Nick Burns (Alt-Fire Dev)
@nickburns.bsky.social
Indie Game Developer, Designer, and Educator
Cofounder of SkyPyre Studios / www.skypyre.com
Working on Alt-Fire / www.skypyre.com/alt-fire
(He/Him)
Website / www.nickburns.ca
YouTube / www.youtube.com/nickburns
ArtStation / www.artstation.com/nickburns
Cofounder of SkyPyre Studios / www.skypyre.com
Working on Alt-Fire / www.skypyre.com/alt-fire
(He/Him)
Website / www.nickburns.ca
YouTube / www.youtube.com/nickburns
ArtStation / www.artstation.com/nickburns
Pinned
Restarting My Arena Shooter Project - Alt-Fire Devlog 3
YouTube video by Nick Burns
www.youtube.com
It's been a beat but I'm happy to share that I am making a new game, Alt-Fire! A fast paced arena shooter inspired by games like UT and Quake.
The first devlog is up on YouTube now, and there is a *very* early prototype on itch (in bio) to demo!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTGd...
#indiedev #gamedev
The first devlog is up on YouTube now, and there is a *very* early prototype on itch (in bio) to demo!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTGd...
#indiedev #gamedev
Finished a solid concept piece for one of the protagonists of AF.
Agent Rebecca Slone, the UEG Commando.
You can see the time lapse and concept sketches that led to this design here www.artstation.com/artwork/6Lr2On
#altfire #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #art #clipstudio #characterdesign
Agent Rebecca Slone, the UEG Commando.
You can see the time lapse and concept sketches that led to this design here www.artstation.com/artwork/6Lr2On
#altfire #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #art #clipstudio #characterdesign
February 4, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Finished a solid concept piece for one of the protagonists of AF.
Agent Rebecca Slone, the UEG Commando.
You can see the time lapse and concept sketches that led to this design here www.artstation.com/artwork/6Lr2On
#altfire #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #art #clipstudio #characterdesign
Agent Rebecca Slone, the UEG Commando.
You can see the time lapse and concept sketches that led to this design here www.artstation.com/artwork/6Lr2On
#altfire #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #art #clipstudio #characterdesign
Made a system of parenting material instances upward to a common color patch which lets me update a whole color scheme at once.
#altfire #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #ue5 #materials
#altfire #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #ue5 #materials
February 3, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Made a system of parenting material instances upward to a common color patch which lets me update a whole color scheme at once.
#altfire #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #ue5 #materials
#altfire #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #ue5 #materials
I don't care if you've watched Star Trek before, I barely have, go watch Lower Decks. It's spectacular. Go ahead, I'll wait.
#startrek #lowerdecks
#startrek #lowerdecks
February 3, 2026 at 3:26 AM
I don't care if you've watched Star Trek before, I barely have, go watch Lower Decks. It's spectacular. Go ahead, I'll wait.
#startrek #lowerdecks
#startrek #lowerdecks
Did a quick 2h drawing of Melinoë since I am still obsessed with Hades II
Timelapse on ArtStation: www.artstation.com/artwork/mAN2eE
#art #illustration #clipstudio #hades
Timelapse on ArtStation: www.artstation.com/artwork/mAN2eE
#art #illustration #clipstudio #hades
January 23, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Did a quick 2h drawing of Melinoë since I am still obsessed with Hades II
Timelapse on ArtStation: www.artstation.com/artwork/mAN2eE
#art #illustration #clipstudio #hades
Timelapse on ArtStation: www.artstation.com/artwork/mAN2eE
#art #illustration #clipstudio #hades
It's still #screenshotsaturday!
Spent today making a dynamic mesh system for #mushroam platforms and crushers.
This way designers just make the object the size they want, and it will configure itself!
Shoutout to @dunx.bsky.social for making the tasteful voxel pieces!
#indiedev #indiegame #skypyre
Spent today making a dynamic mesh system for #mushroam platforms and crushers.
This way designers just make the object the size they want, and it will configure itself!
Shoutout to @dunx.bsky.social for making the tasteful voxel pieces!
#indiedev #indiegame #skypyre
January 18, 2026 at 3:16 AM
It's still #screenshotsaturday!
Spent today making a dynamic mesh system for #mushroam platforms and crushers.
This way designers just make the object the size they want, and it will configure itself!
Shoutout to @dunx.bsky.social for making the tasteful voxel pieces!
#indiedev #indiegame #skypyre
Spent today making a dynamic mesh system for #mushroam platforms and crushers.
This way designers just make the object the size they want, and it will configure itself!
Shoutout to @dunx.bsky.social for making the tasteful voxel pieces!
#indiedev #indiegame #skypyre
Finished* #Hades II - holy crap what a game.
Normally not my kind of game, but I played the 1st through and jumped right into the second and I just.. can't.. stop!
Seriously can't recommend it enough, even if it's outside your comfort zone!
Normally not my kind of game, but I played the 1st through and jumped right into the second and I just.. can't.. stop!
Seriously can't recommend it enough, even if it's outside your comfort zone!
January 15, 2026 at 2:11 AM
Finished* #Hades II - holy crap what a game.
Normally not my kind of game, but I played the 1st through and jumped right into the second and I just.. can't.. stop!
Seriously can't recommend it enough, even if it's outside your comfort zone!
Normally not my kind of game, but I played the 1st through and jumped right into the second and I just.. can't.. stop!
Seriously can't recommend it enough, even if it's outside your comfort zone!
Reposted by Nick Burns (Alt-Fire Dev)
I've just released the newest update to my Unreal Engine level editor called Scythe. Here's what's new... 🧵
January 7, 2026 at 11:56 PM
I've just released the newest update to my Unreal Engine level editor called Scythe. Here's what's new... 🧵
2025 was a rough year for my projects, but I'm hoping with many of the bumps smoothed out towards the end of the year, going forward will be more productive and creative!
Alright 2026. Let's make some games.
#indiegame #gamedev
Alright 2026. Let's make some games.
#indiegame #gamedev
January 2, 2026 at 3:32 PM
2025 was a rough year for my projects, but I'm hoping with many of the bumps smoothed out towards the end of the year, going forward will be more productive and creative!
Alright 2026. Let's make some games.
#indiegame #gamedev
Alright 2026. Let's make some games.
#indiegame #gamedev
Huge thanks to those that came by our Extra Life stream! We surpassed our goal for CHEO and I couldn't be prouder!
#skypyre #extralife #charity
#skypyre #extralife #charity
November 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Huge thanks to those that came by our Extra Life stream! We surpassed our goal for CHEO and I couldn't be prouder!
#skypyre #extralife #charity
#skypyre #extralife #charity
Link to the stream is here: www.youtube.com/live/ZK35NOF...
Extra Life Fundraiser | SkyPyre Studios
YouTube video by SkyPyre Studios
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Link to the stream is here: www.youtube.com/live/ZK35NOF...
Want to watch some idiots play games for charity?
Lots of small party games, challenges, and friendly(?) competition.
You donate to an individual member of the SP team, and it goes towards our goal of 1000$ CAD for CHEO!
www.extra-life.org/participants...
#extralife #charity #CHEO #skypyre
Lots of small party games, challenges, and friendly(?) competition.
You donate to an individual member of the SP team, and it goes towards our goal of 1000$ CAD for CHEO!
www.extra-life.org/participants...
#extralife #charity #CHEO #skypyre
Extra Life | Change Kids' Health, Change the Future
I'm raising funds with #EXTRALIFE for kids treated at my Children's Miracle Network Hospitals! I need your help to reach my fundraising goal. Please donate today to change kids' health.
www.extra-life.org
November 15, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Want to watch some idiots play games for charity?
Lots of small party games, challenges, and friendly(?) competition.
You donate to an individual member of the SP team, and it goes towards our goal of 1000$ CAD for CHEO!
www.extra-life.org/participants...
#extralife #charity #CHEO #skypyre
Lots of small party games, challenges, and friendly(?) competition.
You donate to an individual member of the SP team, and it goes towards our goal of 1000$ CAD for CHEO!
www.extra-life.org/participants...
#extralife #charity #CHEO #skypyre
Happened upon this earlier, a one click copy and paste outline shader for #unreal.
dev.epicgames.com/community/sn...
Useful to get you started, and can customize after that! Its by someone that as far as I can tell, is a tech artist at Epic!
#indiedev #gamedev #unrealengine #ue5 #shader #stylized
dev.epicgames.com/community/sn...
Useful to get you started, and can customize after that! Its by someone that as far as I can tell, is a tech artist at Epic!
#indiedev #gamedev #unrealengine #ue5 #shader #stylized
dev.epicgames.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Happened upon this earlier, a one click copy and paste outline shader for #unreal.
dev.epicgames.com/community/sn...
Useful to get you started, and can customize after that! Its by someone that as far as I can tell, is a tech artist at Epic!
#indiedev #gamedev #unrealengine #ue5 #shader #stylized
dev.epicgames.com/community/sn...
Useful to get you started, and can customize after that! Its by someone that as far as I can tell, is a tech artist at Epic!
#indiedev #gamedev #unrealengine #ue5 #shader #stylized
Damn where we you a week ago! Thanks this is awesome
November 4, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Damn where we you a week ago! Thanks this is awesome
Okay a really like the design of the new Affinity app.
Not sure about the Canva integration, but as of now you can ignore it/hide it.
Finally my team can all get on the same version of it too since its free!
#affinity #graphicdesign
Not sure about the Canva integration, but as of now you can ignore it/hide it.
Finally my team can all get on the same version of it too since its free!
#affinity #graphicdesign
October 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Okay a really like the design of the new Affinity app.
Not sure about the Canva integration, but as of now you can ignore it/hide it.
Finally my team can all get on the same version of it too since its free!
#affinity #graphicdesign
Not sure about the Canva integration, but as of now you can ignore it/hide it.
Finally my team can all get on the same version of it too since its free!
#affinity #graphicdesign
Quick reminder for no particular reason:
Unreal Engine is just a tool.
Art direction and graphical features are a choice.
Unreal Engine is just a tool.
Art direction and graphical features are a choice.
October 27, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Quick reminder for no particular reason:
Unreal Engine is just a tool.
Art direction and graphical features are a choice.
Unreal Engine is just a tool.
Art direction and graphical features are a choice.
A sneak peek behind the scenes of a #skypyre convention setup!
@tjmoyes.bsky.social and I collaborated to build this beauty - THE BOOTH!
A pair of screens on the front, in two laptops running it from behind. With ample storage!
#indiedev #gamedev #vglx
@tjmoyes.bsky.social and I collaborated to build this beauty - THE BOOTH!
A pair of screens on the front, in two laptops running it from behind. With ample storage!
#indiedev #gamedev #vglx
October 26, 2025 at 8:25 PM
A sneak peek behind the scenes of a #skypyre convention setup!
@tjmoyes.bsky.social and I collaborated to build this beauty - THE BOOTH!
A pair of screens on the front, in two laptops running it from behind. With ample storage!
#indiedev #gamedev #vglx
@tjmoyes.bsky.social and I collaborated to build this beauty - THE BOOTH!
A pair of screens on the front, in two laptops running it from behind. With ample storage!
#indiedev #gamedev #vglx
October 25, 2025 at 1:17 PM
In case you're wondering, the instrumental #Kpopdemonhunters soundtrack slaps just as hard.
October 6, 2025 at 11:19 PM
In case you're wondering, the instrumental #Kpopdemonhunters soundtrack slaps just as hard.
Reposted by Nick Burns (Alt-Fire Dev)
An Interview With SkyPyre Studios
Ottawa-based indie studio SkyPyre Studios talks origins, passion projects, and the evolving Canadian indie scene.
Ottawa-based indie studio SkyPyre Studios talks origins, passion projects, and the evolving Canadian indie scene.
An Interview With SkyPyre Studios
Ottawa-based indie studio SkyPyre Studios talks origins, passion projects, and the evolving Canadian indie scene.
gamersocialclub.ca
October 2, 2025 at 12:00 PM
An Interview With SkyPyre Studios
Ottawa-based indie studio SkyPyre Studios talks origins, passion projects, and the evolving Canadian indie scene.
Ottawa-based indie studio SkyPyre Studios talks origins, passion projects, and the evolving Canadian indie scene.
Remembering I have social media ⁉️
a man is smiling while laying in bed with a blue pillow
ALT: a man is smiling while laying in bed with a blue pillow
media.tenor.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Remembering I have social media ⁉️
Reposted by Nick Burns (Alt-Fire Dev)
Come check us out @ottawacomiccon.com! We’re showing off our demo for our upcoming game, MUSHROAM!
September 6, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Come check us out @ottawacomiccon.com! We’re showing off our demo for our upcoming game, MUSHROAM!
Reposted by Nick Burns (Alt-Fire Dev)
SKYPYRE AT OTTAWA COMICCON!
Come say hi at the #EhGameShowcase booth!
Hanging out with @nickburns.bsky.social & @dunx.bsky.social
#indiegame #gamedev #mushroam #ottawacomiccon #indie #indiedev #ff #followfriday
Come say hi at the #EhGameShowcase booth!
Hanging out with @nickburns.bsky.social & @dunx.bsky.social
#indiegame #gamedev #mushroam #ottawacomiccon #indie #indiedev #ff #followfriday
September 5, 2025 at 5:09 PM
SKYPYRE AT OTTAWA COMICCON!
Come say hi at the #EhGameShowcase booth!
Hanging out with @nickburns.bsky.social & @dunx.bsky.social
#indiegame #gamedev #mushroam #ottawacomiccon #indie #indiedev #ff #followfriday
Come say hi at the #EhGameShowcase booth!
Hanging out with @nickburns.bsky.social & @dunx.bsky.social
#indiegame #gamedev #mushroam #ottawacomiccon #indie #indiedev #ff #followfriday
I'm working in indie and UX in Unreal !
September 1, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I'm working in indie and UX in Unreal !