Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · 12h

🚨 Our demo is now live!

If you've been yearning for a satirical pixel game about being an office project manager with the unfortunate debuff of being British, then...that's odd. But boy have we got the game for you!

Play and let us know what you think -> tinyurl.com/BtHEdemo

#nextfest #indiegame

2 7

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · 17d

To wrap it all up-Oscar, the incredible flying Ostrich by @thomashunt.bsky.social and Renato Baroni. Stunning decorations aside, Oscar himself moves and feels incredible while you're holding the controller, leading to his many stunts feeling very satisfying. Hilariously written, one to look out for

1 1

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · 17d

To the right, we had another important game proudly presenting Palestine and support groups-The Activists. While not on itch, the game does an incredible job to put the players in the shoes of people that are capable and want to make a change. Break into a weapons factory and disrupt the status quo

1 1 2

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · 17d

To the left of our own booth, we had an importan, valuable and elegant game buzzerbeater.itch.io/where-the-ol.... Where the Olives grow is a beautiful point&click with an astonishing number of thoughtful pixel-art scenes. It covers a generational story of occupation, resilience, family and history.

Where the Olives Grow by Cagla Diriker

A story of hope, of roots that endure, and of life that continues to grow.

buzzerbeater.itch.io

1 2

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · 17d

Next Manifest your Dream Job - Sleep Meditation - strawberrycongee.itch.io/manifest
This was an all out experience, playing on an old, square monitor, with decorations of a mini-aquarium and a framed fish sauce packet. One must embark on a guided meditation, flicking through scenes of your dream job

Manifest Your Dream Job Sleep Meditation by strawberrycongee

a meditation went wrong

strawberrycongee.itch.io

1 1

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · 17d

Next, Trolling by RenegadeSun -https://renegadesun.itch.io/trolling
A trash covered, dimly lit corner of the exhibition housed this beautiful typing game, embodying the angry mum of a gamer. Don't stop, keep typing, the Vitriol-meter must be fed at all costs. You hate gaming and the people will hear

1 1

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · 17d

First up we have We'll Build a Ladder by @iamdanielgreen.itch.io. Daniel loves a local coop game, and he did it again with this wholesome hand drawn sketch feel, and jolly cooperation to do a thing together with friends! Seeing strangers, old friends, families and children play was a highlight

1 2

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · 17d

Course friends also submitted incredible games, and this thread will be used to shout-out our friends and colleagues, the projects they made, and their unique, skillful executions! 🧵 🎮

1

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · 17d

A week or so ago, Behind the Hydra's Eyes was featured in the Games and Playful Design - Final Degree show from Goldsmiths!

I (Dragos-half of HotB) submitted BtHE, and have been working on the game as my final project. Was lovely seeing friends and colleagues play, an outstanding experience!

1 3

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · 24d

Aaaand it's over! We've had a very busy, very fun three days exhibiting Behind the Hydra's eyes and mingling with other cool developers.

Thanks to everyone that played it! To everyone else: psst, we're launching the demo on Steam soon 😉

store.steampowered.com/app/3554030/...

#IndieGame #IndieDevs

The two developers, Adam and Dragos, in front of the church the exhibition was held in. They're holding a small flower, which they're both gesturing towards.

The stall that Behind the Hydra's Eyes had at the exhibition. It's set up like an office desk: monitor, keyboard, pens, stapler, a decorative flower, a printer, a calendar on the wall behind. Very drab, very cool!

One of the event's brochures being held in front of a screen showing the game's menu. On the brochure, the following is highlighted: Stall 9, Dragos Farcas & Adam James, Behind the Hydra's Eyes.

A wide photo with our game's stall circled in the middle. Above the stall is a huge stained glass winder. There is another stall to the left and right of ours, each draped in keffiyehs - we were grouped with other left-wing games. Free Palestine!

2 4

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · 29d

Looking at the headlines in Britain is bleak when you're not a lover of transphobia, racism, and performative cruelty. It's lucky that our game provides escape from th—no Dave, stop, don't think about it!

...We'll have words with him.

#indiegame #indiedev #pixelart

The protagonist is looking out of his balcony at night, talking to himself.

"Thinking of the future brings to mind snippets of news, headlines which have pierced your studious ignorance, and questions about England's slide into gleeful cruelty and poverty."

He continues: "Spiking suicides for trans youth. A refugee boat sank by vigilantes. The government covering up the deaths of disabled people. Keep your head down, see no evil, this is the way it has to be, no alternative allowed."

"A snake eating itself. Every year there's less and less body left, but the head is hungrier. Meaner. Wallowing in it's unchallenged superiority."

2 9

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · Sep 9

It wouldn't be a British office job simulator without a tea mini-game, so...we made one! ☕

Wishlist Behind the Hydra's Eyes to make tea, manage your team, clear your inbox, and, if you dare, discover the secrets behind your project...

store.steampowered.com/app/3554030/...

#godot #indiegame

3 11

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · Aug 24

Behind the Hydra's Eyes is a satirical office sim with something lurking underneath. If you like your games wordy, experimental, and deeply political, it might just be for you.

Our steam demo is coming soon, so wishlist now!

➡️ tinyurl.com/2bxz9mr2

#indiegame #godot #pixelart #indiedev

2 17

Reposted by House on the Bailey

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · Aug 5

BEHIND THE HYDRA'S EYES

Congratulations Dave, you've got the job.

Expectations involve:
🤝 Manage your team!
🖥️ Send fun emails!
🙈 Don't read the fine print!

We can't wait to see you...

⬇️ Wishlist now! ⬇️
store.steampowered.com/app/3554030/...

#indiegame #gaming #pixelart #indiedev #godot

5 11

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · Aug 5

BEHIND THE HYDRA'S EYES

Congratulations Dave, you've got the job.

Expectations involve:
🤝 Manage your team!
🖥️ Send fun emails!
🙈 Don't read the fine print!

We can't wait to see you...

⬇️ Wishlist now! ⬇️
store.steampowered.com/app/3554030/...

#indiegame #gaming #pixelart #indiedev #godot

5 11

Reposted by House on the Bailey

Jonathan @jqhy.bsky.social · Jun 6

1952, Empire Grand. In SWITCHBOARD you'll take the frantic role of a telephone operator striving to unite her family.
Tactile controls, rich visuals and voice-acting will weave a dramatic tale of military intrigue. Follow for updates, and listen in on jqhy.itch.io
#indiedev #indiegame

#PitchYaGame

1 2 19

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · Jun 6

Hi from a two-person indie team in dreary England 👋

We'll echo everyone else's thanks at the opportunity to showcase, and for this comment section full of cool games for us to discover🕵️

bsky.app/profile/hous...

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · Jun 6

Behind the Hydra's Eyes is a narrative game and office management sim. Manage your team, oversee construction, placate your boss. But something eerie is going on...

Dare you find out what? Wishlist now.

store.steampowered.com/app/3554030/...

#PitchYaGame #indiegame #pixelart #videogame #indiedev

The protagonist, Dave, stands by his desk in an office. The carpet is ugly, the walls grey, and the sky clear and blue outside this prison. Oh well. The office has a small kitchen area complete with kettle and coffee machine, a handful of other desks, two colleagues, and some posters on the wall near to a giant clock.

A grumpy looking boss stares at you, unsmilingly, from behind a desk. Behind him is a large company poster, a calendar, and a framed picture of his dog with brass nameplate. There's some paper, a pen, and a company-branded mug on the desk. The back of the protagonist's head is visible, facing him. There's a large window behind the boss, the tops of some buildings visible. One one is a strange looking billboard, containing a demonic head and the words "consume, consume, consume".

A computer terminal, showing a simple layout of emails. The one on screen seems to be a PR-sounding response brushing off a legal complaint. A drab office with an ugly carpet is visible behind the monitor.

The protagonist stands in the middle of a small studio apartment. It's dark outside, and a small digital wristwatch face at the bottom left hand side of the screen announces that it's 10:08pm. The apartment contains a tiny kitchen area, a desk with a computer and some old mugs on, a slightly messy bed with pink duvet, and some shelves with various objects on.

1 2

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · Jun 6

And yes, the kitchen contains company-provided refreshments. Just don't actually use them, or you might be scolded.

2

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · Jun 6

Behind the Hydra's Eyes is a narrative game and office management sim. Manage your team, oversee construction, placate your boss. But something eerie is going on...

Dare you find out what? Wishlist now.

store.steampowered.com/app/3554030/...

#PitchYaGame #indiegame #pixelart #videogame #indiedev

1 6 19

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · May 31

Small victories—our game has an entirely 2D environment, so thinking up a way to have you walk behind, above, and between parts of the same object or as a fun challenge. Now you can mill around the kitchen properly, avoiding work to your heart's content!

#indiegame #gamedev #indiedev #godot #2D

Dave, our pixelated protagonist, stands in the corner of the waist-high wall separating the kitchen from the rest of the office. The view is isometric. His legs are concealed by the part of the wall in front of him, but his torso is in front of the part of the wall behind him.

Dave is now standing behind the part of the wall he was in front of before, his legs hidden. The water cooler on this side of the wall is now highlighted because he is next to it.

Now Dave is in front of both parts of the wall, beneath the water cooler. It's still highlighted, and everything is layered correctly.

3 16

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · May 20

Thanks for taking the time to go through it! A.Maze was incredible, can't wait for the next one.

1

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · May 19

I dont think I had heard of it. Thanks for the recommendation, we'll have a look at it

1

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · May 19

This has been quite the long thread, but I am pleased to announce I am now on a plane awaiting my return to England. A final thank you to @iamdanielgreen.itch.io for encouraging me to attend A.Maze. He is an incredible human, and I'm forever grateful for his friendship and advice.

2

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · May 19

Last but not least, a shoutout to @juliamascetti.bsky.social and @cornmandog.bsky.social's "I write games not tragedies". A narrative-rhythm game with a emo-spin to it! We're happy to cheer them on, as they got to exhibit their demo @amazefest.bsky.social. Excited for the release!

1 1 3

House on the Bailey @houseonthebailey.bsky.social · May 19

A talk/theatre piece like no other was Total Refusal's: Sons and True Sons. A stage performance that uses live, The Division 2's gameplay of storming the capitol, and seamlessly turns it into an essay and commentary of the fascist machine that thrives on toxic masculinity, among many other topics

1 2