Blake Gross
@blaked.bsky.social
Creating the future of AR games at @dbcreations.studio
Reposted by Blake Gross
We're kicking off a series of music game oral histories with a look back at Rez Infinite -- and why it's been nine years without a follow-up.
After nine years, Rez Infinite remains gaming’s greatest tease
“If we're using the word ‘prologue,’ obviously something has to come after...”
www.designroom.site
November 3, 2025 at 8:12 PM
We're kicking off a series of music game oral histories with a look back at Rez Infinite -- and why it's been nine years without a follow-up.
Reposted by Blake Gross
I just posted a long-read that reflects on the Snap Lensfest XR & AI trends covered in my latest 11-episode Voices of VR podcast series. Snap is betting on indie XR devs to help them go against the biggest companies in the world in their AR glasses race:
www.linkedin.com/pulse/reflec...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/reflec...
Reflections on Snap Lensfest XR & AI Trends Covered in Latest Voices of VR Podcast Series
Snap brought me down to LA to cover their Lensfest developer conference where they made a lot of AR developer platform announcements, had a hackathon featuring those new capabilities, and are gearing ...
www.linkedin.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I just posted a long-read that reflects on the Snap Lensfest XR & AI trends covered in my latest 11-episode Voices of VR podcast series. Snap is betting on indie XR devs to help them go against the biggest companies in the world in their AR glasses race:
www.linkedin.com/pulse/reflec...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/reflec...
Reposted by Blake Gross
At Lens Fest last week, we launched Lawn Games, a brand new Snap Spectacles title! A collection of outdoor-focused minigames, the game requires precision throwing skills to master. Supports local multiplayer as well as hotseat and single glasses play!
Learn More: dbcreations.studio/games/lawn-g...
Learn More: dbcreations.studio/games/lawn-g...
October 22, 2025 at 1:21 AM
At Lens Fest last week, we launched Lawn Games, a brand new Snap Spectacles title! A collection of outdoor-focused minigames, the game requires precision throwing skills to master. Supports local multiplayer as well as hotseat and single glasses play!
Learn More: dbcreations.studio/games/lawn-g...
Learn More: dbcreations.studio/games/lawn-g...
Reposted by Blake Gross
For the Shadow of the Colossus story, we interviewed 14 people including project leads Fumito Ueda and Kenji Kaido, hired Gravity Rush concept artist Takeshi Oga to illustrate the cover, and put together a 10,000-word story with help from @milkman.bsky.social @shmuplations.bsky.social and others.
Shadow of the Colossus: An oral history
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Team Ico’s masterpiece by looking back with 11 people who worked on it (and three who didn’t).
www.designroom.site
October 14, 2025 at 2:03 PM
For the Shadow of the Colossus story, we interviewed 14 people including project leads Fumito Ueda and Kenji Kaido, hired Gravity Rush concept artist Takeshi Oga to illustrate the cover, and put together a 10,000-word story with help from @milkman.bsky.social @shmuplations.bsky.social and others.
Reposted by Blake Gross
Alongside today’s big Shadow of the Colossus oral history, we have three bonus stories for paid subscribers. First up: Our full interview with Fumito Ueda and Kenji Kaido, talking about Wander’s character design, Warp’s influence on Team Ico, and why Ueda feels conflicted about the game’s ending.
Extended Fumito Ueda and Kenji Kaido interview
Parts of our interview with Shadow of the Colossus' director and line producer ended up on the cutting room floor, so we put together an extended cut for those who want to read the full thing.
www.designroom.site
October 14, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Alongside today’s big Shadow of the Colossus oral history, we have three bonus stories for paid subscribers. First up: Our full interview with Fumito Ueda and Kenji Kaido, talking about Wander’s character design, Warp’s influence on Team Ico, and why Ueda feels conflicted about the game’s ending.
Reposted by Blake Gross
Made a Virtual Boy to Switch 2 adapter after I saw the news this morning. I prefer to play VB games with the proper controller. So far it works great, but I'll have plenty of time to tune it before Nintendo drops the VB update.
youtu.be/e60283SywV8?...
youtu.be/e60283SywV8?...
Virtual Boy Controller on Nintendo Switch 2 Proof of Concept
YouTube video by turfmasta
youtu.be
September 12, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Made a Virtual Boy to Switch 2 adapter after I saw the news this morning. I prefer to play VB games with the proper controller. So far it works great, but I'll have plenty of time to tune it before Nintendo drops the VB update.
youtu.be/e60283SywV8?...
youtu.be/e60283SywV8?...
Reposted by Blake Gross
The latest Crystal Commanders update has landed - Fire and Ice contains more content than ever, all for FREE!
- 2 new VR maps!
- 2 new units!
- Text localization (French, German, Spanish, Japanese)
- Voice chat!
AND MORE!
Pick up a copy or update now! meta.com/experiences/...
- 2 new VR maps!
- 2 new units!
- Text localization (French, German, Spanish, Japanese)
- Voice chat!
AND MORE!
Pick up a copy or update now! meta.com/experiences/...
July 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
The latest Crystal Commanders update has landed - Fire and Ice contains more content than ever, all for FREE!
- 2 new VR maps!
- 2 new units!
- Text localization (French, German, Spanish, Japanese)
- Voice chat!
AND MORE!
Pick up a copy or update now! meta.com/experiences/...
- 2 new VR maps!
- 2 new units!
- Text localization (French, German, Spanish, Japanese)
- Voice chat!
AND MORE!
Pick up a copy or update now! meta.com/experiences/...
Reposted by Blake Gross
The American system of democracy has crashed
Some patriotic reflections on Independence Day
Look at me. I’m the originalist, now.
buff.ly
July 4, 2025 at 1:10 PM
The American system of democracy has crashed
Reposted by Blake Gross
The latest Crystal Commanders update, Cliffside Clash, is out now!
Adding:
- Matchmaking
- New Map (Cliffside Arena)
- New Mode (Payload Pursuit)
- Creative Mode Battle Sim
- Hard Mode
Check it out! crystalcommanders.com
Adding:
- Matchmaking
- New Map (Cliffside Arena)
- New Mode (Payload Pursuit)
- Creative Mode Battle Sim
- Hard Mode
Check it out! crystalcommanders.com
May 29, 2025 at 8:02 PM
The latest Crystal Commanders update, Cliffside Clash, is out now!
Adding:
- Matchmaking
- New Map (Cliffside Arena)
- New Mode (Payload Pursuit)
- Creative Mode Battle Sim
- Hard Mode
Check it out! crystalcommanders.com
Adding:
- Matchmaking
- New Map (Cliffside Arena)
- New Mode (Payload Pursuit)
- Creative Mode Battle Sim
- Hard Mode
Check it out! crystalcommanders.com
Reposted by Blake Gross
Vote for Crystal Commanders for the 2025 Auggies!
It's Auggies time again, and I need a favor!
Two of our recent titles - Crystal Commanders, and Tiny Motors Arcade have been nominated for awards! I'd super appreciate if you could make an account/log in and vote for our games in the 'Best Game or Toy' category!
auggies.awexr.com/page/mwMpePLl
Two of our recent titles - Crystal Commanders, and Tiny Motors Arcade have been nominated for awards! I'd super appreciate if you could make an account/log in and vote for our games in the 'Best Game or Toy' category!
auggies.awexr.com/page/mwMpePLl
May 1, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Vote for Crystal Commanders for the 2025 Auggies!
Reposted by Blake Gross
Crystal Commanders is a fun entry point to the world of real-time strategy that makes good use of mixed reality.
Read our impressions here: www.uploadvr.com/crystal-comm...
Read our impressions here: www.uploadvr.com/crystal-comm...
April 10, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Crystal Commanders is a fun entry point to the world of real-time strategy that makes good use of mixed reality.
Read our impressions here: www.uploadvr.com/crystal-comm...
Read our impressions here: www.uploadvr.com/crystal-comm...
Reposted by Blake Gross
Crystal Commanders (Meta Quest) Full Review: thevrrealm.com/reviews/crys...
#CrystalCommanders #MetaQuest #MR #VR
@dbcreations.studio
#CrystalCommanders #MetaQuest #MR #VR
@dbcreations.studio
April 10, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Crystal Commanders (Meta Quest) Full Review: thevrrealm.com/reviews/crys...
#CrystalCommanders #MetaQuest #MR #VR
@dbcreations.studio
#CrystalCommanders #MetaQuest #MR #VR
@dbcreations.studio
Reposted by Blake Gross
Crystal Commanders brings classic real-time strategy to VR and MR. It is now available for Meta Quest.
Meta Quest now has a full-fledged RTS game
Crystal Commanders brings classic real time strategy to VR and MR. It is now available for Meta Quest.
mixed-news.com
April 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Crystal Commanders brings classic real-time strategy to VR and MR. It is now available for Meta Quest.
Reposted by Blake Gross
Crystal Commanders is out now! meta.com/experiences/...
Play a full RTS in both MR and VR on the Quest! Featuring a full campaign, multiple versus AI modes, creative mode, and local and remote multiplayer!
Play a full RTS in both MR and VR on the Quest! Featuring a full campaign, multiple versus AI modes, creative mode, and local and remote multiplayer!
April 10, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Crystal Commanders is out now! meta.com/experiences/...
Play a full RTS in both MR and VR on the Quest! Featuring a full campaign, multiple versus AI modes, creative mode, and local and remote multiplayer!
Play a full RTS in both MR and VR on the Quest! Featuring a full campaign, multiple versus AI modes, creative mode, and local and remote multiplayer!
Reposted by Blake Gross
"With great mechanics that offer a solid foundation, it brings back those nostalgic vibes. All it needs is a little extra polish so that this crystal can truly shine!"
@dbcreations.studio
theeliteinstitute.net/2025/04/10/c...
@dbcreations.studio
theeliteinstitute.net/2025/04/10/c...
Crystal Commanders [Meta Quest 3] - The Elite Institute
theeliteinstitute.net
April 10, 2025 at 5:03 PM
"With great mechanics that offer a solid foundation, it brings back those nostalgic vibes. All it needs is a little extra polish so that this crystal can truly shine!"
@dbcreations.studio
theeliteinstitute.net/2025/04/10/c...
@dbcreations.studio
theeliteinstitute.net/2025/04/10/c...
Reposted by Blake Gross
We're in the home stretch now! Less than 24 hours until Crystal Commanders arrives worldwide to all of our players! If you've been waiting to pick up a copy, now is the BEST time - the 25% pre-order discount ends as soon as the game launches at 10am, so grab it NOW!
crystalcommanders.com
crystalcommanders.com
April 9, 2025 at 10:58 PM
We're in the home stretch now! Less than 24 hours until Crystal Commanders arrives worldwide to all of our players! If you've been waiting to pick up a copy, now is the BEST time - the 25% pre-order discount ends as soon as the game launches at 10am, so grab it NOW!
crystalcommanders.com
crystalcommanders.com
Reposted by Blake Gross
@blaked.bsky.social and I will be attending #awe2025 to speak about how we transformed classic PC strategy gameplay into a cutting edge #MR title for Quest! Would love to see you all there!
awexr.com/usa-2025/age...
awexr.com/usa-2025/age...
April 7, 2025 at 10:50 PM
@blaked.bsky.social and I will be attending #awe2025 to speak about how we transformed classic PC strategy gameplay into a cutting edge #MR title for Quest! Would love to see you all there!
awexr.com/usa-2025/age...
awexr.com/usa-2025/age...
Reposted by Blake Gross
It's been a little quiet here, but NO LONGER! Excited to share that Crystal Commanders will launch on April 10th, 10am PT. You have a few days left to get a preorder in for 25% off - don't wait!
www.meta.com/experiences/...
And here's a little sneak peek trailer as a reward: youtu.be/jpf9sHTxZxw
www.meta.com/experiences/...
And here's a little sneak peek trailer as a reward: youtu.be/jpf9sHTxZxw
Crystal Commanders Launch Trailer
YouTube video by DB Creations
youtu.be
April 4, 2025 at 9:54 PM
It's been a little quiet here, but NO LONGER! Excited to share that Crystal Commanders will launch on April 10th, 10am PT. You have a few days left to get a preorder in for 25% off - don't wait!
www.meta.com/experiences/...
And here's a little sneak peek trailer as a reward: youtu.be/jpf9sHTxZxw
www.meta.com/experiences/...
And here's a little sneak peek trailer as a reward: youtu.be/jpf9sHTxZxw
Reposted by Blake Gross
Our teaser trailer is now up on the #MetaQuest #YouTube channel! If you haven't seen it yet, definitely head over there and see how all the #MR #RTS action is shaping up!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSaK...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSaK...
Crystal Commanders | Teaser Trailer | Meta Quest Platform
YouTube video by Meta Quest
www.youtube.com
January 21, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Our teaser trailer is now up on the #MetaQuest #YouTube channel! If you haven't seen it yet, definitely head over there and see how all the #MR #RTS action is shaping up!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSaK...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSaK...
Reposted by Blake Gross
And here's the (clearly) evil Crimson Blade faction, plotting their evil schemes! Take them all down in the campaign!
Pre-order the game NOW for a massive 25% discount!
www.meta.com/experiences/...
Pre-order the game NOW for a massive 25% discount!
www.meta.com/experiences/...
January 7, 2025 at 12:14 AM
And here's the (clearly) evil Crimson Blade faction, plotting their evil schemes! Take them all down in the campaign!
Pre-order the game NOW for a massive 25% discount!
www.meta.com/experiences/...
Pre-order the game NOW for a massive 25% discount!
www.meta.com/experiences/...
Reposted by Blake Gross
The story for the Crystal Commanders campaign is, shockingly, all about commanders! Both factions have 3 characters to meet and learn about as the story progresses - here we can see the heroes of the Crystal Vanguard hanging out in their base. Should we do a deep dive on each one in future posts?
January 3, 2025 at 12:08 AM
The story for the Crystal Commanders campaign is, shockingly, all about commanders! Both factions have 3 characters to meet and learn about as the story progresses - here we can see the heroes of the Crystal Vanguard hanging out in their base. Should we do a deep dive on each one in future posts?
Reposted by Blake Gross
Studio co-founder @dkochensparger.bsky.social recently appeared on the @gyleegames.bsky.social podcast, Gylee and Friends! Hear about Dustin's career journey, working in AAA games, and more about Crystal Commanders! Thanks to @bergs.bsky.social for being an amazing host!
youtu.be/2v1bxqo3LrA
youtu.be/2v1bxqo3LrA
Gylee & Friends - Ep. 028 - Dustin Kochensparger, DB Creations
YouTube video by Gylee Games
youtu.be
December 26, 2024 at 11:12 PM
Studio co-founder @dkochensparger.bsky.social recently appeared on the @gyleegames.bsky.social podcast, Gylee and Friends! Hear about Dustin's career journey, working in AAA games, and more about Crystal Commanders! Thanks to @bergs.bsky.social for being an amazing host!
youtu.be/2v1bxqo3LrA
youtu.be/2v1bxqo3LrA
Reposted by Blake Gross
New teaser for Crystal Commanders! Build an epic base and battle for peace in MR/VR, with friends or against AI.
Great on Quest 2 and Quest 3/3S!
Great on Quest 2 and Quest 3/3S!
December 20, 2024 at 11:08 PM
New teaser for Crystal Commanders! Build an epic base and battle for peace in MR/VR, with friends or against AI.
Great on Quest 2 and Quest 3/3S!
Great on Quest 2 and Quest 3/3S!
Reposted by Blake Gross
Thanks so much to @uploadvr.com for covering the trailer reveal for Crystal Commanders! We're so excited to be launching our biggest game ever early next year!
www.uploadvr.com/crystal-comm...
www.uploadvr.com/crystal-comm...
Crystal Commanders Is A VR & Mixed Reality RTS Heading For Quest Next Year
Crystal Commanders is a VR and mixed reality RTS game inspired by Halo Wars and Command & Conquer, and it's out next year on Quest.
www.uploadvr.com
December 11, 2024 at 6:44 PM
Thanks so much to @uploadvr.com for covering the trailer reveal for Crystal Commanders! We're so excited to be launching our biggest game ever early next year!
www.uploadvr.com/crystal-comm...
www.uploadvr.com/crystal-comm...
Reposted by Blake Gross
Crystal Commanders is a VR and mixed reality RTS game inspired by Halo Wars and Command & Conquer, and it's out next year on Quest:
Crystal Commanders Is A VR & Mixed Reality RTS Heading For Quest Next Year
Crystal Commanders is a VR and mixed reality RTS game inspired by Halo Wars and Command & Conquer, and it's out next year on Quest.
www.uploadvr.com
December 11, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Crystal Commanders is a VR and mixed reality RTS game inspired by Halo Wars and Command & Conquer, and it's out next year on Quest: