Elana
@elanamakesgames.bsky.social
Technical designer making queer indie games with Unquiet Games & Bolero Game Studio. Passionate about accessibility and telling stories that matter. Find my work at https://elana.games! 🎮🏳️🌈✨
Some locals just drove by, selling pumpkins out of their pickup truck. Somehow I scored a lil pumpkin for free, just by laughing at their hilarious sales pitch? (I wonder what tipped them off I might want it… 🎃🍂😅)
October 8, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Some locals just drove by, selling pumpkins out of their pickup truck. Somehow I scored a lil pumpkin for free, just by laughing at their hilarious sales pitch? (I wonder what tipped them off I might want it… 🎃🍂😅)
Reposted by Elana
Thanks so much for the shout-out, @kymira.ca! We couldn't have asked for a better neighbor than @wtchcrft.com at @qgcon.bsky.social last weekend. We should totally collaborate on a "queer indie games inspired by Blue Prince" bundle, haha! 🩵
On our other side we had @unquietgames.bsky.social and their game Banned Together. A puzzle exploration game taking place in a college library with a very unique focus mechanic I can see future games trying to mimic!
bsky.app/profile/unqu...
bsky.app/profile/unqu...
Our debut game Banned Together is now available to wishlist on Steam! 📚💕 If you like puzzles, libraries, or messy queers on a mission, this one’s for you. Demo coming soon ✨ store.steampowered.com/app/3551960/...
October 2, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Thanks so much for the shout-out, @kymira.ca! We couldn't have asked for a better neighbor than @wtchcrft.com at @qgcon.bsky.social last weekend. We should totally collaborate on a "queer indie games inspired by Blue Prince" bundle, haha! 🩵
On my way to @qgcon.bsky.social, and the first leg of my flight to Montréal is behind schedule. The pilot has reassured us he’ll “try to take any shortcuts we can.” Can’t wait to see how this guy folds space and time to shortcut us through the sky!
September 26, 2025 at 6:02 PM
On my way to @qgcon.bsky.social, and the first leg of my flight to Montréal is behind schedule. The pilot has reassured us he’ll “try to take any shortcuts we can.” Can’t wait to see how this guy folds space and time to shortcut us through the sky!
Been learning so much and meeting some amazing people at NarraScope this weekend! If you're around, and happen to be a mortal creature like myself, you might enjoy my talk on death-positive narrative design this afternoon (1:30 ET, URBN Center 141, more details at narrascope.org/schedule/#ta...) 💀🎲🖤
June 22, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Been learning so much and meeting some amazing people at NarraScope this weekend! If you're around, and happen to be a mortal creature like myself, you might enjoy my talk on death-positive narrative design this afternoon (1:30 ET, URBN Center 141, more details at narrascope.org/schedule/#ta...) 💀🎲🖤
Reposted by Elana
Excited to continue our celebration of Pride month over at Coexist tonight! Come for @officialnycg.bsky.social's talk about representation in gaming, then stick around to play our latest demo of Banned Together 🏳️🌈🎮
One of our two featured indie games at the June 17 IGDA NYC Level Up Tuesday event!
RSVP here to get into Coexist Game Club for FREE (a $20 value). coexistgaming.com/event-detail...
#NYMakesGames
RSVP here to get into Coexist Game Club for FREE (a $20 value). coexistgaming.com/event-detail...
#NYMakesGames
Our debut game Banned Together is now available to wishlist on Steam! 📚💕 If you like puzzles, libraries, or messy queers on a mission, this one’s for you. Demo coming soon ✨ store.steampowered.com/app/3551960/...
June 17, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Excited to continue our celebration of Pride month over at Coexist tonight! Come for @officialnycg.bsky.social's talk about representation in gaming, then stick around to play our latest demo of Banned Together 🏳️🌈🎮
If I had a nickel for every queer engineer I know who worked at Amazon for many years, wanted a change of culture, founded an inclusive game studio, then eventually got snatched up by Anthropic… I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice!
June 13, 2025 at 6:19 PM
If I had a nickel for every queer engineer I know who worked at Amazon for many years, wanted a change of culture, founded an inclusive game studio, then eventually got snatched up by Anthropic… I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice!
Reposted by Elana
We’re kicking off Pride in style by demoing our new gameplay at Gaymer Pride today! It’s a free event, so come hang out with us at the Museum of the Moving Image, play Banned Together, and we’ll send you off with a snazzy gay bookmark 📚🌈✨
Gaymer Pride 2025 is LEVELING UP! We're so excited to share the Event Schedule and ask that y'all help NYC Gaymers SPREAD THE WORD! GP25 is going to be LEGENDARY!
@movingimagenyc.bsky.social #nycpride #pride2025 #gaymerpride #nycgaymers #summerofgames
@movingimagenyc.bsky.social #nycpride #pride2025 #gaymerpride #nycgaymers #summerofgames
May 31, 2025 at 4:06 PM
We’re kicking off Pride in style by demoing our new gameplay at Gaymer Pride today! It’s a free event, so come hang out with us at the Museum of the Moving Image, play Banned Together, and we’ll send you off with a snazzy gay bookmark 📚🌈✨
Reposted by Elana
We are live NOW with the 2025 NYU Game Center Incubator Showcase!
On Steam: store.steampowered.com/sale/GamesinNY
And on Twitch: twitch.tv/nyugamecenter
On Steam: store.steampowered.com/sale/GamesinNY
And on Twitch: twitch.tv/nyugamecenter
May 29, 2025 at 9:58 PM
We are live NOW with the 2025 NYU Game Center Incubator Showcase!
On Steam: store.steampowered.com/sale/GamesinNY
And on Twitch: twitch.tv/nyugamecenter
On Steam: store.steampowered.com/sale/GamesinNY
And on Twitch: twitch.tv/nyugamecenter
Check out all these amazing games made right here in NY! 🏙️🎮🤩 Some of the most diverse & innovative work in indie games is happening here, and I’m so proud that Banned Together (my upcoming queer mystery game about book banning) is featured here for wishlisting: store.steampowered.com/sale/GamesinNY
Games in New York
Games set, published and designed in New York
store.steampowered.com
May 29, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Check out all these amazing games made right here in NY! 🏙️🎮🤩 Some of the most diverse & innovative work in indie games is happening here, and I’m so proud that Banned Together (my upcoming queer mystery game about book banning) is featured here for wishlisting: store.steampowered.com/sale/GamesinNY
Reposted by Elana
We have extended the IG50 award application deadline to midday on May 19th, so you now have the whole weekend to submit your applications!
If you are from a low-income or working-class background and you haven't yet had your first full-time role in games, you need to apply... www.intogames50.uk
If you are from a low-income or working-class background and you haven't yet had your first full-time role in games, you need to apply... www.intogames50.uk
May 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Trying to be cryptic here, to prevent spoilers for a certain puzzle game I happen to be obsessed with lately, but… I just found my 7th red letter, and it feels like a *wild* coincidence that that happened today, of all days!? If you know, you know 🩵👑😉
May 8, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Trying to be cryptic here, to prevent spoilers for a certain puzzle game I happen to be obsessed with lately, but… I just found my 7th red letter, and it feels like a *wild* coincidence that that happened today, of all days!? If you know, you know 🩵👑😉
If, like me, you’re a big fan of @noclipvideo.bsky.social, @2playerproductions.bsky.social, and quality documentaries about indie games, this is for you! (Of course, I may be a little biased, since I’m working on this project, and Myst is very dear to my heart 📚🎥)
Greetings, #Bluesky!
We are The #Myst Documentary (Directed by @philipashane.bsky.social) 🌲
The movie is currently in development heading into the final interviews! ⚙️
You can late pledge here to get in on some cool rewards while there's time ⬇️
fulfillment.fangamer.com/kindling/the...
We are The #Myst Documentary (Directed by @philipashane.bsky.social) 🌲
The movie is currently in development heading into the final interviews! ⚙️
You can late pledge here to get in on some cool rewards while there's time ⬇️
fulfillment.fangamer.com/kindling/the...
April 24, 2025 at 2:39 AM
If, like me, you’re a big fan of @noclipvideo.bsky.social, @2playerproductions.bsky.social, and quality documentaries about indie games, this is for you! (Of course, I may be a little biased, since I’m working on this project, and Myst is very dear to my heart 📚🎥)
As someone making a game about books, I felt lucky to attend *multiple* events this week at the intersection of games & writing: the launch of @jeannethornton.bsky.social’s novel A/S/L, steeped in digital nostalgia, and @ashleybardhan.bsky.social’s delightful “video game reading night” about love!
April 4, 2025 at 2:57 AM
As someone making a game about books, I felt lucky to attend *multiple* events this week at the intersection of games & writing: the launch of @jeannethornton.bsky.social’s novel A/S/L, steeped in digital nostalgia, and @ashleybardhan.bsky.social’s delightful “video game reading night” about love!
Being a game designer isn't about getting things right the first time: it's about trying something out, listening to playtesters, trusting your team, then trying again! Here's my dev log about the evolution of a rhythm game at @bolerogamestudio.bsky.social: bolerogamestudio.itch.io/old-and-gray...
Unpacking the Game Design Process of Old & Gray
It's GDC season and the Bolero crew is in San Francisco with an expanded 7-minute demo of Old & Gray! The whole team has been hard at work enriching and polishing our latest build for playtesting with...
bolerogamestudio.itch.io
March 28, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Being a game designer isn't about getting things right the first time: it's about trying something out, listening to playtesters, trusting your team, then trying again! Here's my dev log about the evolution of a rhythm game at @bolerogamestudio.bsky.social: bolerogamestudio.itch.io/old-and-gray...
Hey that’s us! Come check out our new gameplay if you’re around tonight 📚🌈✨
🚨 Beyond Pixels is back—online & in person!
We're ft. Banned Together by @unquietgames.bsky.social at our event!
🔍 A queer mystery about book banning—play as Ruby (they/them), a journalism major uncovering the truth behind disappearing books in their college library.
RSVP bit.ly/3Qq630g
We're ft. Banned Together by @unquietgames.bsky.social at our event!
🔍 A queer mystery about book banning—play as Ruby (they/them), a journalism major uncovering the truth behind disappearing books in their college library.
RSVP bit.ly/3Qq630g
March 18, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Hey that’s us! Come check out our new gameplay if you’re around tonight 📚🌈✨
The fact my suitcase looks like this when packing for a conference makes me confident I’m in the right industry 🎮🎭 Can’t wait to see everyone at GDC!
March 15, 2025 at 10:46 PM
The fact my suitcase looks like this when packing for a conference makes me confident I’m in the right industry 🎮🎭 Can’t wait to see everyone at GDC!
New achievement unlocked: @natmesnard.bsky.social & I pitched our game together in front of a live audience at a public event, and we had a great time! Next stop: GDC ✈️
We had a blast pitching Banned Together, our queer mystery game about book banning, and meeting fellow finalists at the Diversity in Game Design pitch contest! Congrats to Made in Brooklyn Games on their well-deserved win, and thanks to Downtown Brooklyn for making this happen ✨
March 7, 2025 at 8:52 PM
New achievement unlocked: @natmesnard.bsky.social & I pitched our game together in front of a live audience at a public event, and we had a great time! Next stop: GDC ✈️
Ever wonder what kind of indie game @natmesnard.bsky.social & I have been developing over the past year and a half? DM if you’d like free tickets to our pitch this Tues! 😉
We’re honored to be selected as finalists to pitch our game on Tues! ✨ Come see us talk about Banned Together, a first-person mystery game about book banning & chosen family: www.downtownbrooklyn.com/event/miib-g...
March 2, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Ever wonder what kind of indie game @natmesnard.bsky.social & I have been developing over the past year and a half? DM if you’d like free tickets to our pitch this Tues! 😉
Reposted by Elana
Might feel like everything is going to 💩 but there's still lots of good in the world. Here's a little joy for ya — grab a ticket or apply to speak this year!
🗣📢GET HYPE! Game Devs of Color Expo returns September 16-19, 2025!
Submissions are now OPEN for speakers, panels, & #gamedev interviews—no fees, & speakers are compensated! All participants are considered for grants of up to $25k.
🔗 Get tix, apply to speak, & learn more: gdoc.events/m/GDoCExpo
Submissions are now OPEN for speakers, panels, & #gamedev interviews—no fees, & speakers are compensated! All participants are considered for grants of up to $25k.
🔗 Get tix, apply to speak, & learn more: gdoc.events/m/GDoCExpo
February 25, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Might feel like everything is going to 💩 but there's still lots of good in the world. Here's a little joy for ya — grab a ticket or apply to speak this year!
Over the holidays, I bonded with my father-in-law (very much not a gamer) by getting him hooked on Balatro. It's been a couple months now, and I'm still unsure whether to feel like a world-class daughter-in-law or an absolute monster when I see this notification pop up daily 😅 #Balatro
February 12, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Over the holidays, I bonded with my father-in-law (very much not a gamer) by getting him hooked on Balatro. It's been a couple months now, and I'm still unsure whether to feel like a world-class daughter-in-law or an absolute monster when I see this notification pop up daily 😅 #Balatro
If this is already happening in NYC of all places - at a hospital that proudly calls itself a leader in trans healthcare - that’s a real canary for the rest of the country. If you’re local, I hope you’ll consider coming out to show the community cares & won’t allow transphobia to become normalized!
🚨TRUMP IS TRYING TO BAN HEALTHCARE FOR TRANS KIDS🚨
NYU Langone is one of the few hospitals in the country that's begun withholding life-saving healthcare for trans kids. Join us for an emergency rally tomorrow. Demand NYU Langone reverse this decision! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
actionnetwork.org/events/prote...
NYU Langone is one of the few hospitals in the country that's begun withholding life-saving healthcare for trans kids. Join us for an emergency rally tomorrow. Demand NYU Langone reverse this decision! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
actionnetwork.org/events/prote...
February 2, 2025 at 9:58 PM
If this is already happening in NYC of all places - at a hospital that proudly calls itself a leader in trans healthcare - that’s a real canary for the rest of the country. If you’re local, I hope you’ll consider coming out to show the community cares & won’t allow transphobia to become normalized!
So fun judging the Global Game Jam for my first time, alongside @holywowstudios.bsky.social & other fantastic folks! Our pick for overall winner went home early to eat & sleep, so they had to accept their award by phone - which @halfrobot.com aptly called “the most game jam” acceptance ever 🤣 #GGJ25
January 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
So fun judging the Global Game Jam for my first time, alongside @holywowstudios.bsky.social & other fantastic folks! Our pick for overall winner went home early to eat & sleep, so they had to accept their award by phone - which @halfrobot.com aptly called “the most game jam” acceptance ever 🤣 #GGJ25
Proud to be working with such a talented team! Still can’t believe this was our art lead’s first foray into pixel art, because they totally nailed it 🤯😍
Happy holidays, gamers! After Old & Gray's success at the 2024 Macro Jam, our team knew we had to expand this cozy lil slice of life game into a full cozy pie. Over the past few weeks, we've been hard at work polishing mechanics, expanding lore, and changing the seasons for Lloyd & Gray. 🎄 👴🏾 🐾
December 21, 2024 at 3:57 PM
Proud to be working with such a talented team! Still can’t believe this was our art lead’s first foray into pixel art, because they totally nailed it 🤯😍
If you’re going to play Captain Sonar (think: Battleship, but it’s 4v4 and you’re piloting submarines in real time), the only right way to do it is with underwater mood lighting and Subnautica looping in the background for ambiance. Thanks for another fun game night at @nyugamecenter.bsky.social! ⚓️🌊
December 19, 2024 at 4:13 AM
If you’re going to play Captain Sonar (think: Battleship, but it’s 4v4 and you’re piloting submarines in real time), the only right way to do it is with underwater mood lighting and Subnautica looping in the background for ambiance. Thanks for another fun game night at @nyugamecenter.bsky.social! ⚓️🌊
Sometimes when I get nervous about jump scares in indie games like Gone Home, I need to remind myself: “Oh, my sweet summer child, there’s no way this team had budget for a character animator”
December 8, 2024 at 4:58 PM
Sometimes when I get nervous about jump scares in indie games like Gone Home, I need to remind myself: “Oh, my sweet summer child, there’s no way this team had budget for a character animator”