Jameson Durall XP
@jamesondurallxp.bsky.social
Game Design Clarity for Teams in Motion. Strategic support for studios serious about tightening gameplay and shipping stronger. 25+ years AAA design and leadership.
New Inside XP is out.
January was about putting the systems to work. Three creative projects pushed forward and my consulting process started to solidify.
When did planning turn into building for you?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
#GameDev #GameDesign #IndieDev
January was about putting the systems to work. Three creative projects pushed forward and my consulting process started to solidify.
When did planning turn into building for you?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
#GameDev #GameDesign #IndieDev
February 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM
New Inside XP is out.
January was about putting the systems to work. Three creative projects pushed forward and my consulting process started to solidify.
When did planning turn into building for you?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
#GameDev #GameDesign #IndieDev
January was about putting the systems to work. Three creative projects pushed forward and my consulting process started to solidify.
When did planning turn into building for you?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
#GameDev #GameDesign #IndieDev
New XP Devlog is out.
Five systems, zero spaghetti. Clean boundaries now mean adding features later without rewrites.
How do you keep systems from bleeding into each other?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
Five systems, zero spaghetti. Clean boundaries now mean adding features later without rewrites.
How do you keep systems from bleeding into each other?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
February 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM
New XP Devlog is out.
Five systems, zero spaghetti. Clean boundaries now mean adding features later without rewrites.
How do you keep systems from bleeding into each other?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
Five systems, zero spaghetti. Clean boundaries now mean adding features later without rewrites.
How do you keep systems from bleeding into each other?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
New XP Signal is out.
I am tracking the widening gap between innovation talk and operational reality.
How are you managing production dependencies when platform strategies change so quickly?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I am tracking the widening gap between innovation talk and operational reality.
How are you managing production dependencies when platform strategies change so quickly?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
February 2, 2026 at 6:02 PM
New XP Signal is out.
I am tracking the widening gap between innovation talk and operational reality.
How are you managing production dependencies when platform strategies change so quickly?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I am tracking the widening gap between innovation talk and operational reality.
How are you managing production dependencies when platform strategies change so quickly?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
New XP Devlog is out.
I started a new build project this week and almost skipped a critical planning step because I thought I knew the game too well.
How do you protect your original vision when the build process starts pushing back?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I started a new build project this week and almost skipped a critical planning step because I thought I knew the game too well.
How do you protect your original vision when the build process starts pushing back?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
January 29, 2026 at 6:04 PM
New XP Devlog is out.
I started a new build project this week and almost skipped a critical planning step because I thought I knew the game too well.
How do you protect your original vision when the build process starts pushing back?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I started a new build project this week and almost skipped a critical planning step because I thought I knew the game too well.
How do you protect your original vision when the build process starts pushing back?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
New XP Signal is out.
I am looking at how high level financial engineering is changing the work before a creative milestone is even reached.
How are these structural shifts impacting your team right now?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I am looking at how high level financial engineering is changing the work before a creative milestone is even reached.
How are these structural shifts impacting your team right now?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
January 26, 2026 at 6:02 PM
New XP Signal is out.
I am looking at how high level financial engineering is changing the work before a creative milestone is even reached.
How are these structural shifts impacting your team right now?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I am looking at how high level financial engineering is changing the work before a creative milestone is even reached.
How are these structural shifts impacting your team right now?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
New XP Devlog is out.
I am defining the specific ways a starting world must lie to the player for the fantasy to work.
How do you design a lived reality that feels just slightly too polished?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I am defining the specific ways a starting world must lie to the player for the fantasy to work.
How do you design a lived reality that feels just slightly too polished?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
January 22, 2026 at 6:03 PM
New XP Devlog is out.
I am defining the specific ways a starting world must lie to the player for the fantasy to work.
How do you design a lived reality that feels just slightly too polished?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I am defining the specific ways a starting world must lie to the player for the fantasy to work.
How do you design a lived reality that feels just slightly too polished?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
New XP Signal is out.
I explore how shifting corporate strategies and new compliance rules are forcing developers to prioritize autonomy.
How do you protect your long term vision when external ownership changes their strategy?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I explore how shifting corporate strategies and new compliance rules are forcing developers to prioritize autonomy.
How do you protect your long term vision when external ownership changes their strategy?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
January 19, 2026 at 6:02 PM
New XP Signal is out.
I explore how shifting corporate strategies and new compliance rules are forcing developers to prioritize autonomy.
How do you protect your long term vision when external ownership changes their strategy?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I explore how shifting corporate strategies and new compliance rules are forcing developers to prioritize autonomy.
How do you protect your long term vision when external ownership changes their strategy?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
New XP Devlog is out.
I found a subtle logic flaw that was accidentally letting players pay for truth instead of finding it.
What guardrails do you use to keep your design aligned with your core vision?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I found a subtle logic flaw that was accidentally letting players pay for truth instead of finding it.
What guardrails do you use to keep your design aligned with your core vision?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
January 15, 2026 at 6:02 PM
New XP Devlog is out.
I found a subtle logic flaw that was accidentally letting players pay for truth instead of finding it.
What guardrails do you use to keep your design aligned with your core vision?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I found a subtle logic flaw that was accidentally letting players pay for truth instead of finding it.
What guardrails do you use to keep your design aligned with your core vision?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
New XP Signal is out.
I am looking at how industry rules are shifting across labor disputes, restrictions on new production tools, and teams rebuilding after shutdowns.
How do you protect your team when the business landscape shifts?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I am looking at how industry rules are shifting across labor disputes, restrictions on new production tools, and teams rebuilding after shutdowns.
How do you protect your team when the business landscape shifts?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
January 12, 2026 at 6:02 PM
New XP Signal is out.
I am looking at how industry rules are shifting across labor disputes, restrictions on new production tools, and teams rebuilding after shutdowns.
How do you protect your team when the business landscape shifts?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I am looking at how industry rules are shifting across labor disputes, restrictions on new production tools, and teams rebuilding after shutdowns.
How do you protect your team when the business landscape shifts?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
New XP Devlog is out.
I built a new framework to catch feature drift before it becomes scope creep.
How do you identify when a system starts moving away from your core pillars?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I built a new framework to catch feature drift before it becomes scope creep.
How do you identify when a system starts moving away from your core pillars?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
January 8, 2026 at 7:02 PM
New XP Devlog is out.
I built a new framework to catch feature drift before it becomes scope creep.
How do you identify when a system starts moving away from your core pillars?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I built a new framework to catch feature drift before it becomes scope creep.
How do you identify when a system starts moving away from your core pillars?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
New XP Signal is out.
One storefront returns to independent ownership to prioritize preservation just as others sunset live services to cut costs.
How do you design for permanence in an ecosystem built on disposable infrastructure?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
One storefront returns to independent ownership to prioritize preservation just as others sunset live services to cut costs.
How do you design for permanence in an ecosystem built on disposable infrastructure?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
January 5, 2026 at 6:02 PM
New XP Signal is out.
One storefront returns to independent ownership to prioritize preservation just as others sunset live services to cut costs.
How do you design for permanence in an ecosystem built on disposable infrastructure?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
One storefront returns to independent ownership to prioritize preservation just as others sunset live services to cut costs.
How do you design for permanence in an ecosystem built on disposable infrastructure?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
New Inside XP is out.
I am learning that independence rewards repeatable structure far more than raw effort.
What is one part of your workflow that needs a better system?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I am learning that independence rewards repeatable structure far more than raw effort.
What is one part of your workflow that needs a better system?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
January 2, 2026 at 9:01 PM
New Inside XP is out.
I am learning that independence rewards repeatable structure far more than raw effort.
What is one part of your workflow that needs a better system?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
I am learning that independence rewards repeatable structure far more than raw effort.
What is one part of your workflow that needs a better system?
https://substack.com/@jamesondurallxp
XP Devlog #3 is up.
This week’s post is about clearing a lane intentionally.
Not burnout, not panic. Just noticing when a system is carrying too much noise and fixing it before it degrades focus.
Holiday weeks are good for that kind of clarity.
https://jamesondurallxp.substack.com
This week’s post is about clearing a lane intentionally.
Not burnout, not panic. Just noticing when a system is carrying too much noise and fixing it before it degrades focus.
Holiday weeks are good for that kind of clarity.
https://jamesondurallxp.substack.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:02 PM
XP Devlog #3 is up.
This week’s post is about clearing a lane intentionally.
Not burnout, not panic. Just noticing when a system is carrying too much noise and fixing it before it degrades focus.
Holiday weeks are good for that kind of clarity.
https://jamesondurallxp.substack.com
This week’s post is about clearing a lane intentionally.
Not burnout, not panic. Just noticing when a system is carrying too much noise and fixing it before it degrades focus.
Holiday weeks are good for that kind of clarity.
https://jamesondurallxp.substack.com
I’m publishing a weekly note called XP Signal to make sense of what’s actually happening in the game industry, without the usual noise.
This week’s post can be found here:
https://jamesondurallxp.substack.com/p/xp-signal-122925
This week’s post can be found here:
https://jamesondurallxp.substack.com/p/xp-signal-122925
December 29, 2025 at 6:40 PM
I’m publishing a weekly note called XP Signal to make sense of what’s actually happening in the game industry, without the usual noise.
This week’s post can be found here:
https://jamesondurallxp.substack.com/p/xp-signal-122925
This week’s post can be found here:
https://jamesondurallxp.substack.com/p/xp-signal-122925
I’m publishing a weekly note called XP Signal to make sense of what’s actually happening in the game industry, without the usual noise.
This week’s post can be found here:
https://jamesondurallxp.substack.com/p/xp-signal-93b
This week’s post can be found here:
https://jamesondurallxp.substack.com/p/xp-signal-93b
December 22, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I’m publishing a weekly note called XP Signal to make sense of what’s actually happening in the game industry, without the usual noise.
This week’s post can be found here:
https://jamesondurallxp.substack.com/p/xp-signal-93b
This week’s post can be found here:
https://jamesondurallxp.substack.com/p/xp-signal-93b
XP Devlog #2 is up.
This week I built a high-level vision snapshot to stop creative projects from drifting and tested it on a real game.
It’s about clarity, constraints, and intent before features.
More here:
jamesondurallxp.substack.com
This week I built a high-level vision snapshot to stop creative projects from drifting and tested it on a real game.
It’s about clarity, constraints, and intent before features.
More here:
jamesondurallxp.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
XP Devlog #2 is up.
This week I built a high-level vision snapshot to stop creative projects from drifting and tested it on a real game.
It’s about clarity, constraints, and intent before features.
More here:
jamesondurallxp.substack.com
This week I built a high-level vision snapshot to stop creative projects from drifting and tested it on a real game.
It’s about clarity, constraints, and intent before features.
More here:
jamesondurallxp.substack.com
Nivedita Rajasekaran talks about her journey to land a role in games. Her story isn't just about sending out applications; it's about networking, strategic pivots, and the sheer grit required when you're an international creative trying to find your place.
https://www.youtube.com/@jamesondurallxp
https://www.youtube.com/@jamesondurallxp
December 17, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Nivedita Rajasekaran talks about her journey to land a role in games. Her story isn't just about sending out applications; it's about networking, strategic pivots, and the sheer grit required when you're an international creative trying to find your place.
https://www.youtube.com/@jamesondurallxp
https://www.youtube.com/@jamesondurallxp
I’m publishing a weekly note called XP Signal to make sense of what’s actually happening in the game industry, without the usual noise.
This week’s post is here if it’s useful:
https://substack.com/home/post/p-181730244
This week’s post is here if it’s useful:
https://substack.com/home/post/p-181730244
December 15, 2025 at 10:01 PM
I’m publishing a weekly note called XP Signal to make sense of what’s actually happening in the game industry, without the usual noise.
This week’s post is here if it’s useful:
https://substack.com/home/post/p-181730244
This week’s post is here if it’s useful:
https://substack.com/home/post/p-181730244
Devlog #1 is live.
I’ve been quietly building a new RPG for six months, and today I shared the moment it finally clicked. If you’re into game design or systems thinking, I’m writing about the journey here:
jamesondurallxp.substack.com
I’ve been quietly building a new RPG for six months, and today I shared the moment it finally clicked. If you’re into game design or systems thinking, I’m writing about the journey here:
jamesondurallxp.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Devlog #1 is live.
I’ve been quietly building a new RPG for six months, and today I shared the moment it finally clicked. If you’re into game design or systems thinking, I’m writing about the journey here:
jamesondurallxp.substack.com
I’ve been quietly building a new RPG for six months, and today I shared the moment it finally clicked. If you’re into game design or systems thinking, I’m writing about the journey here:
jamesondurallxp.substack.com
A look at my transition into independent design, what I’ve learned so far, the client work that shaped my direction, and the foundations I’m building:
https://open.substack.com/pub/jamesondurallxp/p/inside-jdxp-the-first-six-months?r=6v71jq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
https://open.substack.com/pub/jamesondurallxp/p/inside-jdxp-the-first-six-months?r=6v71jq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
December 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
A look at my transition into independent design, what I’ve learned so far, the client work that shaped my direction, and the foundations I’m building:
https://open.substack.com/pub/jamesondurallxp/p/inside-jdxp-the-first-six-months?r=6v71jq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
https://open.substack.com/pub/jamesondurallxp/p/inside-jdxp-the-first-six-months?r=6v71jq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Today I started. After 25 years of wanting to make my own game, I finally have the time and the idea. Fresh project. Day One. Let’s go.
November 14, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Today I started. After 25 years of wanting to make my own game, I finally have the time and the idea. Fresh project. Day One. Let’s go.
Ever tried drop-kicking through a window…in a mocap suit? 😅
This week’s episode features Zach Lowery, a veteran game animator & mocap lead who helped shape the personality of Saints Row and wrestled (literally) with big production bets on Agents of Mayhem.
https://www.youtube.com/@XPSessions
This week’s episode features Zach Lowery, a veteran game animator & mocap lead who helped shape the personality of Saints Row and wrestled (literally) with big production bets on Agents of Mayhem.
https://www.youtube.com/@XPSessions
October 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Ever tried drop-kicking through a window…in a mocap suit? 😅
This week’s episode features Zach Lowery, a veteran game animator & mocap lead who helped shape the personality of Saints Row and wrestled (literally) with big production bets on Agents of Mayhem.
https://www.youtube.com/@XPSessions
This week’s episode features Zach Lowery, a veteran game animator & mocap lead who helped shape the personality of Saints Row and wrestled (literally) with big production bets on Agents of Mayhem.
https://www.youtube.com/@XPSessions
Big game, big ambition, bigger mess? XP Game Blueprint gives your team the guidance it needs to align goals, sharpen systems, and deliver a pitch-ready design. Backed by AAA experience, we help studios move with clarity and confidence.
Read More: https://jamesondurallxp.com/xp-game-blueprint/
Read More: https://jamesondurallxp.com/xp-game-blueprint/
September 9, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Big game, big ambition, bigger mess? XP Game Blueprint gives your team the guidance it needs to align goals, sharpen systems, and deliver a pitch-ready design. Backed by AAA experience, we help studios move with clarity and confidence.
Read More: https://jamesondurallxp.com/xp-game-blueprint/
Read More: https://jamesondurallxp.com/xp-game-blueprint/
Take control of your development journey! We built three solutions to help studios at every stage, from finding quick fixes to building stronger systems to driving projects forward. Explore what fits your team and how Jameson Durall XP can power your project.
https://jamesondurallxp.com/<a href="/hashtag/services" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#services
https://jamesondurallxp.com/<a href="/hashtag/services" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#services
September 2, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Take control of your development journey! We built three solutions to help studios at every stage, from finding quick fixes to building stronger systems to driving projects forward. Explore what fits your team and how Jameson Durall XP can power your project.
https://jamesondurallxp.com/<a href="/hashtag/services" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#services
https://jamesondurallxp.com/<a href="/hashtag/services" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#services
Our new corporate site is here! We’ve packed it with insight on our services, a look at our experience, and the ways we help studios bring games to life...all backed by AAA experience. Check it out and see how we can power your next game dev project: www.JamesonDurallXP.com
August 28, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Our new corporate site is here! We’ve packed it with insight on our services, a look at our experience, and the ways we help studios bring games to life...all backed by AAA experience. Check it out and see how we can power your next game dev project: www.JamesonDurallXP.com