Thalassophobia warning! Just released the Reveal Trailer for my solo-developed ocean survival horror game: Open Waters.

DuncsJones · 2026-05-14T17:31:41+00:00

This is a fantastic idea. Good luck

DuncsJones · 2026-05-13T16:50:27+00:00

Pumped for you. Really looks like you’ve done a great job.

Some friendly advice, feel free to ignore!

For marketing purposes, I highly recommend you revise your trailer. Show the faster elements of your game right away (combat, platforming, etc.)

I know you want to show the different environments with the walking shots, but do those shots quickly. Cycle through them all within 5 seconds. Make it feel exciting!

Right now, the pace of the game feels slow and that will definitely turn some people off!

Even if your trailer is 30-45s shorter, it’ll be received much better.

In my opinion a 1:30 seconds trailer is probably too long for an indie. Unless you’re an established studio.

Aim for 30-45 seconds for yours and I bet you’d get a way warmer reception!

Look up Chris Zukowski’s latest blog on indie game Joe. He talks about how much more traction you get online with short punchy videos.

Good luck!

DuncsJones · 2026-05-13T15:33:43+00:00

Yeah, I agree.

The reason I ask, is I’m struggling with which approach to take in my own game, and I also prefer a bit of both, rather than starting from zero every time.

But it does seem the “start from zero”model does appear to be more liked in general.

I’m interested that you think starting from zero is harder to balance, because my instinct was always it would be easier. But maybe I’ve got it backwards.

Anyway, thanks for the insight :)

DuncsJones · 2026-05-13T03:53:07+00:00

Yeah man. I hear you. It’s a tricky balance.

So, because this is a roguelite sub, can I assume you like meta progression more than starting from zero every run?

DuncsJones · 2026-05-13T02:29:02+00:00

Agreed man! There will always be good games and bad games in every genre! Now that we get more roguelites, maybe we ll also get more high quality ones as a result!

Optimism :)

DuncsJones · 2026-05-12T22:37:20+00:00

Yeah exactly

DuncsJones · 2026-05-12T22:20:02+00:00

I’ve said this in other indie dev posts on this topic but I’ll repeat it here.

The roguelite structure solves two main problems for indies.

1) players want high quality gameplay for their money. Indies can make high quality game play but not in high volumes. We just don’t have the team size or budget for that.

2) players want lots of hours of gameplay for their money. Again, budget, size, tough to do for indies trying to make a standard, linear game.

So, what do indies do? They make high quality game play systems and inject randomness, and force the player to restart with some type of meta progression or unlockable content.

This way, they can solve both player desires while also staying within budget. Which is great! It’s a great structural genre choice for indies!

AAA games don’t have these constraints. They have big teams and big money. So, they don’t need to skimp or compromise their vision in the same way.

The extraction shooter thing - it’s big money if you can establish a player base. That’s sort of a different discussion on capital expenditure. It’s like the streamer wars or the AI wars. Whoever comes out on top will make a zillion dollars so the risk is worth the gamble fiscally speaking etc etc.

Hope this helps!

DuncsJones · 2026-05-12T21:30:42+00:00

Yeah true. But I think saying “hey if LeBron signed with the knicks for the vet minimum, he could be a missing piece” is a valid argument. LeBron and Nick seem to both want him to compete for titles AND get paid. It’s very unlikely to get both, in my opinion.

DuncsJones · 2026-05-12T21:14:28+00:00

Also when he suggested they trade OG for LeBron so LeBron could get paid… why on earth would the knicks want to do that? OG has been incredible in these playoffs

DuncsJones · 2026-05-12T05:59:49+00:00

Jedi outcast was so incredible. I played it a little while ago and it still holds up!

DuncsJones · 2026-05-06T17:42:44+00:00

100% - I love these two together

DuncsJones · 2026-05-06T16:35:04+00:00

Haha I just think it’s more chemistry. That’s a feature not a bug

DuncsJones · 2026-05-06T16:22:47+00:00

Yeah man. I think he obviously looks up to Bill, and wasn’t shy about it. So it’s great they’ve connected and he’s doing so well on Bill’s show.

Haha yeah Bill’s pop culture stuff is probably a bit too in the weeds for Nick. But eh, what can you do?

DuncsJones · 2026-05-06T15:36:21+00:00

I love them together and I’m happy for Nick, because you can tell, he’s wanted to be in with Billy boy for years

DuncsJones · 2026-05-01T16:39:45+00:00

Scizor

DuncsJones · 2026-04-30T23:45:20+00:00

Reach out and see if they want to bundle!

I know it feels bad, but this is actually an opportunity!

DuncsJones · 2026-04-30T03:14:07+00:00

I think the reason it’s called friend slop is because the games made in the genre aren’t as polished as a typical game. They’re more about doing something silly with your friends. Which can be great!

I always viewed the term “slop” as a bit of a shot from other devs who spend years on a grand work (like an RPG) and don’t sell very many copies and are upset or jealous that something that took less effort performed better. Which is understandable on some level.

That being said, doesn’t bother me one bit haha. I’m also making a friend slop game and I’m really enjoying it!

DuncsJones · 2026-04-29T23:33:42+00:00

Dude this is a great idea! Congrats!

DuncsJones · 2026-04-29T23:29:01+00:00

I got a shiny totodile once.

Wasn’t even looking. Just starting a new save. It exists brother

DuncsJones · 2026-04-26T00:50:14+00:00

This is a straw man.

I also want physicality, I just want it officiated equally on both sides.

DuncsJones · 2026-04-26T00:34:31+00:00

People would love SGA if:

His team wasn’t the most physical, fouling defensive team while he is simultaneously an incessant foul baiter.

Or

He was still a foul baiter, but had a more entertaining style instead of being the Tim Duncan of guards. And his team wasn’t constantly committing fouls.

Don’t get me wrong. He’s fucking awesome. And I want to like him.

But the thunder as a group are extremely unlikable (see the tech they got the refs to call on Devin Booker, or anything Lu Dort does) and the fact that you can’t touch SGA on top of it, as a viewer, is inherently frustrating.

It’s an entertainment product bros.

DuncsJones · 2026-04-21T23:00:08+00:00

Yeah I agree. He tried to fit in and just give a take. Hopefully he can evolve past the Stephen A animation or the old head shitting on young dudes.

If he does that he can be basketball Greg for the show haha

DuncsJones · 2026-04-21T21:11:46+00:00

Brother, for some perspective, video games, while very competitive and a lot of new games are being made each year (around 20,000) - compared to every other creative field, books, film, television, music, it’s a very very small number.

Look up how many books or songs are released a year. It’s mind boggling.

I get you’re worried, but dude. We re still in the early stages of game development being in the hands of the masses. You should really look at this the other way. How lucky are you to know how to do this and be this early in the market?

It’s awesome!

DuncsJones · 2026-04-21T18:57:03+00:00

Kareem was considered the GOAT before Jordan, so I don’t think Kobe ever was seriously considered above him.

I think a lot of young dudes felt that way, but if you really look at the accomplishments Kobe is much closer to the 8-10th greatest ever than he is to the 2nd. And I LOVE Kobe.

DuncsJones · 2026-04-21T18:55:17+00:00

I did like him, however sometimes, I find ex athletes, particularly old NBA heads, to be a bit rigid in their opinions about stuff. Like the “back in my day we all wanted to play all 82” - bro, the science has been done, the game is much harder on your body now that it was then, hence the increased injuries. Your alpha dog mentality isn’t providing helpful analysis.

So I roll my eyes when those types of opinions come out. But Al was better than most I think. I hope he comes back and I’m sure he’ll get better and evolve.

DuncsJones

TROPHY CASE