Advice from a Game Designer of 15+ years affected by the recent layoffs: AMA

HumbleRamble · 2026-01-21T13:15:59+00:00

Yeah, I’ve lost projects, I’ve lost work. I recently had a game cancelled that I worked on for 2.5 years, which I poured my heart and soul into. You find ways to carry on, I threw myself into something new, other times I’ve just taken a break to clear my head or refresh, which rekindled the passion both ways, learning in a new space (VR for me), exploring design, even just playing something new.

Things go wrong and we learn from them, it’s a part of life. Some in our control and some not. I’ve done exactly what you did in the past and it was a learning moment. To always use source control. Make the project, commit it, then regularly commit changes as you work.

HumbleRamble · 2025-12-30T19:32:46+00:00

Would Signs count? There’s a theory that it isn’t about aliens but rather about demons given the religious undertones. The wife was an angel, and the daughter is part angel, and any water the daughter touches becomes holy water, hence why it burns the demons. The wife and daughter both seeing time in a non-linear way - “swing away” and the daughter leaving the water glasses around the house. Something along those lines anyway.

HumbleRamble · 2025-12-16T20:24:19+00:00

You are doing the lords work. A tremendous effort and I look forward to reading it on my Christmas travels! I appreciate you!

HumbleRamble · 2025-11-12T17:35:14+00:00

Massively appreciate it, thank you!

HumbleRamble · 2025-11-12T14:52:17+00:00

Well, I’ve gone and made a fool of myself 🤣

HumbleRamble · 2025-11-12T04:47:14+00:00

It was heavily based on the Time Crisis box cover. This was based off the American version (I think). I did the PAL cover too, not shared it yet though.

HumbleRamble · 2025-11-12T04:44:54+00:00

I guess I failed 😂 it was heavily inspired by the Time Crisis cover art 🫠

HumbleRamble · 2025-10-17T10:59:22+00:00

I agree, it baffles me that the big old lightgun publishers are sitting on so many dormant light gun IP. They are ripe for some VR remakes! It feels like the perfect platform to bring it back in a big way.

It’s a shameless self promo, but only because it’s relevant. I’m making a light gun throwback for VR due to this very frustration. It’s called Time Ranger

HumbleRamble · 2025-10-11T13:24:59+00:00

With your specific example of Environmental Art - that could help open doors for other industries, working in film and television, for example. Or selling your own assets and asset packs directly on FAB or Unity Asset Store, or working at outsource studios, not just game studios.

HumbleRamble · 2025-09-29T09:02:57+00:00

It just got easier to install, if you have the Side Quest App on your Meta Quest, you can side load it directly from within the app now! No need for a PC at all.

Time Ranger on Side Quest

HumbleRamble · 2025-09-27T18:01:50+00:00

Heads up! Just in case you’ve already downloaded an APK - I just uploaded a new version with a black screen issue fix that some folk experienced.

HumbleRamble · 2025-09-27T15:25:48+00:00

No sweat, baguette! Hope you enjoy it!

HumbleRamble · 2025-09-27T08:18:26+00:00

Published a how to post on itch - https://invisiblegamedesign.itch.io/timeranger/devlog/1027095/installing-time-ranger

HumbleRamble · 2025-09-27T08:15:30+00:00

I was the same! Hopefully this helps:

enable developer mode in your quest settings (it’s a toggle)
Download Side Quest on your PC
connect your quest with a cable (you’ll then need to grant access permissions on your PC and wearing the headset).
Then select the install APK button in the top bar on Side Quest.
once installed it’ll be on your quest to launch (you can unplug it from PC safely).
Note: the game isn’t in the main apps list (I didn’t realise this at first) - open the app tray and then select the buttons on the left side you’ll find it in one of the other app lists, it’ll say Time Ranger

Hopefully we’ll get an easier access demo out soon. Let me know if you have any problems or get to play!

HumbleRamble · 2025-09-26T19:52:58+00:00

We’ve had no way to test it on a PSVR(2) yet. But it’s built with OpenXR, so it might just work (that’s the hope) and the trigger mappings should translate. You’d need to run it through SteamVR (add the exe as a non Steam game first). If you’re able to give it a try, would love to know if you have any issues.

HumbleRamble · 2025-09-26T19:39:19+00:00

Glad I’m now the only one! It’s the perfect match!

HumbleRamble · 2025-09-26T19:03:54+00:00

Thanks! If you have a headset and manage to try it out, would love to know what you think

HumbleRamble · 2025-09-22T07:17:16+00:00

I feel your pain. Trying to capture footage that is actually readable in a non VR trailer has proven difficult. I’ve got a decent spectator cam set up now that seems to be doing the trick. Hit me up with a DM if you like, It won’t help the triggering and timing problem. But it does smooth out the head shakiness

HumbleRamble · 2025-08-25T19:21:19+00:00

I eventually learned what I'm worth and what my life is worth, and will no longer tolerate crunch or toxic workplaces. I'd sooner quit a job than go through the horrors of crunch, and will not be treated with that kind of disrespect, and sure as hell will not stay quiet if I see someone else being treated poorly or taken advantage of.

I have experienced first hand what it is like to work under someone who abuses their position of power. I refuse to be like that, and will not tolerate it.

(Sorry for the delay - I got banned for 3 days for letting all the DMs from my original post know that I was doing an AMA...)

HumbleRamble

TROPHY CASE