iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Michaela Joffe @joffeorama.bsky.social · 20h

not sure why I made this but now you have to see it

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Marc Watson @marc-irl.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I am so hyped that we managed to contain news of a new dimension in both games successfully for so long. It still feels crazy to be able to say “Sift” and not the codename we drilled into people. Much of the extended Dungeons team didn’t even know it was a codename, it was so secret. 🤫

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 19/09/2026

Optimus Prime Awakening was a visually beautiful, but largely vapid and confused, epilogue to The Transformers The Movie Obvs no one knew it would be a send off for Peter Cullen as Optimus but good lord the message of the short could not have been more antithetical to the spirit of the character

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 18/09/2026

Had my Metroid Ravenous pre-order cancelled by Very Extremely cool and fun thing to do Dumb

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 10/09/2026

Oh boy those Wolverine reviews 😭 Sounds like the kind of game I really don't want right now, think I'll be giving it a miss unfortunately. Too much cool stuff coming out right now.

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 10/09/2026

Decided to go back and try Nintendo Switch Sports again after Resort got me quite excited. Wanted to see if its as bad as I remember or if patches and fresh eyes would improve it. Nope! Game still sucks ass!

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 10/09/2026

Sony, as is tradition, absolutely finding every possible bridge to burn and thing to fuck up following a successful console generation. I can't wait for the PS6 to be an absolute omnishambles and for the PS7 to return to "oh we're so humble and pro-consumer" Actual clown show.

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 08/09/2026

The asshole in me wants to be cynical about the Ocarina of Time remake but I simply cannot. I think it looks wonderful. All the children look creepy af but otherwise it looks like a delightful way to revisit a classic in the same way Star Fox was an excellent way to enjoy 64. Quite excited.

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 06/09/2026

Not only is it actually super easy to harness train a cat, its such a lovely opportunity to bond with them and see their changes in behaviour in different environments. Highly recommend to any new cat owners.

A top down photograph of Toffee, a tortoiseshell cat, in a harness on a lead walking through dry grass and some weeds in the sunshine.

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 05/09/2026

It actually took me 5 months because I consistently ended up not having enough money. I am finally financially stable enough to go ahead with this. Already paid for and forms filled out, just waiting for verification and appointment bookings.

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Mat Piscatella @matpiscatella.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

I'm thinking.... both!

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John Linneman @dark1x.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Wait, why are they doing a Lego PlayStation? It seems to be a physical object. That doesn't align with their current approach. Should be digital legos only.

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 03/09/2026

I dont mean to be a Nintendo fangirl, they're very often as horrible as their competitors. But they seem to be the only platform holder that actually understands *running a platform strategy* Playstation had a strategy last generation, one they have seemingly absolutely ruined this time round.

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 03/09/2026

When bogged down in controversy industry wide you really need a strong showing to keep your users on side This State of Play was not that Playstation has so many talented studios and a rich suite of IPs, how is it not bankrolling an absolutely generational run of bangers the way Nintendo can?

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Jess O'Thomson @jessothomson.co.uk · 03/09/2026

As someone who has been tweeted about personally by Rowling. And who spends my whole life trying to fight the damage caused by the litigation she funds. I think, personally, I would be less harmed by you giving me an actual kick in the ribs than watching the new Harry Potter & trying to justify it.

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 01/09/2026

Wild playing the South America Marketplace Gecko encounter in MGS4 without the fps entering single digits. Im grateful to have a version without the performance issues but its also made me realise how much the framerate dying when an explosion happens is actually part of the original experience haha

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 30/08/2026

Had a girls night with my friends, watching the Mamma Mia! films for the first time and eating sushi! Felt good to just immerse in some feminine energy for once. Living with two men can be such a drag sometimes. Loved just sitting back and enjoying some fun musicals and good food with the gals!

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 28/08/2026

I have a strong desire to draw women in situations but I feel I lack the skill to achieve what I'm wanting to do 😂😂

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 28/08/2026

Yeah that hits the good spot of my brain

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 25/08/2026

Witcher 3 remaster for Switch 2 is genuinely awesome news Can't wait to check it out

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 24/08/2026

Happy Birthday to cool videogame industry people @alanahpearce.bsky.social and @hideokojimaen.bsky.kojimaproductions.jp and also me I guess 😂 29 today 🎉

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The Aether @aether-mod.net · 20/08/2026

It's the final day of the Aerbunny Plushie 2.0 campaign! Make sure to get your order in before the campaign ends! www.makeship.com/products/aer...

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The Aether @aether-mod.net · 13/08/2026

We are entering the FINAL WEEK of the Aerbunny Plush rerun! We're already over 70% funded, so we really only need a final push to get the campaign over the finish line. If you missed out on the Aerbunny the first time round, make sure to pick one up for yourself before the campaign ends!

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 13/08/2026

Power cut during the hottest day of the year sure is something

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 13/08/2026

I think this might be up there for most cringe inducing things Ive seen a gaming exec say publicly which is genuinely already such a high bar. It is astounding how often these chuds like Matthew Karch go into an absolute baffled rage when criticised by women in our industry. Embarrassing.

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 12/08/2026

A new album from The Avalanches this year is exactly what I need. The tracks they've released are already excellent. One of the best groups for triggering deep synaesthesia for me. Can't Get Over Losing You was so impactful I think it might dethrone Born To Lose as my go to for a synaesthesia trip.

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 05/08/2026

Happy to report, despite some login issues and annoyances, FFXIV works great on Switch 2! Excited to play more casually in the sort of way the Switch usually encourages me to do in other games. Maybe I'll finish Endwalker and catch up with Dawntrail soon!

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The Aether @aether-mod.net · 01/08/2026

Make sure to pick up your Aerbunny before the campaign is over!

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Rafael Moco @rafaelmoco.art · 27/07/2026

Hello everyone! Many of you likely saw this image recently with the Apple TV+ 'Neuromancer' promotion. Some know, others don't, but this artwork is mine, created alongside actor & post-production artist Milton Menezes, as a personal project and a homage to the original Neuromancer romance

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The Aether @aether-mod.net · 22/07/2026

The Aerbunnies have returned!! Don't Panic!! To celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the mod's release we have partnered with Makeship to run a special 2.0 release of the wonderful Aerbunny Plushie! www.makeship.com/products/aer... Spread the word, THE AERBUNNIES ARE BACK!

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 25/07/2026

Splatoon Raiders has *The Sauce*

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 22/07/2026

I have spent half my actual life working on this project and now a decade running it as its Team Lead, we have now celebrated 15 years since the original Aether mod released back in July of 2011. An awesome milestone!

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The Aether @aether-mod.net · 22/07/2026

Today, July 22nd 2026, marks 15 years since the release of the original Aether mod Please enjoy this special anniversary artwork and message written by the Aether Team Lead, Katie Payn, to commemorate this amazing milestone

Anniversary artwork featuring a Glowstone Aether Portal in the shape of the number 15 in front of landscape images of various Aether Projects. Text below the Glowstone Portal image reads "15 years exploring the skies together, Thank you all for making The Aether a special place for us all"

Today, July 22nd 2026, marks 15 years since the release of the original Aether Mod for Minecraft by our team's founders. Since then our team has expanded and our roster has rotated over time. Talented engineers, artists, musicians, community managers, and designers have joined the team, developed their skills and talents, and left to work on bigger and better projects and teams including Mojang, Hypixel Studios, Skybound Entertainment, and more. But our team's core philosophy of delivering awe-inspiring experiences in breathtaking worlds has remained the same.

10 years ago I became the steward of this project as its Team Lead. Since then, we have fleshed out The Aether's world, remastered the original mod and brought it back into the mainstream of Minecraft modding, revived and enriched the project's long-awaited sequel The Aether II, launched an amazing collaboration with the Origin Realms server, launched official merchandise with Makeship, and most recently finally released an official version of The Aether on the Minecraft Marketplace with Aether Legends.

This all represents an absolute resurgence in The Aether Project, with now over 120 million downloads on Curseforge, over 2000 Makeship plushes sold, and thousands of new fans brought in by our various collaborations and new releases. The project is now in the healthiest state it has ever seen since its inception, and we are incredibly excited to continue evolving this world via updates to our existing projects and incubating new projects going forward. So please look forward to new content and project announcements over the next few years.

We absolutely could not have achieved any of this without all of you, so shout out to our Patrons, people who put aside their hard-earned money long term to help keep our project afloat over the last decade, and shout out to all of you who have continued to play, enjoy, and talk about The Aether Project over the years.

I also want to shout out a few important people wh…

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 22/07/2026

update - it has gone extremely well

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Captain Pacito @captainpacito.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Very proud to say I got the chance of working as an environment concept artist on this project!

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Aleesa Pixel Tana 🏳️‍🌈🟡⚪️🟣⚫️ @pixeltana.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Did you know that the popular #Minecraft mod, The Aether is now on Bedrock? I always love seeing Spark Universe's work come across my desk, and I loved working on this #pixelart button for the world. All the mobs are fantastic, and the Valkyrie Queen kicked my butt when I tried to get reference!

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Aza @azagwen.art · 18/07/2026

I had the immense pleasure to do concept art on this :D Here is one of the final sheets I did for this amazing project! See some more at azagwen.art#project=aeth... #minecraft #portfolioday #conceptart #digitalart

A concept art sheet showcasing reworked designs for all three of the classic Aether mod's bosses, in order:

The slider, now sparking a more ornamental outer sheel, with its big eye made almost fully round.

The valkyrie queen, now much taller, with her signature sword and wings made more prominent, and her overall silouette elogated some more. Her eyes are now white to further hint at her deity.

Karthuul (the sun boss), fully redesigned to more of spiritual/cult-like "sun" theme, sporting golden ornaments all over his tunic, and wielding a long staff. His head now wearing a crown, and a pony tail made of bright, almost white fire.

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 12/07/2026

Im becoming such a little ball of stress about money and long term business planning and short term sales goals and my own project development and all that stuff I am not having a super great time rn If this week goes well though I will be so fucking happy holy shit

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Rebekah Valentine @duckvalentine.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

how do you fuck up owning id software this badly

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olive consumer @machete.gay · 06/07/2026

id Software and Obsidian being gutted down to the label is a truly heartbreaking torching of some of the most important studios in gaming as both an industry and an art form. There's a lot of opining and gnashing of teeth that can be done about it, but it just sucks.

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Chris Person @papapishu.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Microsoft engineered this so that it looked the least bad optically while at the same time still committing a slaughter, all so that Satya Nadella can still dick around with more useless AI horseshit. Fuck him and fuck Microsoft.

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Katie Payn @katiepayn.com · 06/07/2026

Really feel for those impacted by the news coming out of Xbox/Microsoft today. I hope everyone manages to land on their feet. Utterly disgraceful mishandling of both people's lives and the incredible work they do in our industry. Dreadful.

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Jehtt @turbojehtt.net · 05/07/2026

I love how they expanded on the story in this game.

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Does it play? @doesitplay.org · 01/07/2026

Sony killing physical games will have more ripple effect than we first envision. It will hurt retailers. It will damage any affiliate marketing. This will hurt media and creators depending on affiliate income like us. Which means less exposure for games. Which will hurt sales.

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Steeeve Duffy @stevenduffysstuffy.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Star Fox sometimes reminds me of group projects in school

Fan comic of the Nintendo series StarFox

Panel 1: Peppy Hare gestures to formation diagrams, asking “and we all know what to do when the enemy’s on our tail, right?”

Panel 2: Slippy says “Fly in front of Fox and let him shoot them down!”
Falco says “Fly in front of Fox, and let him shoot ‘em down.”
Peppy says “Fly in front of Fox! Let him shoot them down!”
Fox yells “s-somersault! You somersault!!”

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