Alex the Abyssal Novelist
@abyssalnovelist.bsky.social
Gamedev menace, taker of artistic liberties, scourge upon the world.
I do narrative + gameplay design and gameloc.
You can find my portfolio here: https://abyssalnovelist.carrd.co
Email me at: abyssalnovelist@gmail.com
I do narrative + gameplay design and gameloc.
You can find my portfolio here: https://abyssalnovelist.carrd.co
Email me at: abyssalnovelist@gmail.com
Pinned
Hi Bluesky folks! Finally made an account! I'm Abyssal Novelist, but you can call me Alex!
I'm an indie narrative designer and writer, hailing from a gameloc background. I also dabble in regular game design ;3
I'll mainly be posting about my #gamedev journey! The attached image is literally me BTW
I'm an indie narrative designer and writer, hailing from a gameloc background. I also dabble in regular game design ;3
I'll mainly be posting about my #gamedev journey! The attached image is literally me BTW
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
sometimes, game design is about pranking the player
In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Mario and Luigi's level-up stat gains are bizarrely based on what level Bowser is currently at. If he is at a "good" level, they will be several times more powerful. The game does not tell you which levels are good and which are bad.
November 29, 2025 at 5:49 PM
sometimes, game design is about pranking the player
Quick question, what games allow you to play as a Kobold? Bonus points if they let you work for a Dragon.
November 29, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Quick question, what games allow you to play as a Kobold? Bonus points if they let you work for a Dragon.
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
I want everybody to win.
November 29, 2025 at 12:58 PM
I want everybody to win.
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
LOK Digital will release on Switch! Awwriiiiight!
December 9th, but demo and the preorder are already available NOW!
Shout out to the greatest team to be working with on a video game with @raindrinker.bsky.social @draknek.bsky.social @syrenne.com @mairispaceship.com
December 9th, but demo and the preorder are already available NOW!
Shout out to the greatest team to be working with on a video game with @raindrinker.bsky.social @draknek.bsky.social @syrenne.com @mairispaceship.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:25 PM
LOK Digital will release on Switch! Awwriiiiight!
December 9th, but demo and the preorder are already available NOW!
Shout out to the greatest team to be working with on a video game with @raindrinker.bsky.social @draknek.bsky.social @syrenne.com @mairispaceship.com
December 9th, but demo and the preorder are already available NOW!
Shout out to the greatest team to be working with on a video game with @raindrinker.bsky.social @draknek.bsky.social @syrenne.com @mairispaceship.com
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
I was recently interviewed by Eleanor Warnock regarding the exploitation of passion, the devastating impact of machine translation/AI on the localization industry, and how collective action can bring about positive change. www.eleanot.es/p/the-human-...
The human cost of gaming's AI push
How game translators are fighting back against the exploitation of passion
www.eleanot.es
November 24, 2025 at 11:46 AM
I was recently interviewed by Eleanor Warnock regarding the exploitation of passion, the devastating impact of machine translation/AI on the localization industry, and how collective action can bring about positive change. www.eleanot.es/p/the-human-...
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
in addition to all this stuff, I've recently added:
- an alternate font to help with visual readability, and...
- a specific sound toggle for sound sensitivity!
I'm really committed to improving playability, so if you had any concerns regarding readability or sound, i hope this helps you out!
- an alternate font to help with visual readability, and...
- a specific sound toggle for sound sensitivity!
I'm really committed to improving playability, so if you had any concerns regarding readability or sound, i hope this helps you out!
November 25, 2025 at 2:52 PM
in addition to all this stuff, I've recently added:
- an alternate font to help with visual readability, and...
- a specific sound toggle for sound sensitivity!
I'm really committed to improving playability, so if you had any concerns regarding readability or sound, i hope this helps you out!
- an alternate font to help with visual readability, and...
- a specific sound toggle for sound sensitivity!
I'm really committed to improving playability, so if you had any concerns regarding readability or sound, i hope this helps you out!
Feeling very good lately. Also very tired. Apologies if it's taking me a long time to get back to anyone.
November 25, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Feeling very good lately. Also very tired. Apologies if it's taking me a long time to get back to anyone.
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
Shares very much appreciated! The more this succeeds, the more presents I can buy for local children this Christmas - the village runs a toy and advent drive as so many of our families are struggling, and this year is especially rough.
Get yourself a #5e #ttrpg supplement, and help me help out!
Get yourself a #5e #ttrpg supplement, and help me help out!
Codex of Celestials - a Celestial Pantheon for 5E D&D
A Dungeons & Dragons 5E/5.5E compatible supplement that adds in a Celestial pantheon, their lore, and additional worldbuilding.
www.kickstarter.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
Easy choice if you're a deer deciding where to buy a house
November 17, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Easy choice if you're a deer deciding where to buy a house
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
"No one is angry about games not containing gen AI" is such a hell of a good point. It is incredibly off-putting to many customers, an absolute deal-breaker, yet there is no flip side to that, no consumer base clamouring for it, no demand. They can only try to wear people down into accepting it.
I saw this and had two thoughts,
No one is angry about games not containing gen AI, so if you wanna avoid being a part of the conversation it's easy.
But, since you have decided to weigh in on the conversation I guess we'll see gen AI made cosmetics in helldivers soon then
No one is angry about games not containing gen AI, so if you wanna avoid being a part of the conversation it's easy.
But, since you have decided to weigh in on the conversation I guess we'll see gen AI made cosmetics in helldivers soon then
November 17, 2025 at 4:32 PM
"No one is angry about games not containing gen AI" is such a hell of a good point. It is incredibly off-putting to many customers, an absolute deal-breaker, yet there is no flip side to that, no consumer base clamouring for it, no demand. They can only try to wear people down into accepting it.
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
Very funny to compare this to the Valve hardware announcement video, and think back to the Amazon guy on LinkedIn who was like, “why can’t we compete with Valve??? It is a mystery!!!”
November 16, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Very funny to compare this to the Valve hardware announcement video, and think back to the Amazon guy on LinkedIn who was like, “why can’t we compete with Valve??? It is a mystery!!!”
That's cool!
I know it's not the coolest thing to bring up and not many people seem to care, but my website is hosted in a local datacenter powered entirely by wind energy and certified under ISO-14001. So my #gameassets are a good choice if you care about the environment 🌲
November 15, 2025 at 7:56 PM
That's cool!
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
We've been working on something special for you, GDLibrary: a completely free library for Godot devs
Think of it as your go-to place whenever you need help: tutorials, guides, a glossary to look up terms, and open source demos and assets to use in your games!
Here's a quick peek at what's coming.
Think of it as your go-to place whenever you need help: tutorials, guides, a glossary to look up terms, and open source demos and assets to use in your games!
Here's a quick peek at what's coming.
November 15, 2025 at 9:52 AM
We've been working on something special for you, GDLibrary: a completely free library for Godot devs
Think of it as your go-to place whenever you need help: tutorials, guides, a glossary to look up terms, and open source demos and assets to use in your games!
Here's a quick peek at what's coming.
Think of it as your go-to place whenever you need help: tutorials, guides, a glossary to look up terms, and open source demos and assets to use in your games!
Here's a quick peek at what's coming.
Steam Runic Puzzle Cube
Send post
Send post
November 13, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Steam Runic Puzzle Cube
Send post
Send post
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
the idea that lots of gamedevs are secretly using ai is booster bullshit
what on earth would I use genAI tools for? Coming up with ideas? Writing? It’s shit at those
making 3D models? Coding stuff? It’s shit at that too
oh but it’s faster maybe? Did I mention it’s shit at things?
seems important
what on earth would I use genAI tools for? Coming up with ideas? Writing? It’s shit at those
making 3D models? Coding stuff? It’s shit at that too
oh but it’s faster maybe? Did I mention it’s shit at things?
seems important
November 12, 2025 at 3:59 AM
the idea that lots of gamedevs are secretly using ai is booster bullshit
what on earth would I use genAI tools for? Coming up with ideas? Writing? It’s shit at those
making 3D models? Coding stuff? It’s shit at that too
oh but it’s faster maybe? Did I mention it’s shit at things?
seems important
what on earth would I use genAI tools for? Coming up with ideas? Writing? It’s shit at those
making 3D models? Coding stuff? It’s shit at that too
oh but it’s faster maybe? Did I mention it’s shit at things?
seems important
Watched the new Frankenstein movie!
The ending + a certain change from the source material turned a 10/10 movie into a 6/10 one.
Will still be a great Halloween watch a few years from now, though
The ending + a certain change from the source material turned a 10/10 movie into a 6/10 one.
Will still be a great Halloween watch a few years from now, though
November 9, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Watched the new Frankenstein movie!
The ending + a certain change from the source material turned a 10/10 movie into a 6/10 one.
Will still be a great Halloween watch a few years from now, though
The ending + a certain change from the source material turned a 10/10 movie into a 6/10 one.
Will still be a great Halloween watch a few years from now, though
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
During Ryder and Mary’s date, they hear strange noises. A shiver goes down their spines as they explore the creepy manor...
Expect full splash arts per date in the upcoming VN, Matchmaking for Ghosts!
Public Demo Date announced soon. Thank you all!
#gamedev #horrorgame #visualnovel #spooky #cozy
Expect full splash arts per date in the upcoming VN, Matchmaking for Ghosts!
Public Demo Date announced soon. Thank you all!
#gamedev #horrorgame #visualnovel #spooky #cozy
November 9, 2025 at 6:46 PM
During Ryder and Mary’s date, they hear strange noises. A shiver goes down their spines as they explore the creepy manor...
Expect full splash arts per date in the upcoming VN, Matchmaking for Ghosts!
Public Demo Date announced soon. Thank you all!
#gamedev #horrorgame #visualnovel #spooky #cozy
Expect full splash arts per date in the upcoming VN, Matchmaking for Ghosts!
Public Demo Date announced soon. Thank you all!
#gamedev #horrorgame #visualnovel #spooky #cozy
Watched Asteroid City - adored every little bit of it!
November 8, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Watched Asteroid City - adored every little bit of it!
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
The author of a work I'm reading is weirdly insistent there is no blood relation between two characters, even though that is completely irrelevant to the plot.
Uh oh.
Uh oh.
November 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM
The author of a work I'm reading is weirdly insistent there is no blood relation between two characters, even though that is completely irrelevant to the plot.
Uh oh.
Uh oh.
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
a #PitchYaGame post for my upcoming game Piecewise!
it's a daily-challenge game about putting shapes in holes.
it's got new puzzles every day, a pretty cool wager-based leaderboard system and TONS of ways to track your skill progression!
check out the trailer + link below!
#"gamedev #indiegame
it's a daily-challenge game about putting shapes in holes.
it's got new puzzles every day, a pretty cool wager-based leaderboard system and TONS of ways to track your skill progression!
check out the trailer + link below!
#"gamedev #indiegame
November 7, 2025 at 3:11 PM
a #PitchYaGame post for my upcoming game Piecewise!
it's a daily-challenge game about putting shapes in holes.
it's got new puzzles every day, a pretty cool wager-based leaderboard system and TONS of ways to track your skill progression!
check out the trailer + link below!
#"gamedev #indiegame
it's a daily-challenge game about putting shapes in holes.
it's got new puzzles every day, a pretty cool wager-based leaderboard system and TONS of ways to track your skill progression!
check out the trailer + link below!
#"gamedev #indiegame
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
happy #PitchYaGame day!
my first solo game just came out: it's called "an unplayable game?!" and it's a short platforming experience about the importance of accessibility settings.
completely FREE and made with no AI, available on steam now! includes 30+ mins of dev commentary!
#gamedev #indiegame
my first solo game just came out: it's called "an unplayable game?!" and it's a short platforming experience about the importance of accessibility settings.
completely FREE and made with no AI, available on steam now! includes 30+ mins of dev commentary!
#gamedev #indiegame
an unplayable game?! on Steam
a game about accessibility settings that's just a *bit* too hard for you to play effectively. 10-15 minutes in length with 30+ minutes of developer commentary!
store.steampowered.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:44 PM
happy #PitchYaGame day!
my first solo game just came out: it's called "an unplayable game?!" and it's a short platforming experience about the importance of accessibility settings.
completely FREE and made with no AI, available on steam now! includes 30+ mins of dev commentary!
#gamedev #indiegame
my first solo game just came out: it's called "an unplayable game?!" and it's a short platforming experience about the importance of accessibility settings.
completely FREE and made with no AI, available on steam now! includes 30+ mins of dev commentary!
#gamedev #indiegame
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
Hi #PitchYaGame! Relic Abyss is an Anime inspired Bullet Heaven + JRPG!
🎨 2D hand drawn + 90's aesthetic portraits
🌪️ Tons of anime references like Beyblades, Drills, etc.
🎒 Complex looting and equipment system
🕵️ 20 playable adventurers
😺 We have Giant Cats and Capybaras
🎨 2D hand drawn + 90's aesthetic portraits
🌪️ Tons of anime references like Beyblades, Drills, etc.
🎒 Complex looting and equipment system
🕵️ 20 playable adventurers
😺 We have Giant Cats and Capybaras
November 7, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Hi #PitchYaGame! Relic Abyss is an Anime inspired Bullet Heaven + JRPG!
🎨 2D hand drawn + 90's aesthetic portraits
🌪️ Tons of anime references like Beyblades, Drills, etc.
🎒 Complex looting and equipment system
🕵️ 20 playable adventurers
😺 We have Giant Cats and Capybaras
🎨 2D hand drawn + 90's aesthetic portraits
🌪️ Tons of anime references like Beyblades, Drills, etc.
🎒 Complex looting and equipment system
🕵️ 20 playable adventurers
😺 We have Giant Cats and Capybaras
Reposted by Alex the Abyssal Novelist
Not now, carnivorous death ball
November 6, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Not now, carnivorous death ball
Jimbo would naturally Jimbo the Kill you, the reader, in the last paragraph.
Feeling very nostalgic for creepypastas, especially videogame based ones.
Were Balatro released in 2010 we'd already have at least 1 creepypasta origin story for Jimbo, where Balatro is revealed to be this Jumanji-esque game
Were Balatro released in 2010 we'd already have at least 1 creepypasta origin story for Jimbo, where Balatro is revealed to be this Jumanji-esque game
November 7, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Jimbo would naturally Jimbo the Kill you, the reader, in the last paragraph.