Nina Penner
@ninapenner.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Music, Brock University. Author of Storytelling in Opera and Musical Theatre (Indiana UP, 2020). Writer for @somanygames.co.uk. Currently thinking about the possibilities of games as a medium and how music shapes player experience.
Pinned
Nina Penner
@ninapenner.bsky.social
· Jun 5
I got a free-access link (for 3 months) in case you want to read "The Composer as Author in Video Game Development" but don't have institutional access: scholarlypublishingcollective.org/uip/mmi/arti... Thanks, @illinoispress.bsky.social, this is a good policy!
Monowave is definitely worth checking out for puzzle-platformer fans. Out now on Steam and Switch. Thanks @studiobbb.bsky.social for codes to the extended preview and the full release.
MONOWAVE is a whimsical puzzle-platforming adventure about the power of emotions. Explore beautiful worlds and empathize with quirky spirits to restore harmony.
Learn more in our full review:
somanygames.co.uk/review/monow...
Learn more in our full review:
somanygames.co.uk/review/monow...
September 16, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Monowave is definitely worth checking out for puzzle-platformer fans. Out now on Steam and Switch. Thanks @studiobbb.bsky.social for codes to the extended preview and the full release.
On @somanygames.co.uk, find out how @mattgoode.bsky.social's Song Runner contends with the cursed problem (in @blinkity.bsky.social's sense) of gamified creativity. There's also a shout out to
@greg.style's GDC talk about Chicory: A Colorful Tale. somanygames.co.uk/articles/son...
@greg.style's GDC talk about Chicory: A Colorful Tale. somanygames.co.uk/articles/son...
SongRunner Preview – A New Musical Platformer That Takes Its Notes Seriously | So Many Games
Matt Goode's SongRunner shows real potential; find out in our preview if that potential hasn't been wasted.
somanygames.co.uk
September 4, 2026 at 10:50 PM
On @somanygames.co.uk, find out how @mattgoode.bsky.social's Song Runner contends with the cursed problem (in @blinkity.bsky.social's sense) of gamified creativity. There's also a shout out to
@greg.style's GDC talk about Chicory: A Colorful Tale. somanygames.co.uk/articles/son...
@greg.style's GDC talk about Chicory: A Colorful Tale. somanygames.co.uk/articles/son...
Our @somanygames.co.uk group called Big Walk's main collectables kongs, based on their resemblance to dog toys. It turns out this is what @ashellinthepit.com used for the avatar sounds. A great conversation w/ @emaudible.bsky.social at @playwatchlisten.bsky.social this week: youtu.be/Tp1Dt04c34E?...
We Spoke to Big Walk's Sound Designers | Play, Watch, Listen
YouTube video by Play, Watch, Listen+
youtu.be
September 4, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Our @somanygames.co.uk group called Big Walk's main collectables kongs, based on their resemblance to dog toys. It turns out this is what @ashellinthepit.com used for the avatar sounds. A great conversation w/ @emaudible.bsky.social at @playwatchlisten.bsky.social this week: youtu.be/Tp1Dt04c34E?...
Picked Flavourworks’ Erica as the single-sitting social game of the month for the @gaminginthewild.com Discord. I have a dream of teaching this and @halfmermaid.co’s Immortality. 2 different but successful approaches to FMV and scoring FMV. Can’t wait for the next game from both studios.
September 4, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Picked Flavourworks’ Erica as the single-sitting social game of the month for the @gaminginthewild.com Discord. I have a dream of teaching this and @halfmermaid.co’s Immortality. 2 different but successful approaches to FMV and scoring FMV. Can’t wait for the next game from both studios.
Read my full review here: somanygames.co.uk/review/tukon...
Video review: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkVY...
Video review: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkVY...
September 3, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Read my full review here: somanygames.co.uk/review/tukon...
Video review: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkVY...
Video review: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkVY...
Thanks Marcus, Michael & @andresplays.bsky.social for putting this on my radar. I agree that some mechanics could have been finessed but I applaud the care in the Indigenous representation. Genius how the art team was able to communicate visually the 2 characters' different experiences of the forest
Two people. One forest. Two radically different truths. 🌲
Our episode 50 explores Two Falls: a thoughtful historical journey through faith, colonization, belonging and reconciliation. @twofalls.bsky.social
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/t...
▶️ youtu.be/lbCdY0JOX8o?...
#IndieGames #NarrativeGame
Our episode 50 explores Two Falls: a thoughtful historical journey through faith, colonization, belonging and reconciliation. @twofalls.bsky.social
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/t...
▶️ youtu.be/lbCdY0JOX8o?...
#IndieGames #NarrativeGame
August 27, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Thanks Marcus, Michael & @andresplays.bsky.social for putting this on my radar. I agree that some mechanics could have been finessed but I applaud the care in the Indigenous representation. Genius how the art team was able to communicate visually the 2 characters' different experiences of the forest
I just approved copyediting of an article about point of view & empathy in Celeste & Chicory: A Colorful Tale for the Journal of Sound and Music in Games. I can't wait to share this with the world. I think this might be the the best thing I've written yet. And it's a big one. Forthcoming fall 2026.
August 27, 2026 at 2:45 PM
I just approved copyediting of an article about point of view & empathy in Celeste & Chicory: A Colorful Tale for the Journal of Sound and Music in Games. I can't wait to share this with the world. I think this might be the the best thing I've written yet. And it's a big one. Forthcoming fall 2026.
My first solo video review, beautifully edited together by @shinenite.lainesdesigned.com. I even managed to work in a mention of Monkey Island 2 and iMUSE. Grateful for the license @somanygames.co.uk allows for game audio and scholarly nerdiness.
In our latest video review, we take a look at Tunoki: Forest Keepers, a cosy point-and-click adventure game.
Tukoni Forest Keepers - A Cosy Puzzler That Falls Short of its Potentail
YouTube video by So Many Games
youtu.be
August 27, 2026 at 12:43 PM
My first solo video review, beautifully edited together by @shinenite.lainesdesigned.com. I even managed to work in a mention of Monkey Island 2 and iMUSE. Grateful for the license @somanygames.co.uk allows for game audio and scholarly nerdiness.
Why is the sound of @househouse.com's Big Walk sounds so realistic & immersive? @emaudible.bsky.social with @ashellinthepit.com went on some big walks in Australia! They really went the extra mile. Thanks for the peeks into the process: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSN6... www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW3a...
Recording the Ambiences in Big Walk
YouTube video by ashellinthepit
www.youtube.com
August 27, 2026 at 12:13 AM
Why is the sound of @househouse.com's Big Walk sounds so realistic & immersive? @emaudible.bsky.social with @ashellinthepit.com went on some big walks in Australia! They really went the extra mile. Thanks for the peeks into the process: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSN6... www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW3a...
Learn how John Robert & @awaceb.bsky.social created an authentic but magical sound for Tchia, designed a fully playable ukulele, and how some of the dynamic music systems work. Contains the info in his GDC talk and more!
August 27, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Learn how John Robert & @awaceb.bsky.social created an authentic but magical sound for Tchia, designed a fully playable ukulele, and how some of the dynamic music systems work. Contains the info in his GDC talk and more!
My first game preview. Looking forward to continuing Mono's journey in a few weeks. Thanks to @studiobbb.bsky.social for access to the extended demo.
Monowave gameplay uses the power of emotions to help solve the games puzzle-platforming.
We had the chance to experience this promising title in an extended demo and you can read our finding in our preview ⬇️
We had the chance to experience this promising title in an extended demo and you can read our finding in our preview ⬇️
Monowave Preview – Can This Cosy Puzzle Platformer Hit the Right Emotions? | So Many Games
We take a look at Monowave, a promising and colourful puzzle-platforming adventure about the power of emotions.
somanygames.co.uk
August 24, 2026 at 2:37 AM
My first game preview. Looking forward to continuing Mono's journey in a few weeks. Thanks to @studiobbb.bsky.social for access to the extended demo.
Reposted by Nina Penner
Optimist: the cup is half full
Pessimist: the cup is half empty
Analytic philosopher: define “cup”
Continental philosopher: why do people even care what cups are? What’s the genealogy of the idea of a cup?
Pessimist: the cup is half empty
Analytic philosopher: define “cup”
Continental philosopher: why do people even care what cups are? What’s the genealogy of the idea of a cup?
Optimist: The cup is half full
Pessimist: The cup is half empty
Historian: The cup can teach you a lot of things that you do not want to know
Pessimist: The cup is half empty
Historian: The cup can teach you a lot of things that you do not want to know
Optimist: The cup is half full
Pessimist: The cup is half empty
Science Fiction Writer: The cup is a crystalline super computer and the liquid is hyperintelligent, they want to know why humanity should be allowed to exist, you have 30 minutes to respond and the answer must be danced by a cat
Pessimist: The cup is half empty
Science Fiction Writer: The cup is a crystalline super computer and the liquid is hyperintelligent, they want to know why humanity should be allowed to exist, you have 30 minutes to respond and the answer must be danced by a cat
August 22, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Optimist: the cup is half full
Pessimist: the cup is half empty
Analytic philosopher: define “cup”
Continental philosopher: why do people even care what cups are? What’s the genealogy of the idea of a cup?
Pessimist: the cup is half empty
Analytic philosopher: define “cup”
Continental philosopher: why do people even care what cups are? What’s the genealogy of the idea of a cup?
Reposted by Nina Penner
Keep your ears perked for a Behind the Sound of Big Walk stream!!!
🔴🟡🔵
@emaudible.bsky.social & @nicholaszhangaudio.bsky.social will be walkin' and talkin' about their audio journey in development with @househouse.com and answering YOUR questions live!
Aug 21 @ 3pm PST at twitch.tv/ashellinthepittv
🔴🟡🔵
@emaudible.bsky.social & @nicholaszhangaudio.bsky.social will be walkin' and talkin' about their audio journey in development with @househouse.com and answering YOUR questions live!
Aug 21 @ 3pm PST at twitch.tv/ashellinthepittv
August 19, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Keep your ears perked for a Behind the Sound of Big Walk stream!!!
🔴🟡🔵
@emaudible.bsky.social & @nicholaszhangaudio.bsky.social will be walkin' and talkin' about their audio journey in development with @househouse.com and answering YOUR questions live!
Aug 21 @ 3pm PST at twitch.tv/ashellinthepittv
🔴🟡🔵
@emaudible.bsky.social & @nicholaszhangaudio.bsky.social will be walkin' and talkin' about their audio journey in development with @househouse.com and answering YOUR questions live!
Aug 21 @ 3pm PST at twitch.tv/ashellinthepittv
Reposted by Nina Penner
The Big Walk Experience - taken from our full video review, now live on our YouTube channel!
Is Big Walk the Peak of Co-op Gaming?
youtu.be/a7ZW6cnb1yg
Is Big Walk the Peak of Co-op Gaming?
youtu.be/a7ZW6cnb1yg
August 14, 2026 at 4:29 PM
The Big Walk Experience - taken from our full video review, now live on our YouTube channel!
Is Big Walk the Peak of Co-op Gaming?
youtu.be/a7ZW6cnb1yg
Is Big Walk the Peak of Co-op Gaming?
youtu.be/a7ZW6cnb1yg
Had a delightful conversation with Maria Vetere, Roger Honeywell, & Philip Coulter at the “Shakespeare and Opera” Meighan Forum, @stratfest.bsky.social. What an engaged and knowledgeable audience. We could have gone on for another 90 minutes easily.
August 15, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Had a delightful conversation with Maria Vetere, Roger Honeywell, & Philip Coulter at the “Shakespeare and Opera” Meighan Forum, @stratfest.bsky.social. What an engaged and knowledgeable audience. We could have gone on for another 90 minutes easily.
I ask the question “Are inventory puzzles fun?” in my latest review. I really wanted to like this more than I did…
Play as a forest spirit and explore magical hand-drawn locations, meet charming characters, solve handcrafted puzzles, collect herbs and tea recipes, and help the forest prepare for the coming winter.
Learn more on Tukoni: Forest Keepers in our full review:
somanygames.co.uk/review/tukon...
Learn more on Tukoni: Forest Keepers in our full review:
somanygames.co.uk/review/tukon...
August 15, 2026 at 8:42 PM
I ask the question “Are inventory puzzles fun?” in my latest review. I really wanted to like this more than I did…
I hope you guys win lots of awards at GANG and elsewhere. I look forward to hearing how you made the magic.
IMHO lots of the technical audio @nicholaszhangaudio.bsky.social did for Big Walk is nothing short of revolutionary (with endless thanks to @househouse.com for the freedom). I'm sure we'll be talking more about it soon!
Big Walk is out today! We've been SO lucky to get to work with @househouse.com on it, what an incredibly special experience.
Here are some of @emaudible.bsky.social and @nicholaszhangaudio.bsky.social highlights that came up in one of our play tests, on working on the sound for the last 5 years 🔴🟡🔵
Here are some of @emaudible.bsky.social and @nicholaszhangaudio.bsky.social highlights that came up in one of our play tests, on working on the sound for the last 5 years 🔴🟡🔵
August 15, 2026 at 2:29 AM
I hope you guys win lots of awards at GANG and elsewhere. I look forward to hearing how you made the magic.
Find out why we at @somanygames.co.uk think Big Walk is making a big splash this summer: youtu.be/a7ZW6cnb1yg?... Featuring @soccr.bsky.social @brohannesjahms.bsky.social @chipdip.bsky.social
Is Big Walk the Peak of Co-op Gaming?
YouTube video by So Many Games
youtu.be
August 9, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Find out why we at @somanygames.co.uk think Big Walk is making a big splash this summer: youtu.be/a7ZW6cnb1yg?... Featuring @soccr.bsky.social @brohannesjahms.bsky.social @chipdip.bsky.social
Reposted by Nina Penner
Did you know we (@brock-ddh.bsky.social at Brock University in Ontario 🇨🇦) offer a 2-year MA in Game Studies? I teach one of our grad seminars, Methodological Paradigms in Game Studies! Feel free to DM me anytime if you have Q's about applying for Fall 2027/28! #gamestudies
brocku.ca/humanities/d...
brocku.ca/humanities/d...
Master of Arts in Game Studies
The MA in Game Studies is an interdisciplinary and interfaculty program designed to provide students with a well-rounded, high-quality venue for studying and designing games in all their forms. Throug...
brocku.ca
August 7, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Did you know we (@brock-ddh.bsky.social at Brock University in Ontario 🇨🇦) offer a 2-year MA in Game Studies? I teach one of our grad seminars, Methodological Paradigms in Game Studies! Feel free to DM me anytime if you have Q's about applying for Fall 2027/28! #gamestudies
brocku.ca/humanities/d...
brocku.ca/humanities/d...
Exciting! This is a really tough call but this may be my favourite of Austin’s scores, just as music to listen to. (Of course it’s sublime in game too.) Gorgeous melodies performed by @fieldofreeds.bsky.social, accompanied by aleatoric harp ensemble, and choir for the finale…
This week ABZU turned 10 and to celebrate I'm releasing the score book! Entire OST in meticulous detail for all my fellow nerds :)
austinwintory.bandcamp.com/merch/abzu-f...
austinwintory.bandcamp.com/merch/abzu-f...
August 7, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Exciting! This is a really tough call but this may be my favourite of Austin’s scores, just as music to listen to. (Of course it’s sublime in game too.) Gorgeous melodies performed by @fieldofreeds.bsky.social, accompanied by aleatoric harp ensemble, and choir for the finale…
The year this released, this album topped my Spotify wrapped (when I was still using that platform). But you’re better off purchasing it on Bandcamp so artists like John Robert can actually get paid a reasonable amount for their work.
It's Bandcamp Friday, friends!
Might I interest you in a relaxing, soundscape-laden journey through a fictionalized, fantastical version of New Caledonia?
It's the chill and relaxing companion to the main Tchia OST, "Tchia: The Beach-Sides"!
johnrobertmatz.bandcamp.com/album/tchia-...
Might I interest you in a relaxing, soundscape-laden journey through a fictionalized, fantastical version of New Caledonia?
It's the chill and relaxing companion to the main Tchia OST, "Tchia: The Beach-Sides"!
johnrobertmatz.bandcamp.com/album/tchia-...
Tchia: The Beach-Sides, by John Robert Matz
29 track album
johnrobertmatz.bandcamp.com
August 7, 2026 at 10:08 PM
The year this released, this album topped my Spotify wrapped (when I was still using that platform). But you’re better off purchasing it on Bandcamp so artists like John Robert can actually get paid a reasonable amount for their work.
Big Walk is the most fun I've had gaming this year. I played with @soccr.bsky.social, @brohannesjahms.bsky.social & Jacob Price of the @preorderbonus.bsky.social. Our review is now live: somanygames.co.uk/review/big-w... Thanks @househouse.com for giving @somanygames.co.uk review codes!
August 4, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Big Walk is the most fun I've had gaming this year. I played with @soccr.bsky.social, @brohannesjahms.bsky.social & Jacob Price of the @preorderbonus.bsky.social. Our review is now live: somanygames.co.uk/review/big-w... Thanks @househouse.com for giving @somanygames.co.uk review codes!
Reposted by Nina Penner
I truly feel for kids growing up now who will have to unlearn using AI, but if you've been writing for more than 2 years it is the easiest thing in the world to just Keep Doing The Thing You Did and ignore AI tools!! It makes me feel crazy that people act like this isn't the case!!!
it's actually sad as hell to use AI for research when research is the fun part. you can just email people and call them on the phone and ask them questions about the thing that they have expertise in. you can read documents & learn cool shit. ok now i'm just talking about how being a reporter is fun
July 31, 2026 at 4:46 PM
I truly feel for kids growing up now who will have to unlearn using AI, but if you've been writing for more than 2 years it is the easiest thing in the world to just Keep Doing The Thing You Did and ignore AI tools!! It makes me feel crazy that people act like this isn't the case!!!
I'm submitting my tenure application in the fall and am attempting to assemble evidence of scholarly impact. If you've assigned work of mine could you send me a syllabus to my Brocku email? Thanks for your help.
July 23, 2026 at 12:21 PM
I'm submitting my tenure application in the fall and am attempting to assemble evidence of scholarly impact. If you've assigned work of mine could you send me a syllabus to my Brocku email? Thanks for your help.
Reposted by Nina Penner
CALLING ALL LOW BUDGET INDIE GAMES‼️
We're gathering games interested in participating in a "Low Budget, Big Heart" Steam Festival!
💰Self Published, Self Funded
🤏Under ~50k budget
🚫NO AI
if you're interested in the festival sign up here: forms.gle/cndDrEf4rxiL...
rts appreciated :)
We're gathering games interested in participating in a "Low Budget, Big Heart" Steam Festival!
💰Self Published, Self Funded
🤏Under ~50k budget
🚫NO AI
if you're interested in the festival sign up here: forms.gle/cndDrEf4rxiL...
rts appreciated :)
Low Budget, Big Heart Steam Festival interest form
We're looking for interested developers of low budget games to participate in our potential steam festival! Self published/self funded games are also welcome.
If your game had a development budget ov...
forms.gle
July 16, 2026 at 9:31 PM
CALLING ALL LOW BUDGET INDIE GAMES‼️
We're gathering games interested in participating in a "Low Budget, Big Heart" Steam Festival!
💰Self Published, Self Funded
🤏Under ~50k budget
🚫NO AI
if you're interested in the festival sign up here: forms.gle/cndDrEf4rxiL...
rts appreciated :)
We're gathering games interested in participating in a "Low Budget, Big Heart" Steam Festival!
💰Self Published, Self Funded
🤏Under ~50k budget
🚫NO AI
if you're interested in the festival sign up here: forms.gle/cndDrEf4rxiL...
rts appreciated :)