Backyard Zoo
@backyardzoo.bsky.social
Solo indie game dev
Currently working on my first game ‘Mayfly’, an atmospheric quiet horror game set entirely on a narrowboat
Lancashire, UK
Currently working on my first game ‘Mayfly’, an atmospheric quiet horror game set entirely on a narrowboat
Lancashire, UK
November 18, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Quite pleased with this script I wrote which increases the window light emission as the player moves away.
Trying to create the illusion of eyes adjusting to the darker interior etc.
Could do with some rays to complete the effect I think?
#gamedev #madewithunity #indiedev #indiegame
Trying to create the illusion of eyes adjusting to the darker interior etc.
Could do with some rays to complete the effect I think?
#gamedev #madewithunity #indiedev #indiegame
November 6, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Quite pleased with this script I wrote which increases the window light emission as the player moves away.
Trying to create the illusion of eyes adjusting to the darker interior etc.
Could do with some rays to complete the effect I think?
#gamedev #madewithunity #indiedev #indiegame
Trying to create the illusion of eyes adjusting to the darker interior etc.
Could do with some rays to complete the effect I think?
#gamedev #madewithunity #indiedev #indiegame
A bit of early kitchen exploration as implemented so far. Need some variety on the cupboard opening noises though (or some WD-40) 🤔
#gamedev #indiedev #madewithunity #horrorgame #indiegame #quiethorror
#solodev
#gamedev #indiedev #madewithunity #horrorgame #indiegame #quiethorror
#solodev
November 3, 2025 at 7:14 PM
A bit of early kitchen exploration as implemented so far. Need some variety on the cupboard opening noises though (or some WD-40) 🤔
#gamedev #indiedev #madewithunity #horrorgame #indiegame #quiethorror
#solodev
#gamedev #indiedev #madewithunity #horrorgame #indiegame #quiethorror
#solodev
Mayfly is a short story-led quiet horror set entirely on a narrowboat in Northern England.
Very much work in progress, + missing dialogue for Caroline, but this will eventually form scene 2 of 4 before the game is finally complete.
#gamedev #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #madewithunity #horrorgame
Very much work in progress, + missing dialogue for Caroline, but this will eventually form scene 2 of 4 before the game is finally complete.
#gamedev #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #madewithunity #horrorgame
November 2, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Mayfly is a short story-led quiet horror set entirely on a narrowboat in Northern England.
Very much work in progress, + missing dialogue for Caroline, but this will eventually form scene 2 of 4 before the game is finally complete.
#gamedev #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #madewithunity #horrorgame
Very much work in progress, + missing dialogue for Caroline, but this will eventually form scene 2 of 4 before the game is finally complete.
#gamedev #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #madewithunity #horrorgame
Steam store page coming soon for Mayfly (hopefully next few weeks)
It’s amazing how long you can spend fussing over words but what do you think of the description so far? 🤔
#gamedev #indiedev #madewithunity #horrorgame #indiegame
It’s amazing how long you can spend fussing over words but what do you think of the description so far? 🤔
#gamedev #indiedev #madewithunity #horrorgame #indiegame
October 25, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Steam store page coming soon for Mayfly (hopefully next few weeks)
It’s amazing how long you can spend fussing over words but what do you think of the description so far? 🤔
#gamedev #indiedev #madewithunity #horrorgame #indiegame
It’s amazing how long you can spend fussing over words but what do you think of the description so far? 🤔
#gamedev #indiedev #madewithunity #horrorgame #indiegame
Mayfly is an upcoming quiet horror set on a narrowboat where peace and tranquility slowly descend into darkness
#screenshotsaturday
#madewithunity #unity3d #game #gamedev #indiedev #solodev #indiegame
#screenshotsaturday
#madewithunity #unity3d #game #gamedev #indiedev #solodev #indiegame
September 13, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Mayfly is an upcoming quiet horror set on a narrowboat where peace and tranquility slowly descend into darkness
#screenshotsaturday
#madewithunity #unity3d #game #gamedev #indiedev #solodev #indiegame
#screenshotsaturday
#madewithunity #unity3d #game #gamedev #indiedev #solodev #indiegame
It's finally starting to feel like 1999 on board the Mayfly.
God rays next...
#gamedev #madewithunity #horrorgame #indiedev #indiegame
God rays next...
#gamedev #madewithunity #horrorgame #indiedev #indiegame
September 11, 2025 at 10:24 AM
It's finally starting to feel like 1999 on board the Mayfly.
God rays next...
#gamedev #madewithunity #horrorgame #indiedev #indiegame
God rays next...
#gamedev #madewithunity #horrorgame #indiedev #indiegame
Play tests went so unbelievably well last week but…
“Why is Mayfly running like utter dog shit on this old MacBook?”
Humbling first time game dev experience remedied with the help of the awesome @comp3int.bsky.social
#gamedev #unity3d #indiegame #gameoptimisation
“Why is Mayfly running like utter dog shit on this old MacBook?”
Humbling first time game dev experience remedied with the help of the awesome @comp3int.bsky.social
#gamedev #unity3d #indiegame #gameoptimisation
September 9, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Play tests went so unbelievably well last week but…
“Why is Mayfly running like utter dog shit on this old MacBook?”
Humbling first time game dev experience remedied with the help of the awesome @comp3int.bsky.social
#gamedev #unity3d #indiegame #gameoptimisation
“Why is Mayfly running like utter dog shit on this old MacBook?”
Humbling first time game dev experience remedied with the help of the awesome @comp3int.bsky.social
#gamedev #unity3d #indiegame #gameoptimisation
I’ve been testing Mayfly with a few family & friends for a while now - but for pure unadulterated honesty I am thinking:
>> Actual play tests with people I don’t know and eventually a demo release. <<
Uncharted territory here and it’s quite daunting. 😱🤢
#gamedev #indiegame #unity3d
>> Actual play tests with people I don’t know and eventually a demo release. <<
Uncharted territory here and it’s quite daunting. 😱🤢
#gamedev #indiegame #unity3d
August 14, 2025 at 12:31 PM
I’ve been testing Mayfly with a few family & friends for a while now - but for pure unadulterated honesty I am thinking:
>> Actual play tests with people I don’t know and eventually a demo release. <<
Uncharted territory here and it’s quite daunting. 😱🤢
#gamedev #indiegame #unity3d
>> Actual play tests with people I don’t know and eventually a demo release. <<
Uncharted territory here and it’s quite daunting. 😱🤢
#gamedev #indiegame #unity3d
After some really useful feedback I've added:
- Audio mixer/channel prefs
- Text size pref
- Dark UI elements such as the dropdown
Deffo needs another pass cos the positioning + spacing is way out in places. PITA to implement, but it WORKS!
#gamedev #indiedev #uidesign #gameui #gamesaccessibility
- Audio mixer/channel prefs
- Text size pref
- Dark UI elements such as the dropdown
Deffo needs another pass cos the positioning + spacing is way out in places. PITA to implement, but it WORKS!
#gamedev #indiedev #uidesign #gameui #gamesaccessibility
July 31, 2025 at 1:19 PM
After some really useful feedback I've added:
- Audio mixer/channel prefs
- Text size pref
- Dark UI elements such as the dropdown
Deffo needs another pass cos the positioning + spacing is way out in places. PITA to implement, but it WORKS!
#gamedev #indiedev #uidesign #gameui #gamesaccessibility
- Audio mixer/channel prefs
- Text size pref
- Dark UI elements such as the dropdown
Deffo needs another pass cos the positioning + spacing is way out in places. PITA to implement, but it WORKS!
#gamedev #indiedev #uidesign #gameui #gamesaccessibility
After nearly 3 years of trying to attach a suitable horror sub-genre to Mayfly I finally found it.
I’ll be using this #quiethorror description copiously to make up for lost time. 🤫
#gamemarketing #gamedev #indiegame #horrorgame
I’ll be using this #quiethorror description copiously to make up for lost time. 🤫
#gamemarketing #gamedev #indiegame #horrorgame
July 26, 2025 at 9:19 PM
After nearly 3 years of trying to attach a suitable horror sub-genre to Mayfly I finally found it.
I’ll be using this #quiethorror description copiously to make up for lost time. 🤫
#gamemarketing #gamedev #indiegame #horrorgame
I’ll be using this #quiethorror description copiously to make up for lost time. 🤫
#gamemarketing #gamedev #indiegame #horrorgame
Right up my street if still not too late.
I’m working on my first game, Mayfly - an atmospheric horror game set entirely on a narrowboat. I might bravely describe it as semi-cosy.
Releasing early next year
I’m working on my first game, Mayfly - an atmospheric horror game set entirely on a narrowboat. I might bravely describe it as semi-cosy.
Releasing early next year
July 25, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Right up my street if still not too late.
I’m working on my first game, Mayfly - an atmospheric horror game set entirely on a narrowboat. I might bravely describe it as semi-cosy.
Releasing early next year
I’m working on my first game, Mayfly - an atmospheric horror game set entirely on a narrowboat. I might bravely describe it as semi-cosy.
Releasing early next year
A bit of #fridayui for Mayfly.
I've built separate Inventory, Journal & Notes menus alongside the standard Pause menu. All fully keyboard navigable.
Still WIP and once again I apologise for the sound levels - but what do you folks think?
#gamedev #solodev #indiegame #gameui #uidesign
I've built separate Inventory, Journal & Notes menus alongside the standard Pause menu. All fully keyboard navigable.
Still WIP and once again I apologise for the sound levels - but what do you folks think?
#gamedev #solodev #indiegame #gameui #uidesign
July 18, 2025 at 2:52 PM
WIP - Here's the first minute or so of Mayfly gameplay, the calm before the storm 🌞
Completely refactored almost every system under the hood
Blue subtitles = voice audio, not yet recorded 🎙️
Sound levels are all over the place so I apologise to your ears in advance 👂
#gamedev #solodev #indiegame
Completely refactored almost every system under the hood
Blue subtitles = voice audio, not yet recorded 🎙️
Sound levels are all over the place so I apologise to your ears in advance 👂
#gamedev #solodev #indiegame
July 17, 2025 at 11:29 AM
WIP - Here's the first minute or so of Mayfly gameplay, the calm before the storm 🌞
Completely refactored almost every system under the hood
Blue subtitles = voice audio, not yet recorded 🎙️
Sound levels are all over the place so I apologise to your ears in advance 👂
#gamedev #solodev #indiegame
Completely refactored almost every system under the hood
Blue subtitles = voice audio, not yet recorded 🎙️
Sound levels are all over the place so I apologise to your ears in advance 👂
#gamedev #solodev #indiegame
Mayfly needed a fairly sizable re-factor, but in the process I finally finished texturing and re-lighting the main menu scene. I think the game is now roughly 60% complete.
Do you think it was worth the effort?
#gamedev #indiegame #horrorgame #unity3d
Do you think it was worth the effort?
#gamedev #indiegame #horrorgame #unity3d
June 26, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Mayfly needed a fairly sizable re-factor, but in the process I finally finished texturing and re-lighting the main menu scene. I think the game is now roughly 60% complete.
Do you think it was worth the effort?
#gamedev #indiegame #horrorgame #unity3d
Do you think it was worth the effort?
#gamedev #indiegame #horrorgame #unity3d
Mayfly is an upcoming horror game set on a narrowboat where peace and tranquility slowly descend into darkness….
#screenshotsaturday #pitchyagame #gamedev #solodev
#screenshotsaturday #pitchyagame #gamedev #solodev
June 7, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Mayfly is an upcoming horror game set on a narrowboat where peace and tranquility slowly descend into darkness….
#screenshotsaturday #pitchyagame #gamedev #solodev
#screenshotsaturday #pitchyagame #gamedev #solodev
A few Mayfly screenshots directly from the Unity editor.
Despite the game being set entirely within the confines of a narrowboat, I wanted the outside world to seem as enticing and tangible as possible. I love adding little details like this...
#screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamedev
Despite the game being set entirely within the confines of a narrowboat, I wanted the outside world to seem as enticing and tangible as possible. I love adding little details like this...
#screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamedev
May 24, 2025 at 10:47 AM
A few Mayfly screenshots directly from the Unity editor.
Despite the game being set entirely within the confines of a narrowboat, I wanted the outside world to seem as enticing and tangible as possible. I love adding little details like this...
#screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamedev
Despite the game being set entirely within the confines of a narrowboat, I wanted the outside world to seem as enticing and tangible as possible. I love adding little details like this...
#screenshotsaturday #indiegame #gamedev
May 21, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The beginnings of the second main puzzle in Mayfly, my indie #narrowboat #horrorgame. 🧩🤔
#screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiegame #ukcanals
#screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiegame #ukcanals
May 17, 2025 at 7:49 AM
The beginnings of the second main puzzle in Mayfly, my indie #narrowboat #horrorgame. 🧩🤔
#screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiegame #ukcanals
#screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiegame #ukcanals
I enjoyed my #blender cable experience so much I decided to build an entire puzzle with five massive cables running the entire length and breadth of the boat. I must hate myself. 🤪
#gamedev #solodev #horrorgame
#gamedev #solodev #horrorgame
May 14, 2025 at 4:18 PM
I enjoyed my #blender cable experience so much I decided to build an entire puzzle with five massive cables running the entire length and breadth of the boat. I must hate myself. 🤪
#gamedev #solodev #horrorgame
#gamedev #solodev #horrorgame
This dodgy lighting has been bugging me for nearly a year now.
As I said to myself yesterday, I’ll fix it tomorrow #gamedev #procrastination
Anyone else got their own ‘I’ll fix it tomorrow’ bugs?
As I said to myself yesterday, I’ll fix it tomorrow #gamedev #procrastination
Anyone else got their own ‘I’ll fix it tomorrow’ bugs?
April 13, 2025 at 12:16 PM
This dodgy lighting has been bugging me for nearly a year now.
As I said to myself yesterday, I’ll fix it tomorrow #gamedev #procrastination
Anyone else got their own ‘I’ll fix it tomorrow’ bugs?
As I said to myself yesterday, I’ll fix it tomorrow #gamedev #procrastination
Anyone else got their own ‘I’ll fix it tomorrow’ bugs?
A few more still frames from Mayfly.
Any thoughts on how it’s looking so far? #gamedev
Always love #screenshotsaturday 👋 📸
Any thoughts on how it’s looking so far? #gamedev
Always love #screenshotsaturday 👋 📸
April 12, 2025 at 6:48 AM
A few more still frames from Mayfly.
Any thoughts on how it’s looking so far? #gamedev
Always love #screenshotsaturday 👋 📸
Any thoughts on how it’s looking so far? #gamedev
Always love #screenshotsaturday 👋 📸
Thought I’d make a Mayfly gameplay *video* for once. I tried to avoid solutions/spoilers hence the shoddy cuts 🤭
TV at the end also has a knackered sound effect but I like it for some reason.
#gamedev #solodev #horrorgame
TV at the end also has a knackered sound effect but I like it for some reason.
#gamedev #solodev #horrorgame
April 10, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Thought I’d make a Mayfly gameplay *video* for once. I tried to avoid solutions/spoilers hence the shoddy cuts 🤭
TV at the end also has a knackered sound effect but I like it for some reason.
#gamedev #solodev #horrorgame
TV at the end also has a knackered sound effect but I like it for some reason.
#gamedev #solodev #horrorgame
Striving for as much authenticity as I can w/ my game set on a narrowboat in the 90s
Struggling to find visual references other than those from 50s/60s or 90s narrowboats which have been modernised
Rosie & Jim clips are best I can find so far for authentic 90s
Any pointers? 🙏 #ukcanals #gamedev
Struggling to find visual references other than those from 50s/60s or 90s narrowboats which have been modernised
Rosie & Jim clips are best I can find so far for authentic 90s
Any pointers? 🙏 #ukcanals #gamedev
March 31, 2025 at 8:59 AM
A few more early progress screenshots from Mayfly. Finally moved out of the bedroom! Very much a WIP. #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #solodev #indiedev #indiegame #unity3d
March 29, 2025 at 12:24 PM
A few more early progress screenshots from Mayfly. Finally moved out of the bedroom! Very much a WIP. #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #solodev #indiedev #indiegame #unity3d