As Cozmonauts, we'll be spending the vernal equinox enjoying cute gameplay in our build together. That's right, they let social media into the build. Beware.

We recently found out that we're on a list of other cool co-ops in the games industry including the @aftermath.site folks which is rad as hell.

If that's how you found us, we're a worker co-op based out of YEG (and one YUL) who will be posting A LOT about our game, Otter Half: Your Hand in Mine!

The famous picture of the earthset from the Artemis II crew but with our hand drawn otter concept art for Otter Half: Your Hand in Mine on the moon as well.

But what if... otters on the moon?

Submission deadline is coming up!

International Women's Day (even when it is only 23 hours long) means a lot to our studio. We are constantly inspired by the women and gender-diverse individuals who make up the games industry that have carved a path for us to succeed where just a few years ago that would have seemed impossible.

I don’t have a bowl cut now don’t worry

Cozy Comet is looking for a 3D Generalist! If this sounds like you, take a look at our RFP and then please reach out to the email listed there if you have any questions.

Check out the RFP here: www.cozycometgames.ca/_files/ugd/f...

Looking to get more involved with IAA? We're recruiting! Keep your eyes open for more posts, but for now we're looking for a volunteer Website Manager!

www.volunteerconnector.org/edmonton/int...

If you've ever wanted to meet some of our Cozmonauts, here are a few of us!

#plsbenicetouswerejustbabies #yeg #gamedev

Baby Ghosts Baby Ghosts is a nonprofit supporting studios led by underrepresented founders across Canada.

Just a wee reminder that applications for our ✨NEW Cooperative Foundations✨ program + $5k grant are open through this Friday, March 6!

Canadian indie game studios looking to learn about building a sustainable business - we'd love to hear from you.

babyghosts.fund/coop-foundat...

AI all up in here ruining fun punctuation; but just like my dumb opinions, my semi-colons and em-dashes--and my terribly flawed use of them--are my own. 😒

This chart tells you a lot about the USA's racist policies and why they think that no one will care about Greenland's sovereignty. Disgusting.

Woah! I think we might hit the target today.

Thank you so much if you've donated.

if you're not saying free palestine by now because you're worried about your career or whatever you're gonna have a lot to attone for the coming years. you are more complicit in your silence than you think, and your silence is like a shout in our oceans of privilege and safety.

"A culture of intimidation, retaliation and oppression": How Microsoft’s Gaza stance fuelled an industry-spanning boycott RPS meets a few of the developers participating in the BDS campaign against Microsoft's Israeli military ties, including an Xbox worker fired for his views.

Proud of @daff.space for cancelling their STREET UNI X Xbox port in solidarity with Palestinians, even though it could've been crucial for their livelihood as an indie dev. 🇵🇸

www.rockpapershotgun.com/a-culture-of...

bsky.app/profile/iaal...

It’s official! Welcome everyone to the 2025 Game Discovery Exhibition 🎉 We’re excited for folks to be a part of this educational 2 day conference! Our volunteers are ready to check attendees in at registration 🙌 Join us for networking at 9 am, then our keynote with Kim Belair kicks off at 9:45 am!

“GDX has become Canada’s largest independent celebration of games and game culture. We’re so glad GDX has continued to grow year after year to provide more opportunities to Edmontonians.” — Andrew Knack.

A huge thank you to Madison Côté & Councillor Andrew Knack for kicking off #GDX2025!

Kim Belair’s “What Happens When You Get Harassed” keynote was an incredibly insightful look into the darker side of game development.

A huge thank you for her courage and wisdom in shining a light on serious issues plaguing the games industry.

#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #GamesIndustry

“As a spoiler: it sucks. We lost our voice, not just as a collective, but individually. We were no longer allowed to be a part of a conversation without being harassed; it doesn’t matter what you believe, it matters what others believe. You lose your power, but they call you powerful.” — Kim Belair

“We ask ourselves, ‘Why is it in VR? What are we doing that cannot be done easily in the real world?’ For example, an escape room where water goes above your head; you can’t drown people in an escape room in the real world, but you can in VR...

“You’re supposed to compare her body to the Sega Saturn, an object; this advertisement reinforces that video games aren’t made for women… It’s true this advertisement wouldn’t be acceptable by today’s standards, but we have to look back to go forward.” — Hope Docking

A big thank you to Hope for her brilliant analysis of the objectification of women using female video game characters as specific case studies!

•The “abili-tease” provides players with firsthand experience on the future

•Larger than life NPCs doing what the player cannot yet, but may soon

•Show the scope of what excitement awaits players even before they are ready

#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #IndieGames #IndieDevs

Wondering how to quickly captivate the players of your games? Jon Renish of Half Mermaid has you covered in his “Finding the Fun in 15 Minutes” talk!

One way to engage the player is by using aspirational examples to guide them:

Thank you to Hedy and Justine for their phenomenal case studies on cultural representation in Black Myth Wukong and Venba!

“It’s a reminder that their stories matter and it doesn’t need to be dumbed down for players to understand.” — Justine Magbitang

“We learn through play, and video games are no exception: creating cultural games teaches the audience something new and provides opportunities for developers to learn something new… Holistic representation leads to stronger emotional impact and resonance with the audience.” — DoomScroll Studio

2. Treat the culture as the default; some creators worry players may not understand so they overexplain which can cause the culture to come across exotic.

3. Aim to tell a story, not to educate; what is your intention for the design? Convey a specific experience.

#GDX2025 #GameDevelopment

Good representation is a side effect of good storytelling:

1. Start with inspiration, then do your research; personal experience is a great starting point, but research is needed to back it up.

Natalie Gan enjoys starting from a place of constraints; Alyx Bui begins with character motivation.

How do you begin writing your stories? Share your thoughts with us below!

#GameDevelopment #GameDevelopers #GameDevs #IndieDevs #IndieGames #IndieStudio