You got this! :)

Keep in mind, you are not failing.

You are just operating at a level where results lag behind effort and most likely doing it while under pressure.

- comparing yourself to the wrong signal
- exhaustion disguised as “I’m not good enough”
- no clear feedback loops to show progress

So if you are in a gap between capability and visible outcome...
That gap is where almost ALL founders sit for years.

You’re surrounded by people who are already visible.

So you compare your process to their outcome and it creates the illusion of failure.

I have been there and I know this feeling usually comes from a mix of:

I found that this phase usually feels like lots of effort, because you need much more to get validation and often get inconsistent feedback, if at all.

Not easy to stay motivated, either.

And the worst part?

- Building a clean structure for your project
- Building a network, it's invisible until it gets you deals
- World-building, narrative development, concepts, spreadsheets full of numbers...

All of these are invisible until they suddenly matter.

Many game devs think they are behind, when in reality they are in an invisible phase of high-leverage work.

Game development and design can compound late.

Some examples:

Cleared Hot just launched!

It's always a special honor to be mentioned in the credits.
Even more so, when you are mentioned in a Reddit post about the credits.

🙏Super grateful to be able to help with Cleared Hot! 🚁

Sacred 2 Remaster | Gameplay Stream with Franz Stradal Join Franz Stradal, one of the original creators of the SACRED franchise and Elham in this special gameplay session where we talk about stories, development insights and dive deep into the past, present and future of SACRED. Sacred 2 Remaster brings back the chaos, the humor, and the magic fans re

SACRED 2 Remaster is so close to launch!

To kick things off, we sat down for a gameplay session with Franz Stradal (yes, that Franz) and Elham.

It’s cozy, honest, and full of tiny bits of SACRED history that only Franz could tell.

Sacred 2 Remaster | DevLog Join Franz Stradal, one of the original creators of the Sacred franchise, to discover how Sacred 2 Remaster came to life, what has kept its legacy alive for two decades, and what exciting features await in this modern revival. Sacred 2 Remaster brings back the chaos, the humor, and the magic fans r

The SACRED community reacting to the new Franz video is making my whole week. ❤️

Shoutout to the Gentleland crew for handling production, and to the legends at Computerspielemuseum Berlin, Castle Ziesar, and Berlin Dungeon for the support and space.

Gentleland Partners with Bold Beetle Games for Dung Slinger Kickstarter - Gentleland® Gentleland partners with Bold Beetle Studios for the Dung Slinger Kickstarter! A Bold indie game about a beetle, a ball of dung and big idea.

We’re excited to share that Gentleland is partnering with Bold Beetle Games on their upcoming Kickstarter for Dung Slinger. 🪲💩

It’s a quirky physics-platformer about a beetle chained to a ball of dung!

Find all the details here!

It's about time we pitch our game: Dung Slinger is a physics platformer in which you are chained to a giant ball of sh*t.

While it isn't a Metroidvania, it is basically the unofficial Dung Defender Spin-Off you never knew you wanted #PitchYaVania

Coming soon: Dung Slinger: A Charming Bug Physics Platformer with Co-Op A quirky 2.5D physics platformer where you are chained to a colossal ball of dung, featuring local co-op for two players.

Kickstarter launch is coming soon 🚀

Can’t wait to show you more and help bring this quirky little masterpiece into the world.

Stay tuned. 🪲✨

Since then, I’ve had the chance to help refine their pitch, talk strategy, and cheer them on.

Now, I get to collaborate with them directly and I couldn’t be more excited!

Because it’s bold, it’s weird, and it’s unforgettable.

Exactly the kind of indie game I love to support.

I first met Ashe & the team during the GamesGround pitching contest in Berlin.

I was sitting in the jury and got to judge... 😁

They came in *very* close to 1st place, and their pitch stuck with me.

📸 (that’s me on the left, Ashe on the right presenting Dung Slinger)

🧵 I’m so excited to share this 👇

I’m teaming up with Bold Beetle Games on their upcoming Kickstarter: Dung Slinger. 🪲💩

Yes… it’s a physics-platformer about a dung beetle chained to a giant ball of poop.

Think Hollow Knight, but much weirder.

#indiedev #gamedev

Quick timelapse for a new project! 🎨

🎩 Hero
⚔️ Knight
🌱 Novice

Three roles, three moods of the creative journey.
It’s funny how we all shift between these roles while building games (and life).

Which one feels like you today?

#gamedev

Devcom & Gamescom 2025 was a Blast! 🎉 - Gentleland® Back from Gamescom & Devcom 2025! 🌱 We met devs, publishers, players, and even listeners of The Gentleland Show.

If you are interested in all the details, you can check out our website:

gentleland.gg/2025/0...

More in-depth thoughts about industry trends to follow!

While others needed more context, which helps us understand how to refine and clarify our storytelling.

Huge thanks to everyone who stopped by, shared insights, and rooted for us. Let’s keep building! Not just games, but connections, clarity, and creative momentum.

Onwards! 🚀

The feedback was honest and mixed, which is exactly what teams need to grow.

Some people “got it” immediately.

(shoutout to those eagle-eyes who spotted our hidden Professor Layton easter egg in our Kickstarter thumbnail!)

Getting caught in action snapping a selfie with Sam against the Cologne Dome backdrop. Let’s just say, the dome definitely stole the show.

I also had the privilege of sharing Gentleland’s vision with so many thoughtful minds.

Just returned from Cologne after attending Devcom & Gamescom 2025 and wrote a small recap!

Meeting passionate developers, publishers, new friends and reconnecting with old ones was like walking from one insightful conversation to the next.

A personal highlight?

Devcom & Gamescom 2025 was a Blast! 🎉 - Gentleland® Back from Gamescom & Devcom 2025! 🌱 We met devs, publishers, players, and even listeners of The Gentleland Show.

Devcom & Gamescom 2025 = a week of inspiration, feedback & community 💜

Thanks to everyone who connected with Gentleland in Cologne!

Full recap here:

Ever since I started my journey with Gentleland I have only met the kindest people.

But also people who are working hard and willing to fight for their goals and dreams!

I am very excited for what's to come next for our team!

While I was away one of my social media accounts made it silently to 16k!

Thank you all for the support!

I have not been posting much on X/Twitter, but there is still a large chunk of an audience that has never switched the platform to anywhere else.

You’ll Never Look at Games the Same Way Again - Gentleland Show #2 🌐 Explore Gentleland Aegis: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gentleland/gentleland-a-city-builder-meets-real-world-game-dev-journey A gamified dashboard meets city-builder, built for game developers and those who want to become one. What makes a game feel right? And why is great design almost

WHAT?

🎮✨ We launched the Gentleland Show yesterday and...
EPISODE 2 is already LIVE!

It's a wholesome, no-BS podcast for game devs and game lovers alike.

Episode 1: When games cross cultures
Episode 2: ?????!

youtu.be/NHdy8DaPTcI...

📻 Also on Spotify

#gamedev #indiedev #gentleland

The Gentleland Show | Official Teaser Trailer Welcome to The Gentleland Show, hosted by Jacky Martin, Sam Tang & Edwin Dizer. 12 EPISODES. 12 WEEKS. SEASON 1 STARTS NOW. Subscribe & follow all our socials below to stay updated. 📅 Launching August 6th, 2025! A whimsical love letter to games, creativity, and the people behind the magic. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

It’s official! ✨
We’re launching The Gentleland Show!

Hosted by Jacky Martin, Sam Tang, and Edwin Dizer, we’re sharing the heartfelt, the inspiring, and the real.

💜 First 3 episodes launch August 6th.
Follow along & watch the teaser here:

youtu.be/fucnL8gh3QM...

#gentleland #gamedev #indiedev

This Is What Happens When Games Cross Cultures - Gentleland Show #1 🌐 Explore Gentleland Aegis: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gentleland/gentleland-a-city-builder-meets-real-world-game-dev-journey A gamified dashboard meets city-builder, built for game developers and those who want to become one. What is gaming culture? And why does it matter? In this cozy

🎙️ EPISODE 1 IS LIVE!
"What is gaming culture — and why does it matter?"

From LAN parties to global storytelling, we explore how games connect people across borders & generations.
Watch now: youtu.be/VlaROBkmcAo...

THANK YOU!

This Is What Happens When Games Cross Cultures - Gentleland Show #1 🌐 Explore Gentleland Aegis: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gentleland/gentleland-a-city-builder-meets-real-world-game-dev-journey A gamified dashboard meets city-builder, built for game developers and those who want to become one. What is gaming culture? And why does it matter? In this cozy

✨ Episode 1 of The Gentleland Show is finally live!

This one’s close to my heart!
We talk about what gaming culture really means, and how games shaped us growing up across Berlin, the UK, and the US.

📺 YouTube: youtu.be/VlaROBkmcAo...

Would love to hear what games meant to you 💛

#gamedev