Tom Betts
@tomnullpointer.bsky.social
UK Indie Game Dev - Just released "The Horror At Highrook"
A clockwork-card narrative-board game
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/The_Horror_at_Highrook/
Previously "Into The Pit", BigRobot, Phd in the digital sublime
A clockwork-card narrative-board game
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/The_Horror_at_Highrook/
Previously "Into The Pit", BigRobot, Phd in the digital sublime
Pinned
Tom Betts
@tomnullpointer.bsky.social
· May 1
🌜The House is finally open 🌛
The Horror at Highrook is an occult card-crafting RPG
🕯️Uncover the dark secrets of Highrook Manor
🌙Manage your team of investigators
🔥Summon Ancient Demons
www.youtube.com/watch?v=drjG...
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
The Horror at Highrook is an occult card-crafting RPG
🕯️Uncover the dark secrets of Highrook Manor
🌙Manage your team of investigators
🔥Summon Ancient Demons
www.youtube.com/watch?v=drjG...
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
The Horror At Highrook - Release Trailer
YouTube video by tomnullpointer
www.youtube.com
After about 2 years my strange
clockwork-cosmic-horror-narrative-card/boardgame
Is released! Proud of this one, hope it does well enough for me to keep exploring this unique and exciting avenue of game dev.
clockwork-cosmic-horror-narrative-card/boardgame
Is released! Proud of this one, hope it does well enough for me to keep exploring this unique and exciting avenue of game dev.
So cool that Draknek runs this fund! Looks like some really interesting games yet again!
January 14, 2026 at 6:55 PM
So cool that Draknek runs this fund! Looks like some really interesting games yet again!
Sigh, dropbox is the most desperate service Ive ever used. Its constantly begging you to upgrade and sending pointless needy emails. Its honeslty embarrasing..
January 13, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Sigh, dropbox is the most desperate service Ive ever used. Its constantly begging you to upgrade and sending pointless needy emails. Its honeslty embarrasing..
Wednesdays was amazing, not fun, but effecting in a way few games even try to be.
By the way this IGF Excellence in Narrative nominated writer (twice!) is still looking for work in 2026 👋
Hi I'm Pierre Corbinais, I'm a veteran game writer and narrative designer and I'll be looking for freelance work starting September.
I love writing dialogues that make you laugh, cry or both in the same time.
Pass the word! pierrecorbinais.com
I love writing dialogues that make you laugh, cry or both in the same time.
Pass the word! pierrecorbinais.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Wednesdays was amazing, not fun, but effecting in a way few games even try to be.
Watched "Rabbity Trap" recently, its got some terrible ratings online, but if you enjoy some understated folk horror I thought it was actually pretty good, and quite touching.
January 11, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Watched "Rabbity Trap" recently, its got some terrible ratings online, but if you enjoy some understated folk horror I thought it was actually pretty good, and quite touching.
Reposted by Tom Betts
Kinetic Games, the developer behind Phasmophobia, has announced the launch of Kinetic Publishing to "support and champion creativity within the indie space". The publisher will fund two to three indie projects a year up to budgets of £1 million.
www.gamesindustry.biz/phasmophobia...
www.gamesindustry.biz/phasmophobia...
Phasmophobia developer launches Kinetic Publishing to "support and champion creativity within the indie space"
Daniel Knight and Asim Tanvir explain their plan to fund two to three indie projects a year up to budgets of £1 million
www.gamesindustry.biz
January 8, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Kinetic Games, the developer behind Phasmophobia, has announced the launch of Kinetic Publishing to "support and champion creativity within the indie space". The publisher will fund two to three indie projects a year up to budgets of £1 million.
www.gamesindustry.biz/phasmophobia...
www.gamesindustry.biz/phasmophobia...
Reposted by Tom Betts
Are you a #ContentCreator, #Creator, or #Influencer interested in covering AETHUS ahead of launch in the coming weeks? 👩🚀⛏️
Get in touch below, link your channel and make sure you have a content email available!👇
Shares really appreciated to get the word out to the community! 💖
#IndieGame #GameDev
Get in touch below, link your channel and make sure you have a content email available!👇
Shares really appreciated to get the word out to the community! 💖
#IndieGame #GameDev
January 9, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Are you a #ContentCreator, #Creator, or #Influencer interested in covering AETHUS ahead of launch in the coming weeks? 👩🚀⛏️
Get in touch below, link your channel and make sure you have a content email available!👇
Shares really appreciated to get the word out to the community! 💖
#IndieGame #GameDev
Get in touch below, link your channel and make sure you have a content email available!👇
Shares really appreciated to get the word out to the community! 💖
#IndieGame #GameDev
Reposted by Tom Betts
friends! acquaintances! help!
i'm looking to hire a game designer (living in the Netherlands) to help build games in The Hidden Folks Universe, starting with a sequel to the indie hit game Hidden Folks.
know someone who's a good fit? pls forward this, ty!
hiddenfolks.com/job-opening/...
i'm looking to hire a game designer (living in the Netherlands) to help build games in The Hidden Folks Universe, starting with a sequel to the indie hit game Hidden Folks.
know someone who's a good fit? pls forward this, ty!
hiddenfolks.com/job-opening/...
Job opening: game designer @ Hidden Folks
We're looking for a game designer in the Netherlands to help build games in The Hidden Folks Universe, starting with a sequel to the indie hit game Hidden Folks.
hiddenfolks.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:58 PM
friends! acquaintances! help!
i'm looking to hire a game designer (living in the Netherlands) to help build games in The Hidden Folks Universe, starting with a sequel to the indie hit game Hidden Folks.
know someone who's a good fit? pls forward this, ty!
hiddenfolks.com/job-opening/...
i'm looking to hire a game designer (living in the Netherlands) to help build games in The Hidden Folks Universe, starting with a sequel to the indie hit game Hidden Folks.
know someone who's a good fit? pls forward this, ty!
hiddenfolks.com/job-opening/...
Reposted by Tom Betts
Not every game company is hopping onboard the AI hype train. Manor Lords publisher Hooded Horse bans gen AI art in its contracts.
"If I sound frustrated, it's because, like, honestly, all this thing has done is made our...
https://kotaku.com/hooded-horse-gen-ai-art-ban-4x-strategy-steam-2000658179
"If I sound frustrated, it's because, like, honestly, all this thing has done is made our...
https://kotaku.com/hooded-horse-gen-ai-art-ban-4x-strategy-steam-2000658179
One Game Publisher Is Pushing Back Against AI Art With Contracts That Ban It: 'It's Cancerous' - Kotaku
Hooded Horse won't work with developers that use gen AI
kotaku.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Not every game company is hopping onboard the AI hype train. Manor Lords publisher Hooded Horse bans gen AI art in its contracts.
"If I sound frustrated, it's because, like, honestly, all this thing has done is made our...
https://kotaku.com/hooded-horse-gen-ai-art-ban-4x-strategy-steam-2000658179
"If I sound frustrated, it's because, like, honestly, all this thing has done is made our...
https://kotaku.com/hooded-horse-gen-ai-art-ban-4x-strategy-steam-2000658179
Reposted by Tom Betts
Plus honorable mentions and staff picks featuring games from @pockettrap.bsky.social, @pmstudios.bsky.social, @tomnullpointer.bsky.social, @highrookhorror.bsky.social, @panic.com, @despelote.game, @dave.powerhoof.com and more!
January 5, 2026 at 4:37 AM
Plus honorable mentions and staff picks featuring games from @pockettrap.bsky.social, @pmstudios.bsky.social, @tomnullpointer.bsky.social, @highrookhorror.bsky.social, @panic.com, @despelote.game, @dave.powerhoof.com and more!
Reposted by Tom Betts
The Horror at Highrook from @tomnullpointer.bsky.social was featured in Restart's Horror Holiday Gift Guide, courtesy of @hensten.bsky.social.
"...sports an abundantly thick and cloying atmosphere."
www.restart.run/articles/hor...
"...sports an abundantly thick and cloying atmosphere."
www.restart.run/articles/hor...
Horror Games Holiday Gift Guide 2025 | Restart
Our Horror Games Holiday Gift Guide 2025 will help you deliver festive fears with the best scary games of the year, and includes alternatives for those who've already played them.
www.restart.run
January 5, 2026 at 12:27 PM
The Horror at Highrook from @tomnullpointer.bsky.social was featured in Restart's Horror Holiday Gift Guide, courtesy of @hensten.bsky.social.
"...sports an abundantly thick and cloying atmosphere."
www.restart.run/articles/hor...
"...sports an abundantly thick and cloying atmosphere."
www.restart.run/articles/hor...
Reposted by Tom Betts
Last day or so to grab The Horror At Highrook in the winter sale at a nice 30% off!
The Horror at Highrook is an occult card-crafting RPG
🕯️Uncover the dark secrets of Highrook Manor
🌙Manage your team of investigators
🔥Summon Ancient Demons
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
The Horror at Highrook is an occult card-crafting RPG
🕯️Uncover the dark secrets of Highrook Manor
🌙Manage your team of investigators
🔥Summon Ancient Demons
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
Save 30% on The Horror at Highrook on Steam
The Horror at Highrook is an occult card crafting narrative RPG. Explore a haunted mansion with your team of investigators, summon dark entities, craft powerful protections, uncover the fate of the mi...
store.steampowered.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Last day or so to grab The Horror At Highrook in the winter sale at a nice 30% off!
The Horror at Highrook is an occult card-crafting RPG
🕯️Uncover the dark secrets of Highrook Manor
🌙Manage your team of investigators
🔥Summon Ancient Demons
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
The Horror at Highrook is an occult card-crafting RPG
🕯️Uncover the dark secrets of Highrook Manor
🌙Manage your team of investigators
🔥Summon Ancient Demons
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
Reposted by Tom Betts
Brr! London is chilly overnight, and A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build is FREE because of our ridiculous Pay What The Temperature Is pricing model.
draknek.itch.io/a-good-snowman
Get it before it's hot!
draknek.itch.io/a-good-snowman
Get it before it's hot!
A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build by Draknek & Friends, Benjamin Davis
Pay what the temperature is: -0.2°C = FREE!
draknek.itch.io
January 3, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Brr! London is chilly overnight, and A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build is FREE because of our ridiculous Pay What The Temperature Is pricing model.
draknek.itch.io/a-good-snowman
Get it before it's hot!
draknek.itch.io/a-good-snowman
Get it before it's hot!
Reposted by Tom Betts
Loads of games I didn't play this year but these are easily the most memorable ones I did:
1. Donkey Kong Bananza
2. Split Fiction
3. The Roottrees are Dead
4. Promise Mascot Agency
5. Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist
6. The Horror at Highrook
7. Strange Jigsaws
8. Öoo
9. Drop Duchy
10. Wednesdays
1. Donkey Kong Bananza
2. Split Fiction
3. The Roottrees are Dead
4. Promise Mascot Agency
5. Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist
6. The Horror at Highrook
7. Strange Jigsaws
8. Öoo
9. Drop Duchy
10. Wednesdays
December 31, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Loads of games I didn't play this year but these are easily the most memorable ones I did:
1. Donkey Kong Bananza
2. Split Fiction
3. The Roottrees are Dead
4. Promise Mascot Agency
5. Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist
6. The Horror at Highrook
7. Strange Jigsaws
8. Öoo
9. Drop Duchy
10. Wednesdays
1. Donkey Kong Bananza
2. Split Fiction
3. The Roottrees are Dead
4. Promise Mascot Agency
5. Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist
6. The Horror at Highrook
7. Strange Jigsaws
8. Öoo
9. Drop Duchy
10. Wednesdays
Reposted by Tom Betts
As promised! If you are looking for very beautiful artistic occult card-crafting RPG game with Lovecraftian themes. I highly suggest you take a look at The Horror At Highrook!
#firstimpressions #gamedemo #indiegame #vsky
#firstimpressions #gamedemo #indiegame #vsky
December 27, 2025 at 7:10 AM
As promised! If you are looking for very beautiful artistic occult card-crafting RPG game with Lovecraftian themes. I highly suggest you take a look at The Horror At Highrook!
#firstimpressions #gamedemo #indiegame #vsky
#firstimpressions #gamedemo #indiegame #vsky
Reposted by Tom Betts
What was the level design process like for BIG HOPS and what tools did we use?
Question from Terri V on Bluesky
#indiegames #gamedev #bighops
Question from Terri V on Bluesky
#indiegames #gamedev #bighops
December 26, 2025 at 6:01 PM
What was the level design process like for BIG HOPS and what tools did we use?
Question from Terri V on Bluesky
#indiegames #gamedev #bighops
Question from Terri V on Bluesky
#indiegames #gamedev #bighops
Reposted by Tom Betts
![Comic. [Banner: Mathematical Society: 2025 Meeting.] PERSON 1 with bun: Any other new developments from the year to cover before we wrap? PERSON 2: Oh, the teens picked a new funny number. PERSON 3 with short hair: Aww, I’m glad to hear they’re still doing that. PERSON 4 with ponytail: I’ll add it to the list. [List: 23 (skidoo!; 42; 69; 420; 1,337; 58,008; [circled]: 67]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreig43e2u4zzpifhq6fbf2iwplmva2lt5rokfg5uws5dysbe55up6wa@jpeg)
December 26, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Hello new followers!
Im Tom, an Indie dev veteran making games with small teams over the last decade or so.
My last title was The Horror At Highrook - an atmospheric card/board based comsic horror. And its currently 30% off!
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
Im Tom, an Indie dev veteran making games with small teams over the last decade or so.
My last title was The Horror At Highrook - an atmospheric card/board based comsic horror. And its currently 30% off!
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
Save 30% on The Horror at Highrook on Steam
The Horror at Highrook is an occult card crafting narrative RPG. Explore a haunted mansion with your team of investigators, summon dark entities, craft powerful protections, uncover the fate of the mi...
store.steampowered.com
December 26, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Hello new followers!
Im Tom, an Indie dev veteran making games with small teams over the last decade or so.
My last title was The Horror At Highrook - an atmospheric card/board based comsic horror. And its currently 30% off!
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
Im Tom, an Indie dev veteran making games with small teams over the last decade or so.
My last title was The Horror At Highrook - an atmospheric card/board based comsic horror. And its currently 30% off!
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
Reposted by Tom Betts
Found a bit of tissue that looks like a frog merry christmas
December 25, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Found a bit of tissue that looks like a frog merry christmas
Reposted by Tom Betts
They used to "laugh and call him names." Now they're all dead
December 14, 2025 at 1:55 PM
They used to "laugh and call him names." Now they're all dead
Happy turn off motion smoothing day everyone!
December 25, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Happy turn off motion smoothing day everyone!
Reposted by Tom Betts
Merry Christmas
All I Want For Christmas Is You (Wii Shop)
YouTube video by kuribo98
youtu.be
December 24, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Merry Christmas
Reposted by Tom Betts
Essentially, I think that LLM-generated dialogue only makes sense if you believe that the product of writing is words.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Essentially, I think that LLM-generated dialogue only makes sense if you believe that the product of writing is words.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
Ive been playing Tainted Grail. Its got a bit of jank in it, but its great! It does the skyrim stuff but also throws in these 'what if king arthur lived in geigers sketchbook' kind of aesthetics. Its also very open world with loads of just optional wandering about. Just lets you get on with it!
December 24, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Ive been playing Tainted Grail. Its got a bit of jank in it, but its great! It does the skyrim stuff but also throws in these 'what if king arthur lived in geigers sketchbook' kind of aesthetics. Its also very open world with loads of just optional wandering about. Just lets you get on with it!
Reposted by Tom Betts
“...feels wholly unique in how it spills its cryptic secrets revealing a tale of horror card by card.”
Inverse
Now 30% off during the Steam Winter Sale!
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
Inverse
Now 30% off during the Steam Winter Sale!
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
Save 30% on The Horror at Highrook on Steam
The Horror at Highrook is an occult card crafting narrative RPG. Explore a haunted mansion with your team of investigators, summon dark entities, craft powerful protections, uncover the fate of the mi...
store.steampowered.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:27 PM
“...feels wholly unique in how it spills its cryptic secrets revealing a tale of horror card by card.”
Inverse
Now 30% off during the Steam Winter Sale!
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
Inverse
Now 30% off during the Steam Winter Sale!
store.steampowered.com/app/2836860/...
Just played Metal Garden, pretty much in a single sitting.
Very source engine feeling minimal fps set in a sparse melancholy (very grey) megastructure-adjacent world. The exploration was great and theres enough combat and interaction to make it a fun time.
store.steampowered.com/app/3539440/...
Very source engine feeling minimal fps set in a sparse melancholy (very grey) megastructure-adjacent world. The exploration was great and theres enough combat and interaction to make it a fun time.
store.steampowered.com/app/3539440/...
Save 20% on Metal Garden on Steam
Travel through an overgrown megastructure, and discover what lies beyond it. Metal Garden is a short, atmospheric singleplayer FPS game.
store.steampowered.com
December 20, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Just played Metal Garden, pretty much in a single sitting.
Very source engine feeling minimal fps set in a sparse melancholy (very grey) megastructure-adjacent world. The exploration was great and theres enough combat and interaction to make it a fun time.
store.steampowered.com/app/3539440/...
Very source engine feeling minimal fps set in a sparse melancholy (very grey) megastructure-adjacent world. The exploration was great and theres enough combat and interaction to make it a fun time.
store.steampowered.com/app/3539440/...