Trent Kusters
@trentkusters.bsky.social
studio director League of Geeks • co-host AIAS #GameMakersNotebook • GDC board • co-creator Armello + Solium Infernum + Jumplight Odyssey
Reposted by Trent Kusters
Want to be one of the first people to get hands-on with Streets of Fortuna? We'll be a selecting a small group for our Steam Alpha Playtest in 2026.
🏛 Sign up here: store.steampowered.com/app/2946850/...
🏛 Sign up here: store.steampowered.com/app/2946850/...
December 5, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Want to be one of the first people to get hands-on with Streets of Fortuna? We'll be a selecting a small group for our Steam Alpha Playtest in 2026.
🏛 Sign up here: store.steampowered.com/app/2946850/...
🏛 Sign up here: store.steampowered.com/app/2946850/...
Reposted by Trent Kusters
A good day of gaming.
December 5, 2025 at 12:06 AM
A good day of gaming.
If it’s Shogun 3 I will shit a brick. Sumimasen.
New Total War game to be announced at The Game Awards, confirms Creative Assembly
➡️ www.gamesradar.com/games/total-...
➡️ www.gamesradar.com/games/total-...
December 4, 2025 at 5:46 PM
If it’s Shogun 3 I will shit a brick. Sumimasen.
Reposted by Trent Kusters
TOMORROW: Nuclear Throne 10th anniversary, update 100, 10am Pacific Time. store.steampowered.com/app/242680/N...
December 4, 2025 at 4:51 PM
TOMORROW: Nuclear Throne 10th anniversary, update 100, 10am Pacific Time. store.steampowered.com/app/242680/N...
Let's gooooooo! 📔📈👀
ONLY ONE HOUR LEFT! And so close to $100k and 1k followers!
@tdcpresents.bsky.social approached us in 2023 with the idea of a Kickstarter for a collection of his novellas. Almost all of the money from your pledges go directly towards supporting his great work.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
@tdcpresents.bsky.social approached us in 2023 with the idea of a Kickstarter for a collection of his novellas. Almost all of the money from your pledges go directly towards supporting his great work.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
December 4, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Let's gooooooo! 📔📈👀
Reposted by Trent Kusters
ONLY ONE HOUR LEFT! And so close to $100k and 1k followers!
@tdcpresents.bsky.social approached us in 2023 with the idea of a Kickstarter for a collection of his novellas. Almost all of the money from your pledges go directly towards supporting his great work.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
@tdcpresents.bsky.social approached us in 2023 with the idea of a Kickstarter for a collection of his novellas. Almost all of the money from your pledges go directly towards supporting his great work.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
December 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM
ONLY ONE HOUR LEFT! And so close to $100k and 1k followers!
@tdcpresents.bsky.social approached us in 2023 with the idea of a Kickstarter for a collection of his novellas. Almost all of the money from your pledges go directly towards supporting his great work.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
@tdcpresents.bsky.social approached us in 2023 with the idea of a Kickstarter for a collection of his novellas. Almost all of the money from your pledges go directly towards supporting his great work.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
We all work in a joke industry run by anti-intellectual unserious people.
This is the most powerful and promising medium of all humankind and corporate America’s uncultured conservative values has its foot firmly on our artists’ necks, while they sell us off to the Saudis.
Santa Ragione 4eva. ✊🏻
This is the most powerful and promising medium of all humankind and corporate America’s uncultured conservative values has its foot firmly on our artists’ necks, while they sell us off to the Saudis.
Santa Ragione 4eva. ✊🏻
Humble's now banned it too, post-launch:
www.ign.com/articles/hor...
www.ign.com/articles/hor...
Horses, the Upsetting Horror Game Previously Banned on Steam, Gets Last Minute Ban From Epic Games Store Too - IGN
Last week, we reported that disturbing horror game Horses had been banned from Steam. Now, at the last possible minute before the game was set to release widely across other PC store fronts, Epic Game...
www.ign.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:51 AM
We all work in a joke industry run by anti-intellectual unserious people.
This is the most powerful and promising medium of all humankind and corporate America’s uncultured conservative values has its foot firmly on our artists’ necks, while they sell us off to the Saudis.
Santa Ragione 4eva. ✊🏻
This is the most powerful and promising medium of all humankind and corporate America’s uncultured conservative values has its foot firmly on our artists’ necks, while they sell us off to the Saudis.
Santa Ragione 4eva. ✊🏻
Reposted by Trent Kusters
also games yeah exactly
December 3, 2025 at 7:51 PM
also games yeah exactly
Incredible how many people say "sorry, just saw your email now" in a world that has had email read receipts for 15+ years.
Brother, I can see that you already opened my email precisely 13.7 times in the past month.
We're all terrible at emails. No need to lie. Join us.
Brother, I can see that you already opened my email precisely 13.7 times in the past month.
We're all terrible at emails. No need to lie. Join us.
December 3, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Incredible how many people say "sorry, just saw your email now" in a world that has had email read receipts for 15+ years.
Brother, I can see that you already opened my email precisely 13.7 times in the past month.
We're all terrible at emails. No need to lie. Join us.
Brother, I can see that you already opened my email precisely 13.7 times in the past month.
We're all terrible at emails. No need to lie. Join us.
Reposted by Trent Kusters
My Armello Kickstarter collaboration with @leagueofgeeks.com is drawing to a close in 24 hours, but what a ride it's been!
We're over 300% funded, and inching closer to a killer stretch goal to boot! If you haven't checked it out yet, now's the time!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
We're over 300% funded, and inching closer to a killer stretch goal to boot! If you haven't checked it out yet, now's the time!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
December 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
My Armello Kickstarter collaboration with @leagueofgeeks.com is drawing to a close in 24 hours, but what a ride it's been!
We're over 300% funded, and inching closer to a killer stretch goal to boot! If you haven't checked it out yet, now's the time!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
We're over 300% funded, and inching closer to a killer stretch goal to boot! If you haven't checked it out yet, now's the time!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
There is nowhere near enough coverage of how extortionate font licensing firms are, specifically to game developers.
The last font we had to license even the representative for the licensing company effusively expressed how much they despised their superiors and loathed the business model.
Crooks.
The last font we had to license even the representative for the licensing company effusively expressed how much they despised their superiors and loathed the business model.
Crooks.
Monotype accused of overcharging Japanese devs for Japanese language fonts
Monotype accused of overcharging Japanese devs for Japanese language fonts
Fontworks' new US-owned parent company Monotype is charging $20,500 per year, up from $380.
www.gamedeveloper.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:42 PM
There is nowhere near enough coverage of how extortionate font licensing firms are, specifically to game developers.
The last font we had to license even the representative for the licensing company effusively expressed how much they despised their superiors and loathed the business model.
Crooks.
The last font we had to license even the representative for the licensing company effusively expressed how much they despised their superiors and loathed the business model.
Crooks.
Reposted by Trent Kusters
Only two days remain! Printed end pages, two never released novellas, Bandit Clan skins for Armello, and more!
And almost 300% funded! Back the Kickstarter and secure your copy of this premium omnibus of nine (!!) novellas set in the Kingdom of Armello!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
And almost 300% funded! Back the Kickstarter and secure your copy of this premium omnibus of nine (!!) novellas set in the Kingdom of Armello!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
The Kickstarter I'm running with @leagueofgeeks.com ends early Dec 4th! bit.ly/armello-last...
We've got in-game Geek Dice and the Black Company skins, tons of fun rewards, and the centerpiece: a gorgeous hardcover that should fit perfectly alongside your copies of Redwall and Mossflower!
We've got in-game Geek Dice and the Black Company skins, tons of fun rewards, and the centerpiece: a gorgeous hardcover that should fit perfectly alongside your copies of Redwall and Mossflower!
December 2, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Only two days remain! Printed end pages, two never released novellas, Bandit Clan skins for Armello, and more!
And almost 300% funded! Back the Kickstarter and secure your copy of this premium omnibus of nine (!!) novellas set in the Kingdom of Armello!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
And almost 300% funded! Back the Kickstarter and secure your copy of this premium omnibus of nine (!!) novellas set in the Kingdom of Armello!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
Reposted by Trent Kusters
What if the measure of how much skill it takes to do you job is if AI is useful for it. What if we flipped pay scales to account for that
A study by Dayforce shows 87% of executives use AI for work, compared to 57% of managers and just 27% of employees.
I think this explains the massive disconnect we see in how CEOs talk about AI versus everyone else. It also raises the question of how useful it truly is for frontline work?
I think this explains the massive disconnect we see in how CEOs talk about AI versus everyone else. It also raises the question of how useful it truly is for frontline work?
Execs are embracing AI more than their employees are, new research suggests
Research from HR software company Dayforce suggests that executives are leaning into AI far more than their employees.
www.businessinsider.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:04 PM
What if the measure of how much skill it takes to do you job is if AI is useful for it. What if we flipped pay scales to account for that
Every conversation I've had with Keita since we first met over a decade ago has been in a word, completely refreshing. He is defiantly an artist in the face of so much commercial pressure within our medium. This episode is one not to be missed.
Thanks Keita, for your vulnerability and honesty here.
Thanks Keita, for your vulnerability and honesty here.
On #GameMakersNotebook, @trentkusters.bsky.social chats with Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi about his new game "to a T" from @uvula.jp, going from sculpting to his first job at Bandai Namco, the origins of Katamari, and his philosophy on creating experiences not available in the real world
November 28, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Every conversation I've had with Keita since we first met over a decade ago has been in a word, completely refreshing. He is defiantly an artist in the face of so much commercial pressure within our medium. This episode is one not to be missed.
Thanks Keita, for your vulnerability and honesty here.
Thanks Keita, for your vulnerability and honesty here.
If you've got kids in your family and are looking for swashbuckling adventures that have the consequence and grit of the dark fairy tales of old, this collection of Alex and my Armello novellas will make for fine bedside storytime fodder.
The book quality and design is something special too. 💖
The book quality and design is something special too. 💖
Just six days left of @tdcpresents.bsky.social's Kickstarter campaign for this premium hardcover collection of novellas set in the Kingdom of Armello!
The current stretch goal will bring the number of included novellas up to nine(!). Share far and wide, please!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
The current stretch goal will bring the number of included novellas up to nine(!). Share far and wide, please!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
Armello: The Founding and the Fall
Ten years ago Armello brought tabletop adventures to life. Now, delve into its lore-rich world with this gorgeous hardcover omnibus!
www.kickstarter.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:39 AM
If you've got kids in your family and are looking for swashbuckling adventures that have the consequence and grit of the dark fairy tales of old, this collection of Alex and my Armello novellas will make for fine bedside storytime fodder.
The book quality and design is something special too. 💖
The book quality and design is something special too. 💖
I love Brandon. A colossal, enduring force for good. ❤️
We did something different with the credits for Demonschool. We used this format: name, title, lengthy description of what they did. Often you see credits in games where you don't know what the credited developer was actually responsible for. We wanted to give people proper, actual credit.
November 25, 2025 at 6:53 AM
I love Brandon. A colossal, enduring force for good. ❤️
I wrote this story almost 15 years ago as a tone and style test for Armello, but also as a worldbuilding activity. No one except five or so folks within LoG have ever read it. Excited for it to be a part of this omnibus alongside Alex’s gems.
I and the team at @leagueofgeeks.com have been absolutely floored by everyone's incredible support for Armello: The Founding and the Fall!
We just cleared our cover print set stretch goal, and the new goal is a fun one: A BRAND NEW short story added to the book!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
We just cleared our cover print set stretch goal, and the new goal is a fun one: A BRAND NEW short story added to the book!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lea...
November 23, 2025 at 11:02 PM
I wrote this story almost 15 years ago as a tone and style test for Armello, but also as a worldbuilding activity. No one except five or so folks within LoG have ever read it. Excited for it to be a part of this omnibus alongside Alex’s gems.
Rolled credits on Keeper last night. A truly astounding experience that rises and rises from start to finish to become something almost transcendent in spirit.
An incredible achievement.
Do not miss this. It may be the best 5hr game you’ll play in years.
An incredible achievement.
Do not miss this. It may be the best 5hr game you’ll play in years.
Where do you think YOU'RE going?
(No, seriously. Where do you think you're going? Is it a board game night? If so, can we come with you? We love board games!)
KEEPER - Available NOW on @Xbox.com and @Steampowered.com!
doublefine.com/games/keeper
(No, seriously. Where do you think you're going? Is it a board game night? If so, can we come with you? We love board games!)
KEEPER - Available NOW on @Xbox.com and @Steampowered.com!
doublefine.com/games/keeper
November 19, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Rolled credits on Keeper last night. A truly astounding experience that rises and rises from start to finish to become something almost transcendent in spirit.
An incredible achievement.
Do not miss this. It may be the best 5hr game you’ll play in years.
An incredible achievement.
Do not miss this. It may be the best 5hr game you’ll play in years.
Reposted by Trent Kusters
Working in the game industry
November 18, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Working in the game industry
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with blops6, but it was the most ethically bankrupt & creatively shizofrenic game I've ever played.
A CoD campaign every few years was my guilty pleasure, but with the BDS boycott & the clear disdain for developers and their players, I'll likely never play CoD again.
A CoD campaign every few years was my guilty pleasure, but with the BDS boycott & the clear disdain for developers and their players, I'll likely never play CoD again.
Insulting to the players, insulting to the IP, insulting to the medium, the developers. And the craft itself. Fuck you executives who pushed this garbage.
frvr.com/blog/call-of...
frvr.com/blog/call-of...
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is littered with AI art slop, because your $70 means nothing anymore
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is littered with AI generated artwork which makes the $70 feel like a complete rip-off.
frvr.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:05 AM
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with blops6, but it was the most ethically bankrupt & creatively shizofrenic game I've ever played.
A CoD campaign every few years was my guilty pleasure, but with the BDS boycott & the clear disdain for developers and their players, I'll likely never play CoD again.
A CoD campaign every few years was my guilty pleasure, but with the BDS boycott & the clear disdain for developers and their players, I'll likely never play CoD again.
Hey chat is it good if your computer crashes during the game’s benchmark,
November 17, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Hey chat is it good if your computer crashes during the game’s benchmark,
Reposted by Trent Kusters
Ambrosia Sky: Act One is now available! Here's how you can support the game:
💸 Buy the game on Steam & EGS!
✅ Leave us a review!
💛 Join our community Discord!
💌 Follow us on our socials!
📚 Read our devlogs and updates!
You can find links to all of these here: linktr.ee/softrains
💸 Buy the game on Steam & EGS!
✅ Leave us a review!
💛 Join our community Discord!
💌 Follow us on our socials!
📚 Read our devlogs and updates!
You can find links to all of these here: linktr.ee/softrains
November 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Ambrosia Sky: Act One is now available! Here's how you can support the game:
💸 Buy the game on Steam & EGS!
✅ Leave us a review!
💛 Join our community Discord!
💌 Follow us on our socials!
📚 Read our devlogs and updates!
You can find links to all of these here: linktr.ee/softrains
💸 Buy the game on Steam & EGS!
✅ Leave us a review!
💛 Join our community Discord!
💌 Follow us on our socials!
📚 Read our devlogs and updates!
You can find links to all of these here: linktr.ee/softrains
All of you should be playing Ambrosia Sky. 🫵🏼
Life is unfair. Millions of people around the world dream of going to Paris, and this weekend I was in Paris and all I wanted to do was go home and continue playing Ambrosia Sky. 🤷♂️😁
November 16, 2025 at 11:04 PM
All of you should be playing Ambrosia Sky. 🫵🏼
Reposted by Trent Kusters
This episode of the Game Maker's Notebook with @trentkusters.bsky.social and Dave Oshry from @newblood.games is a wild ride.
The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook: From Used Car Salesman to Indie Game Publisher: The New Blood Story
chats with of . Together they discuss how he went from games journalism to publishing; navigating the ins and outs of publishing on PC and how they landed their first deal; how nostalgia meets…
gamemakersnotebook.libsyn.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:01 AM
This episode of the Game Maker's Notebook with @trentkusters.bsky.social and Dave Oshry from @newblood.games is a wild ride.
Reposted by Trent Kusters
"World's first potential trillionaire has killed 600,000 people, including 400,000 children" is the only headline that anyone should ever read about Elon Musk
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 1:33 AM
"World's first potential trillionaire has killed 600,000 people, including 400,000 children" is the only headline that anyone should ever read about Elon Musk