Jopo
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levelupjo.bsky.social
Jopo
@levelupjo.bsky.social
Dev, game lover, and occasional lamb hugger 🐑 Currently building Backlog Explorer & figuring it out as I go 🚧 | https://backlogexplorer.com/ || https://joanaponder.com/
Pinned
❤️ Hey Backlog Explorer users! Quick update! I’ve temporarily moved Backlog Explorer to Supabase’s free plan so I can keep costs low while I’m job-hunting.
That means for now, when you sign in with Google, you’ll see a Supabase URL instead of backlogexplorer.com but everything still works the same!
Backlog Explorer
backlogexplorer.com
Thank you for writing this. I remember hiding my 3ds back when I was in an abusive relationship because I didn’t want my partner to break it in rage (he had already broken my MacBook screen 😵).
Was a little busy this morning watching the new Mothership Discord get filled with new subscribers, but my first piece for Mothership went up at launch - not a fun one to write, but an important one that I am glad Mothership supports.

CW: IPV/abuse

www.mothership.blog/if-your-roma...
If your romantic partner purposefully breaks your gaming equipment, that's abuse
A shattered Switch can be a big red flag
www.mothership.blog
January 26, 2026 at 4:04 PM
I cant stop thinking about #dragonquest y'all.
DQ11s was my first. I'm still playing the post game, but there's something about the post game that I'm not super duper about. So I also picked up DQ5 on my 3DS. And oh my gosh...why is it so good?
January 23, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Made some UI changes to Backlog Explorer...It now shows the full game art and then the information on hover...what do we think?
January 21, 2026 at 9:45 AM
I hate to be that person, but dang I hope this comes to Switch one day 😅
I published my review of PancitoMerge today. This is an adorable puzzle game that celebrates Mexican baking, and it’s a great game for experienced and beginner gamers alike.
Thank you @fayer.dev for the game key for this review!
PancitoMerge review: a charming (and tasty) puzzle game – Luna's Gaming Log
Read my review of PancitoMerge, a casual puzzle game where you merge pan dulce inside a paper bag.
lunasgaminglog.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:11 AM
random gaming memory...
playing Super Princess Peach in the SVA elevator on my way to a photo critique class
a video game screen shows a princess and a plant with the number 0000703 on it
ALT: a video game screen shows a princess and a plant with the number 0000703 on it
media.tenor.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Yay! One of my favourite blogs is back from holidays!
January 13, 2026 at 9:51 AM
I’m going to attempt to keep a thread of games I completed this year (2026)
🧵
January 10, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Dear Chiara - January 10 2026
A letter to Chiara inspired by their letter to Oli
joanaponder.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Went back to #dragonquest 11. Gosh…this truly feels less like a “game” game and more like a world and friends I’m visiting.
January 10, 2026 at 9:33 AM
When I first built my site I felt like it had to be "done" before I shared it. I’ve just reworked a lot of how I write about games and play there, and it’s a good reminder that this is a living practice, not a finished thing. And I'm excited to like actually "work" in there :)
joanaponder.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:10 AM
I did it!! I rolled credits on #dragonquest 11s! A game that I started like a year ago.
I know there’s a third act, I know. But for me it was important to roll those credits before the end of the year and I did it! As a notorious non finisher of games, this feels like such a win!
December 29, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Eee!! 💛
Level Up Journal – Save File 02 is live!!
Inside: a deep dive into permission to play. As well as a letter to a game, collages, game thoughts, and a Co-op Mode question for you

Flip through it: joanaponder.com/blog/zine-is...
#zine #zinepromo
Level Up Journal - Issue 02
The second issue of the Level Up Journal. In Issue 02, I explore permission, play, and the rules I follow around rest and gaming. I also share my thoughts on the games I played this month, and write a...
joanaponder.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Ellie is always my go to for cozy games! I never manage to leave a video without adding something to my wishlist
December is... quiet?

There are less than 20 new cozy games next month, but there are still some great new releases to look forward to and games coming to new platforms!

So don't miss today's video > youtu.be/eBYuApNlJwA
November 28, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Oh my gosh. I’m loving dragon quest 11s. I know it’s taking me forever to get through because I play so sporadically but I’m in act 2 and it’s just so…good! Im constantly smiling and giggling. It’s so good. I’m going to try and finish this game before the end of the year. #dragonquest #backlog
November 28, 2025 at 9:22 AM
"nowadays I often gravitate towards tips or compilations of things to know before even starting a game." @lunasgaminglog.com put into words exactly how I’ve been feeling about playing games lately. I’m on a little journey to rediscover the child-like wonder of play myself.
November 26, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Reposted by Jopo
I have a Steam curator page where I made lists for hidden indie gems, games that kept me awake at night, upcoming indie games I'm looking forward to and more.
Follow if you feel you might be interested in my recommendations:
Steam Curator: Luna's Gaming Log
One-of-a-kind, cozy and not-so-cozy indie games that stick with you.
store.steampowered.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Sometimes you just need your brother @oponder.bsky.social to help you get things going.
What started as a 45 min creative session to just play around with some code, has turned into a full day of work on Backlog Explorer!
November 20, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Another game crossover I never expected to hear on a podcast. @nadiaoxford.bsky.social mentioning Milles Bornes on @bloodgodpod.bsky.social. Another game I used to play a lot as a kid.
November 18, 2025 at 3:22 PM
I had no idea there was the @cozyquest.bsky.social showcase! It's happening right now and it's a four day showcase, with an awards show at the end.
The opening showcase had a trailer for a beautiful game called The Regreening by @cozy-impact.bsky.social

www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Cozy Quest 2025 - YouTube
The coziest Steam event of the year is back for 2025! https://store.steampowered.com/sale/CozyQuest2025
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Reposted by Jopo
🫶🏼
November 15, 2025 at 3:54 PM
I made a cozy digital zine! 💛
Level Up Journal – Save File 01 is live.
Inside: a deep dive into cyclical gaming, thoughts on the games I played this month, a photo collage, podcasts I loved, and a Co-op Mode question for you.
Flip through it: joanaponder.com/blog/zine-issue01
#zinepromo #zine
Level Up Journal - Issue 01
The first issue of the Level Up Journal. In Issue 01, I explore cyclical gaming, share my thoughts on the games I played this month, and offer a snapshot of the rhythms that shaped my playtime.
joanaponder.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Please employment jelly, please
🕯️Manifesting 🕯️
October 31, 2025 at 7:28 PM
❤️ Hey Backlog Explorer users! Quick update! I’ve temporarily moved Backlog Explorer to Supabase’s free plan so I can keep costs low while I’m job-hunting.
That means for now, when you sign in with Google, you’ll see a Supabase URL instead of backlogexplorer.com but everything still works the same!
Backlog Explorer
backlogexplorer.com
October 17, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Wow hello! It's been a while since I updated. My bad. I'm still here and still busy looking for a job. Meanwhile I've been cleaning up the code, which means not much front facing updates to Backlog Explorer.
October 9, 2025 at 11:50 AM
DONKEY KONG BANANZA! DK DK DK! What a GAME! I love it. Finally rolled credits. My gosh.
a cartoon drawing of a yellow object with a green light behind it
ALT: a cartoon drawing of a yellow object with a green light behind it
media.tenor.com
September 16, 2025 at 9:05 PM