We’re looking forward to introducing you to Taymar Walters. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Taymar, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I believe that integrity is more important to me because it becomes a catalyst for everything else in life. I often tell myself that it’s not always about “if you can do something”, but whether or not “if you want to”. I see myself as an intelligent person who can learn new things quickly and develop effective strategies to do so, but the real deciding factor is whether or not I genuinely want to learn these things. Once you have that drive to do something – the “want”- that’s when the energy kicks in for you to learn and do pretty much anything you set your mind to.
One example was when I worked on my game project while being enrolled in a warehouse training program over the summer. During lunch breaks I would always pull out my laptop and just work on my game. One morning, I was out on the road doing a ride along with one of the truck drivers from the warehouse and as we pulled up to our first location, I get a message from one of my play testers saying that there was a big glitch that prevented players from progressing. Given that I always have my laptop with me on the go, I opened up my project and worked on fixing the glitch while I was waiting inside the truck. That moment reinforced how seriously I take my work and how my commitment to game development doesn’t stop just because the environment isn’t ideal.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Taymar Walters but in the gaming world go by the name T-LANDER. I’m the CEO and founder of T-LANDER STUDIOS, which is my own independent game studio solely focused on bringing quirky ideas to life. I’ve always been someone who loves playing video games as well as actually making them —whether it’s through coding, UI design, or storytelling — and T-LANDER STUDIOS has become the home for all those passions to come together.
Right now, I’m developing and gearing up for the release of my flagship indie game, Super Blowfish Castle, a cozy but chaotic puzzle-platformer where you guide a determined little blowfish through colorful levels filled with obstacles, physics challenges, and surprising mechanics. It’s a one-button game on the surface, but beneath that simplicity is a lot of heart, humor, and design intention. People often describe it as “a neurodivergent game that reminds them of Super Monkey Ball and Getting Over It with Bennet Foddy”. Feedback like that is something I adore because it captures that blend of charm and challenge I was aiming for while captivating a specific audience that I can relate to since I’m neurodivergent myself.
What makes my studio unique is that it’s powered by the full creative freedom of being a solo developer. While I’m not opposed to collaborating with other game developers, I still handle everything by myself from programming and design to marketing and community-building, and I bring in freelancers only when a project needs an extra touch of specialization. Every part of the work reflects my own vision, growth, and creativity. T-LANDER STUDIOS isn’t just a company; it’s the foundation of a world I’m building step by step, one idea at a time.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Many things can break bonds between people but from my own experiences, I’ve learned that a lack of trust can slowly break even the strongest of bonds between people. When communication isn’t fully honest or intentions aren’t clear, distance tends to grow. What restores those bonds, when possible, is openness, accountability, and the willingness to show up consistently over time. Some relationships heal, others teach important lessons, but all of them shape how we connect moving forward.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If there’s one kind thing I would say to my younger self, it would simply be that “everything is going to be OK” and trust me, he’ll know what that means.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the game industry, especially for indie game developers, is that success happens overnight. From the outside, it often looks like a single viral moment or a lucky break, but behind every “sudden success” is usually years of learning, failed prototypes, quiet releases, and persistence.
A great example is No Man’s Sky, which launched to heavy criticism and disappointment (mainly due to lack of content) , only to become a respected and successful game years later through consistent updates, listening to players, and long-term commitment.
Another common myth is that you have to do everything alone or burn yourself out to make something meaningful. In reality, sustainable creativity comes from balance, collaboration when needed, and allowing projects to grow at their own pace.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I know I’m out of my depth when progress slows down not because of effort, but because of a gap in knowledge or perspective. That’s usually the signal to step back, learn, ask for help, or bring in someone with more experience. As a solo developer, recognizing that moment is important because it’s how I tend to avoid burnout and keep the quality of my work high. Being out of your depth isn’t a failure; it’s often the starting point for growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tlanderstudios.com
- Twitter: https://x.com/tlanderstudios
- Other: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2429460/Super_Blowfish_Castle/
Image Credits
The Game Art thumbnail for Super Blowfish Castle was created by Abdulazeez but his artist name is Optimus. Every other photo was made or taken by me.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
