JB Oger
@jboger.bsky.social
Founder & Game Director Sleepy Mill Studio
Made Drop Duchy (2025) and more!
Made Drop Duchy (2025) and more!
Idk there’s something special about seeing your creation in places you never thought of.
I don’t think I can ever get tired of it
I don’t think I can ever get tired of it
October 2, 2026 at 6:28 AM
Idk there’s something special about seeing your creation in places you never thought of.
I don’t think I can ever get tired of it
I don’t think I can ever get tired of it
Once again, it feels like some devs are refusing to see the broader industry picture and need a scapegoat: the greedy shareholders.
Nobody's willing to acknowledge that "traditional" gaming is no longer growing and more competitive than ever (more studios compete for less player money).
Nobody's willing to acknowledge that "traditional" gaming is no longer growing and more competitive than ever (more studios compete for less player money).
Double Fine founder Tim Schafer says he no longer “understands the economics” of game development following Xbox’s mass layoffs and industry-wide studio closures. https://bit.ly/4AsdPwu
September 24, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Once again, it feels like some devs are refusing to see the broader industry picture and need a scapegoat: the greedy shareholders.
Nobody's willing to acknowledge that "traditional" gaming is no longer growing and more competitive than ever (more studios compete for less player money).
Nobody's willing to acknowledge that "traditional" gaming is no longer growing and more competitive than ever (more studios compete for less player money).
July 2023: writing in my solo-dev (at the time) pitch "yeah I guess this could work for mobile eventually"
September 2026: it's happening!!
Life's surreal sometimes
#gamedev #dropduchy
September 2026: it's happening!!
Life's surreal sometimes
#gamedev #dropduchy
September 11, 2026 at 5:37 PM
July 2023: writing in my solo-dev (at the time) pitch "yeah I guess this could work for mobile eventually"
September 2026: it's happening!!
Life's surreal sometimes
#gamedev #dropduchy
September 2026: it's happening!!
Life's surreal sometimes
#gamedev #dropduchy
Casually browsing reddit for Drop Duchy's mentions, and I stumbled upon this.
The original poster is clearly a bot, but then the confidence of the AI-enthusiast coder to claim that 2 months should be more than enough to make the full art of the game (it was 30+)
The original poster is clearly a bot, but then the confidence of the AI-enthusiast coder to claim that 2 months should be more than enough to make the full art of the game (it was 30+)
September 3, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Casually browsing reddit for Drop Duchy's mentions, and I stumbled upon this.
The original poster is clearly a bot, but then the confidence of the AI-enthusiast coder to claim that 2 months should be more than enough to make the full art of the game (it was 30+)
The original poster is clearly a bot, but then the confidence of the AI-enthusiast coder to claim that 2 months should be more than enough to make the full art of the game (it was 30+)
It’s interesting how « live service » is now a synonym for « repetitive stretched out design ».
Execs are right: players don’t hate « live services », they love getting more of the games they play.
But let’s be honest, with Horizon HG it’s a different problem (1/5)
Execs are right: players don’t hate « live services », they love getting more of the games they play.
But let’s be honest, with Horizon HG it’s a different problem (1/5)
BREAKING: PlayStation is rebooting the online game Horizon Hunters Gathering after negative playtest feedback. New plan is smaller scope, more traditional co-op multiplayer, no more live service.
Yet another entry in PlayStation's ongoing live-service struggles: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Yet another entry in PlayStation's ongoing live-service struggles: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
PlayStation Reboots ‘Horizon Hunters Gathering’ as Live-Service Strategy Struggles
The Japanese gaming titan has canceled or rebooted most of its live-service multiplayer projects in recent years
www.bloomberg.com
August 20, 2026 at 6:49 AM
It’s interesting how « live service » is now a synonym for « repetitive stretched out design ».
Execs are right: players don’t hate « live services », they love getting more of the games they play.
But let’s be honest, with Horizon HG it’s a different problem (1/5)
Execs are right: players don’t hate « live services », they love getting more of the games they play.
But let’s be honest, with Horizon HG it’s a different problem (1/5)
My 2026's mood so far (as an indie studio owner):
- Phase 1: this shit is hard, the industry is fucked and we're all going to be out of job when the game fails
- Phase 2: life's good, everybody's happy in the company and we're building something awesome!!
- Phase 3: repeat
- Phase 1: this shit is hard, the industry is fucked and we're all going to be out of job when the game fails
- Phase 2: life's good, everybody's happy in the company and we're building something awesome!!
- Phase 3: repeat
August 19, 2026 at 7:03 AM
My 2026's mood so far (as an indie studio owner):
- Phase 1: this shit is hard, the industry is fucked and we're all going to be out of job when the game fails
- Phase 2: life's good, everybody's happy in the company and we're building something awesome!!
- Phase 3: repeat
- Phase 1: this shit is hard, the industry is fucked and we're all going to be out of job when the game fails
- Phase 2: life's good, everybody's happy in the company and we're building something awesome!!
- Phase 3: repeat
Another great explanation by Mr Schreier.
My (unpopular?) opinion is that AAA shouldn’t make « smaller games ». Let the smaller companies make them and (hopefully) be able to thrive.
AAA should focus on big billion live services/franchises. We’ll make the new stuff
youtu.be/6y3Gx_Aw2Oo?...
My (unpopular?) opinion is that AAA shouldn’t make « smaller games ». Let the smaller companies make them and (hopefully) be able to thrive.
AAA should focus on big billion live services/franchises. We’ll make the new stuff
youtu.be/6y3Gx_Aw2Oo?...
Why Big Game Companies Don't Make Small Games
YouTube video by Jason Schreier
youtu.be
July 23, 2026 at 6:43 AM
Another great explanation by Mr Schreier.
My (unpopular?) opinion is that AAA shouldn’t make « smaller games ». Let the smaller companies make them and (hopefully) be able to thrive.
AAA should focus on big billion live services/franchises. We’ll make the new stuff
youtu.be/6y3Gx_Aw2Oo?...
My (unpopular?) opinion is that AAA shouldn’t make « smaller games ». Let the smaller companies make them and (hopefully) be able to thrive.
AAA should focus on big billion live services/franchises. We’ll make the new stuff
youtu.be/6y3Gx_Aw2Oo?...
Everybody is saying this was obviously going to fail, but Microsoft didn't even try the only strategy that worked for Netflix & co: making exclusives that you can ONLY get through Game Pass.
(not that it would have been a desirable future for gamers or devs, just sayin')
(not that it would have been a desirable future for gamers or devs, just sayin')
New: Behind Xbox's big reset was a failed Game Pass strategy. Xbox spent nearly $80b in deals for content that it hoped would grow the subscription service. Instead, Game Pass lost subscribers. Deep dive: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Behind Xbox’s Big Layoffs, a Streaming Strategy That Failed
Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox spent nearly $80 billion in the last decade on deals that would give it popular video game titles like Call of Duty and Skyrim, betting that gamers would flock to its Netflix-li...
www.bloomberg.com
July 8, 2026 at 6:59 AM
Everybody is saying this was obviously going to fail, but Microsoft didn't even try the only strategy that worked for Netflix & co: making exclusives that you can ONLY get through Game Pass.
(not that it would have been a desirable future for gamers or devs, just sayin')
(not that it would have been a desirable future for gamers or devs, just sayin')
L'industrie grandira quand on arrêtera de prendre les 2-3 gagnants annuels du loto pour les brandir en porte-étendard du "regardez c'est ça qui marche".
Je donne 1 an max avant que tout le monde se plaigne que "ouin ouin les indés ils font que du friendslop" (comme pour les roguelites en fait)
Je donne 1 an max avant que tout le monde se plaigne que "ouin ouin les indés ils font que du friendslop" (comme pour les roguelites en fait)
Pendant qu'on lance des consoles à 1400 boules et que Sony annonce avoir besoin de l'IA pour rendre son gaming vraiment immersif, le jeu le + vendu de l'année est un weird game fait en 2 mois qui tourne sur un pc gifi et cartonne dans les pays que négligent toutes les grosses boîtes de JV.
This shit is crazy lol
July 6, 2026 at 12:28 PM
L'industrie grandira quand on arrêtera de prendre les 2-3 gagnants annuels du loto pour les brandir en porte-étendard du "regardez c'est ça qui marche".
Je donne 1 an max avant que tout le monde se plaigne que "ouin ouin les indés ils font que du friendslop" (comme pour les roguelites en fait)
Je donne 1 an max avant que tout le monde se plaigne que "ouin ouin les indés ils font que du friendslop" (comme pour les roguelites en fait)
Gaming industry rn
Day 1: celebrating an (indie) game getting ultra-mega-massive success
Day 2: mourning the loss of jobs in (less successful) studios
Day 3: repeat
(It’s almost as if there’s a connection to be drawn there in a finite market with increasing competition)
Day 1: celebrating an (indie) game getting ultra-mega-massive success
Day 2: mourning the loss of jobs in (less successful) studios
Day 3: repeat
(It’s almost as if there’s a connection to be drawn there in a finite market with increasing competition)
June 30, 2026 at 6:39 AM
Gaming industry rn
Day 1: celebrating an (indie) game getting ultra-mega-massive success
Day 2: mourning the loss of jobs in (less successful) studios
Day 3: repeat
(It’s almost as if there’s a connection to be drawn there in a finite market with increasing competition)
Day 1: celebrating an (indie) game getting ultra-mega-massive success
Day 2: mourning the loss of jobs in (less successful) studios
Day 3: repeat
(It’s almost as if there’s a connection to be drawn there in a finite market with increasing competition)
En même temps, la compétition est largement encouragée par les éditeurs/investisseurs indépendants qui attendent de plus en plus tard pour s'engager sur les projets.
Sauf qu'un jeu prend du temps, les pro avec de l'expérience ont des enfants, des crédits et ne peuvent pas se le permettre
Sauf qu'un jeu prend du temps, les pro avec de l'expérience ont des enfants, des crédits et ne peuvent pas se le permettre
Et pour la première fois lors de ce Game Camp, j'ai entendu hors de la bouche des syndicats cette phrase, et ce à plusieurs reprises : les dirigeants du jeu vidéo n'ont aucune culture/formation entrepreneuriale et c'est un gros problème.
June 23, 2026 at 2:34 PM
En même temps, la compétition est largement encouragée par les éditeurs/investisseurs indépendants qui attendent de plus en plus tard pour s'engager sur les projets.
Sauf qu'un jeu prend du temps, les pro avec de l'expérience ont des enfants, des crédits et ne peuvent pas se le permettre
Sauf qu'un jeu prend du temps, les pro avec de l'expérience ont des enfants, des crédits et ne peuvent pas se le permettre
Moi la semaine dernière: les températures sont pas mal retombées, c'est cool pour une fois on va pas crever de chaud au Game Camp
La météo à Lille la semaine prochaine:
La météo à Lille la semaine prochaine:
June 14, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Moi la semaine dernière: les températures sont pas mal retombées, c'est cool pour une fois on va pas crever de chaud au Game Camp
La météo à Lille la semaine prochaine:
La météo à Lille la semaine prochaine:
Two things can be true at once:
- Steam is an incredible platform with tons of qualities for both gamers and developers
- Steam has an effective monopoly and that poses a unique risk, so they should be under scrutiny
- Steam is an incredible platform with tons of qualities for both gamers and developers
- Steam has an effective monopoly and that poses a unique risk, so they should be under scrutiny
June 6, 2026 at 6:17 AM
Two things can be true at once:
- Steam is an incredible platform with tons of qualities for both gamers and developers
- Steam has an effective monopoly and that poses a unique risk, so they should be under scrutiny
- Steam is an incredible platform with tons of qualities for both gamers and developers
- Steam has an effective monopoly and that poses a unique risk, so they should be under scrutiny
I get no longer having the internal expertise/people/tools to make a beautiful 2D game but, like, why remaking the exact same levels and story and mechanics (with a bunch of bonuses)??
It feels like one of these Disney "live action" remakes
It feels like one of these Disney "live action" remakes
Stories fade. Legends are retold.
Rayman Legends Retold launches October 1, 2026.
Rayman Legends Retold launches October 1, 2026.
June 3, 2026 at 8:29 AM
I get no longer having the internal expertise/people/tools to make a beautiful 2D game but, like, why remaking the exact same levels and story and mechanics (with a bunch of bonuses)??
It feels like one of these Disney "live action" remakes
It feels like one of these Disney "live action" remakes
Honnestly, if I'm Ubisoft I'd start remaking my entire catalogue at this point. Scrap the new IPs, the ambitious sequels. Focus on execution speed, empowering a new generation of developers.
People just want the same games they played 10 years ago, it's a fraction of the risk, so why not?
People just want the same games they played 10 years ago, it's a fraction of the risk, so why not?
April 23, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Honnestly, if I'm Ubisoft I'd start remaking my entire catalogue at this point. Scrap the new IPs, the ambitious sequels. Focus on execution speed, empowering a new generation of developers.
People just want the same games they played 10 years ago, it's a fraction of the risk, so why not?
People just want the same games they played 10 years ago, it's a fraction of the risk, so why not?
Best game ever
Drop Duchy: Complete Edition is available NOW on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox & Xbox Game Pass!
🧩 Build your Duchy piece by piece
⚔️ Prepare your forces to storm through fierce armies
🃏 Customize your deck to suit your strategy
🔁 Enjoy endless replayability in an hybrid roguelite game
🧩 Build your Duchy piece by piece
⚔️ Prepare your forces to storm through fierce armies
🃏 Customize your deck to suit your strategy
🔁 Enjoy endless replayability in an hybrid roguelite game
April 21, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Best game ever
There's a trend in recent years for game schools to have 15-20 students on a single final-year project and I don't get how this is helping them to find jobs?
Seems like they're instructed to optimize for beauty in order to get awards and release on Steam, but does that teach them well?
Seems like they're instructed to optimize for beauty in order to get awards and release on Steam, but does that teach them well?
April 21, 2026 at 10:41 AM
There's a trend in recent years for game schools to have 15-20 students on a single final-year project and I don't get how this is helping them to find jobs?
Seems like they're instructed to optimize for beauty in order to get awards and release on Steam, but does that teach them well?
Seems like they're instructed to optimize for beauty in order to get awards and release on Steam, but does that teach them well?
Am I the only one noticing an increase in « we’d be fine if publishers/investors weren’t so greedy » as of late ?
It has become sort of a norm on social media to claim that a game isn’t a failure but a mild success or that it was going to climb back up if given the time.
It has become sort of a norm on social media to claim that a game isn’t a failure but a mild success or that it was going to climb back up if given the time.
March 26, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Am I the only one noticing an increase in « we’d be fine if publishers/investors weren’t so greedy » as of late ?
It has become sort of a norm on social media to claim that a game isn’t a failure but a mild success or that it was going to climb back up if given the time.
It has become sort of a norm on social media to claim that a game isn’t a failure but a mild success or that it was going to climb back up if given the time.
My time working on the VR games with them was amazing, some of the fondest memories of my experience at Ubisoft. Wish I had the opportunity to visit them, almost happened but the trip was always pushed back.
VGC: Ubisoft ‘ends game development’ at Tom Clancy studio, Red Storm, resulting in 105 job losses www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ubisoft...
March 20, 2026 at 8:08 PM
My time working on the VR games with them was amazing, some of the fondest memories of my experience at Ubisoft. Wish I had the opportunity to visit them, almost happened but the trip was always pushed back.
Sandfall & Clair Obscur did irreversible damage to the industry by restarting once more the whole « why don’t AAA studios make games faster with smaller teams that they can sell cheaper ».
I’m not kidding, Jason Schreier litterally wrote an article about this being a talking point at DICE
I’m not kidding, Jason Schreier litterally wrote an article about this being a talking point at DICE
I know it's meant in good faith but "if we just made smaller scope games and charged 20-40 dollars for them it would fix the industry" is very funny to me. indies release like 20 of those a week on steam. are you buying them? is the industry fixed? no? hm. sounds like you need a different solution
February 15, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Sandfall & Clair Obscur did irreversible damage to the industry by restarting once more the whole « why don’t AAA studios make games faster with smaller teams that they can sell cheaper ».
I’m not kidding, Jason Schreier litterally wrote an article about this being a talking point at DICE
I’m not kidding, Jason Schreier litterally wrote an article about this being a talking point at DICE
If we win this, I don’t know what I’m gonna do yet but it’s going to be crazy.
Starvaders already won over Drop Duchy at the Thinky Game awards though, so the odds aren’t looking likely …
Starvaders already won over Drop Duchy at the Thinky Game awards though, so the odds aren’t looking likely …
Our #DICEAwards Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year nominees are:
The Alters, @11bitstudios.bsky.social
Drop Duchy, Sleepy Mill Studio
Europa Universalis V, Paradox Tinto
The King is Watching, Hypnohead
StarVaders, Pengonauts
The Alters, @11bitstudios.bsky.social
Drop Duchy, Sleepy Mill Studio
Europa Universalis V, Paradox Tinto
The King is Watching, Hypnohead
StarVaders, Pengonauts
February 12, 2026 at 8:50 PM
If we win this, I don’t know what I’m gonna do yet but it’s going to be crazy.
Starvaders already won over Drop Duchy at the Thinky Game awards though, so the odds aren’t looking likely …
Starvaders already won over Drop Duchy at the Thinky Game awards though, so the odds aren’t looking likely …
I'm seeing this reaction to Highguard's studio downscaling everywhere, and it makes me realize how most players don't have any idea how much games cost and how much they make.
"Just keep it running, it could be profitable eventually!"
or it could burn more cash and doom the other employees.
"Just keep it running, it could be profitable eventually!"
or it could burn more cash and doom the other employees.
February 12, 2026 at 8:08 AM
I'm seeing this reaction to Highguard's studio downscaling everywhere, and it makes me realize how most players don't have any idea how much games cost and how much they make.
"Just keep it running, it could be profitable eventually!"
or it could burn more cash and doom the other employees.
"Just keep it running, it could be profitable eventually!"
or it could burn more cash and doom the other employees.
So, they really did want to shadow drop that game, the Game Awards was a bonus.
It did create mystery and attracted crowds on launch, but the lack of pre-release feedback will definitely hurt them more unless they release quick updates (a mode above 3v3 for instance)
kotaku.com/highguard-ga...
It did create mystery and attracted crowds on launch, but the lack of pre-release feedback will definitely hurt them more unless they release quick updates (a mode above 3v3 for instance)
kotaku.com/highguard-ga...
January 26, 2026 at 8:44 PM
So, they really did want to shadow drop that game, the Game Awards was a bonus.
It did create mystery and attracted crowds on launch, but the lack of pre-release feedback will definitely hurt them more unless they release quick updates (a mode above 3v3 for instance)
kotaku.com/highguard-ga...
It did create mystery and attracted crowds on launch, but the lack of pre-release feedback will definitely hurt them more unless they release quick updates (a mode above 3v3 for instance)
kotaku.com/highguard-ga...
Ubisoft number 1 problem is that it has lost its capacity to ship game efficiently, and it seems like the top management isn’t even trying to course correct. Will there be deep dive audits to understand how all these projects can be behind schedule all at once? How is this even possible
January 21, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Ubisoft number 1 problem is that it has lost its capacity to ship game efficiently, and it seems like the top management isn’t even trying to course correct. Will there be deep dive audits to understand how all these projects can be behind schedule all at once? How is this even possible
2026 is still the year of Drop Duchy !
Drop Duchy is coming to new platforms 🏰
Featuring ALL additional content, the Complete Edition launches digitally on Xbox & Xbox Game Pass on January 28, and on PlayStation 5 & Nintendo Switch in Spring 2026!
Featuring ALL additional content, the Complete Edition launches digitally on Xbox & Xbox Game Pass on January 28, and on PlayStation 5 & Nintendo Switch in Spring 2026!
January 20, 2026 at 5:03 PM
2026 is still the year of Drop Duchy !