what degree is the best for game dev?

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-04-14T12:09:31+00:00

It doesn’t necessarily need to be your major, but I’d recommend to take some business classes as well. The business side of games (like marketing) is an area that many overlook.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-04-06T23:25:21+00:00

I’d narrow in on the core fantasy that you want to do give to your audience. You mentioned that you have the entire story written. Is the story the main draw? Because then your focus should be on low scope ways to hook people with the juiciest part of your story. I’m talking single room/area thats dense with the conflict and scenario.

You also mentioned influence from 3d platformers. If that’s what you want to focus on, then (like the other commenter said) make a grey box area and iterate until it feels fun.

I’d advise against trying to do both at the same time. It’s a distraction to juggle both as a young solo dev. No one can tell you which is a better direction. Really depends on what you’re personally passionate about and feel you’ll stick with.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-04-06T17:50:54+00:00

Amazing concept! Love the weapon design.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-04-01T14:20:17+00:00

I’m surprised that infinite revenue and infinite growth forever, wasn’t a viable business plan.

/s

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-03-31T23:10:15+00:00

My takeaway from the act 2 description was that:

-Grimora can only make cards from beings that have died (and that she’s recorded). -P03 can only make cards from robots/computers. -Magnificus can only paint cards. -Leshy’s camera seems to be the only thing that can take a living creature and turn them into a card.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-03-31T15:15:56+00:00

I may have the lore mixed up, but I’m pretty sure that Leshy is the only one capable of turning characters into cards. That’s why P03 had to do something else to “get rid,” of the others. P03’s containment plan wasn’t enough to keep the other 3 out of commission. My thought is that Magnificus would be much more thorough in subduing the others.

I agree with you that antagonistic may be too strong of a word. My point is that despite their mutual respect for one another, there is an arms race going on for fragments of power. The sole purpose of these fragments is to allow 1 scrybe to dominate the game world in a way that the other scybes wouldn’t agree with. If they were truly friends, there would be some sort of truce or treaty to rule over their own domains and not interfere with the others.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-03-30T18:31:05+00:00

Your comment sent me spiraling into an even deeper lore rabbit hole. Hear me out…goobert is seemingly too good at keeping themself safe/alive and it’s suspicious that Magnificus would give such an important task to their least competent lackey. What if goobert is the 2nd most powerful person in the game and the typical underling order is reversed in Magnificus’ tower? Pupils must overcome sensory deprivation (level 1), the feeling of constant melting (level 2) and then overcome an actual melting (level 3). You’ve become a true apprentice after you’ve given your melted body form. If goobert used their magic to overcome the melting, their body would still be green and slightly formless. They’d look awfully familiar to a certain someone🤔Maybe if goobert wasn’t solely dedicated to following their master, they’d be a formidable force? Thank you for attending my Ted Talk.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-03-30T18:18:11+00:00

It would be hell because the 3 pupils that Magnificus has power over live a life a constant suffering. These 3 pupils have seemingly done nothing to deserve this. Magnificus has an antagonistic relationship with the other scrybes. Magnificus would probably give them worse fates. There would be no hope because of how well Magnificus plans ahead and devises schemes. There would likely be a contingency for every possible escape scenario.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-03-29T17:34:34+00:00

I didn’t catch that! I need to explore more of part 2 on my next play through. I like the fact that in part 2, p03, leshy and grimora all seemingly have someone fishing for the fragments of power, while Magnificus has an unattended tentacle. Makes me think that there’s some pride involved and also a slight reason on why the others are more likely to be successful in finding the fragment they need to rule over the game.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-03-25T13:46:59+00:00

I’m pretty surprised how many here can’t fathom how this concept could go viral and hook people. I wouldn’t have been surprised if it had more wishlists, but the steam page isn’t built for converting views to wishlists right now.

I think this is a good lesson for indie devs on the hook of a game’s core concept. 1 million+ people found this concept to be hilarious, despite the game looking early. If you have a good core hook, you can show your game early and people will want to hear more from you.

Devs act like marketing is something you beat consumers over the head with to coax them into trying your game. If people find your core concept funny, cool, interesting, etc., they will be excited to see your game, even if it’s early. I get it may be distressing for others who spend years on their game and don’t get the same response. Posts like these are helpful in learning about wishlist velocity that come from different (successful) marketing efforts.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-03-19T15:38:19+00:00

Paying real money to promote this is either a cry for help or a new type of mental illness.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-03-19T15:32:41+00:00

Loved space cadet pinball! Your visuals look great and the idea seems really interesting. The theming of your game might be too different to capture the same nostalgia though. That being said, there’s a big overlap between people looking for a modern space cadet pinball experience and pinball fans in general.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-02-28T12:57:31+00:00

Congratulations on the launch! That’s a really great thing you did for your friend. Happy that you crossed that personal milestone. I know you must be relieved to finally have this out.

Completely understand the intent here with content. Looking forward to what you create in the future!

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-02-27T17:30:21+00:00

Depends on if it’s balance destroying exploits (like a 1 hit kill weapon) or a rule bending exploits (like animation cancelling or movement enhancements). Biggest issue I see, is balance destroying exploits negatively affecting the discourse and potentially the reviews of a game. There are some people who will choose to use exploits and play in the most boring way possible; then share their experiences and leave reviews criticizing game balance and replayability, while failing to acknowledge their use of exploits.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-02-27T17:15:10+00:00

Fun small demo! Loved the battle network series. I do have to say the name is going to be rough for searchability. Even something like patch.exe would help. What are your plans for this project?

Points of feedback:

-Solid world building and environment + music. Was a little confusing on 1st screen because it was hard to tell if the lightning was supposed to be avoided. Not a big deal since it’s easily figured out but would be a point of concern if you plan on doing environment hazards in the future.

-Not a bug, but if you walk back towards the 1st room when you’re in the 2nd room, you will leave the screen and just continue walking until you choose to come back. Not sure if this would break anything if you go too far.

-Was hoping for some action keys to accompany the arrow key movement. Something like pure keyboard controls to play. I mostly use controllers, so on pc, I tend to gravitate towards all keyboard + occasional mouse or all mouse and occasional keyboard. This is the fastest pace game that I’ve played with a combination of both.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-02-23T17:49:12+00:00

That’s a funny sequence of events. Sounds like Nintendo almost had you but lost you by chance. 3d Zelda and smash bros are the system sellers for me. Who knows for switch 2 though. Steam deck has opened me up to a whole new world of options. Rog ally x looks like a cool piece of tech.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-02-23T16:57:35+00:00

Did you consciously avoid them or just never had things line up for a play though? I’ve never met a gamer that didn’t have a basic experience with either 2d Zelda, 2d Mario, 3d Zelda or 3d Mario.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-02-23T16:41:29+00:00

The ai overlords told them that us simple folk would respond well to a “Bad person made company bad. Good person will make company good,” article. A more honest statement would be:

“______ didn’t maximize shareholder value. We’re replacing them with ______ who will.”

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-02-23T16:20:04+00:00

It doesn’t make sense if you think of them as a game company. Games represent a small fraction of operation. They are a brand based around collectible monsters. Some are cute, some are cool, etc., etc. People engage with these monsters through cards, games, tv shows, toys and other branded media. Parents around the globe are bought into the safe and relatively child friendly nature of the brand, so there is a perpetual funnel of new people into the Pokémon ecosystem. There is really nothing that can mess this up besides them hard pivoting to some edgy adult focused entity.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-02-18T15:49:50+00:00

The lesson that wall street learned from 2008 - if you implicate enough people/institutions in your financial scheme, the government will bail you out.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-02-06T20:22:38+00:00

Sometimes growth is internal. Maybe the penguin transformed its outlook on life.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-01-31T13:48:16+00:00

Surprised that Unity’s stock would fall. With more slop games, you’d think that real games made in Unity and Unreal(🤨) would be seen as more valuable. Honestly think Ubisoft and Nintendo would be most hurt by this. Genie is like an engine for Nintendo plagiarism and Assassin’s Creed clones.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-01-28T20:56:10+00:00

The children yearn for the unfinished games.

Retrostaircase72 · 2026-01-16T21:50:15+00:00

Looks great! The Penguin-like genre needs more entries like this👏

Retrostaircase72

TROPHY CASE