Jesse Himmelstein
@heavenstone.net
Creating games for discovery, learning, and raising awareness. Designer, developer, and entrepreneur. Lives in Nantes, France
We have a demo of the game, and we’re looking for that very special publisher to finish development.
Streamers too, let us know if you’d like to try it!
Players, if you want to know when the game comes out, join our mailing list!
playcurious.games/subscribe/
3/3
Streamers too, let us know if you’d like to try it!
Players, if you want to know when the game comes out, join our mailing list!
playcurious.games/subscribe/
3/3
June 6, 2025 at 1:03 PM
We have a demo of the game, and we’re looking for that very special publisher to finish development.
Streamers too, let us know if you’d like to try it!
Players, if you want to know when the game comes out, join our mailing list!
playcurious.games/subscribe/
3/3
Streamers too, let us know if you’d like to try it!
Players, if you want to know when the game comes out, join our mailing list!
playcurious.games/subscribe/
3/3
Secret Woods is based on a real place, a forest in southern France with incredible biodiversity. All the creatures are real too!
When you click on an objective, we give hints about where they might be hiding. This “genette” likes to stay up high.
2/3
When you click on an objective, we give hints about where they might be hiding. This “genette” likes to stay up high.
2/3
June 6, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Secret Woods is based on a real place, a forest in southern France with incredible biodiversity. All the creatures are real too!
When you click on an objective, we give hints about where they might be hiding. This “genette” likes to stay up high.
2/3
When you click on an objective, we give hints about where they might be hiding. This “genette” likes to stay up high.
2/3
Grandma has gone missing in the old forest. Good thing she left you with this map!
Find the lizard under the rock, and the bird nest in the tree. Search by the moonlight. Win stickers. Solve puzzles about food webs. Rekindle old memories.
Maybe they will lead you back to her?
1/3
#PitchYaGame
Find the lizard under the rock, and the bird nest in the tree. Search by the moonlight. Win stickers. Solve puzzles about food webs. Rekindle old memories.
Maybe they will lead you back to her?
1/3
#PitchYaGame
June 6, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Grandma has gone missing in the old forest. Good thing she left you with this map!
Find the lizard under the rock, and the bird nest in the tree. Search by the moonlight. Win stickers. Solve puzzles about food webs. Rekindle old memories.
Maybe they will lead you back to her?
1/3
#PitchYaGame
Find the lizard under the rock, and the bird nest in the tree. Search by the moonlight. Win stickers. Solve puzzles about food webs. Rekindle old memories.
Maybe they will lead you back to her?
1/3
#PitchYaGame
Wouldn't these spritesheets work well as wallpaper for a kids room? #indiegame #gamedev
May 16, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Wouldn't these spritesheets work well as wallpaper for a kids room? #indiegame #gamedev
This Sunday I'm headed to Kraków for the #DigitalDragons #gamedev event.
Despite living in Europe for the past 20 years, this will actually be my first time in Poland, and I'm excited to discover it! I've heard great things about the historic center.
Hit me up if you're there and we can meet!
Despite living in Europe for the past 20 years, this will actually be my first time in Poland, and I'm excited to discover it! I've heard great things about the historic center.
Hit me up if you're there and we can meet!
May 13, 2025 at 7:36 AM
This Sunday I'm headed to Kraków for the #DigitalDragons #gamedev event.
Despite living in Europe for the past 20 years, this will actually be my first time in Poland, and I'm excited to discover it! I've heard great things about the historic center.
Hit me up if you're there and we can meet!
Despite living in Europe for the past 20 years, this will actually be my first time in Poland, and I'm excited to discover it! I've heard great things about the historic center.
Hit me up if you're there and we can meet!
May 6, 2025 at 6:28 AM
We're adding sticker puzzles to our hidden objects game. I just worked on having a nice intro where the pieces fall.
What do you think?
#gamedev
What do you think?
#gamedev
April 24, 2025 at 9:54 AM
We're adding sticker puzzles to our hidden objects game. I just worked on having a nice intro where the pieces fall.
What do you think?
#gamedev
What do you think?
#gamedev
Recently I ran a brainstorming workshop for a game about soil health for the Benchmarks EU project. The game is inspired by Reigns, and players make hard decisions and see how they impact the soil.
After playing the rough prototype, the participants came up with new cards we can integrate.
After playing the rough prototype, the participants came up with new cards we can integrate.
April 17, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Recently I ran a brainstorming workshop for a game about soil health for the Benchmarks EU project. The game is inspired by Reigns, and players make hard decisions and see how they impact the soil.
After playing the rough prototype, the participants came up with new cards we can integrate.
After playing the rough prototype, the participants came up with new cards we can integrate.
I had a blast last week showing Secret Woods at the @londongamesfest.bsky.social.
Most of the attendees were either streamers, publishers, students, or game devs. So I got to have a lot of fun conversations!
Also, who knew that Secret Woods ran on a Steam Deck? I’m impressed!
Most of the attendees were either streamers, publishers, students, or game devs. So I got to have a lot of fun conversations!
Also, who knew that Secret Woods ran on a Steam Deck? I’m impressed!
April 11, 2025 at 9:15 AM
I had a blast last week showing Secret Woods at the @londongamesfest.bsky.social.
Most of the attendees were either streamers, publishers, students, or game devs. So I got to have a lot of fun conversations!
Also, who knew that Secret Woods ran on a Steam Deck? I’m impressed!
Most of the attendees were either streamers, publishers, students, or game devs. So I got to have a lot of fun conversations!
Also, who knew that Secret Woods ran on a Steam Deck? I’m impressed!
I never saw so many game design books in one place as there was at the #GDC shop!
I couldn't resist, and bought 2 that I'm sure to love. "Building Simcity" traces the classic city builder and the history of simulation games. "Game Balance" seems to be a bible on this most difficult of subjects.
I couldn't resist, and bought 2 that I'm sure to love. "Building Simcity" traces the classic city builder and the history of simulation games. "Game Balance" seems to be a bible on this most difficult of subjects.
March 25, 2025 at 7:57 AM
I never saw so many game design books in one place as there was at the #GDC shop!
I couldn't resist, and bought 2 that I'm sure to love. "Building Simcity" traces the classic city builder and the history of simulation games. "Game Balance" seems to be a bible on this most difficult of subjects.
I couldn't resist, and bought 2 that I'm sure to love. "Building Simcity" traces the classic city builder and the history of simulation games. "Game Balance" seems to be a bible on this most difficult of subjects.
Life, the board game, seemed normal at the time, but now it feels more like you're a gangster who held up a bank, kidnapped some kids and is making a run for it.
February 26, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Life, the board game, seemed normal at the time, but now it feels more like you're a gangster who held up a bank, kidnapped some kids and is making a run for it.
I was told that this reflects how the museum business is run.
In many museums, apparently, those running the gift shop are completely separate than those running the exhibits.
In many museums, apparently, those running the gift shop are completely separate than those running the exhibits.
February 6, 2025 at 8:06 AM
I was told that this reflects how the museum business is run.
In many museums, apparently, those running the gift shop are completely separate than those running the exhibits.
In many museums, apparently, those running the gift shop are completely separate than those running the exhibits.
Recently, I went to #MuseumConnections, a trade show for museums that takes place in Paris.
Immediately, I noticed that the show floor was divided into two sections- a smaller one for selling equipment and know-how to build exhibits, and a larger one dedicated to gift shops!
Immediately, I noticed that the show floor was divided into two sections- a smaller one for selling equipment and know-how to build exhibits, and a larger one dedicated to gift shops!
February 6, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Recently, I went to #MuseumConnections, a trade show for museums that takes place in Paris.
Immediately, I noticed that the show floor was divided into two sections- a smaller one for selling equipment and know-how to build exhibits, and a larger one dedicated to gift shops!
Immediately, I noticed that the show floor was divided into two sections- a smaller one for selling equipment and know-how to build exhibits, and a larger one dedicated to gift shops!
The “Roundnet Rules Revolution” brainstormed and analyzed a large number of possible rule changes, with pros and cons for each. They grouped the rules into "packages", and encouraging teams to experiment with them, and give their feedback.
January 30, 2025 at 8:29 AM
The “Roundnet Rules Revolution” brainstormed and analyzed a large number of possible rule changes, with pros and cons for each. They grouped the rules into "packages", and encouraging teams to experiment with them, and give their feedback.
Players have developed killer techniques. In particular, "cut" serves that spin off to the side are so hard to catch that at the latest men's championship, only about 10% of points were rallies.
Instead, most points are either aces or double-faults. The result is a game that’s pretty boring.
Instead, most points are either aces or double-faults. The result is a game that’s pretty boring.
January 30, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Players have developed killer techniques. In particular, "cut" serves that spin off to the side are so hard to catch that at the latest men's championship, only about 10% of points were rallies.
Instead, most points are either aces or double-faults. The result is a game that’s pretty boring.
Instead, most points are either aces or double-faults. The result is a game that’s pretty boring.
#Roundnet - When sports meets #gamedev!
For the past year-and-a-half I’ve been loving playing Roundnet (aka #Spikeball). It’s a new sport that's evolving quickly.
Ironically, this innovation can sometimes lead to the game becoming imbalanced, and losing what made it fun in the first place!
For the past year-and-a-half I’ve been loving playing Roundnet (aka #Spikeball). It’s a new sport that's evolving quickly.
Ironically, this innovation can sometimes lead to the game becoming imbalanced, and losing what made it fun in the first place!
January 30, 2025 at 8:29 AM
#Roundnet - When sports meets #gamedev!
For the past year-and-a-half I’ve been loving playing Roundnet (aka #Spikeball). It’s a new sport that's evolving quickly.
Ironically, this innovation can sometimes lead to the game becoming imbalanced, and losing what made it fun in the first place!
For the past year-and-a-half I’ve been loving playing Roundnet (aka #Spikeball). It’s a new sport that's evolving quickly.
Ironically, this innovation can sometimes lead to the game becoming imbalanced, and losing what made it fun in the first place!
Finally, I did check out the Indie Game Zone, where there were a bunch of game demos. Big shoutout to The Telegraphist from @cubepotato.eu - a rhythm game where you tap out Morse Code to stop Russia invading Poland in the post-WWI years. What a cool idea!
January 27, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Finally, I did check out the Indie Game Zone, where there were a bunch of game demos. Big shoutout to The Telegraphist from @cubepotato.eu - a rhythm game where you tap out Morse Code to stop Russia invading Poland in the post-WWI years. What a cool idea!
My schedule was packed, so I didn’t get to see a lot of talks, but I really enjoyed Jarvis Croft’s presentation on the state of indie publishing. The video game industry is under a lot of strain right now, but it’s good to know that at least some projects are going through!
January 27, 2025 at 8:11 AM
My schedule was packed, so I didn’t get to see a lot of talks, but I really enjoyed Jarvis Croft’s presentation on the state of indie publishing. The video game industry is under a lot of strain right now, but it’s good to know that at least some projects are going through!
Well @pocketgamercom.bsky.social in London was a real blast! I got to meet with a whole bunch of publishers, scouts, as well as some fellow game developers. For the most part, it was people who I don’t normally get to meet at French events.
January 27, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Well @pocketgamercom.bsky.social in London was a real blast! I got to meet with a whole bunch of publishers, scouts, as well as some fellow game developers. For the most part, it was people who I don’t normally get to meet at French events.
5 years! I couldn’t believe it when Ilyes told me it’s been that long that we put out Blockchain Battle as an online class.
From the start, our goal was to explain how the blockchain works, and what makes it interesting from a mathematical and computer science perspective.
1/4
#gamedev #learning
From the start, our goal was to explain how the blockchain works, and what makes it interesting from a mathematical and computer science perspective.
1/4
#gamedev #learning
January 14, 2025 at 8:25 AM
I'm so impressed by the game Aviary Attorney. As a player, it’s just a lot of fun, and as a game designer, I think it provides a masterclass in efficiently - doing a whole lot with little, through an impressive mix of artistic direction, writing, or sound design.
More below...
#indiegame #gamedev
More below...
#indiegame #gamedev
January 9, 2025 at 8:09 AM
I'm so impressed by the game Aviary Attorney. As a player, it’s just a lot of fun, and as a game designer, I think it provides a masterclass in efficiently - doing a whole lot with little, through an impressive mix of artistic direction, writing, or sound design.
More below...
#indiegame #gamedev
More below...
#indiegame #gamedev
New year, new text file!
For 10 years now, I've been keeping my notes in text files.
Quick stats on last year's notes: 46453 words, which is 3800 per month, or 127 a day. Not so much, actually...
Anyone else out there use text files for their notes? Do you have better tools or techniques?
For 10 years now, I've been keeping my notes in text files.
Quick stats on last year's notes: 46453 words, which is 3800 per month, or 127 a day. Not so much, actually...
Anyone else out there use text files for their notes? Do you have better tools or techniques?
January 3, 2025 at 10:55 AM
New year, new text file!
For 10 years now, I've been keeping my notes in text files.
Quick stats on last year's notes: 46453 words, which is 3800 per month, or 127 a day. Not so much, actually...
Anyone else out there use text files for their notes? Do you have better tools or techniques?
For 10 years now, I've been keeping my notes in text files.
Quick stats on last year's notes: 46453 words, which is 3800 per month, or 127 a day. Not so much, actually...
Anyone else out there use text files for their notes? Do you have better tools or techniques?
Victory!
When my kids were small, they loved this daily newspaper for children.
And I dreamed of how cool it would be if one day they would read about a game that I made...
Even if my own kids are too old to read it, I guess I can check this one accomplishment off my bucket list.
When my kids were small, they loved this daily newspaper for children.
And I dreamed of how cool it would be if one day they would read about a game that I made...
Even if my own kids are too old to read it, I guess I can check this one accomplishment off my bucket list.
December 17, 2024 at 8:18 AM
Victory!
When my kids were small, they loved this daily newspaper for children.
And I dreamed of how cool it would be if one day they would read about a game that I made...
Even if my own kids are too old to read it, I guess I can check this one accomplishment off my bucket list.
When my kids were small, they loved this daily newspaper for children.
And I dreamed of how cool it would be if one day they would read about a game that I made...
Even if my own kids are too old to read it, I guess I can check this one accomplishment off my bucket list.
New gameplay teaser for "Secret Woods", our game about discovering the hidden marvels of the forest.
#gamedev #indiegame
#gamedev #indiegame
December 11, 2024 at 11:23 AM
New gameplay teaser for "Secret Woods", our game about discovering the hidden marvels of the forest.
#gamedev #indiegame
#gamedev #indiegame