The hottest Game design Substack posts right now

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Queen's Wish: A Portmortem Of Mixed Success

The Bottom Feeder • 994 implied HN points • 11 Mar 26
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. The Queen's Wish series was finished with a free epilogue DLC, but its commercial run was mixed: the first game’s Kickstarter succeeded while the second game bombed, and remasters were used to stabilize finances.
  2. The games tried bold innovations—a family-and-royalty-focused narrative, mission-based tactical combat, and an empire-simulation with crafting and fort upgrades that tie systems together.
  3. The biggest failures were the visuals and exposure: poor graphics, weak marketing, and design changes that alienated longtime fans hurt sales, teaching the creator to prioritize a unified visual style and balance innovation with retaining customers.

A Detailed Review of Like 8% of Mewgenics

The Bottom Feeder • 581 implied HN points • 05 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Game design
  1. Mewgenics is a highly polished, addictive indie game that mixes cat-breeding meta-progression with grid-based tactical combat and roguelike-style mission runs. The design is huge and the soundtrack is excellent.
  2. The breeding system is the most novel part, but it’s opaque and the interface is clumsy, so managing and understanding cats feels frustrating and requires extra googling and grinding.
  3. A long development let the small team recombine proven indie ideas into a fresh, successful new IP, but the game is a big time-eater that won’t fit every player’s life.

What Exact Products Do Games Sell, Two Case Studies

The Bottom Feeder • 897 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
🪑 Design Game design
  1. Games sell specific player experiences — measurable brain effects like dopamine, adrenaline-based reflex tests, thoughtful stimulation, art, or simply the feeling of time well spent.
  2. Elden Ring exemplifies selling a focused product: intense, reflex-driven combat that is preserved by avoiding easy modes and by streamlining anything that distracts from that core experience.
  3. Silksong illustrates selling extra "time-devouring" value alongside action, adding padding that some players see as good value and others find tedious, so designers must know which customers and experiences they’re targeting.

MicroTimes Interviews Lord British (1986)

Computer Ads from the Past • 640 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. Ambitious games can still be built on 8-bit machines by using assembly, modular code, and clever memory tricks to add bigger worlds and bitmap graphics within tight limits like 64K.
  2. Future hardware should prioritize a fast CPU, strong graphics and sound chips, and lots of RAM (at least 1MB); while 68000 systems and CD-ROMs offer promise, issues like market reach and CD seek times limit immediate change.
  3. Good game design emphasizes believable sound and avoiding reinforcement of negative behavior, and today quality and professionalism matter more—work with publishers early because solo-finished games are often not marketable.

☞ Maxis Software Toys

Cabinet of Wonders • 92 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Game design
  1. Maxis framed its games as open-ended "software toys" that let players set their own goals and explore creatively.
  2. Their titles emphasized deep simulation and realism—SimCity 2000 was billed as almost impossible to turn off, and SimLife let players reshape land, climate, time, and physics.
  3. The catalogs positioned Maxis as a broader cultural brand with merch and books, suggesting simulation games can be educational, imaginative, and ripe for a modern revival.
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Lunacian Lounge Recap: Combat, Dungeons, and Risk to Earn

The Lunacian • 368 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
🔮 Crypto Game design
  1. Playtest 2 is planned for late Q1 or early Q2 2026 and will focus on multiplayer dungeons with risk-to-earn extraction to test how fun and accessible that loop feels.
  2. Combat is moving from squad-based to single-axie control so body parts can have active abilities, classes become clearer, and gameplay feels tighter and more expressive.
  3. The game will tightly integrate Axie systems — Codex, Core, AXP, collectibles, crafting, life skills, and Land — and roll economy features out in phases to keep progression meaningful and accessible.

Why No AI Games?

Donkeyspace • 9 implied HN points • 02 Mar 26
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. There are surprisingly few compelling games built around generative AI; early experiments exist but none have delivered the kind of mind‑blowing, new gameplay people expected.
  2. Practical barriers—high API costs, unstable third‑party models, and strong player resistance to AI in games—make it hard to build sustainable, widely accepted AI‑centric titles.
  3. Generative AI’s soft, unpredictable behavior clashes with what makes games fun: simple, deterministic rules that produce emergent surprises, so raw AI output often short‑circuits the mechanics that create playable depth.

Under the microscope: Sound Qube (Saturn)

Rings of Saturn • 43 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. You can unlock a level select on the Saturn version by holding Start on the Options screen and entering: A, C, Up, Right, A, Down, Up, Left; this lets you start any of the eight levels.
  2. A wireframe mode makes the sub-cubes transparent when you pause, hold Start, and enter: A, C, Up, Right, A, B, Left, C.
  3. You can force a Stage Clear (or Level Clear on the final stage) by pausing, holding Start, and entering: A, C, Up, Right, A, Right, A, B, which can carry you to the end of the game.

The First Sneaky Town Tournament

Human Programming • 77 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
🪑 Design Game design
  1. A small act of commitment plus a bit of serendipity can unlock big opportunities — joining a makerspace and signing up for certification made the tournament possible.
  2. Ship first, polish later: a last-minute design pivot still produced boards people loved, showing deadlines and sharing work before perfection matter more than waiting for an ideal version.
  3. Practical event design and teaching matter: clear invites, flexible pacing, simple tournament structure, and improving how rules are taught made the event run smoothly and helped seed a local community.

Working with OLEDs: SSD1353 & SSD1333

lcamtuf’s thing • 1836 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. OLED displays are generally better for microcontroller projects than traditional LCDs. They are easier to use and deliver better performance and visuals.
  2. For projects with limited RAM or CPU, smaller OLED displays like the SSD1353 and SSD1333 can be effective. They are simple to set up with basic connections.
  3. Setting up these OLED displays involves a few key commands and configurations, making it manageable even for beginners. Once connected, getting them to display graphics is straightforward.

Video Game Thoughts Bonus Bag #6

The Bottom Feeder • 630 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Game design
  1. Steam has big sales now, so it's rare to see anyone pay full price for games. Deals pop up often, especially for indie games.
  2. Indie game developers face tough times with many good games struggling to make money. Even well-made titles can fail at launch despite a lot of effort.
  3. The author is still active in game development and is excited about an upcoming project called Avernum 4: Greed and Glory, highlighting ongoing creativity in the indie scene.

Procedural text and tabletop roleplaying

50 Years of Text Games • 1925 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Game design
  1. Procedural text and tabletop roleplaying games can create rich stories by filling in the gaps between generated content. This lets players use their imagination to create unique narratives.
  2. Games like Downcrawl encourage players to generate story elements in real-time during play, making the experience more dynamic and allowing for improvisation.
  3. Solo tabletop roleplaying games, like Downcrawl 2E, are becoming popular as they allow players to explore fictional worlds alone, using tools that help craft richer stories just like in multiplayer games.

The American Eschaton is Almost Here

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1787 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
💼 Business Game design
  1. The author has launched a crowdfunding campaign for a new RPG sourcebook filled with over 1,000 magic items. They believe it's important to launch it now while things are still stable.
  2. They encourage people who love Dungeons & Dragons, or want to share it with family, to support the book. The author thinks it could bring back good, classic gaming values.
  3. There's an upcoming livestream where the author will discuss gaming and pop culture, and interact with viewers. It's an opportunity for fans to ask questions and learn more.

Keeping to the Theme

RPG Design Theories • 491 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Game design
  1. In different game genres, the role of monsters can be completely opposite, so their presentation and mechanics should align with the specific genre.
  2. Game rules and mechanics can clearly communicate the focus of gameplay, such as combat-heavy mechanics for tactical games and more narrative-focused mechanics for story-driven games.
  3. Designing game mechanics involves considering the balance between detailed rules for combat, varying levels of action economy, and the degree of narrative flexibility, depending on the intended gameplay experience.

Why chasing twitter's approval doesn't work

Load-bearing Tomato • 11 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
🪑 Design Game design
  1. Social media opinions are skewed by algorithms and loud minorities, so what trends on platforms often isn't representative of your real player base.
  2. People misremember and tell stories about themselves, and many commenters lack the expertise to propose workable fixes. So direct suggestions are often wrong, and you should rely on behavior data and experiments instead.
  3. Media and creators amplify noisy or inflammatory takes into supposed truths, so treat player comments as data not gospel and always validate them with in-game metrics and careful testing.

The Lone Toad Newsletter - April 2024

The Lone Toad - Croaker RPGs Newsletter • 179 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Game design
  1. The OSR (Old School Renaissance) can bring interesting mechanics and principles into solo RPG play, such as focusing on rulings over rules and implementing reaction tables and morale checks.
  2. Retainers in solo RPGs, like torchbearers, mercenaries, and hedge wizards, can add depth and assistance to your character as they navigate dangerous scenarios.
  3. Consider trying out OSR solo RPG suggestions like Scarlet Heroes and Black Streams:Solo Heroes for a different gaming experience rooted in classic tabletop rules.

Player Success Versus Character Success

RPG Design Theories • 511 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Game design
  1. Players and characters should be conceptually separated in terms of success and failure.
  2. Game designers can choose between player-first and character-first gameplay styles, each with its own advantages and challenges.
  3. A balance between player-first and character-first elements can create a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience.

UFO50, the Only Game You'll Ever Need

The Bottom Feeder • 727 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Game design
  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.

Success

RPG Design Theories • 334 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
🚌 Education Game design
  1. Game mechanics should aim to be believable, easy-to-understand, and fun at the same time.
  2. Mechanics should tie to what's important in the game, determining when dice rolling comes into play.
  3. Consider the impact of player failure on their gameplay experience and find the right balance of randomization in tasks.

Is Remedy Making an Alan Wake spinoff about Mr. Door?

Textual Variations • 165 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Game design
  1. Remedy Entertainment is working on an unannounced game that is likely an Alan Wake spinoff called Doors. This project is part of a larger plan to expand their gaming universe.
  2. The new game might focus on characters like Mr. Door and Saga Anderson, exploring themes of parallel universes and interdimensional travel.
  3. The game is still in early development and is expected to be released around 2028 or later, emphasizing a connection to Remedy's other titles.

Under the microscope: E.T. Interplanetary Mission (PlayStation)

Rings of Saturn • 101 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. The game 'E.T. Interplanetary Mission' includes hidden messages, one notably expressing a sentiment towards Osama Bin Laden. This reflects the cultural context and sentiments surrounding 9/11.
  2. Players can unlock useful cheats in the game, like starting with 100 lives by entering a specific sequence at the title screen. This adds a fun twist for gamers looking for an easier experience.
  3. There's a hidden graphics editor that was likely used by developers, showcasing the behind-the-scenes work that goes into game design. This kind of feature is a cool insight into how games were created.

TITAA #40: Post-Creative Creativity

Things I Think Are Awesome • 216 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Game design
  1. Conceptual artist Sol Lewitt's wall drawings are executed by others based on his written prompts, highlighting different interpretations of instructions
  2. Poetry translation can lead to varied interpretations of the same text in different languages
  3. Copyright laws and the concept of dual authorship raise questions about originality and authorship in derived works

Commodore Magazine Interviews Epyx (1989)

Computer Ads from the Past • 256 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. Epyx started as a small game company and became successful by creating original titles and working closely as a team. They really focused on innovative ideas and stayed dedicated to their projects.
  2. The company faced challenges in licensing properties, like trying to secure the Olympic name, but they adapted by creating unique games that avoided conflicts with big players in the industry.
  3. Their games often combined fun gameplay with good graphics and sound, and they focused on making games that were enjoyable for everyone, not just hardcore players.

Expansion hack: Industrial Spy — Operation Espionage (Dreamcast)

Rings of Saturn • 87 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. Industrial Spy: Operation Espionage is a Dreamcast game that has an exciting debug menu. This menu can be accessed through a patch that reveals hidden game features.
  2. The debug menu includes options like a Sound Test, a 3D model viewer, and even a secret mini-game that resembles Breakout. It's a cool way to explore the game further.
  3. The game has a function that allows players to skip to different missions by altering a specific debug flag, making it easier to experience parts of the game without starting over.

Video Game Thoughts Bonus Bag #3

The Bottom Feeder • 484 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🕹 Technology 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.

The Secret Inside One Million Checkboxes

eieio games • 2 HN points • 29 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. The One Million Checkboxes website let people check or uncheck boxes that affected everyone worldwide. It became super popular, with millions of boxes checked in just a short time.
  2. Users found a creative way to send messages in binary code by checking boxes. This led to an unexpected community forming where they experimented with drawing and animations.
  3. Although some people disliked bots because they cluttered the site, the creator found inspiration in how young developers used them creatively. It was a reminder of the fun and opportunities coding can bring.

Under the microscope: Shining Wisdom (Saturn)

Rings of Saturn • 43 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. There's a special way to activate the debug menu in the game 'Shining Wisdom.' You need to use a second controller and enter a specific sequence of button presses.
  2. Once you activate the debug menu, you can access cool features like warping to any location and getting extra health, items, and spells.
  3. Exploring hidden features in games can be fun! If you know other games with secrets that can be unlocked, share them!

Under the microscope: Criticom (Saturn)

Rings of Saturn • 43 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. Criticom is generally considered a poorly rated fighting game, with reviews highlighting its lack of quality.
  2. Players can use cheat codes to unlock special features and abilities in the game, enhancing their gameplay experience.
  3. Specific passwords allow players to upgrade character ranks or even play as the final boss, adding depth to the game.

Queenless - A solo RPG by Croaker RPGs

The Lone Toad - Croaker RPGs Newsletter • 79 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Game design
  1. In 'Queenless', you play as a Bee trying to save the hive by collecting six jars of Royal Jelly from the valley.
  2. The game features interactions with different insects like the helpful Dragonfly and the menacing Praying Mantis.
  3. Gameplay in 'Queenless' involves a unique system using cards and dice to determine success, offering an engaging solo gaming experience.

TITAA #41.5: Agents and Rich Description

Things I Think Are Awesome • 78 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. The post discusses Segment Anything for creative tasks, social agents in game contexts, and new LLMs in the AI landscape.
  2. The content covers AI art tools, game design elements like agents and NPCs, and updates in the field of NLP.
  3. The author mentions increases in paid subscriptions, interesting topics like AI art copyright, and shares a variety of exciting updates.

The Lone Toad Newsletter - April 2023

The Lone Toad - Croaker RPGs Newsletter • 79 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Game design
  1. The Lone Toad Newsletter in April 2023 is dedicated to Stoneburner, an upcoming solo-friendly RPG blending sci-fi and fantasy.
  2. Stoneburner's unique concept involves classic fantasy cultures in a sci-fi setting, making it easy for players to envision the universe without complex explanations.
  3. Designing a solo-friendly game like Stoneburner involves focusing on player-centric mechanics, solid core gameplay loops, and providing tools like oracles and rolling tables for solo play.

Driving and Dragging Loops

the shimmering void • 116 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🪑 Design Game design
  1. Good design is all about drawing people in. If users don't want to engage with your work, it doesn't matter how good it looks.
  2. The early experience matters a lot. If users struggle at the beginning, they might give up, so make sure to guide them through the initial steps smoothly.
  3. Creating an engaging experience is like making music. It's about balancing challenges with rewards, helping users feel a natural flow as they progress.

2023 annual review of "A Good Interface"!

A Good Interface • 39 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🪑 Design Game design
  1. The writer quit their job, sold belongings, and traveled to create a game and explore, turning this journey into newsletter content.
  2. In 2023, the writer focused on sharing insights on UI/UX design for video games, posting consistently on Substack.
  3. For 2024, the writer plans to continue sharing design insights and personal project updates while aiming for reader interaction and feedback.

Under the microscope: Batman Begins (PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox)

Rings of Saturn • 43 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. Batman Begins, the old video game, has a cheat code that lets you unlock everything. You can access all bonus content just by entering a special button sequence.
  2. The cheat codes for the game are different for each console, like PlayStation 2 and Xbox. This means you need to follow the right button combo for the version you're playing.
  3. Finding cheat codes can be fun and remind you that it's never too late to explore old games. Who knows what other secrets are hidden in games from the past?

Under the microscope: Beach Spikers (GameCube)

Rings of Saturn • 29 implied HN points • 12 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. You can unlock all player customizations in Beach Spikers by entering the name 'VDF5PS'. This gives you access to special uniforms and character designs.
  2. The game has hidden player names that are like secret codes to unlock features. 'ARKATA', 'JUSTICE', and 'DAYTONA' are some, but 'VDF5PS' is the big one everyone missed.
  3. While the game's controls could be better, it still has a fun appeal for those patient enough to explore all its hidden features and cool outfits.

Under the microscope: Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 (PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox)

Rings of Saturn • 29 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. There are new cheat codes for unlocking all riders in Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2. You can enter a specific sequence to get all riders at once instead of unlocking them one by one.
  2. You can also unlock a multiplayer mode for the Tiki Battle mini-game. This adds a fun twist to the game by allowing you to play against friends.
  3. The process of finding these cheat codes involved looking closely at the game code. This means there are still secrets to uncover in old games, and enthusiasts can contribute by exploring further.

Under the microscope: Mobile Suit Gundam

Rings of Saturn • 43 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. A new translation patch for the 1995 game Mobile Suit Gundam has been released, making it easier for players to enjoy the game in English.
  2. There’s a cheat menu in the game that includes useful options like invincibility, stage selection, and movie skipping.
  3. Entering cheat codes in the game can be tricky, but the provided patch simplifies the process and makes it more accessible.

Under the microscope: Segagaga (Dreamcast)

Rings of Saturn • 43 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. Segagaga, a Sega RPG, has two hidden debug menus that can be accessed using cheat codes or patches. This makes the game more interactive for players who enjoy exploring its features.
  2. The first debug menu allows players to adjust game statistics, view sprites, and test sound and movie clips. It provides a way to experiment with different elements of the game.
  3. The second debug menu lets players access various game functions directly, including scenarios and mini-games. This menu simplifies navigation and enhances the gaming experience.

Cityscapes: Sim Builder

Have You Played? • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Game design
  1. Cityscapes: Sim Builder is a real-time simulation game where you build a city by placing blueprints for different types of buildings.
  2. The game lacks challenge due to easy money-making opportunities and simplified mechanics like no running costs for buildings.
  3. Cityscapes was initially designed as a free-to-play game monetized by selling in-game currency, but converted to Apple Arcade with a focus on time-based gameplay.