Nina Penner

I got a free-access link (for 3 months) in case you want to read "The Composer as Author in Video Game Development" but don't have institutional access: scholarlypublishingcollective.org/uip/mmi/arti... Thanks, @illinoispress.bsky.social, this is a good policy!

NEW OPPORTUNITY: Short fiction writer? Love the world of Heaven's Vault? ... then come play in the waters. We're looking to commission 20 short stories set in the Nebula for a new anthology. Paid, obvs. Full details and a link to the form on the blog: www.inklestudios.com/2026/10/24/t...

Colorbound is really flying under the radar this fall, but this is a must play for puzzle fans interested in a heartfelt story. Developed by @panpipestudio.bsky.social, published by @whitethorngames.bsky.social.

Thanks for having me. It was a blast and a tremendous challenge to pick only 10! I discuss tracks by @lena.fyi @johnrobertmatz.bsky.social @awintory.bsky.social @darrenkorb.bsky.social @nainitadesai.bsky.social @bibikigarcia.com Jessica Curry, Takeshi Furukawa, Kyle Patrick Naval, & Nick Horsten

I am thrilled to announce that "A Structure of Sympathy for Video Game Characters: Lena Raine’s Music for Celeste and Chicory: A Colorful Tale" is out in the Journal of Sound and Music in Games. For the next month, the article is available for free from online.ucpress.edu/jsmg/article... @lena.fyi

LudoNarraCon 2026 is here and we've been checking out our favourite Steam festival of the year. We couldn't resist writing an article, highlighting some of our favourite demos from the festival.

one thing you learn from making a lot of things is that the nitty gritty details, the millions of tiny invisible decisions, ARE the art. The "higher level ideas" are not nearly as important or interesting

The So Many Games Patreon gives a host of benefits to members including: - Early Access to our work - Free game codes - Exclusive Article - A chance to write for the newsletter - Indie Frequency: A radio style bonus podcast for Gigabyte members - A 7 Day free trail & much more! Join here ⬇️

My kids and I are adoring Woodo. What a charming, polished experience, with some surprisingly delightful music implementation. Watch the first 90 seconds of this: youtu.be/3Wf17etQn9U?...

The day I finalize my application for tenure, one of my most anticipated titles of the year comes out! I can't wait to start magic music school! Enjoyed Eastshade quite a lot earlier this year. Looking forward to seeing the developers' latest title.

Hey, head’s up all: the Game Audio Diversity Alliance just opened up applications for a free pass (in-person and online both available) to attend GameSoundCon on October 20-21! Full post here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1Gsv... Apply directly here: forms.gle/tbJJwvxkAV22...

Monowave is definitely worth checking out for puzzle-platformer fans. Out now on Steam and Switch. Thanks @studiobbb.bsky.social for codes to the extended preview and the full release.

On @somanygames.co.uk, find out how @mattgoode.bsky.social's Song Runner contends with the cursed problem (in @blinkity.bsky.social's sense) of gamified creativity. There's also a shout out to @greg.style's GDC talk about Chicory: A Colorful Tale. somanygames.co.uk/articles/son...

Our @somanygames.co.uk group called Big Walk's main collectables kongs, based on their resemblance to dog toys. It turns out this is what @ashellinthepit.com used for the avatar sounds. A great conversation w/ @emaudible.bsky.social at @playwatchlisten.bsky.social this week: youtu.be/Tp1Dt04c34E?...

Picked Flavourworks’ Erica as the single-sitting social game of the month for the @gaminginthewild.com Discord. I have a dream of teaching this and @halfmermaid.co’s Immortality. 2 different but successful approaches to FMV and scoring FMV. Can’t wait for the next game from both studios.

Read my full review here: somanygames.co.uk/review/tukon... Video review: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkVY...

Thanks Marcus, Michael & @andresplays.bsky.social for putting this on my radar. I agree that some mechanics could have been finessed but I applaud the care in the Indigenous representation. Genius how the art team was able to communicate visually the 2 characters' different experiences of the forest

I just approved copyediting of an article about point of view & empathy in Celeste & Chicory: A Colorful Tale for the Journal of Sound and Music in Games. I can't wait to share this with the world. I think this might be the the best thing I've written yet. And it's a big one. Forthcoming fall 2026.

My first solo video review, beautifully edited together by @shinenite.lainesdesigned.com. I even managed to work in a mention of Monkey Island 2 and iMUSE. Grateful for the license @somanygames.co.uk allows for game audio and scholarly nerdiness.

Why is the sound of @househouse.com's Big Walk sounds so realistic & immersive? @emaudible.bsky.social with @ashellinthepit.com went on some big walks in Australia! They really went the extra mile. Thanks for the peeks into the process: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSN6... www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW3a...

My first game preview. Looking forward to continuing Mono's journey in a few weeks. Thanks to @studiobbb.bsky.social for access to the extended demo.

Optimist: the cup is half full Pessimist: the cup is half empty Analytic philosopher: define “cup” Continental philosopher: why do people even care what cups are? What’s the genealogy of the idea of a cup?

Keep your ears perked for a Behind the Sound of Big Walk stream!!! 🔴🟡🔵 @emaudible.bsky.social & @nicholaszhangaudio.bsky.social will be walkin' and talkin' about their audio journey in development with @househouse.com and answering YOUR questions live! Aug 21 @ 3pm PST at twitch.tv/ashellinthepittv

The Big Walk Experience - taken from our full video review, now live on our YouTube channel! Is Big Walk the Peak of Co-op Gaming? youtu.be/a7ZW6cnb1yg

I ask the question “Are inventory puzzles fun?” in my latest review. I really wanted to like this more than I did…

I hope you guys win lots of awards at GANG and elsewhere. I look forward to hearing how you made the magic.

Find out why we at @somanygames.co.uk think Big Walk is making a big splash this summer: youtu.be/a7ZW6cnb1yg?... Featuring @soccr.bsky.social @brohannesjahms.bsky.social @chipdip.bsky.social

Did you know we (@brock-ddh.bsky.social at Brock University in Ontario 🇨🇦) offer a 2-year MA in Game Studies? I teach one of our grad seminars, Methodological Paradigms in Game Studies! Feel free to DM me anytime if you have Q's about applying for Fall 2027/28! #gamestudies brocku.ca/humanities/d...

Exciting! This is a really tough call but this may be my favourite of Austin’s scores, just as music to listen to. (Of course it’s sublime in game too.) Gorgeous melodies performed by @fieldofreeds.bsky.social, accompanied by aleatoric harp ensemble, and choir for the finale…

The year this released, this album topped my Spotify wrapped (when I was still using that platform). But you’re better off purchasing it on Bandcamp so artists like John Robert can actually get paid a reasonable amount for their work.

Big Walk is the most fun I've had gaming this year. I played with @soccr.bsky.social, @brohannesjahms.bsky.social & Jacob Price of the @preorderbonus.bsky.social. Our review is now live: somanygames.co.uk/review/big-w... Thanks @househouse.com for giving @somanygames.co.uk review codes!

I truly feel for kids growing up now who will have to unlearn using AI, but if you've been writing for more than 2 years it is the easiest thing in the world to just Keep Doing The Thing You Did and ignore AI tools!! It makes me feel crazy that people act like this isn't the case!!!

I'm submitting my tenure application in the fall and am attempting to assemble evidence of scholarly impact. If you've assigned work of mine could you send me a syllabus to my Brocku email? Thanks for your help.

CALLING ALL LOW BUDGET INDIE GAMES‼️ We're gathering games interested in participating in a "Low Budget, Big Heart" Steam Festival! 💰Self Published, Self Funded 🤏Under ~50k budget 🚫NO AI if you're interested in the festival sign up here: forms.gle/cndDrEf4rxiL... rts appreciated :)

It will never stop being funny to me that the street fighter subreddit has a much better, well reasoned ai policy vis a vis literally all universities.

My latest review is the much anticipated DLC to the Filipino visual novel/adventure game Until Then by @polychromagames.com. I was delighted to return to these characters and this world. store.steampowered.com/app/3902750/...

Simply one of the best full-service audio studios out there. If you play games, guaranteed they've made sounds for a game you love.

Can't join us for our HADES ORCHESTRAL CONCERT in London? Fear not, we're streaming it live for all to see!!🎼 Join composer @darrenkorb.bsky.social and our Hades vocalists for a once-in-a-lifetime performance: 🎻When: Saturday June 27 1:30pm BST 🎸Where: twitch.tv/supergiantgames See you then!🌖

With over 4,000 demos in Junes Steam Next Fest, it's becoming a real hurdle to find your next gem. Thankfully we have been trawling through many of the demos and have 10 to recommend to you right now! somanygames.co.uk/articles/10-...

We're looking for a YouTube Editor to be in charge of creating video versions of our reviews and shorts. This will be an unpaid opportunity but if you're looking for something to flex those creative muscles (no AI please) in your spare time then let us know in our DM's or please email us!

So proud of the DisGo team. Check out their game for free on Steam! store.steampowered.com/app/4309240/...

I'm putting the finishing touches on a massive academic article on this. Look forward to "A Structure of Sympathy for Video Game Characters: Lena Raine’s Music for Celeste and Chicory: A Colorful Tale" from the Journal of Sound and Music in Games in the fall. @lena.fyi @wishesunlimited.bsky.social