I am a game developer and the creator of Core Decay, which I am developing together with 3D Realms. I also run Tree of Souls, one of the largest independent James Cameron's Avatar communities on the web. Here I share my thoughts on game development, philosophy, and free software — feel free to reach out through Mastodon, Matrix, or email.

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...