As an ex-Notepad++ enthusiast, you never really outgrow it.
I still use it when I don't want to open a proper IDE.
I will say, if you do frequent web dev (you can use PyCharm), but JetBrains also offers WebStorm. I use that to speed up some of the more serious web work.
Posts by Dair Games
As the year ends, I've been thinking about #games that once gave themselves meaning, and how sometimes they can feel fleeting.
It's made me reflect on attention, impermanence, and the ways we intentionally make meaning.
Anyway, Happy New Year!
medium.com/@zacdair/444...
#gamedev #indiedev
Following on from yesterday. How do you handle playtesting + UX feedback?
Running a short 5–7 min survey to understand real workflows + pain points. #games #gamedev #ue #indiedev
Survey: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Your input helps shape future tools for game development. Thanks!
Indie devs: if you could turn one playtest into 5 timestamped clips of where players got stuck (in <48h), would that help you ship faster?
Curious / Maybe / Not really tell me why 👇
#gamedev #indiedev #UE5 #Unity #games #hci #ux
Damn I want to explore this...🛶🌅 Just gorgeous!
Getting flashbacks to asteroid fields in Ratchet & Clank, except yours has way more detail 👀🌏
Procedural is so damn satisfying *when it works* I’ve been using it for dynamic room layouts with clues lately, it’s chaos, but the fun kind. A room with a million chairs? ✅
#gamedev #horror #UE5
🕯️Main menu begins here.
Just a table, a light… and the weight of everything that’s about to follow. Still a work in progress, but the #mood is beginning to emerge.
Recovering from being ill, so progress has been slow! Ramping up though! 👻
#UE5 #gamedev #indiedev #buildinpublic #cinematicdev
Stream started late but it was definitely worth it.
Built a ton, crashed a bit (classic), and learned a great deal thanks to the folks who dropped by.
Game dev is wild, but the community? Even better.
Definitely going to keep up with streaming!
#gamedev #indiedev #UE5 #buildinpublic #streamrecap
Finally back in a place where I can stream game dev again, missed the rhythm, and the chaos.
Tomorrow at 11 am GMT, I’ll be working on a modular level loading system: transitions, tips, and some OTT system design.
Come hang. Weirdness welcome. 🎮✨
#gamedev #indiedev #UE5 #devstream #buildinpublic
You should do a sample showcase of some!!
I'm definitely curious to see the vibes! 🎶🎵
One day soon… ⌛
But for now, huge congrats to @bearlikelion.com
Living the #gamedev dream. Wishing you a smooth launch and only garden-variety bugs 🐛🚀
#indiedev #Steam #solodev #launchday
Actually, there really isn't a best way to go about it... I should have added the caveat...
Approach it in whatever way strikes the most inspiration, passion and drive...if that's art, music or whatever, if it gets you hyped and working, then it's the right way for you! ✨
Very nice! I'd say dont worry about art until you have a solid gameplay loop.
Break it into core verbs (dodge-hit-learn), mid loop (defeat boss), macro loop (explore dungeon), player motivation, and your pacing curve.
Then add a defining art style, any earlier risks being scrapped if it's not fun.
Appreciate you checking out the posts 🙏 Hoping to show off more soon
I'm deep in a narrative horror prototype and building a stylised action-adventure in UE5. Been playing with IK rigs, reactive systems, and weird ideas that probably shouldn’t work (but might)
What about you? How's your journey? 🎮
These two look like they’ve already survived three boss fights and a betrayal arc 😤🔥Super clean designs, when in doubt, add belts and cloaks!
Definitely feels quieter lately but honestly, I think a lot of us are heads-down building, I know I am.
That said, I agree: the little stuff matters. A repost, a comment, even a quick “this rules” goes a long way, I'm aiming to do better.
Let’s not let the #gamedev timeline dry out completely. 💻🔥
Took time off. Blame my first #HEMA #longsword tournament & time with family
Back now, deep in IK systems and some very weird #horror.
Stumbled across this🔥by @siriusgaming.bsky.social a really strong take on starting, scoping, and finishing your game:
youtu.be/XFx6d-gLcHA
#gamedev #indiedev #UE5
Solo game dev here! 🚀
Beyond Jealous!
Yesterday was rough.
So I said screw it...and built a text and audio scrambler anyway.
Not because it fixed anything. But sometimes pushing forward just a little is all you've got. And maybe that’s enough.
Follow your passion...
#gamedev #indiedev #buildinginpublic #creativeprocess #resilience
A week of #longsword bruises ⚔️, a haunting (slightly gooey) #WIP that won’t leave me alone 👻, and a remaster done right...Oblivion🔥
The only thing I can show for now… is this
Something’s forming. And it’s starting to feel real.
#gamedev #indiedev #creativeprocess #worldbuilding #UE5 #devlog #games
100% get this, but try framing it this way:
Game dev is learning to be okay with “good enough for now.” Otherwise you’ll burn out before you ever finish the stuff you care about most. Keep pushing! messy first tries are how real projects get born
Just by starting you're doing better than you think.
Silence isn't empty, it's building. 🌐
I've been pouring over something new, that finally feels like it's nearing the vision I have 🚀
Really excited to finish it and show some big things moving behind the scenes.
But not yet 😉
#gamedev #indiedev #creativejourney #newbeginnings
#tech #art #weekend
Love this kind of mechanic! Curious what your approach is? There seems to be 101 ways of doing this, I've been enjoying building a library of the different methods.
Happy #Thursday! Finally kicking off #Instagram for my game dev #worldbuilding & weird #ideas 🌍
First post’s time! A familiar #moodboard, glimpses into the tone and #vibe of something coming!
Drop in if that’s your thing → www.instagram.com/p/DIjujGmiA_O/
#gamedev #indiedev #creativeprocess #devlog
Midweek dev limbo.
Too tired to build, too stubborn to rest.
Might just open the engine and stare at particles for a bit.
#gamedev #indiedev #devlife #mood #UE
FFXVI was my first FF game, and honestly, the demo alone stirred something, and the game even more.
Wonder. Excitement. Even a weird touch of nostalgia… reminded me of playing Fable way back.
It’s stuck with me ever since.
More devs should take note. This is how you leave an impression.
I always walk into #historic places like this and start imagining what happened here… or what could’ve. ⚔️
Oftentimes, my game dev brain kicks in whether I want it to or not.
Thought I’d share a rare real-life moment from the weekend 🎥
#gamedev #castlecore #creativefuel #indiedev #inspiration