Efe "Redleader" Pinar
efepinar.bsky.social
Efe "Redleader" Pinar
@efepinar.bsky.social
The Bard of Numbers.

I have opinions on video games, and the data to back it up.

Gamer, storyteller, data expert. 🎮
Pinned
I am a data analyst in video games, and a gamer - nice to meet you!

I give my opinions on news, trends in gaming and new releases based on data & my experiences.

Follow for knowledge bits, and @ me with any questions on data and games! 🎮

#promosky #gaming #data #analytics #gamedev #indiedev
It is GotY time. Team Cherry is on stage. I grab the microphone.

"Yo Ari, I'm really happy for you, imma let you finish but Sandfall had one of the best video games of all time…one of the best video games of all time!"

JK, whomever wins the real winner is us gamers!

#goty #silksong #gaming
September 8, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Do you use upper case or lower case in SQL?

Personally, I don't like yelling at my database.

#data #sql #datascience #dataengineering
August 21, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I need to leave this for history. With how much of Hideo Kojima we are learning about these days... I am getting the same vibes from him as Elon Musk. Early SpaceX times Elon.

#gaming #kojima
July 31, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Shareholder: So how will you monetize the game? Box sales, MTX, ads,...?

Activision: Yes.

A $70 game that has a monthly battle pass, cosmetics and ads? Yikes.

#callofduty #greed
June 1, 2025 at 5:53 AM
This didn't age well, but I had no idea #nintendo would double down...

The new T&Cs are horrible, hostile towards consumers, and I am fairly certain it is illegal.

You just can't put a clause that says "you can't sue us". This will be fun to follow in a dystopian way.

#gamingnews #gaming
Some people went crazy over the $80 price tag on #Switch2 games, but why? Nintendo games are some of the most replayable or discovery heavy games which warrant that price increase.

Gamers will pay, because most of them purchase based on "fun per dollar".

#nintendo #gaming #pricing #mariokart
May 12, 2025 at 6:57 AM
PSA: If you love Expedition 33, it does not mean you like JRPGs. Don't feel pressured 😄

Hades was like this too. People thought they liked roguelites, but they actually just liked Hades.

"For those who come after..."

#jrpg #masterpiece #expedition33
May 10, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is fucking amazing.

The story is so unique and the execution is top notch. This makes the game so evocative.

And I am loving every second and every type of feeling it evokes.

It is a masterpiece.

#expedition33 #aagames
May 4, 2025 at 8:17 AM
After going technical, let's go subjective for today's #tipoftheday 🎮

To achieve immersion, there is a fine balance between core loop - progression - story (or narrative).

You must have all 3 and they need to work well together (1/2)

#gamedev #indiedev #solodev
April 29, 2025 at 7:47 PM
A bit technical #tipoftheday for #gamedev

Telemetry is very important to understand, balance and improve your game.

But what is it? When a player collects loot, you send an info to your server: "Player X got item Y at this time".

It is watching how your game is played!

#solodev #indiedev
April 28, 2025 at 7:30 PM
#tipoftheday today may sound treason-y, but...

You kinda need a publisher for your game 🎮 Publisher does not mean big names, huge budgets, etc.

It is someone who can match your game to your players.

PublishING isn't evil; only some publishers are 🖤

#gamedev #solodev #indiedev #publisher
April 27, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Back with the #tipoftheday! 🎮Game feel is much, much more important than realism.

Even in hardcore simulation games, you will make decisions that steer away from realism and that is completely ok.

Let game feel be your guide; not 'is this realistic'.

#gamedev #indiedev #solodev
April 26, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Meaningless hype on A.I. is about to take the top spot in my "things that I hate" list.

Current top spot is "subscriptions for everything". But it is getting real close.

If I see one more vibe coder dumping sensitive data in ChatGPT to analyse...

#ai #hype #bs
April 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Not all game genres are equal when making your first game 🎮

Rule of thumb: development and balancing gets harder with higher gameplay intensity.

You can totally do it - but don't be afraid to split the game into chunks and develop one at a time!

#tipoftheday #gamedev #indiedev #solodev
April 24, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Base #tipoftheday: "pixel" is not a clear art style; it is a complex type of art and you still need to get specific.

Real #tipoftheday: being specific and clear really matters! You will have a much easier time coding the more specific you are.

Don't gloss over details! 🎮

#gamedev #indiedev
April 23, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Now THIS is a great collaboration!

www.blizzard.com/en-gb/diablo...

Two dark, desperate, demonic worlds. A match in tone, emotion, and badass-ery.

In fact, Diablo might be outclassed here 😄

#gaming #gamingnews #collab
Diablo x Berserk Collaboration
Coming soon to Diablo IV and Diablo Immortal.
www.blizzard.com
April 23, 2025 at 7:58 AM
A beautiful gesture; what the industry needs. Bethesda gifts Oblivion Remastered to Skyblivion team 🖤

They didn't need to do this, and I am sure most companies wouldn't. So let's acknowledge and praise it!

Good job @bethesdastudios.com - you are awesome!

#oblivion #gaming

tinyurl.com/2s322r82
Bethesda Just Gave A Touching Gift To Skyblivion Following Oblivion Remastered's Launch
Definitely no bad blood between the two here.
tinyurl.com
April 23, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Today's #tipoftheday is going to be.. difficult to solve, especially for a #solodev.

You can't judge for your game's difficulty. You have all the information, and tons of practice. You need someone else to test your game 🎮

Generate #steam keys, and distribute them everywhere!

#gamedev #indiedev
April 22, 2025 at 4:06 PM
I love Devolver games (esp. Cult of the Lamb), and I love data - so this was a fun read 😍🎮

Up until the part about their plans for the future. Layoffs? Really?

It seems they took many pages from AAA publishing playbook. Wish they weren't the wrong pages.

#indiedev #gamedev

tinyurl.com/mud2feaz
Devolver Digital reveals which IPs and platform have made the most money as it shares its future strategy | VGC
Devolver has listed its top 10 franchises by revenue…
tinyurl.com
April 22, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Motivation helps in many more ways than just a #tipoftheday, so.

🎮 All of you out there working on a game, or YOUR OWN game: you are doing an amazing job!

You are doing something very few corporations, letalone people, dare to do.

And you are crushing it. 🤜🤛

#indiedev #solodev #mondaymotivation
April 21, 2025 at 1:09 PM
🎮 Your game got a great core loop, and now it is time to test the progression and monetisation - but how? #tipoftheday

You can go continuous (Early Access) vs periodic. In EA you get constant feedback on iterations, while 1-2 betas is easier and more in your control!

#gamedev #indiedev #solodev
April 20, 2025 at 11:26 AM
I am seeing a bunch of posts on Reddit on Path of Exile 2, and it's shortcomings.

My read on #poe2 based on my experience: they just upped the complexity while they were trying to add depth.

Result: Too difficult to get into, too hard to balance.
April 19, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Today’s #tipoftheday is on developing the technical skills for game dev 🎮

One of the best ways to learn is… shamelessly copying other games.

I like card games, so I built a Hearthstone clone with no art - just wireframes.

Mimicking is the fastest way to get better!

#gamedev #indiedev #solodev
April 19, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Today's second #tipoftheday is a self-promo 😄 (hope it's ok!)

Follow me for more daily tips and commentary on gaming industry news! 🎮🏭

For the followers; are there any topics you would like to learn more or want tips on? Any questions? Let me know!

#gamedev #indiedev #solodev #data #gameanalysis
April 18, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Game economy is not just item and currency related 🎮📈

At its core, players put in time & effort and they gain skill and progress. That trade is your true game economy!

Your XP, your ranked points, etc. are all currencies - so treat them as such.

#tipoftheday #gamedev #indiedev #solodev
April 18, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Time to get more practical with this #tipoftheday (1/2)

You need to set the pacing and the session length of your game - not the player.

Determine how long you can play that game in one sitting. Then, add natural end-points to session ends

Example in (2/2)

#gamedev #indiedev #solodev #gaming
April 17, 2025 at 7:33 PM