iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Anyway, that's my little story about my first game. If you want to be the 20th person to buy it, Minimal Slide is part of the #SteamAutumnSale. I'll keep making my little posts every sale, despite how hopeless it might feel, while still working on new games... s.team/a/3163570 #IndieGame #GameDev

Minimal Slide is 60% off, bringing its original price of $4.99 to $1.99.

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Being a new developer on Google Play Store feels impossible without prior fame or a big marketing budget. At least on Steam I can see ways to grow: in fact, my only regret was not making a demo for Minimal Slide for Steam Next Fest. As it stands, I'll never try Android again. #IndieGame #GameDev

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A couple months ago, 3+ years after the Android release, feed up with the constant need for meaningless updates, my Google developer account was automatically closed. The soon after Godot 3.6.3 release would have been useful to keep the lights on, but I just didn't care anymore. #IndieGame #GameDev

The game was developed first as an Android game and was released on Google Play free with ads. This is were I was actually disappointed: only a couple downloads for then getting pestered by Google twice a year to prove my account was active, in my case by "updating" the game... #IndieGame #GameDev

Despite being a commercial game, I did literally nothing to market it, as I wanted to see what would happen... Two years later, I still have to sell my 20th copy: worse than I thought! However, the project didn't start as a PC game and this is where it gets the most bitter... #IndieGame #GameDev

Minimal Slide is a simple collection of sliding puzzles, inspired by the same type of puzzles featured in the Professor Layton series. It was meant as a learning experience: I already tried Godot before, but it was the first time I was set on finishing a game meant to be sold. #IndieGame #GameDev

PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Today is 2 years since I released Minimal Slide, my first Steam game. I haven't opened the game almost as long, but today I did revisit it: despite being a first game, I'm very proud of parts of it, but it still feels bittersweet... s.team/a/3163570 #ScreenshotSunday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

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For #WishlistWednesday, here's some progress on the new tutorial for Failed Falling, my reverse Getting Over It. I also, last minute, submitted it to the Godot 2026 showreel. I really don't like setting up for disappointment, but I have to try it... s.team/a/4048790 #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

With the new rappel mechanic done, I started working on a extended tutorial for Failed Falling. The game already has one, but players still have trouble exploring the gameplay possibilities. The background might be a placeholder. s.team/a/4048790 #ScreenshotSunday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Wow, thanks! I often see your posts, whenever I browse my feed: getting a compliment from someone I know to be a talented artist means a lot! 🫠

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Worked a bit more on the latest addition to Failed Falling, my reverse foddian platformer. The rappel stations now have more versatile visuals and make a sound when traversed. Might tweak them a bit more, but for now I'm satisfied! s.team/a/4048790 #ScreenshotSaturday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Added a new feature to Failed Falling, my reverse Getting Over It. I'm stubborn, so instead of adding a simple run key to answer the complaint of low walk speed, the game has now rappel station to help traverse the terrain faster! s.team/a/4048790 #ScreenshotSaturday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Adding this new feature took just two days... except I then spent four more to make the rope not jitter! I explained the issue and how I solved it in this post: www.reddit.com/r/godot/comm... Shout out to the Godot 4.7 for adding exactly what I needed! #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev #GodotEngine

reddit.com

From the godot community on Reddit

Explore this post and more from the godot community

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Started a new version for the demo of Failed Falling, my reverse Getting Over It. Added rappel stations, a faster way to travel. Primarily used to retrying failed jumps quicker, they can also offer new possibilities in level design! s.team/a/4048790 #WishlistWednesday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Thank you! You're right, but I already manually sent 100 e-mails few months ago and, despite being very careful in selecting most of them and properly addressing each creator, only 5 made a video and for just a handful of views (which I still appreciate a lot). Difficult to not feel discouraged.

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Went back to the youtube/twitch mines to find content creators to ask them to try the demo for Failed Falling, my reverse foddian platformer. Spent multiple hours and only found a few that could be interested... It's so miserable. s.team/a/4048790 #WishlistWednesday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

s.team

Failed Falling Demo on Steam

Plan your falls and learn from failure in a challenging descent along an active volcano! Sail its updrafts with your parachute to move forward, but going up is the opposite of your goal, so don't drif...

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Finally, for the background and the rock pedestal I used the same algorithm, but then also median blurs to smooth details, frosted glass distortion to add noise and photo sharpening to reduce blur. And, of course, more manual edits! Try the demo and wishlist! s.team/a/4048790 #IndieGame #GameDev

s.team

Failed Falling Demo on Steam

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

For the character art, I first roughly upscaled to x2 by using the XBR algorithm. Then, I painstakingly retraced each color outline by hand and finally retouched a few individual pixels. I now regret not doing it to a bigger scale, but it works fine for most capsules. #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

The pixelart upscaled to x2 using the XBR algorithm.

The final character art after all the manual editing.

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

After working on it for more than a month, I'm finally done with the new capsules for Failed Falling, my reverse Getting Over It. Starting from a new pixel art for the character art, I then manually upscaled both it and the background. Here's how... #ScreenshotSunday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

The header capsule, the most important one.

The library capsule, the second most important one.

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Finally finished adding shading to the character art for Failed Falling's new Steam capsule. What do you think? I have no doubts it looks pretty amateurish, but at least now potential customers have a face to look at to satisfy their monkey brain. #ScreenshotSaturday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

The character art on its own, showing the before and after of shading.

The full capsule art, with the character made a bit brighter.

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Progress on the new character art for Failed Falling is snail-pace, but at least I haven't lost hope! Had a lot of trouble drawing the head and I'm still unsure about proportions, so I might touch it up a bit more before trying to add more shading. #ScreenshotSaturday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

The progress from the last post for the character art, featuring the addition on the facial features, on the left arm plus hand and the tweaking of proportions like a smaller head and longer legs.

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

After the utter failure of trying to advertise Failed Falling to content creators, I've decided to update the Steam capsule with a new character art. As I actually don't know how to draw, the process is being very slow; here's the current progress. #ScreenshotSaturday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

The current progress on the character art.

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Took a 1 month vacation from my main project to work on S-Omnia, my side project. While working on a new area, I created a new palette and used it to update previous assets. In particular, the player has new animations and old ones were improved! #ScreenshotSaturday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

My game Minimal Slide is part of the #SteamSummerSale! Wait... It's already the last day?!? Well, not that it really matters: I haven't sold a copy in more than a year! Making the sale's image is just a tradition at this point! 🙃 s.team/a/3163570 #WishlistWednesday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

300th post! #promosky Pexmake: solodev of mysterious games! Side project: S-Omnia pmkexpert.itch.io/s-omnia Exploration adventure Main project: Failed Falling s.team/a/4048790 Foddian platformer with demo Released: Minimal Slide s.team/a/3163570 Colorful sliding puzzles #Pixelart #IndieGameDev

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

The new update for Failed Falling, my accessible and reverse Getting Over It, is out! After months of work, the game is now speedier and smoother🪂 Changelog: s.team/a/3621600?emgid=675123381079638025 Demo: s.team/a/4048790 #ScreenshotSaturday #Pixelart #Indiegame #GameDev #Platformer #GodotEngine

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

The next demo update for Failed Falling was meant to just be a couple bug fixes. Then, I had a couple revelations to finally improve some long standing issues. And finally, the very last improvement had this unexpected side-effect... s.team/a/4048790 #ScreenshotSunday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Despite the utter failure of yesterday, the next demo update for Failed Falling, my reverse foddian platformer, is almost done! One highlight is an updated tutorial to make sure players learn about an important feature of the game. s.team/a/4048790 #ScreenshotSaturday #Pixelart #Indiegame #GameDev

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Hey there #PitchYaGame! Failed Falling is an accessible and reverse foddian platformer where falling down isn't a threat, but the goal! Innovating the genre with temporary checkpoints, difficulty options and a relaxing atmosphere! Try the demo and wishlist: s.team/a/4048790 #IndieGame #Pixelart

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Finished sending the 2nd half of the 100 emails to content creators, asking them to play Failed Falling's demo. Of the first 50, 5 responses turned into 3 videos; so far, the others are going worse🫠 On other news, the last tilemap is almost complete! #ScreenshotSunday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

A small quick example of an environment made with the tilemap.

Crystals, columns, stalactites and stalagmites constitutes the second layer of the tilemap.

The third layer is made up of collision-less tiles used for decoration.

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

The new update for Failed Falling's demo is now live on Steam!! This new update aims at making the game more accessible, thanks to an unique way to handle difficulty. Full changelog: steampowered.com/news/app/3621600/view/699890642836259833 #ScreenshotSunday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev #Steam

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

The new update for Failed Falling's demo is ready to publish! It notably introduces the accessibility feature of giving the ability to close the parachute, useful to prevent loss of progress typical of foddian games. steampowered.com/app/4048790 #ScreenshotSaturday #Pixelart #Indiegame #GameDev

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

A new accessibility feature is coming to Failed Falling, my reverse foddian platformer! Players can now turn on manual closing for the parachute, making the game easier by largely removing the threat of losing progress. steampowered.com/app/4048790 #WishlistWednesday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

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Reposted by PmkExpert

Playtester ↗ @playtester.io · 12/05/2026

Failed Falling is a tough platformer demo about planning your descent down a live volcano, using a parachute to ride updrafts while avoiding drifting upward and losing progress. Play the demo: playtester.io/failed-falling #IndieGaming #GameDev #Gaming #IndieDev #IndieGame

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

While waiting a bit before sending the other 50 emails to creators about its demo, I've finally went back to make some more progress on Failed Falling's last tilemap. After finalizing their design many months ago, I've finally finished the crystals. #ScreenshotSaturday #Pixelart #Indiegame #GameDev

All the crystals I've made: 2 colors, 3 orientations, some variants, and extensions to use on diagonal slopes.

An example of environments using crystals and the columns/stalactites/stalagmites I'm still working on.

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

After delaying for too long, I've finally started sending emails to creators about Failed Falling's demo. For now, I've sent 50 of them and someone already made a video about it! But I've also went under 100 wishlists 🫠 steampowered.com/app/3621600 #WishlistWednesday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Added Failed Falling, my reverse Getting Over It, to Twitch. Gamedevs: I just randomly thought about it and turns out it's not automatic! Users need to add it. As important as it is, I've never seen anyone mention it. www.twitch.tv/directory/ca... #WishlistWednesday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

The cover for Failed Falling on IGDB.com.

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Mostly done with gathering 100 content creators' emails to send the demo of Failed Falling. It was more mentally draining than I thought and it left me pretty pessimistic about my game's future. But it's the only way... steampowered.com/app/3621600 #WishlistWednesday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Still working on gathering 100 content creators to send emails about the demo for Failed Falling. I've been checking a lot of youtube channels about indies and a lot of them are either dead, changed niche or got infested by genAI. Not going to lie: it has been a bit depressing! #IndieGame #GameDev

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PmkExpert @pexmake.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Since my last thread, I'm still gathering the list of 100 content creators I will mail about the demo of Failed Falling, my reverse Getting Over It. Here's the press kit I prepared for it: drive.google.com/drive/folder... Hopefully it'll be useful! #ScreenshotSunday #Pixelart #IndieGame #GameDev

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I'll target English speaking creators, at least for now: I know it's a missed opportunity, but I'm not going to google translate an email. I've also a couple creators I have been watching for years, but that scares me: I need a bit more confidence before sending emails to them🫠 Best of luck to me!

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- 30 1k-100k: my best bet in getting noticed; - 45 <1k: even if they can grant only a couple wishlists, at least I'll get something to watch! Of course, some of them will be on Twitch too. Regardless of when I'm done gathering, I won't send the emails before Easter has passed; maybe next Tuesday.

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Here's, more or less, how I'm dividing those 100 creators: - 5 with Millions of views: extremely low chance my email will be noticed, so more than that would be a waste (it's basically gambling); - 20 with 100k+ subs: still a low chance, but worth a try, as even only one of them would be great!;

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The emails will of course go to content creators, asking them to try the demo. 100 is a big number and I'm not going to send them to anybody that hasn't played a similar games, so gathering them will take a while. I'm mostly going on youtube and searching there, taking notes of their popularity...

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