Is Becoming a Solo Game Developer Worth It?
Last week, we covered how to minimize risk when trying to become a solo game developer, so this week, let’s […]
Blog, Game Development, Interview
Blog, Game Design, Game Development, Writing
How to Write Strong Gendered Characters
Battleships of foreign metals and humming plasma scream overhead and skyscrapers collapse in upon themselves. A mother stands in the
Blog, Game Design
Cutting Through the Static: The Immersive Greatness of Oxenfree’s Radio
Today’s guest post is by Ishaan Sahdev. This morning, I had a difficult decision to make: Do I want to
Blog
Pardon Our Dust: Exciting Improvements to the BSM Blog
As part of our mission here at Black Shell Media, we believe in being on the cutting edge of innovation in
Blog, Writing
Pumpkin Spice Plotte: The Hero’s Journey
“A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there
Blog, Game Design, Writing
Pumpkin Spice Plotte: The Seven Basic Plots (Part 2)
In Part 1 of Pumpkin Spice Plotte, I introduced the first four of the seven basic plots: Overcoming the Monster,
Blog, Writing
Pumpkin Spice Plotte: The Seven Basic Plots (Part 1)
There comes a time for every indie game dev where they reach the point where they have to string together
Blog, Game Development, Writing
The Lusty Argonian Maid & Other Tales: A Cheatsheet to In-Game Lit
So, you’re well on your way in the development process. You’ve got a really solid core gameplay loop, the controls
Blog
Home for the Holidays: Be Proud of What You Do
It’s that time of year again for many developers to pack their bags and make the frustrating journey through delayed airports,
Blog, Marketing
Blood, Sweat, Tears, & Cash: The Hidden Costs of Game Development
In my experience in book publishing, I’ve come across a number of would-be writers who were either too impatient to
Marketing
8-Bit Cupid: 3 Dating Tips to Help Your Game Marketing
What is the game of love but merely an attempt to market oneself to a target audience? After all, you’re
Game Design
The Problem with “Unique”
Undoubtedly, one of my favorite aspects of indie game development is the freedom that is afforded to developers to make
Game Design, Writing
Mastering Game Writing Through Game Mastering
In every experience, there is a lesson to be learnt, and nowhere is this more true than when one decides
Blog, Game Design, Writing
Epistory Teaches Typing: Emphasizing Story Through Nontraditional Gameplay
Story is often one of the last things that gets considered when prototyping out a new game. We may have
Blog, Game Design, Writing
Do a Barrel Roll! Branching Storylines Without Breaking the Bank
For many game developers, the holy grail of game design is a player experience with branching storylines, where every action
Blog, Business, Technology, Writing
Dr Unemployable's 6 Quick Tips for Healthy Emails
As any business MBA with an MBA in business will tell you, company morale and a comfortable office atmosphere are
Blog, Game Design, Game Development
What MOBAs Are Doing Wrong: The Conventional Wisdom on Game Conventions
MOBAs MOBAs everywhere, and most of them did stink / MOBAs MOBAs everywhere, not a single one unique With the
Blog, Game Development, Writing
How to Publish Bad Writing
This one simple trick will make it a snap to publish bad writing! Editors hate it (though without it they’d
Blog, Game Development, Writing
THIS Is How You Should Respond to Early Access Critics
The first few hundred thousand hurdles of game development have been conquered and our game is out for early access!
Blog, Game Development, Writing
Writing 201: Dialog for Voice Acting
Lots of writers love spinning yarns, weaving words, and waxing poetic. Many of us are guilty for being given a