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
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
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
Reposted by Nick Burns (Alt-Fire Dev)
Check out #Mushroam on #Steam!
Make sure to #Wishlist: store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
#indiegame #gamedev #indiedev #UE5 #unrealengine #voxelart #pixelart #platformer #2D #wishlistwednesday
Make sure to #Wishlist: store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
#indiegame #gamedev #indiedev #UE5 #unrealengine #voxelart #pixelart #platformer #2D #wishlistwednesday
Mushroam on Steam
A 2D puzzle-platformer where you use your powers to place bubbles that launch you through the air to avoid hazards and reach new depths. You play a mushroom bubblemancer, on a journey through dangerou...
store.steampowered.com
July 9, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Check out #Mushroam on #Steam!
Make sure to #Wishlist: store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
#indiegame #gamedev #indiedev #UE5 #unrealengine #voxelart #pixelart #platformer #2D #wishlistwednesday
Make sure to #Wishlist: store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
#indiegame #gamedev #indiedev #UE5 #unrealengine #voxelart #pixelart #platformer #2D #wishlistwednesday
Thank you so much to all the players that played the demo for #mushroam over the last 2 weeks.
The demo is still up!
store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
And if you enjoy it, please wishlist! That is the #1 way you can help us make the game!
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlistwednesday
The demo is still up!
store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
And if you enjoy it, please wishlist! That is the #1 way you can help us make the game!
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlistwednesday
Mushroam on Steam
A 2D puzzle-platformer where you use your powers to place bubbles that launch you through the air to avoid hazards and reach new depths. You play a mushroom bubblemancer, on a journey through dangerou...
store.steampowered.com
June 25, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Thank you so much to all the players that played the demo for #mushroam over the last 2 weeks.
The demo is still up!
store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
And if you enjoy it, please wishlist! That is the #1 way you can help us make the game!
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlistwednesday
The demo is still up!
store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
And if you enjoy it, please wishlist! That is the #1 way you can help us make the game!
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlistwednesday
Missed the demo for #mushroam during Next Fest?
NO YOU DIDN'T!
The demo is still there available for download, play and.. #wishlist?
Check it out!
store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #platformer #demo #puzzle
NO YOU DIDN'T!
The demo is still there available for download, play and.. #wishlist?
Check it out!
store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #platformer #demo #puzzle
Mushroam on Steam
A 2D puzzle-platformer where you use your powers to place bubbles that launch you through the air to avoid hazards and reach new depths. You play a mushroom bubblemancer, on a journey through dangerou...
store.steampowered.com
June 23, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Missed the demo for #mushroam during Next Fest?
NO YOU DIDN'T!
The demo is still there available for download, play and.. #wishlist?
Check it out!
store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #platformer #demo #puzzle
NO YOU DIDN'T!
The demo is still there available for download, play and.. #wishlist?
Check it out!
store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #platformer #demo #puzzle
I've never felt quite as seen as I do now that Unreal - a game engine started with FPS games mind you - has native first person rendering 🙌
3 tick boxes later and you have this. No panini projection, no distortion, just - works.
#altfire #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #ue5 #screenshotsaturday
3 tick boxes later and you have this. No panini projection, no distortion, just - works.
#altfire #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #ue5 #screenshotsaturday
June 21, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I've never felt quite as seen as I do now that Unreal - a game engine started with FPS games mind you - has native first person rendering 🙌
3 tick boxes later and you have this. No panini projection, no distortion, just - works.
#altfire #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #ue5 #screenshotsaturday
3 tick boxes later and you have this. No panini projection, no distortion, just - works.
#altfire #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #ue5 #screenshotsaturday
#WishlistWednesday time! Say it with me now:
Become the bubblemancer's apprentice, and wishlist #Mushroam on Steam!
Here are some shots from the #demo you can play right now!
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5
#pixelart #voxel #puzzle #platformer
Become the bubblemancer's apprentice, and wishlist #Mushroam on Steam!
Here are some shots from the #demo you can play right now!
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5
#pixelart #voxel #puzzle #platformer
June 11, 2025 at 12:15 PM
#WishlistWednesday time! Say it with me now:
Become the bubblemancer's apprentice, and wishlist #Mushroam on Steam!
Here are some shots from the #demo you can play right now!
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5
#pixelart #voxel #puzzle #platformer
Become the bubblemancer's apprentice, and wishlist #Mushroam on Steam!
Here are some shots from the #demo you can play right now!
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5
#pixelart #voxel #puzzle #platformer
Next Fest demo #2: Metal Eden
store.steampowered.com/app/990380/M...
Rad action shooter strong in the Doom 2016 vibes, seasoned with Ghost in the Shell, and I'm all here for it!
#demo #fps #nextfest #indiegame
store.steampowered.com/app/990380/M...
Rad action shooter strong in the Doom 2016 vibes, seasoned with Ghost in the Shell, and I'm all here for it!
#demo #fps #nextfest #indiegame
METAL EDEN on Steam
An adrenaline-rush sci-fi FPS. A HYPER UNIT ASKA is sent on a suicide mission to rescue citizens' COREs from MOEBIUS, an orbital city turned into a deadly trap. Dive into cybernetic warfare, face the ...
store.steampowered.com
June 11, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Next Fest demo #2: Metal Eden
store.steampowered.com/app/990380/M...
Rad action shooter strong in the Doom 2016 vibes, seasoned with Ghost in the Shell, and I'm all here for it!
#demo #fps #nextfest #indiegame
store.steampowered.com/app/990380/M...
Rad action shooter strong in the Doom 2016 vibes, seasoned with Ghost in the Shell, and I'm all here for it!
#demo #fps #nextfest #indiegame
Next Fest Demo #1 Scirocco Thugs!
Pretty slick first person beat em up. Check out their demo!
store.steampowered.com/app/3042790/...
#demo #indiegame #nextfest
Pretty slick first person beat em up. Check out their demo!
store.steampowered.com/app/3042790/...
#demo #indiegame #nextfest
Scirocco Thugs on Steam
Roundhouse Kicks, Six shooters and rusty Lead Pipes become your vehicles for revenge against the Don.... Grab some scrap and engage in brutal, breakneck melee combat in this FPS Beat 'Em Up!
store.steampowered.com
June 10, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Next Fest Demo #1 Scirocco Thugs!
Pretty slick first person beat em up. Check out their demo!
store.steampowered.com/app/3042790/...
#demo #indiegame #nextfest
Pretty slick first person beat em up. Check out their demo!
store.steampowered.com/app/3042790/...
#demo #indiegame #nextfest
Wow there is a crazy game on Steam right now if you go to store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
Instant win if you press both big green buttons!
(but actually, check out the demo and *wishlist!*)
#mushroam #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #puzzle #platformer #pixelart #voxel
Instant win if you press both big green buttons!
(but actually, check out the demo and *wishlist!*)
#mushroam #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #puzzle #platformer #pixelart #voxel
June 10, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Wow there is a crazy game on Steam right now if you go to store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
Instant win if you press both big green buttons!
(but actually, check out the demo and *wishlist!*)
#mushroam #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #puzzle #platformer #pixelart #voxel
Instant win if you press both big green buttons!
(but actually, check out the demo and *wishlist!*)
#mushroam #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #puzzle #platformer #pixelart #voxel
THIS JUST IN!
You can get the Mushroam demo NOW on Steam for NextFest!
store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
Check it out & let us know what you think so we can make the game even better for release! Like it? Don't forget to wishlist it!
#mushroam #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlist
You can get the Mushroam demo NOW on Steam for NextFest!
store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
Check it out & let us know what you think so we can make the game even better for release! Like it? Don't forget to wishlist it!
#mushroam #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlist
Mushroam on Steam
A 2D puzzle-platformer where you use your powers to place bubbles that launch you through the air to avoid hazards and reach new depths. You play a mushroom bubblemancer, on a journey through dangerou...
store.steampowered.com
June 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM
THIS JUST IN!
You can get the Mushroam demo NOW on Steam for NextFest!
store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
Check it out & let us know what you think so we can make the game even better for release! Like it? Don't forget to wishlist it!
#mushroam #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlist
You can get the Mushroam demo NOW on Steam for NextFest!
store.steampowered.com/app/3562630/...
Check it out & let us know what you think so we can make the game even better for release! Like it? Don't forget to wishlist it!
#mushroam #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlist
Reposted by Nick Burns (Alt-Fire Dev)
My friends over at SkyPyre is coming out with a cute 2D platformer game!!! Wishlist it now on Steam 🥰🥰🥰
🍄🫧
#Mushroam
🍄🫧
#Mushroam
Check out the #TeaserTrailer for our latest game, #Mushroam!
Play the demo during #SteamNextFest!
Make sure to #Wishlist on #Steam & follow on #Itch
youtu.be/lSiPUb_ojWU?...
#indiegame #gamedev #indiedev #UE5 #unrealengine #voxelart #pixelart #platformer #2D #trailertuesday
Play the demo during #SteamNextFest!
Make sure to #Wishlist on #Steam & follow on #Itch
youtu.be/lSiPUb_ojWU?...
#indiegame #gamedev #indiedev #UE5 #unrealengine #voxelart #pixelart #platformer #2D #trailertuesday
Mushroam - Teaser Trailer
YouTube video by SkyPyre Studios
youtu.be
June 3, 2025 at 3:17 PM
My friends over at SkyPyre is coming out with a cute 2D platformer game!!! Wishlist it now on Steam 🥰🥰🥰
🍄🫧
#Mushroam
🍄🫧
#Mushroam
New teaser is out!
Check it out here and wishlist Mushroam on Steam + there will be a demo at Steam Next Fest! 🍄
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSiP...
#mushroam #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlistwednesday #nextfest
Check it out here and wishlist Mushroam on Steam + there will be a demo at Steam Next Fest! 🍄
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSiP...
#mushroam #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlistwednesday #nextfest
Mushroam - Teaser Trailer
YouTube video by SkyPyre Studios
www.youtube.com
June 4, 2025 at 12:13 PM
New teaser is out!
Check it out here and wishlist Mushroam on Steam + there will be a demo at Steam Next Fest! 🍄
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSiP...
#mushroam #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlistwednesday #nextfest
Check it out here and wishlist Mushroam on Steam + there will be a demo at Steam Next Fest! 🍄
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSiP...
#mushroam #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlistwednesday #nextfest
Hot tip #UE5 devs, if you are working on ton of maps, and want lighting to be consistent & easily debuggable, stuff 'em in a blueprint and tell your designers to use that instead!
I'll admit the BP viewport having a sky is unsettling though...
#mushroam #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #lighting
I'll admit the BP viewport having a sky is unsettling though...
#mushroam #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #lighting
May 25, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Drippity drip drop!
New mechanic in #mushroam, where you can redirect drops of water to your advantage. Something neat they do is disable sentries!
(still WIP)
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlistwednesday
New mechanic in #mushroam, where you can redirect drops of water to your advantage. Something neat they do is disable sentries!
(still WIP)
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlistwednesday
May 21, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Drippity drip drop!
New mechanic in #mushroam, where you can redirect drops of water to your advantage. Something neat they do is disable sentries!
(still WIP)
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlistwednesday
New mechanic in #mushroam, where you can redirect drops of water to your advantage. Something neat they do is disable sentries!
(still WIP)
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #ue5 #wishlistwednesday
Spent some time this morning adding a 'temp rifle' which will be the base for all future weapons in #altfire.
Every weapon will initially start with this mesh, and once its mechanics are settled it'll get swapped for its own custom one.
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #ue5 #screenshotsaturday
Every weapon will initially start with this mesh, and once its mechanics are settled it'll get swapped for its own custom one.
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #ue5 #screenshotsaturday
May 10, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Spent some time this morning adding a 'temp rifle' which will be the base for all future weapons in #altfire.
Every weapon will initially start with this mesh, and once its mechanics are settled it'll get swapped for its own custom one.
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #ue5 #screenshotsaturday
Every weapon will initially start with this mesh, and once its mechanics are settled it'll get swapped for its own custom one.
#indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #fps #ue5 #screenshotsaturday