Ben "Flash" Amos
@ben-flash-amos.bsky.social
He/him. Software guy. Pacific northwest. Published #VideoGame developer turned #IndieDev. Madrigal singer. Enjoys cooking, gardening, anime, and gaming.
Current project: Digging in the Dark, a 2D puzzle platformer adventure game.
flashguardian13.itch.io
Current project: Digging in the Dark, a 2D puzzle platformer adventure game.
flashguardian13.itch.io
Pinned
Digging in the Dark - alpha demo - lighting
YouTube video by Benjamin Amos
youtu.be
As promised, here is the latest demo video for my current game project! Digging in the Dark is a casual 2D puzzle platformer adventure game with procedurally generated underground worlds to explore and exploit. This video showcases various lighting effects I've recently added. youtu.be/2xsMqXN9t-g
Just found a mysterious image credit in my game's credits. Web domain, abbreviated CC license. No title, filename, or URL.
Even better, when I look up the CC license, it's non-commercial.
So there's a mystery image somewhere (maybe?) in my game that must be found and replaced. Uuuuugh.
Even better, when I look up the CC license, it's non-commercial.
So there's a mystery image somewhere (maybe?) in my game that must be found and replaced. Uuuuugh.
November 10, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Just found a mysterious image credit in my game's credits. Web domain, abbreviated CC license. No title, filename, or URL.
Even better, when I look up the CC license, it's non-commercial.
So there's a mystery image somewhere (maybe?) in my game that must be found and replaced. Uuuuugh.
Even better, when I look up the CC license, it's non-commercial.
So there's a mystery image somewhere (maybe?) in my game that must be found and replaced. Uuuuugh.
Creativity isn't always fun. Sometimes it's boring, uninteresting, or tedious. It's 100% okay to step away for a while. Enjoy what others have created. Humans can do amazing things. You are human (allegedly). You can do this. Find a way around or push through. Remember how awesome it's going to be!
November 9, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Creativity isn't always fun. Sometimes it's boring, uninteresting, or tedious. It's 100% okay to step away for a while. Enjoy what others have created. Humans can do amazing things. You are human (allegedly). You can do this. Find a way around or push through. Remember how awesome it's going to be!
I love listening to video game music remixes while I gamedev because they demonstrate the love people have for their favorite games and remind me that I'm building Digging in the Dark not just for me but for a larger community. Thank you, artists of ocremix.org! #GameDev #IndieDev #OCRemix
OverClocked ReMix: Video Game Music Community
OverClocked ReMix is a video game music community with tons of fan-made ReMixes and information on video game music.
ocremix.org
November 8, 2025 at 4:29 PM
I love listening to video game music remixes while I gamedev because they demonstrate the love people have for their favorite games and remind me that I'm building Digging in the Dark not just for me but for a larger community. Thank you, artists of ocremix.org! #GameDev #IndieDev #OCRemix
Can relate.
October 14, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Can relate.
Digging in the Dark version 0.4.1 has been released. Mostly just polishing out rough edges. This will be the last closed alpha release. Next time, ya'll can join in the fun, too!
October 2, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Digging in the Dark version 0.4.1 has been released. Mostly just polishing out rough edges. This will be the last closed alpha release. Next time, ya'll can join in the fun, too!
It's been a minute, so quick update. My new job is fantastic, but it has cut into my DitD dev hours significantly. Basically, it's a weekend project now. Sorry for the radio silence, all!
As for what I'm working on? New, improved, animated title screen with social media linkage. Fun with shaders!
As for what I'm working on? New, improved, animated title screen with social media linkage. Fun with shaders!
September 20, 2025 at 4:26 PM
It's been a minute, so quick update. My new job is fantastic, but it has cut into my DitD dev hours significantly. Basically, it's a weekend project now. Sorry for the radio silence, all!
As for what I'm working on? New, improved, animated title screen with social media linkage. Fun with shaders!
As for what I'm working on? New, improved, animated title screen with social media linkage. Fun with shaders!
After nine months of job hunting, today I accepted an offer of work with the University of Chicago! I am stoked!
Don't fret about Digging in the Dark. Development will continue, even if only slowly. We're in too deep to back out now!
Don't fret about Digging in the Dark. Development will continue, even if only slowly. We're in too deep to back out now!
July 30, 2025 at 2:33 AM
After nine months of job hunting, today I accepted an offer of work with the University of Chicago! I am stoked!
Don't fret about Digging in the Dark. Development will continue, even if only slowly. We're in too deep to back out now!
Don't fret about Digging in the Dark. Development will continue, even if only slowly. We're in too deep to back out now!
RIP Ozzy. Your legacy lives on.
Also, if you're unfamiliar with this "love letter to metal" adventure game, it is well worth trying or buying. Go get it!
Also, if you're unfamiliar with this "love letter to metal" adventure game, it is well worth trying or buying. Go get it!
To honor Ozzy's larger-than-life rock and roll legacy, we're making Brütal Legend *FREE* on itch.io: doublefine.itch.io/brutal-legend
But this incredible deal will only last for 666 minutes, as the prophecy foretold. So get yourself clicking, before it disappears like a demon in the night...
🤘 🖤
But this incredible deal will only last for 666 minutes, as the prophecy foretold. So get yourself clicking, before it disappears like a demon in the night...
🤘 🖤
July 24, 2025 at 4:35 AM
RIP Ozzy. Your legacy lives on.
Also, if you're unfamiliar with this "love letter to metal" adventure game, it is well worth trying or buying. Go get it!
Also, if you're unfamiliar with this "love letter to metal" adventure game, it is well worth trying or buying. Go get it!
So true. In my experience, #Godot does pretty well determining focus neighbors programmatically ... as long as you're letting your containers do the work. Do anything special and the default neighbors go off the rails fast. Example: I made an item selection WHEEL. It spins. Godot can't even.
A really big thing that I don't see many people mention when developping on/for computer; Creating focus neighbours for gamepad/keyboard only users is _tedious as hell_.
A relatively unnoticeable change I undertook this *cough* early "morning". Glad I did though.
#indiegamedev #gamedev #godotengine
A relatively unnoticeable change I undertook this *cough* early "morning". Glad I did though.
#indiegamedev #gamedev #godotengine
July 16, 2025 at 4:56 AM
So true. In my experience, #Godot does pretty well determining focus neighbors programmatically ... as long as you're letting your containers do the work. Do anything special and the default neighbors go off the rails fast. Example: I made an item selection WHEEL. It spins. Godot can't even.
Yesterday's game release was hugely focused on the UX and styling. So glad that's overwith! Now my project roadmap says I get to move on and work on ... marketing and social media! 😅 😮💨
July 14, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Yesterday's game release was hugely focused on the UX and styling. So glad that's overwith! Now my project roadmap says I get to move on and work on ... marketing and social media! 😅 😮💨
Today's #godot tip: Instead of visible, use TabContainers to hide/show content while still occupying the same UI area.
1) Put content inside a TabContainer with:
- Tabs Visible: false
- Use Hidden Tabs for Min Size: true
2) Add empty Control as a sibling
3) Switch between tabs to hide/show content.
1) Put content inside a TabContainer with:
- Tabs Visible: false
- Use Hidden Tabs for Min Size: true
2) Add empty Control as a sibling
3) Switch between tabs to hide/show content.
July 13, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Today's #godot tip: Instead of visible, use TabContainers to hide/show content while still occupying the same UI area.
1) Put content inside a TabContainer with:
- Tabs Visible: false
- Use Hidden Tabs for Min Size: true
2) Add empty Control as a sibling
3) Switch between tabs to hide/show content.
1) Put content inside a TabContainer with:
- Tabs Visible: false
- Use Hidden Tabs for Min Size: true
2) Add empty Control as a sibling
3) Switch between tabs to hide/show content.
Lots of really good progress today on Digging in the Dark. We're in the playtesting phase for this version. If it plays alright, I'll release a new closed alpha for participants soon, probably late Sunday.
July 12, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Lots of really good progress today on Digging in the Dark. We're in the playtesting phase for this version. If it plays alright, I'll release a new closed alpha for participants soon, probably late Sunday.
Here's a sneak peek at the new UI styling and the new systems panel for Digging in the Dark. Steady progress toward the open alpha milestone. Can't wait! 😁
July 11, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Here's a sneak peek at the new UI styling and the new systems panel for Digging in the Dark. Steady progress toward the open alpha milestone. Can't wait! 😁
Learning to code in Python!
Output? Easy! 😁
Input? No problem! 😃
Variables? Sure! 😄 Oh, wait, the type "hints" aren't enforced? 🤨 Eh, whatever ...
Branching? Yes! 😆
Looping? No sweat! 😄
Functions? Yeah, okay! 🙂
Classes? That's it? Wow! 🤩
Import a file? ... 😐 ... 🤔 ... 🤨 ... but ... why? 😮💨
Output? Easy! 😁
Input? No problem! 😃
Variables? Sure! 😄 Oh, wait, the type "hints" aren't enforced? 🤨 Eh, whatever ...
Branching? Yes! 😆
Looping? No sweat! 😄
Functions? Yeah, okay! 🙂
Classes? That's it? Wow! 🤩
Import a file? ... 😐 ... 🤔 ... 🤨 ... but ... why? 😮💨
July 9, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Learning to code in Python!
Output? Easy! 😁
Input? No problem! 😃
Variables? Sure! 😄 Oh, wait, the type "hints" aren't enforced? 🤨 Eh, whatever ...
Branching? Yes! 😆
Looping? No sweat! 😄
Functions? Yeah, okay! 🙂
Classes? That's it? Wow! 🤩
Import a file? ... 😐 ... 🤔 ... 🤨 ... but ... why? 😮💨
Output? Easy! 😁
Input? No problem! 😃
Variables? Sure! 😄 Oh, wait, the type "hints" aren't enforced? 🤨 Eh, whatever ...
Branching? Yes! 😆
Looping? No sweat! 😄
Functions? Yeah, okay! 🙂
Classes? That's it? Wow! 🤩
Import a file? ... 😐 ... 🤔 ... 🤨 ... but ... why? 😮💨
Just got out of a technical interview and I did fantastic, but I'm pretty sure it's the last interview, so if anyone needs me between now and whenever a certain email arrives, I'll be upstairs screaming into my pillow. Peace.
July 1, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Just got out of a technical interview and I did fantastic, but I'm pretty sure it's the last interview, so if anyone needs me between now and whenever a certain email arrives, I'll be upstairs screaming into my pillow. Peace.
I know, I know. No posted game progress in a while. On the bright side, my house hasn't been this clean and organized in so many months! I'll have some screenshots for ya'll soon, don't worry.
June 30, 2025 at 8:32 PM
I know, I know. No posted game progress in a while. On the bright side, my house hasn't been this clean and organized in so many months! I'll have some screenshots for ya'll soon, don't worry.
Reposted by Ben "Flash" Amos
While President Trump is throwing himself a multi-million dollar birthday party on the taxpayer’s dime, we're taking to the streets.
Our rights are not up for debate.
📸 Scout Tufankjian
Our rights are not up for debate.
📸 Scout Tufankjian
June 14, 2025 at 5:41 PM
While President Trump is throwing himself a multi-million dollar birthday party on the taxpayer’s dime, we're taking to the streets.
Our rights are not up for debate.
📸 Scout Tufankjian
Our rights are not up for debate.
📸 Scout Tufankjian
Reposted by Ben "Flash" Amos
Do you know the #GodotWildJam?
It's a 9-day #Godot focused game jam which happens every month, with an amazing community that gathers in the @godotwildjam.bsky.social Discord.
The 82nd edition just started with the theme:
UNSEEN
And wildcards (optional limitations):
IMMERSIVE
BOOM!!!1
REPORT CARD
It's a 9-day #Godot focused game jam which happens every month, with an amazing community that gathers in the @godotwildjam.bsky.social Discord.
The 82nd edition just started with the theme:
UNSEEN
And wildcards (optional limitations):
IMMERSIVE
BOOM!!!1
REPORT CARD
June 13, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Do you know the #GodotWildJam?
It's a 9-day #Godot focused game jam which happens every month, with an amazing community that gathers in the @godotwildjam.bsky.social Discord.
The 82nd edition just started with the theme:
UNSEEN
And wildcards (optional limitations):
IMMERSIVE
BOOM!!!1
REPORT CARD
It's a 9-day #Godot focused game jam which happens every month, with an amazing community that gathers in the @godotwildjam.bsky.social Discord.
The 82nd edition just started with the theme:
UNSEEN
And wildcards (optional limitations):
IMMERSIVE
BOOM!!!1
REPORT CARD
Going downtown for an interview. Wish me luck!
June 10, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Going downtown for an interview. Wish me luck!
Quick update: Not much progress this week on Digging in the Dark due to life events, including an unexpected but very welcome cluster of job interviews! I will definitely be able to continue game development if hired, so please wish me the best of luck!
June 5, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Quick update: Not much progress this week on Digging in the Dark due to life events, including an unexpected but very welcome cluster of job interviews! I will definitely be able to continue game development if hired, so please wish me the best of luck!
Another closed alpha release has been completed for Digging in the Dark, with many solid improvements to the saved games system and a couple of important bugfixes. Next, we will add STYLE! I sure am tired of seeing the default Godot UX buttons, borders, labels, fonts, and such.
May 29, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Another closed alpha release has been completed for Digging in the Dark, with many solid improvements to the saved games system and a couple of important bugfixes. Next, we will add STYLE! I sure am tired of seeing the default Godot UX buttons, borders, labels, fonts, and such.
After a break, I'm back in the driver's seat working on the next Digging in the Dark release. A good start: fixed a soft crash on the title screen found by an early playtester. Next will be a change to the auto-save mechanics to hopefully prevent getting saved in an unwinnable situation.
May 26, 2025 at 5:23 PM
After a break, I'm back in the driver's seat working on the next Digging in the Dark release. A good start: fixed a soft crash on the title screen found by an early playtester. Next will be a change to the auto-save mechanics to hopefully prevent getting saved in an unwinnable situation.
Reposted by Ben "Flash" Amos
I'm attending No Kings's event, “NO KINGS Vancouver, Clark County Washington” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...
NO KINGS Vancouver, Clark County Washington · No Kings
We are still in the planning stage of this event so location, time, etc. may change. Please contact us if you want to help with planning this event.
What do you want to do on June 14th? We need you...
www.mobilize.us
May 24, 2025 at 8:29 PM
I'm attending No Kings's event, “NO KINGS Vancouver, Clark County Washington” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...
Reposted by Ben "Flash" Amos
Announcing the Games to Get Excited About Fest 2025!
100+ upcoming indie games. No CGI trailers. No Filler. Just awesome upcoming indie games to get excited about.
Game submissions are open! Post your games below or fill out the form!
#gamedev #indiegames #indiedev #gaming
100+ upcoming indie games. No CGI trailers. No Filler. Just awesome upcoming indie games to get excited about.
Game submissions are open! Post your games below or fill out the form!
#gamedev #indiegames #indiedev #gaming
May 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Announcing the Games to Get Excited About Fest 2025!
100+ upcoming indie games. No CGI trailers. No Filler. Just awesome upcoming indie games to get excited about.
Game submissions are open! Post your games below or fill out the form!
#gamedev #indiegames #indiedev #gaming
100+ upcoming indie games. No CGI trailers. No Filler. Just awesome upcoming indie games to get excited about.
Game submissions are open! Post your games below or fill out the form!
#gamedev #indiegames #indiedev #gaming
Digging in the Dark now has full game controller support! 🎮 One step closer to early access! Can't wait to share this game with the world!
May 20, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Digging in the Dark now has full game controller support! 🎮 One step closer to early access! Can't wait to share this game with the world!