Jake Kazdal
@jkooza.bsky.social
Long-time game developer and CEO/Creative-Director/Art Director @17_BIT. Living in a Ghibli film in deep Kyoto. I love photographing remaining nooks and crannies of old Japan. Creator and director of AWAYSIS. Spends a lot of time underwater.
Pinned
Jake Kazdal
@jkooza.bsky.social
· Jun 8
Watch the trailer for our brand new action-RPG Awaysis!
💥 Master momentum to beat your foes as you jump, slide and collide around this ancient relic.
Adventure awaits those who seek it on Xbox Series X, PS5, and Steam.
💥 Master momentum to beat your foes as you jump, slide and collide around this ancient relic.
Adventure awaits those who seek it on Xbox Series X, PS5, and Steam.
It’s HERE!! The incredibly talented and passionate team here @17-bit.bsky.social have been working for years on the ultimate physics-based dungeon brawler, inspired by the aesthetics of Japanese action-RPG classics of yesteryear. An amazing partnership with CULT too!
Reposted by Jake Kazdal
"[Forestrike's] sophisticated storytelling quickly became as important to me as the gameplay."
Wow! Thank you @screenrant.bsky.social
screenrant.com/forestrike-r...
Wow! Thank you @screenrant.bsky.social
screenrant.com/forestrike-r...
Forestrike: A Martial Arts Roguelite Masterpiece You Can't Miss
Forestrike is a martial arts mix of crunchy roguelite systems.
screenrant.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:26 AM
"[Forestrike's] sophisticated storytelling quickly became as important to me as the gameplay."
Wow! Thank you @screenrant.bsky.social
screenrant.com/forestrike-r...
Wow! Thank you @screenrant.bsky.social
screenrant.com/forestrike-r...
We are STOKED to be a part of one of the finest events in gaming! Can’t wait for people to see more of what’s coming!!
We are so stoked to announce that we are part of Day of the Devs - The Game Awards Digital Showcase next month.
Honored, and ready to show you all what we have been cooking over here 🧑🍳
#indiedev #gaming #TheGameAwards
Honored, and ready to show you all what we have been cooking over here 🧑🍳
#indiedev #gaming #TheGameAwards
November 13, 2025 at 3:11 AM
We are STOKED to be a part of one of the finest events in gaming! Can’t wait for people to see more of what’s coming!!
Reposted by Jake Kazdal
Happy Halloween! @allymobbs.bsky.social made some glitch art featuring a very spooky enemy who awaits you within #AWAYSIS
#gaming #indiedev #Halloween
#gaming #indiedev #Halloween
October 31, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Happy Halloween! @allymobbs.bsky.social made some glitch art featuring a very spooky enemy who awaits you within #AWAYSIS
#gaming #indiedev #Halloween
#gaming #indiedev #Halloween
Reposted by Jake Kazdal
🎃 Today’s the physical release of HOTEL BARCELONA! It’s Halloween—the perfect day for a horror game.
Digital is instant, sure, but cracking open that case, sliding the disc in, and feeling that little surge before it boots up… that’s magic.
Happy Halloween
#HotelBarcelona #PhysicalEdition
Digital is instant, sure, but cracking open that case, sliding the disc in, and feeling that little surge before it boots up… that’s magic.
Happy Halloween
#HotelBarcelona #PhysicalEdition
October 31, 2025 at 9:48 AM
🎃 Today’s the physical release of HOTEL BARCELONA! It’s Halloween—the perfect day for a horror game.
Digital is instant, sure, but cracking open that case, sliding the disc in, and feeling that little surge before it boots up… that’s magic.
Happy Halloween
#HotelBarcelona #PhysicalEdition
Digital is instant, sure, but cracking open that case, sliding the disc in, and feeling that little surge before it boots up… that’s magic.
Happy Halloween
#HotelBarcelona #PhysicalEdition
Reposted by Jake Kazdal
Big congrats to @ancientgames.bsky.social @yuzokoshiro.bsky.social on today’s Japanese physical release of EARTHION!🚀✨🥳 Super proud of the @sdxgames.bsky.social versions we made, and especially stoked that we teamed up with 8BitDo (the best!) on this rad M30! ❤️ superdeluxegames.jp/collections/...
October 30, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Big congrats to @ancientgames.bsky.social @yuzokoshiro.bsky.social on today’s Japanese physical release of EARTHION!🚀✨🥳 Super proud of the @sdxgames.bsky.social versions we made, and especially stoked that we teamed up with 8BitDo (the best!) on this rad M30! ❤️ superdeluxegames.jp/collections/...
Super proud of the team for absolutely smashing out this trailer, it’s getting close!!!
Excited to announce that #AWAYSIS is coming to Xbox Game Pass right from day one for Series X|S, and PC.
We dropped a new trailer to celebrate as part of the ID@Xbox Fall 2025 Showcase.
youtu.be/QpgTfqxKbNk?...
#indiedev #gaming #gamedev
We dropped a new trailer to celebrate as part of the ID@Xbox Fall 2025 Showcase.
youtu.be/QpgTfqxKbNk?...
#indiedev #gaming #gamedev
AWAYSIS - Coming 2026
YouTube video by ID@Xbox
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Super proud of the team for absolutely smashing out this trailer, it’s getting close!!!
Reposted by Jake Kazdal
If you liked our making of story of THE TERMINATOR, please share the opening post.
bsky.app/profile/did:...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
THE TERMINATOR was released 41 years ago today. Acclaimed as one of the great science fiction/action films of the 1980s, and the film that launched the career of writer-director James Cameron, the story of how it was made absolutely will not stop. Ever. Until it is read…
1/65
1/65
October 26, 2025 at 2:17 PM
If you liked our making of story of THE TERMINATOR, please share the opening post.
bsky.app/profile/did:...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
Reposted by Jake Kazdal
If any of y'all remember Ben Ruiz? Made Aztez? Super tight brawler?
This is his next game
Y'all should try it! Just snagged it myself. Friend has been enjoying the hell out of it.
This is his next game
Y'all should try it! Just snagged it myself. Friend has been enjoying the hell out of it.
From the mech cockpit to crops - fight, farm, and forge a new life - Bounty Star is Out Now
Pick it up today: bit.ly/BountyStar
Pick it up today: bit.ly/BountyStar
October 25, 2025 at 4:08 AM
If any of y'all remember Ben Ruiz? Made Aztez? Super tight brawler?
This is his next game
Y'all should try it! Just snagged it myself. Friend has been enjoying the hell out of it.
This is his next game
Y'all should try it! Just snagged it myself. Friend has been enjoying the hell out of it.
Double Fine’s latest “Keeper” led by Lee Petty makes me realize there is a lot to be done in this medium yet. Unbelievable work, congrats to the whole Double Fine team!! Very inspiring!! @leepetty.bsky.social @timoflegend.bsky.social
October 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Double Fine’s latest “Keeper” led by Lee Petty makes me realize there is a lot to be done in this medium yet. Unbelievable work, congrats to the whole Double Fine team!! Very inspiring!! @leepetty.bsky.social @timoflegend.bsky.social
I just bought the Wilson version. Just about to finish SHOGŪN!
Ok seems the recommendation these days is Emily Wilson, but I also discovered Caroline Alexander did a translation of The Iliad that seems to preserve more of the Greek syntax? I'm torn. (Love that this comparison site exists, too.) www.iliadtranslations.com/compare/alex...
Caroline Alexander vs Emily Wilson Iliad Translations Comparison
Comparing the Iliad translations of Caroline Alexander and Emily Wilson with a set of passages.
www.iliadtranslations.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:49 AM
I just bought the Wilson version. Just about to finish SHOGŪN!
Reposted by Jake Kazdal
With our new demo running during Steam Next Fest, I'm seeing more players discover Ambrosia Sky's immersive sim sensibilities.
I thought it might be fun to share a pair of moment from the demo that illustrates this, through the lens of how I do my work as a level designer.
I thought it might be fun to share a pair of moment from the demo that illustrates this, through the lens of how I do my work as a level designer.
October 15, 2025 at 9:24 PM
With our new demo running during Steam Next Fest, I'm seeing more players discover Ambrosia Sky's immersive sim sensibilities.
I thought it might be fun to share a pair of moment from the demo that illustrates this, through the lens of how I do my work as a level designer.
I thought it might be fun to share a pair of moment from the demo that illustrates this, through the lens of how I do my work as a level designer.
Lee has been a monster of production design and art direction, and my hero for many years!
October 15, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Lee has been a monster of production design and art direction, and my hero for many years!
Reposted by Jake Kazdal
Design sketches for Hilda from Horus: Prince of the Sun (1968), dir. Isao Takahata, Toei Doga
Art by Yoichi Kotabe
Art by Yoichi Kotabe
October 15, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Design sketches for Hilda from Horus: Prince of the Sun (1968), dir. Isao Takahata, Toei Doga
Art by Yoichi Kotabe
Art by Yoichi Kotabe
Reposted by Jake Kazdal
The folks over at @videogameschronicle.com dropped a huge interview with Hip Tanaka, going over some of his legendary music that helped shape the industry.
We cannot overstate what a honor it is to work with such a legend on #AWAYSIS. We can't wait for you to hear the soundtrack.
We cannot overstate what a honor it is to work with such a legend on #AWAYSIS. We can't wait for you to hear the soundtrack.
‘The original Game Boy sounds the best’: A very nerdy conversation with legendary Nintendo composer Hip Tanaka | VGC
The father of chiptune music discusses the past, and his long-awaited return to games…
www.videogameschronicle.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:46 AM
The folks over at @videogameschronicle.com dropped a huge interview with Hip Tanaka, going over some of his legendary music that helped shape the industry.
We cannot overstate what a honor it is to work with such a legend on #AWAYSIS. We can't wait for you to hear the soundtrack.
We cannot overstate what a honor it is to work with such a legend on #AWAYSIS. We can't wait for you to hear the soundtrack.
Reposted by Jake Kazdal
I wrote a long article about Rieko Kodama, her career at Sega, the evolution of her company, the games she worked on (including some canceled games and/or games for which she is not credited), the status of women and working conditions in the video game industry, etc.
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama/
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama/
October 7, 2025 at 9:58 AM
I wrote a long article about Rieko Kodama, her career at Sega, the evolution of her company, the games she worked on (including some canceled games and/or games for which she is not credited), the status of women and working conditions in the video game industry, etc.
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama/
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama/
Reposted by Jake Kazdal
Did you know that Rieko Kodama worked on Girl's Garden? In this third chapter, we also talk about Flicky, Ninja Princess, and Quartet.
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama3/
Aussi dispo en VF :
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamav...
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama3/
Aussi dispo en VF :
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamav...
October 14, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Did you know that Rieko Kodama worked on Girl's Garden? In this third chapter, we also talk about Flicky, Ninja Princess, and Quartet.
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama3/
Aussi dispo en VF :
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamav...
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama3/
Aussi dispo en VF :
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamav...
Reposted by Jake Kazdal
Mamoru Oshii planned it. A young Satoshi Kon took the lead on its layouts. The result: a stunning moment from Patlabor 2.
We're looking inside the film's martial law sequence, including storyboards and production art:
animationobsessive.substack.com/p/life-under...
We're looking inside the film's martial law sequence, including storyboards and production art:
animationobsessive.substack.com/p/life-under...
October 13, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Mamoru Oshii planned it. A young Satoshi Kon took the lead on its layouts. The result: a stunning moment from Patlabor 2.
We're looking inside the film's martial law sequence, including storyboards and production art:
animationobsessive.substack.com/p/life-under...
We're looking inside the film's martial law sequence, including storyboards and production art:
animationobsessive.substack.com/p/life-under...
While diving today on the northern Kyoto coast I saw a giant fucking lionfish and it freaked me out. It didn’t help that my kids were cliff jumping 40 feet away from it.
October 12, 2025 at 1:52 PM
While diving today on the northern Kyoto coast I saw a giant fucking lionfish and it freaked me out. It didn’t help that my kids were cliff jumping 40 feet away from it.
Reposted by Jake Kazdal
The "cognitive decline and brain damage from repeat COVID infections" and "easy to use robot that makes slop and melts your critical thinking skills" is a hell of a combo in a post-fact media ecosystem
October 7, 2025 at 2:13 AM
The "cognitive decline and brain damage from repeat COVID infections" and "easy to use robot that makes slop and melts your critical thinking skills" is a hell of a combo in a post-fact media ecosystem
I love this
October 10, 2025 at 5:09 AM
I love this
Looking forward to diving into this in PSVR2! Congrats @baiyon.bsky.social and @dylancuthbert.bsky.social and the whole team!!!
Our new Dreams of Another trailer just went live! youtu.be/zA1z-_pgZso?... it’s available today folks! Grab the bundle with the also just released PixelJunk Eden 2 and bask in two of Baiyon’s creations at once! 🫶
Dreams of Another - Launch Trailer | PS5 & PS VR2 Games
YouTube video by PlayStation
youtu.be
October 10, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Looking forward to diving into this in PSVR2! Congrats @baiyon.bsky.social and @dylancuthbert.bsky.social and the whole team!!!
Reposted by Jake Kazdal
Do we have any followers in #Melbourne? Head down to Big Games Night Out in Fed Square tomorrow night to check out #AWAYSIS for the first time in Australia, thanks to our pals over at Events Engine.
www.biggamesnightout.com
#indiedev #gaming #MIGW
www.biggamesnightout.com
#indiedev #gaming #MIGW
Big Games Night Out | Free. Games. Fun.
Join us for Big Games Night Out at Fed Square featuring free-to-play games, cosplay, live performances, and family activities on October 9, 2025. Enjoy free fun for all ages!
www.biggamesnightout.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Do we have any followers in #Melbourne? Head down to Big Games Night Out in Fed Square tomorrow night to check out #AWAYSIS for the first time in Australia, thanks to our pals over at Events Engine.
www.biggamesnightout.com
#indiedev #gaming #MIGW
www.biggamesnightout.com
#indiedev #gaming #MIGW
Reposted by Jake Kazdal
Sometimes we ask @jkooza.bsky.social & @allymobbs.bsky.social to do level testing. Somehow they always get stuck fighting ⚔️
#gaming #indiedev #gamedevlife #awaysis
#gaming #indiedev #gamedevlife #awaysis
October 7, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Sometimes we ask @jkooza.bsky.social & @allymobbs.bsky.social to do level testing. Somehow they always get stuck fighting ⚔️
#gaming #indiedev #gamedevlife #awaysis
#gaming #indiedev #gamedevlife #awaysis