More player choice doesn't always mean more immersion. Sometimes it means the opposite.
Choice gets the credit. Immersion does the work.
New piece on why less freedom sometimes makes better games — link below.
open.substack.com/pub/dannyhom...
The most human thing in a game is still the story. That feels more true now than it did five years ago. New article on substack. dannyhoman.substack.com/p/just-a-wri...
Nobody who reaches out asking how to break into game writing ever asks if they should.
That question — and the ones hiding behind it — are what my new piece is about.
open.substack.com/pub/dannyhom...
Currently playing: Enotria (souls vibes, stunning art direction), Minishoot Adventures (twin-stick Zelda fun), and just started The Alters. What are y'all playing? Drop your recommendations 👇
What happens when a game's storytelling fights against its own core fantasy?
New piece — Don't Wake the Dreamers:
open.substack.com/pub/dannyhom...
Borderlands 4 crashes on launch on my ps5. I played about 30 minutes when it came out just fine, but now it only crashes. Deleted and reinstalled it 10 times. Got the latest patch. Deleted my saved file. No luck. Put in a help ticket but no response yet. Anyone got a fix?
I just backed TIME SENSITIVE #1: Sci-Fi Comic by an Emmy-Winning Writer on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/tim...
I need some new game recs! Last played (Donkey Kong Bonanza, Phoenotopia). Looking for indie stuff I might not have heard of, open to all genres.
Hey! I’m still here, just had a kid so slowly getting back into things. I’m gonna have to search my memory banks and get back to you on this one. I wrote the final Tanalorr level, but I think one of my writers might’ve written the echo you’re talking about.
Jedi Survivor is on PS Plus! 🛸✨ First game I worked on where I could actually enjoy playing post-launch. If you missed it, now’s your chance! (Also, I wrote a lot of Turgle, so if you love that little guy… you're welcome.) 🐸💚🎮 blog.playstation.com/2025/02/12/p...
Limitations can focus storytelling! "You can do anything in CG. Now every movie has a third act that is so jam-packed with action....and cataclysmic occurrences every five minutes. We just couldn’t do that in the ’80s. So [those films] have a little more intimacy to them.” Lisa Henson
Playing Dragon Quest 3, Steamworld Heist 2, and Dragon Age: Veilguard. You?
Some thoughts on why game developers are making the most interesting new worlds — open.substack.com/pub/dannyhom...
Playing Dragon Quest 3 HD-remake. Bought it on a whim, and super glad I did. Absolutely beautiful, immersive -- the kind of game that makes you just want to set out and explore. Love that I'm not bogged down by UI/missions. Try it!
Ya'll should play Cocoon. Amazing game!
How many times will I play Chrono Trigger in my life? I'm playing Sea of Stars, and it's really lovely and making me want to see Chrono and the gang again.