The hottest Substack posts of Load-bearing Tomato

And their main takeaways
5 implied HN points โ€ข 10 Jan 25
  1. When facing a problem, break it down into smaller pieces to see what might be causing it. This way, you can quickly rule out big areas and find the real issue.
  2. Always remember that tools and data can sometimes be misleading. It's important to check the real situation and not just trust what you see on the screen.
  3. Keep track of what you've already validated in your troubleshooting process. Rechecking things that are already confirmed can waste a lot of time.
2 implied HN points โ€ข 24 Jan 25
  1. To compile Unreal Engine 5 from source, you need the right version of Visual Studio. The recommended version is 17.6.
  2. Make sure to select specific options in the Visual Studio installer for proper setup. This will help you avoid issues during the compilation.
  3. If you run into problems, itโ€™s likely because the official documentation isn't detailed enough about setups like yours. Following these steps can simplify the process.
16 implied HN points โ€ข 21 Aug 24
  1. In Unreal Engine 5, Actors and Components are the main building blocks. Actors are objects in the game world, while Components add specific features to those Actors.
  2. Inheritance is a key concept in creating different types of objects. You can create child classes for specific behaviors while still sharing common features from a parent class.
  3. Functions and Events help organize code. Use Functions for reusable code and Events for actions triggered by certain events in your game.
5 implied HN points โ€ข 06 Aug 24
  1. Sound in games is made to work in real-time, which means it can't be exactly like in real life. Instead, game developers use simplified calculations to make it feel realistic without needing huge amounts of computer power.
  2. To create sound effects in games, developers use Emitters to play sounds and Listeners to receive them. This setup helps in determining how loud a sound is based on the distance and direction from where it is coming.
  3. Using Rooms and Portals helps organize sounds in the game environment. This makes it easier for the game to decide what sounds the player can hear and adjust them accordingly, leading to a more immersive experience.
7 implied HN points โ€ข 16 May 24
  1. Hiring only seniors can create problems because it limits decision-making and leads to too many meetings. New or junior employees can help speed things up by handling tasks while seniors make bigger decisions.
  2. Having a mix of experience levels in a team is crucial for growth. If companies only hire seniors, they won't have new talent coming up, which can lead to challenges in the future.
  3. Good management is important in game development. Issues often come from poor organization rather than from the skill level of individual team members.
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7 implied HN points โ€ข 15 May 24
  1. Yak-shaving happens when you start a task and then realize it leads to a bunch of other unrelated tasks that you didn't expect. It's like going to wax your car and ending up at the zoo, needing to shave a yak instead.
  2. This situation often arises from not understanding the dependencies of a task before you start working on it. Properly planning and identifying prerequisites can help avoid getting tangled in unnecessary tasks.
  3. To prevent yak-shaving, it's important to scope tasks carefully and flag assumptions early. Being aware of how tasks connect can help you manage time better and avoid going down rabbit holes.
8 implied HN points โ€ข 23 Apr 24
  1. Games need to start with quick experiments to see what works, this is called rapid prototyping. Flexibility is important so designers can try new ideas without being held back.
  2. Code doesnโ€™t have to be perfect; it just needs to be good enough for what the game requires. Sometimes a simpler solution works best and saves time.
  3. It's crucial to know when to optimize code. If the game is running well and meeting its needs, there might not be a need to improve it right away.
8 implied HN points โ€ข 18 Sep 23
  1. The story emphasizes the importance of understanding the context before making decisions.
  2. It highlights the consequences of acting impulsively without considering the reasons behind certain structures or rules.
  3. It serves as a reminder to pause, reflect, and seek understanding before taking action.
1 implied HN point โ€ข 04 Jul 24
  1. Understanding how people think can really help in designing better games. When we grasp players' experiences and emotions, we can create features they will understand and enjoy.
  2. A state machine model can show us how players react based on their past experiences and knowledge. This way, we can predict what they'll do in different situations.
  3. It's important to consider different players' backgrounds when designing games. New players and seasoned players might respond very differently to the same game mechanics.
0 implied HN points โ€ข 21 May 24
  1. Creating social games can help different groups of people interact and have fun together. It's great to mix friends from various circles and see them bond.
  2. Keeping game rules simple is key, especially for parties. If it's easy to learn, everyone can join in without feeling lost or confused.
  3. Feedback is important after the event. It helps you understand what worked and what could be better for next time, like having more snacks or being mindful of people's comfort levels.