Videogame Workshop
@videogameworkshop.com
Independent videogame development studio. Our games are puzzley, interesting, and easy for anyone to play. We share our insights and dialogue as we develop.
videogameworkshop.com
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Videogame Workshop
@videogameworkshop.com
· Sep 17
Ridiculous news in horrific times. New Headliner puzzle every week!
www.videogameworkshop.com/headliner/
Fill out the crossword to win, all the clues are REAL headlines with a word missing. Correct answers link you to the VERY REAL news article.
#IndieGames #PuzzleGames #gamedev #indiedev
www.videogameworkshop.com/headliner/
Fill out the crossword to win, all the clues are REAL headlines with a word missing. Correct answers link you to the VERY REAL news article.
#IndieGames #PuzzleGames #gamedev #indiedev
Thanks so much for having us!
Even adult puzzle game players don't want to count, read, or listen! So, Dennis Ramirez & Charlie Mackin gave us some useful design tricks to help them out!
@dennis.videogameworkshop.com
@charlie.videogameworkshop.com
@dennis.videogameworkshop.com
@charlie.videogameworkshop.com
Adults Can’t Count Either - Dennis Ramirez & Charlie Mackin (ThinkyCon 2025)
Dennis Ramirez & Charlie Mackin from @VideogameWorkshop join us at ThinkyCon 2025 to present the talk: "Adults Can’t Count Either: Design Tricks We Used at PBS That Apply to All Games"
Talk description: We aren’t telling you to treat your players like children, but we ARE saying everyone has a har
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Thanks so much for having us!
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"Kim Kardashian Slams ‘All Of The F**king ____’ For Wrongly Predicting Her Bar Exam"
#IndieGameDev #IndieGame #PuzzleGames
"Kim Kardashian Slams ‘All Of The F**king ____’ For Wrongly Predicting Her Bar Exam"
#IndieGameDev #IndieGame #PuzzleGames
HEADLINER
A crossword puzzle about ridiculous news in horrific times.
www.videogameworkshop.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"Kim Kardashian Slams ‘All Of The F**king ____’ For Wrongly Predicting Her Bar Exam"
#IndieGameDev #IndieGame #PuzzleGames
"Kim Kardashian Slams ‘All Of The F**king ____’ For Wrongly Predicting Her Bar Exam"
#IndieGameDev #IndieGame #PuzzleGames
Following a standardized method for giving feedback can make the critique process more productive and less painful for everyone involved.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Design Criticism That’s Actually Helpful | Videogame Workshop
Get more from Videogame Workshop on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Following a standardized method for giving feedback can make the critique process more productive and less painful for everyone involved.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
We're going to talk about why your players can't count, and what you can do about it at 1:30 CST at ThinkyCon! Check it out, It's free!
thinkygames.com/events/think...
@thinkygames.com
thinkygames.com/events/think...
@thinkygames.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:14 PM
We're going to talk about why your players can't count, and what you can do about it at 1:30 CST at ThinkyCon! Check it out, It's free!
thinkygames.com/events/think...
@thinkygames.com
thinkygames.com/events/think...
@thinkygames.com
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"'Chunkosaurus Rex' wins Texas' inaugural Fat ____ Week"
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #IndieGames
"'Chunkosaurus Rex' wins Texas' inaugural Fat ____ Week"
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #IndieGames
HEADLINER
A crossword puzzle about ridiculous news in horrific times.
www.videogameworkshop.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"'Chunkosaurus Rex' wins Texas' inaugural Fat ____ Week"
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #IndieGames
"'Chunkosaurus Rex' wins Texas' inaugural Fat ____ Week"
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #IndieGames
Reposted by Videogame Workshop
November 5, 2025 at 4:02 PM
An unstoppable monster can get boring. To use them effectively, get creative.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Unstoppable Enemies | Videogame Workshop
Get more from Videogame Workshop on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:13 PM
An unstoppable monster can get boring. To use them effectively, get creative.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
We're giving a talk at ThinkyCon 2025!
Come hear why most people can’t easily count past 3 and what you can do about it!
ThinkyCon starts tomorrow! For more info check out the site: thinkygames.com/events/think...
Come hear why most people can’t easily count past 3 and what you can do about it!
ThinkyCon starts tomorrow! For more info check out the site: thinkygames.com/events/think...
November 4, 2025 at 8:05 PM
We're giving a talk at ThinkyCon 2025!
Come hear why most people can’t easily count past 3 and what you can do about it!
ThinkyCon starts tomorrow! For more info check out the site: thinkygames.com/events/think...
Come hear why most people can’t easily count past 3 and what you can do about it!
ThinkyCon starts tomorrow! For more info check out the site: thinkygames.com/events/think...
Happy Halloween! These game mechanics can make your players feel DREAD.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Add Dread to Your Game | Videogame Workshop
Get more from Videogame Workshop on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Happy Halloween! These game mechanics can make your players feel DREAD.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Do you want to play a horror videogame? 😱
Happy Halloween! We're discussing horror games, our preferences, and what mechanics make a game spooky.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
Happy Halloween! We're discussing horror games, our preferences, and what mechanics make a game spooky.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
Horror Games
YouTube video by Videogame Workshop
youtu.be
October 31, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Do you want to play a horror videogame? 😱
Happy Halloween! We're discussing horror games, our preferences, and what mechanics make a game spooky.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
Happy Halloween! We're discussing horror games, our preferences, and what mechanics make a game spooky.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"Police arrest real-life ‘____’ accused of stealing 300 pounds of sausage and burgers"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
"Police arrest real-life ‘____’ accused of stealing 300 pounds of sausage and burgers"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
HEADLINER
A crossword puzzle about ridiculous news in horrific times.
www.videogameworkshop.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"Police arrest real-life ‘____’ accused of stealing 300 pounds of sausage and burgers"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
"Police arrest real-life ‘____’ accused of stealing 300 pounds of sausage and burgers"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
With enough creativity, you can make a paper prototype for any type of game. Let’s go through a few examples using different genres.
#GameDesign #GameDev #IndieGameDev
#GameDesign #GameDev #IndieGameDev
Making a Videogame With Paper
Paper prototyping is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to put something in front of players.
videogameworkshop.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:06 PM
With enough creativity, you can make a paper prototype for any type of game. Let’s go through a few examples using different genres.
#GameDesign #GameDev #IndieGameDev
#GameDesign #GameDev #IndieGameDev
Videogame
Videogames
Videogames
October 28, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Videogame
Videogames
Videogames
"Wild bear stealthily enters California zoo is found visiting the ____ exhibit"
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
HEADLINER
A crossword puzzle about ridiculous news in horrific times.
www.videogameworkshop.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:39 PM
"Wild bear stealthily enters California zoo is found visiting the ____ exhibit"
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
How do designers keep players in a persistent, ongoing state of dread? Give them something to worry about.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Add Dread to Your Game
How do designers keep players in a persistent, ongoing state of dread?
videogameworkshop.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:06 PM
How do designers keep players in a persistent, ongoing state of dread? Give them something to worry about.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
We've been working on our game "Top Words"! Last time it was only a demo in Google Slides, but now we have two working Betas to test!
We're playtesting, discussing pros and cons, and planning our next steps.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
We're playtesting, discussing pros and cons, and planning our next steps.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
"Top Words" Beta Builds
YouTube video by Videogame Workshop
youtu.be
October 16, 2025 at 11:00 PM
We've been working on our game "Top Words"! Last time it was only a demo in Google Slides, but now we have two working Betas to test!
We're playtesting, discussing pros and cons, and planning our next steps.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
We're playtesting, discussing pros and cons, and planning our next steps.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"'IT KEPT BLOWING AWAY': Runaway inflatable ____ spooks Ohio police"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
"'IT KEPT BLOWING AWAY': Runaway inflatable ____ spooks Ohio police"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
HEADLINER
A crossword puzzle about ridiculous news in horrific times.
www.videogameworkshop.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"'IT KEPT BLOWING AWAY': Runaway inflatable ____ spooks Ohio police"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
"'IT KEPT BLOWING AWAY': Runaway inflatable ____ spooks Ohio police"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
Did you know X-Com was almost canceled? They were saved by their prototype.
#gamedesign #gamedev #gameproduction
#gamedesign #gamedev #gameproduction
A Prototype Can Save Your Game
A prototype is a small playable version of your game; making one can save you a lot of time and money.
open.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Did you know X-Com was almost canceled? They were saved by their prototype.
#gamedesign #gamedev #gameproduction
#gamedesign #gamedev #gameproduction
Reposted by Videogame Workshop
An important part of game design is being responsive and vague enough to account for the player's choices.
#gamedev #gamedesign #indiedev #narrativedesign
#gamedev #gamedesign #indiedev #narrativedesign
October 13, 2025 at 4:33 PM
An important part of game design is being responsive and vague enough to account for the player's choices.
#gamedev #gamedesign #indiedev #narrativedesign
#gamedev #gamedesign #indiedev #narrativedesign
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"A Pub Postponed Its ____ Night Due to ‘Unforeseen Circumstances’ and Everyone’s Laughing"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
"A Pub Postponed Its ____ Night Due to ‘Unforeseen Circumstances’ and Everyone’s Laughing"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
HEADLINER
A crossword puzzle about ridiculous news in horrific times.
www.videogameworkshop.com
October 8, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"A Pub Postponed Its ____ Night Due to ‘Unforeseen Circumstances’ and Everyone’s Laughing"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
"A Pub Postponed Its ____ Night Due to ‘Unforeseen Circumstances’ and Everyone’s Laughing"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
The last thing any designer wants is for a player to reach a state in the game that’s unbeatable. So, what do you do? Lock it!
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Directing Players with Keys
The last thing any designer wants is for a player to reach a state in the game that’s unbeatable. So, what do you do? Lock it!
videogameworkshop.substack.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The last thing any designer wants is for a player to reach a state in the game that’s unbeatable. So, what do you do? Lock it!
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Reposted by Videogame Workshop
Working for something makes it feel more important. An example from Nintendo: the songs from Ocharina of Time. Originally the songs were spells players could use like the medallions of a Link to the Past. They were changed to require the players to "play" the Ocharina
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign
October 4, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Working for something makes it feel more important. An example from Nintendo: the songs from Ocharina of Time. Originally the songs were spells players could use like the medallions of a Link to the Past. They were changed to require the players to "play" the Ocharina
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign
Reposted by Videogame Workshop
Charlie and Dennis really crush this discussion. I want a (turn-based?) Superman savior simulator and a Kaiju disaster photography game so bad. Be sure to watch (seriously, look at Charlie's editing) and subscribe to their channel, there's really great stuff coming soon
Did you see the new Superman movie? There should be a game! There used to be way more games based on movies!
This episode we discuss games based on movies and our experience making games for an established IP.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
This episode we discuss games based on movies and our experience making games for an established IP.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
Games Based on Movies - Videogame Workshop Podcast
YouTube video by Videogame Workshop
youtu.be
October 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Charlie and Dennis really crush this discussion. I want a (turn-based?) Superman savior simulator and a Kaiju disaster photography game so bad. Be sure to watch (seriously, look at Charlie's editing) and subscribe to their channel, there's really great stuff coming soon
Reposted by Videogame Workshop
The most efficient way to pack 17 squares is visually unsettling.
So, maybe the lesson here is do what's best for your game, not always what's most efficient?
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #residentevil
So, maybe the lesson here is do what's best for your game, not always what's most efficient?
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #residentevil
October 3, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The most efficient way to pack 17 squares is visually unsettling.
So, maybe the lesson here is do what's best for your game, not always what's most efficient?
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #residentevil
So, maybe the lesson here is do what's best for your game, not always what's most efficient?
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #residentevil
