This is a new painting I did – an illustration of one of the many climactic scenes in the Dwarf Fortress story “The Hamlet of Tyranny“. If you’re not familiar with DF… well, just know that these stories are not scripted, but occur naturally through the player’s interactions with the game world, which is procedurally-generated. Compelling stuff.

Anyway, just wanted to update my site before it hit the 2 year (!) mark. Over the past two years, I’ve mostly kept working on Spelunky, which is nearing release (!!) on XBLA. It’s also nominated for 3 awards (!!!) at the IGF this year, including the grand prize. If you haven’t caught on, I’m basically excited as heck on the inside but also so fatigued and “experienced” that my face is a permanent death mask and will likely remain so until they place me in the ground (upon which a slight smirk will mysteriously emerge on my ashy lips).

Just kidding, it’s not quite as grave as all that. But I am proud of our work on this game and I am looking forward to finishing it up and bringing it to the world. Another game, another era. I’ll see you on the other side!

(In the meantime, follow me on the Spelunky website and through Twitter.)

My contribution to the upcoming Lady Gaga fanzine Prison for Bitches, featuring an all-star cast assembled by rockin’ Ryan Sands and mitochondrial Michael Deforge.

In other news, Bit Blot is participating in the Humble Indie Bundle! Pay what you want for 5 DRM-free indie games (World of Goo, Aquaria, Gish, Lugaru HD, Penumbra). The money goes straight to the developers or to two great charities… or both! Your choice.

Everyday I’m still Spelunkyin’, but it’s nice to have some diversion from it – especially when that means teaming up with my friends to make some cool stuff! (Or playing Super Street Fighter IV.)

The reception for Giant Robot’s Game Over 3 is tonight from 6:30pm to 10pm. I have a couple of pieces in the show, and so does my friend Anthony. That’s right, he did the awesome Ico piece you might have seen all over the place. And yeah, what about that amazing Grim Fandango painting?!

There is something really fun about doing game fan art, about reimagining someone else’s characters and world. I really love it when people make fan art of my games (even if some of them are rather perverse!). For me, it represents something I love about art – which is that it takes on a life of its own once it leaves the creator’s pen (or mouse).

Check out the work of Arne Niklas Jansson and Mike “Shag” Kime, if you’re still unconvinced! And come to the show tonight and see some more.