iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 2h

Strangened Narratives Workshop starts on Friday! Oct 9th! To lure you further into this narrative design workshop here's a piece about yet another grievance against AI. nejeneva.ghost.io/on-sugondese/ If you don't repost it, I guess you support AI. #indiedev #gamedev #narrativedesign

nejeneva.ghost.io

On Sugondese

(It’s about AI and problem-solving.) There are so many issues with AI and I’m sure if you’re reading this you’re aware of them. I’m not gonna touch on any of that. What bothers me, specifically me (a...

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Maybe at some point I'll figure out how to arrange the "community" or "sponsored" free of charge spots without it sounding callous or patronizing.

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Everyone who applied for a free of charge spot in Strangened Narratives workshop should receive a confirmation or rejection at this point. Unfortunately I can offer only 3 spots. I'm just one person and gotta pay bills too.

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Reposted by Zhenia Puzankov

Glen Henry - DUPPY DETECTIVE TASHIA OUT NOW🔍👻 @spritewrench.com · 08/06/2026

Duppy Detective Tashia is out now on Steam! Help Tashia crack the case - in this Short, Sweet, Spooky, Narrative Mystery game based on Caribbean Folklore! 🔍Gather Clues 👻Meet the Suspects 🎶Bop to the Music store.steampowered.com/app/1958800/...

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

If you can't join this time, make sure to repost and signal boost. Whether I run it again or not, depends on how much attention and want there is for it. Let me know if you have future dates preferences too!

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Strangened Narratives Workshop! 1 week left! 5 spots left! Don't miss the chance to join a unique narrative design workshop. The focus is practice, the focus is exercises, the focus is WEIRD SHIT. We start Oct 9th! shorturl.at/v7GeD

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Strangened Narratives Workshop | Notion

The workshop starts October 9th!

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

New (reposted) article on In Brackets. This is about staying sane while dealing with interactivity vs non-linearity. The terminology and applications are quite insane. #interactive #gamedev #indiedev #narrativedesign nejeneva.ghost.io/non-linearit...

nejeneva.ghost.io

Non-linearity vs Interactivity

Interactive and Linear are different things!

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Reposted by Zhenia Puzankov

TimOfLegend @timoflegend.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Only 18 hours left to back this crazy thing! 18 hours left to bet on which prototype we polish up and ship! 18 hours to get more tahirts!! www.kickstarter.com/projects/dou...

kickstarter.com

Amnesia Fortnight 2026, Indie Reboot

A Double Fine Productions Game Jam, Documentary, and Kickstarter Campaign

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Strangened Narratives! Only two days left before the October price change. Apply now to secure the current price and join this narrative design workshop. 6 weeks of practice and exercises! 3 free of charge spots will close on Friday! #indiedev #gamedev shorturl.at/v7GeD

shorturl.at

Strangened Narratives Workshop | Notion

The workshop starts October 9th!

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I'm partial to issue 10, naturally!

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Strangened Narratives Workshop is a bit too expensive for you? Here's a solution. If you buy at least one issue of @pizzapranks.bsky.social indiepocalypse, you get a 50 bucks discount (so currently 250 USD). Just mention the number of the issue and the favorite game in the form! shorturl.at/v7GeD

shorturl.at

Strangened Narratives Workshop | Notion

The workshop starts October 9th!

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I personally don't make a distinction between game writers and narrative designers so throw me both. Also TTRPG game designers, because as far as I'm considered they do narrative design primarily there just wasn't a need to specialize and differentiate.

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Feeling like I should do a little look around for new or current narrative designers who are on top of the game to check their work know-hows. Any suggestions or recommendations? I don't care about companies, they are transient, I need naaaames, links, and passwords.

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Reposted by Zhenia Puzankov

Sefirot @sefirotgame.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Defy despots. Defend Dioscoria. Haven's Heir is LIVE. ✨ Back now to get a free alchemist print as a 48-hour Early Bird Special with every physical pledge! www.backerkit.com/c/projects/s...

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Reposted by Zhenia Puzankov

Damien Crawford @developerdamien.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Haven't gotten any consult work or much game sales lately, so if anyone has some work they need done or microgrants to give, my door is extremely open

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I have added 3 free spots for Strangened Narratives Workshop! As in if you're selected you will join the workshop for free. More info at the link! Share and signal boost! #indiedev #narrativedesign #gamedev shorturl.at/v7GeD

shorturl.at

Strangened Narratives Workshop | Notion

The workshop starts October 9th!

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Added the piece on walls of texts to the newsletter! The piece concerns different ways of reading the players can do and the way we can work with it. It's not that people don't read, it's that we don't make it easier or better. nejeneva.ghost.io/breaking-dow...

nejeneva.ghost.io

Breaking Down Walls Of Text

Walls of text are a very common problem in many video games and among many writers and designers. I figured it’s time to address it.

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I sold a painting today and I'm still shocked that such a thing can happen to me. It's called Neva Flow and I'm gonna remember it.

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

This is most of narrative design. Instead of adjusting the mechanics for fun, we select and tailor for the experience. World building is definitely separate from this and mostly information management. Part of the job too though.

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Last day to get an early bird price for STRANGENED NARRATIVES WORKSHOP! It's designed both as an entrance (though wild) into Narrative Design and a way for experienced and established people to learn something new and shake the creative juices. We're starting October 9th! shorturl.at/v7GeD

shorturl.at

Strangened Narratives Workshop | Notion

The workshop starts October 9th!

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I was aiming for the beard but my hand slipped!

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Strangened Narratives Workshop! October 9th! Last day to grab an Early bird price! This is a narrative design workshop, fully online and very live. 2-3 hours of live Discord calls every week, exercises aimed at finding the craft and practice with feedback! #indiedev #gamedev shorturl.at/v7GeD

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Reposted by Zhenia Puzankov

Rami Ismail (رامي) @ramiismail.com · 16/09/2026

Production 101 of the video courses exists because too many times indie studios know how to build a game, but not how to ship a commercial game. Production is a large part of what publishers evaluate, and the skill you need to ship. Available now for teams & freelancers both: courses.ramiismail.com

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

This game is still absolutely unhinged you simply must experience its design!

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Two days left to get the early bird price for this workshop! Don't miss it! It will be a lot of fun and the practice will let you to improve or develop new narrative design skills! #narrativedesign #gamedev #indiedev

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Ok, now it is actually happening. My newsletter is up with two articles and awaits your eyes and subscriptions. I'm opening with my article on choice spaces (Essential) and FIRE (a storytelling solution). Both are fine and mercifully short. #narrativedesign #writing #indiedev nejeneva.ghost.io

nejeneva.ghost.io

In Brackets (Parentheses)

Practicing "mind at work" writing. Thoughts, stories and ideas. Interactive media, narrative design, storytelling, games. Typos welcome..

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Currently trying to set it up. With a name like this it feels fateful.

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Are you looking at my workshop and thinking I'm gonna tell you basic tips? I wrote a thesis on absurd games. When I say esoteric and weird I mean parabolic structures, actual LN, spirals, etc. Check the thesis. That's about 8 out of my 10 all-worms.itch.io/absurd-games #indiedev #narrativedesign

all-worms.itch.io

Absurd Games by All Worms

A thesis I've done for MA in Game Development and Research at Cologne Game Lab.

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Well just my like to jump on a sinking ship again. Apparently gotta reconsider the whole substack thing. Any alternatives of preference for folks?

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Every time I look at itch dashboard it pleases me to see that someone has checked out my ink templates. Haven't said anything about them in a couple years and people still find them. This is them btw. They do be free. #narrativedesign #indiedev #gamedev all-worms.itch.io/interactive-...

all-worms.itch.io

Interactive Story-Telling Templates by All Worms

A selection of templates for ink engine by Inkle. Playable, downloadable, usable.

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

One week left to secure the early bird price! C'mon in let's write strange narratives this fall!

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Wrapping up my #narrativedesign lectures on gumroad with Strangened Narratives! This course was experimental and features wild stuff including a whole lecture on endings so frequently forgotten. An online workshop version of this is currently running too! #indiedev #gamedev gum.allworms.art/l/SNL

gum.allworms.art

Strangened Narratives Lectures

These are the entire lessons used for my course on experimental narratives which I ran from 2022 to 2024.A variation of this course is currently running as an online but very live workshop with additi...

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Today was the first time when I forgot the English word and a Spanish one popped up! I'd say it's an achievement! (It happens often but usually it's Russian that fills the blank)

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Reposted by Zhenia Puzankov

Internet Archive @archive.org · 04/09/2026

If you see something, save something. Web pages disappear daily—changed, moved, deleted, or just forgotten. 🕳️ Save Page Now lets you preserve a webpage before it disappears. See something worth keeping? Save it today. ➡️ web.archive.org/save/ #ToolsYouCanUse

Cream graph-paper graphic with decorative yellow zigzag line art framing the edges. Bold black text reads "Save Page Now lets you preserve a webpage that's important to you before it changes or disappears." A yellow ">" chevron tagline at the bottom reads "tools you can use."

Cream graph-paper graphic framed by yellow line art, featuring a screenshot of the Internet Archive Wayback Machine homepage with its search bar, page thumbnails, and three tool options — Subscription Service, Collection Search, and Save Page Now — with the Save Page Now box circled in red. A yellow ">" chevron tagline below reads "tools you can use," pointing toward a yellow arrow.

Cream graph-paper graphic with decorative yellow zigzag line art and a small multicolor line-art icon of the Internet Archive's columned building in the lower right. Bold black text reads "Save a page that matters today."

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I'm genuinely so excited to do this workshop as even when Strangened Narratives was more of a course format the creativity and design of the students in reaction to my classes was absolutely fascinating to see!

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I decided to get back into teaching after being inspired by @ramiismail.com Leveling the playfield courses as well as an acting class that I'm currently taking. Learning and safely practicing narrative design is almost impossible especially if you're going for a bit more advanced. Let's fix that!

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Early bird price is in effect for the next two weeks but if you sign up and opt for instalments you can secure the lowest price. Instalments aren't with a bank or some shit, just with me.

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Strangened Narratives Workshop! October 9th! This is a narrative design workshop, fully online and very live. 2-3 hours of live Discord calls every week, strange but fun exercises aimed at finding the fun in the craft while practicing unorthodox ways with feedback! #indiedev shorturl.at/v7GeD

shorturl.at

Strangened Narratives Workshop | Notion

The workshop starts October 9th!

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Quick, not that you're back from gamescom! Check out my new workshop! Let's get writing and designing!

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Zhenia Puzankov @allworms.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Saw someone checking my lecture bundles via LLM and now I think how to poison the free lectures.

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