Zachary Pope
@zgpope.bsky.social
(he/him) Narrative Designer, Writer, and QA in Games
Spaceship enthusiast, he/him, views are my own
Was once @ZGPope on a blue site
Spaceship enthusiast, he/him, views are my own
Was once @ZGPope on a blue site
Pinned
Zachary Pope
@zgpope.bsky.social
· Jul 18
Save 10% on The Necromancer's Tale on Steam
A story-rich gothic RPG. Master the rituals of an ancient spellbook. Raise an undead army to march against your enemies. Commune with the realm of the dead & struggle with your descent into madnes...
store.steampowered.com
At long last the first game I ever wrote for is out. AND it’s 10% off until July 27th!
If the idea of a CRPG where you play an 18th century noble who falls into a spiral of madness, revenge, and necromancy appeals at all… I do hope you’ll check it out.
store.steampowered.com/app/1315320/...
If the idea of a CRPG where you play an 18th century noble who falls into a spiral of madness, revenge, and necromancy appeals at all… I do hope you’ll check it out.
store.steampowered.com/app/1315320/...
Reposted by Zachary Pope
This is the number one issue I find with junior game designers (and unfortunately, non-designers who think anyone can design). So many people cannot tell the difference between "a game I like" and "a game that's designed well" and they get REAL mad if you point out there's a difference
begging people to learn to separate “i like it” with “it’s good.”
i like some things that are objectively crap. you can admit that you do too. it’s fine
i like some things that are objectively crap. you can admit that you do too. it’s fine
November 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM
This is the number one issue I find with junior game designers (and unfortunately, non-designers who think anyone can design). So many people cannot tell the difference between "a game I like" and "a game that's designed well" and they get REAL mad if you point out there's a difference
Reposted by Zachary Pope
November 25, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Reposted by Zachary Pope
We're excited to announce YOUNG SUNS: a new narrative-rich co-op life sim set on Jupiter. Experience life in an optimistic future full of colorful characters. Play solo or with up to 3 friends. Visit planetoids, ruins, and stations. Craft and decorate. Help society heal.
youtu.be/rVEWbp1FiKg?...
youtu.be/rVEWbp1FiKg?...
KO_OP Game Reveal & Presentation
YouTube video by KO_OP
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM
We're excited to announce YOUNG SUNS: a new narrative-rich co-op life sim set on Jupiter. Experience life in an optimistic future full of colorful characters. Play solo or with up to 3 friends. Visit planetoids, ruins, and stations. Craft and decorate. Help society heal.
youtu.be/rVEWbp1FiKg?...
youtu.be/rVEWbp1FiKg?...
Reposted by Zachary Pope
Friends! The Necromancer's Tale is aiming for nomination in the Steam Awards 2025, for Story-Rich games released this year. If you get a chance to nominate us at this link, it would be really appreciated! :-)
steamcommunity.com/games/131532...
steamcommunity.com/games/131532...
November 24, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Friends! The Necromancer's Tale is aiming for nomination in the Steam Awards 2025, for Story-Rich games released this year. If you get a chance to nominate us at this link, it would be really appreciated! :-)
steamcommunity.com/games/131532...
steamcommunity.com/games/131532...
Reposted by Zachary Pope
networking is an incredibly important part of maintaining a professional presence in your creative industry, but it can be daunting. have you tried being completely fucking ridiculous online
November 13, 2025 at 8:18 PM
networking is an incredibly important part of maintaining a professional presence in your creative industry, but it can be daunting. have you tried being completely fucking ridiculous online
Reposted by Zachary Pope
GB Patch Games is looking for a Background Artist to help bring cozy fall vibes to their LGBTQ+ visual novel, Our Life: Now & Forever.
🛰️ Remote, Freelance
📚 Examples of your previous work required
⤵️
🛰️ Remote, Freelance
📚 Examples of your previous work required
⤵️
GB Patch Games is hiring a Background Artist
GB Patch Games is looking for another background artist for our upcoming commercial visual novel project, Our Life: Now & Forever.
workwithindies.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:28 PM
GB Patch Games is looking for a Background Artist to help bring cozy fall vibes to their LGBTQ+ visual novel, Our Life: Now & Forever.
🛰️ Remote, Freelance
📚 Examples of your previous work required
⤵️
🛰️ Remote, Freelance
📚 Examples of your previous work required
⤵️
Reposted by Zachary Pope
The thing about Mamdani is that he’s a talented politician but not otherworldly or one in a billion, he’s just a competent guy with popular ideas who ran against an entitled piece of shit and to me it’s a lot more optimistic to imagine 1000 campaigns like his than to view him as a unique phenomenon
November 11, 2025 at 1:42 AM
The thing about Mamdani is that he’s a talented politician but not otherworldly or one in a billion, he’s just a competent guy with popular ideas who ran against an entitled piece of shit and to me it’s a lot more optimistic to imagine 1000 campaigns like his than to view him as a unique phenomenon
Reposted by Zachary Pope
“Why is literacy important?”
Socioeconomic Politics Nerd: *rambles on about civic engagement, material enrichment, individual well-being, etc*
Joyce Carol Oates: If you are literate, you can drive a billionaire into a mental breakdown!
Socioeconomic Politics Nerd: *rambles on about civic engagement, material enrichment, individual well-being, etc*
Joyce Carol Oates: If you are literate, you can drive a billionaire into a mental breakdown!
November 11, 2025 at 4:39 AM
“Why is literacy important?”
Socioeconomic Politics Nerd: *rambles on about civic engagement, material enrichment, individual well-being, etc*
Joyce Carol Oates: If you are literate, you can drive a billionaire into a mental breakdown!
Socioeconomic Politics Nerd: *rambles on about civic engagement, material enrichment, individual well-being, etc*
Joyce Carol Oates: If you are literate, you can drive a billionaire into a mental breakdown!
Reposted by Zachary Pope
Reposted by Zachary Pope
Not to be the fun police but I do hope people know that Arc Raiders does use generative AI for voice acting, and by supporting the game you're letting higher-ups know that this is an okay practice.
They try to downplay this on the Steam store page by describing the AI usage as vaguely as possible.
They try to downplay this on the Steam store page by describing the AI usage as vaguely as possible.
November 8, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Not to be the fun police but I do hope people know that Arc Raiders does use generative AI for voice acting, and by supporting the game you're letting higher-ups know that this is an okay practice.
They try to downplay this on the Steam store page by describing the AI usage as vaguely as possible.
They try to downplay this on the Steam store page by describing the AI usage as vaguely as possible.
Reposted by Zachary Pope
So in terms of actionable advice here, if you're constructing a quest for a game and it's not really feeling like anything, ask yourself if it's just a chain of straightforward "therefore..." cause and effect. You're probably missing a "but!" somewhere in there.
November 9, 2025 at 1:22 AM
So in terms of actionable advice here, if you're constructing a quest for a game and it's not really feeling like anything, ask yourself if it's just a chain of straightforward "therefore..." cause and effect. You're probably missing a "but!" somewhere in there.
Reposted by Zachary Pope
Being a fantasy writer is typing "they extended an olive branch" and then going "shit, do they even have olives in this world?"
November 4, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Being a fantasy writer is typing "they extended an olive branch" and then going "shit, do they even have olives in this world?"
Reposted by Zachary Pope
81monkeys is hiring a Producer to champion "Joy at Work" and lead their team to new heights!
📍On-site, Full-time (Port Moody, BC)
🤝 Exceptional written and verbal skills
💵 Starting salary: $85k - $100k/yr
⤵️
📍On-site, Full-time (Port Moody, BC)
🤝 Exceptional written and verbal skills
💵 Starting salary: $85k - $100k/yr
⤵️
81monkeys is hiring a Producer
As a Producer at 81monkeys, you will work alongside the CEO/Game Director, funding partners, and work-for-hire clients to ensure the overall vision of the studio’s flagship project is achieved.
workwithindies.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:34 PM
81monkeys is hiring a Producer to champion "Joy at Work" and lead their team to new heights!
📍On-site, Full-time (Port Moody, BC)
🤝 Exceptional written and verbal skills
💵 Starting salary: $85k - $100k/yr
⤵️
📍On-site, Full-time (Port Moody, BC)
🤝 Exceptional written and verbal skills
💵 Starting salary: $85k - $100k/yr
⤵️
Reposted by Zachary Pope
In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. Introducing: Warhammer Survivors, coming 2026.
The endless night closes around you in the universes of Warhammer. Pick a champion and eviscerate endless swarms of enemies ⚔️
Watch the trailer 👇
The endless night closes around you in the universes of Warhammer. Pick a champion and eviscerate endless swarms of enemies ⚔️
Watch the trailer 👇
November 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM
In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. Introducing: Warhammer Survivors, coming 2026.
The endless night closes around you in the universes of Warhammer. Pick a champion and eviscerate endless swarms of enemies ⚔️
Watch the trailer 👇
The endless night closes around you in the universes of Warhammer. Pick a champion and eviscerate endless swarms of enemies ⚔️
Watch the trailer 👇
Reposted by Zachary Pope
The 400 richest Americans are now worth a record $6.6 trillion.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
November 3, 2025 at 1:30 AM
The 400 richest Americans are now worth a record $6.6 trillion.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
Reposted by Zachary Pope
I've been working on a little game in the background for a month or so now.... It's basically going to be snake + guns rogue like type thing. Here's where me and the team are at so far!
#gamedev #indiedev #screenshotsaturday #unity3d
#gamedev #indiedev #screenshotsaturday #unity3d
November 1, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I've been working on a little game in the background for a month or so now.... It's basically going to be snake + guns rogue like type thing. Here's where me and the team are at so far!
#gamedev #indiedev #screenshotsaturday #unity3d
#gamedev #indiedev #screenshotsaturday #unity3d
Reposted by Zachary Pope
Control Ultimate Edition is $3.99 on Steam buff.ly/Dnw1oEM
US PS+ buff.ly/frHZM1v
XBL buff.ly/aSLJDFj
Deck verified
also on Game Pass Premium/PS+ Extra
US PS+ buff.ly/frHZM1v
XBL buff.ly/aSLJDFj
Deck verified
also on Game Pass Premium/PS+ Extra
October 30, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Control Ultimate Edition is $3.99 on Steam buff.ly/Dnw1oEM
US PS+ buff.ly/frHZM1v
XBL buff.ly/aSLJDFj
Deck verified
also on Game Pass Premium/PS+ Extra
US PS+ buff.ly/frHZM1v
XBL buff.ly/aSLJDFj
Deck verified
also on Game Pass Premium/PS+ Extra
Reposted by Zachary Pope
the next time we send out a newsletter we may or may not be announcing our next game 😇
Sign up so you don't miss it buttondown.com/ko_op
Sign up so you don't miss it buttondown.com/ko_op
KO_OP Newsletter
The KO_OP newsletter — Updates on our games, announcements, information on working in a co-operative model, and team picks of some of the most interesting things on the internet. KO_OP is a democratic...
buttondown.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:24 PM
the next time we send out a newsletter we may or may not be announcing our next game 😇
Sign up so you don't miss it buttondown.com/ko_op
Sign up so you don't miss it buttondown.com/ko_op
Reposted by Zachary Pope
Check out the awesome new game by my wonderful and talented friends at Spooky Doorway!
The Séance of Blake Manor is OUT NOW!
Can you discover what has become of Evelyn Deane and uncover the secrets of Blake Manor itself?
store.steampowered.com/app/1395520/...
Can you discover what has become of Evelyn Deane and uncover the secrets of Blake Manor itself?
store.steampowered.com/app/1395520/...
October 27, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Check out the awesome new game by my wonderful and talented friends at Spooky Doorway!
Reposted by Zachary Pope
My hot take of the day: RPG designs that fall into the "sad notes on index cards" category are ALSO about fantasy. They are about the fantasy of being able to express oneself fully and honestly in a world that accepts that.
Fantasy A: I get to help.
Fantasy B: I get to cry.
Fantasy A: I get to help.
Fantasy B: I get to cry.
October 27, 2025 at 1:19 PM
My hot take of the day: RPG designs that fall into the "sad notes on index cards" category are ALSO about fantasy. They are about the fantasy of being able to express oneself fully and honestly in a world that accepts that.
Fantasy A: I get to help.
Fantasy B: I get to cry.
Fantasy A: I get to help.
Fantasy B: I get to cry.
Reposted by Zachary Pope
OPPORTUNITY- Narrative Designer - CCP - Reykjavík
Not affiliated. Shared welcome.
careers.ccpgames.com/en/postings/...
Not affiliated. Shared welcome.
careers.ccpgames.com/en/postings/...
Narrative Designer
Job Opening: Narrative Designer at CCP Games in Reykjavík.
careers.ccpgames.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
OPPORTUNITY- Narrative Designer - CCP - Reykjavík
Not affiliated. Shared welcome.
careers.ccpgames.com/en/postings/...
Not affiliated. Shared welcome.
careers.ccpgames.com/en/postings/...
Reposted by Zachary Pope
@voidinteractive.bsky.social have added new positions to join their team working on Ready Or Not:
💻 Director of Engineering & Technology
💻 Technical Director
💻 IT Sysmte Specialist (Remote Ireland)
🎨 Lighting Artist
🎨 Art Director
🧪 QA Lead
📝 Narrative Writer
🎬 Senior Producer
🌐 REMOTE
💻 Director of Engineering & Technology
💻 Technical Director
💻 IT Sysmte Specialist (Remote Ireland)
🎨 Lighting Artist
🎨 Art Director
🧪 QA Lead
📝 Narrative Writer
🎬 Senior Producer
🌐 REMOTE
October 24, 2025 at 4:08 PM
@voidinteractive.bsky.social have added new positions to join their team working on Ready Or Not:
💻 Director of Engineering & Technology
💻 Technical Director
💻 IT Sysmte Specialist (Remote Ireland)
🎨 Lighting Artist
🎨 Art Director
🧪 QA Lead
📝 Narrative Writer
🎬 Senior Producer
🌐 REMOTE
💻 Director of Engineering & Technology
💻 Technical Director
💻 IT Sysmte Specialist (Remote Ireland)
🎨 Lighting Artist
🎨 Art Director
🧪 QA Lead
📝 Narrative Writer
🎬 Senior Producer
🌐 REMOTE
Reposted by Zachary Pope
I need to mention something that happened yesterday. I had a negative review of my game & an irate player in my Discord, talking about bugs they claimed were longstanding, mentioned all over Steam and Reddit, and never fixed. After some probing they admitted they had been asking ChatGPT for hints.
CHATGPT IS NOT A FUCKING SEARCH ENGINE
October 20, 2025 at 8:28 AM
I need to mention something that happened yesterday. I had a negative review of my game & an irate player in my Discord, talking about bugs they claimed were longstanding, mentioned all over Steam and Reddit, and never fixed. After some probing they admitted they had been asking ChatGPT for hints.
Reposted by Zachary Pope
New Hunter: The Reckoning game coming from Paul Wang! If you liked Night Road or Book of Hungry Names you'll want to wishlist A Time of Monsters.
Hunter: The Reckoning — A Time of Monsters
Topple the vampires from the streets below! Will you unite the homeless, the gangs, and the secret hunter societies to defy vampiric rule?
www.choiceofgames.com
October 13, 2025 at 4:07 PM
New Hunter: The Reckoning game coming from Paul Wang! If you liked Night Road or Book of Hungry Names you'll want to wishlist A Time of Monsters.
Reposted by Zachary Pope
Please wishlist anything from Choice of Games you might want to get; to most algorithms, CoG is "shaped like" bottom-tier choiceslop of the "save cheating boyfriend/push him into the mud" variety, but each game is hand-crafted, written and coded by a single author.
New Hunter: The Reckoning game coming from Paul Wang! If you liked Night Road or Book of Hungry Names you'll want to wishlist A Time of Monsters.
Hunter: The Reckoning — A Time of Monsters
Topple the vampires from the streets below! Will you unite the homeless, the gangs, and the secret hunter societies to defy vampiric rule?
www.choiceofgames.com
October 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Please wishlist anything from Choice of Games you might want to get; to most algorithms, CoG is "shaped like" bottom-tier choiceslop of the "save cheating boyfriend/push him into the mud" variety, but each game is hand-crafted, written and coded by a single author.