Joel Burgess
@joelburgess.bsky.social
Studio Head at Soft Rains
Priors: Capy games, Watch Dogs Legion, Fallouts 3/4/76, TES: Skyrim, Oblivion, Aeon Flux, Bloodrayne 2, technically Grandma’s Boy
Priors: Capy games, Watch Dogs Legion, Fallouts 3/4/76, TES: Skyrim, Oblivion, Aeon Flux, Bloodrayne 2, technically Grandma’s Boy
Really proud of this green check.
Folks across the team took performance seriously and that diligence means Ambrosia Sky runs great on Steam Deck (while doing pretty intense simulation magic)
Folks across the team took performance seriously and that diligence means Ambrosia Sky runs great on Steam Deck (while doing pretty intense simulation magic)
November 13, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Really proud of this green check.
Folks across the team took performance seriously and that diligence means Ambrosia Sky runs great on Steam Deck (while doing pretty intense simulation magic)
Folks across the team took performance seriously and that diligence means Ambrosia Sky runs great on Steam Deck (while doing pretty intense simulation magic)
Don't miss the Soundtrack for Ambrosia Sky. Grej is a phenom, and his work absolutely elevates the game.
The OST is more than game music. Arranged for listening and professionally mastered, it is a wonderful album.
Give it a listen and show support for Grej:
store.steampowered.com/app/3763620/...
The OST is more than game music. Arranged for listening and professionally mastered, it is a wonderful album.
Give it a listen and show support for Grej:
store.steampowered.com/app/3763620/...
November 10, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Don't miss the Soundtrack for Ambrosia Sky. Grej is a phenom, and his work absolutely elevates the game.
The OST is more than game music. Arranged for listening and professionally mastered, it is a wonderful album.
Give it a listen and show support for Grej:
store.steampowered.com/app/3763620/...
The OST is more than game music. Arranged for listening and professionally mastered, it is a wonderful album.
Give it a listen and show support for Grej:
store.steampowered.com/app/3763620/...
When the writing literally overshadows the writer.
I wasn't able to go, so thanks to Kevin Ly who caught this shot from the audience of @kaittremblay.bsky.social at Hot Docs yesterday.
I wasn't able to go, so thanks to Kevin Ly who caught this shot from the audience of @kaittremblay.bsky.social at Hot Docs yesterday.
November 9, 2025 at 6:21 PM
When the writing literally overshadows the writer.
I wasn't able to go, so thanks to Kevin Ly who caught this shot from the audience of @kaittremblay.bsky.social at Hot Docs yesterday.
I wasn't able to go, so thanks to Kevin Ly who caught this shot from the audience of @kaittremblay.bsky.social at Hot Docs yesterday.
Come watch @astroscout.ca absolutely stump me with a modded-to-the-gills Skyrim run as part of our charity marathon for @extralife4kids.bsky.social
This Sunday, Nov 9! Just in time for the launch of Ambrosia Sky Act One Nov 10 - which is also just in time for Skyrim's 19th anniversary on Nov 11.
This Sunday, Nov 9! Just in time for the launch of Ambrosia Sky Act One Nov 10 - which is also just in time for Skyrim's 19th anniversary on Nov 11.
November 5, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Come watch @astroscout.ca absolutely stump me with a modded-to-the-gills Skyrim run as part of our charity marathon for @extralife4kids.bsky.social
This Sunday, Nov 9! Just in time for the launch of Ambrosia Sky Act One Nov 10 - which is also just in time for Skyrim's 19th anniversary on Nov 11.
This Sunday, Nov 9! Just in time for the launch of Ambrosia Sky Act One Nov 10 - which is also just in time for Skyrim's 19th anniversary on Nov 11.
They say every level designer has a calling card, and I guess this is mine.
October 30, 2025 at 10:47 PM
They say every level designer has a calling card, and I guess this is mine.
Proud to sport my exclusive @capygames.bsky.social merch as I settle into my weekend in LA
October 25, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Proud to sport my exclusive @capygames.bsky.social merch as I settle into my weekend in LA
So THAT is what my trigger does; prompt dormant electro-fungi to sprout when a player traipses into the area
That sets off a chain reaction of secondary and tertiary effects, including the drop in gravity.
The end result is an entirely playable, simulated "cinematic" moment.
That sets off a chain reaction of secondary and tertiary effects, including the drop in gravity.
The end result is an entirely playable, simulated "cinematic" moment.
October 15, 2025 at 9:24 PM
So THAT is what my trigger does; prompt dormant electro-fungi to sprout when a player traipses into the area
That sets off a chain reaction of secondary and tertiary effects, including the drop in gravity.
The end result is an entirely playable, simulated "cinematic" moment.
That sets off a chain reaction of secondary and tertiary effects, including the drop in gravity.
The end result is an entirely playable, simulated "cinematic" moment.
Electrical sim in Ambrosia Sky has three states: Powered, unpowered, and "overloaded" - which is caused where electric fungi touches and feeds on power.
Overloaded power basically scrambles whatever it touches. Lights flicker, doors jam... and gravity generators fail.
Overloaded power basically scrambles whatever it touches. Lights flicker, doors jam... and gravity generators fail.
October 15, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Electrical sim in Ambrosia Sky has three states: Powered, unpowered, and "overloaded" - which is caused where electric fungi touches and feeds on power.
Overloaded power basically scrambles whatever it touches. Lights flicker, doors jam... and gravity generators fail.
Overloaded power basically scrambles whatever it touches. Lights flicker, doors jam... and gravity generators fail.
As before, I COULD just disable the generator in the trigger script.
But we also simulate electrical systems, so the "right way" is to short out the gravity control's POWER source.
Enter the main character of this story: electrical fungus.
But we also simulate electrical systems, so the "right way" is to short out the gravity control's POWER source.
Enter the main character of this story: electrical fungus.
October 15, 2025 at 9:24 PM
As before, I COULD just disable the generator in the trigger script.
But we also simulate electrical systems, so the "right way" is to short out the gravity control's POWER source.
Enter the main character of this story: electrical fungus.
But we also simulate electrical systems, so the "right way" is to short out the gravity control's POWER source.
Enter the main character of this story: electrical fungus.
But... I'm not just setting gravity to zero; Gravity is part of our world sim. So the "right way" to do this is to disable the nearby gravity generator.
So... how does one disable a gravity generator?
I am SO glad you asked.
So... how does one disable a gravity generator?
I am SO glad you asked.
October 15, 2025 at 9:24 PM
But... I'm not just setting gravity to zero; Gravity is part of our world sim. So the "right way" to do this is to disable the nearby gravity generator.
So... how does one disable a gravity generator?
I am SO glad you asked.
So... how does one disable a gravity generator?
I am SO glad you asked.
Okay, so: at the end of the opening level, there's a room where gravity goes wonky.
Superficially, this is a pretty traditional scripted moment kind of thing. I've got a trigger near a doorway that fires off an event.
Voila. Traditional. Typical. (Boring.)
Superficially, this is a pretty traditional scripted moment kind of thing. I've got a trigger near a doorway that fires off an event.
Voila. Traditional. Typical. (Boring.)
October 15, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Okay, so: at the end of the opening level, there's a room where gravity goes wonky.
Superficially, this is a pretty traditional scripted moment kind of thing. I've got a trigger near a doorway that fires off an event.
Voila. Traditional. Typical. (Boring.)
Superficially, this is a pretty traditional scripted moment kind of thing. I've got a trigger near a doorway that fires off an event.
Voila. Traditional. Typical. (Boring.)
With our new demo running during Steam Next Fest, I'm seeing more players discover Ambrosia Sky's immersive sim sensibilities.
I thought it might be fun to share a pair of moment from the demo that illustrates this, through the lens of how I do my work as a level designer.
I thought it might be fun to share a pair of moment from the demo that illustrates this, through the lens of how I do my work as a level designer.
October 15, 2025 at 9:24 PM
With our new demo running during Steam Next Fest, I'm seeing more players discover Ambrosia Sky's immersive sim sensibilities.
I thought it might be fun to share a pair of moment from the demo that illustrates this, through the lens of how I do my work as a level designer.
I thought it might be fun to share a pair of moment from the demo that illustrates this, through the lens of how I do my work as a level designer.
Where am I?
(I'd say wrong answers only, but I'll be genuinely impressed if somebody comes through with a right answer)
(I'd say wrong answers only, but I'll be genuinely impressed if somebody comes through with a right answer)
September 23, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Where am I?
(I'd say wrong answers only, but I'll be genuinely impressed if somebody comes through with a right answer)
(I'd say wrong answers only, but I'll be genuinely impressed if somebody comes through with a right answer)
Finally, I have THE chase card for Lorcana
September 10, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Finally, I have THE chase card for Lorcana
If you think I can talk your ear off about mycelium, just avoid getting me started on ska!
(thanks for the writeup on Ambrosia Sky, @dominguezf.bsky.social)
store.epicgames.com/en-US/news/a...
(thanks for the writeup on Ambrosia Sky, @dominguezf.bsky.social)
store.epicgames.com/en-US/news/a...
September 8, 2025 at 4:57 PM
If you think I can talk your ear off about mycelium, just avoid getting me started on ska!
(thanks for the writeup on Ambrosia Sky, @dominguezf.bsky.social)
store.epicgames.com/en-US/news/a...
(thanks for the writeup on Ambrosia Sky, @dominguezf.bsky.social)
store.epicgames.com/en-US/news/a...
Well said by @bryantfrancis.me - getting to make an original game as personal, weird and genre-breaking as Ambrosia Sky is something that's hard to imagine accomplishing in any context other than as an independent studio.
www.gamedeveloper.com/design/what-...
www.gamedeveloper.com/design/what-...
August 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Well said by @bryantfrancis.me - getting to make an original game as personal, weird and genre-breaking as Ambrosia Sky is something that's hard to imagine accomplishing in any context other than as an independent studio.
www.gamedeveloper.com/design/what-...
www.gamedeveloper.com/design/what-...
Intense forgotten sense memories in seeing that green weirdo
images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5...
images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5...
June 26, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Intense forgotten sense memories in seeing that green weirdo
images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5...
images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5...
When folks are kind enough to write about the work, there are the pull quotes you want on your trailer, and then there are the quotes you want to hang on your wall.
Thank you @platanoranger.bsky.social
Thank you @platanoranger.bsky.social
June 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
When folks are kind enough to write about the work, there are the pull quotes you want on your trailer, and then there are the quotes you want to hang on your wall.
Thank you @platanoranger.bsky.social
Thank you @platanoranger.bsky.social
Oh, and in case the “pup of chaos” moniker failed to come through, here’s what I saw when I checked on her via webcam at the doggy daycare.
June 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Oh, and in case the “pup of chaos” moniker failed to come through, here’s what I saw when I checked on her via webcam at the doggy daycare.
Willow’s the hardest case I’ve had as a dog guardian. She’s about two years old now; the shift from her dopey teenage years into proper doggy adulthood.
She’s also shifted from a rescue in my care to a family dog and a forever companion. She’s hard work, but that’s what she needs and deserves.
💙
She’s also shifted from a rescue in my care to a family dog and a forever companion. She’s hard work, but that’s what she needs and deserves.
💙
June 6, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Willow’s the hardest case I’ve had as a dog guardian. She’s about two years old now; the shift from her dopey teenage years into proper doggy adulthood.
She’s also shifted from a rescue in my care to a family dog and a forever companion. She’s hard work, but that’s what she needs and deserves.
💙
She’s also shifted from a rescue in my care to a family dog and a forever companion. She’s hard work, but that’s what she needs and deserves.
💙
Working with her has given me fresh appreciation for dogs with special mental difficulties, the people who have the patience and skill to help them, and neighbors who choose kindness over judgment.
She still struggles with fear/reactivity, but we understand her triggers and manage them safely.
She still struggles with fear/reactivity, but we understand her triggers and manage them safely.
June 6, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Working with her has given me fresh appreciation for dogs with special mental difficulties, the people who have the patience and skill to help them, and neighbors who choose kindness over judgment.
She still struggles with fear/reactivity, but we understand her triggers and manage them safely.
She still struggles with fear/reactivity, but we understand her triggers and manage them safely.
But the leg was not her only medical difficulty - she was also a highly reactive pup. Almost any stimulus terrified her.
That fear response meant she might bolt, lunge, or snap at a trigger - and the city is full of triggers.
That fear response meant she might bolt, lunge, or snap at a trigger - and the city is full of triggers.
June 6, 2025 at 1:29 PM
But the leg was not her only medical difficulty - she was also a highly reactive pup. Almost any stimulus terrified her.
That fear response meant she might bolt, lunge, or snap at a trigger - and the city is full of triggers.
That fear response meant she might bolt, lunge, or snap at a trigger - and the city is full of triggers.
Over the next few months, we worked with vets on a regimen of care.
Miraculously, her leg would fully recover, with only a band of dense scar tissue remaining today, despite the severity of her initial prognosis.
Miraculously, her leg would fully recover, with only a band of dense scar tissue remaining today, despite the severity of her initial prognosis.
June 6, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Over the next few months, we worked with vets on a regimen of care.
Miraculously, her leg would fully recover, with only a band of dense scar tissue remaining today, despite the severity of her initial prognosis.
Miraculously, her leg would fully recover, with only a band of dense scar tissue remaining today, despite the severity of her initial prognosis.
An emergency vet estimated her at 7 months old, and speculated the leg wound was the result of a hobble technique used by unethical breeders to mask hip dysplasia.
I won’t post gore here, but she had no fur - nor skin - on a section of her hind leg. Amputation was the most likely outcome.
I won’t post gore here, but she had no fur - nor skin - on a section of her hind leg. Amputation was the most likely outcome.
June 6, 2025 at 1:23 PM
An emergency vet estimated her at 7 months old, and speculated the leg wound was the result of a hobble technique used by unethical breeders to mask hip dysplasia.
I won’t post gore here, but she had no fur - nor skin - on a section of her hind leg. Amputation was the most likely outcome.
I won’t post gore here, but she had no fur - nor skin - on a section of her hind leg. Amputation was the most likely outcome.