Category Archives: Game Dev

Gamification for Fitness Challenges!

One of my part-time jobs is teaching Krav Maga at a local martial arts school. I started teaching 7am classes a couple months ago because members said they would come to more classes if ones before work/school were offered. Using what I know abut game design and testing, I put together a survey to supplementContinue reading “Gamification for Fitness Challenges!”

“To be useful, an item must be used.” – Francine Jay, The Joy of Less.

Something I like to think about when creating systems and content in games. This quote helps me when I’m feeling overwhelmed about all I want to do with my projects; I just need to think about the things that my players will find useful and enjoy. Don’t confuse this for thinking of how games lookContinue reading ““To be useful, an item must be used.” – Francine Jay, The Joy of Less.”

Monster Systems for The Dark Waters

I’ve been working on transferring over monsters from the bestiary into a spreadsheet for The Dark Waters (can you believe I was just working in a word doc before? Spreadsheets is so much easier to keep track of systems and stats). I’ve added speed to all monsters, since only a couple used that stat before, andContinue reading “Monster Systems for The Dark Waters”

Graphic Design and Game Dev

I’ve been working on this tabletop game off and on (mostly off) for a few years. The original was a project for DigiPen that I had to create within 4-6 weeks. It’s a total mess at the moment because I’m deconstructing and reconstructing different parts, but I’m trying to push through and get it toContinue reading “Graphic Design and Game Dev”

International Holocaust Remembrance Day… and games.

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and the anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. As a Jewish person, I’m automatically attached to this and affected by it, directly and indirectly. Antisemites like to use this day to prove that the holocaust didn’t happen and that “even if it did,” it really wasn’tContinue reading “International Holocaust Remembrance Day… and games.”

Krav Maga Teaching Templates

Yeah, I know, another post on teaching. But I love teaching! It not only validates that I know my shit, but it also reminds me of the nuances of a technique. There’s a very specific template when it comes to teaching Krav Maga (at least, from what I learned from Krav Maga Worldwide but you’llContinue reading “Krav Maga Teaching Templates”

New Year’s #gamedev Goals

A goal isn’t a goal unless you have a plan. Before you create the plan, it’s only a wish or a dream. My dream is to work on independent projects and publish something. My goal is to work on independent projects for at least 5-10 hours a week and publish one of them by nextContinue reading “New Year’s #gamedev Goals”

Analysis of a Krav Maga 360 Defense Drill

When my instructors say “Let’s play a game,” in my Krav Maga classes, I get excited. I love games! But, sadly, Krav Maga games don’t exactly match a game designer’s definition of game; there’s no winner, loser, or really even any kind of quest other than tapping someone on the shoulder while they try toContinue reading “Analysis of a Krav Maga 360 Defense Drill”

Cheat Codes Podcast Episode 148: Light Gnawing

(My favorite thing I’ve done so far) [Listen to the podcast] Game editor at Lone Shark Games Aviva Schecterson helps us try to make “fetch” happen this week as we pick apart the fallout of Nintendo’s decision to discontinue the Miiverse, Acid Wizard Studio’s fight against free game key resellers, and the death of theContinue reading “Cheat Codes Podcast Episode 148: Light Gnawing”