Steve Heller
@hellerphant.bsky.social
Producer at 17-BIT in Kyoto.
Formerly production and narrative at Fellow Traveller.
Worked on Orwell, Hacknet, The Stillness of the Wind, Neo Cab and others.
Also run indie publication Pixels for Breakfast.
Formerly production and narrative at Fellow Traveller.
Worked on Orwell, Hacknet, The Stillness of the Wind, Neo Cab and others.
Also run indie publication Pixels for Breakfast.
Cairn and Roots Devour in the same week?! 2026 is already off to a cracking start!
Latest dispatch is out, and there are some really great games to play this weekend. What are you playing?
indiedispatch.online/posts/reachi...
@thegamebakers.com @prettysmart.bsky.social @nomorerobots.io @gcorespublishing.bsky.social
#gaming #indiedev
indiedispatch.online/posts/reachi...
@thegamebakers.com @prettysmart.bsky.social @nomorerobots.io @gcorespublishing.bsky.social
#gaming #indiedev
Reaching the summit, ghost hotels, and horrific roots - Indie Dispatch
Hello everyone! I can’t believe it is Friday already. This week I have been hard at work on a new trailer fro the game I am currently working on, alongside getting our Steam Next Fest demo prepped. Fo...
indiedispatch.online
January 30, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Cairn and Roots Devour in the same week?! 2026 is already off to a cracking start!
Very excited to launch indiedispatch.online into the world with @sheegoggery.bsky.social. It's way earlier than we expected, and we don't even have the logo yet. But the whole YouTube thing meant we just wanted to hit the ground running.
Our first #IndieDispatch on the brand new webiite. Some great games you should be checking out this weekend.
indiedispatch.online/posts/minesw...
#indiedev
@inkle.co @focus-entmt.com
@broomsweeper.bsky.social
@ichbinhamma.bsky.social
indiedispatch.online/posts/minesw...
#indiedev
@inkle.co @focus-entmt.com
@broomsweeper.bsky.social
@ichbinhamma.bsky.social
Minesweeper janitors, Dwarven armies, and good ole LORT - Indie Dispatch
Hello friends, and welcome to the new Indie Dispatch website. It’s a bit rough right now - Patrick and I were planning to be launching this in a few months once we had some more time to get things lik...
indiedispatch.online
January 24, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Very excited to launch indiedispatch.online into the world with @sheegoggery.bsky.social. It's way earlier than we expected, and we don't even have the logo yet. But the whole YouTube thing meant we just wanted to hit the ground running.
Woke up to find a tonne of snow. Literally going to be walking 3kms in the snow to work today.
I really love living in Shiga. Tokyo was fun but this area just has a slower pace and is so close to Kyoto and Osaka.
I really love living in Shiga. Tokyo was fun but this area just has a slower pace and is so close to Kyoto and Osaka.
January 22, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Woke up to find a tonne of snow. Literally going to be walking 3kms in the snow to work today.
I really love living in Shiga. Tokyo was fun but this area just has a slower pace and is so close to Kyoto and Osaka.
I really love living in Shiga. Tokyo was fun but this area just has a slower pace and is so close to Kyoto and Osaka.
I don't even really understand what has compelled me to start blogging again in 2026, but I am. Some thoughts about the loss of the @pixelsforbreakfast.bsky.social YouTube account.
oatsandcurry.pika.page/posts/google...
oatsandcurry.pika.page/posts/google...
Google deleted my YouTube account, and I don’t know what happens next - Oats And Curry
I was sitting at my desk around 5pm yesterday when one of my co-workers casually mentioned that they had noticed my Pixels for Breakfast YouTube account was missing. I thought...
oatsandcurry.pika.page
January 21, 2026 at 5:13 AM
I don't even really understand what has compelled me to start blogging again in 2026, but I am. Some thoughts about the loss of the @pixelsforbreakfast.bsky.social YouTube account.
oatsandcurry.pika.page/posts/google...
oatsandcurry.pika.page/posts/google...
Yesterday I found out that the @pixelsforbreakfast.bsky.social YouTube account was deleted. No notice. . No way to recover the account, and no real way to talk to YouTube support.
8 years of content gone. Interviews that were important to me like Greg Kasavin, @chetsucks.com, many others.
8 years of content gone. Interviews that were important to me like Greg Kasavin, @chetsucks.com, many others.
January 21, 2026 at 4:01 AM
Yesterday I found out that the @pixelsforbreakfast.bsky.social YouTube account was deleted. No notice. . No way to recover the account, and no real way to talk to YouTube support.
8 years of content gone. Interviews that were important to me like Greg Kasavin, @chetsucks.com, many others.
8 years of content gone. Interviews that were important to me like Greg Kasavin, @chetsucks.com, many others.
This fucking sucks! I was just talking to @jesawyer.bsky.social and @thewritegame.bsky.social about how great this show was a few months ago. If anyone can do something to get eyes on this and save the show, please tell them this is worth supporting.
An update: Unfortunately Freeplay didn’t secure multi-year funding and is potentially looking at its last year of operation. We’re exploring what comes next & want your input.
Read our full statement here: www.freeplay.net.au/survey2026
Help us decide our next step here: forms.gle/W4ZSns1bGCX1...
Read our full statement here: www.freeplay.net.au/survey2026
Help us decide our next step here: forms.gle/W4ZSns1bGCX1...
Freeplay | 2026 Survey
An Update from Freeplay
www.freeplay.net.au
January 20, 2026 at 11:54 AM
This fucking sucks! I was just talking to @jesawyer.bsky.social and @thewritegame.bsky.social about how great this show was a few months ago. If anyone can do something to get eyes on this and save the show, please tell them this is worth supporting.
Reposted by Steve Heller
OPPORTUNITY Senior Writer- Arenanet - short term, onsite US
Not affiliated. Shares welcome
www.arena.net/en/careers/j...
Not affiliated. Shares welcome
www.arena.net/en/careers/j...
ArenaNet
Bringing art to life through our online worlds.
www.arena.net
January 16, 2026 at 7:07 AM
OPPORTUNITY Senior Writer- Arenanet - short term, onsite US
Not affiliated. Shares welcome
www.arena.net/en/careers/j...
Not affiliated. Shares welcome
www.arena.net/en/careers/j...
Reposted by Steve Heller
Happy 2026! Our first #IndieDispatch of the year is out!
pixelsforbreakfast.net/the-moon-is-...
#indiedev #gaming #newrelease
pixelsforbreakfast.net/the-moon-is-...
#indiedev #gaming #newrelease
The moon is missing, a plague is on the loose, and murders swamp Hollywood
The best indies you should be checking out this weekend
pixelsforbreakfast.net
January 16, 2026 at 4:48 AM
Happy 2026! Our first #IndieDispatch of the year is out!
pixelsforbreakfast.net/the-moon-is-...
#indiedev #gaming #newrelease
pixelsforbreakfast.net/the-moon-is-...
#indiedev #gaming #newrelease
Epic walk to my local station today. #japan #photography
January 8, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Epic walk to my local station today. #japan #photography
I want to start a petition that we release a “COLIN MODE”. It’s kinda like a director’s cut, but cooler
December 15, 2025 at 9:48 AM
I want to start a petition that we release a “COLIN MODE”. It’s kinda like a director’s cut, but cooler
Locked out of my house and the only vendo nearby has some choices I’ve never seen.
Do I get the Hokusai “very Japan, such wow” soda, or whatever the hell JUNGLEMAN is?
Do I get the Hokusai “very Japan, such wow” soda, or whatever the hell JUNGLEMAN is?
December 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Locked out of my house and the only vendo nearby has some choices I’ve never seen.
Do I get the Hokusai “very Japan, such wow” soda, or whatever the hell JUNGLEMAN is?
Do I get the Hokusai “very Japan, such wow” soda, or whatever the hell JUNGLEMAN is?
OK, the king of all cosmos being a depressed streamer is a pretty great setup for the mobile Katamari game. Loving it so far.
December 11, 2025 at 12:48 PM
OK, the king of all cosmos being a depressed streamer is a pretty great setup for the mobile Katamari game. Loving it so far.
This is so cool, and makes me wish I could load this on my HiBy R4.
@bb.wavelengths.online did you ever have a Zune? I was a big iPod hater in high school for some stupid reason. I remember driving 2 hours to a McDonald's parking lot to buy a US imported Zune off a dude for $200. It was glorious!
@bb.wavelengths.online did you ever have a Zune? I was a big iPod hater in high school for some stupid reason. I remember driving 2 hours to a McDonald's parking lot to buy a US imported Zune off a dude for $200. It was glorious!
wrote up a guide for those of you who also want to try this out with whatever gaming handheld you might have. unfortunately not every device will work, but a lot will with some tinkering!
December 11, 2025 at 6:20 AM
This is so cool, and makes me wish I could load this on my HiBy R4.
@bb.wavelengths.online did you ever have a Zune? I was a big iPod hater in high school for some stupid reason. I remember driving 2 hours to a McDonald's parking lot to buy a US imported Zune off a dude for $200. It was glorious!
@bb.wavelengths.online did you ever have a Zune? I was a big iPod hater in high school for some stupid reason. I remember driving 2 hours to a McDonald's parking lot to buy a US imported Zune off a dude for $200. It was glorious!
So proud of our crew. This game at a critical moment for us as we round out our beta before the end of the year, and launched our first demo. A lot of exciting things happening at The BIT.
#gamedev #indiedev
#gamedev #indiedev
If you missed our segment in @dayofthedevs.org today, here’s @jkooza.bsky.social and some of his pals talking about what awaits you in #AWAYSIS.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4sN...
#indiedev #gamedev
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4sN...
#indiedev #gamedev
AWAYSIS Day of the Devs Deep Dive
YouTube video by 17-BIT
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Very excited to have the first demo for #AWAYSIS live for PC and Xbox Series S|X. We were selected as part of the ID@Xbox Indie Selects Demo Fest.
If you want to see what I have been working on for the past year, get at it.
www.xbox.com/en-US/games/...
If you want to see what I have been working on for the past year, get at it.
www.xbox.com/en-US/games/...
December 9, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Very excited to have the first demo for #AWAYSIS live for PC and Xbox Series S|X. We were selected as part of the ID@Xbox Indie Selects Demo Fest.
If you want to see what I have been working on for the past year, get at it.
www.xbox.com/en-US/games/...
If you want to see what I have been working on for the past year, get at it.
www.xbox.com/en-US/games/...
I was already loving Dispatch, but the second I heard Future Islands playing, that’s when it truly won my heart.
December 3, 2025 at 1:25 PM
I was already loving Dispatch, but the second I heard Future Islands playing, that’s when it truly won my heart.
Reposted by Steve Heller
@brandon.insertcredit.com eyyy Demonschool is super good. Playing it on the train into Kyoto every day is keeping me sane as we march towards our own release deadline. Thanks for putting this game out into the world!
November 27, 2025 at 3:13 AM
@brandon.insertcredit.com eyyy Demonschool is super good. Playing it on the train into Kyoto every day is keeping me sane as we march towards our own release deadline. Thanks for putting this game out into the world!
Drifting into the upside down. Shot on my way to the Australian consulate last week. Love how weird and fever dreamy it makes me feel. #photography
November 22, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Drifting into the upside down. Shot on my way to the Australian consulate last week. Love how weird and fever dreamy it makes me feel. #photography
Happy to see Demonschool getting a healthy reaction in reviews this week.
Lots of 8s and 9s. Plenty of 6s too. It shows that the game isn’t built for everyone, and for those who connect with it, they really found something special.
store.steampowered.com/app/1900250/...
Lots of 8s and 9s. Plenty of 6s too. It shows that the game isn’t built for everyone, and for those who connect with it, they really found something special.
store.steampowered.com/app/1900250/...
Save 10% on Demonschool on Steam
Demonschool is a new-style tactics RPG where motion equals action. Defeat big weirdos in between the human and demon worlds as Faye and her misfit companions, while navigating university life on a mys...
store.steampowered.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Happy to see Demonschool getting a healthy reaction in reviews this week.
Lots of 8s and 9s. Plenty of 6s too. It shows that the game isn’t built for everyone, and for those who connect with it, they really found something special.
store.steampowered.com/app/1900250/...
Lots of 8s and 9s. Plenty of 6s too. It shows that the game isn’t built for everyone, and for those who connect with it, they really found something special.
store.steampowered.com/app/1900250/...
日本語 learners - got any podcast recommendos? I am diving in deep to actually learning Japanese and forgoing all sleep to make it happen.
November 20, 2025 at 12:38 AM
日本語 learners - got any podcast recommendos? I am diving in deep to actually learning Japanese and forgoing all sleep to make it happen.
Reposted by Steve Heller
Thanks to the folks over at @sifterhq.bsky.social for taking the time to speak with us at TGS this year. We have spent the last few years making a tight, reactive, physics game that is unlike anything else you have played. We can't wait to get it into your hands.
#indiedev #gamedev
#indiedev #gamedev
Jake Kazdal, CEO and Creative Director of 17 BIT, the studio behind loose physics-based game Awaysis, thinks game developers are stuck trying to emulate frame-perfect strikes and motion instead of pushing in-game physics to more interesting spaces.
INTERVIEW www.sifter.com.au/post/develop...
INTERVIEW www.sifter.com.au/post/develop...
November 19, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Absolutely chuffed that we are part of the next Day of the Devs. It’s been my favourite showcase for a very long time, and I’m so excited to have something that I’m working on take part.
We are so stoked to announce that we are part of Day of the Devs - The Game Awards Digital Showcase next month.
Honored, and ready to show you all what we have been cooking over here 🧑🍳
#indiedev #gaming #TheGameAwards
Honored, and ready to show you all what we have been cooking over here 🧑🍳
#indiedev #gaming #TheGameAwards
November 13, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Absolutely chuffed that we are part of the next Day of the Devs. It’s been my favourite showcase for a very long time, and I’m so excited to have something that I’m working on take part.
A great read that points out the failings that I’ve seen at many studios time and time again. Fully agree that leads should read this. It a great reminder to look at company culture and processes to solve problems.
November 5, 2025 at 12:09 AM
A great read that points out the failings that I’ve seen at many studios time and time again. Fully agree that leads should read this. It a great reminder to look at company culture and processes to solve problems.
The team worked incredibly hard to make this trailer happen, and I think it’s a much better representation of our game than our launch trailer.
If you love #indiedev or #gaming please give us a Wishlist. I really helps!
store.steampowered.com/app/3334760/...
If you love #indiedev or #gaming please give us a Wishlist. I really helps!
store.steampowered.com/app/3334760/...
October 28, 2025 at 6:18 PM
The team worked incredibly hard to make this trailer happen, and I think it’s a much better representation of our game than our launch trailer.
If you love #indiedev or #gaming please give us a Wishlist. I really helps!
store.steampowered.com/app/3334760/...
If you love #indiedev or #gaming please give us a Wishlist. I really helps!
store.steampowered.com/app/3334760/...