iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

I've never heard of it, but again - I am not an RTS fan. LOL Play what you like. :)

Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Sometimes Python functions can feel like they do 8 different things depending on how they are called. That overloaded approach is fine in small amounts, but starts to feel overwhelming when tasked with remembering what your program does and how it does it. Odin for the win! #odin #therearedozensofus

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

One thing I like about Odin (as opposed to Python) is how SINGULAR in purpose functions are. There isn't a laundry list of things to remember with a function: it does this one thing with a certain data type. That's it. That clarity is very cool to work with (and remember!).

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Really happy with the progress I'm making, though. Let me make that abundantly clear. LOL 😁 #gamedesign #game_dev #odin #programming

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

I now have 12 items in my game. That's a lot. One of the main challenges I'm seeing from a design standpoint is designing scenarios that feel solved with the items you have, but not *broken* by the items you have. Some overlap is fine, but the whole POINT of varying items is varying gameplay.

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Thanks for the link! I'll keep this in mind. >_<

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

I've been thinking a lot about what makes a game "connect" with me. I'd think it would be quality, but sometimes I play a game with undeniable quality that I get tired of playing and never finish. I think charm, whimsy and being well-written go a long way. That and not being too long. #thoughts

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

I played this game. The art and music are amazing!! 😁

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I recently worked with @celinevale.bsky.social and their stuff has been awesome. Highly recommended! :) Sample of their work:

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I added one thing to the game today which broke basic movement and interaction and then spent the rest of the day fixing it so everything works well together (so far). So, a lot happened... and yet not that much. LOL In terms of features: one thing added. *sigh* Such is life.

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Indeed, community is a hard thing to achieve. Sometimes, I felt that the only people I connected with were online. In retrospect, I think that was because I wasn't in the best place mentally. There are people around you who'd love to be with you, but you need to be in a place to receive it. >_<

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

"Happy" by Pharrell Williams was released in 2013. The reality in which that song was released feels absolutely foreign to modern day 2026. How did things get so bad? Many reasons- but mostly the selfishness of people, misinformation and the refusal to form culture/community apart from social media.

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I look forward to exploring new areas and finding new items and abilities. I *tolerate* boss fights to get back to the fun stuff. If I put boss fights in my game, they will NOT be the focus or super-hard. There are already tons of games that do that and I am tired of that. Just saying.

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The older I get, the less I like Boss Fights. It's like the whole game stops and is like, "Okay, ya see all that fun stuff? Yeah... all that fun stuff is done for a while. Ya gotta get past me to keep having fun. So, get good." There's gotta be a better way to have a satisfying climax to an area.

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

MUCH respect. Just... much respect, mate. 🙏

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Well Dweller is fantastic. I don't know how Kyle Thompson does it. He puts out a game every 2 years like clockwork -- and they're all good! Sheepo (2020), Islets (2022), Crypt Custodian (2024) and Well Dweller (2026). Good grief! This man (and Eric Thompson, his brother who does music) are insane!

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I'm not saying put something out that you're not proud of. Not at all. What I *am* saying is that it is necessary to balance that desire to learn/revise/do-over whatever is necessary for it to be good -- with the fact that you want to finish this some day.

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

One of the skills you have to learn as a game dev is "Don't sweat the small stuff." Because, to you, it's ALL small stuff. It's your baby. If you don't do it, it won't get done. If you don't want a "Thief and the Cobbler" situation, though - learning what to spend your time on is a vital skill.

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

People are different, y'all. And people play games for different reasons. That one interaction showed me in a moment how different people are and that you can't please everybody. Make the game you love. Story, gameplay, whatever. If it's sincere and made with excellence -- it will find its people.

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I asked someone recently "What's the most important part of a game?" "The story," they said bluntly. "If the story isn't good, what's the point of playing the game? What is it for you?" "The gameplay." I replied. And then we looked at each other as if the other person grew a second head.

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

You know things are bad at work when you fix things and TELL NO ONE. Because if management found out, you're sure they would UNDO your progress. So, you just fix stuff, stay quiet and keep going. *sigh* >_< #life #venting

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Another day trying to get TNT to work. Progress was slow and frustrating -- so much so that I realized the architecture is TOO COMPLICATED. That there has to be an easier way to do this. Exploring that now. >_< #odin #programming

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I was trying to add TNT to my game today, but for TNT to work I had to get New_Block to work and for that to work I had to get conveyor belts working. And New_Block has a bug that I'm *still* trying to fix. So long story short, I did a lot of work today and feel like I got nothing done. Hurray! >_<

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Ah, okay. I'll have to look into what's out there. Maybe the change of plans removed the most interesting parts of open-hub areas. Thanks! :)

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I dunno. The whole project does feel weird, though. Shame. >_<

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Yeah, it's kinda wild. People have been getting out of bounds and there are huge detailed areas to run around in. This makes it seem like Wolverine was open-world and then at some point became super-linear later in development. Hmm...

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Wolverine plays like one of its Game Pillars is: "Has to be able to be completed by distracted players as a second-screen experience." It is the Netflix-storyfication of gameplay.

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Wolverine is so hand-holding that it makes me wonder if someone powerful, who doesn't play games, was the final line in playtesting. And if they got lost, even for a moment, it was a change that *had* to be made.

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

In my engine "2.0" in Odin and Raylib, I've adopted Tiger Style as the default way forward and it's been really good. So, I'm thrilled to see Tiger Style on the most recent episode of Wookash Podcast! So cool! #odin #programming www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjiI...

youtube.com

Joran on TigerBeetle, TigerStyle & Software Design

YouTube video by Wookash Podcast

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Your artwork is *stunning*, mate. Just... so cool! 😁

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

You're fed a daily diet of contempt and compassion. Be aware of this. It's easy to fall into the trap of believing that what you see daily is the truth. It's not. It's a collection of content with conviction with the ultimate goal of keeping you on the platform as long as possible.

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I did a 15 by 15 nonogram last night (after I said I was done with them). It took me 65 minutes. >_< I am... ashamed. LOL

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

If I sent you shady stuff on Discord I'm sorry! Jut let me know so that I can delete the messages or whatever. >_<

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I woke up to see that someone had hacked my Discord. I changed my password. I'm timed-out for the next week for sending spam and have ignored my top 14 accounts. When I try to "unignore" them, it says "Oops. Something went wrong. Please try again later." *sigh* So, that's my life right now...

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Just... wow. I think we all hope to be given as much grace.

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

All those games were immediate, visceral and obvious. Again, I am amazed at the grace Zelda is given as a franchise. Can any other game be released and the gaming community be open to being *convinced* that their initial reaction was perhaps, a bit hasty? Maybe there's more here to examine, ya know?

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I think that's where I am with the style: respectful for its intent and fascinated at the design choices. I do not - instinctively - *like* how it looks. I did not have to be convinced to like the artwork of Blade Chimera, Guacamelee, Downwell, Inside and countless other games whose art I love.

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I'm not as negative on the new Zelda style as I used to be, but having the style explained as "maximalist" and "deliberately puppet-like" as justification for the look is akin to explaining a joke, is it not? A joke can be explained... but if it didn't make you laugh, did it work?

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Liking art throughout the years has been weird...

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Like, I *super* connect with some metroidvanias and drop others barely an hour in. Why? Why do some connect and others don't? What design magic is happening in games that I really like, and how can I learn from them to implement that stuff into my own game? That's the challenge! Let's go!! ^_^

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

For example, my metroidvania (the next project I'm working on) won't be nearly as large or as boss-heavy as Silksong. I think games can be *too large* and *take too long to complete.* No hate against Silksong - it's just not how *I* would do it. It's exciting to see how *I* would build one. :)

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Metroidvanias are a fascinating sub-genre of video game. It's so common to play one and be like, "Well, if *I* were making this I wouldn't do that." And the crazy thing about life is that - you can just make a game and see if your ideas work! That's so cool! I think that's why so many MVs exist. :)

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Michael Crichlow @mikecrichlow.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

OHHHH!!! They're puppets! Suddenly everything makes a lot more sense. I don't know if that aesthetic quite works in this context, but it's good to see how Zelda keeps trying new things. >_<

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Reposted by Michael Crichlow

TBSkyen Shorts @shorts.tbskyen.com · 11/09/2026

... oh, they're LITERALLY supposed to be puppets! | #legendofzelda #tbshorts

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