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Willem Delventhal

@ifyouwillem

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My debut grimdark novel is not kind to conventional magic users...

Follow the links in my bio to keep updated on release!

#grimdark #magicsystem #indieauthor #fantasybooks #debutnovel

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Willem has taught 10,000+ people to make games. He's helped 25+ indie studios get off the ground. And he's not done.

He runs the Indie Game Academy, a gamified school for game developers, and leads a development team at Mod Collective building fashion games for Meta Horizon Worlds. His work has gone into places most designers never consider: scientific games for cats, AR board games, gamified hearing health.

At Supernova, he's the mentor for founders who need someone who's actually built the path from zero.

Applications for GDAI's Supernova Incubation Program are now open. Link in bio.

#SupernovaIncubation #GDAI #MentorSpotlight #GameDesign #IndieGames

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@bringmethehorizon :
How the night started 💪🏻🤪🤘🍾
How it ended: 😂✨️🎉🏋‍♂️
(P.s. def scroll to the end)

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What an incredible week at GDC. There is nothing quite like being surrounded by the brilliant minds and creative energy that drive the industry forward.

The best part of the week was definitely the people. We got to reconnect with old friends and meet so many talented people in person.

Our camera roll is overflowing with photos, and while we can't fit everyone in one post, please know how much we cherished every conversation, demo, and catch-up. Thank you all for making this GDC wonderful.

#gdc2026 #gdc

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The world is on fire but at least we're hot 🥵
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#bostonqueer #discoparty #topsurgery #transstyle

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Well, here it is, the final episode of Season Three of The Corner of Story and Game. I’m joined by returning guest Willem Delventhal to close out 2025 and look ahead to 2026 through the lens of indie development, discipline, and creative momentum.

Quick note up front: we recorded this at the very start of the year, and it’s coming out later than it should have. That one’s on me. Thanks for your patience while life and logistics did their thing.

We talk about what sparks are worth carrying forward, what habits are worth leaving behind, and how structure can protect creativity instead of smothering it.

There’s also a little rallying cry in here for anyone trying to keep building in a shaky industry.

🎧 Link to the show is in the usual spot.

#IndieGameDev #GameDesign #NarrativeDesign #CreativeProcess #IndieGames #GameDevelopment #IndieGameAcademy #TheCornerOfStoryAndGamePodcast #WillemDelventhal

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🚀 Your first game doesn’t need to be your dream game. It needs to be one you can finish.

In the latest episode of The Corner of Story and Game, I sit down with returning guest @ifyouwillem, founder of The Indie Game Academy, to talk about something we're seeing more and more: Junior devs are skipping the traditional studio ladder and launching their own teams. But how do you scope that first project, especially the narrative, so it’s achievable, meaningful, and doesn’t collapse under ambition?

We cover:
💡 The danger of over-scoping early projects
💡 When (and how) to bring story into production
💡 Why small games can have huge narrative value
💡 Advice from coaching hundreds of indie creators

🎙️ Go wander through the links in my bio.

#IndieGameDev #NarrativeDesign #GameWriting #GameDevelopment #FirstGameProject #GameNarrative #IndieDevTips #StoryInGames #GameDesignPodcast #ScopeSmart #TheCornerOfStoryAndGame #IndieGameAcademy #WillemDelventhal

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Mini tour has come to a close. Thank you so much for making it so special ⚔️🖤 swipe for performance vids, photos, and ridiculous moments. hope to be back playing live for you asap ❤️‍🔥

Photos by @davepalmacci

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Greenroom hangz 🎧🎧🎧

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🥳 Season Two Finale! 🎲

Join us for The Wizard and His Crystal Ball: Looking Ahead to 2025 with guest Willem Delventhal, founder of the Indie Game Academy.

In this episode, we dive into:
✨ Predictions for 2025 in gaming
🎮 The rise of AAA-lite and user-generated content
🌍 Inclusivity and diversity in game design
🏫 What’s next for the Indie Game Academy

This season finale is packed with insights and inspiration to fuel your creative energy for the new year.

🎧 Link in bio.

💬 Share your predictions for 2025 in the comments!

#WillemDelventhal #TheCornerOfStoryAndGame #SeasonTwoFinale #GameDesign #GamingTrends #IndieGames #SeasonFinale #InclusiveDesign #StorytellingInGames #UserGeneratedContent #2025Predictions

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Huge shoutout to the team and everyone who supported us at @theindiagdc 2024!
It was amazing interacting with gamers at our booth and hearing your feedback.
Thanks for the great experience—see you next time! 🙌

#IGDC2024 #indiegame #sojournpast

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🚨 NEW EPISODE: 🎙️ Link in Bio

This week, I’m thrilled to have @ifyouwillem join us to discuss the intriguing topic of The Lens of Time from "The Art of Game Design." Willem is a seasoned game designer and founder of the Indie Game Academy.

In this episode, we dive deep into:
🎙️ How the concept of time can shape gameplay and storytelling,
🎙️ How designers can manipulate time to enhance player experience,
🎙️ The challenges and opportunities that arise when incorporating time as a mechanic and
🎙️ How to strike a balance between engaging gameplay and narrative flow.

Whether you’re a game designer, writer, or just a fan of immersive storytelling, this conversation is packed with insights and practical advice. Join us as we unravel the layers of time in game design and discover how it can transform the player experience.

Join the conversation and let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode! 💬👇

#WillemDelventhal #TheIndieGameAcademy #ThePurpleWizard #TheWizardOfJoy #GameDesign #NarrativeDesign #TheArtOfGameDesign #GameDevelopment #Podcast #Storytelling #GameWriter #GameWriter #TheLensOfTime #TheLensesOfGameDesign #FindTheFun #TheStoryStack #GameDesignTheory #Narratology #Ludology

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