Profile avatar
nosmokingguns.bsky.social
Amateur artist and game developer. Recently freed from 4 years of cryostasis. Currently working on Empyrean, a sci-fi strategy board game and worldbuilding project. https://no-smoking-guns.itch.io/
35 posts 31 followers 8 following
Regular Contributor
Posts 28 Comments 7

Updated version of my previous post with the current game-accurate art. #art #gamedev #indiedev #lore #worldbuilding #boardgame #gamedesign #solodev

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

Here is some alternate Body Harvester art (this was the original design before it became the bear-like creature I've showed in previous posts). I'm not sure how I feel about this layout, but it does help showcase my art and the lore for Empyrean. #art #gamedev #indiedev #boardgame #worldbuilding

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

Everything that came in the last sample of Empyrean. I’m really happy with this version, though a few more tweaks need to be made before it will be ready for release. #gamedev #indiedev #pixelart #art #boardgame #tabletop

submitted 2 days ago • 1 comment

I'm still super busy, so no game dev updates again today. I had a little time to do some art so I made a quick portrait using the Commodore VIC-20 palette. I feel like she would make a decent exasperated barista character in an RPG... #art #pixelart #gamedev #indiedev

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

I got the second sample of Empyrean! I am extremely happy with how it came out. Once I have access to better lighting I’ll post some more images of what the game looks like in action. #gamedev #indiedev #solodev #pixelart #boardgame

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

I'm working on improving my Body Harvester art. I'm having a lot of fun with the challenge of drawing pseudo-organic creatures in this limited palette. #gamedev #indiedev #art #pixelart #gamedesign #boardgame

submitted 5 days ago • 1 comment

I didn't have a lot of time to work on Empyrean today. Still, I drew a mech variant for the lore compendium. For those who might be interested in the game's lore, there are a bunch of excerpts at the end of the rulebook linked in my pinned post. #gamedev #indiedev #solodev #gameart #art #boardgame

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

Trying to create a detailed version of the symbol of Empyrean. This is still an early WIP. Ultimately, I'd like to make a version that looks like it is made out of gold. Does anyone have any tips for drawing weirdly shaped metallic objects? #gamedev #indiedev #indie #art #pixelart #boardgame

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

On the Forge World: “...birthplace of the weaponry of the Hallowed Sons’ armies…its people are slaves to the maintenance of Old Kingdom technology…” (I've was sick, so I wasn't able to work on non-pixel-art. I'm going to get back to it now.) #gamedev #indiedev #pixelart #art #lore #boardgame

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

No game dev updates today, just a quick sketch inspired by my love of Kentucky Route Zero. #gamedev #pixelart #art #indie #krz

submitted 17 days ago • 0 comments

This is my second foray into high-res digital art. I'm a lot happier with the results of this drawing. This is one of the war machines used by the armies of Empyrean. #gamedev #solodev #indie #art #pixelart #gamedesign #boardgame

submitted 17 days ago • 1 comment

This was the piece of art that got me thinking about world-building and eventually became the basis of Empyrean. My designs have gotten a lot grittier since (I don't think the trees or bird fit the current atmosphere of desolation 😂). #gamedev #indie #pixelart #art #boardgames #solodev

submitted 19 days ago • 0 comments

I'm not very good at high-res digital art (I almost exclusively work with physical mediums or do pixel art), but I want to improve so that I can put together a "Monster Manual" for Empyrean. If anyone has any tips for improving, let me know. #art #gamedev #indie #solodev #pixelart #boardgames

submitted 19 days ago • 5 comments

One of the most fun aspects of designing Empyrean was coming up with the Ascension mechanic: the General of the player who wins the game becomes "Lord of the Empyrean" and augments the rules/Locations in the next game. #gamedev #design #indiedev #indie #pixelart #boardgame #solodev

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

It’s amazing to see Empyrean as a real physical game after months and months of drawing, writing, editing, and play-testing with paper prototypes. #gamedev #indie #solodev #pixelart #art #boardgame

submitted 22 days ago • 1 comment

Empyrean is now available to print and play! The (hopefully) final professional print sample is on its way. #gamedev #indiedev #indie #pixelart #boardgame

submitted 22 days ago • 0 comments

You can try my game (before it was cool). Empyrean (Printable Version): docs.google.com/document/d/1... Empyrean Rulebook: drive.google.com/file/d/1n9vf...

submitted 22 days ago • 1 comment

The second Empyrean sample is completed and will be ordered soon. I'm so excited that this project finally coming together. I will hopefully get around to publishing the printable version and posting pictures of the first sample soon. #solodev #indiedev #gamedev #art #pixelart #boardgames #indie

submitted 23 days ago • 0 comments

I need to start posting more consistently. In my absence, I've nearly finished Empyrean. I've received the first production sample for the game, and I am about to order the second. I still plan on releasing a free printable version sometime soon. #gamedev #indie #solodev #pixelart #art

submitted 24 days ago • 0 comments

The first sample of Empyrean went to print a couple of days ago! I'm currently finalizing the rulebook and will post it, some lore, and a printable version of the game in a few days. #solodev #indiedev #indie #art #digitalart #pixelart #boardgames #lore #worldbuilding

submitted 47 days ago • 0 comments

I've been swamped with work recently so I didn't have time to render this card in 3D. I'm going to release more info about how to play Empyrean soon. The font is not final. Progenitor Dante, Patriarch of the Legion of the First Son. #indiedev #gamedev #art #pixelart #worldbuilding #lore

submitted 52 days ago • 0 comments

Decided to fix the rendering noise today. Going to play around with some other visual effects in the coming days. "Terra, the homeworld of the Old Kingdom, was cleansed of life and sin by the Hallowed Sons of Cael." #indiedev #pixelart #solodev #boardgames #art #indie #gamedev #render #lore

submitted 55 days ago • 0 comments

I have a new quest to intentionally make my renders as bad as possible. It adds to the atmosphere of these Empyrean card reveals 😂 Once a thriving kingdom, the Great Burial Ground was shattered by the fall of the Sword of Damocles. #gamedev #solodev #boardgames #indiedev #pixelart #art

submitted 55 days ago • 0 comments

I messed up the render for this video but it looks kind of awesome. This is a card for Empyrean, a grimdark science fiction board game I've been working on for the last half year. #gamedev #indiedev #boardgames #solodev

submitted 56 days ago • 1 comment

4 color obelisk from Duelyst. Anyone remember this game? #art #digitalart #pixelart #fanart

submitted 111 days ago • 0 comments

I made this back in 2020 when I 100%-ed Titanfall 2. It's fun looking back at my progression with pixel art. TF|2 is still one of my favorite games. #art #fanart #pixelart #tf2

submitted 113 days ago • 0 comments

Traveling caskets deliver their contents to sacred burial sites. #art #pixelart #lore

submitted 116 days ago • 0 comments

Quick 4-color expression study. #pixelart #art

submitted 119 days ago • 0 comments