Sky Bear Games is a brand name that Claire Hiria Dunning and James Dunning have worked under since 2015 to release games of many diverse kinds: video games, tabletop roleplaying games, and even a board game one time. As life has gotten busy, we have not been able to spend a lot of time on creating more stuff. But this site still exists as a repository for things available to play. See also our mostly-defunct blog for other relevant things, or read on below for information about our various game releases.
Where has the Prince of Cats gone? Nim, his servant, leaves the safety of the faerie court to find where the leader of the cat spirits has gone. She finds herself in the city of Vanora, where players will meet many familiar Shakespearean characters. Stuck here for a month until the next full moon, Nim has to navigate the busy city searching for the Prince. Forced to fit in with the humans, she has to learn new skills in classes, or take jobs to make money to survive.
Throughout the city, she will meet many characters who you might find familiar:
Will Nim remain untainted by the mortal world, find her Prince, and return him to Faerie? Or has entering the city of Vanora changed her fate forever?
This game is a visual novel, life simulation game made with Ren'py, and created with the help of backers on KickStarter. Featuring original music by Brent Ahuriri and art by Jade du Preez (Forrest Creative). It is currently being translated and ported - watch this space!
The four nations of Wonderland meet every year to agree on shared policies and enact their various schemes against each other. There are personal vendettas to resolve and enchantments hidden everywhere, and did someone mention the dreaded Alice? You are the White Rabbit, and your job is to organise the schedule for the annual summit. Every decision you make affects the destiny of Wonderland!
Will the King of the barbaric desert of Clubs declare active war on the pastoral paradise of Hearts? Will Prince John of the psychedelic land of Spades be able to elope with Princess Julie of the wealthy Diamond nation - two nations that are deadly enemies? What's up with the King and Queen of Spades's weird marriage? Does the King of Hearts suspect his loyal Duke Jorge of having an affair with his wife? Explore this and much more as you negotiate the likes and dislikes of the twelve guests of the summit.
Buy now on Steam or look for the console port by Ratalaika Games!
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In Her Jentle Hi-ness, you have to serve a jealous queen who has banned the letter G after being cheated on and abandoned by her consort King George. Playing as the lady-in-waiting Eorina (formerly Georgina), you have to try and survive the mad whims of the queen. Are you fast enough to keep up with her linguistic gymnastics?
How will your story end? Will you just make it out? Will you use the opportunity to rise through the ranks? Or will you die an ignoble death at the end of the executioner's axe?
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Think Renaissance Italy, but the city leaders are all dragons. Welcome to Dragons of Tirenia.
Dragons of Tirenia is a campaign setting for use in roleplaying games. We released one supplement in 2020, Double Cross. Hopefully over time we can release more. Many things exist as homebrew campaigns that James has come up with, but has yet to get into a publishable state.
Our one publication features stunning art by Polina Bliss, and our logo/mascot Piccino, designed by Ryan Wong.
There is a lot more lore and history available on the Sky Bear Games blog and on the Tirenia design blog.
This is no longer available for purchase, but in 2016 we collaborated with Julia Schiller of Cheeky Parrot Games and released a silly little bluff-calling game themed around being a cat for the day, with art by Jade du Preez of Forrest Creative. There may one day be a reprint, who knows!
We also have a wide array of more games on our Itch.io site, some of which are free.
All genuine inquiries can be made to skybeargamesnz@gmail.com