Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 16/09/2026Part of my Writing for New Media class is every week, a student does a presentation on a piece of new media that is viral or recent, and explains why it's well-written and effective As someone who is not on socials much and def not on TikTok, the trends they are bringing to class... 🤯 Whew I am old 000
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 05/09/2026The amount of schoolwork I need to do even as a part-time teacher really can't be underestimated 😭 - Making slides for 3 different subjects - Coming up with fun activities so they learn by doing - Setting up the online learning management system - Grading activities and assignments Rinse and repeat 220
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 28/08/2026Got this CAPTCHA today: "Pick items that help you stay entertained" I mean yes, obviously video games, but I grew up in the 80s - I can entertain myself with anything 😅 121
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 22/08/2026I bought Wingspan, the mobile game by @monstercouch.bsky.social, after @antioedipus3000.bsky.social introduced me to the physical board game last night. Pleasantly surprised to see the Philippine Eagle is in the tutorial for the Asian expansion! 🇵🇭 050
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 25/07/2026#PGDX Workshop done, had a blast! People practiced by themselves, in pairs, or in groups. And we had brave volunteers who pitched in front and also did PowerPoint Karaoke! I forgot to take photos lol, if anyone has some, pls share them with me 😅 010
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 20/07/2026I'm giving a workshop this Saturday at Philippine GameDev Expo! It's called Level Up Your Pitch: Public Speaking Skills for Game Devs🎙️ You'll learn practical techniques to help improve how you present your ideas - to build confidence, reduce filler words, & connect more effectively with an audience 071
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 06/07/2026Hey all, I'm still here! Just been busy with a lot (a LOT) of game consulting work, and some teaching. I haven't been able to write in my game design blog either, as weekends have been reserved for friends and family. Hoping things slow down enough so I can write and post again 😊static.klipy.comBusy Cat Typing on LaptopALT: Busy Cat Typing on Laptop 010
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 13/06/2026Just finished Act II of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and every time I think it's the end... What do you mean there's another act?!?static.klipy.comEsquie Mon Ami CalculatingALT: Esquie Mon Ami Calculating 010
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 29/05/2026Game Writing class is now done! I asked my students if I should keep teaching Inform for the next batch, or stick with Twine. While they liked Inform, it was also difficult to code in. So they would get distracted getting their game to work rather than just writing :( Twine was simpler, easier. 110
Reposted by Luna JavierSoutheast Asian Games Showcase (SEAGS) @seagshowcase.bsky.social · 20/05/2026Revealing 10 games that will be featured in this year's Southeast Asian Games Showcase! 🇮🇩 KuloNiku: Bowl Up! 🇵🇭 Until Then 🇲🇾 Overhours 🇹🇭 Nightmare Circus ...and more! Follow to see what other games are participating in the show! ✨👀✨ #SummerGameFest #SEAGShowcase 0177
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 19/05/2026My husband @carljavier.bsky.social asked economist @jcpunongbayan.bsky.social if he should buy a Switch 2. I am part of his decision 😅 "There’s personal enjoyment, my wife’s enjoyment, and the joy I would also derive from my wife enjoying the console..." technology.inquirer.net/146797/shoul...technology.inquirer.netShould I buy a Switch 2 right now?I want a Switch 2. I have wanted a Switch 2. I know all the criticisms–I have watched countless hours of YouTube debates. I already have a Switch. And a Steam Deck. But I want a Switch 2. This is a 021
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 18/05/2026Just want to shout out to Game UI Database - it's a resource I use frequently to find UI/UX references for games. Tonight I needed to look a screen up on my phone for someone, and of course the site's filters work beautifully on mobile. Thank you @eddcoates.bsky.social 🙏 www.gameuidatabase.com 292
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 14/05/2026New video! The amazing @athanateus.bsky.social interviewed me about game balancing for his book, Playing with Balance: Game Economy Design. I'm a big fan of his, and it was so much fun to geek out about game design with him. Check out our conversation here buymeacoffee.com/lunajavier/p... #gamedevbuymeacoffee.comPlaying with Balance: Discussing game balancing with Oscar Clark — Luna JavierPost by Luna Javier 141
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 13/05/2026It's hard to be excited about anything when this is happening in my country tonight: www.cnn.com/2026/05/13/a... Been watching the livestreams from the media but still no definitive answers.cnn.comGunshots heard in Philippine Senate, says Senate president | CNNGunshots have been heard in the Philippine Senate building, the Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said on Wednesday, as a senator wanted by the International Criminal Court is holed up in the build... 145
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 07/05/2026New game design blog post, about mobile games this time! 📱 I always record my first session when I’m studying a mobile game, because the first-time user experience (FTUE) is crucial. Here’s why it’s important: buymeacoffee.com/lunajavier/m... #gamedev #gamedesignbuymeacoffee.comMobile FTUE: Why you should record your first session — Luna JavierPost by Luna Javier 0103
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 03/05/2026I have a bunch of unfinished blog drafts lying around, but there are rare days like today when I spend Sunday afternoon writing one out in one sitting. I wouldn't chalk it up to "inspiration" or "motivation"; it's just a blog post. But sometimes the thoughts come easy? Scheduled for this Thursday! 030
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 28/04/2026New game design blog post: It’s been a year since I left my studio to become a game design consultant and educator. So far, no regrets 😊 buymeacoffee.com/lunajavier/what-game-design-means-one-year-later #gamedev #gamedesignbuymeacoffee.comWhat game design means to me, one year later — Luna JavierPost by Luna Javier 071
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 23/04/2026We had a school exhibit today and my students' games were being showcased in a Twine webpage on demo computers. I realized I needed to improve its UX for visitors on the spot. "I knew my Geocities childhood would come in handy someday," I thought to myself as I quickly edited the HTML in Notepad 😅 020
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 18/04/2026Gave a career talk about Enderun's Multimedia Arts program today. While making my slides, I realized I've always been a creative. Yes, I've been making games for 20+ years, but I also: - Wrote and directed award-winning short films - Was a music and games journalist - Wrote music and novels for fun 110
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 11/04/2026Watching the Artemis stream, I can't breathe aaaaaah (To quote my student this week: "Miss, I think you like space.") 010
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 10/04/2026No game design blog post this week. I have a few ideas, but I'd rather write a good one that has my full attention (and not post for the sake of hitting a schedule). This week was full of consulting work, teaching, learning Inform... Plus I finally got an ao3 account and wow that's a rabbit hole 😁 000
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 03/04/202616 years ago today, my article on Gamasutra about prototyping Awakening: The Dreamless Castle came out. I figured it disappeared when the site rebranded to @gamedeveloper.bsky.social. I was wrong: it's still up! Behold, what indie #gamedev looked like in 2010: www.gamedeveloper.com/design/quick...gamedeveloper.comQuick and Dirty Prototyping: A Success StoryBoomzap Entertainment has built a work style that emphasizes finding the fun before entering production, and here producer and designer Luna Cruz outlines how this results in high-quality titles. 173
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 31/03/2026New game design blog post: I wrote about Slay the Spire by @megacrit.com and why I spent 100+ hours in a roguelike when normally I’d get frustrated and quit. The secret? Making me feel like I’m in control. buymeacoffee.com/lunajavier/s... #gamedev #gamedesignbuymeacoffee.comSlay the Spire: Player control — Luna JavierPost by Luna Javier 1105
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 30/03/2026My students asked me what my first impressions were of Clair Obscur. I said I was a big fan of Charlie Cox so I was enjoying it. They exchanged this look that said, we know something but we can't tell you... Anyway I just finished Act 1 so I know what that look meant now. Joke's on me. 💔media.tenor.coma man and a woman are standing next to each other in a dark room in a video game .ALT: a man and a woman are standing next to each other in a dark room in a video game . 020
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 28/03/2026I used to make fun websites in high school using html in Notepad (Geocities, anyone?) - but it still took me three hours to figure out how to make an email newsletter for my game design blog 😅 A Saturday morning well-spent, but sheesh! (It needs a bit more testing, and then I'll post the link!)media.tenor.coma black cat is playing with an apple laptop computer .ALT: a black cat is playing with an apple laptop computer . 020
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 26/03/2026Trying something new! I'm sharing a #gamedesign exercise I give at workshops: use playing cards to design a party game 🃏 It's fun to watch participants discover that their game ideas fall apart once they're in players' hands 😁 buymeacoffee.com/lunajavier/exercise-playing-card-party-game #gamedevbuymeacoffee.comExercise: Playing card party game — Luna JavierPost by Luna Javier 073
Reposted by Luna JavierWomen in Games @womeningames.bsky.social · 19/03/2026Announcing the 'Careers in Play' panel at the upcoming Women in Games Careers Expo! This 45-minute panel will explore real-world soft skills, the rise of generalist roles, graduate launchpads, and how to navigate unconventional entries into the industry. ⬇️ 121
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 25/03/2026Sometimes I wonder what the point of all this is, as gas prices go up, horrible people in power make horrible decisions, and I lose myself in yet another video game. But where else am I to go except art? To restore my faith in humanity, and believe that good can prevail in the face of all this evil 071
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 24/03/2026New blog post! 🎉 I write about Journey by @annapurna.com @thatgamecompany.com and how it's a great example of emergent storytelling, on my little game design blog: buymeacoffee.com/lunajavier/j... #gamedev #gamedesignbuymeacoffee.comJourney: Emergent storytelling — Luna JavierPost by Luna Javier 081
Reposted by Luna JavierSoutheast Asian Games Showcase (SEAGS) @seagshowcase.bsky.social · 02/03/2026The Southeast Asian Games Showcase is BACK this Summer! Submissions are now open to Southeast Asian based developers + Southeast Asian led teams. The showcase goes live in June during the week of Summer Game Fest ☀️ 🗓️ Submit your game by March 31st via the form below! 17465
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 22/03/2026I have several unfinished drafts for blog posts - too many ideas, excited about all of them, but easily distracted by urgent work things. Husband finally said: "Sunday is writing day. We will both sit down and write." And it worked 😅 I finished a post. I just got project-managed y'all 140
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 18/03/2026Today was the first day they saw Inform and they are excited yahoooooo 010
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 17/03/2026Got an idea for next week's game writing class: Narrative Method Bingo. Students will play a co-op game, yell out if they see a narrative method being used (e.g. Dialogue! Props! Audio!), and then cross it out on my custom cards But then I realized... I may have to explain to them what bingo is 😭media.tenor.coma man is holding a bingo card in his handALT: a man is holding a bingo card in his hand 000
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 17/03/2026Started Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 last weekend! Yes, it's gorgeous and wonderful and Charlie Cox and Kirsty Riders's voice performances are amazing... Also it's been a while since I had to Google "beginner tips" for a game but here we are 😅 I know I'll get the hang of it soon enoughmedia.tenor.coma woman in a hooded jacket is looking at a man in the dark .ALT: a woman in a hooded jacket is looking at a man in the dark . 000
Reposted by Luna JavierFelipe Pepe @felipepepe.bsky.social · 13/03/2026If you're looking for RPGs to play, I just finished the RPG Codex's 2025 GOTY: docs.google.com/spreadsheets... The winner was Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon, but the real reason why I like doing the poll is charting this graph to visualize hits & hidden gems (of a very particular audience, ofc) 1011621
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 13/03/2026My 9 games I agonized over which games to pick for this 😅 But I suppose there'll never be a perfect list? I explain more about each game and why I love it so much in my shiny new game design blog: buymeacoffee.com/lunajavier/m... What are your 9 games? #my9games 270
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 12/03/2026I did it! I made a space to share my game design thoughts 😊 Will start posting more soon, and I'll link here whenever I do. buymeacoffee.com/lunajavier/hello-world-4541896buymeacoffee.comHello, world! Welcome to my game design blog 👾 — Luna JavierPost by Luna Javier 075
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 10/03/2026Not at GDC but this is #WhatAGameDevLooksLike Hi, I'm the first female game dev in the Philippines! Game designer, writer, producer for 23+ years. Currently running my own game design consultancy and teaching higher ed part-time. Also building a more inclusive industry through Women in Games Asia 💖 27715
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 10/03/2026"Embrace the placeholder (and also make it so obvious it's placeholder that it can't slip by your final checks)." - @rockpapershotgun.bsky.social on Slay the Spire 2 www.rockpapershotgun.com/slay-the-spi...rockpapershotgun.comSlay The Spire 2's placeholder art should be a lesson to all the developers caught up in AI-generated nonsenseRather than get caught up in the generative AI debate, Slay The Spire 2's developers have worn their placeholder art on their sleeves 031
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 08/03/2026For everyone who's afraid to put their games up for early feedback because the art is "not done": If Slay the Spire 2 can do it, so can you. These epoch thumbnails have zero impact on gameplay and even add some charm. So don't wait for perfection: get feedback from your players early! #gamedev 3233
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 06/03/2026Just finished Is This Seat Taken?; that was a super satisfying puzzle game. Am on a roll right now playing and enjoying all the indie games I've missed. And I got to teach Florence and Journey this week in class, too! Hmm, what to play next... 040
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 02/03/2026Thinking of starting a little game design blog where I post short thoughts on game design and narrative. Like cool things a game is doing, dev tips from my experience, creative exercises, things like that. Not long-form. Short and sweet. Would anyone be into that? 🤔 #gamedev #gamedesign 1124
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 25/02/2026Update: I had my husband play Journey too just so I could have someone to talk to about the ending. He is almost at the end now aaaaaah 120
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 23/02/2026LF @godotengine.org #gamedev in the Philippines Hello! Some colleagues of mine are looking for a part-time Godot developer for their game demo. This is paid work, remote, flexible hours (~20 hrs per week). The project is a game about the life of Filipino seafarers and the challenges they face (1/2) 195
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 21/02/2026Holy shit. I just finished Journey. I cried near the end. And my mouth fell open when I saw the credits. (Not spoiling, even though maybe the rest of the world has already played this.) This game was incredible. Thank you, @thatgamecompany.com @annapurna.commedia.tenor.coma drawing of a person standing on a sand dune with a scarf around their neckAlt: a drawing of a person standing on a sand dune with a scarf around their neck 060
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 18/02/2026Sent my level design students to go around campus for 20 minutes and take photos of textures to tell a story. I gave them secret themes. Did the exercise myself over lunch break to test, and it's fun but hard 😅 Here's what I found for "cozy magical school", from a box, a chair, and my water bottle. 010
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 14/02/2026Playing Outer Wilds for the first time. Spent almost five hours struggling with controlling anything, until finally things clicked and now I'm properly exploring 😍 Good thing I Googled and everyone's posts were basically: "Yes, this is normal, don't give up" 🚀media.tenor.coma frog sits around a campfire in a video gameAlt: a frog sits around a campfire in a video game 040
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 13/02/2026Between rewatching Heated Rivalry and studying Love and Deepspace, I've been away from reality for a bit... *peeks at the real world* *hides again* 020
Luna Javier @lunajavier.com · 03/02/2026I'm early at GameDev Summit as I accompanied student volunteers here; we left Manila at 5am (I got up at 315 😴) If anyone is going to GDS, say hello! Preferably with coffee ☕ 040