iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Yup, lots of RNG! It's somewhat organised chaos though because prices change according to randomly generated trajectories eg they might creep up slowly in one location while plummeting in another Glad you got the new version though. At least you have a chance of the RNG gods being on your side now!

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I'd rather I had released the game with an obvious bug that crashes the game. Instead, it had a bug which just ensures you start the game with particularly unpromising (and un-fun) starting prices. The worst kind really, coz now the 50 people who kindly downloaded it might just think...bleh. 😒

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

That's extremely kind of you, thanks!

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Also, I have to say I messed up and released a broken version, which will be extremely challenging (and the same) every time! Sorry! Fixed now.

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

If you're interested, you can get the UNBROKEN version now 😮‍💨

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

PPS: I madly deleted an important bit of code minutes before publishing. So, if you feel like it, the proper game is now in place. Ugh! Sorry!

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

In case you missed it, I deleted an essential RANDOMIZE from the listing moments before publishing (don't ask why! it was essential and has been there for about 3 years!!!) Fixed now if you want the proper game! 😖

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I messed up and released a broken version, so it will be extremely challenging every time! Sorry! Fixed now.

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Well, this is awkward. I was sat with my completed game for 5 days before releasing it. And a couple of hours before releasing, I decided to delete an essential RANDOMIZE command. Which ruins it. So this is the REAL file! Sorry!! saucerbrain.itch.io/silk-road-tr...

saucerbrain.itch.io

Silk Road Trader by saucerbrain

A trading game for the ZX Spectrum 48k

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Yup, similar price in the supermarkets. Local Coop has a deal but I think it just brings them DOWN to that price. I think they also feature in my Morisson's deal making them slightly better. But a long arm-stretching walk!

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Thanks DadGamer! I'm available for hints and tips if required. PS: Please ignore any historical and geographical inaccuracies you might find!

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Ouch! Thanks for spotting that. I meant Antiochia (a Roman city.) My shorthand found its way into the instructions. I'll fix that. Appreciate the heads-up!

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

You're more than welcome! Thanks for trying it. I would say this one is hard to win. I've completed it ONCE! And since then I tweaked a few variables, so it might be easier now - or more difficult. 😆 Definitely possible on paper...

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Yeah, Dartmoor Brewery. There's a nice pub in town that does it on tap as well. Need to make the effort to go there again sometime.

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Reposted by saucerbrain

Jim Blimey @jimblimey.com · 28/08/2026

Friday once more! Some Old Peculier in the glass and @saucerbrain.bsky.social 's new game on the rubber.

ZX Spectrum 48K with a pint of Old Peculier and Silk Road on the screen

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I had the same thought. Planned to get some Dragon Breath (dark one with liquorice and treacle in it!) But forgot and now I can't be arsed. Abbot it is then...

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

That's fun. Playing it now. :)

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

It's meant to be a proper game.

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

If you select 'n', you'll just continue as you were.

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Ah yeah, I didn't talk about that in the instructions. Relading is for if you want to ditch cargo or move it from one animal to another (to give one a rest, etc)

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Aw, how lovely! But you're going to be gutted if he steps on a snake.

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Go get your saffron, kid! 😁

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Buy low, sell high, and look after your donkey. Here's my trading game for the #ZXSpectrum. Hope you enjoy it! saucerbrain.itch.io/silk-road-tr...

saucerbrain.itch.io

Silk Road Trader by saucerbrain

A trading game for the ZX Spectrum 48k

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Made an early fortune on carpets in Syria (plus a few lucky pepper deals) so now I'm swanning around Central Asia with camels and armed escorts in year 3. Which is good. The donkey is my anti-wolf security. Well was. In the end the wolves ate him. :( No bugs, or crashes yet!

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

That would be perfect but honestly, I don't think I dare spare the memory! 😅

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

No camel, no donkey, not enough money to buy one, and nothing to sell? I used all my graphic design experience to cover that:

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

That's pretty much how I look as I'm testing it! :D

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Final tests before publication. Seems stable so far. Also, creator's tip: If you haven't got a camel by year 4, you're not winning!

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Sounds intriguing - but also very technical. I'd certainly like to learn how to do that one day.🤔

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

😆Don't worry, the donkeys are a protected species. There are whole cities I would raze to the ground before I removed even a single donkey!

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

I might be wrong but I think 128k doesn't give me more programming space? If I AM wrong, that would be great!

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

I've restored the Silk Road empires (Rome, Persia, Kushans, China) coz I'm trying to do something with them. I tell you what though: I'm scrabbling around for memory like a hungry ant-eater in the heart of Notmanyantsland.

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Finished at last! Play-testing for bugs and balance (and I'll add some camels to the title screen before release, obvs)

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

It would certainly have its advantages!

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

I learnt that donkeys are protective of their stablemates, and pretty badass (excuse the pun) against wolves. So, I had to put that in.

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

It's a race as to which runs out first :)

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Good idea! Memory permitting, I shall consider putting that in. Cheers!

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Can't be too long now, I hope. :D We just need a) wolves attacking b) dust storms c) hiring armed escorts d) finding abandoned luggage And that's it. About 6 more years?

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saucerbrain @saucerbrain.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

I needed to get more camels into the game somehow.

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