iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Absolutely ecstatic to announce that after 11 months of unemployment, I’ve landed a contractor role with Next Games as a Level Designer! Flying out to Finland for onboarding next week! 🎉 So excited to meet the team & start work on a VERY cool project! (Sorry that’s all I can say. NDA’s y’no? 🤐)

120

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

The fact that Microsoft have just laid off a further 9000 people leaves me extremely deflated of any hope I, or others affected, of finding other jobs fast in this industry. My heart goes out to everyone in the same boat as me. We all deserved better 💜🫂

010

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Hey all. I’m sad to say that my role as Level Designer is being made redundant as part of EA’s layoffs The news comes 1 week after my wife was made redundant too as a Software/Test Engineer, so if you're looking to grow your team or know someone who is, please reach out #gamedev #indiedev #engineer

01811

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

And the platinum trophy is ours! My first of the year and 89th in my collection 💜

000

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

I know we’re only in March but… Split Fiction is my game of the year hands down! Had such a blast playing with my wife! Very few co-op games have EVER had us having as much fun as SF did! I have a mighty NEED to chat with/praise the designers 💜

020

Reposted by Closs (they/them)

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Calling RPG lovers! If you've ever wanted to make your own, now is an incredible time to start! ⭐RPG Maker VX Ace is FREE on Steam RIGHT NOW!⭐ Usual price is around £60 so you're getting an absolute steal and an incredible piece of kit! #GameDev #IndieDev #IndieGame #RPGMaker #RPG #FreeGames

Screenshot of Steam's RPG Maker VX Ace page with the text:
Get RPG Maker VX Ace
Free to keep when you get it during this limited-time promotion. Some limitations apply. (?)
-100%. $0.00. Add to Account.

35944

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

Today's an 'oops I ate a whole tub of Caramel Brownie Party Ben & Jerries while working' day. Gamedev sponsored by @benandjerriesuk.bsky.social (not really... could you imagine though 👀) In other B&J news, can we get the Raindough flavour back pretty please?! It's my other favourite! 💜

130

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

35944

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Hiring managers! Applicants asking for feedback on a rejection? Some say it shows determination, others that it’s a silly expectation. Which is it? I appreciate it’s hard when applications are in the 100s. It’s hard to apply/write bespoke cover letters to 100s of roles with blank rejections too…

041

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Updating my portfolio as a #LevelDesigner and trying to find ways to make it stand out, but not be overbearing or lose the important info to keep me memorable. What are some features you've seen on a #GameDev portfolio that really wowed you? #GamesIndustry #Portfolio #JobSearch #JobHunting

050

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

YES! Oh Lil Gator Game was such a joyful experience when it first came out! I am MASSIVELY excited for this DLC. I miss my Gator! 💜

030

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

God… DAMMIT! I just got whammed joining this weeks EA All Hands Meeting…. WHY! This is what being on time to meetings gets me 🫠🥲

040

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

So good to finally see WoodrunnerGames here on Bluesky with their upcoming 2D platformer Croak! I had an absolutely joy playing the demo at Gamescom earlier this year and can’t wait for more! 💜

010

Reposted by Closs (they/them)

Gemma Cooper @xgemgem.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

With so many people making the leap over to Bluesky.. ✨ The UKGI Slack admins have made a starter pack for our community! ✨ If you want to be added, check the announcements section of our slack. To join the slack, click the link for the signup form! ❤️❤️❤️ go.bsky.app/2sha92U

710765

Reposted by Closs (they/them)

Game Assist 🇵🇸🏳️‍⚧️ @gameassistyt.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Thanks so much for 1,900 subscribers on YouTube everyone 🎉 Think we can make 2,000 by the end of the year? Head to our channel to subscribe if you wanna and you haven't already: youtube.com/@gameassist?...

youtube.com

Game Assist

Game Assist is a collective, standing for liberation and transformative justice through games. We provide political education, build community and organise and inspire action in the games industry, wi...

052

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Yesssss! Look at all these incredible indies getting some limelight 💜🙌🏻

030

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Got a digital game code in my emails today for a freebie from work and the first letters were PRYCK… I mean I know but you didn’t need to shout it THAT loudly at me 😂🥲

A cropped screenshot of a verification email containing a code for an XBox Series S/X code. The latter half of the code is blacked out, with the beginning 5 letters being P, R, Y, C and K.

020

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Reminder now we’re at the Game of the Year talk that a lot of Indie & AA games & studios will never see awards like this & it’s a shame. Another Crabs Treasure, Trash Goblin, Cursed Broom, Plucky Squire, Beastieball, Hades II, Bō & many more I can’t fit in the character limit…Cont 🧵

141

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 06/11/2024

To my marginalised siblings across the world, but especially in the US! If you’re feeling hopeless & need a reason to keep going. Please use SafeinourWorld to find a crisis line in your area. Take time to mourn but don’t do anything permanent. You are loved & valid 💜🫂 safeinourworld.org/find-help/

safeinourworld.org

Mental Health Support - Find Help - Safe In Our World

There are many helplines and support sites you can reach out to in a mental health emergency to find help.

122

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 01/11/2024

Are there ANY remote level design positions in the games industry anymore? I’m having an imposter syndrome day & I’m lacking faith that I can progress in my career. I’m a hard worker & I love what I do. I just want to be able to take care of my chronically ill wife too. Is that too much to ask?

031

Reposted by Closs (they/them)

Cat Manning @catacalypto.bsky.social · 30/10/2024

reposting this iconic @joshmlabelle.bsky.social tweet over here because it came up today

a tweet which reads “We’ve assembled 100 people with ADHD and 5 people with no soft skills to manage them, and given them a simple goal: make an impossible amount of money. We call it the games industry, and we think it’s going to work great”

3757251569

Reposted by Closs (they/them)

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 26/10/2024

Finished the Cursed Broom demo & holy heck once I got the hang of the mechanics it was so much fun! It releases on Halloween so not long to wait! Cant wait to play the full game 😁 You can wishlist & play the demo now here! store.steampowered.com/app/1823030/... #indie #indiegame #halloween

store.steampowered.com

Cursed Broom on Steam

Fly with Maya through this charming 2D platformer! Find your way through the different parts of Maya's hometown, collect artifacts to gain different powers and experience a heartfelt tale of self-disc...

021

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 26/10/2024

store.steampowered.com

Cursed Broom on Steam

021

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 26/10/2024

Another indie to shout about! Cursed Broom looks amazing and the devs definitely needs more support. If you love the tight platforming and art style of Celeste and you’re into witchy things then give the demo a try and maybe drop it on your wishlist! store.steampowered.com/app/1823030/...

store.steampowered.com

Cursed Broom on Steam

011

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 23/10/2024

Wanna shout abt a game I found at Gamescom made by the coolest indie devs! They’re not on Bsky yet. store.steampowered.com/app/2616540/... Croak is a wonderfully designed 2D puzzle platformer & boss battler with Hollow Knight/Cuphead/Celeste vibes & I had so much fun mastering the tongue grapple!

A selfie photo involving 3 individuals wearing black shirts and throwing up the surfer/devil horns hand pose, and myself in the bottom left corner pointing back towards them. We are all standing in front of a a gaming booth at Gamescom which is advertising the game Croak. On the marketing poster is a round green frog wearing a gold crown and a red cape

3 game developers from Woodrunner Games stand in front of their booth at Gamescom, playing the demo of their game Croak on a small tv screen on the far back wall. A green frog plushie sits on the table underneath the tv

001

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 22/10/2024

Gamers and gamedevs! Show me your cool gaming tattoos! My first tattoo that I got last year was of the adorable Spyro the Dragon. This purple guy is the whole reason I fell in love with gaming and game design and I’m so thankful to be in the industry now, even if it took some effort getting here 💜

A photograph of a forearm tattoo depicting Spyro the Dragon from the PS1 game of the same name. Spyro is a purple dragon with a yellow belly and yellow and red wings. He’s flying in front of an Aurora Borealis style blue/teal background

2120

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 21/10/2024

Halloween, Samhain, Dia de los Muertos celebrators! Or just those of you that love an excuse to carve up some pumpkins and eat/drink the innards in an array of pumpkin spiced treats! 🎃 Pumpkin carving competition is happening in my studio on Halloween and I need help picking a design! Images in 🧵

220

Reposted by Closs (they/them)

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 17/10/2024

Hello Bluesky! I’m finally sick of Twitters BS so I’m here now. Looking for other gamedevs/game designers of all studio sizes to mingle with! Bonus points if you too are based in the UK and are LGBTQIA+ or neurodivergent/neurospicy like me 😁🏳️‍🌈💜

7175

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 20/10/2024

Throwback to last week when I ran my first 5k for @specialeffect.bsky.social. The dono link is still live if anyone has pennies for a good cause! I have a firm belief that EVERYONE should be able to play & enjoy games www.justgiving.com/campaign/one... #charity #specialeffect #gamedev

051

Reposted by Closs (they/them)

Iolus | AmethystDerg | ThatPurpleDerg @amethystderg.bsky.social · 20/10/2024

Morning Bluesky! My streamer friend group & unofficial stream team finally have a starter pack! If you love neurodiverse and/or queer streamers then the lovely folks in the Spectrum are for you! Please go check them out & drop them all a follow! 💜 go.bsky.app/5B7pKA1 #vtuber #pngtuber #streamer

082

Reposted by Closs (they/them)

Ann @annspaghetti.bsky.social · 18/10/2024

Reposting this fanart I made for The Owl House because I love these two sweet hearts 💜

414736

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 19/10/2024

So many follows holy sh-🙊 Thank you all so much! I was never good at spouting my brain noises on social media. But here seems to be a more accepting place, so I’ll try 😅 Also I WILL start a personal project to post about soon™️. Just as soon as my ND brain can lend me some hyperfixation again! 🫠

020

Reposted by Closs (they/them)

BancyCo @bancy.co · 07/10/2024

Hola, #gamedev crew! I made a Starter Pack for #indiegame creators from my own list if you want to find some fresh followers fast. 🫶 go.bsky.app/QVx789h

7513140

Reposted by Closs (they/them)

Katie Goode @mrsgame.dev · 18/10/2024

I though I would start up a new #StarterPack for UK Game Devs :) Do message me if you wish to be added! go.bsky.app/Mrj4QPB

11010033

Reposted by Closs (they/them)

rawb! 🏳️‍🌈✨ @rawbherb.bsky.social · 18/10/2024

I made a Starter Pack for queer game devs - if you’re new to Bsky, here are a bunch of LGBTQ+ gamedev professionals if you want to network! (Reply here if you want to be added!) go.bsky.app/3mxxW8g

187458183

Reposted by Closs (they/them)

Rami Ismail (رامي) @ramiismail.com · 28/04/2023

If you're games industry and following some folks already, reply with who you are and what you do, and then re-post this or whatever it's called. Let's try and find each other on this new place

166120951135

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 19/10/2024

I went to the Grace Hopper Celebration #GHC: a weeklong conference celebrating #womenintech / #womeningames & #nonbinary technologists. I got to network with some incredibly talented folks & went to some insightful talks about speaking up for myself as an auDHD afab in a male dominated industry 💜🏳️‍🌈

131

Reposted by Closs (they/them)

Whey‽ @whey.party · 18/10/2024

I came across an outdated guide on image grid sizing crop/proportions for bsky earlier, and I felt it was important to create an updated version! Please use this new guide instead!

Up-to-date BlueSky Crop Aspect Ratio
Crop Sizes for Bluesky as of 18 Oct 2024

By default, single images are uncropped. If image is too tall (Exceeds the 1:2 aspect ratio) then it will be cropped. Single images that are too tall may be scaled down but aspect ratio is preserved

With two images, both of them share a square aspect ratio of 1:1

For three images, the first image is square (1:1) while the other two are half-squares (2:1)

And for 4 images, all of them are 3:2

19965886325512

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 19/10/2024

Off to get the old undercut re shaved again. When my hair is perfect it makes me feel amazing and makes up a huge part of my gender identity/confidence 🥰 #nonbinary

110

Reposted by Closs (they/them)

David Svez @daveranan.bsky.social · 28/09/2024

After 4 months of work, we're finally ready to show the Lightkeeper! It's as if A Short Hike, Dredge, and Forager had a baby! Explore, gather, craft, and rebuild a community. Sail, swim, climb, and fly across islands full of secrets. #screenshotsaturday #madewithunity #Unity

25617119

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 19/10/2024

This pronouns labeller is so cool! Go to @pronouns.adorable.mom and subscribe to set your pronouns as well as see other people’s! So much easier than having it in my display name 🥰💜 Let’s keep normalising sharing our pronouns people!

040

Closs (they/them) @thatgamedevcloss.bsky.social · 17/10/2024

7175