iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Sophie Smart

The Red Tunic Podcast @theredtunicpodcast.com · 15/06/2026

Hey! A new episode of my #podcast where I talk to #gamedevs about #videogames featuring Producer Sophie Smart, @loxeni.bsky.social, is now available to enjoy! Find @ bit.ly/3KQkbg2 & most services! Huge thanks to Sophie for their time and everyone should check them, and Blossom Arcade, out!

static.klipy.com

Forrest Gump Waves Hey

ALT: Forrest Gump Waves Hey

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Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker | Coming June 9th @gentletrolldevs.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Game Critix left us the sweetest review! 🥹🐝 We're so glad you're enjoying Dreamwalker—and your kind words mean the world to us. And so do yours, dear fellow tavernkeepers! If you want to share your thoughts about the game as well, you can always leave a review on Steam👀

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Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker | Coming June 9th @gentletrolldevs.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Tavernkeepers, this is the moment you've all been waiting for... Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker is now out on all platforms! ✨🐝 🥹 Head over to Steam or the Nintendo eShop and dive into the wondrous world of Asteria. The Drowsy Dragon is waiting for you! youtu.be/4Wq9naaoGdU?...

youtu.be

Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker - Launch Trailer

Tavernkeepers, this is the moment you've all been waiting for... Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker is now out on all platforms! Head over to Steam or the Nintendo eShop and dive into the wondrous…

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

I'm releasing a game today and Nintendo just announced KH4 and Ocarina of Time remake 😅🫠 Game dev on hard mode 💪 Please go and give Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker some love when it launches in a couple of hours. 🙏❤️ store.steampowered.com/app/3500880/...

store.steampowered.com

Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker on Steam

Welcome Tavernkeep! In this D&D-inspired visual novel you will run a cozy seaside tavern, meet adventurers, gather rumours and mix fate-altering drinks to stop dreams from twisting into nightmares...

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Game Developer just wrote an lovely article about my talk at #LGF26 last week. ✨🌸

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Super happy to have my talk from #LGF26 as part of the Self Publishing Toolkit covered by Chris on Game Developer! Thanks for the support and hopefully the take-aways are helpful you many of you out there starting your next indie game project. ✨🌸

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Moo Yu (Mythmatch on Switch and Steam Now!) @oneofmoo.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

I love sharing numbers so here's a video of how much we spent to make Mythmatch. I break it down by time, discipline, and funding source. youtu.be/cB5lanPUQ1o

youtu.be

How Much an Indie Game Costs to Make

YouTube video by Moo Yu

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

I'm at #LGF2026 today and spoke for the first time as 🌸 Blossom Arcade this morning, on 'Keeping on top of production tasks without a publisher' as part of the Self-Publishing Toolkit ✨️ BIG MILESTONE ❤️

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Incredibly excited to see my bestie Lee announcing Tea Imps first title. Please repost, wishlist and play the demo right now! It would mean the world to this tiny indie team <3

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Dora B @heyitsdora.com · 06/04/2026

If you're an indie dev and feel weird about having to market your game and ask/prompt for reviews I ask you to have a mere fraction of the persistence of the dental clinic that has sent me three texts asking me to leave them a review since they pulled a wisdom tooth out three hours ago

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Zach Soares @voxels.ca · 24/03/2026

Small note. Mass layoffs like these are also a tactic to devalue the work because workers become more desperate while companies create false scarcity. Do not, ever, forget your worth. Don’t let them win. You make this industry exist. They don’t.

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

❤️Super happy to see that RPS covered Grow Wild! Been working with Philip since mid last year. It's an incredible blend of city building, creature collecting and a 're-wilding' simulator. Sign up for the playtests and look out for the demo launching into Earth Appreciation fest next month. 🐛🐜🐝

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Mike Rose @mikerose.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

If anyone is willing the share the following, I would be so grateful! We just launched Piece by Piece on Steam 🎉🎉 It's a cozy repair shop sim, you play a woodland fox who inherits his grandfather's store. You fix up items with your hammer and paintbrush 🔨🖌️🦊 store.steampowered.com/app/3179050/...

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

In the stage where all I think about is playing more Pokopia. 🌱🛠️😀✨🍃

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

#my9games Well, since everyone else is, here are my top 9! :)

1. The Last of Us
2. Alexx Kidd
3. Animal Crossing New Horizons
4. Mickey Mania
5. Pokemon Yellow
6. Ghost of Tsushima
7. Divinity Original Sin
8. Planet Coaster
9. Kingdom Hearts

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

📢It's the last day to back this coastal based, fantasy visual novel, Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker on Kickstarter! The team have worked so hard on this and it's a huge improvement on the games first in the series. Please support this diverse team. Captain Beebug is so cute too!❤️🐝

kickstarter.com

Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker - A cozy visual novel

A standalone prequel to the Kickstarter hit. Be the Tavernkeeper! Listen to stories, mix drinks, forge quests in a cozy seaside tavern.

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Played a couple of rounds of 7 Wonders Duel over the weekend with my wife. Incredible 2 player board game. Going to grab the expansions when I can! (Wife won both times 😅) Also, please note the amount of toys we had to put out for the cats to stop them disturbing the game.

A table with many cards and a small board game on it. The game is seven wonders duel. With a ginger cat with a tent, tunnel and marble run in the background.

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

It's my birthday, lunar new year and pancake day all on the same day next week. 🎂🐉🥞

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Super happy to be speaking at @londongamesfest.bsky.social 's first Self-Publishing Toolkit live sessions in April! 😀🌸 #LGF26 #indiedev #gamedev

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Sitting within the big yellow cloud of 'Video Games Industry Professionals' ☺️

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Just released the latest edition of Before You Launch, 🌸Blossom Arcade’s newsletter! This month I focused on working with Content Creators. Something I've only picked up over the last couple of years, but learnt fast and have some tips for you if you’ve not worked with creators before 👍 #indiedev

open.substack.com

Working with Content Creators

Tips for organic and paid coverage for indie teams

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Reposted by Sophie Smart

Fellow Traveller @fellowtraveller.games · 28/01/2026

We’re so excited to announce our Story-Rich Showcase! Our official showcase runs during the Summer Game Showcase 2026 timeframe, dedicated entirely to story-rich indie games with first looks, reveals, trailers, release dates, and dev-led storytelling 💝 More details soon! 🚶storyrich.games

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

So excited to see Xbox getting straight to it with showing off Forza Horizon 6. Honestly couldnt be more excited, I have over 1000 hours logged on FH5. Ready for my new comfort game to launch and so excited its set in Japan! 🏎

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Dave Gilbert @wadjeteyegames.com · 17/01/2026

There’s a guy on Facebook who hates the queer romance in Old Skies so much that he’s hopping on every recent thread related to the game to rant about it. Lesson learned. More queer stuff.

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Ash Wayling (M0D3Rn) @ashwayling.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

The developers of PEAK explain pricing

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Enjoying lazy sunday mornings by the fire reading and writing. ✍️📖 Determined to finish editing my book this year.

A computer, a glass of juice and a bowl of berries and yogurt and a book with the title Thunderhead are on a table with a fire in the background.

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Reposted by Sophie Smart

Tom Francis @pentadact.com · 08/01/2026

I've been running an indie games studio for 15 years now, and it felt like a good time to boil down what I've learned into 4 pieces of advice: www.pentadact.com/2026-01-08-1... I hope it's of use, not least because goddamn I forgot how long blog posts take to write.

A timeline visually representing the advice from my post, emphasising how dramatically and reliably having more time, with a testable build, converts to your game being better and your studio being safer.

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Just providing my weekly Leo picture tax to you all. Here he is being a sun worshipper earlier this week. 🌞😻

A big ginger cat lying on the floor in a sun ray.

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Thanks to everyone who signed up for my new self-publishing newsletter 'Before You Launch'! I've got a massive list of about 25 topics already that I want to cover, so I've got AT LEAST two years worth of publishing best practises and how-to's to share If you've not subscribed yet, you can here:

blossomarcade.substack.com

Before You Launch Newsletter | Sophie Smart | Substack

Practical guidance for self-publishing video games - from 🌸 Blossom Arcade. Click to read Before You Launch Newsletter, by Sophie Smart, a Substack publication. Launched a day ago.

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

SURPRISE! Reposts hugely appreciated! ♥️ It's 2026 and I'm starting a Substack Newsletter! Before You Launch 🎮 Practical guidance for self-publishing video games - from🌸Blossom Arcade Read my first post about Best Practices for Steam Next Fest here: blossomarcade.substack.com/p/best-pract...

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

First day back at the desk in 2026 and have a beautiful view. ❄️🌨

Picture out of a window at a street with a dusting of snow over the houses and cars as the sun is starting to rise.

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Had a fab time chatting to Link on the Red Tunic podcast today. Can't wait for you all to hear what we spoke about. A lovely start to 2026. 😁👏

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Seeing the year out with my beautiful wife who makes elite level cheese boards. 😋🧀

A top down picture of an eleborate cheese board with 4 types of cheese, caviar, fruits, nuts and crackers all arristically placed.

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Started reading this book series the day before yesterday that my wife got me for Christmas and am already part way through the second book. Honestly one of the best YA distopian series I've ever read. So excited to continue! #YAfiction #Scythe #NealShusterman

Picture of three books on a bed. The first book called Scythe, the second called Thunderhead and the third The Toll

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

Wow, lots of new followers overnight. Welcome all! Please have a picture of my cat Leo after the excitement of new toys for Christmas yesterday. Main content I post is game dev, publishing and cats. 🎮🐈🐈‍⬛️✌️

A big ginger cat sleeping on his green track and scratch pad toy.

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

Leo's ready for Christmas 😄🎄👏

Picture of a big ginger cat sat on top of a large wrapped Christmas present.

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Ukie @ukieofficial.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

🚨 The UK Video Games Industry Census closes 19 Dec. Run by Ukie & Dr Mark Taylor, it’s the most comprehensive survey of the UK games workforce, exploring: 🔹 Industry mood & outlook 🔹 Layoffs, visas & training 🔹 Careers of women in games Open to all UK games workers. Take part: zurl.co/yfMwu

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Rather than going to bed early and waking up early to watch the Las Vegas Grand Prix, my wife and I have decided to pull an all nighter and I'm struggling already. 😴😴🥱 Carlos qualifying P3 is keeping the spirits alive though. 🏎 #LasVegasGP

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Big day! Reposts appreciated ✨ It’s my first day running Blossom Arcade full time! 🌸 If you’re an indie dev looking for help self-publishing, my DMs are open 💌 (11 years experience in production, marketing and publishing) Also my wife and SIL made these Blossom Arcade cakes, how good are they! 🧁❤️

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

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Kyle Schmitz @kyleschmitz.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

1. Pick a viable genre Chris Zukowski from How to Market a Game does a fantastic job of breaking down which genres are popular on Steam. It is not a coincidence that Little Rocket Lab is a simulation game and RPG, both of which rank high on median revenue, while low on number of games released.

A graph that shows number of games released by different genres, along with a curve showing the mediam revenue for each genre.

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René Otto @aceottorney.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Proud to announce Deviant Legal’s Game Developer’s Guide to Publishing Agreements: a free resource for developers wanting to learn about publishing deals. Publicly accessible, without requiring to provide your data: deviantlegal.com/guide/game-d...

An image about the game developer's guide to publishing agreements feauturing otto the otter

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

I've learnt so much about paid marketing and how to get the most out of your budget. 💪 ✨Pro tip - Work out how much your paying per view with influencers. Literally divide their rate by their lower end average view count and go with the people who have the lowest number, with the most reach.

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No More Robots @nomorerobots.io · 09/10/2025

Here's how we handle manchildren on the Steam forums at No More Robots:

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

After a rocky start with Steam going down as I was meant to push the launch button yesterday, things have been looking up! Been working on Little Rocket Lab doing production and marketing since 2022 and it's so nice to see the fruits of our labour pay off. Well done @kyleschmitz.bsky.social 👏

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Dan Marshall @danthat.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

If you enjoy Size Five and want to see it survive what is a very iffy time for the Games Industry, please do three things with your Saturday: ✅ Wishlist EARTH MUST DIE ✅ Buy a game on sale ✅ Share these links where you can store.steampowered.com/app/3639780/... store.steampowered.com/dev/sizefive

store.steampowered.com

Earth Must Die on Steam

These moronic Terranoids think they can just roll in here and take over my beautiful Tyrythian kingdom? The kingdom that I built from the ground up with my bare hands, and only sort of inherited from ...

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Sophie Smart @loxeni.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

A fun one to have worked on and hard to have kept quiet about for a while! 👏👏🌍💀

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