Tiny Bookshelf
@tinybookshelf.itch.io
Makin' little games you can play! Run by @ericvbailey.bsky.social. Thanks to @moxiest.art you can now play Type Gun! https://similarbookshelf.itch.io/type-gun
Support small dev teams!
Support small dev teams!
Reposted by Tiny Bookshelf
Five years ago I made a game.
It's called Octobug!
It's your classic 'quirky platformer.' It might make you laugh, get frustrated, feel feelings. Streamers had a blast with it (you can play through in one sitting).
It's about a spider.
It costs $3!
tinybookshelf.itch.io/octobug
It's called Octobug!
It's your classic 'quirky platformer.' It might make you laugh, get frustrated, feel feelings. Streamers had a blast with it (you can play through in one sitting).
It's about a spider.
It costs $3!
tinybookshelf.itch.io/octobug
Octobug by TinyBookshelf
A short, strange 2D platformer about a spider in a world with many flies.
tinybookshelf.itch.io
November 19, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Five years ago I made a game.
It's called Octobug!
It's your classic 'quirky platformer.' It might make you laugh, get frustrated, feel feelings. Streamers had a blast with it (you can play through in one sitting).
It's about a spider.
It costs $3!
tinybookshelf.itch.io/octobug
It's called Octobug!
It's your classic 'quirky platformer.' It might make you laugh, get frustrated, feel feelings. Streamers had a blast with it (you can play through in one sitting).
It's about a spider.
It costs $3!
tinybookshelf.itch.io/octobug
not trying to do a 'hot take' but i'm not completely sold on 'loops' as the be-all, end-all of game design (and gameplay payoff)
like, i get it
but i'm also kinda less loopy, more 'poke around' in what vibe i gravitate toward
...
i dunno if that makes sense, but i feel it
like, i get it
but i'm also kinda less loopy, more 'poke around' in what vibe i gravitate toward
...
i dunno if that makes sense, but i feel it
November 19, 2025 at 9:15 PM
not trying to do a 'hot take' but i'm not completely sold on 'loops' as the be-all, end-all of game design (and gameplay payoff)
like, i get it
but i'm also kinda less loopy, more 'poke around' in what vibe i gravitate toward
...
i dunno if that makes sense, but i feel it
like, i get it
but i'm also kinda less loopy, more 'poke around' in what vibe i gravitate toward
...
i dunno if that makes sense, but i feel it
What do you find to contribute to a *satisfying payoff* for your playtime in a video game?
Rich visuals?
Great music?
Tight combat?
Puzzles to solve?
An engrossing story?
A compelling world to explore?
Memorable characters/dialogue?
Would love to hear your thoughts! 🎮
Rich visuals?
Great music?
Tight combat?
Puzzles to solve?
An engrossing story?
A compelling world to explore?
Memorable characters/dialogue?
Would love to hear your thoughts! 🎮
November 19, 2025 at 5:58 PM
What do you find to contribute to a *satisfying payoff* for your playtime in a video game?
Rich visuals?
Great music?
Tight combat?
Puzzles to solve?
An engrossing story?
A compelling world to explore?
Memorable characters/dialogue?
Would love to hear your thoughts! 🎮
Rich visuals?
Great music?
Tight combat?
Puzzles to solve?
An engrossing story?
A compelling world to explore?
Memorable characters/dialogue?
Would love to hear your thoughts! 🎮
lol
all it took was ONE NIGHT back in game development (after a few months' break) and my brain is already like "we hate our job, why can't we just make games all day instead" 😭😅
all it took was ONE NIGHT back in game development (after a few months' break) and my brain is already like "we hate our job, why can't we just make games all day instead" 😭😅
November 19, 2025 at 3:55 PM
lol
all it took was ONE NIGHT back in game development (after a few months' break) and my brain is already like "we hate our job, why can't we just make games all day instead" 😭😅
all it took was ONE NIGHT back in game development (after a few months' break) and my brain is already like "we hate our job, why can't we just make games all day instead" 😭😅
welp
after a few months away, i logged back into the engine and did some 'game development' tonight
happy to report it was ...
A SMASHING SUCCESS as i incorporated some strafe controls to a project and it works like a charm right away, heck yeah, still got it, ugh this is fun
after a few months away, i logged back into the engine and did some 'game development' tonight
happy to report it was ...
A SMASHING SUCCESS as i incorporated some strafe controls to a project and it works like a charm right away, heck yeah, still got it, ugh this is fun
November 19, 2025 at 4:51 AM
welp
after a few months away, i logged back into the engine and did some 'game development' tonight
happy to report it was ...
A SMASHING SUCCESS as i incorporated some strafe controls to a project and it works like a charm right away, heck yeah, still got it, ugh this is fun
after a few months away, i logged back into the engine and did some 'game development' tonight
happy to report it was ...
A SMASHING SUCCESS as i incorporated some strafe controls to a project and it works like a charm right away, heck yeah, still got it, ugh this is fun
Reposted by Tiny Bookshelf
This is Sektori! A twin-stick shooter I've been making (and documenting the journey) since April 2021. And it finally launched TODAY on Steam, PS5 and Xbox! Here's a fresh launch trailer, all shares highly appreciated. More game info in replies.
#indiegame #ps5 #xbox #steam #indiedev #gamedev
#indiegame #ps5 #xbox #steam #indiedev #gamedev
November 18, 2025 at 10:49 AM
as i work on returning to regular game development (have been on an extended break as i shake off some life/stress stuff), one important mental step i've enjoyed lately: feeling motivated to work on one particular idea because *i want to play it myself*
neat gamedev feel, that
neat gamedev feel, that
November 12, 2025 at 4:43 PM
as i work on returning to regular game development (have been on an extended break as i shake off some life/stress stuff), one important mental step i've enjoyed lately: feeling motivated to work on one particular idea because *i want to play it myself*
neat gamedev feel, that
neat gamedev feel, that
Yes, I am on a bit of a game development hiatus.
I am dealing with some Life Stuff which, while not urgent or related to my health, has just kinda left in very much... not in a gamedev headspace, ha.
Honestly it's a blessing to be able to step away at times when I need.
I am dealing with some Life Stuff which, while not urgent or related to my health, has just kinda left in very much... not in a gamedev headspace, ha.
Honestly it's a blessing to be able to step away at times when I need.
October 14, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Yes, I am on a bit of a game development hiatus.
I am dealing with some Life Stuff which, while not urgent or related to my health, has just kinda left in very much... not in a gamedev headspace, ha.
Honestly it's a blessing to be able to step away at times when I need.
I am dealing with some Life Stuff which, while not urgent or related to my health, has just kinda left in very much... not in a gamedev headspace, ha.
Honestly it's a blessing to be able to step away at times when I need.
gamedev is neat
'cause you can mess up a bit of math and the whole thing breaks and falls apart and stops working and doesn't work
and sometimes even in a way that makes you have to sorta figure out what the heck happened
it's good to learn to love troubleshooting, i think
'cause you can mess up a bit of math and the whole thing breaks and falls apart and stops working and doesn't work
and sometimes even in a way that makes you have to sorta figure out what the heck happened
it's good to learn to love troubleshooting, i think
August 26, 2025 at 4:24 AM
gamedev is neat
'cause you can mess up a bit of math and the whole thing breaks and falls apart and stops working and doesn't work
and sometimes even in a way that makes you have to sorta figure out what the heck happened
it's good to learn to love troubleshooting, i think
'cause you can mess up a bit of math and the whole thing breaks and falls apart and stops working and doesn't work
and sometimes even in a way that makes you have to sorta figure out what the heck happened
it's good to learn to love troubleshooting, i think
What kind of game do you love to make?
August 20, 2025 at 6:37 PM
What kind of game do you love to make?
✨ ATTENTION INDIE DEVELOPERS ✨
If I emailed you a simple list of questions that I would be genuinely interested to learn your answers (as a fellow dev, as a gamer, as a human being), would you be willing to respond to them if I posted such response on a public blog?
If I emailed you a simple list of questions that I would be genuinely interested to learn your answers (as a fellow dev, as a gamer, as a human being), would you be willing to respond to them if I posted such response on a public blog?
August 19, 2025 at 1:42 PM
✨ ATTENTION INDIE DEVELOPERS ✨
If I emailed you a simple list of questions that I would be genuinely interested to learn your answers (as a fellow dev, as a gamer, as a human being), would you be willing to respond to them if I posted such response on a public blog?
If I emailed you a simple list of questions that I would be genuinely interested to learn your answers (as a fellow dev, as a gamer, as a human being), would you be willing to respond to them if I posted such response on a public blog?
NEW READABILITY TEST 📣📢📣📢📣📢
Do you think you recognize all the objects/concepts represented by these icons? 🤔
Do you think you recognize all the objects/concepts represented by these icons? 🤔
August 15, 2025 at 2:08 PM
NEW READABILITY TEST 📣📢📣📢📣📢
Do you think you recognize all the objects/concepts represented by these icons? 🤔
Do you think you recognize all the objects/concepts represented by these icons? 🤔
Reposted by Tiny Bookshelf
Over at Tiny Blogshelf I wrote about how I'm bad at drawing trees but I won't get any better at drawing trees unless I... draw trees. Even when it's not what I want to do (because I'm bad at it!).
Then I drew one I liked, and -- learned about life?
tinyblogshelf.wordpress.com/2025/08/14/t...
Then I drew one I liked, and -- learned about life?
tinyblogshelf.wordpress.com/2025/08/14/t...
The Terrible Burden of Drawing a Tree
I wonder how many video games have trees in them. I really do wonder this, in a ‘what specific number?’ way. At some point in the process for thousands of different titles, an artist wa…
tinyblogshelf.wordpress.com
August 14, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Over at Tiny Blogshelf I wrote about how I'm bad at drawing trees but I won't get any better at drawing trees unless I... draw trees. Even when it's not what I want to do (because I'm bad at it!).
Then I drew one I liked, and -- learned about life?
tinyblogshelf.wordpress.com/2025/08/14/t...
Then I drew one I liked, and -- learned about life?
tinyblogshelf.wordpress.com/2025/08/14/t...
being a game developer is fun because sometimes your son says "can i play Octobug?" and you can say "yep" 😊
August 15, 2025 at 1:25 AM
being a game developer is fun because sometimes your son says "can i play Octobug?" and you can say "yep" 😊
Over at Tiny Blogshelf I wrote about how I'm bad at drawing trees but I won't get any better at drawing trees unless I... draw trees. Even when it's not what I want to do (because I'm bad at it!).
Then I drew one I liked, and -- learned about life?
tinyblogshelf.wordpress.com/2025/08/14/t...
Then I drew one I liked, and -- learned about life?
tinyblogshelf.wordpress.com/2025/08/14/t...
The Terrible Burden of Drawing a Tree
I wonder how many video games have trees in them. I really do wonder this, in a ‘what specific number?’ way. At some point in the process for thousands of different titles, an artist wa…
tinyblogshelf.wordpress.com
August 14, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Over at Tiny Blogshelf I wrote about how I'm bad at drawing trees but I won't get any better at drawing trees unless I... draw trees. Even when it's not what I want to do (because I'm bad at it!).
Then I drew one I liked, and -- learned about life?
tinyblogshelf.wordpress.com/2025/08/14/t...
Then I drew one I liked, and -- learned about life?
tinyblogshelf.wordpress.com/2025/08/14/t...
Been making strides in being more disciplined, more consistently using time in gamedev toward focused progress (been going well past month or so!).
... which makes it sting when "life stuff" gets in the way and I have to put development on the back-burner again.
I'm trying, folks! I promise! 😅
... which makes it sting when "life stuff" gets in the way and I have to put development on the back-burner again.
I'm trying, folks! I promise! 😅
August 8, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Been making strides in being more disciplined, more consistently using time in gamedev toward focused progress (been going well past month or so!).
... which makes it sting when "life stuff" gets in the way and I have to put development on the back-burner again.
I'm trying, folks! I promise! 😅
... which makes it sting when "life stuff" gets in the way and I have to put development on the back-burner again.
I'm trying, folks! I promise! 😅
open world Pac-Man
August 7, 2025 at 6:33 PM
open world Pac-Man
there is a groove you hit in gamedev sometimes where it's like... my quality of work right now may not be the best but, gosh darn it, i sure am iterating quickly
like a pure hack-and-slash flow state haha
like a pure hack-and-slash flow state haha
August 7, 2025 at 1:25 AM
there is a groove you hit in gamedev sometimes where it's like... my quality of work right now may not be the best but, gosh darn it, i sure am iterating quickly
like a pure hack-and-slash flow state haha
like a pure hack-and-slash flow state haha
production timeline goals:
* end of 2025 -- multi-game burst reveal video
* 2026 -- two game releases
* 2027 -- one game release
* 2028 -- one game release
we are sorta on track for this 😶
* end of 2025 -- multi-game burst reveal video
* 2026 -- two game releases
* 2027 -- one game release
* 2028 -- one game release
we are sorta on track for this 😶
August 6, 2025 at 1:38 PM
production timeline goals:
* end of 2025 -- multi-game burst reveal video
* 2026 -- two game releases
* 2027 -- one game release
* 2028 -- one game release
we are sorta on track for this 😶
* end of 2025 -- multi-game burst reveal video
* 2026 -- two game releases
* 2027 -- one game release
* 2028 -- one game release
we are sorta on track for this 😶
welp
am now not just changing the tone and style of one of my projects but even the whole dang resolution lol
there's a first time for everything i suppose
...
gamedev woooooooooooooo
(officially in my lo-rez era 🥳)
am now not just changing the tone and style of one of my projects but even the whole dang resolution lol
there's a first time for everything i suppose
...
gamedev woooooooooooooo
(officially in my lo-rez era 🥳)
August 6, 2025 at 3:24 AM
welp
am now not just changing the tone and style of one of my projects but even the whole dang resolution lol
there's a first time for everything i suppose
...
gamedev woooooooooooooo
(officially in my lo-rez era 🥳)
am now not just changing the tone and style of one of my projects but even the whole dang resolution lol
there's a first time for everything i suppose
...
gamedev woooooooooooooo
(officially in my lo-rez era 🥳)
no pressure
but if i can pull off a couple pieces of art tonight, i will be completely pivoting one of my projects into a new direction/tone/style
really hoping i can pull it off, will be really cool
(totally, i promise)
but if i can pull off a couple pieces of art tonight, i will be completely pivoting one of my projects into a new direction/tone/style
really hoping i can pull it off, will be really cool
(totally, i promise)
August 5, 2025 at 10:54 PM
no pressure
but if i can pull off a couple pieces of art tonight, i will be completely pivoting one of my projects into a new direction/tone/style
really hoping i can pull it off, will be really cool
(totally, i promise)
but if i can pull off a couple pieces of art tonight, i will be completely pivoting one of my projects into a new direction/tone/style
really hoping i can pull it off, will be really cool
(totally, i promise)
it's nice to occasionally come across a piece of pixel art that makes you think yeah, maybe i am a little too hard on myself sometimes, just draw the thing
July 23, 2025 at 3:09 AM
it's nice to occasionally come across a piece of pixel art that makes you think yeah, maybe i am a little too hard on myself sometimes, just draw the thing
pixel art is hard 😭
i cry 😭
i cry 😭
July 22, 2025 at 11:18 PM
pixel art is hard 😭
i cry 😭
i cry 😭
fun to see my kids' sentiments shift as to which of my games i should be working on more diligently 👀
July 22, 2025 at 4:52 AM
fun to see my kids' sentiments shift as to which of my games i should be working on more diligently 👀
I had a thought: Ah! I'll make 'Sirtet.' It's Tetris, but in reverse!
I go to search, aaand obviously other people have already had the idea.
Interestingly though, none of them are *actually* Tetris in reverse (start with large mass, remove piece by piece under restriction). 🤔
I go to search, aaand obviously other people have already had the idea.
Interestingly though, none of them are *actually* Tetris in reverse (start with large mass, remove piece by piece under restriction). 🤔
July 18, 2025 at 1:12 PM
I had a thought: Ah! I'll make 'Sirtet.' It's Tetris, but in reverse!
I go to search, aaand obviously other people have already had the idea.
Interestingly though, none of them are *actually* Tetris in reverse (start with large mass, remove piece by piece under restriction). 🤔
I go to search, aaand obviously other people have already had the idea.
Interestingly though, none of them are *actually* Tetris in reverse (start with large mass, remove piece by piece under restriction). 🤔