Ben Vance
@buffalovision.bsky.social
games, VR, art, tech 🦬
director&CTO at Windup Minds @windupminds.bsky.social😸
director&CTO at Windup Minds @windupminds.bsky.social😸
☀️Last hurrah for Summer! Bask in the fun with Ember :D☀️
We worked really hard on this - lots of improvements! We're also on sale for a limited time. It's a great time to jump in!
We worked really hard on this - lots of improvements! We're also on sale for a limited time. It's a great time to jump in!
Stay: Forever Home – Update 3 is live!
👗 Ember’s new summer outfits are here!
❗Free Trial Currently in Testing and Available to some users Today!
🛠️ Behind-the-scenes fixes & performance upgrades
www.meta.com/experiences/...
Now’s a great time to jump in 🐾💛
#VRGaming #MetaQuest #CozyGames
👗 Ember’s new summer outfits are here!
❗Free Trial Currently in Testing and Available to some users Today!
🛠️ Behind-the-scenes fixes & performance upgrades
www.meta.com/experiences/...
Now’s a great time to jump in 🐾💛
#VRGaming #MetaQuest #CozyGames
Stay: Forever Home on Meta Quest
Stay: Forever Home is about Ember, a magical creature who comes to live with you. You can play together, go for walks, collect and trade items, and interact with a strange magical world just outside y...
www.meta.com
August 21, 2025 at 3:19 PM
☀️Last hurrah for Summer! Bask in the fun with Ember :D☀️
We worked really hard on this - lots of improvements! We're also on sale for a limited time. It's a great time to jump in!
We worked really hard on this - lots of improvements! We're also on sale for a limited time. It's a great time to jump in!
Very much worth your time!
Prune, my digital bonsai game about cultivating what matters, just turned 10!
In an age of endlessly fractured attention, I still believe it has something to offer--now more than ever. So to celebrate, I'm finally bringing it to PC.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v7c...
In an age of endlessly fractured attention, I still believe it has something to offer--now more than ever. So to celebrate, I'm finally bringing it to PC.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v7c...
Prune - 10 Year Anniversary Trailer
YouTube video by Prune
www.youtube.com
August 15, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Very much worth your time!
Reposted by Ben Vance
We're excited to announce that applications are open for the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant 2025 🎉
The grant will award $15,000 to five thinky puzzle game developers from all over the world, and a year's mentorship with genre veterans.
Deadline: September 28th
More info 👇
grants.draknek.org
The grant will award $15,000 to five thinky puzzle game developers from all over the world, and a year's mentorship with genre veterans.
Deadline: September 28th
More info 👇
grants.draknek.org
August 8, 2025 at 2:12 PM
We're excited to announce that applications are open for the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant 2025 🎉
The grant will award $15,000 to five thinky puzzle game developers from all over the world, and a year's mentorship with genre veterans.
Deadline: September 28th
More info 👇
grants.draknek.org
The grant will award $15,000 to five thinky puzzle game developers from all over the world, and a year's mentorship with genre veterans.
Deadline: September 28th
More info 👇
grants.draknek.org
Reposted by Ben Vance
Stay: Forever Home – Update 2 preview 🎁💨
Coming Tomorrow!
Present Boxes! Unwrap surprises in a new satisfying way!
Here’s a video of the presents in action!
Want more update details and patch notes? Join our Discord: windupminds.com/discord
More cozy features are coming with the full update
Coming Tomorrow!
Present Boxes! Unwrap surprises in a new satisfying way!
Here’s a video of the presents in action!
Want more update details and patch notes? Join our Discord: windupminds.com/discord
More cozy features are coming with the full update
July 23, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Stay: Forever Home – Update 2 preview 🎁💨
Coming Tomorrow!
Present Boxes! Unwrap surprises in a new satisfying way!
Here’s a video of the presents in action!
Want more update details and patch notes? Join our Discord: windupminds.com/discord
More cozy features are coming with the full update
Coming Tomorrow!
Present Boxes! Unwrap surprises in a new satisfying way!
Here’s a video of the presents in action!
Want more update details and patch notes? Join our Discord: windupminds.com/discord
More cozy features are coming with the full update
If you've got a Quest 2, check it out! We poured ourselves into getting this out and have lots more updates coming!
🐾 Stay: Forever Home is now officially available on Quest 2!
Already a favorite on Quest 3/3s, now even more players can meet Ember and step into a cozy world of care, connection, and mixed reality magic.
#VRGaming #MetaQuest2 #CozyGames #VirtualPet #MixedReality #IndieGame
Already a favorite on Quest 3/3s, now even more players can meet Ember and step into a cozy world of care, connection, and mixed reality magic.
#VRGaming #MetaQuest2 #CozyGames #VirtualPet #MixedReality #IndieGame
July 10, 2025 at 1:46 PM
If you've got a Quest 2, check it out! We poured ourselves into getting this out and have lots more updates coming!
Reposted by Ben Vance
I'm late for @windupminds.com highlight; we're exceptionally fortunate to work with Austin Grossman. Austin, Doug Church and I wrote a pitch for cyberpunk MMO, Nightside; 25 years later, a game I wish existed.
#VirtualPet #DigitalPet #SimulationGame #VRGame #MRGame #XRGame #IndieDev #IndieGame
#VirtualPet #DigitalPet #SimulationGame #VRGame #MRGame #XRGame #IndieDev #IndieGame
May 21, 2025 at 7:48 PM
I'm late for @windupminds.com highlight; we're exceptionally fortunate to work with Austin Grossman. Austin, Doug Church and I wrote a pitch for cyberpunk MMO, Nightside; 25 years later, a game I wish existed.
#VirtualPet #DigitalPet #SimulationGame #VRGame #MRGame #XRGame #IndieDev #IndieGame
#VirtualPet #DigitalPet #SimulationGame #VRGame #MRGame #XRGame #IndieDev #IndieGame
Reposted by Ben Vance
How do you set up your room so you can play Mixed Reality games on your Meta Quest 3/3S? 🤔
It's a little more involved than Meta shows you, to get your couch just right! 🛋️
Then you can play our game: vr.meta.me/s/2aq2U7KEq2...
#VirtualPet #VirtualReality #DigitalPet #PetSim #IndieGame #IndieDev
It's a little more involved than Meta shows you, to get your couch just right! 🛋️
Then you can play our game: vr.meta.me/s/2aq2U7KEq2...
#VirtualPet #VirtualReality #DigitalPet #PetSim #IndieGame #IndieDev
May 8, 2025 at 4:07 AM
How do you set up your room so you can play Mixed Reality games on your Meta Quest 3/3S? 🤔
It's a little more involved than Meta shows you, to get your couch just right! 🛋️
Then you can play our game: vr.meta.me/s/2aq2U7KEq2...
#VirtualPet #VirtualReality #DigitalPet #PetSim #IndieGame #IndieDev
It's a little more involved than Meta shows you, to get your couch just right! 🛋️
Then you can play our game: vr.meta.me/s/2aq2U7KEq2...
#VirtualPet #VirtualReality #DigitalPet #PetSim #IndieGame #IndieDev
The game sounds absolutely beautiful thanks to @drenmcdonald.com's tireless efforts. Players frequently mention it as one of their favorite parts!!
Holy crap, @windupminds.com game Stay: Forever Home has gone live and I have more people to spotlight! Today, @drenmcdonald.com. The brilliant Michael Abrash told us @ Oculus, audio & animation extra weight in VR.
#VirtualPet #DigitalPet #SimulationGame #VRGame #MRGame #XRGame #IndieDev #IndieGame
#VirtualPet #DigitalPet #SimulationGame #VRGame #MRGame #XRGame #IndieDev #IndieGame
April 25, 2025 at 1:44 AM
The game sounds absolutely beautiful thanks to @drenmcdonald.com's tireless efforts. Players frequently mention it as one of their favorite parts!!
Our cozy pet sim-game-experiment is now live!
meta.com/experiences/...
We've worked incredibly hard to make Ember lovable... and to love you back! 💗
meta.com/experiences/...
We've worked incredibly hard to make Ember lovable... and to love you back! 💗
April 24, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Our cozy pet sim-game-experiment is now live!
meta.com/experiences/...
We've worked incredibly hard to make Ember lovable... and to love you back! 💗
meta.com/experiences/...
We've worked incredibly hard to make Ember lovable... and to love you back! 💗
a bit about our A++ team! 😻
Studios don't make games. Let's pay attention to the people at @windupminds.bsky.social getting Stay: Forever Home ready for launch! Here's something I value about them. First up, @jukibom.bsky.social, gameplay programmer. #VirtualPet #DigitalPet #SimulationGame #VRGame #MRGame #XRGame #IndieDev
April 21, 2025 at 5:57 PM
a bit about our A++ team! 😻
We have a fancy new trailer dropping tomorrow!
Launch Update! Ember’s almost ready, but we’re taking a little more time to polish things up– our new target date is April 24th when you welcome her to her forever home. 🥳🐾
Catch our trailer at the Ruff Talk VR Showcase this Friday at 10AM PT / 1 PM ET bit.ly/ruff-talk-vr
#VirtualPet #IndieGame
Catch our trailer at the Ruff Talk VR Showcase this Friday at 10AM PT / 1 PM ET bit.ly/ruff-talk-vr
#VirtualPet #IndieGame
Showcase
The 2025 Ruff Talk VR Gaming Showcase
We are thrilled to announce that Ruff Talk VR, the premier father-son hosted VR podcast, is hosting its second annual Ruff Ta…
bit.ly
April 3, 2025 at 6:43 PM
We have a fancy new trailer dropping tomorrow!
this boi
🐸New animal joining Vivarium: Bushveld Rain Frog
It is a funny, cute, and unique pet. I hope you like it.
*Available to be played in the beta test:
vivariumxr.com
#VR #Vivarium #VRgame #RainFrog #Frogs #VirtualReality
It is a funny, cute, and unique pet. I hope you like it.
*Available to be played in the beta test:
vivariumxr.com
#VR #Vivarium #VRgame #RainFrog #Frogs #VirtualReality
March 28, 2025 at 4:28 PM
this boi
Shake off all the dirt!!
If only real life was just as magical as our game, then clean-up time could be as fun as play time! 🤩 April is just around the corner, which means so is the launch of @stayforeverhome.bsky.social 🥳
Wishlist Now: bit.ly/get-a-treat
#VirtualPet #DigitalCompanion #VirtualBeings #VRGame
Wishlist Now: bit.ly/get-a-treat
#VirtualPet #DigitalCompanion #VirtualBeings #VRGame
March 20, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Shake off all the dirt!!
Reposted by Ben Vance
lol, a glimpse of some 'advanced' cosmetics in our game, PLUS a preview of the 'trade board music' featuring 'mossling' vocals. Our little mosslings sing sometimes...
Happy #PiDay Ember, and erm– what an interesting way to eat pizza... bug noted! 😅🍕
Launching in April: bit.ly/get-a-treat
#VirtualPet #DigitalPet #VirtualReality #IndieDev #IndieGame #SmallTeam #BigWins #PiDay2025
Launching in April: bit.ly/get-a-treat
#VirtualPet #DigitalPet #VirtualReality #IndieDev #IndieGame #SmallTeam #BigWins #PiDay2025
March 15, 2025 at 10:37 PM
lol, a glimpse of some 'advanced' cosmetics in our game, PLUS a preview of the 'trade board music' featuring 'mossling' vocals. Our little mosslings sing sometimes...
It's Ember's first GDC as her true self! (she was there last year in prototype form)
Wish I could be there too-- gotta finish up the magic! We're close!!
Wish I could be there too-- gotta finish up the magic! We're close!!
The @windupminds.bsky.social team and Ember have officially arrived at @officialgdc.bsky.social- reach out to our socials for press demo opportunities or where you can play with our adorable fur-ever, best friend!💜🐾✨
Bring the magic home this April: bit.ly/get-a-treat
#VirtualPets #IndieDev #Indie
Bring the magic home this April: bit.ly/get-a-treat
#VirtualPets #IndieDev #Indie
March 17, 2025 at 10:41 AM
It's Ember's first GDC as her true self! (she was there last year in prototype form)
Wish I could be there too-- gotta finish up the magic! We're close!!
Wish I could be there too-- gotta finish up the magic! We're close!!
i have seen the inside of the potato mines🥔
March 13, 2025 at 9:00 PM
i have seen the inside of the potato mines🥔
Excited to share our pet game, Stay: Forever Home, will be in this VR showcase!
See what we've been up to and what's up with Meta Quest, PlayStation VR2, and PC VR titles coming in 2025! youtu.be/0wN0B5utUu4
#VirtualPet #PetSimulation #VirtualRealityPet #IndieGames #CozyGames
See what we've been up to and what's up with Meta Quest, PlayStation VR2, and PC VR titles coming in 2025! youtu.be/0wN0B5utUu4
#VirtualPet #PetSimulation #VirtualRealityPet #IndieGames #CozyGames
March 11, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Excited to share our pet game, Stay: Forever Home, will be in this VR showcase!
See what we've been up to and what's up with Meta Quest, PlayStation VR2, and PC VR titles coming in 2025! youtu.be/0wN0B5utUu4
#VirtualPet #PetSimulation #VirtualRealityPet #IndieGames #CozyGames
See what we've been up to and what's up with Meta Quest, PlayStation VR2, and PC VR titles coming in 2025! youtu.be/0wN0B5utUu4
#VirtualPet #PetSimulation #VirtualRealityPet #IndieGames #CozyGames
Reposted by Ben Vance
This was a REALLY interesting #gamedev problem to solve: A VR frisbee!
It has to only work when you use it properly. How would you implement this?
It has to only work when you use it properly. How would you implement this?
March 10, 2025 at 4:25 PM
This was a REALLY interesting #gamedev problem to solve: A VR frisbee!
It has to only work when you use it properly. How would you implement this?
It has to only work when you use it properly. How would you implement this?
🐺💫
🐾✨First look at player reactions after meeting Ember in Stay: Forever Home
Live from #DICE2025 we’re sharing first impressions of our magical companion in mixed reality. Check it out and tag (Bernie Yee) @tripmaster.bsky.social if you're interested in meeting up while at the conference!
Live from #DICE2025 we’re sharing first impressions of our magical companion in mixed reality. Check it out and tag (Bernie Yee) @tripmaster.bsky.social if you're interested in meeting up while at the conference!
February 13, 2025 at 5:14 AM
🐺💫
polishing & bugfixing, so satifsying
sound on!
sound on!
I absolutely love the polish phase of #gamedev, I'm super pleased with how this inventory turned out ✨
February 12, 2025 at 9:11 PM
polishing & bugfixing, so satifsying
sound on!
sound on!
YESSS - love it!!
Huge feature for both comfort and immersion.
Big props to @jukibom.bsky.social for kicking butt on @stayforeverhome.bsky.social
Huge feature for both comfort and immersion.
Big props to @jukibom.bsky.social for kicking butt on @stayforeverhome.bsky.social
February 11, 2025 at 1:04 AM
YESSS - love it!!
Huge feature for both comfort and immersion.
Big props to @jukibom.bsky.social for kicking butt on @stayforeverhome.bsky.social
Huge feature for both comfort and immersion.
Big props to @jukibom.bsky.social for kicking butt on @stayforeverhome.bsky.social
Game giveaway! There's still a little time tonight!
Join our #MondayMoodBooster giveaway for a chance to win a Stay: Forever Home game key, for Meta Quest!
Rules:
- Like & follow @windupminds.bsky.social and @stayforeverhome.bsky.social
- Post a pet pic with a fun, SFW caption
- Tag us and add #MoodBoosterMonday
- Enter Monday 9 AM–11:59 PM PST
Rules:
- Like & follow @windupminds.bsky.social and @stayforeverhome.bsky.social
- Post a pet pic with a fun, SFW caption
- Tag us and add #MoodBoosterMonday
- Enter Monday 9 AM–11:59 PM PST
February 4, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Game giveaway! There's still a little time tonight!
Reposted by Ben Vance
Join our #MondayMoodBooster giveaway for a chance to win a Stay: Forever Home game key, for Meta Quest!
Rules:
- Like & follow @windupminds.bsky.social and @stayforeverhome.bsky.social
- Post a pet pic with a fun, SFW caption
- Tag us and add #MoodBoosterMonday
- Enter Monday 9 AM–11:59 PM PST
Rules:
- Like & follow @windupminds.bsky.social and @stayforeverhome.bsky.social
- Post a pet pic with a fun, SFW caption
- Tag us and add #MoodBoosterMonday
- Enter Monday 9 AM–11:59 PM PST
February 3, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Join our #MondayMoodBooster giveaway for a chance to win a Stay: Forever Home game key, for Meta Quest!
Rules:
- Like & follow @windupminds.bsky.social and @stayforeverhome.bsky.social
- Post a pet pic with a fun, SFW caption
- Tag us and add #MoodBoosterMonday
- Enter Monday 9 AM–11:59 PM PST
Rules:
- Like & follow @windupminds.bsky.social and @stayforeverhome.bsky.social
- Post a pet pic with a fun, SFW caption
- Tag us and add #MoodBoosterMonday
- Enter Monday 9 AM–11:59 PM PST
Reposted by Ben Vance
In 2014 Dutch scientists left a hamster wheel outside, to see if wild animals would use it like their domesticated counterparts.
The answer: hell yes! 734 visits from wild mice - plus rats, shrews, slugs ("running" being subjective here) & even frogs and snails.
The apparent reason: fun. Just fun.
The answer: hell yes! 734 visits from wild mice - plus rats, shrews, slugs ("running" being subjective here) & even frogs and snails.
The apparent reason: fun. Just fun.
January 27, 2025 at 7:50 PM
In 2014 Dutch scientists left a hamster wheel outside, to see if wild animals would use it like their domesticated counterparts.
The answer: hell yes! 734 visits from wild mice - plus rats, shrews, slugs ("running" being subjective here) & even frogs and snails.
The apparent reason: fun. Just fun.
The answer: hell yes! 734 visits from wild mice - plus rats, shrews, slugs ("running" being subjective here) & even frogs and snails.
The apparent reason: fun. Just fun.
Reposted by Ben Vance
"Common Side Effects" is coming this Sunday (Adult Swim / Max).
By the co-creator & the animation studio behind "Scavengers Reign".
By the co-creator & the animation studio behind "Scavengers Reign".
January 30, 2025 at 5:23 PM
"Common Side Effects" is coming this Sunday (Adult Swim / Max).
By the co-creator & the animation studio behind "Scavengers Reign".
By the co-creator & the animation studio behind "Scavengers Reign".