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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com

@5yearsnow.com
1K followers 8.4K following 237 posts

5yearsnow.com enquiries: sharkie@5yearsnow.com Join the Discord, let's chat! discord.gg/URsQvAdYRN Indie game dev based in Sydney, Australia. Making tough choices about which game prototypes are worthy. #gamedev #indiedev

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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 16h
2 Forts now has a working web browser/mobile demo: sharkie21.itch.io/2-forts Feedback is not only welcome, but encouraged on the Discord server: discord.gg/URsQvAdYRN or via email sharkie@5yearsnow.com #pcgame #browsergame #mobilegame #indiegame #indiedev #rts #strategy
sharkie21.itch.io
2 Forts by Dr Sharkie
Two armies. Three circles. One Decider. A fast fantasy RTS where matches are won in minutes.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 20h
Unlucky Web Demo update is out massively improving performance, try it out!: sharkie21.itch.io/unlucky Wishlist: store.steampowered.com/app/4350720/... #Unlucky #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #roguelike #bulletheaven #vampiresurvivors #steam #wishlist #gaming
sharkie21.itch.io
Unlucky by Dr Sharkie
A Vampire Survivors–inspired wave-based gambler roguelike survival
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/09/2026
Ain't that the truth. And the occasional captcha for identifying bikes, traffic lights, or bridges. Why can't it at least be something interesting? Like popular passenger jets from the 80's 🤷
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/09/2026
Thanks!
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/09/2026
Try the Unlucky Web Demo now! sharkie21.itch.io/unlucky A PC/Linux demo is coming to Steam soon. But in the meantime, enjoy an optimised web demo version of the game. The map is 75% smaller to ensure reasonably smooth performance in the web browser. #Unlucky #indiegame #roguelike #bulletheaven
sharkie21.itch.io
Unlucky by Dr Sharkie
A Vampire Survivors–inspired wave-based gambler roguelike survival
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/09/2026
Ah that's fair enough. It's like the opposite problem to me, I don't own any Apple products so if I were to go the mobile/watch device route I'd be doing it for Android haha. Looks like what you've got is a winner! I think it looks incredibly cool.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/09/2026
very nice. No, I don't believe I am. Sounds like I'm missing out
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/09/2026
This is a genuinely cool idea. Will it come to Android one day?
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/09/2026
Thanks! The artwork is fantastic. I'm a big fan.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/09/2026
"New high score, who dis?" How Unlucky are you? #HowUnluckyAreYou store.steampowered.com/app/4350720/... #Unlucky #indiegame #roguelike #bulletheaven #vampiresurvivors #gambling #steam #wishlist #gaming
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/09/2026
How Unlucky are you? #HowUnluckyAreYou store.steampowered.com/app/4350720/... #Unlucky #indiegame #roguelike #bulletheaven #vampiresurvivors #gambling #steam #wishlist #gaming
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/09/2026
Try your luck with rolling the die. Each side has a different outcome. store.steampowered.com/app/4350720/... #Unlucky #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #roguelike #bulletheaven #vampiresurvivors #steam #wishlist #gaming
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/09/2026
When the house closes in... go all in! store.steampowered.com/app/4350720/... #Unlucky #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #roguelike #bulletheaven #vampiresurvivors #steam #wishlist #gaming
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/09/2026
The Unlucky "very unlucky" game trailer store.steampowered.com/app/4350720/... bullet-heaven wave-based survival gambler roguelike with inspiration from Vampire Survivors (and it's genre). How unlucky are you? #Unlucky #indiegame #gamedev #roguelike #bulletheaven #vampiresurvivors #steam
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/09/2026
Announcing Unlucky store.steampowered.com/app/4350720/... bullet-heaven wave-based survival gambler roguelike with inspiration from Vampire Survivors (and it's genre). #Unlucky #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #roguelike #bulletheaven #vampiresurvivors #steam #wishlist #gaming
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/09/2026
Are Tuesday announcements a thing? 🤷 store.steampowered.com/app/4350720/... bullet-heaven wave-based survival gambler roguelike with inspiration from Vampire Survivors (and it's genre). #Unlucky #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev #roguelike #bulletheaven #vampiresurvivors #steam #wishlist #gaming
store.steampowered.com
Unlucky on Steam
A bullet-heaven wave-based survival gambler roguelike where gambling-powered abilities determine your fate. Survive endless waves in an open world, level up with randomised upgrades, and master the ch...
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 28/09/2026
Demo will be available soon!
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 28/09/2026
store.steampowered.com/app/5298280/... 2forts.net www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ep1... #steam #pcgame #steamOS #SteamDeck #indiegame #indiedev #rts #strategy
youtube.com
2 Forts Announcement Trailer
YouTube video by 5 Years Now
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 27/09/2026
Announcing 2 Forts! A fast-paced RTS with singleplayer and multiplayer competitive PvP. Matches are typically just a few minutes. Wishlist it here: store.steampowered.com/app/5298280/... And check out it's website, wiki, or stats site here: 2forts.net #indiegame #RTS #SteamGame #Steam #wishlist
store.steampowered.com
2 Forts on Steam
Two armies. Three circles. One Decider. 2 Forts is a fast-paced fantasy RTS on a hex grid: lead one of five factions, seize the summoning circles and turn the Decider's dragon breath on the enemy cast...
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 18/09/2026
thanks!
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 18/09/2026
New major update for my very first Steam game The Last of the 9 Lives! Including 2 new game modes (one inspired by the spherical special Sonic levels, and the other being pinball) Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/3250930/... Patch Notes: 5yearsnow.com/games/The-La... #indiegame #indiedev #steam
5yearsnow.com
Game Patch Notes | 5 Years Now
Official patch notes and version updates for 5 Years Now games including Ascending Realms, 5YN-OS, Adventure Reznara, and The Last of the 9 Lives.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 14/09/2026
"psst wake up babe, a new Adventure Reznara teaser trailer just dropped" The demo is available to try on Windows and Linux/SteamOS store.steampowered.com/app/5049520/... #Steam #SteamGame #Roguelike #RPG #TextAdventure #TurnBasedCombat #AdventureReznara #IndieGame #IndieDev #Demo #Loot
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 08/09/2026
Ascending Realms Demo v0.7.6 is now live! Patch notes can be read here: store.steampowered.com/news/app/350... #AscendingRealms #IndieGame #RTS #Autobattler #Roguelike #GameDev #indieDev #indieGames #gaming #Steam #SteamGame #Demo #RealTimeStrategy #MegaLoManiaInspired
store.steampowered.com
Ascending Realms - v0.7.6-demo update now live! + Linux/SteamOS support - Steam News
NEW: Linux/SteamOS/Steam Deck support Try it out! NEW: Guided Tutorial Players are prompted on the first time they launch the game (or first time after this update) if they wish to play the guided tut...
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 07/09/2026
5YN-OS Demo day 1 patch is now live: 5yearsnow.com/games/5YN-OS... Includes a few bug fixes, improvements, and unlocks 2 more of the apps not previously included at launch. #simulation #sandbox #programming #code #indiegame #pcgame #steamgame #indiedev #demo
5yearsnow.com
Game Patch Notes | 5 Years Now
Official patch notes and version updates for 5 Years Now games including Ascending Realms, 5YN-OS, Adventure Reznara, and The Last of the 9 Lives.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 07/09/2026
5YN-OS Steam Demo is now available! (supports Windows and Linux/SteamOS) store.steampowered.com/app/4695620/... #simulation #sandbox #programming #coding #indiegame #pcgame #steamgame #indiedev #demo #SteamDemo #SourceCode #code #softwaredev #softwaredevelopment
store.steampowered.com
5YN-OS on Steam
Dive into a sandbox operating system simulator and learn to code with FantasyLang. Personalise your desktop, build and tweak apps, uncover hidden secrets, and venture into the darknet. Shape the syste...
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 04/09/2026
Adventure Reznara Steam demo is now available! (for Windows and Linux/SteamOS) store.steampowered.com/app/5049520/... #Steam #SteamGame #Roguelike #RPG #TextAdventure #TurnBasedCombat #AdventureReznara #IndieGame #IndieDev #Demo #Loot #LootCollector #Classes #Unlock
store.steampowered.com
Adventure Reznara on Steam
A persistent, text-led open-world RPG roguelike set in the Reznara universe. Explore dangerous regions, shape your adventurer, and face every strange road on your own terms. Every decision matters.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 03/09/2026
I feel for everyone that had their equipment stolen at #GamesCom , this is why we can't have nice things...
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 03/09/2026
You raise a good question. I also want to know. Maybe we have gone full circle.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 03/09/2026
@indiegamejoe.bsky.social cover many programming education/sandbox games? 😃
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 02/09/2026
The last dev blog for this series, I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it: 5yn-os.com/blog/blog-po... Wishlist 5YN-OS on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/4695620/... #simulation #sandbox #programming #coding #indiegame #indiedev #videogames #games #widget
5yn-os.com
Build a Desktop Widget in FantasyLang
Write a working desktop widget for 5YN-OS from three lines to a published Workshop item.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 02/09/2026
the 5YN-OS Steam demo is coming soon. One of the apps available in the demo will be Fantasy Flow. Which combines creating a process diagram with Fantasylang code to build apps. #indiegame #indie #steamgame #steamdemo #comingsoon #programming #coding #fantasylang #educational #diagram #process
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/08/2026
Latest 5YN-OS dev blog is out: 5yn-os.com/blog/blog-po... #simulation #sandbox #programming #coding #indiegame #indiedev #videogames #minigames #games #gamesinsideagame #source #sourcecode
5yn-os.com
Nine Games Inside an Operating System - and You Can Read Their Source
Eight games written in the OS's own language, sitting in your file system as editable files. Plus one Doom-like that is not.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 26/08/2026
new 5YN-OS dev blog 5yn-os.com/blog/blog-po... #simulation #sandbox #programming #coding #indiegame #indiedev #startmenu #UIdesign #interface #customisation #widgets #personalisation
5yn-os.com
Make It Yours: Themes, Widgets and Layouts
Twenty-five colour tokens, editable FantasyLang widgets with manifests, saved layouts and shareable customisation suites.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 21/08/2026
*actually 7
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 21/08/2026
Dev Blog 6 for 5YN-OS.com 5yn-os.com/blog/blog-po... I had the idea to replace the traditional desktop start menu with a spider web menu for over a decade. I finally went ahead and made it. #simulation #sandbox #programming #coding #indiegame #indiedev #startmenu #UIdesign #interface
5yn-os.com
Killing the Start Menu: Designing the Spider Web
A list pretending to be a place, replaced with an actual place - plus the window manager holding it all up.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 19/08/2026
The next project announcement is here! Adventure Reznara coming to Steam soon. This was my very first game and 3 years later I've revisited it. store.steampowered.com/app/5049520/... #roguelike #chooseyourownadventure #TextDrivenAdventure #RPG #Steam #indiegame #indiedev #steamgame
store.steampowered.com
Adventure Reznara on Steam
A persistent, text-led open-world RPG roguelike set in the Reznara universe. Explore dangerous regions, shape your adventurer, and face every strange road on your own terms. Every decision matters.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 18/08/2026
@piratesoftware.live this may be a game that interests your community store.steampowered.com/app/4695620/...
store.steampowered.com
5YN-OS on Steam
Dive into a sandbox operating system simulator and learn to code with FantasyLang. Personalise your desktop, build and tweak apps, uncover hidden secrets, and venture into the darknet. Shape the syste...
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 18/08/2026
Latest 5YN-OS.com dev blog is live: 5yn-os.com/blog/blog-po... To me this was the most interesting one to write. If you have never programmed before and are curious, or if you are a programmer and are keen to mess around this blog post is for you! #simulation #sandbox #programming #coding #indiegame
5yn-os.com
Learning to Program by Being Handed a Computer
Not exercises - one continuous project. How Dev Academy teaches programming inside a fictional operating system.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 13/08/2026
5th 5YN-OS dev blog. The puzzle game within the system. 5yn-os.com/blog/blog-po... #simulation #sandbox #programming #coding #indiegame #pcgame #steamgame
5yn-os.com
Definitely Normal: The Puzzle Board Is Your Desktop
A comedy mystery with no separate game scene. Every puzzle is solved with a system you already know how to use.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 13/08/2026
Big project announcement coming real soon. Current projects such as 5YN-OS looking to launch later this year, more blog posts coming. Ascending Realms has some juicy patch notes in the works as the next major patch gets closer. Watch this space! 5yearsnow.com #AscendingRealms #5YN-OS #Indiedev
5yearsnow.com
5 Years Now | Indie Game Studio
Interactive Entertainment Software Company creating interesting games. Join our journey!
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 10/08/2026
4th 5YN-OS dev blog. May be of particular interest to Unix terminal enthusiasts. 5yn-os.com/blog/blog-po... #simulation #sandbox #programming #coding #indiegame #pcgame #steamgame
5yn-os.com
120 Commands, and None of Them Are Props
Pipes, redirects, jobs, cron, a terminal multiplexer, version control and a database client - the shell inside 5YN-OS is a real one.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 08/08/2026
Check out the 3rd 5YN-OS dev log about the Fantasylang in-game implementation and standalone Rust implementation outside of the game. 5yn-os.com/blog/blog-po... #simulation #sandbox #programming #coding #indiegame #pcgame #steamgame
5yn-os.com
I Built a Programming Language Inside a Game - Then Let It Escape
A lexer, parser, bytecode compiler and cooperative VM built inside a game - then rebuilt in Rust so the same language runs outside it.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 04/08/2026
The latest 5YN-OS development blog is now live 5yn-os.com/blog/blog-po... #simulation #sandbox #programming #coding #indiegame #pcgame #steamgame #darknet
5yn-os.com
The Darknet Is Not a Hacking Simulator
36 hosts, 45 contracts, cracking tools, an economy and a Heat meter: a look at the finite hidden network inside 5YN-OS.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 31/07/2026
If you haven't already, check out the first developer blog post for 5YN-OS coming soon to Steam 5yn-os.com/blog/blog-po... #simulation #sandbox #programming #coding #indiegame #pcgame #steamgame
5yn-os.com
What Is 5YN-OS? A Deep Dive Into the Fictional Operating System Sandbox
Explore every major part of 5YN-OS, from its desktop and file system to FantasyLang, Dev Academy, the fake web, security systems, and games.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 26/07/2026
The first 5YN-OS blog post is up now and gives an overview of all the current features of the 5YN-OS operating system simulation, sandbox, programming education indie game coming soon! 5yn-os.com/blog/blog-po... What would you like to see in it? #indiegame #programming #coding #sandbox #simulation
5yn-os.com
What Is 5YN-OS? A Deep Dive Into the Fictional Operating System Sandbox
Explore every major part of 5YN-OS, from its desktop and file system to FantasyLang, Dev Academy, the fake web, security systems, and games.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 16/07/2026
One of the pain points for people trying out Ascending Realms that haven't previously played Mega-Lo-Mania (and fair enough, it's over 30 years old!) is not knowing HOW to play. Next patch intros a ~3min optional interactive tutorial #indiegame #indiedev #RTS #MegaLoManiaInspired ascendingrealms.com
Screenshot of the tutorial mode for Ascending Realms coming next patch
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 15/07/2026
My company website has had a refresh! Let me know what you think 5yearsnow.com #gamedev #5YearsNow #5YN #indiedev
5yearsnow.com
5 Years Now | Indie Game Studio
Interactive Entertainment Software Company creating interesting games. Join our journey!
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 14/07/2026
A few minor bug fixes for the standalone Fantasylang desktop runtime fantasylang.com/patch/v1.0.1 Check out the upcoming OS Simulation Sandbox game which also utilises Fantasylang for in-game app development! 5yn-os.com #gamedev #sandbox #simulation #coding #programming #indiegame
fantasylang.com
Patch Notes | FantasyLang Standalone Updates
Changelog, release logs, and compiler updates for the standalone FantasyLang runtime.
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/06/2026
Thanks! Incredibly tricky. There are currently over 500 unit tests in 5YN-OS, then the same series of unit tests created for the standalone runtime (written in Rust), which both output to txt files for conformance tests to check their output is identical and ensuring they stay in sync!
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Dr Sharkie (PhD) - 5yearsnow.com @5yearsnow.com · 29/06/2026
Program output when using the Fantasylang standalone runtime.
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