Nina Penner
@ninapenner.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Music, Brock University. Author of Storytelling in Opera and Musical Theatre (Indiana UP, 2020). Currently researching video game music.
Pinned
Nina Penner
@ninapenner.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Dynamic Music at the Macro and Micro Levels: A Comparison of The Pathless (2020) and Tchia (2023)1
The unpredictability of player behavior in open-world games presents notable challenges, particularly for developers with storytelling ambitions. Most composers have met these challenges by writing mu...
doi.org
Hi! I’m a musicologist. I mostly post about videogames these days. My work in this area include doi.org/10.1525/jsmg... & unwinnable.com/2024/06/04/h.... I have written about opera, musical theatre, and film music in the past, including iupress.org/978025304997...
Tall Trails by @bradysoglin.bsky.social: a charmingly silly game with joyous and varied movement and level design, a surprisingly meaty experience for a solo project. One of my 6yr old’s favourites of 2025. Currently on sale on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/2393760/...
Save 25% on Tall Trails on Steam
A chill exploration game where EVERYTHING goes in the boot! You're Alp, a lil' golem on a quest to find his purpose. Run, climb, and use items as fuel in your Rocket Boot to blast yourself into the ai...
store.steampowered.com
January 17, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Tall Trails by @bradysoglin.bsky.social: a charmingly silly game with joyous and varied movement and level design, a surprisingly meaty experience for a solo project. One of my 6yr old’s favourites of 2025. Currently on sale on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/2393760/...
Fading Serenades by @partnano.bsky.social: a miniature “strand” game in the trappings of Stardew Valley exploring topical themes of obsolescence and technology-related ecological collapse. Beautiful sound and pixel art kept me going despite repetitious dialogue and quests.
January 17, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Fading Serenades by @partnano.bsky.social: a miniature “strand” game in the trappings of Stardew Valley exploring topical themes of obsolescence and technology-related ecological collapse. Beautiful sound and pixel art kept me going despite repetitious dialogue and quests.
Reposted by Nina Penner
Reposted by Nina Penner
Me, a professor: *orders a course pack*
Campus bookstore: give us two months to make sure these 18 copies you requested you don’t violate any publisher’s copyright
Me, an AI company: *violates every publisher’s copyright*
Campus bookstore: we will pay you to offer your services to all students
Campus bookstore: give us two months to make sure these 18 copies you requested you don’t violate any publisher’s copyright
Me, an AI company: *violates every publisher’s copyright*
Campus bookstore: we will pay you to offer your services to all students
December 31, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Me, a professor: *orders a course pack*
Campus bookstore: give us two months to make sure these 18 copies you requested you don’t violate any publisher’s copyright
Me, an AI company: *violates every publisher’s copyright*
Campus bookstore: we will pay you to offer your services to all students
Campus bookstore: give us two months to make sure these 18 copies you requested you don’t violate any publisher’s copyright
Me, an AI company: *violates every publisher’s copyright*
Campus bookstore: we will pay you to offer your services to all students
Reposted by Nina Penner
i am begging game developers and musicians who are not putting your soundtracks on bandcamp/ampwall to just... do that... please... i will not be streaming your music off A Music Service. let me actually give you money.
December 5, 2025 at 6:19 PM
i am begging game developers and musicians who are not putting your soundtracks on bandcamp/ampwall to just... do that... please... i will not be streaming your music off A Music Service. let me actually give you money.
You or your student, @profjay.bsky.social? Or @kategalloway.bsky.social for a musical perspective.
Looking to speak with academics/experts specializing in video games studies specifically ideas around conquest, environmentalism, and land for a piece. Please repost this or give recs.
November 20, 2025 at 12:54 AM
You or your student, @profjay.bsky.social? Or @kategalloway.bsky.social for a musical perspective.
Reposted by Nina Penner
Announcing our JSMG editorial board Pipeline to Publication Workshop Friday, October 17 at 2pm EDT/7pm GMT at tinyurl.com/bdcpupby, passcode: 847119. We hope you can join us, and please share this post to all who might benefit!
September 30, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Announcing our JSMG editorial board Pipeline to Publication Workshop Friday, October 17 at 2pm EDT/7pm GMT at tinyurl.com/bdcpupby, passcode: 847119. We hope you can join us, and please share this post to all who might benefit!
Just finished a run of Word Play by @gamemakerstoolkit.co I’m not into card games so I was missing out on the Balatro craze. Now there’s a Balatro for me. Please tell me that this is coming to mobile before Christmas. If so, I’ll have a good gift for my mother-in-law (she’s not heard of Steam)
August 3, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Just finished a run of Word Play by @gamemakerstoolkit.co I’m not into card games so I was missing out on the Balatro craze. Now there’s a Balatro for me. Please tell me that this is coming to mobile before Christmas. If so, I’ll have a good gift for my mother-in-law (she’s not heard of Steam)
Reposted by Nina Penner
Hello friends!
My team is looking for a musician / audio designer for contract work on our combat-focused game!
We're looking for music that's catchy, energetic, featuring chopped vocals, funky rhythms, and a seamless mix of hip-hop, electronic, and funk.
My team is looking for a musician / audio designer for contract work on our combat-focused game!
We're looking for music that's catchy, energetic, featuring chopped vocals, funky rhythms, and a seamless mix of hip-hop, electronic, and funk.
HeartLoop Games - Call for Musician / Audio Designer
HeartLoop Games is looking for a musician and audio designer for contract work on our combat-focused game! High-energy, breakbeat-driven music with funky samples and an upbeat, playful vibe. Chopped v...
docs.google.com
July 7, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Hello friends!
My team is looking for a musician / audio designer for contract work on our combat-focused game!
We're looking for music that's catchy, energetic, featuring chopped vocals, funky rhythms, and a seamless mix of hip-hop, electronic, and funk.
My team is looking for a musician / audio designer for contract work on our combat-focused game!
We're looking for music that's catchy, energetic, featuring chopped vocals, funky rhythms, and a seamless mix of hip-hop, electronic, and funk.
Is anyone else finding that the sound effects almost totally obscure the music in Mario Kart World? I feel like they kept the balance the same as 8 but now there are twice as many players, and at least twice the chaos. I need to listen to the music outside of the game to get a sense of it.
July 1, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Is anyone else finding that the sound effects almost totally obscure the music in Mario Kart World? I feel like they kept the balance the same as 8 but now there are twice as many players, and at least twice the chaos. I need to listen to the music outside of the game to get a sense of it.
My daughter and I started Moonglow Bay by @bunnyhug.games. We’ve been enjoying it, especially the delightful mix of acoustic instruments & synths from @lena.fyi. I love that choice with the Voxel style. I’m bummed that I can’t seem to complete the QT events at the 1st boss (there are bosses!)
June 27, 2025 at 2:32 AM
My daughter and I started Moonglow Bay by @bunnyhug.games. We’ve been enjoying it, especially the delightful mix of acoustic instruments & synths from @lena.fyi. I love that choice with the Voxel style. I’m bummed that I can’t seem to complete the QT events at the 1st boss (there are bosses!)
Paradise Marsh by @lazyeti.bsky.social is like Proteus but as a creature collector like Alba: A Wildlife Adventure. A chill time with an impressive procedural soundscape by @disasterpeace.bsky.social and delightful writing. Disasterpeace posted a deep dive here: youtu.be/sW6gw7-SVM8?...
Paradise Marsh: Sonic Procedures for Open-World Exploration
YouTube video by Disasterpeace
youtu.be
June 27, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Paradise Marsh by @lazyeti.bsky.social is like Proteus but as a creature collector like Alba: A Wildlife Adventure. A chill time with an impressive procedural soundscape by @disasterpeace.bsky.social and delightful writing. Disasterpeace posted a deep dive here: youtu.be/sW6gw7-SVM8?...
It's #BandcampFriday! Support some artists you love!
May 3, 2025 at 1:01 AM
It's #BandcampFriday! Support some artists you love!
Reposted by Nina Penner
Thrilled to see this project come to life - A proper musical tour of @ironoakgames.bsky.social's Fahrul, with a carefully curated selection of the most exciting tracks from both games, remastered and presented with @rozendj.bsky.social's incredible eye for visual flair in a gorgeous two-disc set.
Materia Collective and Emperia Records proudly present For The King 1+2 (Original Game Soundtracks) — a deluxe 2xLP release featuring the complete scores by John Robert Matz (@johnrobertmatz.bsky.social)!
Pre-order now at the Materia Store.
materia.to/ForTheKingBS
Pre-order now at the Materia Store.
materia.to/ForTheKingBS
April 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Thrilled to see this project come to life - A proper musical tour of @ironoakgames.bsky.social's Fahrul, with a carefully curated selection of the most exciting tracks from both games, remastered and presented with @rozendj.bsky.social's incredible eye for visual flair in a gorgeous two-disc set.
I'm attending the American Philosophical Society (Pacific) meeting. I met Kendall Walton, author of Mimesis as Make-Believe, among much else. I read his nametag and blurted out "You're Kendall Walton!" before I could think better of it. Awesome to see him supporting the young aestheticians here.
April 18, 2025 at 9:50 PM
I'm attending the American Philosophical Society (Pacific) meeting. I met Kendall Walton, author of Mimesis as Make-Believe, among much else. I read his nametag and blurted out "You're Kendall Walton!" before I could think better of it. Awesome to see him supporting the young aestheticians here.
Congrats to all who represented @brocku.ca at Level Up Showcase in Toronto! brocku.ca/brock-news/2...
The people have spoken: GAME students return as crowd favourites from video game showcase
Not only do they have the skills, but Brock’s aspiring video game designers also have the fan base. The University’s Interactive Arts and Science (IASC) and GAME students recently earned Brock’s third...
brocku.ca
April 18, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Congrats to all who represented @brocku.ca at Level Up Showcase in Toronto! brocku.ca/brock-news/2...
So proud of @brocku.bsky.social students: 2nd for audio (store.steampowered.com/app/3338200/...), 2nd for accessibility (store.steampowered.com/app/3477530/...), and 1st for people’s choice (store.steampowered.com/app/3565690/...) at Level Up 2025!
April 13, 2025 at 12:08 AM
So proud of @brocku.bsky.social students: 2nd for audio (store.steampowered.com/app/3338200/...), 2nd for accessibility (store.steampowered.com/app/3477530/...), and 1st for people’s choice (store.steampowered.com/app/3565690/...) at Level Up 2025!
I’m looking forward to supporting Brock students at my very first Level Up tomorrow!
Looking forward to my first Level Up event in years tomorrow! I don't know if there's anything else like it. Ontario Game Dev students are an amazing bunch. Will be cheering on our @brocku.bsky.social GAME and IASC students especially!
levelupshowcase.com
levelupshowcase.com
Level Up Showcase - Level Up Showcase
Level Up Showcase 2024 is taking place at the Westin Harbour Castle, a vibrant waterfront hotel with great views & commute options on April 19 from 4 – 10 PM.
levelupshowcase.com
April 11, 2025 at 4:05 PM
I’m looking forward to supporting Brock students at my very first Level Up tomorrow!
Thanks for sharing this. I hope GDC will post a vod of this soon… Such a delightfully quirky score. Wish I was a good enough pianist to play this myself. Looking forward to Monaco 2! store.steampowered.com/app/1063030/...
April 11, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Thanks for sharing this. I hope GDC will post a vod of this soon… Such a delightfully quirky score. Wish I was a good enough pianist to play this myself. Looking forward to Monaco 2! store.steampowered.com/app/1063030/...
Reposted by Nina Penner
Speaker/Panel Submissions are open for GameSoundCon 2025!
www.gamesoundcon.com/submissions
www.gamesoundcon.com/submissions
Submissions | GameSoundCon Speaker Submissions
Accepting submissions on topics in game music and sound design, virtual and augmented reality audio and game audio research & education
www.gamesoundcon.com
April 6, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Speaker/Panel Submissions are open for GameSoundCon 2025!
www.gamesoundcon.com/submissions
www.gamesoundcon.com/submissions
Reposted by Nina Penner
Did you catch the announcement of our new game Malys? 🕯️
The hellish roguelite deckbuilder coming soon to Kickstarter??
The one where you're an exorcist???
Click to catch up!
The hellish roguelite deckbuilder coming soon to Kickstarter??
The one where you're an exorcist???
Click to catch up!
Coming soon: Malys: Exorcise demons on your hunt for an ancient evil
Play as an exorcist on a quest to protect the innocent in this demonic roguelite deckbuilder from the creators of "Stray Gods".
www.kickstarter.com
April 3, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Did you catch the announcement of our new game Malys? 🕯️
The hellish roguelite deckbuilder coming soon to Kickstarter??
The one where you're an exorcist???
Click to catch up!
The hellish roguelite deckbuilder coming soon to Kickstarter??
The one where you're an exorcist???
Click to catch up!
Paper Trail by Newfangled Games: surprisingly difficult and varied. I expected more of a narrative game with some relaxing paper folding. Pleasantly surprised for a meaty puzzle game. Really novel. Loving it so far.
March 30, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Paper Trail by Newfangled Games: surprisingly difficult and varied. I expected more of a narrative game with some relaxing paper folding. Pleasantly surprised for a meaty puzzle game. Really novel. Loving it so far.
“Midnight” from Telling Lies & “Two of Everything” from Immortality; everything from Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture (please can this be released for purchase on Bandcamp?); everything from Chicory: A Colorful Tale (and there’s a lot!); “Beware of the Forest Mushrooms” from Super Mario RPG.
Happy International Womens Day!
So many amazing women are composing or have composed music for video games. Let us know your favourite themes composed by women. #VGM ❤️🎮🎶
So many amazing women are composing or have composed music for video games. Let us know your favourite themes composed by women. #VGM ❤️🎮🎶
March 30, 2025 at 3:14 AM
“Midnight” from Telling Lies & “Two of Everything” from Immortality; everything from Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture (please can this be released for purchase on Bandcamp?); everything from Chicory: A Colorful Tale (and there’s a lot!); “Beware of the Forest Mushrooms” from Super Mario RPG.
Reposted by Nina Penner
If there ANY #vgm / #gamemusic and/or video game podcasts or podcast shows interested in interviewing me about my latest Aground Zero Soundtrack please get in touch. The ones I have been on before have sunset or are not responding to me. Please share for extended reach. Thank you kindly
March 25, 2025 at 9:56 PM
If there ANY #vgm / #gamemusic and/or video game podcasts or podcast shows interested in interviewing me about my latest Aground Zero Soundtrack please get in touch. The ones I have been on before have sunset or are not responding to me. Please share for extended reach. Thank you kindly
I'm working on a presentation/article on Chicory: A Colorful Tale for the North American Conference on Video Game Music. I haven't wanted to bother you @lena.fyi about it. No pressure to respond, but in case you are inclined, I was wondering whether you had a hand in crafting Marzipan's dialogue.
March 25, 2025 at 12:11 AM
I'm working on a presentation/article on Chicory: A Colorful Tale for the North American Conference on Video Game Music. I haven't wanted to bother you @lena.fyi about it. No pressure to respond, but in case you are inclined, I was wondering whether you had a hand in crafting Marzipan's dialogue.