Tessera

David Thatcher

@giraffecat.bsky.social

I make video games, as Giraffe Cat! I made The Sirena Expedition, which is out on Steam and Nintendo Switch: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1957300/?snr=1_5_9__205 https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/the-sirena-expedition-switch/

225 Posts220 Follower 383 Folgt

Design Room @designroom.site · 6d ago

Big new story! The best 8,000 words you'll read on Vib-Ribbon today.

Vib-Ribbon: An oral history

Almost 27 years later, we round up the team behind NanaOn-Sha's procedurally generated playground to look at the legacy of PlayStation's wireframe rabbit.

designroom.site

Santa Ragione @santaragione.com · last wk.

LOL

David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 3w ago

What an absolute shitshow.

Game Developer@gamedeveloper.bsky.social · 3w ago

Xbox continues 'reset' with Halo Studios layoffs and Undead Labs divestment

The Zium Railway (Available September 13th)@theziumsociety.itch.io · 4w ago

In the Valley of the Underground Mountain, within the compartment nation of Lyptch... 🛤️🏛️🎨The Zium Railway🎨🏛️🛤️ an open world gallery, a new exhibition, now available! Free admission. Be welcomed and enjoy. thezium.art/theziumrailway

The Zium Railway - Exhibition Now Open

YouTube video by The Zium Gallery

youtu.be

David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · last mo.

For #RandomGameSaturday today, I pulled out Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? for the PSP.

The front cover of Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? for the PSP. The art features one of the penguin-like Prinnies that originated in the Disgaea series.

The back cover of Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? for the PSP. The blurb reads "Every life is precious. Except his." There are some screenshots, and underneath another line of blurb, "From the creators of Disgaea comes their first ever action game!"

The inside of Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? for the PSP, showing the manual and the UMD.

Rebecca McCarthy - Game Writing & Narrative🔜 MCM Comic Con @rebeccamwrites.bsky.social · last mo.

*screams in game developer*

Shop sign outside Greggs with the slogan "It's crunch time"

David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · last mo.

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is San Francisco Rush 2049 for the Dreamcast. This version's much more affordable than the N64 release, which goes for upwards of £600.

The back cover of San Francisco Rush 2049 for the Dreamcast. There are three screenshots of the game down the right side, and blurbs in three languages; English, Italian and Spanish.

The inside of San Francisco Rush 2049 for the Dreamcast, showing the manual and the disc.

David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 2mo ago

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Phantom Brave for the PS2. I got this shortly after playing a bunch of Disgaea, and was really into it for a while, but then I just stopped playing for some reason. All I remember is that you can pick up and throw trees. And maybe the trees can level up? Unclear.

The front cover of Phantom Brave for the PS2. It features the two primary characters, and the blurb, "Buy it for God's Sake!" from www.Eurogamer.net.

The back cover of Phantom Brave for the PS2, featuring the tagline, "Imagination knows no limit..." and three fairly opaque screenshots.

The inside of Phantom Brave for the PS2, showing the manual and the game disc.

The second disc of Phantom Brave for the PS2, a CD containing the soundtrack.

john.flannelly @gemstonez.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Pillars of the Community features contributions made in Become a Great Artist in Just 10 Seconds (by @smestorp.bsky.social and @dryad.technology ) from members of the @secretlivesofgames.bsky.social discord and @insertcredit.com forums. I can't wait for you to see it!

Poster for Pillars of the Community by John Flannelly & Virtual Neighbors. On display in The Zium Railway

The Zium Railway (Available September 13th)@theziumsociety.itch.io · 2mo ago

In the Valley of the Underground Mountain... Announcing... 🛤️🏛️🎨The Zium Railway🎨🏛️🛤️ an open world galley, and a new exhibition from The Zium Society will be released on September 13th 2026 Here's a trailer: youtu.be/9yf-lTRRRjc

Brandon Sheffield @brandon.insertcredit.com · 2mo ago

Well, we did it - more than $250k for game devs who have been laid off, to be distributed by @videogameworkers.bsky.social. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who donated their time, games, and money to help folks out in a time of need.

A screenshot of the game industry hardship bundle on itch.io, which has made $252,466.19 from 18,598 contributors.

Brandon Sheffield@brandon.insertcredit.com · 2mo ago

Alright y'all, this is it! The final stretch for the game industry hardship fund. We've got $13k to raise in 14 hours to meet the final goal, I think we can do it. itch.io/b/3802/game-...

David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The Game Industry Hardship Fund bundle has almost hit $250,000 with 1 day to go! That's mad. I put The Sirena Expedition in it, so if you want to pay twice the usual price for it and also get 100+ other games and donate to a good cause, you can do that! That is a thing you can do.

Brandon Sheffield@brandon.insertcredit.com · 2mo ago

In response to the unprecedented number of game developers laid off this year, we have created a bundle on itch to benefit a Game Industry Hardship Fund, managed by @videogameworkers.bsky.social. More than 100 games for 10+ bucks! Please share widely and donate generously! itch.io/b/3802/game-...

Brandon Sheffield @brandon.insertcredit.com · 2mo ago

I've upped the goal one last time!! Can we get this fund for out of work game developers to $250k in the next four days!?

Brandon Sheffield@brandon.insertcredit.com · 2mo ago

David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 2mo ago

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Gran Turismo Concept 2002 Tokyo-Geneva. Released shortly after Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec, it's the only game to feature the Toyota Pod concept car.

The front cover for Gran Turismo Concept 2002 Tokyo-Geneva. It's blue.

The back cover for Gran Turismo Concept 2002 Tokyo-Geneva. There are screenshots showing a number of cars, including the Toyota Pod.

The inside of Gran Turismo Concept 2002 Tokyo-Geneva, showing the manual and the disc.

Kotaku @kotaku.com · 2mo ago

Well, I guess Electronic Arts belongs to Saudi Arabia, private equity, and Jared Kushner now. https://kotaku.com/electronic-arts-officially-belongs-saudi-arabia-jared-kushner-now-2000721666

Electronic Arts Officially Sold For $55 Billion

With the closing of the market today comes the second-biggest acquisition in gaming history

kotaku.com

Brandon Sheffield @brandon.insertcredit.com · 2mo ago

David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 3mo ago

#RandomGameSaturday this week is ToeJam & Earl for the Mega Drive. Generally considered the first Roguelite games, its sequel, Panic on Funkotron puts the duo in a much more conventional platformer.

The cover of ToeJam & Earl for the Mega Drive. It is filled with the titular aliens, one of whom is eating a hot dog, and the other of whom is wearing hip hop gear modelled after Flava Flav.

The back cover of ToeJam & Earl for the Mega Drive. It contains four screenshots and a blurb in 8 different languages that outlines the plot but does little to describe the gameplay.

The inside of ToeJam & Earl for the Mega Drive, showing the manual and the cartridge, both of which feature the cover art.

Ojiro Fumoto @moppin.bsky.social · 3mo ago

POINPY IS BACK! 🎉 And now it's FREE! No ads, no paid unlocks, just the full game. There's a tip option if you feel like it 😉 Available NOW on iOS and Android!

David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 3mo ago

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is one of my favourites, ICO. I'm not sure why I have the art cards for this; I never managed to get the limited edition release (Found a copy of it in Virgin back in 2002, but when I took it to the counter they didn't have the disc for it). Not complaining though!

The cover of ICO for the PS2. It features a beautiful painting of the two main characters running through a yellow landscape under a blue-green sky.

The back cover of ICO for the PS2. There are three small screenshots and a large render of ICO and Yorda holding hands by the edge of a cliff. The blurb reads, "A cursed boy, lost in a place of shadows. A young girl, consumed by sorrow and loneliness."

The inside of ICO for the PS2, showing the manual on the left and the disc on the right. The cover of the manual is the same as the game's front cover.

Four art cards from ICO for the PS2. As far as I'm aware they only came with the limited edition release that came in a cardboard case, but this is not the version I have. So where did they come from?

David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 3mo ago

I've missed a few weeks, but this week's #RandomGameSaturday is Frontier: Elite II for the Atari ST, as I've been playing a lot of Elite: Dangerous recently.

Frontier: Elite II for the Atari ST. Paid out are the front and back of the box, both disks (game disk and and data disk), a registration postcard, the manual (written by Kathy Dickinson), Stories of Life on the Frontier, a Gazeteer, an erratum page, and a quick-start guide.

A large map of some of the main star systems in Frontier: Elite II. This map has been folded and unfolded many times, as I would have pored over it as a kid.

Chris Bratt @chrisbratt.bsky.social · 4mo ago

People Make Games traveled to Michigan to meet Jerry Gretzinger, an 84-year-old man, who's spent most of his life working away on a single, giant map to an imaginary world. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is8N...

The Man Who's Spent a Lifetime Making One, Giant Map

YouTube video by People Make Games

youtube.com

Finji @finjico.bsky.social · 4mo ago

868-BACK is a computer-hacking roguelike strategy game inspired by dungeon crawlers — but the dungeons are computer servers, and your weapons are illicit software tools. AVAILABLE NOW on PC! Play the free demo 👾 store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...

Rosemary Mosco @rosemarymosco.com · 4mo ago

Where you'll see a rare bird. Thanks to @ryanfm.bsky.social's newsletter for teaching me about the Cabanis's ground-sparrow that lives behind the walmart

An 8 panel comic. The first three panels are labeled "Where you think you'll see a rare bird." Panel 1 is labeled "Lush forest" and shows a beautiful rich forest with tall conifers, a waterfall, and mountains. Panel 2 is labeled "Perfect sunlit branch" and shows a branch rising above the trees, shaped like a great bird perch. Panel 3 is labeled "Area near an informational plaque about a rare bird" and shows a forest with a sign in front displaying an image of a Spruce Grouse and informational text. The next set of images are labeled "Where you'll actually see a rare bird". They include "Tree behind a Walmart", with Cabanis's ground-sparrow singing in a tree, "Skating rink parking lot" with a Lewis's woodpecker climbing a palm, "Spooky cemetery" with a Vermillion Flycatcher standing on a gravestone in a foggy spooky cemetery, "Sewage treatment plant" with a tufted duck gliding through the water, "Flying over your car" with a golden eagle sailing above a red car that's driving down the highway, and "Text from Uncle Ron" with a text exchange in which Ron says "Weird bird landed in my yard" and sends a picture of a whooping crane, to which you reply "Wow! Is it still there???" and he says "no".

Double Fine @doublefine.com · 4mo ago

😅

Jason Schreier @jasonschreier.bsky.social · 4mo ago

BREAKING: Several Xbox studios, including Compulsion, Ninja Theory and Double Fine, are negotiating with Xbox as they try to avoid closure. Some or all could spin off. Lots still in flux as many studios remain unsure about what's happening. Here's the latest: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Studios in Microsoft’s Xbox Division Brace for Closures

The studios, which include Compulsion Games and Double Fine, are in active negotiations with Xbox and may be given the chance to go independent.

bloomberg.com

David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 4mo ago

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Spiral Wave for the PC Engine! It's like if Galaxy Force II was a JRPG, and it's a mad thing to have been made.

The back cover of Spiral Wave for the PC Engine. Unlike most PC Engine games, there are screenshots of the game here, and a text blurb.

The inside of Spiral Wave for the PC Engine, showing the back of the manual on the left and the HuCard on the right. The back of the manual is an advert for Toilet Kids.

Two pages from the inside of the manual for Spiral Wave for the PC Engine. The left page details some of the game's characters. It's not clear from the photo, but the manual is very slight, only having about 8 pages to explain the game to players. It doesn't feel like a lot!

David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Lot going on here

A flyer in a bus station that reads:

SECRET BEYBLADE RAVE

£50 PRIZE

FREE PIZZA AND TENZING WITH £3 ENTRY

18+!!!

Live DnB and Beyblade from 7:30pm till 11pm under the bridge on Longholme Way, no heroin! Dress code: historical fancy dress.

FOLLOW @BEDFORD_BEYBLADE

David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 4mo ago

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Hello Kitty Roller Rescue for the PS2! Apparently the 'Free Gift' inside is a sheet of Hello Kitty stickers, but my copy didn't come with them.

The front cover of Hello Kitty Roller Rescue for the PS2. Hello Kitty features in the centre wearing roller skates, surrounded by the supporting characters, all of whom are much smaller. There is a circle proclaiming a 'FREE GIFT INSIDE'.

The back cover of Hello Kitty Roller Rescue for the PS2. There are three screenshots, a floating Hello Kitty head, and a lot of text outlining the story and the game's features, including that both Hello Kitty and Badtz Maru are playable characters.

Inside the box of Hello Kitty Roller Rescue for the PS2, showing the disc and the manual. Hello Kitty features prominently on both.

The first page of the manual for Hello Kitty Roller Rescue for the PS2. There is a table of contents, and an outline of the game's story, which is as follows:

"King Block dreamt of conquering the universe, but alas he always ended up failing, and was made fun of by others in his galaxy.

"He left Planet Block in search of another planet to conquer, he hoped to be victorious and return to Planet Block with honour.

"On his quest for victory he came across planet Earth, he had found his next target and set out on his goal to turn Earth into a perfect cube.

"WHAT? A PERFECT CUBE?

"How boring would our lives be if everything, including ourselves, were turned into blocks?

"HELLO KITTY!

"It's about time to pick up your magic wand, skate your way into danger and drive the clumsy Cube Battalion away from Earth!"

David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 4mo ago

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Silent Hill 4: The Room for the Xbox.

The front cover of Silent Hill 4: The Room for the Xbox. It's all artsy.

The back cover of Silent Hill 4: The Room for the Xbox. There is a red block of text that reads, "This game contains scenes of graphic violence and should not be played by people of a nervous disposition".

Inside the box of Silent Hill 4: The Room for the Xbox, showing the disc and the manual.

Dan Marshall @danthat.bsky.social · 5mo ago

INTO THE SLIMY MINES is OUT. Highly recommend this one, it's a proper addictive little gem that deserves to be a sleeper hit. It's also nice to have some proper brilliantly-done Scottish voice over. Only £9 too! Give it a pop. store.steampowered.com/app/3639440/...

Save 10% on Into the Slimy Mines on Steam

A roguelike tower defense with a card-driven twist. Build your deck, carve out tunnels, and deploy defences directly into the path of the swarm. Rank up your chosen Guild and rescue your Dwarven crew ...

store.steampowered.com

BOARDS OF CANADA @boardsofcanada.bsky.social · 5mo ago

TOMORROW