Hello!
Last month I did a lecture in The Netherlands about video game economy design, and how the flow of resources around a system can create interesting gameplay and decisions. And I thought... hey, that would make a good GMTK episode!
Would love to hear any feedback before the video launches next week. You'll also get a bonus video with one of the other lectures I gave. More on that after the weekend.
Cheers!
Mark
2022-04-22 10:42:39 +0000 UTC
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Hey!
So, I'm still working hard on this magnetic puzzle game. Since we last spoke, I've been completely overhauling the character controller. Turning it from a floaty, imprecise mess - into something that actually feels fun to play.
My latest episode of Developing - How I made an actually good character this time - documents the process. And my subsequent exhaustion.
If you'd like to try the character...
2022-04-01 14:50:54 +0000 UTC
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Hey! So I’ve been travelling, giving multiple lectures, making video games, and running a YouTube channel. Not a lot of time for video games! But, here’s three things I have been playing since we last chatted.
Elden Ring
Okay, it’s the big one. Elden Ring. If you’ve somehow missed this - it’s basically Dark Souls 4, but also Dark Souls 5 and 6. It’s a monstrou...
2022-03-31 16:12:31 +0000 UTC
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Hey! I'm back with a new episode of Developing. This time: character controllers! Let's look at how I turned my floaty, rubbish robot into a fun, fluid hero.
The demo I mention in the video will be made available to Patrons soon. Still working out some kinks. This video will go live tomorrow.
Also - as I say in the video, I'm taking a bit of a break from game dev so expect some other, non-magnetic video topics soon! Excite!
Mark
2022-03-31 14:17:37 +0000 UTC
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Greetings Tarnished. You would be wise to ponder this reading list, for the articles contained within offer a bounty of advice for your travels - *mysterious chuckle*.
Ah yes, it’s the release of a new Souls-like game, which means the gamer discourse is well and truly in full gear. I’ve collected a bunch of stuff about Elden Ring below - but if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, there’s a whole lot of other stuff to keep you busy too.
Enjoy!
The Forgotten Lands<...
2022-03-28 08:57:44 +0000 UTC
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Hey everyone!
Back in December last year, I said I would return in March of 2022 to talk about how things are going with the channel and GMTK in general. So… hi! Hello! Here I am. Let’s jump in.
Videos
So, first things first, I’m pretty happy with my video output for the year so far. Both January and February have had two videos a piece, and March will have one ...
2022-03-23 10:14:38 +0000 UTC
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Hey, it's the new episode of Developing! This time I dissect the feedback on my Minimum Viable Product, and figure out what's next for Untitled Magnet Game!
Oh yeah, my series has also been nominated for a Unity award in the category Insider Devlog. If you have a spare minute, I'd really appreciate a vote on the site here.
Cheers!
Mark
2022-02-28 18:00:07 +0000 UTC
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Hey! Welcome back to the playlist video. I’m still working through my 2021 backlog - so no Pokemon, Horizon, or Elden Ring impressions yet. But here are three games from last year that I wanted to give my thoughts on. Let’s jump in. You can watch it on YouTube above, or read it below.
Guardians of the Galaxy
So, in some ways, Guardians of the Galaxy feels quite simila...
2022-02-28 15:08:32 +0000 UTC
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Hello!
New episode of Developing, where I go through all the feedback from my Minimum Viable Product and share what I learned, and what I'm going to do next! Will be released to the world on Monday.
Cheers, speak soon
Mark
2022-02-26 11:12:01 +0000 UTC
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Hello! Welcome back to the reading list. This month I’ve got two special categories for you: one filled with articles about Deathloop, to coincide with my new GMTK video. And another with some must-read stuff about NFTs.
Speak soon!
The Design of Games
[Read] 2022-02-22 11:00:05 +0000 UTC
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Hey!
First up, thanks for all your lovely comments, feedback, and playthrough videos regarding my Untitled Magnet Game MVP. They've been really valuable - I'll have a new episode of Developing later this month where I go through all the feedback and figure out where to go next.
In the mean time, I've been hard at work on a new GMTK episode.
So, I couldn't not talk about the design of the latest Arkane game. Especially when Deathloop gave me such an...
2022-02-11 18:43:51 +0000 UTC
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Hey!
So, new episode of GMTK is here. This is part of my semi-official "deep dive" series where I review a game through a game design lens. This time, I'm looking at Arkane's latest game - Deathloop - and comparing it to the Prey DLC "Mooncrash".
Enjoy!
Mark
2022-02-08 16:26:31 +0000 UTC
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Hey! Welcome to your first playlist of 2022.
It’s January so there’s not much in the way of brand new games to play - so for the time being I’ll be talking about some of the stuff I finished last year. Starting with three games I completed in December.
Let’s jump in. As always, there's a YouTube video above - or you can read it as an article below.
Solar Ash
2022-01-31 09:13:25 +0000 UTC
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Hello!
First things first - thank you to everyone who has taken the time to play the demo for Untitled Magnet Game. I really appreciate all the feedback, videos, and comments - positive and negative!
If you haven't seen it yet, you can get access with your Patreon account, here.
Now, I didn't plan to update this MVP. Most of the levels and code will be scrapped going forwar...
2022-01-29 11:24:28 +0000 UTC
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Hey! Your new video is available right now. It's the latest instalment in my game-making series, Developing.
There is now a playable build, available to all GMTK Patrons. You can access it on itch.io here - you'll be invited to link your Patreon account to Itch.io to gain access. Any problems, let me know and I'll sort you out.
I'm looking for any and all feedback on this. You ca...
2022-01-26 17:55:59 +0000 UTC
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Update: If the video is unavailable, while it's in Premiere mode, a sliiiightly earlier version is visible here.
My game making journey continues... (Thumbnail is incomplete!)
(Your special Patreon reward for this episode will be available later this week, when the video goes public)
2022-01-25 17:23:01 +0000 UTC
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Hey everyone. A couple quick things.
First - I joined Nebula! Thanks for your feedback and thoughts in the previous post.
Based on your feedback, I'm going to keep it subtle - so don't expect any "join Curiosity Steam / Nebula!" ad reads in the usual videos! But I will be talking to them about sponsoring the GMTK Game Jam.
If we can do it in a cool, lightweight way, I'll do it. But otherwise, I'll just skip it and look elsewhere / not get a sponsor.
More importantly, t...
2022-01-20 20:28:16 +0000 UTC
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Hey everyone!
So, last week I had a big chat with the team over at Nebula.
Nebula is a Netflix-like streaming platform where a very select group of creators can post their YouTube videos - and Nebula subscribers can view them ad free, and sometimes with additional bonus content. The creators also get a much better cut per view than YT.
It's used by a bunch of cool people you probably know like Lessons from the Screen...
2022-01-17 07:43:41 +0000 UTC
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Hello!
Time for the first video of 2022 - it's all about "invisible choices". Hope you dig it!
Next up - a return to Developing. Will I finish my 30 day challenge?
Mark
2022-01-13 17:02:12 +0000 UTC
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Hello! Welcome to the first reading list of 2022! This time we’ve got awesome accessibility, annoying auteurs, and anxiously anticipated art.
If you read or watch something online and reckon it would be perfect for the reading list, I’m always open to suggestions. @ me on the GMTK Discord (all Patrons can join!), DM me on Twitter, or use the messaging system on Patreon.
Speak soon!
The Design of G...
2022-01-13 14:01:02 +0000 UTC
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Hello! It's time for the first video for 2022. It's about how players make choices in games - and the advantage of doing it subtly, silently, and secretly.
Any and all feedback would be appreciated!
Mark
2022-01-11 16:18:20 +0000 UTC
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Hello everyone!
It’s time for the annual “year in review” post, where I take an analytical look at my last 12 months’ worth of work, and see what worked, what didn’t, and what could be improved for next year.
Now these are fun to write when things have gone really well, but not quite so enjoyable when things haven’t gone the way I want them to. But, transparency is key, consistency is important, and you have to learn from mistakes!
Please grab a cup of tea, sit b...
2021-12-30 08:55:15 +0000 UTC
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Hello!
As is customary on the Patreon, your Playlist for December is a Game of the Year round-up of my ten favourites from the last 12 months. So we’ll do that, and then get into some honourable mentions.
Sound good? Then let’s get to it. Video above, article below.
Hitman 3
I started the year off with a bang, as one of 2021’s biggest games was released ...
2021-12-27 16:00:01 +0000 UTC
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Santa Claus is here, and he’s got a gift for you: articles! And videos! And also a DVD of the Minions movie for some reason.
Now, sometimes I do a end-of-year round-up for the reading list… but that usually just results in a lot of duplicate stories I had already shared early in the year.
So, instead, here’s just a classic, tried-and-tested reading list for your reading and viewing pleasure. Enjoy!
The Design of Games
[Read] 2021-12-24 11:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Hello Patrons!
This is my last video of 2021 - a deep dive breakdown into the design of The Forgotten City - an excellent time-travelling, day-looping, crime-solving, remake of a Skyrim mod.
Hope you dig it.
I've got three Patreon posts scheduled for the rest of December - a reading list, playlist, and year-in-review stats update. Which means I can go off and rest for a while. Play some of that Halo Infinite, that's pretty fun. If you upgrade the hookshot all the way it beco...
2021-12-21 16:51:22 +0000 UTC
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Hello! As usual, my last video of the year is a deep dive into one innovative game that deserves a closer look.
For 2021, I picked the time-travelling, time-looping, non-linear detective adventure The Forgotten City.
Out for the rest of humanity tomorrow!
Mark
2021-12-20 14:48:03 +0000 UTC
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Hello!
So my new series, Developing, is quite different from traditional GMTK episodes. It’s more of a personal story than a richly researched analysis piece. And also - you can see my face!
So in this behind the scenes post I want to talk about how I make episodes of this show, going through the concept, technology, set-up, and process that I’m using to get the series done.
Finding the story
Perhaps the most important part of Developing is figurin...
2021-12-14 12:00:00 +0000 UTC
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Every year, I like to take a moment to check in with the games biz, and see how things are going in terms of accessibility. So, how did the games of 2021 fare in this regard?
Thanks! Speak soon! Busy month!
Mark
2021-12-10 16:53:38 +0000 UTC
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Hey! Here's an early preview of the next video, which is my annual wrap up of the year's accessibility options. Lemme know what you think!
2021-12-09 17:04:22 +0000 UTC
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Hello!
So I sometimes give talks at universities and game studios around the globe. Last week I was invited to talk (virtually) at a game studio here in the UK - they're running an internal game jam, so asked me to speak about the value of doing jams, based on my experience running GMTK Game Jam.
I like to record myself practicing the talk so that I can provide them to Patrons as bonus content. So... here we go! 2021-12-08 20:20:26 +0000 UTC
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