Every like 4-8 days, I have another tshirt idea with a very funny (if often depressing) tagline about the state of the industry. Someday, when I am even older and angrier, I am going to make them all and wear them everyday at industry events.

Eggs do not lay eggs

EGGS DO NOT LAY EGGS. 💀

bekah, earlier: "is Haaland left footed?" our 15yo: "I think he's left footed, or right footed"

Welcome to the pod, Emmy-winning comedy writer and game designer, @Robdubbin.bsky.social. Rob’s work spans late-night television, journalism, and interactive storytelling. He's become a thoughtful advocate for clarity and economy in writing, particularly in games. Available now: bit.ly/4eLTh8u

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/...

I sent an email recently where I asked how to do x and I got back the most inside baseball language response... which I shared with Adam and he sent me this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccnf... this is your reminder that you sound like this when you talk to people in the industry.

i wrote about the world cup adamatomic.com/copa.html

This is how far away from the stadium my son is WITH NO WATER in 95F/35C temps in HOUSTON. Because your security took it already. @fifaclubworldcup.bsky.social

Ok- super pissed mom right now. 15yo is at the Germany vs Curacao game in Houston. There's an excessive heat advisory. He is not even CLOSE to the stadium and the effing security has already taken their water. If my kid ends up in the hospital- holy hell... @fwc26houston.bsky.social

868-BACK has 100% positive reviews on Steam! AND a free demo! 👾 What are you waiting for, hacker? 🌯 store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...

Okay, 868-BACK has fully clicked. A masterpiece by @smestorp.bsky.social! I particularly admire the tactical decision density. At every moment you are a few moves from death. There are the most delicate dashes of output randomness to avoid puzzle syndrome. But rarely is death inevitable.

it is wild how much of a game is game design

If I could exist for one damn day without reading basically this (again), I would have an effing great day: "Yeah, it's profitable but not profitable ENOUGH" Get in the sea with this trash. Y'all should exist in reality where you just hope that you can MAYBE. BREAK. EVEN.

Normal situation

"868-BACK is brutal but fair...It rewards thinking three steps ahead as well as saying “fuck it, we ball” and making the most reckless choice imaginable. Sometimes, but not always, the two are the same thing."

I do not say this lightly, but 868-BACK is a masterpiece. aftermath.site/868-back-rev...

I love Simon's books- this preorder appears to only be up in the UK right now but put this on your list for 2027! And if you missed his other books... I would start with A Game of Birds and Wolves (couldn't put it down)... I also loved The Forbidden Garden of Leningrad (hard but so good)...

"868-BACK feels bottomless." @pcgamer.com 👾 www.pcgamer.com/games/roguel...

Helllll yeah

i am totally stoked about this review from @pcgamer.com www.pcgamer.com/games/roguel...

Parent Post: The Salts-kids just finished their school year and they are now in my house as too-tall teens until they go back to school in August. I have already heard "ugh there's nothing to do" and "ugh there's nothing to eat" and they have only been out of school for 3 hours and 7 minutes.

Punch Dungeon (@adamatomic.bsky.social) "In PUNCH DUNGEON, you have to manage your anger as you punch your way to the top of the dungeon." Free - Browser: warpdoor.com/2026/06/03/p...

This was literally my first thought when I saw the WH image last week. 💀

My favorite game this June is watching the "hours played" number go up on the 868-BACK steam reviews... I've been laughing that this game's launch date would likely be ruining some June and July game production schedules. I love it <3 This game is so good.

Me and @robdubbin.bsky.social will be streaming 868-BACK this week: 11am Thurs June 4 Naarm time / 9pm Wed June 3 NYC time Come watch us play around with our favorite prog combos 🔥 www.twitch.tv/thesecretliv...

evolution of an idea thread time !! PUNCH DUNGEON started out pretty humble... at Finji, we were working on 868-BACK, so i was thinking about games like Into The Breach, Tactical Breach Wizards, and maybe weirdly Midnight Suns... Midnight Suns gameplay to me feels like turn based pro wrestling...

is he back on his bullshit ----yes. its time for another free browser game. this one is called PUNCH DUNGEON 🐌 Move slow and Break Stuff ⚾️ Throw items. Repeatedly . often 🤬 FURY IS A RESOURCE>>> use it smart 💎 Get RICH or get PUNCHED adamatomic.itch.io/punch-dungeon

If you're overwhelmed like I was in the first couple minutes CLICK THE KID. it's good

Quick thread because we launched 868-BACK yesterday and it's not everyday you get to launch the sequel to the game that inspired Overland and is made by one of the game designers you (and your husband) admire most on planet earth. So it's ok to say that 868-BACK is a bit of a 'bucket list' project.

<3

"Tons of fantastic ideas for abilities, hazards, special server hazards, and at least one that made me genuinely burst out laughing, before saying "Oh NO!"" already 100% positive on steam 🔥🔥🔥

The hackers are speaking up! 👾 868-BACK is 100% positive on Steam so far! 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. ‼️OUT NOW: store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...

All Systems Brough: A Chat with Michael We’re joined by @smestorp.bsky.social himself to celebrate the launch of 868-BACK (out now!), as we discuss his journey to launch, how his process has changed over the years, his impressions of our series so far, and more. secretlives.games/all-systems-...

868-BACK IS AVAILABLE NOW! 👾 Hope you're ready, hackers! ‼️Plus, there's a 10% OFF launch discount until June 4th! 🌯 store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...

im back store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...

1) I would like to apologize to all of the production schedules that will be a mess. Sorry. Michael is releasing a game and you all know who you are and what you will be doing instead of working. 2) To everyone else- no apologies! Enjoy your summer Hackers! (or winter for our southern friends)

i used to just release a game every few weeks, nbd. feels different now. it’s been a while, and this is a big one. hope you like it.

868-BACK is out TOMORROW at 1PM EST! 👾 Here's what Finji Co-founder & Director @adamatomic.bsky.social has to say about the matter. (spoiler: he's really into it)

868-BACK comes out TOMORROW... it was a *real* honor to get to help get this one ready to move out of the house it's very very special when you first dip your toes you might think ah, what a tidy clever little cyber-dungeon crawl... a little fighting, a little mining, these dense little levels...

Totally missed that THE predestined game of the year, easiest lock in history, got a release date and it's.......in a week????

It’s hefty And spiky Soooo many tweaks and twists to the formula

"Something's not right..."👀 New screenshot from our upcoming action adventure game, Usual June! 👻 Don't worry, I'm sure everything is totally fine and not at all weird or alarming! Wishlist: store.steampowered.com/app/2702430/...

after may 28, all humans will only be able to think about how OOPS even tho bass boost was offline again, they could have bound crash into their scrip stack for like a measly 2 volts in the previous sector, which would have allowed them to harmony-hack themselves clean out of a 19-data mega-yoink

The latest episode of the Draknek & Friends Official Podcast is out! We chat to @smestorp.bsky.social about returning to game dev while disabled, how 868-BACK is more ambitious than previous works, & the development of Corrypt. Check it out wherever you get podcasts or head to draknek.org/podcast

Last chance to request a launch key for 868-BACK! 👾 If you like strategy games, roguelikes, games with so much depth you can sink hours and hours into it 👀👀 FILL OUT THE FORM!

I've been beta testing it and this game is the real deal, Michael and crew operating on all cylinders. First game since Slice & Dice that gives me the specific roguelike flavor I'm looking for. Will absolutely make my 2026 GOTY list. bsky.app/profile/finj...

Today's reasons why parenting doesn't get better with teens: 1) it doesn't get out of bed 2) homework appears to be optional if perceived as "this is beneath me" 3) Clothing item is where teen put it? Prepare to be at fault. 4) For some reason your phone is set to airplane mode, often.

Someone commented I was low energy on my GDC talk reviews and, honestly, I can't stop laughing. Low Energy. At GDC. I am damn near hyperactive at gdc with my schedule which starts at 6am at runs til midnight or later. By all rights, by Wednesday I should be in a coma.

I gotta play 868-BACK, the original game fucked my life up real bad.