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Nina Penner

@ninapenner.bsky.social
295 followers 137 following 191 posts

Assistant Professor of Music, Brock University. Author of Storytelling in Opera and Musical Theatre (Indiana UP, 2020). Writer for @somanygames.co.uk. Currently thinking about the possibilities of games as a medium and how music shapes player experience.

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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 · 03/09/2026
Read my full review here: somanygames.co.uk/review/tukon... Video review: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkVY...
somanygames.co.uk
Tukoni: Forest Keepers Review | So Many Games
Play as Traveller, a forest spirit on a special journey, as you explore magical hand-drawn locations, meet charming characters, and solve handcrafted puzzles.
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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...
youtube.com
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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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Find out why we at @somanygames.co.uk think Big Walk is making a big splash this summer: youtu.be/a7ZW6cnb1yg?... Featuring @soccr.bsky.social @brohannesjahms.bsky.social @chipdip.bsky.social
youtu.be
Is Big Walk the Peak of Co-op Gaming?
YouTube video by So Many Games
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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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Nina Penner @ninapenner.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Big Walk is the most fun I've had gaming this year. I played with @soccr.bsky.social, @brohannesjahms.bsky.social & Jacob Price of the @preorderbonus.bsky.social. Our review is now live: somanygames.co.uk/review/big-w... Thanks @househouse.com for giving @somanygames.co.uk review codes!
somanygames.co.uk
Big Walk Review | So Many Games
Hang out and get lost with close friends in a big world. A cooperative online walker-talker from the creators of Untitled Goose Game.
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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 · 20/06/2026
My latest review is the much anticipated DLC to the Filipino visual novel/adventure game Until Then by @polychromagames.com. I was delighted to return to these characters and this world. store.steampowered.com/app/3902750/...
store.steampowered.com
Until Then: Afterimages on Steam
Award-winning adventure Until Then brings two new riveting chapters following our beloved characters. Sofia returns home to memories she left behind. Mark meets a new lover and an old friend. On their...
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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 · 15/06/2026
So proud of the DisGo team. Check out their game for free on Steam! store.steampowered.com/app/4309240/...
store.steampowered.com
DisGo on Steam
DisGo pits four friends against each other in a split-screen battle for the spotlight. Grab the golden disco ball to start playing your solo, but watch out, your friends run into you to steal your spe...
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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 · 05/06/2026
I got a free-access link (for 3 months) in case you want to read "The Composer as Author in Video Game Development" but don't have institutional access: scholarlypublishingcollective.org/uip/mmi/arti... Thanks, @illinoispress.bsky.social, this is a good policy!
scholarlypublishingcollective.org
Composer as Author in Video Game Development
Abstract. Debates about the nature of authorship have historically focused on cinema with minimal consideration of composers’ roles. According to philosopher Paisley Livingston, authoring an artwork n...
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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:
Relooted Key ArtThe House of Hikmah Key ArtTales of Kenzera ZauFishbowl key art
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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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