Xalavier Nelson Jr.
@writnelson.bsky.social
Running @StrangeScaffold. Wrote for MtG, Borderlands 4, Hypnospace Outlaw & more. Lead VA in Hellraiser: Revival. BAFTA nom. Christian! He/Him. Repped by CAA.
Pinned
The big news of the day is—Strange Scaffold got a front page spot on Steam! It’s our first-ever publisher sale!!
You can get EVERY GAME we’ve ever made for 60 bucks and I did a bunch of work on the gradients and colors to make it all look pretty!!! Ahhh!!!!
store.steampowered.com/sale/strange...
You can get EVERY GAME we’ve ever made for 60 bucks and I did a bunch of work on the gradients and colors to make it all look pretty!!! Ahhh!!!!
store.steampowered.com/sale/strange...
I'VE SEEN SANDA, AND PARU ITAGAKI
I WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH YOUR GAME, AND SORRY I EVER DOUBTED YOU
I WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH YOUR GAME, AND SORRY I EVER DOUBTED YOU
November 29, 2025 at 3:41 AM
I'VE SEEN SANDA, AND PARU ITAGAKI
I WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH YOUR GAME, AND SORRY I EVER DOUBTED YOU
I WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH YOUR GAME, AND SORRY I EVER DOUBTED YOU
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
Surprise! The Button City: Soccer Days Demo is now available on Steam! Get a preview of Button City: Soccer Days and play arcade physics soccer as cute animals!
Check out the demo and wishlist today!
⚽ store.steampowered.com/app/2417530/...
Check out the demo and wishlist today!
⚽ store.steampowered.com/app/2417530/...
Button City: Soccer Days on Steam
Rejoin the wholesome cast of Button City as they compete in this cozy soccer adventure! Build your dream team, plan your day, bond with teammates, enjoy action-packed soccer, and win the tournament!
store.steampowered.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Surprise! The Button City: Soccer Days Demo is now available on Steam! Get a preview of Button City: Soccer Days and play arcade physics soccer as cute animals!
Check out the demo and wishlist today!
⚽ store.steampowered.com/app/2417530/...
Check out the demo and wishlist today!
⚽ store.steampowered.com/app/2417530/...
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
Certainly wasn’t expecting this?! Thanks so much for the recognition!
I’m thrilled our little horror studio has made such an impression already! 🙏💜
I’m thrilled our little horror studio has made such an impression already! 🙏💜
Truly honored to announce that we’ve been nominated for ‘Best Indie Developer’ by the @horrorgameawards.bsky.social!! 😱🥺
Public voting is now open be sure to go vote for us if you think we deserve it! Thanks so much for the nomination!
www.thehorrorgameawards.com/news/public-...
Public voting is now open be sure to go vote for us if you think we deserve it! Thanks so much for the nomination!
www.thehorrorgameawards.com/news/public-...
November 28, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Certainly wasn’t expecting this?! Thanks so much for the recognition!
I’m thrilled our little horror studio has made such an impression already! 🙏💜
I’m thrilled our little horror studio has made such an impression already! 🙏💜
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
If you have somehow missed the roll-call for review keys for UNBEATABLE, I am your guy.
Keys for streaming will be going out closer to launch.
I am being spammed to death by scammers, so make sure it's easy to verify that you are legit.
If we worked together before, you know where to find me.
Keys for streaming will be going out closer to launch.
I am being spammed to death by scammers, so make sure it's easy to verify that you are legit.
If we worked together before, you know where to find me.
November 28, 2025 at 6:55 PM
If you have somehow missed the roll-call for review keys for UNBEATABLE, I am your guy.
Keys for streaming will be going out closer to launch.
I am being spammed to death by scammers, so make sure it's easy to verify that you are legit.
If we worked together before, you know where to find me.
Keys for streaming will be going out closer to launch.
I am being spammed to death by scammers, so make sure it's easy to verify that you are legit.
If we worked together before, you know where to find me.
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
The original Let It Die was famous for its absolutely amazing soundtrack. Akira Yamaoka went and got in touch with a HUNDRED of his favourite indie bands and commissioned each to do a track named 'let it die'. The result was borderline mystical.
They're AI-generating the music here.
Fuck that.
They're AI-generating the music here.
Fuck that.
The Let it Die sequel - Let it Die: Inferno - which is coming out next week (4th December), seems to have been built using a considerable amount of generative AI. https://bit.ly/4ol7lIA
November 28, 2025 at 9:14 PM
The original Let It Die was famous for its absolutely amazing soundtrack. Akira Yamaoka went and got in touch with a HUNDRED of his favourite indie bands and commissioned each to do a track named 'let it die'. The result was borderline mystical.
They're AI-generating the music here.
Fuck that.
They're AI-generating the music here.
Fuck that.
I had always heard of The Island as a notorious flop, but Michael Bay doing his version of Logan's Run is dope actually???
The constant use of color washes - and often multiple of them existing in the same scene, communicating different things – is incredible. Very 2000s.
The constant use of color washes - and often multiple of them existing in the same scene, communicating different things – is incredible. Very 2000s.
November 28, 2025 at 8:58 PM
I had always heard of The Island as a notorious flop, but Michael Bay doing his version of Logan's Run is dope actually???
The constant use of color washes - and often multiple of them existing in the same scene, communicating different things – is incredible. Very 2000s.
The constant use of color washes - and often multiple of them existing in the same scene, communicating different things – is incredible. Very 2000s.
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
I think what this and the example I posted earlier highlights is that there's a sweet spot we have been trying to hit on SWBTS.
A super plausible string of events is boring, an implausible series of events breaks the fiction.
The best babies are the ones that make you go "wait... oh goodness"
A super plausible string of events is boring, an implausible series of events breaks the fiction.
The best babies are the ones that make you go "wait... oh goodness"
The story of Gooble Gibby is breaking my brain in the perfect way!
Filling in the gaps in little emergent stories during Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator's trading day is one of my favourite things.
Filling in the gaps in little emergent stories during Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator's trading day is one of my favourite things.
November 28, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I think what this and the example I posted earlier highlights is that there's a sweet spot we have been trying to hit on SWBTS.
A super plausible string of events is boring, an implausible series of events breaks the fiction.
The best babies are the ones that make you go "wait... oh goodness"
A super plausible string of events is boring, an implausible series of events breaks the fiction.
The best babies are the ones that make you go "wait... oh goodness"
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
Our life generator is so good now at finding these little moments of setup and payoff. The fact that the first good thing in this baby's life was learning to fire a gun and the last was that same thing killing them by accident at an old age? Quite literally Chekhov's gun.
🤚 Cinema 🤚
🤚 Cinema 🤚
November 28, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Our life generator is so good now at finding these little moments of setup and payoff. The fact that the first good thing in this baby's life was learning to fire a gun and the last was that same thing killing them by accident at an old age? Quite literally Chekhov's gun.
🤚 Cinema 🤚
🤚 Cinema 🤚
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
Poor, fuzzy Flora.
You were doing so well until you weren't.
You were doing so well until you weren't.
November 28, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Poor, fuzzy Flora.
You were doing so well until you weren't.
You were doing so well until you weren't.
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
So I'm taking the plunge and ordering some PC parts over Black Friday.
If you appreciate what @startmenu.bsky.social has done over the years, like @rewinder.co.uk/my freelance work, or thought I didn't sound like an idiot on Game Mess Mornings, now would be a great time to show your appreciation.
If you appreciate what @startmenu.bsky.social has done over the years, like @rewinder.co.uk/my freelance work, or thought I didn't sound like an idiot on Game Mess Mornings, now would be a great time to show your appreciation.
November 27, 2025 at 4:52 PM
So I'm taking the plunge and ordering some PC parts over Black Friday.
If you appreciate what @startmenu.bsky.social has done over the years, like @rewinder.co.uk/my freelance work, or thought I didn't sound like an idiot on Game Mess Mornings, now would be a great time to show your appreciation.
If you appreciate what @startmenu.bsky.social has done over the years, like @rewinder.co.uk/my freelance work, or thought I didn't sound like an idiot on Game Mess Mornings, now would be a great time to show your appreciation.
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
I HAVE DECODED BURGER KING. I HAVE THE RAW HIGH QUALITY MODELS.
AHAHAHAHAHA
AHAHAHAHAHA
November 26, 2025 at 11:33 AM
I HAVE DECODED BURGER KING. I HAVE THE RAW HIGH QUALITY MODELS.
AHAHAHAHAHA
AHAHAHAHAHA
I did some voice acting and writing on this one - so excited that it’s out in full now!!
Kill It with Fire 2 is officially OUT of Early Access! Grab a friend, squash a spider, and enjoy a bit of interdimensional travel! youtu.be/YLPc_Vnzaps?...
KILL IT WITH FIRE! 2 - Launch Trailer | Steam, PS5, Xbox Game Pass
YouTube video by tinyBuildGAMES
youtu.be
November 27, 2025 at 10:18 AM
I did some voice acting and writing on this one - so excited that it’s out in full now!!
i am so normal right now
you have no idea how normal i am
(also this is why we aren’t calling baby trading sim a sequel)
you have no idea how normal i am
(also this is why we aren’t calling baby trading sim a sequel)
November 26, 2025 at 7:59 PM
i am so normal right now
you have no idea how normal i am
(also this is why we aren’t calling baby trading sim a sequel)
you have no idea how normal i am
(also this is why we aren’t calling baby trading sim a sequel)
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
"As with Thirsty Suitors, this is an overt and chewy piece of social commentary, exploring the usurpation of communal cooking and eating by mass-produced ready meals."
And we still manage to focus on the joy of living, joy of healing, joy of connecting, and joy of expression through play.
And we still manage to focus on the joy of living, joy of healing, joy of connecting, and joy of expression through play.
November 25, 2025 at 6:15 PM
"As with Thirsty Suitors, this is an overt and chewy piece of social commentary, exploring the usurpation of communal cooking and eating by mass-produced ready meals."
And we still manage to focus on the joy of living, joy of healing, joy of connecting, and joy of expression through play.
And we still manage to focus on the joy of living, joy of healing, joy of connecting, and joy of expression through play.
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
I'm a BAFTA Breakthrough 2025!
I'm honoured to be amongst such an incredible cohort, and for BAFTA to recognise my work on Old Skies!
As a disabled, female, performer-writer in games, I am so proud to show what we can do, and with BAFTA's support the sky's the limit!
www.bafta.org/stories/brea...
I'm honoured to be amongst such an incredible cohort, and for BAFTA to recognise my work on Old Skies!
As a disabled, female, performer-writer in games, I am so proud to show what we can do, and with BAFTA's support the sky's the limit!
www.bafta.org/stories/brea...
November 25, 2025 at 1:26 PM
I'm a BAFTA Breakthrough 2025!
I'm honoured to be amongst such an incredible cohort, and for BAFTA to recognise my work on Old Skies!
As a disabled, female, performer-writer in games, I am so proud to show what we can do, and with BAFTA's support the sky's the limit!
www.bafta.org/stories/brea...
I'm honoured to be amongst such an incredible cohort, and for BAFTA to recognise my work on Old Skies!
As a disabled, female, performer-writer in games, I am so proud to show what we can do, and with BAFTA's support the sky's the limit!
www.bafta.org/stories/brea...
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
As 2025 winds to a close, we say goodbye to a few members of our team whose work was instrumental in bringing Ambrosia Sky: Act One to life.
Each of these folks is an incredible talent. Though we've made the difficult decision to part ways for now, I'd be lucky to work with any of them again.
Each of these folks is an incredible talent. Though we've made the difficult decision to part ways for now, I'd be lucky to work with any of them again.
November 25, 2025 at 5:11 PM
As 2025 winds to a close, we say goodbye to a few members of our team whose work was instrumental in bringing Ambrosia Sky: Act One to life.
Each of these folks is an incredible talent. Though we've made the difficult decision to part ways for now, I'd be lucky to work with any of them again.
Each of these folks is an incredible talent. Though we've made the difficult decision to part ways for now, I'd be lucky to work with any of them again.
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
Watch our Young Suns teaser! Available now in Xbox Game Preview on Game Pass and coming soon to other platforms 🪐
www.youngsuns.com
www.youngsuns.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Watch our Young Suns teaser! Available now in Xbox Game Preview on Game Pass and coming soon to other platforms 🪐
www.youngsuns.com
www.youngsuns.com
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
We're excited to announce YOUNG SUNS: a new narrative-rich co-op life sim set on Jupiter. Experience life in an optimistic future full of colorful characters. Play solo or with up to 3 friends. Visit planetoids, ruins, and stations. Craft and decorate. Help society heal.
youtu.be/rVEWbp1FiKg?...
youtu.be/rVEWbp1FiKg?...
KO_OP Game Reveal & Presentation
YouTube video by KO_OP
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM
We're excited to announce YOUNG SUNS: a new narrative-rich co-op life sim set on Jupiter. Experience life in an optimistic future full of colorful characters. Play solo or with up to 3 friends. Visit planetoids, ruins, and stations. Craft and decorate. Help society heal.
youtu.be/rVEWbp1FiKg?...
youtu.be/rVEWbp1FiKg?...
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
BIG NEWS:
We are no longer Eggplant. We are, simply:
The Secret Lives of Games
AND ALSO:
We've launched the first episode of All Systems Brough, a year-long, one-a-month series exploring the work of @smestorp.bsky.social. Join us and play along!
secretlives.games/all-systems-...
We are no longer Eggplant. We are, simply:
The Secret Lives of Games
AND ALSO:
We've launched the first episode of All Systems Brough, a year-long, one-a-month series exploring the work of @smestorp.bsky.social. Join us and play along!
secretlives.games/all-systems-...
The Secret Lives of Games: All Systems Brough - Introduction
We're joined by Frank Lantz (Q-UP) and Mare Sheppard + Raigan Burns of Metanet (N++) for the first episode of All Systems Brough, a year-long exploration of the work of Michael Brough. We share our th...
secretlives.games
November 21, 2025 at 9:32 PM
BIG NEWS:
We are no longer Eggplant. We are, simply:
The Secret Lives of Games
AND ALSO:
We've launched the first episode of All Systems Brough, a year-long, one-a-month series exploring the work of @smestorp.bsky.social. Join us and play along!
secretlives.games/all-systems-...
We are no longer Eggplant. We are, simply:
The Secret Lives of Games
AND ALSO:
We've launched the first episode of All Systems Brough, a year-long, one-a-month series exploring the work of @smestorp.bsky.social. Join us and play along!
secretlives.games/all-systems-...
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
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 24, 2025 at 10:23 PM
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.
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
Spoke to a number of devs about how, in the face of CEOs claiming gen-AI is the future, their declaration of being genAI free is making waves.
Indie game developers have a new sales pitch: being ‘AI free’
Indie game developers have a new sales pitch: being ‘AI free’
“We can produce results that meet our quality standards without its assistance.”
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Spoke to a number of devs about how, in the face of CEOs claiming gen-AI is the future, their declaration of being genAI free is making waves.
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
This Saturday I'll be giving a talk on how I decided on developing Wax Heads at Good Game Dev Fest, alongside a bunch of extremely talented devs doing awesome talks.
If you're going, hope you enjoy and be good to see you there!
if you're interested in going, tickets: luma.com/GGDF25
🔥🔥🔥
If you're going, hope you enjoy and be good to see you there!
if you're interested in going, tickets: luma.com/GGDF25
🔥🔥🔥
November 24, 2025 at 10:17 AM
This Saturday I'll be giving a talk on how I decided on developing Wax Heads at Good Game Dev Fest, alongside a bunch of extremely talented devs doing awesome talks.
If you're going, hope you enjoy and be good to see you there!
if you're interested in going, tickets: luma.com/GGDF25
🔥🔥🔥
If you're going, hope you enjoy and be good to see you there!
if you're interested in going, tickets: luma.com/GGDF25
🔥🔥🔥
Coherence is INCREDIBLE and also an anxiety attack of a movie to watch as a writer
Just, a window into storytelling hell
Just, a window into storytelling hell
November 24, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Coherence is INCREDIBLE and also an anxiety attack of a movie to watch as a writer
Just, a window into storytelling hell
Just, a window into storytelling hell
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
just incredibly thrilled to announce that after months and months of uncertainty over the future of the game, and several I have bought Zombies, Run!, the game I co-created and have been making for the past 12 years:
zombiesrungame.com
observer.co.uk/the-critics/...
zombiesrungame.com
observer.co.uk/the-critics/...
I’m a novelist who’s just bought a video games company. Here’s why you should care about games writing | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 6:08 AM
just incredibly thrilled to announce that after months and months of uncertainty over the future of the game, and several I have bought Zombies, Run!, the game I co-created and have been making for the past 12 years:
zombiesrungame.com
observer.co.uk/the-critics/...
zombiesrungame.com
observer.co.uk/the-critics/...
Reposted by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
