Jordan Magnuson
@jordanmagnuson.bsky.social
Vagabond game maker. TIGSource, Gametrekking, Loneliness, Game Poems, etc.
https://jordanmagnuson.itch.io/
https://jordanmagnuson.itch.io/
Reposted by Jordan Magnuson
Game design is simple, actually. Except when it isn't. Here are the 12 things you need to know.
Game design is simple, actually
So, let’s just walk through the whole thing, end to end. Here’s a twelve-step program for understanding game design. One: Fun There are a lot of things people call “fun.” But most of them are not useful for getting better at making games, which is usually why people read articles like this. The fun of a bit of confetti exploding in front of you, and the fun of excruciating pain and risk to life and limb as you free climb a cliff are just not usefully paired together.
www.raphkoster.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Game design is simple, actually. Except when it isn't. Here are the 12 things you need to know.
Reposted by Jordan Magnuson
Friendly Reminder: If you're planning to apply to the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant, you have until 23:59 PST TODAY to get your application in ⏰‼️
grants.draknek.org
grants.draknek.org
September 28, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Friendly Reminder: If you're planning to apply to the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant, you have until 23:59 PST TODAY to get your application in ⏰‼️
grants.draknek.org
grants.draknek.org
Straw Dogs is a thoughtful and thought-provoking microgame poem.
Check out this one and all the showcase games at gamepoems.org/showcase
Check out this one and all the showcase games at gamepoems.org/showcase
straw dogs is a microgame-poem i made about cycles, change, and coexistence: wolfchirp.itch.io/straw-dogs
"heaven and earth aren't humane. to them the ten thousand things are straw dogs." –lao tzu, tao te ching
straw dogs is included in this showcase of game poems: gamepoems.org/showcase
"heaven and earth aren't humane. to them the ten thousand things are straw dogs." –lao tzu, tao te ching
straw dogs is included in this showcase of game poems: gamepoems.org/showcase
September 27, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Straw Dogs is a thoughtful and thought-provoking microgame poem.
Check out this one and all the showcase games at gamepoems.org/showcase
Check out this one and all the showcase games at gamepoems.org/showcase
Are you a fan of expressive short-form videogames? Check out the first Game Poems Community Showcase at gamepoems.org/showcase
Please play, share, and leave comments!
Please play, share, and leave comments!
Submissions to Game Poems Community Showcase #1
gamepoems.org
September 26, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Are you a fan of expressive short-form videogames? Check out the first Game Poems Community Showcase at gamepoems.org/showcase
Please play, share, and leave comments!
Please play, share, and leave comments!
In case you're near Winchester on October 5!
Can videogames be poems?: https://discursive.adamprocter.co.uk/2025/09/18/can-videogames-be-poems.html
September 19, 2025 at 12:51 PM
In case you're near Winchester on October 5!
Reposted by Jordan Magnuson
Hark, some news 📢
Pantaloon is broadening its mission of platforming bold & bizarre games by moving into the world of original publishing, as we seek to become a home for misfits.
Gonna thread some COOL BITS & PIECES
Shares hugely appreciated 🙏
#indiedev | #indiegames | #gamedev
Pantaloon is broadening its mission of platforming bold & bizarre games by moving into the world of original publishing, as we seek to become a home for misfits.
Gonna thread some COOL BITS & PIECES
Shares hugely appreciated 🙏
#indiedev | #indiegames | #gamedev
March 6, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Hark, some news 📢
Pantaloon is broadening its mission of platforming bold & bizarre games by moving into the world of original publishing, as we seek to become a home for misfits.
Gonna thread some COOL BITS & PIECES
Shares hugely appreciated 🙏
#indiedev | #indiegames | #gamedev
Pantaloon is broadening its mission of platforming bold & bizarre games by moving into the world of original publishing, as we seek to become a home for misfits.
Gonna thread some COOL BITS & PIECES
Shares hugely appreciated 🙏
#indiedev | #indiegames | #gamedev
Reposted by Jordan Magnuson
After a long journey (appropriate), 🚨 Downcrawl 2E #TTRPG & the Downcrawl Decks are now live for sale in print & digital!! 🚨
* Build a weird, wondrous underworld, alone or together
* Journey System for dangerous travels
* Optional rules for solo or GM-less play
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...
* Build a weird, wondrous underworld, alone or together
* Journey System for dangerous travels
* Optional rules for solo or GM-less play
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...
April 2, 2025 at 4:45 PM
After a long journey (appropriate), 🚨 Downcrawl 2E #TTRPG & the Downcrawl Decks are now live for sale in print & digital!! 🚨
* Build a weird, wondrous underworld, alone or together
* Journey System for dangerous travels
* Optional rules for solo or GM-less play
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...
* Build a weird, wondrous underworld, alone or together
* Journey System for dangerous travels
* Optional rules for solo or GM-less play
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...
Do you make weird, artsy, short-form videogames? Or know someone who does? Check out this new zine project I've been working on (intended to kind of bridge poetry/academia/art world/indie games) - and consider submitting a game for the first issue! www.gamepoems.org
Game Poems Magazine
Game Poems is an online literary magazine dedicated to exploring the artistic and poetic potential of short-form videogames.
The videogame poem is a concept that challenges traditional boundaries betw...
www.gamepoems.org
March 25, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Do you make weird, artsy, short-form videogames? Or know someone who does? Check out this new zine project I've been working on (intended to kind of bridge poetry/academia/art world/indie games) - and consider submitting a game for the first issue! www.gamepoems.org