Aaron Koss - "TOWST: The One Who Sees Things"
@theonewhoponder.bsky.social
I love games. I love love.
Creating "TOWST", a first-person, story-rich, non-linear, rule-discovery, knowledge-based, puzzle-game, inspired-by the-bests. May contain humor.
Wishlist: s.team/a/3248630
Discord: discord.gg/cWhZwckXU3
Creating "TOWST", a first-person, story-rich, non-linear, rule-discovery, knowledge-based, puzzle-game, inspired-by the-bests. May contain humor.
Wishlist: s.team/a/3248630
Discord: discord.gg/cWhZwckXU3
I feel weirdly proud when instead of procrastinating by doing something stupid I procrastinate by doing something stupid and fun.
Bonus points for screaming at the recording, hoping the message can go back in time and reach the player.
(At least I don't need to restraint myself in these scenarios)
Bonus points for screaming at the recording, hoping the message can go back in time and reach the player.
(At least I don't need to restraint myself in these scenarios)
November 7, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I feel weirdly proud when instead of procrastinating by doing something stupid I procrastinate by doing something stupid and fun.
Bonus points for screaming at the recording, hoping the message can go back in time and reach the player.
(At least I don't need to restraint myself in these scenarios)
Bonus points for screaming at the recording, hoping the message can go back in time and reach the player.
(At least I don't need to restraint myself in these scenarios)
I preferred the dots, but that's also because it reminded me of Isles of Sea and Sky metal boxes, those one's also fill up and then count down, as your original design;
maybe changing the sprite/color of the bomb instead of having it only flash could help as indicator for countdown?
maybe changing the sprite/color of the bomb instead of having it only flash could help as indicator for countdown?
November 3, 2025 at 8:17 AM
I preferred the dots, but that's also because it reminded me of Isles of Sea and Sky metal boxes, those one's also fill up and then count down, as your original design;
maybe changing the sprite/color of the bomb instead of having it only flash could help as indicator for countdown?
maybe changing the sprite/color of the bomb instead of having it only flash could help as indicator for countdown?
#screenshotsaturday is just a very quick grab from the editor because I was supposed to finish 0.7 yesterday but I am still missing some core stuff.
October 18, 2025 at 8:42 PM
#screenshotsaturday is just a very quick grab from the editor because I was supposed to finish 0.7 yesterday but I am still missing some core stuff.
October 13, 2025 at 5:26 PM
For #screenshotsaturday and #gamedev, I wanted to share how proud I feel when I manage to use static/baked lights to "fake" lumen/rtx light bounces, without the need of any post process either.
Ain't much, but I do what I can.
Ain't much, but I do what I can.
October 11, 2025 at 8:04 PM
For #screenshotsaturday and #gamedev, I wanted to share how proud I feel when I manage to use static/baked lights to "fake" lumen/rtx light bounces, without the need of any post process either.
Ain't much, but I do what I can.
Ain't much, but I do what I can.
Come solve puzzles in TOWST, we have:
-thermal baths to relax in when you are not solving puzzles
-probably more things
-thermal baths to relax in when you are not solving puzzles
-probably more things
September 28, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Come solve puzzles in TOWST, we have:
-thermal baths to relax in when you are not solving puzzles
-probably more things
-thermal baths to relax in when you are not solving puzzles
-probably more things
I found certain non-puzzle elements to be too flat: red pillows (zabutons) on brown wood.
Activating the colorblind setting will, among other things, change the pillows color to something that works better for everyone.
Activating the colorblind setting will, among other things, change the pillows color to something that works better for everyone.
September 15, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I found certain non-puzzle elements to be too flat: red pillows (zabutons) on brown wood.
Activating the colorblind setting will, among other things, change the pillows color to something that works better for everyone.
Activating the colorblind setting will, among other things, change the pillows color to something that works better for everyone.
Really? Right in front of my steamdeck?
September 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Really? Right in front of my steamdeck?
For once, I come prepared for #screenshotsaturday
Sorry for the awful camera work/movement, it was something I recorded in the spun of the moment. (Also the area is still WIP and missing a lot of beautification).
Sorry for the awful camera work/movement, it was something I recorded in the spun of the moment. (Also the area is still WIP and missing a lot of beautification).
August 30, 2025 at 8:10 AM
For once, I come prepared for #screenshotsaturday
Sorry for the awful camera work/movement, it was something I recorded in the spun of the moment. (Also the area is still WIP and missing a lot of beautification).
Sorry for the awful camera work/movement, it was something I recorded in the spun of the moment. (Also the area is still WIP and missing a lot of beautification).
For #screenshotsaturday I present an aerial view of a WIP area. It ain't much yet, but it capture of what this area is about.
August 9, 2025 at 8:31 PM
For #screenshotsaturday I present an aerial view of a WIP area. It ain't much yet, but it capture of what this area is about.
Someone did not like the top left corner being empty, so I fixed it.
Also my game definitely features Dante from the Divina Commedia.
"O voi che siete due dentro ad un foco, s'io meritai di voi mentre ch'io vissi, s'io meritai di voi assai o poco, quando," su bluesky, i bassi versi scrissi.
Also my game definitely features Dante from the Divina Commedia.
"O voi che siete due dentro ad un foco, s'io meritai di voi mentre ch'io vissi, s'io meritai di voi assai o poco, quando," su bluesky, i bassi versi scrissi.
May 16, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Someone did not like the top left corner being empty, so I fixed it.
Also my game definitely features Dante from the Divina Commedia.
"O voi che siete due dentro ad un foco, s'io meritai di voi mentre ch'io vissi, s'io meritai di voi assai o poco, quando," su bluesky, i bassi versi scrissi.
Also my game definitely features Dante from the Divina Commedia.
"O voi che siete due dentro ad un foco, s'io meritai di voi mentre ch'io vissi, s'io meritai di voi assai o poco, quando," su bluesky, i bassi versi scrissi.
I know the text/fonts are awful, and a hundred different things, but I really like how the shot/composition turned out for this one. A good f placeholder.
Bonus pic in the first comment.
Bonus pic in the first comment.
May 16, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I know the text/fonts are awful, and a hundred different things, but I really like how the shot/composition turned out for this one. A good f placeholder.
Bonus pic in the first comment.
Bonus pic in the first comment.
0.6.X playtesting is going great, with very few bugs;
making some optional WIP puzzles in the meantime;
I like to give a #TOWST spin to easter eggs to make them fit; if you know the reference you will see it, if you don't, you still get a puzzle that make sense.
(still not used to characters limit)
making some optional WIP puzzles in the meantime;
I like to give a #TOWST spin to easter eggs to make them fit; if you know the reference you will see it, if you don't, you still get a puzzle that make sense.
(still not used to characters limit)
March 13, 2025 at 7:53 PM
0.6.X playtesting is going great, with very few bugs;
making some optional WIP puzzles in the meantime;
I like to give a #TOWST spin to easter eggs to make them fit; if you know the reference you will see it, if you don't, you still get a puzzle that make sense.
(still not used to characters limit)
making some optional WIP puzzles in the meantime;
I like to give a #TOWST spin to easter eggs to make them fit; if you know the reference you will see it, if you don't, you still get a puzzle that make sense.
(still not used to characters limit)
TOWST 0.6.0 Story update is finally here. I implemented half of the things half as well as I should have: more than half of what I'd hoped for.
CLOSED PLAYTEST ONLY
Req:
-PC with windows or linux (or a steamdeck)
-like puzzle games
Interested? Write me here or on discord:
discord.gg/cWhZwckXU3
CLOSED PLAYTEST ONLY
Req:
-PC with windows or linux (or a steamdeck)
-like puzzle games
Interested? Write me here or on discord:
discord.gg/cWhZwckXU3
March 1, 2025 at 11:39 AM
TOWST 0.6.0 Story update is finally here. I implemented half of the things half as well as I should have: more than half of what I'd hoped for.
CLOSED PLAYTEST ONLY
Req:
-PC with windows or linux (or a steamdeck)
-like puzzle games
Interested? Write me here or on discord:
discord.gg/cWhZwckXU3
CLOSED PLAYTEST ONLY
Req:
-PC with windows or linux (or a steamdeck)
-like puzzle games
Interested? Write me here or on discord:
discord.gg/cWhZwckXU3
New followers, who dis?
I am Aaron, this is #TOWST #theonewhoseesthings, a work in progress #indie #puzzle curiosity-driven #game with emphasis on story.
These are two latest screenshots that fit in these filters:
-not a spoiler
-not too ugly
-not code
-recent
Wish you all a nice day!
I am Aaron, this is #TOWST #theonewhoseesthings, a work in progress #indie #puzzle curiosity-driven #game with emphasis on story.
These are two latest screenshots that fit in these filters:
-not a spoiler
-not too ugly
-not code
-recent
Wish you all a nice day!
February 12, 2025 at 2:25 PM
New followers, who dis?
I am Aaron, this is #TOWST #theonewhoseesthings, a work in progress #indie #puzzle curiosity-driven #game with emphasis on story.
These are two latest screenshots that fit in these filters:
-not a spoiler
-not too ugly
-not code
-recent
Wish you all a nice day!
I am Aaron, this is #TOWST #theonewhoseesthings, a work in progress #indie #puzzle curiosity-driven #game with emphasis on story.
These are two latest screenshots that fit in these filters:
-not a spoiler
-not too ugly
-not code
-recent
Wish you all a nice day!
#TheOneWhoSeesThings will have a over-world map, interiors, caves and [REDACTED].
Explore at your own pace, it's non-linear. Or don't.
You will be able to finish the game "at any time", unless you feel you are missing something.
#howitstarted #howitsgoing
Explore at your own pace, it's non-linear. Or don't.
You will be able to finish the game "at any time", unless you feel you are missing something.
#howitstarted #howitsgoing
February 1, 2025 at 8:12 PM
#TheOneWhoSeesThings will have a over-world map, interiors, caves and [REDACTED].
Explore at your own pace, it's non-linear. Or don't.
You will be able to finish the game "at any time", unless you feel you are missing something.
#howitstarted #howitsgoing
Explore at your own pace, it's non-linear. Or don't.
You will be able to finish the game "at any time", unless you feel you are missing something.
#howitstarted #howitsgoing
Nier / automata.
January 28, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Nier / automata.
I have signs with name of locations, but hate it. It was also confusing players. I replaced it with a logo for each place. Some are easier, some require a bit more attention.
They look ugly AF for now, but I need to test if they work before making them pretty.
They look ugly AF for now, but I need to test if they work before making them pretty.
January 26, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I have signs with name of locations, but hate it. It was also confusing players. I replaced it with a logo for each place. Some are easier, some require a bit more attention.
They look ugly AF for now, but I need to test if they work before making them pretty.
They look ugly AF for now, but I need to test if they work before making them pretty.
Just sharing a "library_logo_v2_test(1).png" for my first person puzzle game with a couple of hashtags like #solodev #gamedev #indie #unskilled #puzzle #outerwilds #antichamber #thewitness #chromazero #thelooker #theonewhoseesthings #theponderer #ishouldreallygobacktoworkonthegame
January 22, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Just sharing a "library_logo_v2_test(1).png" for my first person puzzle game with a couple of hashtags like #solodev #gamedev #indie #unskilled #puzzle #outerwilds #antichamber #thewitness #chromazero #thelooker #theonewhoseesthings #theponderer #ishouldreallygobacktoworkonthegame
Making a first person puzzle adventure inspired by Outer Wilds, The Witness and Antichamber (and more, really I have a neat excel dedicated to all of the influences, like Matrix, Nier Automata, Tunic, Noita, old 3d Zelda, The Good Place, Civilizations. How they will all fit together???)
January 22, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Making a first person puzzle adventure inspired by Outer Wilds, The Witness and Antichamber (and more, really I have a neat excel dedicated to all of the influences, like Matrix, Nier Automata, Tunic, Noita, old 3d Zelda, The Good Place, Civilizations. How they will all fit together???)
For anyone curious: old gif, but this is generally how the "dialogue system" would work/look like in my game normally;
January 18, 2025 at 4:58 PM
For anyone curious: old gif, but this is generally how the "dialogue system" would work/look like in my game normally;
I liked the idea of having them look like a planet/system;
January 18, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I liked the idea of having them look like a planet/system;
Adapted the "dialogue system" in my game (The One Who Sees Things) for an easter egg. For copyright and spoilers, it's only meant to "resemble" a certain game, can you guess which? #screenshotsaturday
January 18, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Adapted the "dialogue system" in my game (The One Who Sees Things) for an easter egg. For copyright and spoilers, it's only meant to "resemble" a certain game, can you guess which? #screenshotsaturday
Too late for screenshot saturday, but I do have the infamy of being slow. This (and wherever this path leads) is something I have been working on today, something I had in my head for a very long time and feels good to finally build up and see it take life. #gamdev #indie #puzzle
January 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
There's the 'painting' that "looks real!", and the 'real' that "almost looks like a painting!". Then there is... whatever this is.
I still do not know how to solve this puzzle.
I still do not know how to solve this puzzle.
December 21, 2024 at 9:44 PM
There's the 'painting' that "looks real!", and the 'real' that "almost looks like a painting!". Then there is... whatever this is.
I still do not know how to solve this puzzle.
I still do not know how to solve this puzzle.