Cornucopic Studios
@cornucopic-studios.bsky.social
Making Game Design 𝗦𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘 | 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 | 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘
Pinned
Why Solo Devs Should Attend Game Conventions (Even Without a Booth)
Game cons might be the most important growth move you’re not making.
open.substack.com
Myth: You need a booth to make a #gameconvention worth it ❌
Truth: Attending solo (with a plan) can be more valuable ✔
Learn how to make #gamecons work for you in this week's blog:
open.substack.com/pub/cornucop...
#gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
Truth: Attending solo (with a plan) can be more valuable ✔
Learn how to make #gamecons work for you in this week's blog:
open.substack.com/pub/cornucop...
#gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
So many game devs get stuck polishing features players may never even notice.
The real pros?
⭐They finish.
⭐They learn.
⭐They move forward.
#indiegamedesign #solodev
#gamedesign #indiegamedev
#gamedeveloper
The real pros?
⭐They finish.
⭐They learn.
⭐They move forward.
#indiegamedesign #solodev
#gamedesign #indiegamedev
#gamedeveloper
June 19, 2025 at 11:43 PM
So many game devs get stuck polishing features players may never even notice.
The real pros?
⭐They finish.
⭐They learn.
⭐They move forward.
#indiegamedesign #solodev
#gamedesign #indiegamedev
#gamedeveloper
The real pros?
⭐They finish.
⭐They learn.
⭐They move forward.
#indiegamedesign #solodev
#gamedesign #indiegamedev
#gamedeveloper
If you’re making a game alone, #gameconventions can be your:
✅ Research Center
✅ Playtest Group
✅ Hype Team
and so much more all in one weekend. Don't sleep on #gamecons!
#indiegamedesign #solodev
#gamedesign #indiegamedev
#gamedeveloper
✅ Research Center
✅ Playtest Group
✅ Hype Team
and so much more all in one weekend. Don't sleep on #gamecons!
#indiegamedesign #solodev
#gamedesign #indiegamedev
#gamedeveloper
June 18, 2025 at 3:04 PM
If you’re making a game alone, #gameconventions can be your:
✅ Research Center
✅ Playtest Group
✅ Hype Team
and so much more all in one weekend. Don't sleep on #gamecons!
#indiegamedesign #solodev
#gamedesign #indiegamedev
#gamedeveloper
✅ Research Center
✅ Playtest Group
✅ Hype Team
and so much more all in one weekend. Don't sleep on #gamecons!
#indiegamedesign #solodev
#gamedesign #indiegamedev
#gamedeveloper
Myth: You need a booth to make a #gameconvention worth it ❌
Truth: Attending solo (with a plan) can be more valuable ✔
Learn how to make #gamecons work for you in this week's blog:
open.substack.com/pub/cornucop...
#gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
Truth: Attending solo (with a plan) can be more valuable ✔
Learn how to make #gamecons work for you in this week's blog:
open.substack.com/pub/cornucop...
#gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
Why Solo Devs Should Attend Game Conventions (Even Without a Booth)
Game cons might be the most important growth move you’re not making.
open.substack.com
June 17, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Myth: You need a booth to make a #gameconvention worth it ❌
Truth: Attending solo (with a plan) can be more valuable ✔
Learn how to make #gamecons work for you in this week's blog:
open.substack.com/pub/cornucop...
#gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
Truth: Attending solo (with a plan) can be more valuable ✔
Learn how to make #gamecons work for you in this week's blog:
open.substack.com/pub/cornucop...
#gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
Loved seeing what the Canadian #indiegamedev community has been cooking up at #gameconcanada
Next year, we're hoping to have our own both there!
#gcc #canadiangamedev
Next year, we're hoping to have our own both there!
#gcc #canadiangamedev
June 16, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Loved seeing what the Canadian #indiegamedev community has been cooking up at #gameconcanada
Next year, we're hoping to have our own both there!
#gcc #canadiangamedev
Next year, we're hoping to have our own both there!
#gcc #canadiangamedev
🔥 Most common scope traps for #solodevs:
❌ Procedural generation
❌ 3D art + animation
❌ Complex RPG systems
❌ Cutscenes
❌ Inventory + crafting
#indiegamedev #gamedesign #sologamedev #indiegamedesign
❌ Procedural generation
❌ 3D art + animation
❌ Complex RPG systems
❌ Cutscenes
❌ Inventory + crafting
#indiegamedev #gamedesign #sologamedev #indiegamedesign
June 7, 2025 at 3:02 PM
🔥 Most common scope traps for #solodevs:
❌ Procedural generation
❌ 3D art + animation
❌ Complex RPG systems
❌ Cutscenes
❌ Inventory + crafting
#indiegamedev #gamedesign #sologamedev #indiegamedesign
❌ Procedural generation
❌ 3D art + animation
❌ Complex RPG systems
❌ Cutscenes
❌ Inventory + crafting
#indiegamedev #gamedesign #sologamedev #indiegamedesign
Game dev is 50% design, 50% mechanics, and 100% player experience.
Learn how players think, not just how games are made.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
Learn how players think, not just how games are made.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
June 6, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Game dev is 50% design, 50% mechanics, and 100% player experience.
Learn how players think, not just how games are made.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
Learn how players think, not just how games are made.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
Solo Devs: Don’t get caught chasing console ports too early.
✅ Focus on a complete, stable build
✅ Nail gameplay first
✅ THEN consider if console launch fits your vision
You’re not limited by hardware—just by planning.
#indiegamedesign #solodev
#gamedesign #indiegamedev
#gamedeveloper
✅ Focus on a complete, stable build
✅ Nail gameplay first
✅ THEN consider if console launch fits your vision
You’re not limited by hardware—just by planning.
#indiegamedesign #solodev
#gamedesign #indiegamedev
#gamedeveloper
June 5, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Solo Devs: Don’t get caught chasing console ports too early.
✅ Focus on a complete, stable build
✅ Nail gameplay first
✅ THEN consider if console launch fits your vision
You’re not limited by hardware—just by planning.
#indiegamedesign #solodev
#gamedesign #indiegamedev
#gamedeveloper
✅ Focus on a complete, stable build
✅ Nail gameplay first
✅ THEN consider if console launch fits your vision
You’re not limited by hardware—just by planning.
#indiegamedesign #solodev
#gamedesign #indiegamedev
#gamedeveloper
You don't need a AAA setup to make a console-worthy game.
Your PC is enough. Your idea is enough.
Start small. Dream big. And most of all... finish what you started.
#gamedevlife #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedesign #indiegamedev #gamedeveloper
Your PC is enough. Your idea is enough.
Start small. Dream big. And most of all... finish what you started.
#gamedevlife #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedesign #indiegamedev #gamedeveloper
June 4, 2025 at 3:49 PM
You don't need a AAA setup to make a console-worthy game.
Your PC is enough. Your idea is enough.
Start small. Dream big. And most of all... finish what you started.
#gamedevlife #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedesign #indiegamedev #gamedeveloper
Your PC is enough. Your idea is enough.
Start small. Dream big. And most of all... finish what you started.
#gamedevlife #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedesign #indiegamedev #gamedeveloper
Reposted by Cornucopic Studios
Credit Where Credit’s Due
Dear videogames narrative community,
The WGGB’s Videogames Committee needs help! To move our campaign on videogames credits forward we need a critical mass of responses from videogames writers.
Help us, help you to get the right credit!
www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y97DHN3
Dear videogames narrative community,
The WGGB’s Videogames Committee needs help! To move our campaign on videogames credits forward we need a critical mass of responses from videogames writers.
Help us, help you to get the right credit!
www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y97DHN3
Videogame writers and credits
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
June 4, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Credit Where Credit’s Due
Dear videogames narrative community,
The WGGB’s Videogames Committee needs help! To move our campaign on videogames credits forward we need a critical mass of responses from videogames writers.
Help us, help you to get the right credit!
www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y97DHN3
Dear videogames narrative community,
The WGGB’s Videogames Committee needs help! To move our campaign on videogames credits forward we need a critical mass of responses from videogames writers.
Help us, help you to get the right credit!
www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y97DHN3
Why are older games so timeless?
Because limitations breed innovation.
You had to think smart with memory, sprites, and mechanics.
Now? We have POWER... but also PRESSURE.
What do YOU prefer: hard constraints or creative freedom?
#indiegamedev #solodev #gamedesign #gamedev
Because limitations breed innovation.
You had to think smart with memory, sprites, and mechanics.
Now? We have POWER... but also PRESSURE.
What do YOU prefer: hard constraints or creative freedom?
#indiegamedev #solodev #gamedesign #gamedev
June 3, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Why are older games so timeless?
Because limitations breed innovation.
You had to think smart with memory, sprites, and mechanics.
Now? We have POWER... but also PRESSURE.
What do YOU prefer: hard constraints or creative freedom?
#indiegamedev #solodev #gamedesign #gamedev
Because limitations breed innovation.
You had to think smart with memory, sprites, and mechanics.
Now? We have POWER... but also PRESSURE.
What do YOU prefer: hard constraints or creative freedom?
#indiegamedev #solodev #gamedesign #gamedev
💡 Did You Know?
Nintendo used to force devs to rewrite parts of their engine.
Now we’ve got cross-platform tools and code-free engines for accessible gamedev!
This week's blog breaks down the gamedev eras by consoles and how far we've come since then.
open.substack.com/pub/cornucop...
Nintendo used to force devs to rewrite parts of their engine.
Now we’ve got cross-platform tools and code-free engines for accessible gamedev!
This week's blog breaks down the gamedev eras by consoles and how far we've come since then.
open.substack.com/pub/cornucop...
Game Consoles: From Cartridges to Cloud
How the Evolution of Game Consoles Changed Game Dev Forever
open.substack.com
June 2, 2025 at 11:00 PM
💡 Did You Know?
Nintendo used to force devs to rewrite parts of their engine.
Now we’ve got cross-platform tools and code-free engines for accessible gamedev!
This week's blog breaks down the gamedev eras by consoles and how far we've come since then.
open.substack.com/pub/cornucop...
Nintendo used to force devs to rewrite parts of their engine.
Now we’ve got cross-platform tools and code-free engines for accessible gamedev!
This week's blog breaks down the gamedev eras by consoles and how far we've come since then.
open.substack.com/pub/cornucop...
You don’t need 100 features.
You need 1 mechanic that’s fun to do over and over.
Simple > Complex.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
You need 1 mechanic that’s fun to do over and over.
Simple > Complex.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
June 1, 2025 at 3:02 PM
You don’t need 100 features.
You need 1 mechanic that’s fun to do over and over.
Simple > Complex.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
You need 1 mechanic that’s fun to do over and over.
Simple > Complex.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
🎯 What emotion do you want players to feel?
Then build a mechanic that creates it.
This is how “game feel” starts to, well, feel fun.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
Then build a mechanic that creates it.
This is how “game feel” starts to, well, feel fun.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
May 31, 2025 at 3:02 PM
🎯 What emotion do you want players to feel?
Then build a mechanic that creates it.
This is how “game feel” starts to, well, feel fun.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
Then build a mechanic that creates it.
This is how “game feel” starts to, well, feel fun.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
🎮 Dev prompt:
Pick ONE core aesthetic for your current project.
Then ask:
👉 Are your mechanics helping or hurting that experience?
👉 Are players feeling what you want them to?
#indiegamedev #gamedesign #sologamedev #MDAframework
Pick ONE core aesthetic for your current project.
Then ask:
👉 Are your mechanics helping or hurting that experience?
👉 Are players feeling what you want them to?
#indiegamedev #gamedesign #sologamedev #MDAframework
May 30, 2025 at 3:05 PM
🎮 Dev prompt:
Pick ONE core aesthetic for your current project.
Then ask:
👉 Are your mechanics helping or hurting that experience?
👉 Are players feeling what you want them to?
#indiegamedev #gamedesign #sologamedev #MDAframework
Pick ONE core aesthetic for your current project.
Then ask:
👉 Are your mechanics helping or hurting that experience?
👉 Are players feeling what you want them to?
#indiegamedev #gamedesign #sologamedev #MDAframework
What’s your game’s core "verb"?
🌱 Grow
🧱 Build
🗡️ Fight
💡 Solve
Your entire design should support that one core action.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
🌱 Grow
🧱 Build
🗡️ Fight
💡 Solve
Your entire design should support that one core action.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
May 29, 2025 at 3:03 PM
What’s your game’s core "verb"?
🌱 Grow
🧱 Build
🗡️ Fight
💡 Solve
Your entire design should support that one core action.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
🌱 Grow
🧱 Build
🗡️ Fight
💡 Solve
Your entire design should support that one core action.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
Most beginner game devs make the same mistake:
They start building their dream game.
You need a starter game.
✅ 1 mechanic
✅ 1 level
✅ 1 week of work
Build to learn, not to impress.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
They start building their dream game.
You need a starter game.
✅ 1 mechanic
✅ 1 level
✅ 1 week of work
Build to learn, not to impress.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
May 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Most beginner game devs make the same mistake:
They start building their dream game.
You need a starter game.
✅ 1 mechanic
✅ 1 level
✅ 1 week of work
Build to learn, not to impress.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
They start building their dream game.
You need a starter game.
✅ 1 mechanic
✅ 1 level
✅ 1 week of work
Build to learn, not to impress.
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #indiegamedesign #solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
Reposted by Cornucopic Studios
✨ Madeira Games Summit 2025 ✨ added to the event calendar! 🎉
Type ⚙️: Onsite B2B Conference
Date 🗓️: NOV 3-4, 2025
Location 🏙️: Funchal, Portugal
View hundreds of other #GameIndustry events: www.eventsforgamers.com/event/madeir... @devgamm.bsky.social #GameDev #GamingConference
Type ⚙️: Onsite B2B Conference
Date 🗓️: NOV 3-4, 2025
Location 🏙️: Funchal, Portugal
View hundreds of other #GameIndustry events: www.eventsforgamers.com/event/madeir... @devgamm.bsky.social #GameDev #GamingConference
Madeira Games Summit 2025
Madeira Games Summit 2025 game industry conference event in Madeira, Portgual. Visit our calendar for more industry conferences and conventions.
www.eventsforgamers.com
May 28, 2025 at 2:52 PM
✨ Madeira Games Summit 2025 ✨ added to the event calendar! 🎉
Type ⚙️: Onsite B2B Conference
Date 🗓️: NOV 3-4, 2025
Location 🏙️: Funchal, Portugal
View hundreds of other #GameIndustry events: www.eventsforgamers.com/event/madeir... @devgamm.bsky.social #GameDev #GamingConference
Type ⚙️: Onsite B2B Conference
Date 🗓️: NOV 3-4, 2025
Location 🏙️: Funchal, Portugal
View hundreds of other #GameIndustry events: www.eventsforgamers.com/event/madeir... @devgamm.bsky.social #GameDev #GamingConference
Reposted by Cornucopic Studios
Today's 15s Board Game Design 🎲 Tip for the Day is a reminder what game mechanisms are existentially: youtube.com/shorts/u6abG... #tabletopgames #gamedesign #lgbtq #gamepublisher #boardgame #boardgamedesign
Board Game Design 🎲 Tip for the Day: M-27, Quintessential Mechanism #boardgamedesign #gamedesign
YouTube video by Fight in a Box
youtube.com
May 27, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Today's 15s Board Game Design 🎲 Tip for the Day is a reminder what game mechanisms are existentially: youtube.com/shorts/u6abG... #tabletopgames #gamedesign #lgbtq #gamepublisher #boardgame #boardgamedesign
Why do some games just feel better than others—even simple ones?
Let’s talk about the MDA framework: the secret sauce behind engaging game design.
🧵 A thread for indie devs ↓
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #MDAframework
#indiegamedesign #gamedesigners
#solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
Let’s talk about the MDA framework: the secret sauce behind engaging game design.
🧵 A thread for indie devs ↓
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #MDAframework
#indiegamedesign #gamedesigners
#solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
May 27, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Why do some games just feel better than others—even simple ones?
Let’s talk about the MDA framework: the secret sauce behind engaging game design.
🧵 A thread for indie devs ↓
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #MDAframework
#indiegamedesign #gamedesigners
#solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
Let’s talk about the MDA framework: the secret sauce behind engaging game design.
🧵 A thread for indie devs ↓
#gamedev101 #gamedesigntips #MDAframework
#indiegamedesign #gamedesigners
#solodev #gamedeveloper #indiegamedev
Reposted by Cornucopic Studios
This new research explores how emotional engagement in games affects immersion and decision-making. How deeply do you feel your choices in games?
www.tandfonline.com/doi/ful...
#GameDesign
www.tandfonline.com/doi/ful...
#GameDesign
www.tandfonline.com
May 26, 2025 at 8:13 PM
This new research explores how emotional engagement in games affects immersion and decision-making. How deeply do you feel your choices in games?
www.tandfonline.com/doi/ful...
#GameDesign
www.tandfonline.com/doi/ful...
#GameDesign
Which aesthetic do YOU want players to feel in your next game? 🎮
Check out this week's blog to learn how Mechanics, Dynamics, and Aesthetics work together to make addicting games!
open.substack.com/pub/cornucop...
#gamedesign #indiegamedev #sologamedev
Check out this week's blog to learn how Mechanics, Dynamics, and Aesthetics work together to make addicting games!
open.substack.com/pub/cornucop...
#gamedesign #indiegamedev #sologamedev
Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics: How Great Games Hook Us
Ever wonder why some games just feel good to play—even if they’re simple?
open.substack.com
May 26, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Which aesthetic do YOU want players to feel in your next game? 🎮
Check out this week's blog to learn how Mechanics, Dynamics, and Aesthetics work together to make addicting games!
open.substack.com/pub/cornucop...
#gamedesign #indiegamedev #sologamedev
Check out this week's blog to learn how Mechanics, Dynamics, and Aesthetics work together to make addicting games!
open.substack.com/pub/cornucop...
#gamedesign #indiegamedev #sologamedev
Every game starts with design.
Even if you can’t code yet, you can still:
✅ Define a core loop
✅ Plan levels
✅ Design systems
✅ Balance gameplay
You’re a #gamedesigner the moment you start doing these. 🎮
#indiegamedev #sologamedev
Even if you can’t code yet, you can still:
✅ Define a core loop
✅ Plan levels
✅ Design systems
✅ Balance gameplay
You’re a #gamedesigner the moment you start doing these. 🎮
#indiegamedev #sologamedev
May 24, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Every game starts with design.
Even if you can’t code yet, you can still:
✅ Define a core loop
✅ Plan levels
✅ Design systems
✅ Balance gameplay
You’re a #gamedesigner the moment you start doing these. 🎮
#indiegamedev #sologamedev
Even if you can’t code yet, you can still:
✅ Define a core loop
✅ Plan levels
✅ Design systems
✅ Balance gameplay
You’re a #gamedesigner the moment you start doing these. 🎮
#indiegamedev #sologamedev
Me: “I’ll just test this one little thing.”
Also me, 6 hours later: debugging the tutorial, redesigning the UI, rewriting the plot, and questioning reality.
#SoloDevLife #indiegamedev
Also me, 6 hours later: debugging the tutorial, redesigning the UI, rewriting the plot, and questioning reality.
#SoloDevLife #indiegamedev
May 23, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Me: “I’ll just test this one little thing.”
Also me, 6 hours later: debugging the tutorial, redesigning the UI, rewriting the plot, and questioning reality.
#SoloDevLife #indiegamedev
Also me, 6 hours later: debugging the tutorial, redesigning the UI, rewriting the plot, and questioning reality.
#SoloDevLife #indiegamedev
#Solodevs wear ALL the hats.
You’re the designer, developer, artist, and QA tester… sometimes all in one afternoon.
That’s not failure—it’s indie resilience. 🙌
#indiegamedev #gamedesign #sologamedev
You’re the designer, developer, artist, and QA tester… sometimes all in one afternoon.
That’s not failure—it’s indie resilience. 🙌
#indiegamedev #gamedesign #sologamedev
May 23, 2025 at 4:04 PM
#Solodevs wear ALL the hats.
You’re the designer, developer, artist, and QA tester… sometimes all in one afternoon.
That’s not failure—it’s indie resilience. 🙌
#indiegamedev #gamedesign #sologamedev
You’re the designer, developer, artist, and QA tester… sometimes all in one afternoon.
That’s not failure—it’s indie resilience. 🙌
#indiegamedev #gamedesign #sologamedev
Game Loop > Feature List
If the core gameplay isn’t fun, then adding 10 new mechanics won’t help.
Focus on the loop.
If the core gameplay isn’t fun, then adding 10 new mechanics won’t help.
Focus on the loop.
May 22, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Game Loop > Feature List
If the core gameplay isn’t fun, then adding 10 new mechanics won’t help.
Focus on the loop.
If the core gameplay isn’t fun, then adding 10 new mechanics won’t help.
Focus on the loop.