iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Dark Souls Archthrones @archthrones.com · 30/09/2026

Betrayal. Concept Art by Craig McNaughton.

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Ironlily @ironlilyart.com · 30/09/2026

Sometimes you need to choose word carefully around your reenactor friend.

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RPG towns @rpgtowns.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Hlaalu got that shit on.

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Ogre Run @ogre-run.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I bring September and the month of Wizardry to a close with a review of Elminage II which saw developer Starfish successfully continue striking out on their own beyond the Wizardry IP: ogrerun.com/2026/09/29/d...

A gorilla and strange hammer-wielding boar-man

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蛙宅 @frogtaku.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Real life Starscourge Radahn

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蛙宅 @frogtaku.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

So I have started yet another DS2 playthrough and since I'm absolutely going to do yet another INT/FTH hybrid and that it is basically what the Bishop is in Wizardry, I will honor the Wiz anniversary by using a mace this time

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Sasha's Retrobytes 🏳️‍⚧️ @sharkabytes.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

When you've got a day of jumping barrels ahead of you, but your heart just isn't in it.

The title screen for Apple II Donkey Kong from Atari, with a rather sad looking Mario in mid outstretched leap over a barrel.

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krugman ＠動作不良品(カビ) @krugman.net · 26/09/2026

it has been brought to my attention that not all of my followers know that i wrote the (imo) definitive guide on preserving floppy disks. it's the main thing i'm promoting here (even though i almost never post the link, haha) so do me a solid and share it with your loved ones 😹 krugman.net/dumping/

krugman.net

Krugman's Dumping Guide for Japanese Computers

An illustrated guide to preserving floppy disk media

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Sasha's Retrobytes 🏳️‍⚧️ @sharkabytes.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Heads-up for fellow CRPG dungeon crawler fans as one to avoid: this one is made by ban-evading neo-nazis.

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𝔇𝔢𝔢𝔭 𝔇𝔢𝔩𝔳𝔢𝔯 - ℌ𝔬𝔴𝔩 𝔚𝔦𝔱𝔥 𝔐𝔢 @therunepony.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Who are KVLTGAMES? Well, according to a German-only Wikipedia page... Nazis. Like literally neo-nazis who made a Turner Diaries simulator that got their previous publisher banned from Steam.

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Novelty Cistern @noveltycistern.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

MICHAEL MOORCOCK: You get that painting of Elric MICHAEL WHELAN: Sure did boss, real fuckin sexy and elegiac just like you asked. MICHAEL MOORCOCK: terrific. thank you again Michael

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𝖂𝖗𝖊𝖓 𝕱𝖆𝖎𝖗𝖊 🧙 @wrenfaire.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The Duskbloods Demaster looks great!

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Lori Vornoy @necroticspider.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

DUNGEONS OF BLOOD AND DREAM is on sale rn!

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Dungeonbuster @dungeonbuster.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

It's 1988 and your phone became the gateway to an RPG adventure with Fantasy Interactive Scenarios by Telephone (F.I.S.T.) by Steve Jackson (the UK one!) Originally launched in the UK, audiences in the USA could now join the adventure and romp through a Demon Prince's castle for "REAL GOLD PIECES!"

"FIST is an exciting new concept in fantasy gaming! Simply pick up your Touch-Tone telephone, dial 540-FIST and experience a dungeon adventure which YOU control! YOU make the decisions which direct your adventure by dialing numbers, as you compete for REAL GOLD awarded monthly.

The creatures and deadly traps which await you are brought to life with dramatic sound effects. Hear the ROAR of the FLESH EATER as you lock swords, the SIZZLE of the FIREBALL bursting towards you, the CHINKING of the GOLD PIECES you will find hidden in the Demon Prince's underground dungeon."

* Keep a pencil and paper handy to track your choices
* Dial 0 to hear the previous message
* Dial 9 to store your character in LIMBO for your next visit. Limbo saves time and money!
* Send in for your free starter pack for more information.

This one page ad wasn't quite as awesome as the two-page one that ran in the United Kingdom and offers a lot less information. For the most part, players can dial into FIST and experience monthly competitions for prizes by adventuring through a scenario.

Dialing into the service gave you a menu for options that described the rules, laid out the background for the scenario, connect with other adventurers to discuss the game, a shop to spend gold earned during the adventure, and even a training academy to get used to the combat.

Players could mail in for a FIST starter pack and their characters could even be saved by the service for later adventures, all driven by your phone. Hope that no one else needs it while you're on a dungeon crawl!

Also, there were TWO Steve Jacksons (hence the clarification). Steve Jackson in the United States was known for RPG systems like GURPS and his company still works on other RPG related materials today. Steve Jackson (in the United Kingdom) co-founded Games Workshop (of Warhammer miniatures fame).

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蛙宅 @frogtaku.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

My playtime reached a new milestone huh. Guess I got a decent mileage out of this impulse buy 14 years ago

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Starting today, we're piloting Japanese magazines in our digital archive! We've spent the last few months upgrading our library infrastructure to support Japanese-language material, starting with the magazine Neo Geo Freak. Read the full blog post for more info: gamehistory.org/5k-magazines/

A two-page spread from Neo Geo Freak featuring Nakoruru from the game Samurai Shodown. All text is accurately highlighted on the page, including vertical writing being mapped vertically.

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蛙宅 @frogtaku.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Fashion Souls pro-tip: thief mask works well with the wanderer set

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Ogre Run @ogre-run.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Seems like Springer Nature's Japanese Game Studies book finally released. The collection gathers writing from academic researchers in Japan on the history of Japanese Game Studies: link.springer.com/book/10.1007...

link.springer.com

Japanese Game Studies

This book introduces the study of games in Japan. It provides a guide for those who want to study Japanese games and do so in Japan.

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scumhead @scumhead.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

a glitch in seamless ds2 ended up being a beautiful wallpaper

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𝖂𝖗𝖊𝖓 𝕱𝖆𝖎𝖗𝖊 🧙 @wrenfaire.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

They've had the monopoly on menacing NPC laughs since the PS1

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Ogre Run @ogre-run.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Wizardry month continues with a review of Urazardry, a very short, lesbian erogē parody of Wizardry for the PC-88: www.patreon.com/OgreRun/post...

A female warrior with long blue hair holds her sword in a battle pose

A blonde woman wearing a leopard-print leotard stands in a grappler's pose

A chibi drawing of a blue-haired warrior casting flame on a man burnt to a crisp

A blonde woman sits atop a giant one-eyed creature

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蛙宅 @frogtaku.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I particularly like the second screenshot starting from the top. One of my favorite things about Shadow Tower is the central structure/hub but view distance is quite low in the actual game (to be fair it helps establish a mood)

reddit.com

From the shadowtower community on Reddit: This promo has some interesting pictures including a 3D model of the towers exterior and some unseen creatures

Explore this post and more from the shadowtower community

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jaseiken me crazy @tunditur-unda.itch.io · 06/07/2026

RPG Dark World is a monthly micro-review bulletin surfacing the hidden achievements of the RPGs the games industry can't get rich off of. Zero-budget indies! Untranslated doujin games! RPG Maker jam games! The cutting edge of RPGs is the blade of darkness! Read issue #1 --> vextro.itch.io/darkworld

RPG Dark World banner, featuring our shadowy mascot figure.

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蛙宅 @frogtaku.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

That was a good Steam sale, 10/10 many dungeons to permadie to

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Ogre Run @ogre-run.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Ever wanted to learn about Wizardry’s Japanese reception throughout history? Read a conversation held between Robert Woodhead and Hitoshi Yasuda as they eat soba? Read stories set in the world of Wizardry? I present the Japanese Wizardry reader: ogrerun.com/the-japanese...

An article on Busin ~ Wizardry Alternative ~ From Comptiq No. 236 (January 2002)

Hitoshi Yasuda and Robert Woodhead posing with a soba chef. From LOGiN (January 1988)

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Ogre Run @ogre-run.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Here are a few ~$15 RPGs to check out for the current Steam sale. Aria Chronicle (2020): $8.89. Fun little dungeon crawler reminiscent of Darkest Dungeon. store.steampowered.com/app/1229900/...

store.steampowered.com

Save 50% on ARIA CHRONICLE on Steam

Randomized dungeons, strategic battles, diverse growth factors, unique characters... ARIA CHRONICLE offers an unparalleled gaming experience. Let’s set out to help the Princess of Tamageria!

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Ironlily @ironlilyart.com · 20/09/2026

Joke on you I have really drawn one.

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Ironlily @ironlilyart.com · 20/09/2026

mfw armour proves its worth

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蛙宅 @frogtaku.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

It finally happened: I accidentally got Gaping Dragon to be buffed by the channeler above. I did not plan to get OHKO by this boss for babies

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Sasha's Retrobytes 🏳️‍⚧️ @sharkabytes.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

A room with a view: Legends of Valour (1992). Forms of raytracing had only occasionally been used in games until recent years. Legends of Valour for Commodore Amiga is one of those use cases, using it to get the open world city RPG running smoother and for viewable interiors through windows.

A crt TV screenshot of the first person RPG with a brick building and an untextured green floor and gradient blue sky. A window can be seen with a real-time view inside

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Alukslice @alukslice.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

River of sleep

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Ogre Run @ogre-run.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

What made Wizardry’s Famicom port so beloved? I revisit Game Sides’ RPG Legends to find out. Along the way, some potshots are taken at Wizardry VI and VII. Free to read: www.patreon.com/OgreRun/post...

patreon.com

RPG Legends ~ The 1980s Edition Vol. 1 - Wizardry | Ogre Run

Preface: The following article comes from Game Sides' monograph RPG Legends ~ The 1980s Edition, a collection of reviews originally publishe

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蛙宅 @frogtaku.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Crazy stuff. This is a map that takes me 40mn+ to UV-Max www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RNx...

youtube.com

Doom II: Scythe - Map 30 (Fire and Ice) UV-Max in 8:48

YouTube video by Zero Master

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Ogre Run @ogre-run.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Absolutely. Like Wizardry, Ultima’s influence in Japan cannot be understated, especially IV (which also gets championed back in the U.S. by reviewers such as Scorpia). For nearly as much as LOGiN interviewed Woodhead or praised Wizardry, they also spoke with Garriot and sang the praises of Ultima.

A review of Ultima III and Wizardry. LOGiN February 1986

An article touching Wiz IV and Ultima/Ultima III. LOGiN October 1985

An article of a brief conversation between LOGiN and Lord British and LOGiN and Woodhead. LOGiN November 1986

An article introducing Ultima. LOGiN November 1986

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Puke is already a Halloween Name @puke.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Coincidences continue apace, as Shadow Tower was also the worst reviewed game in the magazine I just looked at. Published by Agetec, which was the main contact of FromSoftware. Crazy to think of now, since the rest of Agetec games are budget titles called Snowboarding or Sports Jam #gaming #retro 🎮

From Gamers Republic, issue 20 January 2000. Two reviews, one for platform game 40 Winks (B-) and the other for Shadow Tower (D). Both on PlayStation. The 40 Winks review mentions Sarah Michelle Gellar

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Ogre Run @ogre-run.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Some more Japanese material on Wizardry III. First, a set of advertisements for the original Japanese release. These ran in LOGiN magazine and these last three illustrations done by Jun Suemi.

An advertisement for Wizardry III. A dragon grips a sphere. From LOGiN (July 1987).

An advertisement for Wizardry III. A two page illustration by Jun Suemi. A group of adventurers travel the bottom of a cavern. A staircase winds its way to a summit. From LOGiN (August 1987)

An advertisement for Wizardry III. A two page illustration by Jun Suemi. A group of adventurers battle giant worm-like creatures. From LOGiN (September 1987)

An advertisement for Wizardry III. An illustration by Jun Suemi. A group of adventurers battle against a fire-breathing dragon. From LOGiN (October 1987)

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Rumic World @furinkan.com · 11/09/2026

Scenes such as this where the light is reflecting on the water are accomplished through a process called "backlighting", "underlighting" or "bipack glow". To create the effect a matte is cut and light is shone through the holes.

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Zonerunner @zonerunner.co.uk · 12/09/2026

For today's #RandomGameSaturday the hand has chosen Soul Blade. The Namco fighter that wasn't Tekken, it's a humble start to a series that wouldn't find its footing until the sequel. Putting the series' resident gimp Voldo front and centre of the European cover was an incredibly bold choice...

PAL box art for Soul Blade on the PlayStation.

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白井慶太【漫画家】「モモとツノ」連載中 @keityo99.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

マンガ「ボクのワタシの虚無時間」

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I Me Mine-lo @hawgle.bird.gay · 08/09/2026

idk why people are ripping on the new style i think it looks great

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Ogre Run @ogre-run.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Next is the third game in Starfish’s Wizardry Empire sub-series, Princess of the Ancient for the PlayStation. What began as a simple translation of a review turned into an investigation into the origins of Michaelsoft who eventually became Experience: www.patreon.com/OgreRun/post...

patreon.com

Dengeki PlayStation: Wizardry Empire: Princess of the Ancient | Ogre Run

Dengeki PlayStation: Wizardry Empire: Princess of the Ancient by Ogre Run on Patreon. Join Ogre Run's community for exclusive content and updates.

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Demon's Souls Dialog Bot @soulsdialogbot.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

You see that pit? It's filled with treasure, but, er, I can't get to it myself.

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Brendan Keogh @brkeogh.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Remember when the government was rushing through its social media age ban that every expert said wouldn't work and they kept reassuring everyone it wouldn't apply to videogames or videogame websites?

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Kentris @kentris.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

The Playstation can produce mind-boggling effects.

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