Author: Suzanne Skaar

Tacoma based artist and writer. Currently working on as yet untitled video game with support from the City of Tacoma Artist Initiative Program. You can follow progress on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok: @nominestudios. E-mail: nominestudios@gmail.com.

Hi! News from No, Mine! Studios

~ Suzanne Skaar ~ Leave a comment

Happy Friday!

I’m still recovering from surgery, but I am anxious to get back to studio fun as soon as possible!

One of the reasons behind this anxiety is Yeetcosystem: The Game! There is a great team of developers working behind the scenes to make this project a reality. More news to come! But if you want to support us in getting the word out, we do have preliminary Yeetcosystem social media profiles up on BlueSky and Instagram, and even a Discord channel! (This was set up by a lovely volunteer who wishes to remain behind the scenes. I am still learning Discord. What is the Discord term for a “noob”? I need to ask my teen.)

GIF: Pixel art characters from game running around an industrial plant wearing construction outfits and carrying tools. Yeetcosystem, 2025-2026. Based on character by Suzanne Skaar, 2021. All rights reserved.

Also on the horizon:

I am also pleased to announce that I’ll be heading to GDC this year as part of the 2026 Pixelles Ensemble Cohort! It will be my second time at GDC, and my first time tagging along with the Pixelles: a Montreal-based organization dedicated to promoting gender diversity in the gaming industry. Thank you to these amazing organizations for this opportunity!

Arts community update:

In the fall, I was accepted into Tacoma Arts Live’s (TAL) Accelerating Creative Enterprise (ACE) program. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to connect with other artists and creative entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, TAL just announced that they will be selling the Tacoma Armory and sunsetting programs like ACE in June. Many artists and entrepreneurs are losing their home base, and cool programs like the one’s offered by Tacoma’s Dockyard Derby Dames will have to find new homes. I love the people, and I love the (supposedly haunted) space. I’m going to do my best to soak up the creative energy of this space as much as possible before the venue and non-profit close their doors. Please do the same! Follow Tacoma Arts Live for upcoming projects and support local artists!

In game screenshot of the “Rawrmory.” 8/1/2022 progress, “Suciasaurus Scrolls: A Grit City Adventure” (a.k.a., the dinosaur game). Suzanne Skaar, 2020-2025. All rights reserved.

In slightly more humorous No, Mine! Studios news:

Healing from a procedure that made me contemplate ripping my own arm off did inspire a new probably not kid friendly side project. Axi the Accessibility Axlotl is also on Instagram and BlueSky!

Did you know that axlotls can just regenerate damaged limbs without fighting health insurance first?

They truly have the dream life.

Axi the Accessibility Axlotl is the mascot no one should need, but we still have to work harder to address accessibility issues in public spaces, work places, and school. If you have a topic that you want me to address through this project, reach out via the studio email nominestudios@gmail.com, subject line, “Axlotl.”

If you print out and post any of the images at your work or school (get permission on this, because the axlotl does have an ax, so…), take a picture and tag the studio’s and/or axlotl’s account(s)!

As always, thank you so much for your support! It means the world to me.

Cheers,

Suzanne

Arts at the Armory Wrap-up

~ Suzanne Skaar ~ Leave a comment

A belated thank you to all who stopped by the No, Mine! Studios booth on Saturday and/ or Sunday! And a huge shout out to Tim Kapler for doing all the heavy lifting, and even some last minute button-making/ packaging for the event!

As mentioned at the show, I would love your support in getting the word about “Yeetcosystem: The Game!” This comedic take on the luxury housing industry will be No, Mine! Studios’ first game made in collaboration with a whole team and we’re going to start fundraising in the early part of 2026! (Because paying indie game devs and creatives for their work rocks!)

Like, follow, and subscribe on the Social Media Platform of your choosing — particularly BlueSky, YouTube, and Instagram — and help us reach a wider audience!

Cheers!

Suzanne

Weekend Happenings

~ Suzanne Skaar ~ Leave a comment

It’s that time again: Tacoma area friends, will I see you at the Arts at the Armory?

Stop by the No, Mine! Studios booth to say hi and check out what’s on the docket for 2026, including how you can be a part of the studio’s efforts to launch the demo for the studio’s first team project: Yeetcosystem (the Game).

Concept art for Yeetcosystem (the Game). Suzanne Skaar, 2021-2025. All rights reserved.

While I’m still dealing with my wrist injury (surgery is finally scheduled!!!), the dino game (a.k.a., The Suciasaurus Scrolls: A Grit City Adventure) has been on a temporary hiatus. This project started as my baby, and I’m going to resume babying the heck out of it once I’m feeling better. That said, I will have my projector and screen with me for anyone who wants to play through the dino game. If it’s not up on the screen when you stop by, just ask. 🙂

Stay safe, stay warm, and talk soon!

Suzanne

Follow No, Mine! Studios on social media!

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nominestudios.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nominestudios/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nominestudios

Happy October!

~ Suzanne Skaar ~ Leave a comment

Long time no blog!

No, Mine! Studios has been going through some major changes, as have I, as has everyone else. [Skip ahead if you just want happy news. I do not blame you in the slightest.]

WHINY RECAP HERE

For the last two years, I have been dealing with “temporary” mobility restrictions for one hand, thinking that I was going to get surgery any day now.  This sad excuse of a Sam Beckett play called “Dealing With LNI” left me worried about starting anything major lest it mess with my treatment or recovery in terms of timing and pain, stressed that insurers would blame me for making the situation worse, and overly anxious to be near other people outside my immediate circle. The most important lesson I learned from this is that LNI doesn’t need an excuse to deny surgeries: that’s what third party reviewers are for. Ba-dum-dum-tsss (insert drum sound effect here). I’m still anxious to be in public, but I’m trying to fix this. If you see me, approach slowly and don’t tap on my [sun]glass[es]. (I mean, that really should go for everyone.)

HAPPY PART HERE

So as I start making my way out of the Shire again, like a disheveled little hobbit, here are some updates:

1: No, Mine! Studios was accepted into Tacoma Arts Live’s Accelerating Creative Enterprise (ACE) program! I have the opportunity to start crafting community events for others interested in animation and game design at the Tacoma Armory. Details coming soon, but if you have special requests or would like to help out, please email nominestudios@gmail.com.

[One of the other unofficial yet amazing benefits of ACE is that a cookie from The Cookie Clubhouse just magically materialized before me while typing this. Go buy some delicious cookies!!! )

To learn more about ACE, click here.

2: Before getting accepted into ACE, No, Mine! Studios was also accepted into the City of Tacoma’s Arts at the Armory festival! More details about all the amazing artists that will be there can be found here.

3: A group of stellar volunteers has formed to help make a prototype of one of my game ideas. From sound design to programming, this team is doing a lot of heavy lifting. In addition to wanting to make the game demo available to the public as soon as possible, I want to make sure everyone who works on this project is equitably paid. Part of that rests on building up a strong social media presence so we can get the Kickstarter funded as soon as it goes live, so, without further ado:

FRIENDLY REQUESTS HERE

Please take a minute to encourage your friends to subscribe to this page. Also, please like, subscribe, and follow @nominestudios on Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram. If you’re interested in being contacted for one of our live game test sessions or helping get the word out about this project, reach out to nominestudios@gmail.com.

GRATITUDE HERE

Thank you for your supporting a woman-owned/Tacoma-based animation and game studio! Comment below if you’re in ACE too, I’ll see you at the Armory this November, you shared and subscribed, or if you just want to say hi. 😊

Suzanne

Collaboration Opportunity

~ Suzanne Skaar ~ Leave a comment

The prototype process of a new “super top-secret” PC game project is now underway at No, Mine! Studios!

It takes a few hits at capitalist excess, but at its heart it’s a lot of comedic fun. A small team of volunteers is on board, and we would love to bring more collaborators into the mix. If you’re interested in learning more about this latest antic, email nominestudios@gmail.com.

Animated character from Pink Series spinning in place. Design by Suzanne Skaar/ No, Mine! Studios. All rights reserved.

Game Update

~ Suzanne Skaar ~ Leave a comment

In late 2024 I was given a super quick turn around time to produce a 3-7 minute long demo trailer that would be played at Seattle’s SIFF Downtown Cinerama during the ConSpire Holiday Party and that I would need to speak over, or not — I wasn’t sure.

This deadline was complicated by two things:

1: One hand was (and still is) in a brace while waiting for surgery.

And

2: I had a long standing dentist appointment with nitrous the day before this was turned in. I was assured it would wear off quickly. Um… 😐 I don’t know if the latter impacted my judgment, but… I did not make that 3-7 minute goal. Also, 3-7 minutes is wayyyyy too long for a trailer. But the video was funny to me at the time it was submitted, so… Here you go. May I present the most recent look at The Suciasaurus Scrolls: A Grit City Adventure (Working Title).

Like and subscribe on YouTube to help a small Tacoma-based indie studio grow!

Cheers!

Suzanne

In game capture. Suciasaurus Scrolls: A Grit City Adventure by Suzanne Skaar, 2020-2025. All rights reserved.

Update

~ Suzanne Skaar ~ Leave a comment

Hi, friends!

I have been away from my studio for way too long due to an on-the-job injury. Teaching at a public high school is dangerous for all sorts of unnecessary reasons. After an upcoming surgery, I’m looking forward to finally jumping back into animation, game design, community education, and all sorts of other mischief again.

In the meantime, I have been granted an Equal Opportunity Attendance Expo pass to the 2025 GDC in San Francisco, CA. It’s a huge opportunity to network and get my projects out there. The train ticket has been bought, and now staying in San Francisco is my biggest financial hurdle. If you like what I do and want to help me take this next step, please consider donating to the cause at Buy Me a Coffee.

Otherwise, if you have remote work [consulting, research, writing, curriculum design, etc.] that you need done within the next month, email me at nominestudios [at] gmail.com.

Thank you for your support!

Suzanne

Digital illustration. “Fox .” Suzanne Skaar, all rights reserved.

Adventure Game Fan Fair

~ Suzanne Skaar ~ Leave a comment

I am excited to announce that No, Mine! Studios will be at the 2024 Adventure Game Fan Fair! Come play game demos from across the country – including my as yet untitled dino game based loosely on Tacoma, listen to talks by the original devs behind Sierra On-Line (!!!!!), and make new friends July 26-28 at UW Tacoma’s Philip Hall.

[The fair also happens to fall on my birthday weekend!]

For more info, check out adventuregamefanfair.com. Thank you, Adventure Game Hotspot, for the invitation!

Greetings!

~ Suzanne Skaar ~ Leave a comment

It’s been a while!

Thanks to support from Women-Led Games, I’ll be attending the 2024 GamesBeat Summit in L.A. May 20-21! If you want to connect at the conference, let me know! I would love to discuss potential collaborations/ writing opportunities. I might also have some dino game and Yeetcosystem(TM) Licensed Sales Agent stickers/ buttons on hand. 🙂 Email me at nominestudios@gmail.com, or send a message through the conference attendees app. Or just walk up and say hi, because I will say hi back.

Thank you to those who have reached out regarding animation classes and club meetings. I’m still recovering from a wrist injury, but I’m hopeful to get back in the swing of things soon. Unfortunately, classes/ meetings are on hold until I get the all clear to lift the necessary supplies and equipment. If you’re interested and willing to help in getting this back up and running, or want to be notified when classes are offered again, email nominestudios@gmail.com.

Ways to Support No, Mine! Studios

If you’re not yet following No, Mine! Studios on Instagram, click here! If you’d like to sport some No, Mine! Studios gear, this hoodie is currently on sale at Redbubble, along with several other designs. Or, if you are feeling generous, you can also buy a dino a coffee.

Thank you for your support, and see you soon, California!

Suzanne