Small Loan Studio
@smallloanstudio.bsky.social
We are Small Loan Studio, a collective of volunteer junior game devs and career changers expanding our skillsets!
The Ouroboros Express Patch out now: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3234430/The_Ouroboros_Express/
The Ouroboros Express Patch out now: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3234430/The_Ouroboros_Express/
For anyone looking for a little creative inspiration, we are kicking off our 28-Day Tiny Creativity Jam!! Each week contains a few phrases that pay homage to our previous (and upcoming 👀) titles. A big thank you to @najmahsalam.bsky.social for setting up the jam!
August 1, 2025 at 8:42 PM
For anyone looking for a little creative inspiration, we are kicking off our 28-Day Tiny Creativity Jam!! Each week contains a few phrases that pay homage to our previous (and upcoming 👀) titles. A big thank you to @najmahsalam.bsky.social for setting up the jam!
Meet The Faceless. Armed with n’owt but his own wit and a mask carved from wolfsbone, he scours the land in a bid to extinguish the darkest of terrors.
Where others would hide from the darkness, this vagabond marches willingly into its inky black heart.
Where others would hide from the darkness, this vagabond marches willingly into its inky black heart.
July 23, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Meet The Faceless. Armed with n’owt but his own wit and a mask carved from wolfsbone, he scours the land in a bid to extinguish the darkest of terrors.
Where others would hide from the darkness, this vagabond marches willingly into its inky black heart.
Where others would hide from the darkness, this vagabond marches willingly into its inky black heart.
By the grace of His Majesty’s parliament, our SINFUL reliance on gin is CURTAILED.
In this sprit, we have listed ALL taverns, coffee shops, grocer’s, homes and prisons you MUST avoid — lest you succumb to Mother’s Ruin.
In this sprit, we have listed ALL taverns, coffee shops, grocer’s, homes and prisons you MUST avoid — lest you succumb to Mother’s Ruin.
July 16, 2025 at 7:43 PM
By the grace of His Majesty’s parliament, our SINFUL reliance on gin is CURTAILED.
In this sprit, we have listed ALL taverns, coffee shops, grocer’s, homes and prisons you MUST avoid — lest you succumb to Mother’s Ruin.
In this sprit, we have listed ALL taverns, coffee shops, grocer’s, homes and prisons you MUST avoid — lest you succumb to Mother’s Ruin.
🎶 Are you looking for some tunes to enchant your summer nights?
🚂 Did you enjoy your time aboard The Ouroboros Express?
If so, immerse yourself in the ethereal melodies of the game’s full OST on Soundcloud:
on.soundcloud.com/bG2x7ofiXt1K...
🚂 Did you enjoy your time aboard The Ouroboros Express?
If so, immerse yourself in the ethereal melodies of the game’s full OST on Soundcloud:
on.soundcloud.com/bG2x7ofiXt1K...
The Ouroboros Express Original Soundtrack
A majestic train rolls in from the impossible, roiling fog. A charismatic train conductor steps out and welcomes you on. Enjoy both the haunting and the ethereal tracks featured on The Ouroboros Expre
on.soundcloud.com
July 15, 2025 at 11:42 PM
🎶 Are you looking for some tunes to enchant your summer nights?
🚂 Did you enjoy your time aboard The Ouroboros Express?
If so, immerse yourself in the ethereal melodies of the game’s full OST on Soundcloud:
on.soundcloud.com/bG2x7ofiXt1K...
🚂 Did you enjoy your time aboard The Ouroboros Express?
If so, immerse yourself in the ethereal melodies of the game’s full OST on Soundcloud:
on.soundcloud.com/bG2x7ofiXt1K...
Reposted by Small Loan Studio
My Develop:Brighton 2025 recap!
Did I forget to take more photos and videos? Yes, and that’s entirely the fault of the incredible people I hung out with all week for being so delightful OKAY.
Did I forget to take more photos and videos? Yes, and that’s entirely the fault of the incredible people I hung out with all week for being so delightful OKAY.
July 12, 2025 at 7:53 PM
My Develop:Brighton 2025 recap!
Did I forget to take more photos and videos? Yes, and that’s entirely the fault of the incredible people I hung out with all week for being so delightful OKAY.
Did I forget to take more photos and videos? Yes, and that’s entirely the fault of the incredible people I hung out with all week for being so delightful OKAY.
Hear ye! Hear ye! The hunt is afoot. Darkness runs rife in Oakshaw, a cursed English settlement plagued with terrors. Step into this otherworldly tale, a pixel art psychological horror game with puzzles that ensnare your mind and a world rich with stories from beyond the veil.
July 7, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Hear ye! Hear ye! The hunt is afoot. Darkness runs rife in Oakshaw, a cursed English settlement plagued with terrors. Step into this otherworldly tale, a pixel art psychological horror game with puzzles that ensnare your mind and a world rich with stories from beyond the veil.
Do monsters lurk in the darkness, or do they lurk within us? Find out in our next title — The Tūn-Gāst of Oakshaw — a top-down pixelated folk horror game. Armed with only your wits, can you uncover the secrets buried deep within Oakshaw?
June 30, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Do monsters lurk in the darkness, or do they lurk within us? Find out in our next title — The Tūn-Gāst of Oakshaw — a top-down pixelated folk horror game. Armed with only your wits, can you uncover the secrets buried deep within Oakshaw?
This week, love is in the air as The Ouroboros Express is being featured during the Otome Games Celebration! If you fancy uncovering a few devastating secrets while riding a luxury train then hop aboard here: store.steampowered.com/app/3234430/...
May 19, 2025 at 8:34 PM
This week, love is in the air as The Ouroboros Express is being featured during the Otome Games Celebration! If you fancy uncovering a few devastating secrets while riding a luxury train then hop aboard here: store.steampowered.com/app/3234430/...
Big shout out to a fellow volunteer studio @digiscorp.bsky.social for their recent game, “Tales of Valoris: Swallow’s Defenders!”
This tower defense title features high-energy levels across multiple maps and a competitive Endless Mode! ⚔️
Check it out: store.steampowered.com/app/3059570/...
This tower defense title features high-energy levels across multiple maps and a competitive Endless Mode! ⚔️
Check it out: store.steampowered.com/app/3059570/...
May 9, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Big shout out to a fellow volunteer studio @digiscorp.bsky.social for their recent game, “Tales of Valoris: Swallow’s Defenders!”
This tower defense title features high-energy levels across multiple maps and a competitive Endless Mode! ⚔️
Check it out: store.steampowered.com/app/3059570/...
This tower defense title features high-energy levels across multiple maps and a competitive Endless Mode! ⚔️
Check it out: store.steampowered.com/app/3059570/...
Reposted by Small Loan Studio
Voice acting on The Ouroboros Express for @smallloanstudio.bsky.social was such a special experience. @najmahsalam.bsky.social's storytelling through these characters really resonated with me.
#indiegame #gamewriting #voiceacting #gamedev
#indiegame #gamewriting #voiceacting #gamedev
There’s a lot of me in The Ouroboros Express, and especially in Vivi. I wrote this chat with Asha based on my childhood.
Voiced beautifully by @creativeaf.bsky.social!
#indiegame #gamewriting
Voiced beautifully by @creativeaf.bsky.social!
#indiegame #gamewriting
April 19, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Voice acting on The Ouroboros Express for @smallloanstudio.bsky.social was such a special experience. @najmahsalam.bsky.social's storytelling through these characters really resonated with me.
#indiegame #gamewriting #voiceacting #gamedev
#indiegame #gamewriting #voiceacting #gamedev
After recovering from GDC, we sat down with @kelsey-phelan.bsky.social and @jisaacgadient.bsky.social
to hear about their favorite talks, a few GDC hacks and networking tips!
Check it out here: youtu.be/2xmd17GAk60?...
Prod. by @najmahsalam.bsky.social
hosted by @monihymn.bsky.social
to hear about their favorite talks, a few GDC hacks and networking tips!
Check it out here: youtu.be/2xmd17GAk60?...
Prod. by @najmahsalam.bsky.social
hosted by @monihymn.bsky.social
April 17, 2025 at 5:45 PM
After recovering from GDC, we sat down with @kelsey-phelan.bsky.social and @jisaacgadient.bsky.social
to hear about their favorite talks, a few GDC hacks and networking tips!
Check it out here: youtu.be/2xmd17GAk60?...
Prod. by @najmahsalam.bsky.social
hosted by @monihymn.bsky.social
to hear about their favorite talks, a few GDC hacks and networking tips!
Check it out here: youtu.be/2xmd17GAk60?...
Prod. by @najmahsalam.bsky.social
hosted by @monihymn.bsky.social
Hol' up ✋ this is a riddle checkpoint 🚋
What did bro mean by this?
What did bro mean by this?
March 28, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Hol' up ✋ this is a riddle checkpoint 🚋
What did bro mean by this?
What did bro mean by this?
Reposted by Small Loan Studio
At @smallloanstudio.bsky.social, we pitch internally and vote on projects we want to work on. I’ve been facilitating and designing our current pitching process - is anyone interested in learning more about it?
#gamedev #indiegamedev
#gamedev #indiegamedev
March 23, 2025 at 2:11 PM
At @smallloanstudio.bsky.social, we pitch internally and vote on projects we want to work on. I’ve been facilitating and designing our current pitching process - is anyone interested in learning more about it?
#gamedev #indiegamedev
#gamedev #indiegamedev
We are more than halfway through GDC and we've spotted a few Small Loaners having a blast at the conference or enjoying #GDCatHome
Here's how a few Small Loaners have been enjoying GDC:
(🧵 1/?)
Here's how a few Small Loaners have been enjoying GDC:
(🧵 1/?)
March 20, 2025 at 12:44 AM
We are more than halfway through GDC and we've spotted a few Small Loaners having a blast at the conference or enjoying #GDCatHome
Here's how a few Small Loaners have been enjoying GDC:
(🧵 1/?)
Here's how a few Small Loaners have been enjoying GDC:
(🧵 1/?)
Reposted by Small Loan Studio
Excited to announce that I'm going to be speaking at Develop:Brighton! I'll be doing a postmortem of Ouroboros Express, directing a global, remote team of 40+ people to create a voice acted visual novel game. I aim to gather the most practical and useful findings for other indies! #indiegame
March 13, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Excited to announce that I'm going to be speaking at Develop:Brighton! I'll be doing a postmortem of Ouroboros Express, directing a global, remote team of 40+ people to create a voice acted visual novel game. I aim to gather the most practical and useful findings for other indies! #indiegame
Reposted by Small Loan Studio
Our #indiegame demo is now LIVE for #SteamNextFest!! Plantasia is a solarpunk cozy-idler set in space. Research, craft, and grow to restore plant-life to a barren world! Our game sits at the bottom 1/3 of your screen and allows you to work while you create.💚🌸
store.steampowered.com/app/3236330/...
store.steampowered.com/app/3236330/...
February 24, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Our #indiegame demo is now LIVE for #SteamNextFest!! Plantasia is a solarpunk cozy-idler set in space. Research, craft, and grow to restore plant-life to a barren world! Our game sits at the bottom 1/3 of your screen and allows you to work while you create.💚🌸
store.steampowered.com/app/3236330/...
store.steampowered.com/app/3236330/...
This weekend, check out these three demos from a few Small Loaners who worked on demos for Steam Next Fest 👀 (🧵1/4)
First off, @stephdoesui.bsky.social (Founding UX/UI Designer) worked on Plantasia, a cozy Solarpunk semi-idle & gardening game: store.steampowered.com/app/3236330/...
First off, @stephdoesui.bsky.social (Founding UX/UI Designer) worked on Plantasia, a cozy Solarpunk semi-idle & gardening game: store.steampowered.com/app/3236330/...
Plantasia on Steam
A cozy, semi-idle, gardening game in a solarpunk universe that sits at the bottom of your screen while you work.
store.steampowered.com
March 1, 2025 at 4:05 PM
This weekend, check out these three demos from a few Small Loaners who worked on demos for Steam Next Fest 👀 (🧵1/4)
First off, @stephdoesui.bsky.social (Founding UX/UI Designer) worked on Plantasia, a cozy Solarpunk semi-idle & gardening game: store.steampowered.com/app/3236330/...
First off, @stephdoesui.bsky.social (Founding UX/UI Designer) worked on Plantasia, a cozy Solarpunk semi-idle & gardening game: store.steampowered.com/app/3236330/...
Reposted by Small Loan Studio
A game I worked on is releasing a new demo as part of Steam Next Fest!
Bundle of Joy is a lighthearted, story-rich, minigame romp about becoming a parent during the pandemic.
👶 Wishlist now 👶 > store.steampowered.com/app/3138370/...
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev
Bundle of Joy is a lighthearted, story-rich, minigame romp about becoming a parent during the pandemic.
👶 Wishlist now 👶 > store.steampowered.com/app/3138370/...
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev
February 23, 2025 at 5:51 PM
A game I worked on is releasing a new demo as part of Steam Next Fest!
Bundle of Joy is a lighthearted, story-rich, minigame romp about becoming a parent during the pandemic.
👶 Wishlist now 👶 > store.steampowered.com/app/3138370/...
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev
Bundle of Joy is a lighthearted, story-rich, minigame romp about becoming a parent during the pandemic.
👶 Wishlist now 👶 > store.steampowered.com/app/3138370/...
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev
Check out this special podcast episode where @najmahsalam.bsky.social (Director) sat down with @monihymn.bsky.social (Marketing Lead) to share her experience directing The Ouroboros Express! (🧵 1/3)
February 19, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Check out this special podcast episode where @najmahsalam.bsky.social (Director) sat down with @monihymn.bsky.social (Marketing Lead) to share her experience directing The Ouroboros Express! (🧵 1/3)
Making a game is a logistical puzzle. That’s why, we want to thank Rachel Lee (Lead Producer) and Najmah Salam (Director) for managing our leads and guiding our teams across the finish line: a full Steam release!
February 5, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Making a game is a logistical puzzle. That’s why, we want to thank Rachel Lee (Lead Producer) and Najmah Salam (Director) for managing our leads and guiding our teams across the finish line: a full Steam release!
Enjoyed the Ouroboros Express's soundscape? If so, thank the following audio superstars:
Noah - Audio Lead, Sound Designer, Composer, VO Editor
Scott - Composer, VO Editor
Lindsay - Casting Director, VO/Audio Prod., and VO Editor
Armoni - Composer
Charlie - Composer
Alec - Additional Audio Support
Noah - Audio Lead, Sound Designer, Composer, VO Editor
Scott - Composer, VO Editor
Lindsay - Casting Director, VO/Audio Prod., and VO Editor
Armoni - Composer
Charlie - Composer
Alec - Additional Audio Support
January 14, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Enjoyed the Ouroboros Express's soundscape? If so, thank the following audio superstars:
Noah - Audio Lead, Sound Designer, Composer, VO Editor
Scott - Composer, VO Editor
Lindsay - Casting Director, VO/Audio Prod., and VO Editor
Armoni - Composer
Charlie - Composer
Alec - Additional Audio Support
Noah - Audio Lead, Sound Designer, Composer, VO Editor
Scott - Composer, VO Editor
Lindsay - Casting Director, VO/Audio Prod., and VO Editor
Armoni - Composer
Charlie - Composer
Alec - Additional Audio Support
Our phenomenal QA team, led by Rafael Campbell, combed through test builds of The Ouroboros Express on a biweekly basis, really upping the polish of our game! Check out their work in The Ouroboros Express on Steam! store.steampowered.com/app/3234430/...
December 27, 2024 at 5:16 PM
Our phenomenal QA team, led by Rafael Campbell, combed through test builds of The Ouroboros Express on a biweekly basis, really upping the polish of our game! Check out their work in The Ouroboros Express on Steam! store.steampowered.com/app/3234430/...
Off work and bored of eating mince pies? Check out one of our other titles, Santa’s Secret, for free on itch.io for a taste of noir, mystery, and shiny dashing characters…
Here’s the link to download Santa’s Secret. Happy Holidays!
smallloanstudio.itch.io/santas-secret
Here’s the link to download Santa’s Secret. Happy Holidays!
smallloanstudio.itch.io/santas-secret
December 24, 2024 at 4:33 PM
Off work and bored of eating mince pies? Check out one of our other titles, Santa’s Secret, for free on itch.io for a taste of noir, mystery, and shiny dashing characters…
Here’s the link to download Santa’s Secret. Happy Holidays!
smallloanstudio.itch.io/santas-secret
Here’s the link to download Santa’s Secret. Happy Holidays!
smallloanstudio.itch.io/santas-secret
Our engineers @xomerry.bsky.social @dennedelta.bsky.social knocked the socks off the programming for The Ouroboros Express! Lead Programmer Mica shares some behind-the-scenes details below and in thread (🧵1/?). Check out their work for yourself on Steam! store.steampowered.com/app/3234430/...
December 21, 2024 at 4:56 PM
Our engineers @xomerry.bsky.social @dennedelta.bsky.social knocked the socks off the programming for The Ouroboros Express! Lead Programmer Mica shares some behind-the-scenes details below and in thread (🧵1/?). Check out their work for yourself on Steam! store.steampowered.com/app/3234430/...
Honestly, we gotta give a HUGE shoutout to our Voiceover Production Crew for coordinating 500+ hours of VO takes into one incredible experience. 🧵1/6
December 19, 2024 at 9:40 PM
Honestly, we gotta give a HUGE shoutout to our Voiceover Production Crew for coordinating 500+ hours of VO takes into one incredible experience. 🧵1/6