iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The Smile Run demo launch may have been a disaster, but I am still working to provide a game worth playing. I went through all of Lily's animations and made some improvements. Mostly minor movements on non-focused areas to make her less stiff. And a new gameplay animation. #indiedev #solodev

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I am working on some last minute improvements to the Smile Run Steam demo release. I will be releasing the demo this afternoon. In the meantime, look at some improvements to Henry's house. I need to add some texture to his chair next. #indiegame #gamedev #indiedev #solodev

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Update. I added a bit of noise to the cave texture and smoothed out the vertices on all the cave parts. I think this looks good compared to the early 3D sharp edges. One piece got destroyed, so I will have to remake it. Also, no more seams. #indiedev #gamedev #solodev #unity #blender

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I have had compliments on this old PS1 look of the cave. But it is the only place in the game with these kinds of sharp edges. Sadly, they have to go. I am working very hard on making sure the art assets look like they are from the same game. #indiedev #solodev #gamedev #unity #blender

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I came up with an alternative tree design that may fit in the middle. I was not a fan of when the leaves were just a blob of color. The one on the right keeps a flatter texture like the rest of the game while having nicer leaves. What do you think? #indiedev #solodev #blender

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Not the same genre, but I think I should try to mimic the look of Backyard Baseball. I have used reference images from the game before, but skill level has kept me from making it look the same.

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I like this feedback. It was something I was afraid of, but it was good to hear. I need to go over everything to make sure it all looks the same. I lost that trying to make Smile Run look "better". I may have to remove the nicer textures on the trees. #indiedev #solodev #gamedev #blender #unity

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I swear that Reddit always downvotes Smile Run out of existence. I struggle there just like everywhere else. I just posted that, so it will probably go up to 2 or 3 by the time it's old. #indiedev #solodev #gamedev

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I had a comment about why the torch and ice cream pickups are shiny while balloons and gold coins are not. I wanted to make sure that critical pickups were highlighted and very visible. Balloons and coins are not critical to the survival of the run. #indiedev #gamedev #solodev

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I made new poses for Kit and Lily to replace the ones in the capsule art (old on the right). This time, I made sure to take the render with both characters in the same scene to keep the lighting the same. Does anyone have any other tips to make the art better? #indiedev #solodev #steam

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Sort of. The forest needs to look more dense just because it is a forest. Each design has a few trees that are always there and about twice that that can randomly spawn in. The cave requires each element to be modeled, so those depend on the shape of the cave.

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Before I apply modifiers, how does this new Kit look to everyone? I am probably still going to play around with the eye shape some more. #solodev #indiedev #blender

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

In today's patch, I decided to update the company logo screen to make sure everyone knew. I wear it like a badge of honor. #indiedev #solodev #gamedev #smile

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Some recent improvements to Smile Run in action. Menu animations and sounds and some nice melting animation for the ice cream timer. I also have a shader that just cuts off the top of the scoop rather than scale that I may try. What do you think? #indiedev #solodev #gamedev #unity

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I was going for a Bad Guys like look to the eyes of my characters. I might be able to get away with removing the eyes and throwing a 2D image onto the mesh. I am reading that the movie used a mix of the two, but I may not be skilled enough for that. #solodev #blender

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

After breaking the center line while making Kit, I finally made a new one. Now I can work on Kit 2.0 and have him symmetrical again. Nobody should ever accuse me of using AI. I would rather my models look like this than use AI. #indiedev #solodev #blender

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I finally have a single ground material that was created in Unity that I can apply on all ground models. It is not perfect, but I can live with it for now. I would not even feel bad shipping with it if I have to. It just does not look good against the other ground. #indiedev #solodev #gamedev

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Although a small part of the scene, I am trying to figure out how to make the ice cream machine look better. I am trying to finish the main menu scene today to the standard I can ship with. If anything stands out, let me know. I know outside is empty. #indiedev #solodev #gamedev #gamedeveloper

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Today's update is some changes to the main menu. I moved the logo to the UI canvas, moved some objects around, and fixed some models. The corners of the counter are properly beveled and not just shaded smooth. Also some camera work. I might add more objects. #indiedev #solodev #gamedev #smile

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

One complaint I had received in the past was that the lack of smoothness on the logo made it look amateurish. I just spent some time remaking the logo with cleaner lines. I hope everyone likes it. It may get another pass before release, but I like how it turned out. #indiedev #solodev #gamedev

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Some work is being done on the "story" screen. Henry's house is looking better. I need to look at some textures that didn't import properly into Unity, but this looks nice. It may be too dark, but I could also add lights for when he is happy. #indiedev #solodev #gamedev

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Today's update is finally a descent looking ground under the sky platforms. It's not great, but once I get some feedback from artists on where I can improve, I will apply a similar texture to all ground areas. #gamedev #solodev #indiedev #smile

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

How do people like these clouds holding up the platforms? I was thinking of replacing them with large roller coaster like columns. Also, sneak peek at some changes I started working on in the sky. And the return of post processing. #indiedev #solodev #gamedev #gamedevelopment

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Kit is almost done with the remodel. I still need to work the eyes more. This is a much cleaner model than what I had before. Even though there are still spots with bad topology. How does it look? I am worried that the arms may be too skinny. Old pics for comparison. #blender #solodev

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Kit 2.0 is now properly connected. I poorly used boolean modifiers on his neck, shoulders, tail, legs, and feet. I removed the messed up geometry and properly connected the edges. Once I fix the remaining non quad faces, I can sculpt out new shoulders and hips to make sense. #blender #solodev

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Does anyone know how to make these eyes the same shape? Since I lost symmetry over time, I can't just mirror the model. #blender

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Happy Sunday. As my first ever 3d character, Kit was not in great shape. I really love how this model fix is coming along. New neck vs old. I am also working hard to convert all faces to quads. Still lots more work to do. Let me know what you think. #solodev #indiedev #blender #gamedev

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Kit was my first character model ever in Blender. I have spent so many hours just fixing Ngons. I am not really sure how to fix some of these. I did some scene objects in 3DS Max for school as an elective (my desk object from photos came out good), but I was in the programming track.

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

The new changes to Kit are really feeling like Kit 2.0. Of course, make changes to the model, and you have to repaint and rig it again. Also, no more fuzzy texture on him and this new version will be used both in game and promotional. #3dmodeling #indiedev #solodev #blender

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

All of the tree varieties have been upgraded. Lower poly count (400 - 500 each vs 700 - 800), more of a textured look to the material, and better origin placement. What do you think? #indiedev #gamedev #solodev #smile #gamedevelopment #3dmodel

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

I am working on new textures for the trees. How does this one look? Ignore the ground. I am still working on that as well.

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

New material for the ground to look a little more presentable. I am getting too many comments that Smile Run looks too amateurish.

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

To celebrate the new players Smile Run is getting, I am playing one of my favorite adventure games (Zniw Adventure from @zidandzniw.bsky.social ). Such an important lesson. Shoving does not give smiles. Now to see if I remember the puzzles in this game. Been a few years. #zniwadventure #smile

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

New banner art for the Itch store page. Hopefully this gets some attention better than the nothing that was there before. I will probably also replace some of the Steam art with this as well. I feel that this better represents the game.

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

While working on a new capsule image for Steam and Itch, I decided to change Lilly's clothes. Both Kit and Lilly were wearing blue. I also made her pants from untextured to officially grey. With her bright body, I figured darker colors looked better.

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

A player suggested a farther camera to see obstacles better. The current build on Itch is testing this angle. So far, people like it. It was also suggested that I remove the alternate angles option.

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

I never showed the improvements to the text in Smile Run. Also, some teasers of what I have been working on in other areas. #indiedev #solodev #gamedev #smile #gamedevelopment

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Mimi has finally made it into Smile Run. Still needs work, but she will be seen working behind the counter. All of the scaling needs to be adjusted so everything looks right.

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

I worked on both of Henry's animations. He is a lot happier now.

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

I was testing something and turned off collisions for a few minutes. What the heck? I was watching a compilation of streamers getting banned live on stream, so I thought it would be funny if Smile Run could ban people.

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

When it is super hot outside, remember to cool off with some ice cream. Do yourself a favor and start an ice cream run.

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

For everyone in the Washington DC area, I will be showcasing Smile Run at the @igdadc.bsky.social Play At The Library event on Saturday, June 27th. I hope to see many of you there.

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

What challenges await in the new cave room pieces? I figured that a piece that was a large room could be reconfigured easier than a ton of new models. Working on more variety in Smile Run. #indiedev #solodev #indiegame #smile #familyfriendlygame

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Difficulty get harder as you play. For context, this is the first level of Smile Run. The first picture is when you first start the level (hidden difficulty 1). The second is at difficulty 10 (highest) after you have been running a while. #indiedev #gamedev #solodev #smile #familyfriendlygame

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Not a fancy update to Smile Run, but hey!! Options. The camera toggle has been in the game for a long time. I decided to have it default off so players do not hit the button and not know what they did. #solodev #indiedev #gamedevelopment #smile #familyfriendlygame

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

I finally built a starting piece for Smile Run that the player will always start with. It's an empty forest piece with no obstacles. This lets the player warm up a couple of seconds before any obstacles show up. I will probably decorate it soon with a banner to encourage the player to have fun.

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

As promised, I got a new professional font to replace the one I made. I have most of the text replaced. Also, a preview of the work I am doing on light and shadows. I am trying to remove the ugly mountains. Some great reactions so far. #indiedev #gamedev #solodev #smile #familyfriendlygame

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Dragonwolf Games @dragonwolfgames.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

I think that the custom text that I made for Smile Run is not the best thing for the game. It may be a little hard to read. I may break down and look for a publicly available font that has a happy look but easier to read. What do you think? #indiedev #gamedev #solodev #smile #familyfriendlygame

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