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dsteen.bsky.social
Dan Steen
@dsteen.bsky.social
130 followers 210 following 200 posts
Dsteen.design Creative innovator. Vegan. Central Vic, Aus. He/Him. IBD MDD ADHD POS. #100gameideas muttnik.dsteen.design
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dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 087: THE INFLATABLE WORLD.
A physics puzzle game set in a world made entirely of inflatable objects. Manipulate wind, and strategically pop, deflate, and inflate objects to complete levels and navigate the buoyant chaos.
#100GameIdeas #gamdev #PhysicsGame #PuzzleGame #IndieDev
November 11, 2025 at 6:55 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 086: CHRONO-ARBOR
Play as a tree in a time-lapse world. Chase the sun, spread seeds, and survive centuries of human destruction and disasters. Creatures are unaware of your movement. An adaptation game.
#100gameideas #gamedev #indiedev #TreeGame #TimeLapse #Survival
AI Acknowledgement This image was generated by an AI model. It is important to acknowledge two critical ethical concerns: Stolen Art and IP: Generative models are trained on vast datasets scraped from the internet, which inevitably includes copyrighted and non-consensually used works. The resulting output exists within a complex ethical and legal space regarding artistic credit and intellectual property. Environmental Impact: Training and operating large-scale AI models require significant computational resources, leading to substantial energy consumption and associated environmental costs (such as carbon emissions). Alt Text A massive, ancient tree with gnarled roots is shown mid-stride, lumbering away from a densely packed, modern city in the background. The city is shrouded in thick, yellow-brown smog and is visibly being submerged by a rapidly encroaching flood, indicated by brown water rushing through the streets. The foreground and the walking tree are rendered in a crisp, stylized 2D sprite aesthetic, while the background elements—the smoggy city and the floodwaters—have a three-dimensional depth, highlighting the disparity between the ancient, organic life and the chaotic, collapsing human development.
November 8, 2025 at 10:46 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 085:
A real-time clock simulation where you manage a depressed goldfish's mental health. Tweak the tank and battle apathy. Ignore them, and things get dark. Dark humor, high anxiety.
#100gameideas #gamedev #Simulation #Goldfish #depression #IndieDev
A top-down view of a 90s-style video game magazine page lying on a surface. The page features three different Tamagotchi-inspired devices in a smokey blue, semi-transparent casing, showing the internal circuits. Each device screen (low-res, 1-bit LCD) displays a different pixel art image of a depressed goldfish in a unique situation, along with UI icons (dollar, beer, poop). The overall aesthetic is gritty, colorful, and heavily inspired by vintage 90s magazine scans. Image Acknowledgment: The image you requested was generated by an AI model. In line with the ethical concerns we have previously discussed: Stolen Art and IP: The generative model used was trained on vast datasets scraped from the internet, which inevitably included copyrighted and non-consensually used works. The resulting output exists within a complex ethical and legal space regarding artistic credit and intellectual property. Environmental Impact: Training and operating large-scale AI models require significant computational resources, leading to substantial energy consumption and associated environmental costs.
November 7, 2025 at 11:56 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Having a bit of a creative block at the moment! I think it's just one of my usual depressive spells. I've meditated on why I can't ever finish anything- I'm sure my ADHD plays a role here, but I think it's some sub conscious way of protecting myself from criticism. Stoopid brain 🧠 #adhd #depression
November 1, 2025 at 11:09 PM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 084: THE NAPTIME HEIST
A stealth puzzle game where your barrier is babies. Collect loot by soothing them to sleep, distracting them with toys, and creeping past the growing horde. Don't wake them up!
#100gameideas #StealthGame #IndieDev #gamedev
Critical AI Acknowledgement The image was generated by an AI model. It is important to acknowledge two critical ethical concerns: Stolen Art and IP: Generative models are trained on vast datasets scraped from the internet, which inevitably includes copyrighted and non-consensually used works. The resulting output exists within a complex ethical and legal space regarding artistic credit and intellectual property. Environmental Impact: Training and operating large-scale AI models require significant computational resources, leading to substantial energy consumption and associated environmental costs (such as carbon emissions). Alt Text (Image Description) A game still rendered in a toon-shaded, exaggerated style with thick black outlines and a vibrant color palette, highly reminiscent of 1970s anime like Lupin the 3rd. The scene is set in a dimly lit, plush room, suggesting a complex maze or puzzle area. In the center, the protagonist, a sly-looking thief dressed in classic heist attire (perhaps a trench coat or stylish suit), is carefully rocking a small, crying baby alien—a purple, tentacled creature with large eyes—in their arms to soothe it. A musical note icon hovers above the thief's head, indicating a "Lullaby" action. In the background, several other sleeping baby aliens are scattered across the floor, highlighting the stealth mechanic. The overall mood is tense, humorous, and stylized.
October 27, 2025 at 11:08 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 083: DIGITAL DREAD 💀
A horror thriller played entirely through a computer UI. Mundane emails and service tickets gradually turn terrifying. Solve the digital mystery before it becomes real.
#100gameideas #HorrorGame #DesktopHorror #Indiedev #gamedev
Critical AI Acknowledgement The image was generated by an AI model. It is important to acknowledge two critical ethical concerns: * Stolen Art and IP: Generative models are trained on vast datasets scraped from the internet, which inevitably includes copyrighted and non-consensually used works. The resulting output exists within a complex ethical and legal space regarding artistic credit and intellectual property. * Environmental Impact: Training and operating large-scale AI models require significant computational resources, leading to substantial energy consumption and associated environmental costs (such as carbon emissions). Alt Text (Image Description) A photograph of a large, beige CRT monitor sitting on a cluttered desk in a dim, generic 1990s office cubicle. The monitor displays a high-contrast, unsettling screen from the "Digital Dread" game, featuring a Windows 95-style UI with a dark color scheme and pixelated fonts. The UI shows a terrifying, corrupted email message and open file windows with distorted text, suggesting digital instability and dread. Crucially, the glossy surface of the CRT monitor has a subtle reflection showing a distorted, shadowy figure or an unnatural shape lurking just behind the viewer, adding a layer of subtle, environmental horror.
October 26, 2025 at 9:54 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 082: BATTLE OF THE BANDS: THE RPG 🤘
A genre blend: traditional RPG meets Guitar Hero-style rhythm battles. Recruit your band, upgrade gear, and out-shred your enemies in musical combat!
#100gameideas #RhythmRPG #gamedev #BattleOfTheBands #Indiedev
Critical AI Acknowledgement The image was generated by an AI model. It is important to acknowledge two critical ethical concerns: Stolen Art and IP: Generative models are trained on vast datasets scraped from the internet, which inevitably includes copyrighted and non-consensually used works. The resulting output exists within a complex ethical and legal space regarding artistic credit and intellectual property. Environmental Impact: Training and operating large-scale AI models require significant computational resources, leading to substantial energy consumption and associated environmental costs (such as carbon emissions). Alt Text (Image Description) A vibrant pixel art mockup of a "Battle of the Bands: The RPG" game, reminiscent of SNES or GBA era RPGs with a modern pixel art twist. The scene depicts a dynamic musical battle taking place on a brightly lit stage within a large, packed stadium filled with pixelated cheering fans. In the foreground on the left, the player's band consists of four pixelated characters: a female guitarist, a male bassist, a male drummer, and a male lead guitarist (possibly the protagonist). The lead guitarist is in the middle of an attack, his red guitar emitting a long, fiery, orange beam of energy that stretches across the screen. On the right side of the stage, their opponents consist of two monstrous, rock-and-roll themed creatures – a Rock Golem and a Greshed Monster – who are also wielding guitars and appear to be preparing an attack. Between the two battling groups, a rhythm game UI element in the shape of a pyramid is prominently displayed, featuring rows of colorful, glowing notes or buttons, indicating active gameplay. The game's UI includes: Top Banner: "BATTLE OF THE BANDS: THE RPG" title. Enemy HP Bars: Above the monsters. Bottom UI: Player character portraits, HP/MP bars, and classic RPG command options like "SHRED," "AMP UP," "MOSH PIT," and "ITEM." The overall impression is an energetic, fantastical rock concert blende…
October 25, 2025 at 9:18 PM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 081: JACK OF ALL SCARE 🤡 A tense, timing game where you're a haunted Jack-in-the-Box. Rotate the analogue stick (crank) and time the perfect POP! to jump-scare walkers and maximize your Haunt Score.
#100gameideas #gamedev #indiedev #playdate #RhythmGame #HorrorComedy
October 23, 2025 at 7:25 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 080: IDENTITY SHIFT
A stealth-RPG where you are a Master of Disguise on the run.
Mechanic: Steal identities, shift your appearance, and mimic mannerisms to complete missions and shake your relentless pursuers. Deception is survival.
#100gameideas #gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign
Critical AI Acknowledgement The image was generated by an AI model. It is important to acknowledge two critical ethical concerns: Stolen Art and IP: Generative models are trained on vast datasets scraped from the internet, which inevitably includes copyrighted and non-consensually used works. The resulting output exists within a complex ethical and legal space regarding artistic credit and intellectual property. Environmental Impact: Training and operating large-scale AI models require significant computational resources, leading to substantial energy consumption and associated environmental costs (such as carbon emissions). Alt Text (Image Description) A visually stunning game still rendered in a GameCube-era cel-shaded 3D style with thick outlines and vibrant, flat colors. The image captures a kinetic, near-instantaneous moment of transformation inside a vintage red phone booth. On the left, the protagonist is seen in their initial disguise as a stuffy businessman (suit and tie). On the right, they are rapidly emerging as a punk rocker (spiked hair, leather jacket, vibrant colors). The center of the phone booth is a blur of light and color, emphasizing the identity shift mechanic. The background is a simple, stylized cityscape with bold geometric shapes.
October 17, 2025 at 9:15 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 079: CAKE TOWER
Play as an engineer/baker tasked with building cake towers for residents.
Structural Integrity: Pick good ingredients
Environmental Threat: Combat rain, wind, and heat
Defense: Protect your showstopper & its tiny inhabitants from giant ants
#gamedev #indiedev #100gameideas
Critical AI Acknowledgement The image was generated by an AI model. It is important to acknowledge two critical ethical concerns: Stolen Art and IP: Generative models are trained on vast datasets scraped from the internet, which inevitably includes copyrighted and non-consensually used works. The resulting output exists within a complex ethical and legal space regarding artistic credit and intellectual property. Environmental Impact: Training and operating large-scale AI models require significant computational resources, leading to substantial energy consumption and associated environmental costs (such as carbon emissions). Alt Text (Image Description) A simplistic 3D mobile game mockup for "Cake Tower Defense." The scene is dominated by a tall, multi-layered cake tower set against a bright, stylized outdoor background. The cake structure is visibly melting and damaged on the sunny side, showing streaks of collapsed frosting and dripping icing (sun damage). Giant, low-poly red ants are climbing the sides of the cake. The user interface (UI) features: Top Left: A vector cartoon chef sprite, rendered in a simple style, with a text bubble next to his head containing an exclamation point and perhaps a garbled, urgent command, suggesting he is "barking orders." Bottom UI: Simple resource meters (e.g., Sugar, Butter, Morale) and buttons for structural defenses. The overall aesthetic is bright, clean, and typical of a modern, simple mobile simulation game.
October 15, 2025 at 10:31 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 078: THE LONG WATCH
A text-based survival adventure designed specifically for smartwatches.
Decisions are binary (Path A or B, Risk or Rest).
Pacing is slow. New story segments arrive only when you reach a new destination (based on users steps)
#gamedev #100gameideas #indiedev
Critical AI Acknowledgement The image was generated by an AI model. It is important to acknowledge two critical ethical concerns: Stolen Art and IP: Generative models are trained on vast datasets scraped from the internet, which inevitably includes copyrighted and non-consensually used works. The resulting output exists within a complex ethical and legal space regarding artistic credit and intellectual property. Environmental Impact: Training and operating large-scale AI models require significant computational resources, leading to substantial energy consumption and associated environmental costs (such as carbon emissions). Alt Text (Image Description) A clear, close-up mockup of a generic, rectangular smartwatch screen displaying a segment from the text-based adventure game, "The Long Watch." The screen features white text on a black background for maximum readability: The main text reads: "Obstacle Reached: River Gorge" Followed by the two binary decision options and their associated distances: "[A] Follow the high, exposed ridge. (4.5 KM)" "[B] Descend into the wet valley trail. (3.1 KM)" A small icon at the bottom of the screen indicates current Supplies (e.g., a simple battery or water icon).
October 14, 2025 at 1:59 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 077: SARDINE REVENGE
A brutal 90s-style boomer shooter where you play as Slick the Sardine, a survivor seeking revenge against the greedy, corporate Fishery Conglomerate.
#100gameideas #gamedev #indiedev
AI generated slop. I know... But helps when prototyping. Image of a sardine shooting two humans with nets.
October 11, 2025 at 2:44 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Picked up my #100gameideas challenge after a bit of a hiatus. Life got busy! Glad to be back at it!
October 10, 2025 at 3:07 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 076: WORM HUNTER
A peaceful bird simulator focused on the natural rhythm of life.
- Build a sturdy nest
- Collect worms and insects (forage minigames!)
- Raise and feed your hatchlings
- Defend your young
It's a chill, beautiful, life-cycle sim.
#100gameideas #gamedev #indiedev
Critical AI Acknowledgement This image was created by a generative AI model. It is important to acknowledge that generative models are often trained on massive datasets scraped from the internet, which includes copyrighted and non-consensually used artistic works. The output, therefore, exists within a complex ethical space regarding stolen art and intellectual property. Alt Text (Image Description) A minimalistic 3D render depicting a moment from the "Worm Hunter" game concept. An Australian magpie, rendered with simple, blocky black and white shapes, is perched on a stylized brown tree branch. Its head is dipped toward a nest, which is a simple bowl of twig textures. Within the nest, two or three fledglings, represented by small, fluffy, gray shapes, have their beaks wide open to receive a minimalistic pink worm being offered by the adult magpie. The background is a flat, gradient of light blue, suggesting the sky, maintaining a clean and serene aesthetic.
October 10, 2025 at 3:06 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 075: A tortoise racing game.
The core experience is slow, chill, and focused entirely on the unremarkable.
#100gameideas #indiedev #gamedev
Critical AI Acknowledgement The image was created by a generative AI model based on the provided prompt ("Mode 7 type racer for snes where a series of tortoises at racing"). It is a non-functional, conceptual rendering intended to visualize the game idea's aesthetic. Alt Text (Image Description) A pixel-art screenshot depicting a SNES Mode 7-style racing game. The camera looks down a straight, pseudo-3D dirt track with a central strip of grass, stretching toward a low-resolution horizon. Four colorful tortoises (blue, red, green, and yellow) are racing neck-and-neck in the center of the screen, kicking up small dust trails. The user interface features a retro SNES aesthetic: Top Left: "SPEED 5 MPH" and "LAP 1/3". Top Right: A mini-map showing the racers as colored dots on a simple track layout. Bottom Right: A lettuce leaf icon is displayed with "500 PTS" below it, indicating a power-up or score. The background shows a blue sky with one small white cloud and a continuous line of pixelated green trees and brown mountains flanking the track.
October 9, 2025 at 10:59 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Here's another 8x8 animation for a upcoming project. A crab disappearing into the sand. #pixelart #spritedev #animation #gamedev #indiedev
August 18, 2025 at 1:14 PM
dsteen.bsky.social
Been doing some 8x8 pixel anim for a little game i'm working on. Cute little turtle in progress. Bunch of loops dumped in here.
#pixelart #gamedev #indiedev
August 17, 2025 at 10:39 PM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 074: Shattered Veil
A puzzle adventure where mirrors and reflections reveal hidden clues, lurking dangers, and distorted realities. Shift angles, light, and surfaces to uncover the truth, solve puzzles, and survive the haunting spaces beyond the glass.
#100gameideas #IndieDev #gamdev
Alt text: A pixel art mock-up of a 1990s-style point-and-click horror adventure game. The scene shows a grimy, dimly lit bathroom with cracked tiles, a broken mirror, and a punk girl protagonist standing in front of the sink. The player cursor hovers over the mirror’s reflection, where faintly glowing words are visible, hinting at a hidden message. At the bottom of the screen, an inventory bar displays odd items: a rusty key, torn diary page, bent spoon, cigarette lighter, and broken locket. Critical AI acknowledgement: This image was generated using AI tools, which raises complex ethical questions. While AI can help visualise creative ideas rapidly, it is built on massive datasets often scraped without consent, impacting artists and designers whose work makes up these datasets. AI should prioritise supporting human creativity and addressing real-world challenges, not accelerating the replacement of creative labour or contributing to exploitative tech practices.
July 15, 2025 at 12:04 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 073: Wave Runner — Control a character racing across pulsing waveforms on an old-school LCD screen embedded in an imaginary sound system. Twist dials & sliders to shape the music and shift the environment. A music-driven continuous runner!
#100gameideas #IndieDev #gamedev
✅ Alt text: A photorealistic top-down image of a vintage Hi-Fi audio system on a mid-century wooden table. The system has numerous sliders, knobs, and glowing meters, with a small monochrome LCD screen showing a pixel art runner character moving across waveform-like visuals. ⚠️ Critical AI acknowledgement: This image was generated using AI tools that raise important concerns. While visually engaging, such outputs are produced without human artists, highlighting how generative AI can displace creative jobs and commercial opportunities. There’s an urgent need for society to rethink the priorities of deploying these technologies—not to flood markets with synthetic media or aesthetic noise, but to focus on human-benefiting innovations like healthcare, climate solutions, and scientific research.
July 13, 2025 at 9:34 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 072: Flesh Bridge
A haunting solo or online game where fallen characters become the bridge across deadly pits. To progress, others must die — or you will. Walk over the bodies of strangers or your own past attempts. Eerie, brutal, collaboratiivr.
#100gameideas #gamedev #IndieDev
Pixel art game screenshot showing a small protagonist crossing a pit filled with pixelated bodies. The environment is dark and moody, with jagged platforms, minimal UI, and a sense of eerie solitude, suggesting the sacrifice-based mechanic central to progression. Critical AI acknowledgement: This image was AI-generated. While it can spark creative brainstorming, it raises important concerns. Tools like this are built on vast datasets of human-made art, often without consent or fair credit. Instead of automating creative jobs, we should prioritise using AI to solve urgent global challenges—like health, education, and the climate crisis—not to exploit the arts.
July 12, 2025 at 6:31 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
This blows my mind. Fav console meets my fav game 🤯
shinyquagsire.bowser.gay Shiny Quagsire @shinyquagsire.bowser.gay · Jul 12
thanks to the power of friendship (the DSi Mode Hacking discord) I've doubled my FPS, starting to look decently playable
July 12, 2025 at 4:28 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 071: Glowed. A control shifting lights to mix, match, and create target colours and shapes. Combine memory, speed, and technique as you master colour combos under pressure. Multiplayer 1 player per light. Weave the perfect spectrum!
#100gameideas #LightWeaver #PuzzleGame #IndieDev
A 3D-rendered game scene showing three floating coloured lights—red, blue, and yellow—glowing softly in a dark void. Dusty particles drift around them, creating a dreamy, atmospheric effect. A pixel art interface sits at the bottom, showing the player’s controls and colour-mixing progress. ⚠️ Critical AI acknowledgement: This image was generated using AI tools that simulate visual creativity but do not possess genuine understanding or artistic intent. While it produces evocative and polished visuals, it risks undervaluing human designers, artists, and cultural labour. We should prioritise using these technologies for meaningful, ethical applications—especially in domains like accessibility, climate solutions, and public good—rather than accelerating the replacement of creative jobs or flooding culture with synthetic media without care or credit.
July 10, 2025 at 4:24 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Great one from DT!
open.substack.com/pub/designth...
(DT! comic) Gamifying Tech Bros
DTQ! for today
open.substack.com
July 10, 2025 at 4:17 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 070: Shellter
Play as an alien hermit crab on a post-human Earth. Start life in a tin can, upgrade your shell to a whole crumbling building. Slow, cosy, and Tamagotchi-like, a game about growth, scavenging, and finding home in forgotten places.
#100gameideas #gamedev #indiedev
🧠 Critical AI Acknowledgement: This image was generated using AI tools based on the creative prompt provided by the user. It does not depict a real product or photograph, but instead visualises an imaginative concept in a style inspired by retro virtual pet devices. While the visuals were generated by AI, the concept and creative direction are original and human-led. 🖼️ Alt Text: A digital render of a vintage-style Tamagotchi-like virtual pet device in pale blue. The screen displays a black-and-white pixelated alien hermit crab creature with a large, dilapidated building as its shell. The device has simple interface buttons below the screen and a chain loop on top. The background is softly lit and neutral, allowing the nostalgic design to stand out.
July 9, 2025 at 9:28 AM
dsteen.bsky.social
Game Idea 69: Humble Drive
You're a tiny Japanese autonomous car in a post-apocalyptic world, rescuing animals and doing small, kind missions across abandoned landscapes. No combat—just care.
#100gameideas #gamedev #indiedev
Alt Text: A black-and-white manga-style ink illustration of a retro-futurist autonomous microcar screeching across the page, kicking up dramatic clouds of dust. A small crab scuttles in front of the car, escaping from three aggressive robots with clawed arms in pursuit. The car appears to be saving the crab as it speeds by. The scene is rendered in a dynamic, 1980s-inspired comic aesthetic with speed lines, high-contrast shading, and no text. AI Image Acknowledgment and Critical Note: This image was generated using an AI model trained on massive datasets that likely include manga and comic-style artworks created by human illustrators—often without their permission. While the image itself is novel in composition, it borrows heavily from stylistic conventions developed through years of human artistry. These AI systems mimic distinctive styles without recognizing or crediting the artists who originated them, raising ongoing ethical concerns around consent, creative ownership, and labor rights. Until systems for transparent sourcing, fair attribution, and equitable compensation are implemented, it’s essential to view such outputs with a critical awareness of the cultural and creative exploitation embedded in their creation.
July 8, 2025 at 8:33 AM