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

Gamer Deep Lore, Exhibit #5. Star Fleet Battles.

533 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Gaming Board Games
  1. Star Fleet Battles is a detailed board game about spaceship combat in the Star Trek universe. It combines complex rules and strategy to create a very immersive gaming experience.
  2. The game involves a lot of math, especially in allocating power for different ship functions like speed and weapons. Players who enjoy this type of challenge tend to thrive in the game.
  3. Despite being nostalgic for many, Star Fleet Battles still has a dedicated following and continues to be published with expansions, keeping the love for 80s gaming alive.

David Lynch, 1946-2025.

630 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Film Art Fantasy Media
  1. David Lynch was a unique filmmaker who made strange but influential art that didn't always make sense. His work often blended reality with surreal elements, creating something both unsettling and captivating.
  2. Lynch believed in having the final cut of his films, which meant his vision was fully realized without outside interference. This independence can inspire other creators to prioritize their artistic integrity.
  3. Modern fantasy often makes magic too clear and predictable, which can take away its mystery. Lynch's work reminds us that magic can be strange and elusive, making it much more compelling.

When Writing Fantasy, Kill Your Darlings. Literally.

703 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
📚 Literature Fiction Writing Fantasy Storytelling Character development
  1. Killing characters can add emotional weight to a story. When a character dies, it can make the readers feel more suspense and connect emotionally to the narrative.
  2. It's important to time character deaths well in a story. Too many deaths can numb the audience, while too few can make a story feel cluttered and lacking in stakes.
  3. Character deaths should serve a purpose. They should reflect the story's themes and impact the narrative, making the audience feel the reality of loss and its significance.

Video Game Thoughts Bonus Bag #4

339 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Entertainment Music Art Social media
  1. Not many gamers know about online game controversies. Most people play games without getting involved in drama on social media.
  2. UFO50 is great for learning game design by showing how to make fun games without unnecessary complexity. It invites players to think about what really matters in game design.
  3. AI could really improve experiences at parks like Disney, but people might misuse it for funny or mean content, making it a tricky situation.

UFO50, the Only Game You'll Ever Need

727 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Video Games Game design Indie games Market Trends
  1. UFO50 is a unique collection of 50 smaller games, each designed to be completed in just a few hours. This makes it easy to enjoy different game styles without a huge time commitment.
  2. The games in UFO50 showcase clever design ideas that keep gameplay fresh and interesting. Even if one game doesn't appeal to you, you can find multiple others that will.
  3. Making short games like those in UFO50 can be a challenge in the market, but they provide satisfying experiences for players who might not have the time for longer games.
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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.

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.