Rourke Bywater, Notorious Dyke
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rourke.bsky.social
Rourke Bywater, Notorious Dyke
@rourke.bsky.social
Narrative Designer @ Hidden Door. lesbian. 💜 procedural systems, women, folk music + art with a touch of melancholy and bitterness. Organizer @ Roguelike Celebration
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So great to see New Edge on the verge of funding after only a day. The sheer obsessive, handcrafted joy that they put into everything they make is infectious.

Please, please, please find & support small publishers doing stuff you love! It's how we fight the slop.

www.backerkit.com/c/projects/b...
New Edge Sword & Sorcery 2026
Sword & Sorcery magazine featuring short fiction, non-fiction, and gorgeous art. Made with love for the classics, and an inclusive, boundary-pushing approach to storytelling! Luxurious hardcover, clas...
www.backerkit.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:13 PM
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all the kinds of modern Indie Games:

-"roguelike" (slot machine)
-feelings
-unlock/tech tree simulator
-"god we hope northernlion plays this"
-crunchy first person shooter
-morrowind built by a single lunatic
February 13, 2026 at 2:59 AM
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Reposted by Rourke Bywater, Notorious Dyke
ICYMI and need some weekend reading, revisit M.A.S.H. and your most treasured Sims memories in Rourke's post on our blog!
In case you missed it, I wrote a blog post to introduce people to the concept of procedural narrative!
Today on Hidden Door's not-so-hidden blog, we talk about procedural narrative + procedural generation (or procgen if you're COOL). You've probably seen procgen before, whether you know it or not. But where?! Secrets revealed, procedures explained:
www.hiddendoor.co/blog/procedu...
February 13, 2026 at 4:59 PM
In case you missed it, I wrote a blog post to introduce people to the concept of procedural narrative!
Today on Hidden Door's not-so-hidden blog, we talk about procedural narrative + procedural generation (or procgen if you're COOL). You've probably seen procgen before, whether you know it or not. But where?! Secrets revealed, procedures explained:
www.hiddendoor.co/blog/procedu...
Blog | Procedural Narrative: An Introduction · Hidden Door
This is the first in a series of posts explaining how our narrative systems work. As I (Rourke, narrative systems designer here at Hidden Door) was outlining what the series would look like I realized...
www.hiddendoor.co
February 13, 2026 at 4:43 PM
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Any creators who want to get their green thumbs on Mandrake first can apply for a creator pass to New Game Plus: festival.games.london/profile/find

New Game Plus is the public showcase part of London Games Fest. We'll be on hand in person, so come and say hi!
February 13, 2026 at 3:29 PM
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🌿VISIT THE ZAUN BOTANICAL GARDENS🌿

Travel Poster I worked on summer of 2025 & can finally show! I adore the lore & cultural history of Zaun & wanted to capture my vision for a free Zaun's floating botanical gardens, inspired by the Grand Palais & the Allen Gardens Conservatory.
February 13, 2026 at 3:17 PM
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you may not like it but this is what peak performance looks like
February 12, 2026 at 8:41 PM
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It’s not about whether you personally like or dislike remote work - it’s about executives trying to strip options, jobs & rights away from *everybody*.

Working remotely is not just a better setup for many disciplines: it allows teams to include different people w/ different strengths & experiences.
February 12, 2026 at 7:53 PM
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Wait, playing MASH was Procedural Narrative? Oh damn, it turns out I love procedural narrative! Great guide by @rourke.bsky.social who is whip smart.
Today on Hidden Door's not-so-hidden blog, we talk about procedural narrative + procedural generation (or procgen if you're COOL). You've probably seen procgen before, whether you know it or not. But where?! Secrets revealed, procedures explained:
www.hiddendoor.co/blog/procedu...
Blog | Procedural Narrative: An Introduction · Hidden Door
This is the first in a series of posts explaining how our narrative systems work. As I (Rourke, narrative systems designer here at Hidden Door) was outlining what the series would look like I realized...
www.hiddendoor.co
February 12, 2026 at 8:21 PM
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I had a lot of fun writing this!

I hope it serves as a useful resource to go from square zero ‘I have no idea what procgen is’ to ‘I have some idea what procgen is and I want to learn more’
Today on Hidden Door's not-so-hidden blog, we talk about procedural narrative + procedural generation (or procgen if you're COOL). You've probably seen procgen before, whether you know it or not. But where?! Secrets revealed, procedures explained:
www.hiddendoor.co/blog/procedu...
Blog | Procedural Narrative: An Introduction · Hidden Door
This is the first in a series of posts explaining how our narrative systems work. As I (Rourke, narrative systems designer here at Hidden Door) was outlining what the series would look like I realized...
www.hiddendoor.co
February 12, 2026 at 7:36 PM
I had a lot of fun writing this!

I hope it serves as a useful resource to go from square zero ‘I have no idea what procgen is’ to ‘I have some idea what procgen is and I want to learn more’
Today on Hidden Door's not-so-hidden blog, we talk about procedural narrative + procedural generation (or procgen if you're COOL). You've probably seen procgen before, whether you know it or not. But where?! Secrets revealed, procedures explained:
www.hiddendoor.co/blog/procedu...
Blog | Procedural Narrative: An Introduction · Hidden Door
This is the first in a series of posts explaining how our narrative systems work. As I (Rourke, narrative systems designer here at Hidden Door) was outlining what the series would look like I realized...
www.hiddendoor.co
February 12, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Reposted by Rourke Bywater, Notorious Dyke
Today on Hidden Door's not-so-hidden blog, we talk about procedural narrative + procedural generation (or procgen if you're COOL). You've probably seen procgen before, whether you know it or not. But where?! Secrets revealed, procedures explained:
www.hiddendoor.co/blog/procedu...
Blog | Procedural Narrative: An Introduction · Hidden Door
This is the first in a series of posts explaining how our narrative systems work. As I (Rourke, narrative systems designer here at Hidden Door) was outlining what the series would look like I realized...
www.hiddendoor.co
February 12, 2026 at 7:25 PM
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This is what peak game design looks like
February 12, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Reposted by Rourke Bywater, Notorious Dyke
Hidden Door with no context:
February 12, 2026 at 4:57 PM
no i dont work in a found footage horror movie, why do you ask
Hidden Door with no context:
February 12, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Whatever is going on with the Listener's Lament in the MtG Arena tooltips, I am HERE for it. give me MORE
February 12, 2026 at 5:14 PM
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Big-bellied oak - alive since the time of William the Conqueror in the 11th century! Currently still standing in Savernake Forest! 🌳
February 11, 2026 at 8:59 PM
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Because of the response from the figure skating community, I've decided to release Yuma's special figure skating edit of my completion of Turandot on streaming services.This is the music that he's skating to on Friday at the Winter Olympics in the Men's Singles Figure Skating Finals!
February 11, 2026 at 11:25 PM
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me too pepper me too
February 10, 2026 at 5:14 AM
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post a mage (2 mages)
February 11, 2026 at 4:38 PM
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My game (SCRIPTORIUM) and 3 references:
February 10, 2026 at 6:17 PM
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we’re hiring for an experienced engineering manager at @gardens.dev !

fully remote WFH, great benefits/salary/*equity*, no drama or horseshit, and the game is really something special.

listing is below but DM if you have questions

gardens.dev/careers
Gardens Interactive
gardens.dev
February 10, 2026 at 3:10 PM
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this was a super nice read about Chicken Fillet Rolls

unaminh.itch.io/chicken-fill... #gamedev #indiegames
February 9, 2026 at 7:10 PM
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bloody knight
February 9, 2026 at 12:48 PM