Author | Lightnews

Justin Hogie

@justinhogie.bsky.social

230 followers 530 following 62 posts

Game Developer, Dad of 3, Husband of 1, Fur-Dad of 1. Created the bite-sized metroidvania Microvania. Steam -> https://tinyurl.com/pac9j3su

tinyurl.com

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Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 7d

🎉 My 🤏 bite-sized metroidvania is OUT NOW! 🎉

Play it now! ▶️ tinyurl.com/pac9j3su

I strived making short but densely packed game. Please enjoy! 🙇

If you play, please give it a reviewing! 🙏
The first 10 REALLY count!

#indiegamedev #metroidvania #pixelart #retro #solodev #gamedev #unity #noai

Save 40% on Microvania on Steam

Explore a tiny world, find upgrades, discover hidden paths, and battle bosses in this retro-style metroidvania action platformer.

tinyurl.com

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Reposted by Justin Hogie

xeneth.design @xeneth.design · 3d

"...there's nothing WRONG with the size of your average unlocking world platformer; exploring huge maps for dozens of hours has been a part of the formula for longer than we've been calling them metroidvanias!

However, if you play more than 2 of these a year I think you've noticed some patterns..."

Steam Community :: Xeneth :: Review for Microvania

Listen, there's nothing WRONG with the size of your average unlocking world platformer; exploring huge maps for dozens of hours has been a part of the formula for longer than we've been calling them m...

steamcommunity.com

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Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 6d

Not at the moment, no 😅

Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 6d

Metroidvania Guru review: youtu.be/KPEC6XxVQfU

Higher Plain Games review: youtu.be/Ol4SR5a4_F0
@sitorimon.bsky.social

Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 6d

@adventureislands.bsky.social hey look, we're neighbours! 😆

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Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 6d

Yesterday, I released my bite-sized 🤏 #metroidvania on Steam ▶️ tinyurl.com/pac9j3su

♥️ to all who's bought/wishlist/reviewed the game. Your support means a lot! 🙇

For #screenshotsaturday, here's the game getting into the Guru's B Tier 😅

#indiegamedev #pixelart #retro #solodev #gamedev #unity #noai

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Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 7d

Your game looks great btw. Love the name :)

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Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 7d

Mostly market research for similar games, and then accounting for smaller scope. I still put as much polish and QoL features as I could, so the game hopefully feels like a good deal to players

Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 7d

Save 40% on Microvania on Steam

Explore a tiny world, find upgrades, discover hidden paths, and battle bosses in this retro-style metroidvania action platformer.

tinyurl.com

3 10 44

Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 8d

This is my first commercial solo game. I’ve made a few games in various teams before, but it’s still very different (and harder!) doing everything by yourself 😅

Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 9d

Hi #wishlistwednesday!

My bite-sized 🤏 #metroidvania will be out in 2 days! 🎉
I'm both nervous and excited 😆

WL 👉 tinyurl.com/pac9j3su

Wanna help this #solodev? You can post a review on release day (getting to first 10 REALLY helps 💪)

#unity #indiegamedev #pixelart #retro #gamedev

Microvania on Steam

Explore a tiny world, find upgrades, discover hidden paths, and battle bosses in this retro-style metroidvania action platformer.

store.steampowered.com

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Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 13d

🥳🎉 Microvania is coming to Steam, Oct 23rd! 🎉🥳

It's a bite-sized #metroidvania. 🤏
Doesn't waste your time. ⏩
Fully handcrafted in every aspect! 💪 #noai

Please Wishlist and support #indiegamedev! 🙇
👉 tinyurl.com/pac9j3su

#screenshotsaturday #pixelart #retro #solodev #gamedev #unity

A screenshot of the game Microvania. Shows the player character jumping through a waterfall, with the waterfall reacting to the character. There's also an enemy shooting at the player, and some sort of collectable on the top right that the player cannot seem to reach.

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Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 13d

Yeah, you can even just say 2D microvania, no need for quotes or hyphen 👍

Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 14d

At any rate, I won’t argue with anyone wanting to use the term as a sub-genre either. And I apologise in advance if it makes discussions a little more complicated 🙇

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Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 14d

Yeah, I was throwing around a few names, but none really felt right. And not having any defined story/characters meant I didn’t have that source to draw from either.

And then, I found microvania.com was available. Asked a few dev friends, and they all said “buy it & make it yours then!” 😅

Microvania – the bite sized metroidvania – DREAMPUNK

Microvania.com

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Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 15d

Thanks! Dev time was ~15 mths

Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 15d

Yeah, I am a seasoned Unity developer, so I went with the engine I know how to use.
I’d love to try pico-8 one day, it looks like lots of fun to work with!

Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 15d

Realtime: Since Jan 2024 😅.
But actual dev time would be closer to 15 mths or so.

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Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 15d

🎉 My game is releasing on Oct 23rd! 🥳

Microvania is a bite-sized 🤏 #metroidvania where you get lost, find upgrades, hidden secrets, and fight bosses!

Available on PC/Mac, and (🤞) also #steamdeck!

WL 👉 tinyurl.com/pac9j3su

#wishlistwednesday #indiegamedev #pixelart #retro #solodev #gamedev #unity

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Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 20d

Also, it's the last days of #MIGW25. Go check out all the awesome Aussie-made games!

store.steampowered.com/sale/melbour...

Melbourne International Games Week 2025

The MIGW Steam Festival 2025 showcases Australian developers and their games for 10 days, offering demos and discounts!

store.steampowered.com

Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 20d

Hi #screenshotsaturday! Here's the Lexicon.
It's in the Pause screen, and can show up on the title screen after a short time. I borrowed this idea from Zelda 1, where the title screen eventually shows all the items, hinting at their uses.

tinyurl.com/pac9j3su

#metroidvania #indiegamedev #pixelart

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Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 23d

A special #wishlistwednesday, my bite-sized 🤏 #metroidvania is releasing on Oct 24th! (or 23rd if you're +GMT 😉).

It's also the final week of #MIGW25, so don't forget to check out all the great Aussie-made games there!
👉 tinyurl.com/yjec6mnd

WL Microvania
👉 tinyurl.com/pac9j3su

#indiegamedev

Melbourne International Games Week 2025

The MIGW Steam Festival 2025 showcases Australian developers and their games for 10 days, offering demos and discounts!

tinyurl.com

1 1 5

Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · 27d

It's #screenshotsaturday! I'm quite pleased I could still fit in some accessibility features in my bite-sized 🤏 #metroidvania.

And of course, MIGW is happening and Microvania part of the Steam Event as well: tinyurl.com/yjec6mnd

WL: tinyurl.com/pac9j3su

#MIGW25 #indiegamedev #pixelart

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Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · Sep 30

Check out the Steam Event here: store.steampowered.com/sale/Melbour...

Melbourne International Games Week 2025

The MIGW Steam Festival 2025 showcases Australian developers and their games for 10 days, offering demos and discounts!

store.steampowered.com

Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · Sep 30

I’m proud to announce my bite-sized #metroidvania will be participating in the Melbourne International Games Week! #MIGW25

It’s an honour to be a part of such wonderful games this year! 🙇

#wishlistwednesday 👉 tinyurl.com/pac9j3su

#indiegamedev #pixelart

Event Card for Melbourne International Games Week 2025, with a lime green background, and the cover art for Microvania game as the feature image.

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Justin Hogie @justinhogie.bsky.social · Sep 19

Not a #screenshotsaturday but I am very honoured to be in the Game Devs of Color Expo 2025! 🙇

Please check out all the amazing games by amazing people!

Steam: store.steampowered.com/sale/gdocexp...
Watch Parties: www.gamedevsofcolor.org/watch-parties
GDoC: bsky.app/profile/gdoc...

#indiegamedev

2025 Game Devs of Color Expo Exhibitor image for the game Microvania