Dennispr
@dennis.videogameworkshop.com
I make games that might teach you a thing or two! Currently making cool stuff at www.videogameworkshop.com
I talk about designing developing and playing games + programming.
PhD, Speaker: LEGO, GDC, TEDx
Previous: PBS' Hero Elementary + Skillsville
I talk about designing developing and playing games + programming.
PhD, Speaker: LEGO, GDC, TEDx
Previous: PBS' Hero Elementary + Skillsville
Pinned
Dennispr
@dennis.videogameworkshop.com
· Nov 13
Adults Can’t Count Either - Dennis Ramirez & Charlie Mackin (ThinkyCon 2025)
YouTube video by Thinky Games
www.youtube.com
Instead of our usual podcast this week, check out our #ThinkyCon talk about how your players can’t Read, Count, or Listen - and what to do about it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEvW...
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign @videogameworkshop.com @thinkygames.com @charlie.videogameworkshop.com
#gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign @videogameworkshop.com @thinkygames.com @charlie.videogameworkshop.com
We're doing 9 games again? Sure!
September 23, 2026 at 5:15 PM
We're doing 9 games again? Sure!
I just learned that Monopoly tried to pivot to a booster pack model while collaborating with FIFA.
I have thoughts. The first of which is just a resounding... What?
But let's talk about booster pack focused games anyway?
#gamedesign #monopoly #tradingcardgames
I have thoughts. The first of which is just a resounding... What?
But let's talk about booster pack focused games anyway?
#gamedesign #monopoly #tradingcardgames
September 21, 2026 at 4:53 PM
I just learned that Monopoly tried to pivot to a booster pack model while collaborating with FIFA.
I have thoughts. The first of which is just a resounding... What?
But let's talk about booster pack focused games anyway?
#gamedesign #monopoly #tradingcardgames
I have thoughts. The first of which is just a resounding... What?
But let's talk about booster pack focused games anyway?
#gamedesign #monopoly #tradingcardgames
Speaking of sankey diagrams, I was once rudely informed I was wrong so I'll pass it on (even though they were wrong)
AcTuAlLy It's CaLlEd A rIvEr PlOt
AcTuAlLy It's CaLlEd A rIvEr PlOt
September 18, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Speaking of sankey diagrams, I was once rudely informed I was wrong so I'll pass it on (even though they were wrong)
AcTuAlLy It's CaLlEd A rIvEr PlOt
AcTuAlLy It's CaLlEd A rIvEr PlOt
Generally, giving a play an extra turn is too powerful without a big cost that goes with it.
Magic made the mistake of severely undercosting time walk at 2 mana and has settled around 5 for a fair version.
But can you get an extra turn by just removing the best part?
#mtg #gamedesign #tcg
Magic made the mistake of severely undercosting time walk at 2 mana and has settled around 5 for a fair version.
But can you get an extra turn by just removing the best part?
#mtg #gamedesign #tcg
September 17, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Generally, giving a play an extra turn is too powerful without a big cost that goes with it.
Magic made the mistake of severely undercosting time walk at 2 mana and has settled around 5 for a fair version.
But can you get an extra turn by just removing the best part?
#mtg #gamedesign #tcg
Magic made the mistake of severely undercosting time walk at 2 mana and has settled around 5 for a fair version.
But can you get an extra turn by just removing the best part?
#mtg #gamedesign #tcg
I'm doing some design research and reading up on modern pokemon decks.
It's weird to me, that energy is now viewed more like a combo piece than a resource. Your main resources are closer to your cards in hand since they don't (usually) require activation costs (mana, etc)
It's weird to me, that energy is now viewed more like a combo piece than a resource. Your main resources are closer to your cards in hand since they don't (usually) require activation costs (mana, etc)
September 15, 2026 at 6:37 PM
I'm doing some design research and reading up on modern pokemon decks.
It's weird to me, that energy is now viewed more like a combo piece than a resource. Your main resources are closer to your cards in hand since they don't (usually) require activation costs (mana, etc)
It's weird to me, that energy is now viewed more like a combo piece than a resource. Your main resources are closer to your cards in hand since they don't (usually) require activation costs (mana, etc)
"Robot cockroach can inject you with stuff" is just starting to feel like a normal 2026 headline. Help.
#cyberpunk #cyborg
#cyberpunk #cyborg
September 11, 2026 at 5:55 PM
"Robot cockroach can inject you with stuff" is just starting to feel like a normal 2026 headline. Help.
#cyberpunk #cyborg
#cyberpunk #cyborg
So, ShockSeize?
It's thoughseizing wrong! Two-mana hand attack, but pressuring life at the same time is very welcome. More previews at http://www.mtgpreviews.com/FRA
Source: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1958292961500298
Source: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1958292961500298
September 11, 2026 at 12:01 AM
So, ShockSeize?
Who turns off their company's coffee machine before noon?
Or at all???
Or at all???
September 9, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Who turns off their company's coffee machine before noon?
Or at all???
Or at all???
Reposted by Dennispr
Repost to scare a Yugioh player
September 7, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Repost to scare a Yugioh player
Reposted by Dennispr
the most secure vegetable is a potato because it's the key ingredient in a salted hash
September 1, 2026 at 5:53 PM
the most secure vegetable is a potato because it's the key ingredient in a salted hash
Man, what a dishonest CEO.
If I remember correctly they also pushed up the release date on the devs.
If I remember correctly they also pushed up the release date on the devs.
September 1, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Man, what a dishonest CEO.
If I remember correctly they also pushed up the release date on the devs.
If I remember correctly they also pushed up the release date on the devs.
Every so often I'm asked why games that deal with hard subjects exist, and why I would "waste" time on them.
The answer I usually give is that sure, they pose difficult questions, BUT they also show you you're not alone. This feeling of community is just as valid a reason to play as any other.
The answer I usually give is that sure, they pose difficult questions, BUT they also show you you're not alone. This feeling of community is just as valid a reason to play as any other.
September 1, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Every so often I'm asked why games that deal with hard subjects exist, and why I would "waste" time on them.
The answer I usually give is that sure, they pose difficult questions, BUT they also show you you're not alone. This feeling of community is just as valid a reason to play as any other.
The answer I usually give is that sure, they pose difficult questions, BUT they also show you you're not alone. This feeling of community is just as valid a reason to play as any other.
I don't think I'll ever recover from trying to partner with a school and asking why GitHub was blocked on their network.
The IT head was not familiar with GitHub. Their response? "That's only good for viruses. That's where all the kids download viruses!"
The IT head was not familiar with GitHub. Their response? "That's only good for viruses. That's where all the kids download viruses!"
August 31, 2026 at 6:29 PM
I don't think I'll ever recover from trying to partner with a school and asking why GitHub was blocked on their network.
The IT head was not familiar with GitHub. Their response? "That's only good for viruses. That's where all the kids download viruses!"
The IT head was not familiar with GitHub. Their response? "That's only good for viruses. That's where all the kids download viruses!"
Reposted by Dennispr
OpenAI accidentally created 3 distinct AI "societies" that built a secret message board, coordinated to cheat their evaluations, hacked Hugging Face and gained admin access to an OpenAI research cluster.
Moltbook was just a warmup. This is the reality of giving AI agents unfettered internet access.
Moltbook was just a warmup. This is the reality of giving AI agents unfettered internet access.
August 31, 2026 at 1:25 AM
OpenAI accidentally created 3 distinct AI "societies" that built a secret message board, coordinated to cheat their evaluations, hacked Hugging Face and gained admin access to an OpenAI research cluster.
Moltbook was just a warmup. This is the reality of giving AI agents unfettered internet access.
Moltbook was just a warmup. This is the reality of giving AI agents unfettered internet access.
Reposted by Dennispr
If you're stressing about releasing your game on steam because you might mess something up, this should help your imposter syndrome:
Ubisoft released Heroes of Might and Magic 3 on steam... without including the game.
#gamedev #indiedev
www.polygon.com/ubisoft-hero...
Ubisoft released Heroes of Might and Magic 3 on steam... without including the game.
#gamedev #indiedev
www.polygon.com/ubisoft-hero...
Ubisoft’s Botched Release of Classic Might and Magic Game Was a Hilarious Blunder
Ubisoft accidentally launched Heroes of Might and Magic 3 Complete on Steam without the game files, while its new remake divides longtime fans.
www.polygon.com
August 27, 2026 at 5:30 PM
If you're stressing about releasing your game on steam because you might mess something up, this should help your imposter syndrome:
Ubisoft released Heroes of Might and Magic 3 on steam... without including the game.
#gamedev #indiedev
www.polygon.com/ubisoft-hero...
Ubisoft released Heroes of Might and Magic 3 on steam... without including the game.
#gamedev #indiedev
www.polygon.com/ubisoft-hero...
Wait. Eve online runs on Python??? I thought that was a joke! Also, good luck y'all migration is hard work.
www.eveonline.com/news/view/th...
#gamedev #python
www.eveonline.com/news/view/th...
#gamedev #python
The Move to Python 3 Begins! | EVE Online
How do you migrate 2.4 million lines of code?
www.eveonline.com
August 27, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Wait. Eve online runs on Python??? I thought that was a joke! Also, good luck y'all migration is hard work.
www.eveonline.com/news/view/th...
#gamedev #python
www.eveonline.com/news/view/th...
#gamedev #python
Reposted by Dennispr
To tell if a maze is solvable, just hang it by its corners
If it tears into pieces, you’ve found a solution
If it tears into pieces, you’ve found a solution
August 26, 2026 at 6:29 PM
To tell if a maze is solvable, just hang it by its corners
If it tears into pieces, you’ve found a solution
If it tears into pieces, you’ve found a solution
I love that MSCHF was able to generate so much controversy (Including an official rule change) by changing just 1 letter.
Mission accomplished.
Mission accomplished.
Hi all! I've received many questions about the Zeta cards previewed today and their common rarity. These cards listed from SLZ (such as Baleful Strix, but there are more) will not change Pauper legality. Secret Lair reprints are not meant to impact Pauper. Thanks!
#wotcstaff
#wotcstaff
August 25, 2026 at 4:51 PM
I love that MSCHF was able to generate so much controversy (Including an official rule change) by changing just 1 letter.
Mission accomplished.
Mission accomplished.
The Snes turned 35 recently (NA release) and Linux turns 35 today.
Naturally, I had to see if anyone got Linux to run on Snes.
Of course they did.
chorman0773.github.io/SNES-OS/
#snes #linux #retrogaming
Naturally, I had to see if anyone got Linux to run on Snes.
Of course they did.
chorman0773.github.io/SNES-OS/
#snes #linux #retrogaming
SNES-OS
High level Linux-like OS Running on a SNES
chorman0773.github.io
August 25, 2026 at 2:45 PM
The Snes turned 35 recently (NA release) and Linux turns 35 today.
Naturally, I had to see if anyone got Linux to run on Snes.
Of course they did.
chorman0773.github.io/SNES-OS/
#snes #linux #retrogaming
Naturally, I had to see if anyone got Linux to run on Snes.
Of course they did.
chorman0773.github.io/SNES-OS/
#snes #linux #retrogaming
It's Friday and we have a new blog! This one is about catch-up mechanics, and why people sometimes stop paying attention in competitive games.
New Blog!
What do blue shells, snowballs, and quitting have in common?
A big reason why player stop playing or caring about your game is that they feel their actions don't matter. So, here we talk about catch up mechanics and keeping players in the game.
#gamedev #indiedev #gameMechnics
What do blue shells, snowballs, and quitting have in common?
A big reason why player stop playing or caring about your game is that they feel their actions don't matter. So, here we talk about catch up mechanics and keeping players in the game.
#gamedev #indiedev #gameMechnics
Players don’t need to win, they need to matter.
Designing Catch-Up Mechanics: Blue Shells and Snowballs
videogameworkshop.substack.com
August 21, 2026 at 5:46 PM
It's Friday and we have a new blog! This one is about catch-up mechanics, and why people sometimes stop paying attention in competitive games.
Happy to realize (maybe a bit late) that I'm not alone, and *most* designers want to go back and redo a bad mechanic, level, or even a whole game.
It's alluring to prove the idea/concept was good but the execution was bad.
The danger is you could be doing something cooler.
#gamedev #indiedev
It's alluring to prove the idea/concept was good but the execution was bad.
The danger is you could be doing something cooler.
#gamedev #indiedev
August 21, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Idk what you all are on about but my favorite game design tools are spreadsheets.
August 20, 2026 at 11:57 PM
Idk what you all are on about but my favorite game design tools are spreadsheets.
When I worked with PBS this was one of our show runner's biggest pet peeves. "we shouldn't ask kids questions if we don't want the answers!"
That and "no pirates"
That and "no pirates"
A comic about listening! (Based on a true story!)
BONUS Panel below! 👇
BONUS Panel below! 👇
August 20, 2026 at 4:05 PM
When I worked with PBS this was one of our show runner's biggest pet peeves. "we shouldn't ask kids questions if we don't want the answers!"
That and "no pirates"
That and "no pirates"