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...
Just in case anyone needs to hear it:
The holidays are not always happy. It's okay to not be okay.
If you're going through something, there will be better times ahead. You can find your purpose, your people, your version of joy. Just hang in there.
The holidays are not always happy. It's okay to not be okay.
If you're going through something, there will be better times ahead. You can find your purpose, your people, your version of joy. Just hang in there.
December 24, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Just in case anyone needs to hear it:
The holidays are not always happy. It's okay to not be okay.
If you're going through something, there will be better times ahead. You can find your purpose, your people, your version of joy. Just hang in there.
The holidays are not always happy. It's okay to not be okay.
If you're going through something, there will be better times ahead. You can find your purpose, your people, your version of joy. Just hang in there.
As we wind down on 2025, I thought I'd 'relax' soon, since our next game launches end of Jan.
Then my team suggested something I cannot ignore. An idea for keeping our remote studio connected between games. So... I guess I'll be back to the design grind soon!
#gamedev #indiedev #remotestudio
Then my team suggested something I cannot ignore. An idea for keeping our remote studio connected between games. So... I guess I'll be back to the design grind soon!
#gamedev #indiedev #remotestudio
December 22, 2025 at 9:59 PM
As we wind down on 2025, I thought I'd 'relax' soon, since our next game launches end of Jan.
Then my team suggested something I cannot ignore. An idea for keeping our remote studio connected between games. So... I guess I'll be back to the design grind soon!
#gamedev #indiedev #remotestudio
Then my team suggested something I cannot ignore. An idea for keeping our remote studio connected between games. So... I guess I'll be back to the design grind soon!
#gamedev #indiedev #remotestudio
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
"they don't know how to express the idea" here's rian johnson's storyboard for knives out
pick up a pencil and a napkin
pick up a pencil and a napkin
December 18, 2025 at 4:58 PM
"they don't know how to express the idea" here's rian johnson's storyboard for knives out
pick up a pencil and a napkin
pick up a pencil and a napkin
Help your favorite gamedev this holiday season:
- Send a supportive message!
- Recommend their games to friends!
- Wishlist and follow them on Steam!
- Leave reviews!
- Chat with other players on forums and Discord!
- Ask your fave content creators to play their game!
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev
- Send a supportive message!
- Recommend their games to friends!
- Wishlist and follow them on Steam!
- Leave reviews!
- Chat with other players on forums and Discord!
- Ask your fave content creators to play their game!
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev
December 18, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Help your favorite gamedev this holiday season:
- Send a supportive message!
- Recommend their games to friends!
- Wishlist and follow them on Steam!
- Leave reviews!
- Chat with other players on forums and Discord!
- Ask your fave content creators to play their game!
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev
- Send a supportive message!
- Recommend their games to friends!
- Wishlist and follow them on Steam!
- Leave reviews!
- Chat with other players on forums and Discord!
- Ask your fave content creators to play their game!
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev
To +1 this, we researched every item in our latest game to make sure it was historically possible in our haunted hotel and build the fiction of who left it behind.
Even if we had used genAI (we didn't) we would have still had to do the many hours of reading and double checking.
Even if we had used genAI (we didn't) we would have still had to do the many hours of reading and double checking.
Been thinking on the use of GenAi for mood boards. Ethics and legal risks aside, I truly believe using GenAi as references deprives one of many pivotal things.
Here’s a blurb on what I mean:
Here’s a blurb on what I mean:
December 18, 2025 at 12:20 AM
To +1 this, we researched every item in our latest game to make sure it was historically possible in our haunted hotel and build the fiction of who left it behind.
Even if we had used genAI (we didn't) we would have still had to do the many hours of reading and double checking.
Even if we had used genAI (we didn't) we would have still had to do the many hours of reading and double checking.
I still have a game to ship, but also how am I going to finish my 2025 horror movies round up?!
Still to watch: Dust Bunny, Final Destination Bloodlines, Frankenstein, Sew Torn, Influencers, Grafted, Wolfman, The Long Walk... how did I miss so many?!
#horror #horrormovies
Still to watch: Dust Bunny, Final Destination Bloodlines, Frankenstein, Sew Torn, Influencers, Grafted, Wolfman, The Long Walk... how did I miss so many?!
#horror #horrormovies
December 15, 2025 at 8:43 PM
I still have a game to ship, but also how am I going to finish my 2025 horror movies round up?!
Still to watch: Dust Bunny, Final Destination Bloodlines, Frankenstein, Sew Torn, Influencers, Grafted, Wolfman, The Long Walk... how did I miss so many?!
#horror #horrormovies
Still to watch: Dust Bunny, Final Destination Bloodlines, Frankenstein, Sew Torn, Influencers, Grafted, Wolfman, The Long Walk... how did I miss so many?!
#horror #horrormovies
Indies can be so hard on ourselves!
I want to spend more time thinking about the incredible feats we've created and less on where I fell short.
I'm doing like 27 different jobs to release this game and I'd never ask anyone else to do that!
#indiegame #gamedev #weareonly6people
I want to spend more time thinking about the incredible feats we've created and less on where I fell short.
I'm doing like 27 different jobs to release this game and I'd never ask anyone else to do that!
#indiegame #gamedev #weareonly6people
December 12, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Indies can be so hard on ourselves!
I want to spend more time thinking about the incredible feats we've created and less on where I fell short.
I'm doing like 27 different jobs to release this game and I'd never ask anyone else to do that!
#indiegame #gamedev #weareonly6people
I want to spend more time thinking about the incredible feats we've created and less on where I fell short.
I'm doing like 27 different jobs to release this game and I'd never ask anyone else to do that!
#indiegame #gamedev #weareonly6people
You can tell a lot about a person based on how they feel about pivot tables.
So thankful to our playtesters for filling out a brief form as they play, we are making huge improvements in our progression flows!
I would love to make a video about this after launch!
#gamedev #math #playtesting #data
So thankful to our playtesters for filling out a brief form as they play, we are making huge improvements in our progression flows!
I would love to make a video about this after launch!
#gamedev #math #playtesting #data
December 7, 2025 at 9:13 PM
You can tell a lot about a person based on how they feel about pivot tables.
So thankful to our playtesters for filling out a brief form as they play, we are making huge improvements in our progression flows!
I would love to make a video about this after launch!
#gamedev #math #playtesting #data
So thankful to our playtesters for filling out a brief form as they play, we are making huge improvements in our progression flows!
I would love to make a video about this after launch!
#gamedev #math #playtesting #data
This is how I binge watch Murder, She Wrote.
Whenever I get the urge to watch, I check the current time. The hour becomes the season, the minute becomes the episode. If the minutes > episodes, I restart at one and count up.
That's it. I have no idea if this is interesting! Carry on!
Whenever I get the urge to watch, I check the current time. The hour becomes the season, the minute becomes the episode. If the minutes > episodes, I restart at one and count up.
That's it. I have no idea if this is interesting! Carry on!
December 6, 2025 at 12:41 AM
This is how I binge watch Murder, She Wrote.
Whenever I get the urge to watch, I check the current time. The hour becomes the season, the minute becomes the episode. If the minutes > episodes, I restart at one and count up.
That's it. I have no idea if this is interesting! Carry on!
Whenever I get the urge to watch, I check the current time. The hour becomes the season, the minute becomes the episode. If the minutes > episodes, I restart at one and count up.
That's it. I have no idea if this is interesting! Carry on!
Our game comes out in less than two months! I'm working every day on the final touches, can't believe this is happening!
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...
prettysmart games 👻🏨 THE SPIRIT LIFT Release Date Trailer
YouTube video by PrettySmartGames
www.youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Our game comes out in less than two months! I'm working every day on the final touches, can't believe this is happening!
There's nothing like the live chat during a GDoC Expo. Give if you can, these incredible people are keeping the dream alive for so many talented teams!
🫶🏾 Join us this #GivingTuesday!
Today is all about giving back to communities & missions that matter.
If Game Devs of Color has inspired you, supported you, or empowered creators you admire, we’d love your support.
Even $5 can make a difference with collective action.
givebutter.com/GDoCExpo2025
Today is all about giving back to communities & missions that matter.
If Game Devs of Color has inspired you, supported you, or empowered creators you admire, we’d love your support.
Even $5 can make a difference with collective action.
givebutter.com/GDoCExpo2025
Support Game Devs of Color
By Game Devs of Color
givebutter.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:05 PM
There's nothing like the live chat during a GDoC Expo. Give if you can, these incredible people are keeping the dream alive for so many talented teams!
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
my first trip to GDC was possible because of this scholarship. a truly wonderful group of people work hard to make this happen and to deliver a great experience for anyone who wins it. apply apply apply!! it can change your life!!
GDC 2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS OPEN 📣
Our alumni say it best!
🗣️"This opportunity allowed me to connect with other marginalized game designers, who helped me navigate challenging experiences in AAA & continue to act as mentors for me."
✏️ www.gamedevsofcolor.org/scholarship
#GDC2026 #gamedev
Our alumni say it best!
🗣️"This opportunity allowed me to connect with other marginalized game designers, who helped me navigate challenging experiences in AAA & continue to act as mentors for me."
✏️ www.gamedevsofcolor.org/scholarship
#GDC2026 #gamedev
December 1, 2025 at 8:12 PM
my first trip to GDC was possible because of this scholarship. a truly wonderful group of people work hard to make this happen and to deliver a great experience for anyone who wins it. apply apply apply!! it can change your life!!
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
sorry i'm late but shop open! finally!!!
all my new things have been added. you can find the duos and the judglings, and the usual goods. the free shipping should automatically apply if you meet the requirements!
🛒: q-iilin.myshopify.com
all my new things have been added. you can find the duos and the judglings, and the usual goods. the free shipping should automatically apply if you meet the requirements!
🛒: q-iilin.myshopify.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:15 PM
sorry i'm late but shop open! finally!!!
all my new things have been added. you can find the duos and the judglings, and the usual goods. the free shipping should automatically apply if you meet the requirements!
🛒: q-iilin.myshopify.com
all my new things have been added. you can find the duos and the judglings, and the usual goods. the free shipping should automatically apply if you meet the requirements!
🛒: q-iilin.myshopify.com
Hey, I'm in this article! Thanks for the opportunity to chat about roguelikes and roguelites!
November 28, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Hey, I'm in this article! Thanks for the opportunity to chat about roguelikes and roguelites!
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
We did something different with the credits for Demonschool. We used this format: name, title, lengthy description of what they did. Often you see credits in games where you don't know what the credited developer was actually responsible for. We wanted to give people proper, actual credit.
November 24, 2025 at 10:23 PM
We did something different with the credits for Demonschool. We used this format: name, title, lengthy description of what they did. Often you see credits in games where you don't know what the credited developer was actually responsible for. We wanted to give people proper, actual credit.
The lifecycle of a gardenia, as witnessed by me in my house
1. Gifted by a beloved aunt
2. After watching hours of tutorials, given its own windowsill, pebble tray, auto watering system
3. Infested with 1000s of baby spiders
to be continued...
1. Gifted by a beloved aunt
2. After watching hours of tutorials, given its own windowsill, pebble tray, auto watering system
3. Infested with 1000s of baby spiders
to be continued...
November 20, 2025 at 11:39 PM
The lifecycle of a gardenia, as witnessed by me in my house
1. Gifted by a beloved aunt
2. After watching hours of tutorials, given its own windowsill, pebble tray, auto watering system
3. Infested with 1000s of baby spiders
to be continued...
1. Gifted by a beloved aunt
2. After watching hours of tutorials, given its own windowsill, pebble tray, auto watering system
3. Infested with 1000s of baby spiders
to be continued...
Is a horror villain clown still a clown if they are not trained in the arts of clowning around? 🤡 Or is that clown gatekeeping?!
November 19, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Is a horror villain clown still a clown if they are not trained in the arts of clowning around? 🤡 Or is that clown gatekeeping?!
What I'm going to remember the most about these last months before ship is not the tears or the 100s of tasks.
It will be the laughter as we lost our minds, the stupid songs and dances and jokes we conjured to make THE SPIRIT LIFT the best game it could be.
#gamedev #indiegame #laughsoyoudontcry
It will be the laughter as we lost our minds, the stupid songs and dances and jokes we conjured to make THE SPIRIT LIFT the best game it could be.
#gamedev #indiegame #laughsoyoudontcry
November 17, 2025 at 9:14 PM
What I'm going to remember the most about these last months before ship is not the tears or the 100s of tasks.
It will be the laughter as we lost our minds, the stupid songs and dances and jokes we conjured to make THE SPIRIT LIFT the best game it could be.
#gamedev #indiegame #laughsoyoudontcry
It will be the laughter as we lost our minds, the stupid songs and dances and jokes we conjured to make THE SPIRIT LIFT the best game it could be.
#gamedev #indiegame #laughsoyoudontcry
This looks like so much fun!
HELLO FELLOW GAME DEVS - do you want to force yourself to make social media posts about your game??? Then you should try the:
🎄 12 DAYS OF #DEVMAS 🎄
Join us from December 13th-24th in making posts based on these 12 prompts~
⬇️ MORE INFO BELOW ⬇️
🎄 12 DAYS OF #DEVMAS 🎄
Join us from December 13th-24th in making posts based on these 12 prompts~
⬇️ MORE INFO BELOW ⬇️
November 17, 2025 at 2:47 AM
This looks like so much fun!
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
Button that reveals a handle for pulling down a keypad...........
November 16, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Button that reveals a handle for pulling down a keypad...........
Reposted by Dr. Miko Charbonneau
It doesnt stop there. Did you know "zombies" are an African creation?
Zombie comes from the Haitian creole "zanbi," which itself comes from the Kikongo word "nzambi" that translates to "spirit of a dead person.'
It embodied the spirit of haitian slavery. Body is alive, the soul is not
short🧵
Zombie comes from the Haitian creole "zanbi," which itself comes from the Kikongo word "nzambi" that translates to "spirit of a dead person.'
It embodied the spirit of haitian slavery. Body is alive, the soul is not
short🧵
Wanna hear a scary story?
The first American vampire was Black.
Seriously.
78 years before Dracula appeared in American literature, there was "The Black Vampyre" by Uriah D'Arcy.
It was written in 1819 as an antislavery critique and the effect the Haitian Revolution had on the States
The first American vampire was Black.
Seriously.
78 years before Dracula appeared in American literature, there was "The Black Vampyre" by Uriah D'Arcy.
It was written in 1819 as an antislavery critique and the effect the Haitian Revolution had on the States
October 30, 2025 at 11:25 PM
It doesnt stop there. Did you know "zombies" are an African creation?
Zombie comes from the Haitian creole "zanbi," which itself comes from the Kikongo word "nzambi" that translates to "spirit of a dead person.'
It embodied the spirit of haitian slavery. Body is alive, the soul is not
short🧵
Zombie comes from the Haitian creole "zanbi," which itself comes from the Kikongo word "nzambi" that translates to "spirit of a dead person.'
It embodied the spirit of haitian slavery. Body is alive, the soul is not
short🧵
One of best parts of making a horror game is every time we find a bug we get to yell THE GAME IS HAUNTED!
Found a nasty hydra of issues last night but don't worry, slain enemies will no longer linger invisibly in future battles! 👻Literally haunting the place!
#gamedev #horrorgames #indiegame
Found a nasty hydra of issues last night but don't worry, slain enemies will no longer linger invisibly in future battles! 👻Literally haunting the place!
#gamedev #horrorgames #indiegame
November 13, 2025 at 9:54 PM
One of best parts of making a horror game is every time we find a bug we get to yell THE GAME IS HAUNTED!
Found a nasty hydra of issues last night but don't worry, slain enemies will no longer linger invisibly in future battles! 👻Literally haunting the place!
#gamedev #horrorgames #indiegame
Found a nasty hydra of issues last night but don't worry, slain enemies will no longer linger invisibly in future battles! 👻Literally haunting the place!
#gamedev #horrorgames #indiegame
Watching my lead dev tell a friend about how someone changed the color of a font and the build broke and the friend says "now let me tell YOU my best a color change broke the game story"
#gamedev
#gamedev
November 11, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Watching my lead dev tell a friend about how someone changed the color of a font and the build broke and the friend says "now let me tell YOU my best a color change broke the game story"
#gamedev
#gamedev