iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 26/09/2026

All this perimenopause research happening finally and still only @marymck.bsky.social is the only one brave enough to warn me about the bats? Smdh at the modern medical system

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Draknek & Friends @draknek.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Applications for the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant will close THIS SUNDAY! There's still time to get your application in! 📨 You can apply here: grants.draknek.org

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Brian S. Chung @brianschung.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

New York City has a #GDoCExpo Watch Party! - Hosted by @sharpiepls.com - The conference and the Direct on a huge screen - Structured networking / games - Awarding thousands in development grants - Community Arcade (show your game!) Giving away 10 free tickets (normally $10) - ti.to/GDoCExpo/202...

Game Devs of Color Expo 2026 Watch Party in New York City. Group photo of maybe 40 or so people crowded on a stage in front of a huge screen. A few people are holding giant checks for the grant funding they won.

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 24/09/2026

Oh wow a little game I made with @marymck.bsky.social a couple years ago is now live on Google Arts & Culture! Museum Memory was designed to encourage you to notice and remember how pieces of art are displayed (in a very silly and cute way, of course). blog.google/company-news...

blog.google

Turning cultural artifacts into interactive learning companions

Uncover the history of nearly 200 historical objects, or put your visual recall to the test in a freshly hung exhibition.

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 23/09/2026

It went from being 100 degrees outside to being a cozy heated blanket morning alarmingly fast.

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 22/09/2026

As a multidisciplinary game designer, I’m really proud that the curation of the Experimental Games Showcase celebrates all games and playful projects. We’ve shown off videogames, board games, TTRPGs, museum installations, performances, and everything in between. Submit your unique whatever-it-is!

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 22/09/2026

I know this isn't a unique thought but I find myself with a sort of constant baseline fear that people will think stuff I write is computer-generated — it's not and will never be. I promise I'm just autistic and really like em dashes.

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 22/09/2026

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jwest @follysoft.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Taking a shot and submitting to this was one of the best things I've ever done, yall should try it too

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Buy Mass Effect The Board Game! @ithayla.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

the first 90% of the game will take 90% of the time. unfortunately, the last 10% of the game will also take 90% of the time.

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 21/09/2026

Send us your experimental game — we wanna help you show it off! Get a chance to share your project onstage at GDC next spring, and help us inspire more people to make strange and experimental projects that change how we think about games. <3

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Brian S. Chung @brianschung.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

GDoCExpo is this week. World-class one-track online conference. Sliding-scale tickets, nothing gated by price. Open captions, immediate VODs. $21K in no-strings dev grants. Front-page Steam Sale + Direct, no fees. Watch Parties around the world. No unpaid speakers, mods, labor. Come see it.

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vibe-free lifestyle and smiling apple purveyor @ellaguro.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

applications for this coming year's Experimental Games Showcase at the Game Developer's Conference are officially OPEN!! send us your weird games and game-like experiments! www.experimentalgamesshowcase.com

experimentalgamesshowcase.com

Experimental Games Showcase

SUBMIT YOUR GAME TO THE

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 21/09/2026

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Experimental Games Showcase @exgs.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

📣 Applications are now OPEN for the 2027 Experimental Games Showcase at GDC! 📣 You have until October 23rd to send us all the weird, innovative and unique things you are working on. More info and apply here: www.experimentalgamesshowcase.com

experimentalgamesshowcase.com

Experimental Games Showcase

SUBMIT YOUR GAME TO THE

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Qweerty Gamers @qweertygamers.org · 19/09/2026

🏳️‍🌈Have a queer or queer-made game releasing in 2027? Our Qweerty Game Dev Microgrant is accepting applications! Recipients will receive up to $2,500 to finish funding their game. 🗓️ Apply by October 11th Thanks to zPride for helping make this possible <3

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 18/09/2026

She died as she lived: asking chat if we’re cooked

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Marie Enger @ LBX26 Table 409 @soengery.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

OCD is such a dumb shit disorder. I could be an unstoppable force if my brain reallocated the 90% it uses to freak out about nothing and talk compulsively to literally any other task.

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Among Us Story: On Guard @amongusstory.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

‼️ ATTENTION OPERATORS ‼️ Among Us Story: On Guard will be at the @iii-initiative.bsky.social showcase on Oct. 8th 🥳 Tune in for 45min of back-to-back trailers featuring games from other indie studios like us! Cook may be dead, but come see what WE'VE been cooking up 😎 #iiishowcase

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 05/09/2026

Ah hell, @marymck.bsky.social and I bestied so hard she knew when my therapist was going to be on vacation.

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 05/09/2026

Do you ever start a new book and dissociate through the entire first chapter because you’re too busy thinking about a better book then you have to restart the chapter and it’s still, unfortunately, not the other book

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megan farokhmanesh @megannicolett.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I've argued with people who say they separate the art from the artist (not possible while she's using actively her money to hurt the trans community). or that they don't like "not being allowed" to watch something. but I think this really comes down to what you want to stand for

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izzy kestrel @iznaut.com · 30/08/2026

hey girl are u AI bc you’re drinking a lot of water and also no one likes you very much

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Sleeby 🐀💤 @sleebyrat.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Reminder that if you like something someone made, PLEASE tell them.

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Laura Keating @lorekeating.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

"Find out who you are and do it on purpose." - Dolly Parton

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Young Pete Toms @petetoms.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Big Walk feels like a game that’s just about walking around and solving puzzles, but it’s actually a spiritual journey towards discovering that you’re the stupidest person in your friend group.

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 19/08/2026

Is it too soon to start watching Over The Garden Wall on repeat until Halloween or

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 18/08/2026

Just fuck my shit up, Phoebe Bridgers.

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Game Developer @gamedeveloper.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

WINGS really, really wants to fund your neat indie video game The indie investor, which is committed to empowering women and gender-marginalized devs, is introducing new funding pathways for PC projects of all shapes and sizes

gamedeveloper.com

WINGS really, really wants to fund your neat indie video game

The investor, which is committed to empowering women and gender-marginalized devs, is introducing new funding pathways for PC projects of all sizes.

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 17/08/2026

I finished Big Walk last night and I am still so enamored with how thoughtful the multiplayer experience design is. Haven’t completed it yet, so there’s still more to look forward to. I feel like I could play in that world forever.

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Draknek & Friends @draknek.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

We're excited to announce that applications are open for the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant 2026 🎉 The grant will award $15,000 to five thinky puzzle game developers from all over the world, and a year's mentorship with genre veterans. Deadline: September 27th More info 👇

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Kate Gray @hownottodraw.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

the game industry still has such a problem with women, except these days, it hides behind plausible deniability. “she was difficult.” (she had burnout) “she wanted too much.” (she asked for mat leave) “but we’re so diverse!” (we hire women and treat them badly, but it’s not our fault they leave)

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 13/08/2026

idk why but i'm endlessly amused by GDC calling the Friday career day the "Career Faire." Prithee! Come forthwith to ye olde videyo gaime Career Faire, mine comrades.

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Aura/Moom @moomanibe.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

heyyyyy IGF submissions for this year are open! If you're making a cool indie game I would love it if you would submit it! If you're thinking about it but not sure, I outline some reasons why you might (or might not) in detail here auratriolo.com/blog/2024/09...

auratriolo.com

Aura’s IGF Submissions Advice – AURAMBLES

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 10/08/2026

I’ve put about 6 hours into Big Walk now, and I can confirm that if you and your friends like escape rooms, aimlessly exploring, and being cringe, you’re gonna love it. My friends and I paraded through the forest toward an environmental weenie shouting “weiner weiner weiner!” So far it’s my GOTY.

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 08/08/2026

My videogame opinions are always wrong and that’s why they’re good

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 07/08/2026

chat, is it cringe to love yourself?

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 06/08/2026

Big Walk is very, very good.

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 26/07/2026

This speedrun rekindled my interest in Balatro, and has me actually thinking about… MATH?! Quite possibly my favorite GDQ run of all time, which is saying a whole hell of a lot. I just re-watched it this weekend with a similar level of admiration and disbelief, even though I knew how it ended.

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 26/07/2026

I will not be going to Gen Con. I will instead be turning 40. Thank you for your understanding.

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 22/07/2026

It is truly amazing how effective nerve flossing can be for nerve pain in your limbs. It sounds disgusting but it feels so good.

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 21/07/2026

Does everyone wake up confused in the middle of your first night home after a long trip in a very different environment, hallucinating a nonexistent liminal amalgamation of the two places? or is it just me

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Jacob Geller @jacobgeller.com · 11/07/2026

One of the most nerve-wracking, astonishing gaming feats I've seen performed live. Somehow makes Balatro into an actual gambling game and then, through sheer knowledge of the mechanics, forces the house to lose. youtu.be/A7Go7IXlYLg?...

youtu.be

Balatro by adef in 1:04:49 - Summer Games Done Quick 2026

YouTube video by Games Done Quick

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PC Gamer @pcgamer.com · 08/07/2026

"Last year, Microsoft made $101 billion in profits, got a $12.5 billion tax break from Trump and paid its CEO $96 million," Sanders said. "This year, it's raising the price of an Xbox by $150 and eliminating 3,200 jobs. Please don't tell me corporate tax breaks create jobs. It never trickles down."

pcgamer.com

Bernie Sanders is mad about the Xbox layoffs

The senator from Vermont is pretty chapped about the price hikes, too.

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 30/06/2026

I finally got around to reading The Husbands by @hollygramazio.bsky.social and I’m pretty sure it altered my brain chemistry. Genuinely one of the best-written and most interesting books I’ve read recently. I can’t wait for the show!

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Carol Mertz @carolmertz.itch.io · 29/06/2026

If I have ever been weird to you: please forgive me, I am weird

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