Daniel Cook
@danctheduck.bsky.social
Chief Creative Officer: http://Spryfox.com
Blog: http://lostgarden.home.blog
@Danc@mastodon.gamedev.place
Game Design: Triple Town, Alphabear, Road Not Taken, Cozy Grove, etc
Blog: http://lostgarden.home.blog
@Danc@mastodon.gamedev.place
Game Design: Triple Town, Alphabear, Road Not Taken, Cozy Grove, etc
As conversational voice input starts getting preferential UX treatment, I wonder how that's going to impact introverts.
For an example see: www.behind-the-enemy-lines.com/2025/12/figh... for test taking.
I've also had advice to just 'talk to the LLM' via speech to text.
For an example see: www.behind-the-enemy-lines.com/2025/12/figh... for test taking.
I've also had advice to just 'talk to the LLM' via speech to text.
Fighting Fire with Fire: Scalable Oral Exams with an ElevenLabs Voice AI Agent
It all started with cold calling. In our new "AI/ML Product Management" class (co-taught with Konstantinos Rizakos ), the "pre-case" submi...
www.behind-the-enemy-lines.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:01 PM
As conversational voice input starts getting preferential UX treatment, I wonder how that's going to impact introverts.
For an example see: www.behind-the-enemy-lines.com/2025/12/figh... for test taking.
I've also had advice to just 'talk to the LLM' via speech to text.
For an example see: www.behind-the-enemy-lines.com/2025/12/figh... for test taking.
I've also had advice to just 'talk to the LLM' via speech to text.
If I were a fruit I'd be an avocado 🍓
January 3, 2026 at 2:18 AM
If I were a fruit I'd be an avocado 🍓
If 3D card prices explode, I guess we'll have to make lower fidelity games so that more people can play them.
And that might force us to instead invest in fresh gameplay to help differentiate new games from existing titles.
And maybe this means smaller, innovation focused teams.
Hmm...
And that might force us to instead invest in fresh gameplay to help differentiate new games from existing titles.
And maybe this means smaller, innovation focused teams.
Hmm...
January 2, 2026 at 12:40 AM
If 3D card prices explode, I guess we'll have to make lower fidelity games so that more people can play them.
And that might force us to instead invest in fresh gameplay to help differentiate new games from existing titles.
And maybe this means smaller, innovation focused teams.
Hmm...
And that might force us to instead invest in fresh gameplay to help differentiate new games from existing titles.
And maybe this means smaller, innovation focused teams.
Hmm...
We are all just fireworks in the fog
January 1, 2026 at 8:06 AM
We are all just fireworks in the fog
LLM writing feels much like a fuzzy blanket of formula; structure for the sake of belabored structure, obscuring meaning.
Words should be like knives. Piercing the slow sleeping mind. Making you gasp.
Words should be like knives. Piercing the slow sleeping mind. Making you gasp.
December 30, 2025 at 7:08 PM
LLM writing feels much like a fuzzy blanket of formula; structure for the sake of belabored structure, obscuring meaning.
Words should be like knives. Piercing the slow sleeping mind. Making you gasp.
Words should be like knives. Piercing the slow sleeping mind. Making you gasp.
I don't know who needs to hear this but SUVs are just station wagons for cowards
December 29, 2025 at 1:20 AM
I don't know who needs to hear this but SUVs are just station wagons for cowards
Reposted by Daniel Cook
As we take the pedal off graphics-maxxing, I think this is the most interesting direction for #gamedev to take in the coming years. By @danctheduck.bsky.social
What is a Social Systems Designer?
A brief definition of the emerging game design discipline of Social Systems Designer. With references for further exploration.
lostgarden.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:56 PM
As we take the pedal off graphics-maxxing, I think this is the most interesting direction for #gamedev to take in the coming years. By @danctheduck.bsky.social
Also known as a calendar hack to solve the "administrative problem for the Roman Empire as it tried to coordinate the solar Julian calendar with the lunar calendars of its provinces in the east."
There are 12 days of Christmas
They start on the 25th
It’s in a song, get educated
It’s not over keep eating
They start on the 25th
It’s in a song, get educated
It’s not over keep eating
December 27, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Also known as a calendar hack to solve the "administrative problem for the Roman Empire as it tried to coordinate the solar Julian calendar with the lunar calendars of its provinces in the east."
Reposted by Daniel Cook
Just gonna say this again for games sphere cus we get the same question:
Networking doesn't mean schmoozing up to famous people, it means making friends with your peers. Then in 10 years, 20, one of you might be famous? And sure you're still helping each other cus well yeah friends.
Make. Friends.
Networking doesn't mean schmoozing up to famous people, it means making friends with your peers. Then in 10 years, 20, one of you might be famous? And sure you're still helping each other cus well yeah friends.
Make. Friends.
Talking to one of these types at a con who asked how I 'got in' with so many 'famous writers' who I'd been talking to and I said "we made friends before anyone knew who we were decades ago by striking up interesting conversations and enjoying each other's company" and he kept re-asking the question.
They have come to the convention hoping to "break in" and then find themselves -- shocker! -- a "nobody in the book world." Yeah no shit! We all are! I have gently told guys like this a million times that it takes most of us *years* of hard work but they do not believe that could be true for them. +
December 27, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Just gonna say this again for games sphere cus we get the same question:
Networking doesn't mean schmoozing up to famous people, it means making friends with your peers. Then in 10 years, 20, one of you might be famous? And sure you're still helping each other cus well yeah friends.
Make. Friends.
Networking doesn't mean schmoozing up to famous people, it means making friends with your peers. Then in 10 years, 20, one of you might be famous? And sure you're still helping each other cus well yeah friends.
Make. Friends.
There are two religions: 1. Those who manually add a hard return before a new topic heading. 2. And those who rely on the paragraph spacing built by God into each heading style.
There is a third group with no religion who hand format every heading. Heathens who shall burn.
There is a third group with no religion who hand format every heading. Heathens who shall burn.
December 26, 2025 at 7:26 PM
There are two religions: 1. Those who manually add a hard return before a new topic heading. 2. And those who rely on the paragraph spacing built by God into each heading style.
There is a third group with no religion who hand format every heading. Heathens who shall burn.
There is a third group with no religion who hand format every heading. Heathens who shall burn.
We went out to Japanese BBQ tonight and they've been playing Last Christmas on repeat for an hour.
We love it. Left a big tip.
We love it. Left a big tip.
December 26, 2025 at 1:54 AM
We went out to Japanese BBQ tonight and they've been playing Last Christmas on repeat for an hour.
We love it. Left a big tip.
We love it. Left a big tip.
Happy holidays everyone. On days like this my heart overflows and I'm so incredibly thankful that I get to make these weird games with both my teammates and our players.
It isn't guaranteed. A spark in the vast cold. Such a wild privilege. One that is overwhelming at times!
It isn't guaranteed. A spark in the vast cold. Such a wild privilege. One that is overwhelming at times!
December 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Happy holidays everyone. On days like this my heart overflows and I'm so incredibly thankful that I get to make these weird games with both my teammates and our players.
It isn't guaranteed. A spark in the vast cold. Such a wild privilege. One that is overwhelming at times!
It isn't guaranteed. A spark in the vast cold. Such a wild privilege. One that is overwhelming at times!
Reposted by Daniel Cook
Have you checked out COZY TRAILER TV? There are over 57,000 games in the Steam Winter Sale right now. Here are the 97 coziest: cozywintergames.com/cozy-trailer...
Cozy Trailer TV
Watch cozy game trailers, all day long.
cozywintergames.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Have you checked out COZY TRAILER TV? There are over 57,000 games in the Steam Winter Sale right now. Here are the 97 coziest: cozywintergames.com/cozy-trailer...
There's a British (?) SF book about a society where everything was controlled by different colors. And people had horrible night vision. The author was known for a series of comedic secret agent dimension travel books? Which I never read. But was obsessed with this book about colors. Anyone?
December 20, 2025 at 11:29 PM
There's a British (?) SF book about a society where everything was controlled by different colors. And people had horrible night vision. The author was known for a series of comedic secret agent dimension travel books? Which I never read. But was obsessed with this book about colors. Anyone?
The Polaris List is out! Top 100 most personally influential games as listed by senior game designers.
Fascinating trove that is at the root of most modern game designs. What inspires us and why? Spoiler: It ain't all Call of Duty
polarisgamedesign.com/the-polaris-...
Fascinating trove that is at the root of most modern game designs. What inspires us and why? Spoiler: It ain't all Call of Duty
polarisgamedesign.com/the-polaris-...
The Polaris List
Polaris is a non-profit committed to improving and refining the art and craft of game design. In order to get a snapshot of current game design thinking and reference points, we wondered — what do wor...
polarisgamedesign.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:15 AM
The Polaris List is out! Top 100 most personally influential games as listed by senior game designers.
Fascinating trove that is at the root of most modern game designs. What inspires us and why? Spoiler: It ain't all Call of Duty
polarisgamedesign.com/the-polaris-...
Fascinating trove that is at the root of most modern game designs. What inspires us and why? Spoiler: It ain't all Call of Duty
polarisgamedesign.com/the-polaris-...
Dynamic Layout, you go on the list of Mistakes.
I want you to have a serious talk with 3D Graphics, Large Teams, Free-to-Play and Platform Monopolies about what you could have done differently. And how you will apologize to those you've hurt.
I want you to have a serious talk with 3D Graphics, Large Teams, Free-to-Play and Platform Monopolies about what you could have done differently. And how you will apologize to those you've hurt.
I feel like it was legit just easier to rig greebly skeuomorphic interfaces when you had basically one known resolution target (320x240 or whatever) and software rendering
Man, the video game hangar skeuomorphism interface or whatever the proper term is something we're seriously missing more of. There was so many amazing games with things like this on dos.
December 17, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Dynamic Layout, you go on the list of Mistakes.
I want you to have a serious talk with 3D Graphics, Large Teams, Free-to-Play and Platform Monopolies about what you could have done differently. And how you will apologize to those you've hurt.
I want you to have a serious talk with 3D Graphics, Large Teams, Free-to-Play and Platform Monopolies about what you could have done differently. And how you will apologize to those you've hurt.
Never play a game of inches
December 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Never play a game of inches
Reposted by Daniel Cook
We're overwhelmed by the support you've shown us In the week following our announcement that Spirit Crossing is coming to Steam. 🧡
Thank you to everyone who has wishlisted or shared the news with loved ones.
We can't wait to share more with you in the new year!
✨ s.team/a/2321960
Thank you to everyone who has wishlisted or shared the news with loved ones.
We can't wait to share more with you in the new year!
✨ s.team/a/2321960
December 16, 2025 at 9:07 PM
We're overwhelmed by the support you've shown us In the week following our announcement that Spirit Crossing is coming to Steam. 🧡
Thank you to everyone who has wishlisted or shared the news with loved ones.
We can't wait to share more with you in the new year!
✨ s.team/a/2321960
Thank you to everyone who has wishlisted or shared the news with loved ones.
We can't wait to share more with you in the new year!
✨ s.team/a/2321960
I'm an anti-elitist in that I believe that most people (even smart people) are often quite stupid in very specific areas. Where you are stupid varies, but the vast bulk of humanity are very stupid on a regular basis.
We get by following rote patterns that sort of memetically survived. But oh god.
We get by following rote patterns that sort of memetically survived. But oh god.
December 16, 2025 at 9:41 PM
I'm an anti-elitist in that I believe that most people (even smart people) are often quite stupid in very specific areas. Where you are stupid varies, but the vast bulk of humanity are very stupid on a regular basis.
We get by following rote patterns that sort of memetically survived. But oh god.
We get by following rote patterns that sort of memetically survived. But oh god.
My favorite song is Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
I love other songs. But every time I hear Fast Car, there's a part of me deep inside that wakes up and lets me know, "Yes, this is who you are."
I love other songs. But every time I hear Fast Car, there's a part of me deep inside that wakes up and lets me know, "Yes, this is who you are."
December 13, 2025 at 5:27 PM
My favorite song is Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
I love other songs. But every time I hear Fast Car, there's a part of me deep inside that wakes up and lets me know, "Yes, this is who you are."
I love other songs. But every time I hear Fast Car, there's a part of me deep inside that wakes up and lets me know, "Yes, this is who you are."
Reposted by Daniel Cook
Bundle up in your fuzziest socks - the Winter Gathering is now live in Spirit Crossing! ❄️
Now through 12/25, join us in the Village Center for:
★ A magical Gifting Tree ready to hear songs 🎵
★ Festive decorations and photo ops
★ Mingling snow creatures with gifts to share
☃️ playspiritcrossing.com
Now through 12/25, join us in the Village Center for:
★ A magical Gifting Tree ready to hear songs 🎵
★ Festive decorations and photo ops
★ Mingling snow creatures with gifts to share
☃️ playspiritcrossing.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Bundle up in your fuzziest socks - the Winter Gathering is now live in Spirit Crossing! ❄️
Now through 12/25, join us in the Village Center for:
★ A magical Gifting Tree ready to hear songs 🎵
★ Festive decorations and photo ops
★ Mingling snow creatures with gifts to share
☃️ playspiritcrossing.com
Now through 12/25, join us in the Village Center for:
★ A magical Gifting Tree ready to hear songs 🎵
★ Festive decorations and photo ops
★ Mingling snow creatures with gifts to share
☃️ playspiritcrossing.com
A comment from someone looking over my shoulder, "People really want to relive their childhood."
December 12, 2025 at 5:28 AM
A comment from someone looking over my shoulder, "People really want to relive their childhood."
Reposted by Daniel Cook
First new thing in a while for a project with the fabulous MariNaomi 😌
December 11, 2025 at 1:42 PM
First new thing in a while for a project with the fabulous MariNaomi 😌
Reposted by Daniel Cook
I often think about the times when we organised hundreds of people at once on Teamspeak to attack star systems in Eve Online. Absolutely baffling activity, but i got great at it. Computer game fleet commander is one of my real life qualifications.
My obsession for a decade: Parts of games are real, not fiction.
Like, you are not really becoming a powerful knight when you gain a virtual level. That's fiction, fantasy.
But you DO gain real skills. In manipulating buttons, game tactics etc.
In multiplayer games, the friendships are real.
Like, you are not really becoming a powerful knight when you gain a virtual level. That's fiction, fantasy.
But you DO gain real skills. In manipulating buttons, game tactics etc.
In multiplayer games, the friendships are real.
BTW, Spirit Crossing is coming to Steam. The goal is to create a major Cozy MMO with a huge population of folks making friends in a safe and welcoming space.
I deeply believe we can make the world a better place.
If this interests you, please wishlist!
store.steampowered.com/app/2321960/...
I deeply believe we can make the world a better place.
If this interests you, please wishlist!
store.steampowered.com/app/2321960/...
December 10, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I often think about the times when we organised hundreds of people at once on Teamspeak to attack star systems in Eve Online. Absolutely baffling activity, but i got great at it. Computer game fleet commander is one of my real life qualifications.
My obsession for a decade: Parts of games are real, not fiction.
Like, you are not really becoming a powerful knight when you gain a virtual level. That's fiction, fantasy.
But you DO gain real skills. In manipulating buttons, game tactics etc.
In multiplayer games, the friendships are real.
Like, you are not really becoming a powerful knight when you gain a virtual level. That's fiction, fantasy.
But you DO gain real skills. In manipulating buttons, game tactics etc.
In multiplayer games, the friendships are real.
BTW, Spirit Crossing is coming to Steam. The goal is to create a major Cozy MMO with a huge population of folks making friends in a safe and welcoming space.
I deeply believe we can make the world a better place.
If this interests you, please wishlist!
store.steampowered.com/app/2321960/...
I deeply believe we can make the world a better place.
If this interests you, please wishlist!
store.steampowered.com/app/2321960/...
Spirit Crossing on Steam
Befriend bears, aid lost spirits, ride fluffalo, and build a thriving village with other players in this multiplayer life-sim from the creators of "Cozy Grove." Find endless opportunities to...
store.steampowered.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:13 PM
My obsession for a decade: Parts of games are real, not fiction.
Like, you are not really becoming a powerful knight when you gain a virtual level. That's fiction, fantasy.
But you DO gain real skills. In manipulating buttons, game tactics etc.
In multiplayer games, the friendships are real.
Like, you are not really becoming a powerful knight when you gain a virtual level. That's fiction, fantasy.
But you DO gain real skills. In manipulating buttons, game tactics etc.
In multiplayer games, the friendships are real.