Ian Cisneros
@hardwaffle.bsky.social
Writer and Lead Creative
@IanAlbarn
@IanAlbarn
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
don't quit your day job!
work on the game part-time while keeping your day job!
i was still part-time when Building Relationships got featured in Summer Game Fest (i ended up quitting bc management was very toxic)
the indie dev scene is very different now compared to 10 years ago
work on the game part-time while keeping your day job!
i was still part-time when Building Relationships got featured in Summer Game Fest (i ended up quitting bc management was very toxic)
the indie dev scene is very different now compared to 10 years ago
If you're an indie developer, you should hang this screenshot on your wall and use it as inspiration to never give up
September 4, 2025 at 4:27 PM
don't quit your day job!
work on the game part-time while keeping your day job!
i was still part-time when Building Relationships got featured in Summer Game Fest (i ended up quitting bc management was very toxic)
the indie dev scene is very different now compared to 10 years ago
work on the game part-time while keeping your day job!
i was still part-time when Building Relationships got featured in Summer Game Fest (i ended up quitting bc management was very toxic)
the indie dev scene is very different now compared to 10 years ago
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
One thing this article doesn't mention (for some reason) is that the studio was originally founded in Shanghai by an ex-Ubisoft China manager in 2004.
It now has 3 studios in China that form much of its core dev backbone + has expanded to Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, North America, Europe etc.
It now has 3 studios in China that form much of its core dev backbone + has expanded to Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, North America, Europe etc.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater are just a few of the many games that were and continue to be supported by Virtuos, one of the largest independent video game companies in the world.
Still, the average gamer probably doesn’t know Virtuos exists.
Still, the average gamer probably doesn’t know Virtuos exists.
400 People at This Massive Support Studio Worked on The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered — but You Probably Don't Know They Exist
bit.ly
August 30, 2025 at 5:59 PM
One thing this article doesn't mention (for some reason) is that the studio was originally founded in Shanghai by an ex-Ubisoft China manager in 2004.
It now has 3 studios in China that form much of its core dev backbone + has expanded to Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, North America, Europe etc.
It now has 3 studios in China that form much of its core dev backbone + has expanded to Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, North America, Europe etc.
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
While it's nice to have a breakdown, I dislike that by default the big review count & score at the top is just on your language.
Tale of Immortal now shows 3,525 reviews, but it actually has 192,592 reviews (97% Chinese). That seems to be precisely the point - to split Steam into bubbles. :/
Tale of Immortal now shows 3,525 reviews, but it actually has 192,592 reviews (97% Chinese). That seems to be precisely the point - to split Steam into bubbles. :/
August 19, 2025 at 12:31 AM
While it's nice to have a breakdown, I dislike that by default the big review count & score at the top is just on your language.
Tale of Immortal now shows 3,525 reviews, but it actually has 192,592 reviews (97% Chinese). That seems to be precisely the point - to split Steam into bubbles. :/
Tale of Immortal now shows 3,525 reviews, but it actually has 192,592 reviews (97% Chinese). That seems to be precisely the point - to split Steam into bubbles. :/
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
If you see me in Köln next week after 1900, yes I'll probably have a kölsch if it's close by and I'm not running late to a dinner.
August 16, 2025 at 4:44 PM
If you see me in Köln next week after 1900, yes I'll probably have a kölsch if it's close by and I'm not running late to a dinner.
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
Oooh, Super Metroid X-Fusion is out. Probably the most ambitious Super Metroid romhack ever made.
Is is one of two Total Conversion mods listed on the entirety of the Metroid Construction archive. And the other one probably doesn't fit the description.
Is is one of two Total Conversion mods listed on the entirety of the Metroid Construction archive. And the other one probably doesn't fit the description.
Super Metroid: X-Fusion
2025 Total Conversion hack for SM by Metaquarius (Rating: 3.7 orbs)
metroidconstruction.com
August 2, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Oooh, Super Metroid X-Fusion is out. Probably the most ambitious Super Metroid romhack ever made.
Is is one of two Total Conversion mods listed on the entirety of the Metroid Construction archive. And the other one probably doesn't fit the description.
Is is one of two Total Conversion mods listed on the entirety of the Metroid Construction archive. And the other one probably doesn't fit the description.
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
Kevin McLeod, who for 20 years has been the "royalty-free music guy" online, has just launched a new website where other composers will also be offering royalty-free music for anyone to use in their projects: freepd.com
FreePD.com - Free Public Domain Music Creative Commons 0 Completely Royalty Free
freepd.com
July 26, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Kevin McLeod, who for 20 years has been the "royalty-free music guy" online, has just launched a new website where other composers will also be offering royalty-free music for anyone to use in their projects: freepd.com
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
The way this anime has such a classic feel to it — I’m doomed to watch it when it comes out.
July 27, 2025 at 11:31 AM
The way this anime has such a classic feel to it — I’m doomed to watch it when it comes out.
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
Just listen to how Stephen Colbert answered this question off the cuff.
July 18, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Just listen to how Stephen Colbert answered this question off the cuff.
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
Follow @wario64.bsky.social and repost for a chance to win 1 of 15 Steam codes for Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition courtesy of @aspyr.com. Giveaway ends on July 20th, 6 PM PT
game is available now on PC and consoles store.steampowered.com/app/2738630/...
game is available now on PC and consoles store.steampowered.com/app/2738630/...
July 16, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Follow @wario64.bsky.social and repost for a chance to win 1 of 15 Steam codes for Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition courtesy of @aspyr.com. Giveaway ends on July 20th, 6 PM PT
game is available now on PC and consoles store.steampowered.com/app/2738630/...
game is available now on PC and consoles store.steampowered.com/app/2738630/...
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
BTW thief 1 and 2 are perfectly playable o modern machines without need the use of any community patch if you grab them on gog.
They became my favorite games and i started to play them in 2023.
www.gog.com/en/game/thie...
www.gog.com/en/game/thie...
and they´re super cheap.
They became my favorite games and i started to play them in 2023.
www.gog.com/en/game/thie...
www.gog.com/en/game/thie...
and they´re super cheap.
Thief™ Gold
Stalk your prey on the quest for stolen goods with your blackjack, sword, and an assortme
www.gog.com
June 29, 2025 at 10:28 PM
BTW thief 1 and 2 are perfectly playable o modern machines without need the use of any community patch if you grab them on gog.
They became my favorite games and i started to play them in 2023.
www.gog.com/en/game/thie...
www.gog.com/en/game/thie...
and they´re super cheap.
They became my favorite games and i started to play them in 2023.
www.gog.com/en/game/thie...
www.gog.com/en/game/thie...
and they´re super cheap.
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
anyway check out this perfect review of the best book i've read this year
"NOTES FROM A REGICIDE is stunning, a wealth of epiphanies on surfaces and on depths. At the risk of obvious redundancy: highly recommended.” @jakecasella reviews new work from @isaac-fellman.bsky.social - locusmag.com/2025/06...
Notes from a Regicide by Isaac Fellman: Review by Jake Casella Brookins
Notes from a Regicide, Isaac Fellman (Tor Books 9781250329103, $27.99, 336pp, hc) April 2025. One occasionally encounters books that are so good, they break all pretenses of ranking and category. F…
locusmag.com
June 25, 2025 at 4:01 AM
anyway check out this perfect review of the best book i've read this year
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
This rules for a lot of reasons, but especially because it dispels the myths that A.) old games were never political and B.) games like this are just stories, they aren't "about" anything. Should serve as a reminder to anyone writing about games why we should be close reading 'em.
June 4, 2025 at 11:02 PM
This rules for a lot of reasons, but especially because it dispels the myths that A.) old games were never political and B.) games like this are just stories, they aren't "about" anything. Should serve as a reminder to anyone writing about games why we should be close reading 'em.
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
Follow @wario64.bsky.social and repost for a chance to win 1 of 5 Steam codes for Monster Train 2 courtesy of @bigfangames.com. Giveaway ends on May 27th, 6 PM PT
Out now on PC/Consoles and Game Pass Ultimate/PC www.bigfangames.com/games/monste...
Out now on PC/Consoles and Game Pass Ultimate/PC www.bigfangames.com/games/monste...
May 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Follow @wario64.bsky.social and repost for a chance to win 1 of 5 Steam codes for Monster Train 2 courtesy of @bigfangames.com. Giveaway ends on May 27th, 6 PM PT
Out now on PC/Consoles and Game Pass Ultimate/PC www.bigfangames.com/games/monste...
Out now on PC/Consoles and Game Pass Ultimate/PC www.bigfangames.com/games/monste...
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
Saviors of Sapphire Wings / Stranger of Sword City Revisited is $17.49 on US eShop buff.ly/ysVerlF
Switch physical $46.89 US Dollars at VGP buff.ly/mjiE4xQ
Switch physical $46.89 US Dollars at VGP buff.ly/mjiE4xQ
May 23, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Saviors of Sapphire Wings / Stranger of Sword City Revisited is $17.49 on US eShop buff.ly/ysVerlF
Switch physical $46.89 US Dollars at VGP buff.ly/mjiE4xQ
Switch physical $46.89 US Dollars at VGP buff.ly/mjiE4xQ
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
If you have ever felt that 200cc in Mario Kart 8/Deluxe is much faster than it should be, your suspicions are correct. Based on the formula followed by the other engine classes, the speed the game pretends is 200cc is actually 415cc instead.
May 23, 2025 at 2:51 PM
If you have ever felt that 200cc in Mario Kart 8/Deluxe is much faster than it should be, your suspicions are correct. Based on the formula followed by the other engine classes, the speed the game pretends is 200cc is actually 415cc instead.
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
Oh yeah, general PSA if you Steam wishlist has grown to absurd size because of this and other indie recommendation threads:
Give isthereanydeal.com access to your Steam wishlist. It'll tell you where the biggest discounts on it can be found. All authorized stores, no key resellers.
Give isthereanydeal.com access to your Steam wishlist. It'll tell you where the biggest discounts on it can be found. All authorized stores, no key resellers.
Let's show and tell your favourite underdog games! Below 500 Steam user-reviews. 100, even better! Link it and say why you love it!
Copy Kitty is a dense, technical Treasure-inspired platform shooter with heart, and a fantastic NG+ mode that continues the story. It gets better the deeper you go.
Copy Kitty is a dense, technical Treasure-inspired platform shooter with heart, and a fantastic NG+ mode that continues the story. It gets better the deeper you go.
Copy Kitty on Steam
Boki can copy the special abilities of any foe and then combine up to 3 of them into a unique super-weapon! Blast through hordes of evil robots in cyberspace, while training to become a superhero!
store.steampowered.com
May 23, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Oh yeah, general PSA if you Steam wishlist has grown to absurd size because of this and other indie recommendation threads:
Give isthereanydeal.com access to your Steam wishlist. It'll tell you where the biggest discounts on it can be found. All authorized stores, no key resellers.
Give isthereanydeal.com access to your Steam wishlist. It'll tell you where the biggest discounts on it can be found. All authorized stores, no key resellers.
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
If you're boycotting Microsoft and all their subsidiaries (that includes Bethesda) and going cold turkey on Oblivion is hurting you, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is out tomrorow after years in early access.
Oblivion-style mechanics, big open world, but with a funkier setting & more story focus
Oblivion-style mechanics, big open world, but with a funkier setting & more story focus
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon on Steam
Step into a dark reimagination of Arthurian legends in this first person, open world RPG. Explore a world stuck in everlasting autumn, witness falling legends and make meaningful choices woven into a ...
store.steampowered.com
May 23, 2025 at 12:43 AM
If you're boycotting Microsoft and all their subsidiaries (that includes Bethesda) and going cold turkey on Oblivion is hurting you, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is out tomrorow after years in early access.
Oblivion-style mechanics, big open world, but with a funkier setting & more story focus
Oblivion-style mechanics, big open world, but with a funkier setting & more story focus
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
Shout out to Caves of Lore (only 332 reviews?!): store.steampowered.com/app/2227130/...
One of the best indie RPGs of the decade, it manages to feel like a cozy lost classic without being derivative or stuck in the past. If you like exploring & discovering secrets in RPGs, it's a must-play :D
One of the best indie RPGs of the decade, it manages to feel like a cozy lost classic without being derivative or stuck in the past. If you like exploring & discovering secrets in RPGs, it's a must-play :D
May 19, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Shout out to Caves of Lore (only 332 reviews?!): store.steampowered.com/app/2227130/...
One of the best indie RPGs of the decade, it manages to feel like a cozy lost classic without being derivative or stuck in the past. If you like exploring & discovering secrets in RPGs, it's a must-play :D
One of the best indie RPGs of the decade, it manages to feel like a cozy lost classic without being derivative or stuck in the past. If you like exploring & discovering secrets in RPGs, it's a must-play :D
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
Hempuli's solitaire collection (which he's still adding to) is the most galaxy-brained take on the game around. 23 solitaires (with more coming), none of them even the slightest bit normal.
Time travel solitaire WILL hurt you.
hempuli.itch.io/a-solitaire-...
Time travel solitaire WILL hurt you.
hempuli.itch.io/a-solitaire-...
Implemented a new solitaire where at first the cards have ambiguous suit & value, and you need to move them around to reduce their options until they resolve into specific cards (the two-letter combos are to help identify cards before they resolve)
May 20, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Hempuli's solitaire collection (which he's still adding to) is the most galaxy-brained take on the game around. 23 solitaires (with more coming), none of them even the slightest bit normal.
Time travel solitaire WILL hurt you.
hempuli.itch.io/a-solitaire-...
Time travel solitaire WILL hurt you.
hempuli.itch.io/a-solitaire-...
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
Follow @wario64.bsky.social and repost for a chance to win 1 of 10 NA PSN codes for Star Wars: Grand Collection (6 games total) courtesy of @aspyr.com. Giveaway ends on May 7th, 6 PM PT.
The collection is also currently $44.99 for PS+ members
US eShop sale
Steam
The collection is also currently $44.99 for PS+ members
US eShop sale
Steam
May 2, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Follow @wario64.bsky.social and repost for a chance to win 1 of 10 NA PSN codes for Star Wars: Grand Collection (6 games total) courtesy of @aspyr.com. Giveaway ends on May 7th, 6 PM PT.
The collection is also currently $44.99 for PS+ members
US eShop sale
Steam
The collection is also currently $44.99 for PS+ members
US eShop sale
Steam
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
It legit annoys me to see this coming from professional journos: www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/its-b...
Zero awareness of how most people on the planet engage with game consoles - an expensive hobby only officially available in a few countries & languages. Now you'll learn why mobile is so big.
Zero awareness of how most people on the planet engage with game consoles - an expensive hobby only officially available in a few countries & languages. Now you'll learn why mobile is so big.
It’s beginning to feel like gaming isn’t for everyone
The Nintendo Switch 2's price tag opens up questions about who gets left behind as gaming hardware gets pricier.
www.digitaltrends.com
April 19, 2025 at 10:38 PM
It legit annoys me to see this coming from professional journos: www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/its-b...
Zero awareness of how most people on the planet engage with game consoles - an expensive hobby only officially available in a few countries & languages. Now you'll learn why mobile is so big.
Zero awareness of how most people on the planet engage with game consoles - an expensive hobby only officially available in a few countries & languages. Now you'll learn why mobile is so big.
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
Lunacid: Tears Of The Moon is out, and free!
A low-fi prequel to the excellent King's Field-inspired Lunacid.
Unlike its more modern predecessor, this one is made with Sword Of Moonlight, an official King's Field fangame creation toolkit published by FromSoftware a QUARTER CENTURY AGO.
A low-fi prequel to the excellent King's Field-inspired Lunacid.
Unlike its more modern predecessor, this one is made with Sword Of Moonlight, an official King's Field fangame creation toolkit published by FromSoftware a QUARTER CENTURY AGO.
Lunacid - Tears of the Moon on Steam
Lunacid: Tears of the Moon is a First Person Dungeon Crawler made with the Sword of Moonlight - King’s Field making tool from 2000. Explore various dungeons for powerful weapons and spells to forestal...
store.steampowered.com
April 12, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Lunacid: Tears Of The Moon is out, and free!
A low-fi prequel to the excellent King's Field-inspired Lunacid.
Unlike its more modern predecessor, this one is made with Sword Of Moonlight, an official King's Field fangame creation toolkit published by FromSoftware a QUARTER CENTURY AGO.
A low-fi prequel to the excellent King's Field-inspired Lunacid.
Unlike its more modern predecessor, this one is made with Sword Of Moonlight, an official King's Field fangame creation toolkit published by FromSoftware a QUARTER CENTURY AGO.
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
Mods have always been a staple of the NASB series but these mods have changed the game forever!
#gamebanana #Nasb2 #platsky #youtube
youtu.be/dxN6ZOtnonQ?...
#gamebanana #Nasb2 #platsky #youtube
youtu.be/dxN6ZOtnonQ?...
THESE MODS CHANGE NASB2 FOREVER
YouTube video by Cherry
youtu.be
April 5, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Mods have always been a staple of the NASB series but these mods have changed the game forever!
#gamebanana #Nasb2 #platsky #youtube
youtu.be/dxN6ZOtnonQ?...
#gamebanana #Nasb2 #platsky #youtube
youtu.be/dxN6ZOtnonQ?...
Reposted by Ian Cisneros
“Nintendo would need to spend billions to open a factory in the US. It'd probably take 4-5 years to complete this.”
My comments and more: www.404media.co/sea-of-idioc...
My comments and more: www.404media.co/sea-of-idioc...
'Sea of Idiocy:' Economists Say Trump Tariffs Will Raise Price of Switch 2 and Everything Else
“The policy announcement is astonishing for its stupidity. It seems like a joke!"
www.404media.co
April 5, 2025 at 1:09 PM
“Nintendo would need to spend billions to open a factory in the US. It'd probably take 4-5 years to complete this.”
My comments and more: www.404media.co/sea-of-idioc...
My comments and more: www.404media.co/sea-of-idioc...