The post discusses strategies for enhancing turn-based RPGs, emphasizing the importance of balance in game design. It outlines four key methods: introducing resistances to encourage player diversification, creating items with adva...
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The Bottom Feeder is a veteran in indie game development, known for founding Spiderweb Software and writing numerous games.
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The blog post announces the release date for 'Avernum 4: Greed and Glory,' a remaster of the original 'Avernum 4' from 2005. The author reflects on the development process, discussing the challenges faced, decisions made regarding...
The author reflects on the completion of the Queen's Wish series, highlighting its successes, failures, and the innovative elements that define the games.
Mewgenics is an addictive indie game that creatively combines cat breeding with turn-based combat, showcasing impressive design but struggling with interface issues.
The author critiques various fantasy and sci-fi media, emphasizing the need for clear storytelling and emotional depth while celebrating indie games and their creativity.
The author critiques the marketing art for Dungeons & Dragons, comparing two images from the official website. The first image, featuring a pastel and soft-focus style, is seen as a departure from traditional D&D art, lacking acti...
The post explores how video games like Elden Ring and Hollow Knight: Silksong sell different experiences, emphasizing the importance of understanding player appeal in game design.
Video games influence players' brains by selling experiences like dopamine stimulation, adrenaline rushes, and time consumption, which are crucial for developers to understand.
The article discusses key principles of game design, particularly focusing on the concept of loss aversion in players. It uses the example of the World of Warcraft fatigue mechanic, which was initially disliked but became popular ...
The post discusses the challenges creators face when receiving feedback online, particularly the negative impact of unfiltered criticism. The author emphasizes the importance of filtering feedback to maintain mental well-being and...
Spiderweb Software announces the upcoming release of Avernum 4: Greed and Glory, a remaster of the original Avernum 4 from 2005. The blog post discusses the history of the Avernum saga, the challenges faced by the company, and the...
The blog post announces the release of 'Avernum 4: Greed and Glory,' a remaster of the original 2005 game. The author discusses the improvements made, including new quests, characters, and a more cohesive story arc. The remaster a...
The demo for 'Avernum 4: Greed and Glory' is now available for Steam Next Fest, with the full game set to release on October 22nd. The author discusses the game's development, including the evolution of its story and technical cha...
The post discusses the upcoming release of 'Avernum 4: Greed and Glory' by Spiderweb Software, set for October 22. It highlights the indie game landscape, mentioning a Steam sale and the success of the indie game 'Megabonk,' which...
The blog post is a review of the video game adaptation of Harlan Ellison's short story 'I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream.' The author reflects on their initial reluctance to play the game due to Ellison's controversial views on ...
The blog post discusses various aspects of the indie game development scene, including the Steam Summer Sale, an interview with the author, challenges faced by indie developers, and reviews of several indie games. The author refle...
The author recounts a personal story from their childhood when they attended a summer computer camp where Lord British, the creator of the Ultima series, was a counselor. The author describes their excitement about meeting someone...
The author shares thoughts on the Game Awards, recent game releases, and the changing landscape of indie games, blending humor with critical insights.
The author shares their thoughts on the video game Cyberpunk 2077, praising its lavish design and story, but criticizing the character development and moral aspects. They also discuss the game's difficulty and the impact of the CO...
The author discusses the process of cleaning out old computers and tech junk, including a PowerMac 6100, a DOS Compatibility Card, and a Magnavox monitor. The author reflects on the sentimental value of the old machines and the ch...
The text discusses the rise of Chinese animation, particularly the success of the animated film Ne Zha 2. It compares Chinese animation to Western animation, highlighting the fun and anarchy present in Chinese animation that is la...
The text is a review of the game Hades, discussing its gameplay, storytelling, and the author's personal experience with the game. The author praises the game's combat, progression system, and storytelling, but also expresses some...
The text describes the author's experience playing the board game Star Fleet Battles, a complex and detailed simulation of spaceship combat in the world of Star Trek. The author shares their love for the game, its rules, and the v...
0David Lynch, 1946-2025.
2025-01-29 •
The text is a tribute to the late filmmaker David Lynch, who was known for his strange, polarizing art and films. The author discusses Lynch's approach to fantasy and his influence on the genre. The post also includes recommendati...