iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 16/03/2026

I had an issue with some weird background stutter, and after spending way too much time fussing with FPS, refresh rates and vsync, I realised an ill-advised return statement made Charlotte stop for exactly one frame each time she entered a tile. So at least that's fixed! #Godot #gamedev #indiedev

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 07/02/2026

Most of all it's Starsector's writing and worldbuilding that stand out to me. Are you bored with fighting pirates? Go on a pilgrimage to the six shrines of Ludd the Martyr, support the hubristic technological ambitions of Academy Provost Baird, or seek out the horrific secrets of the [REDACTED]! 3/4

Screenshot of a narrative scene describing a visit to a Luddic pilgrim shrine on the planet Gilead, the "gem of the Persean Sector".

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 07/02/2026

#Starsector is a sci-fi sandbox rpg/management/tactical combat game where you command a fleet of starships, trade and/or explore, complete missions, fight tactical battles, and – should you so desire – eventually colonise planets of your own. It's very good and I highly recommend it. 2/4 #indiegames

Screenshot of Starsector's strategic interface. A fleet of starships is travelling near a large gas giant and its much smaller moon.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 07/02/2026

Folks, it's once again the first Friday of the month, i.e. "Frecommendation Friday" (I think that name's locked in by now), where I recommend a game that I like and I think you should play. Today that game is #Starsector by @amosolov.bsky.social, @dgbaumgart.bsky.social et al. 1/4 #indiegames

Screenshot of a number of starships of different sizes engaged in a tactical battle around a space station, with colourful laser beams and explosions.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 26/01/2026

This one's specifically for the medievalists: Our new chapter intro vignettes with marginal decorations inspired by the Bodleian Roman d'Alexander (MS. Bodl. 264). Please enjoy the little birds! (Font & text still WIP) 🎨: @boaillustration.bsky.social #MedievalMonday #marginalia #gamedev #indiedev

A chapter vignette inspired by a medieval illuminated manuscript with a decorative pattern of red and blue leaves around the edges. The pattern is further decorated with heraldic shields in the upper corners, little birds sitting in the branches along the sides, and a scene with two knights jousting in the bottom.

The vignette shows Sir Emmett, a young male courtier wearing a lovely salmon-coloured doublet and hose outfit in a Renaissance style and holding a flower.

The accompanying text reads: "Chapter 1. In which Sir Emmet meets the one true love of his life (again). Marigold suspects foul play. Charlotte converses with Princess Iris. Sir Emmett is menaced in a tavern. Appropriate names for warhorses are discussed. The Mystery Knight and
Sir Emmett joust in the Grand Tourney."

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 09/01/2026

I'm starting off the new year on a high note by realising that I probably have to rebuild my entire dialogue architecture so it's possible to save and load in the middle of dialogues. 🫠 (I mean, I guess I don't *have* to, but some of these dialogues are… *very long*.) #gamedev #indiedev #godot

An in-game screenshot from The Knight & the Maiden. The scene is a large park with trees and hedges in a pixelart style. Three characters – the protagonist Charlotte, her love interest Princess Iris, and the Princess's loyal servant Marigold – are standing near a large fountain.

In a dialogue box, Princess Iris says, "Oooh, this is just like in the 'Romance of the Swan Knight'! How delightfully mysterious! Of course I agree."

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 02/01/2026

"Verne: The Shape of Fantasy" is an alternate-historical magical-surrealist steampunk side-scrolling narrative adventure in which you, Jules Verne, must save the world from an evil superpower and maybe also Captain Nemo. It's unique and very good and I recommend it to your attention. 2/2 #indiegames

Screenshot from "Verne: The Shape of Fantasy". Jules Verne, the game's protagonist, is in the sickbay on the Nautilus. He is sitting in a dangerous-looking chair contraption that has been outfitted with wires and mechanical gizmos. Cedric, the ship's surgeon on the Nautilus, says, "Now, go to your quarters and get some sleep. Doctor's orders!"

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 05/12/2025

Casebook 1899 is a historical murder mystery adventure set in a lovingly detailed interpretation of Wilhelmine Leipzig. While the final case didn't quite work for me, the other three are compelling and well-written, combined with an interesting deduction game mechanic. Highly recommended! 2/2

A pixelart scene of the majestic neoclassical facade of the Bayerischer Bahnhof train station in Leipzig. A green steam locomotive is parked in front of the station. A human hand is hanging out of the locomotive's open firebox, which is probably not a good sign.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 19/10/2025

Okay, seriously, who is the one person who just started using #Steam on *Windows Server 2022*? >_>

Screenshot of the September 2025 Steam Hardware and Software Survey. "Windows 2022 64 bit" is listed as up from nothing in previous months to 0.09% in September.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 18/06/2025

Me, a sweet summer child: I need to change my game's app icons. I'm sure I can just point #Godot to an image file and it'll handle the rest, right? Right? 😅 Godot: Okay, to change the app icon, you must first journey to the Faerie Realm and receive the blessing of the Seelie Queen. Then… #indiedev

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 07/05/2025

I seem to be back on my bullshit again (* my bullshit = refactoring the movement code for god knows which time 🫠 ) #Godot #indiedev #gamedev

Screenshot from the Godot editor of a few lines of movement-related code

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 29/03/2025

"Spread syntax looks exactly like rest syntax. In a way, spread syntax is the opposite of rest syntax." Ah #Javascript, you are a constant source of amusement and delight. 🙃

Screenshot of the Mozilla Javascript documentation about Spread syntax. The phrase quoted in the post is highlighted.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 10/03/2025

I can't guarantee this thing will be finished anytime soon, but I *can* guarantee that when it does, it will proudly take its place among the ranks of games with *absolutely unhinged* stories. (Okay, that might be an exaggeration. Let's say probably 50% unhinged at most.) #indiedev

Screenshot of an exceptionally smug-looking goat that goes, "BAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 10/03/2025

I just came across a sidequest I wrote like two years ago about a tulip merchant who owns a goat that keeps eating his "precious tulip bulbs", and you know what? I'd like to see the AI that could come up with this kind of nonsense unprompted. I'm just saying. #indiedev

Screenshot of a very angry tulip merchant (who has strong 'NFT bro ca. 2022' vibes) shouting, "I'm ruined! Ruined! And it's this damn goat's fault! My precious tulip bulb!"

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 03/03/2025

Today I thought I'd finally get some time to complete a bunch of cutscenes, but instead I ended up spending all afternoon basically rewriting the character movement system to deal with an incredibly annoying animation bug. 🫠 At least it works better now. I hope. #Godot #indiedev

Some A* movement code in Godot. At the top is a comment that says, "Dear God of Coding, please make this work. T_T"

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 13/01/2025

Uh, no thank you, #Youtube, I really do not want to allow third-party companies to use *the proprietary IP I either personally own or have licensed from others* to train their fucking AI models. But thanks for at least asking, I guess. What a time to be alive.

Screenshot from the Youtube Studio website with a banner that says, 'You can now choose if you want to allow third-party companies to use your content to train AI models in Studio Settings under "Third-party training" '

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 18/12/2024

Today has been all about menu and UI work, which is not particularly exciting, but at least the game is beginning to look more like, well, an actual game. #gamedev #godot #SendMoreCommandNodes

In-game screenshot with the game menu open, including options like "Inventory", "Journal", "Save & Load" and "Settings".

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 13/12/2024

Figured out how to do a "party follow" system in #Godot. The Player script emits a signal with its current location when starting movement, which tells the follower to move to that location. The follower emits its own signal, and so on down the line. Pretty simple, but it seems to work. #indiedev

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 21/11/2024

In The Knight & the Maiden, you play as Charlotte Montfort, a… let's go with "lovable rogue" who is trying to win a tournament to get her unjustly imprisoned father released and win the heart of the beautiful Princess Iris. This occasionally calls for… less than orthodox methods. >_> #indiedev

Screenshot of a bright and colourful pixelart scene. Charlotte, a young blonde woman, is visiting the apothecary's stall at the marketplace. She says, "Yes, hello, Master Apothecary! Do you have anything that can make people fall asleep, uh, really, really quickly? ...which is a thing I need for very normal and legal reasons. Yes."

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 20/11/2024

Despite several requests to keep it – and I certainly appreciate the sentiment – I’ve turned down the effect for the sake of the vibes. (Also, dear Bluesky video compression, please be kind and don't demolish this one like you did the other one. 🫠) #Godot #indiedev #indiegamedev #gamedev

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 19/11/2024

So I was playing around with Godot's RigidBody2D and apply_impact() for my jousting sequences, and… uh, hmm. That might be a bit too much force. Should I: A: Maybe turn it down a bit? B: Nah, ship it. #Godot #indiedev #indiegamedev #gamedev #ProbablyTooMuchForce

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 14/11/2024

The story of The Knight & the Maiden takes place in the small city state of Castamont, a prosperous centre of commerce and learning. But despite its idyllic appearance, powerful forces and intrigues threaten the small principality as its stronger neighbours once more prepare for war… #indiegamedev

Establishing shot of a medieval city. It is very colourful, similar to what one might see in a graphic novel. The city is located on the coast, on either side of a large river, and surrounded by fields and hills.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 14/11/2024

I'm starting to lose count of how many times I've been wondering how in the world I was going to implement [Feature X], and then discovered that #Godot has already done most of the hard work for me. Latest example: Pathfinding for mouse movement using AStarGrid2D. ⬇️ #indiedev #gamedev

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 12/11/2024

A fateful encounter as Lady Charlotte, a new arrival at the court of the Prince of Castamont, introduces herself to Crown Princess Iris in the Palace Gardens. The Princess is charmed by the witty Charlotte, but her devoted servant Marigold does not trust this unknown newcomer at all! #indiedev

An in-game pixelart scene set in a garden with trees, hedges and paths. Charlotte, the protagonist, and Princess Iris are talking near a large fountain. Charlotte says, "Thy Gracious Highness, I am honoured to meet thee. If thou wouldst permit me to introduce myself? My name is Charlotte." Meanwhile, the Princess's servant Marigold stands nearby with an expression of irritation.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 11/11/2024

Got an odd spike on one of my @itch.io games on Thursday, all coming from a single tag. Probably a content scraping bot? #indiedev

Screenshot from the itch.io dashboard with one day showing 54 views, otherwise 2 or 3 a day at most.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 10/11/2024

I've spent today adding all the game's characters and setting up their sprites and portraits, and, uh… there's quite a lot of them, aren't there? 😅 It's the first time I see them all together like this. (There's even still a few missing.) Anyway, go ahead and tag yourselves. #Godot #indiedev

Screenshot from the Godot editor of about 90 absolutely amazing-looking (if I do say so myself) pixelart character sprites all lined up. There's everything from princesses to knights to rats in adorable little hats.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 06/11/2024

advertise your account with one image

A panel from a Moomin comic. Moomintroll is lying in his bed as the sun rises outside the window. He looks rather cranky because Moominmamma saying, “Get up and create, darling. It’s eight o’clock.”

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 25/10/2024

The indie game I'm making and three of the inspirations behind it.

Title illustration of my own game. In the foreground are the two main characters, the armour-clad Charlotte and Princess Iris in a blue dress. In the background is a jousting field and a palace in a forested landscape.

Capsule art for the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy

Capsule art for the game Space Pilgrim, Episode 1: Alpha Centauri

Title page of the book "The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II" by Fernand Braudel

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 24/10/2024

Yes, hello, hi! It's been quiet for a few months as I've been doing a complete rework of the game, and as you can see, the result is clearly, uh… well, it looks almost exactly the same. 🫠 However! The whole game now runs in #Godot, so everything under the hood is completely new. #indiedev #gamedev

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 01/05/2024

Anyway, this game ended up at 33000+ words (prose and #Twine code) and took way longer than a silly little side project should have, so please play it (link at the top) before the angry Mesopotamian gods decide to destroy the world. Okay, thanks. #gamedev #indiedev #dkgame #itchio

Detail from the Tablet of Shamash, from ca. 888-855 BCE. It is a stone relief in Assyrian style with cuneiform writing on it. On the right is a male figure seated on a throne, probably the sun god Shamash. On the left is a group of three standing figures, perhaps worshippers. In the middle between them is the sun disc (a circle with a four-pointed star and four rays) above a table or altar.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 01/05/2024

This game is very unfair and unbalanced and there's no way to win*, so all you can do is hope to survive one more year at a time. JUST LIKE REAL LIFE, EH? Good luck. * Actually that's a lie, there is one way to win. Let me know if you find it and I'll give you a cookie. (Maybe.) 3/4

'Artist’s impression of a hall in an Assyrian palace' by Sir Austen Henry Layard. A very colourful drawing of a large hall with wall painting and two statues of lammasu (human-headed winged bulls). In the middle is a group of people, probably a king surrounded by his advisors and scribes.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 01/05/2024

As king of a vaguely Sumerian/Akkadian city state, you have One Job: Perform the annual sacrifices to the gods. The gods are EXTREMELY ANGRY and will destroy the world if they're not regularly appeased, and since all the other city states do their sacrifices incorrectly, it's all up to you. 2/4

Stone relief of two Mesopotamian kings greeting each other. Ca 845 BCE. From the throne dais of Shalmaneser III at the Iraq Museum in Baghdad.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 16/04/2024

"Get on your horse and hit the other guy with the stick. It's not that hard. Just try not to fall off." Waltheof the Squire dispenses some… useful advice(?) before the Mystery Knight's first jousting match in the Grand Tourney. #indiegames #gamedev #rpgmaker #jousting #knights

Pixelart in-game screenshot of a tiltyard (the field where a jousting match takes place). The Mystery Knight, a knight in a full-face helmet, is talking to his squire Waltheof. The Mystery Knight says: "Any last words of encouragement, Waltheof?"

The same scene. Waltheof says: "What do you want me to say? This was all your idea. Get on your horse and hit the other guy with the stick. It's not that hard. Just try not to fall off."

The same scene. The Mystery Knight makes an 'annoyed' emote and says: "…thanks a lot, Waltheof."

Just an additional picture of the tiltyard to fix post formatting.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 02/04/2024

To be clear, this was an April Fools' joke. The game is coming out in English and Danish. BUT THAT SAID, I had to set up the entire infrastructure for a #Latin version just for the sake of that joke. So if anyone feels like financing it… let me know, I guess? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ #indiedev #gamedev

The Options menu from the game The Knight & the Maiden. It's a standard RPG Maker-style menu, but all the text is in (pretty bad) Latin.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 01/04/2024

Folks, I am delighted to announce that to achieve the greatest possible level of authenticity and immersion, "The Knight & the Maiden" will release exclusively in a #Latin language version with the title "Miles et Puella: Fabula moderna ac mediævalis". Gratias vobis ago. #indiedev #gamedev #rpgmaker

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 14/01/2024

Our heroine Charlotte needs to search Lord Taraquin's manor for clues to a murder, but Gregor, the Patrician's doorman, won't let just anyone disturb his master. Can she talk her way inside? Or find another way? (Yes, I *have* been playing old Indiana Jones games recently, how could you tell?)

Charlotte meets Gregor, a tough-looking doorman, at the front door of Lord Taraquin's palatial manor. He asks: "Yes? What do you want?"

Charlotte's possible replies are: "Can I talk to Lord Taraquin?", "I'm investigating a crime…", and "I'm selling these fine leather surcoats…"

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 08/01/2024

Lord Taraquin's time is very precious, so nothing but the most modern technology will do for the clock in his personal chambers. (PS: Yes, I know pendulum clocks didn't exist until 1656, 150 years after the game is set. We'll fix it in post.) #clocks #horology #rpgmaker #indiegames #ClocksInGames

An in-game pixelart scene of a suite of richly-furnished rooms in the patrician Lord Taraquin's manor. The patrician himself is sitting behind a desk in his study, unaware that anything is going on. Charlotte, the main character, is standing in front of a wall clock in another room and says: "Oh, it's one of those new, modern mechanical clocks. They're supposed to be incredibly precise! I heard they only lose about 45 minutes a day!"

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 14/12/2023

I made a horse wagon to check the choreography of a cutscene. You can tell it's a wagon because it says 'W', and… and there's horses in front of it? >_> Let's be thankful I have actual pixel artists to do this for me, that's all I'm saying. 🫠 #pixelart #indiedev #rpgmaker #programmerart

An in-game pixelart scene of a medieval soldier inspecting a horse wagon outside a city gate. The wagon is just a white rectangle that says "W".

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 13/12/2023

Lord Taraquin Caradoc's magnificent palazzo is one of Castamont's most expensive residences, and it is very well guarded. But it might also hold an important clue to a gruesome murder case! How will our heroine Charlotte get inside to investigate? #gamedev #indiedev #rpgmaker

In-game pixelart map of a large mansion in a classical style with white walls and a red roof. It is surrounded by a garden, as well as streets and other residential buildings.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 25/11/2023

The long-abandoned Castel Montsauvat is said to hide the fabled Lance of Saint Symeon, a holy relic that makes its owner undefeatable in any test of arms. Just what our heroine Charlotte needs to win the Grand Tourney in Castamont! (It's not cheating if the rules don't mention magic lances… right?)

An in-game pixelart map. A large, but clearly abandoned castle with damaged fortifications and decrepit buildings sits on top of a large forested hill. It is surrounded by a lake, almost like a natural moat. A path winds up to the castle from the bottom of the map. A tall waterfall from the upper lake down to another lake at the foot of the hill.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 19/11/2023

If life in the big city gets too stressful for you, why not relax with a nice day trip to the majestic Bernauer Waterfalls in the forests outside Castamont? Just be careful, the Guard have had reports of man-eating wolves out there. >_> #UhOh

In-game pixelart map of a forested hilly area with lakes, streams and tall waterfalls.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 16/11/2023

In Castamont's rural hinterlands we find the lovely manor of Sir Castor Tremaine, the Captain of the Prince's Household Guard. Perhaps a good place to find information about the intrigues at the royal court?

Pixelart map of a rural manor house, surrounded by barns, fields, an orchard, and a small lake. People are engaged in various tasks around the manor, such as hanging up laundry and unloading a wagon.

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 08/11/2023

Our protagonist Charlotte discovers an ancient inscription in the gardens of the Blue Rose Priory. Maybe a clue to the magical treasure the Blue Rose Order is rumoured to possess? (On a related note, I'm continuing to aim for the coveted "Most Latin Phrases in a Video Game" Lifetime Award. 👍)

In-game pixelart screenshot of a verdant garden in the courtyard of a large building, with trees, flowers and hedges. Charlotte, a young blonde woman, is looking at a stone plaque near a statue of a knight. She thinks, "There's an old stone plaque here. Let's see what it says... 'Liber mysterius Catharina Sancta Archonte scribitur itinerarium est qui illuminat fortunatque cursum nostrum ad vitam aeternam...' Oh, that's an old prayer to Saint Catherine, isn't it?"

Translation of the Latin text: "The mystical book that is written by Saint Catherine the Archon is the itinerary that lights and blesses our journey to the eternal life..."

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 03/11/2023

High Mass in the Duomo di Castamonte on the Feast Day of Saint Catherine is always an uplifting experience. Prince Vincenzo and his daughter Crown Princess Iris are in attendance, and the benches are packed full! #gamedev #indiedev #RPGMaker

Pixelart screenshot of a large temple at the beginning of a ceremony. A congregation is seated on benches arranged around an altar in the middle. Three clergy, two women and a man, are standing at the altar. The woman prelate in the middle intones a hymn, "Gloria in excelsis Divis!"

The same scene. The prelate begins a prayer in Latin: "Sancta Catharina, defenstrix scientiarum, qui scribit librum verum vitae aeternae, illumina pro nobis via ad consecratione noster…"

(Translation: "Holy Catherine, defender of all knowledge, who authors the true book of eternal life, light up for us the path to our consecration…")

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 23/09/2023

An important encounter in the palace gardens. Will our heroine Charlotte get along with the Princess of Castamont? #screenshotsaturday #rpgmaker #gamedev #indiedev

In-game screenshot of a scene in the palace gardens. The protagonist Charlotte, Princess Iris of Castamont, and the Princess's lady-in-waiting Marigold are standing near a large fountain. Charlotte says: "Thy Gracious Highness, I am honoured to meet thee. If thou wouldst allow me to introduce myself? My name is Charlotte."

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 07/09/2023

I think I'm beginning to get the hang of this #Jira thing. #gamedev #indiedev

A screenshot of a Jira epic named "Chapter 5" with three issues: "Create Story", "Write Dialogue" and "Make Chapter Good"

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 26/08/2023

Not everyone in Castamont thinks much of the Mystery Knight who has just joined the annual tournament. Who is he, and can he really defeat the best knights in the Principality? #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiedev #indiegame #rpgmaker

In-game screenshot of the streets of Castamont. Two craftsmen are talking outside a bar. Man nr. 1 says: "You think that Mystery Knight could win the tournament?"

The same scene. Man nr. 2 says: "Hah! There's no way some random knight can just show up and win!"

The same scene. Man nr. 2 continues: "In fact, I'll bet you a sixpence he loses to Sir Emmett today!"

The same scene. Man nr. 1 replies: "You're on!"

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Stark Raving Sane Games @verysrsgames.com · 25/08/2023

POV: When you're the protagonist in a comedic adventure game with an overly complicated storyline. #gamedev #indiedev #indiegame #rpgmaker #wip #adventuregame

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