iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

This week I made a new level for a possible future game. However, I quite liked it, so I added it to my new game. It fits in perfectly. #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #leveldesign #lowpoly #indiegames #indiegamedev #indiegame #gamedevelopment #steamnextfest

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Thank you for noticing. You have a fellow environment designers eye. I try to give continual framing reveals through doors, entrances or obstructions to reveal a vista or view. Hopefully players feel the scene opening up before their eyes.

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Thank you. I try to make my games pop with colour. There's a bit of saturation pop via post processing in there too.

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

No, I don't track that. There kind of there to help but not necessary to complete a level.

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I try not to punish players so it's not essential for completion of the level. I suppose they're like stabilisers a trycycle. Players can get by without seeing them. There are quest objective items to find on nearly all levels so those are the only things that players will need to find thermselves.

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The marker stones, or later in the game marker signs etc all have the same subtle particle effect, a large pulsing sphere that glows until the player moves close enough to trigger the effect to stop. At the same time, a visual note appears on screen to offer a hint or tip.

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

It was definitely a taste one on my part. There is a story but it's propelled by environment advances and notes and/or marker stones that offer hints etc. No spoken word and minimal text.

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

On this #wishlistwednesday, my game is a first-person exploration-adventure with collectables, light platforming and puzzles. Big on environment and vibes, small on cut scenes. Achievements are all doable in one playthrough too. steam.pm/app/4891110 #gamedev #indiedev #solodev

steam.pm

The Lost City of Gold on Steam

The discovery of an adventurer's journal starts you on an unforgettable journey into the heart of an uncharted wilderness in search of the legendary Lost City of Gold.

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Thank you so much. 🙏 Making environments is my very favourite part of game dev. The original 8 environments grew into 14! 😁

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Thank you so much. That's very kind. 🙏

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Some footage from my game, The Lost City of Gold. Fourteen levels, Lots of environments to explore, (some hidden from this trailer). Light platforming and puzzles. #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #lowpoly #indiegames #indiegamedev #indiegame #gamedevelopment

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Work in progress on The Lost City of Gold. This week, a few high vantage points. I like to use height in level design to offer some interesting views. #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #leveldesign #lowpoly #indiegames #indiegamedev #indiegame #gamedevelopment

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

'Hide and Seek' is my entry to the #Synty 12th Birthday #gameJam.💯% Synty assets used. You play a cleaner who works in a supervillain's secret underwater island base. And you just want to get home. #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #lowpoly #indiegames #indiegamedev #indiegame

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

My entry for Synty's 12th Birthday Game Jam. 100% Synty assets Every supervillain needs a secret island lair. And every secret island lair needs a cleaner. james-smart.itch.io/hide-and-seek #gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #lowpoly #indiegames #indiegamedev #indiegame #gamedevelopment

james-smart.itch.io

Hide and Seek by James Smart

Every supervillain needs a secret island lair. And every secret island lair needs a cleaner.

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

My submission to the 9th Game Dev Unlocked, weekend #gamejam (26-28th June 2026). Theme: Make a Difference. Fancy litter picking on an alien planet? #gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #lowpoly #indiegames #indiegamedev #indiegame #gamedevelopment james-smart.itch.io/make-a-diffe...

james-smart.itch.io

Make a Difference by James Smart

Available for Windows

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

My game, The Lost City of Gold. This is the temple of gold though (the entrance to the city). I want to try and keep the actual reveal of the city for players of the game. #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign #leveldesign #lowpoly #indiegames #indiegamedev #indiegame #gamedevelopment

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Thank you.🙏 I hope that you enjoy it. 😀

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

It's #WorldOceanDay so take a deep dive and relax playing #free game, Grub's Up! Search underwater caves for Aquadillo grubs! 🌊🪸🐟🐠🪼🦑 james-smart.itch.io/grubs-up #indiegame #gamedev #IndieGameDev #lowpoly #indiedev #free #freegame

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Thank you. That's very kind. 🙏

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

A few more images from my City of Gold game project. A first person adventure with a little light platforming, light puzzling and collecting. Lots of secret areas and hidden easter eggs. #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamedev #IndieGameDev #lowpoly #leveldesign #gamedesign #indiedev #madewithunity

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

I made a 14 level game about a lost city of gold. Puzzles, light platforming, collectables. Not sure what to do with it yet. Either way, it's been a fun project. #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamedev #IndieGameDev #lowpoly #leveldesign #gamedesign #indiedev #madewithunity

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

I have a new game in development. A little bit of progress each day. 👍 There's something really fun about working on ten levels at the same time. You don't get bored, because you can flip between maps. 📷 #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamedev #IndieGameDev #lowpoly #indiedev #madewithunity

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Thank you for your kind words Professor. I appreciate it. 🙏

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

My game, Lost Valley of the Frog King was made as a hobby project, purely for fun. 🐸 Essentially, I make games for me. But if anyone else enjoys it, that's the icing on the cake. 🎂 #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamedev #IndieGameDev #lowpoly #indiedev #madewithunity #leveldesign #gamedesign

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Steam Next Fest is here! 🐸 If you want a chill, atmospheric, collectathon, hop on over to Steam and check out the demo for Lost Valley of the Frog King. 🐸 steam.pm/app/3289220 #SteamNextFest #steam #indiegame #gamedev #IndieGameDev #lowpoly #indiedev #madewithunity #demo

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

This Monday, discover the Lost Valley of the Frog King, as it joins the Steam Next Fest! 🐸 steam.pm/app/3289220 #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamedev #IndieGameDev #lowpoly #leveldesign #gamedesign #indiedev #madewithunity #demo

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Thank you for the highlight! Much appreciated. 😀🙏

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

This week: Game playthroughs and refining. More tweaking and tinkering on my game, Lost Valley of the Frog King.🐸 The demo is ready to play now:👇 steam.pm/app/3289220 #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamedev #IndieGameDev #lowpoly #leveldesign #gamedesign #indiedev #madewithunity #demo

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

This week: Tweaking bits and pieces. A few more images from my game, Lost Valley of the Frog King.🐸 The demo is ready to play now:👇 steam.pm/app/3289220 #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamedev #IndieGameDev #lowpoly #leveldesign #gamedesign #indiedev #madewithunity #demo

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

This week: Adding ruins and giant frog statues to my game, Lost Valley of the Frog King.🐸 The demo is ready to play now:👇 steam.pm/app/3289220 #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamedev #IndieGameDev #lowpoly #leveldesign #gamedesign #indiedev #madewithunity #demo

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

Okey doke. I think that's fixed now. A special settings page in Steamworks.👍

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

Hmmm...that's weird. Not cool if folks can't find it. Not sure if Steam is laying it out differently for me because the full game store page is live. I'll have to look into it.

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

Thank you Spooky. 👻 Is there a download demo button on the right hand panel? Steam have moved the button from where it used to appear...for me anyway. 🤷‍♂️

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

Drakan: Order of the Flame. I play it each and every year. It is still my favourite game of all time. As a hobbyist game dev, it taught me so much about level design too.

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

This week, more tweaking and development on my new game, Lost Valley of the Frog King. 🐸👑 The DEMO is ready to play!👇 steam.pm/app/3289220 #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamedev #IndieGameDev #lowpoly #leveldesign #gamedesign #indiedev #madewithunity #demo

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

The third, in my trinity of FREE Christmassy games. Christmas at the Overlook 🪓 james-smart.itch.io/christmas-at... Return to the hotel from the #horror classic, #TheShining and discover what occurs there at this festive time of year! #indiegame #gamedev #IndieGameDev #lowpoly #indiedev

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Again, sorry for the bug.🐛 It's all fixed now! 👍

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Thank you for playing. And pointing this bug out. It's all fixed now. Thanks again. 👍

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James Smart @jamessmart5.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

The second, in my trinity of FREE Christmassy games. The Magic Snow Globe 🎄🧑‍🎄 james-smart.itch.io/the-magic-sn... Trapped in a snow globe. Will you escape? #indiegame #gamedev #IndieGameDev #lowpoly #leveldesign #gamedesign #indiedev #madewithunity #gamejam

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