Alan
@alanteachesthings.bsky.social
Educator & Game Designer with crippling ADHD.
Follow me for insightful takes, terrible jokes and occasional rants into the aether.
Follow me for insightful takes, terrible jokes and occasional rants into the aether.
This talk by @cwpat.me really demonstrates how taking a process-oriented logical mind and applying it to an abstract problem can result in incredible, creative and artistic results.
In this lightning talk, Patrick Traynor goes over the programming of Patrick's Parabox: an award-winning recursive sokoban game!
@cwpat.me
@cwpat.me
The Programming of Patrick's Parabox - Patrick Traynor (ThinkyCon 2025)
Patrick Traynor joins us at ThinkyCon 2025 to present the talk: "The Programming of Patrick's Parabox"
Talk description: This talk covers a few specific programming implementations from the development of Patrick's Parabox, an award-winning recursive sokoban game released in 2022. Specific topics i
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:15 PM
This talk by @cwpat.me really demonstrates how taking a process-oriented logical mind and applying it to an abstract problem can result in incredible, creative and artistic results.
Reposted by Alan
In this lightning talk, Patrick Traynor goes over the programming of Patrick's Parabox: an award-winning recursive sokoban game!
@cwpat.me
@cwpat.me
The Programming of Patrick's Parabox - Patrick Traynor (ThinkyCon 2025)
Patrick Traynor joins us at ThinkyCon 2025 to present the talk: "The Programming of Patrick's Parabox"
Talk description: This talk covers a few specific programming implementations from the development of Patrick's Parabox, an award-winning recursive sokoban game released in 2022. Specific topics i
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
In this lightning talk, Patrick Traynor goes over the programming of Patrick's Parabox: an award-winning recursive sokoban game!
@cwpat.me
@cwpat.me
Reposted by Alan
Re: that rt. the average businessy business suit type would be so much happier if they really WERE the soulless capitalist they like to posture as.
The reality is that most do what they do for the same reason creative types do: a crushing need for love, respect and community. They should paint.
The reality is that most do what they do for the same reason creative types do: a crushing need for love, respect and community. They should paint.
November 12, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Re: that rt. the average businessy business suit type would be so much happier if they really WERE the soulless capitalist they like to posture as.
The reality is that most do what they do for the same reason creative types do: a crushing need for love, respect and community. They should paint.
The reality is that most do what they do for the same reason creative types do: a crushing need for love, respect and community. They should paint.
Reflecting on media's obsession with remakes & brand cultures, could it not be argued that we're just hitting a point of post-modernism in cinema and games where we've established enough "staples" that anything new will inevitably be derivative of existing brands, so sadly it makes sense to recycle?
November 12, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Reflecting on media's obsession with remakes & brand cultures, could it not be argued that we're just hitting a point of post-modernism in cinema and games where we've established enough "staples" that anything new will inevitably be derivative of existing brands, so sadly it makes sense to recycle?
Tried to lazily image search for "Chat GPT logo" and then copy-paste it into my lecture slide, but the image was set up to protect against people doing that.
The Irony.
The Irony.
November 5, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Tried to lazily image search for "Chat GPT logo" and then copy-paste it into my lecture slide, but the image was set up to protect against people doing that.
The Irony.
The Irony.
Reposted by Alan
The han solo dance from Star Wars Kinect is the pinnacle of star wars media and I will hear no slander of it
For better or for worse, The Xbox Kinect was released 15 years ago today.
November 4, 2025 at 10:38 AM
The han solo dance from Star Wars Kinect is the pinnacle of star wars media and I will hear no slander of it
Reposted by Alan
💯
Playtesting can help you:
- Make sure people are taking away what you want them to from your story
- Balance combat encounters on a proper curve
- Ensure your UI/UX is as intuitive as it needs to be
- Find out where people are getting stuck when they shouldn't be
... and so much more!
Playtesting can help you:
- Make sure people are taking away what you want them to from your story
- Balance combat encounters on a proper curve
- Ensure your UI/UX is as intuitive as it needs to be
- Find out where people are getting stuck when they shouldn't be
... and so much more!
I’ve seen small and new devs scared to show unfinished games because they might “spoil them.” If your audience is just your friends, then that might be true. But don’t you want your player base to be somewhat larger than that?
Playtesting is the secret weapon to making a good game!
Playtesting is the secret weapon to making a good game!
Indie Dev Tip of the Day: playtesting isn't just about finding bugs. You don't know if your game is good until many people have ratified it. Until it consistently lands for large numbers of your testers - and don't forget to include new ones every time.
November 3, 2025 at 2:07 PM
💯
Playtesting can help you:
- Make sure people are taking away what you want them to from your story
- Balance combat encounters on a proper curve
- Ensure your UI/UX is as intuitive as it needs to be
- Find out where people are getting stuck when they shouldn't be
... and so much more!
Playtesting can help you:
- Make sure people are taking away what you want them to from your story
- Balance combat encounters on a proper curve
- Ensure your UI/UX is as intuitive as it needs to be
- Find out where people are getting stuck when they shouldn't be
... and so much more!
Reposted by Alan
Rockstar accused of firing over 30 union members in 'calculated attack on workers'
Rockstar accused of firing over 30 union members in 'calculated attack on workers'
UK union IWGB claims the Grand Theft Auto maker has committed the 'most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry.'
www.gamedeveloper.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Rockstar accused of firing over 30 union members in 'calculated attack on workers'
Dutch Parliamentary Elections really help you grasp the brilliance and the horror of democratic process.
Parliamentary Electionday in the Netherlands and I can pick any one of these people
Toy banana for scale
Toy banana for scale
October 29, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Dutch Parliamentary Elections really help you grasp the brilliance and the horror of democratic process.
Reposted by Alan
This appropriation of gaming imagery and culture to push authoritarianism is, as @alyssamerc.bsky.social points out here, the natural extension of what Gamergate began
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/o...
Why Trump’s White House is using video game memes to recruit for ICE
A recent spate of posts has garnered attention, but Trump and his allies have long been using gaming imagery to mobilise a toxic subculture of ‘rootless white males’
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:40 AM
This appropriation of gaming imagery and culture to push authoritarianism is, as @alyssamerc.bsky.social points out here, the natural extension of what Gamergate began
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/o...
Reposted by Alan
call them whatever you like, the reality is 'smart glasses' are surveillance devices designed by tech companies to violate consent and rewrite social norms. social shaming is still a more effective a deterrent than the law. @hypervisible.blacksky.app
www.theverge.com/tech/807834/...
www.theverge.com/tech/807834/...
October 28, 2025 at 3:05 PM
call them whatever you like, the reality is 'smart glasses' are surveillance devices designed by tech companies to violate consent and rewrite social norms. social shaming is still a more effective a deterrent than the law. @hypervisible.blacksky.app
www.theverge.com/tech/807834/...
www.theverge.com/tech/807834/...
I feel like Microsoft really underestimate the emotional impact of changing the default mail icon on my phone OS.
October 28, 2025 at 9:43 AM
I feel like Microsoft really underestimate the emotional impact of changing the default mail icon on my phone OS.
As a #gamedesign teacher it warms my heart when an indie team puts out a direct sequel to a game and you can see the growth in them through the work.
Power Washer Simultor 2 feels like the team have listened to advice, broken down their successes, and figured out the patterns from the first game.
Power Washer Simultor 2 feels like the team have listened to advice, broken down their successes, and figured out the patterns from the first game.
October 26, 2025 at 1:25 PM
As a #gamedesign teacher it warms my heart when an indie team puts out a direct sequel to a game and you can see the growth in them through the work.
Power Washer Simultor 2 feels like the team have listened to advice, broken down their successes, and figured out the patterns from the first game.
Power Washer Simultor 2 feels like the team have listened to advice, broken down their successes, and figured out the patterns from the first game.
In all seriousness, Power Washer Simulator 2 is a milestone in postmodernist game design.
While some games are tying themselves in knots reflecting on the meaning of challenge and interactivity, this team are just making something that *feels nice*, with no need for anything more than that.
While some games are tying themselves in knots reflecting on the meaning of challenge and interactivity, this team are just making something that *feels nice*, with no need for anything more than that.
October 26, 2025 at 1:16 PM
In all seriousness, Power Washer Simulator 2 is a milestone in postmodernist game design.
While some games are tying themselves in knots reflecting on the meaning of challenge and interactivity, this team are just making something that *feels nice*, with no need for anything more than that.
While some games are tying themselves in knots reflecting on the meaning of challenge and interactivity, this team are just making something that *feels nice*, with no need for anything more than that.
I'm obsessed with the wide range of emotions that videogames can produce in their audience.
For example, playing Power Washer Simulator 2 while knowing that I have a power washer in the garage that I haven't used in about 4 years is giving me a level of self loathing I didn't know I could feel.
For example, playing Power Washer Simulator 2 while knowing that I have a power washer in the garage that I haven't used in about 4 years is giving me a level of self loathing I didn't know I could feel.
October 26, 2025 at 11:32 AM
I'm obsessed with the wide range of emotions that videogames can produce in their audience.
For example, playing Power Washer Simulator 2 while knowing that I have a power washer in the garage that I haven't used in about 4 years is giving me a level of self loathing I didn't know I could feel.
For example, playing Power Washer Simulator 2 while knowing that I have a power washer in the garage that I haven't used in about 4 years is giving me a level of self loathing I didn't know I could feel.
Reposted by Alan
Mary Shelley like what up bad dads that father children and set them up for failure are the problem and it’s nothing to do with Byron why do you ask
I am literally begging you to read the very short book. that's what the book is about. that's literally what the book is about. Mary Shelley's Frabkenstein is the first book about not building the torment nexus. you're as bad as the fucking Sun. it's a short book you're supposed to be fucking journ–
October 26, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Mary Shelley like what up bad dads that father children and set them up for failure are the problem and it’s nothing to do with Byron why do you ask
One of the most annoying things about #ADHD is when I'll say something offhand like "all reality is kinda subjective" thinking its common knowledge - then, when someone says it isn't, give a PhD level explanation with reasoning and references.
But then I sit down to write it and brain goes "nah".
But then I sit down to write it and brain goes "nah".
October 25, 2025 at 12:05 PM
One of the most annoying things about #ADHD is when I'll say something offhand like "all reality is kinda subjective" thinking its common knowledge - then, when someone says it isn't, give a PhD level explanation with reasoning and references.
But then I sit down to write it and brain goes "nah".
But then I sit down to write it and brain goes "nah".
I'll always appreciate my time immersed in Dutch culture...
Wearing jeans with everything
Strapping €1k electronics to the front of your bike and riding them home without a second thought
That one guy on every night out that wears a comedy printed suit
Scalding your mouth with bitterballen
Wearing jeans with everything
Strapping €1k electronics to the front of your bike and riding them home without a second thought
That one guy on every night out that wears a comedy printed suit
Scalding your mouth with bitterballen
Incidentally the Dutch for "pubes" literally means "shame hair"
As ever, do with this information what you will
As ever, do with this information what you will
October 16, 2025 at 1:01 PM
I'll always appreciate my time immersed in Dutch culture...
Wearing jeans with everything
Strapping €1k electronics to the front of your bike and riding them home without a second thought
That one guy on every night out that wears a comedy printed suit
Scalding your mouth with bitterballen
Wearing jeans with everything
Strapping €1k electronics to the front of your bike and riding them home without a second thought
That one guy on every night out that wears a comedy printed suit
Scalding your mouth with bitterballen
Caught in that period where I'm not so sick I need to lie in bed and do nothing but I'm also not *quite* well enough to think & work effectively and it suuuuuuuuuuuuuucks
October 15, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Caught in that period where I'm not so sick I need to lie in bed and do nothing but I'm also not *quite* well enough to think & work effectively and it suuuuuuuuuuuuuucks
Reposted by Alan
I'm working on a Roblox story for a national outlet and keen to talk to parents of older teens (12-16) who play Roblox games:
✅ Which games do they play?
✅ Why play that rather than a console game?
✅ How do they find new Roblox games?
Shares appreciated #JournoRequest
✅ Which games do they play?
✅ Why play that rather than a console game?
✅ How do they find new Roblox games?
Shares appreciated #JournoRequest
October 14, 2025 at 6:46 AM
I'm working on a Roblox story for a national outlet and keen to talk to parents of older teens (12-16) who play Roblox games:
✅ Which games do they play?
✅ Why play that rather than a console game?
✅ How do they find new Roblox games?
Shares appreciated #JournoRequest
✅ Which games do they play?
✅ Why play that rather than a console game?
✅ How do they find new Roblox games?
Shares appreciated #JournoRequest
Can't begin to tell you how much of an issue this is for Universities right now.
It IS our duty to bring our students meaningful education that enriches their lives, but the focus on industry-specific employability is killing things like critical thinking and lifelong learning skills.
It IS our duty to bring our students meaningful education that enriches their lives, but the focus on industry-specific employability is killing things like critical thinking and lifelong learning skills.
This from @francescasimon.bsky.social reminds me of what @bridgetemob.bsky.social used to say about her philosophy degree when ppl asked what kind of job that'll lead to: "Oh, I think I'll just sell out and join one of the big philosophy firms". www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Kemi Badenoch wants to end ‘rip-off degrees’ – but I wouldn’t have created Horrid Henry without mine | Francesca Simon
I studied Old and Middle English. Although I didn’t know it, I couldn’t have chosen a better subject to train me to become a children’s author, says author Francesca Simon
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Can't begin to tell you how much of an issue this is for Universities right now.
It IS our duty to bring our students meaningful education that enriches their lives, but the focus on industry-specific employability is killing things like critical thinking and lifelong learning skills.
It IS our duty to bring our students meaningful education that enriches their lives, but the focus on industry-specific employability is killing things like critical thinking and lifelong learning skills.
Weird #UnrealEngine / @unrealengine.bsky.social #GameDev #Programming quirk that I kinda need to understand ...
If I "Get All Actors of Class" after loading a streaming level, then it takes around 1s *after* OnLevelLoaded before the objects in the new level register.
Anyone know what's up?
If I "Get All Actors of Class" after loading a streaming level, then it takes around 1s *after* OnLevelLoaded before the objects in the new level register.
Anyone know what's up?
October 12, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Weird #UnrealEngine / @unrealengine.bsky.social #GameDev #Programming quirk that I kinda need to understand ...
If I "Get All Actors of Class" after loading a streaming level, then it takes around 1s *after* OnLevelLoaded before the objects in the new level register.
Anyone know what's up?
If I "Get All Actors of Class" after loading a streaming level, then it takes around 1s *after* OnLevelLoaded before the objects in the new level register.
Anyone know what's up?
Reposted by Alan
