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Skyboy Games

@skyboygames.com

1.5k Following3.4k Followers

Making New Games for Old Game Systems:
https://skyboygames.com/static/Skyboy_Landing.html

Owned and operated by Robbie (she/they), Assoc. Prof. of Game Design at GMU: @nobunagaota.bsky.social

#gamedev #nesdev

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@skyboygames.comOct 11, 2026, 1:44 PM

As the Even Goblins project comes close to completion, I find myself pondering what I should do for my next project. At the moment, I kind of feel like I have at least one more games-worth of stuff I want to say about NES. Maybe something four-player versus with a hint of heavy metal aesthetics.

@skyboygames.comOct 11, 2026, 12:08 PM

I'm super excited! It's been a few years since I've been able to show there.

@skyboygames.comOct 10, 2026, 9:53 PM

It's an honor to see our NES JRPG, Even Goblins Fall In Love, among a bunch of other great games on the @magfest.org itch page for SuperMAGFest January 2027.

To say I'm jazzed out of my mind would be an incredible understatement!

#gamedev #indieretro #nes #nesdev #magfest

Promotional banner styled after The Legend of Zelda reading "The Legend of MAGFest" in bold red 3D lettering over a shield and sword, with small text below reading "Super MAGFest 2027: Indie games featured at Super MAGFest 2027!" above a grid of game thumbnails.

Main Header: Prominent title reading "THE LEGEND OF MAGFEST" styled after The Legend of Zelda logo, with large textured red 3D lettering.   
Background Graphic: Behind the text is a medieval-style shield with a vinyl record at its center and a sword tucked behind it.   
Links: Links below the banner to magfest.org and @magfest.org.   
Section Title: "Super MAGFest 2027 – Indie games featured at Super MAGFest 2027!"  
 Featured Games Grid: Thumbnail cards for games including Apocalypse Approaches (by Thomas Gelman), Beat, Heart, Beat (by Tonik), and Belly of the Beast (by Mr. Aseprite).   A grid of featured indie game cards showcasing titles, artwork thumbnails, and developer names for Super MAGFest 2027.

A 4x4 grid displaying indie games featured at Super MAGFest 2027, each with art, title, and developer credits:
Bleu Bayou [DEMO] by bokoyoss   
BRINE by Andy Aksu   
coalescent || tidal rapture by hatimb00   
Deluge by riggy2k3   
Diggy Diggy Mole (Demo) by Geek_Joystick   
Even Goblins Fall In Love by Skyboy Games   
HIEROSAGA: TOMB ATTACK!! by K-HEI TECHNICAL   
Ichorous by MattStov   
King Scribble by Evan McRae   
of the Devil by Nth Circle   
Phantom Gear (Demo) by Bits Rule   
Prototype N (DEMO) by Arrietty   
qualia by allsee   
Raw Metal by Team Crucible   
Starbright Agency by ThoughtfulBread   
Strato Freaks DX (Demo 4: Ludicrous New Levels) by Mr. Freaks
@skyboygames.comOct 7, 2026, 1:46 AM

Even Goblins Fall In Love will be joining loads of other cool games at the FXBG Indie Video Game Showcase at the Curitiba Art Cafe in Fredricksburg, VA on October 28th. Come on down and play some awesome, awesome games!

A Halloween-themed promotional poster for the FXBG Indie Video Game Showcase. At the top, details state the event is on October 28th from 5-7PM at Curitiba Art Cafe, 919 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, alongside an orange "FREE ENTRY" banner. The central illustration features a shadowy, jack-o'-lantern-headed figure holding a game controller, with the word "SHOWCASE" in dripping white font layered over a green building. An orange "STARRING" box lists the games: Project Moonstone, Void Breakers, Dwarven Space Freighter, Sample Required, Schism, Art Attack, Even Goblins Fall In Love, Waltrude, Sitra Achra, & More. A collage of varied indie game characters stands to the right of the list. The bottom section displays sponsor logos including Mega Cat Studios, incube8 Games, Homebrew Factory, The Retro Room, Two Black Cats, Star Racer, Luna Wolf Studios, Sitra Achra, Annihilator, Neon Deity Games, and Matt Hughson, with the website FXBGGAMEDEV.COM positioned along the lower edge.
@skyboygames.comOct 6, 2026, 5:06 AM

That's the plan! I'm going to make boxed physical NES cartridges with manuals for Even Goblins.

@skyboygames.comOct 6, 2026, 12:06 AM

When they zig, I zag all the way back to the late eighties.

@skyboygames.comOct 5, 2026, 10:28 PM

More progress on the manual for Even Goblins Fall In Love, our upcoming NES JRPG.
The player will travel the game world looking for these power MacGuffins, er, I mean artifacts.

#gamedev #indieretro #nes #nesdev

Page from Even Goblins Fall In Love manual.
Page Text:
"Artifacts are rare items that Lin needs to complete their quest. Most of them can only be found in the clutches of the most powerful creatures in the land.
The Vorpal Sword – A blade from a family of weapons said to be able to cut anything. This one is forged into a sword that is long and unwieldy for a goblin.
The Crown of Disguise – A magical crown that allows its user to freely alter their appearance."Page from Even Goblins Fall In Love manual.
Page Text:
"The Mantle of Bravery – An elegant and noble-looking cloak that imbues its wearer with a strong sense of courage.
The Stardust Pendant – A powerful artifact given to Lin by their mother, Misia. The pendant’s power allows its wearer to bend fate. Misia has also enchanted it to allow the wearer to see her home in the woods. Without it, one would only see an abandoned hut."
@skyboygames.comOct 4, 2026, 1:44 PM

Decades ago, I asked my parents for a copy of Visual Basic for my birthday. Their willingness to get me that software they didn't understand gave me skills that would define my career. Last month, my kid asked for a perpetual Clip Studio license for his birthday. I was more than happy to oblige!

@skyboygames.comOct 3, 2026, 9:53 PM

I create physical versions of my NES games by-hand: coding, soldering, boxing, documenting, shipping, etc. A very DIY strategy. In case any investors ask though, tell them I have vertically integrated my production chain and that I am leveraging synergies while disrupting standard business workflow

A table with a black-and-white checkered table cloth. On it are a soldering iron, clippers, solder wicking tape, a solder remover, a jar of capacitors, and an NES cartridge with a hand-written label saying "Gunhawk v 1.1"
@skyboygames.comSep 30, 2026, 1:46 AM

It's kind of fun comparing Even Goblins Fall In Love's current combat UI with an old version. The core has largely stayed the same over development, but the little refinements definitely polished the combat experience.

#gamedev #retrogame #nes #nesdev #indieretro

A battle from Even Goblins Fall In Love (an indie NES JRPG).
This screenshot is from a newer version of the game. Major differences with the older screenshot include icons instead of words for character stats (leading to a cleaner UI) and small decorations on dialog windows.A battle from an older version of Even Goblins Fall In Love (an indie NES JRPG).
@skyboygames.comSep 29, 2026, 12:12 AM

That's the idea! Cash out on debunks for raw damage!

@skyboygames.comSep 28, 2026, 10:55 PM

Totally! Courtesy of @ursamajorgamma.bsky.social

@skyboygames.comSep 28, 2026, 10:28 PM

With Even Goblins Fall In Love nearing completion, we're at the phase of game development where we work on the manual for the game, as well as the game itself.

#gamedev #indieretro #nes #nesdev

Page from Even Goblins Fall In Love (an indie NES JRPG) instruction manual.

The page shows an image of an intricate dagger and says:
"Doses

Lin’s main weapon, the Trickster Knife, allows them to apply a dose of status effects on foes. Lin can use several types of doses and gains access to more as they level up.
Venom – Foe will take poison damage every turn
Acid – Foe attack power halved
Rust – Foe defense halved
Shock – Foe may be unable to act
Unluck – Foe critical hit chance halved
Clumsy – Foe evasion halved
Blast – All doses will detonate for damage "Page from Even Goblins Fall In Love (an indie NES JRPG) instruction manual.

The page shows an image of an herb, a wing, and a potion and says:
"Items

Various helpful items can aid Lin in their quest. Lin can carry up to 3 of each item.
Herb – A healing herb that restores Lin to full health

Wing – A magical wing that will fly Lin back home to safety

Double – A powerful potion that will make Lin’s next attack inflict a double dose"Page from Even Goblins Fall In Love (an indie NES JRPG) instruction manual.

The page shows an image of a key, a hammer, and a torch and says:
"
Key – A special key that can unlock magical doors

Hammer – A hammer that busts through piles of rock

Torch – A torch can light up dark dungeons"
@skyboygames.comSep 28, 2026, 1:36 AM

That was a beautiful tribute that hit me right in the middle of my chest.

@skyboygames.comSep 27, 2026, 4:41 PM

"My armour is like tenfold shields, my teeth are swords, my claws spears, the shock of my tail is a thunderbolt, my wings a hurricane, and my scales a Cinco de Mayo parade!"

@skyboygames.comSep 27, 2026, 3:11 PM

Totally! One of my fantasies is to make my own bootleg PlayChoice-10 cabinet.

@skyboygames.comSep 27, 2026, 1:44 PM

A four and a half hour Majuular video on the history of Ultima Online?
Well, don't mind if I do!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=35SK...

@skyboygames.comSep 26, 2026, 9:53 PM

Want to have an easier time hitting targets in Gunhawk with a NES Zapper?
Aim down the barrel and line up your sites on the target.

Does shooting at the screen count as #screenshotsaturday ?

#nes #indieretro #homebrew #nesdev

Point of view aiming down the barrel of an NES Zapper which is aimed at a CRT TV playing Gunhawk, an indie NES shooting game.
@skyboygames.comSep 26, 2026, 2:21 PM

I snuck a "But thou must!" into the game, too. How could I not?

@skyboygames.comSep 26, 2026, 2:20 PM

Oh gosh, yes! A Japanese version of Even Goblins would definitely have its own bespoke ROM.

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