41 votes

When Playdate stopped being fun

11 comments

  1. [2]
    dr_frahnkunsteen
    Link
    You have made some of my favorite games for the Playdate. I’m not really involved in the community, I just play games, so whatever happened to you I was completely unaware. I’m not asking for...

    You have made some of my favorite games for the Playdate. I’m not really involved in the community, I just play games, so whatever happened to you I was completely unaware. I’m not asking for details because I don’t want you to have to relive any trauma. I just want you to know there are players outside the community that just enjoy playing the games, and I have a deep appreciation for anyone that dedicates their time to making these things that I enjoy. The Playdate has been a big mental health boon for me over the last few years. It’s given me an alternative to doomscrolling at home, at work, and when traveling. It’s helped improve my sleep hygiene by helping me keep blue light out of the bedroom. I am very grateful for the contributions you’ve made that have helped me on this journey, and I am sad to see you go.

    28 votes
    1. gingerbeardman
      Link Parent
      Thanks, I appreciate your perspective. Ultimately, I had to do what I felt was right for my own mental health. Keep on playing!

      Thanks, I appreciate your perspective. Ultimately, I had to do what I felt was right for my own mental health. Keep on playing!

      15 votes
  2. [2]
    DeaconBlue
    Link
    Sorry to hear that it is not a community that you can thrive in. I would like to let you know that your posts over the years here were a significant part of the reason I bought the console and I...

    Sorry to hear that it is not a community that you can thrive in. I would like to let you know that your posts over the years here were a significant part of the reason I bought the console and I have thoroughly enjoyed your contributions to the game library.

    20 votes
  3. [4]
    moocow1452
    Link
    Hard stuff dude. It always sucks when fandoms around a thing toxify to that degree and it puts you in a weird spot about those passion projects you have mixed feelings putting effort into. Let us...

    Hard stuff dude. It always sucks when fandoms around a thing toxify to that degree and it puts you in a weird spot about those passion projects you have mixed feelings putting effort into. Let us know when you're ready to promote something new, for sure!

    18 votes
    1. [3]
      gingerbeardman
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      The issue was another developer. Annoyingly this was my full-time vocation, so I've needed to ...readjust. Since October I've made a game for Sega Dreamcast and I'm working on a multiplatform...

      The issue was another developer. Annoyingly this was my full-time vocation, so I've needed to ...readjust. Since October I've made a game for Sega Dreamcast and I'm working on a multiplatform title. Working in colour after 6 years of 1-bit is like getting new eyes. Though I do miss the dither patterns.

      18 votes
      1. [2]
        Lapbunny
        Link Parent
        Do Dreamcast games with dither patterns for maximum aesthetic?

        Do Dreamcast games with dither patterns for maximum aesthetic?

        5 votes
        1. gingerbeardman
          Link Parent
          I'm trying to figure out a way using shaders 😎

          I'm trying to figure out a way using shaders 😎

          7 votes
  4. [2]
    kfwyre
    Link
    Very sad news. Sorry to hear this, gingerbeardman, but I’m glad that you’re doing what you need to do for yourself. It’s also disappointing that Panic didn’t take any action, especially with how...

    Very sad news. Sorry to hear this, gingerbeardman, but I’m glad that you’re doing what you need to do for yourself.

    It’s also disappointing that Panic didn’t take any action, especially with how important you are to their platform.

    I thoroughly enjoyed YOYOZO and Sparrow Solitaire. I also picked up a few more games of yours in the last catalog sale (though I admittedly haven’t played them yet). Thanks for making things that bring joy to people’s lives, and I look forward to what you’ll make elsewhere.

    12 votes
    1. gingerbeardman
      Link Parent
      Thanks for the kind words. Thanks for playing my games and supporting indie development.

      Thanks for the kind words. Thanks for playing my games and supporting indie development.

      7 votes
  5. Englerdy
    Link
    I think one of your posts here was what introduced me to the Playdate and I picked one up almost exactly a year ago. YOYOZO was one of the first games I purchased for it as well. It's a delightful...

    I think one of your posts here was what introduced me to the Playdate and I picked one up almost exactly a year ago. YOYOZO was one of the first games I purchased for it as well. It's a delightful little device, but disappointing to hear there's some bad eggs in the community and you didn't get support from Panic. Thanks for sharing your creativity.

    8 votes