Ben Droste
@bendroste.bsky.social
Game Designer, 3D Artist, and Jugger. Creative Director at my indie studio 100 Stones Interactive. Working on Memory's Reach.
Reposted by Ben Droste
Back in my day, AI used to stand for Adobe Illustrator! And we hated that, too!
October 29, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Back in my day, AI used to stand for Adobe Illustrator! And we hated that, too!
Reposted by Ben Droste
Memory's Reach is part of the Metroidvania Fusion Festival - check it out (and heaps of other cool games) on Steam
store.steampowered.com/app/2126810/...
#MetroidvaniaFusion #metroidvania #indiegames
store.steampowered.com/app/2126810/...
#MetroidvaniaFusion #metroidvania #indiegames
Memory's Reach on Steam
Memory’s Reach is a first person puzzle-adventure metroidvania. Explore labyrinthian megastructures, solve mind-bending puzzles, and wield fantastic alien technology in a quest to reveal the legacy of...
store.steampowered.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Memory's Reach is part of the Metroidvania Fusion Festival - check it out (and heaps of other cool games) on Steam
store.steampowered.com/app/2126810/...
#MetroidvaniaFusion #metroidvania #indiegames
store.steampowered.com/app/2126810/...
#MetroidvaniaFusion #metroidvania #indiegames
Reposted by Ben Droste
Games media is in a state of disarray - we've seen too many brilliant outlets close their doors or succumb to the filth that is AI.
These are the people keeping Australian games journalism alive. Do whatever you can to support them - click a link, share an article, and subscribe whenever you can.
These are the people keeping Australian games journalism alive. Do whatever you can to support them - click a link, share an article, and subscribe whenever you can.
October 22, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Games media is in a state of disarray - we've seen too many brilliant outlets close their doors or succumb to the filth that is AI.
These are the people keeping Australian games journalism alive. Do whatever you can to support them - click a link, share an article, and subscribe whenever you can.
These are the people keeping Australian games journalism alive. Do whatever you can to support them - click a link, share an article, and subscribe whenever you can.
As exhausting as it is I get a lot of enjoyment out of exhibiting at PAX!
Taking a break next year though, I'm going to enjoy the show as a regular attendee for a change and actually play some other people's games 😄
Taking a break next year though, I'm going to enjoy the show as a regular attendee for a change and actually play some other people's games 😄
That's the fourth (and likely final) PAX for Memory's Reach. It's been a wild ride and a lot of fun!
#paxaus #paxaus2025
#paxaus #paxaus2025
October 14, 2025 at 12:46 AM
As exhausting as it is I get a lot of enjoyment out of exhibiting at PAX!
Taking a break next year though, I'm going to enjoy the show as a regular attendee for a change and actually play some other people's games 😄
Taking a break next year though, I'm going to enjoy the show as a regular attendee for a change and actually play some other people's games 😄
The demo changes worked out really well. I was able to fix a few sticking points and allow people to get through the tutorial section and into the meat of the demo quicker, while requiring less intervention from me.
It has been a long time since I felt compelled to make changes to my demo mid-show but here I am at 7am doing just that.
October 11, 2025 at 10:20 PM
The demo changes worked out really well. I was able to fix a few sticking points and allow people to get through the tutorial section and into the meat of the demo quicker, while requiring less intervention from me.
Reposted by Ben Droste
Unexpected outdoor time 😆
I welcome the short break and chance for a bit of sunlight, maybe we should do this every year 😜
#paxaus #paxaus2025
I welcome the short break and chance for a bit of sunlight, maybe we should do this every year 😜
#paxaus #paxaus2025
October 11, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Unexpected outdoor time 😆
I welcome the short break and chance for a bit of sunlight, maybe we should do this every year 😜
#paxaus #paxaus2025
I welcome the short break and chance for a bit of sunlight, maybe we should do this every year 😜
#paxaus #paxaus2025
Convention centre evacuation is a new experience at PAX
October 11, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Convention centre evacuation is a new experience at PAX
It has been a long time since I felt compelled to make changes to my demo mid-show but here I am at 7am doing just that.
October 10, 2025 at 8:51 PM
It has been a long time since I felt compelled to make changes to my demo mid-show but here I am at 7am doing just that.
It's 9:25am, the floor has been open to media for 25 minutes, and there are some indies still not here.
a bald man in a plaid shirt and vest
ALT: a bald man in a plaid shirt and vest
media.tenor.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:25 PM
It's 9:25am, the floor has been open to media for 25 minutes, and there are some indies still not here.
I am VERY impressed with the effort indies have gone to this year decorating their booths!
It's so much fun walking around and seeing them all.
Here's just a small selection.
It's so much fun walking around and seeing them all.
Here's just a small selection.
October 9, 2025 at 10:13 PM
I am VERY impressed with the effort indies have gone to this year decorating their booths!
It's so much fun walking around and seeing them all.
Here's just a small selection.
It's so much fun walking around and seeing them all.
Here's just a small selection.
Reposted by Ben Droste
This was super fun to be a part of! Have a listen to us talk about gaming news, what we've been playing, and of course our games we're showing at PAX this weekend!
A new Podcast!
PAX Australia is on our doorstep, so Luke & Elliot recorded with three of the developers bringing their games to the expo - Ben, Nick & Brett!
@100stones.bsky.social @nonsensemachine.bsky.social @fluentpixel.bsky.social @paxaus.bsky.social
Listen Here:
joy.org.au/checkpoint/2...
PAX Australia is on our doorstep, so Luke & Elliot recorded with three of the developers bringing their games to the expo - Ben, Nick & Brett!
@100stones.bsky.social @nonsensemachine.bsky.social @fluentpixel.bsky.social @paxaus.bsky.social
Listen Here:
joy.org.au/checkpoint/2...
October 9, 2025 at 2:25 AM
This was super fun to be a part of! Have a listen to us talk about gaming news, what we've been playing, and of course our games we're showing at PAX this weekend!
Where I will be frantically trying to redirect the attention of people headed towards the Nintendo booth this weekend.
October 9, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Where I will be frantically trying to redirect the attention of people headed towards the Nintendo booth this weekend.
Note to self: you have a booth of your own to run and the game comes out in December anyway.
...But I wanna play it! 😭
...But I wanna play it! 😭
October 9, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Note to self: you have a booth of your own to run and the game comes out in December anyway.
...But I wanna play it! 😭
...But I wanna play it! 😭
"This is still an Xbox" is not as reassuring as you think it is.
October 9, 2025 at 6:03 AM
"This is still an Xbox" is not as reassuring as you think it is.
Trecking back into the convention centre carrying a pair of small metal side tables and a foldout mini picnic table for game dev reasons that I assure you make total and complete sense.
October 9, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Trecking back into the convention centre carrying a pair of small metal side tables and a foldout mini picnic table for game dev reasons that I assure you make total and complete sense.
Reposted by Ben Droste
The Oatmeal did a comic on “AI art”. It’s good.
A cartoonist's review of AI art - The Oatmeal
This is a comic about AI art.
theoatmeal.com
October 8, 2025 at 1:39 AM
The Oatmeal did a comic on “AI art”. It’s good.
Some really great advice I once read (I don't remember where, it might have even been on Derek's blog) was "sell the fantasy, not the feature list".
As a dev I often get caught up talking about the mechanics and design of my games, it took some time to learn that isn't what sell games to players.
As a dev I often get caught up talking about the mechanics and design of my games, it took some time to learn that isn't what sell games to players.
Great video on how most games don’t need a gameplay hook, they need to create an experience people want to play.
It’s like how lots of game trailers have title cards like: “harvest, prep, cook, plate, serve!” without ever stating a goal of say:
“Make your dream Taiwanese food restaurant!"
It’s like how lots of game trailers have title cards like: “harvest, prep, cook, plate, serve!” without ever stating a goal of say:
“Make your dream Taiwanese food restaurant!"
What Sells on Steam: You Don't Need a Hook
YouTube video by Jonas Tyroller
www.youtube.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Some really great advice I once read (I don't remember where, it might have even been on Derek's blog) was "sell the fantasy, not the feature list".
As a dev I often get caught up talking about the mechanics and design of my games, it took some time to learn that isn't what sell games to players.
As a dev I often get caught up talking about the mechanics and design of my games, it took some time to learn that isn't what sell games to players.
Day 1 of No-CAP spent sleeping in after the opening night party, a half day of work, then meandering over to Boatbuilders in time for everyone to begin making their way out of GCAP.
I could get used to this kind of gamesweek.
I could get used to this kind of gamesweek.
October 6, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Day 1 of No-CAP spent sleeping in after the opening night party, a half day of work, then meandering over to Boatbuilders in time for everyone to begin making their way out of GCAP.
I could get used to this kind of gamesweek.
I could get used to this kind of gamesweek.
Reposted by Ben Droste
JUST LAUNCHED!
TheGameClub.com - like a book club but for games!
Join or host group gatherings all over the world to discuss our your shared experience. The game is just the icebreaker, the goal is to forge friendships.
Use promo code HEYLOOKLISTEN for 50% off today!
TheGameClub.com - like a book club but for games!
Join or host group gatherings all over the world to discuss our your shared experience. The game is just the icebreaker, the goal is to forge friendships.
Use promo code HEYLOOKLISTEN for 50% off today!
Welcome to The Game Club
It's like a book club, but for games.
TheGameClub.com
October 5, 2025 at 3:35 PM
JUST LAUNCHED!
TheGameClub.com - like a book club but for games!
Join or host group gatherings all over the world to discuss our your shared experience. The game is just the icebreaker, the goal is to forge friendships.
Use promo code HEYLOOKLISTEN for 50% off today!
TheGameClub.com - like a book club but for games!
Join or host group gatherings all over the world to discuss our your shared experience. The game is just the icebreaker, the goal is to forge friendships.
Use promo code HEYLOOKLISTEN for 50% off today!
I am a professional game developer
October 5, 2025 at 11:35 PM
I am a professional game developer
Reposted by Ben Droste
Due to the unique way Super Mario Bros. stores its maps, its level designers were at the mercy of the decorative hills and bushes when placing bottomless pits. While the pits can be placed freely, the decorations are non-negotiable and dictate the level design.
October 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Due to the unique way Super Mario Bros. stores its maps, its level designers were at the mercy of the decorative hills and bushes when placing bottomless pits. While the pits can be placed freely, the decorations are non-negotiable and dictate the level design.
Reposted by Ben Droste
Smashing together several trailers and a bunch of new demo footage to create a looping sizzle reel for PAX. Hoping there is enough variety in the 7-minute loop that it doesn't drive me insane by the end of the show 😅
#indiegames #pax #paxaus #paxaus2025
#indiegames #pax #paxaus #paxaus2025
October 2, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Smashing together several trailers and a bunch of new demo footage to create a looping sizzle reel for PAX. Hoping there is enough variety in the 7-minute loop that it doesn't drive me insane by the end of the show 😅
#indiegames #pax #paxaus #paxaus2025
#indiegames #pax #paxaus #paxaus2025
Reposted by Ben Droste
🎷THE DUNGEON EXPERIENCE DEMO IS OUT NOW!🎷
September 28, 2025 at 12:09 PM
🎷THE DUNGEON EXPERIENCE DEMO IS OUT NOW!🎷
Google exec 1: "This new AI tool in the Photo editor that automatically pops up and every time the user changes tabs, it's not too intrusive is it?"
Exec 2: "Nah people are practically begging for this stuff."
Exec 1: "OK great, ship it!"
Exec 2: "Nah people are practically begging for this stuff."
Exec 1: "OK great, ship it!"
September 28, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Google exec 1: "This new AI tool in the Photo editor that automatically pops up and every time the user changes tabs, it's not too intrusive is it?"
Exec 2: "Nah people are practically begging for this stuff."
Exec 1: "OK great, ship it!"
Exec 2: "Nah people are practically begging for this stuff."
Exec 1: "OK great, ship it!"
Reposted by Ben Droste
Recently added these carriable dodecahedron shaped objects to the game. They can roll like a ball or sit steady like a cube, cast interesting shadows, and interact with different player powers. Lots of fun things you can do with them!
September 26, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Recently added these carriable dodecahedron shaped objects to the game. They can roll like a ball or sit steady like a cube, cast interesting shadows, and interact with different player powers. Lots of fun things you can do with them!