Cutscenes Indy Mechanics 
PreMortem.Games
FEBRUARY 10, 2025
Polish indie studio Eleven Puzzles has been making a name for themselves as the creators of some fine cooperative puzzle games, like Unsolved Case and Unboxing the Cryptic Killer. We throw ideas around, different puzzle mechanics, narrative elements and unique interactions,” Olczyk says. “We never run out of puzzle ideas!
Radiator Blog
MAY 19, 2023
Before The Green Moon (on Itch and Steam ) is a post-apocalyptic indie Harvest Moon / Stardew Valley / Animal Crossing inspired farm life sim about scraping by, in a decaying rural truckstop town with bored depressed locals you gradually befriend (or ignore). The game also hides a bigger unexplained mechanic: a relationship gifting system.
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Radiator Blog
OCTOBER 13, 2022
This isn't a big apocalyptic video game betrayal cutscene where a villain reveals himself and destroys a castle, instead it's a smaller deeper betrayal that instantly brought me back to being a teenager. And yet it doesn't get more mechanically complicated. You talk but they don't listen. Fine, be that way, see if I care!"
The Bottom Feeder
MARCH 5, 2024
I've been writing indie (aka shareware) games as the nearly sole source of my family's income for 30 years. During those decades, I've written a ton about the indie business, for money and on my blog. My most popular article , written wayyy back in 2013, was about the creation of the Indie Bubble. And indie games!
Radiator Blog
MAY 5, 2021
It's probably not worth the hassle for a solo indie. This is a convenient diegetic way of locking the player in-place for a cutscene, while also priming the player for an extended cutscene. Destroy the player's expectation that relationship mechanic = main cast member. Sit and listen. Expendable companions.
Played with Fire
DECEMBER 4, 2021
A reliable system of interaction for puzzle mechanics. Player-guidance Traditionally scripted camera sequences (cutscenes) are very helpful to direct the player’s gaze, Unfortunately won’t work in VR – would cause locomotion sickness. Genre-specific challenges in VR.
Radiator Blog
NOVEMBER 10, 2021
This fighting game health mechanic is too fussy and unreliable for a busy shooter. I know it's easy for armchair indies like me to complain about pulling punches. Limited regen (e.g. No health potion inventory , big change from Dishonored / Prey. No hoarding / shopping trips. TUTORIAL The tutorial happens across 3 in-game loops.
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