Kris DeMeza
@caydiem.bsky.social
Game designer with a penchant for the absurd. Currently Lead Content Designer on ~something.~ Cold Iron, Carbine, Trion, Blizzard previously. They/them.
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Kris DeMeza
@caydiem.bsky.social
· Oct 18
A reintroduction for all new bluesky friends!
I'm Kris, enby game designer who's worked on MMOs like WoW and WildStar as well as scrappier games like Aliens: Fireteam Elite. Current project's a secret for a while. I post game opinions and dev thoughts.
If you're old, yes, I'm THAT Caydiem.
I'm Kris, enby game designer who's worked on MMOs like WoW and WildStar as well as scrappier games like Aliens: Fireteam Elite. Current project's a secret for a while. I post game opinions and dev thoughts.
If you're old, yes, I'm THAT Caydiem.
Stay safe out there this Halloween, all you lost shades.
October 31, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Stay safe out there this Halloween, all you lost shades.
Okay. Baldur's Gate 3's photo mode slaps.
April 16, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Okay. Baldur's Gate 3's photo mode slaps.
Great thread about playtesting that's completely accurate to my experience. Learning to observe behaviors large and small as you watch, and getting any ego the hell out of the room, is how you learn where to improve your game.
Let’s talk playtesting, shall we?
After playtesting dozens of games for tabletop, PC/console, and installations, I've learned a thing or two about how to test well. So I figured it's a good time to remind folks about playtesting best practices while we're all hyped up with inspiration from GDC. 🧵
After playtesting dozens of games for tabletop, PC/console, and installations, I've learned a thing or two about how to test well. So I figured it's a good time to remind folks about playtesting best practices while we're all hyped up with inspiration from GDC. 🧵
March 26, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Great thread about playtesting that's completely accurate to my experience. Learning to observe behaviors large and small as you watch, and getting any ego the hell out of the room, is how you learn where to improve your game.
Reposted by Kris DeMeza
my new answer to any question re: why i made something a certain way in one of my games that you don't like
February 25, 2025 at 6:37 PM
my new answer to any question re: why i made something a certain way in one of my games that you don't like
One of my favorite game mechanics that FEELS fancy but isn't is "swimming where water shouldn't be." Mechanically, swimming is just a traversal method in a defined volume with a camera effect - it doesn't have to obey gravity. But there's still a li'l magic when you swim in a suspended bubble.
February 25, 2025 at 4:37 PM
One of my favorite game mechanics that FEELS fancy but isn't is "swimming where water shouldn't be." Mechanically, swimming is just a traversal method in a defined volume with a camera effect - it doesn't have to obey gravity. But there's still a li'l magic when you swim in a suspended bubble.
I once, over a decade ago, had a team I was on split up because there were "too many vaginas on it." (There were three femme-presenting folk on it out of five. Oh no, not a majority!)
This stuff still happens. Call it out when you see it. ESPECIALLY if you're a cishet dude. Help folk. Please.
This stuff still happens. Call it out when you see it. ESPECIALLY if you're a cishet dude. Help folk. Please.
yes, and organizing things
but never forget, with a smile!
(Yes, someone once reprimanded me for "not smiling and being nice" during a meeting)
but never forget, with a smile!
(Yes, someone once reprimanded me for "not smiling and being nice" during a meeting)
January 14, 2025 at 12:38 AM
I once, over a decade ago, had a team I was on split up because there were "too many vaginas on it." (There were three femme-presenting folk on it out of five. Oh no, not a majority!)
This stuff still happens. Call it out when you see it. ESPECIALLY if you're a cishet dude. Help folk. Please.
This stuff still happens. Call it out when you see it. ESPECIALLY if you're a cishet dude. Help folk. Please.
Am I done baking? No! My Swedish coffee bread dough is still rising. But I'm doing an okay spread regardless:
December 25, 2024 at 12:11 AM
Am I done baking? No! My Swedish coffee bread dough is still rising. But I'm doing an okay spread regardless:
It's not Christmas if I'm not overcommitting on baking!
(Gingerbread and chocolate cookie doughs are in the fridge, peppermint bark is broken apart and done. Tomorrow is the day of YEAST where I make japanese milk bread and swedish coffee bread.)
(Gingerbread and chocolate cookie doughs are in the fridge, peppermint bark is broken apart and done. Tomorrow is the day of YEAST where I make japanese milk bread and swedish coffee bread.)
December 24, 2024 at 12:20 AM
It's not Christmas if I'm not overcommitting on baking!
(Gingerbread and chocolate cookie doughs are in the fridge, peppermint bark is broken apart and done. Tomorrow is the day of YEAST where I make japanese milk bread and swedish coffee bread.)
(Gingerbread and chocolate cookie doughs are in the fridge, peppermint bark is broken apart and done. Tomorrow is the day of YEAST where I make japanese milk bread and swedish coffee bread.)
Finished Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
What a rollicking good time that was. If I'd cared less about collectibles I would have had a better time, I think - the game is at its best when you're rolling with story and not looking to complete your stone dildo collection.
What a rollicking good time that was. If I'd cared less about collectibles I would have had a better time, I think - the game is at its best when you're rolling with story and not looking to complete your stone dildo collection.
December 23, 2024 at 12:35 AM
Finished Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
What a rollicking good time that was. If I'd cared less about collectibles I would have had a better time, I think - the game is at its best when you're rolling with story and not looking to complete your stone dildo collection.
What a rollicking good time that was. If I'd cared less about collectibles I would have had a better time, I think - the game is at its best when you're rolling with story and not looking to complete your stone dildo collection.
Every so often I am reminded of my time as an unpaid volunteer on EverQuest, where if I'd desired it, I could have not only killed just about anyone with my god-tier characters, but turned any player into an NPC-flagged entity that was killable and a little lootable.
Early MMO days were buckwild.
Early MMO days were buckwild.
December 7, 2024 at 7:42 PM
Every so often I am reminded of my time as an unpaid volunteer on EverQuest, where if I'd desired it, I could have not only killed just about anyone with my god-tier characters, but turned any player into an NPC-flagged entity that was killable and a little lootable.
Early MMO days were buckwild.
Early MMO days were buckwild.
Didn't end up posting my hot #DragonAge takes after finishing Veilguard, so here's the deal, as spoiler-free as I can make them.
It's a very pretty game with a lot of wonderful performances, and absolutely zero teeth. No friction that isn't sanded away quickly.
It's a very pretty game with a lot of wonderful performances, and absolutely zero teeth. No friction that isn't sanded away quickly.
December 3, 2024 at 4:45 AM
Didn't end up posting my hot #DragonAge takes after finishing Veilguard, so here's the deal, as spoiler-free as I can make them.
It's a very pretty game with a lot of wonderful performances, and absolutely zero teeth. No friction that isn't sanded away quickly.
It's a very pretty game with a lot of wonderful performances, and absolutely zero teeth. No friction that isn't sanded away quickly.
I dig Charge Blade for the times when I'm feeling like tracking several meters at once to do a big ol' hit (that inevitably misses). It's a lot of fun to keep track and switch between its modes.
But I also main Dual Blades because swords go brrrr
But I also main Dual Blades because swords go brrrr
There are no polls here yet… but… what is your favorite Monster Hunter weapon?
And, for bonus points… why?
And, for bonus points… why?
November 24, 2024 at 1:15 AM
I dig Charge Blade for the times when I'm feeling like tracking several meters at once to do a big ol' hit (that inevitably misses). It's a lot of fun to keep track and switch between its modes.
But I also main Dual Blades because swords go brrrr
But I also main Dual Blades because swords go brrrr
Got a breezy new haircut just in time for summ-- what do you mean it's the end of November
November 24, 2024 at 12:42 AM
Got a breezy new haircut just in time for summ-- what do you mean it's the end of November
I interviewed a QA gentleman today who I had never previously spoken with, but our work histories indicate he absolutely had to deal with my associate designer crimes.
"Your name looked familiar." Yessir don't worry about it I'm sure it's a coincidence let's not examine it further
"Your name looked familiar." Yessir don't worry about it I'm sure it's a coincidence let's not examine it further
November 23, 2024 at 7:44 AM
I interviewed a QA gentleman today who I had never previously spoken with, but our work histories indicate he absolutely had to deal with my associate designer crimes.
"Your name looked familiar." Yessir don't worry about it I'm sure it's a coincidence let's not examine it further
"Your name looked familiar." Yessir don't worry about it I'm sure it's a coincidence let's not examine it further
Me in my echo chamber
November 18, 2024 at 11:39 PM
Me in my echo chamber
For @adanine.bsky.social - in Ancient Times, a player named Mashara posted a parody of Eminem's "Stan" to the WoW forums and I responded as a blue poster. It has long since been lost to Blizz's several forum revamps, but guild forums live on, so here you go. Mashara's original post:
November 18, 2024 at 12:02 AM
For @adanine.bsky.social - in Ancient Times, a player named Mashara posted a parody of Eminem's "Stan" to the WoW forums and I responded as a blue poster. It has long since been lost to Blizz's several forum revamps, but guild forums live on, so here you go. Mashara's original post:
Had an intro appointment with a psychiatrist where after an hour she said I treat my own brain like a puzzle that needs solving and goddamn I have never had anyone call me out that hard so damn quick
November 14, 2024 at 7:14 PM
Had an intro appointment with a psychiatrist where after an hour she said I treat my own brain like a puzzle that needs solving and goddamn I have never had anyone call me out that hard so damn quick
I have been keeping an eye on Twitter (what can I say, the community manager parasite in my brain that craves social media trend observation will never die) and it is telling just how QUIET it is on my feed now.
I hope folk continue to bail on the shallow husk of what once was.
I hope folk continue to bail on the shallow husk of what once was.
November 14, 2024 at 4:01 PM
I have been keeping an eye on Twitter (what can I say, the community manager parasite in my brain that craves social media trend observation will never die) and it is telling just how QUIET it is on my feed now.
I hope folk continue to bail on the shallow husk of what once was.
I hope folk continue to bail on the shallow husk of what once was.
I appreciate that Qunari seem hard to nail down in #DragonAge and they're redesigned every game, but my boy Adaar stopped going to the gym so hard his horns shrunk.
November 12, 2024 at 4:13 AM
I appreciate that Qunari seem hard to nail down in #DragonAge and they're redesigned every game, but my boy Adaar stopped going to the gym so hard his horns shrunk.
I grew up on these streets.
November 5, 2024 at 7:56 PM
I grew up on these streets.
Something I keep tripping on in the new #DragonAge is one of timing: that is, the need to time your quest-related walk-and-talk convo to the timeframe it takes for the player to walk to the next place the characters will talk. It gets interrupted CONSTANTLY, even when not sprinting.
November 4, 2024 at 10:02 PM
Something I keep tripping on in the new #DragonAge is one of timing: that is, the need to time your quest-related walk-and-talk convo to the timeframe it takes for the player to walk to the next place the characters will talk. It gets interrupted CONSTANTLY, even when not sprinting.
I have found the belt in #DragonAgeVeilguard that summons attack bees whenever you drink a potion. GOTY.
November 2, 2024 at 3:01 PM
I have found the belt in #DragonAgeVeilguard that summons attack bees whenever you drink a potion. GOTY.
About 5 hours into DA: Veilguard. Beautiful game, and the combat feels decent. The ramp to choice is slow (I just hit one now) and I imagine the very linear nature of those 5 hours might make some folk bounce off - but I'm enjoying it despite the rails.
My Rook is a reckless, quippy fella.
My Rook is a reckless, quippy fella.
November 1, 2024 at 3:37 PM
About 5 hours into DA: Veilguard. Beautiful game, and the combat feels decent. The ramp to choice is slow (I just hit one now) and I imagine the very linear nature of those 5 hours might make some folk bounce off - but I'm enjoying it despite the rails.
My Rook is a reckless, quippy fella.
My Rook is a reckless, quippy fella.
I was only able to get through character creation at lunch (what took longer, making my pretty dwarf gent or building shaders? Who can say) but when I get time, my Rook's gonna make himself everyone's problem. #DragonAgeVeilguard
October 31, 2024 at 9:24 PM
I was only able to get through character creation at lunch (what took longer, making my pretty dwarf gent or building shaders? Who can say) but when I get time, my Rook's gonna make himself everyone's problem. #DragonAgeVeilguard
Happy Halloween, nerds. Now if you'll excuse me, kid's gotta go rage a while.
October 31, 2024 at 8:30 PM
Happy Halloween, nerds. Now if you'll excuse me, kid's gotta go rage a while.