iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 15/10/2026

Made an important change to osgameclones.com: an #AI tag. AI is becoming more common and that goes for #OpenSource game clones / remakes too. Whatever your opinion on it is, it’s obvious that whether a project uses it is important. So now projects […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 10/10/2026

The first level of episode 2 is now playable in #OpenCrystalCaves! The game does not mess around - you start facing a giant unavoidable hammer and insta-kill poison mushrooms. Fortunately the solution is also in view (the stop sign). But the level is […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026

Behind the scenes work continues with #CDogsSDL plus a minor, niche feature: name tags for other player characters! Yes did you know that you can play C-Dogs SDL locally with up to 3 friends (plus even more via LAN), but it can get confusing fast […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 26/09/2026

More bug squashing in #OpenCrystalCaves, plus an episode chooser! Original #DOS #CrystalCaves came with 3 episodes but each one was its own .exe. OTOH Crystal Caves HD lets you pick the episode when starting a new game. For OCC we’ve replaced the […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 19/09/2026

#CDogsSDL has a character appearance shuffler, which is used to help players generate new characters. It was all over the place as the colours were completely random. Updated it so it used more consistent colours - basically trying to pick natural […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

Collage of a large number of random C-Dogs SDL characters, using the old completely random generator. The characters have all sorts of different models and colours, ranging from different faces, hats, hair, and very colourful clothes

Collage of a large number of random C-Dogs SDL characters, using the new slightly more consistent random generator. The characters are still quite colourful but the variety is slightly reduced, with mostly human characters and a range of skin tones - between black, pale and many shades of tan in between - as well as hair colours, which are mostly black/brown/grey/red but also a few high saturation anime hair colours

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 12/09/2026

In #OpenCrystalCaves news, bug squashing and starting to implement episode 2 of #CrystalCaves! As you can see in the level viewer slideshow, the episode 2 levels are at a high state of completion. The three episodes have a lot in common, with no new […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 05/09/2026

Working on backend stuff as well as fixing a bug where the characters weren't animating in the main menu live background. I love live backgrounds in games as it not only looks cool, it shows what the game is like for new players and is handy for […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 22/08/2026

Fixed a bug in #CDogsSDL with a funny history: muzzle flashes weren’t showing when the player is just in front of a door… Ages ago I added a feature that left bullet marks on walls and doors. Problem was the bullet marks would show if the doors opened […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 15/08/2026

Implemented the endgame sequence for #OpenCrystalCaves (sorry, spoilers!) It’s simpler than the intro sequence but contains a nice gag image and outro text as a reward for the player. Soon the game’s first episode will be fully playable from start to […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 01/08/2026

Fully implemented the intro sequence in #OpenCrystalCaves. It involves 6 different movement states for the spaceship, pretty neat for a shareware #DOS game! #GameDev #ScreenshotSaturday #OpenSource #CrystalCaves #RetroGames

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 25/07/2026

Added a small and low impact fix to #CDogsSDL: bark interrupts Maybe you’re a #GameDev vet and know what that means, otherwise: “barks” are short voice clips characters say, like “huh?” when waking up or “aargh” when dying. If these don’t interrupt […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 18/07/2026

In the process of making the intro space level in #OpenCrystalCaves. The spaceship is in poor shape and has many unusual movement modes, all part of the gag #CrystalCaves #RetroGames #GameDev #OpenSource #ScreenshotSaturday #DOS

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 14/07/2026

New track drop just in time for #PortfolioDay! I’m a hobbyist #OpenSource #GameDev all-rounder who also makes #chiptune #music and #PixelArt animations - like this one! www.youtube.com/watch?v=afrVYWTr71E

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 27/06/2026

Added another silly feature to #CDogsSDL: hats can sometimes be shot off with a satisfying “tink” sound! #GameDev #OpenSource #ScreenshotSaturday

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 18/06/2026

For the music video I put in more effort than usual and I think it paid off; I got to practice some different dithering techniques and so on. I slacked off on the star animation though and it shows haha! #PixelArt #TimeLapse

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 13/06/2026

Got sidetracked working on the intro/outro space levels of #CrystalCaves and implemented parallax backgrounds instead. It’s no Platform Masters but I think it looks neat! #OpenCrystalCaves #GameDev #ScreenshotSaturday #OpenSource #DOS #RetroGames

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 06/06/2026

Added input overlays to #CDogsSDL! Once upon a time, when C-Dogs was a DOS freeware game, you were expected to read a README to figure out what the controls are (and likely remap them before you play the game). These days it’s not good enough, and new […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 30/05/2026

Implemented E1L16 of #CrystalCaves, which means all 16 levels are playable in #OpenCrystalCaves! This level features windy pipes without big set pieces, making it visually unimpressive and easy to get lost in, but it’s a very fun level imo because the […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 23/05/2026

More particle effects for #CDogsSDL: sparkles for the freeze effect! This is a more radical change: the old effect was “petrify” and it turned the character grey. Now it turns the character light blue with sparkles. Why? The freeze effect is more […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 16/05/2026

In #CrystalCaves, there are occasional signs with boomer memes like “Kilroy was here” or “Winners don’t use drugs”. If you’ve encountered these contemporaneously, it’s time to schedule a colonoscopy OTOH #OpenCrystalCaves’s “remaster” mode will show a […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

Screenshot from Crystal Caves, showing the player standing in front of a red sign saying “WINNERS DON’T USE DRUGS”, in a rocky cave with wooden beams.

Screenshot from OpenCrystalCaves, showing a metallic level with a red “A WINNER IS YOU” sign

Screenshot from OpenCrystalCaves, showing a metallic level with a red “LEEROY JENKINS” sign

Screenshot from OpenCrystalCaves, showing a rocky level with a large red “PRESS F TO PAY RESPECTS” sign

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 09/05/2026

More eye-candy and also an important gameplay bug fixed for #CDogsSDL. Added flame particles, so anyone taking damage from a flame-type weapon visibly looks like they’re on fire! The bug fix is missing “squares” in randomly generated levels. This is a […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 05/05/2026

RE: mastodon.gamedev.place/@congusbongu… This easter egg is giving me jump scares while testing #CDogsSDL. I guess it's a special day today! #CincoDeMayo #GameDev

Screenshot of C-Dogs SDL game, showing a plain blue level with many red-shirt NPCs with sombreros. Other props and actors in the level include mechs, crates and steaming vents

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 02/05/2026

Added BONUS eggs in #OpenCrystalCaves! A classic easter egg in #CrystalCaves. Did you ever shoot these? If you did they seem to leave random letters that are worth 100 points, but the eggs alone are 1000 points. Smarter not to shoot them right? This […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 01/05/2026

For the music video I ended up making a bunch of catgirl emotes… very silly #PixelArt #TimeLapse #animation

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 25/04/2026

Added a poison bubble effect to #CDogsSDL Unusual for an action game, C-Dogs is full of status effects like poison, confusion and petrify. Adding some juice like this helps make it clearer that something unsettling is going on! #GameDev #ScreenshotSaturday #OpenSource #PixelArt

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 18/04/2026

Big progress with #OpenCrystalCaves: levels 13 and 14 are done, including the “low gravity” mechanic! Why the scare quotes? Because it doesn’t - as you might assume - make you jump higher, despite what the sign says. Instead it means when you fire it […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 14/04/2026

It's #PortfolioDay! I'm a hobbyist #OpenSource #gamedev all-rounder, I make games like #CDogsSDL and #OpenCrystalCaves I also make #chiptune #music, #PixelArt, sometimes at the same time www.youtube.com/@congusbongusgames If you like them I […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 11/04/2026

Making good progress getting to the sound data out of Wwise containers for Wolfstone 2D. It's a real nesting doll situation with data blobs located by headers inside containers inside more containers, phew! But also added some juice to #CDogsSDL, with […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 04/04/2026

New release for #OpenCrystalCaves! congusbongus.itch.io/opencrystalcav… We’ve completed levels 8-12, and implemented game save and continue. Also made a quality-of-life feature where the game […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

Screenshot of OpenCrystalCaves, showing a pixelated video game scene with the player standing in a night scene, with planets and stars in the background. Some button prompts are shown above the player, showing them which keys to press to move, jump and shoot

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 31/03/2026

#TimeLapse #PixelArt animation made for the music video. Got to practice/learn some new techniques for this one, including using the curve tool for most of the picture (as opposed to pencil/brush which is usually the case for low res pixel art). My […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 28/03/2026

A tiny enhancement to #CDogsSDL - sprite variations. Notice how the plants in the screenshot are not quite identical? No? Oh well. I guess being unnoticeable is the point "( – ⌓ – ) But also, reached a milestone: we can extract the level data from […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

Screenshot of a level in C-Dogs SDL showing various map objects like boxes and crates, including a group of potted plants, whose leaves are ever so slightly different on close inspection

Screenshot output of terminal output of a Wolf3D level extractor, showing the first 2&1/2 levels of episode 1 in coloured terminal boxes and ASCII characters. This is from Wolfstone but the levels are identical to Wolf3D

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 21/03/2026

Added the option to continue in #OpenCrystalCaves. Now that most of the levels are playable and it takes about an hour to finish each episode, this feature will come in real handy! #CrystalCaves #DOS #GameDev #ScreenshotSaturday

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 14/03/2026

Still working on backend features for #CDogsSDL but also added another UX enhancement: preview player templates! C-Dogs always had an impressive player customisation system, where you can completely design your PC's appearance, and save these as […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 07/03/2026

#OpenCrystalCaves now tracks your progress across levels, saving to disk using good ol' .ini files! Oh and level 12 is complete. No sweat! #GameDev #CrystalCaves #DOS #RetroGames #ScreenshotSaturday

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 28/02/2026

More behind-the-scenes work in #CDogsSDL, but also another small UX feature: dust particle effect when the player slides Sliding is a key feature of C-Dogs but is a bit hidden - you need to press the slide key while moving in a direction, and there […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 21/02/2026

This dev update for #OpenCrystalCaves is mostly backend for a change - working on persisting player state, including health, ammo and levels completed, which carry over between levels. For the first time this game is starting to feel like a game and […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

Screenshot of OpenCrystalCaves showing the main level, with the player standing among wooden beams and numerous entrances, marked with a red check, indicating that those levels have been completed

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 14/02/2026

After making a major release for #CDogsSDL it’s now time to lay the groundwork for the next one, so most progress has been behind the scenes, including some minor UX improvements: showing which campaign and mission to “continue”. Now when you come back […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 07/02/2026

Another level done for #OpenCrystalCaves! Level 11 is relatively simple, claustrophobic and requires lots of backtracking in order to unlock the exit. The variety of challenge keeps a somewhat bland level interesting though, including a […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 28/01/2026

#PixelArt #animation made for the music video. Keeping the detail low let me put more effort into the animation, including the stereotypical anime mouth - “Real tiny when it's closed; ridiculously huge when it's open.” #TimeLapse

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 24/01/2026

Just like that, level 10 for #OpenCrystalCaves is complete. It's not as impressive, lacking the distinct set pieces or theming of earlier levels, but it does have a cool double-moving-lasers and moving platforms section that makes you feel like a super […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 17/01/2026

Finally made a custom body for the kangaroo boss/character in Super 2D Noah's Ark - boy this took a lot of emotional energy (I'm no good at blender)! Its footsteps sound like a spring Also yes I know the animation is inaccurate but I'm 100% done with […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 05/01/2026

Looking back at my past PFPs it’s nice to see advancement in face painting techniques. There’s still a lot of room for improvement though. It’s fun to learn! #PixelArt

The image features two stylized, pixel art characters. One character has purple hair and a fierce expression, while the other has bright blonde hair and a confident demeanor. The background has a vibrant and dynamic color scheme.

A pixel art illustration featuring two characters with distinct hairstyles and sweaters, using a subdued pastel palette. The character on the left has curly hair and a purple sweater, while the character on the right has a spiky hairstyle and a blue sweater. The text below says “CONGUSBONGUS”

A pixel art illustration featuring two stylized characters standing confidently with powerful expressions. One character has dark, big hair and is dressed in a red outfit, while the other has yellow hair and wears a white tank top with blue pants. A fiery explosion forms the background

Simple pixel art depiction of two characters, one with blue hair and the other with blonde hair, set against a dark background.

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 05/01/2026

RE: mastodon.gamedev.place/@lospec/1158… New year #newPFP; I participated in this yearbook collab with a lot of other talented pixel artists, it was a lot of fun! #PixelArt #TimeLapse

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 27/12/2025

Another enemy and level done for #OpenCrystalCaves! The eye monster is the most complex enemy in the game, featuring three body parts that must be destroyed separately, and the monster can shoot eyeballs and is invulnerable while its eyes are closed […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 20/12/2025

Did you know there’s a formula for calculating the date of Easter and it is literal black magic

A mathematical algorithm for calculating the date of Easter Sunday, showing calculations involving modular arithmetic, floor functions, and variables related to date computation.

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 19/12/2025

Festive hats! Recently I took a break from regular progress to make an easter egg idea I had for a while - special hats that appear on special days (opt out via game options) #GameDev #ScreenshotSaturday #PixelArt #CDogsSDL #OpenSource

Screenshot of a level in C-Dogs SDL editor, showing the characters all wearing Santa hats, and a “Kill” label below them. The level features narrow corridors leading to small rooms with potted plants and various barrels

Screenshot of a level in C-Dogs SDL, showing orcs wearing green leprechaun hats. The level features small blue rooms in a grey cobblestone area

Screenshot of a small passageway in C-Dogs SDL, filled with zombie monsters wearing witch’s hats, and some health packs spread around

Screenshot of a large grey concrete area in C-Dogs SDL, filled with white orcs wearing party hats, and some crates and debris

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 13/12/2025

I did also manage to implement enemy death effects, which are super satisfying. The game is a puzzle platformer at heart so you’re not required to kill the enemies - indeed most of them hardly give any score - but the crunchy sound effects and seeing […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 13/12/2025

Extra dev time from nursing a cold so finished level 8 of #OpenCrystalCaves, including a cheeky robot enemy that zaps you! All the levels in #CrystalCaves are memorable, and while level 8 doesn’t have huge set pieces, it has some one-way passages (via […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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congusbongusgames @congusbongus.mastodon.gamedev.place.ap.brid.gy · 06/12/2025

Completed the bear boss in Super 2D Noah’s Ark, as well as the end “cast” level, where you meet all the animals that you brutally murdered I mean gently put to sleep. It is just a room with all the animals And that means the game is almost complete! I […] [Original post on mastodon.gamedev.place]

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