Dr. Miko Charbonneau
@drmikachu.bsky.social
Studio Lead of @prettysmart.bsky.social, Dr. of Dance Games, horror writer and game designer. Currently making THE SPIRIT LIFT, a deckbuilding hotel-crawler!
Talk or collaborate? https://prettysmartgames.com/contact
Talk or collaborate? https://prettysmartgames.com/contact
Pinned
prettysmart games 👻🏨 THE SPIRIT LIFT Release Date Trailer
YouTube video by PrettySmartGames
www.youtube.com
Hi #PitchYaGame! Our ghostpunk roguelike deckbuilder set in a haunted hotel comes out Jan 27 2026!
Come for the 90s nostalgia and teen drama, stay for the chance to throw a rice cooker at a clown or dynamite a spider horse!
store.steampowered.com/app/1727590/...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxTh...
Come for the 90s nostalgia and teen drama, stay for the chance to throw a rice cooker at a clown or dynamite a spider horse!
store.steampowered.com/app/1727590/...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxTh...
An incredible article about one of my favorite movies of last year!
Our @sharai.bsky.social rewatched Heart Eyes (again) and is making it everyone’s else’s problem (again)!
horrormovieblog.com/heart-eyes-a...
horrormovieblog.com/heart-eyes-a...
‘Heart Eyes’ and the Suffocating Weight of Millennial Anxieties - Horror Movie Blog
Sharai Bohannon is asking, "Is 'Heart Eyes about us?" this week. We recommend you read this after watching the movie...
horrormovieblog.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:11 PM
An incredible article about one of my favorite movies of last year!
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
Please enjoy our research paper on how Bluesky is the preferred home of academics of all stripes, including professors of rare moths. (Yes, we actually have lots of entomologists here).
academic.oup.com/icb/article-... 🧪
academic.oup.com/icb/article-... 🧪
February 12, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Please enjoy our research paper on how Bluesky is the preferred home of academics of all stripes, including professors of rare moths. (Yes, we actually have lots of entomologists here).
academic.oup.com/icb/article-... 🧪
academic.oup.com/icb/article-... 🧪
Origin story of this clip: put Shania on to motivate myself and instead got wrecked by my own creations
#gamedev
#gamedev
Based on a true story 💅 Get THE SPIRIT LIFT now on Steam! ▶️ store.steampowered.com/app/1727590/...
#indiegamedev #itsabop #ilovethe90s
#indiegamedev #itsabop #ilovethe90s
February 11, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Origin story of this clip: put Shania on to motivate myself and instead got wrecked by my own creations
#gamedev
#gamedev
Our upcoming breakdown of the 35 tools we built to make our roguelike deckbuilder THE SPIRIT LIFT?
Yeah... turns out there were more like 50-60!
Stay tuned for the video, I'll probably post on our studio YouTube: www.youtube.com/@PrettySmart...
#gamedev #indiegame
Yeah... turns out there were more like 50-60!
Stay tuned for the video, I'll probably post on our studio YouTube: www.youtube.com/@PrettySmart...
#gamedev #indiegame
February 11, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Our upcoming breakdown of the 35 tools we built to make our roguelike deckbuilder THE SPIRIT LIFT?
Yeah... turns out there were more like 50-60!
Stay tuned for the video, I'll probably post on our studio YouTube: www.youtube.com/@PrettySmart...
#gamedev #indiegame
Yeah... turns out there were more like 50-60!
Stay tuned for the video, I'll probably post on our studio YouTube: www.youtube.com/@PrettySmart...
#gamedev #indiegame
Let's go! New goal is $500k, and each person who donates gets over 1000 games, books and more!
itch.io/b/3484/no-ic...
itch.io/b/3484/no-ic...
February 11, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Let's go! New goal is $500k, and each person who donates gets over 1000 games, books and more!
itch.io/b/3484/no-ic...
itch.io/b/3484/no-ic...
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
Feels like a good day to remind everyone that there's tons of human-made public domain art available for free. Perfect for TTRPGs and board games!
Where can you find it?
Right here!
Part 1: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/public-dom...
Part 2: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/more-publi...
#ttrpg
Where can you find it?
Right here!
Part 1: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/public-dom...
Part 2: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/more-publi...
#ttrpg
Public domain art resources
Using public domain art in tabletop game design
www.skeletoncodemachine.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Feels like a good day to remind everyone that there's tons of human-made public domain art available for free. Perfect for TTRPGs and board games!
Where can you find it?
Right here!
Part 1: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/public-dom...
Part 2: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/more-publi...
#ttrpg
Where can you find it?
Right here!
Part 1: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/public-dom...
Part 2: www.skeletoncodemachine.com/p/more-publi...
#ttrpg
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
there are logos. and then there are logos
February 5, 2026 at 6:11 PM
there are logos. and then there are logos
It is heartbreaking, because Yakuza as a series introduced me to so many dear friends and gave me hundreds of hours of joy and comfort. Those people I plan to hang onto no matter what happens in the game series.
If you're gonna read any quote from an article on the game, let it be this one, because I think it sums up a lot of the feelings of fans pretty succintly
February 10, 2026 at 12:45 AM
It is heartbreaking, because Yakuza as a series introduced me to so many dear friends and gave me hundreds of hours of joy and comfort. Those people I plan to hang onto no matter what happens in the game series.
Also huge thanks to @walaber.com who let me hop in to his stream yesterday to discuss THE SPIRIT LIFT!
He's one of my favorite game dev streamers, check out his channel for good vibes and learning!
www.twitch.tv/walaber
#gamedev
He's one of my favorite game dev streamers, check out his channel for good vibes and learning!
www.twitch.tv/walaber
#gamedev
walaber - Twitch
Game dev, creator of JellyCar. Lead designer of Where's My Water? and more. Recently created Replicube and Parking Garage Rally Circuit. Other indie releases: JellyCar Worlds, Pro Gymnast Simulator a...
www.twitch.tv
February 9, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Also huge thanks to @walaber.com who let me hop in to his stream yesterday to discuss THE SPIRIT LIFT!
He's one of my favorite game dev streamers, check out his channel for good vibes and learning!
www.twitch.tv/walaber
#gamedev
He's one of my favorite game dev streamers, check out his channel for good vibes and learning!
www.twitch.tv/walaber
#gamedev
Our visual novel Code Romantic appears to be a learn-to-code game, but it's really about building empathy during times of war. Donating Code Romantic to the No ICE in Minnesota bundle just makes sense!
For only $10+ you get over 1k games! Take a little action, and make a big difference!
For only $10+ you get over 1k games! Take a little action, and make a big difference!
The No ICE in Minnesota Charity Bundle has officially LAUNCHED!
There are 1,439 games to discover for a $10+ donation to Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota!
Purchase the bundle here: itch.io/b/3484/no-ic...
There are 1,439 games to discover for a $10+ donation to Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota!
Purchase the bundle here: itch.io/b/3484/no-ic...
February 9, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Our visual novel Code Romantic appears to be a learn-to-code game, but it's really about building empathy during times of war. Donating Code Romantic to the No ICE in Minnesota bundle just makes sense!
For only $10+ you get over 1k games! Take a little action, and make a big difference!
For only $10+ you get over 1k games! Take a little action, and make a big difference!
This was SOOO MUCH FUN! Thank you Chris!
The first video episode of the Honest Indies Podcast features @drmikachu.bsky.social of @prettysmart.bsky.social talking about tech fires in grad school, working with her husband, starting the studio, unsolved mysteries in The Spirit Lift and a whole lot more.
xoxo Chris
youtu.be/Pg4FOLB-3JY?...
xoxo Chris
youtu.be/Pg4FOLB-3JY?...
Honest Indies Podcast EP. 2 - The Doctor Developer, Miko Charbonneau - prettysmart games Interview
YouTube video by Honest Indies
youtu.be
February 9, 2026 at 6:27 PM
This was SOOO MUCH FUN! Thank you Chris!
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
Superb Owl | GX Games
Tap to place to create the most Superb Owl.
gx.games
February 8, 2026 at 10:18 PM
This has been my most pleasant game launch ever. The response to THE SPIRIT LIFT has been sooo great, people in our discord are sooo lovely, and we're finding and fixing bugs fairly easily!
Of course, the game ideas that have been waiting patiently are now getting attention too 🔥
#gamedev
Of course, the game ideas that have been waiting patiently are now getting attention too 🔥
#gamedev
February 7, 2026 at 9:32 PM
This has been my most pleasant game launch ever. The response to THE SPIRIT LIFT has been sooo great, people in our discord are sooo lovely, and we're finding and fixing bugs fairly easily!
Of course, the game ideas that have been waiting patiently are now getting attention too 🔥
#gamedev
Of course, the game ideas that have been waiting patiently are now getting attention too 🔥
#gamedev
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
Happy @bandcamp.com Friday! Support THE SPIRIT LIFT’s composer and sound designer @ryakomusic.bsky.social as well as listen to the full soundtrack of the game!
🎧 ryako.bandcamp.com/album/the-sp...
#originalmusic #indiegames
🎧 ryako.bandcamp.com/album/the-sp...
#originalmusic #indiegames
The Spirit Lift (Original Game Soundtrack), by Ryako
27 track album
ryako.bandcamp.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Happy @bandcamp.com Friday! Support THE SPIRIT LIFT’s composer and sound designer @ryakomusic.bsky.social as well as listen to the full soundtrack of the game!
🎧 ryako.bandcamp.com/album/the-sp...
#originalmusic #indiegames
🎧 ryako.bandcamp.com/album/the-sp...
#originalmusic #indiegames
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
We just released the 2025 Impact Report for Game Devs of Color. It's 39 pages of what we accomplished in 2025, since founding, and priorities for 2026 and beyond. Grateful to work with such a brilliant team.
The 2026 GDoCExpo is Sep 22 - 25, with speaker & game applications opening late Feb!
The 2026 GDoCExpo is Sep 22 - 25, with speaker & game applications opening late Feb!
The 2025 Game Devs of Color Impact Report is here! 📈
🎮 300+ games featured in our Steam sale
▶ 40+ games showcased in our Direct
💰 $34,000 in grants, scholarships, & microgrants given to devs of color
…and so much more!
Dive into our report: www.gamedevsofcolor.org/impact-report
🎮 300+ games featured in our Steam sale
▶ 40+ games showcased in our Direct
💰 $34,000 in grants, scholarships, & microgrants given to devs of color
…and so much more!
Dive into our report: www.gamedevsofcolor.org/impact-report
February 6, 2026 at 5:09 PM
We just released the 2025 Impact Report for Game Devs of Color. It's 39 pages of what we accomplished in 2025, since founding, and priorities for 2026 and beyond. Grateful to work with such a brilliant team.
The 2026 GDoCExpo is Sep 22 - 25, with speaker & game applications opening late Feb!
The 2026 GDoCExpo is Sep 22 - 25, with speaker & game applications opening late Feb!
If you are one of the 100+ people who has messaged us about localizing THE SPIRIT LIFT, we have your info!
We have several urgent tasks before sifting through potential translation partners, but we will get to it! Thank you!
Players, tell us what languages you want here: forms.gle/5PwwiRp79oNq...
We have several urgent tasks before sifting through potential translation partners, but we will get to it! Thank you!
Players, tell us what languages you want here: forms.gle/5PwwiRp79oNq...
THE SPIRIT LIFT Bug and Feedback Report
Hello! Thank you so much for letting us know about the issue you are having!
Please fill out the information below.
forms.gle
February 6, 2026 at 6:00 PM
If you are one of the 100+ people who has messaged us about localizing THE SPIRIT LIFT, we have your info!
We have several urgent tasks before sifting through potential translation partners, but we will get to it! Thank you!
Players, tell us what languages you want here: forms.gle/5PwwiRp79oNq...
We have several urgent tasks before sifting through potential translation partners, but we will get to it! Thank you!
Players, tell us what languages you want here: forms.gle/5PwwiRp79oNq...
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
We survived launch week, so Tobias earned himself some pizza! Thanks to our concept artist, @liliflamingo.bsky.social, for this cute picture! We're now on the road to 100 reviews, check out what others are saying about 👻🏨 THE SPIRIT LIFT!
#characterdesign #videogames #indiegamedev
#characterdesign #videogames #indiegamedev
February 6, 2026 at 4:57 PM
We survived launch week, so Tobias earned himself some pizza! Thanks to our concept artist, @liliflamingo.bsky.social, for this cute picture! We're now on the road to 100 reviews, check out what others are saying about 👻🏨 THE SPIRIT LIFT!
#characterdesign #videogames #indiegamedev
#characterdesign #videogames #indiegamedev
Small detail here that might help:
Your phone has a BIG resolution. But devices like the Steam Deck don't!
The text can seem like it will be readable because the size is similar but it won't be rendered the same.
If you can afford it, a Steam deck or a monitor at the smaller size helps testing!
Your phone has a BIG resolution. But devices like the Steam Deck don't!
The text can seem like it will be readable because the size is similar but it won't be rendered the same.
If you can afford it, a Steam deck or a monitor at the smaller size helps testing!
Kids, if you're making a game and want to run it on a steamdeck or switch
your text size needs to be bigger
no, bigger
c'mon coward, bigger!
what is this, A GAME FOR ANTS? BIGGER
your text size needs to be bigger
no, bigger
c'mon coward, bigger!
what is this, A GAME FOR ANTS? BIGGER
February 6, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Small detail here that might help:
Your phone has a BIG resolution. But devices like the Steam Deck don't!
The text can seem like it will be readable because the size is similar but it won't be rendered the same.
If you can afford it, a Steam deck or a monitor at the smaller size helps testing!
Your phone has a BIG resolution. But devices like the Steam Deck don't!
The text can seem like it will be readable because the size is similar but it won't be rendered the same.
If you can afford it, a Steam deck or a monitor at the smaller size helps testing!
We posted a poll! What #gamedev video should we make on our YouTube channel first?
Do you want to know about our 30+ previous games? Our 1000 scripts? 27 dev roles? Or 35+ tools?
Voting is free for everyone, but I think you have to have a Patreon account:
www.patreon.com/posts/149793...
Do you want to know about our 30+ previous games? Our 1000 scripts? 27 dev roles? Or 35+ tools?
Voting is free for everyone, but I think you have to have a Patreon account:
www.patreon.com/posts/149793...
Last Day of THE SPIRIT LIFT Launch Sale! | prettysmart games
Get more from prettysmart games on Patreon
www.patreon.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:01 PM
We posted a poll! What #gamedev video should we make on our YouTube channel first?
Do you want to know about our 30+ previous games? Our 1000 scripts? 27 dev roles? Or 35+ tools?
Voting is free for everyone, but I think you have to have a Patreon account:
www.patreon.com/posts/149793...
Do you want to know about our 30+ previous games? Our 1000 scripts? 27 dev roles? Or 35+ tools?
Voting is free for everyone, but I think you have to have a Patreon account:
www.patreon.com/posts/149793...
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
We open public playtest for Burn With Me! 🔥
Demonic deckbuilder about an obsessed Teacher.
Animal occult university, cozy dread and eerie mysteries!
Also, you need to burn your cards. A lot.
store.steampowered.com/app/2954010
I live and breathe this game for a year already — please give it a go!
Demonic deckbuilder about an obsessed Teacher.
Animal occult university, cozy dread and eerie mysteries!
Also, you need to burn your cards. A lot.
store.steampowered.com/app/2954010
I live and breathe this game for a year already — please give it a go!
January 29, 2026 at 2:14 PM
We open public playtest for Burn With Me! 🔥
Demonic deckbuilder about an obsessed Teacher.
Animal occult university, cozy dread and eerie mysteries!
Also, you need to burn your cards. A lot.
store.steampowered.com/app/2954010
I live and breathe this game for a year already — please give it a go!
Demonic deckbuilder about an obsessed Teacher.
Animal occult university, cozy dread and eerie mysteries!
Also, you need to burn your cards. A lot.
store.steampowered.com/app/2954010
I live and breathe this game for a year already — please give it a go!
BTW I was too tired to talk about my Spotify unwrapped but by far my most listened to podcast was @girlthatsscary.blacksky.app and YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO IT!
I'm screaming with laughter with these lovely hosts and they are super knowledgeable about horror as well as funny!
I'm screaming with laughter with these lovely hosts and they are super knowledgeable about horror as well as funny!
February 3, 2026 at 6:45 PM
BTW I was too tired to talk about my Spotify unwrapped but by far my most listened to podcast was @girlthatsscary.blacksky.app and YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO IT!
I'm screaming with laughter with these lovely hosts and they are super knowledgeable about horror as well as funny!
I'm screaming with laughter with these lovely hosts and they are super knowledgeable about horror as well as funny!
One of our favorite streamers! 🤩
Coworking and The Spirit Lift!
Come hang out for some chatting and morning productivity, then let's show some love for @drmikachu.bsky.social and the @prettysmart.bsky.social team by playing their new game The Spirit Lift!
Game starts at 11:30a PT! Stream's live: twitch.tv/intelligame
Come hang out for some chatting and morning productivity, then let's show some love for @drmikachu.bsky.social and the @prettysmart.bsky.social team by playing their new game The Spirit Lift!
Game starts at 11:30a PT! Stream's live: twitch.tv/intelligame
February 3, 2026 at 6:41 PM
One of our favorite streamers! 🤩
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
As Black History Month approaches, a reminder that HORROR NOIRE, the best-reviewed documentary of 2019, is at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, but is still not “Certified Fresh” because there are only 38 reviews (RT says limited release movies require 40). Is this the year? Will you answer the call?
January 31, 2026 at 2:29 PM
As Black History Month approaches, a reminder that HORROR NOIRE, the best-reviewed documentary of 2019, is at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, but is still not “Certified Fresh” because there are only 38 reviews (RT says limited release movies require 40). Is this the year? Will you answer the call?
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
In case you need more genre creatives to follow for #BlackHistoryMonth, @girlthatsscary.blacksky.app has you covered! #HorrorSky
February 2, 2026 at 10:26 PM
In case you need more genre creatives to follow for #BlackHistoryMonth, @girlthatsscary.blacksky.app has you covered! #HorrorSky
Sobbing because we drove by a group of young protesters today. The kids are doing the thing and they deserve the best world possible 💖
February 2, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Sobbing because we drove by a group of young protesters today. The kids are doing the thing and they deserve the best world possible 💖