iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Happy Sunday! I haven't posted in a while, but I've been busy! Here are some characters from my game! Meet Dr. Cura, Desiree, Emery, and Armando! All 4 are major characters. Who are you most curious about? #indie #indiedev #pixelart #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker

0133

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

This is the point of the game where Nemo and his best friend Abe attend University. Many important story events take place here so I've been working on it a lot. Which University does this remind you of? #indie #indiedev #pixelart #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker #bananaslugs

Nemo and his best friend Abe at University!

0101

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

In my game I designed skill trees based off of board games. Board games were once one of my favorite hobbies. This is the "Skill Board" of Nemo, the MC. It's based off of Candyland! As you level up you can unlock nodes and advance. #indie #indiedev #gamedev #gamedevelopment #pixelart #rpg #rpgmaker

A board game I am using as a "skill board". This one is based off of Candy Land!

0102

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

The first step to getting the Frog Transfiguration in my game? Kissing the Crystal Tadpole in the Froggy Castle! Once you transform, you'll also be able to talk to all frogs! (Not all of them speak English...) #indie #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker #pixelart #frogs

Want to get the Frog Transfiguration? You gotta kiss the Crystal Tadpole!

0183

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Undies! I thought normal armor was boring for equipment, so... After collecting certain fabrics, you can have a tailor named Taylor craft you undies which, after equipping, can grant you stat boosts and even new attacks! #indie #indiedev #gamedev #gamedevelopment #pixelart #rpg #screenshotsaturday

0123

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Happy Monday! I'm hoping to show a video of my battle system soon (making battle animations takes forever...) For now enjoy a static photo of some Froggy Starbois and a Metal Starboi (who often run away early to go listen to heavy metal!) #indie #indiedev #gamedev #pixelart #rpg #rpgmaker #collage

0112

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

Recently, I started a new job I really enjoy. There are a lot of artists on my team so I'm not the best but I thought I'd pixelate my whole team! I will be putting them as NPCs in my game too! #pixelart #indie #indiedev #gamedev #gamedevelopment #screenshotsaturday #earthbound #rpg #rpgmaker

0123

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

My game, Birthday Boy and Benny, releases next Halloween. I hope to get a demo up soon as well as a Kickstarter...I will probably keep the goal tiny since this is my first game and I have no idea how this will work out! #indie #indiedev #gamedev #gamedevelopment #pixelart #vespa #gif #rpg #rpgmaker

0102

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

"Nemo...what do you think happens when we die?" - The things you think about on a long scooter ride across Japan... #indie #indiedev #gamedev #gamedevelopment #pixelart #rpg #rpgmaker #mtfuji #japan #horror #horrorgame

0164

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

"It was raining all day! What did you do?" "Nothing much. Went on the Froggy Bus down to the Froggy Bayou." #indie #indiedev #pixelart #gamedevelopment #gamedev #rpg #rpgmaker #horror #horrorgame #frogs #froggybus

0114

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

This is what happens when you walk into a frog's house in my game...you come across huge jars of flies...and weird frog pop art...and long-legged frogs wearing nostalgic pop culture t-shirts... #indie #indiedev #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker #frogs #horror #horrorgame #pixelart

0115

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

I've been working on the battle system a lot more, including creating some in-depth backgrounds. Here is a sneak preview of how the base of it looks as well as the battle music (made for the game by Zane Little)! Enjoy! #indie #indiedev #pixelart #rpg #rpgmaker #gamedev #gamedevelopment #turnbased

0235

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Two screenshots from an overworld portion and a submarine fishing mini game where you get a certain amount of time to dive underwater and collect as many fish and as much treasure as you can! #indie #indiedev #gamedev #gamedevelopment #pixelart #rpg #rpgmaker #minigame #underwaterlevel

The underwater fishing game I made. You need a battery pack before you can dive underwater, though...

0123

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Some of the location names and their accompanying graphics! There are many unique and offbeat locations in Birthday Boy and Benny such as Albunny, The Vast Desert, New Hog City, and The Coma Tose! #indie #indiedev #gamedev #gamedevelopment #pixelart #rpg #graphicdesign #rpgmaker

Albunny is the first major town you will explore...

...and New Hog City is the biggest city you will explore!

The Coma Tose is a strange and unusual place where you will spend the majority of Act 3 in.

The Vast Desert is a large and hot desert that can be explored, and is also the gateway to the lush, colorful, sweet, and more mild climate of The Vast Dessert!

0104

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

Who loves sushi?! Here, Nemo and his new friends eat at Kuni-Kyo, New Hog City's best sushi restaurant! Everyone has a favorite - Nemo likes mackerel, Abe likes octopus, Devin likes tuna, Armando likes tamago, and Al likes shrimp! #indie #indiedev #indiegame #rpg #rpgmaker #gamedev #gamedevelopment

Nemo and his friends enjoy sushi at Kuni-Kyo while enjoying the modern art and really hip band.

0123

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

It's been CRUNCH TIME for my game! I've been deeply developing the systems for it, from the battles to fishing. Speaking of, there's a shop called Fishy Traders where you can trade fish you've caught for quirky (and useful) stuff! #indie #indiedev #gamedev #gamedevelopment #pixelart #rpg #rpgmaker

1183

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

This is a battle against an enemy called Thicc Vick! She THICC. She also attacks with carrotrangs (because boomerangs are too boring for her, apparently). #indie #indiedev #indiegame #pixelart #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker

Regular boomerangs are too boring for Thicc Vick. So she uses carrotrangs!

092

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Birthday Boy and Benny features 13 different Haunted Houses! This is the first of the 13 you can find in the town of Albunny: The Bad Radish! Here's a GIF of the exterior and a screenshot of the interior. #indie #indiedev #indiegame #gamedev #gamedevelopment #pixelart #rpg #rpgmaker

The eyes of The Bad Radish follow you as you approach (or walk away from it...)

The creepy interior of The Bad Radish. The portraits seem...homely, no?

181

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

"You're too old for plushies, fatty!" Nemo's mother takes away his favorite plushy, Benny. She also slaps him and threatens to lock him in the closet if he doesn't obey her. Have you ever been abused as a child? #indie #indiedev #gamedev #gamedevelopment #pixelart #indiegame #rpg #rpgmaker

0123

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Cute game? ❌ Cozy? ❌ Psychological horror? ✔️ Please meet: Mrs. Pink, Mrs. Blonde, Mrs. Blue, and Mr. Orange. #indie #indiedev #indiegame #pixelart #collageart #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker #horror

0133

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

Couple more screenshots of the battle system. You can summon a plushy in battle to protect you from enemy attacks! Kind of like the teddy from Earthbound. They can take the "heat" of the battle from you! #indie #indiedev #indiegame #pixelart #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #coloredpencil #rpgmaker

Battle against some enemies called Lame Flames. Your plushy will protect you from harm!

Your plushy will make sure they take the "heat" of battle!

0162

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

This is a mini-game you play while flying to different locations when you get the Ducky Balloon. You can skip it after the first time or play it to collect star balloons, treasures, and other goodies! #indie #indiedev #indiegame #pixelart #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker #screenshotsaturday

0222

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Penciltown is burning down. And the Mayor is dead. Now what else will go wrong? 🙀 #indie #indiegame #indiedev #pixelart #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker

0123

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

In this scene, you play as Nadine. You have to get to your room and get your important things before the house burns down. #indie #indiedev #indiegame #pixelart #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker

Get your valuables before the house burns down...

1255

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

There are 151 Ducky Trading Cards in my game Birthday Boy and Benny! "Gotta have all of 'em!" #indie #indiedev #indiegame #pixelart #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker #ducky #tcg

There are 151 ducky cards in my game! Can you get all of them?

1192

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

A story in 4 screenshots: Nemo and his Papa take a sleigh ride into space with their balloon dogs, and they talk about life and the Moons. #indie #indiedev #indiegame #pixelart #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker #screenshotsaturday

"My Son...listen to my words. There are people in this world that will hurt you. There are people that will try and bring you down. They will feel joy from watching you cry; they will get pleasure from your despair."

"But...my Son...when everything seems to be impossible...when you think you cannot get any sadder...look to the sky."

"The Guiding Moon will guide you to where you need to be. The Gentlemoon will remind you to be gentle to yourself, and not hard on yourself. The Funny Moon will remind you that you need to laugh."

"And the Honey Moon will remind you that life can be incredibly sweet."

0144

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Saying goodbye is hard... It's even harder when it's forever. This is a scene where Nadine says goodbye to Birthday Boy. She says she'll call when she gets back home! ...But what if she doesn't? #indie #indiedev #pixelart #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker

True puppy love. Or is it kitty love...?

0113

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

I love plays! In this scene, a group of rats sabotage a theatre called The Trauma Dump and hold everyone hostage because they weren't let in to see the play on Halloween night. But here come Nemo and Nadine to the rescue! #indie #indiedev #pixelart #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker

092

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Birthday Boy and Benny is inspired by both Japanese & Mexican culture. One of the main characters is named Grim Ace, who sends the souls of the dead peacefully. His favorite hobby is skateboarding! #indie #indiedev #pixelart #gif #dayofthedead #dotd #rpg #rpgmaker #gamedev #gamedevelopment

171

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

A year ago, my wife lost her Grandma, one of the most important people in her life. This was at a time when everyone else in our life also left us. Everything compounded all at once. This is a tribute to her Grandma ❤️ #indie #indiedev #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #pixelart #screenshotsaturday

A tribute to my wife's late Grandma that I included in the game as part of the story. Here they are laying flowers on her grave.

0133

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Hope all that celebrate had a good Turkey Day! Bored of status effects like poison, blind & sleep in traditional RPGs? Here are unique ones from my game: normal, banana, pooped (KO'd), frog, stoned, strawberry, shroom, & chicken! #indie #indiedev #indiegame #pixelart #rpg #gamedev #gamedevelopment

0111

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

100 followers in a week! Thanks everyone! 🙏🏽 I’ll be having a full-length DEMO of Birthday Boy and Benny ready soon before the Steam Next Fest in February. This scene was inspired by the field of flowers in Mother 3. #indie #indiedev #indiegame #pixelart #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker

Nadine and Nemo dancing in a field of flowers.

0232

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Some shop images! The first is inspired by conbinis in Japan. Al is a young entrepreneur who takes over the family business at the age of 3. Second screenshot is a shop purchase screen. You can buy jellybeans to increase your stats! #indie #indiedev #indiegame #pixelart #rpg #rpgmaker #pixelart

Al runs the 8-12 Convenience Store! He will eventually expand into a huge empire of convenience stores!

Any flavor bean you want! Can you guess the two series' where I got inspiration for these?

0111

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Everyone shows their newest and greatest stuff, but what about stuff that was once not so great? 1st cat (left) is the cat I made last year. Middle was a design I updated in March of this year. Right one is the final design! HE CHONK #indie #indiedev #indiegame #cat #cats #pixelart #rpgmaker #rpg

0151

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Happy #screenshotsaturday :) Nemo (the main character) suffers from short comas after a traumatic childhood. After seeing a therapist for years, his comas begin to go away. …but what if things go wrong again? #indie #indiedev #pixelart #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiegame #rpg #rpgmaker

0122

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

#promosky These are games and things that are inspiring the #indie #game I’m currently making! Super Mario RPG 💯 Earthbound 🌍 Final Fantasy 🗡️ Mario and Luigi series 🍎🍏 Dragon Quest 🐉 Omori 💡 Homestar Runner 🏃‍♂️ Horror movies 🎥 😱 Collage art 🖼️ Plushies 🧸 Have an awesome day 😎

0100

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Some of the “gear” in my game! They’re underwear instead of traditional RPG gear. Types of underwear you can wear (depending on character) include: Briefs, Boxers, Boxer Briefs, Panties, and…(wait for it…) Jock Straps! #indie #indiedev #indiegame #pixelart #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker

040

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Who likes bounties? The Hunt Board in Final Fantasy XII was one of my favorite things to complete. And I loved bounties in Red Dead Redemption. There's a total of 25 Bounty Quests in my game. Here's the 1st! #indie #indiedev #pixelart #gamedev #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker #bounties #earthbound

2141

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

I already love Bluesky! Tons of engagement for newer creators and a much less "toxic" vibe than other socials. This screen is of Nemo and his childhood girlfriend Nadine shopping for flowers to put on Nadine's late Grammy's grave. #indie #indiedev #gamedev #gamedevelopment #pixelart #rpg #rpgmaker

Nemo and his childhood girlfriend Nadine shopping for flowers! Which would you choose?

0110

Happy Crab @happycrabgames.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

My first post on Bluesky! Here are a few images from my RPG/psychological horror game Birthday Boy and Benny, coming October 31, 2025! Go trick-or-treating, survive child abuse, fight strange enemies, and save the world (and yourself). #indie #indiedev #pixelart #gamedevelopment #rpg #rpgmaker

Overworld of the first portion of the game

Some of the items you can use in the game

Trick-or-treating in an apple-themed town

4391