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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Here's a closeup of the Yokai Hunter charms. Several different designs and some destruction animation. These were super fun to make! #gamedev #pixelart

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I have created a brand new trailer for Mizuki and the Crimson Moon, showcasing all of the work that I've put into it the past few months. Check it out! youtu.be/ME53YGODtZA #indiegame #demo #trailer #gamemaker #kitsune

youtu.be

Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Steam NextFest Trailer

YouTube video by Mizuki and the Crimson Moon Official

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Yeeeesssss! Cave Story is one of my favorite games! I hope you enjoy it to the end! The creator, Pixel, is one of my big role models for making good games. Which boss are you stuck on if you don’t mind me asking? (I won’t spoil anything!)

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

It's a charm swarm! The charms the Yokai Hunter uses suppress Mizuki's ability to teleport and explode on contact! Don't worry, she can destroy them. Just be careful! #screenshotSaturday #gamedev #indiegame

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Made an animation for a new enemy (first one in a while!) This guy focuses on blocking attacks and counterattacking and is the final human enemy that Mizuki can fight in the Yokai Forest. #pixelart #gamedev #animation #indiegame #gamemaker

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

While testing some boss features I created something cool on accident. Those zones usually cancel teleportation, but now the reverse is happening... A coding bug? Nah, sounds more like a new feature for future stages / bosses! #screenshotSaturday #gamedev #indiegame #gamemaker #kitsune

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

At the request of one of my discord members, I added a little Touhou easter egg into Mizuki and the Crimson Moon. It'll be 'chilling' at the right side of Yokai Village throughout this weekend only. Who could it be? #gamedev #indiegame #touhou #touhou_project #gamemaker

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I’ve been getting all his attack patterns finished first. Just about done with them too! Art is going to be the hard part though…

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I'm kinda late to the party, so hopefully that's okay. Here's Mizuki from my game Mizuki and the Crimson Moon. I'm excited to see her in your style if you have time for her. No worries if not! If you want more info about Mizuki feel free to ask!

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I've been super busy working on the first boss this week, but I don't have anything I can show yet... Here's some cool gameplay of my indie game though! #gamedev #screenshotSaturday #indiegame #gamemaker

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

A big new version of Mizuki and the Crimson Moon is out! It comes with lots of nice graphical improvements, bug fixes, and other small tweaks. If you ever wanted to try a teleportation-based platformer inspired my feudal Japan, now is a great time! #screenshotSaturday #indiegame #gamedev #gamemaker

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Every now and then I get a good path made in a level but then wonder "Wait, is this direction clear enough? What can I do to make it better?" And then I remember, "That's right, coins!" 🪙🪙🪙 I've hidden bonus coins around stages too! #gamedev #indiegame #gamemaker #teleportation #coins

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Forgot to mention there are collectibles too! Just not pictured here.

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Two different types of coins, yep! In total there are 4 different values of coins you can get in the game. Bronze, silver, gold, and then just a bag of money.

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

This is what intense gameplay looks like for Mizuki and the Crimson Moon! Loving all the new effects that I've added in over the month too. #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamedev #gamemaker

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Particle effects are so much fun to play with. Check out these new teleport effects that I made! The effect disappears when the teleport location isn't valid. #gamedev #indiegame #particles #gamemaker

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

I realized something similar after posting. There are thorn hazards that you can’t teleport through, but using an additional image might help with that. Or maybe even better, teach it later where it is relevant.

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

And here's the "answer". You can teleport through objects you can see through but not through solid objects. My current plan is to use images for a quick visual example, and then signs for clearer descriptions...thoughts?

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

I've been playing around with better ways to convey information, like tutorials. I've designed a rough example here. I need to know, can you tell what you can and cannot do to progress? Is the ability showcase clear enough? #screenshotSaturday #gamedev #indiegame #tutorial

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Finishing up a new animation. I kinda like it but also feel like something is off. Is there too much movement? Maybe the movement is too "bouncy"? Something else? Oh well, it's probably fine, right? Feel free to critique it! #pixelart #animation #gamedev #indiegame

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

I was able to add another needed feature this week. Mizuki can now recover the money she loses after getting knocked out! 50% is lost for good and the other 50% appears in this handy bag she can re-collect. Just don't get knocked out again! #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiegame #gamemaker

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

I’ve accidentally made some cursed hitboxes. Don’t ask me how Mizuki got there, it was pure luck…and yeah, she is not amused. #indiegame #gamedev #hitboxes #GameMaker

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Nothing flashy but very important regardless! Settings are now accessible from anywhere in the game! It wasn't the toughest to set up, but definitely took some playing around. Also killed lots of bugs today. #screenshotSaturday #gamedev #indiegame #gamemaker #menu

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I was working on knockback effects so I went to see how the counter looked and... WOW! It was way more than I meant, but maybe it should stay this way? I kinda like it. #gamedev #indiegame

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Dang, you attacked me before I had the chance to attack you. This looks amazing, thank you! Always makes me happy to see art of Mizuki. Also, hate to break it to you, but she actually wears socks, so you never had to draw bare feet 😅. But hey, at least you practiced something new, right?

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

I played around a bit with types of knock-back during the week and am pretty happy with what I made! It's a semi-dynamic system that really adds to the 'hit' effect of attacking. I'll be polishing all of this up next week. Stay tuned! #screenshotSaturday #gamedev #indiegame #gamemaker #particles

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Yep! Hit-stop frames are completely separate. There’s functionality included to adjust them per enemy / attack, but I haven’t needed to use that yet.

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

I just realized I should have clarified what I had before the new stuff. It was just hit-stop and some particles that weren’t really visible. It was tough to see if attacks were really hitting.

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Hit-stop is calculating using the wait of the attack for the player attacks and enemy attacks, with light and heavy attacks being the two type.

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

One piece of feedback that I've received a lot is that it needs to be more obvious when an enemy is damaged. Well after putting it off for so long, here's what I got! Hit-stop, hit-flash, and particles! Should it be more? Or is this enough? #screenshotSaturday #gamedev #indiegame #gamemaker

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

That’s also objects (assuming we’re talking about the same thing). The only thing that uses particles is the initial burst. Everything else is objects and sprite manipulation.

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Here's a slow-motion of the particles I made for the teleportation dodge mechanic! I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. It's a mix of using particles and objects to accomplish the complete effect. Check out the full clip in the comments! #gamedev #gamemaker #particles #indiegame

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Teleportation dodges! I've added a new feature that makes teleportation even cooler and more crucial for combat. If you're able to dodge an enemies attack with a teleport, you'll get the wisp back allowing for follow-ups and more! #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiegame #teleportation

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Oh yeah, my username on ArtFight is the same as here: CritsOnAStick

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Hey! I'm participating in ArtFight this year thanks to some encouragement. If you want to give me a follow, I'll try to do some art for you! (Not guaranteed though because game dev and life is busy). Happy ArtFight! (Mizuki art by LilacHoney; I love it!) #artfight #krita #art

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Who likes insta-death hazards in action platformers? No? Well, it's a good thing I adjusted how "insta-death" hazards work! Each deadly hazard (or pit) will now just damage you and respawn you in a convenient point and only kill you on low health. #screenshotSaturday #gamedev #indiegame #gamemaker

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

The colors all look good to me! Having an outline around the enemies and such is definitely essential. Trying to keep the values of colors different from the background will definitely help though too.

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

I added a feature that's been needed for a while. The camera now pans in the direction that Mizuki is teleporting! Other than planning teleports, it's useful for looking around too. I also have something big for teleporting planned coming next week! #screenshotSaturday #gamedev #indiegame #gamemaker

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Got burnt out, came back with a vengeance. I had fun getting resolution stuff working over the weekend. You can play Mizuki and the Crimson Moon on a super tiny display if you feel like it! #gamedev #indiegame #gamemaker

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

I'm still hardcore struggling to get environmental lighting to blend well with my dynamic lighting... But what do you think about these cool attack / teleport effects I was able to make in the meantime? #screenshotSaturday #gamedev #indiegame #lighting #gamemaker #yokai

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Well, it's not in the demo *quite* yet, but I've been working on some nice dynamic lighting

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Getting a lighting system to work *just* right has been a struggle this week, it's been taking up all my game dev time. Here's hoping I get it done next week! #gamedev #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamemaker

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

After weeks of debugging and studying code, I have finally implemented dynamic lighting into Mizuki and the Crimson Moon! I'm super excited to start doing more things with shaders and beautifying the game! #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiegame #gamemaker #lighting

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

I have nothing to post for today because I got sucked into developing lighting and some other graphical features. Here's some of the weird bugs I encountered during my coding struggles today! A sprite dump and giant Mizuki. #screenshotSaturday #gamedev

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Of all the animations that I reworked for Mizuki, the falling animation is the one I'm the proudest of. On the left you have a graceful fall with movement from her hair, tails, and outfit. On the right...two frames of sadness. #pixelart #gamedev #pixelanimation #indiegame #gamemaker

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Thank you so much! Took a while to get those animations down, glad you like them!

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Mizuki and the Crimson Moon - Demo Released! @critsonastick.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

I finished up with all the new movement animations and rework. Jumps transition into running and vice versa much better. I'm also completely in love with the new falling animation. It's so smooth! #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #pixelart #gamemaker #indiegame

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