iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

River is back in from the 2D map and added in cliffs to define the edges of the demo space. All your efforts will lead to lowering a bridge crossing to reach the rest of the world. Also dimmed the mine counts when travelling so you can focus on your train! #gamedev #indiedev #godot #indiegame

0146

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 28/09/2026

Little bit of animation fun to give the game an intro. #gamedev #indiedev #godot

1183

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 25/09/2026

The bugs are back in town. Getting close to the 3D version of Trainsweeper being available for testing! #godot #gamedev #indiedev #lowpoly

0196

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 23/09/2026

Sweet sweet debug colours and upgrade updates. #gamedev #indiedev #debug

0134

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 21/09/2026

Improved camera behaviour on the weekend. Added in warning symbols and engine smoke this morning. On to getting all the upgrades working again now. Crane, spotlight, and ultrasonic repeller work is underway. May need some restrictions for placements, the crane is huge! #gamdev #indiedev #godot

072

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 18/09/2026

New colours for the mine fog, little highlight for the current grid event, and playing with depth of field because it's fun. Have a good weekend! #gamedev #indiedev #godot

1193

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 17/09/2026

Working on updating the fog that the mines are hidden in. Landed on sampling a 3D noise texture using world coords which makes for this really cool blending as you move the tiles around. #gamedev #indiedev

0222

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 16/09/2026

Have been building the map out with new models and added in some fog, the atmosphere is really improving. Also managed to get the tutorials existing in the world again, they're feeling much better to interact with now. Want to work on the mine field fog next. #gamedev #indiedev #godot #minesweeper

0112

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 14/09/2026

Upgrades and cargo have been ported over to 3D. Got the minesweeper working again and moving on to the other existing upgrades tomorrow. Much happier with the camera now, the more you zoom out the more a traditional Minesweeper view you get. #gamedev #indiedev #godot

0112

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 11/09/2026

Getting close to finishing the 3D port! Floating text, tutorials, and train routes are back in. Also reconnected the main UI panels and rebuilt the overhead maps views which are looking much better. On to train car upgrades next! #gamedev #indiedev #godot

0121

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 09/09/2026

Mine fog, flagging, revealing, counts, and exploding are all back in 3D. Also got the event locations rendering with some new models I've put together in Blockbench. Still not sure about the best camera angle/projection but having fun seeing it come together. #gamedev #indiedev #godot #blockbench

1132

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 08/09/2026

Rails are modelled and now placeable again in 3D along with train movement. Systems are moving over fairly easily which is in part due to separating the grid data and rendering logic early on. Will probably tweak the corner logic as it doesn't work as well for 3D. #gamedev #godot #indiedev

0132

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 04/09/2026

A brief teaser for Trainsweeper's next rabbit hole, 3D! I've had a lot of fun learning Blockbench and figuring out my pipeline to get the models in to Godot. Using a GridMap as the level editor has been fairly straightforward too. #godot #indiedev #lowpoly #gamedev

090

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 02/09/2026

Trainsweeper 0.3.0 is now up 🥳 Have incorporated over 40 pieces of feedback from the last playtest and I think it has improved the experience a lot. Looking forward to what's next! mangomoose.itch.io/trainsweeper #indiedev #indiegame #gamedev #godot

mangomoose.itch.io

Trainsweeper by Mango Moose

A minesweeper RPG. Clear mines, lay track, upgrade your train, save the world.

0112

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 31/08/2026

Checkpoint system is now working (mostly)! Almost finished with the feedback from the last round of playtesting and looking forward to getting a new build out this week. #indiedev #godot #gamedev #indiegame

0142

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 28/08/2026

Me at the end of the day when the checkpoint system was almost working but the train refused to respawn in the correct position. Until Monday, you mischievous little engine.

000

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 26/08/2026

Bugs over River Basin are now swarming 🪰 also swapped from the radio beam to an ultrasonic repeller upgrade to scare them away. Ignore the huge patch of ruined ground where I messed up my minesweeping and set off a chain reaction. #gamedev #indiedev #godot #indiegame

093

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 24/08/2026

A day of tweaks and odd jobs. You can now build on blasted land but it costs a lot more, added dithering to the edge of the map to make the transitions nicer, and removed vision fog. I think I'll replace vision with a system to unlock new sections of the world. #gamedev #indiedev #godot #indiegame

0142

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 21/08/2026

New crane upgrade for the train cars so you can grab cargo and upgrades from the world. Hope you're all in for a good weekend! 🏖️ #gamedev #indiedev #godot #indiegame

083

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 20/08/2026

Have replaced the train engine proximity graphics with a new shader that I like better than the ground pulsing. Also started working on displaying the grid cell data alongside the coordinates just above the minimap. #gamedev #indiedev #godot #shaders

0173

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 17/08/2026

Trying out a new approach for rewarding flagged mines. The engine now checks its neighbours when entering a cell. If you want to earn credits you'll need to flag the cells and take the risk of getting it wrong when you drive close. #gamedev #indiedev #godot #indiegame

084

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 14/08/2026

New radio receiver upgrade so you can stay connected to the towers in transit. May add a range indicator but I want to be careful with the amount of info on the screen. Going to try a crane next to pick up items next to the track 🛤️ #gamedev #indiedev #godot #indiegame

181

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 12/08/2026

Route planning is now sorted and our second favourite direction (backwards) has returned! #gamedev #indiedev #indiegame #godot

1113

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 11/08/2026

Still working on the more lightweight UI updates. Need to get to the next town over though to do some more testing which is a great opportunity to work on the new route visualisation. #gamedev #indiedev #indiegame #godot

194

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 07/08/2026

Taking a break from hunting for feedback and swapped gears into applying a less saturated colour palette for a moodier feel. Drawing some new UI elements too that are less chunky to leave more space for the game world. #gamedev #indiedev #godot

0143

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 05/08/2026

Trainsweeper 0.2.0 is now available! This was a major rework of a lot of the core systems based on the 0.1.0 playtest. If you're interested I would love feedback and thoughts on the game. mangomoose.itch.io/trainsweeper #gamedev #indiedev #indiegame #godot #trains #playtest

mangomoose.itch.io

Trainsweeper by Mango Moose

Survive a minesweeper world with your train

1154

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 30/07/2026

Got rewards working again for correctly flagging mines and added in a quick explainer for it. Final push to get a 0.2.0 release out for testing! #godot #gamedev #indiedev #indiegame

0143

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 27/07/2026

Skill tree is in along with some rough ideas for potential skills. Currently using a data transfer mechanic to extract research from buildings out in the world to be spent as skill points. That's all the big features for now so 0.2.0 release is around the corner! #gamedev #indiedev #godot #trains

0132

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 24/07/2026

Have pulled all the latest updates back in to the main game so we're on track for a 0.2.0 update next week! Have made the maps more interesting and plugged in mission rewards so they get awarded on completion. Last big piece is some kind of talent tree, stay tuned! #indiedev #gamedev #godot #trains

0186

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 23/07/2026

Created a minimap component for Trainsweeper that's now used for the main UI minimap, a larger map / quest log, and the missions section for the event UI! All part of the overhaul to improve the missions part of the game loop. #gamedev #indiedev #godot #trains

0181

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 20/07/2026

Beetles are back in. They're not a danger but they do slow you down which could be dangerous at later points in the game. The UV light upgrade deters them for now so you can make your escape. #indiedev #gamedev #godot

0112

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 17/07/2026

Big step forward for the upgrades, they now impart both stats and effects on to the train cars (and sometimes their neighbours). #gamedev #indiedev #godot

0113

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 15/07/2026

Busy couple of days of business admin and Linux setup so a quick one today, just setup a test scene so I can iterate on the train cars and upgrades super quickly. I'm quite enjoying the Tardis train station! #gamedev #indiedev #godot

0152

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 14/07/2026

Back from the holiday and have finally made the jump to Linux. In the process of getting everything setup but Godot and Trainsweeper are running fine 🥳🍻 #gamedev #indiedev #godot #linux

1143

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 01/07/2026

Have a busy week of travelling followed by a week of holiday so Trainsweeper updates shall be slow for a little while. Did enjoy this watch though about balancing safe bets against moonshots to try and carve out a space for your business www.youtube.com/watch?v=WueQ... #gamedev #indiedev

youtube.com

I Analysed 62,000 Indie Developers. Here's What Actually Predicts Success

YouTube video by Game Oracle

0102

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 26/06/2026

Added stations and radio transmissions. Big update in progress for train car buffs and stats. This is going to allow for tons of interesting choices for which train cars to get, what order to use them in, and which upgrades to equip. Can't wait to start adding them! #gamedev #indiedev #godot

0122

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 25/06/2026

Explosion particle effects are now in and mine functionality is working again with the new grid system. Also experimenting with having the camera's zoom affect the volume of positional sounds (like the explosions). Back to working on some train upgrades and cars tomorrow! #gamedev #indiedev #godot

1154

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 23/06/2026

Getting somewhere recreating Will's pixel explosion (link below) using particles. Particles are on the left and pixel art on the right. Lacking some artistry still but I think I can close the gaps. #indiedev #gamedev #godot #pixelart

2142

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 19/06/2026

Forgot to mention, as a part of the grid and rail track rework I added switchable tracks! Now you can build more interesting routes without needing to remove and replace lines. #gamedev #indiedev #godot

0132

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 17/06/2026

Didn't even manage to open Godot today 😪 I have been daydreaming about particle systems to add to Trainsweeper explosions though. Does anyone know if there's anything similar to godotshaders.com but for particles? A reference library of cool particle effects would be super handy. #gamedev #godot

070

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 16/06/2026

I always enjoy People Make Games videos but this one had me smiling, laughing, and reflecting throughout the whole thing. A beautiful intersection of artists and creators. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is8N...

youtube.com

He Won’t Stop Building a Map to an Imaginary Place

YouTube video by People Make Games

010

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 15/06/2026

Got a bit distracted watching the $200k stolen Lego story this evening but did squeeze in a little time to start wiring up placeholder SFX for minesweeping interactions. Slight headphone warning on the mine explosion. #indiedev #gamedev #godot

0152

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 12/06/2026

Got inventory and train management working again. Upgrades are back on the menu boys! Hope you're all in for a good weekend 🌞 #indiedev #gamedev #godot

081

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 10/06/2026

Got a little bit distracted adding some juice to the main menu, back to fixing equipping train car upgrades now. Looks like I need to figure out how to capture the mouse in Godot movie maker mode too 🤔 #gamedev #indiedev #godot

091

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 08/06/2026

Minefield fog shader now working again after the rework for speedy load times. Also been doing a little mood boarding for some other cool games to take inspiration from. #indiedev #solodev #gamedev #godot

0163

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 05/06/2026

Finally sorted some splash screens for the game startup. Required moving the map setup to its own thread to prevent the loading animations getting blocked. Turns out using multi-threading with local to scene shaders can really lag scene instantiation! #indiedev #gamedev #godot

0122

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 03/06/2026

Another benefit of the map/track rework is that there's no longer a speed limit required to stop the game from breaking. You may experience extreme G forces at stations now though 😅 Time to try out the bullet train sprite 🚅 #indiedev #gamedev #godot

0102

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 01/06/2026

In the middle of a substantial update to incorporate feedback from the 0.1.0 release of Trainsweeper. I've completely reworked the map loading so there aren't any lag spikes when loading in new chunks. Now we've got a window of grid cells that load data as you move around. #indiedev #gamedev #godot

1196

Mango Moose @mangomoose.co.uk · 20/04/2026

What a great weekend! Took a trip to the Lake District and got my first ever donations for my game dev work 🥳. A huge thank you to whoever the anonymous donors were 🙏

020