iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Capcom is polluting a world-class engine and production pipeline with A.I. because...uh...um... Wait, let me read that one more time... www.videogameschronicle.com/news/capcom-...

Highlighted text:
‘REX’ was launched to overcome modern challenges that make triple-A games take so long to develop

Full text:
Speaking at Friday’s conference (reported by GameBiz), programmer Satoshi Ishida detailed some of the improvements coming to RE Engine as part of Capcom’s ‘REX’ initiative.

Ishida explained that ‘REX’ was launched to overcome modern challenges that make triple-A games take so long to develop, including improving performance, tools, development efficiency, QA, and other aspects.

Among the various advancements detailed in the presentation was a commitment to evolve RE Engine into what Ishida called an ‘AI game engine.’

Highlighted text:
RE Engine debuted with Resident Evil 7 in 2017 and Capcom has utilized it ever since, releasing nearly 30 titles using the engine.

Full text:
RE Engine debuted with Resident Evil 7 in 2017 and Capcom has utilized it ever since, releasing nearly 30 titles using the engine. The in-house technology and the improvements it’s able to share across games is widely credited as a reason for the company’s recent run of hits.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The rare Nextdoor post that wasn't generated by a machine. Can't wait to purchase a shirt featuring this cartoonist's original character!

"I’m selling t-shirts with my original cartoons on them. Currently I have 5 character designs (shown below) with more to come. Sizes range from S to XXL. Each shirt costs $20 usually but I’m selling them for $15 each until October 5. It’s an extra $3 for local delivery. Text me at [phone number redacted] if you’d like to order one. Or even a few."

The worst drawing of Super Mario's friend Yoshi, but instead of being green and white, he's magenta and yellow, which is very original, I guess.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

And in the morning, I'm making WaFfLeSsSsSs... models.spriters-resource.com/ds_dsi/shrek...

Needlessly high-resolution close-up of Donkey from Shrek Super Slam for Nintendo DS.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Get with it, old timer! More technology makes ancient games look more good.

Left: Yoshi sprite from Yoshi's Island for Super Nintendo, with sharp, square pixels.

Right: The same sprite, hideously deformed with pixel smoothing and stretched to fit a 16:9 aspect ratio.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Hey, look at that! A robot that makes coffee to your specifications!

A "Premium Gourmet Coffee: Hot Drinks" vending machine.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I rarely use a cellular telephone or tablet computer, but I tried a few minutes of that free, 40th Anniversary port of Castlevania, my first experience playing an NES game—or any traditional, button-based action game—on a capacitive touch screen. This is a prank, right? Why would anyone do this?

Official screenshot of Castlevania: 40th Anniversary, found on the Google Play store. The game takes up maybe one-third of the total screen space, surrounded by big, ugly, virtual buttons. I'd describe their appearance as utilitarian, but the directions on the fake bad are so poorly spaced that I could barely take a step without accidentally ducking. The "MANUAL" and "TITLE" buttons are bigger, farther apart, more conveniently placed, and more visually prominent than the "START" and "SELECT" buttons, which are clearly intended to evoke the layout of an NES controller, but not only are they far off from those physical buttons, the NES controller was never meant to have a game screen jutting out from the top of it. This is how Konami is celebrating one of the most enduring series in all of video games? Even if it were some cobbled-together, pirated fan project, in what world is this an acceptable way to play an NES game? What are we doing? Dracula did not die, rise from his grave, and die again so you could rub your thumbs against a flat surface that somehow makes less sense than a Triax Turbo Touch 360. You deserve better!

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I thought we'd already agreed to a very reasonable trade-off: Selling ad space in a video game is a commitment. Advertisements shall remain an indelible part of the game, even decades after the products they're selling have been taken off the market.

A screenshot of SSX3 featuring one of many prominent billboards advertising 7-Up's short-lived dnL variety.

A screenshot of SSX3 featuring one of many prominent billboards and model cars advertising Honda's short-lived Element.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I played my first Monster Hunter demo all the way back on Wii. I've read things, I've watched things, I've spoken at length with fans, but I couldn't get a clear concept of what these games are, so I waited for a sale and earnestly committed to giving it a go. A full day later, I still don't know.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

In addition to regular patches, The Bible received free A.I. narration DLC a year and a half after release. Windows only. Steam Deck compatibility not guaranteed. No word yet on a date or pricing for the upcoming soundtrack.

All three Steam products from developer/publisher Bible Games:

The Bible / Nov 14, 2022 / "Very Positive" reviews / $4.99
The Bible - AI Narration (Bark TTS) / Mar 15, 2024 / "Mixed" reviews / Free
The Bible Soundtrack / Coming soon

(Screenshot from the United States of America. Date format and pricing may vary by region.)

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

McDonald's has featured prominent ads for other brands since the introduction of the Happy Meal toy. It has to be among the most successful ad integration of all time. Those brand deals draw as many customers as the food. Why wouldn't slopping up the menu in a way everyone hates be a hit?

The current crop of Happy Meal toys. The text reads, "Nickelodeon SpongeBob Square Pants x One Piece: Meet the Collided Crew," alongside each of the 15 toys available in this collection.

I wish I could offer a better alt text description than that, but I have no idea what is going on here. Is the Happy Meal demographic super into both SpongeBob and One Piece? What even is the Happy Meal demographic? Haven't both of these cartoons been running for more than a quarter of a century? Are cheap, plastic toys that reek of chicken byproduct grease about to throw me into an existential crisis?

Some tacky ad that was served to me via the IGN article, which I'm not going to describe because they're not paying me to advertise this product.

There is, at the very least, some vague, location-based targeting in this image, but I am not at all in the market for what they're selling. Great job, algorithms. Thanks for providing IGN the funding it needs to unceremoniously eliminate the last remaining paid writing positions. It's good that executives are sabotaging every business in the same, stupid ways, making life on this planet just a little bit worse for all of us each day. Keep on hoarding your wealth!

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

It's not a taperback book. You wouldn't call this fella the Taper Boy. I'm not trying to embarrass you! It's just one letter off; the kind of simple keystroke error any of us could make.

Illustration of Paper Boy from the Paper Boy video game.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

You can use it every day. You can collect it. You can display it. It is nostalgia-forward.

Featuring a sleek design inspired by the iconic Nintendo Virtual Boy system, this collectible case is both practical and nostalgia-forward—great for everyday use or display as part of your Nintendo collection.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The fake-out ending and sequel teaser got me the first time. I didn't have money for another game! These days, I'd throw in something like a locked door or a special item, and when you try to use it, it asks if you'd like to open the eShop to purchase access for a nominal fee.

To be Continued...

The Battle has been won, but the War against the Darkness is far from over...

The War against the Darkness rages on in...

Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Redemption

Coming Soon...

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Yeah! Let's show them that we aren't going to take any action! P.S. Give us money, plz plz.

E-mail from No Kings: "We're not protesting anymore. We're voting."

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

The only thing I know about Dragon Riders: Chronicles of Pern is that it's based on the best-selling novels Dragonriders of Pern. Why did they change "Dragonriders" to "Dragon Riders," only to put both on the cover? Hopefully I'll get an answer once I finish burning this disc!

Dragon Riders: Chronicles of Pern: Based on the best-selling novels Dragonriders of Pern

A terrible render of a man standing next to a terrible render of a dragon who is many times his height. They are on a mountaintop, above the clouds, with silhouettes of castles peeking through the distant fog. The moon is misshapen and much too big. Everything is aggressively orange and red, with really harsh contrast. The fonts are bad. An image so loathsome and artless that I can't help but love it.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

He's already here. Embrace him or get left behind.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Echoes of Wisdom put us in the role of Princess Zelda. Tingle's the star of multiple games. It is his time.

"RETURN OF GANON"

The simultaneously imposing and comical silhouette of a large pig-man seen on the Game Over screen from Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, except I edited out the words "Game Over."

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

A helpful guide for anyone who, like me, runs into trouble finding the first puzzle. (Was this your issue, @feitclub.bsky.social?)

Big red arrows pointing to a small rectangle in the top-left corner of the bookshelf from the Flipsaw Prototype's main menu.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Borrowed a copy of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond this weekend; finished it this morning. You guys, this game is pretty good. My updated top five: 5. Metroid 4: Beyond 4. Metroid: Other M 3. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption 2. Super Metroid 1. Metroid Prime (Metroid Dread is the only one I haven't played.)

Ending screen from Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Samus stands in a cool-girl pose beside the following text:

MISSION COMPLETE
Scans Collected: 99%
Items Discovered: 100%
Time Played 18:42

HARD MODE Unlocked

Press A to Continue

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Sure, we're having fun with our jokes, but higher resolution, GameShare, and mouse controls would be great additions to Freakyforms Deluxe.

Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Hit me with your top five board games. Let's keep it strictly to games in which players place, move, and/or remove pieces on a board. 5. Pictionary 4. Trivial Pursuit 3. Scrabble 2. Balderdash 1. The MAD Magazine Game

Box cover for The MAD Magazine Game From Parker Brothers.

Drawing of a enthusiastic crowd of spectators cheering on a literal nail-biter of a board game between a confused moron, a sweaty guy, and a nonchalant Alfred E. Neuman, who is the only player without any money. Since the object of the game is to lose all your money, this would mean Al has already won, so either the emotions on display are somewhat incongruous, or I've simply misinterpreted the scene, and the nervous fella and the idiot person were the only ones playing.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Impressive that she knows she can understand whatever we talk.

Hi, I wanna know if somebody can body train my daughter. She’s a state she’s eight years old. She knows she can understand whatever we talk but she is nonverbal and when we said let’s go toilet she goes sit down but she only do pee pee. No poo poo but I want someone to train her. She wear Pull Ups she go to school. She’s in third grade public school. and only female client.you going to get pay

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I won't lie. And awful lot of folks have been asking me about buyin' that Boing Ball there.

Black market art dealer and forger Redd from Animal Crossing.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Saints Row IV wasn't even the last Saints Row IV.

Cover art for Saints Row: Gat out of Hell

Johnny Gat flies on angel wings through purple clouds while aiming dual pistols down at Satan and other demons in a lake of lava.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I hope you subscribed to Netflix, 'cause this was worth the hype. That Grand Theft Auto commercial opened with information that's going to rock the planet.

LIKELY MATURE 17+
MAY CONTAIN CONTENT INAPPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN
esrb.org

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Dookie Dean: From the World of Legally Blonde

Excerpt from Amanda Brown's novel Legally Blonde:

"She had even tracked down Dookie Dean, who was president of Theta when Brooke lived in the sorority house, which was some trouble, since the recent divorcée was still living under her married name. Elle found out in the first breath that Dookie Dean didn't go be the nickname 'Doo-Dee' anymore, an offending gaffe that thwarted Elle's friendly attempts to gain information."

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Wheels On Meals → Super Mario Bros. → Super Mario Kart → Wheels On Meals

A cow on a motorcycle, carrying a very tall hamburger.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Feige's name is conspicuously absent from the one X-Men movie I like.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

There was a brief period, before his spinach days, when Popeye would get luck, wishes, or other vague powers from rubbing the feathers of a Whiffle Bird. He also used to hang around with something called Eugene the Jeep. You know. Normal sailor stuff.

Comic panel from the 1930s. A yellow, sort of cat-like mascot creature, with blue and red spots, a bulbous red nose, and a jaunty neckerchief stands on its hind legs, takes a bow, and says, "Jeep! Jeep!"

Caption: "Whee!! Look who's here!!! Eugene the Jeep! The eighth wonder of the world... The great unsolved magical mystery..."

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

"Can I interest you in ze, 'ow can I say, puff-puff? It feels soooo good!"

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Incredible job opportunity on Nextdoor.

Need an production workshop Helper to come work for a sign company in shop & at Jobsites. Inbox me if interested great pay!

No experiance needed for this beginner position. Will train!

Inbox me

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I installed Secret Files 3. I haven't even started the game, and it's already so dumb I'm going to die. It's perfect.

The first screen of a Secret Files 3. A woman glares at the viewer beside the following text box:

Would you like an individual main menu made just for you?
- Yes, please.
- No thanks

One possible menu screen, based on the answers Dirty Dancing, sports, a New Beginning, and winter.

A woman sits on a stool in a warmly lit, spacious pub with a Foosball table in the foreground, American football playing on a projector screen on the back wall, a poster for A New Beginning (another adventure game from the same developer, if I'm not mistaken) on the side of the bar, and assorted Christmas decorations, like a wreath and a decorated tree.

A possible main menu, based on the answers Rocky, crafting, Secret Files 2, and fall.

A man sit on a stool in a garage with warm, hazy sunlight from a window struggling to pierce the cool, florescent lighting inside. There's a sleek, red motorcycle in the foreground, tool shelves in the back, tools and a bulletin board (featuring a Secret Files 2 poster) mounted on the wall, a computer monitor prominently displaying Secret Files 1, and Jack-o-lanterns anywhere and everywhere they'll fit.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

I just downloaded the PC version of Croc 2. Here's my complete review: Cons: It's Croc 2 Pro: Microsoft SideWinder on the Options menu

Options menu from the PC port of Croc 2, featuring...

Options, Display Options, Sound Options, Controller Options, Return To Main Menu, a drawing of a drum, a drawing of a screen, and a pre-rendered 3D model of a first-generation Microsoft SideWinder controller.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Honestly, I wouldn't be that hung up on it if not for the in-game hint system. See, if "Rolling rock, bottle cap," isn't enough to get you to find the cash register, guess the code, and click on the bottle that you couldn't click before, you can also ask for more hints. These are all of the hints:

Second hint: "It's a rolling rock bottle cap."

Third hint: "Rolling might mean turmoil."

Fourth hint: "Rock must be another anagram."

(Note: I didn't engage with the hint system prior to getting stuck here, and I have no idea what it means by "another" anagram. I can't think of anything I've done that involved anagrams.)

Fifth hint: "Of course, rock is an anagram of cork."

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Before solving the puzzle, you can't click on the barely visible bottle. Afterward, you can. Rolling rock, bottle cap. This is what we needed! Although...that's not TECHNICALLY a bottle cap, is it?

A close-up of a green bottle, on its side, on the floor, and partially obscured by some nondescript item.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

I'm kidding, of course. Something did happen when I solved the puzzle. Here are two screenshots: One from before solving the puzzle and one from after. Can YOU spot the difference?

Sorry, I usually make an effort with my alt text, but I feel that would defeat the purpose of my spot-the-difference game.

If you have vision problems, believe me, you're not missing anything good this time.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

This leads us to a cash register of sorts, displaying "162.00," with a randomly arranged set of keys reading 1, 5, 10, and 25. Press any key, and its number is subtracted from the left side of the decimal and added to the right. In this case, I pressed 5, changing the display to 157.05.

An odd, old-fashioned cash register, sort of.

Top row keys: 5 5 1 25 5 5 10 10
Bottom row: 5 25 10 25 10 10 1 10

This image is the same as the last, except I've pressed the first key, changing the total displayed from 162.00 to 157.05.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Sike! You have to click something that's shrouded in shadow and hidden behind the bedposts. Duh. This would be a good time to point out that I very carefully adjusted my brightness to the game's calibration guide.

The same bed image as before, but now the cursor has been turned from a skeleton's hand into an eyeball because it placed on small, specific spot that looks like nothing.

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Camp Crystal Jake Spencer @atsymboljake.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Maybe my character is just being polite, going to his own room without disturbing any others, except, wait, no, the map says the the room I've entered belongs to Brian, while I am in the shoes of Carl. Whatever. Rolling rock, bottle cap. Can YOU see where I need to click?

A dim bedroom. To the left is a door. Near it, some small artwork is displayed on the wall. In the middle of the room is a four poster bed without a bed. Most of the slats are broken, but one is in good condition. A single light bulb is resting on it.

There is nothing else that catches the eye.

Reverse angle of the same room. From left to right, we see a large wardrobe, a television with a smashed screen, and the door through which we entered the room.

Aside from the door, it is not possible to inspect or interact with any of these objects.

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