Oliver Joyce (Lair of the Leviathan)
@oliverjoyce.bsky.social
Owner, Whiskeybarrel Studios. Currently working on Lair of the Leviathan. Creator of the Swords and Sandals series. Grizzled game dev greybeard.
November 14, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Pro tip when you launch a game. You're gonna get *so many* key requests - ignore them all. Straight into the bin, report them as junk. They're 99.9999% scammers and key resellers.
Any streamer/reviewer worth their salt will buy the game or be one that *you* contacted.
#gameDev
Any streamer/reviewer worth their salt will buy the game or be one that *you* contacted.
#gameDev
November 12, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Pro tip when you launch a game. You're gonna get *so many* key requests - ignore them all. Straight into the bin, report them as junk. They're 99.9999% scammers and key resellers.
Any streamer/reviewer worth their salt will buy the game or be one that *you* contacted.
#gameDev
Any streamer/reviewer worth their salt will buy the game or be one that *you* contacted.
#gameDev
The trumpets ring out, the arena gates open the heralds call your name. Destiny awaits, gladiator!
(Actually releases later today, in my infinite wisdom I messed up my timing on these countdown pics)
(Actually releases later today, in my infinite wisdom I messed up my timing on these countdown pics)
November 11, 2025 at 9:34 PM
The trumpets ring out, the arena gates open the heralds call your name. Destiny awaits, gladiator!
(Actually releases later today, in my infinite wisdom I messed up my timing on these countdown pics)
(Actually releases later today, in my infinite wisdom I messed up my timing on these countdown pics)
As the hours dwindle, the pressure intensifies. The anticipation of battle and brimstone weighs heavy on the heart of every gladiator.
November 10, 2025 at 9:50 PM
As the hours dwindle, the pressure intensifies. The anticipation of battle and brimstone weighs heavy on the heart of every gladiator.
Gladiators from beyond the stars shall also join the battle, wielding powerful armour-shredding weapons on their way to glory and fortune.
November 9, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Gladiators from beyond the stars shall also join the battle, wielding powerful armour-shredding weapons on their way to glory and fortune.
There is courage and honour to be found amidst the horrors of the arenas ... small mercies shown, acts of generosity ... lives spared.
The Gladiae Ultratus will reveal the true nature of the gladiator.
The Gladiae Ultratus will reveal the true nature of the gladiator.
November 8, 2025 at 9:44 PM
There is courage and honour to be found amidst the horrors of the arenas ... small mercies shown, acts of generosity ... lives spared.
The Gladiae Ultratus will reveal the true nature of the gladiator.
The Gladiae Ultratus will reveal the true nature of the gladiator.
As the Gladiae Ultratus prepares to open its mighty gates, creatures with the blackest hearts in the realm also prepare their campaigns of reckless hate and death.
⚔️You are forewarned, the arena will not be merciful.
⚔️You are forewarned, the arena will not be merciful.
November 7, 2025 at 9:27 PM
As the Gladiae Ultratus prepares to open its mighty gates, creatures with the blackest hearts in the realm also prepare their campaigns of reckless hate and death.
⚔️You are forewarned, the arena will not be merciful.
⚔️You are forewarned, the arena will not be merciful.
A throng of abominations now flock to the arena. Beast men from the deserts. Gelatinous cubes from towers of sorcery. Skeletons from beyond the grave...
All yearning for the glory of gladiatorial combat!
All yearning for the glory of gladiatorial combat!
November 6, 2025 at 9:48 PM
A throng of abominations now flock to the arena. Beast men from the deserts. Gelatinous cubes from towers of sorcery. Skeletons from beyond the grave...
All yearning for the glory of gladiatorial combat!
All yearning for the glory of gladiatorial combat!
Gladiators, the countdown begins! Dust off those old sandals, for the distant rumble of battle harkens.
store.steampowered.com/app/2116620/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2116620/...
November 5, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Gladiators, the countdown begins! Dust off those old sandals, for the distant rumble of battle harkens.
store.steampowered.com/app/2116620/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2116620/...
Swords and Sandals III Redux is part of the October Steam Next Fest!
Since 2006, the only game that allows you to fall asleep willingly in the middle of a battle, and proud of it.
( Also ... bloody hell, there are a lot of games in the festival this time round! )
#NextFest
Since 2006, the only game that allows you to fall asleep willingly in the middle of a battle, and proud of it.
( Also ... bloody hell, there are a lot of games in the festival this time round! )
#NextFest
October 13, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Swords and Sandals III Redux is part of the October Steam Next Fest!
Since 2006, the only game that allows you to fall asleep willingly in the middle of a battle, and proud of it.
( Also ... bloody hell, there are a lot of games in the festival this time round! )
#NextFest
Since 2006, the only game that allows you to fall asleep willingly in the middle of a battle, and proud of it.
( Also ... bloody hell, there are a lot of games in the festival this time round! )
#NextFest
The demo for Swords and Sandals III Redux will be unleashed upon the Steam Next Fest in mere hours...
Prepare to unleash hell one more time, gladiator!
Prepare to unleash hell one more time, gladiator!
October 13, 2025 at 10:02 AM
The demo for Swords and Sandals III Redux will be unleashed upon the Steam Next Fest in mere hours...
Prepare to unleash hell one more time, gladiator!
Prepare to unleash hell one more time, gladiator!
Gladiators, its the Steam Autumn Sale! Big discounts on all Swords and Sandals games from now until October 7th.
There's never been a time to return to the arena.
store.steampowered.com/franchise/wh...
There's never been a time to return to the arena.
store.steampowered.com/franchise/wh...
September 30, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Gladiators, its the Steam Autumn Sale! Big discounts on all Swords and Sandals games from now until October 7th.
There's never been a time to return to the arena.
store.steampowered.com/franchise/wh...
There's never been a time to return to the arena.
store.steampowered.com/franchise/wh...
Sneaky surprise trailer drop! Swords and Sandals III Redux is coming , yo!
April 26, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Sneaky surprise trailer drop! Swords and Sandals III Redux is coming , yo!
I took a week off making Lair of the Leviathan to work on a (not-so) secret Swords and Sandals project. Steam page has been submitted and I'll reveal more in the coming weeks.
This is one for the fans! (And it's not the VR game!)
This is one for the fans! (And it's not the VR game!)
March 28, 2025 at 1:54 AM
I took a week off making Lair of the Leviathan to work on a (not-so) secret Swords and Sandals project. Steam page has been submitted and I'll reveal more in the coming weeks.
This is one for the fans! (And it's not the VR game!)
This is one for the fans! (And it's not the VR game!)
Big milestone for Lair of the Leviathan, we just hit 20k wishlists in our first year of development.
Thanks for all your faith in our game. We're going to deliver something very special, you have my word!
#gameDev #rpg #indiegames
Thanks for all your faith in our game. We're going to deliver something very special, you have my word!
#gameDev #rpg #indiegames
February 20, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Big milestone for Lair of the Leviathan, we just hit 20k wishlists in our first year of development.
Thanks for all your faith in our game. We're going to deliver something very special, you have my word!
#gameDev #rpg #indiegames
Thanks for all your faith in our game. We're going to deliver something very special, you have my word!
#gameDev #rpg #indiegames
New this week - I've built an inventory system for heroes to equip and unequip gear.
#indiegame #gamedev #GodotEngine
#indiegame #gamedev #GodotEngine
February 14, 2025 at 5:20 AM
New this week - I've built an inventory system for heroes to equip and unequip gear.
#indiegame #gamedev #GodotEngine
#indiegame #gamedev #GodotEngine
My indie game for 15 seconds:
February 5, 2025 at 10:33 PM
My indie game for 15 seconds:
Each year we head to the beach after Xmas (southern hemisphere!) to recharge the spirit.
Every time, I'm hit with a literal wave of inspiration - this time, the bones of the plot for Lair of the Leviathan came to me as I watched the waves crash over the rocks.
#gameDev #indiedev
Every time, I'm hit with a literal wave of inspiration - this time, the bones of the plot for Lair of the Leviathan came to me as I watched the waves crash over the rocks.
#gameDev #indiedev
December 31, 2024 at 5:22 AM
A Demon Rift has appeared in the world of Swords and Sandals!
Sharpen your swords, sturdy your sandals and prepare for this optional new high level challenge.
store.steampowered.com/news/app/170...
Sharpen your swords, sturdy your sandals and prepare for this optional new high level challenge.
store.steampowered.com/news/app/170...
October 20, 2024 at 11:08 PM
A Demon Rift has appeared in the world of Swords and Sandals!
Sharpen your swords, sturdy your sandals and prepare for this optional new high level challenge.
store.steampowered.com/news/app/170...
Sharpen your swords, sturdy your sandals and prepare for this optional new high level challenge.
store.steampowered.com/news/app/170...
Every great adventure starts with a great character creator.
#TurnBasedThursday #RPG #GodotEngine
Wishlist Lair of the Leviathan:
store.steampowered.com/app/2752020/...
#TurnBasedThursday #RPG #GodotEngine
Wishlist Lair of the Leviathan:
store.steampowered.com/app/2752020/...
September 26, 2024 at 4:07 AM
Every great adventure starts with a great character creator.
#TurnBasedThursday #RPG #GodotEngine
Wishlist Lair of the Leviathan:
store.steampowered.com/app/2752020/...
#TurnBasedThursday #RPG #GodotEngine
Wishlist Lair of the Leviathan:
store.steampowered.com/app/2752020/...
One thing I loved about the old Gold Box RPGs of the early 90s were the little customizable figurines for your heroes.
In Lair of the Leviathan, we're bringing that back, and it will be fully animated.
⚔️ store.steampowered.com/app/2752020/...
#pixelArt #WishlistWednesday #gameDev #rpg
In Lair of the Leviathan, we're bringing that back, and it will be fully animated.
⚔️ store.steampowered.com/app/2752020/...
#pixelArt #WishlistWednesday #gameDev #rpg
September 19, 2024 at 4:17 AM
One thing I loved about the old Gold Box RPGs of the early 90s were the little customizable figurines for your heroes.
In Lair of the Leviathan, we're bringing that back, and it will be fully animated.
⚔️ store.steampowered.com/app/2752020/...
#pixelArt #WishlistWednesday #gameDev #rpg
In Lair of the Leviathan, we're bringing that back, and it will be fully animated.
⚔️ store.steampowered.com/app/2752020/...
#pixelArt #WishlistWednesday #gameDev #rpg