It’s been almost a year since I posted. Quite honestly, I haven’t been making games. I tried back in April, but I overscoped and had to refactor the character setup almost a week in. I spent too many days on art and delayed the actual work inside the engine. That’s on me! Other than that, I just haven’t felt the urge to make a video game. I’ve been swamped with work, and I’ve spent almost all my free time playing World of Warcraft, among other games. Palworld took some of that time.
All that said, I’m excited to announce that I’m working on a game for the JernJam 2026 game jam! Last night I spent a few hours coming up with ideas and landed on something both interesting and emotional. The game is called Borrowed Light, and it’s about a Moth trying to save a dying Firefly colony. The theme of my game is rooted in a real problem with light pollution affecting wildlife, specifically the fireflies in my story.
The jam theme is Unlikely Hero, so I’m running with the idea that a moth, which seems attracted to light, finds a way to bring light to a dying firefly colony. While researching topics to teach through my game, I learned that moths aren’t attracted to light. They use light from large sources (like the sun) to navigate and find their way. So, naturally, their backs orient to the light source to help keep them level. When artificial light is brought into the equation, the moth becomes disoriented, which is why you often see moths flipping out near a porch light.
In the end, the giant fading light that the moth is trying to fuel could be the last hope for the fireflies.
I should have some mockups or at least something to show tomorrow, so keep an eye out here and on my Bluesky! See you around, and good luck to anyone else joining!