Software Engineering Daily Game Development on the PICO-8 with Johan Peitz
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Nov 27, 2025 
Johan Peitz, a games industry veteran and PICO-8 whiz, shares his journey from early computing to creating retro-style games. He delves into the philosophy of PICO-8, discussing how its constraints foster creativity and prevent scope creep. Johan introduces innovative tools like PicoCAD and explores unique techniques for memory management. He explains the concept of multi-carting for larger data and reflects on rapid prototyping while navigating the balance between free and paid content. Exciting future plans for his studio and the broader impact of PICO-8 on game design are also highlighted.
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Early Commodore Spark
- Johan Peitz describes his first exposure to computers on a Commodore 128 as a kid and how it hooked him on game creation.
- He compares Pico-8 to Amos and Flash for offering an immediate, integrated dev experience without build steps.
Constraints As Creative Engine
- Pico-8 is best thought of as a constrained virtual console with integrated tools and harsh resource limits.
- Those constraints force trade-offs that become a rewarding puzzle and shape creative solutions.
Let The Platform Shape Design
- Let the platform and limitations inform and reshape your design rather than forcing original ideas to fit.
- Prioritize a strong technical core and drop peripheral fluff once the core works well.
