Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
@ricerocketeer.bsky.social
1/6 of ☄️ @cozycometgames.bsky.social, making cozy games! Also a part of @iaalberta.bsky.social, who run the Game Discovery Exhibition--Canada's largest indie games festival in July, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 🇨🇦.
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
if you're not saying free palestine by now because you're worried about your career or whatever you're gonna have a lot to attone for the coming years. you are more complicit in your silence than you think, and your silence is like a shout in our oceans of privilege and safety.
September 1, 2025 at 5:22 AM
if you're not saying free palestine by now because you're worried about your career or whatever you're gonna have a lot to attone for the coming years. you are more complicit in your silence than you think, and your silence is like a shout in our oceans of privilege and safety.
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
Proud of @daff.space for cancelling their STREET UNI X Xbox port in solidarity with Palestinians, even though it could've been crucial for their livelihood as an indie dev. 🇵🇸
www.rockpapershotgun.com/a-culture-of...
www.rockpapershotgun.com/a-culture-of...
"A culture of intimidation, retaliation and oppression": How Microsoft’s Gaza stance fuelled an industry-spanning boycott
RPS meets a few of the developers participating in the BDS campaign against Microsoft's Israeli military ties, including an Xbox worker fired for his views.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
August 29, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Proud of @daff.space for cancelling their STREET UNI X Xbox port in solidarity with Palestinians, even though it could've been crucial for their livelihood as an indie dev. 🇵🇸
www.rockpapershotgun.com/a-culture-of...
www.rockpapershotgun.com/a-culture-of...
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
July 15, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
It’s official! Welcome everyone to the 2025 Game Discovery Exhibition 🎉 We’re excited for folks to be a part of this educational 2 day conference! Our volunteers are ready to check attendees in at registration 🙌 Join us for networking at 9 am, then our keynote with Kim Belair kicks off at 9:45 am!
July 16, 2025 at 3:03 PM
It’s official! Welcome everyone to the 2025 Game Discovery Exhibition 🎉 We’re excited for folks to be a part of this educational 2 day conference! Our volunteers are ready to check attendees in at registration 🙌 Join us for networking at 9 am, then our keynote with Kim Belair kicks off at 9:45 am!
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
“GDX has become Canada’s largest independent celebration of games and game culture. We’re so glad GDX has continued to grow year after year to provide more opportunities to Edmontonians.” — Andrew Knack.
A huge thank you to Madison Côté & Councillor Andrew Knack for kicking off #GDX2025!
A huge thank you to Madison Côté & Councillor Andrew Knack for kicking off #GDX2025!
July 16, 2025 at 3:44 PM
“GDX has become Canada’s largest independent celebration of games and game culture. We’re so glad GDX has continued to grow year after year to provide more opportunities to Edmontonians.” — Andrew Knack.
A huge thank you to Madison Côté & Councillor Andrew Knack for kicking off #GDX2025!
A huge thank you to Madison Côté & Councillor Andrew Knack for kicking off #GDX2025!
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
Kim Belair’s “What Happens When You Get Harassed” keynote was an incredibly insightful look into the darker side of game development.
A huge thank you for her courage and wisdom in shining a light on serious issues plaguing the games industry.
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #GamesIndustry
A huge thank you for her courage and wisdom in shining a light on serious issues plaguing the games industry.
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #GamesIndustry
July 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Kim Belair’s “What Happens When You Get Harassed” keynote was an incredibly insightful look into the darker side of game development.
A huge thank you for her courage and wisdom in shining a light on serious issues plaguing the games industry.
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #GamesIndustry
A huge thank you for her courage and wisdom in shining a light on serious issues plaguing the games industry.
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #GamesIndustry
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
“As a spoiler: it sucks. We lost our voice, not just as a collective, but individually. We were no longer allowed to be a part of a conversation without being harassed; it doesn’t matter what you believe, it matters what others believe. You lose your power, but they call you powerful.” — Kim Belair
July 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM
“As a spoiler: it sucks. We lost our voice, not just as a collective, but individually. We were no longer allowed to be a part of a conversation without being harassed; it doesn’t matter what you believe, it matters what others believe. You lose your power, but they call you powerful.” — Kim Belair
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
“We ask ourselves, ‘Why is it in VR? What are we doing that cannot be done easily in the real world?’ For example, an escape room where water goes above your head; you can’t drown people in an escape room in the real world, but you can in VR...
July 16, 2025 at 5:57 PM
“We ask ourselves, ‘Why is it in VR? What are we doing that cannot be done easily in the real world?’ For example, an escape room where water goes above your head; you can’t drown people in an escape room in the real world, but you can in VR...
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
“You’re supposed to compare her body to the Sega Saturn, an object; this advertisement reinforces that video games aren’t made for women… It’s true this advertisement wouldn’t be acceptable by today’s standards, but we have to look back to go forward.” — Hope Docking
July 16, 2025 at 7:58 PM
“You’re supposed to compare her body to the Sega Saturn, an object; this advertisement reinforces that video games aren’t made for women… It’s true this advertisement wouldn’t be acceptable by today’s standards, but we have to look back to go forward.” — Hope Docking
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
A big thank you to Hope for her brilliant analysis of the objectification of women using female video game characters as specific case studies!
July 16, 2025 at 7:58 PM
A big thank you to Hope for her brilliant analysis of the objectification of women using female video game characters as specific case studies!
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
•The “abili-tease” provides players with firsthand experience on the future
•Larger than life NPCs doing what the player cannot yet, but may soon
•Show the scope of what excitement awaits players even before they are ready
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #IndieGames #IndieDevs
•Larger than life NPCs doing what the player cannot yet, but may soon
•Show the scope of what excitement awaits players even before they are ready
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #IndieGames #IndieDevs
July 16, 2025 at 8:20 PM
•The “abili-tease” provides players with firsthand experience on the future
•Larger than life NPCs doing what the player cannot yet, but may soon
•Show the scope of what excitement awaits players even before they are ready
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #IndieGames #IndieDevs
•Larger than life NPCs doing what the player cannot yet, but may soon
•Show the scope of what excitement awaits players even before they are ready
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #IndieGames #IndieDevs
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
Wondering how to quickly captivate the players of your games? Jon Renish of Half Mermaid has you covered in his “Finding the Fun in 15 Minutes” talk!
One way to engage the player is by using aspirational examples to guide them:
One way to engage the player is by using aspirational examples to guide them:
July 16, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Wondering how to quickly captivate the players of your games? Jon Renish of Half Mermaid has you covered in his “Finding the Fun in 15 Minutes” talk!
One way to engage the player is by using aspirational examples to guide them:
One way to engage the player is by using aspirational examples to guide them:
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
Thank you to Hedy and Justine for their phenomenal case studies on cultural representation in Black Myth Wukong and Venba!
“It’s a reminder that their stories matter and it doesn’t need to be dumbed down for players to understand.” — Justine Magbitang
“It’s a reminder that their stories matter and it doesn’t need to be dumbed down for players to understand.” — Justine Magbitang
July 16, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Thank you to Hedy and Justine for their phenomenal case studies on cultural representation in Black Myth Wukong and Venba!
“It’s a reminder that their stories matter and it doesn’t need to be dumbed down for players to understand.” — Justine Magbitang
“It’s a reminder that their stories matter and it doesn’t need to be dumbed down for players to understand.” — Justine Magbitang
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
“We learn through play, and video games are no exception: creating cultural games teaches the audience something new and provides opportunities for developers to learn something new… Holistic representation leads to stronger emotional impact and resonance with the audience.” — DoomScroll Studio
July 16, 2025 at 9:10 PM
“We learn through play, and video games are no exception: creating cultural games teaches the audience something new and provides opportunities for developers to learn something new… Holistic representation leads to stronger emotional impact and resonance with the audience.” — DoomScroll Studio
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
2. Treat the culture as the default; some creators worry players may not understand so they overexplain which can cause the culture to come across exotic.
3. Aim to tell a story, not to educate; what is your intention for the design? Convey a specific experience.
#GDX2025 #GameDevelopment
3. Aim to tell a story, not to educate; what is your intention for the design? Convey a specific experience.
#GDX2025 #GameDevelopment
July 16, 2025 at 9:44 PM
2. Treat the culture as the default; some creators worry players may not understand so they overexplain which can cause the culture to come across exotic.
3. Aim to tell a story, not to educate; what is your intention for the design? Convey a specific experience.
#GDX2025 #GameDevelopment
3. Aim to tell a story, not to educate; what is your intention for the design? Convey a specific experience.
#GDX2025 #GameDevelopment
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
Good representation is a side effect of good storytelling:
1. Start with inspiration, then do your research; personal experience is a great starting point, but research is needed to back it up.
1. Start with inspiration, then do your research; personal experience is a great starting point, but research is needed to back it up.
July 16, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Good representation is a side effect of good storytelling:
1. Start with inspiration, then do your research; personal experience is a great starting point, but research is needed to back it up.
1. Start with inspiration, then do your research; personal experience is a great starting point, but research is needed to back it up.
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
Natalie Gan enjoys starting from a place of constraints; Alyx Bui begins with character motivation.
How do you begin writing your stories? Share your thoughts with us below!
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #GameDevs #IndieDevs #IndieGames #IndieStudio
How do you begin writing your stories? Share your thoughts with us below!
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #GameDevs #IndieDevs #IndieGames #IndieStudio
July 16, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Natalie Gan enjoys starting from a place of constraints; Alyx Bui begins with character motivation.
How do you begin writing your stories? Share your thoughts with us below!
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #GameDevs #IndieDevs #IndieGames #IndieStudio
How do you begin writing your stories? Share your thoughts with us below!
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #GameDevs #IndieDevs #IndieGames #IndieStudio
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
Did you catch the “From Lore to Launch: Narrative Design” panel at #GDX2025?! 🤩
There are many ways to get a narrative started: Kaelin Lavallee mentioned he writes from a place of fear; Kim Belair begins with mechanics…
There are many ways to get a narrative started: Kaelin Lavallee mentioned he writes from a place of fear; Kim Belair begins with mechanics…
July 16, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Did you catch the “From Lore to Launch: Narrative Design” panel at #GDX2025?! 🤩
There are many ways to get a narrative started: Kaelin Lavallee mentioned he writes from a place of fear; Kim Belair begins with mechanics…
There are many ways to get a narrative started: Kaelin Lavallee mentioned he writes from a place of fear; Kim Belair begins with mechanics…
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
We must embrace diversity not because it’s the right thing to do, but because the audience is already diverse. It’s not just a marketing trend, it’s good design, it’s good business.” — Carina Kom from Inclusive at the Core: How to Leverage an Unfair Advantage presentation at #GDX2025
#GameDev
#GameDev
July 17, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
“When you design for belonging — starting with the processes inside your team culture — you create a world that feels good to return to. It’s about creating a culture where people can show up fully, safely...
July 17, 2025 at 6:44 PM
“When you design for belonging — starting with the processes inside your team culture — you create a world that feels good to return to. It’s about creating a culture where people can show up fully, safely...
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
A big thank you to @thirtythreegames.bsky.social for their incredible presentation, “Artistic Style from a Technical and Creative Lens!” 🤩
Their session explored how artistic style is developed, chosen, and implemented from both creative and technical angles.
Day 2 of #GDX2025 has been a blast 🥳
Their session explored how artistic style is developed, chosen, and implemented from both creative and technical angles.
Day 2 of #GDX2025 has been a blast 🥳
July 17, 2025 at 7:47 PM
A big thank you to @thirtythreegames.bsky.social for their incredible presentation, “Artistic Style from a Technical and Creative Lens!” 🤩
Their session explored how artistic style is developed, chosen, and implemented from both creative and technical angles.
Day 2 of #GDX2025 has been a blast 🥳
Their session explored how artistic style is developed, chosen, and implemented from both creative and technical angles.
Day 2 of #GDX2025 has been a blast 🥳
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
IAA is committed to creating positive change within the games industry; to all attendees and those who followed the event online, thank you for being a part of this experience. Let’s keep the conversation going.
July 17, 2025 at 11:15 PM
IAA is committed to creating positive change within the games industry; to all attendees and those who followed the event online, thank you for being a part of this experience. Let’s keep the conversation going.
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
“Carelessness in representation of a people often means carelessness to the material conditions of the people themselves. Empires thrive on uninformed populace; stated otherwise, complicity thrives on tolerance.” — Ahmer Rana
July 17, 2025 at 11:15 PM
“Carelessness in representation of a people often means carelessness to the material conditions of the people themselves. Empires thrive on uninformed populace; stated otherwise, complicity thrives on tolerance.” — Ahmer Rana
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
Canada’s largest indie games exhibition runs all 10 days of KDays with new studios joining throughout the week; visit us multiple times to support the developers & experience the exhibition in full!
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #IndieDevelopers #GameDev #IndieGameDev #IndieDevs #GamesIndustry
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #IndieDevelopers #GameDev #IndieGameDev #IndieDevs #GamesIndustry
July 18, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Canada’s largest indie games exhibition runs all 10 days of KDays with new studios joining throughout the week; visit us multiple times to support the developers & experience the exhibition in full!
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #IndieDevelopers #GameDev #IndieGameDev #IndieDevs #GamesIndustry
#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #IndieDevelopers #GameDev #IndieGameDev #IndieDevs #GamesIndustry
Reposted by Derek Kwan (Indie Dev & GDX Organizer)
The Alberta & Beyond GDX 2025 Steam Sale is now live! Check out these incredible games made in Alberta, featuring Albertans, or showcasing at GDX from July 17-28! Join us in person at KDays every day!
Head to store.steampowered.com/curator/4550... for some of the games you can buy or wishlist now!
Head to store.steampowered.com/curator/4550... for some of the games you can buy or wishlist now!
July 18, 2025 at 1:25 PM
The Alberta & Beyond GDX 2025 Steam Sale is now live! Check out these incredible games made in Alberta, featuring Albertans, or showcasing at GDX from July 17-28! Join us in person at KDays every day!
Head to store.steampowered.com/curator/4550... for some of the games you can buy or wishlist now!
Head to store.steampowered.com/curator/4550... for some of the games you can buy or wishlist now!