Ross Burton
@rossburton.bsky.social
Data Scientist 🤖
Aspiring Indie Game Dev 🎮
Full-time nerd 🤓
I ❤️ Godot
One half of the Game Oracle team - check out more: bit.ly/3UTKAQd
Aspiring Indie Game Dev 🎮
Full-time nerd 🤓
I ❤️ Godot
One half of the Game Oracle team - check out more: bit.ly/3UTKAQd
Pinned
Ross Burton
@rossburton.bsky.social
· Oct 21
Just over a year ago today @jennie-burton.bsky.social and I started working on @game-oracle.bsky.social. Our ambition was to provide #gamedev folk with an alternative to imprecise tag-based market research & contribute a little towards alleviating the anxiety of #indiegamedev #sologamedev adventures
Reposted by Ross Burton
Hey Bluesky!
I JUST published the DEMO for 86'd!
Take control of a goblin cooking crew and see how fare as you serve up detestable meals to even more detestable diners!
Happy #goblinweek
#gamedev #indiegame #newgame
store.steampowered.com/app/4256320/...
I JUST published the DEMO for 86'd!
Take control of a goblin cooking crew and see how fare as you serve up detestable meals to even more detestable diners!
Happy #goblinweek
#gamedev #indiegame #newgame
store.steampowered.com/app/4256320/...
86'd on Steam
Order Up, Chef! Grow a ragtag goblin kitchen crew and cook your way through this zany cooking sim, where mistakes don't just cost time, they cost a goblin's life! Can you keep your crew from getting 8...
store.steampowered.com
February 1, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Hey Bluesky!
I JUST published the DEMO for 86'd!
Take control of a goblin cooking crew and see how fare as you serve up detestable meals to even more detestable diners!
Happy #goblinweek
#gamedev #indiegame #newgame
store.steampowered.com/app/4256320/...
I JUST published the DEMO for 86'd!
Take control of a goblin cooking crew and see how fare as you serve up detestable meals to even more detestable diners!
Happy #goblinweek
#gamedev #indiegame #newgame
store.steampowered.com/app/4256320/...
How does a weird niche game suddenly sell 100k copies? 🤔
It’s rarely luck. It’s usually a specific innovation in mechanics or marketing.
Every month, we identify the unique indie break-outs & deconstruct exactly what they did differently to survive the algorithm.
www.game-oracle.com/newsletter
It’s rarely luck. It’s usually a specific innovation in mechanics or marketing.
Every month, we identify the unique indie break-outs & deconstruct exactly what they did differently to survive the algorithm.
www.game-oracle.com/newsletter
Monthly Newsletter | Game Oracle
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for exclusive Steam insights, upcoming games forecasts, Steamworks news and Game Oracle updates.
www.game-oracle.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:03 PM
How does a weird niche game suddenly sell 100k copies? 🤔
It’s rarely luck. It’s usually a specific innovation in mechanics or marketing.
Every month, we identify the unique indie break-outs & deconstruct exactly what they did differently to survive the algorithm.
www.game-oracle.com/newsletter
It’s rarely luck. It’s usually a specific innovation in mechanics or marketing.
Every month, we identify the unique indie break-outs & deconstruct exactly what they did differently to survive the algorithm.
www.game-oracle.com/newsletter
Hey #gamedev #indiegamedev #sologamedev eid you know we're on discord? Did you know we post exclusive insights there 👀 all powered by our map of the entire Steam marketplace 🤯 discord.gg/4DkANaJx
Join the Game Oracle Feature Creeps Discord Server!
Connect with fellow data driven developers using Game Oracle. Share your findings and insights, suggest features, report bugs and help others with their analysis. | 19 members
discord.gg
January 26, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Hey #gamedev #indiegamedev #sologamedev eid you know we're on discord? Did you know we post exclusive insights there 👀 all powered by our map of the entire Steam marketplace 🤯 discord.gg/4DkANaJx
Steam is flooded with 16,000+ games a year. Most are noise, but some are rewriting the rules of the market. 💎
Our monthly newsletter is a curated deep dive into the most unique indies and the specific innovations that made them succeed.
www.game-oracle.com/newsletter
#gamedev #indiegamedev
Our monthly newsletter is a curated deep dive into the most unique indies and the specific innovations that made them succeed.
www.game-oracle.com/newsletter
#gamedev #indiegamedev
Monthly Newsletter | Game Oracle
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for exclusive Steam insights, upcoming games forecasts, Steamworks news and Game Oracle updates.
www.game-oracle.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Steam is flooded with 16,000+ games a year. Most are noise, but some are rewriting the rules of the market. 💎
Our monthly newsletter is a curated deep dive into the most unique indies and the specific innovations that made them succeed.
www.game-oracle.com/newsletter
#gamedev #indiegamedev
Our monthly newsletter is a curated deep dive into the most unique indies and the specific innovations that made them succeed.
www.game-oracle.com/newsletter
#gamedev #indiegamedev
I got tired of the "AI in games" shouting match, so I did the math. 🧮
Using causal analysis on 10k+ games, I isolated the "AI effect" from marketing & skill.
The data shows that AI disclosure is currently a net negative for revenue
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke9Z...
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiedev
Using causal analysis on 10k+ games, I isolated the "AI effect" from marketing & skill.
The data shows that AI disclosure is currently a net negative for revenue
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke9Z...
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiedev
When AI Helps Your Game… and When It Destroys Your Steam Launch
YouTube video by Game Oracle
www.youtube.com
January 24, 2026 at 7:39 PM
I got tired of the "AI in games" shouting match, so I did the math. 🧮
Using causal analysis on 10k+ games, I isolated the "AI effect" from marketing & skill.
The data shows that AI disclosure is currently a net negative for revenue
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke9Z...
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiedev
Using causal analysis on 10k+ games, I isolated the "AI effect" from marketing & skill.
The data shows that AI disclosure is currently a net negative for revenue
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke9Z...
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiedev
From the "Indiepocalypse" of 2020 to the "Gen AI" flood of 2025.
We break down the algorithm changes, the fee structures, and the curation shifts that defined the last 20 years of PC gaming.
A must-watch for any indie dev planning a launch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ih1...
#indiegamedev #gamedev
We break down the algorithm changes, the fee structures, and the curation shifts that defined the last 20 years of PC gaming.
A must-watch for any indie dev planning a launch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ih1...
#indiegamedev #gamedev
The 5 Eras of Steam Every Indie Dev MUST Understand
Steam went from a clunky patcher for Counterstrike to the most important storefront in PC gaming, and every change along the way has reshaped what it means to be an indie game developer. In this…
www.youtube.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:30 PM
From the "Indiepocalypse" of 2020 to the "Gen AI" flood of 2025.
We break down the algorithm changes, the fee structures, and the curation shifts that defined the last 20 years of PC gaming.
A must-watch for any indie dev planning a launch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ih1...
#indiegamedev #gamedev
We break down the algorithm changes, the fee structures, and the curation shifts that defined the last 20 years of PC gaming.
A must-watch for any indie dev planning a launch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ih1...
#indiegamedev #gamedev
My wife / Co-founder dropped a brilliant video breaking down the 5 Eras of Steam. If you want to understand why discoverability is so hard today, you need to understand the history that got us here.
Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ih1...
#gamedev #sologamedev #indiegamedev
Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ih1...
#gamedev #sologamedev #indiegamedev
The 5 Eras of Steam Every Indie Dev MUST Understand
Steam went from a clunky patcher for Counterstrike to the most important storefront in PC gaming, and every change along the way has reshaped what it means to be an indie game developer. In this…
www.youtube.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:02 PM
My wife / Co-founder dropped a brilliant video breaking down the 5 Eras of Steam. If you want to understand why discoverability is so hard today, you need to understand the history that got us here.
Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ih1...
#gamedev #sologamedev #indiegamedev
Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ih1...
#gamedev #sologamedev #indiegamedev
Is AI on Steam just for shovelware and "slop"? We looked at the data.
Spoiler: No. 🚫
Our data shows AI disclosure is everywhere — RPGs, Strategy, 2D, 3D. It’s not hiding in one dark corner; it’s normalised across every genre.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjdG...
#gamedev #indiegamedev #sologamedev
Spoiler: No. 🚫
Our data shows AI disclosure is everywhere — RPGs, Strategy, 2D, 3D. It’s not hiding in one dark corner; it’s normalised across every genre.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjdG...
#gamedev #indiegamedev #sologamedev
1 in 4 New Steam Games Now Use AI… Is It All Slop?
Generative AI isn’t a hypothetical future for indie game developers anymore, it is already baked into thousands of games on Steam. In this video, a dataset of over 16,000 games released between…
www.youtube.com
January 19, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Is AI on Steam just for shovelware and "slop"? We looked at the data.
Spoiler: No. 🚫
Our data shows AI disclosure is everywhere — RPGs, Strategy, 2D, 3D. It’s not hiding in one dark corner; it’s normalised across every genre.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjdG...
#gamedev #indiegamedev #sologamedev
Spoiler: No. 🚫
Our data shows AI disclosure is everywhere — RPGs, Strategy, 2D, 3D. It’s not hiding in one dark corner; it’s normalised across every genre.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjdG...
#gamedev #indiegamedev #sologamedev
Today I've been working on an way to view all the capsules and art from competitors easily within Concept Compass. Personally I wanted this for when doing R&D for my own #indiegame. Now I have a great reference point for getting started 👨🎨
January 17, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Today I've been working on an way to view all the capsules and art from competitors easily within Concept Compass. Personally I wanted this for when doing R&D for my own #indiegame. Now I have a great reference point for getting started 👨🎨
We analysed 16,000 games released on Steam in 2025 to see how many are actually using AI.
The result? 21% of all new releases now disclose AI use. 📈
But here's the shocker: 60% use it for visual assets, yet almost NO ONE is using it for localisation. www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjdG...
#gamedev
The result? 21% of all new releases now disclose AI use. 📈
But here's the shocker: 60% use it for visual assets, yet almost NO ONE is using it for localisation. www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjdG...
#gamedev
1 in 4 New Steam Games Now Use AI… Is It All Slop?
Generative AI isn’t a hypothetical future for indie game developers anymore, it is already baked into thousands of games on Steam. In this video, a dataset of over 16,000 games released between…
www.youtube.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:03 PM
We analysed 16,000 games released on Steam in 2025 to see how many are actually using AI.
The result? 21% of all new releases now disclose AI use. 📈
But here's the shocker: 60% use it for visual assets, yet almost NO ONE is using it for localisation. www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjdG...
#gamedev
The result? 21% of all new releases now disclose AI use. 📈
But here's the shocker: 60% use it for visual assets, yet almost NO ONE is using it for localisation. www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjdG...
#gamedev
We built a causal model to measure the cost of using AI in game dev.
The results are brutal: For experienced developers, disclosing AI use is associated with a ~53% drop in reviews. 📉
If you have the skills to make a hit, the "AI Stigma" might be costing you half your sales.
The results are brutal: For experienced developers, disclosing AI use is associated with a ~53% drop in reviews. 📉
If you have the skills to make a hit, the "AI Stigma" might be costing you half your sales.
January 13, 2026 at 3:30 PM
We built a causal model to measure the cost of using AI in game dev.
The results are brutal: For experienced developers, disclosing AI use is associated with a ~53% drop in reviews. 📉
If you have the skills to make a hit, the "AI Stigma" might be costing you half your sales.
The results are brutal: For experienced developers, disclosing AI use is associated with a ~53% drop in reviews. 📉
If you have the skills to make a hit, the "AI Stigma" might be costing you half your sales.
I've been quiet on here the past few months because we've been busy giving Game Oracle a much needed glow up. You can read all about it in my latest devlog: game-oracle.com/blog/v4 #gamedev #sologamedev #indiedev
game-oracle.com
January 11, 2026 at 6:02 PM
I've been quiet on here the past few months because we've been busy giving Game Oracle a much needed glow up. You can read all about it in my latest devlog: game-oracle.com/blog/v4 #gamedev #sologamedev #indiedev
🔥 Game Oracle V4 is live 🔥 - major UI update and improved market segmentation 🙌 LETS GOOOOO #gamedev #indiegamedev #sologamedev
See for yourself 👉 www.game-oracle.com
See for yourself 👉 www.game-oracle.com
a black and white photo of a man with a stethoscope around his neck screaming .
ALT: a black and white photo of a man with a stethoscope around his neck screaming .
media.tenor.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:28 PM
🔥 Game Oracle V4 is live 🔥 - major UI update and improved market segmentation 🙌 LETS GOOOOO #gamedev #indiegamedev #sologamedev
See for yourself 👉 www.game-oracle.com
See for yourself 👉 www.game-oracle.com
Just working on the final touches and then v4 of @game-oracle.bsky.social will be ready to go 🙌 #gamedev #indiegamedev
January 4, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Just working on the final touches and then v4 of @game-oracle.bsky.social will be ready to go 🙌 #gamedev #indiegamedev
We're cooking up a new UI for a big v4 release of @game-oracle.bsky.social - a whole new look and simplified workflows to make the best market research tool for #indiegamedev folk
January 2, 2026 at 7:20 PM
We're cooking up a new UI for a big v4 release of @game-oracle.bsky.social - a whole new look and simplified workflows to make the best market research tool for #indiegamedev folk
A little "new year new me" vibe coding. I find motivational/organisation apps either too simple or too complicated, so I carefully guided Claude to create my dream organisation app ready for 2026: github.com/burtonrj/mem...
#buildinpublic #vibecoding #svelte #indiedev
#buildinpublic #vibecoding #svelte #indiedev
GitHub - burtonrj/memento-mori: A weekly scheduling and objective management application designed to help balance multiple work streams.
A weekly scheduling and objective management application designed to help balance multiple work streams. - burtonrj/memento-mori
github.com
December 20, 2025 at 9:11 PM
A little "new year new me" vibe coding. I find motivational/organisation apps either too simple or too complicated, so I carefully guided Claude to create my dream organisation app ready for 2026: github.com/burtonrj/mem...
#buildinpublic #vibecoding #svelte #indiedev
#buildinpublic #vibecoding #svelte #indiedev
When we analysed how people are using #GenerativeAI in their #GameDev workflows it shocked me to see how few devs are applying it to translation. Why? Anyone have experience with localisation using LLMs? More findings here 👉 www.game-oracle.com/blog/ai-part1
December 16, 2025 at 5:03 PM
When we analysed how people are using #GenerativeAI in their #GameDev workflows it shocked me to see how few devs are applying it to translation. Why? Anyone have experience with localisation using LLMs? More findings here 👉 www.game-oracle.com/blog/ai-part1
AI use in games is starting look ubiquitous - it's not concentrated in any specific genre guys! More findings in our latest blog 👉 www.game-oracle.com/blog/ai-part1
#GameDev #GenerativeAI #SteamData #IndieDev #GameAnalytics
#GameDev #GenerativeAI #SteamData #IndieDev #GameAnalytics
December 14, 2025 at 5:01 PM
AI use in games is starting look ubiquitous - it's not concentrated in any specific genre guys! More findings in our latest blog 👉 www.game-oracle.com/blog/ai-part1
#GameDev #GenerativeAI #SteamData #IndieDev #GameAnalytics
#GameDev #GenerativeAI #SteamData #IndieDev #GameAnalytics
Another day of making Game Gap prettier and more usable. Wtf is Game Gap? We wanted a #gamedev market analysis tool that could identify clusters of similar games w/ proven player demand & w/ either:
- ⬇️ market saturation i.e underserved audience
- ⬇️ review scores i.e. missed opportunities
- ⬇️ market saturation i.e underserved audience
- ⬇️ review scores i.e. missed opportunities
December 13, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Another day of making Game Gap prettier and more usable. Wtf is Game Gap? We wanted a #gamedev market analysis tool that could identify clusters of similar games w/ proven player demand & w/ either:
- ⬇️ market saturation i.e underserved audience
- ⬇️ review scores i.e. missed opportunities
- ⬇️ market saturation i.e underserved audience
- ⬇️ review scores i.e. missed opportunities
We're bringing robust data science to the #gamedev analytics space. In our latest piece we look at how many games on Steam are declaring that they use AI. Spoiler: it's probably more than you think 👉 www.game-oracle.com/blog/ai-part1
#GenerativeAI #SteamData #IndieDev #GameAnalytics
#GenerativeAI #SteamData #IndieDev #GameAnalytics
AI in Games: How Many Games Are Using AI?
Discover the prevalence of AI in gaming with our data-driven analysis of Steam's AI disclosure statements. This study offers the first look at how many developers are using AI-generated content in…
www.game-oracle.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:02 PM
We're bringing robust data science to the #gamedev analytics space. In our latest piece we look at how many games on Steam are declaring that they use AI. Spoiler: it's probably more than you think 👉 www.game-oracle.com/blog/ai-part1
#GenerativeAI #SteamData #IndieDev #GameAnalytics
#GenerativeAI #SteamData #IndieDev #GameAnalytics
Our gal @jennie-burton.bsky.social is cracking out banging #indiegame analysis pieces like this one on SkateBIRD 🐦🛹 you should check it out 👉 www.youtube.com/shorts/7l9J9...
How did SkateBIRD compete with top skateboarding titles?
YouTube video by Game Oracle
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Our gal @jennie-burton.bsky.social is cracking out banging #indiegame analysis pieces like this one on SkateBIRD 🐦🛹 you should check it out 👉 www.youtube.com/shorts/7l9J9...
This year we built a #gamedev tool for finding underserved markets, missed opportunities, & inspiring outliers. But it was ugly and hard to use. I'm really happy w/ how the redesign is coming along. Excited to get the new version out there for #indiedev #sologamedev folks.
December 10, 2025 at 9:29 PM
This year we built a #gamedev tool for finding underserved markets, missed opportunities, & inspiring outliers. But it was ugly and hard to use. I'm really happy w/ how the redesign is coming along. Excited to get the new version out there for #indiedev #sologamedev folks.
There is an epic #F1 title battle this weekend so I figured what a good time to share one of the most ridiculous things I've ever made: Super Maxy Tap (jammywasp.itch.io/super-maxy-tap)
#indiegames #MemeGames #indiedev #F1Games
#indiegames #MemeGames #indiedev #F1Games
Super Maxy Tap by Jammy Wasp
For the F1 meme fans - navigate super max to safety and collect sound-bite coins.
jammywasp.itch.io
December 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM
There is an epic #F1 title battle this weekend so I figured what a good time to share one of the most ridiculous things I've ever made: Super Maxy Tap (jammywasp.itch.io/super-maxy-tap)
#indiegames #MemeGames #indiedev #F1Games
#indiegames #MemeGames #indiedev #F1Games
Finally found some time to give data analysis and product development on Game Oracle a rest and dusted off Godot for some #gamedev fun. Made a tiny little game where you play as a "controversial" internet opinion and you have to dodge downvotes & collect upvotes. Will try and post it on itch soon.
December 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Finally found some time to give data analysis and product development on Game Oracle a rest and dusted off Godot for some #gamedev fun. Made a tiny little game where you play as a "controversial" internet opinion and you have to dodge downvotes & collect upvotes. Will try and post it on itch soon.
We have a new video up all about Christmas games 🎄 🎅 📽️ buff.ly/PcIfVyk #gamedev #sologamedev #indiegamedev
Should You Make a Christmas Game?
Thinking about making a Christmas game for Steam? In this video, we break down the real numbers behind Christmas game sales and wishlists, what players actually like (and hate) about holiday-themed…
youtu.be
December 4, 2025 at 6:30 PM
We have a new video up all about Christmas games 🎄 🎅 📽️ buff.ly/PcIfVyk #gamedev #sologamedev #indiegamedev