Bobby Vanden

Bobby Vanden

@danga.games

Bobby | He/Him | Minneapolis Working on He Who Watches, a first person puzzle game about walking on walls and discovering secrets Previously: SWE @ Google 🐾 dog enjoyer

2.7K followers690 following106 posts

Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

I think this is the thing that makes AI games inevitably bad. None of the mechanics in He Who Watches fully existed in my mind before starting implementation. It was the process of running into problems that made me realize there was opportunity for interesting design around these edge cases.

Freya Holmér@freya.bsky.social

3am mental connection: - fast travel in video games - creating things with AI - exclusively going outside for errands or to get somewhere else all of these reduce opportunities for serendipity, they prevent you from enjoying the now by recontextualizing your surroundings as a means to an end

Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

I have tried Opus 5.5 because I wanted to see what it was capable of as a Software Engineer, and it is really good at what it does. But it does take the design away from you. The design of games is made up of the minutia and thousands of tiny choices you make during the creation of the thing.

Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

👀🏹🥰 Thanks Noclip crew for checking out He Who Watches!

/noclip@noclipvideo.bsky.social

noclip_2's FREE Game Recommendation Newsletter for September 2026 is live, featuring: - lily's world XD - Welcome to Elderfield - He Who Watches - The Incident at Galley House - Soul Injector Commando - Dressmaker & more... READ: www.patreon.com/noclip2/post...

patreon.comnoclip_2 Recommendations for September 2026 | noclip_2noclip_2 Recommendations for September 2026 by noclip_2 on Patreon. Join noclip_2's community for exclusive content and updates.

Bobby Vanden reposted

Giovanni Colantonio
@marioprime.bsky.social

If you want a really killer 2026 puzzle game that feels truly mind-bending, innovative, secret-filled, and full of compounding rules, I can't recommend He Who Watches enough. store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...

store.steampowered.comHe Who Watches on SteamWalk on walls. Manipulate gravity. Discover secrets. In this first-person puzzle game, delve deep into an ancient labyrinth of intricate conundrums, seeking an imprisoned god at the centre.

Bobby Vanden reposted

Alan Hazelden
@alanhazelden.bsky.social

As Order of the Sinking Star is coming out next month, in advance of review coverage coming in I wanted to add one thing to my last statement about the game: bsky.app/profile/drak... (note: at that time I didn’t have a separate personal account)

Draknek & Friends@draknek.bsky.social

So, “Order of the Sinking Star” by Thekla was just announced, which takes several small free games (two of which are mine) and gives them a major graphical upgrade and mashes up their rulesets. I haven’t been very involved but it’s a great concept and looks cool.

Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

He Who Watches hit 100 reviews! Thank you to everyone who has played and reviewed thus far - I read every single one of them, for better or worse 😅

Bobby Vanden reposted

Draknek & Friends
@draknek.bsky.social

In this video, developer @danga.games and Publishing Manager Ben Wilson talk about the tech art workflow for He Who Watches, and take a look at a few of the procedural materials that were created for the game. www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtNb...

youtube.comHe Who Watches | Behind-The-Scenes: Substance DesignerIn this video, developer Bobby Vanden and Publishing Manager Ben Wilson talk about the tech art workflow for He Who Watches, and take a look at a few of the procedural materials that were created for…

Bobby Vanden reposted

Stephen Totilo
@stephentotilo.bsky.social

TWO REVIEWS (of tough games): I'm dropping Onimusha Way of the Sword 15 hours in, having found its approach to action game difficulty too discouraging to continue I'm sticking with He Who Watches, a brilliant, brain-breaking puzzle game www.gamefile.news/p/15-discour...

gamefile.news15 discouraging hours with the new Onimusha, and 10 brilliant ones with He Who WatchesTwo hard games. One gave me a headache. And that’s the one I’m sticking with.
Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

This was so nice! The best part about launching this game has been all of the nice reviews and comments. I was fairly certain the game was going to bomb hard, so it's been a huge relief and surprise to see stuff like this

Draknek & Friends@draknek.bsky.social

Thanks @digitalspy.com for this lovely review of @danga.games's He Who Watches! www.digitalspy.com/tech/a736416... "He Who Watches is a wonderful game full of genius puzzles, interesting mechanics and deeply rewarding and satisfying secrets." "I can't recommend this year's best puzzle game enough"

digitalspy.comHe Who Watches is the best puzzle game of the yearDon't miss this gravity-manipulating puzzler that invites you to look closer.

Bobby Vanden reposted

Jewel
@bunpy.bsky.social

new puzzle game came out called He Who Watches and it's insaneo good, one of my favs in a lonnng time. it's reminiscent of portal in terms of puzzle design. super solid with lots to offer; tons of moments that made me yell "WHAT" in amazement or start laughing store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...

store.steampowered.comSave 15% on He Who Watches on SteamWalk on walls. Manipulate gravity. Discover secrets. In this first-person puzzle game, delve deep into an ancient labyrinth of intricate conundrums, seeking an imprisoned god at the centre.

Bobby Vanden reposted

Eric Mill
@konklone.com

He Who Watches is not getting nearly enough reviews and downloads for how amazing this new puzzle game is. I haven't seen 3D logic explored so ambitiously before, complete with strong vibes and deeply satisfying moments. Supports all of Win/Mac/Deck! store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...

store.steampowered.comSave 15% on He Who Watches on SteamWalk on walls. Manipulate gravity. Discover secrets. In this first-person puzzle game, delve deep into an ancient labyrinth of intricate conundrums, seeking an imprisoned god at the centre.
Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

Thank you to everyone who has checked this out so far, the reception has been really great. If you've enjoyed the game, please do go leave a review - it seriously helps more than you know! It's my first full game, and was solo developed with no AI. It took forever to make but has been so worth it.

Bobby Vanden@danga.games

HE WHO WATCHES IS OUT NOW! Please go check it out if you are at all interested in puzzle games. It is a banger (self certified) and something that I really put my heart into. Day one reviews go so freaking far, if you like the game please do leave a review! I even narrated a trailer for it 😬

Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

HE WHO WATCHES IS OUT NOW! Please go check it out if you are at all interested in puzzle games. It is a banger (self certified) and something that I really put my heart into. Day one reviews go so freaking far, if you like the game please do leave a review! I even narrated a trailer for it 😬

Bobby Vanden
@danga.games
Bobby Vanden@danga.games

He Who Watches releases in 2 DAYS!! This is your last chance to go check out the demo! Drop a wishlist to be reminded when it comes out, because the ADHD is oh so strong. Whether you're a puzzle sicko or just liked Portal, this game is 100% for you. store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...

Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

Just played this at 2DCon, genuinely so good! Feels a lot like rocket league mixed with lethal league

Squid x Squid@squidxsquid.bsky.social

Day 2 at @2dcon.gg!!! Come check our set-up out!!! linktr.ee/squidxsquid

Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

😱

Draknek & Friends@draknek.bsky.social

He Who Watches by @danga.games will be released TWO WEEKS from today! Walk on walls! Manipulate gravity! Discover secrets! Mark your calendars for September 2nd! 👁️🏹

Bobby Vanden reposted

Thinky Games
@thinkygames.com

In case you missed it, this game published by Draknek & Friends has a release date!

thinkygames.comFirst-person wall-walking archery dungeon puzzler He Who Watches announces early September release date · Thinky GamesThe next indie title debuting from the Draknek & Friends publishing house is coming very soon: less than a month from now on September 2nd, He Who Watches will drop on Steam and we'll all get lost in a big 3-dimensional block-shifting labyrinth together.
Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

He Who Watches will be released 3 weeks from today! 😱 Somehow still have a long to-do list to get through but we are almost there. I'm both excited and nervous to release it into the wild. This game is for the puzzle sickos out there!

Draknek & Friends@draknek.bsky.social

We have an announcement! He Who Watches by @danga.games will launch on September 2nd! 👁️🏹 A first-person puzzle game about walking on walls, manipulating gravity, and discovering secrets! store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...

Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

In case you missed it, He Who Watches is releasing on September 2nd! It's a dense puzzle game full of secrets, where each room presents a completely unique idea. Get ready for a bunch of posts about this over the next month, as I've been working towards this for 4 years - you've been warned!

Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

I'm so excited to share that there's finally a release date for He Who Watches - September 2nd! This game has been an absolute labor of love, and it's hard to believe it's finally on the way out the door. Please go give it a wishlist or check out the demo!!

Draknek & Friends@draknek.bsky.social

We have an announcement! He Who Watches by @danga.games will launch on September 2nd! 👁️🏹 A first-person puzzle game about walking on walls, manipulating gravity, and discovering secrets! store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...

Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

Today is my last day at Google after 7 years - it's a bittersweet moment that I've been working towards for a long time. It's a scary moment in the world to leave a stable job, but the years slip by and the time for risk taking is quickly fading. (1/3)

Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

The job has completely changed in the last few years. No matter what people say about AI, it is certainly changing how SWEs at big companies work day to day. My love for the field has always been about the process of building things, not the idea of having a finished product no matter the cost (2/3)

Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

The things I've always loved to create most are games, so we're gonna do that for awhile. In fact I have a really interesting game coming out soon™ - it means more now than ever if you'd check it out or give it a wishlist. (3/3) store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...

store.steampowered.comHe Who Watches on SteamA first person puzzle game about walking on walls, manipulating gravity, and discovering secrets. Delve deep into a labyrinth of intricate conundrums, seeking the god at the centre of it all.
Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

Go check it out!! I wish I could be there 😭

Draknek & Friends@draknek.bsky.social

If you're attending @mcmcomiccon.bsky.social this weekend, drop by Leftfield and come check out He Who Watches, the newest game we're publishing by @danga.games !

Bobby Vanden reposted

Thinky Games
@thinkygames.com

🎉 Yes, it's true! Thinky Direct is returning for 2026, with a whole new line-up of exclusive trailers and reveals for the most amazing thinky games. Keep an eye out for more info very soon! Puzzle sicko content creators and journalists, reach out! More info below 👇

Bobby Vanden
@danga.games

Surprise!! It has been a crazy past couple of months and the folks over at Draknek & Friends have been awesome. I can't wait for people to see what the game has to offer!

Draknek & Friends@draknek.bsky.social

This has been a hard secret to keep: we're publishing the remarkable He Who Watches on Steam! He Who Watches is a unique, first-person puzzle game with a fundamental twist - a casual disregard for gravity! Play the demo and wishlist today! store.steampowered.com/app/1070500/...

Bobby Vanden reposted

Cerebral Puzzle Showcase (May 28 - June 4 2026)
@puzzleshowcase.bsky.social

We're excited to announce that the Cerebral Puzzle Showcase will be returning this summer! 📅 Thurs May 28th - Thurs June 4th If you have a #puzzlegame you'd like to be considered, please submit it directly here: www.cerebralpuzzleshowcase.com The deadline for submissions is 23:59 PDT Mar 31

cerebralpuzzleshowcase.comCerebral Puzzle ShowcaseCerebral Puzzle Showcase is a celebration of the most wonderful puzzle games available on Steam, organized by Draknek & Friends.