Bob De Schutter
@bobdeschutter.be
Professor at Northeastern University • award-winning indie game dev • PhD in game design, aging, motivation & learning • helps game devs to be mindful of older players
Pinned
Bob De Schutter
@bobdeschutter.be
· Dec 1
Hey everyone, I'm Bob, a Belgian professor and indie dev. My research is on 50+ year old gamers.
Portfolio: www.bobdeschutter.be
Resume: www.linkedin.com/in/bobdeschutter/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/BobDS06
I post about work, horror games/movies, board games, punk/metal, and basketball/volleyball.
Portfolio: www.bobdeschutter.be
Resume: www.linkedin.com/in/bobdeschutter/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/BobDS06
I post about work, horror games/movies, board games, punk/metal, and basketball/volleyball.
Proud of Games at Northeastern GSND alumni Nabil Oueida, Srinivas Teja Bhattar and Kito They now go by Ludocratic Games as they've been pouring what they learned into their indie game "The Box is Alive" and a Kickstarter campaign.
Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/lud...
Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/lud...
The Box is Alive: A Physics Based Platformer
Deliver yourself! Roll, jump & glide as a box on a goofy quest of self-delivery!
www.kickstarter.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Proud of Games at Northeastern GSND alumni Nabil Oueida, Srinivas Teja Bhattar and Kito They now go by Ludocratic Games as they've been pouring what they learned into their indie game "The Box is Alive" and a Kickstarter campaign.
Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/lud...
Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/lud...
Reposted by Bob De Schutter
What is the “Stop Killing Games” initiative, and will it hold sway with regulators? @northeasternu.bsky.social game designer @bobdeschutter.be weighs in on the movement.
Game designer talks ‘Stop Killing Games’ initiative. Can it make a difference in Europe?
The 'Stop Killing Games' petition responds to a growing concern among gamers over the future playability of server-based games.
bit.ly
July 8, 2025 at 10:00 PM
What is the “Stop Killing Games” initiative, and will it hold sway with regulators? @northeasternu.bsky.social game designer @bobdeschutter.be weighs in on the movement.
So far 2025 hasn't disappointed for horror movies. Sinners, 28 Years Later, Companion, Final Destination and Ugly Stepsister would make for a fine top 5 at the end of any year and we're just halfway there.
July 6, 2025 at 3:34 AM
So far 2025 hasn't disappointed for horror movies. Sinners, 28 Years Later, Companion, Final Destination and Ugly Stepsister would make for a fine top 5 at the end of any year and we're just halfway there.
The Accessibility Wizard from @steampowered.com is a serious step forward, even if there's still room for refinement. What stands out most is how genuinely satisfying it feels to progress through the checklist. Hoping motivates devs to include more game accessibility features.
April 29, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The Accessibility Wizard from @steampowered.com is a serious step forward, even if there's still room for refinement. What stands out most is how genuinely satisfying it feels to progress through the checklist. Hoping motivates devs to include more game accessibility features.
Reposted by Bob De Schutter
Even from my perch inside gamedev, I had no idea it was already this bad. The rot is spreading. A necessary, sobering read. (gift link)
‘An Overwhelmingly Negative And Demoralizing Force’: What It’s Like Working For A Company That’s Forcing AI On Its Developers - Aftermath
'I have had conversations about AI in a professional context that make me want to walk into the sea'
aftermath.site
April 7, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Even from my perch inside gamedev, I had no idea it was already this bad. The rot is spreading. A necessary, sobering read. (gift link)
Reposted by Bob De Schutter
I have shared this story, this thread, before - but I think given the state of the world, it's worth telling once again. Maybe it can help, especially if like me, you make art, and you wonder what the use of all of it is right now.
March 13, 2025 at 12:11 AM
I have shared this story, this thread, before - but I think given the state of the world, it's worth telling once again. Maybe it can help, especially if like me, you make art, and you wonder what the use of all of it is right now.
Was on a video call when my screen froze for a bit. For some reason it left a gaping hole in my face creepy enough for folks to take a screenshot. Maybe this is all a simulation after all?
March 13, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Was on a video call when my screen froze for a bit. For some reason it left a gaping hole in my face creepy enough for folks to take a screenshot. Maybe this is all a simulation after all?
I'll be at SXSW from 3/9 through 3/12 and at GDC from 3/18 through 3/22. Drop me a message if you'd like to meet up to talk age-friendly game design or anything else. :-)
March 3, 2025 at 9:46 PM
I'll be at SXSW from 3/9 through 3/12 and at GDC from 3/18 through 3/22. Drop me a message if you'd like to meet up to talk age-friendly game design or anything else. :-)
Reposted by Bob De Schutter
this haptic display absolutely rocks. basketball is for everyone.
February 6, 2025 at 9:56 PM
this haptic display absolutely rocks. basketball is for everyone.
A timely arrival amidst the apologist media responses we are currently seeing in relation to the inauguration.
Jan. 6 and QAnon have their roots in gaming, Northeastern professor concludes in new book
In “Playframes,” Celia Pearce examines what happens when the boundary between play and real life gets blurry –– and hazardous.
news.northeastern.edu
January 22, 2025 at 1:30 PM
A timely arrival amidst the apologist media responses we are currently seeing in relation to the inauguration.
Reposted by Bob De Schutter
Forgot to mention that we were in the New York Times![*]
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[*] kids supplement
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[*] kids supplement
January 22, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Forgot to mention that we were in the New York Times![*]
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[*] kids supplement
Reposted by Bob De Schutter
Remember when the pandemic began and everyone started accommodating remote work? Everyone began showing brand new movies and live concerts streaming? Disabled people had been fighting for this for decades. Now it’s all taken away. It’s not that they can’t accommodate us, they just don’t want to.
January 18, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Remember when the pandemic began and everyone started accommodating remote work? Everyone began showing brand new movies and live concerts streaming? Disabled people had been fighting for this for decades. Now it’s all taken away. It’s not that they can’t accommodate us, they just don’t want to.
Reposted by Bob De Schutter
Ooh, we got 5 excellent papers from this year's Polaris game design conference. A good crop. Looking forward to getting them up on the website for everyone.
If you want to check out previous year's papers, check out: polarisgamedesign.com/reports/
If you want to check out previous year's papers, check out: polarisgamedesign.com/reports/
Reports
Reports produced by Polaris Game Design Retreat attendees.
polarisgamedesign.com
January 9, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Ooh, we got 5 excellent papers from this year's Polaris game design conference. A good crop. Looking forward to getting them up on the website for everyone.
If you want to check out previous year's papers, check out: polarisgamedesign.com/reports/
If you want to check out previous year's papers, check out: polarisgamedesign.com/reports/
Reposted by Bob De Schutter
The next edition of GAconf will be at the Pullman St Pancras Hotel, London, on April 14th & 15th. And hybrid, also free to attend online.
Two days of talks and networking on accessibility for disabled players. Registration now open at GAconf.com!
#accessibility #gamedev
Two days of talks and networking on accessibility for disabled players. Registration now open at GAconf.com!
#accessibility #gamedev
January 15, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The next edition of GAconf will be at the Pullman St Pancras Hotel, London, on April 14th & 15th. And hybrid, also free to attend online.
Two days of talks and networking on accessibility for disabled players. Registration now open at GAconf.com!
#accessibility #gamedev
Two days of talks and networking on accessibility for disabled players. Registration now open at GAconf.com!
#accessibility #gamedev
"Games are ridiculously profitable. The same 2024 that saw record layoffs also saw record profits for nearly every publisher in the industry."
I wrote this post about the illusion that indie is a 'superior development style' about a week ago and waffled on whether or not it was still relevant enough to post. Aftermath putting up a podcast on the same topic today convinced me to finally shove it out the door.
auratriolo.com/blog/2025/01...
auratriolo.com/blog/2025/01...
January 16, 2025 at 1:50 PM
"Games are ridiculously profitable. The same 2024 that saw record layoffs also saw record profits for nearly every publisher in the industry."
Curious to see where this will go. Living in the US Midwest for a while, it was shocking how average Americans have no idea about the quality of life abroad. Sounds like some are finding out now.
I don't know how many of y'all are watching the migration of American TikTokers to RedNote, but it's the most fascinating thing I've EVER SEEN HAPPEN ONLINE.
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January 15, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Curious to see where this will go. Living in the US Midwest for a while, it was shocking how average Americans have no idea about the quality of life abroad. Sounds like some are finding out now.
I don't teach a class that could directly implement the rubric but there are some great ideas in here that are useful for other classes and contexts as well. For example, I love the "that can be proudly shared outside the classroom" requirement.
Here's the Hist Boardgame design rubric I currently use.
1. Please ask if I can help you implement before book comes out (i.e. in the next 1.5 years)
2. Please credit my years of work reflected in doing these so that others can find me and I can help them too.
2/
1. Please ask if I can help you implement before book comes out (i.e. in the next 1.5 years)
2. Please credit my years of work reflected in doing these so that others can find me and I can help them too.
2/
McCall’s Rubric for Historical Boardgame Projects
1. 10th Grade Modern World History Historical Boardgame Design Rubric 1.5 (2024) This is the current version of the rubric I use for my Honors Modern World History class (10th grade) for a semester…
gamingthepast.net
January 13, 2025 at 12:13 PM
I don't teach a class that could directly implement the rubric but there are some great ideas in here that are useful for other classes and contexts as well. For example, I love the "that can be proudly shared outside the classroom" requirement.
For some reason I cannot help but think of Jim Henson seeing this.
January 10, 2025 at 4:12 PM
For some reason I cannot help but think of Jim Henson seeing this.
Reposted by Bob De Schutter
I’m not looking forward to another wave of:
“This virus novel to humans is okay because *only* people with chronic illness/disability and those over 60 die from it.”
I don’t want to go through the state and the media telling me that I, and so many I love are disposable YET AGAIN.
“This virus novel to humans is okay because *only* people with chronic illness/disability and those over 60 die from it.”
I don’t want to go through the state and the media telling me that I, and so many I love are disposable YET AGAIN.
January 6, 2025 at 11:45 PM
I’m not looking forward to another wave of:
“This virus novel to humans is okay because *only* people with chronic illness/disability and those over 60 die from it.”
I don’t want to go through the state and the media telling me that I, and so many I love are disposable YET AGAIN.
“This virus novel to humans is okay because *only* people with chronic illness/disability and those over 60 die from it.”
I don’t want to go through the state and the media telling me that I, and so many I love are disposable YET AGAIN.
Reposted by Bob De Schutter
Firaxis—the studio behind the Civilization series—is hiring a historian. An *actual* historian.
And note, when they ask for "4+ years as a Writer, Narrative Designer, or other position with commensurate duties," that includes teaching, writing, and research—i.e. your Ph.D. in History.
And note, when they ask for "4+ years as a Writer, Narrative Designer, or other position with commensurate duties," that includes teaching, writing, and research—i.e. your Ph.D. in History.
Historian
Sparks Glencoe, Maryland, United States
boards.greenhouse.io
January 2, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Firaxis—the studio behind the Civilization series—is hiring a historian. An *actual* historian.
And note, when they ask for "4+ years as a Writer, Narrative Designer, or other position with commensurate duties," that includes teaching, writing, and research—i.e. your Ph.D. in History.
And note, when they ask for "4+ years as a Writer, Narrative Designer, or other position with commensurate duties," that includes teaching, writing, and research—i.e. your Ph.D. in History.
I’ve been loving my quiet feeds on Bsky. They boost the voices of people you follow or are following you who post less frequently.
January 2, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I’ve been loving my quiet feeds on Bsky. They boost the voices of people you follow or are following you who post less frequently.
Oh, and my favorite concerts this year were:
1. Have Heart/Gel (Boston)
2. Brutus (San Francisco)
3. The Hives (Boston)
1. Have Heart/Gel (Boston)
2. Brutus (San Francisco)
3. The Hives (Boston)
January 1, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Oh, and my favorite concerts this year were:
1. Have Heart/Gel (Boston)
2. Brutus (San Francisco)
3. The Hives (Boston)
1. Have Heart/Gel (Boston)
2. Brutus (San Francisco)
3. The Hives (Boston)
So here is my year recap for video games.
Games of 2024:
1. Satisfactory
2. Arcs
3. Balatro
4. UFO 50
5. Pax Penning
Pre-2024 I finally got to play in 2024
1. The Mortuary Assistant
2. Red Dead Redemption II
3. Midnight Suns
4. Dave the Diver
5. Dune: Spice Wars
Games of 2024:
1. Satisfactory
2. Arcs
3. Balatro
4. UFO 50
5. Pax Penning
Pre-2024 I finally got to play in 2024
1. The Mortuary Assistant
2. Red Dead Redemption II
3. Midnight Suns
4. Dave the Diver
5. Dune: Spice Wars
January 1, 2025 at 3:36 AM
So here is my year recap for video games.
Games of 2024:
1. Satisfactory
2. Arcs
3. Balatro
4. UFO 50
5. Pax Penning
Pre-2024 I finally got to play in 2024
1. The Mortuary Assistant
2. Red Dead Redemption II
3. Midnight Suns
4. Dave the Diver
5. Dune: Spice Wars
Games of 2024:
1. Satisfactory
2. Arcs
3. Balatro
4. UFO 50
5. Pax Penning
Pre-2024 I finally got to play in 2024
1. The Mortuary Assistant
2. Red Dead Redemption II
3. Midnight Suns
4. Dave the Diver
5. Dune: Spice Wars
Love how Alan Wake II is packed with incredible details that bring the world to live. Just noticed the janitor has a unique idle animation when you're in the room—he occasionally glances at you, adding a subtle tension, but he never does it when you're out of sight.
December 31, 2024 at 8:05 PM
Love how Alan Wake II is packed with incredible details that bring the world to live. Just noticed the janitor has a unique idle animation when you're in the room—he occasionally glances at you, adding a subtle tension, but he never does it when you're out of sight.