iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Howdy y'all! We're still hard at work chipping away at getting our next leg nice and presentable for those of you who missed out on 2D Con to play! In the mean time, have some work-in-progress drawings of some of the level-up/encounter portraits each class will receive #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

There's a lot of firepower out west and it's in your best interest to not go up in flames. When afflicted with the Flammable status, the next instance of Heat damage that hits the afflicted unit will do an extra 50% damage. Be sure to stay away from stray flames with this status! #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Players and enemies alike can also mess with each others' heads during combat! If a unit is Taunted, they are forced to attack the afflicting unit, if in range. When afflicted with Terror, a unit will waste their move action to get as far away from the afflicting unit as possible #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Howdy y'all! We're officially set up for this year's @2dcon.gg's Indie Island! Be sure to come check us out! #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Damage-over-time ain't the only things than can happen in battle. If a unit happens to get Distracted, they're able to perform either their move action or attack action, but not both! When a unit is Immobilized, they're unable to use their move action. #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Out west, sometimes the real killer is the slow chip of life being trained in combat. Various moves can inflict 3 different types of damage-over-time status effects. Bleed stays consistent throughout, Burn starts high and tapers off, and Poison starts low and gets deadly. #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Not all that much to report this week, pardners. We're still chipping away at our next leg for this year's 2D Con, primarily the Blademaster boss fight. In the meantime, have this mighty fine drawing of the Sheriff done by the talented @ballpitbee.bsky.social for #artfight2026

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Whenever you arrive in a town, be sure to head to check out the Sheriff's Office, specifically the bulletin board in the back! There you'll be able to access bounties and missions for your party to take on in exchange for rewards! Sometimes, this may even include boss battles! #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

For anyone at CONvergence this year, be sure to keep your eyes peeled around the convention for a series of promo posters for both Tales of the Trail, along with @2dcon.gg as a whole, thanks to their support! #gamedev #indiedev #CONvergence2026

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Being on the front lines doesn't mean just taking hits. The Buffalo Soldier is able to heal himself with some basic field medic training and deliver deadly blows with his flagpole, which he uses as a polearm #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

The Buffalo Soldier may be a frontline fighter, but his years of service has earned him the title of a lieutenant. He's capable of rallying his troops to give them an upper hand in combat #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Having fought on the frontlines for his entire military career, the Buffalo Soldier has mastered using battle standards to get as much focus on him as possible, with differing positive effects on himself. #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

High proof alcohol + fire is a nasty combo, which the Layabout takes full advantage of #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

As a notorious boozer, the Layabout always has his own private stash of the Good Stuff that he brings on the trail. In a scrap, he can use it to steel himself and/or an adjacent ally, or spit it in an enemy's face to leave them flammable #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Being a former pugilist and notorious for starting and/or finishing many bar fights, the Layabout is no stranger to close-quarters combat. Which makes him all the more dangerous when lobbing a thick glass liquor bottle #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

The Inventor has a myriad of gadgets at her disposal to get her out of a jam, including a special unit summon, a test dummy automaton to draw the attention of foes in range #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

The Inventor has multiple ways to rid herself of her device's troublesome cooldowns and still save her skin. Some include a gust of air to push her target away or a blast of molten slag to both burn and slow down her unfortunate target. #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

With her latest groundbreaking invention, the Inventor can lay waste to multiple targets at a time with different area-of-effect attacks. Be wary, however, as these attacks will be put on cooldown after use #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

The pursuit of meat, skins, and pelts will cause nature to fight back tooth and claw, inflicting bleed and poison in deadly amounts #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Once at a certain threshold, the Blademaster decides to go all-out, shedding his remaining armor. In this state, he's much less protected, but twice as deadly; determined to take as many of your party with him to the grave #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

The Blademaster is quick to react with both sword and sidearm. Should a member of your party he hasn't chosen to duel attack him, he'll return with swift retaliation, depending on what comes his way #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

The Blademaster primarily prefers to battle honorably in 1-on-1 duels. He'll set his sights on a particular unit and focus solely on them for a number of turns. Pray they're skilled enough at fighting back... #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

The Bandit Mariachi enemy has two distinct songs he plays in battle: One is a jaunty tune to perk up his allies! #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

A few animations showing off the deadly shots and dirty tricks that bandits will inflict upon your party while out on the trail #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

While every character is more or less an archetype more than a full-blown individuals, each class still has a "canon" name. Your various cowpokes will have all sorts of names from far and wide! Just hope that none of those names are attached to a bounty... #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

As the Sheriff, the journey on the trail will effect you just as much as your cowpokes. You'll face a few events near the start of your journey that will stick with you and provide different buffs for the rest of the campaign #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

In addition to battling bandits, wildlife, and overcoming the trials of nature itself, your party will also encounter a myriad of other travelers on the trail when going between towns. Should you choose to help, harm, humor or hinder them is all up to you #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Man and beast may be one of the many problems your party will face out west, but the environment itself is no joy either. Harsh dust storms, oppressive sun, and bone-chilling nights are just a few of the obstacles your cowpokes will need to overcome or succumb to the elements #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

In our next big leg of development, your cowpokes will be facing their toughest obstacle yet. The Blademaster, a samurai and lone survivor of a shipwreck harboring the Japanese ambassador, ravages the wild west with a massive language barrier and a rage driving him to madness #indiedev #gamedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

Roving bandits thirsty for blood and cash won't be your party's only problem on the trail. The wildlife itself will also pose a challenge on your wagon. Take down these varmints to receive meat, pelts, and a moment of respite from the stressors of the trail #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

The Badlands, the essential backdrop of any classic western, is where your town is located and your journey begins! A biome without too many bells and whistles, but still rather deadly with a variety of terrain and bandits on the prowl, eager to rob any passing wagon #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

A war-hardened, frontline lieutenant, now in the throes of the ongoing Civil War. The Buffalo Soldier is a tanky frontliner capable of taking hit after hit, along with whipping his fellow party members into shape under the banner of his grand old flag #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

The Inventor is a young wunderkind from the steam-powered town of Neo Babylon. With a myriad of volatile chemicals and inventions, she's a master at disrupting and overwhelming foes #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Have another sneak peek at some of the consumables and held items your cowpokes will be able to equip #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

🎶Love in a bottle, love in a bottle Don't need love when it comes in a bottle🎶 Our next leg will feature consumable items in the form of various tonics, tinctures, and other items your party will be able to use during combat when in a pinch. #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

The Skeleton Soldier is a horde enemy your cowpokes will need to fight in large numbers. They go down fairly easily, but it's also quite easy to be quickly overwhelmed with Terror and rusty bayonets to the chest #gamedev #indiedev #indiegame

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

A new ne'er-do-well your party will face is the infamous Bandit Mariachi. Whether he's playing a fun tune to buff his allies, a gloomy dirge to lower your party's morale, or simply giving a swift KABONG with his guitar, this slippery showman is a nasty force of support #indiedev #gamedev #cowboy

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Home is where your horse is! As sheriff, you're now in charge of the small podunk town of Mud Gulch, located smack dab on Four Corners. It's up to you to make this thrown together little settlement thrive #indiedev #gamedev #cowboy

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Happy Halloween, y'all! Our progress continues with a new spooky enemy for you and your cowpokes to encounter! The Skeleton Soldier is a hoard based, undead enemy capable of striking Terror into the hearts of travelers and attacking with vile, occult abilities

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Give a warm, wild west welcome to the latest batch of playable classes coming to Tales of the Trail! Expect to see them as we continue to progress on our next demo!

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

With demo 2 out, we've jumped right into working on the next leg of our journey! Here's a little preview for y'all of the next group of enemies your cowpokes will have to face, including our first boss battle! #gamedev #indiedev #indiegame

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

haunted-hills-games.itch.io/tales-of-the... It's here, y'all! Feel free to download and try out the next leg of development for Tales of the Trail in this 2nd demo! There are still some issues involving UI formatting and some enemy AI, but said errors will be polished as we move along #indiedev

haunted-hills-games.itch.io

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

A little teaser for our next leg. In Sheriff's offices, you can access the bulletin board, which will later be used to display missions and bounties for your party. The most prominent content we'll be implementing next is 3 new playable classes and a boss fight!

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

@2dcon.gg was a rousing success this year! We, in particular, got to learn that the game is super easy to get the hang of! We still have a few hiccups to fix before our next demo is released online, but be sure to be on the lookout soon! #gamedev #indiedev

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

www.patreon.com/c/HauntedHil... We officially have a Patreon! There's already a bit of content for both the free and paid tier already, but more will come as we continue to mosey on!

patreon.com

Patreon is empowering a new generation of creators. Support and engage with artists and creators as they live out their passions!

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Howdy, pardners! Less than a week and a half until @2dcon.gg and we're shaking in our boots to show y'all all of the new content we've put together for our next demo! Be sure to come check it out!

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

If any of y'all are at #Convergence2025 this weekend, be sure to keep an eye out for the wanted posters all around to promote both Tales of the Trail and @2dcon.gg as a whole!

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Howdy, y'all! Be sure to come visit us at @2dcon.gg 's Indie Island this year to pick up a special Sheriff sticker with the pride color of your choosing! Because, out west, it don't matter if yer gay, straight, trans or even Italian! We all end up in a pine box eventually 🤠

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Tales of the Trail @talesofthetrail.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Howdy, y'all! We at Haunted Hills are excited to announce we'll, once again, officially be at @2dcon.gg's Indie Island this August! We'll have a brand new demo of Tales of the Trail to show off! Hope to see y'all there 🤠 #gamedev #indiedev #indiegame

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