button mash

Button Mash is a newsletter focused on game development, video game analysis, and the personal journey of learning game design and coding. It covers the author's experiences with crafting games, participating in events, and reflections on game themes, emphasizing the importance of creativity, community, and personal growth in the gaming world.

Game Development Video Game Analysis Creative Process Learning and Education Community and Collaboration Personal Growth Emotional Impact of Games

The hottest Substack posts of button mash

And their main takeaways

How to get into video games

98 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Recommendations Review Mobile Simulation
  1. Getting into video games can be challenging due to the high barrier to entry, cost, and time commitment.
  2. Finding a starting point for gaming is a personal journey with no one-size-fits-all answer.
  3. Recommendations for beginner-friendly games include titles like Florence, Oxenfree, and Slay the Spire.

one year in

176 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Game Development Coding Tutorials Community support
  1. Starting to learn something new can be challenging but rewarding.
  2. Choosing the right tools, like game engines and coding approaches, is important for beginners in game development.
  3. Seeking out tutorials, teachers, and communities can help in the learning process and provide valuable support.

notes on camp

117 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Education Programming
  1. Attended ITP Camp at NYU's Brooklyn campus for a month
  2. Participated in a wide range of classes and workshops on storytelling, game-making, and coding
  3. Embraced a collaborative, open environment that led to personal growth and new creative projects

hey gamers

98 implied HN points • 11 Sep 22
  1. The author took time off work to learn how to make games, using YouTube and a game engine.
  2. They are experimenting with game development tools and finding joy in creating pixel art and music.
  3. The process of game development has invigorated the author and brought excitement back into their life.

prototypes

58 implied HN points • 31 Dec 22
  1. Creating prototypes and projects is a process of learning and improvement.
  2. Making mistakes and fixing them in programming is a crucial part of the creative process.
  3. Setting goals and resolutions to finish projects and continue learning are important for personal growth.
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jammin

39 implied HN points • 08 Jan 23
  1. The author participated in a game jam called Ludum Dare over a weekend.
  2. They created a small minigame called Fishtank in about 12 hours.
  3. The minigame involves a fish tank in a city setting, adding a unique twist to the game.

refactoring

15 HN points • 06 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Crafting Writing Coding
  1. Refactoring in coding means changing how code is written without changing the end result.
  2. Refactoring involves adjusting and reworking a process to improve it.
  3. It's important to find a balance between refining and over-refining to allow for creativity and natural emergence.

undertale

78 implied HN points • 28 Mar 19
  1. Undertale is a game where choices have unforeseen consequences.
  2. The game challenges players to consider their actions and consequences.
  3. Undertale emphasizes the importance of empathy and exploring different paths.

welcome to button mash

58 implied HN points • 19 Mar 19
  1. The author is starting to play more new video games in addition to replaying classics.
  2. The author prefers games with emotional depth, beautiful music, and a sense of sincerity.
  3. Playing games provides the author with a safe and comforting escape from the chaos and challenges of the real world.

oxenfree & night in the woods

0 implied HN points • 30 May 19
  1. Oxenfree and Night in the Woods are narrative games that can help cope with difficult situations and decisions.
  2. Both games focus on themes of grief, self-discovery, and handling aftermaths.
  3. Playing these games can provide a way to reflect on challenging emotions from a distance and consider different approaches to life challenges.