Alan Hazelden
@alanhazelden.bsky.social
Head Draknek at Draknek & Friends (@draknek.bsky.social). He/him.
Personal website: https://alan.draknek.org/
Personal website: https://alan.draknek.org/
Pinned
Alan Hazelden
@alanhazelden.bsky.social
· Jul 10
Draknek & Friends
Lovingly Crafted Puzzle Games Since 2013
www.draknek.org
Hi folks!
I'm Alan and I run Draknek & Friends, where we make and publish lovingly crafted puzzle games.
Draknek is on Bluesky at @draknek.bsky.social and you can check out all our games at www.draknek.org
I'm Alan and I run Draknek & Friends, where we make and publish lovingly crafted puzzle games.
Draknek is on Bluesky at @draknek.bsky.social and you can check out all our games at www.draknek.org
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
Heads up: The New Voices Puzzle Grant applications close at the end of this week! If you're planning to apply - get your applications in soon :)
grants.draknek.org
grants.draknek.org
Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant
The Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant is a grant opportunity for game developers from traditionally underrepresented groups and backgrounds who are interested in designing and developing puzzle games.
grants.draknek.org
September 23, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Heads up: The New Voices Puzzle Grant applications close at the end of this week! If you're planning to apply - get your applications in soon :)
grants.draknek.org
grants.draknek.org
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
📣 Applications are now OPEN for the 2027 Experimental Games Showcase at GDC! 📣
You have until October 23rd to send us all the weird, innovative and unique things you are working on.
More info and apply here: www.experimentalgamesshowcase.com
You have until October 23rd to send us all the weird, innovative and unique things you are working on.
More info and apply here: www.experimentalgamesshowcase.com
Experimental Games Showcase
SUBMIT YOUR GAME TO THE
www.experimentalgamesshowcase.com
September 21, 2026 at 4:09 PM
📣 Applications are now OPEN for the 2027 Experimental Games Showcase at GDC! 📣
You have until October 23rd to send us all the weird, innovative and unique things you are working on.
More info and apply here: www.experimentalgamesshowcase.com
You have until October 23rd to send us all the weird, innovative and unique things you are working on.
More info and apply here: www.experimentalgamesshowcase.com
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
It's that time of year again! Submissions for the Game Awards edition of Day of the Devs are now open! Good luck!
https://www.dayofthedevs.org/submit
https://www.dayofthedevs.org/submit
September 21, 2026 at 4:44 PM
It's that time of year again! Submissions for the Game Awards edition of Day of the Devs are now open! Good luck!
https://www.dayofthedevs.org/submit
https://www.dayofthedevs.org/submit
As Order of the Sinking Star is coming out next month, in advance of review coverage coming in I wanted to add one thing to my last statement about the game: bsky.app/profile/drak...
(note: at that time I didn’t have a separate personal account)
(note: at that time I didn’t have a separate personal account)
So, “Order of the Sinking Star” by Thekla was just announced, which takes several small free games (two of which are mine) and gives them a major graphical upgrade and mashes up their rulesets. I haven’t been very involved but it’s a great concept and looks cool.
September 21, 2026 at 3:37 PM
As Order of the Sinking Star is coming out next month, in advance of review coverage coming in I wanted to add one thing to my last statement about the game: bsky.app/profile/drak...
(note: at that time I didn’t have a separate personal account)
(note: at that time I didn’t have a separate personal account)
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
🏳️🌈Have a queer or queer-made game releasing in 2027? Our Qweerty Game Dev Microgrant is accepting applications!
Recipients will receive up to $2,500 to finish funding their game.
🗓️ Apply by October 11th
Thanks to zPride for helping make this possible <3
Recipients will receive up to $2,500 to finish funding their game.
🗓️ Apply by October 11th
Thanks to zPride for helping make this possible <3
September 19, 2026 at 8:40 PM
🏳️🌈Have a queer or queer-made game releasing in 2027? Our Qweerty Game Dev Microgrant is accepting applications!
Recipients will receive up to $2,500 to finish funding their game.
🗓️ Apply by October 11th
Thanks to zPride for helping make this possible <3
Recipients will receive up to $2,500 to finish funding their game.
🗓️ Apply by October 11th
Thanks to zPride for helping make this possible <3
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
It's important to remember that if a human *voluntarily attaches* a statistical text generation AI, to a command prompt that can create biomolecules or launch nukes, and a disaster happens, it wasn't because of "intelligence" or malice. It was because statistical models are *fundamentally random*.
September 19, 2026 at 5:15 PM
It's important to remember that if a human *voluntarily attaches* a statistical text generation AI, to a command prompt that can create biomolecules or launch nukes, and a disaster happens, it wasn't because of "intelligence" or malice. It was because statistical models are *fundamentally random*.
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
Strongly recommend this if you like puzzles and secrets. Play it unspoiled. (Yeah, don't watch me stream it. 😭) Discovering and making sense of the strange mechanics feels superb. I love the mix of interpreting what the game is showing me, what it's telling me, and what I can learn by experiment.
September 19, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Strongly recommend this if you like puzzles and secrets. Play it unspoiled. (Yeah, don't watch me stream it. 😭) Discovering and making sense of the strange mechanics feels superb. I love the mix of interpreting what the game is showing me, what it's telling me, and what I can learn by experiment.
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
New demo, new trailer, new EVERYTHING!!
Can you uncover all the new mysteries?!
store.steampowered.com/app/5130030/...
Can you uncover all the new mysteries?!
store.steampowered.com/app/5130030/...
Inversion Day Demo on Steam
Experience a unique set of puzzles, mysteries and secrets in this bite sized version of Inversion Day. A puzzle game where you change air to ground and ground to air to progress to the next level, Inv...
store.steampowered.com
September 17, 2026 at 4:56 PM
New demo, new trailer, new EVERYTHING!!
Can you uncover all the new mysteries?!
store.steampowered.com/app/5130030/...
Can you uncover all the new mysteries?!
store.steampowered.com/app/5130030/...
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
SubDuctis is a mind-bending puzzle game about folding space.
Bypass obstacles, form conductive paths, and discover new areas
Demo out now!
Add the full game to your Steam wishlist to support development
store.steampowered.com/app/3182310/
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegame #puzzlegame #puzzle #thinky
Bypass obstacles, form conductive paths, and discover new areas
Demo out now!
Add the full game to your Steam wishlist to support development
store.steampowered.com/app/3182310/
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegame #puzzlegame #puzzle #thinky
September 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM
SubDuctis is a mind-bending puzzle game about folding space.
Bypass obstacles, form conductive paths, and discover new areas
Demo out now!
Add the full game to your Steam wishlist to support development
store.steampowered.com/app/3182310/
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegame #puzzlegame #puzzle #thinky
Bypass obstacles, form conductive paths, and discover new areas
Demo out now!
Add the full game to your Steam wishlist to support development
store.steampowered.com/app/3182310/
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegame #puzzlegame #puzzle #thinky
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
You can now watch Andrew Shouldice's developer talk for the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant on YouTube!
In this talk, he shares his experience creating virtual spaces that give players a sense of wonder and discovery.
youtu.be/tVWdjBsGc1E
In this talk, he shares his experience creating virtual spaces that give players a sense of wonder and discovery.
youtu.be/tVWdjBsGc1E
September 18, 2026 at 5:01 PM
You can now watch Andrew Shouldice's developer talk for the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant on YouTube!
In this talk, he shares his experience creating virtual spaces that give players a sense of wonder and discovery.
youtu.be/tVWdjBsGc1E
In this talk, he shares his experience creating virtual spaces that give players a sense of wonder and discovery.
youtu.be/tVWdjBsGc1E
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
20 More, Somehow Even Smaller, Mazes on Steam
A puzzle game with twenty small mazes.
store.steampowered.com
September 17, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
Here's the September edition of Thinky Third Thursday, the monthly roundup of thinky puzzle games that have caught our eye:
thinkythirdthursday.com/september-2026
thinkythirdthursday.com/september-2026
Thinky Third Thursday - September 2026
Monthly game recommendations from the puzzle experts at Draknek & Friends
thinkythirdthursday.com
September 17, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Here's the September edition of Thinky Third Thursday, the monthly roundup of thinky puzzle games that have caught our eye:
thinkythirdthursday.com/september-2026
thinkythirdthursday.com/september-2026
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
This game deserves every bit of praise it's gotten - my account looks like I'm advertising for them lol but I really just loved this game
Here are some lovely things folks have said about He Who Watches! We'll link to some of them below! 👁️🏹 Thanks to everyone who has played the game!
You can buy the game here: store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...
You can buy the game here: store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...
September 17, 2026 at 6:57 PM
This game deserves every bit of praise it's gotten - my account looks like I'm advertising for them lol but I really just loved this game
While I'm sharing boardgame content, I guess I should brag that I'm currently first place in the Tipperary arena mode on Board Game Arena! Very good game, that's a recommendation from me.
September 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
While I'm sharing boardgame content, I guess I should brag that I'm currently first place in the Tipperary arena mode on Board Game Arena! Very good game, that's a recommendation from me.
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
The latest episode of the Draknek & Friends Official Podcast is out!
In this episode @alanhazelden.bsky.social, @mairispaceship.com and @rachelwatts.bsky.social take a break from videogames to discuss all things board games.
Check it out wherever you get podcasts, or head to draknek.org/podcast
In this episode @alanhazelden.bsky.social, @mairispaceship.com and @rachelwatts.bsky.social take a break from videogames to discuss all things board games.
Check it out wherever you get podcasts, or head to draknek.org/podcast
September 17, 2026 at 5:01 PM
The latest episode of the Draknek & Friends Official Podcast is out!
In this episode @alanhazelden.bsky.social, @mairispaceship.com and @rachelwatts.bsky.social take a break from videogames to discuss all things board games.
Check it out wherever you get podcasts, or head to draknek.org/podcast
In this episode @alanhazelden.bsky.social, @mairispaceship.com and @rachelwatts.bsky.social take a break from videogames to discuss all things board games.
Check it out wherever you get podcasts, or head to draknek.org/podcast
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
"2026's best puzzle game"👁️🏹 Thank you @marioprime.bsky.social @polygon.com!
www.polygon.com/he-who-watch...
www.polygon.com/he-who-watch...
2026’s Best Puzzle Game Is an Even Trippier Take On Portal
He Who Watches will blow your mind
www.polygon.com
September 17, 2026 at 4:10 PM
"2026's best puzzle game"👁️🏹 Thank you @marioprime.bsky.social @polygon.com!
www.polygon.com/he-who-watch...
www.polygon.com/he-who-watch...
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
He Who Watches hit 100 reviews! Thank you to everyone who has played and reviewed thus far - I read every single one of them, for better or worse 😅
September 15, 2026 at 12:26 PM
He Who Watches hit 100 reviews! Thank you to everyone who has played and reviewed thus far - I read every single one of them, for better or worse 😅
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
He Who Watches has 100 reviews and is 'Very Positive' on Steam!! Congrats @danga.games!!
If you've played He Who Watches and enjoyed it, please leave a review!
store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...
If you've played He Who Watches and enjoyed it, please leave a review!
store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...
September 15, 2026 at 4:29 PM
He Who Watches has 100 reviews and is 'Very Positive' on Steam!! Congrats @danga.games!!
If you've played He Who Watches and enjoyed it, please leave a review!
store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...
If you've played He Who Watches and enjoyed it, please leave a review!
store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
LOK Digital is now ✨Overwhelmingly Positive✨ on Steam!! A huge congrats @letibus.bsky.social @icedropgames.bsky.social!
Here's a link to the game's Steam page: store.steampowered.com/app/2207440/...
Here's a link to the game's Steam page: store.steampowered.com/app/2207440/...
September 12, 2026 at 5:01 PM
LOK Digital is now ✨Overwhelmingly Positive✨ on Steam!! A huge congrats @letibus.bsky.social @icedropgames.bsky.social!
Here's a link to the game's Steam page: store.steampowered.com/app/2207440/...
Here's a link to the game's Steam page: store.steampowered.com/app/2207440/...
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
A reminder that the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant is still open to
applicants! The deadline is Sunday 27th September 2026!
You can read more about the grant here: grants.draknek.org
applicants! The deadline is Sunday 27th September 2026!
You can read more about the grant here: grants.draknek.org
September 12, 2026 at 4:00 PM
A reminder that the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant is still open to
applicants! The deadline is Sunday 27th September 2026!
You can read more about the grant here: grants.draknek.org
applicants! The deadline is Sunday 27th September 2026!
You can read more about the grant here: grants.draknek.org
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
I've recently completed He Who Watches, which is a great first-person grid-based puzzler made by @danga.games and published by @draknek.bsky.social. I enjoy how it utilizes its 3D shenanigans to the fullest, and how it handles its "secret layer".
Game's page: store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...
Game's page: store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...
Save 15% on He Who Watches on Steam
Walk on walls. Manipulate gravity. Discover secrets. In this first-person puzzle game, delve deep into an ancient labyrinth of intricate conundrums, seeking an imprisoned god at the centre.
store.steampowered.com
September 12, 2026 at 2:03 PM
I've recently completed He Who Watches, which is a great first-person grid-based puzzler made by @danga.games and published by @draknek.bsky.social. I enjoy how it utilizes its 3D shenanigans to the fullest, and how it handles its "secret layer".
Game's page: store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...
Game's page: store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
He Who Watches is great so far. Time from "i'm a genius" to "i'm totally fucking stupid" was met in record time but still really fun.
I feel like it has some metalayer of puzzle I'm not capable of solving and I don't know if it's a knowledge thing or an ability thing but it's fun not to know yet
I feel like it has some metalayer of puzzle I'm not capable of solving and I don't know if it's a knowledge thing or an ability thing but it's fun not to know yet
September 9, 2026 at 11:11 PM
He Who Watches is great so far. Time from "i'm a genius" to "i'm totally fucking stupid" was met in record time but still really fun.
I feel like it has some metalayer of puzzle I'm not capable of solving and I don't know if it's a knowledge thing or an ability thing but it's fun not to know yet
I feel like it has some metalayer of puzzle I'm not capable of solving and I don't know if it's a knowledge thing or an ability thing but it's fun not to know yet
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
I'm available for work!
- Characters
- Rigging and Animations
- Environments Art
I've worked on Teardown, Vampire Crawlers, Moonglow Bay and many more!
Feel free to DM me or email
[email protected]
- Characters
- Rigging and Animations
- Environments Art
I've worked on Teardown, Vampire Crawlers, Moonglow Bay and many more!
Feel free to DM me or email
[email protected]
September 11, 2026 at 4:10 PM
I'm available for work!
- Characters
- Rigging and Animations
- Environments Art
I've worked on Teardown, Vampire Crawlers, Moonglow Bay and many more!
Feel free to DM me or email
[email protected]
- Characters
- Rigging and Animations
- Environments Art
I've worked on Teardown, Vampire Crawlers, Moonglow Bay and many more!
Feel free to DM me or email
[email protected]
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
WE HAVE A RELEASE DATE!
Deductopia will be coming your way on October 28!
12 unique hand-drawn detective puzzles, set in the cozy world of Deductopia. Sort out the Skate Park, the Museum, the Coffee Shop, and more!
store.steampowered.com/app/4429720/...
Deductopia will be coming your way on October 28!
12 unique hand-drawn detective puzzles, set in the cozy world of Deductopia. Sort out the Skate Park, the Museum, the Coffee Shop, and more!
store.steampowered.com/app/4429720/...
September 5, 2026 at 11:19 PM
WE HAVE A RELEASE DATE!
Deductopia will be coming your way on October 28!
12 unique hand-drawn detective puzzles, set in the cozy world of Deductopia. Sort out the Skate Park, the Museum, the Coffee Shop, and more!
store.steampowered.com/app/4429720/...
Deductopia will be coming your way on October 28!
12 unique hand-drawn detective puzzles, set in the cozy world of Deductopia. Sort out the Skate Park, the Museum, the Coffee Shop, and more!
store.steampowered.com/app/4429720/...
Reposted by Alan Hazelden
It's spreading! Lighthouse fever is spreading! Check out this amazing LIGHTHOUSE BUNDLE on Steam! store.steampowered.com/bundle/86723...
Save 23% on The Lighthouse Bundle on Steam
store.steampowered.com
September 12, 2026 at 12:16 AM
It's spreading! Lighthouse fever is spreading! Check out this amazing LIGHTHOUSE BUNDLE on Steam! store.steampowered.com/bundle/86723...