iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 17/09/2026

It's true. I really do love winding down with Combolands. Great game.

Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 11/09/2026

There's like three games in here I want to dive into, but I just don't have the tiiiime. The industry is fucked, but there are also incredible games coming out every week. Support them if you can! #indiedev

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Matt | DEMO OUT TODAY! @pmrd.net · 07/09/2026

NEW UPDATE IS LIVE! Download the free open playtest at darkroomsgame.com! #gamedev #indiegame #darkrooms #unreal #playtest

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 08/09/2026

I am slightly annoyed that @allymobbs.bsky.social managed to beat a dungeon before me, but Blood Dungeon is a seriously good time.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 08/09/2026

All the cool people heading to #MIGW this year! I am in town and will be loitering around the convention centre on Oct 7 - 9 to hopefully meet with prospective employers, or small teams looking for some production/narrative/bizdev consulting. If you know someone where I would be a good fit, DM me!

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 04/09/2026

Another week of bangers. I am running out of time while also getting ready to fly to Melbourne soon. Also, absolutely stoked to be live on @pckt.blog. Using the ATmosphere to interact with blogs just makes everything so much easier. You can sub and comment with your Bluesky account. It's great!

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 04/09/2026

@pckt.blog hey! Trying to connect our domain up and keep getting a message saying that TXT Verification not found. It has propagated, so not sure what's going on. Using cloudflare.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 02/09/2026

Took at look at @pckt.blog and was pretty impressed. We have been using Pika for our hosting, but I just move Indie Dispatch over there to see how it goes with the AT protocol. indie-dispatch.pckt.blog It's a pretty nice feed, and i like that it integrates with bsky.

indie-dispatch.pckt.blog

Indie Dispatch

A weekly newsletter that shines a light on aweosme indie games you should check out.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 28/08/2026

It's been a long time since I could sit down and do an #indiedispatch. Life pressures and then trying to ship a game while also raising a 2 year old means energy is a rare commodity. Trying to get back into it though.

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IGN @ign.com · 27/08/2026

Double Fine Productions is honoring Tim Curry by making Brutal Legend free to download and own on PC for 666 minutes – until 3:06am PT/6:06am ET on Thursday, August 27. bit.ly/4zABNFr

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Messhof @messhof.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Blood Dungeon is OUT NOW on Steam, Xbox Series, Windows Store, Game Pass, Switch 1+2, and PlayStation 5! RTs very much welcome. I love you. #boneup blooddungeon.com youtu.be/rmbXDEdb6Y0

youtu.be

Blood Dungeon: Release Trailer

YouTube video by messhof

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 21/08/2026

I am excited to be heading along to Melbourne International Games Week this year after many years abroad. If you're going to be at #MIGW this year, I am looking to: 👏 Talk about job opportunities 💵 Explore funding opps for cool devs in Kyoto ☕ Catch up with old friends and meet new #indiedevs

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TodayOnSteam @todayonsteam.com · 21/08/2026

Baito Fight!!: Part-time Devil Hunter store.steampowered.com/app/3852160

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 18/08/2026

I really loved Arco and always felt it was under appreciated. To hear it broke even is nice, but the fact it took two years feels like a crime. I wonder if it’s a genre problem? Visibility? Anyways. You should play Arco.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 14/08/2026

@sweetshop.app any chance you can upload Hellboy Omnibus 1 soon? Looks like all of them but the first one is there haha.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 12/08/2026

@sweetshop.app got an email for me to drop some videos of app performance to? Feel free to DM me. Probably better than Bluesky would allow.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 11/08/2026

The cool thing about looking for work in the #gamedev scene right now is that with all these layoffs, everyone else is also looking for work. It’s going to be hyper competitive as people scramble for you know… a pay check. Makes it hard. On the flip side, studios can pick up a lot of talent.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 11/08/2026

Train Drivers in Japan were hardcore. Standard issue blades?

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Casey Explosion @caseyexplosion.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

"Indies will save us" No! YOU WILL SAVE INDIES! Go leave a review for that neat indie game you like, share the trailer for an upcoming game you're anticipating, tell your fave developer they did a good job, go tell people about such and such game that's just come out, you can make a difference!

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 08/08/2026

I just got back into comics again after about 9 years out of the hobby. Moving to Japan I sold all my stuff, and they are hard to find and expensive to come by here, so I’m all in on digital. Starting on this one tonight thanks to @sweetshop.app. I’ve heard good things.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 06/08/2026

Really love the look of Derelikt, but I couldn't help but imagine Zoolander saying "I can Derelikt my own... abandoned space ship thank you very much". Wishlist this. Has big DOOM 3 and System Shock 2 vibes. store.steampowered.com/app/3810510/... #indiegames #gaming

store.steampowered.com

DERELIKT on Steam

DERELIKT is a narrative retro FPS built for fans of claustrophobic PS1-era sci-fi horror.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 05/06/2026

Games writing Visible: The amazing narrative that wins awards and is praised by critics and players alike. Invisible: Full-time positions, job stability, and decent pay that reflects what you brought to the project.

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Fellow Traveller @fellowtraveller.games · 04/06/2026

There's something awakening beneath the ice... The Penguin Colony demo is out now on Steam! Pick it up to descend into Antarctic cosmic horror, and don’t miss the Story-Rich Showcase and Frosty Games Fest for brand new info from developer @veselekov.bsky.social. 🐧 Demo: bit.ly/PenguinColonySteam

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 04/06/2026

@marathonthegame.bungie.net hey, any chance of Linux anti-cheat support? Marathon is literally the only reason I boot into Windows now, and it’d be nice to not have to keep that OS just for your excellent game.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 04/06/2026

So I thought that running Steam games on your retro handheld was a complicated affair, so I never looked into it. When Mina came out, I decided to give it a shot. GameNative for the most part... just works! Now I can easily commute playing classics AND small indies!

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 03/06/2026

@tolkoto.com @grubb.wtf having you two here for BitSummit next year would be ace! Let me know if you need a fixer. I used to organize the GB PAX Aus meetups, and I love the work you guys are doing!

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Claire - open for work 🦈 @thesharkbit.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Shocked & heartbroken to say Team17 PR & Events dept & thus my role have been made redundant. ✨Looking for new roles using my 15 years supporting projects & brands across Marketing, PR, Brand & Comms✨ I appreciate any help that comes my way. Dhia libh uilig💚 (More info in post under this)

Some key art from a few games I've worked on past couple of years (I have worked on a lot more these are just some highlights).
Featured are Date Everything!, Hell Let Loose Vietnam, Banquet for Fools, Lumentale, Alien Isolation and Worms franchise

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 02/06/2026

Forever immortalised as Steve, the guy who knows where the good toilets at the BitSummit river party are. Thanks for the shout out @haleyfax.bsky.social & @sarahpodz.bsky.social. I’ll write Ben and tell him a sickening amount of good stuff if it will help get you back next year.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 02/06/2026

So Gravity Circuit 2 was just announced, and the devs are giving away the first game for free right now on Steam. store.steampowered.com/app/858710/G... I haven't played it, but it has Overwhelmingly Positive reviews, and looks pretty neat. Treat yourselves. #indiegame #gaming

store.steampowered.com

Save 100% on Gravity Circuit on Steam

Gravity Circuit is a flashy action packed 2D platformer in the spirit of console classics. Follow Kai, a lone operative war hero who harnesses the mysterious powers of the Gravity Circuit, on an adven...

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MinnMax @minnmax.com · 27/05/2026

Come on you gamers, DANCE! Watch @haleyfax.bsky.social and @sarahpodz.bsky.social enjoy the hell out of BitSummit in Japan! youtu.be/cr-Z-ckmpgI

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Sansa Sandisk @cheatlines.co · 24/05/2026

Bluesky is not "dying", in fact it's about to become the next Martha's Vineyard

Matthew rhys as mayor tom in widow's bay

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 24/05/2026

Steve died by walking through approximately 47463782 spider webs in the dark on his way home from Bitsummit. The gentle sounds of frogs and Biwako were the last things he heard. What a way to go.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 24/05/2026

Last day of #BitSummit and I wanted to do some shout outs. Huge thanks to @sheegoggery.bsky.social and Lisa for being the endless well of support and positivity, the givers of street chicken, and coffee. Without you folks I don’t think I could have survived.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 09/05/2026

Hey #indiedev friends who are coming to #bitsummit this year! If you’re looking for production or narrative support on a contract basis, we should talk while you’re in town. Regardless, let me know if you are around! It would be good to see some friendly faces!

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Cormacaroni @cormacaroni.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Always amazed that entire generations of gamers mispronounce ‘hadouken’ despite hearing it a billion times in the games So one time: Ha-doh-ken Not Ha-doo-ken

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 25/03/2026

People looking for their next gig, I recommend using Hitmarker as as tarting point. It's easy to filter by country / role / remote, and gives you a bit of an idea who is actively recruiting. hitmarker.net It surprises me how many folks haven't heard of it. #indiedev

hitmarker.net

Gaming & Esports Jobs | Hitmarker

Hitmarker is the home of gaming and esports jobs. Find your dream career. Hire top talent. Make your mark.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 24/03/2026

Played a few rounds of BIN CHICKEN, which was the Player’s Choice winner at #TGX2026. @sheegoggery.bsky.social married @allymobbs.bsky.social and was divorced at the last moment to have his precious food stolen away. Pretty fun little card game. #tabletop #indiegame

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 23/03/2026

Arco is such an underrated gem that YOU probably haven't heard of. Get behind this small team. Even if you don't buy it, play the demo. Tell a friend. Help these folks find the success they so greatly deserve. Can't wait to see what they do next.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 23/03/2026

The new Bad//Dreems album is a grower, that has infected my mind every time I have a quiet moment. An unassuming classic Aussie rock group that just quietly churns out banger albums. baddreems.bandcamp.com/album/ultra-... #newmusic

baddreems.bandcamp.com

ULTRA DUNDEE, by Bad//Dreems

11 track album

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 21/03/2026

Tickets booked for another trip to #Melbourne. Excited to head along to #MIGW and see how it has evolved.

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 20/03/2026

Quick little jaunt back home to #Melbourne for TGX. It was kinda weird being “home” after 7 long years, but had a blast catching up with old mates, and making new ones along the way. I’ll be heading back in October for #MIGW so I’ll get to do it all again! #photography

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Mike Rose @mikerose.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

If anyone is willing to share, I would be very appreciative!! 🔧🍃 We've just set the launch trailer live for Piece by Piece, our cozy repair shop game that is coming THIS WEEK, on March 11!! You can see it below, and find the game here: store.steampowered.com/app/3179050/...

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Steve Heller @hellerphant.hellergood.co · 06/03/2026

Seriously, it is getting ridiculous the number of great games hitting Steam every week. It makes writing this newsletter easy. It makes playing them all and also doing life incredibly hard.

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