iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Matt Nava @mattnava.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Check out this fun Sword of the Sea interview I recently did when in the Netherlands. See how the game incorporates flow states, ritual, and even ballet. You may have to translate it!

0224

Matt Nava @mattnava.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

This is a fun article I participated in about the NDS art creation scene! Check out how my NDS ended up on display in a museum…

0145

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 02/04/2026

🌌 Creative Director, @mattnava.bsky.social, will be sharing insights behind his artistry and the path that led to his signature worlds at The Art Department, Eindhoven, April 15-17th. 📅 April 15-17 📍 Eindhoven 🎟️ Tap the link below to join us!

1685

Reposted by Matt Nava

Austin Wintory @awintory.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

In light of recent events, the Sword of the Sea bandcamp page is set to "Pay what you want" very much including free. Just so endlessly grateful to all of who've reached out, tagged etc ♥️ austinwintory.bandcamp.com/album/sword-...

austinwintory.bandcamp.com

Sword of the Sea, by Austin Wintory

16 track album

616559

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 02/02/2026

Massive congratulations to @awintory.bsky.social on taking home the GRAMMY for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media! Don't forget all of the music in Sword of the Sea can be streamed on all platforms without copyright strikes. www.grammy.com/artists/aust...

Album Art for the Sword of the Sea OST composed by Austin Wintory.

313027

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 25/11/2025

Catch up on what critics are saying about Sword of the Sea! #IndieGame #AdventureGame #SwordoftheSea www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2t1...

youtube.com

Sword of the Sea | Accolades Trailer

YouTube video by Giant Squid Studios

0387

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 24/08/2025

Surf's up Saturday! 🤙 Experience Sword of the Sea the new adventure game from Giant Squid.

218825

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 23/08/2025

Want to be featured on the PlayStation Blog? 📸 Grab your camera and share moments restoring the sea using #PSshare #PSBlog on Instagram or Twitter/X for a chance to be featured. SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on August 27, 2025

Sword of the Sea: Share of the Week #PSshare #PSBlog

1183

Reposted by Matt Nava

MinnMax @minnmax.com · 23/08/2025

What are you playing this weekend? Here's the MinnMax Discord's Top 10! 1. Sword of The Sea 2. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach 3. Hollow Knight 4. The Rogue Prince of Persia 5. UFO 50 6. Donkey Kong Bananza 7. Lies Of P: Overture 8. Marvel Rivals 9. Merge Maestro 10. Rematch

9574

Reposted by Matt Nava

Austin Wintory @awintory.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

This weekend (130pm PST) gonna hang in a Bandcamp listening party to stream SWORD OF THE SEA in case anyone wants to chill with me! Will share stories and BTS stuff and just overall have a nice chill time :) (it's totally free) austinwintory.bandcamp.com/merch/sword-...

austinwintory.bandcamp.com

Sword of the Sea Listening Party from Austin Wintory

Listening Party from Austin Wintory.

27417

Reposted by Matt Nava

Eurogamer @eurogamer.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

Sword of the Sea knows the power of putting you at the top of a steep hill and showing you the world. Our review: bit.ly/4fIb9kC

012918

Matt Nava @mattnava.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

It was so fun talking to Kate about design ideas behind Sword of the Sea. Thanks so much for letting me geek out about some of my inspirations, and for the thoughtful, kind words about the game. Thanks Kate!

3537

Matt Nava @mattnava.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Check out this great article about Sword of the Sea! It was an absolute delight to chat with Lewis about the game-we talked about the thoughts behind it, and even about the crazy sand and water shader! Thank you!

1305

Reposted by Matt Nava

Joel Finney @izzylizard.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Best day! So wonderful seeing all the joy and love from our players today. So many thoughts I want to express, but don’t have the words tonight. Thank you for your support and enjoy #SwordOfTheSea ! 💖🗡️🏄🌊💖

0425

Matt Nava @mattnava.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Finally- please enjoy Sword of the Sea!

814726

Reposted by Matt Nava

Austin Wintory @awintory.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

It's SWORD OF THE SEA launch day! I'm SO happy to be sharing this one at long last! We started work on it 2021 & it's been a major labor of love that whole time. @giantsquidstudios.com @mattnava.bsky.social alway push to make something poignant, artful & unique and I only hope the music follows suit

1032758

Matt Nava @mattnava.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Finished making a video game today!

1919910

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 16/08/2025

3 Days until Sword of the Sea is out PS5 & PC 🐬

813721

Reposted by Matt Nava

Eurogamer @eurogamer.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Sword of the Sea is an expression of the joy of movement in video games - PS Plus subscribers are in for an absolute treat. Giant Squid, the developer behind Abzû and The Pathless, talks mindfulness and motion in our preview before it launches next week: www.eurogamer.net/sword-of-the...

Sword of the Sea official screenshot showing the Wraith surfing on their sword through the golden desert and its scenic ruins

013825

Reposted by Matt Nava

PlayStation @playstation.com · 13/08/2025

Your PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup for August: 🐉 Mortal Kombat 1 🕸️ Marvel’s Spider-Man 🏄 Sword of the Sea 👾 Earth Defense Force 6 …and more, all available Aug 19. Full details: play.st/4mEVt3N

Game library varies over time, country/region and plan. PS Plus is subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically until cancellation. Terms apply: play.st/psplus-usageterms

1333757

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 10/08/2025

Join the Wraith on a quest to bring life back to a barren world in Sword of the Sea 🌊 Arriving August 19

420246

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 03/08/2025

Get ready to surf across glistening emerald waters and uncover stunning secrets with your hoversword. 🏄 Sword of the Sea launches on August 19!

A screenshot from the upcoming game Sword of the Sea showing a vista of sparkling waves tiered into the distance with a pyramid structure standing tall above the rest of the landscape. The Wraith tears across the oceanscape at high speeds while upon a hoversword.

628749

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 26/06/2025

Don’t miss this exclusive interview with @mattnava.bsky.social about Sword of the Sea at Summer Game Fest!

0224

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 21/06/2025

"I expected this studio’s next game to be an engrossing adventure, but I didn’t expect it to rip this hard."

19413

Reposted by Matt Nava

Game Informer @gameinformer.com · 13/06/2025

We went hands-on with Sword of the Sea at Summer Game Fest and came away viscerally refreshed and excited to play Giant Squid's upcoming game when it releases this August. Our impressions: gameinformer.com/preview/2025...

In the middle of a desert with ruins in the background, the Wraith makes a sharp turn on their hovering sword.

1828

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 11/06/2025

Former PlayStation president @yosp-jp.bsky.social hails upcoming PS Plus day-one release Sword of the Sea as their “favorite game” www.videogamer.com/news/former-... @mattnava.bsky.social @tinaheartgames.bsky.social

A photograph of Shuhei, Matt Nava, and Tina Kowalewski at the demo for Sword of the Sea at IGN Live.

0436

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 06/06/2025

Join us today for an in-depth look at Sword of the Sea with Creative Director Matt Nava during @dayofthedevs.org: Summer Game Fest Edition 2025. #SwordoftheSea

Day of the Devs Summer Game Fest Edition Featuring Sword of the Sea

16110

Reposted by Matt Nava

Joel Finney @izzylizard.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

There's some more gameplay footage in here 👀 So proud of our team! #SwordoftheSea

13411

Reposted by Matt Nava

Jacqui Collins @jacquicollins.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

if only a pr person with incredible foresight saved three (3) whole sgf play days appointment slots in case anyone would want to come see us after seeing state of play. hit me up if you’re interested.

0284

Reposted by Matt Nava

Austin Wintory @awintory.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Forever grateful for my ongoing partnership with @giantsquidstudios.com and @mattnava.bsky.social - I adore this game and am lucky to be part of it. 🙏🙏🙏🙏 See you August 19!!

310018

Matt Nava @mattnava.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

BIG NEWS Sword of the Sea comes out AUGUST 19th! Check out our new trailer!! So excited to finally share this!

2669

Reposted by Matt Nava

Wholesome Games @wholesomegames.com · 21/04/2025

Ride a hovering sword over shifting seas of sand, magma, and ice in Sword of the Sea. "From the visionary artist behind ABZÛ, The Pathless, and Journey, and featuring a beautiful score by Austin Wintory."

9653155

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 26/03/2025

ATTENTION INDIEDEVS Show off your art style

Image from Sword of the Sea (In Dev - 2025) of the Wraith surfing through a desert landscape headed towards a stone archway with ruins in the distance.

Image from Sword of the Sea (In Dev - 2025) of silhouetted dolphins swimming through the air past the Wraith.

Image from Sword of the Sea (In Dev - 2025) of the Wraith surfing on a hoversword through crystal clear waters flanked by manta rays.

Image from Sword of the Sea (In Dev - 2025) of the Wraith surfing through a desert landscape with temples and ancient architecture in the background.

822040

Reposted by Matt Nava

Austin Wintory @awintory.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Happy 13th birthday JOURNEY :)

211317

Reposted by Matt Nava

Joel Finney @izzylizard.bsky.social · 28/10/2024

Wings are extremely hard to rig in 3D, especially if you want to be able to fold them nicely. For The Pathless, we actually had two wing rigs working at the same time to get around this problem! If you look closely, you might can spot the swap. #Animation #VideoGames #GameAnim #ThePathless #Eagle

1428532

Reposted by Matt Nava

chinjuh @chinjuh.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Blueskyで origami についての投稿を読んでいて折り図をみつけました。JOURNEY TRAVELER というタイトルで、一般的な旅人のイメージなのかなと思いながら折りました。出来上がってからタイトルを検索してみたら、『風ノ旅ビト』というゲームの自キャラだったんですね？！ゲームキャラにそっくりなので驚きました。 So cool ! Thanks for revealing the folding instructions. #origami

15312

Matt Nava @mattnava.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Posting about Journey made me remember the origami Traveler I designed. If you want to try folding one, the instructions I drew are here! Many people folded my design years ago, a truly wonderful thing to see. Now there are more really nice designs out there others have made. Share if you make one!

3 Origami Journey Traveler paper models, standing at different angles.

Visual instructions for how to fold the origami Journey Traveler, designed and illustrated by Matt Nava (me!)

8307108

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 06/12/2024

Our game Sword of the Sea is nominated for Most Anticipated Game of 2025 and Beyond in the PS Blog Game of the Year Awards- Cast your ballot now and help us ride this wave of excitement! #PSBlogAwards #SwordoftheSea blog.playstation.com/2024/12/02/p...

blog.playstation.com

PS Blog Game of the Year Awards 2024: polls are now live

Vote for your favorite games from the past year across 19 categories.

0293

Matt Nava @mattnava.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

This character was an important early step towards the final character design in Journey. I designed it before the game was greenlit, in the first weeks of the project. Elements of it stuck around until the end, and it helped define the art direction. I'll share a bit about it in this thread.

An early concept art painting I created exploring the character design for the game Journey. Two masked figures stand in a dust storm, ther robes blowing in the wind.

10504101

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 28/11/2024

In The Pathless, you control a fast and acrobatic archer we call the Hunter. It's important to us that players, regardless of gaming skill or experience, can easily become and act like the Hunter- a character with heroic aiming skill. This thread is about how we designed the game's unique archery.

617942

Matt Nava @mattnava.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

I recreated my old 10th anniversary Journey thread from twitter. I added alt text that gives more detail on each image, so If you saw it before, do check it out again! I should do a thread expanding on the insanity that was how I did shadows for this game... this is just the tip of the iceberg.

4749

Matt Nava @mattnava.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

10th anniversary Journey thread, recreated: I was the art director of thatgamecompany's Journey. It set the course of my career and my art. I'm forever thankful to the community of players and their incredible love for the game. This is a thread comparing early dev images and how things shipped.

The intro title shot from the PS3 game Journey. This is from the finished game. The title "Journey" is displayed above a distant mountain, with the player character seeing it from atop a sand dune.

The intro title shot from a work in progress version of Journey. The title's font is different, the composition is asymmetrical, and the distant mountain is not as tall as the final version.

My initial sketch for the title shot for the game Journey. A simple, small line drawing featuring the player character in the foreground and the mountain in the distance.

11331761154

Matt Nava @mattnava.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

I havent posted anything in a long time. This is a drawing I did years ago on a trip to Japan. Todaiji Temple in Nara. I used a water brush to create a wash from the pen drawing. When drawing outside, selecting just a portion of the scene can constrain the scope and somtimes enhance the piece.

Ink drawing of Todaiji temple in Nara, Japan

2926

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 16/11/2024

How does Sword of the Sea achieve dynamic surfing on a hoversword over moving terrain? Let's explore the Wraith's animation in this thread! 🧵 Wishlist on PS5: store.playstation.com/en-us/concep... or Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/2453160/... #SwordoftheSea #gamedev #indiedev #indiegame

12490113

Reposted by Matt Nava

Giant Squid 🦑 @giantsquidstudios.com · 28/11/2023

We're hiring an Environment Artist! Come work with us! We are a fully-remote team creating atmospheric games 🏄 Link with more info right here 👇 giantsquidstudios.com/ENVIRONMENT-...

giantsquidstudios.com

ENVIRONMENT ARTIST — Giant Squid

ENVIRONMENT ARTIST Giant Squid is looking for an environment artist to help create 3D assets in Maya and assemble levels in UE5, from block out to...

085

Matt Nava @mattnava.bsky.social · 30/09/2023

My good friend, collaborator and amazing composer Austin Wintory has joined this app, be sure to follow him! @awintory.bsky.social

0131