Vidya Researcher
@vidyaresearcher.bsky.social
Veteran researcher for AAA games. Amateur indie dev working (extremely slowly) on Astrae, a highly-kinetic universe-hopping metroidvania. Cognitive theorist. Lover of Nintendo, FromSoft specifically, games and play in general.
Trying to get an actual test gym going to tweak movement parameters and establish distance metrics for what feels good at Shael's scale. Current metrics definitely not quite perfect, but it feels nice to feel the mechanics on a controller!
#indiedev #gamedev #metroidvania #godot
#indiedev #gamedev #metroidvania #godot
January 27, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Trying to get an actual test gym going to tweak movement parameters and establish distance metrics for what feels good at Shael's scale. Current metrics definitely not quite perfect, but it feels nice to feel the mechanics on a controller!
#indiedev #gamedev #metroidvania #godot
#indiedev #gamedev #metroidvania #godot
January 22, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Jank 🤝 Progress
Still haven't attempted run, dash, tether, or some other advanced movement tech. Still haven't updated the gym to appropriate metrics lol. But we're closer to shmoovin'.
#indiedev #gamedev #metroidvania #godot
Still haven't attempted run, dash, tether, or some other advanced movement tech. Still haven't updated the gym to appropriate metrics lol. But we're closer to shmoovin'.
#indiedev #gamedev #metroidvania #godot
January 22, 2026 at 1:54 AM
Jank 🤝 Progress
Still haven't attempted run, dash, tether, or some other advanced movement tech. Still haven't updated the gym to appropriate metrics lol. But we're closer to shmoovin'.
#indiedev #gamedev #metroidvania #godot
Still haven't attempted run, dash, tether, or some other advanced movement tech. Still haven't updated the gym to appropriate metrics lol. But we're closer to shmoovin'.
#indiedev #gamedev #metroidvania #godot
January 13, 2026 at 10:47 PM
First time since it released that Smash wasn't my most-played game. Nightreign has taken up all my "killing time" time, and I've gamed less overall this year.
Silksong responsible for all of my biggest playing blocks haha.
#NintendoSwitch2025
Silksong responsible for all of my biggest playing blocks haha.
#NintendoSwitch2025
January 13, 2026 at 8:03 PM
First time since it released that Smash wasn't my most-played game. Nightreign has taken up all my "killing time" time, and I've gamed less overall this year.
Silksong responsible for all of my biggest playing blocks haha.
#NintendoSwitch2025
Silksong responsible for all of my biggest playing blocks haha.
#NintendoSwitch2025
January 9, 2026 at 3:20 AM
Started my daughter on a Scratch coding tutorial because she's interested in learning and also because I want to one day save her the pain of spending 4 hours trying to figure out why Godot's child nodes won't recognize variables in a parent node in a simple finite state machine.
#gamedev #godot
#gamedev #godot
January 6, 2026 at 4:27 AM
Deeply, deeply ashamed of my country, and even more deeply frustrated that as a US citizen my only recourse is to pester representatives that won't do anything about the tyranny carried out in my name against my will. I'm so sorry to Venezuela, to south and Latin America, and to the world.
January 3, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Deeply, deeply ashamed of my country, and even more deeply frustrated that as a US citizen my only recourse is to pester representatives that won't do anything about the tyranny carried out in my name against my will. I'm so sorry to Venezuela, to south and Latin America, and to the world.
Post some "fire".
January 1, 2026 at 12:55 AM
Post some "fire".
December 21, 2025 at 2:28 AM
You know, ever since #Silksong released, there's been a waiting-for-Silksong-shaped hole in my life. I'm glad I can count on Team Cherry to give me what I need.
Excited to once again be waiting for Silksong.
youtu.be/qDFEeeLy6ws?...
Excited to once again be waiting for Silksong.
youtu.be/qDFEeeLy6ws?...
Hollow Knight: Silksong - Sea of Sorrow Teaser
YouTube video by Team Cherry
youtu.be
December 16, 2025 at 2:10 AM
You know, ever since #Silksong released, there's been a waiting-for-Silksong-shaped hole in my life. I'm glad I can count on Team Cherry to give me what I need.
Excited to once again be waiting for Silksong.
youtu.be/qDFEeeLy6ws?...
Excited to once again be waiting for Silksong.
youtu.be/qDFEeeLy6ws?...
My commentary on The Game Awards:
Congrats to Sandfall and Expedition 33, well deserved win and great story for the studio.
Not nominating Silksong for audio is a crime that cannot be forgiven.
Silksong was easily my game of the year.
New 2D Mega Man?! 😳
In 2027 😞
Congrats to Sandfall and Expedition 33, well deserved win and great story for the studio.
Not nominating Silksong for audio is a crime that cannot be forgiven.
Silksong was easily my game of the year.
New 2D Mega Man?! 😳
In 2027 😞
December 12, 2025 at 4:13 AM
My commentary on The Game Awards:
Congrats to Sandfall and Expedition 33, well deserved win and great story for the studio.
Not nominating Silksong for audio is a crime that cannot be forgiven.
Silksong was easily my game of the year.
New 2D Mega Man?! 😳
In 2027 😞
Congrats to Sandfall and Expedition 33, well deserved win and great story for the studio.
Not nominating Silksong for audio is a crime that cannot be forgiven.
Silksong was easily my game of the year.
New 2D Mega Man?! 😳
In 2027 😞
Over a decade later...
December 9, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Over a decade later...
🙌
Hornet just may have the best character controller ever. Such a joy to fly and fight with her.
Also included are the save files for my three completions thus far. Fourth will be dedicated to 100% in under 30 hours.
#Silksong
Hornet just may have the best character controller ever. Such a joy to fly and fight with her.
Also included are the save files for my three completions thus far. Fourth will be dedicated to 100% in under 30 hours.
#Silksong
December 3, 2025 at 11:39 PM
🙌
Hornet just may have the best character controller ever. Such a joy to fly and fight with her.
Also included are the save files for my three completions thus far. Fourth will be dedicated to 100% in under 30 hours.
#Silksong
Hornet just may have the best character controller ever. Such a joy to fly and fight with her.
Also included are the save files for my three completions thus far. Fourth will be dedicated to 100% in under 30 hours.
#Silksong
Made some general updates to the stride and adjusted Shael's proportions in general. I'm curious what folks think of bounce vs. no bounce in the step. I know having some extra motion is usually preferred, but a single pixel is a big bounce at 24px high.
#gamedev #indiedev #pixelart #metroidvania
#gamedev #indiedev #pixelart #metroidvania
December 2, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Made some general updates to the stride and adjusted Shael's proportions in general. I'm curious what folks think of bounce vs. no bounce in the step. I know having some extra motion is usually preferred, but a single pixel is a big bounce at 24px high.
#gamedev #indiedev #pixelart #metroidvania
#gamedev #indiedev #pixelart #metroidvania
First try at the 5 hour completion achievement in #Silksong. I died a *lot*, but I did prove to myself that I can beat the game with no extra health, one needle upgrade, and minimal abilities (Swift Step, Clawline, Cling Grip, Silk Spear, Needolin).
Think I might get it next try.
Think I might get it next try.
December 2, 2025 at 7:42 AM
First try at the 5 hour completion achievement in #Silksong. I died a *lot*, but I did prove to myself that I can beat the game with no extra health, one needle upgrade, and minimal abilities (Swift Step, Clawline, Cling Grip, Silk Spear, Needolin).
Think I might get it next try.
Think I might get it next try.
Silksong convinced me that I needed a walk cycle in addition to a run cycle for Shael. Being able to take more measure movements through an environment adds too much to the experience to ignore. Though their saunter is maybe TOO casual lol.
#indiedev #pixelart #gamedev #metroidvania
#indiedev #pixelart #gamedev #metroidvania
November 26, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Silksong convinced me that I needed a walk cycle in addition to a run cycle for Shael. Being able to take more measure movements through an environment adds too much to the experience to ignore. Though their saunter is maybe TOO casual lol.
#indiedev #pixelart #gamedev #metroidvania
#indiedev #pixelart #gamedev #metroidvania
Have a Pint, it's +2 Charisma: You often pass through quiet settlements, seeking rest but rushing to depart--the wilds of the journey always beckoning. And yet... the inn's warm glow *is* inviting. Perhaps just a pint before you're on your way.
#indiedev #videogamemusic #composition #chiptune #funk
#indiedev #videogamemusic #composition #chiptune #funk
Have a Pint, it's +2 Charisma
YouTube video by TangerineDreams
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Have a Pint, it's +2 Charisma: You often pass through quiet settlements, seeking rest but rushing to depart--the wilds of the journey always beckoning. And yet... the inn's warm glow *is* inviting. Perhaps just a pint before you're on your way.
#indiedev #videogamemusic #composition #chiptune #funk
#indiedev #videogamemusic #composition #chiptune #funk
November 12, 2025 at 12:22 AM
My god it's beautiful.
October 29, 2025 at 5:15 PM
My god it's beautiful.
I think it should remain possible to work professionally on video games.
October 16, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I think it should remain possible to work professionally on video games.
October 14, 2025 at 8:16 PM
There will be a follow up post when I beat the game and collect my thoughts altogether, but as I attempt the final fight of Act 3 at 100%, Silksong is an absolute masterpiece. Truly, staggeringly beautiful in so many of the ways only a video game can be.
#Silksong
#Silksong
October 14, 2025 at 5:15 AM
There will be a follow up post when I beat the game and collect my thoughts altogether, but as I attempt the final fight of Act 3 at 100%, Silksong is an absolute masterpiece. Truly, staggeringly beautiful in so many of the ways only a video game can be.
#Silksong
#Silksong
Skipping Stones through Sunshine: A sea of light stretches through eternity, endless colors refracting in a field of white gold. Your footsteps ripple to the horizon, universes hidden in the amplitudes between each wave. Reality is your playground.
#videogamemusic #indiedev #composition #chiptune
#videogamemusic #indiedev #composition #chiptune
Skipping Stones through Sunshine
YouTube video by TangerineDreams
www.youtube.com
October 8, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Skipping Stones through Sunshine: A sea of light stretches through eternity, endless colors refracting in a field of white gold. Your footsteps ripple to the horizon, universes hidden in the amplitudes between each wave. Reality is your playground.
#videogamemusic #indiedev #composition #chiptune
#videogamemusic #indiedev #composition #chiptune