Jesse Himmelstein
@heavenstone.net
Creating games for discovery, learning, and raising awareness. Designer, developer, and entrepreneur. Lives in Nantes, France
Grandma has gone missing in the old forest. Good thing she left you with this map!
Find the lizard under the rock, and the bird nest in the tree. Search by the moonlight. Win stickers. Solve puzzles about food webs. Rekindle old memories.
Maybe they will lead you back to her?
1/3
#PitchYaGame
Find the lizard under the rock, and the bird nest in the tree. Search by the moonlight. Win stickers. Solve puzzles about food webs. Rekindle old memories.
Maybe they will lead you back to her?
1/3
#PitchYaGame
June 6, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Grandma has gone missing in the old forest. Good thing she left you with this map!
Find the lizard under the rock, and the bird nest in the tree. Search by the moonlight. Win stickers. Solve puzzles about food webs. Rekindle old memories.
Maybe they will lead you back to her?
1/3
#PitchYaGame
Find the lizard under the rock, and the bird nest in the tree. Search by the moonlight. Win stickers. Solve puzzles about food webs. Rekindle old memories.
Maybe they will lead you back to her?
1/3
#PitchYaGame
It was quite an experience to have my 15-slide pitch deck pulled part and critiqued for an hour!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKtW...
Until now, I mostly thought of the deck as visual support for my presentation, and maybe as notes for the publisher after the meeting.
1/2
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKtW...
Until now, I mostly thought of the deck as visual support for my presentation, and maybe as notes for the publisher after the meeting.
1/2
Live Pitch Deck Review
YouTube video by IndieGameBusiness®
www.youtube.com
June 5, 2025 at 7:45 AM
It was quite an experience to have my 15-slide pitch deck pulled part and critiqued for an hour!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKtW...
Until now, I mostly thought of the deck as visual support for my presentation, and maybe as notes for the publisher after the meeting.
1/2
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKtW...
Until now, I mostly thought of the deck as visual support for my presentation, and maybe as notes for the publisher after the meeting.
1/2
In about 20 minutes I'll be live with @indiegamebusiness for a pitch deck review! Should be fun!
It's at 4PM EST here: www.youtube.com/c/indiegameb...
#gamedev #indiegame
It's at 4PM EST here: www.youtube.com/c/indiegameb...
#gamedev #indiegame
IndieGameBusiness®
We believe that all developers, big and small, need a solid understanding of the business and marketing aspects of our industry in order to succeed. Unfortunately, very few resources are available to ...
www.youtube.com
June 3, 2025 at 7:42 PM
In about 20 minutes I'll be live with @indiegamebusiness for a pitch deck review! Should be fun!
It's at 4PM EST here: www.youtube.com/c/indiegameb...
#gamedev #indiegame
It's at 4PM EST here: www.youtube.com/c/indiegameb...
#gamedev #indiegame
Reposted by Jesse Himmelstein
Lovely post-Indigo gamedev dinner with some very chill peeps!
@coreflux.bsky.social
@adampype.bsky.social
@pancakesamurai.bsky.social
@heavenstone.net
@coreflux.bsky.social
@adampype.bsky.social
@pancakesamurai.bsky.social
@heavenstone.net
May 30, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Lovely post-Indigo gamedev dinner with some very chill peeps!
@coreflux.bsky.social
@adampype.bsky.social
@pancakesamurai.bsky.social
@heavenstone.net
@coreflux.bsky.social
@adampype.bsky.social
@pancakesamurai.bsky.social
@heavenstone.net
Wouldn't these spritesheets work well as wallpaper for a kids room? #indiegame #gamedev
May 16, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Wouldn't these spritesheets work well as wallpaper for a kids room? #indiegame #gamedev
Reposted by Jesse Himmelstein
Check out the video of our new demo ! We added an illustrated intro and puzzles.
Streamers and publishers - if you're interested in testing out demo, please tell me in the comments 😉
And give us some love ❤️
#indiegame #demo #gamedev #publisher #gamedesign #teaser
Streamers and publishers - if you're interested in testing out demo, please tell me in the comments 😉
And give us some love ❤️
#indiegame #demo #gamedev #publisher #gamedesign #teaser
Secret Woods - Vertical Slice Teaser
YouTube video by Play Curious
youtu.be
May 14, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Check out the video of our new demo ! We added an illustrated intro and puzzles.
Streamers and publishers - if you're interested in testing out demo, please tell me in the comments 😉
And give us some love ❤️
#indiegame #demo #gamedev #publisher #gamedesign #teaser
Streamers and publishers - if you're interested in testing out demo, please tell me in the comments 😉
And give us some love ❤️
#indiegame #demo #gamedev #publisher #gamedesign #teaser
This Sunday I'm headed to Kraków for the #DigitalDragons #gamedev event.
Despite living in Europe for the past 20 years, this will actually be my first time in Poland, and I'm excited to discover it! I've heard great things about the historic center.
Hit me up if you're there and we can meet!
Despite living in Europe for the past 20 years, this will actually be my first time in Poland, and I'm excited to discover it! I've heard great things about the historic center.
Hit me up if you're there and we can meet!
May 13, 2025 at 7:36 AM
This Sunday I'm headed to Kraków for the #DigitalDragons #gamedev event.
Despite living in Europe for the past 20 years, this will actually be my first time in Poland, and I'm excited to discover it! I've heard great things about the historic center.
Hit me up if you're there and we can meet!
Despite living in Europe for the past 20 years, this will actually be my first time in Poland, and I'm excited to discover it! I've heard great things about the historic center.
Hit me up if you're there and we can meet!
Comment créer un jeu VR ? J'ai hâte de découvrir ce va nous raconter Erwin Eninger sur la direction artistique de Blade & Sorcery chez @warpfrog.bsky.social
Il présente le mardi 13 mai chez @atlangames.com.
La billetterie est ici : lnkd.in/eBwVhE5P
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdPd...
Il présente le mardi 13 mai chez @atlangames.com.
La billetterie est ici : lnkd.in/eBwVhE5P
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdPd...
Blade and Sorcery | Official Update 10 Trailer - The Dungeons Update
YouTube video by The Baron
www.youtube.com
May 8, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Comment créer un jeu VR ? J'ai hâte de découvrir ce va nous raconter Erwin Eninger sur la direction artistique de Blade & Sorcery chez @warpfrog.bsky.social
Il présente le mardi 13 mai chez @atlangames.com.
La billetterie est ici : lnkd.in/eBwVhE5P
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdPd...
Il présente le mardi 13 mai chez @atlangames.com.
La billetterie est ici : lnkd.in/eBwVhE5P
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdPd...
May 6, 2025 at 6:28 AM
We're adding sticker puzzles to our hidden objects game. I just worked on having a nice intro where the pieces fall.
What do you think?
#gamedev
What do you think?
#gamedev
April 24, 2025 at 9:54 AM
We're adding sticker puzzles to our hidden objects game. I just worked on having a nice intro where the pieces fall.
What do you think?
#gamedev
What do you think?
#gamedev
Awesome interview by Gwen & Sam from @runawayparade.bsky.social to @npr.org about the devastating effects of tariffs on the indie board game industry
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
Tariffs against China threaten the booming board game industry
The Trump administration’s tariffs are strangling game designers, who warn that it’s not only prices that’ll go up. Plenty of games simply won’t get made.
www.wbur.org
April 21, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Awesome interview by Gwen & Sam from @runawayparade.bsky.social to @npr.org about the devastating effects of tariffs on the indie board game industry
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
Recently I ran a brainstorming workshop for a game about soil health for the Benchmarks EU project. The game is inspired by Reigns, and players make hard decisions and see how they impact the soil.
After playing the rough prototype, the participants came up with new cards we can integrate.
After playing the rough prototype, the participants came up with new cards we can integrate.
April 17, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Recently I ran a brainstorming workshop for a game about soil health for the Benchmarks EU project. The game is inspired by Reigns, and players make hard decisions and see how they impact the soil.
After playing the rough prototype, the participants came up with new cards we can integrate.
After playing the rough prototype, the participants came up with new cards we can integrate.
I had a blast last week showing Secret Woods at the @londongamesfest.bsky.social.
Most of the attendees were either streamers, publishers, students, or game devs. So I got to have a lot of fun conversations!
Also, who knew that Secret Woods ran on a Steam Deck? I’m impressed!
Most of the attendees were either streamers, publishers, students, or game devs. So I got to have a lot of fun conversations!
Also, who knew that Secret Woods ran on a Steam Deck? I’m impressed!
April 11, 2025 at 9:15 AM
I had a blast last week showing Secret Woods at the @londongamesfest.bsky.social.
Most of the attendees were either streamers, publishers, students, or game devs. So I got to have a lot of fun conversations!
Also, who knew that Secret Woods ran on a Steam Deck? I’m impressed!
Most of the attendees were either streamers, publishers, students, or game devs. So I got to have a lot of fun conversations!
Also, who knew that Secret Woods ran on a Steam Deck? I’m impressed!
ChatGPT likes me! 😂
Someone wrote on our website asking how to try our game. I figured they had seen Secret Woods at the London Games Festival last week. But when I asked how they heard about us, they wrote:
"I ask to chatGPT for educational game on blockchain and it suggested you :)"
Someone wrote on our website asking how to try our game. I figured they had seen Secret Woods at the London Games Festival last week. But when I asked how they heard about us, they wrote:
"I ask to chatGPT for educational game on blockchain and it suggested you :)"
April 8, 2025 at 10:08 AM
ChatGPT likes me! 😂
Someone wrote on our website asking how to try our game. I figured they had seen Secret Woods at the London Games Festival last week. But when I asked how they heard about us, they wrote:
"I ask to chatGPT for educational game on blockchain and it suggested you :)"
Someone wrote on our website asking how to try our game. I figured they had seen Secret Woods at the London Games Festival last week. But when I asked how they heard about us, they wrote:
"I ask to chatGPT for educational game on blockchain and it suggested you :)"
I never saw so many game design books in one place as there was at the #GDC shop!
I couldn't resist, and bought 2 that I'm sure to love. "Building Simcity" traces the classic city builder and the history of simulation games. "Game Balance" seems to be a bible on this most difficult of subjects.
I couldn't resist, and bought 2 that I'm sure to love. "Building Simcity" traces the classic city builder and the history of simulation games. "Game Balance" seems to be a bible on this most difficult of subjects.
March 25, 2025 at 7:57 AM
I never saw so many game design books in one place as there was at the #GDC shop!
I couldn't resist, and bought 2 that I'm sure to love. "Building Simcity" traces the classic city builder and the history of simulation games. "Game Balance" seems to be a bible on this most difficult of subjects.
I couldn't resist, and bought 2 that I'm sure to love. "Building Simcity" traces the classic city builder and the history of simulation games. "Game Balance" seems to be a bible on this most difficult of subjects.
I'm not exactly surprised, but given how often I see people ask ChatGPT questions rather than searching, it is alarming indeed.
arstechnica.com/ai/2025/03/a...
arstechnica.com/ai/2025/03/a...
AI search engines cite incorrect sources at an alarming 60% rate, study says
CJR study shows AI search services misinform users and ignore publisher exclusion requests.
arstechnica.com
March 14, 2025 at 2:27 PM
I'm not exactly surprised, but given how often I see people ask ChatGPT questions rather than searching, it is alarming indeed.
arstechnica.com/ai/2025/03/a...
arstechnica.com/ai/2025/03/a...
Our game Secret Woods was accepted into the London Games Festival!
🌱 Introducing the Official Selection: NATURAL WORLD - celebrating games inspired by nature!
🪵Secret Woods
🦊Spirit of the North 2
🐼Herdling
#LGF25 #OfficialSelection
🪵Secret Woods
🦊Spirit of the North 2
🐼Herdling
#LGF25 #OfficialSelection
March 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Our game Secret Woods was accepted into the London Games Festival!
Reposted by Jesse Himmelstein
➕Playable at New Game Plus➕
🪵 Secret Woods - Play Curious
The Moss-t Fascinating Hidden-Object Adventure! A cozy hidden-object game about uncovering the wonders of an old-growth forest.
🎟️tickets.games.london | #LGF25 #NewGamePlus
🪵 Secret Woods - Play Curious
The Moss-t Fascinating Hidden-Object Adventure! A cozy hidden-object game about uncovering the wonders of an old-growth forest.
🎟️tickets.games.london | #LGF25 #NewGamePlus
March 6, 2025 at 1:02 PM
➕Playable at New Game Plus➕
🪵 Secret Woods - Play Curious
The Moss-t Fascinating Hidden-Object Adventure! A cozy hidden-object game about uncovering the wonders of an old-growth forest.
🎟️tickets.games.london | #LGF25 #NewGamePlus
🪵 Secret Woods - Play Curious
The Moss-t Fascinating Hidden-Object Adventure! A cozy hidden-object game about uncovering the wonders of an old-growth forest.
🎟️tickets.games.london | #LGF25 #NewGamePlus
@stfj.net I have a daily trivia game called Mixstory, and I wonder if it could be a good fit for Puzzmo. If you're at GDC I'd love to meet and get your thoughts. Thanks!
March 10, 2025 at 8:16 AM
@stfj.net I have a daily trivia game called Mixstory, and I wonder if it could be a good fit for Puzzmo. If you're at GDC I'd love to meet and get your thoughts. Thanks!
Life, the board game, seemed normal at the time, but now it feels more like you're a gangster who held up a bank, kidnapped some kids and is making a run for it.
February 26, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Life, the board game, seemed normal at the time, but now it feels more like you're a gangster who held up a bank, kidnapped some kids and is making a run for it.
I just got my tickets to my first #GDC!
The Game Developers Conference is a huge #gamedev event, with something like 30k people attending.
But because it is in San Franc, and it VERY expensive, I’ve never made it over there yet. Until this year!
If you’re going too, let me know!
The Game Developers Conference is a huge #gamedev event, with something like 30k people attending.
But because it is in San Franc, and it VERY expensive, I’ve never made it over there yet. Until this year!
If you’re going too, let me know!
February 13, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Reposted by Jesse Himmelstein
If you follow game dev, you might know that work conditions in big studios are often awful. To fight this, a French union (STJV) is organizing a global strike and made an incredible bundle to help raise some funds! Minami Lane and Froggy's Battle are both part of it ✊💕
Link ⬇️
Link ⬇️
February 12, 2025 at 9:46 PM
If you follow game dev, you might know that work conditions in big studios are often awful. To fight this, a French union (STJV) is organizing a global strike and made an incredible bundle to help raise some funds! Minami Lane and Froggy's Battle are both part of it ✊💕
Link ⬇️
Link ⬇️
Recently, I went to #MuseumConnections, a trade show for museums that takes place in Paris.
Immediately, I noticed that the show floor was divided into two sections- a smaller one for selling equipment and know-how to build exhibits, and a larger one dedicated to gift shops!
Immediately, I noticed that the show floor was divided into two sections- a smaller one for selling equipment and know-how to build exhibits, and a larger one dedicated to gift shops!
February 6, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Recently, I went to #MuseumConnections, a trade show for museums that takes place in Paris.
Immediately, I noticed that the show floor was divided into two sections- a smaller one for selling equipment and know-how to build exhibits, and a larger one dedicated to gift shops!
Immediately, I noticed that the show floor was divided into two sections- a smaller one for selling equipment and know-how to build exhibits, and a larger one dedicated to gift shops!
If you're a tech person looking for a job, you might want to check out this list. A bunch are remote work...
news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4291...
news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4291...
Ask HN: Who is hiring? (February 2025) | Hacker News
news.ycombinator.com
February 4, 2025 at 7:47 AM
If you're a tech person looking for a job, you might want to check out this list. A bunch are remote work...
news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4291...
news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4291...