John Austin
@johnaustin.bsky.social
Founder of Pontoco and Project Lead for The Last Clockwinder. Engineer, Game Designer, Tea Lover; in no specific order.
Previously: Lead XR Eng at Funomena | Research at Google Brain
@kleptine on the Hellbirdsite
Previously: Lead XR Eng at Funomena | Research at Google Brain
@kleptine on the Hellbirdsite
Reposted by John Austin
A story Stoppard told several times, in several places:
November 29, 2025 at 6:10 PM
A story Stoppard told several times, in several places:
Reposted by John Austin
🏆COMPETITION TIME!🏆
Play Laser Dance with your family this Thanksgiving and win a Quest 3!
Film someone crawling through level 2’s boot camp challenge, post it between Nov 27 - Dec 4 and tag us.
Winner announced Dec 8th!
Rules & conditions below 👇
Play Laser Dance with your family this Thanksgiving and win a Quest 3!
Film someone crawling through level 2’s boot camp challenge, post it between Nov 27 - Dec 4 and tag us.
Winner announced Dec 8th!
Rules & conditions below 👇
November 25, 2025 at 2:08 PM
🏆COMPETITION TIME!🏆
Play Laser Dance with your family this Thanksgiving and win a Quest 3!
Film someone crawling through level 2’s boot camp challenge, post it between Nov 27 - Dec 4 and tag us.
Winner announced Dec 8th!
Rules & conditions below 👇
Play Laser Dance with your family this Thanksgiving and win a Quest 3!
Film someone crawling through level 2’s boot camp challenge, post it between Nov 27 - Dec 4 and tag us.
Winner announced Dec 8th!
Rules & conditions below 👇
Reposted by John Austin
This is seriously one of the best uhhh, Chess takeoffs? that I've ever played
Sooooo many try this and miss somehow, but damn, this is fantastic
Sooooo many try this and miss somehow, but damn, this is fantastic
👑The Below the Crown is now in Early Access on Steam ♟️
Our first launch in almost 10 years!
Our nerdy love letter to Roguelikes, Chess, and Dungeon Crawlers is here for everyone to try - please give us a review!
store.steampowered.com/app/1883920/...
Our first launch in almost 10 years!
Our nerdy love letter to Roguelikes, Chess, and Dungeon Crawlers is here for everyone to try - please give us a review!
store.steampowered.com/app/1883920/...
Save 35% on Below the Crown on Steam
Explore the dungeons Below the Crown, in this love letter to Roguelikes, Dungeon Crawlers, and Chess. Prepare for strategy, game-changing spells, psychological tests, and challenges from your fellow p...
store.steampowered.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:34 AM
This is seriously one of the best uhhh, Chess takeoffs? that I've ever played
Sooooo many try this and miss somehow, but damn, this is fantastic
Sooooo many try this and miss somehow, but damn, this is fantastic
Reposted by John Austin
I have a lot of difficult days. Making games is hard. Balancing the needs of everyone trying to just make a game is also hard. And the universe keeps tossing planet-sized meteors.
But the little moments of kindness makes it worth it.
But the little moments of kindness makes it worth it.
Happy World Kindness Day. 🧡
While working on Spirit Crossing, we often discuss how we can encourage both kindness and a sense of community.
Today, we're looking to our Alpha players to share their favorite moments of kindness found in-game!
Here are some of the things they had to say. 🧵
While working on Spirit Crossing, we often discuss how we can encourage both kindness and a sense of community.
Today, we're looking to our Alpha players to share their favorite moments of kindness found in-game!
Here are some of the things they had to say. 🧵
November 14, 2025 at 12:26 AM
I have a lot of difficult days. Making games is hard. Balancing the needs of everyone trying to just make a game is also hard. And the universe keeps tossing planet-sized meteors.
But the little moments of kindness makes it worth it.
But the little moments of kindness makes it worth it.
Reposted by John Austin
“But what’s it all for?” I asked Oliver, to which he relied, “To make rocks kiss.”
The morphs in Keeper use distance fields as an (implicit) surface representation, which makes it possible to control the distance at which the surface should lie. In other words, it’s easy to deflate or inflate objects, and meshes become easily ‘moldable’.
November 9, 2025 at 4:45 PM
“But what’s it all for?” I asked Oliver, to which he relied, “To make rocks kiss.”
Reposted by John Austin
Denizens of #PitchYaGame, a wonder:
🌧️ The Marvelous Raincaster of Yell Holler
🪕 a time-looping puzzle ballad
🐓 of rooster and c̶o̶n̶m̶a̶n̶ salesman,
✨ of folk wisdom and warning,
📜 and the making of (minor) legend.
Wishlist: store.steampowered.com/app/3800300/
#puzzleadventure #narrativegame #steamgame
🌧️ The Marvelous Raincaster of Yell Holler
🪕 a time-looping puzzle ballad
🐓 of rooster and c̶o̶n̶m̶a̶n̶ salesman,
✨ of folk wisdom and warning,
📜 and the making of (minor) legend.
Wishlist: store.steampowered.com/app/3800300/
#puzzleadventure #narrativegame #steamgame
November 7, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Denizens of #PitchYaGame, a wonder:
🌧️ The Marvelous Raincaster of Yell Holler
🪕 a time-looping puzzle ballad
🐓 of rooster and c̶o̶n̶m̶a̶n̶ salesman,
✨ of folk wisdom and warning,
📜 and the making of (minor) legend.
Wishlist: store.steampowered.com/app/3800300/
#puzzleadventure #narrativegame #steamgame
🌧️ The Marvelous Raincaster of Yell Holler
🪕 a time-looping puzzle ballad
🐓 of rooster and c̶o̶n̶m̶a̶n̶ salesman,
✨ of folk wisdom and warning,
📜 and the making of (minor) legend.
Wishlist: store.steampowered.com/app/3800300/
#puzzleadventure #narrativegame #steamgame
Reposted by John Austin
We hear it's #pitchyagame time, so let us introduce HERDLING:
🦬 Travel with a herd of weird creatures
🏔️ Journey to the mountains
🍂 Leave society behind
🌳 This is a game you play for the ✨vibes ✨
Also it has ~94% positive reviews and was just nominated for several awards so go for it?
🦬 Travel with a herd of weird creatures
🏔️ Journey to the mountains
🍂 Leave society behind
🌳 This is a game you play for the ✨vibes ✨
Also it has ~94% positive reviews and was just nominated for several awards so go for it?
November 7, 2025 at 2:55 PM
We hear it's #pitchyagame time, so let us introduce HERDLING:
🦬 Travel with a herd of weird creatures
🏔️ Journey to the mountains
🍂 Leave society behind
🌳 This is a game you play for the ✨vibes ✨
Also it has ~94% positive reviews and was just nominated for several awards so go for it?
🦬 Travel with a herd of weird creatures
🏔️ Journey to the mountains
🍂 Leave society behind
🌳 This is a game you play for the ✨vibes ✨
Also it has ~94% positive reviews and was just nominated for several awards so go for it?
Reposted by John Austin
4+ years after we started, THRASHER is now available on Steam for $9.99 with a 10% launch week discount ✨ Play however you like on PC, SteamVR, and Steam Deck!!
Get it here👉 bit.ly/4hQ4V38
Get it here👉 bit.ly/4hQ4V38
November 7, 2025 at 5:02 PM
4+ years after we started, THRASHER is now available on Steam for $9.99 with a 10% launch week discount ✨ Play however you like on PC, SteamVR, and Steam Deck!!
Get it here👉 bit.ly/4hQ4V38
Get it here👉 bit.ly/4hQ4V38
Reposted by John Austin
Hey all, my studio Subliminal is looking for work for hire contracts including co-dev, full dev, Unity programming, console porting, art, business development, convention booth interactables, and more. If you’re looking for an indie friendly high quality partner hire us.
www.subliminalgaming.com
www.subliminalgaming.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Hey all, my studio Subliminal is looking for work for hire contracts including co-dev, full dev, Unity programming, console porting, art, business development, convention booth interactables, and more. If you’re looking for an indie friendly high quality partner hire us.
www.subliminalgaming.com
www.subliminalgaming.com
Reposted by John Austin
I cannot imagine higher praise than this from the creator of Triple Town. There is so much that can be done with merge games beyond their current free-to-play incarnation and I've had so much fun exploring those possibilities with Mythmatch.
One of the more interesting merge games I've come across. Adds in a strong narrative layer. And has merging mechanic as part of more open RPG-like levels.
Also there's an interesting real-time aspect to the merging that I hadn't seen before.
Also there's an interesting real-time aspect to the merging that I hadn't seen before.
Hey #PitchYaGame!
Mythmatch is a Greek myth anti-capitalist merge game about the power of community over authority.
💪 Recruit and Empower the Mortals
🏠 Build and Upgrade Ithaca
⚡️ Challenge the Gods
🐐 Create Cute Creatures
Wishlist Now!
store.steampowered.com/app/1778050/...
Mythmatch is a Greek myth anti-capitalist merge game about the power of community over authority.
💪 Recruit and Empower the Mortals
🏠 Build and Upgrade Ithaca
⚡️ Challenge the Gods
🐐 Create Cute Creatures
Wishlist Now!
store.steampowered.com/app/1778050/...
November 7, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I cannot imagine higher praise than this from the creator of Triple Town. There is so much that can be done with merge games beyond their current free-to-play incarnation and I've had so much fun exploring those possibilities with Mythmatch.
Reposted by John Austin
This year we had over 50k pumpkins submitted to Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival! Apparently over 9 terabytes of pumpkins were served to y'all!
Thanks to everyone who dropped in, shared, or supported the game. It's always a blast running this thing and it's nice the festival grounds so lively! 🎃
Thanks to everyone who dropped in, shared, or supported the game. It's always a blast running this thing and it's nice the festival grounds so lively! 🎃
November 3, 2025 at 5:09 PM
This year we had over 50k pumpkins submitted to Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival! Apparently over 9 terabytes of pumpkins were served to y'all!
Thanks to everyone who dropped in, shared, or supported the game. It's always a blast running this thing and it's nice the festival grounds so lively! 🎃
Thanks to everyone who dropped in, shared, or supported the game. It's always a blast running this thing and it's nice the festival grounds so lively! 🎃
Reposted by John Austin
Glad that @mmalex.bsky.social chatted more about functional game state model of Dreams. Been spending years thinking about it and the direction Tim is taking UE and I think it is the right way to build Metaverse / Digital world large scaling stuff.
youtu.be/mFBmoCv5EcQ?...
youtu.be/mFBmoCv5EcQ?...
Game Architectures with Alex Evans and Anton Mikhailov
YouTube video by Wookash Podcast
youtu.be
November 1, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Glad that @mmalex.bsky.social chatted more about functional game state model of Dreams. Been spending years thinking about it and the direction Tim is taking UE and I think it is the right way to build Metaverse / Digital world large scaling stuff.
youtu.be/mFBmoCv5EcQ?...
youtu.be/mFBmoCv5EcQ?...
Reposted by John Austin
I saw a tragically AI-generated version of this poster, so I have recreated a 100% human-made version for all your protest sign needs.
October 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I saw a tragically AI-generated version of this poster, so I have recreated a 100% human-made version for all your protest sign needs.
Reposted by John Austin
It's online pumpking carving season!!!
one of our fav games to play with friends this time of year, is the Ghost Town Pumpkin Carver by @adamgryu.bsky.social
adamgryu.itch.io/pumpkin-carver
one of our fav games to play with friends this time of year, is the Ghost Town Pumpkin Carver by @adamgryu.bsky.social
adamgryu.itch.io/pumpkin-carver
The Annual Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival by adamgryu
carve a lil pumpkin and share it with the world
adamgryu.itch.io
October 15, 2025 at 4:33 PM
It's online pumpking carving season!!!
one of our fav games to play with friends this time of year, is the Ghost Town Pumpkin Carver by @adamgryu.bsky.social
adamgryu.itch.io/pumpkin-carver
one of our fav games to play with friends this time of year, is the Ghost Town Pumpkin Carver by @adamgryu.bsky.social
adamgryu.itch.io/pumpkin-carver
Reposted by John Austin
Recently had the opportunity to build 3 demos to demonstrate the power of game feel!
October 6, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Recently had the opportunity to build 3 demos to demonstrate the power of game feel!
PSA: The Unity CVE is important, but I don't think it's "rush to patch all your old games" important. There's a few pathways to exploit, but it'd be pretty tricky and only *really* impacts games that are exposed as URL handlers on Windows. 👍
October 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
PSA: The Unity CVE is important, but I don't think it's "rush to patch all your old games" important. There's a few pathways to exploit, but it'd be pretty tricky and only *really* impacts games that are exposed as URL handlers on Windows. 👍
Reposted by John Austin
I don't know how, but somehow I managed to get into a pick-up session and took control of a robot in Beijing in a boxing match. I got to knock out my opponent. This may be the most Bay Area Friday night activity I've ever done.
September 27, 2025 at 5:22 AM
I don't know how, but somehow I managed to get into a pick-up session and took control of a robot in Beijing in a boxing match. I got to knock out my opponent. This may be the most Bay Area Friday night activity I've ever done.
Reposted by John Austin
I’ve been asked quite a lot over the years about how I remain calm when responding to trolls and bad actors. Some day I’ll do a bigger write up, but one of the biggest things that has helped me a lot is to remember:
“When you’re easily offended, you’re easily manipulated.”
“When you’re easily offended, you’re easily manipulated.”
September 26, 2025 at 12:52 PM
I’ve been asked quite a lot over the years about how I remain calm when responding to trolls and bad actors. Some day I’ll do a bigger write up, but one of the biggest things that has helped me a lot is to remember:
“When you’re easily offended, you’re easily manipulated.”
“When you’re easily offended, you’re easily manipulated.”
Reposted by John Austin
Watch as we flip Chess on its head by simply adding magic and dungeons and stuff. youtu.be/GYOfCM_LkyE
#BelowTheCrown #indiegame #videogames #chess #Roguelike #DungeonCrawler
#BelowTheCrown #indiegame #videogames #chess #Roguelike #DungeonCrawler
Below The Crown: Gameplay Trailer 1
YouTube video by MisfitsAttic
youtu.be
September 24, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Watch as we flip Chess on its head by simply adding magic and dungeons and stuff. youtu.be/GYOfCM_LkyE
#BelowTheCrown #indiegame #videogames #chess #Roguelike #DungeonCrawler
#BelowTheCrown #indiegame #videogames #chess #Roguelike #DungeonCrawler
By complete random chance I am in Busan during the Busan International Film Festival! I'm gonna go tomorrow so if you know anything about film tell me what to see. 😅
September 24, 2025 at 12:23 PM
By complete random chance I am in Busan during the Busan International Film Festival! I'm gonna go tomorrow so if you know anything about film tell me what to see. 😅
Reposted by John Austin
There's one week left to apply for the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant ⏰‼️
If you're thinking of applying, make sure you get your applications in before next Sunday in order to be considered.
Grant: $15,000 USD
Deadline: Sept 28th
Link: grants.draknek.org
If you're thinking of applying, make sure you get your applications in before next Sunday in order to be considered.
Grant: $15,000 USD
Deadline: Sept 28th
Link: grants.draknek.org
Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant
The Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant is a grant opportunity for game developers from traditionally underrepresented groups and backgrounds who are interested in designing and developing puzzle games.
grants.draknek.org
September 21, 2025 at 4:03 PM
There's one week left to apply for the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant ⏰‼️
If you're thinking of applying, make sure you get your applications in before next Sunday in order to be considered.
Grant: $15,000 USD
Deadline: Sept 28th
Link: grants.draknek.org
If you're thinking of applying, make sure you get your applications in before next Sunday in order to be considered.
Grant: $15,000 USD
Deadline: Sept 28th
Link: grants.draknek.org
Reposted by John Austin
Very cool!
It's not every day we get featured on the front page of Wikipedia dot com...
And Happy 20th Anniversary to Myst V: End of Ages!
https://cyan.com/games/mystv/
And Happy 20th Anniversary to Myst V: End of Ages!
https://cyan.com/games/mystv/
September 20, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Very cool!
Reposted by John Austin
We chatted with John Austin (@johnaustin.bsky.social) of Pontoco about sending clones to the edge of hell.
🧑🍳 Read at → www.weloveeverygame....
#IndieDev #HorrorGames #GameDev
🧑🍳 Read at → www.weloveeverygame....
#IndieDev #HorrorGames #GameDev
September 19, 2025 at 4:30 PM
We chatted with John Austin (@johnaustin.bsky.social) of Pontoco about sending clones to the edge of hell.
🧑🍳 Read at → www.weloveeverygame....
#IndieDev #HorrorGames #GameDev
🧑🍳 Read at → www.weloveeverygame....
#IndieDev #HorrorGames #GameDev
Dreaming of beautiful fields of mac and cheese 🧀
September 18, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Dreaming of beautiful fields of mac and cheese 🧀
Reposted by John Austin
Launch week of the first ever VR Forever!! 🔥
Any thoughts on who you think is winning awards on Thursday? 🤔
Any thoughts on who you think is winning awards on Thursday? 🤔
🔥 Introducing VR Forever 🔥
Coming to Steam from September 18th to 23rd
VR dedicated Steam Event
- Over 130 participating games
- Deep discounts
- New demos
- Announcements
- Surprise launches
Plus the first-ever VR Forever Awards 🏆
- 30 games
- 6 categories
- 8 industry judges
More info 🧵👇
Coming to Steam from September 18th to 23rd
VR dedicated Steam Event
- Over 130 participating games
- Deep discounts
- New demos
- Announcements
- Surprise launches
Plus the first-ever VR Forever Awards 🏆
- 30 games
- 6 categories
- 8 industry judges
More info 🧵👇
September 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Launch week of the first ever VR Forever!! 🔥
Any thoughts on who you think is winning awards on Thursday? 🤔
Any thoughts on who you think is winning awards on Thursday? 🤔