Simon "Darkside" Jackson
@simondarksidej.bsky.social
Indie community developer for the new world order. Best selling author, Windows MVP & Xbox Game Dev ambassador UK and Master Chief of @Zenith_Moon studios.
Board member of the MonoGame Foundation building.
Board member of the MonoGame Foundation building.
Pinned
Can you make a game with AI?
I wrote up my latest iteration in AI research that I perform annually (might have to switch to bi-monthly with recent advances) on using a LLM to generate a game.
darkgenesis.zenithmoon.com/Can-you-make...
#GameDev #MonoGame #AI
I wrote up my latest iteration in AI research that I perform annually (might have to switch to bi-monthly with recent advances) on using a LLM to generate a game.
darkgenesis.zenithmoon.com/Can-you-make...
#GameDev #MonoGame #AI
It has begun :D
November 13, 2025 at 9:11 AM
It has begun :D
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
Remember classic Snake? Check out Positron's modern take on the game with a retro-arcade feel. steam.positrongame.com/trailertuesday
#trailertuesday #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #steam #earlyaccess #positron
#trailertuesday #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #steam #earlyaccess #positron
November 11, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Remember classic Snake? Check out Positron's modern take on the game with a retro-arcade feel. steam.positrongame.com/trailertuesday
#trailertuesday #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #steam #earlyaccess #positron
#trailertuesday #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #steam #earlyaccess #positron
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
The new Content Builder Project is one of the hottest things coming in MonoGame 3.8.5 preview release. It aims to greatly simplify asset management for MonoGame projects. Read our blog post - monogame.net/blog/2025-11... and watch the related video (link in the blog post).
MonoGame Content Builder | MonoGame
One framework for creating powerful cross-platform games
monogame.net
November 9, 2025 at 7:07 PM
The new Content Builder Project is one of the hottest things coming in MonoGame 3.8.5 preview release. It aims to greatly simplify asset management for MonoGame projects. Read our blog post - monogame.net/blog/2025-11... and watch the related video (link in the blog post).
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
What are the benefits of the NEW Content Pipeline Project system coming in 3.8.5? Simon Jackson (@simondarksidej.bsky.social) gives the details here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCLi...
MonoGame Code Time! - The New Content Pipeline
YouTube video by MonoGame
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:25 PM
What are the benefits of the NEW Content Pipeline Project system coming in 3.8.5? Simon Jackson (@simondarksidej.bsky.social) gives the details here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCLi...
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
Why is the Content Pipeline important for cross-platform game development? Simon Jackson (@simondarksidej.bsky.social) explains why here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjci...
MonoGame Code Time! - Understand Why The Content Pipeline is SO Important
YouTube video by MonoGame
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Why is the Content Pipeline important for cross-platform game development? Simon Jackson (@simondarksidej.bsky.social) explains why here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjci...
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
Happy birthday to the Microsoft Kinect, a device I dearly hope to never write about again. For @theverge.com, I recounted the history of its hacking and the echoes of an older, now unreachable, internet that resound in its story. Also, AI, because… 2025.
How a bunch of hackers freed the Kinect from the Xbox
How a bunch of hackers freed the Kinect from the Xbox
A brief history with an unlikely legacy.
buff.ly
November 4, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Happy birthday to the Microsoft Kinect, a device I dearly hope to never write about again. For @theverge.com, I recounted the history of its hacking and the echoes of an older, now unreachable, internet that resound in its story. Also, AI, because… 2025.
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
Join Simon Jackson (@simondarksidej.bsky.social)TODAY (4/11) for the some extra Code Time!
When: Tuesday @ 11:00 EDT, 15:00 UTC, 15:00 BST, 16:00 CET
Today he'll be doing a deep dive on the NEW Content Builder project (replacing the MGCB-Editor).
Stream Links : monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
When: Tuesday @ 11:00 EDT, 15:00 UTC, 15:00 BST, 16:00 CET
Today he'll be doing a deep dive on the NEW Content Builder project (replacing the MGCB-Editor).
Stream Links : monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
November 4, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Join Simon Jackson (@simondarksidej.bsky.social)TODAY (4/11) for the some extra Code Time!
When: Tuesday @ 11:00 EDT, 15:00 UTC, 15:00 BST, 16:00 CET
Today he'll be doing a deep dive on the NEW Content Builder project (replacing the MGCB-Editor).
Stream Links : monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
When: Tuesday @ 11:00 EDT, 15:00 UTC, 15:00 BST, 16:00 CET
Today he'll be doing a deep dive on the NEW Content Builder project (replacing the MGCB-Editor).
Stream Links : monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
During last Thursday's MonoGame University Q&A, someone asked "What about MonoGame on the Web"? This was @simondarksidej.bsky.social 's reply - www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjfc...
MonoGame University: Q&A - What about MonoGame on Web?
YouTube video by MonoGame
www.youtube.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:50 PM
During last Thursday's MonoGame University Q&A, someone asked "What about MonoGame on the Web"? This was @simondarksidej.bsky.social 's reply - www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjfc...
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
Join Simon Jackson @simondarksidej.bsky.social TODAY (30/10) for the next episode of MonoGame University.
When: Every Thursday @ 11:00 EDT, 15:00 UTC/GMT, 16:00 CET
Streaming links here - monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
Today he's continuing with the "Getting Started with 2D" tutorial.
When: Every Thursday @ 11:00 EDT, 15:00 UTC/GMT, 16:00 CET
Streaming links here - monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
Today he's continuing with the "Getting Started with 2D" tutorial.
MonoGame University | MonoGame
One framework for creating powerful cross-platform games
monogame.net
October 30, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Join Simon Jackson @simondarksidej.bsky.social TODAY (30/10) for the next episode of MonoGame University.
When: Every Thursday @ 11:00 EDT, 15:00 UTC/GMT, 16:00 CET
Streaming links here - monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
Today he's continuing with the "Getting Started with 2D" tutorial.
When: Every Thursday @ 11:00 EDT, 15:00 UTC/GMT, 16:00 CET
Streaming links here - monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
Today he's continuing with the "Getting Started with 2D" tutorial.
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
Join Simon Jackson (@simondarksidej.bsky.social) TODAY for the inaugural episode of MonoGame University.
When:
Thursday @ 11:00 EDT, 15:00 UTC, 16:00 BST, 17:00 CET Today we're beginning with the "Getting Started with 2D" tutorial.
Stream Links are in our blog: monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
When:
Thursday @ 11:00 EDT, 15:00 UTC, 16:00 BST, 17:00 CET Today we're beginning with the "Getting Started with 2D" tutorial.
Stream Links are in our blog: monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
MonoGame University | MonoGame
One framework for creating powerful cross-platform games
monogame.net
October 23, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Join Simon Jackson (@simondarksidej.bsky.social) TODAY for the inaugural episode of MonoGame University.
When:
Thursday @ 11:00 EDT, 15:00 UTC, 16:00 BST, 17:00 CET Today we're beginning with the "Getting Started with 2D" tutorial.
Stream Links are in our blog: monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
When:
Thursday @ 11:00 EDT, 15:00 UTC, 16:00 BST, 17:00 CET Today we're beginning with the "Getting Started with 2D" tutorial.
Stream Links are in our blog: monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
In order to address some key policy changes by Apple and Google, the MonoGame Foundation is pleased to announce the patch release of v3.8.4.1!
More details can be read here - monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
More details can be read here - monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
MonoGame 3.8.4.1 update patch | MonoGame
One framework for creating powerful cross-platform games
monogame.net
October 20, 2025 at 4:11 PM
In order to address some key policy changes by Apple and Google, the MonoGame Foundation is pleased to announce the patch release of v3.8.4.1!
More details can be read here - monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
More details can be read here - monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
Open Hours is today 16:00 UTC (17:00 BST), be there or be square as we announce more streaming and a fantastic guest takes the stage and starts to take shape!
#MonoGame #GameDev
#MonoGame #GameDev
Join us this Wednesday for our 13th "Open Hours" AMA
When: Wednesday 15th of October @ 12:00 EDT, 16:00 UTC, 17:00 BST, 18:00 CET
Details here:
monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
The blog post has links to watch us on YouTube, Twitch and Facebook
See you there!
When: Wednesday 15th of October @ 12:00 EDT, 16:00 UTC, 17:00 BST, 18:00 CET
Details here:
monogame.net/blog/2025-10...
The blog post has links to watch us on YouTube, Twitch and Facebook
See you there!
13th MonoGame "Open Hours" AMA session | MonoGame
One framework for creating powerful cross-platform games
monogame.net
October 15, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
During our last AMA @thomas.flying-oak.com from Flying Oak Games gave us an update on the upcoming Vulkan back-end.
Watch it here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZTr....
Watch our AMA playlist here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZTr...
Watch it here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZTr....
Watch our AMA playlist here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZTr...
MonoGame: September 2025 AMA - Vulkan; Our Upcoming Back-End
YouTube video by MonoGame
www.youtube.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM
During our last AMA @thomas.flying-oak.com from Flying Oak Games gave us an update on the upcoming Vulkan back-end.
Watch it here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZTr....
Watch our AMA playlist here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZTr...
Watch it here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZTr....
Watch our AMA playlist here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZTr...
If you are tackling with the Google 16kb policy updates, here is a script to help.
gist.github.com/SimonDarksid...
Based on a Unity project, but should be usable for any Android apk build.
Instructions included in gist.
Hope this helps others as it has been a real pain diagnosing.
gist.github.com/SimonDarksid...
Based on a Unity project, but should be usable for any Android apk build.
Instructions included in gist.
Hope this helps others as it has been a real pain diagnosing.
Google 16kb checker for Android Builds
Google 16kb checker for Android Builds. GitHub Gist: instantly share code, notes, and snippets.
gist.github.com
October 10, 2025 at 11:48 AM
If you are tackling with the Google 16kb policy updates, here is a script to help.
gist.github.com/SimonDarksid...
Based on a Unity project, but should be usable for any Android apk build.
Instructions included in gist.
Hope this helps others as it has been a real pain diagnosing.
gist.github.com/SimonDarksid...
Based on a Unity project, but should be usable for any Android apk build.
Instructions included in gist.
Hope this helps others as it has been a real pain diagnosing.
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
Our new 2D Shader Tutorial is nearly ready. Watch this short to find out what sort of things you'll learn, to enhance your game -
www.youtube.com/shorts/OHNz-...
www.youtube.com/shorts/OHNz-...
Check out our upcoming 2D Shaders tutorial.
YouTube video by MonoGame
www.youtube.com
October 8, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Our new 2D Shader Tutorial is nearly ready. Watch this short to find out what sort of things you'll learn, to enhance your game -
www.youtube.com/shorts/OHNz-...
www.youtube.com/shorts/OHNz-...
Yikes, what did Jetbrains do to tick off Unity?
October 6, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Yikes, what did Jetbrains do to tick off Unity?
Just what I want to see on opening a NEW project, in the LATEST release using a Unity DEFAULT template.
Up your game Unity, seriously....
Up your game Unity, seriously....
October 6, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Just what I want to see on opening a NEW project, in the LATEST release using a Unity DEFAULT template.
Up your game Unity, seriously....
Up your game Unity, seriously....
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
To celebrate the 3 years anniversary of the game we’re givng away 3 keys of the game om the platform of ur choice 🧀✨
To enter just reply "squeak"
Winners will randomly be selected and announced on sunday at 3PM EST!
To enter just reply "squeak"
Winners will randomly be selected and announced on sunday at 3PM EST!
[GAME INFO]
🐁Title: The Spirit and the Mouse
⚡Genre: Cozy narrative 3D platformer
🎮Length: 4-6H
🕹Platforms: PC/Mac/Switch/PS5/PS4
Play as mouse in this heartwarming tale, explore a beautiful french village at your pace! Made for rodent-lovers by rodent-lovers
thespiritandthemouse.com/game-links
🐁Title: The Spirit and the Mouse
⚡Genre: Cozy narrative 3D platformer
🎮Length: 4-6H
🕹Platforms: PC/Mac/Switch/PS5/PS4
Play as mouse in this heartwarming tale, explore a beautiful french village at your pace! Made for rodent-lovers by rodent-lovers
thespiritandthemouse.com/game-links
October 3, 2025 at 4:30 PM
To celebrate the 3 years anniversary of the game we’re givng away 3 keys of the game om the platform of ur choice 🧀✨
To enter just reply "squeak"
Winners will randomly be selected and announced on sunday at 3PM EST!
To enter just reply "squeak"
Winners will randomly be selected and announced on sunday at 3PM EST!
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
More guns than people…
Is it freedom or a national death cult that keeps growing?
Is it freedom or a national death cult that keeps growing?
September 30, 2025 at 11:12 PM
More guns than people…
Is it freedom or a national death cult that keeps growing?
Is it freedom or a national death cult that keeps growing?
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
They have identified the person in charge of escalators at the UN:
September 30, 2025 at 1:08 AM
They have identified the person in charge of escalators at the UN:
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
everyone should checkout Messenger by Abeto. it's a free browser game where ur just a little delivery kid on a little planet!
messenger.abeto.co
messenger.abeto.co
September 28, 2025 at 12:35 AM
everyone should checkout Messenger by Abeto. it's a free browser game where ur just a little delivery kid on a little planet!
messenger.abeto.co
messenger.abeto.co
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
dipping a toe into shaders
September 28, 2025 at 7:58 AM
dipping a toe into shaders
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
Before I make any VR interaction, I always "act it out" first, in my head and in game.
It lets me analyze motions / events, which helps me decide on formulas, effects and other implementation details.
Here's me pretending to drum.
🐧🥁
#GodotEngine #gamedev #indiedev #ScreenshotSaturday
It lets me analyze motions / events, which helps me decide on formulas, effects and other implementation details.
Here's me pretending to drum.
🐧🥁
#GodotEngine #gamedev #indiedev #ScreenshotSaturday
September 27, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Before I make any VR interaction, I always "act it out" first, in my head and in game.
It lets me analyze motions / events, which helps me decide on formulas, effects and other implementation details.
Here's me pretending to drum.
🐧🥁
#GodotEngine #gamedev #indiedev #ScreenshotSaturday
It lets me analyze motions / events, which helps me decide on formulas, effects and other implementation details.
Here's me pretending to drum.
🐧🥁
#GodotEngine #gamedev #indiedev #ScreenshotSaturday
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
Reposted by Simon "Darkside" Jackson
Indie Devs! Do you want to make some noise about an upcoming release? Could be a demo, could be the full game, I don't mind!
We're going to be giving upcoming indies some room on the UK Twitch homepage in November and all I need now are the games!
Reply below and let's talk.
#indiegames #indiedev
We're going to be giving upcoming indies some room on the UK Twitch homepage in November and all I need now are the games!
Reply below and let's talk.
#indiegames #indiedev
September 16, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Indie Devs! Do you want to make some noise about an upcoming release? Could be a demo, could be the full game, I don't mind!
We're going to be giving upcoming indies some room on the UK Twitch homepage in November and all I need now are the games!
Reply below and let's talk.
#indiegames #indiedev
We're going to be giving upcoming indies some room on the UK Twitch homepage in November and all I need now are the games!
Reply below and let's talk.
#indiegames #indiedev