Videogame Workshop
@videogameworkshop.com
Independent videogame development studio. Our games are puzzley, interesting, and easy for anyone to play. We share our insights and dialogue as we develop.
videogameworkshop.com
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Adults Can’t Count Either - Dennis Ramirez & Charlie Mackin (ThinkyCon 2025)
YouTube video by Thinky Games
youtu.be
Counting, reading, and listening are harder for adults than you might think!
We talked to @thinkygames.com about how it impacts thinky games especially, and what designers can do about it!
#gamedev #gamedesign #indiegamedev
We talked to @thinkygames.com about how it impacts thinky games especially, and what designers can do about it!
#gamedev #gamedesign #indiegamedev
" ____ stealing parrot captured at South Korean cafe"
Play the weekly Headliner puzzle to see last week's weird headlines!
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
Play the weekly Headliner puzzle to see last week's weird headlines!
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
HEADLINER
A crossword puzzle about ridiculous news in horrific times.
www.videogameworkshop.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:02 PM
" ____ stealing parrot captured at South Korean cafe"
Play the weekly Headliner puzzle to see last week's weird headlines!
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
Play the weekly Headliner puzzle to see last week's weird headlines!
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
Players can’t count… or read… or listen. At least not in the way game designers assume they can.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Your Players Can’t Count | Videogame Workshop
Get more from Videogame Workshop on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Players can’t count… or read… or listen. At least not in the way game designers assume they can.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Counting, reading, and listening are harder for adults than you might think!
We talked to @thinkygames.com about how it impacts thinky games especially, and what designers can do about it!
#gamedev #gamedesign #indiegamedev
We talked to @thinkygames.com about how it impacts thinky games especially, and what designers can do about it!
#gamedev #gamedesign #indiegamedev
Adults Can’t Count Either - Dennis Ramirez & Charlie Mackin (ThinkyCon 2025)
YouTube video by Thinky Games
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Counting, reading, and listening are harder for adults than you might think!
We talked to @thinkygames.com about how it impacts thinky games especially, and what designers can do about it!
#gamedev #gamedesign #indiegamedev
We talked to @thinkygames.com about how it impacts thinky games especially, and what designers can do about it!
#gamedev #gamedesign #indiegamedev
Thanks so much for having us!
Even adult puzzle game players don't want to count, read, or listen! So, Dennis Ramirez & Charlie Mackin gave us some useful design tricks to help them out!
@dennis.videogameworkshop.com
@charlie.videogameworkshop.com
@dennis.videogameworkshop.com
@charlie.videogameworkshop.com
Adults Can’t Count Either - Dennis Ramirez & Charlie Mackin (ThinkyCon 2025)
Dennis Ramirez & Charlie Mackin from @VideogameWorkshop join us at ThinkyCon 2025 to present the talk: "Adults Can’t Count Either: Design Tricks We Used at PBS That Apply to All Games"
Talk description: We aren’t telling you to treat your players like children, but we ARE saying everyone has a har
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Thanks so much for having us!
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"Kim Kardashian Slams ‘All Of The F**king ____’ For Wrongly Predicting Her Bar Exam"
#IndieGameDev #IndieGame #PuzzleGames
"Kim Kardashian Slams ‘All Of The F**king ____’ For Wrongly Predicting Her Bar Exam"
#IndieGameDev #IndieGame #PuzzleGames
HEADLINER
A crossword puzzle about ridiculous news in horrific times.
www.videogameworkshop.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"Kim Kardashian Slams ‘All Of The F**king ____’ For Wrongly Predicting Her Bar Exam"
#IndieGameDev #IndieGame #PuzzleGames
"Kim Kardashian Slams ‘All Of The F**king ____’ For Wrongly Predicting Her Bar Exam"
#IndieGameDev #IndieGame #PuzzleGames
Following a standardized method for giving feedback can make the critique process more productive and less painful for everyone involved.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Design Criticism That’s Actually Helpful | Videogame Workshop
Get more from Videogame Workshop on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Following a standardized method for giving feedback can make the critique process more productive and less painful for everyone involved.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
We're going to talk about why your players can't count, and what you can do about it at 1:30 CST at ThinkyCon! Check it out, It's free!
thinkygames.com/events/think...
@thinkygames.com
thinkygames.com/events/think...
@thinkygames.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:14 PM
We're going to talk about why your players can't count, and what you can do about it at 1:30 CST at ThinkyCon! Check it out, It's free!
thinkygames.com/events/think...
@thinkygames.com
thinkygames.com/events/think...
@thinkygames.com
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"'Chunkosaurus Rex' wins Texas' inaugural Fat ____ Week"
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #IndieGames
"'Chunkosaurus Rex' wins Texas' inaugural Fat ____ Week"
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #IndieGames
HEADLINER
A crossword puzzle about ridiculous news in horrific times.
www.videogameworkshop.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"'Chunkosaurus Rex' wins Texas' inaugural Fat ____ Week"
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #IndieGames
"'Chunkosaurus Rex' wins Texas' inaugural Fat ____ Week"
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #IndieGames
Reposted by Videogame Workshop
November 5, 2025 at 4:02 PM
An unstoppable monster can get boring. To use them effectively, get creative.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Unstoppable Enemies | Videogame Workshop
Get more from Videogame Workshop on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:13 PM
An unstoppable monster can get boring. To use them effectively, get creative.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
We're giving a talk at ThinkyCon 2025!
Come hear why most people can’t easily count past 3 and what you can do about it!
ThinkyCon starts tomorrow! For more info check out the site: thinkygames.com/events/think...
Come hear why most people can’t easily count past 3 and what you can do about it!
ThinkyCon starts tomorrow! For more info check out the site: thinkygames.com/events/think...
November 4, 2025 at 8:05 PM
We're giving a talk at ThinkyCon 2025!
Come hear why most people can’t easily count past 3 and what you can do about it!
ThinkyCon starts tomorrow! For more info check out the site: thinkygames.com/events/think...
Come hear why most people can’t easily count past 3 and what you can do about it!
ThinkyCon starts tomorrow! For more info check out the site: thinkygames.com/events/think...
Happy Halloween! These game mechanics can make your players feel DREAD.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Add Dread to Your Game | Videogame Workshop
Get more from Videogame Workshop on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Happy Halloween! These game mechanics can make your players feel DREAD.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Do you want to play a horror videogame? 😱
Happy Halloween! We're discussing horror games, our preferences, and what mechanics make a game spooky.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
Happy Halloween! We're discussing horror games, our preferences, and what mechanics make a game spooky.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
Horror Games
YouTube video by Videogame Workshop
youtu.be
October 31, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Do you want to play a horror videogame? 😱
Happy Halloween! We're discussing horror games, our preferences, and what mechanics make a game spooky.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
Happy Halloween! We're discussing horror games, our preferences, and what mechanics make a game spooky.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"Police arrest real-life ‘____’ accused of stealing 300 pounds of sausage and burgers"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
"Police arrest real-life ‘____’ accused of stealing 300 pounds of sausage and burgers"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
HEADLINER
A crossword puzzle about ridiculous news in horrific times.
www.videogameworkshop.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"Police arrest real-life ‘____’ accused of stealing 300 pounds of sausage and burgers"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
"Police arrest real-life ‘____’ accused of stealing 300 pounds of sausage and burgers"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
With enough creativity, you can make a paper prototype for any type of game. Let’s go through a few examples using different genres.
#GameDesign #GameDev #IndieGameDev
#GameDesign #GameDev #IndieGameDev
Making a Videogame With Paper
Paper prototyping is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to put something in front of players.
videogameworkshop.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:06 PM
With enough creativity, you can make a paper prototype for any type of game. Let’s go through a few examples using different genres.
#GameDesign #GameDev #IndieGameDev
#GameDesign #GameDev #IndieGameDev
Videogame
Videogames
Videogames
October 28, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Videogame
Videogames
Videogames
"Wild bear stealthily enters California zoo is found visiting the ____ exhibit"
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
HEADLINER
A crossword puzzle about ridiculous news in horrific times.
www.videogameworkshop.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:39 PM
"Wild bear stealthily enters California zoo is found visiting the ____ exhibit"
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
How do designers keep players in a persistent, ongoing state of dread? Give them something to worry about.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Add Dread to Your Game
How do designers keep players in a persistent, ongoing state of dread?
videogameworkshop.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:06 PM
How do designers keep players in a persistent, ongoing state of dread? Give them something to worry about.
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
We've been working on our game "Top Words"! Last time it was only a demo in Google Slides, but now we have two working Betas to test!
We're playtesting, discussing pros and cons, and planning our next steps.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
We're playtesting, discussing pros and cons, and planning our next steps.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
"Top Words" Beta Builds
YouTube video by Videogame Workshop
youtu.be
October 16, 2025 at 11:00 PM
We've been working on our game "Top Words"! Last time it was only a demo in Google Slides, but now we have two working Betas to test!
We're playtesting, discussing pros and cons, and planning our next steps.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
We're playtesting, discussing pros and cons, and planning our next steps.
#gamedev #indiegamedev #podcast
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"'IT KEPT BLOWING AWAY': Runaway inflatable ____ spooks Ohio police"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
"'IT KEPT BLOWING AWAY': Runaway inflatable ____ spooks Ohio police"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
HEADLINER
A crossword puzzle about ridiculous news in horrific times.
www.videogameworkshop.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"'IT KEPT BLOWING AWAY': Runaway inflatable ____ spooks Ohio police"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
"'IT KEPT BLOWING AWAY': Runaway inflatable ____ spooks Ohio police"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
Did you know X-Com was almost canceled? They were saved by their prototype.
#gamedesign #gamedev #gameproduction
#gamedesign #gamedev #gameproduction
A Prototype Can Save Your Game
A prototype is a small playable version of your game; making one can save you a lot of time and money.
open.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Did you know X-Com was almost canceled? They were saved by their prototype.
#gamedesign #gamedev #gameproduction
#gamedesign #gamedev #gameproduction
Reposted by Videogame Workshop
An important part of game design is being responsive and vague enough to account for the player's choices.
#gamedev #gamedesign #indiedev #narrativedesign
#gamedev #gamedesign #indiedev #narrativedesign
October 13, 2025 at 4:33 PM
An important part of game design is being responsive and vague enough to account for the player's choices.
#gamedev #gamedesign #indiedev #narrativedesign
#gamedev #gamedesign #indiedev #narrativedesign
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"A Pub Postponed Its ____ Night Due to ‘Unforeseen Circumstances’ and Everyone’s Laughing"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
"A Pub Postponed Its ____ Night Due to ‘Unforeseen Circumstances’ and Everyone’s Laughing"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
HEADLINER
A crossword puzzle about ridiculous news in horrific times.
www.videogameworkshop.com
October 8, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Weekly Headliner puzzle up now!
"A Pub Postponed Its ____ Night Due to ‘Unforeseen Circumstances’ and Everyone’s Laughing"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
"A Pub Postponed Its ____ Night Due to ‘Unforeseen Circumstances’ and Everyone’s Laughing"
#gamedev #indiegamedev #indiegames
The last thing any designer wants is for a player to reach a state in the game that’s unbeatable. So, what do you do? Lock it!
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Directing Players with Keys
The last thing any designer wants is for a player to reach a state in the game that’s unbeatable. So, what do you do? Lock it!
videogameworkshop.substack.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The last thing any designer wants is for a player to reach a state in the game that’s unbeatable. So, what do you do? Lock it!
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
#GameDev #IndieGameDev #GameDesign
Reposted by Videogame Workshop
Working for something makes it feel more important. An example from Nintendo: the songs from Ocharina of Time. Originally the songs were spells players could use like the medallions of a Link to the Past. They were changed to require the players to "play" the Ocharina
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign
October 4, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Working for something makes it feel more important. An example from Nintendo: the songs from Ocharina of Time. Originally the songs were spells players could use like the medallions of a Link to the Past. They were changed to require the players to "play" the Ocharina
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign