iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by John Friscia

Simon S. Andersen @snakepixel.art · 25/08/2026

When I submitted the design for Cactus Man for MegaMan Dual Override, this is roughly what I had in mind. I've based the mockup on the player filling the arena with sand in this playthrough. #pixelart #ドット絵 #megaman

Megaman facing off against cactus man in a stone chamber. The room underneath their platform is filling with sand. Several robotic cacti are visible around the room

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Pretty crazy stuff if you haven't seen it - a game store owner had a box of Super Mario/Duck Hunt carts that turned out to be - brand new - manufactured in 1993 (!) - an extremely late variant unknown to collectors nintendowire.com/news/2026/07...

nintendowire.com

We discovered a new variant of Super Mario Bros.

Inside, were 97 individually wrapped, brand-new copies of Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt. Each game was wrapped in the same baggie that would have come in an

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Disney Daredevil has come to feel like an insult to my intelligence compared to the first couple seasons of the Netflix series.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

@darrenmooney.bsky.social It appears your Twitter has been hacked? Wanted to give you a heads-up if you were unaware.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

@mariosantos.bsky.social Patiently awaiting your thread-length takes on Castlevania: Belmont's Curse.😉

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Whoever the localizer was that put a Steiner math reference in The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy deserves a medal and all the happiness in the world.

Hastily taken photo of my TV with The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy on screen. Moko Mojiro says: "Then we just gotta overpower them first! Believe in yourself, and you've got a 141 2/3% chance of winning!"

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Reposted by John Friscia

Sky Burkson @skyburkson.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

it is done almost a year later Paper Chrono Trigger is done proper photo session this weekend made from bristol paper, cardstock, sketchbook paper, toilet paper, & matboard (Also bit of clear resin, colored gel, LED strip, & microLEDs)

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

The Game Awards is probably literally the most hate-watched event in the world.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Credit where it's due, @bitmapbooks.com sending me multiple reminder emails inside the same 24-hour period is what got me to finally take advantage of their Black Friday sale. Persistence is key!

"Order summary: Run 'n' Gun: A History of On-Foot Shooters × 1 $34.00"

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

I was so excited to get this in the mail today, even though I've never run a tabletop game before. I just love classic Phantasy Star that much.

Art on the inside cover of the book depicting Dark Force directing the space colonies from Phantasy Star III into violent conflict with each other. It looks AWESOME.

Book descriptions of traps with art rendering a scene from Phantasy Star II up top

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

@matpiscatella.bsky.social Hi Mat, do you have any insight into the accuracy of this statement regarding the popularity of Madden 26 on Switch 2 versus other platforms? I feel like context has to be missing here, and you would be the man equipped to deliver it. Thank you very much!

@AesirMalos on Twitter: "Dense Fanboys: "Nobody is going to Buy & Play 3rd party games on Switch 2 over PS5 or Xbox" REALITY: #Madden26 on Switch 2 currently has more online players than PS5. #NintendoSwitch2 version has consistently beat PS5 online player count since Madden 26 early access release" An accompanying photo indicates 143,384 players online on PS5 and 144,299 players online for Switch 2 at that given moment.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

I am personally begging everyone who cares to read graphic novel Lucas Wars, which just released and tells the full story of how George Lucas created Star Wars. It is so good.

Lucas Wars cover, an illustration of George Lucas sitting alone on set in the Tunisian desert solemnly

Pages from the book, in which George Lucas wants Christopher Walken for Han Solo and Jodie Foster for Leia (but she's too young), but Marcia Lucas insists Harrison Ford is the right choice for Han Solo.

Pages in which George Lucas breaks the news to Alec Guinness that he intends to kill off Obi-Wan Kenobi, a difference from the original plan in which he lives to the end. Guinness is quietly deeply disappointed.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

The console manufacturers really don't want me buying many video games in 2026, apparently.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

I just finished watching The Wire for the first time, and now I don't know what to do with the rest of my life.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

@darrenmooney.bsky.social I received a book about the Power Rangers for my birthday called Morphenomenal, and I was tickled to find that the second note in the entire book is a citation to Darren Mooney!

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

I would've played the heck out of a Dragon Quest Maker. It's fun to imagine how it would have differentiated itself from RPG Maker. automaton-media.com/en/news/form...

Text from Automaton Media, describing the dissatisfaction of Dragon Quest VIII and IX producer Ryutaro Ichimura over how safe Square Enix was playing the DQ franchise that the time he left: "As examples, he cites Dragon Quest Builders, which was developed as a Dragon Quest-take on Minecraft, and Dragon Quest Walk, inspired by Pokémon Go. He also mentions proposals for projects modeled after hits like PUBG and LINE: Disney Tsum Tsum. Ichimura grew dissatisfied when these kinds of projects (he calls them “pakuri kikaku” or “copycat projects”) multiplied, as he believed the role of the Dragon Quest IP was to lead innovation, not follow in the steps of others. Meanwhile, several of his own proposals were allegedly shot down, including an idea for a “Dragon Quest Marker” game in which players could learn about worldbuilding and story structure through gameplay, and then build their own Dragon Quest-style games."

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

My jaw just dropped because--all this time--I did not know you could open a GIF with Aseprite and have it automatically divide all of the frames for you.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Now that I have this book, I look forward to mastering social engagement and selling millions* of copies of my game instantly when it's ready! (*rounding up a little) @victoriatran.bsky.social

The book Mastering Community Management by Victoria Tran

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Reposted by John Friscia

Mat Piscatella @matpiscatella.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Hate to contribute to a Discourse, but 3rd party share of Switch 2 software in the US is far better than it was during the Switch 1 launch.

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Reposted by John Friscia

AK @akblueprints.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Kitamura’s Blueprints is now live! I’m the creator of Mega Man, and I’d like to share my thoughts on the production of Mega Man 1 & 2 for the first time, in addition to other game dev topics. Please start by reading “About This Site.” Thank you for your support. www.patreon.com/ak_blueprints

patreon.com

former game planner

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

I would have quit Clair Obscur by now if it weren't gifted to me from a friend. I'm sure it's a competent game, but the annoyances are really outweighing any parts I enjoy right now.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

I just wanted to summarize my feelings on Tony Gilroy, Star Wars, and Andor in a very normal and respectful manner.

Tony Gilroy as Star Wars Jesus, in the vein of the classic Gabe Newell Jesus meme

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

If the Chrono Trigger remake slip from Yuji Horii is legit, I really hope it gets the Trials of Mana treatment. HD-2D would be a waste of time that can't make a perfect game any better.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

Cosmic Fantasy Collection 2 arrived from Limited Run Games about half a month early. Truly, this must be a sign of the endtimes.

The box for Cosmic Fantasy Collection 2 on Nintendo Switch from Edia, physically published by Limited Run Games (LRG)

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Reposted by John Friscia

Dynamite_Giraffe @dynamitegiraffe.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Every week, me, Mary ( @marywantsacookie.bsky.social), Brett M., Brett L., and John (@johnfriscia.bsky.social ), breakdown #Nintendo headlines on the #PressX - A Nintendo Podcast. This week, we cover the big #news for the #Switch2. Add us to your #podcast mix? Listen here 👉 linktr.ee/PressXPodcast

media.tenor.com

a nintendo switch is shown with two controllers

ALT: a nintendo switch is shown with two controllers

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Just incredible art and imagination in this thread. You aren't prepared for the amount of effort that was spent here.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

An "official" announcement is still a while away, but I'm currently developing Earthen Odyssey! It's a full-blown RPG adventure with player marriage & multiple endings, but it's uniquely divided into 10 discrete levels and can be beaten in just a few hours, so that even busy adults can enjoy it!

Pre-alpha concept art for Earthen Odyssey!, with the hero standing in a forest near four campers who are around a campfire. The hero's gender isn't specified, so that you can feel that the hero is *you*. There is 2D pixel art with object dimensions inspired by Mystic Quest.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

This might be the highest-res version of the art for this image ever shared officially? The version of this art that usually gets posted on news websites is an AI upscale made by a fan on Reddit, which has smoother lines and darker colors than the official version below.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

@kohler.bsky.social Just curious, how is the Square book going? Is that something we might see this year? Thank you!

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Reposted by John Friscia

Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Just saw that the original art for Secret of Evermore is now up for sale. Different seller, similar price ($355K).

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Reposted by John Friscia

Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Just saw in a video game art collectors' group that the original cover art for Final Fantasy Mystic Quest is up for sale for $350K.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Hey, there's our nice esoteric trivia for the night: Aya Nishitani, the author of the original novel upon which the whole Megami Tensei franchise was built, has confirmed (for the first time?) that he sold the "secondary and tertiary use rights of the original works" to Atlus.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

@gamehistoryorg.bsky.social I'm in a Facebook group for SNES collectors, and somebody posted their collection of vintage vidpro cards from a defunct Toys 'R Us. Among them was the back of The Great Battle, a game planned, then canceled for US release. I'm sharing this image in case it's new to you!

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🏳️‍⚧️Jet Set Willært (Critical Kate) @katewillaert.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Here you go, I've summarized it in a single graphic note card that you can refer back to later. When it's all laid out like this, it's suddenly very simple, right? Right...?

First playable female character…

At the arcade: Exidy's Score (06/1977) plus the first gender select
On computer (player-rolled): Oubliette (11/1977)*
On computer (designer-created): Tawala’s Last Redoubt (07/1981)
On home console: Wabbit (10/1982)
*If this functionality was available from the start, but was it?

In NA: Exidy's Score (06/1977) at the arcade
In JP: Tropical Dive (06/1980) or Shoei’s Streaker (10/1981) at the arcade
In EU: Ant Attack (10/1983) for ZX Spectrum

To be given a name:
Benthi aka Lorato in Tawala’s Last Redoubt (07/1981) for Apple II

To be given a name AND appear on screen (non-human):
Ms. Pac-Man in Ms. Pac-Man (02/1982) at the arcade

To be given a name AND appear on screen (human character)...

On home console: Billie Sue in Wabbit (10/1982)
On the computer: Jenny in Jenny Of The Prairie (05/1983)
At the arcade: Tropical Angel in Tropical Angel (09/1983)

By Kate Willaert / Support my research at patreon.com/acriticalhit

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

The creators of #SecretLevel come across as incredibly juvenile and petty in their Collider Q&A. The negative critic reviews of Secret Level don't count if the reviewers don't play video games? What? Weak storytelling doesn't magically become better just because you know what the video game is.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

I'm beginning to think that Metal Gear Solid Delta might not release in 2024.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 31/08/2024

I plan to use Bluesky a lot more often from now on just so I can stay on top of all the fantastic Brazilian pixel art being created.

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 30/07/2023

I want to try to actually use this app, so hey, here's a new boss sprite for my game Boss Saga, created by the ludicrously talented Omegachaino. She's Lucca, and her story liberally rips off Lufia and Catherine, among other influences.

Pixel art of Lucca, a strong and sexy succubus

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 21/07/2023

I saw Oppenheimer and was a bit baffled at how a lot of the audience was teenaged or even preteen. I wonder how many of those kids felt grifted, thinking they were just going to see a cool movie about blowing up a desert, when instead it's an extremely cerebral meditation on a complicated dude.

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Reposted by John Friscia

Jason Schreier @jasonschreier.bsky.social · 28/04/2023

Finding all your old Twitter follows here is very fun, like it's Final Fantasy 6 and you have to go around getting your friends back together because the old world got destroyed by a sociopath with bad jokes

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 02/07/2023

I just realized you can use Bluesky on desktop and are not limited to just the app. That is exponentially increases the odds that I will actually use this. :)

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John Friscia @johnfriscia.bsky.social · 02/07/2023

Super Nintendo, Japanese RPGs, K-pop, and Berserk are my favorite things in the world. In case I never use this app again, I want my one post here to at least make this important declaration.

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