The Bottom Feeder

The Bottom Feeder explores the complexities and nuances of video games, their design, storytelling, and market dynamics, while critically analyzing current trends, indie game development, and the emotional impact of gaming. It frequently delves into the balance between art and entertainment, market strategies, and the evolution of gaming genres.

Video Game Analysis Indie Game Development Game Design Philosophy Market Strategies in Gaming Storytelling in Games Gaming Trends Video Game Criticism

The hottest Substack posts of The Bottom Feeder

And their main takeaways

Video Game Thoughts Bonus Bag #3

484 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Video Games Indie games Game design
  1. Steam Next Fest is a good opportunity for indie game developers to showcase their demos, despite the overcrowded market.
  2. Indie game developers often struggle to come up with completely new game ideas, leading to a trend of mixing and matching existing genres.
  3. The video game industry is facing challenges such as burnout, harsh recession period, and layoffs, impacting both developers and players.

Award Shows and Other Human Things

242 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Awards Entertainment Art Pop culture Movies
  1. Awards shows are fun, even if they're silly and trivial. It's enjoyable to argue about them and engage in the social experience of celebrating achievements.
  2. Awards fulfill various human needs like celebrating excellence, reflecting on the past year, and providing recommendations for the future.
  3. Creating a successful award show requires scale, respectability, and seriousness in a lighthearted way. Video game awards may struggle to find this balance.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Fantasy Is Universal

266 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Fantasy Philosophy Literature
  1. Fantasy is a universal genre that attracts people due to its fantastical elements and imaginative storytelling.
  2. Humans rely on fantasy to explore themes of heroes, villains, gods and monsters, showcasing a desire for stories of beings beyond ordinary capabilities.
  3. The appeal of fantasy lies in power fantasies that provide comfort, the ability to feed our imagination with new worlds, and the potential to disguise uncomfortable truths in an engaging way.

Five Bucks To Feel Like a God

315 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
  1. Vampire Survivors is an inspiring indie game that provides a pure gaming experience with relentless carnage and visual clarity.
  2. The pricing of indie games like Vampire Survivors can vary greatly, showing there is no fixed solution to pricing in the video game industry.
  3. Understanding game genres like twin-stick shooters can help in appreciating the gameplay dynamics and design choices of different games.

God of War Ragnarok: Five Game Systems In One Bag

290 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Systems Design Indie games
  1. The game design for God of War Ragnarok involved combining multiple game systems, resulting in a complex and overwhelming experience for players.
  2. Despite the extensive features and upgrades in the game, many of these elements were found to be unnecessary and not essential for effective gameplay.
  3. Feedback on game design suggests that prioritizing clear, substantive upgrades and reducing the number of systems could lead to a more enjoyable and balanced gaming experience.

Months Late Game Review ... Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The Good Things.

2 HN points • 30 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Gaming Review Entertainment Technology Video Games
  1. Video game criticism is rushed, but thoughtful analysis takes time to assess what works and what doesn't.
  2. Zelda games are unique in their niche popularity, combining puzzle elements with combat, and creating an open-ended exploration experience.
  3. Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom introduces fascinating game design elements like weapon durability and a physics engine that enhances gameplay.

We Have a New Kickstarter, Plus Let's Talk About Remasters

1 HN point • 08 Feb 23
  1. Generating interest and financial support for projects through platforms like Kickstarter is important for creators.
  2. Remastering classic games involves balancing preservation of original elements with introducing enhancements for modern gameplay.
  3. Maintaining humility and respect for the original work is crucial when remastering classic games.