Sign in

Ben Slinger

@ben.slinger.com.au
1.3K followers 1.4K following 304 posts

He/him. Web programmer, game dev, working on The Grant Grover Anthology (s.team/a/4144960). Podcast at Bit Storm (bitstormcast.com). Dad of 4, leftist. Melbourne, AU

PostsRepliesMedia
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 22h
I'm doing a Product Hunt launch for Quiddo today! I'm hoping to get some more eyes on the app and find some more families that it's suitable for. If you have a moment, an upvote would help me immensely. www.producthunt.com/products/qui...
producthunt.com
Quiddo: Pocket money and chores for kids, no debit card | Product Hunt
Quiddo tracks pocket money and chores for families who don't want to give their kids a debit card. You keep paying the way you already do, with your own card or cash, and log it in the app. Kids open ...
011
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 28/09/2026
Quiddo has officially launched! It was a soft launch, but I've been getting a steady stream of trial users joining and even had a subscription or two! I'm going to do a Product Hunt launch on Wednesday to try and get some more eyes on it which should be exciting 🤩 quiddo.com.au
120
Reposted by Ben Slinger
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 10/08/2026
I've been working on a web/mobile app for 6 months, and I'm ready to bring on some beta testers! It's a pocket money app and chore tracking app designed for families with kids who don't want to tie themselves to a bank. iOS+Android. Sign up for the waitlist to be an early tester :) quiddo.com.au
quiddo.com.au
Pocket Money App Australia, No Bank or Card | Quiddo
Quiddo is an Australian pocket money app with no bank account, no kids' debit card and no card fees. Kids earn from chores and save; you pay on your card.
101
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 10/08/2026
I've been working on a web/mobile app for 6 months, and I'm ready to bring on some beta testers! It's a pocket money app and chore tracking app designed for families with kids who don't want to tie themselves to a bank. iOS+Android. Sign up for the waitlist to be an early tester :) quiddo.com.au
quiddo.com.au
Pocket Money App Australia, No Bank or Card | Quiddo
Quiddo is an Australian pocket money app with no bank account, no kids' debit card and no card fees. Kids earn from chores and save; you pay on your card.
101
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 05/08/2026
Curses to my across the street neighbour who put out their recycling bin last night when it was actually rubbish week! I TRUSTED YOU!
000
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 04/08/2026
Ah crud, I haven't been checking the calendar for Steamworks often enough, the current Cyberpunk Fest on Steam would've been perfect for The Grant Grover Anthology! We're finally back and working on it again too!
000
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 31/07/2026
Oh wow, we did really well I the GMTK jam! #35 for Narrative, #99 for Audio and #108 for Creativity out of 10.5k games. Thanks to anybody who played and rated! bslinger.itch.io/first-night-...
020
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 27/07/2026
I just released First Night Free with @trevhscott.bsky.social for the GMTK Jam 2026! I'm hoping our Dr Seuss-ian rhymes, voice acting, and asynchronous online elements will help us stand out, but with more than 10k (!) games submitted it might be tough! bslinger.itch.io/first-night-...
bslinger.itch.io
First Night Free by Ben Slinger, Sicasera
This game is to be played in bed.
121
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 21/07/2026
I got ranked #5 overall, and #1 for Gameplay in the @synty.bsky.social 12th birthday jam! Unfortunately a key part of the design is not obvious and players are not getting the upgrades soon enough so I suspect a lot are not finishing the game. Post jam updates coming! bslinger.itch.io/warmboot
bslinger.itch.io
Warmboot by Ben Slinger
A cozy CPU sort 'em up.
091
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 15/07/2026
I just released a new game for @synty.bsky.social's 12th birthday jam! It's called Warmboot, and is a cozy sort 'em up where you are restoring compute power to a friendly AI. I even fully voiced this one! Heavily inspired by Librarian: Tidy Up The Arcane Library. bslinger.itch.io/warmboot
bslinger.itch.io
Warmboot by Ben Slinger
A cozy CPU sort 'em up.
021
Reposted by Ben Slinger
Nome @nome.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Those agendas and biases can be anything! Case in point: you think the fruit in the garden of eden was an apple because a guy translating the story into Latin wanted to make a pun.
231811488
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 02/04/2026
@grousehousetv.bsky.social
You had to be there
020
Reposted by Ben Slinger
Tom Francis @pentadact.com · 13/03/2026
I'm having a lovely time coding our next game in Godot, so I did a little devlog about some of the coolest things I've discovered, and some of the systems I've built so far that I'm excited about. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj56... .
youtube.com
I'm having a lovely time coding our next game in Godot
YouTube video by Tom Francis
1020526
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 13/03/2026
We are part of the Curious Odyssey sale this week! Check out all the great story-driven games, and if you haven't tried the demo of The Grant Grover Anthology, we'd love you to give it a go! store.steampowered.com/curator/4589...
store.steampowered.com
Curious Odyssey
Celebrating story rich, narrative-driven games with puzzle elements and a focus on contemplative gameplay.
041
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 22/02/2026
Drop a crush from your youth
Penny from the original Inspector Gadget animated series, holding her computer book.
010
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 08/02/2026
I start a new day job tomorrow which, counterintuitively, means I'll be able to get more work done on The Grant Grover Anthology - having less possible time to work on it means I'm more likely to use that time on productive things!
030
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 04/02/2026
Proud of my 12 year old son: one week into high school and he's already running for Student Council on a "no generative AI" platform ✊
040
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 02/02/2026
I'm impressed with the way my 12yo figured out how to send me a message from school on his new laptop 😂
A screenshot of an email from a kids monitoring app reporting a Google search alert for "I'm being bullied (but actually Dad can you please unblock Krita and Spotify pls)"
020
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 02/02/2026
Had a lot of fun at the Global Game Jam, and learned a lot as usual. We succeeded in our goal of gathering a larger team, ending up with 12 people - somehow we all managed to work together and get a fun little branching narrative game together! bslinger.itch.io/tim-tam #gamedev #gamejam
bslinger.itch.io
My Afternoon Snack Kleptomaniac by Ben Slinger, Luis Van Slageren
The IT guy on an interstellar spacecraft is upset that somebody took his last Tim Tam.
0102
Reposted by Ben Slinger
Dr nick nobody @nicknobody.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
There is no option here that will stop - jailing Indigenous children - abusing human rights of refugees - accelerating climate change for fossil fuel donor profits - 2 way arms trade with apartheid genocidal regime Israel #auspol
1135
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 26/01/2026
Nearly time for @globalgamejam.bsky.social! This will be our ninth consecutive one (with @trevhscott.bsky.social), but our first one since doing "real" game dev. The theme is a fun one, looking forward to finding a team and building something cool! #gamedev #gamejam
041
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 23/01/2026
I've come across three references to Great Wolf Lodge in the past month after managing to go nearly 45 years never hearing that combination of words in that order
000
Reposted by Ben Slinger
David Milner @davemilbo.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Whether it's illegal to say it or not (?), Israel is quite clearly committing genocide in Palestine. The Australian government (but not the Australian people) is quite clearly supporting it. And our farce of a democracy is being further eroded so people don't speak this truth.
41803244
Reposted by Ben Slinger
adef @adef.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
CONTINUE TELLING EVERYONE YOU KNOW THAT AI IS THE STUPIDEST SHIT EVER IT IS WORKING CONTINUE TO MAKE ART YOURSELF CONTINUE TO WRITE THINGS THAT INSPIRE YOU THE WHOLE POINT OF BEING ALIVE IS TO CREATE COOL SHIT AI STRIPS US OF THE POINT OF BEING HUMAN
3941001843
Reposted by Ben Slinger
Casey Explosion @caseyexplosion.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Hey folks, time for another indie #ShowCasey, January edition! Are you an indie developer? Do you have an upcoming game you would like to show off to people? Reply below with a pitch for your game, screenshots/video, and link to the store page! Use the hashtag if you want, only one rule: No genAI!
media.tenor.com
a cartoon character wearing a hat and holding a cane
Alt: a cartoon character wearing a hat and holding a cane
99369148
Reposted by Ben Slinger
David Milner @davemilbo.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Australia needs to seriously come to terms with how much the Labor Party fucking sucks
57524114
Reposted by Ben Slinger
Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Hello, it is time for the Annual Tweet! Are you working on a COOL, NEAT, and perhaps even EXTREMELY WEIRD video game that'll be launching in 2026? If the answer is YES then let me know in the replies below! I want to get eyes on some coverage candidates before the year begins to consume us all.
284420
Reposted by Ben Slinger
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 12/01/2026
The Grant Grover Anthology is part of the Detective Fest, and we're currently showing up on the second page of the Popular Upcoming section which is super cool! Hoping this sends a few wishlists our way 🤞 store.steampowered.com/category/det...
store.steampowered.com
Detective
Steam Detective Fest 2026
143
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 12/01/2026
The Grant Grover Anthology is part of the Detective Fest, and we're currently showing up on the second page of the Popular Upcoming section which is super cool! Hoping this sends a few wishlists our way 🤞 store.steampowered.com/category/det...
store.steampowered.com
Detective
Steam Detective Fest 2026
143
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 12/01/2026
We've updated our demo with some additions to one of the endings and some fixes Thanks to @ceebee514.bsky.social for streaming the demo and finding some of these issues! store.steampowered.com/news/app/414...
store.steampowered.com
The Grant Grover Anthology - Demo Update 1 - Steam News
Just in time for Detective Fest!
030
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 11/01/2026
I'm trying to decide if I should re-do our key art on Steam before the Detective Fest that starts in a couple of days. The original seemed a bit unfocused so trying for something more eye-catching. I'd love some feedback! Worth changing to the new one, or just keep the current? #solodev #gamedev
Our current Steam capsule: a desk showing a bottle of whiskey, a cigarette in an ashtray, a VR headset and a classic noir detective's Trilby hat. It is entirely black and white except a small coloured glow from the headset and the cigarette. "The Grant Grover Anthology" is written above everything.Our potential new Steam capsule. A detective Trilby had and VR headset floating as if on an unseen person, looking at a computer screen that we see from behind. A keyboard and whiskey bottle are visible. Behind is a slightly foggy view of venetian blinds in a classic noir style. Everything is black and white except for some orange glow coming from the computer monitor. "The Grant Grover Anthology" is written to the left in the negative space left by the dark corner and monitor.
151
Reposted by Ben Slinger
CeeBee's Demo Dive @ceebee514.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
I've been a little remiss in posting, but I have been doing the demo dives! VOD for it all is on Twitch and YouTube, and the write-ups on Ko-Fi, including tonight's stream of The Grant Grover Anthology by Bitstorm Games! @trevhscott.bsky.social and @ben.slinger.com.au ko-fi.com/post/Demo-Di...
ko-fi.com
Demo Dive: THE GRANT GROVER ANTHOLOGY
CeeBee published a post on Ko-fi
121
Reposted by Ben Slinger
Leah J. Williams @legenette.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
hello, please tell me which australian and new zealand-made games you are excited to see this year. i'm in listicle mode & would love to feature as many as possible. 🫶
294717
Reposted by Ben Slinger
David Milner @davemilbo.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
PM Albanese is a stooge to the violent pedophilic fascists in the US and Israel. Saying things like "we've always been concerned about human rights and democracy" as the Empire flattens both is gaslighting and propaganda. Australia needs a strong, moral leader. We have a toad.
2528281
Reposted by Ben Slinger
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 01/01/2026
We hit the button and released our demo! The demo contains the whole of The Echo Runs Deep, the first case of the anthology. We've polished it up from the game jam version, adding content and improving the visuals. Try it out and wishlist now! store.steampowered.com/app/4144960/...
store.steampowered.com
The Grant Grover Anthology on Steam
In Neo Naarm in the 22nd century, augmentation technology has run amok. Combining deduction, visual novel and point and click gameplay, play as Grant Grover, private detective, one of the only remaini...
032
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 01/01/2026
We hit the button and released our demo! The demo contains the whole of The Echo Runs Deep, the first case of the anthology. We've polished it up from the game jam version, adding content and improving the visuals. Try it out and wishlist now! store.steampowered.com/app/4144960/...
store.steampowered.com
The Grant Grover Anthology on Steam
In Neo Naarm in the 22nd century, augmentation technology has run amok. Combining deduction, visual novel and point and click gameplay, play as Grant Grover, private detective, one of the only remaini...
032
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 31/12/2025
"what was your biggest impact on the Internet" I made a Dopefish theme for Windows 95 and it's been on the official Dopefish website for more than 25 years 😂 dopefish.com
120
Reposted by Ben Slinger
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 26/12/2025
We've launched a public playtest for the demo of The Grant Grover Anthology! The full demo should still be out by the end of the year, but if you're interested in giving some feedback, we'd love for you to try it out: store.steampowered.com/app/4144960/... #gamedev #indiedev #noir #cyberpunk
store.steampowered.com
The Grant Grover Anthology on Steam
In Neo Naarm in the 22nd century, augmentation technology has run amok. Combining deduction, visual novel and point and click gameplay, play as Grant Grover, private detective, one of the only remaini...
0102
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 26/12/2025
We've launched a public playtest for the demo of The Grant Grover Anthology! The full demo should still be out by the end of the year, but if you're interested in giving some feedback, we'd love for you to try it out: store.steampowered.com/app/4144960/... #gamedev #indiedev #noir #cyberpunk
store.steampowered.com
The Grant Grover Anthology on Steam
In Neo Naarm in the 22nd century, augmentation technology has run amok. Combining deduction, visual novel and point and click gameplay, play as Grant Grover, private detective, one of the only remaini...
0102
Reposted by Ben Slinger
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 09/12/2025
We're essentially releasing The Grant Grover Anthology on the shareware model: one full episode for free, two more if you buy. Couldn't resist this little homage to DooM, though we probably won't use it as it doesn't really fit the tone of the game 🤓 #gamedev #indiedev
A screen from the demo of The Grant Grover Anthology, reading:

The Echo Runs Deep: a cyberpunk adventure 3-D game by Bit Storm Games 

Sure, don't order The Grant Grover Anthology. Sit back with your whiskey and cigarettes and let Neo Naarm go to hell. Don't face the point and click gameplay that awaits you in Open And Shut. Avoid the brand new story written by Aubrey Jones that infests Man In Pursuit.

Or act like a gumshoe! Slap a few shots in your belly and let's kick some mysterious butt. Order the entire Grant Grover Anthology now! After all, you'll probably end up in a dystopian cyberpunk future eventually. Shouldn't you know your way around before you make your extended visit?

To order, call toll free 1-800-BIT-STORM.

Beneath this are buttons for Bluesky, Steam and Itch.io.
0164
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 09/12/2025
We're essentially releasing The Grant Grover Anthology on the shareware model: one full episode for free, two more if you buy. Couldn't resist this little homage to DooM, though we probably won't use it as it doesn't really fit the tone of the game 🤓 #gamedev #indiedev
A screen from the demo of The Grant Grover Anthology, reading:

The Echo Runs Deep: a cyberpunk adventure 3-D game by Bit Storm Games 

Sure, don't order The Grant Grover Anthology. Sit back with your whiskey and cigarettes and let Neo Naarm go to hell. Don't face the point and click gameplay that awaits you in Open And Shut. Avoid the brand new story written by Aubrey Jones that infests Man In Pursuit.

Or act like a gumshoe! Slap a few shots in your belly and let's kick some mysterious butt. Order the entire Grant Grover Anthology now! After all, you'll probably end up in a dystopian cyberpunk future eventually. Shouldn't you know your way around before you make your extended visit?

To order, call toll free 1-800-BIT-STORM.

Beneath this are buttons for Bluesky, Steam and Itch.io.
0164
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 06/12/2025
Where do you keep your spares of these little doohickeys? Maybe I keep them in the same place and just forgot?
A close up of one of those little metal pegs to keep shelves up in IKEA furniture
110
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 05/12/2025
Have I found it? Is making a settings menu the most tedious task in #gamedev? 😴🤯
151
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 23/11/2025
I honestly don't remember wanting to do anything other than computing - my dad was in that field so we had computers around the house, and in the 80s that was semi-remarkable. My path into actual jobs was not ideal, I often think I should've skipped uni since I was already self taught and inspired
160
Reposted by Ben Slinger
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 18/11/2025
It's still going to need some tweaking (lighting and texturing on the cinema in particular), but I'm enjoying building out this launcher for The Grant Grover Anthology. #gamedev #indiedev #godot
183
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 18/11/2025
It's still going to need some tweaking (lighting and texturing on the cinema in particular), but I'm enjoying building out this launcher for The Grant Grover Anthology. #gamedev #indiedev #godot
183
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 15/11/2025
Continuing with the lighting pass on all the scenes in The Echo Runs Deep. This scene has a few different angles which added some additional challenges, but I think it's actually come out the best so far! #gamedev #indiedev #godot s.team/a/4144960
A screenshot of a scene in a small marketplace. There are two characters standing outside.A screenshot of a scene in a small marketplace. There are two characters standing outside. In comparison to the other screenshot, there is hazy lighting and a sign above the shop reading "Arlo's".
0113
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 13/11/2025
Working on the lighting and camera for the next scene. This one is a simpler scene, but was maybe harder to light in a way that fits the noir atmosphere. #gamedev #indiedev #godot
Video game screenshot, black and white. A view through a window into an office, a private detective facing away from us at his desk. A bottle on the desk, and a door in the background. Simple lighting.Video game screenshot, black and white. A view through a window into an office, a private detective facing away from us at his desk. A bottle on the desk, and a door in the background. Harsher shadows, a glow from the computer screen creating a silhouette of the detective.
0102
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 12/11/2025
Starting a lighting pass on The Echo Runs Deep, which will be the case we include in our demo. I feel like I've made a good improvement to this scene? Always hard to tell when I've been looking at it for this long. #gamedev #indiedev #godot
A private detective and a psychologist are sitting facing each other, with a harsh sun shadow coming in from the right. They are in her office, books in the background. This screenshot is from the jam version of the game, with lower quality lighting.A private detective and a psychologist are sitting facing each other, with a harsh sun shadow coming in from the right. They are in her office, books in the background. This screenshot is from the version I am polishing, and the lighting has been upgraded with better rim lighting, shadows and some volumetric fog.
285
Reposted by Ben Slinger
Ben Slinger @ben.slinger.com.au · 11/11/2025
The Steam page for my first real game release is up! This is hugely exciting for me, I'm working hard to get a demo out by the end of the year, really hoping to get into the Detective Fest in January 🕵️ #gamedev #indiedev #godot store.steampowered.com/app/4144960/...
store.steampowered.com
The Grant Grover Anthology on Steam
In Neo Naarm in the 22nd century, augmentation technology has run amuck. Play as Grant Grover, private detective, one of the only remaining citizens without augmentations, as he solves crimes across t...
1146