Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
@draknek.bsky.social
Personal website: https://alan.draknek.org/
Head Draknek at Draknek & Friends, making thinky puzzle games. He/him.
https://www.draknek.org/
Our latest game: Spooky Express https://store.steampowered.com/app/3352310/Spooky_Express/
Head Draknek at Draknek & Friends, making thinky puzzle games. He/him.
https://www.draknek.org/
Our latest game: Spooky Express https://store.steampowered.com/app/3352310/Spooky_Express/
Pinned
Draknek & Friends
Lovingly Crafted Puzzle Games Since 2013
www.draknek.org
Welcome to everyone joining Bluesky!
I'm Alan and I run Draknek & Friends, where we make and publish lovingly crafted puzzle games.
www.draknek.org
I'm Alan and I run Draknek & Friends, where we make and publish lovingly crafted puzzle games.
www.draknek.org
Reposted by Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
I’ve never campaigned for an award before but allow me to start now:
Please fill this out and give your #1 vote to the Zombie from Spooky Express. He’s just a lil guy who loves trains and brains.
I wanna see him do somewhat well on the final!!!
Please fill this out and give your #1 vote to the Zombie from Spooky Express. He’s just a lil guy who loves trains and brains.
I wanna see him do somewhat well on the final!!!
Its time to vote in the award for The Best Little Guy Introduced In A Game In 2025!
We have 33 options this year! All you need to do is rank them in order from MOST best little guy to LEAST best little guy. Click the images to see them bigger.
Hurry and vote now!
app.opinionx.co/1be28951-a7a...
We have 33 options this year! All you need to do is rank them in order from MOST best little guy to LEAST best little guy. Click the images to see them bigger.
Hurry and vote now!
app.opinionx.co/1be28951-a7a...
a spongebob squarepants scene with a mailbox and a flower
Alt: a spongebob squarepants scene with a mailbox
media.tenor.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:44 PM
I’ve never campaigned for an award before but allow me to start now:
Please fill this out and give your #1 vote to the Zombie from Spooky Express. He’s just a lil guy who loves trains and brains.
I wanna see him do somewhat well on the final!!!
Please fill this out and give your #1 vote to the Zombie from Spooky Express. He’s just a lil guy who loves trains and brains.
I wanna see him do somewhat well on the final!!!
Reposted by Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
Happy Creator Day on @itch.io
To celebrate, all of our games at Draknek & Friends are discounted for the next 24 hours. No better day than today to pick up some new thinky puzzle games. Enjoy!
draknek.itch.io
To celebrate, all of our games at Draknek & Friends are discounted for the next 24 hours. No better day than today to pick up some new thinky puzzle games. Enjoy!
draknek.itch.io
November 28, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Happy Creator Day on @itch.io
To celebrate, all of our games at Draknek & Friends are discounted for the next 24 hours. No better day than today to pick up some new thinky puzzle games. Enjoy!
draknek.itch.io
To celebrate, all of our games at Draknek & Friends are discounted for the next 24 hours. No better day than today to pick up some new thinky puzzle games. Enjoy!
draknek.itch.io
Reposted by Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
🚨 8 Hours Left For Creator Day 🚨
We’re waiving itchio's platform fee on all transactions across the site for 8 more hours! You still have time to check out your recommendations and pick up something new!
We’re waiving itchio's platform fee on all transactions across the site for 8 more hours! You still have time to check out your recommendations and pick up something new!
November 29, 2025 at 12:44 AM
🚨 8 Hours Left For Creator Day 🚨
We’re waiving itchio's platform fee on all transactions across the site for 8 more hours! You still have time to check out your recommendations and pick up something new!
We’re waiving itchio's platform fee on all transactions across the site for 8 more hours! You still have time to check out your recommendations and pick up something new!
Not one but two Draknek & Friends games are in the Pocket Gamer "Best Puzzle Game" category!
If you played and enjoyed Spooky Express or LOK Digital this year, you can vote for it here:
www.pocketgamer.com/pocket-gamer...
If you played and enjoyed Spooky Express or LOK Digital this year, you can vote for it here:
www.pocketgamer.com/pocket-gamer...
12th Pocket Gamer Awards - Best Mobile Puzzle Game of the Year
The award recognises the best new puzzle mobile game; from head-scratchers through to the humble word puzzle.
www.pocketgamer.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Not one but two Draknek & Friends games are in the Pocket Gamer "Best Puzzle Game" category!
If you played and enjoyed Spooky Express or LOK Digital this year, you can vote for it here:
www.pocketgamer.com/pocket-gamer...
If you played and enjoyed Spooky Express or LOK Digital this year, you can vote for it here:
www.pocketgamer.com/pocket-gamer...
Happy Creator Day on @itch.io
To celebrate, all of our games at Draknek & Friends are discounted for the next 24 hours. No better day than today to pick up some new thinky puzzle games. Enjoy!
draknek.itch.io
To celebrate, all of our games at Draknek & Friends are discounted for the next 24 hours. No better day than today to pick up some new thinky puzzle games. Enjoy!
draknek.itch.io
November 28, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Happy Creator Day on @itch.io
To celebrate, all of our games at Draknek & Friends are discounted for the next 24 hours. No better day than today to pick up some new thinky puzzle games. Enjoy!
draknek.itch.io
To celebrate, all of our games at Draknek & Friends are discounted for the next 24 hours. No better day than today to pick up some new thinky puzzle games. Enjoy!
draknek.itch.io
Reposted by Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
🚨 Creator Day is LIVE! 🚨
For the next 24 hours we are waiving our platform fee! Creators will get the most they can from each transaction.
Support your favorite developers and check out over 15,000 projects participating in our Black Friday sale
itch.io
For the next 24 hours we are waiving our platform fee! Creators will get the most they can from each transaction.
Support your favorite developers and check out over 15,000 projects participating in our Black Friday sale
itch.io
November 28, 2025 at 8:10 AM
🚨 Creator Day is LIVE! 🚨
For the next 24 hours we are waiving our platform fee! Creators will get the most they can from each transaction.
Support your favorite developers and check out over 15,000 projects participating in our Black Friday sale
itch.io
For the next 24 hours we are waiving our platform fee! Creators will get the most they can from each transaction.
Support your favorite developers and check out over 15,000 projects participating in our Black Friday sale
itch.io
LOK Digital is coming to Nintendo Switch on December 9th!
Learn a cryptic language of world-changing words and master their mind-bending effects. Embark on your charming puzzle-solving journey to help the LOK creatures thrive.
Play the demo and pre-order now:
www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
Learn a cryptic language of world-changing words and master their mind-bending effects. Embark on your charming puzzle-solving journey to help the LOK creatures thrive.
Play the demo and pre-order now:
www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
November 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM
LOK Digital is coming to Nintendo Switch on December 9th!
Learn a cryptic language of world-changing words and master their mind-bending effects. Embark on your charming puzzle-solving journey to help the LOK creatures thrive.
Play the demo and pre-order now:
www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
Learn a cryptic language of world-changing words and master their mind-bending effects. Embark on your charming puzzle-solving journey to help the LOK creatures thrive.
Play the demo and pre-order now:
www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
Reposted by Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
These are the games that I loved this year so far. I am a person of simple tastes.
November 25, 2025 at 1:06 PM
These are the games that I loved this year so far. I am a person of simple tastes.
Reposted by Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
I've barely posted on this kind of social media anywhere but I have a reason to now. I made a game!!
It's called nuworm and you can play it for free in the browser.
I worked on it over three years, it might take you three hours to experience. cubestudio.itch.io/nuworm
It's called nuworm and you can play it for free in the browser.
I worked on it over three years, it might take you three hours to experience. cubestudio.itch.io/nuworm
November 25, 2025 at 1:33 AM
I've barely posted on this kind of social media anywhere but I have a reason to now. I made a game!!
It's called nuworm and you can play it for free in the browser.
I worked on it over three years, it might take you three hours to experience. cubestudio.itch.io/nuworm
It's called nuworm and you can play it for free in the browser.
I worked on it over three years, it might take you three hours to experience. cubestudio.itch.io/nuworm
Both LOK Digital and Spooky Express were mentioned in @polygon.com 's latest article on mobile games. Thanks for the shout out!
www.polygon.com/game-awards-...
www.polygon.com/game-awards-...
We need to talk about The Game Awards' Best Mobile nominees
High-profile free-to-play games have transformed the category in recent years
www.polygon.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Both LOK Digital and Spooky Express were mentioned in @polygon.com 's latest article on mobile games. Thanks for the shout out!
www.polygon.com/game-awards-...
www.polygon.com/game-awards-...
Reposted by Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
Literally EVERY parent should ban Roblox
Every parent whose career has to do with online safety also bans Roblox.
Every game designer parent I know bans Roblox for their kids
November 22, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Literally EVERY parent should ban Roblox
Reposted by Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
Its AdventureX time! 🧡
I'll be talking about puzzles at 2.15pm!
I'll be talking about puzzles at 2.15pm!
November 22, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Its AdventureX time! 🧡
I'll be talking about puzzles at 2.15pm!
I'll be talking about puzzles at 2.15pm!
Reposted by Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
I owe mobile games an apology
November 20, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I owe mobile games an apology
Reposted by Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
OH I was not aware this piece was coming out today! Yay for Thursday!
Anyway, my first feature at what’s now @theavclubgames.bsky.social is about Spooky Express and how it made me reckon with my feeling about mobile games:
www.avclub.com/spooky-expre...
Anyway, my first feature at what’s now @theavclubgames.bsky.social is about Spooky Express and how it made me reckon with my feeling about mobile games:
www.avclub.com/spooky-expre...
Spooky Express unravels our complicated feelings about mobile games
Spooky Express, a mobile game about driving a train full of adorable monsters, has us rethinking our aversion to phone games.
www.avclub.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:05 PM
OH I was not aware this piece was coming out today! Yay for Thursday!
Anyway, my first feature at what’s now @theavclubgames.bsky.social is about Spooky Express and how it made me reckon with my feeling about mobile games:
www.avclub.com/spooky-expre...
Anyway, my first feature at what’s now @theavclubgames.bsky.social is about Spooky Express and how it made me reckon with my feeling about mobile games:
www.avclub.com/spooky-expre...
November 21, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Here's the November edition of Thinky Third Thursday, the monthly roundup of thinky puzzle games that have caught our eye: thinkythirdthursday.com/november-2025
Thinky Third Thursday - November 2025
Monthly game recommendations from the puzzle experts at Draknek & Friends
thinkythirdthursday.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Here's the November edition of Thinky Third Thursday, the monthly roundup of thinky puzzle games that have caught our eye: thinkythirdthursday.com/november-2025
Draknek & Friends Official Podcast Episode 41 featuring @adamdegrandis.bsky.social is out now! While Syrenne was on a much-needed vacation, Alan took the opportunity to chat to Adam for an hour about all things game dev!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=smrC...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=smrC...
Episode 41: Alan and Adam deGrandis have a rambly chat
YouTube video by Draknek & Friends
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Draknek & Friends Official Podcast Episode 41 featuring @adamdegrandis.bsky.social is out now! While Syrenne was on a much-needed vacation, Alan took the opportunity to chat to Adam for an hour about all things game dev!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=smrC...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=smrC...
Reposted by Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
It's the fourth and final day of #CozyQuest2025 and it's a packed one!
We've got a day of the coziest puzzle games around starting right now, then join us on YouTube at 4pm GMT for the Cozy Quest Awards!
youtu.be/iFNUQzyP2is
We've got a day of the coziest puzzle games around starting right now, then join us on YouTube at 4pm GMT for the Cozy Quest Awards!
youtu.be/iFNUQzyP2is
November 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM
It's the fourth and final day of #CozyQuest2025 and it's a packed one!
We've got a day of the coziest puzzle games around starting right now, then join us on YouTube at 4pm GMT for the Cozy Quest Awards!
youtu.be/iFNUQzyP2is
We've got a day of the coziest puzzle games around starting right now, then join us on YouTube at 4pm GMT for the Cozy Quest Awards!
youtu.be/iFNUQzyP2is
Reposted by Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
I find this thumbnail triggering because I instinctively know this isn't a valid solution! And I know that because I've put 13 hours into Spooky Express so far, and sometimes I'm seeing tracks laid out when I close my eyes.
This spiritual successor to Cosmic Express has some satisfying, snappy puzzles!
A spiritual successor to Cosmic Express with spooktacular twists! (Spooky Express)
It hardly needs saying when its made by Draknek & Friends, but: Spooky Express is a great game! I'm a lot further in my actual playthrough and the game continues to introduce great new mechanics alongside some super satisfying, snappy puzzles. And now that I'm getting to the optional advanced puzzl
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I find this thumbnail triggering because I instinctively know this isn't a valid solution! And I know that because I've put 13 hours into Spooky Express so far, and sometimes I'm seeing tracks laid out when I close my eyes.
It snowed today in London... You know what that means for A Good Snowman is Hard To Build ☃️
Pay what the weather is!
draknek.itch.io/a-good-snowman
Pay what the weather is!
draknek.itch.io/a-good-snowman
November 19, 2025 at 3:38 PM
It snowed today in London... You know what that means for A Good Snowman is Hard To Build ☃️
Pay what the weather is!
draknek.itch.io/a-good-snowman
Pay what the weather is!
draknek.itch.io/a-good-snowman
The year is almost over, have you had your I-want-to-be-the-kind-of-person-who-reads-this-but-it-turns-out-I'm-not-and-I-feel-bad book amnesty yet? It's time to free up that space on your bedside table!
November 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
The year is almost over, have you had your I-want-to-be-the-kind-of-person-who-reads-this-but-it-turns-out-I'm-not-and-I-feel-bad book amnesty yet? It's time to free up that space on your bedside table!
Reposted by Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
I loved Strange Jigsaws and I love Fleb www.polygon.com/strange-jigs...
With Strange Jigsaw, puzzlemaker Fleb wants getting stumped to feel like a gift
'I would like people who have never played puzzle games before to be able to complete the game'
www.polygon.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I loved Strange Jigsaws and I love Fleb www.polygon.com/strange-jigs...
Reposted by Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
Again I have to advocate for this game on the basis that the zombies say "traaaains" when you pick them up. Also because it's very cute and lots of fun. (I was gifted a key)
It's #ScreenshotSaturday & here's a look at our recently released puzzle game, Spooky Express!
All the passengers are dying to ride! Don’t let them miss their stops: they may be monsters, but they still have places to be and people to eat– er, we mean meet!
store.steampowered.com/app/3352310/...
All the passengers are dying to ride! Don’t let them miss their stops: they may be monsters, but they still have places to be and people to eat– er, we mean meet!
store.steampowered.com/app/3352310/...
November 15, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Again I have to advocate for this game on the basis that the zombies say "traaaains" when you pick them up. Also because it's very cute and lots of fun. (I was gifted a key)
It's #ScreenshotSaturday & here's a look at our recently released puzzle game, Spooky Express!
All the passengers are dying to ride! Don’t let them miss their stops: they may be monsters, but they still have places to be and people to eat– er, we mean meet!
store.steampowered.com/app/3352310/...
All the passengers are dying to ride! Don’t let them miss their stops: they may be monsters, but they still have places to be and people to eat– er, we mean meet!
store.steampowered.com/app/3352310/...
November 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM
It's #ScreenshotSaturday & here's a look at our recently released puzzle game, Spooky Express!
All the passengers are dying to ride! Don’t let them miss their stops: they may be monsters, but they still have places to be and people to eat– er, we mean meet!
store.steampowered.com/app/3352310/...
All the passengers are dying to ride! Don’t let them miss their stops: they may be monsters, but they still have places to be and people to eat– er, we mean meet!
store.steampowered.com/app/3352310/...
Reposted by Alan Hazelden / Draknek & Friends
This is one of my favorite puzzle games!! Wonderful style and atmosphere, effortlessly enjoyable.
The temperature is getting colder here in London, so this is an excellent time to remind you that every hour, the monster goes out to the weather station in London to check the temperature and sets the price for A Good Snowman is Hard to Build to match the weather.
draknek.itch.io/a-good-snowman
draknek.itch.io/a-good-snowman
A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build by Draknek & Friends, Benjamin Davis
Pay what the temperature is: 16.3°C = $16.30!
draknek.itch.io
November 14, 2025 at 3:47 PM
This is one of my favorite puzzle games!! Wonderful style and atmosphere, effortlessly enjoyable.