Will Luton
@willluton.bsky.social
Game product/design person.
Ex Rovio & SEGA.
Founder @ Village Studio & Department of Play.
ADHD. Serial hobbyist.
Ex Rovio & SEGA.
Founder @ Village Studio & Department of Play.
ADHD. Serial hobbyist.
Pinned
Will Luton
@willluton.bsky.social
· Feb 17
Reopening Starting March 2025 - Department of Play
Department of Play reopens it's product review process, trusted by Sony, Meta and Tencent, with limited availability from March. New clients can express interest now by...
departmentofplay.net
Very excited to announce that Department of Play, my consulting agency, is returning from next month. We've helped improve games as diverse as big PS5 blockbusters to tiny indie games. Find out more: departmentofplay.net/reopening-st...
Reposted by Will Luton
Thanks to Declan of Into Games & @ukieofficial.bsky.social for speaking to me @developconference.com about issues faced by working class people in the UK video games industry & how they're trying to fix it.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... @willluton.bsky.social @manycatsstudios.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... @willluton.bsky.social @manycatsstudios.bsky.social
Does the UK video games industry have a class problem?
A non-profit organisation is trying to create more pathways into the sector for working-class people.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 17, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Thanks to Declan of Into Games & @ukieofficial.bsky.social for speaking to me @developconference.com about issues faced by working class people in the UK video games industry & how they're trying to fix it.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... @willluton.bsky.social @manycatsstudios.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... @willluton.bsky.social @manycatsstudios.bsky.social
Reposted by Will Luton
Was Castlevania: Symphony of the Night the last great 2D game of its era? We discuss this in the latest episode of Games of Note.
Listen & subscribe;
Spotify: zurl.co/8XYxH
Apple Podcasts: zurl.co/ivaZM
RSS Feed: zurl.co/xAQdF
Follow us at:
BlueSky: zurl.co/4YQSv
YouTube Shorts: zurl.co/wQbag
Listen & subscribe;
Spotify: zurl.co/8XYxH
Apple Podcasts: zurl.co/ivaZM
RSS Feed: zurl.co/xAQdF
Follow us at:
BlueSky: zurl.co/4YQSv
YouTube Shorts: zurl.co/wQbag
July 3, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Was Castlevania: Symphony of the Night the last great 2D game of its era? We discuss this in the latest episode of Games of Note.
Listen & subscribe;
Spotify: zurl.co/8XYxH
Apple Podcasts: zurl.co/ivaZM
RSS Feed: zurl.co/xAQdF
Follow us at:
BlueSky: zurl.co/4YQSv
YouTube Shorts: zurl.co/wQbag
Listen & subscribe;
Spotify: zurl.co/8XYxH
Apple Podcasts: zurl.co/ivaZM
RSS Feed: zurl.co/xAQdF
Follow us at:
BlueSky: zurl.co/4YQSv
YouTube Shorts: zurl.co/wQbag
Reposted by Will Luton
🚀Introducing Games of Note, a podcast games that matter.
💬 Less ramble, more research and context.
First episode (Shenmue) is out now:
Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/3r8K8y2...
Amazon - music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/ded...
Apple - podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/...
Please like and share!
💬 Less ramble, more research and context.
First episode (Shenmue) is out now:
Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/3r8K8y2...
Amazon - music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/ded...
Apple - podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/...
Please like and share!
Games of Note
Podcast · GamesofNote Podcast · Games of Note podcast is where we discuss not if a particular game is good or bad, but the impact it had on game design & and the culture of video games. Hosted by Will...
open.spotify.com
June 23, 2025 at 8:19 AM
🚀Introducing Games of Note, a podcast games that matter.
💬 Less ramble, more research and context.
First episode (Shenmue) is out now:
Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/3r8K8y2...
Amazon - music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/ded...
Apple - podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/...
Please like and share!
💬 Less ramble, more research and context.
First episode (Shenmue) is out now:
Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/3r8K8y2...
Amazon - music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/ded...
Apple - podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/...
Please like and share!
Reposted by Will Luton
We're LIVE! we've just launched our new podcast, hosted by @willluton.bsky.social & @wayneemanuel.bsky.social where we talk about the impact of video games!
June 23, 2025 at 8:17 AM
We're LIVE! we've just launched our new podcast, hosted by @willluton.bsky.social & @wayneemanuel.bsky.social where we talk about the impact of video games!
🚀Introducing Games of Note, a podcast games that matter.
💬 Less ramble, more research and context.
First episode (Shenmue) is out now:
Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/3r8K8y2...
Amazon - music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/ded...
Apple - podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/...
Please like and share!
💬 Less ramble, more research and context.
First episode (Shenmue) is out now:
Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/3r8K8y2...
Amazon - music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/ded...
Apple - podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/...
Please like and share!
Games of Note
Podcast · GamesofNote Podcast · Games of Note podcast is where we discuss not if a particular game is good or bad, but the impact it had on game design & and the culture of video games. Hosted by Will...
open.spotify.com
June 23, 2025 at 8:19 AM
🚀Introducing Games of Note, a podcast games that matter.
💬 Less ramble, more research and context.
First episode (Shenmue) is out now:
Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/3r8K8y2...
Amazon - music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/ded...
Apple - podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/...
Please like and share!
💬 Less ramble, more research and context.
First episode (Shenmue) is out now:
Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/3r8K8y2...
Amazon - music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/ded...
Apple - podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/...
Please like and share!
Reposted by Will Luton
Everyone, I have some opinions.
It's about mobile games and if they're shit. But more about how mobile game making is making all games shit. But that shit can save us.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
It's about mobile games and if they're shit. But more about how mobile game making is making all games shit. But that shit can save us.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
Why Does Everyone Hate Mobile Games?
“If you were my son, I’d recommend you don’t get into mobile”.
medium.com
May 1, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Everyone, I have some opinions.
It's about mobile games and if they're shit. But more about how mobile game making is making all games shit. But that shit can save us.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
It's about mobile games and if they're shit. But more about how mobile game making is making all games shit. But that shit can save us.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
Everyone, I have some opinions.
It's about mobile games and if they're shit. But more about how mobile game making is making all games shit. But that shit can save us.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
It's about mobile games and if they're shit. But more about how mobile game making is making all games shit. But that shit can save us.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
Why Does Everyone Hate Mobile Games?
“If you were my son, I’d recommend you don’t get into mobile”.
medium.com
May 1, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Everyone, I have some opinions.
It's about mobile games and if they're shit. But more about how mobile game making is making all games shit. But that shit can save us.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
It's about mobile games and if they're shit. But more about how mobile game making is making all games shit. But that shit can save us.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
Someone is still fronting the domain costs to dunk on the N-Gage sidetalkin.com/original/
April 29, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Someone is still fronting the domain costs to dunk on the N-Gage sidetalkin.com/original/
Some time ago I raised a lot of money. It was hard in until I figured out how to do it. This is what I remember of what I learned: medium.com/@will_luton/...
What I Learned Raising Millions from Games VCs
It was the summer of 2022. The world seemed like one big juicy oyster as me, and two co-founders, had just raised two point three millions…
medium.com
March 17, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Some time ago I raised a lot of money. It was hard in until I figured out how to do it. This is what I remember of what I learned: medium.com/@will_luton/...
As far as game merch goes, is there 2,000 people willing to drop $1.5k on a watch? I have no idea, byt interested to find out www.hodinkee.com/articles/int...
Introducing: Hamilton's Latest Video Game Collab Is A Limited Edition Boulton For 'Death Stranding 2'
An iconic brand and beloved video game designer team up for this new, futuristic release.
www.hodinkee.com
March 11, 2025 at 3:24 PM
As far as game merch goes, is there 2,000 people willing to drop $1.5k on a watch? I have no idea, byt interested to find out www.hodinkee.com/articles/int...
New blog!
Did you know:
📈 AliExpress reaches over 150m users worldwide?
🕹️ The app has four full mobile games and several smaller titles?
💸 The game economy is complexly linked and dollar-backed?
😥 It's not perfect?
departmentofplay.net/games-of-ali...
Did you know:
📈 AliExpress reaches over 150m users worldwide?
🕹️ The app has four full mobile games and several smaller titles?
💸 The game economy is complexly linked and dollar-backed?
😥 It's not perfect?
departmentofplay.net/games-of-ali...
Games of AliExpress: Play-to-Earn, The Future of Shopping - Department of Play
At Department of Play, we love shopping on AliExpress, from retro console mods and arcade hardware to office equipment and clothes. But recently we’ve become fascinated by its complex web of games, wh...
departmentofplay.net
March 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
New blog!
Did you know:
📈 AliExpress reaches over 150m users worldwide?
🕹️ The app has four full mobile games and several smaller titles?
💸 The game economy is complexly linked and dollar-backed?
😥 It's not perfect?
departmentofplay.net/games-of-ali...
Did you know:
📈 AliExpress reaches over 150m users worldwide?
🕹️ The app has four full mobile games and several smaller titles?
💸 The game economy is complexly linked and dollar-backed?
😥 It's not perfect?
departmentofplay.net/games-of-ali...
HOW TO SURVIVE IN THE GAMES INDUSTRY!
I’ve been working in game development for 18 years. I’ve worked at SEGA, Rovio and founded my own studios. I’ve had ups and downs. Big hits and crushing failures.
Here’s my a thread of tips that might help.
I’ve been working in game development for 18 years. I’ve worked at SEGA, Rovio and founded my own studios. I’ve had ups and downs. Big hits and crushing failures.
Here’s my a thread of tips that might help.
March 9, 2025 at 8:13 PM
HOW TO SURVIVE IN THE GAMES INDUSTRY!
I’ve been working in game development for 18 years. I’ve worked at SEGA, Rovio and founded my own studios. I’ve had ups and downs. Big hits and crushing failures.
Here’s my a thread of tips that might help.
I’ve been working in game development for 18 years. I’ve worked at SEGA, Rovio and founded my own studios. I’ve had ups and downs. Big hits and crushing failures.
Here’s my a thread of tips that might help.
Reposted by Will Luton
Very excited to announce that Department of Play, my consulting agency, is returning from next month. We've helped improve games as diverse as big PS5 blockbusters to tiny indie games. Find out more: departmentofplay.net/reopening-st...
Reopening Starting March 2025 - Department of Play
Department of Play reopens it's product review process, trusted by Sony, Meta and Tencent, with limited availability from March. New clients can express interest now by...
departmentofplay.net
February 17, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Very excited to announce that Department of Play, my consulting agency, is returning from next month. We've helped improve games as diverse as big PS5 blockbusters to tiny indie games. Find out more: departmentofplay.net/reopening-st...
Very excited to announce that Department of Play, my consulting agency, is returning from next month. We've helped improve games as diverse as big PS5 blockbusters to tiny indie games. Find out more: departmentofplay.net/reopening-st...
Reopening Starting March 2025 - Department of Play
Department of Play reopens it's product review process, trusted by Sony, Meta and Tencent, with limited availability from March. New clients can express interest now by...
departmentofplay.net
February 17, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Very excited to announce that Department of Play, my consulting agency, is returning from next month. We've helped improve games as diverse as big PS5 blockbusters to tiny indie games. Find out more: departmentofplay.net/reopening-st...
Reposted by Will Luton
I have ADHD. I wrote about it. And it was hard. But I tried to make it fun.
I hope it helps someone with ADHD or someone close to someone with ADHD.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
I hope it helps someone with ADHD or someone close to someone with ADHD.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
ADHD — Why Everyone In Games Has It Now
ADHD has been a defining trend of the games industry in 2024, alongside ill-informed AI opinion and crushing pessimism. If you work in…
medium.com
January 29, 2025 at 1:25 PM
I have ADHD. I wrote about it. And it was hard. But I tried to make it fun.
I hope it helps someone with ADHD or someone close to someone with ADHD.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
I hope it helps someone with ADHD or someone close to someone with ADHD.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
I have ADHD. I wrote about it. And it was hard. But I tried to make it fun.
I hope it helps someone with ADHD or someone close to someone with ADHD.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
I hope it helps someone with ADHD or someone close to someone with ADHD.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
ADHD — Why Everyone In Games Has It Now
ADHD has been a defining trend of the games industry in 2024, alongside ill-informed AI opinion and crushing pessimism. If you work in…
medium.com
January 29, 2025 at 1:25 PM
I have ADHD. I wrote about it. And it was hard. But I tried to make it fun.
I hope it helps someone with ADHD or someone close to someone with ADHD.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
I hope it helps someone with ADHD or someone close to someone with ADHD.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
The game I’ve been most proud of in my career is Pixel Miner for the Pebble. So excited for the hardware to be coming back! hackaday.com/2025/01/28/g...
Google Open Sources PebbleOS: New Pebble Device In Development
The Pebble smartwatch was introduced in 2012 as part of a Kickstarter campaign and saw moderate success before the company behind it got bought out by Fitbit. Although a group of enthusiasts kept t…
hackaday.com
January 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The game I’ve been most proud of in my career is Pixel Miner for the Pebble. So excited for the hardware to be coming back! hackaday.com/2025/01/28/g...
Reposted by Will Luton
⚠️NEW BLOG⚠️
I wrote about the wild ride that was crypto games, from turning down a free $200k to the fear of getting hit with a pipe wrench.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
I wrote about the wild ride that was crypto games, from turning down a free $200k to the fear of getting hit with a pipe wrench.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
Rise and Fall of Cyrpto Games — An Insider’s View
In 2014 a fan of my smartwatch game Pixel Miner, who happened to also mine bitcoin, offered to “send me a few”. While I’d heard of this…
medium.com
January 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM
⚠️NEW BLOG⚠️
I wrote about the wild ride that was crypto games, from turning down a free $200k to the fear of getting hit with a pipe wrench.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
I wrote about the wild ride that was crypto games, from turning down a free $200k to the fear of getting hit with a pipe wrench.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
⚠️NEW BLOG⚠️
I wrote about the wild ride that was crypto games, from turning down a free $200k to the fear of getting hit with a pipe wrench.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
I wrote about the wild ride that was crypto games, from turning down a free $200k to the fear of getting hit with a pipe wrench.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
Rise and Fall of Cyrpto Games — An Insider’s View
In 2014 a fan of my smartwatch game Pixel Miner, who happened to also mine bitcoin, offered to “send me a few”. While I’d heard of this…
medium.com
January 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM
⚠️NEW BLOG⚠️
I wrote about the wild ride that was crypto games, from turning down a free $200k to the fear of getting hit with a pipe wrench.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
I wrote about the wild ride that was crypto games, from turning down a free $200k to the fear of getting hit with a pipe wrench.
medium.com/@will_luton/...
If you missed it yesterday, how algorithms saved and ruined the games industry medium.com/@will_luton/...
Democratisation and Algorithms: How the Games Industry Optimised Itself to Crisis
Games are in trouble. The last couple of years have been brutal for our industry creatively, culturally and economically. It feels like…
medium.com
January 8, 2025 at 12:51 PM
If you missed it yesterday, how algorithms saved and ruined the games industry medium.com/@will_luton/...
It’s been a while. But I wrote something.
It’s about how the games industry is fucked. And ducks 🦆
Enjoy WILDOWS 95 👍
will-luton.co.uk#post-democra...
It’s about how the games industry is fucked. And ducks 🦆
Enjoy WILDOWS 95 👍
will-luton.co.uk#post-democra...
Wildows 95
will-luton.co.uk
January 7, 2025 at 2:53 PM
It’s been a while. But I wrote something.
It’s about how the games industry is fucked. And ducks 🦆
Enjoy WILDOWS 95 👍
will-luton.co.uk#post-democra...
It’s about how the games industry is fucked. And ducks 🦆
Enjoy WILDOWS 95 👍
will-luton.co.uk#post-democra...
I have a feeling about games right now, that I can best describe as “a vacuum”.
It feels like many of us are waiting for something to happen because something always happens.
Despite it never having been better, it feels a little stale.
It feels like many of us are waiting for something to happen because something always happens.
Despite it never having been better, it feels a little stale.
December 7, 2024 at 7:04 PM
I have a feeling about games right now, that I can best describe as “a vacuum”.
It feels like many of us are waiting for something to happen because something always happens.
Despite it never having been better, it feels a little stale.
It feels like many of us are waiting for something to happen because something always happens.
Despite it never having been better, it feels a little stale.
UI vs UX
This park was made by exactly two landscapers and they hated each other.
December 4, 2024 at 8:41 PM
UI vs UX
Designers don’t paper prototype.
Unlessssss you’re making paper games.
Otherwise you’ll make paper games.
🙅♀️🗒️
👍🖥️
Unlessssss you’re making paper games.
Otherwise you’ll make paper games.
🙅♀️🗒️
👍🖥️
December 3, 2024 at 3:28 PM
Designers don’t paper prototype.
Unlessssss you’re making paper games.
Otherwise you’ll make paper games.
🙅♀️🗒️
👍🖥️
Unlessssss you’re making paper games.
Otherwise you’ll make paper games.
🙅♀️🗒️
👍🖥️