JSRVarma - Solo Dev
@dantecross.bsky.social
He/him. Indy sff Author ⭐ Indy TTRPG content ⭐ pixel art ⭐ Light Youtuber ⭐ cozy vibes ⭐ lots of nonsense ⭐ Former Lead Designer @Roll7 ⭐ Former all seniorities designer @Ubisoft
https://beacons.ai/jsrvarma
https://beacons.ai/jsrvarma
Pinned
🎙️Heyo Bsky!
You may know me from such things as Lead Designer on the Bafta nominated OlliOlli Worlds DLC🛹 and at some point the main designer on every mobile game in the biggest series you've never heard of, Hungry shark🦈
Follow me for dumb opinions, dumb fantasy writing and dumb indie dev nonsense😘
You may know me from such things as Lead Designer on the Bafta nominated OlliOlli Worlds DLC🛹 and at some point the main designer on every mobile game in the biggest series you've never heard of, Hungry shark🦈
Follow me for dumb opinions, dumb fantasy writing and dumb indie dev nonsense😘
Reposted by JSRVarma - Solo Dev
New YouTube video type, youtube shorts 3 minute design reviews as I finish a game. First up is Hollow Knight!
youtube.com/shorts/8iC3j...
#youtube #shorts #hollowknight #gamedesign #gamedev #indiedev
youtube.com/shorts/8iC3j...
#youtube #shorts #hollowknight #gamedesign #gamedev #indiedev
Full Design of Hollow Knight #gaming #gamedesign #hollowknight #review
YouTube video by Other Pixel Games
youtube.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:36 PM
New YouTube video type, youtube shorts 3 minute design reviews as I finish a game. First up is Hollow Knight!
youtube.com/shorts/8iC3j...
#youtube #shorts #hollowknight #gamedesign #gamedev #indiedev
youtube.com/shorts/8iC3j...
#youtube #shorts #hollowknight #gamedesign #gamedev #indiedev
Started working on a new cozy game dev project this week. it's only been 5 days but it's already taking shape. I have a game loop, though it's not the final loop by any means. it's supposed to be a cozy fantasy bookshop simulator but atm its more of a shelf stocking simulator.
#indiedev #cozygame
#indiedev #cozygame
January 16, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Brand new chapter of BladeSong over on #RoyalRoad time to deliver the survivors of the goblin abduction back to their village!
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#SwordAndSorcery #indieauthor #fantasy #webnovel #lightnovel #talkingfox
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#SwordAndSorcery #indieauthor #fantasy #webnovel #lightnovel #talkingfox
Chapter 27 - The town of Silverdale - Blade Song
The group rolled into the village and Cal noticed the looks on peoples faces. Some shock and sorrow, some looks of disappointed resignation. They had known the people who had owned these caravans. Pro...
www.royalroad.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:34 AM
Brand new chapter of BladeSong over on #RoyalRoad time to deliver the survivors of the goblin abduction back to their village!
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#SwordAndSorcery #indieauthor #fantasy #webnovel #lightnovel #talkingfox
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#SwordAndSorcery #indieauthor #fantasy #webnovel #lightnovel #talkingfox
So I’m finally getting around to watching the rest of stranger things and I have a logistical question about the upside down.
January 11, 2026 at 10:04 AM
So I’m finally getting around to watching the rest of stranger things and I have a logistical question about the upside down.
Reposted by JSRVarma - Solo Dev
This weeks video, over on youtube is a snippet from my 'what is a game designer' video, talking abotu what Level design means!
youtube.com/shorts/H-yZe...
#youtube #gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #leveldesign
youtube.com/shorts/H-yZe...
#youtube #gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #leveldesign
What is a Level Designer? #gamedev #gamedesigning #educational #leveldesign
YouTube video by Other Pixel Games
youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:33 PM
This weeks video, over on youtube is a snippet from my 'what is a game designer' video, talking abotu what Level design means!
youtube.com/shorts/H-yZe...
#youtube #gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #leveldesign
youtube.com/shorts/H-yZe...
#youtube #gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #leveldesign
Dresden files spoilers…
I’m on my x’th read through of Dresden files and nearing the end of blood rites and just realised that even if Raith had killed Harry and Thomas it wouldn’t have… unneutered him because it was locked to Margaret’s bloodline… and maggie had been born by then.
I’m on my x’th read through of Dresden files and nearing the end of blood rites and just realised that even if Raith had killed Harry and Thomas it wouldn’t have… unneutered him because it was locked to Margaret’s bloodline… and maggie had been born by then.
January 9, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Dresden files spoilers…
I’m on my x’th read through of Dresden files and nearing the end of blood rites and just realised that even if Raith had killed Harry and Thomas it wouldn’t have… unneutered him because it was locked to Margaret’s bloodline… and maggie had been born by then.
I’m on my x’th read through of Dresden files and nearing the end of blood rites and just realised that even if Raith had killed Harry and Thomas it wouldn’t have… unneutered him because it was locked to Margaret’s bloodline… and maggie had been born by then.
finally, after 5 years, got around to completing Cyberpunk 77, first game completed of the year!
I got 'The Star' ending.
Good game, but I thought that the open world was a bad example of an open world.
I got 'The Star' ending.
Good game, but I thought that the open world was a bad example of an open world.
January 8, 2026 at 5:49 PM
finally, after 5 years, got around to completing Cyberpunk 77, first game completed of the year!
I got 'The Star' ending.
Good game, but I thought that the open world was a bad example of an open world.
I got 'The Star' ending.
Good game, but I thought that the open world was a bad example of an open world.
Just got my first rejection of 2026! Happy new year!!🥳
January 7, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Just got my first rejection of 2026! Happy new year!!🥳
After a turbulent day fighting goblins the party is finally able to relax on the carriage ride to their destination, let’s hear about the talking fox and the wandering pyromancer!
Chapter 26 now live on #RoyalRoad!
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#indieauthor #SwordAndSorcery #dnd #fantasy
Chapter 26 now live on #RoyalRoad!
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#indieauthor #SwordAndSorcery #dnd #fantasy
Chapter 26 - A Long Carriage Ride - Blade Song
Chapter 26 - A Long Carriage Ride
The journey to the village the following morning was a sombre one. Despite that, Kaila was much more talkative. Mostly with Veil, but she answered Cal’s questions wit...
www.royalroad.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:22 PM
After a turbulent day fighting goblins the party is finally able to relax on the carriage ride to their destination, let’s hear about the talking fox and the wandering pyromancer!
Chapter 26 now live on #RoyalRoad!
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#indieauthor #SwordAndSorcery #dnd #fantasy
Chapter 26 now live on #RoyalRoad!
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#indieauthor #SwordAndSorcery #dnd #fantasy
Finally getting around to catching up on Stranger things. There is 1 missed opportunity that you all need to imagine and be horrified by: instead of sharp spiky teeth imagine the flesh spider had rows and rows of human teeth from the people that it was made of…
January 6, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Finally getting around to catching up on Stranger things. There is 1 missed opportunity that you all need to imagine and be horrified by: instead of sharp spiky teeth imagine the flesh spider had rows and rows of human teeth from the people that it was made of…
It’s a brand new year and you know what that means!
It would be a good time for a new year in your very own magic school! Check out Magisterium: Academ over on #itch
starling-press.itch.io/magisterium-...
#solorpg #journalinggame #magicschool
It would be a good time for a new year in your very own magic school! Check out Magisterium: Academ over on #itch
starling-press.itch.io/magisterium-...
#solorpg #journalinggame #magicschool
Magisterium: Academ by Starling Press
A cozy journaling game about going to a magic school.
starling-press.itch.io
January 2, 2026 at 6:28 PM
It’s a brand new year and you know what that means!
It would be a good time for a new year in your very own magic school! Check out Magisterium: Academ over on #itch
starling-press.itch.io/magisterium-...
#solorpg #journalinggame #magicschool
It would be a good time for a new year in your very own magic school! Check out Magisterium: Academ over on #itch
starling-press.itch.io/magisterium-...
#solorpg #journalinggame #magicschool
Happy New Year all, check out this tier video of the designs of games I played in 2025!
youtu.be/7dXwzUwKom8
#youtube #design #gamedeisgn #indiedev #2025 #newyear
youtu.be/7dXwzUwKom8
#youtube #design #gamedeisgn #indiedev #2025 #newyear
A ranking of the Designs of games I completed in 2025
YouTube video by Other Pixel Games
youtu.be
January 2, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Happy New Year all, check out this tier video of the designs of games I played in 2025!
youtu.be/7dXwzUwKom8
#youtube #design #gamedeisgn #indiedev #2025 #newyear
youtu.be/7dXwzUwKom8
#youtube #design #gamedeisgn #indiedev #2025 #newyear
I rolled for how 2026 will be…
On the one hand it’s above 10 so good, on the other hand it’s a 13 which is not great luck
On the one hand it’s above 10 so good, on the other hand it’s a 13 which is not great luck
January 1, 2026 at 5:17 PM
I rolled for how 2026 will be…
On the one hand it’s above 10 so good, on the other hand it’s a 13 which is not great luck
On the one hand it’s above 10 so good, on the other hand it’s a 13 which is not great luck
Here were last years resolutions:
Get some writing published somewhere
Query with Black Cat
Get a new job or release solo project
Move to own place
I did none of them. It was not a good year.
Get some writing published somewhere
Query with Black Cat
Get a new job or release solo project
Move to own place
I did none of them. It was not a good year.
January 1, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Here were last years resolutions:
Get some writing published somewhere
Query with Black Cat
Get a new job or release solo project
Move to own place
I did none of them. It was not a good year.
Get some writing published somewhere
Query with Black Cat
Get a new job or release solo project
Move to own place
I did none of them. It was not a good year.
Midnight communication issues haven’t happened on new years for some time, but just in case I’ll say it now:
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
December 31, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Midnight communication issues haven’t happened on new years for some time, but just in case I’ll say it now:
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
The latest chapter of Blade Song is live on #RoyalRoad! Its backstory time, let’s find out why so many of our friends are so broken 😅
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#indieauthor #swordandsorcery #fantasy #newchapter
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#indieauthor #swordandsorcery #fantasy #newchapter
Chapter 25 - Back Story - Blade Song
Chapter 25 - Back Story
Present Day
The walk back was solemn and slow. Thoughts of the last time Cal had been forced underground with a party playing in his mind as he carried Kaila back through the B...
www.royalroad.com
December 31, 2025 at 10:47 AM
The latest chapter of Blade Song is live on #RoyalRoad! Its backstory time, let’s find out why so many of our friends are so broken 😅
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#indieauthor #swordandsorcery #fantasy #newchapter
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#indieauthor #swordandsorcery #fantasy #newchapter
I really enjoyed it. I personally could have done without John, though I understand why it's there, and I'm glad they didn't do the marvel thing and make her better than him. It woulda been weird and this way keeps the myth of john alive for original fans.
Watching Ballerina now, lets see how I feel in comparison.
Watching John wick 4 for the first time and you can really tell Keanu is getting old. They have to sprinkle in high speed fights with other actors and slow down his opponents.
December 30, 2025 at 10:51 PM
I really enjoyed it. I personally could have done without John, though I understand why it's there, and I'm glad they didn't do the marvel thing and make her better than him. It woulda been weird and this way keeps the myth of john alive for original fans.
This year I completed 29 games, here they are and how I rated them.
Yes AI limit is higher than Elden ring, but it's about my experience not the quality of the game. AI Limit was the first soulslike type game I got into, while I churned from ER when I first played it.
Yes AI limit is higher than Elden ring, but it's about my experience not the quality of the game. AI Limit was the first soulslike type game I got into, while I churned from ER when I first played it.
December 30, 2025 at 10:29 PM
This year I completed 29 games, here they are and how I rated them.
Yes AI limit is higher than Elden ring, but it's about my experience not the quality of the game. AI Limit was the first soulslike type game I got into, while I churned from ER when I first played it.
Yes AI limit is higher than Elden ring, but it's about my experience not the quality of the game. AI Limit was the first soulslike type game I got into, while I churned from ER when I first played it.
Watching Ballerina now, lets see how I feel in comparison.
Watching John wick 4 for the first time and you can really tell Keanu is getting old. They have to sprinkle in high speed fights with other actors and slow down his opponents.
December 30, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Watching Ballerina now, lets see how I feel in comparison.
Watching John wick 4 for the first time and you can really tell Keanu is getting old. They have to sprinkle in high speed fights with other actors and slow down his opponents.
December 29, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Watching John wick 4 for the first time and you can really tell Keanu is getting old. They have to sprinkle in high speed fights with other actors and slow down his opponents.
Chatting about the main areas I think caused the sensation
Brand new video about how I think Expedition 33 did so well, and what we can learn from that
youtu.be/Y9tByO1pAF8
#indiedev #youtube #expedition33 #clairobscur #gamedesign
youtu.be/Y9tByO1pAF8
#indiedev #youtube #expedition33 #clairobscur #gamedesign
Design Lessons for those who come after
YouTube video by Other Pixel Games
youtu.be
December 26, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Chatting about the main areas I think caused the sensation
And merry Christmas from lazing around james
December 25, 2025 at 9:37 AM
And merry Christmas from lazing around james
We’re back in the past to see what happened with Chell and the others, check out this latest chapter 24 of Blade Song over on #RoyalRoad
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#indieauthor #webnovel #bladeandsorcery #fantasy #epicfantasy
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#indieauthor #webnovel #bladeandsorcery #fantasy #epicfantasy
Chapter 24 - Trial By Fire - Blade Song
Chapter 24 - Trial By Fire
5 months and two weeks Earlier
The fire gushed down over Sidon and Chell, flowing over and around them as it hit the barrier and coated the dome. It obscured them from view ...
www.royalroad.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:32 PM
We’re back in the past to see what happened with Chell and the others, check out this latest chapter 24 of Blade Song over on #RoyalRoad
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#indieauthor #webnovel #bladeandsorcery #fantasy #epicfantasy
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1310...
#indieauthor #webnovel #bladeandsorcery #fantasy #epicfantasy
New short out today! It’s a clip of my recent 5 bad games with hidden treasure’ video :) check it out!
youtube.com/shorts/LSNEB...
#indiedev #gamesdesign #youtube #shorts #starwars #outlaws
youtube.com/shorts/LSNEB...
#indiedev #gamesdesign #youtube #shorts #starwars #outlaws
The 1 good thing about Star Wars Outlaws #gamedev #gamedesign #gamedev #starwars #starwarsoutlaws
YouTube video by Other Pixel Games
youtube.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:47 PM
New short out today! It’s a clip of my recent 5 bad games with hidden treasure’ video :) check it out!
youtube.com/shorts/LSNEB...
#indiedev #gamesdesign #youtube #shorts #starwars #outlaws
youtube.com/shorts/LSNEB...
#indiedev #gamesdesign #youtube #shorts #starwars #outlaws
I want a jrpg where every member of your party can join the fight. It just doesn’t narratively make sense that they’re like just waiting on the side lines and not taking part. I know it’s a balance issue but I still want it XD
December 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM
I want a jrpg where every member of your party can join the fight. It just doesn’t narratively make sense that they’re like just waiting on the side lines and not taking part. I know it’s a balance issue but I still want it XD