Archvale - A student group is using this as an inspiration so I played a bit. It's a dungeon slash kind of game but really leans into the bullet hell enemy design. That requires a slightly different playstyle which makes it feel fresh store.steampowered.com/app/1296360/...
Oh!Ware - I have a soft spot for Mancala so I enjoyed seeing it used as a combat mechanic with a roguelike deckbuilder (marble-builder?) surrounding it. One tip: capturing is very powerful store.steampowered.com/app/4121430/...
Bug Chain - Gorgeous art and a fun theme for a simplified city-builder kind of game. It's still a little rough around the edges since it's an early demo but the interlocking requirements for different bugs is already interesting ianzell.itch.io/bug-chain
Proximity City - I'm a sucker for tableau builders and this one is very cute. It took a while to click as a system but I was having enough fun just placing buildings that it didn't matter juicybeast.itch.io/proximity-city
Australia Did It - tactical Into the Breach-like mechanics alternating with more frenetic arcade action. I'm going to have to sit down with this again when I've got the brain space for the tactical side store.steampowered.com/app/2396130/...
MythMatch - I played the demo but the full game is now out. The carrying around mechanic is a little annoying in the open map but it really shines in the confined "puzzle" levels. A little time pressure makes it feel more exciting than most merge games! store.steampowered.com/app/1778050/...
I didn't get out to GDC this year, but I did play some games and demos, so I'm creating a thread with my thoughts
The NYU Game Center's hiring! A senior, tenure-track professor post for an experienced game designer, artist or industry pro with a notable body of creative work. Experience finishing games and mentoring/teaching more important than any kind of academic credential!
gamecenter.nyu.edu/were-hiring-...
Consider submitting to the Indy Indies gamedev zine:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Its sort of a stacked month in Indiana for games, so if you're looking for more, come to the Symposium on Games on the 14th at Ball State University.
ANNOUNCEMENT: introducing our latest game!
The Marvelous Raincaster of Yell Holler, a time-looping puzzle ballad. 🪕
💧 Unravel a story-based time puzzle
💧 Employ a traveling c̶o̶n̶m̶a̶n̶ salesman
💧 Orchestrate a shindig and other such matters
Wishlist now! store.steampowered.com/app/3800300/
University of Cincinnati is hiring tenure-track in Games and Animation this cycle. I'm search committee chair and can answer any questions related to the position. Our program is intensive, studio-based, and collaborative, and we welcome industry folks who have MAs/MFAs!
jobs.uc.edu/job/Cincinna...
I’m the director of the 4-year game design BS at Indiana University Bloomington. Students get a broad background and then work together in teams to take a game from pitch to Steam release in four semesters mediaschool.indiana.edu/academics/un...
After 4-5 hours in Banner Saga, I lost one of my characters in one of the more narrative sections. It was surprising, since I hadn’t expected those sections to be dangerous. I played a bit longer but it didn’t interest me as much so I petered out
A screen shot of the Mineko’s Night Market Steam game page showing a 50% off discount
Get Mineko’s Night Market at our highest discount yet, 50% off!
The Humble Games publisher sale is on Steam RIGHT NOW!
store.steampowered.com/app/762940/M...
Ball State University is hosting their game symposium later this year - we have track for games. Would love for game devs to bring their games out to showcase. If you're writing / academically inclined, there's space for that too.
www.symposiumongames.org
If anyone is at Origins, this game is a lot fun!
It’s more pop psychology, but Gretchen Rubin calls people with this tendency ‘Obligers’ in her book The Four Tendencies
Thread of 'huh, I didn't know you could do that' moments in the #BigHops demo:
…
You might enjoy Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23, where James Van Der Beek plays a factionalized version of himself!
That’s my favorite game at Galloping Ghost outside Chicago!
Mineko's Night Market's cozy OST is now available! Feat. Daniel Simmons, a slew of live performers, and a guest arrangement from Hiroki Kikuta, we're pleased to finally get this music out into the world! scarletmoon.to/minekosnight... #gamemusic #vgm #indiegame #indiegames #cozy #wholesome
I haven’t played any Dragon Ages yet. What’s the best one to start with (particularly for playing on Steam Deck)?
Also, Slay the Spire was a mega hit at the same time that physical deckbuilding games were popular and inspiring designers (driven by Dominion’s success in 2008)
I’m going to GDC but *also* many IU students are going *and* they’ll be demoing their work at our booth in GDC Play Wed and Thur afternoons. Stop by and check out the games!
It’s hard to focus on it, but I’ll be at GDC this year, manning an IU booth. Who will be around to hang out, particularly Monday or Tuesday?
Proud to announce that BUCK's new game is a collaboration with Netflix + AGBO set in the Electric State universe.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwcV...
It's a turn-based retro adventure inspired by the nostalgic experience of your sibling watching you play a game.
📅 Launches 3/18!
The California Fire Relief Bundle is live!! Benefitting survivors of the SoCal wildfires through the Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE). Featuring 400+ games: Tunic! Tangle Tower! Catlateral Damage! Hidden Folks! Cook, Serve, Delicious! And more! $10 minimum!! itch.io/b/2863/calif...
My game is live in Steam Next Fest!
Please give it a try if you like:
⛓️Bionic Commando
👽Contra
🎨Scifi art from the 1970s
