I am a game developer and the creator of Core Decay, which I am developing together with 3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks. Here I share my thoughts on game development, philosophy, and free software — feel free to reach out through Mastodon, Matrix, or email.
A Guide To The Free Internet
We are putting more and more of our lives in the hands of huge corporations who do not have our best interests at heart. Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, Discord, these are not public services, they are private products. They are not necessarily bad products, but as users we have absolutely no control over them. This would be fine if we only used them sparingly and occasionally, like any other product, but we have let them integrate into our lives so much that they have become - to many of us - an essential part of day-to-day living.
The more time we spend within these products, the less control we have over ourselves and over society. This is not about these corporations acting badly (although they often do), it's about how it's a terrible idea to let any single actor affect so much of our lives. Here is what you can do to change this!
A guide on how to embrace independent and community-driven internet platforms, listing free and truly open alternatives to common social media and messaging products in common use today. Read more...
It’s Not About AI
A commentary on the rising ubiquity of OpenAI, the danger of letting a few proprietary organizations becoming too much a part of our lives, and the need for truly open and publicly managed AI services and platforms. Read more...
On Avatar
How James Cameron's Avatar ended up changing my life, and how it still shapes my thoughts a decade later. Reflecting on the value of immersion, positive escapism, and how art can be meaningful in different ways. Read more...
The Free Internet
An in-depth analysis of the state of the internet, the dangers of letting proprietary social media and communication platforms become too ubiquitous, and why we should stop treating private products as public services. Read more...
Meaningful Experiences
Is "fun" the only emotion that games should try to elicit? Arguing for how games don't always have to be made with the goal of being fun, how game mechanics are not always the priority, and how games can be meaningful in different ways. Read more...
The Problem With Discord
The dangers of private services becoming too ubiquitous, using Discord as a particularly egregious example. What happens when we let a single private service be the gatekeeper of almost all our communities? Read more...
The Two Pixel Fish
Exploring the beauty and meaning of minimalist art. The art style of games such as Dwarf Fortress and Odd Realm evoke imagery that less interpretative styles could not, and this can lead to fantastic experiences. Read more...
New Website
An introduction to the new ivarhill.com, redesigned from scratch. Discussing the change from a promotional website to a blog of long-form text articles, and the value of running your very own corner of the internet. Read more...