Amanda Harper
@ariadnegames.bsky.social
🦋 Co-founder | Engineer @ariadne.games
🦋 30s, she/her
🦋 Books, horror, retro games, women in tech, how cute my dog is.
itch: https://adafish.itch.io/
🦋 30s, she/her
🦋 Books, horror, retro games, women in tech, how cute my dog is.
itch: https://adafish.itch.io/
Pinned
Here's a (late) #intro -I'm Amanda and I've been programming in games since 2016. My husband @jeffharpergames.bsky.social and I have game jammed together as @ariadne.games for ~10 years. I like baking, cozy/spooky/romantic books, and tinkering. I never *got* or liked the bird site.
#gamedev
#gamedev
Reposted by Amanda Harper
Random person who plays indie games, you are the most important cog in an indie game's success.
Most gamers don't know or care that indies exist.... unless a friend tells them.
Our games succeed because you tell other people you liked our game. Word of mouth is the best marketing there is.
Most gamers don't know or care that indies exist.... unless a friend tells them.
Our games succeed because you tell other people you liked our game. Word of mouth is the best marketing there is.
November 14, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Random person who plays indie games, you are the most important cog in an indie game's success.
Most gamers don't know or care that indies exist.... unless a friend tells them.
Our games succeed because you tell other people you liked our game. Word of mouth is the best marketing there is.
Most gamers don't know or care that indies exist.... unless a friend tells them.
Our games succeed because you tell other people you liked our game. Word of mouth is the best marketing there is.
Reposted by Amanda Harper
networking is an incredibly important part of maintaining a professional presence in your creative industry, but it can be daunting. have you tried being completely fucking ridiculous online
November 13, 2025 at 8:18 PM
networking is an incredibly important part of maintaining a professional presence in your creative industry, but it can be daunting. have you tried being completely fucking ridiculous online
"EVERYBODY's doing X" claims from tech CEOs make more sense when you realize that
1) the CEOs of buzzier big companies live in a bubble.
2) some don't realize their bubble is filled with salespeople.
It's like Plato's Cave allegory, but instead of the cave they were born in like a Best Buy.
1) the CEOs of buzzier big companies live in a bubble.
2) some don't realize their bubble is filled with salespeople.
It's like Plato's Cave allegory, but instead of the cave they were born in like a Best Buy.
We don’t use generative AI at Strange Scaffold and I can confirm that a *lot* of other studios are not—whether indie or AAA.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
November 12, 2025 at 2:26 PM
"EVERYBODY's doing X" claims from tech CEOs make more sense when you realize that
1) the CEOs of buzzier big companies live in a bubble.
2) some don't realize their bubble is filled with salespeople.
It's like Plato's Cave allegory, but instead of the cave they were born in like a Best Buy.
1) the CEOs of buzzier big companies live in a bubble.
2) some don't realize their bubble is filled with salespeople.
It's like Plato's Cave allegory, but instead of the cave they were born in like a Best Buy.
Reposted by Amanda Harper
Many freelancers in the United States rely on ACA marketplace plans for their health insurance. In an industry that has already been working overtime to turn gamedevs into gig workers, freelance and contract devs are about to get even more squeezed. This is unacceptable.
November 10, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Many freelancers in the United States rely on ACA marketplace plans for their health insurance. In an industry that has already been working overtime to turn gamedevs into gig workers, freelance and contract devs are about to get even more squeezed. This is unacceptable.
Reposted by Amanda Harper
i quote the below twitter joke constantly because of this
October 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM
i quote the below twitter joke constantly because of this
Reposted by Amanda Harper
October 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
He's an autumn🍁🍂 He's a pumpkin spice girly☕️🎃 He's buying a wooden sign for the front door that says "It's Fall Y'all"; if you make fun of it, I will bite you.
October 23, 2025 at 3:42 PM
He's an autumn🍁🍂 He's a pumpkin spice girly☕️🎃 He's buying a wooden sign for the front door that says "It's Fall Y'all"; if you make fun of it, I will bite you.
Reposted by Amanda Harper
CALLING ALL WOMEN & GENDER MARGINALIZED!
We are happy to announce the Women’s Day Sale is returning in 2026—on Feb 27–Mar 8, 2026🔥
Celebrating the amazing women and gender marginalised in games 😎 🎮
Spread the word! 💜 SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN!
👉 Submit your game: bit.ly/WDS2026Apply
🗓️ Apply by Nov 9th!
We are happy to announce the Women’s Day Sale is returning in 2026—on Feb 27–Mar 8, 2026🔥
Celebrating the amazing women and gender marginalised in games 😎 🎮
Spread the word! 💜 SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN!
👉 Submit your game: bit.ly/WDS2026Apply
🗓️ Apply by Nov 9th!
October 3, 2025 at 4:44 PM
CALLING ALL WOMEN & GENDER MARGINALIZED!
We are happy to announce the Women’s Day Sale is returning in 2026—on Feb 27–Mar 8, 2026🔥
Celebrating the amazing women and gender marginalised in games 😎 🎮
Spread the word! 💜 SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN!
👉 Submit your game: bit.ly/WDS2026Apply
🗓️ Apply by Nov 9th!
We are happy to announce the Women’s Day Sale is returning in 2026—on Feb 27–Mar 8, 2026🔥
Celebrating the amazing women and gender marginalised in games 😎 🎮
Spread the word! 💜 SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN!
👉 Submit your game: bit.ly/WDS2026Apply
🗓️ Apply by Nov 9th!
Reposted by Amanda Harper
Look you just have to make the cool weird shit that excites you. You must. In this world besieged by bland, scrubbed boring, computer slop, you must. Make the thing you’re embarrassed to make, the thing that feels “too much” because otherwise we get drowned in a sea of cowardly work made by a button
August 6, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Look you just have to make the cool weird shit that excites you. You must. In this world besieged by bland, scrubbed boring, computer slop, you must. Make the thing you’re embarrassed to make, the thing that feels “too much” because otherwise we get drowned in a sea of cowardly work made by a button
Reposted by Amanda Harper
Don't worry about not fitting in, because fitting in isn't an important part of your life.
Be proud of being different♡
Your life is shining🌈
Be proud of being different♡
Your life is shining🌈
October 2, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Don't worry about not fitting in, because fitting in isn't an important part of your life.
Be proud of being different♡
Your life is shining🌈
Be proud of being different♡
Your life is shining🌈
Now when I google "is [insert food item] vegan", unless I remember to append "-ai" before I get to the results I have to scroll past a long paragraph of specious conclusions from the search results before I can see the actual answer, and I think that's pretty fucking stupid.
October 1, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Now when I google "is [insert food item] vegan", unless I remember to append "-ai" before I get to the results I have to scroll past a long paragraph of specious conclusions from the search results before I can see the actual answer, and I think that's pretty fucking stupid.
Reposted by Amanda Harper
Geralt died
September 27, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Geralt died
I'm not a bluesky engagement expert or anything, but I can tell you two of my most popular posts on here are about how badly I want to eat drywall.
#blueskytips
#blueskytips
September 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
I'm not a bluesky engagement expert or anything, but I can tell you two of my most popular posts on here are about how badly I want to eat drywall.
#blueskytips
#blueskytips
Really enjoyed The Library at Hellbore by @casskhaw.bsky.social; the longer I sit with the ending, the more I appreciate it. If you like feminine rage and dark academia (and Silent Hill! there's one big reference & themes echoing the series) consider giving this one a read. #booksky
September 9, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Really enjoyed The Library at Hellbore by @casskhaw.bsky.social; the longer I sit with the ending, the more I appreciate it. If you like feminine rage and dark academia (and Silent Hill! there's one big reference & themes echoing the series) consider giving this one a read. #booksky
Reposted by Amanda Harper
As a developer that has been fairly public: we're not equipped to deal with the deluge of abuse and hate that comes our way - and I'm an indie, I'm literally responsible for my own choices. Can't imagine having to stand in that torrent for choices the stakeholders forced despite my objections.
journalists can only do so much to convince readers that games are made by people, at some point companies need to let their talent talk about the industry they’re in, to communicate as if they are not in a vacuum where the only game that exists is the one in front of them
August 29, 2025 at 7:39 PM
As a developer that has been fairly public: we're not equipped to deal with the deluge of abuse and hate that comes our way - and I'm an indie, I'm literally responsible for my own choices. Can't imagine having to stand in that torrent for choices the stakeholders forced despite my objections.
Reposted by Amanda Harper
I need game companies to understand - if a good game ships and you layoff the team before I even hear the news that the game shipped - I will never buy that game.
August 25, 2025 at 8:24 PM
I need game companies to understand - if a good game ships and you layoff the team before I even hear the news that the game shipped - I will never buy that game.
Reposted by Amanda Harper
🔊May I tell you a secret? "The Supper: New Blood" will be released tomorrow!! I repeat: TOMORROW!
Wishlist Now: store.steampowered.com/app/3032010/...
#NewBlood #TheSupper #pixelart #horror #puzzle #cooking #indiegame #gamedev #release
Wishlist Now: store.steampowered.com/app/3032010/...
#NewBlood #TheSupper #pixelart #horror #puzzle #cooking #indiegame #gamedev #release
August 25, 2025 at 8:31 AM
🔊May I tell you a secret? "The Supper: New Blood" will be released tomorrow!! I repeat: TOMORROW!
Wishlist Now: store.steampowered.com/app/3032010/...
#NewBlood #TheSupper #pixelart #horror #puzzle #cooking #indiegame #gamedev #release
Wishlist Now: store.steampowered.com/app/3032010/...
#NewBlood #TheSupper #pixelart #horror #puzzle #cooking #indiegame #gamedev #release
Reposted by Amanda Harper
Reposted by Amanda Harper
I'm seeing fewer posts about the Visa and Mastercard situation, and I want to make it plain as day. You need to keep calling and bothering them and losing them money.
Because if we lose this, they are going to cut more and more from what's available until you can only buy what they approve of.
⬇️
Because if we lose this, they are going to cut more and more from what's available until you can only buy what they approve of.
⬇️
Spoke with an anon source who had an interesting insight into Visa policy. Per a convo with their bank on the Steam/itchio situation today, Visa put new restrictions into place due to a new "government policy." The exact phrase used by Visa. No specific country was listed as the source of the policy
August 19, 2025 at 11:22 AM
I'm seeing fewer posts about the Visa and Mastercard situation, and I want to make it plain as day. You need to keep calling and bothering them and losing them money.
Because if we lose this, they are going to cut more and more from what's available until you can only buy what they approve of.
⬇️
Because if we lose this, they are going to cut more and more from what's available until you can only buy what they approve of.
⬇️
Reposted by Amanda Harper
Heartworm - the retro, fixed camera survival horror inspired game I have been working on for five years is out NOW on Steam. Please check it out if you're into that sort of thing! And if you enjoy it, leave a review as it really helps! Thank you
store.steampowered.com/app/1257030/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1257030/...
July 31, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Heartworm - the retro, fixed camera survival horror inspired game I have been working on for five years is out NOW on Steam. Please check it out if you're into that sort of thing! And if you enjoy it, leave a review as it really helps! Thank you
store.steampowered.com/app/1257030/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1257030/...
Reposted by Amanda Harper
I know we're upset about itch, but they're not the only ones
Payment processors harassed companies bc of a 1,000 email hate campaign
But we can EASILY top 1,000!
I prewrote an email + got the contact info - you just have to send!
↻💬♡ to boost
We CAN make a difference 💕
#itch #censorship
1/🧵
Payment processors harassed companies bc of a 1,000 email hate campaign
But we can EASILY top 1,000!
I prewrote an email + got the contact info - you just have to send!
↻💬♡ to boost
We CAN make a difference 💕
#itch #censorship
1/🧵
July 24, 2025 at 2:19 PM
I know we're upset about itch, but they're not the only ones
Payment processors harassed companies bc of a 1,000 email hate campaign
But we can EASILY top 1,000!
I prewrote an email + got the contact info - you just have to send!
↻💬♡ to boost
We CAN make a difference 💕
#itch #censorship
1/🧵
Payment processors harassed companies bc of a 1,000 email hate campaign
But we can EASILY top 1,000!
I prewrote an email + got the contact info - you just have to send!
↻💬♡ to boost
We CAN make a difference 💕
#itch #censorship
1/🧵
Reposted by Amanda Harper
To honor Ozzy's larger-than-life rock and roll legacy, we're making Brütal Legend *FREE* on itch.io: doublefine.itch.io/brutal-legend
But this incredible deal will only last for 666 minutes, as the prophecy foretold. So get yourself clicking, before it disappears like a demon in the night...
🤘 🖤
But this incredible deal will only last for 666 minutes, as the prophecy foretold. So get yourself clicking, before it disappears like a demon in the night...
🤘 🖤
July 23, 2025 at 11:00 PM
To honor Ozzy's larger-than-life rock and roll legacy, we're making Brütal Legend *FREE* on itch.io: doublefine.itch.io/brutal-legend
But this incredible deal will only last for 666 minutes, as the prophecy foretold. So get yourself clicking, before it disappears like a demon in the night...
🤘 🖤
But this incredible deal will only last for 666 minutes, as the prophecy foretold. So get yourself clicking, before it disappears like a demon in the night...
🤘 🖤
Also I'm only going to dodge if it looks cool.
it does not matter how good you make your game’s block/parry system; I will not use it. My defense is “punch more.” I cannot be taught
July 23, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Also I'm only going to dodge if it looks cool.
Reposted by Amanda Harper
For #screenshotsaturday I wanted to show off a little polish progress I have made on my #platformer. I have been playing around with particles and very basic vector graphics. Nothing is finalized, but I am really liking the simple look I am getting. #gamedev #indiedev #madewithunity #unity
July 13, 2025 at 12:05 AM
For #screenshotsaturday I wanted to show off a little polish progress I have made on my #platformer. I have been playing around with particles and very basic vector graphics. Nothing is finalized, but I am really liking the simple look I am getting. #gamedev #indiedev #madewithunity #unity