Michał Chwistek
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kwisc.bsky.social
Michał Chwistek
@kwisc.bsky.social
Lead Game Designer in Polished Games (Be My Horde). Writing about game design and game dev. Previously game journalist for over 10 years.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2499520/
Dzięki. Wygląda super:)
September 4, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Nine Sols is great. Amazing boss fights design:)
February 1, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Number of units is definitely one of the biggest problem and at the same time the best thing in games about necromancy:D

We don’t have any limit yet but it can cost… some frames ^^

PS. Screenshot from one of our players

PS2. Good luck with the game. Looks great:)
February 1, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Jedynka jest super:) Idealne połączenie story, kości i muzyki. A do tego gra daje super swobodę w kierowaniu losami swojej postaci.

Kiedyś się rozpisałem o tym trochę więcej na blogu: kwiscgamedesign.substack.com/p/game-desig...
Game Design In "Citizen Sleeper"
Większość gier RPG opiera się na dwóch podstawowych fundamentach: walce oraz wyborach dokonywanych w trakcie dialogów.
kwiscgamedesign.substack.com
January 31, 2025 at 6:47 PM
I misunderstood “too simplistic” in your previous post;)
January 31, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The post isn’t entirely serious, but the music in Astro is awesome:p

But tbh I would never consider any form of art inferior just because it’s simple:>
January 31, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Taki jest plan. Może uda się dzisiaj coś dodać. Zawsze czasu brak:(
January 27, 2025 at 7:38 AM
7️⃣ Don’t flip someone’s idea upside down. Suggest alternatives, but focus on improving their vision rather than tearing it apart.

Supporting others’ ideas will lead to better teamwork and, ultimately, better results.
January 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
6️⃣ Pick your battles. Don’t argue endlessly over trivial things like an NPC’s hat color. Save your energy for important matters.

When you let small things go, compromise becomes easier on bigger, more critical issues.
January 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
…If you must draw or write something, keep it basic—just enough to suggest a solution. A specialist will take your idea and make it 100x better. Trust me, I’ve made that mistake.

5️⃣ You’re not always right. Listen to arguments. Better solutions lead to better games, not personal wins.
January 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
3️⃣ Avoid giving ready-made solutions. Let the other person have the satisfaction of finding them. Guide them, show the direction, but let them do their work.

4️⃣ Never try to outdo an expert in their field. Your quick fixes will rarely be better…
January 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
1️⃣ If you’re not an expert in a field, say so. Frame your comments as suggestions, not gospel truths. No one knows everything.

2️⃣ Point out issues, but also highlight positives. Maybe it’s a great idea with poor execution—or great execution with a flawed concept.
January 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
…Use the power of solid arguments (as I discussed in part 1 of this series), but even that might not always be enough.

Your tone and approach matter. This skill takes practice—and mistakes—but here are some methods I’ve developed over time:
January 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
GIVING FEEDBACK

Giving feedback is even harder than spotting issues—especially in a discipline you’re not an expert in.

No one likes a designer who “knows everything” but can’t draw a proper circle. How you deliver feedback is as important as what you say…
January 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
3️⃣ Be aware of your limitations. I love giving feedback, but I know I’m clueless about music. Luckily, I rely on other designer and our tester for that (shoutout to Kuba and Ania!).

Being honest about your expertise makes your feedback more collaborative…
January 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
…This is why it helps if a designer has a general knowledge of different disciplines:

1️⃣ They don’t need to draw, but should know what style supports their design, find references, or explain what doesn’t work—and why.

2️⃣ The more they know about art, music, writing, UI, directing, etc., the better.
January 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
…Designers can notice things a artist might miss—not because they lack skill, but because they don’t understand gameplay on the same level.

The best scenario? An artist who’s also a strong designer. (Shoutout to @dushka-techart.bsky.social from @polishedgames!) But that’s not always possible…
January 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM