iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

DevDave @davidhardie.net · 15/09/2026

A few thoughts on Unreal Engine GAS after my time with it: www.davidhardie.net#blog TLDR: There's friction and frustration, but less than if I was building from scratch. It's a definite recommendation, even with a pixel art setup. #unreal #gamedev

davidhardie.net

Hardie Softworks

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 02/09/2026

Just over a year ago, the antagonists were found irl.

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 21/07/2026

getting back into pixel UV mapping, but this time trying out some layering strategies. this would make characters with custom equipment feasible while keeping a certain aesthetic. can sometimes look a little trippy.

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 21/07/2026

i worry for Unreal Engine's future. there are rumblings that Disney may want to purchase Epic Games. if that happens, start the clock on enshittification. my guess is they'll gate features behind paywalls. line only go up. #unrealengine #gamdev #indiegamedev

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 21/07/2026

yeah, you could say i'm a gamer.

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 16/06/2026

why is it always like this

a person holding up a megaphone to their phone in a desperate ettempt to hear the person on the line. The person says "hello welcome to fucker helpdesk PLEASE HOLD"
the caller is then bombarded with loud noises. the text reads: THE LOUDEST MOST DISTORTED ELEVATOR MUSIC BEAMED DIRECTLY TO YOUR EARDRUMS

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 15/06/2026

gave state trees a try. felt familiar but didnt quite hit for me #unrealengine #gamedev

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 11/06/2026

In Kiopioke you're a bird 🐦 who pokes your beak into objects and flings into the air. You also play as an elephant 🐘 with a stretchy trunk. Hundreds of levels, multiple endings, secret areas, and quirky characters. 🕹️ 🔗 store.steampowered.com/app/2696660/... www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC7g...

youtube.com

Kiopioke Release Date: July 18. Gameplay Trailer

YouTube video by Hardie Softworks

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 05/06/2026

It looks like Steam's popular upcoming algo has been changed; it's gonna hurt small games bigtime. From what I gather, the wishlist cutoff is something like 300K where it used to be 7K-10K. Ouch. This vid explains it and the probable downsides. www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYML... #gamedev #indiegame

youtube.com

The Steam Marketing Meta just got worse...

YouTube video by BiteMe Games

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 01/06/2026

A lot of people on Steam still don't know that getting the first 10 reviews is imperative. Once my game hit that mark, the discovery queue started showing my game. So, uh, if you liked a game and the dev team is small, please drop a review. Otherwise it stays buried. #gamedev

graph showing steam page views for Kiopioke over time from July 2024 to August 2024. Views are under 500 per day until the 10 review threshold is hit, then views spike to over 4500 in a day.

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 28/05/2026

Occasionally refactoring and starting to notice something as RAM prices skyrocket. If this continues then maybe I can fit my game on a SNES cart. #solodev #gamedev

graph showing avg price of RAM in the first few months of 2026. Price increases for about 9 to almost 18. Graph also shows asset class size in MiB over time. One is for Disk size, which reduces from about 24 to 18. The other is for Memory Size, reducing from about 23 to 15.

memory size map showing class dependencies

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 24/05/2026

So this is the output of the wOrLd ChAnGiNg tool of the future? An "agent" who replies to a 10 month old post to spew "advice" on *checks quote* "tiered progression systems" and "paywalled content." For a platformer meant to be 5-10 hours. Brilliant. No fucking notes. #gamedev

a great example of what AI agents actually do: nothing of value.

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 20/05/2026

Visualizing NPC zone coverage with a whiteboard and kids magnets. Of course the home team defence are the stars. #gamedev

Whiteboard of ice hockey defensive zone coverage.

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 14/05/2026

guys i think its been enough time that i can finally say this: risk of rain 2 OST is a certified classic and i'm never going to stop listening to it, not even if you tell me to. yes i'm that committed, so don't even try. #music #ost music.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

music.youtube.com

Risk of Rain 2 - Album by Chris Christodoulou

Listen to Risk of Rain 2 by Chris Christodoulou on YouTube Music - a dedicated music app with official songs, music videos, remixes, covers, and more.

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 08/05/2026

Having trouble figuring something out, so I'm trying some really simple language pseudo code. Maybe too simple. This will surely lead to a solution. #gamedev #unrealengine

Pseudo code reading:

important opponent(s) enters my zone
i am defender. i am responsible. so is my friend
is he around? where is he?
i cover 2 bads? or maybe MORE?
i know! triangels

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 05/05/2026

Here's how I do sprite recolouring: -Apply UV map pixels to a sprite -Use the UV values to select colours from a Coloured UV --->add customization options like hair colour, beard, etc -Add shading #gamedev #pixelart #Habs

png of a sprite recolouring process. Shows each step of the process. Text is:
Title: How I Recoloured Sprites (general process)
UV Map + Character Sprite = UV Mapped Sprite
UV Mapped Sprite + Coloured UV with Character Options + Shading = Final Sprite.

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 04/05/2026

Been spinning my wheels on NPC behaviour logic, particularly on how NPCs should choose another NPC to defend against in a sports setting. Finding literature and examples has been difficult. Anyone know a direction I could explore? #gamedev

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 14/04/2026

I think the saying goes "fifth time's the charm" #hockey #NHL #oilers #kings

meme of cartoon kid praying on his bed. He says "Please god let the oilers play the kings in the first round again because it would be so fucking funny."

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 05/04/2026

Felt the urge to update and refresh my site. Goal was to keep it clean, make it more "dark mode", and sort the updates. Also gave me a chance to move to Bootstrap5 and learn some new javascript tricks. Happy with the result. www.davidhardie.net

davidhardie.net

Hardie Softworks

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 28/03/2026

Here's an interesting watch about a dev couple executing a strong vision to create a game based on Irish mythology which is often borrowed and misconstrued by other games.

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 06/03/2026

It's Bandcamp Friday and I'm really proud to share the album I created called Kiopioke: Songbird. Hard charging tunes that build excitement with catchy melodies. Perfect for work or workouts. #bandcampfriday #music #chiptune #OST davidhardie.bandcamp.com/album/kiopio...

davidhardie.bandcamp.com

Kiopioke: Songbird, by David Hardie

14 track album

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 12/02/2026

What other stats do you want to see in a hockey game? #gamedev #hockey

a data structure showing player stats: speed, shot power, shot accuracy, faceoffs

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 06/02/2026

Refactoring from Behaviour Trees to State Trees. help #unrealengine

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 03/02/2026

Test was a success. Absolutely thrilled to continue the project! #gamedev

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 03/02/2026

Testing Steam Remote Play Together on a prototype tonight with some friends. High hopes for this one, wish me luck! #gamedev #steam

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 28/01/2026

HoF trolling from this #Habs fan. For those not in the know, the 67 is not some reference to the meme, but rather to the last time the Leafs won the Cup, 1967. (Montreal has 10 cups since then.) They aren't even playing Toronto. Just chef's kiss work from this legendary hater. #NHL #hockey

picture from a broadcast of a Habs/Vegas NHL game. The camera is focused on The Vegas coach, but a fan in the background is stealing the spotlight; he is wearing a Canadiens jersey with the nameplate "Leafs Suck" and the number 67, a reference to the last year the Leafs won a Cup.

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 25/01/2026

West games are on late so I don't know how Calgary and Vancouver do their powerplays and penalty kills, but based on the stats, I'm guessing it looks like this. #pixelart #nhl

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 23/01/2026

Just found out about PaperZD. It enables animation blueprints for sprites. With state machines. It's...it's glorious. The multi-directional feature 😙🤌 #gamedev #unrealengine #pixelart

screenshot of unreal engine PaperZD Animation blueprint with a pixel art hockey player. User has highlighted the multi-directional feature as a "game changer".

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Reposted by DevDave

DevDave @davidhardie.net · 12/01/2026

listen up NERDS, this is your new pricing guide: wanna price your game at 4, 5, 6, 7.99, or 8? ---> your price is 8 what about 2? ---> your price is 3 what about 0? -->your price is 2 10? ---> 12 13? --->15 got it? #gamedev #indiegamedev

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 12/01/2026

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Reposted by DevDave

Ottawa Games @ottawagames.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Happy new year! Let's start 2026 with a bang through these awesome events: www.ottawagames.info/events/ Jan 8 | Ottawa Game Makers: The use of dark patterns in video games and the legal implications Jan 23 - 25 | Eh! Game Jam Jan 26 - Feb 1 | Global Game Jam #events #ggj #gamejam #gamedev

ottawagames.info

Events

Events happening in Ottawa, Canada that relate to the game development industry.

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Reposted by DevDave

Barry @barrysdevhell.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Had some time to play indie games over Xmas! Really enjoying playing Kiopioke with @bibdu.bsky.social - developed by @davidhardie.net

Pixel art indie game with a little red bird on a laptop screen

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 26/12/2025

The delivery guy trying to make his last delivery before Christmas #gamedev

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 15/12/2025

I made this using a series of render targets. The chug was so real that the engine consistently and frequently crashed. So I remade it using materials (shaders) and wow, what an improvement. From literally unusable to buttery smooth. Lesson learned. #unreal

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 12/12/2025

Happy early crimbus. Kiopioke -> 80% off store.steampowered.com/app/2696660/...

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Reposted by DevDave

DevDave @davidhardie.net · 20/11/2025

Here's what I did this year: www.davidhardie.net/retrospectiv... A coffee read about love, failure, disappointment, growth, patience, and determination. TW: multiple instances of scope creep spoiler alert: some successes too! #gamedev

davidhardie.net

David Hardie

A Hardie Softworks 2025 Retrospective

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Reposted by DevDave

Cococucumber @cococucumber.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Excited to connect with more of our fellow Ontario game studios + devs, so we put together these Ontario Game Devs starter packs! go.bsky.app/8jZjEfP go.bsky.app/7FjqDhQ Give them a follow! 🎮🍁

go.bsky.app

Ontario Game Devs Pack #1

Join the conversation

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 20/11/2025

davidhardie.net

David Hardie

A Hardie Softworks 2025 Retrospective

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 17/11/2025

And here's how smaller-media defines Indie: @sixoneindie.com The Indie Game Awards 2025 GOTY Noms: Same list minus Ball X Pit, and adds: and Roger - 39 Citizen Sleeper 2 - 41 Consume Me - no listing but it looks to be <20 Keep Driving - 30 Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo - 55 #gamede

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 17/11/2025

Here's what mainstream defines as Indie. Game Awards 2025 Best Indie Game Noms: Game - approx # credits (from @mobygames.com) Clair Obscur - 400 Absolum - 360 Ball X Pit - 290 Hades 2 - 130 Blue Prince - 110 Silksong - 90 I hope all the tiny teams out there aren't getting discouraged... #gamedev

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 12/11/2025

In the past year I have completed 4 prototypes and 1 major patch release. Was I spinning my tires on those little games or did I need those experiences to be ready for the next big one? Either way, I found it and I'm ready to take it all the way. Thank you all for your kind words. #gamedev

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 05/11/2025

Looking for people's thoughts on Steam Remote Play: -How was your experience with Steam Remote Play? -What games have you played on it and how many people were connected? -How was the lag? -How did it compare to something like Parsec? (if you have used that) #gamedev #steam #retrogaming

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 22/10/2025

Any need by #UnrealEngine users for an analog controller plugin? It converts player input into 360 degree values, normalized values, and square coordinates. It also gives designers a quick way to change deadzones. If there's interest I can go thru the effort to make it available (free) #gamedev

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 16/10/2025

Continuation of my #nhl sprites. I can paint team "kits" in a generic .png file and apply them to a model that mimics UV maps, but for #pixelart. This way I only have to draw a sprite once and then I can create new team variations quickly. I think this is similar to how they did it for NHL94

pixel art of hockey players, home and away sprites for the Atlantic division of the NHL: Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins.

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 30/09/2025

In my game, you play as a 🐦birb. You've got a wacky beak that can be used like a springboard to launch around levels. Not persuaded yet? There's also an 🐘elephant with a wacky trunk that can grab things. Still not convinced? How about 75% off? store.steampowered.com/app/2696660/... 🎮 #gamedev

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 23/09/2025

Hey, it's another day and the cycle continues.

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DevDave @davidhardie.net · 19/09/2025

Trying out some low poly modelling with low resolution texturing. My first experience in Blockbench. Even if it is missing functionality that Blender has, I found it more fun. I think the limitations help with establishing a style! #3dmodelling #pixelart #lowpoly

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