iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Theres a brand new Mayfly demo available on #steam. Hopefully this is the final improvement before launch day! You can give it a go here: buff.ly/VqRbiUb #steamdemo #gamedev #solodev #psychologicalhorror #screenshotsaturday

A dark room filled with large water pipes and a large amount of framed photographs on the wall

A Nokia 3310 being held up in front of a bed.

There’s a series of question marks and a subtitle which reads ‘I need to find his number’

A key being held up in front of a doormat.

The text reads ‘There’s a small brass key. Take it?’

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

👋 Some new screenshots from my upcoming psychological horror game, Mayfly. You're trapped aboard a narrowboat, your husband is mysteriously missing. Can you find a way out? #gamedev #indiegame #indiedev #horrorgame #screenshotsaturday buff.ly/dQEzOSj

Long, narrow, dim industrial corridor with an arched ceiling leading to a distant bright exit, flanked by rusted metal walls and two strange devices mounted on the right, evoking an eerie, abandoned tunnel atmosphere.

An in-game prompt asking "There's a 'signal bridge'. Would you like to use it?" showing a vintage radio-like signal bridge on a dim shelf with a small antenna, a glowing LCD showing a numeric value, and green Yes and red No buttons.

Dim, retro kitchen at night with floral curtains, a sink holding a sponge and dish, a small stove and kettle, mugs on a wall shelf, patterned plates on a dark counter and worn linoleum floor suggesting an older, lived-in space.

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Recently added a wood-burning stove aboard Mayfly. Hopefully it doesn't cosy the place up too much 🫢 Wishlist Mayfly on #steam: buff.ly/miA86yh #gamedev #indiegame #psychologicalhorror #storybased #ukcanals

Small black cast-iron wood stove sits in a dim room inside a tiled corner with blue-and-orange geometric tiles, a faint orange glow visible through its door.

Small living space centered on a wood-burning stove with a metal flue and patterned tile surround, floral curtains at the window, a wooden dresser with a TV and small appliance, two striped chairs in the foreground and a narrow doorway leading to a dim corridor.

A grey 3D modeling render of the narrowboat stove/fireplace

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Mayfly is an eerie story-based #psychologicalhorror game set aboard a #narrowboat in Northern England. You wake up The doors are locked Your husband is missing And your reality begins to slowly unravel... Wishlist now on #steam: buff.ly/miA86yh #gamedev #indiegame #horrorgame #screenshotsaturday

Dimly lit, cluttered kitchen corner at night with an old gas stove holding a rusty pot and kettle, a shelf of assorted mugs and plates over patterned tiles, a cutting board and bottle of soap by a sink with a knife, and floral curtains in the background.

Signal-bridge terminal on a shelf with a lit display showing "7,000.00" and a game prompt at the bottom reading "There's a 'signal bridge'. Would you like to use it?" with a green Yes button and a red No button.

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

What no-one tells you about #gamedev is the amount of time you'll spend modelling things like a plastic washing up bowl in #blender. I hope the 3 people that notice this in the final game enjoy it 😅

Dimly lit kitchen sink with a patterned mug soaking in a green plastic basin, a yellow‑green sponge and bottle of dish soap on the counter, decorative tiled backsplash and a floral curtain visible to the right.

Low-poly rectangular washing up bowl model displayed in Blender

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Here we gooooo!! The new massively improved and extended Mayfly #steamdemo is finally live. Yay! ⌛ 3x longer 🧩 More puzzles 🎵 Music added ❗ Constantly shifting realities 🔍 Fully inspectable items oh, and... 🔦 You'll need a torch store.steampowered.com/app/4554960/... #gamedev #indiegame

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Mayfly demo v2 should be available on 9th June on #steam It’s 3x as long as v1 and there’s a Nokia 3310 (sorry you can’t play Snake on it) #gamedev #indiegame #horrorgame I need a new Steam trailer cos the current one is so outdated but pls #wishlistonsteam store.steampowered.com/app/4057470/...

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

*New* Mayfly demo is just a few days away! It’s taking people about 30 minutes to complete now which is amazing. The final push is now underway for the full release. PS - you now get a torch (🇬🇧)/flashlight (🇺🇸) in the demo. #gamedev #psychologicalhorror #indiedev #quiethorror

A dark narrowboat interior with a rusty metal wheel on the wall

An alarm clock showing an adjustable time setting

A guestbook being inspected and rotated for clues

A darkened narrowboat interior with overcast skies outside

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Is it really 1999 without a Nokia 3310? (the answer is yes cos it came out in 2000, but pls let me keep some artistic liberties) Caroline now has a phone, and it works 📱 #gamedev #indiedev Wishlist Mayfly on Steam if you fancy it: buff.ly/Q1MB2lg

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Mayfly is a story-rich psychological horror set aboard an ever-changing narrowboat. Experience Caroline Miller's descent into an increasingly twisted reality as she searches for her missing husband 🙏 Wishlist now on Steam: buff.ly/Q1MB2lg #gamedev #screenshotsaturday #psychologicalhorror

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

This new mechanic in Mayfly has transformed the game so much. It was always there beneath the surface but now it's front and centre. Reality is constantly shifting as you progress through the game, people loved that from the first demo. 🙏 Wishlist Mayfly now on Steam: buff.ly/Q1MB2lg

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

American I assume? ‘Vinegar and salt’ - vinegar before salt is breaking my brain 🤯 - I’ll keep a look out next time I pass a US snack shop

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

This is a whole new world to me. The first article I found was ‘What happened to Poore Brothers potato chips?’ I love the two 🇬🇧 flags below a dancing cactus, such a clash of cultures! I wonder what they were like…

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Even looking at the packaging makes my tongue hurt

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Even the packaging looks radioactive. Still no idea what ‘grab bag’ means, no one does

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Broke the camera today building a new cinematic and accidentally unlocked mouse mode! I might keep it in as a side quest 🐁 #gamedev

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

🔄 Collectables in Mayfly are now fully inspectable! 😍 At last, we can see that dog-eared post-it note in all its glory ✅The first of many new features added based on demo feedback Wishlist Mayfly on #steam #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiegame #storybased #quiethorror #walkingsim

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

With the #demo of Mayfly finally live on #steam: buff.ly/R9Nh6FL I am free to focus on ACTUALLY FINISHING THE GAME!! 🥳 The boat gets a little darker in the second scene, so you’ll need one of these 🔦 #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #horror #ukcanals #indiegame #quiethorror #unity3d

Three photos on a damp wall. One is crooked the words Mayfly 1994 show in the subtitles

A bright purple shower curtain illuminated by torchlight in a dark bathroom

A darkened bedroom with several items scattered around including an electric blanket and a heater

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

As it turns out: 15 April is the date the Titanic sank. Maybe not the best omen, so.... I released the Mayfly #steam #demo today! store.steampowered.com/app/4554960/... #gamedev #indiegame #solodev #horror #storybased You've all been amazing so far so please leave a review if you can. ❤️🙏 #anxiety

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

😁Finally! The Mayfly #demo will be live on #steam from 15 April. A #storyrich #quiethorror game set aboard a #narrowboat in Northern England starring the wonderful @tammykingofficial.bsky.social #indiedev #gamedev #horrorgame #unity3d #indiegame store.steampowered.com/app/4554960/...

A story-rich quiet horror game set aboard a narrowboat in Northern England.

Mayfly. Demo release 15 April

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Thank you! One extra one just for you as well Added sorting and filtering on the Log menu 😇

A log menu showing the new filters and sorting options

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

🛠️ New combined inventory ⚙️ Tabbed settings menu 🎮 Controller support added With the demo days away of course I decided to make some huge changes because I like to live on the edge! Wishlist Mayfly: store.steampowered.com/app/4057470/... #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiedev #storybased #horror

A Controls menu for Mayfly showing the PlayStation button mappings

A notes menu within a shared inventory menu system.

A combined settings menu showing separate graphics, audio and gameplay tabs

A narrowboat amidst a peaceful countryside scene with the sun rays in the background

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Back when I was starting out with #unity3d and #blender I used to embellish my textures with little motivational messages to myself... 🫢 #gamedev #indiedev #indiegame #storybased

A bare narrowboat interior model with purple walls and the word 'Dickhead' written on the wall for some reason

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Here is the kitchen grey-boxed in Blender in January 2024 versus today. Hopefully the lighting and mood is slightly better now 😅 Wishlist Mayfly here: store.steampowered.com/app/4057470/... #gamedev #indiegame #indiedev #solodev #blender #unity3d #storybased

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

After a month of no actual dev work I finally started modelling the bathroom. I even put in a cassette toilet (boaty ppl pls let me know if it's wrong) Wishlist Mayfly here: store.steampowered.com/app/4057470/... #gamedev #indiegame #indiedev #solodev #quiethorror #ukcanals #unity3d #storybased

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Another gem from my old dev progress videos, this one makes me chuckle - though I do like the old font 🙃 September 2023 versus today. It's surprising just how much of the environment was actually in place back then 🌳 #gamedev #indiegame #indiedev #horrorgame #quiethorror #ukcanals #storybased

An early development shot showing the Mayfly main menu before proper lighting was added. Also shows an older narrowboat model

The gorgeous new main menu from Mayfly with atmospheric lighting and a beautiful narrowboat model

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Wow! So regal 😻. She has a British twin (Colin) Though I wear headphones because he is honestly the loudest cat in the universe.

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Mayfly is a story-rich quiet horror set aboard a narrowboat in Northern England Coming Q3 2026 🤞 Wishlist now if you haven’t already: store.steampowered.com/app/4057470/... #gamedev #indiegame #solodev #unity3d #horrorgame #quiethorror #indiedev #screenshotsaturday #gametrailer #storybased

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Mayfly is a story-rich quiet horror set aboard a narrowboat in Northern England Coming Q3 2026 🤞 Wishlist now if you haven’t already: store.steampowered.com/app/4057470/... #gamedev #indiegame #solodev #unity3d #horrorgame #quiethorror #wishlistwednesday #gametrailer #promosky #storybased

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

I stumbled across some early build progress videos for Mayfly. When you feel like you're making no progress at all it's good to remind yourself how far you've come! September 2023 v today. Hopefully you can tell which is which 😆 #gamedev #indiegame #indiedev #quiethorror #horrorgame #storybased

A very early build progress screenshot showing a bare narrowboat interior

A super awesome new narrowboat model from the latest Mayfly build with better lighting + fully 'furnished'

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Mayfly is a short story-led quiet horror set entirely on a narrowboat in Northern England. Coming Q3 2026 🤞 Wishlist now if you haven’t already: store.steampowered.com/app/4057470/... #gamedev #indiegame #solodev #horrorgame #quiethorror #indiedev #screenshotsaturday #gametrailer #promosky

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Hi 👋 I may be a little late to the party on this post. I’m a first-time solo dev and my game Mayfly, a quiet horror set entirely on a narrowboat, will hopefully be released Q3 2026: store.steampowered.com/app/4057470/...

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Added some more customisable settings to Mayfly: V-Sync, windowed mode and a new #a11y feature to increase the crosshair size (suggested by @mustlovedon.bsky.social) The UI throughout Mayfly also has full keyboard navigation support ⌨️ #gamedev #accessibility #indiedev #horror #quiethorror #unity

A settings menu showing customisable options for screen resolution, v-sync, windowed mode, text size, crosshair size and different audio level sliders

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Here's the new Mayfly cinematic trailer! 🎦 This one really captures the descent into darkness which is at the heart of the game. ⬇️🔦 If you haven't wishlisted yet, you can here: store.steampowered.com/app/4057470/... #gamedev #indiegame #solodev #unity3d #horrorgame #quiethorror #indiedev #steam

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Another environment fly-through from Mayfly. The all too familiar bedroom. Before the darkness descends #gamedev #indiegame #solodev #madewithunity #horrorgame #quiethorror #narrowboat #canal #ukcanals Wishlist here: store.steampowered.com/app/4057470/...

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

I made some fly-throughs of the rest of the narrowboat for a new Mayfly trailer to replace the existing one which is a bit 🗑️ Here's what lies outside of the bedroom Like what you see? Wishlist now: store.steampowered.com/app/4057470/... #gamedev #indiegame #madewithunity #horrorgame #quiethorror

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

Mayfly is a short story-led quiet horror set entirely on a narrowboat in Northern England. Wishlist now on Steam 🙏: store.steampowered.com/app/4057470/... #gamedev #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #madewithunity #horrorgame

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

I recently completed Stray - 3 years after buying it. That’s quite a quick turnaround for me these days but… Wow - what a gorgeous game…the deep, grimy urban jungle was so much fun to explore as a cat. 😽🤖 #playstation #ps5 #gamedev #stray

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Feel physically sick with nerves but...my first game Mayfly is now available to wishlist on Steam! #gamedev #indiegame #gametrailer #horrorgame #solodev store.steampowered.com/app/4057470/... If the game is anywhere near as terrifying as me 'pressing the button' on Steam then it'll be f-ing scary

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

It’s taken over 3 weeks to put together a 50 second teaser trailer for Mayfly ☠️ I hope to finally launch my Steam page in the next week or two 🫣 Game = 70% complete 😇 @mustlovedon.bsky.social are you still happy to do the first live stream once the steam page is up? #gamedev #indiegame

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Fired up DuckStation with my little boy and showed him some of my old favourites. Genuinely might sneak in a few more goes on Colin McRae Rally when he’s in bed 🫣. So much fun - unlike most old games it still lived up to the rose-tinted memories. #gamedev #psx #retrogaming #playstation

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Things have taken a rather dark turn indeed 😱 Where do you think this dark tunnel leads to? 🤔 Scene 2 is now end-to-end complete, just needs polish. Onto the final scene #gamedev #madewithunity #horrorgame #indiegame #indiedev

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Quite pleased with this script I wrote which increases the window light emission as the player moves away. Trying to create the illusion of eyes adjusting to the darker interior etc. Could do with some rays to complete the effect I think? #gamedev #madewithunity #indiedev #indiegame

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

A bit of early kitchen exploration as implemented so far. Need some variety on the cupboard opening noises though (or some WD-40) 🤔 #gamedev #indiedev #madewithunity #horrorgame #indiegame #quiethorror #solodev

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Mayfly is a short story-led quiet horror set entirely on a narrowboat in Northern England. Very much work in progress, + missing dialogue for Caroline, but this will eventually form scene 2 of 4 before the game is finally complete. #gamedev #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #madewithunity #horrorgame

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Steam store page coming soon for Mayfly (hopefully next few weeks) It’s amazing how long you can spend fussing over words but what do you think of the description so far? 🤔 #gamedev #indiedev #madewithunity #horrorgame #indiegame

Mayfly

Developer: Backyard Zoo
Publisher: Backyard Zoo
Release: Q3 2026

A short story-led quiet horror set entirely on a narrowboat in Northern England. Experience Caroline Miller's slow descent into a dark and twisted reality as she attempts to locate her missing husband

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Mayfly is an upcoming quiet horror set on a narrowboat where peace and tranquility slowly descend into darkness #screenshotsaturday #madewithunity #unity3d #game #gamedev #indiedev #solodev #indiegame

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Backyard Zoo | Wishlist Mayfly on Steam @backyardzoo.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Play tests went so unbelievably well last week but… “Why is Mayfly running like utter dog shit on this old MacBook?” Humbling first time game dev experience remedied with the help of the awesome @comp3int.bsky.social #gamedev #unity3d #indiegame #gameoptimisation

A startled dog looking at some shocking Unity statistics showing 3 million tris and 3.8 million verts rendered

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