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Rory

@cojokerogames.bsky.social
57 followers 122 following 134 posts

Solo indie dev from New Zealand (sometimes a team of two). Working on Minutes to Meltdown, a 1-4 player coop chaos management game. store.steampowered.com/app/4269700/… youtube.com/@cojokerogames?si=nieVg…

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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 2h
Thought it might be time to update my pinned post! I am working on Minutes to Meltdown as a solo dev. A co-op nuclear power plant management game. Avoid hazards. Export power. Don't have a Meltdown! #indiedev #indiegame #pixelart
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Isolate. Repair. Reset. Electrical safety is vitally important at the Halycon Nuclear Power Plant!! #indiegame #indiedev #pixelart #gamedev
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
One of my favourite shots from my game. If you're inclined towards co-op chaos, a wishlist does wonders for my burnout haha #screenshotsaturday #pixelart #minutestomeltdown
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GameBrief @gamebrief.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Sound design is the cheapest upgrade a small game gets and the last one it receives. A parry that lands with the right thunk can make mediocre animation feel crisp. What was the last indie game where audio carried the combat for you? #indiedev #soulslike
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Corby Games Studio @acorbinelli.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Every ten things the cat breaks, you pick a card. ANTIGRAVITY switches gravity off for five seconds; ACID VOMIT melts whatever it touches. Neither one helps the owner. Free demo on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/5313430 #ScreenshotSaturday #indiedev #gamedev
Give Him a Break! gameplay: a yellow-walled room on fire and full of broken furniture, timer at 0:25, receipt total $8,497, with two power cards offered: Antigravity (5 seconds) and Acid Vomit (2 seconds).
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Not gonna lie, I am super happy with how my menu has turned out... about 10 font changes and 5 colour scheme changes later... normalize showing off your UI!! #minutestomeltdown #gamedev #indiedev #UI #UX
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Just finished another big update for Minutes to Meltdown. This time was sfx and vfx. I changed about 50% of my sfx to improve quality. It always blows my mind how much sound can impact a game. Quality sfx can be overlooked at times. Vfx is the icing and adds that extra immersion. #indiedev #gamedev
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A video I made from last nights playtest.. gameplay was fun (the most important metric) #indiedev #gamedev #pixelart #minutestomeltdown
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The technicians from Minutes to Meltdown.. trying to decide whether I opt for 3D models... I'm trying to figure out how to make them fully reskinnable (with ease) and better ways to create verbs. Animating pixel art is a slog... #indiedev #pixelart #2Danimation
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The helper bots are sometimes less helpful than planned... Ngl, the second one looked intentional. One of my favourite mechanics I've added in Minutes to Meltdown #MinutestoMeltdown #indiedev #gamedev #pixelart
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I probably should have known the decontamination showers + fire extinguishers + smooth jazz would lead to steamy shower scenes in Minutes to Meltdown... #indiedev #pixelart #coop #gamedev
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
A little snippet of my gamedev journey. Probably one of my favourite mechanics I've done. The ultimate ability for my character called Caliber. I recently finished improving the sfx and vfx. Crazy how much time you can spend on something that lasts 10 seconds. #gamedev #indiedev #pixelart
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
A little showcase of our character's special abilities in CybArena. Do you have a favourite? #indiedev #gamedev #pixelart
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Anyone else looking to avoid the GTA VI release window and fanfare for any of their game releases? Normally I wouldn't hold back due to another game's release but I feel like GTA VI is going to be the biggest most anticipated release of a game we've seen. #indiedev
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
My dev partner and I overhauled the very first game we released called CybArena. This was a passion project and a learning curve, but two years later it now resembles a somewhat professional game... maybe? I can't believe how far we've come. #indiedev #pixelart #cyberpunk
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Casey S. Pumpkins 🎃 @caseyexplosion.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
"Indies will save us" No! YOU WILL SAVE INDIES! Go leave a review for that neat indie game you like, share the trailer for an upcoming game you're anticipating, tell your fave developer they did a good job, go tell people about such and such game that's just come out, you can make a difference!
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
I am doing an open playtest for my game Minutes to Meltdown. If you enjoy a coop chaos game feel free to give it a go! This Friday to Sunday PST. All feedback is appreciated #indiedev #playtest #indiegame #coopgaming
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Finally have had time to start overhauling my menu navigation and UI to prep for the first playtest... Still a work in progress but here is the whole evolution. All done in aseprite and still learning a lot... #pixelart #indiedev #gamedev #UI
Minutes to Meltdown iteration 1Menu iteration 2Menu iteration 3
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Very nervous but I am at the point where I can start doing some public playtests. I've been MIA quietly chipping away, quietly dealing with bugs. #indiedev #gamedev #pixelart #coop
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
The tutorial for Minutes to Meltdown is done! One step closer to a demo. I am already nervous. #indiedev #gamedev #coopgaming
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Dyrkabes @dyrkabes.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
When you skip one zero in death defiance stat and your units are basically undestroyable #indiedev #gamedev #idlegame #incrementalgame
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
First time doing #screenshotsaturday Here's some pictures from my game, Minutes to Meltdown. It's a damage control game for 1-4 players. I love making this little chaos simulator. #indiedev #gamedev #pixelart #nuclearenergy
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Dyrkabes @dyrkabes.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
From a few struggling units… to total battlefield chaos. New Incremental RTS trailer #gamedev #indiedev #indiegamedev #unity3d
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Tutorial creation is hard as a person that often skips them. Trying to strike the balance between not being too long but not leaving mechanics unexplained, and there are a lot of mechanics in Minutes to Meltdown! #indiedev #indiegame #gamedev
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Me naming my git commits to ensure I have no idea what they include for future reference. #indiedev #github #dev
static.klipy.com
Smart Data Automation
ALT: Smart Data Automation
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Current feels #marketing #indiedev #gamedev
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
How do I attain this level of peace? Ironically her name is Indi (unintentional). #indiedev #puppy #dogswithjobs #dogdev
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
A paradox/conundrum I find in indie dev is the desire to support indie creators while being on the budget of an indie dev. I'd love to contract work to sound, voicework, video editing. Sometimes it feels like an expectation, but a lot of us don't have the budget for it. #indiedev #indie
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Verprise @verprise.com · 26/06/2026
It took me a long time to realize that gamedev is a journey of failures, each one teaching me something I missed. #indiedev #gamedev
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
It's not as much as some but it's the best I've ever had a reel do and still going strong. Marketing is such hard work so it's nice to see some pay off for #MinutestoMeltdown #marketing #gamedev #indiedev #steam
Minutes to Meltdown Marketing video
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
I played the Box Knight demo on steam made by @wematgames.bsky.social. Absolutely worth a play if you like beatemups. Blown away by the Aussie talent across the ditch! They also took inspo from Double Dragon which is my childhood favourite on the NES. store.steampowered.com/app/1678650/...
store.steampowered.com
Box Knight on Steam
Fight. Die. Repeat. Become the Box Knight and brawl through a monster-infested office, floor by floor, boss by boss, in this irreverent action roguelike.
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
I've been told my new map for #MinutestoMeltdown is giving #Rimworld and #SS13 vibes (not complaining). It's a pixel art reactor facility. Looking at some of my old work, I'm happy with how far I've come! #pixelart #gamedev #leveldesign #nuclear
Minutes to Meltdown nuclear facility map
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
If you ever see me mention a "co-developer" this is who I am talking about. Strengths: - Being a good puppy - Making sure I take breaks - Being the cutest - Eating things she shouldn't Weaknesses - Coding - Game art - Marketing strategies - Honest feedback #indiedev #puppy #developer
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
New fire and extinguisher mechanic in #MinutestoMeltdown. For workplace safety. And, regrettably, for nudging your colleagues around. The foam adds a nice sliding mechanic too. #indiedev #pixelart #steam #gamedev
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
What hazards might you encounter in Minutes to Meltdown? Still working on my video editing skills. Still pretending to enjoy making these videos :) #indiedev #gamedev #steamgames #minutestomeltdown
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
My final before and after for my map progress for Minutes to Meltdown. Pretty happy. Pretty tired. Now I can hopefully stop obsessing over map updates when I'm at my day job... On to my next improvement fixation (demo) #indiedev #indiegaming #coopgaming #minutestomeltdown #pixelart
Old map for Minutes to MeltdownNew updated map for Minutes to Meltdown.
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
After a long and arduous period of redesign and a game name change, I have finished my third map redesign (mostly) which has allowed me to finish my third and (hopefully) final gameplay trailer. Demo next. store.steampowered.com/app/4269700/... #indiedev #indiegaming #gamedev #MinutestoMeltdown
store.steampowered.com
Minutes to Meltdown on Steam
Co-op reactor disaster for 1-4 players. Pipes burst, cables short, machinery fails. You have 10 minutes to keep it from going critical. Best played with friends and a lot of yelling.
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
What a grind. Updated map is mostly complete. Some more decor to add + behind the scenes mechanics. Happy with the progress and the new look! Need to get the store page updated.. (old map for reference) store.steampowered.com/app/4269700/... #indiedev #pixelart #devlog #coopgame #indiegame
New map made using pixel art for my game "Minutes to Meltdown"Old map for reference
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
What would indie dev be without overhauling my entire map and sprites? Work in progress but some key overhauls and new systems added. Once the decorations are in I think it will give the atmosphere and game mechanics a much needed upgrade. (ignore the yellow roofs) #indiedev #nuclear #pixelart
Picture of new and updated facilityBefore picture (old map)
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Interestingly I never considered using bluesky as an indie dev. (I'm not one for social media in general). Turns out this is a great place to relate to other indie devs. I'm no expert, but I see so much amazing work out there. It's great connecting with people through game dev (mostly shared pain)
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
I spent the day on my weakest skills. Marketing and video editing. Rewrote Meltdown's Steam page and posted another Safety Training Video. Open to feedback on what's landing and what isn't.
Two sections of the Meltdown Steam page in weathered amber typography on dark background. Headers read 'EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED. EVERYTHING IS BREAKING' and 'EVERYTHING IS A HAZARD' with body copy in the in-universe voice of Halcyon Energy corporate documentationTwo more sections of the Meltdown Steam page. Headers read 'JOB DESCRIPTION: TECHNICIAN' and 'EMPLOYMENT DISCLAIMER' with body copy formatted as a corporate job posting and disclaimer for the in-universe Halcyon Nuclear Power Plant.
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Safety Training Video #2: Electrical Safety. Safety is paramount.
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
If you're a solo/small dev op and would like someone to play a demo for you let me know! I have a wide range of games I like to play :)
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Rory @cojokerogames.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Hey Bluesky! I'm a solo dev in New Zealand working on Meltdown, a 1-4 player co-op game about keeping a nuclear reactor from melting down. 10-minute runs of cascading chaos. Here's a moment from one of my playtests!
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