Jacob Vela
@jacobvela.bsky.social
Solo lawyer working with game devs and other creatives at argolawyer.com.
Game developer working on Star Rift Saga at studiovelagames.com or at https://store.steampowered.com/app/2158690/Star_Rift_Saga/.
Game developer working on Star Rift Saga at studiovelagames.com or at https://store.steampowered.com/app/2158690/Star_Rift_Saga/.
Reposted by Jacob Vela
Star Rift Saga is part of the Metroidvania Fusion Festival on Steam! Get the game for 20% off and the soundtrack for 10% off until November 10th. You can also discover other metroidvanias of all sizes during the event.
store.steampowered.com/app/2158690/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2158690/...
Star Rift Saga on Steam
Embark on a Metroidvanian journey across a mysterious alien world where every ability unlocks new secrets and every corner hides danger or discovery. Fight enemies and bosses across multiple biomes, c...
store.steampowered.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Star Rift Saga is part of the Metroidvania Fusion Festival on Steam! Get the game for 20% off and the soundtrack for 10% off until November 10th. You can also discover other metroidvanias of all sizes during the event.
store.steampowered.com/app/2158690/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2158690/...
It was a fun bracket, my final set went to game 5, final round. Always a good time with @salemfighters.bsky.social.
=== Results | 10/25/25 ===
#2XKO
🥇Nagi
🥈 @jaxas.bsky.social
🥉 @jaredtheho.bsky.social
#SSBU
🥇Guanabana
🥈Putrid
🥉CROWNED
#GGST
🥇 @jaxas.bsky.social
🥈Cheese
🥉Colwan
#SF6
🥇Soren
🥈 @jacobvela.bsky.social
🥉Jarhead
#SSBU 2v2
🥇Swoobit / CROWNED
🥈Putrid / DuckMcDougle
🎥 www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
#2XKO
🥇Nagi
🥈 @jaxas.bsky.social
🥉 @jaredtheho.bsky.social
#SSBU
🥇Guanabana
🥈Putrid
🥉CROWNED
#GGST
🥇 @jaxas.bsky.social
🥈Cheese
🥉Colwan
#SF6
🥇Soren
🥈 @jacobvela.bsky.social
🥉Jarhead
#SSBU 2v2
🥇Swoobit / CROWNED
🥈Putrid / DuckMcDougle
🎥 www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
October 25th, 2025 | SSF Saturday! - YouTube
www.youtube.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:28 AM
It was a fun bracket, my final set went to game 5, final round. Always a good time with @salemfighters.bsky.social.
I find this fascinating for a few reasons. It shows how games can't easily cater to both players and market speculators. Their interests in the game are directly opposed to one another. Which is a big reason why I think that crypto/blockchain has no good place in games. 🧵
CS2 skin update ‘rug pulls’ collectors as $1 billion wiped from market cap - Dexerto
Counter-Strike 2’s October 23 update has sent shockwaves through the skin trading community, with the market cap plummeting by over $1 billion.
www.dexerto.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:50 AM
I find this fascinating for a few reasons. It shows how games can't easily cater to both players and market speculators. Their interests in the game are directly opposed to one another. Which is a big reason why I think that crypto/blockchain has no good place in games. 🧵
One of my biggest gripes with the way that fighting games are monetized (paid game+DLC characters each year) is that the goals of the game's balance and profitability are at odds. Is the new DLC character overpowered at launch? Maybe, but the incentive is there to make it strong so that it sells.
October 20, 2025 at 2:01 AM
One of my biggest gripes with the way that fighting games are monetized (paid game+DLC characters each year) is that the goals of the game's balance and profitability are at odds. Is the new DLC character overpowered at launch? Maybe, but the incentive is there to make it strong so that it sells.
Group that makes cool remixes purely because they love creation and the game music that inspired them says AI is antithetical to their core values because of course it is.
The problem is people who want to pretend to be artists and get the credit without actually doing the work to learn the skills.
The problem is people who want to pretend to be artists and get the credit without actually doing the work to learn the skills.
We don’t want AI slop.
Stop sending us AI slop.
Stop wasting our time with AI slop.
It doesn’t sound good.
It’s antithetical to our core values.
You didn’t even make it.
Knock it off.
Stop sending us AI slop.
Stop wasting our time with AI slop.
It doesn’t sound good.
It’s antithetical to our core values.
You didn’t even make it.
Knock it off.
October 14, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Group that makes cool remixes purely because they love creation and the game music that inspired them says AI is antithetical to their core values because of course it is.
The problem is people who want to pretend to be artists and get the credit without actually doing the work to learn the skills.
The problem is people who want to pretend to be artists and get the credit without actually doing the work to learn the skills.
It might be because I played a lot of Hades so I was a lot more familiar with that game (and had more upgrades), but Hades II feels a lot harder. Which it could be, since this game is aimed at people who already played and beat the first one. Game is very good though.
October 3, 2025 at 5:50 AM
It might be because I played a lot of Hades so I was a lot more familiar with that game (and had more upgrades), but Hades II feels a lot harder. Which it could be, since this game is aimed at people who already played and beat the first one. Game is very good though.
(Epilepsy warning, probably.)
I think I won Maze Mice.
I think I won Maze Mice.
October 2, 2025 at 3:09 AM
(Epilepsy warning, probably.)
I think I won Maze Mice.
I think I won Maze Mice.
Price increase for Xbox consoles in the US "due to changes in the macroeconomic environment."
Look, if you're going to be vague about it, you're part of the problem. Just say what it is, tariffs being imposed by the current administration are increasing the price in the form of an import tax.🧵
Look, if you're going to be vague about it, you're part of the problem. Just say what it is, tariffs being imposed by the current administration are increasing the price in the form of an import tax.🧵
Xbox Support
support.xbox.com
September 19, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Price increase for Xbox consoles in the US "due to changes in the macroeconomic environment."
Look, if you're going to be vague about it, you're part of the problem. Just say what it is, tariffs being imposed by the current administration are increasing the price in the form of an import tax.🧵
Look, if you're going to be vague about it, you're part of the problem. Just say what it is, tariffs being imposed by the current administration are increasing the price in the form of an import tax.🧵
Reposted by Jacob Vela
Star Rift Saga is on sale for 20% off for a week long deal on Steam!
You can also pick up one of the bundles on the store page for an additional discount on other items.
You can also pick up one of the bundles on the store page for an additional discount on other items.
Save 20% on Star Rift Saga on Steam
Embark on a Metroidvanian journey across a mysterious alien world where every ability unlocks new secrets and every corner hides danger or discovery. Fight enemies and bosses across multiple biomes, c...
store.steampowered.com
September 15, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Star Rift Saga is on sale for 20% off for a week long deal on Steam!
You can also pick up one of the bundles on the store page for an additional discount on other items.
You can also pick up one of the bundles on the store page for an additional discount on other items.
Mike made a pretty bold assumption here about my brain not exploding, but I do appreciate being called an indie dev daredevil.
I was on Mike's podcast where I talked about the basics of what indie devs should know about the law. Give it a listen so I can do it again and talk about other topics.
I was on Mike's podcast where I talked about the basics of what indie devs should know about the law. Give it a listen so I can do it again and talk about other topics.
September 11, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Mike made a pretty bold assumption here about my brain not exploding, but I do appreciate being called an indie dev daredevil.
I was on Mike's podcast where I talked about the basics of what indie devs should know about the law. Give it a listen so I can do it again and talk about other topics.
I was on Mike's podcast where I talked about the basics of what indie devs should know about the law. Give it a listen so I can do it again and talk about other topics.
Reposted by Jacob Vela
Work has begun on Star Rift Saga's 1.1 content update.
Here's a preview of a new robot that will appear in translocator rooms.
Here's a preview of a new robot that will appear in translocator rooms.
September 6, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Work has begun on Star Rift Saga's 1.1 content update.
Here's a preview of a new robot that will appear in translocator rooms.
Here's a preview of a new robot that will appear in translocator rooms.
I came across this trailer last night and I have rarely needed a game beamed straight into my eye holes so immediately as this one. The opening made me think Star Fox, and the gameplay confirmed everything I look for out of that.
Hey @chuhailabs.com, I need a release date ASAP.
Hey @chuhailabs.com, I need a release date ASAP.
Wild Blue | Gameplay Trailer | PC & Xbox Series X|S
YouTube video by Chuhai Labs
www.youtube.com
August 21, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I came across this trailer last night and I have rarely needed a game beamed straight into my eye holes so immediately as this one. The opening made me think Star Fox, and the gameplay confirmed everything I look for out of that.
Hey @chuhailabs.com, I need a release date ASAP.
Hey @chuhailabs.com, I need a release date ASAP.
Okay yeah, Kirby Air Riders seems like it's building on that prototype. It sure is Air Ride, but again. And more. Which is what fans have wanted. I have my reservations, but game looks solid.
Love how many of the visual effects were seemingly pulled straight from Smash. Efficient.
Love how many of the visual effects were seemingly pulled straight from Smash. Efficient.
August 19, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Okay yeah, Kirby Air Riders seems like it's building on that prototype. It sure is Air Ride, but again. And more. Which is what fans have wanted. I have my reservations, but game looks solid.
Love how many of the visual effects were seemingly pulled straight from Smash. Efficient.
Love how many of the visual effects were seemingly pulled straight from Smash. Efficient.
Hot take: I think the original Kirby Air Ride is only alright.
It's still fun, but mostly a good prototype for different ideas rather than a great game on its own merits.
It's still fun, but mostly a good prototype for different ideas rather than a great game on its own merits.
August 18, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Hot take: I think the original Kirby Air Ride is only alright.
It's still fun, but mostly a good prototype for different ideas rather than a great game on its own merits.
It's still fun, but mostly a good prototype for different ideas rather than a great game on its own merits.
I have no idea how Game Changer is going to get any wilder for their next season, but I'm excited to find out.
August 12, 2025 at 6:40 PM
I have no idea how Game Changer is going to get any wilder for their next season, but I'm excited to find out.
Rivals of Aether II is a good game. It's a platform fighter like Smash Bros but designed intentionally and has an online mode that actually works. Character designs are super cool with everyone doing some very neat tricks.
It is free to try and on sale this weekend for Evo. Go try it out!
It is free to try and on sale this weekend for Evo. Go try it out!
Save 35% on Rivals of Aether II on Steam
Rivals of Aether II is the sequel to the hit indie fighting game, Rivals of Aether. Play as both new and returning elemental fighters in the next generation of platform fighters.
store.steampowered.com
July 31, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Rivals of Aether II is a good game. It's a platform fighter like Smash Bros but designed intentionally and has an online mode that actually works. Character designs are super cool with everyone doing some very neat tricks.
It is free to try and on sale this weekend for Evo. Go try it out!
It is free to try and on sale this weekend for Evo. Go try it out!
Reposted by Jacob Vela
As a reminder, Star Rift Saga's launch discount ends tomorrow at 10 AM! Pick it up at a discount before then!
Save 20% on Star Rift Saga on Steam
Embark on a Metroidvanian journey across a mysterious alien world where every ability unlocks new secrets and every corner hides danger or discovery. Fight enemies and bosses across multiple biomes, c...
store.steampowered.com
July 28, 2025 at 6:51 PM
As a reminder, Star Rift Saga's launch discount ends tomorrow at 10 AM! Pick it up at a discount before then!
Calling any game that is complete and/or not receiving new updates dead or obsolete is unsustainable and dumb, but Apple codifying such a fallacy as policy is bad for the industry as a whole, but especially for small devs.
Let games be complete works without the constant need for new content.
Let games be complete works without the constant need for new content.
Apple is delisting Wheels of Aurelia from the App Store, because it's... "obsolete". Our statement:
July 20, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Calling any game that is complete and/or not receiving new updates dead or obsolete is unsustainable and dumb, but Apple codifying such a fallacy as policy is bad for the industry as a whole, but especially for small devs.
Let games be complete works without the constant need for new content.
Let games be complete works without the constant need for new content.
I think that the most interesting part about this thread is that is shows how different score systems can encourage very different feels for your game.
The score system here creates a tension and release rather than requiring you to play your best at all times.
The score system here creates a tension and release rather than requiring you to play your best at all times.
A quick game design thread...
In Word Play, how come points don't carry over between rounds? If you overshoot the score requirement, why don't the extra points apply to the next round?
In Word Play, how come points don't carry over between rounds? If you overshoot the score requirement, why don't the extra points apply to the next round?
July 17, 2025 at 9:37 PM
I think that the most interesting part about this thread is that is shows how different score systems can encourage very different feels for your game.
The score system here creates a tension and release rather than requiring you to play your best at all times.
The score system here creates a tension and release rather than requiring you to play your best at all times.
I feel like there should be more fanfare on the Steam interface when you release a game, but here we are.
Star Rift Saga is now available on Steam! You can get it with a 20% launch discount for the first two weeks.
store.steampowered.com/app/2158690/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2158690/...
Save 20% on Star Rift Saga on Steam
Embark on a Metroidvanian journey across a mysterious alien world where every ability unlocks new secrets and every corner hides danger or discovery. Fight enemies and bosses across multiple biomes, c...
store.steampowered.com
July 15, 2025 at 5:48 PM
I feel like there should be more fanfare on the Steam interface when you release a game, but here we are.
I'll be releasing Star Rift Saga TOMORROW. I've cut together a preview of the entire soundtrack created by @vincentcolavita.bsky.social.
Star Rift Saga Official Soundtrack Preview
YouTube video by Studio Vela
www.youtube.com
July 14, 2025 at 10:58 PM
I'll be releasing Star Rift Saga TOMORROW. I've cut together a preview of the entire soundtrack created by @vincentcolavita.bsky.social.
After some time with Mario Kart World, I think that it's a lot of fun, but flawed. However, I think that updates could be done that would make it much more fun without being huge to develop or changing the core vision for the game.
Note that these changes are purely focused on offline modes.🧵
Note that these changes are purely focused on offline modes.🧵
July 12, 2025 at 9:18 PM
After some time with Mario Kart World, I think that it's a lot of fun, but flawed. However, I think that updates could be done that would make it much more fun without being huge to develop or changing the core vision for the game.
Note that these changes are purely focused on offline modes.🧵
Note that these changes are purely focused on offline modes.🧵
Sometimes I think about game design quirks or challenges, or think about specific game's designs or problems and I want to post them somewhere but they're too long for a thread. Maybe after I release Star Rift Saga (next week!) I'll start writing blog posts about game development and design.
July 10, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Sometimes I think about game design quirks or challenges, or think about specific game's designs or problems and I want to post them somewhere but they're too long for a thread. Maybe after I release Star Rift Saga (next week!) I'll start writing blog posts about game development and design.
Star Rift Saga releases in just two weeks. I'm both excited, and terrified.
store.steampowered.com/app/2158690/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2158690/...
July 1, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Star Rift Saga releases in just two weeks. I'm both excited, and terrified.
store.steampowered.com/app/2158690/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2158690/...