iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr. Chaos finally off the backlog after 30-ish years.

The end screen of Dr. Chaos for the NES. An 8-bit haunted house exterior in sepia tones on a black background. White text reads: "Congratulations! You are great."

Yeah I was surprised `likes.games` was available for registration a few days ago. I guess domain speculators must be having a hard time keeping up with the explosion of gTLDs or something. I almost feel like it's my civic duty to run a PDS or something to offer these up as handles to the people.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 12h

Secretly, all of this is running up to me relaunching my games-focused blog using @offprint.app over at norm.likes.games. I've already migrated over my existing content, but I know I'll have plenty to say about Dr. Chaos once I've finished it, so that seems like a fitting re-launch post.

norm.likes.games

Norm Likes Games | Offprint

Some guy writing some things about some games

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 12h

And if you're looking for a video where someone quietly and methodically maps out a bunch of rooms and learns how to play a somewhat-obtuse NES game, you could do worse than my streams of Dr. Chaos. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujom...

youtube.com

Let's Play Some Dr. Chaos

YouTube video by Norm Likes Games

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 12h

If you're looking for a powerfully average NES game with some interesting ideas that @jeffgerstmann.com once called "no Jackie Chan's Action Kung-Fu," you could do worse than Dr. Chaos.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 12h

I've been streaming Dr. Chaos for the NES recently. This is one of the first games I remember playing and has never been far from my thoughts (despite forgetting if it was even a real game for 30 years). Pumped to be playing it for real, now that I'm not 7 years old and know how to play games.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 13/09/2026

Holy shit did anyone watch this Banonkey Town documentary? Obviously I feel for anyone who lost money or loved ones to a con artist claiming to be channeling God. But the tonal whiplash of frequent cuts to "she had us working long hours building Banonkey Town" and a clip of a shitty mobile game.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 21/08/2026

For real, though. I think this is a complicated area ethically and morally, but the absolute worst thing we can do is continue to let billionaires run off with ball. I don't use LLMs in my personal projects. But the second Linux support lands in cocore, I'm putting my Framework on the network.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 21/08/2026

Real talk, I get that this whole thing is like 20% of the point of the Network Test and why it runs for a whole weekend. So I ain't mad.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 21/08/2026

Well, what do we have here? You must be a new arrival. Let me guess. The Duskbloods Network Test, right? Well, you're not the first. But there's no game server here. You'd have done better to rot in bed...But, too late now.

It's Crestfallen Warrior from DS1. This post is his intro dialog humorously updated to reference The Duskbloods Network Test.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 17/08/2026

Yeah, seems most retro RPGs are locked up with a couple companies who Blaze hasn't cracked yet. I was hopeful with SNK that we'd get a console collection with Crystalis, but so far it's all arcade. Maybe some day Square-Enix will come to the table and it'll rain RPGs, but it hasn't happened yet.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 17/08/2026

Depends on how strict a definition of RPG you use. A lot of what's listed as RPG are more "action-adventure games in a fantasy setting." And most of the good actual RPGs are on an out of print cart newcomers have a hard time finding. I'd say there are 8 RPGs total, with only 4 currently in print.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 10/08/2026

Explaining to my cat that the thing under the blanket is my other cat that we both just watched go under the blanket.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 06/08/2026

Course the device ain't out yet so we dunno how or how well it'll work, so you may wanna wait for some reviews. But fingers crossed it'll do wha you want. I'll be playing split screen on the TV with my VS though.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 06/08/2026

The Nexus will support local multiplayer via a feature they call "EverSync" that works either over wifi ad hoc or bluetooth I'm not sure. I _believe_ that will work for 2-player multiplayer for Doom at launch with an eye towards expanding it up to the full 4-player.

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Evercade @evercade.co.uk · 06/08/2026

Introducing the Evercade Nexus DOOM Edition. Exclusive design. Exclusive packaging. Exclusive collectibles. Limited to 3,000 units. Pre-orders open 7 August at 3pm UK via Funstock. evercade.link/m/doom-nexus

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 03/08/2026

As a reminder, there are only two types of people in the world: resistlibs and nazis. So if you try to do anything on this website other than reposting resistance larps from altgov accounts or posting AI images of Trump in a dunce cap you will be asked to leave.

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Laurens @laurenshof.online · 03/08/2026

i dislike this beyond being factually incorrect, it is also missing the core problem with Big Tech Algorithms: it is a matter about who controls attention, not the algorithm itself /1

BlueSky today is really two things. There’s the BlueSky app, which is what a lot of people are familiar with. It’s a social network. We think it’s a better social network. It’s more human focused, doesn’t have ads. It doesn’t have algorithms. But more importantly, underneath BlueSky is an open protocol called AT Protocol. And BlueSky is only one of now over a thousand apps built on that protocol.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 30/07/2026

I'd say it's more likely that they aren't including Kazooie/Tooie in the count since it has already been unveiled, if only as the Nexus pack-in so far.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 29/07/2026

They've already confirmed the Kazooie/Tooie cart will be available separately from the Nexus bundle. They haven't said exactly when it'll be, but presumably it'll launch alongside the Nexus bundle in October.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 19/07/2026

Not to say we're entirely bereft of that sort of thing anyway.

A notification from The Atlantic app:

Long live guys' night
TCW explores how the recurring outings with his tight-knit friends in Paris became the most important social habit of his life.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 07/07/2026

Remember when this shit was just chain emails forwarded by your uncle who doesn't quite understand how the Internet works?

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 06/07/2026

I'm willing to go back to the days the tech hipsters wouldn't shut up about kube and the latest Prometheus-compatible datastore that was definitely the most optimized one. The kube channel at work hasn't seen a new message in 6 months cause everyone's in the AI channel posting new model releases.

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Evercade @evercade.co.uk · 01/07/2026

How to open your new Evercade Cart: 1) Open Box 2) Remove manual 3) Smell the fresh print 4) Remember that everything will be ok evercade.link/cartridges

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 24/06/2026

Yeah no interminable get equipped cutscenes, and Boobeam Trap is just three boobeams on a wall. It's very straightforward and just about timing jumps over their shots and shooting them as you come back down. If you'll forgive some blurry images.

Boobeam Trap boss from Mega Man 2 watch version. Three Boobeams are mounted on a wall opposite Mega Man.

The same Boobeams from the prior image have shot at the same time and the projectiles are about to hit Mega Man.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 24/06/2026

Beat Mega Man 2 Watch today lol. It was a pretty fun adaptation. The platforming felt fine, tho the couple swipe-to-turn segments were finicky. Boss fights were still about timing and pattern recognition, but I missed boss weapons and weaknesses.

The ending cutscene of Mega Man 2 where Dr Wiley is on his knees apologizing to Mega Man. It's being shown on a watch attached to a hairy arm.

The Mega Man MyPlay Watch "stage select" watchface that has a grid with robot masters like the Mega Man 2 stage select screen. At the bottom it shows the time (22:38) the date (06/23) and the amount of battery remaining.

My high score for Mega Man Arcade Mode on the MyPlay Watch: 11,360.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 23/06/2026

No better time to pick up the Mega Man Legacy Collection, then 😉. No one's gonna get upset about story spoilers.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 23/06/2026

Hell yeah, Mina was so good. It took me like 6 hours to get a feel for the combat and build up some nice trinkets and upgrades. But once I got it I was locked in. Really needs a controller with a good dpad tho, which is rare these days.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 05/06/2026

Love to have a well-made indie game that offers some meat and some challenge without being the longest and most difficult game I've ever played. Mina really nails offering up some challenge while still always feeling achievable.

Picture of the gameplay stats from the end credits of Mina the Hollower:

Favorite Trinkets: Protospark, Floaty guy, Sturdy boots
Total lives lost: 72
Total Bones: 241,981
Time Played: 20:42:47
Total Item Completion: 54%

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 25/05/2026

It is fine, good, and even useful to remember the past, so long as one doesn't get trapped there. The question is: what do we learn from the past and apply today so that some day we can say "the rise of the open social web was a beautiful moment in time."

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 06/05/2026

Here this one's for all the 90 Day Fiance / The Simpsons fans.

It's four panels from the Simpsons episode with Poochie. The scene where they introduce the character of Roy to mirror the situation in itchy & scratchy.

Except it's been updated to include Cortney, Colt, and Cortney's new old-man boyfriend Philip who Colt is inexplicably living with.

In the first panel, Lisa says the usual "Adding a new character is iften a desperate attempt to boost low ratings." In the second panel, Roy with Philips face pasted over him enters the scene saying "yo yo how's it hanging everyone?" In the third frame, Marge with Cortney's face over it says "morning Philip". In the final frame, Homer with Colt's face pasted over it says "yeah hi Philip."

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 12/04/2026

Me when I enter any snack store at any airport: aw fuck yeah combos lemme get some of those. Me later, on the plane: what the fuck who decided it was a good idea to get combos I hate those.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 25/03/2026

I'm _sure_ that's meant to include "ian-fluencers" as well, but I assume @ianhigton.bsky.social is already well on top of this.

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daniel holmgren 🫠 @dholms.at · 24/03/2026

hey we actually did most of what we promised last time! here's what we'll be up to the next 6 months or so 🕺💃

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 20/03/2026

Yeah, then you'll be looking to do an exchange with your retailer or emailing Evercade support for some assistance. Hopefully you haven't been holding onto the broken cart for too long. But I do still recommend checking your VS power adapter if you haven't already for when you get your replacement.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 19/03/2026

I think Cathedral is still turned off for Alphas, but it should work on all other devices. If you're using a VS/VS-R, make sure you've got a power adapter that outputs at least 5v2a as native games take more power. Handhelds should Just Work so if it's crashing there you may need to hit up support.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 18/03/2026

Two things I've learned in the past decade is: People don't care about "owning" a list of all of the posts they've heart-reacted to. And they don't want to hear about "future migrations being easier," cause they don't even want to have to think about this one and here I'm promising them more?

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 17/03/2026

Man, I was concerned about delusions that LLMs are real people, I forgot to be concerned about delusions that real people are LLMs.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 16/03/2026

I dunno, I think it's neat to play around with what these technologies can deliver to games, but it always feels weird when they get to mess with the art style and personality of the characters undirected.

Left is an image of Dana Scully from X-Files from probably Season 1, looking like a new agent. It is has a label that says "DLSS 5 Off". Right is an image of Dana Scully from...well I dunno, it's probably a promotional image but a bit later. Her hair is shorter and more styled, the lighting is more dramatic, her lips are parted slightly and suggestively. It has a label that says "DLSS 5 On."

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 14/03/2026

I don't think "Jay seems happy in her first week as CIO" or "huh atproto is sort of like a technical counterpart to GPL in that it locks things open," presented as briefly and informally as they are here - and from an _interim_ CEO - belong on the company blog, no.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 14/03/2026

I for one am glad Toni isn't immediately turning Bluesky into his own personal vanity project and using the high-visibility company blog for what amounts to a couple of vague, initial thoughts.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 10/03/2026

Now to fire up the ol' Discover feed to read some Completely Normal Takes about the Bluesky news.

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bryan newbold @bnewbold.net · 09/03/2026

Jay seized a historical moment and speed-ran Bluesky through some wild times. I'm glad she's found her own way back to the big picture. have had great conversations with @toni.bsky.team about standards work and open source governance. very important to have continuity of clueful leadership!

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Emelia @thisismissem.social · 09/03/2026

Heeey, look, it's me! I'm super hyped to announce that @bsky.app have given me a grant to work on the standards for the Federated Credential Management API (or FedCM) to make them really work for all decentralized web applications.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 08/03/2026

👋 I really can't believe how easy the migration process has become with tools like the moover. I remember looking into migration in early 2024 and it seemed to be somewhere between impossible and infeasible, where you had to stitch together your own script from very vague written instructions.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 07/03/2026

Finally got around to moving over to @selfhosted.social. Felt like an important thing to stop putting off after going to the fediforum workshop last week. Feels good.

A screenshot of pdsls.dev showing recent PLC operations against my account, moving from a mushroom PDS over to selfhosted.social. Nice.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 07/03/2026

Heck even Seinfeld or Rick & Morty. I'm not sure what the cause is. Is it just poor media literacy, or will people always take what they want from piece of media - or is that the same thing? It's possible the solution _is_ just "these stories are irresponsible to tell at scale," but I hate that.

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nromdotcom @nromdotcom.cloud · 07/03/2026

I'm very conflicted about these kinds of stories. I think some are worth telling and offer unique perspectives that can be interesting to analyze. But like many other challenging pieces of mass media, can suffer context collapse. Happens with satire like Starship Troopers and RoboCop as well...

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