iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Has anyone else had issues with @Steam wishlist data significantly changing over the last week? Our current outstanding wishlists has nearly dropped by 2,000 since I last checked. It's like they never existed! #indiegamedev #wishlist #indiedev #gamedev

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

After a 2 year break from 3D, I've started to learn #blender ! Here's a low-poly Knight, for the PS1 / PSX ! Currently 527 tris, so I'll be looking to lower it more where I can soon. #3d #gamedev #ps1

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

My laptop has been overheating a lot recently, so figured it was time to open it up and check. Think I found the reason 🤦‍♂️ #dust

A thick patch of dust, from inside my laptop.

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Clicking this special button today 👀 ROVA comes out this morning! Tell everyone aghhhhh!!! #madewithunity #gamedev #cozygaming #indiedev

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

This was quite the jump - thanks everyone 😭🥰

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

ROVA is painfully close to reaching 4,000 wishlists on Steam😭 Help us get there?? 🪐 #mondaymotivation #indiegamedev #cozygaming

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

If our cozy space-rover game, ROVA hits 4k wishlists by the end of the week, I'll add online co-op 😏 #indiegamedev #gaming #indiegame

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Thanks Alex! We're making ROVA, a cozy space-rover photography game 🪐📸 Just released a fresh demo, ready for NextFest : store.steampowered.com/app/3147020/...

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Any tips from #indiegamedev 's on getting your game noticed during #SteamNextFest ?

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Had an absolute blast hosting and taking part in our first GlobalGameJam site! #ggj26 You know it's been a success when you hear people are keen to develop their games further 😄 Massive thanks to @gazthomas.com & @charlesgershom.com for helping organise the event! #indiegamedev #gaming

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Excited to announce we have a jam site for #ggj26, an awesome opportunity to meet local devs and make cool stuff in North Wales 🎉 Please sign up here: globalgamejam.org/jam-sites/20... #indiedev #gamedev #northwales

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Use only ONE art to convince people to follow you / your game

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

This turned into a bit of a rant, so I'll end on a lighter note; I genuinely enjoyed the time I spent with other developers, gamers and creators alike. We need more events and excuses to get together 🫶 #indiegamedev #gaming

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

- Although we arrived at 8am to set up our booth, we didn't even recieve tables or power until 10am (the original advertised opening time) - Those attending were made to wait until the event was ready, which understandably left many feeling sour🙃

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Nothing more gross than websites requiring even more data, no wonder everyone's using VPN's - what a faff 🙃 #censorship #noprivacy

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Super early WIP screenshots, but we're adding weather systems to ROVA 📸🪐 Currently experimenting with dynamic clouds and lighting - rain is next on the list⛈️ #indiegamedev #madewithunity #space

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Our #Indiegame ROVA might not be at #SummerGameFest (who has that money, right?) But you can still check it out on Steam 🥹 👇Linked Below 👇

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

More screenshots leak from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

We just released another update for ROVA's demo (Featuring an Easter Egg hunt and colonist customisation!) 🥚 It's been just over a year since we started development and I couldn't be prouder of the team @freerangedevs.bsky.social 🫶 Please share around, and maybe wishlist? ❤️ #indiegamedev #cozygame

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Rumour has it @freerangedevs.bsky.social are releasing a new update for ROVA's demo soon, featuring colonist customisation. You didn't hear this info from me though🤫 #indiegamedev #cozygaming

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

It was an honour to recieve the Top Player award at last night's Gwobrau Gogledd Creadigol / Creative North Awards 2025. Congratulations to all other winners 🎉 It's inspiring to be surrounded by so much talent from North Wales. What an evening! #indiegamedev #northwales

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Guess who was on #BBC news recently and forgot to shout about it? Briefly talked about #indiegamedev in North Wales and they included some old footage of ROVA 📸🪐 #gaming #cozygames

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Figured it was time to paint my #skateboard 🦴🦴 Do you know the inspiration behind the design? 👀 #customskateboard #skateboarding #sharpie #painting #art

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Learning to #Skateboard Day 2. First time on ramps. Took a while to get used to shifting my weight as I went up, but slowly figured out how to pump without crouching too low 💪 #skateboarding #skatepark

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

Got a #skateboard for my birthday. Time to learn 🛹 I spent a few days messing around on the board in my kitchen, literally just spinning around on the tail (idk what to call that). This was my first proper day moving around 🫡 #skateboarding #skatepark

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Currently making the latest trailer for #ROVA 📸🪐 Better late than never, right? 🙈 #indiegamedev #cozygames #gaming

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Playing a cozy game whilst making a cozy game?🤔 Still surprisingly productive! Enjoying my time with Rusy's Retirement by @MrMorrisGames ! 🤖 #indiegamedev #gaming #cozygames

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Last week I had a great time talking about my 'Gamedev Journey' at Wrexham University and some of the lessons I've learnt over the years. Always enjoy speaking to the next wave of potential developers and catching up with the folks from GamesTalentWales. Some great talks all round! 📢 #indiegamedev

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

ROVA has gained over 1,000 wishlists in the last 2 weeks?!? My mind is blown - this is crazy! Thanks so much to everyone that has wishlist our lil' space rover photo game. We all appreciate it so so much 😭 I'm excited, nervous and ecstatic. #indiegamedev #gaming #ROVA #cozygames

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

We've made a lot of progress with ROVA recently. The new rover model, physics controls and suspension are feeling great 😌 There's a lot more to do, but I'm excited for where this is going 🪐📸 #indiegamedev #gaming #ROVA #cozygames

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 12/11/2024

Had a silly idea whilst working on the new movement system in ROVA Might make it so we can transport these lil' fellas around in the future - what do you think?🤔 #indiegamedev #cozygames #gaming

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 09/11/2024

ROVA's pre-alpha demo hit 10 Positive reviews! 😍 I'm curious to see how much of an impact this magic number will have! Massive thanks to the kind folks that played last night and left a review - I'm glad you enjoyed it! 📸🪐 I guess 50 is the next target 😂 #indiegamedev #cozygame

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 08/11/2024

Meet my #cat, Smudge. She oversees all #indiegamedev operations and ensures I take breaks

A photo of my messy office desk. My cat is sat on top of a CRT monitor, looking judgemental.

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 08/11/2024

ROVA's pre-alpha demo is sooo close to that magic 10 reviews, and that shiny *POSITIVE* next to it 😱 I'm remaking the physics movement (hopefully releasing that update soo!), so expect a MUCH better time driving around the planet 😍 store.steampowered.com/app/3147020/... #indiegamedev #cozygame

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 02/11/2024

I've not really done localization before, but figured I'd start early with ROVA🌍 Unity's built-in system seems pretty good so far and it's exciting see the menus in Welsh! It'll be a while until we get professional translations #indiedev #gamedev #cozygame #madewithunity

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 30/10/2024

Has anyone else had this weird bug in Unity where all previews are just grey? It only shows assets when I click-drag them, but goes grey again when I stop. Previews in shader graph are also grey (no workaround). I'm using Unity 2022.3.18f1 #indiegamedev #unity #madewithunity #indiedev

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 24/10/2024

Whaaaaaaat ?!?! 😱 ROVA gained 145 wishlists overnight!! 🥳😍 #indiegamedev #cozygames

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 24/10/2024

It's the little things that make #indiegamedev worth it

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 22/10/2024

This is my indie game at sunset 🪐 (We'll actually add the sun to the sky in a future update 🤫)

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 22/10/2024

It's mad to think all our screenshots / videos will need updating again soon 🙈 Although I'm quite excited for the new UI changes coming to ROVA this week! Posting these screenshots before they're out of date 🫶 #gamedev #indiedev #cozygaming #cozygame #madewithunity

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Tom Stephenson @developertom1.bsky.social · 21/10/2024

This has to be one of my favourite bugs I just fixed in ROVA 😅🪐 As a joke I put a broom on this colonist's head (Hallween costume). The broom had a collider, which stopped this lil' person from going to bed! #gamedev #cozygames #cozygaming #indiedev #bugs

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