iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 20m

My kids and I are adoring Woodo. What a charming, polished experience, with some surprisingly delightful music implementation. Watch the first 90 seconds of this: youtu.be/3Wf17etQn9U?...

youtu.be

Woodo - Chapter 3: Conflict (Full Story Walkthrough)

YouTube video by Akifini's Gaming

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 8h

The day I finalize my application for tenure, one of my most anticipated titles of the year comes out! I can't wait to start magic music school! Enjoyed Eastshade quite a lot earlier this year. Looking forward to seeing the developers' latest title.

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Ryan Thompson @bardicknowledge.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Hey, head’s up all: the Game Audio Diversity Alliance just opened up applications for a free pass (in-person and online both available) to attend GameSoundCon on October 20-21! Full post here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1Gsv... Apply directly here: forms.gle/tbJJwvxkAV22...

facebook.com

Facebook

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Monowave is definitely worth checking out for puzzle-platformer fans. Out now on Steam and Switch. Thanks @studiobbb.bsky.social for codes to the extended preview and the full release.

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

On @somanygames.co.uk, find out how @mattgoode.bsky.social's Song Runner contends with the cursed problem (in @blinkity.bsky.social's sense) of gamified creativity. There's also a shout out to @greg.style's GDC talk about Chicory: A Colorful Tale. somanygames.co.uk/articles/son...

somanygames.co.uk

SongRunner Preview – A New Musical Platformer That Takes Its Notes Seriously | So Many Games

Matt Goode's SongRunner shows real potential; find out in our preview if that potential hasn't been wasted.

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Our @somanygames.co.uk group called Big Walk's main collectables kongs, based on their resemblance to dog toys. It turns out this is what @ashellinthepit.com used for the avatar sounds. A great conversation w/ @emaudible.bsky.social at @playwatchlisten.bsky.social this week: youtu.be/Tp1Dt04c34E?...

youtu.be

We Spoke to Big Walk's Sound Designers | Play, Watch, Listen

YouTube video by Play, Watch, Listen+

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Picked Flavourworks’ Erica as the single-sitting social game of the month for the @gaminginthewild.com Discord. I have a dream of teaching this and @halfmermaid.co’s Immortality. 2 different but successful approaches to FMV and scoring FMV. Can’t wait for the next game from both studios.

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Thanks Marcus, Michael & @andresplays.bsky.social for putting this on my radar. I agree that some mechanics could have been finessed but I applaud the care in the Indigenous representation. Genius how the art team was able to communicate visually the 2 characters' different experiences of the forest

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I just approved copyediting of an article about point of view & empathy in Celeste & Chicory: A Colorful Tale for the Journal of Sound and Music in Games. I can't wait to share this with the world. I think this might be the the best thing I've written yet. And it's a big one. Forthcoming fall 2026.

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

My first solo video review, beautifully edited together by @shinenite.lainesdesigned.com. I even managed to work in a mention of Monkey Island 2 and iMUSE. Grateful for the license @somanygames.co.uk allows for game audio and scholarly nerdiness.

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Why is the sound of @househouse.com's Big Walk sounds so realistic & immersive? @emaudible.bsky.social with @ashellinthepit.com went on some big walks in Australia! They really went the extra mile. Thanks for the peeks into the process: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSN6... www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW3a...

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Recording the Ambiences in Big Walk

YouTube video by ashellinthepit

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Learn how John Robert & @awaceb.bsky.social created an authentic but magical sound for Tchia, designed a fully playable ukulele, and how some of the dynamic music systems work. Contains the info in his GDC talk and more!

youtube.com

The Music of 'Tchia': Channeling the Soul of New Caledonia

YouTube video by GDC Festival of Gaming

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

My first game preview. Looking forward to continuing Mono's journey in a few weeks. Thanks to @studiobbb.bsky.social for access to the extended demo.

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Robin James @robinjames.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Optimist: the cup is half full Pessimist: the cup is half empty Analytic philosopher: define “cup” Continental philosopher: why do people even care what cups are? What’s the genealogy of the idea of a cup?

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A Shell in the Pit @ashellinthepit.com · 19/08/2026

Keep your ears perked for a Behind the Sound of Big Walk stream!!! 🔴🟡🔵 @emaudible.bsky.social & @nicholaszhangaudio.bsky.social will be walkin' and talkin' about their audio journey in development with @househouse.com and answering YOUR questions live! Aug 21 @ 3pm PST at twitch.tv/ashellinthepittv

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So Many Games @somanygames.co.uk · 14/08/2026

The Big Walk Experience - taken from our full video review, now live on our YouTube channel! Is Big Walk the Peak of Co-op Gaming? youtu.be/a7ZW6cnb1yg

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Had a delightful conversation with Maria Vetere, Roger Honeywell, & Philip Coulter at the “Shakespeare and Opera” Meighan Forum, @stratfest.bsky.social. What an engaged and knowledgeable audience. We could have gone on for another 90 minutes easily.

Nina Penner and Maria Vetere at the Stratford Festival

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

I ask the question “Are inventory puzzles fun?” in my latest review. I really wanted to like this more than I did…

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

I hope you guys win lots of awards at GANG and elsewhere. I look forward to hearing how you made the magic.

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Dr. Emma Vossen @emmavphd.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Did you know we (@brock-ddh.bsky.social at Brock University in Ontario 🇨🇦) offer a 2-year MA in Game Studies? I teach one of our grad seminars, Methodological Paradigms in Game Studies! Feel free to DM me anytime if you have Q's about applying for Fall 2027/28! #gamestudies brocku.ca/humanities/d...

brocku.ca

Master of Arts in Game Studies

The MA in Game Studies is an interdisciplinary and interfaculty program designed to provide students with a well-rounded, high-quality venue for studying and designing games in all their forms. Throug...

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Exciting! This is a really tough call but this may be my favourite of Austin’s scores, just as music to listen to. (Of course it’s sublime in game too.) Gorgeous melodies performed by @fieldofreeds.bsky.social, accompanied by aleatoric harp ensemble, and choir for the finale…

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

The year this released, this album topped my Spotify wrapped (when I was still using that platform). But you’re better off purchasing it on Bandcamp so artists like John Robert can actually get paid a reasonable amount for their work.

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Jacob Geller @jacobgeller.com · 31/07/2026

I truly feel for kids growing up now who will have to unlearn using AI, but if you've been writing for more than 2 years it is the easiest thing in the world to just Keep Doing The Thing You Did and ignore AI tools!! It makes me feel crazy that people act like this isn't the case!!!

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I'm submitting my tenure application in the fall and am attempting to assemble evidence of scholarly impact. If you've assigned work of mine could you send me a syllabus to my Brocku email? Thanks for your help.

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Clara 🌟 wishlist Pelikeeper! @trendywalnut.dev · 16/07/2026

CALLING ALL LOW BUDGET INDIE GAMES‼️ We're gathering games interested in participating in a "Low Budget, Big Heart" Steam Festival! 💰Self Published, Self Funded 🤏Under ~50k budget 🚫NO AI if you're interested in the festival sign up here: forms.gle/cndDrEf4rxiL... rts appreciated :)

forms.gle

Low Budget, Big Heart Steam Festival interest form

We're looking for interested developers of low budget games to participate in our potential steam festival! Self published/self funded games are also welcome. If your game had a development budget ov...

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Faisal فيصل @faisalhamadah.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

It will never stop being funny to me that the street fighter subreddit has a much better, well reasoned ai policy vis a vis literally all universities.

Hi, thanks for posting! We do appreciate you thinking of us even though we have to moderate.

Our stance on all AI generated content (Images, Video, Voiceovers, and whatever else LLM based AI gets up to in the future):

At best, they are approximations of street fighter characters as the AI has no clue what it is trying to create. Because of this, there is no street fighter content so they are not allowed. (rule 1)

Also, they aren't allowed per our source rule. As AI sources cannot be tracked, we must assume that they use uncredited sources in the learning data. (rule 5)

Finally, AI images, video, text, and voiceovers are barely any different than posting a screenshot of a google search. The level of effort is so low that we consider it spam (rule 3).

Because of these reasons, AI art and other AI content is not allowed.

If you would like to contact the moderators about this removal, you can do so here.

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Simply one of the best full-service audio studios out there. If you play games, guaranteed they've made sounds for a game you love.

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Supergiant Games @supergiantgames.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Can't join us for our HADES ORCHESTRAL CONCERT in London? Fear not, we're streaming it live for all to see!!🎼 Join composer @darrenkorb.bsky.social and our Hades vocalists for a once-in-a-lifetime performance: 🎻When: Saturday June 27 1:30pm BST 🎸Where: twitch.tv/supergiantgames See you then!🌖

Watch the 'Ballads of the Underworld' livestream on June 27, at 1:30pm BST at twitch.tv/supergiantgames

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So Many Games @somanygames.co.uk · 16/06/2026

With over 4,000 demos in Junes Steam Next Fest, it's becoming a real hurdle to find your next gem. Thankfully we have been trawling through many of the demos and have 10 to recommend to you right now! somanygames.co.uk/articles/10-...

somanygames.co.uk

10 Steam Next Fest Demos That Shouldn't Pass You By | So Many Games

Another Steam Next Fest is upon us, and we have ten demos from the 4,000 taking part that we think you should check out during the festival.

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So Many Games @somanygames.co.uk · 15/06/2026

We're looking for a YouTube Editor to be in charge of creating video versions of our reviews and shorts. This will be an unpaid opportunity but if you're looking for something to flex those creative muscles (no AI please) in your spare time then let us know in our DM's or please email us!

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

I'm putting the finishing touches on a massive academic article on this. Look forward to "A Structure of Sympathy for Video Game Characters: Lena Raine’s Music for Celeste and Chicory: A Colorful Tale" from the Journal of Sound and Music in Games in the fall. @lena.fyi @wishesunlimited.bsky.social

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

My latest review: Lost in Art by @archaicgamestudio.bsky.social. Love to see music treated with the same level of care as the narrative and visual components. I would love to see a Bandcamp release of Dergâh Varlıel’s soundtrack. store.steampowered.com/app/2900050/...

store.steampowered.com

Save 20% on Lost in Art: a Miniature Realm on Steam

Explore the miniature universe filled with Eastern mythology, forgotten folk tales and surprising historical events in this puzzle adventure game. Step into real artworks, reveal mysteries by solving ...

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

My latest review is Jamaica-based @spritewrench.com's Duppy Detective, which released on Steam today as part of the Black Voices in Gaming showcase. @chasebethea.bsky.social delivers a "Caribbean Noir" score that suits both the setting and the gameplay. store.steampowered.com/app/1958800/...

store.steampowered.com

Save 10% on Duppy Detective Tashia on Steam

Help Tashia unravel the case of a heinous murder and find her cell phone in this point & click, mystery adventure based on Caribbean folklore!

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

I published a short piece about how and Roger takes advantage of the affordances of videogames to explore a perspective rarely depicted in the medium. Engaging with work by @add-hawk.bsky.social and others.

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

My first review for @somanygames.co.uk is @lunacystudios.bsky.social's beautiful debut, House of Hikmah! Audio is a standout with its soundtrack by @awintory.bsky.social and virtuosos from the Arab world, full Arabic VO, and immersive sound design from @ashellinthepit.bsky.social

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

My latest article "Composer as Author in Video Game Development" is out in Music and the Moving Image. It's mainly about @awintory.bsky.social's collaboration with @thatgamecompany.com but I also discuss @bearmccreary.bsky.social on BSG. DM me if you don't have access. muse.jhu.edu/pub/34/artic...

muse.jhu.edu

Project MUSE -- Verification required!

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AndresPlays @andresplays.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Living in a world where grifters target games featuring minorities, here are four titles I wish we all supported more:

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Drew McKevitt @drewmckevitt.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Every teacher at every level needs to hear "you're not a salesperson and it's not a skill"

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

This looks fun. Wish I could be there Vancouver game audio friends, consider going to the inaugural Our Sonic Landscape…

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Bad Hand Books @badhandbooks.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

When you use AI to do your writing, you are telling your audience: “I deserve your attention, but you do not deserve my effort.”

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

(There are good English subtitles.)

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Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦 @emmettmacfarlane.com · 17/04/2026

This needs to be taken seriously. Along with underfunding, Doug Ford is destroying the university system. And yes, this latest move is 100% in line with what we've seen happening by state-level MAGA-hats in the US.

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Looks incredible. 1000xResist was my 2024 GOTY. Now a game about putting AI in its place. I’ll be there on day 1.

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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

It was the last class of the term. I was teaching @bearmccreary.bsky.social’s score to Battlestar Galactica (specifically the episode “Someone to Watch Over Me”). And Austin Wintory dropped a new album. A very good day indeed.

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