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José Pérez

@jcperezm.bsky.social

120 followers 1.2K following 42 posts

Technology enthusiast 💻 IT Support Manager. Videogames as passion, love game development, especially game design and Pixel Art 🎨 PICO-8 Fan 🕹️ https://www.gamedevpills.com - Weekly newsletter, fuel for gamedev and its industry

www.gamedevpills.com

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · 2d

Ever played a game that made you want to make games?

For me, that was Fez.

This week I explored its art, gameplay and development process

Bonus: Fez reimagined on Pico-8 Palette 🎨

#gamedev #indiedev #Fez #pixelart

A Masterpiece Lost in Its Own Dimension, The Making Of Fez - Masters of Indiedev

The beauty of Fez and the fury of its creator

www.gamedevpills.com

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · 2d

A Masterpiece Lost in Its Own Dimension, The Making Of Fez - Masters of Indiedev

The beauty of Fez and the fury of its creator

www.gamedevpills.com

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · 5d

Learning game development isn’t about finding the perfect engine or watching endless tutorials

it’s about small wins, patience, and discipline. Because it is a complex area.

I’ve gathered a few lessons and reflections that might help you stay on track too.

#gamedev #indiedev #learning

What I Learned After Failing, Restarting, and Building Games Again

How I turned frustration into progress through discipline, limitations, and small wins

open.substack.com

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Reposted by José Pérez

Teddy Dief @teddydief.com · 9d

game design is such an embarrassingly human endeavor. you stumble through iterations, lost in the woods like 20 times even tho this happened on your last game. The real magical games somehow feel like… the result of that process. Something was FOUND after the SEARCHING. So cool. Let’s keep doing it

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · 9d

We don’t just remember the games — we remember how they felt in our hands.

My new post dives into how controllers shaped our connection with games.

Read more here 👇

#gamedev #gamefeel

Design Starts in Your Hands: How Input Shapes Play

Understanding the silent dialogue between player and controller

open.substack.com

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · 11d

I really like videogames demos, they are just a tiny version of a whole experience but with a really thoughtful approach, they want you as future player.

I’ve been waiting news about Skate Story and demo is available now!

The aesthetics and abstract essence is selling the game by itself 🤓

Skate Story on Steam

Ollie, kickflip, and grind your way through the ash and smoke of the Underworld as you take on a seemingly impossible quest. Skate fast to destroy demons and save other tortured souls on your journey ...

store.steampowered.com

José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · 12d

Most unfinished games don’t fail because of code — they fail because there’s no structure behind the ideas.

Before art, before code, comes documentation — the invisible bridge between creativity and completion.

My management skills at your service, for free. 👇

#gamedev #indiedev #methodology

Every Great Game Starts with Words, Not Code

Turning ideas into structure through documentation and pre-production, our secret handcrafted Game Dev Framework

open.substack.com

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · 16d

RPG Maker MV released on 2015 is still a really decent tool and it is at 85% discount store.steampowered.com/app/363890/R... (3/3)

Enjoy!

#indiedev #gamedev #rpg

Save 85% on RPG Maker MV on Steam

POWERFUL enough for a developer SIMPLE enough for a child VERSATILE enough for any platform!RPG MAKER MV allows you to make the RPG of your dreams! This latest version includes a host of new featuresa...

store.steampowered.com

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · 16d

Aseprite. It is a must have for 2D pixel artist and hobbyist store.steampowered.com/app/431730/A... (2/3)

I use it on a daily basis as my default editor not only for game assets but for UIs and other material

Tons of videos and documentation to learn

#pixelart #indiedev

Save 20% on Aseprite on Steam

Aseprite is a pixel-art tool to create 2D animations, sprites, and any kind of graphics for games.

store.steampowered.com

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · 16d

Before Steam sales are over (Oct 6th)

I would like to highlight some interesting tools for those willing to do some #gamedev and #art 🧵(1/3)

PicoCAD created by @johanpeitz.com is a tiny tool to create low-poly assets, developed with Pico-8 limitations is a really good creativity playground.

Save 40% on picoCAD on Steam

A tiny modeler for tiny models! Unleash your creativity in retro 3D and find a fun, easy, and accessible way into 3D modelling by focusing on the bare essentials.

store.steampowered.com

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Reposted by José Pérez

Alex Antra - Reconnect / Barely Managing @antranaut.com · 17d

Reconnect Recommends:

This Hit Viral Game From The Early 2000s Is Making A Comeback Next Year

#gaming #videogames

This Hit Viral Game From The Early 2000s Is Making A Comeback Next Year

This article has been curated by Reconnect, the games writing discovery platform.

www.timeextension.com

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · 17d

September by the numbers.

Top Releases, Trending Games, and a few ouch price changes.

Dive into the full Game Dev Pills Industry Snapshot

#gamedev #gamingnews #indiedev #steam

Videogames Industry Snapshot - September 2025

From releases trends to pricing — the state of the industry before GTA VI’s release.

www.gamedevpills.com

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · 20d

Sadly, most conversations about the games industry these days feel negative — layoffs, uncertainty, broken launches.

Now add $80 releases and subscription hikes on top.

I wrote about why pricing became the scariest part of 2025.

#GameIndustry #gamedev

The True Horror Lurking in the Industry: Rising Costs

From Game Pass math to Nintendo’s $90 cartridges, here’s why pricing feels more frightening than ever.

open.substack.com

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Reposted by José Pérez

Alex Kanaris-Sotiriou @kanaratron.bsky.social · 23d

Don't mind me, just setting up my new Dreamcast memory card in the year (checks notes)...2025.

A Dreamcast memory card unit. On the screen it shows me setting the year to 2025

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · 24d

Most studios dream of one breakout.

Sokpop just keeps dropping experiments — and they all feel connected.

That’s identity. That’s coherence.

#gamedev #indiedev #Sokpop #GameDesign

Visual Unity, Playful Spirit: The Sokpop Collective Way

A lens on how Sokpop Collective crafts a recognizable identity across dozens of small games.

open.substack.com

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · 26d

Games aren’t just rules and mechanics—they’re freedom and creativity. I explored this question in my latest post

How would you define play?

#gamedev #playful #toys

What Is The Definition of Play?

Exploring the essence of interaction, fun, and meaning in games

open.substack.com

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · Sep 21

Ever noticed how Gran Turismo isn’t called “The Real Racing Simulator”?

It’s “The Real Driving Simulator.”

A small detail — but connected with the way Japanese Culture make things.

www.gamedevpills.com/p/reading-th...

#gamedev #gamedesign #racing

Reading the Game: The Japanese Spirit Behind Gran Turismo Saga

A journey through Japanese design, spirituality, and the birth of The Real Driving Simulator.

www.gamedevpills.com

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Reposted by José Pérez

Ori-Warui -Wishlist KNUCKLE JET @oleivarrudi.bsky.social · Sep 19

been working on some castle ruins tilesets today. big teslagrad vibes

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · Sep 17

You suddenly get the best idea ever.
You sketch the mechanics, dream about the art, maybe even write a GDD.
Fast forward a few weeks… Nothing moves forward.

That’s the reality for most of us. The trick? 30 minutes a day.

Tiny tasks > big abandoned dreams.

#gamedev #indiedev #timemanagement

Why Did You Stop Working on Your Game? Try Gamedev Timeboxing

Small habits, big results in your gamedev journey.

open.substack.com

José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · Sep 15

A small studio in Seville.
A vision shaped by tradition.
A miracle called Blasphemous.

Full story on Gamedev Pills.

#gamedev #Indiedev #Blasphemous

Holy Imagery, Indie Glory: The Game Kitchen’s Miracle - Masters of Indiedev

How a small Sevillian studio transformed Spain’s sacred traditions into one of indie gaming’s most acclaimed sagas.

open.substack.com

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · Sep 10

Exactly, is a really cool concept as soon as you understand the meaning and purpose

José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · Sep 10

Did you ever coded a player that attacks mid-air by mistake? Or your character keeps swinging their sword forever?

That’s what happens without a Finite State Machine.

How FSMs keep your game logic within a solid structure.

#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign

Finite State Machines: Creating Structure for your Character Control

A clean way to manage every action — from standing still to full combat.

open.substack.com

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · Sep 7

Probably that’s the reason why we all are here, learning through the process, reading to be where the masters are. Bluesky being one of our enablers :)

José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · Sep 7

August Snapshot in games: launches, gaps, and lessons.

Data, trends & context for gamers and devs who want the full picture.

If you like this content, every like & share keeps Gamedevpills.com growing 📈 thanks!

#gamedev #indiedev #gamingindustry

Videogames Industry Snapshot (August 2025)

From releases trends to layoffs — the state of the industry before GTA VI’s release.

open.substack.com

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · Sep 5

It was about time… Freedom to write and explore one of the youngest industries

#gamedev #indiedev #videogames

Gamedev Pills - Doses of Game Design and Industry Insight | José Pérez | Substack

Learning game development and exploring the industry’s shifts — in small doses. Click to read Gamedev Pills - Doses of Game Design and Industry Insight, by José Pérez, a Substack publication. Launched...

gamedevpills.com

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José Pérez @jcperezm.bsky.social · Sep 4

I know, I know... Today is Hollow Knight: Silksong Day — an extremely well-designed title, hidden rooms, challenging enemies, and power-ups.

But you know what else is a power-up?

A Game Jam. 48 hours, one small game.

Have you tried one? Read more on gamedevpills.com

#gamedev #silksong #indiedev

How a Weekend Jam Can Teach You More Than a Month of Tutorials

Where constraints fuel creativity, and failure is part of the lesson.

open.substack.com

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