Craig @ Off Trail Games
@offtrailgames.bsky.social
Founder / Designer @ Off Trail Games
Ex-Game Director @ Blizzard Entertainment
I believe in creative play and experiences that bond people.
Working on a game about a misfit crew of spaceship scavengers.
Ex-Game Director @ Blizzard Entertainment
I believe in creative play and experiences that bond people.
Working on a game about a misfit crew of spaceship scavengers.
Pinned
An intro! I’m Craig. I’ve been making games for 20 years. Lead Quest Designer on WoW, then pitched, built and led Blizz’s survival game team (until it was squished by the acquisition)
Now I’ve founded OTG to make games about creativity and bonding through play. I believe games can help people grow.
Now I’ve founded OTG to make games about creativity and bonding through play. I believe games can help people grow.
A design learning I found fascinating:
When players love an activity
(ex: taming wild horses)
and you add a task/reward for doing it
(ex: tame 3 wild horses)
many stop doing the thing they loved after the task
(even though they happily did it for no reward before)
#gamedesign
When players love an activity
(ex: taming wild horses)
and you add a task/reward for doing it
(ex: tame 3 wild horses)
many stop doing the thing they loved after the task
(even though they happily did it for no reward before)
#gamedesign
November 25, 2024 at 6:20 PM
A design learning I found fascinating:
When players love an activity
(ex: taming wild horses)
and you add a task/reward for doing it
(ex: tame 3 wild horses)
many stop doing the thing they loved after the task
(even though they happily did it for no reward before)
#gamedesign
When players love an activity
(ex: taming wild horses)
and you add a task/reward for doing it
(ex: tame 3 wild horses)
many stop doing the thing they loved after the task
(even though they happily did it for no reward before)
#gamedesign
Reposted by Craig @ Off Trail Games
Goooood morning Bluesky!
Did you know we released a game yesterday?
So far we have 37 reviews and they are *all* positive!
So it seems to be pretty fun?
You should probably buy it!
And leave a review if you have played it.
#indiegame #gamedev
store.steampowered.com/app/1461910/...
Did you know we released a game yesterday?
So far we have 37 reviews and they are *all* positive!
So it seems to be pretty fun?
You should probably buy it!
And leave a review if you have played it.
#indiegame #gamedev
store.steampowered.com/app/1461910/...
November 19, 2024 at 8:01 AM
Goooood morning Bluesky!
Did you know we released a game yesterday?
So far we have 37 reviews and they are *all* positive!
So it seems to be pretty fun?
You should probably buy it!
And leave a review if you have played it.
#indiegame #gamedev
store.steampowered.com/app/1461910/...
Did you know we released a game yesterday?
So far we have 37 reviews and they are *all* positive!
So it seems to be pretty fun?
You should probably buy it!
And leave a review if you have played it.
#indiegame #gamedev
store.steampowered.com/app/1461910/...
Reposted by Craig @ Off Trail Games
She dances across the horizon, her cloak of daylight breaking the quiet of night. ✨
November 18, 2024 at 5:16 PM
She dances across the horizon, her cloak of daylight breaking the quiet of night. ✨
Reposted by Craig @ Off Trail Games
Sometimes a family can be just you and a bunch of animals you've rescued.
#characterdesign #illustration #drawing #indiedev #gamedev #animals #brazilianartist #cozy
#characterdesign #illustration #drawing #indiedev #gamedev #animals #brazilianartist #cozy
November 18, 2024 at 9:21 AM
Sometimes a family can be just you and a bunch of animals you've rescued.
#characterdesign #illustration #drawing #indiedev #gamedev #animals #brazilianartist #cozy
#characterdesign #illustration #drawing #indiedev #gamedev #animals #brazilianartist #cozy
Reposted by Craig @ Off Trail Games
Here are over 150GB of free sound effects, royalty-free and commercially usable on your #gamedev projects sonniss.com/gameaudiogdc
November 18, 2024 at 10:05 AM
Here are over 150GB of free sound effects, royalty-free and commercially usable on your #gamedev projects sonniss.com/gameaudiogdc
My favorite talk on game cameras. From John Nesky back in his time on Journey.
I came back to this for a new project and walked away with new learnings again.
youtu.be/C7307qRmlMI?...
I came back to this for a new project and walked away with new learnings again.
youtu.be/C7307qRmlMI?...
50 Game Camera Mistakes
YouTube video by GDC 2025
youtu.be
November 18, 2024 at 5:47 AM
My favorite talk on game cameras. From John Nesky back in his time on Journey.
I came back to this for a new project and walked away with new learnings again.
youtu.be/C7307qRmlMI?...
I came back to this for a new project and walked away with new learnings again.
youtu.be/C7307qRmlMI?...
Reposted by Craig @ Off Trail Games
For all the new folks arriving, both #indiegame developers and players alike, I've got some starter packs below you might find useful 👍
🔸 Indie Game Studios - go.bsky.app/EbnyA2d
🔸 Solo Indie Devs - go.bsky.app/46HSs4C
🔸 Indie Game Publishers - go.bsky.app/DAoKtHj
🔸 Indie Game Studios - go.bsky.app/EbnyA2d
🔸 Solo Indie Devs - go.bsky.app/46HSs4C
🔸 Indie Game Publishers - go.bsky.app/DAoKtHj
November 17, 2024 at 10:18 AM
For all the new folks arriving, both #indiegame developers and players alike, I've got some starter packs below you might find useful 👍
🔸 Indie Game Studios - go.bsky.app/EbnyA2d
🔸 Solo Indie Devs - go.bsky.app/46HSs4C
🔸 Indie Game Publishers - go.bsky.app/DAoKtHj
🔸 Indie Game Studios - go.bsky.app/EbnyA2d
🔸 Solo Indie Devs - go.bsky.app/46HSs4C
🔸 Indie Game Publishers - go.bsky.app/DAoKtHj
Reposted by Craig @ Off Trail Games
Amazing resource for anyone doing UI, or are just curious about game UI.
#gamedev #ui
gameuidatabase.com/index.php
#gamedev #ui
gameuidatabase.com/index.php
Game UI Database
The ultimate interface reference Tool for game designers. Explore over 1,300 games, and 55,000 UI screenshots and videos, and filter by screen category, animation, colour, material, layout, texture, ...
gameuidatabase.com
November 17, 2024 at 7:48 AM
Amazing resource for anyone doing UI, or are just curious about game UI.
#gamedev #ui
gameuidatabase.com/index.php
#gamedev #ui
gameuidatabase.com/index.php
An intro! I’m Craig. I’ve been making games for 20 years. Lead Quest Designer on WoW, then pitched, built and led Blizz’s survival game team (until it was squished by the acquisition)
Now I’ve founded OTG to make games about creativity and bonding through play. I believe games can help people grow.
Now I’ve founded OTG to make games about creativity and bonding through play. I believe games can help people grow.
November 14, 2024 at 10:26 PM
An intro! I’m Craig. I’ve been making games for 20 years. Lead Quest Designer on WoW, then pitched, built and led Blizz’s survival game team (until it was squished by the acquisition)
Now I’ve founded OTG to make games about creativity and bonding through play. I believe games can help people grow.
Now I’ve founded OTG to make games about creativity and bonding through play. I believe games can help people grow.
Reposted by Craig @ Off Trail Games
I'm Think, an artist based in Spain. I program, draw and design my own video games (Kauldron, NoumenoN); I devblog on Twitch, mixing philosophy, art and jokes. I'm part of the Toad Sect. Oh Great Horned Toad King, give me strength to finish my projects!
Kauldron: portfoliothink.com/portfolio/ka...
Kauldron: portfoliothink.com/portfolio/ka...
November 13, 2024 at 2:03 PM
I'm Think, an artist based in Spain. I program, draw and design my own video games (Kauldron, NoumenoN); I devblog on Twitch, mixing philosophy, art and jokes. I'm part of the Toad Sect. Oh Great Horned Toad King, give me strength to finish my projects!
Kauldron: portfoliothink.com/portfolio/ka...
Kauldron: portfoliothink.com/portfolio/ka...
Reposted by Craig @ Off Trail Games
⭐ Just a reminder to all of the new faces here, starter packs are a great way to find cool artists and sharing them helps everyone grow! ⭐ Check out this one I've made for some cool 3D Character Artists, and don't forget to boost with a repost!
go.bsky.app/D5ibi1
go.bsky.app/D5ibi1
November 13, 2024 at 3:11 PM
⭐ Just a reminder to all of the new faces here, starter packs are a great way to find cool artists and sharing them helps everyone grow! ⭐ Check out this one I've made for some cool 3D Character Artists, and don't forget to boost with a repost!
go.bsky.app/D5ibi1
go.bsky.app/D5ibi1
Reposted by Craig @ Off Trail Games
Are details good? Are details bad? It really depends!
I promised you yesterday on stream, that I would turn this into a chart, so here it is.
I promised you yesterday on stream, that I would turn this into a chart, so here it is.
November 10, 2024 at 4:24 PM
Are details good? Are details bad? It really depends!
I promised you yesterday on stream, that I would turn this into a chart, so here it is.
I promised you yesterday on stream, that I would turn this into a chart, so here it is.
Reposted by Craig @ Off Trail Games
Lessons from today's prototyping meetup #gamedesign
1. Build the middle of your game first. Can you play your own game for 40-60 minutes? Then figure out how to teach that. Tutorials reveal the known fun, they don't find the fun.
1. Build the middle of your game first. Can you play your own game for 40-60 minutes? Then figure out how to teach that. Tutorials reveal the known fun, they don't find the fun.
November 10, 2024 at 8:50 PM
Lessons from today's prototyping meetup #gamedesign
1. Build the middle of your game first. Can you play your own game for 40-60 minutes? Then figure out how to teach that. Tutorials reveal the known fun, they don't find the fun.
1. Build the middle of your game first. Can you play your own game for 40-60 minutes? Then figure out how to teach that. Tutorials reveal the known fun, they don't find the fun.
I find confident decisions comes from one of two places:
1) Prior experience and mistakes
2) Reflecting your thoughts off of others
If you don’t have the former, seek the latter.
(cont.)
#gamedev #gamedesign
1) Prior experience and mistakes
2) Reflecting your thoughts off of others
If you don’t have the former, seek the latter.
(cont.)
#gamedev #gamedesign
November 10, 2024 at 9:34 PM
I find confident decisions comes from one of two places:
1) Prior experience and mistakes
2) Reflecting your thoughts off of others
If you don’t have the former, seek the latter.
(cont.)
#gamedev #gamedesign
1) Prior experience and mistakes
2) Reflecting your thoughts off of others
If you don’t have the former, seek the latter.
(cont.)
#gamedev #gamedesign
Leaving AAA for tiny-scale indie forced me to realize how adapted I was to being constantly pressured from many directions. It was stressful, but also motivating.
It’s paralyzingly quiet when you’re just working for yourself.
Having a teammate again has been intensely energizing.
It’s paralyzingly quiet when you’re just working for yourself.
Having a teammate again has been intensely energizing.
November 10, 2024 at 6:44 PM
Leaving AAA for tiny-scale indie forced me to realize how adapted I was to being constantly pressured from many directions. It was stressful, but also motivating.
It’s paralyzingly quiet when you’re just working for yourself.
Having a teammate again has been intensely energizing.
It’s paralyzingly quiet when you’re just working for yourself.
Having a teammate again has been intensely energizing.
Describe your #indiegamedev project in a haiku
When earth falls apart
Find yourself a spaceship crew
With friends and laughter
When earth falls apart
Find yourself a spaceship crew
With friends and laughter
Describe your #indiegamedev project in a haiku
A tooth jumps and dives
Gems and baddies aplenty
Fast reflexes help
A tooth jumps and dives
Gems and baddies aplenty
Fast reflexes help
Describe your #indiegamedev project in a haiku
In #MidnightAsphalt
You take part in car chases
With neo-noir traits
In #MidnightAsphalt
You take part in car chases
With neo-noir traits
November 9, 2024 at 4:56 AM
Describe your #indiegamedev project in a haiku
When earth falls apart
Find yourself a spaceship crew
With friends and laughter
When earth falls apart
Find yourself a spaceship crew
With friends and laughter