Mark Aherne
@wiredmark.bsky.social
Technical Director #NoesisGUI (https://noesisengine.com)
Indie developer, creating Persevere, a survival management game (https://perseveregame.com)
Indie developer, creating Persevere, a survival management game (https://perseveregame.com)
Pinned
Mark Aherne
@wiredmark.bsky.social
· Dec 6
In the early hours of yesterday morning, we completed the prototype of Persevere, our narrative strategy game. I'd like to introduce you to it!
Starting with arriving on the level with your train, containing five crew, who we'll get to, and a Ballistics train car. #gamedev #screenshotsaturday
Starting with arriving on the level with your train, containing five crew, who we'll get to, and a Ballistics train car. #gamedev #screenshotsaturday
Reposted by Mark Aherne
I wrote a blog post about pathfinding and pedestrian simulation: www.psychicsoftware.com/2026/pathfin...
January 23, 2026 at 11:58 AM
I wrote a blog post about pathfinding and pedestrian simulation: www.psychicsoftware.com/2026/pathfin...
I am still a bit overwhelmed by the reaction to Persevere at the @imirt.bsky.social AGM. It was so far beyond any expectation I had, the positivity and energy people had for the pitch, and the demo, just, wow. Getting a little emotional now even thinking about it. #indiedev @ardan-ie.bsky.social
January 23, 2026 at 7:21 AM
I am still a bit overwhelmed by the reaction to Persevere at the @imirt.bsky.social AGM. It was so far beyond any expectation I had, the positivity and energy people had for the pitch, and the demo, just, wow. Getting a little emotional now even thinking about it. #indiedev @ardan-ie.bsky.social
I will be doing the first pitch of Persevere at the @imirt.bsky.social AGM in just over an hour, as part of the IndieDev program (shout out to @ardan-ie.bsky.social also!). This marks the end of our IndieDev period, and the start of our road to release! Exciting! docs.google.com/presentation...
Persevere_PitchDeck_ImirtAGM
docs.google.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:12 PM
I will be doing the first pitch of Persevere at the @imirt.bsky.social AGM in just over an hour, as part of the IndieDev program (shout out to @ardan-ie.bsky.social also!). This marks the end of our IndieDev period, and the start of our road to release! Exciting! docs.google.com/presentation...
Reposted by Mark Aherne
"A Gothic Masterpiece That Dares to Be Different"
-- Expert Game Reviews
The Necromancer's Tale is discounted by 20% this week. Check it out if you like good (un)wholesome fun, dabbling in the dark arts and raising the dead.
store.steampowered.com/app/1315320/...
-- Expert Game Reviews
The Necromancer's Tale is discounted by 20% this week. Check it out if you like good (un)wholesome fun, dabbling in the dark arts and raising the dead.
store.steampowered.com/app/1315320/...
Save 20% on The Necromancer's Tale on Steam
A story-rich gothic RPG. Master the rituals of an ancient spellbook. Raise an undead army to march against your enemies. Commune with the realm of the dead & struggle with your descent into madnes...
store.steampowered.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:24 AM
"A Gothic Masterpiece That Dares to Be Different"
-- Expert Game Reviews
The Necromancer's Tale is discounted by 20% this week. Check it out if you like good (un)wholesome fun, dabbling in the dark arts and raising the dead.
store.steampowered.com/app/1315320/...
-- Expert Game Reviews
The Necromancer's Tale is discounted by 20% this week. Check it out if you like good (un)wholesome fun, dabbling in the dark arts and raising the dead.
store.steampowered.com/app/1315320/...
I've completed the first draft of the Persevere game pitch deck, which has been written for our publisher funding round. I will be presenting at the IMIRT AGM next week! Feedback is very welcome! #gamedev #indiedev
docs.google.com/presentation...
docs.google.com/presentation...
Persevere_PitchDeck_WorkingDraft
docs.google.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:08 AM
I've completed the first draft of the Persevere game pitch deck, which has been written for our publisher funding round. I will be presenting at the IMIRT AGM next week! Feedback is very welcome! #gamedev #indiedev
docs.google.com/presentation...
docs.google.com/presentation...
Work on Persevere's pitch deck continues. Here is the final draft of the Art Direction slide. Writing a deck really is a useful tool for re-focusing your understanding of your game #gamedev #indiedev #narrative #strategy #simulation #pitchdeck
January 14, 2026 at 12:25 AM
Work on Persevere's pitch deck continues. Here is the final draft of the Art Direction slide. Writing a deck really is a useful tool for re-focusing your understanding of your game #gamedev #indiedev #narrative #strategy #simulation #pitchdeck
Work on Persevere's pitch deck continues. Here is the final draft of the Core Loop slide, and the first draft of the Market Opportunity slide (there will be a separate Market Analysis slide with metrics). #gamedev #indiedev #narrative #strategy #simulation #pitchdeck
January 12, 2026 at 11:52 PM
Work on Persevere's pitch deck continues. Here is the final draft of the Core Loop slide, and the first draft of the Market Opportunity slide (there will be a separate Market Analysis slide with metrics). #gamedev #indiedev #narrative #strategy #simulation #pitchdeck
I'm working on the pitch deck for Perservere, our narrative strategy game. This is the most technical slide in the pitch deck. It's designed to show our competence, how well we have considered the design and the moment-to-moment gameplay of the player. I'd love to hear feedback on it. #gamedev
January 11, 2026 at 10:07 PM
I'm working on the pitch deck for Perservere, our narrative strategy game. This is the most technical slide in the pitch deck. It's designed to show our competence, how well we have considered the design and the moment-to-moment gameplay of the player. I'd love to hear feedback on it. #gamedev
Reposted by Mark Aherne
Neat write up of @psychicsoftware.com's The Necromancer's Tale here: medium.com/@Froswald/th...
December 27, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Neat write up of @psychicsoftware.com's The Necromancer's Tale here: medium.com/@Froswald/th...
Reposted by Mark Aherne
Axyz is a fantastic puzzle game based on the PS1 classic Kula World (Roll Away). One of the rare 'indie homages to an old game' that understands what made the original fun and builds on it in a smart way. Highly recommend!
Save 30% on Axyz on Steam
Axyz is a retro gravity switching puzzle game that asks the player to use their environmental and spatial awareness to beat every level. Soak in the vaporwave, switch gravity, collect tapes, and more ...
store.steampowered.com
December 20, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Axyz is a fantastic puzzle game based on the PS1 classic Kula World (Roll Away). One of the rare 'indie homages to an old game' that understands what made the original fun and builds on it in a smart way. Highly recommend!
Reposted by Mark Aherne
The Séance of Blake Manor has been nominated for Best Art Direction in the @thinkygames.com Awards!
December 19, 2025 at 4:54 PM
The Séance of Blake Manor has been nominated for Best Art Direction in the @thinkygames.com Awards!
Here's the first draft of the "Ballistics" train carriage for Persevere, our narrative strategy game. When added to your train, it gives you access to basic projectile towers. Train cars aren't just for tower defense though, there will be cars for research, medical, training, scouting, and more.
December 17, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Here's the first draft of the "Ballistics" train carriage for Persevere, our narrative strategy game. When added to your train, it gives you access to basic projectile towers. Train cars aren't just for tower defense though, there will be cars for research, medical, training, scouting, and more.
I recorded a dev log for Persevere, giving an introduction to how crew traits are used to generate personality profiles, and how those personality profiles are used in our narrative scripts to fill roles, and adjust behaviour, within the story.
youtu.be/0IDsIvnasz0
#narrative #strategy #gamedev
youtu.be/0IDsIvnasz0
#narrative #strategy #gamedev
Persevere Dev Log - Trait/Personality System Introduction
YouTube video by Universe or Nothing
youtu.be
December 13, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I recorded a dev log for Persevere, giving an introduction to how crew traits are used to generate personality profiles, and how those personality profiles are used in our narrative scripts to fill roles, and adjust behaviour, within the story.
youtu.be/0IDsIvnasz0
#narrative #strategy #gamedev
youtu.be/0IDsIvnasz0
#narrative #strategy #gamedev
Reposted by Mark Aherne
This is cool. The Séance of Blake Manor made GameSpots 10 Best games of the Year list! We're up there with some big games.
www.gamespot.com/gallery/game...
www.gamespot.com/gallery/game...
GameSpot's 10 Best Games Of 2025
We've tallied the votes, debated the games' merits, and chosen our top 10 games of the year.
www.gamespot.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:32 PM
This is cool. The Séance of Blake Manor made GameSpots 10 Best games of the Year list! We're up there with some big games.
www.gamespot.com/gallery/game...
www.gamespot.com/gallery/game...
Reposted by Mark Aherne
The Necromancer's Tale is Mortismal's favourite indie RPG of 2025. This means a lot to me, Mortismal being a very in-depth RPG reviewer with high standards!
Well done @unfetteredmuse.bsky.social @zgpope.bsky.social @michaelthomet.com @davetheallthing.bsky.social Damir and all the voice actors! :-)
Well done @unfetteredmuse.bsky.social @zgpope.bsky.social @michaelthomet.com @davetheallthing.bsky.social Damir and all the voice actors! :-)
The Necromancers Tale made quite the impression on Mortismal Gaming. He chose it as his indie game of the year!
@psychicsoftware.com
youtu.be/pbdmvGXStTI?...
@psychicsoftware.com
youtu.be/pbdmvGXStTI?...
My Personal 2025 Game Awards
YouTube video by Mortismal Gaming
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 12:47 PM
The Necromancer's Tale is Mortismal's favourite indie RPG of 2025. This means a lot to me, Mortismal being a very in-depth RPG reviewer with high standards!
Well done @unfetteredmuse.bsky.social @zgpope.bsky.social @michaelthomet.com @davetheallthing.bsky.social Damir and all the voice actors! :-)
Well done @unfetteredmuse.bsky.social @zgpope.bsky.social @michaelthomet.com @davetheallthing.bsky.social Damir and all the voice actors! :-)
Reposted by Mark Aherne
The Necromancer's Tale is in the #ChooseWiselyFestival this week, celebrating branching narrative games where choices matter! Thanks @studioephua.bsky.social for hosting!
20% discount this week... time to dabble in the occult and raise an undead army 💀💀💀💀💀
store.steampowered.com/app/1315320/...
20% discount this week... time to dabble in the occult and raise an undead army 💀💀💀💀💀
store.steampowered.com/app/1315320/...
December 8, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The Necromancer's Tale is in the #ChooseWiselyFestival this week, celebrating branching narrative games where choices matter! Thanks @studioephua.bsky.social for hosting!
20% discount this week... time to dabble in the occult and raise an undead army 💀💀💀💀💀
store.steampowered.com/app/1315320/...
20% discount this week... time to dabble in the occult and raise an undead army 💀💀💀💀💀
store.steampowered.com/app/1315320/...
The Necromancers Tale made quite the impression on Mortismal Gaming. He chose it as his indie game of the year!
@psychicsoftware.com
youtu.be/pbdmvGXStTI?...
@psychicsoftware.com
youtu.be/pbdmvGXStTI?...
My Personal 2025 Game Awards
YouTube video by Mortismal Gaming
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The Necromancers Tale made quite the impression on Mortismal Gaming. He chose it as his indie game of the year!
@psychicsoftware.com
youtu.be/pbdmvGXStTI?...
@psychicsoftware.com
youtu.be/pbdmvGXStTI?...
I played the ~30 minute Deathwish Bloom build at IndieDev. I can honestly say that I have never connected to a narrative in any game as quickly and deeply as I did with it. It's still in my head. I have a strange ache looking at the screenshots, I have unfinished business there.
It’s high time for a November-December DevLog post! 🤯😱
🌸🐁❤️
www.sharpglassgames.com/post/novembe...
#indiedev #vndev #gamedev
#devlog
🌸🐁❤️
www.sharpglassgames.com/post/novembe...
#indiedev #vndev #gamedev
#devlog
November – December 2025: IndieDev Finale & Prototype tests
News, so many news!We have just wrapped the educational part of the IndieDev 2025, an all-Ireland initiative that selected 8 teams to support throughout a new game prototype development. The initiativ...
www.sharpglassgames.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:54 AM
I played the ~30 minute Deathwish Bloom build at IndieDev. I can honestly say that I have never connected to a narrative in any game as quickly and deeply as I did with it. It's still in my head. I have a strange ache looking at the screenshots, I have unfinished business there.
In the early hours of yesterday morning, we completed the prototype of Persevere, our narrative strategy game. I'd like to introduce you to it!
Starting with arriving on the level with your train, containing five crew, who we'll get to, and a Ballistics train car. #gamedev #screenshotsaturday
Starting with arriving on the level with your train, containing five crew, who we'll get to, and a Ballistics train car. #gamedev #screenshotsaturday
December 6, 2025 at 11:27 AM
In the early hours of yesterday morning, we completed the prototype of Persevere, our narrative strategy game. I'd like to introduce you to it!
Starting with arriving on the level with your train, containing five crew, who we'll get to, and a Ballistics train car. #gamedev #screenshotsaturday
Starting with arriving on the level with your train, containing five crew, who we'll get to, and a Ballistics train car. #gamedev #screenshotsaturday
Our fellow IndieDev team RPS has launched the Steam page for Fallosophy. Make sure to wishlist it, it's really damn good, and they will be releasing a demo in a few weeks!
One mistake can erase everything.
No checkpoints. No upgrades. Just momentum.
Climb through the eras of philosophical thought in our vertical pinball game, Fallosophy.
The Steam page is now live.
Wishlist here: store.steampowered.com/app/3989550/...
No checkpoints. No upgrades. Just momentum.
Climb through the eras of philosophical thought in our vertical pinball game, Fallosophy.
The Steam page is now live.
Wishlist here: store.steampowered.com/app/3989550/...
December 6, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Our fellow IndieDev team RPS has launched the Steam page for Fallosophy. Make sure to wishlist it, it's really damn good, and they will be releasing a demo in a few weeks!
I love how the tactical system in Thousand Hells is coupled with the narrative scripting system. This is really exciting work. I hope you do a deep dive on this, or perhaps a talk, at some point @radiofreelunch.bsky.social
New devlog for my game Thousand Hells: The Underworld Heists has the scuttlebutt on its tactical narrative game, which lets you use your team to resolve story challenges (video but also a text version) store.steampowered.com/news/app/379... #ThousandHells
December 4, 2025 at 12:09 AM
I love how the tactical system in Thousand Hells is coupled with the narrative scripting system. This is really exciting work. I hope you do a deep dive on this, or perhaps a talk, at some point @radiofreelunch.bsky.social
In Persevere, your crew gain Stressors, from the environment in combination with their Traits. The Stress of each character adds to the Strain of the crew, and Strain leads to narrative Crisis events. Here is a first look at a Crisis event in the Persevere prototype! www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShSu...
Persevere - Crisis Narrative Dialogue
YouTube video by Universe or Nothing
www.youtube.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:12 PM
In Persevere, your crew gain Stressors, from the environment in combination with their Traits. The Stress of each character adds to the Strain of the crew, and Strain leads to narrative Crisis events. Here is a first look at a Crisis event in the Persevere prototype! www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShSu...
Reposted by Mark Aherne
Demonschool is such an ambitious labor of love and the fact that it only received like 250-ish reviews at this point is nuts, go get this game and play it! And leave a review after you've had a great time or I'll GET YOU
Don't forget: If you've played and enjoyed Demonschool, please do leave a review on steam! We want to hit that "overwhelmingly positive" threshold. And remember, if we do it by the end of the month (5 days!), Faye gets a pretzel~ store.steampowered.com/app/1900250/...
November 28, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Demonschool is such an ambitious labor of love and the fact that it only received like 250-ish reviews at this point is nuts, go get this game and play it! And leave a review after you've had a great time or I'll GET YOU
Working on the last elements of the Persevere #IndieDev prototype, the focus now is on exposing the crew simulation to the player; here is the crew person profile popup. Stress is gained from Stressors, and contributes to the Strain on the crew, which leads to crisis events. #gamedev #narrative
November 26, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Working on the last elements of the Persevere #IndieDev prototype, the focus now is on exposing the crew simulation to the player; here is the crew person profile popup. Stress is gained from Stressors, and contributes to the Strain on the crew, which leads to crisis events. #gamedev #narrative
As well as working on the final Persevere IndieDev prototype build, we're also preparing for the IndieDev wrap event being hosted by @ardan-ie.bsky.social next week. As part of that, we've created a graphic for a pull-up banner, which I am loving. #indiedev #gamedev #stategy #narrative #prototype
November 26, 2025 at 12:10 AM
As well as working on the final Persevere IndieDev prototype build, we're also preparing for the IndieDev wrap event being hosted by @ardan-ie.bsky.social next week. As part of that, we've created a graphic for a pull-up banner, which I am loving. #indiedev #gamedev #stategy #narrative #prototype