Ben Zeigler
@doublebuffered.bsky.social
JZig | DoubleBuffered. He/him/whatever. Gamedev programmer on Unreal Engine 5 with a bonus degree in Psychology. Neurodiverse and trying to make the internet better
Reposted by Ben Zeigler
I made a map of 3.4 million Bluesky users - see if you can find yourself!
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
Bluesky Map
Interactive map of 3.4 million Bluesky users, visualised by their follower pattern.
bluesky-map.theo.io
February 8, 2026 at 10:59 PM
I made a map of 3.4 million Bluesky users - see if you can find yourself!
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
Reading the actual text, this only matters if you join age-restricted servers or channels, of which I am currently in 0. If this stays as an opt-in process, they're just doing this as a workaround to technically comply with the various laws. But, if they start auto-classifying it's all over.
Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access next month
Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access next month
Age verification for all.
buff.ly
February 9, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Reading the actual text, this only matters if you join age-restricted servers or channels, of which I am currently in 0. If this stays as an opt-in process, they're just doing this as a workaround to technically comply with the various laws. But, if they start auto-classifying it's all over.
The National Shutdown protest against ICE is today in the US. I mostly work with non-Americans so won't be fully following it, but hypocritical support of important goals is better than staying silent: nationalshutdown.org
NATIONAL SHUTDOWN—FRI. JANUARY 30
nationalshutdown.org
January 30, 2026 at 4:42 PM
The National Shutdown protest against ICE is today in the US. I mostly work with non-Americans so won't be fully following it, but hypocritical support of important goals is better than staying silent: nationalshutdown.org
Reposted by Ben Zeigler
Yesterday, I awoke to news of another ICE killing in MN. On Bluesky, the conversation was deeply critical of ICE. But I wanted to see how things were going on X. Surprisingly, the attempts there to blame the victim weren't getting as much traction as I suspected. So I wrote a thing.
Another Killing on ICE
The right wing propaganda machine can’t spin the killing of Alex Pretti
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:51 AM
Yesterday, I awoke to news of another ICE killing in MN. On Bluesky, the conversation was deeply critical of ICE. But I wanted to see how things were going on X. Surprisingly, the attempts there to blame the victim weren't getting as much traction as I suspected. So I wrote a thing.
The last 24 hours have shown that nonviolent resistance is starting to work in the US.
The press has started to actually document the lies of the current administration, and the attempts to suppress dissent and instigate violence are backfiring.
The press has started to actually document the lies of the current administration, and the attempts to suppress dissent and instigate violence are backfiring.
Kudos to the NYT editor who took “Appears to” out of the lead headline (finally)
January 25, 2026 at 7:35 PM
The last 24 hours have shown that nonviolent resistance is starting to work in the US.
The press has started to actually document the lies of the current administration, and the attempts to suppress dissent and instigate violence are backfiring.
The press has started to actually document the lies of the current administration, and the attempts to suppress dissent and instigate violence are backfiring.
I went to the Walk for Peace today and it was packed so here's someone else's photos. It was great to get a Buddhist talk on peacefulness right as the snow started. Everyone stay safe for the next few days, from the weather and everything else
Massive crowds showing up today in Raleigh, NC today.
ICE OUT PEACE IN.
Thank you to my friend for sharing her photos.
ICE OUT PEACE IN.
Thank you to my friend for sharing her photos.
January 24, 2026 at 9:40 PM
I went to the Walk for Peace today and it was packed so here's someone else's photos. It was great to get a Buddhist talk on peacefulness right as the snow started. Everyone stay safe for the next few days, from the weather and everything else
Reposted by Ben Zeigler
Happy 35th birthday ZZT!
Thank you for showing us that anyone can make a game
Thank you for showing us that anyone can make a game
January 15, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Happy 35th birthday ZZT!
Thank you for showing us that anyone can make a game
Thank you for showing us that anyone can make a game
Yesterday was an awesome final day at #MAGFest! It featured chill Transport Tycoon jazz jams, an Ace Combat cinematic experience with orchestra, and Danimal Cannon shredding the final boss track of a game I helped make (Soundfall)
January 11, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Yesterday was an awesome final day at #MAGFest! It featured chill Transport Tycoon jazz jams, an Ace Combat cinematic experience with orchestra, and Danimal Cannon shredding the final boss track of a game I helped make (Soundfall)
Lots of good stuff at the #MAGFest indie showcase like always! Bigger retro console section this year and said hi to my gaming buddy @madjackmcmad.bsky.social showing off Eye Of The Commando
January 9, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Lots of good stuff at the #MAGFest indie showcase like always! Bigger retro console section this year and said hi to my gaming buddy @madjackmcmad.bsky.social showing off Eye Of The Commando
@kayin.moe You were shouted out by @slowbeef.bsky.social at the obscure games panel at MAGFest. Also you should come to MAGFest
January 8, 2026 at 10:52 PM
@kayin.moe You were shouted out by @slowbeef.bsky.social at the obscure games panel at MAGFest. Also you should come to MAGFest
On my first Amtrak journey up to MAGFest and it's so much better than driving on I95. Looking forward to the weekend and I'll actually post things for a few days!
January 8, 2026 at 6:26 PM
On my first Amtrak journey up to MAGFest and it's so much better than driving on I95. Looking forward to the weekend and I'll actually post things for a few days!
Reposted by Ben Zeigler
This interview is a snapshot into where tech companies are with online harassment right now.
They know how to end it, but they decided not to spend the money. They’re prioritizing growth (and profit) above all else. And they’re blaming YOU for logging on to the platform they designed to be unsafe.
They know how to end it, but they decided not to spend the money. They’re prioritizing growth (and profit) above all else. And they’re blaming YOU for logging on to the platform they designed to be unsafe.
We Asked Roblox’s C.E.O. About Child Safety. It Got Tense.
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:56 PM
This interview is a snapshot into where tech companies are with online harassment right now.
They know how to end it, but they decided not to spend the money. They’re prioritizing growth (and profit) above all else. And they’re blaming YOU for logging on to the platform they designed to be unsafe.
They know how to end it, but they decided not to spend the money. They’re prioritizing growth (and profit) above all else. And they’re blaming YOU for logging on to the platform they designed to be unsafe.
If anyone needs help with profiling and optimizing #UnrealEngine games, I just published a new tutorial walking through how to use Memory Insights and Mem Report. There isn't a lot of first hand information on how to profile so I thought I would write some down:
dev.epicgames.com/community/le...
dev.epicgames.com/community/le...
Profiling Game Memory and Performance | Tutorial
Tutorial explaining how to use the engine's built in Memory Profiling tools along with Unreal Insights
dev.epicgames.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:10 PM
If anyone needs help with profiling and optimizing #UnrealEngine games, I just published a new tutorial walking through how to use Memory Insights and Mem Report. There isn't a lot of first hand information on how to profile so I thought I would write some down:
dev.epicgames.com/community/le...
dev.epicgames.com/community/le...
Reposted by Ben Zeigler
Oh my god some fucking tech dingdong posted this on Twitter with the caption "AI games are going to be amazing" totally seriously, you have to watch it. You have to. In full screen.
October 24, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Oh my god some fucking tech dingdong posted this on Twitter with the caption "AI games are going to be amazing" totally seriously, you have to watch it. You have to. In full screen.
Obviously the country has bigger problems, but today I'm mad at Trump for ruining the start of my vacation. Flying is a complete mess right now
October 10, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Obviously the country has bigger problems, but today I'm mad at Trump for ruining the start of my vacation. Flying is a complete mess right now
Right now I'm playing a 2D souls-inspired metroidvania sequel. That's right, I'm playing Ender Magnolia which I'm really enjoying. Wait did some other game come out?
store.steampowered.com/app/2725260/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2725260/...
ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist on Steam
Decades after the events of ENDER LILIES, Homunculi — sorrowful, artificial life forms — roam the land. In this dark fantasy Metroidvania, face formidable enemies and explore a bewitching post-apocaly...
store.steampowered.com
September 5, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Right now I'm playing a 2D souls-inspired metroidvania sequel. That's right, I'm playing Ender Magnolia which I'm really enjoying. Wait did some other game come out?
store.steampowered.com/app/2725260/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2725260/...
To focus on the important part: Trump has ordered every state's national guard to organize dedicated units devoted to "quelling civil disturbances" which is a terrifyingly vague goal
New Executive Order (Aug. 25, 2025) - despite its name - reaches far beyond DC in potential use of the U.S. military inside and across the United States.
Link: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Highlight of some key provisions⬇️
Link: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Highlight of some key provisions⬇️
August 25, 2025 at 6:40 PM
To focus on the important part: Trump has ordered every state's national guard to organize dedicated units devoted to "quelling civil disturbances" which is a terrifyingly vague goal
Here's an interesting report on using #AI in #gamedev, but you should click through to read the report because the headline is a bit deceptive. They are counting all development of games with procedural generation or dynamic difficulty as using AI agents: www.gamesindustry.biz/87-of-game-d...
87% of game developers are using AI agents in their workflows, says new survey
A new survey by Google Cloud and The Harris Poll has found that 87% of developers are using AI agents in their workflow…
www.gamesindustry.biz
August 18, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Here's an interesting report on using #AI in #gamedev, but you should click through to read the report because the headline is a bit deceptive. They are counting all development of games with procedural generation or dynamic difficulty as using AI agents: www.gamesindustry.biz/87-of-game-d...
I bought myself a new PC today even though my current one is working fine. I'm guessing prices will start to go up fairly soon for enthusiast PC parts because of www.reuters.com/world/china/... as the smaller companies won't know be able to suck up to Trump the way that Apple/Nvidia are now
Trump says US to levy 100% tariff on imported chips, but some firms exempt
President Donald Trump said the United States will impose a tariff of about 100% on imports of semiconductors but offered up a big exemption - it will not apply to companies that are manufacturing in the U.S. or have committed to do so.
www.reuters.com
August 8, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I bought myself a new PC today even though my current one is working fine. I'm guessing prices will start to go up fairly soon for enthusiast PC parts because of www.reuters.com/world/china/... as the smaller companies won't know be able to suck up to Trump the way that Apple/Nvidia are now
I just 100% completed Death Stranding 2 on normal, Platinum and all milestones. It was the perfect game to play over my last few weeks of semi-vacation. Good mix of Kojima bullshit and satisfying deliveries.
If this whole programming thing doesn't work out, maybe I should be a logistics manager.
If this whole programming thing doesn't work out, maybe I should be a logistics manager.
August 7, 2025 at 8:29 PM
I just 100% completed Death Stranding 2 on normal, Platinum and all milestones. It was the perfect game to play over my last few weeks of semi-vacation. Good mix of Kojima bullshit and satisfying deliveries.
If this whole programming thing doesn't work out, maybe I should be a logistics manager.
If this whole programming thing doesn't work out, maybe I should be a logistics manager.
Saw credits for Death Stranding 2 and I kind of just want to play more as it opened up a bunch of other content. It turns out I really like a mix of logistics challenges and Kojima-style bullshit. The plot still doesn't really make sense but the cutscenes were all pretty great
July 20, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Saw credits for Death Stranding 2 and I kind of just want to play more as it opened up a bunch of other content. It turns out I really like a mix of logistics challenges and Kojima-style bullshit. The plot still doesn't really make sense but the cutscenes were all pretty great
Reposted by Ben Zeigler
We ran a randomized controlled trial to see how much AI coding tools speed up experienced open-source developers.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
July 10, 2025 at 7:47 PM
We ran a randomized controlled trial to see how much AI coding tools speed up experienced open-source developers.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
Reposted by Ben Zeigler
Matt Turnbull, Executive Producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing - after the Microsoft layoffs - suggesting on Linkedin that may maybe people who have been let go should turn to AI for help. He seriously thought posting this would be a good idea.
![Post from Matt Turnbull:
These are really challenging times, and if you’re navigating a layoff or even quietly preparing for one, you’re not alone and you don’t have to go it alone.
I know these types of tools engender strong feelings in people, but I'd be remiss in not trying to offer the best advice I can under the circumstances. I’ve been experimenting with ways to use LLM AI tools (like ChatGPT or Copilot) to help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.
Here are some prompt ideas and use cases that might help if you're feeling overwhelmed:
Career Planning Prompts:
“Act as a career coach. I’ve been laid off from a [role] in the game industry. Help me build a 30-day plan to regroup, research new roles, and start applying without burning out.”
“What kinds of game industry jobs could I pivot to with experience in [Production/Narrative/LiveOps/etc.]?”
Resume & LinkedIn Help
“Here’s my current resume. Give me three tailored versions: one for AAA, one for platform/publishing roles, and one for startup/small studio leadership.”
“Rewrite this resume bullet to highlight impact and metrics.”
“Draft a new LinkedIn ‘About Me’ section that focuses on my leadership style, shipped titles, and vision for game development.”
Networking & Outreach
“Draft a friendly message I can send to old coworkers letting them know I’m exploring new opportunities.”
“Write a warm intro message for reaching out to someone at [studio name] about a job posting.”
Emotional Clarity & Confidence
“I’m struggling with imposter syndrome after being laid off. Can you help me reframe this experience in a way that reminds me what I’m good at?”
No AI tool is a replacement for your voice or your lived experience. But at a time when mental energy is scarce, these tools can help get you unstuck faster, calmer, and with more clarity.
If this helps, feel free to share with others in your network.
Stay kind, stay smart, stay connected.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:qpbuxrel3f3njvjw5rakf532/bafkreiei32dnyvihcdgifb5niw7rf65o2obawz5nschbc4czojo4ecgz4u@jpeg)
July 4, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Matt Turnbull, Executive Producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing - after the Microsoft layoffs - suggesting on Linkedin that may maybe people who have been let go should turn to AI for help. He seriously thought posting this would be a good idea.