iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by David Thatcher

The Zium Railway (Available September 13th) @theziumsociety.itch.io · 13/09/2026

In the Valley of the Underground Mountain, within the compartment nation of Lyptch... 🛤️🏛️🎨The Zium Railway🎨🏛️🛤️ an open world gallery, a new exhibition, now available! Free admission. Be welcomed and enjoy. thezium.art/theziumrailway

youtu.be

The Zium Railway - Exhibition Now Open

YouTube video by The Zium Gallery

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

For #RandomGameSaturday today, I pulled out Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? for the PSP.

The front cover of Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? for the PSP. The art features one of the penguin-like Prinnies that originated in the Disgaea series.

The back cover of Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? for the PSP. The blurb reads "Every life is precious. Except his." There are some screenshots, and underneath another line of blurb, "From the creators of Disgaea comes their first ever action game!"

The inside of Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? for the PSP, showing the manual and the UMD.

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is San Francisco Rush 2049 for the Dreamcast. This version's much more affordable than the N64 release, which goes for upwards of £600.

The back cover of San Francisco Rush 2049 for the Dreamcast. There are three screenshots of the game down the right side, and blurbs in three languages; English, Italian and Spanish.

The inside of San Francisco Rush 2049 for the Dreamcast, showing the manual and the disc.

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Phantom Brave for the PS2. I got this shortly after playing a bunch of Disgaea, and was really into it for a while, but then I just stopped playing for some reason. All I remember is that you can pick up and throw trees. And maybe the trees can level up? Unclear.

The front cover of Phantom Brave for the PS2. It features the two primary characters, and the blurb, "Buy it for God's Sake!" from www.Eurogamer.net.

The back cover of Phantom Brave for the PS2, featuring the tagline, "Imagination knows no limit..." and three fairly opaque screenshots.

The inside of Phantom Brave for the PS2, showing the manual and the game disc.

The second disc of Phantom Brave for the PS2, a CD containing the soundtrack.

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Reposted by David Thatcher

john.flannelly @gemstonez.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Pillars of the Community features contributions made in Become a Great Artist in Just 10 Seconds (by @smestorp.bsky.social and @dryad.technology ) from members of the @secretlivesofgames.bsky.social discord and @insertcredit.com forums. I can't wait for you to see it!

Poster for Pillars of the Community by John Flannelly & Virtual Neighbors. On display in The Zium Railway

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Brandon Sheffield @brandon.insertcredit.com · 14/08/2026

Well, we did it - more than $250k for game devs who have been laid off, to be distributed by @videogameworkers.bsky.social. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who donated their time, games, and money to help folks out in a time of need.

A screenshot of the game industry hardship bundle on itch.io, which has made $252,466.19 from 18,598 contributors.

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

The Game Industry Hardship Fund bundle has almost hit $250,000 with 1 day to go! That's mad. I put The Sirena Expedition in it, so if you want to pay twice the usual price for it and also get 100+ other games and donate to a good cause, you can do that! That is a thing you can do.

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Brandon Sheffield @brandon.insertcredit.com · 09/08/2026

I've upped the goal one last time!! Can we get this fund for out of work game developers to $250k in the next four days!?

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Gran Turismo Concept 2002 Tokyo-Geneva. Released shortly after Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec, it's the only game to feature the Toyota Pod concept car.

The front cover for Gran Turismo Concept 2002 Tokyo-Geneva. It's blue.

The back cover for Gran Turismo Concept 2002 Tokyo-Geneva. There are screenshots showing a number of cars, including the Toyota Pod.

The inside of Gran Turismo Concept 2002 Tokyo-Geneva, showing the manual and the disc.

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Brandon Sheffield @brandon.insertcredit.com · 30/07/2026

In response to the unprecedented number of game developers laid off this year, we have created a bundle on itch to benefit a Game Industry Hardship Fund, managed by @videogameworkers.bsky.social. More than 100 games for 10+ bucks! Please share widely and donate generously! itch.io/b/3802/game-...

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

#RandomGameSaturday this week is ToeJam & Earl for the Mega Drive. Generally considered the first Roguelite games, its sequel, Panic on Funkotron puts the duo in a much more conventional platformer.

The cover of ToeJam & Earl for the Mega Drive. It is filled with the titular aliens, one of whom is eating a hot dog, and the other of whom is wearing hip hop gear modelled after Flava Flav.

The back cover of ToeJam & Earl for the Mega Drive. It contains four screenshots and a blurb in 8 different languages that outlines the plot but does little to describe the gameplay.

The inside of ToeJam & Earl for the Mega Drive, showing the manual and the cartridge, both of which feature the cover art.

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Ojiro Fumoto @moppin.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

POINPY IS BACK! 🎉 And now it's FREE! No ads, no paid unlocks, just the full game. There's a tip option if you feel like it 😉 Available NOW on iOS and Android!

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is one of my favourites, ICO. I'm not sure why I have the art cards for this; I never managed to get the limited edition release (Found a copy of it in Virgin back in 2002, but when I took it to the counter they didn't have the disc for it). Not complaining though!

The cover of ICO for the PS2. It features a beautiful painting of the two main characters running through a yellow landscape under a blue-green sky.

The back cover of ICO for the PS2. There are three small screenshots and a large render of ICO and Yorda holding hands by the edge of a cliff. The blurb reads, "A cursed boy, lost in a place of shadows. A young girl, consumed by sorrow and loneliness."

The inside of ICO for the PS2, showing the manual on the left and the disc on the right. The cover of the manual is the same as the game's front cover.

Four art cards from ICO for the PS2. As far as I'm aware they only came with the limited edition release that came in a cardboard case, but this is not the version I have. So where did they come from?

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

I've missed a few weeks, but this week's #RandomGameSaturday is Frontier: Elite II for the Atari ST, as I've been playing a lot of Elite: Dangerous recently.

Frontier: Elite II for the Atari ST. Paid out are the front and back of the box, both disks (game disk and and data disk), a registration postcard, the manual (written by Kathy Dickinson), Stories of Life on the Frontier, a Gazeteer, an erratum page, and a quick-start guide.

A large map of some of the main star systems in Frontier: Elite II. This map has been folded and unfolded many times, as I would have pored over it as a kid.

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Chris Bratt @chrisbratt.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

People Make Games traveled to Michigan to meet Jerry Gretzinger, an 84-year-old man, who's spent most of his life working away on a single, giant map to an imaginary world. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is8N...

youtube.com

The Man Who's Spent a Lifetime Making One, Giant Map

YouTube video by People Make Games

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Reposted by David Thatcher

Finji @finjico.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

868-BACK is a computer-hacking roguelike strategy game inspired by dungeon crawlers — but the dungeons are computer servers, and your weapons are illicit software tools. AVAILABLE NOW on PC! Play the free demo 👾 store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...

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Rosemary Mosco @rosemarymosco.com · 16/06/2026

Where you'll see a rare bird. Thanks to @ryanfm.bsky.social's newsletter for teaching me about the Cabanis's ground-sparrow that lives behind the walmart

An 8 panel comic. The first three panels are labeled "Where you think you'll see a rare bird." Panel 1 is labeled "Lush forest" and shows a beautiful rich forest with tall conifers, a waterfall, and mountains. Panel 2 is labeled "Perfect sunlit branch" and shows a branch rising above the trees, shaped like a great bird perch. Panel 3 is labeled "Area near an informational plaque about a rare bird" and shows a forest with a sign in front displaying an image of a Spruce Grouse and informational text. The next set of images are labeled "Where you'll actually see a rare bird". They include "Tree behind a Walmart", with Cabanis's ground-sparrow singing in a tree, "Skating rink parking lot" with a Lewis's woodpecker climbing a palm, "Spooky cemetery" with a Vermillion Flycatcher standing on a gravestone in a foggy spooky cemetery, "Sewage treatment plant" with a tufted duck gliding through the water, "Flying over your car" with a golden eagle sailing above a red car that's driving down the highway, and "Text from Uncle Ron" with a text exchange in which Ron says "Weird bird landed in my yard" and sends a picture of a whooping crane, to which you reply "Wow! Is it still there???" and he says "no".

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Reposted by David Thatcher

Double Fine @doublefine.com · 16/06/2026

😅

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Jason Schreier @jasonschreier.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

BREAKING: Several Xbox studios, including Compulsion, Ninja Theory and Double Fine, are negotiating with Xbox as they try to avoid closure. Some or all could spin off. Lots still in flux as many studios remain unsure about what's happening. Here's the latest: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

bloomberg.com

Studios in Microsoft’s Xbox Division Brace for Closures

The studios, which include Compulsion Games and Double Fine, are in active negotiations with Xbox and may be given the chance to go independent.

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Spiral Wave for the PC Engine! It's like if Galaxy Force II was a JRPG, and it's a mad thing to have been made.

The back cover of Spiral Wave for the PC Engine. Unlike most PC Engine games, there are screenshots of the game here, and a text blurb.

The inside of Spiral Wave for the PC Engine, showing the back of the manual on the left and the HuCard on the right. The back of the manual is an advert for Toilet Kids.

Two pages from the inside of the manual for Spiral Wave for the PC Engine. The left page details some of the game's characters. It's not clear from the photo, but the manual is very slight, only having about 8 pages to explain the game to players. It doesn't feel like a lot!

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Hello Kitty Roller Rescue for the PS2! Apparently the 'Free Gift' inside is a sheet of Hello Kitty stickers, but my copy didn't come with them.

The front cover of Hello Kitty Roller Rescue for the PS2. Hello Kitty features in the centre wearing roller skates, surrounded by the supporting characters, all of whom are much smaller. There is a circle proclaiming a 'FREE GIFT INSIDE'.

The back cover of Hello Kitty Roller Rescue for the PS2. There are three screenshots, a floating Hello Kitty head, and a lot of text outlining the story and the game's features, including that both Hello Kitty and Badtz Maru are playable characters.

Inside the box of Hello Kitty Roller Rescue for the PS2, showing the disc and the manual. Hello Kitty features prominently on both.

The first page of the manual for Hello Kitty Roller Rescue for the PS2. There is a table of contents, and an outline of the game's story, which is as follows:

"King Block dreamt of conquering the universe, but alas he always ended up failing, and was made fun of by others in his galaxy.

"He left Planet Block in search of another planet to conquer, he hoped to be victorious and return to Planet Block with honour.

"On his quest for victory he came across planet Earth, he had found his next target and set out on his goal to turn Earth into a perfect cube.

"WHAT? A PERFECT CUBE?

"How boring would our lives be if everything, including ourselves, were turned into blocks?

"HELLO KITTY!

"It's about time to pick up your magic wand, skate your way into danger and drive the clumsy Cube Battalion away from Earth!"

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Silent Hill 4: The Room for the Xbox.

The front cover of Silent Hill 4: The Room for the Xbox. It's all artsy.

The back cover of Silent Hill 4: The Room for the Xbox. There is a red block of text that reads, "This game contains scenes of graphic violence and should not be played by people of a nervous disposition".

Inside the box of Silent Hill 4: The Room for the Xbox, showing the disc and the manual.

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Dan Marshall @danthat.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

INTO THE SLIMY MINES is OUT. Highly recommend this one, it's a proper addictive little gem that deserves to be a sleeper hit. It's also nice to have some proper brilliantly-done Scottish voice over. Only £9 too! Give it a pop. store.steampowered.com/app/3639440/...

store.steampowered.com

Save 10% on Into the Slimy Mines on Steam

A roguelike tower defense with a card-driven twist. Build your deck, carve out tunnels, and deploy defences directly into the path of the swarm. Rank up your chosen Guild and rescue your Dwarven crew ...

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Thoroughbred Breeder for the Super Famicom. I couldn't really resist this one for its cover!

The front cover of Thoroughbred Breeder for the Super Famicom, showing and adult horse and a foal in a green field. It is good.

The back cover of Thoroughbred Breeder for the Super Famicom. There are six screenshots, one of which shows an exciting-looking race, and the rest either show horses standing in a field, or some fairly dry-looking menus.

Two pages from the manual for Thoroughbred on the Super Famicom. The right page has a drawing of a horse, and a screenshot of two horses seemingly having a bubble-bath.

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Games That Weren't @gamesthatwerent.com · 19/05/2026

Virtua Hamster is one of SEGA's more unusual lost projects. Think S.T.U.N Runner with rodents. Nearly finished on 32X, but cancelled before release, with a Saturn version never even started.

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is the Japan-only PS1 release, Jingle Cats. Based on a series of mid-'90s albums of Christmas songs made from samples of cats, the game sees you trying to make the various cats like each other.

The front cover of Jingle Cats for the PS1. It features a collection of MS-Paint style drawings of cats that are reminiscent of the mobile game Neko Atsume.

The back cover of Jingle Cats for the PS1. There are five screenshots from the game, showing off the colourful hand-drawn style.

The manual and disc from Jungle Cats for the PS1. The cover of the manual features headshots of either of the cats from the game, and is very brightly-coloured.

Two pages from the manual for Jingle Cats for the PS1. They features profiles of 6 of the game's cats.

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Murray Somerwolff @patattiemurray.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

🚨🚨🚨ANNOUNCEMENT!!!🚨🚨🚨 WAX HEADS IS OUT!!! Our cosy-punk, puzzle narrative record store game is finally out on PC / Switch / PS5 / Xbox This game is our love letter to music, to the way it connects us and a celebration of human made art. We hope you enjoy it ❤️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuAm...

youtube.com

Wax Heads - Launch Trailer

YouTube video by Curve Games

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

#RandomGameSaturday for this week is Lumines II for the PSP. Building on the success of the first game, Q? managed to license some slightly bigger artists for the sequel. Along with this listed on the box were Fatboy Slim, The Go! Team and... Hoobastank?

The front cover of Lumines 2 for the PSP, looking all orange and arty.

The back cover of Lumines 2 for the PSP. It features three screenshots of the game, and lists the featured artists as: The Black Eyed Peas, Chemical Brothers, Beck, Junior Senior, Gwen Stefani, 'and other popular artists'.

Inside the box of Lumines 2 for the PSP, showing the manual and the UMD.

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

I missed a couple of weekends, but this weekend's #RandomGameSaturday is Mario Power Tennis for the GameCube!

The front cover of Mario Power Tennis for the GameCube. Mario, Bowser, Yoshi, Diddy Kong and Boo are depicted playing Tennis.

The back cover of Mario Power Tennis for the GameCube. There are four screenshots from the game, and down the right side are a selection of the playable characters. The blurb reads, 'Power UP Your Tennis Game!'

The manual of Mario Power Tennis for the GameCube, along with the disc.

Two pages from the manual for Mario Power Tennis for the GameCube, showing the Speed Players (Yoshi, Diddy Kong and Koppa Troopa), the Defensive Players (Waluigi), and the Tricky Players (Boo and Bowser Jr.).

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Z. Bill @zbill.itch.io · 23/02/2026

My new game is Encroacher: Snakes It's a snake-tossing cryptic adventure coming 2026!

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

I'm in Ireland again, so this week's #RandomGameSaturday is Sonic Advance for the Gameboy Advance, which I just happened to bring with me.

The cartridge for Sonic Advance for the Gameboy Advance.

The title screen of Sonic Advance, running on a modded orange and black GBA.

A shot from the intro of Sonic Advance, showing Dr. Robotnik, running on a modded orange and black GBA.

A shot from the attract demo from Sonic Advance, showing Sonic running along a beach, running on a modded orange and black GBA.

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Alec S // Renegade Sector Games @renegadesector.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

~JOURNEY OF THE GARDEN ROSE~ OUT NOW! Lily must explore a fantastic palace and contest with the machinations of a cruel prince to rescue her mother in this Old-School 3D Action-Adventure game! store.steampowered.com/app/3692110/... www.youtube.com/watch?v=txDh...

youtube.com

Journey of the Garden Rose Trailer

YouTube video by Alec Stamos

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Santa Ragione @santaragione.com · 12/03/2026

HORSES won the IGF Nuovo Award. We’re profoundly grateful. To us, this recognition also speaks to a broader idea: that no gatekeeper should decide which games deserve to exist or what counts as art. Thank you to everyone who supported HORSES and helped carry it this far. PS: What a wonderful team!

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

The Sirena Expedition is part of Imirt's Games From Ireland event, which is running until the 19th of March. Steam has sort of buried the event at the moment, but you should definitely check it out: store.steampowered.com/sale/Gamesfr... Lots of essential games on sale! Here are some of my picks:

store.steampowered.com

Games from Ireland 2026

Celebrate St Patrick’s Day with games made in Ireland and by Irish teams around the world

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Today's rather late #RandomGameSaturday is Taito's Don Doko Don for the PC Engine! This single-screen platformer occupies the same genre as Bubble Bobble and Parasol Stars, and has similar mechanics to the latter, where you can hit enemies to stun them and then throw them at other enemies.

The front cover of Don Doko Don for the PC. Engine. It features a clay model of a little gnome guy dressed in red and carrying a wooden mallet.

The HuCARD for Don Doko Don for the PC Engine. It is about the size of a credit card, slightly thicker, and features the same cover art as the front of the box.

Two pages from the manual for Don Doko Don for the PC Engine. These contain the game's story, and feature two illustrations, one of the two gnome-like protagonists, and another of a slightly troubled-looking princess saying "JIM AND BOB HELP ME!"

Two more pages from the manual for Don Doko Don for the PC Engine. These two detail all of the game's enemies, which include mushrooms, rabbits, kings, dragons and caterpillars.

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Imirt - The Irish Game Makers Association @imirt.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Join us at 5.30pm on Steam for the first ever Games From Ireland Showcase, with some of the most exciting released and upcoming games from Irish developers. You can find us tomorrow at 5pm on the front page or at the following link! store.steampowered.com/sale/Gamesfr... #GamesFromIreland

store.steampowered.com

Steam Store

Steam is the ultimate destination for playing, discussing, and creating games.

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Imirt - The Irish Game Makers Association @imirt.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

We're proud to unveil the trailer for our Games From Ireland Steam Event, which goes live at 5pm tomorrow! youtu.be/SGwrAGL_h80 #GamesFromIreland #Imirt #IrishGames

youtu.be

Games From Ireland - Trailer

YouTube video by Imirt

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is basically just the latest game I bought, War of the Monsters for the PS2, given that I just cleaned it up this morning.

The front cover of War of the Monsters for the PS2, showing a gigantic gorilla fighting a gigantic red-and-blue mech.

The back cover of War of the Monsters for the PS2, showing three screenshots of action and a series of bullet points describing the game.

Two pages from the manual for War of the Monsters for the PS2, headlined 'TIMELINE TO DESTRUCTION?' and detailing the game's story.

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Imirt - The Irish Game Makers Association @imirt.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Introducing the Games From Ireland Steam Event, a week-long digital showcase. Running on Steam during St Patrick’s Day 2026, 13th March - 20th March, this is an Imirt-led initiative, developed in collaboration with Irish developers and studios worldwide. www.imirt.ie/news/2026/2/...

imirt.ie

Introducing the Games From Ireland Steam Sale - Presented by Imirt — Imirt

We’re delighted to announce the Irish Steam Sale , a week-long digital showcase celebrating games made in Ireland, by Irish developers around the world, and games shaped by Irish creative talent and ...

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Imirt - The Irish Game Makers Association @imirt.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

We’re delighted to reveal the Irish Games art-piece we commissioned from acclaimed Irish artist and game developer @denmanrooke.com, showcasing some of the incredible games and characters from across Irish games, alongside touchpoints of Irish culture. www.imirt.ie/news/2026/3/...

imirt.ie

St Patrick's Day Steam Sale Brings Irish Games to a Global Audience — Imirt

Imirt - The Irish Game Makers Association is proud to present the Games from Ireland Steam Event , a week-long digital showcase celebrating games made in Ireland or shaped by Irish creative talent an...

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vibe-free lifestyle and smiling apple purveyor @ellaguro.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

folks, it's bandcamp friday today. and i just happen to have a big brand new album out - my most ambitious musical project ever - that you should buy! ellaguro.bandcamp.com/album/saint-...

ellaguro.bandcamp.com

Saint Elizabeth, by ella guro

10 track album

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David Thatcher @giraffecat.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

This is a great article about some really scummy practises, and the gutting of games media for parts. Gambling shit is everywhere now, and it's miserable.

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Finji @finjico.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

How to be a hacker in 868-BACK 👾 Dismantle capitalism one server at a time - you can do it! Play the free demo in Steam Next Fest!

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