iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Turns out yesterday was my #pico8 anniversary! Been 10 years since I got that ill-fated PocketCHIP but it introduced me to the fun that is making P8 games. No new release this year :( Life been a bit too busy (good and bad) but hopefully soon. Thanks to all that inspired and helped.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Definitely gonna watch through B&T tonight. It also comes with happy memory of when I gave a 6th grade history report in the style of Ted with all the "dudes, totally's, and likes" you would expect. I got an A. #billandtedday

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

When I as a kid and learned that Arkanoid on #NES came with a spinner controller it's all I wanted, lol - I thought it was so cool and loved anything Breakout-style. I never did find the controller but I still lover spinners and love that this is a thing.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

This thing still on? Dusted off an old #pico8 project and giving it to #picotron - has mouse controls so lends itself. Slow and steady while I try to remember stuff, lol - but that feeling of magic when writing some words and then having it be playable is still there. #gamedev > #webdev

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

WTF!? Why is it constantly so damn expensive to go to a concert anymore? I love my music, love my artists, but c'mon.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Found this gem at my local nerd toy store. Entex Galaxian 2 handheld, circa 1981. Works, thanks to 4 fat C batteries. #lcd #handheld #vintage #glorious

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

I can easily say that getting a Retro Gamer print subscription is one of the best things I've done for myself. Getting a mag in the mail feels a little like Christmas every month. The only downside is I'm an issue behind being in the States but still well worth it. Do yourself a favor...buy it!

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

It took a looong time but I did beat the tunnel when I was younger. This was one of my fav carts that I still have. But the tunnel is not the hardest level in Toads. Just about any level after always gave me more trouble. But might just be bc I didn’t suffer through it as often.

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Reposted by Brian Vaughn

Wario64 @wario64.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Dariusburst: Another Chronicle EX+ is $11.99 on US eShop buff.ly/mXjfVIR US PSN buff.ly/TdzX8Gd

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Itd be really neat if this was the year of pc-in-a-keyboard. I’m all in on that. Having a laptop floating around while I type on external keyboard and such is a real pain. Just make it a decent keyboard and you can take my money. www.theverge.com/tech/858494/...

theverge.com

The Verge Awards at CES 2026

Rollable laptops, twice-folding phones, and a ‘longevity station.’ This is the CES tech we come back for.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

I'm getting *really* tired of seeing everyone's #pico8 and #picotron gamedev work, lol - it's really making me want to start my next game but I have a non-game project that needs finished first. So please, just stop sharing all your awesome screenshots. It's too motivating. Thank you.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

I admit I haven’t played a ton of new games this year, but Earthion is easily my favorite. So well done and so fun. Even if you’re not a shmup’er, it’s worth your time and money.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

“You have 20 seconds to be merry!” I didn’t really know it was a thing I needed but The Wife got me an ED-209 plushie for Christmas. Hilarious and awesome. She’s the best. #robocop #ed209 #christmas #bestpresent #plushie

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Doing some cleaning and poster inventory-ing and found this gem. I’m not even sure what happened to Cyrix, who bought them or what. But I sold a lot of those chips back in the day. #retropc #computers #vintagepc #msdos #posters

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Long time coming for this one. And finally a reason to visit Detroit…or at least stop on the way through it. #robocop youtube.com/shorts/yiLDL...

youtube.com

Robocop has arrived in Detroit’s Eastern Market!

YouTube video by Daily Detroit

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Rock n roll has been difficult lately. Shout it out loud, folks, all nite and everyday. #rip #ace #kiss

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Tron: Ares was fine...far better than I think the box office and many reviews suggest. It looked like a Tron film but in many ways it didn't feel like a Tron film. Also...where the hell was Tron?! We get the ghost of Obi Wan Flynn but no hint of Tron. Miss. #tron #tronares #disney #wherestron

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

I'd bet Gruber is the most prolific #pico8 music man since he has graciously made his music available to everyone. I know I've used his music in just about every game I've made.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

I have no qualms with the picks here but the order could probably use a little adjustment. Also a reminder that 1988 was a banner year.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

It seems a lot of my games feel appropriate for the Halloween & horror season. Because what's more Halloween-worthy than #Ghostbusters? Bustin' is my #pico8 arcade game tasking you with saving the city from Gozer and all the Slimers. Great for parties! Play: morningtoast.itch.io/ghostbusters...

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

I know better than to hold my breath but the #pico8 Splore browser could really use some QoL updates for helping to organize favorited games. At this point I’d rather have some effort put there than more functions and commands for making games. www.timeextension.com/news/2025/10...

timeextension.com

Playdate OS 3.0 Adds A Much-Requested Feature: Folders

"We never dreamt developers would create so many great Playdate games"

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Reposted by Brian Vaughn

Kevin™ @kevinthompson.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

The holiday season is right around the corner and that means it’s almost time for another #pico8 Advent Calendar! Submissions for the 2025 PICO-8 Advent Calendar are open starting today and we’ll be accepting entries until the end of November. More information on Itch: itch.io/jam/pico-8-a...

itch.io

PICO-8 Advent Calendar 2025

A game jam from 2025-10-04 to 2025-12-01 hosted by Kevin & Jenny Schmidt (bikibird). Every year, the PICO-8 community comes together to make games that reflect the joys and anxieties of the winter hol...

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

It's October and the perfect time for my most successful #pico8 game. Adventure, horror, shmup...like all those words? Then you'll probably dig it. Don't Dig Up the Dead morningtoast.itch.io/dont-dig-up-... Deluxe version comes with special in-game item. #october #halloween #horror #shmup

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Bouquets & Bunnies is now up on Itch! morningtoast.itch.io/bouquetsbunn... Download also available for PC and the PICO-8 cart. Thanks to everyone that has played and enjoyed! What's your high score so far? #pico8 #gamedev #itch #ufo50 #release #arcade

morningtoast.itch.io

Bouquets & Bunnies by Brian Vaughn / Morning Toast

A UFO50-inspired snake game. Collect flowers and make bouquets to win back your partner's love.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

I miss the days of awesome EQs and wicked visualizers with our music players. In the car, on the computer, everywhere! I would just keep a display going on an extra monitor just to create the "club vibe" in my room (back when I didn't have to worry about power bills).

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Reposted by Brian Vaughn

Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Bouquets & Bunnies released for #pico8 www.lexaloffle.com/bbs/?tid=151... Plant and collect followers to charm back your partner. Avoid the bunnies and grow that high score! A #UFO50 Magic Garden tribute. Go native! Look for it in Splore. On Itch soon. #gamedev #indiedev #arcade #retro

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Time to plug in my 360…often forget about this one. So much fun. So fast. easily one of the best Arcade releases. This and Outrun are 2 big reasons I keep my 360 in working order.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

I have no nostalgia for the C64 or the ZX but I find myself debating between getting one of them. They just look like fun...but they ain’t cheap. On the good side, if I end up with one, it can’t ruin any memories. Orrrr…just get a Steamdeck and get it all anyway. Choices, choices…

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

Playtesting is the best and worst...great because it means you're close. Worst because you know you'll find that one little thing you need to fix. #pico8 #wip #gamedev #ufo50

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

Lords of light! Wrong. Thundarr deserves a modern reboot more than Blackstar. They both pre-date He-Man but I think you could do a lot with Thundarr and his crew these days. Just let someone like Joaquim Dos Santos run things and it would rock.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

Easily one of the best all-around games I've played in all my years. Plays good, looks good, sounds good. Arcade damn near perfected. Don't discount that soundtrack either, it's worth a buy on its own. I had good luck using a joystick with this on the Switch. Makes it even more arcade-y.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Guess I need to watch "Sneakers" and "The Natural" real soon. The Natural was my intro to Redford when I was little...anything baseball, I was all about it...and my mom was always happy to watch it thanks to him, lol

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Perhaps no other movie impacted my high school gimmick more than Hackers. From the bright orange pager I had to “Hack the planet” written on the top of grad cap. Not unlike Tron, Hackers gave us an awesome visual for what being a computer nerd could be. And it had an incredible soundtrack to boot.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Finally got some time to work on my #pico8 game, now with a new title: Bouquets & Bunnies. Slightly "cuter" than maybe I'd prefer but a little easier to say and remember. Thanks to @russellashby.bsky.social for giving me some better movement math, much better now! Soon. #gamedev #ufo50

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Reposted by Brian Vaughn

Paul Nicholas @liquidream.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

The 𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗢⬩𝟭𝗞 𝗝𝗔𝗠 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 has now started! 🥳 🌐 itch.io/jam/pico-1k-... You have until end of Sep to create: 🕹️ Games 📺 Demos 🛠️ Tools ...in #Pico8 (or #Picotron) using ≤ 1KB of 🗜️ code ( #Tweetcart, see code in ALT tag) #Pico1k #GameJam #Demoscene #Sizecoding

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

I need some recommendations for web hosting services. I've been using Ionos/1&1 for 15+ years. Problems with them are very rare but when problems do happen, they offer zero help. I'm not a sysop or domain admin, nor do I want to be. #needhelp #webhosting #ssl #webadmin #domains

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

Hell yes. I still have my Shatterhand NES cart and it’s still a great play (and not a cake walk). The NES wasn’t short on platformers but Shatterhand was one of the few where the theme/style got my attention. If this remake is anything like what they did with Wild Guns, we’ll be in for a good time.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

I'm not really worried about confusion (I know my niche) but there are a lot of "Tiny Garden" games out there...sooo... Kinda wordy by does have good alliteration, plus it kinda tells the story of the game. #pico8 #details

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Anyone going to #gdex this weekend? Not sure I’ll have time to go but I’d like to try. #pico8 #picotron #retrogaming #gamedev

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Title! It lacks a little panache but it'll do...maybe. I'm quickly reaching the "I just need to be done" point. Ugh. #pico8 #wip

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

I don’t specifically design for joysticks but they’re always on my mind when making a game. Happy that my Magic Garden #pico8 game feels great on a cabinet. (Sorry for the super clicky A1Up stick) #arcade #ufo50

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

To the person that donated/purchased Alien: Harvest today...THANK YOU! I so appreciate when someone shows their enjoyment by putting a few bucks in the jar. Alien: Harvest - morningtoast.itch.io/alien-harvest Best on your #pico8 console but available as a PC download or on the web.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Wanted a animated tutorial but...I'm lazy. This one is close to a release. Still need a title though, lol...and some better sfx but very happy with it overall. The Wife even approves and has been asking to play, which can't be a bad thing. #pico8 #gamedev #wip #ufo50

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

What a wonderful picture to start my day. Thank you, Randy Orton.

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Brian Vaughn @morningtoast.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

He finally agreed to look at the camera! #pyrlife #dogs #pyr

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