Maynard Hearns
@maynardhearns.bsky.social
I make games for braver and kinder adults | previously Walt Disney Imagineering & Insomniac Games | Narrative Designer | Writer
Pinned
Maynard Hearns
@maynardhearns.bsky.social
· Oct 29
Heya! I'm Maynard! Narrative Designer (read: Game Writer + Game Designer) and currently directing my own Game, Courier: Dragons Within. Previously Disney Imagineering and Insominac Games, and looking to make games and play experiences for braver and kinder adults.
*Resisting the urge to ask for his letterboxd*
September 10, 2025 at 3:37 AM
*Resisting the urge to ask for his letterboxd*
96 hours into expedition 33 send help.
May 12, 2025 at 1:19 AM
96 hours into expedition 33 send help.
Bikes, Dragons, and Inner Healing.
store.steampowered.com/app/3353230/...
#gamedev, #indiegame, #Nature, #Masculinity
store.steampowered.com/app/3353230/...
#gamedev, #indiegame, #Nature, #Masculinity
May 1, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Bikes, Dragons, and Inner Healing.
store.steampowered.com/app/3353230/...
#gamedev, #indiegame, #Nature, #Masculinity
store.steampowered.com/app/3353230/...
#gamedev, #indiegame, #Nature, #Masculinity
Underrated.
April 27, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Underrated.
Being a Creative Director means...
(a living thread, maybe)
(a living thread, maybe)
April 25, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Being a Creative Director means...
(a living thread, maybe)
(a living thread, maybe)
"Don't think about saving the world. Think about saving just one person."
Happy birthday, Superman. You fight crime, monsters, would-be conquerers, the arrogant, the cruel, the heartless. You don't use your power to bully or enslave. Instead, your greatest superpowers are compassion and hope. Your quiet moments - like this - are your loudest. You are the gold standard.
Superman and the Jumper
Discover the magic of the internet at Imgur, a community powered entertainment destination. Lift your spirits with funny jokes, trending memes, entertaining gifs, inspiring stories, viral videos, and ...
imgur.com
April 18, 2025 at 4:19 PM
"Don't think about saving the world. Think about saving just one person."
Reposted by Maynard Hearns
I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.
April 18, 2025 at 1:02 AM
I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.
My 9 grade (and later 12th grade) English teacher took my poem written in 5 minutes, read it aloud in to the class, and then brought ANOTHER teacher in to read it aloud. He kept it. That was the only compliment I got that week, and it changed my life.
A few teachers in middle & high school asked to keep a copy of an essay I wrote to use as a positive example paper for future classes.
It’s really no wonder that I thought my badly written first 2 drafts of Sidetracked were hot shit. (Writing essays & writing fiction are two different skillsets.)
It’s really no wonder that I thought my badly written first 2 drafts of Sidetracked were hot shit. (Writing essays & writing fiction are two different skillsets.)
Thinking of a 7th grade teacher Mrs. Schupp, who read my paper out loud to the class, praised my writing style in a essay about Lancelot, lording it over the rest of them that this is how she wanted it. I was never the same
April 16, 2025 at 7:26 PM
My 9 grade (and later 12th grade) English teacher took my poem written in 5 minutes, read it aloud in to the class, and then brought ANOTHER teacher in to read it aloud. He kept it. That was the only compliment I got that week, and it changed my life.
I am now the dude on your discord server who shares likedin posts in the meme channel 😞
April 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I am now the dude on your discord server who shares likedin posts in the meme channel 😞
You first.
April 12, 2025 at 6:01 AM
You first.
Reposted by Maynard Hearns
Reposted by Maynard Hearns
This is a big deal. Spread the word. But it’s tiny compared to the totality of what’s happening at NIH. Cure Research for all cancers, Alzheimer’s, everything is being gutted. Intentionally. It’s all getting burned to the ground but the news isn’t getting out. The new cures won’t be there for you.
I would be making a big deal out of this if I were an elected Democrat
NIH scientists have a cancer breakthrough. Layoffs are delaying it.
A big step forward in cancer therapy has been slowed by layoffs and new restrictions at the National Institutes of Health, where it was developed.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 7, 2025 at 2:59 AM
This is a big deal. Spread the word. But it’s tiny compared to the totality of what’s happening at NIH. Cure Research for all cancers, Alzheimer’s, everything is being gutted. Intentionally. It’s all getting burned to the ground but the news isn’t getting out. The new cures won’t be there for you.
I...
Every sentence was more exciting than the last.
Every sentence was more exciting than the last.
love this rubric
April 7, 2025 at 2:40 AM
I...
Every sentence was more exciting than the last.
Every sentence was more exciting than the last.
In the chronicles of me *finally* returning to playing games after 3 years of grad school, I've been playing The Great Ace Attorney Chronies, and oh MAN I love how that series handles verbs like i cross examination, deduction, and investigation.
These internal verbs are so underrated imo.
These internal verbs are so underrated imo.
April 7, 2025 at 2:32 AM
In the chronicles of me *finally* returning to playing games after 3 years of grad school, I've been playing The Great Ace Attorney Chronies, and oh MAN I love how that series handles verbs like i cross examination, deduction, and investigation.
These internal verbs are so underrated imo.
These internal verbs are so underrated imo.
Oof. I see it, and oof.
I don't know how to structure the argument, but "Souls games focused on parry mechanics have dominated the market mostly because parry is the least specific-skill-required form of combat that never the less makes you Feel skilled" would be a fun article that would piss off a whole bunch of dudes
April 6, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Oof. I see it, and oof.
Reposted by Maynard Hearns
as a games industry, we need to collectively ease off making distractions and start making engagements
we are the storytellers of our generation
those who will shape the future spend more time with our stories - our thoughts - than any other medium
let us inspire empathy, self-belief and action
we are the storytellers of our generation
those who will shape the future spend more time with our stories - our thoughts - than any other medium
let us inspire empathy, self-belief and action
April 6, 2025 at 6:05 PM
as a games industry, we need to collectively ease off making distractions and start making engagements
we are the storytellers of our generation
those who will shape the future spend more time with our stories - our thoughts - than any other medium
let us inspire empathy, self-belief and action
we are the storytellers of our generation
those who will shape the future spend more time with our stories - our thoughts - than any other medium
let us inspire empathy, self-belief and action
Take your hopes and dreams seriously enough to look foolish.
April 6, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Take your hopes and dreams seriously enough to look foolish.
Reposted by Maynard Hearns
Kids, OpenAI is the sort of thing that will get you held back at school or put you in the unemployment line. The plagiarism machine will not help you get ahead. If you only take away one message from me, please take that one.
April 4, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Kids, OpenAI is the sort of thing that will get you held back at school or put you in the unemployment line. The plagiarism machine will not help you get ahead. If you only take away one message from me, please take that one.
Reposted by Maynard Hearns
South of Midnight weaves a spellbinding tale of grief, loss, and hope
South of Midnight weaves a spellbinding tale of grief, loss, and hope
Southern folklore makes for a fascinating backdrop to Hazel’s story
www.polygon.com
April 3, 2025 at 4:10 PM
South of Midnight weaves a spellbinding tale of grief, loss, and hope
Reposted by Maynard Hearns
I reviewed South of Midnight and I'm floored by it. It has some of the most beautiful level design and art around; the narrative is hauntingly strong and honors Southern Gothic literature perfectly. While the gameloop is repetitive, I never wanted to put it down.
My review:
My review:
REVIEW: 'South Of Midnight' Is A Love Letter To An Overlooked Community - But Why Tho?
Compulsion Games has created a love letter to the South, to its beauty and its stories in South of Midnight.
butwhytho.net
April 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
I reviewed South of Midnight and I'm floored by it. It has some of the most beautiful level design and art around; the narrative is hauntingly strong and honors Southern Gothic literature perfectly. While the gameloop is repetitive, I never wanted to put it down.
My review:
My review:
Reposted by Maynard Hearns
There’s a reason why part of a handlers job is just keeping reality set in stone for an undercover/asset etc. people aren’t wired to operate that way
we are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.
we are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.
People overestimate the role of cynicism and underestimate sincerity. If you say something every day for a decade, you'll probably come to believe it eventually.
April 3, 2025 at 6:40 AM
There’s a reason why part of a handlers job is just keeping reality set in stone for an undercover/asset etc. people aren’t wired to operate that way
we are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.
we are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.
Reposted by Maynard Hearns
I’ve got a new mission in my career: supporting and helping other marginalised people to fund game studios and bring them to success. ⭐️
Working with other amazing people on this! 🔥
Working with other amazing people on this! 🔥
March 31, 2025 at 8:00 AM
I’ve got a new mission in my career: supporting and helping other marginalised people to fund game studios and bring them to success. ⭐️
Working with other amazing people on this! 🔥
Working with other amazing people on this! 🔥
Reposted by Maynard Hearns
Freddie Mercury didn't go into the studio and nail the vocals for "The Show Must Go On" in one take while dying of AIDS for you to despair and give up now. Take the time you need, but then get up and get back out there.
The show must go on.
The show must go on.
February 28, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Freddie Mercury didn't go into the studio and nail the vocals for "The Show Must Go On" in one take while dying of AIDS for you to despair and give up now. Take the time you need, but then get up and get back out there.
The show must go on.
The show must go on.
Reposted by Maynard Hearns
Game writers! If you were laid off, @marykwrites.bsky.social @alexmakesstuffup.bsky.social & I want to help out with portfolio, sample, or resume reviews. Just respond to this post with a number between 1 & 1000 and we'll select a few folks for a review. For free, obv.
a woman says i 'm happy to help in a yellow circle
Alt: gif: Alexis Rose from Schitt's Creek saying "I'm happy too help."
media.tenor.com
February 26, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Game writers! If you were laid off, @marykwrites.bsky.social @alexmakesstuffup.bsky.social & I want to help out with portfolio, sample, or resume reviews. Just respond to this post with a number between 1 & 1000 and we'll select a few folks for a review. For free, obv.