iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Another one! Still warm!

Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 06/09/2026

I've since completed a replay of AC 4 and 5, going to wait and see how that 0 HD port turns out since it might be a fun way to mix up that PS2 era. In the meantime I've got a new PSP battery to break in. While I almost exclusively play AC in cockpit view this tiny screen might finally break that.

PSP 2000 with the box for Ace Combat X right beside it. The game is running on the PSP but the cockpit view and small screen leaves an almost comically small view for gameplay.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 01/09/2026

I was given a mighty gift from a friend who was clearing out some hardware.

Ace Combat 5 PS2 Flight Stick sitting on a worn recliner

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 27/08/2026

My neighbor made me an apple pie 🥹

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 21/08/2026

Easy to forget how we've got such good rocks here.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 21/08/2026

We went on a team hike at work today ♥️

View of Peggy's Cove from Polly's Cove trail.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 01/08/2026

I'd been lowering my caffeine intake pretty drastically in recent months, but absentmindedly drank 5 coffees throughout Friday when catching up with different folk. It was an incredibly bizarre, dream-filled, sleep where I woke up alert at 4:30. So, uh, guess it's time to play inFAMOUS on the PS3.

inFAMOUS on PS3, maybe you can see a DS4 reflection? I just can't go back to the DS3 so I have a mapper to get around that. It's nice!

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 24/07/2026

They are free to keep eating the raspberries though!

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 24/07/2026

Trying to make me feel bad for wanting to protect what's left of my tomatoes.

Sad sitting deer a foot away from some tomato cages with a mesh protecting them.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 16/07/2026

What a great movie to watch with a crowd at Propeller!

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 15/07/2026

This deer (well I assume it's the same one each time) loves to stop in and chill in the yard. I think it's just waiting for my garden to reach it's peak snacking potential before diving in.

Deer resting in somewhat taller grass (mowed later in the day) head half turned to look at the camera.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 25/06/2026

"You took Y photo X years ago" can be pretty rough with how much I took pictures of Salty. I miss them so much but seeing these two images side by side did get a good smile out of me.

Same image but the lighting has changed, room is darker, and the light is reflecting off the dog's eyes to give them a spooky look.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 23/05/2026

One special moment for me was getting to connect with @volkertron.bsky.social from @softrains.bsky.social. Not only did I get a print of their incredible event art, but they also took the time to sign my Stonefly artbook and chat about that wonderful game.

Page of an artbook with a nameplate and dandelion, now marked up with art of a mech from Stonefly and the nameplate filled in.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 23/05/2026

Congrats! Got a good flight ahead of me!

Bubsy 4D running on a handheld by the window of a airplane.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 22/05/2026

I was mystified with this payphone that would apparently let you send emails for only 10 cents a pop. Not only did that feature not work (refused the code the instructions said would trigger it) but it also refused to accept any change to test the less interesting text message service.

Payphone that has a full set of keyboard keys attached.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 18/05/2026

Nothing like a BBQ with friends to help cap off a long weekend ❤️

Sun was being pretty cool with a colored ring encircling it.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 12/05/2026

Congrats! Looks like I'll be building some sandcastles this evening!

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 30/04/2026

@maxdunbar.bsky.social What a treat to have arrive in the mail today! It looks absolutely fantastic!

Crowdfunded copy of "Max Dunbar - Fantasy Art" sitting on a couch

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 22/04/2026

Foreign Sun is out now! @finalscenedev.bsky.social knocked it out of the park with amount of choice/secrets to find, been amazed watching it all while working on the Switch port! If you do pick it up a review/share would be ❤️ store.steampowered.com/app/2387560/ www.nintendo.com/en-ca/store/...

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 16/04/2026

They did say please the first time... #gamedev #indiegame @finalscenedev.bsky.social Only 5 days until Foreign Sun releases! Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/2387560/... Switch: www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 12/04/2026

Doing testing ahead of Foreign Sun launching on the 21st getting humbled at every opportunity. Rocket troopers with that mighty Half Life targeting. #gamedev @finalscenedev.bsky.social Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/2387560/... Switch: www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 10/04/2026

I had to say goodbye to my dog Salty last weekend. Feel gutted every time I experience the everyday impulses to take him for a walk or fill up his dish, but so grateful for the time I got to have him for. Miss you so much buddy!

Tired happy dog looking up from the floor.

Impatient dog on a walk staring at the photographer to entice them to start moving again.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 21/03/2026

It was an amazing turnout this evening, the best we'd ever had. Thanks so much everyone for coming out!

Cupcake cake that says "3 years of NS Game Dev"

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 26/12/2025

I loved the paper 'demo' we did for the magazine ad of A Little to the Left.

Magazine ad with breadtags you can cut out and sort.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 21/12/2025

The annual tradition of a late evening making eggnog. ☺️

Frothy in-progress eggnog on a stove getting heated to a safe temperature.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 18/12/2025

Loved those delightful distant characters in the final stretch.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 24/11/2025

My dog Salty got a fun little mention in the most recent Max Inferno newsletter about the team expansion + move to a 4 day work week. It's very cute to see folk calling him out!

Text saying "BUP! PUP! There's so many cozy games which idolize and appreciate cats, even the banner for the current Cozy Steam Game sale has a cat!! and barely any for buppys like Salty!!"

Text saying "PS. I think Salty needs a raise. ;) Maybe we'll see the adorable doggo in your next game??"

Text saying: "Nifty news, good luck!
Salty and hello from the other coast of CA!"

Picture of a dog with the text "Daniel’s dog: Salty!" below it

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 16/11/2025

Always so pleased to catch these porch visits.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 09/10/2025

Excited for a mobile replay!

Google Play download screen showing Spring Falls.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 25/09/2025

Really clicking with how everything in Wander Stars looks. That results screen is wonderfully slick.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 01/08/2025

Game Gear representation ☺️

Sticker of Fang from the Game Gear Sonic games

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 17/07/2025

Farewell to Switzerland, what an amazing trip!

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 16/07/2025

Last full day in Switzerland! It has been such a wonderful trip and started to send things off in a great way by having my first fondue (very delicious) alongside @hoot.bsky.social!

A pot with a native amount of fondue in it, and another with bread!

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 15/07/2025

Giger museum was a cool visit, but it wasn't the art or the original suit from the first film that stuck with me. It was this notebook page suggesting that to mix things up with Alien 3 the monster should be way more kissable.

Note suggesting the Alien should have "EROTIC HUMAN LIPS"

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 13/07/2025

Too much glare on the ticket machine for the fanicular so foolishly decided to take the stairs with all my luggage instead 🥵🥵🥵

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 09/07/2025

And last but not least, the bell bridgade is still out there in full force.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 09/07/2025

Some very chill cows after coming down the first leg of the return trip.

Couple cows grazing while a cablecar decsends from above.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 09/07/2025

Baby Ibex, only noticed the one on the left at first. Blend in so well.

Looking down Pilatus Kulm with a young Ibex in view

Looking down Pilatus Kulm with a young Ibex in view to the left a couple more hidden in the center

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 09/07/2025

Hungry mountain bird (Alpine chough) that kept perching nearby—did not feed but admired their gumption.

Alpine chough, black bird with bright yellow beak

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 09/07/2025

Bonus highlight, looking up at Pilatus Kulm while eating breakfast (cloud covering radar dish on the left) and then looking back down at the hotel from the same ridge.

Coffee cup and cheese on the table in view of Pilatus Kulm

Looking down at a more rural area of Switzerland where my lodging was.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 08/07/2025

The place I stayed in Zurich had a particularly noisy pidgin—this is a definite upgrade.

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Daniel @hoistgamedev.com · 03/07/2025

I normally put a bit of birdseed on this step ledge, but I was a bit late in doing so today. The blue jay who usually stops by was apparently not excited about this.

A bluejay... lounging? Beak ajar with wings out on the balcony where food is placed.

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