Bruce

I was a weird kid. While most my peers were excited about the latest arcade games, I was totally into this new game genre called CRPGs, and particularly Ultimas. Now I'm an even weirder adult because I chose to use my vast game industry experience to bring back the types of games that I loved as a kid. Types of games that have not been made in over 30 years! Memorable CRPGs that come in boxes with cloth maps and manuals. Since doing so I've got practically daily resistance from every side. I not only get resistance from people that claim to actually like these type of games, but I also get resistance from people that were part of making those games 30+ years ago! 🤷‍♂️ What I'm saying is your passion doesn't have to be popular, but it does have to be authentically you. Otherwise, you'll just quit when you see how ugly humanity can be towards people that are slightly different than others. If you're curious about the type of game we are making, you can follow it here @UnknownRealmSDG 🙂

@mrdoornbos Try rolls of butcher paper. That's what I use.

My favorite brainstorming tools are yellow legal pads and 11x17 green bar paper. I’m down to my last 50 sheets or so of green bar. Need to find a supplier for more. Nerd problems :)

I know a book publisher who’s looking for a hungry-up-and-comer artist who does D&D style art. Could you please send me your recs? 💗

@Mad__Overlord You haven't met my wife @IndieLauraSDG then.😆 But yes, Rush is my muse and I am the modern day warrior. 😉

Forward this to @StirringDragon the biggest RUSH fan I know 😀

"How DARE someone work hard to make something, and not then give it to ME for FREE!"

Artist daughter‘s latest creation: StarFox art for her little sis

@Mad__Overlord @mattvanswol @TheFortuneRpt We know the types in America who like to ruin things like this for kids and families. Lovely idea, but DOA unless they can find high trust areas without the typical actors.

@mattvanswol @TheFortuneRpt I'd visit one of these

🚨WOW!!! Tim Sparks has confirmed he purchased 80 PIZZA HUTS and brought back EVERYTHING that made them iconic! Pac-Man is back. Salad bar is back. Red cups are back. Booths for families. "I want to rebuild places for families to connect and put their phones down..."

@Jonathan_Blow So exciting and love the shirt!

@JudgeDrokk @IndieLauraSDG The audience for that post moved to bluesky. Cancel culture doesn’t work here any more. 😘

@IndieLauraSDG @StirringDragon I'd (not knowingly) ever heard of the project till today.. and removed my post when I saw you're all still around and not a dead project so thought it'll be still a thing in time, and removed the post. Happy to hear what's going on with the project.

.@JudgeDrokk it’s entertaining watching you delete your Unknown Realm post in real time the minute someone tagged us in it. You follow @StirringDragon. You know we’re working on the game. Next time you want to know what’s going with the project, just ask.

@elonmusk Kind Lie is the path of the "Yes" man company where innovation never happens.

Accurate

Completion of anything difficult is an opportunity for helping others because they can learn from your experience if you chose to share them. I've always appreciated those who went before me and shared lessons and wisdom with me. That is the model of success I try to duplicate in my life because helping others is always a worthy goal. I'm sure your YT videos and podcasts have helped many people. Probably more than you know!

@StirringDragon @IndieLauraSDG For the vast majority of us the only success we will get is in the completion of a project. If that is a worthy goal, then yes, pursue.

Keep going because you deserve to see what happens when all your hard work pays off. 🥹

The concept of a game focus group, or being able to observe players interact with your game to get real-time feedback, is invaluable. The problem is they are usually done wrong and attract the wrong type of gamers, many times those who don't even play your type of game, and like you said, just looking for a free lunch. Devs need to filter that noise out. We've had some success "hacking" the focus group model by running playtests at cons and events with "focused players." Focused players are gamers who seek you out to specifically try your game, with the understanding you are doing a playtest and they'll be expected to give feedback and answer a few questions at the end. Every dev should finding a way to get focused gamers in front of their game to observe them playing it. Otherwise they will be missing out on some great feedback.

Here are five things I learned spending 46 years in the game industry. 1) if they say "we don't need a contract", you NEED a contract. 2) if they say, "don't you trust us?" DON'T trust them. 3) never let an upper-level manager see a game with unfinished art. They won't understand, will make you change things, and throw off your schedule. 4) never, EVER, sign a deal with Electronic Arts. They can and have openly betrayed even the most iron-clad contracts, even when it goes against their own interests. At Satan's command, I assume. 5) focus groups, at least for games, are completely valueless. They're just there for the free sandwiches. I suspect most of these rules apply outside the game industry. AND I suspect you guys can add more useful rules to my short list. Have at it!

@PrimevalFantasy @UnknownRealmSDG 💯 I can't think of a single a*hole or hater I've known who also loved Rush, so you may be on to something there.

@StirringDragon @UnknownRealmSDG Never trust any person who does not love Rush!

If you like Rush (the band), DnD, and 8-bit RPGs, and you’re reading this post: we should be friends.

@TheGreatErenan @UnknownRealmSDG Makes sense because Germany and America are the bedrock for RPG fans. 😆

@StirringDragon @UnknownRealmSDG They have a very different style from Rush, much more power metal with orchestras and choral parts, but they sometimes lean a little bit progressive and they have lots of fantasy influence in their songs. Of course, they came much later than Rush

@TheGreatErenan @UnknownRealmSDG Thanks, I'll check them out!

@UnknownRealmSDG @StirringDragon They have a whole album that's about the Silmarillion called Nightfall in Middle-Earth

@TheGreatErenan @UnknownRealmSDG No, was that the equivalent of a Rush fantasy band in Germany?

@StirringDragon @UnknownRealmSDG I am curious if you have any interest in Blind Guardian

I will be at Midwest Gaming Clasic this weekend in Milwaukee and look forward to connecting with folks. I will be speaking Saturday night as well. #midwestgamingclassic @midwestgaming

@AlanBT5 @IndieLauraSDG

@StirringDragon @IndieLauraSDG Must check that out!

Yes! The best Steam Fest by far, and I'm totally not bias. Is it still customary to enjoy a huge turkey leg and a pint of Ale while playing games during Medieval Fest? Asking for a friend. 🦃🍺⚔️

@StirringDragon the only steam fest we need tbh