I mostly appreciate the reminder that game design is hard.
I feel for these people, but tbh I mostly appreciate the reminder that game design is hard.
Feeling pretty good about my latest iterations on the layout in this part of the game, including some new enemy types, new enemy behaviours, some art updates, and a completely redone proximity door.
#chronoblazer #shmup #screenshotsaturday
#chronoblazer #shmup #screenshotsaturday
October 26, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Feeling pretty good about my latest iterations on the layout in this part of the game, including some new enemy types, new enemy behaviours, some art updates, and a completely redone proximity door.
#chronoblazer #shmup #screenshotsaturday
#chronoblazer #shmup #screenshotsaturday
Still thinking about this. In the first level, a naked koopa troopa dive-bombs you. The first boss is a physics puzzle. There are like 10 enemy types introduced before the first castle, including some you never see again. You climb on a fence and punch koopa troopas on the other side.
My kids are currently obsessed with Mario and all the characters from the games. I was showing them Super Mario World, which was my first Mario game. It struck me while explaining the characters, the rules (i.e. how Yoshi interacts with the different shells) that this is actually quite a wild game.
October 22, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Still thinking about this. In the first level, a naked koopa troopa dive-bombs you. The first boss is a physics puzzle. There are like 10 enemy types introduced before the first castle, including some you never see again. You climb on a fence and punch koopa troopas on the other side.
My kids are currently obsessed with Mario and all the characters from the games. I was showing them Super Mario World, which was my first Mario game. It struck me while explaining the characters, the rules (i.e. how Yoshi interacts with the different shells) that this is actually quite a wild game.
October 21, 2025 at 6:06 PM
My kids are currently obsessed with Mario and all the characters from the games. I was showing them Super Mario World, which was my first Mario game. It struck me while explaining the characters, the rules (i.e. how Yoshi interacts with the different shells) that this is actually quite a wild game.
Reposted by Adam McDonald
I’m a level designer and I’m here to debunk this.
These screens have the same gameplay metrics, but the left side is much more legible. The player doesn’t need to infer the spacing - it’s spelled out clearly.
These screens have the same gameplay metrics, but the left side is much more legible. The player doesn’t need to infer the spacing - it’s spelled out clearly.
October 18, 2025 at 10:47 PM
I’m a level designer and I’m here to debunk this.
These screens have the same gameplay metrics, but the left side is much more legible. The player doesn’t need to infer the spacing - it’s spelled out clearly.
These screens have the same gameplay metrics, but the left side is much more legible. The player doesn’t need to infer the spacing - it’s spelled out clearly.
I have a personal email address that makes people sometimes say "how did you get THAT?" It's just a short version of my name, but in a way that seems like someone else would have done it first.
Anyway, I get a lot of email not meant for me.
Anyway, I get a lot of email not meant for me.
October 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I have a personal email address that makes people sometimes say "how did you get THAT?" It's just a short version of my name, but in a way that seems like someone else would have done it first.
Anyway, I get a lot of email not meant for me.
Anyway, I get a lot of email not meant for me.
Vertical slice, gameplay undetermined.
In honor of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand
I'll go first: Six page commercial lease.
I'll go first: Six page commercial lease.
October 13, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Vertical slice, gameplay undetermined.
Reposted by Adam McDonald
