iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Using the Steam2 content dump, I can now provide incontrovertible proof that Killing Floor's October 2009 "Level Up Update" did, in fact, originally have the Stalkers on KF-Wyre's lab tables be nude before being censored in a later patch. #killingfloorlore #killinglore

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Everyone talking about Portal leak this and L4D leak that, and yet no one talks about us having a late 2011 build of Revelations 2012! I can't really tell what's different since it's been 14 years, but it is the pre-patch, pre-F2P version! #revelations2012 #haterade

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

I know it's been 14 years since I said I wouldn't buy CS:GO until they brought back the Arctic Avenger, but to think, he had already been there this whole time. Why, @counter-strike.net? Why did you get so close only to cruelly deny us the Avengers? #teraleak #bringbackarcticavengers

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Good news, everyone! I'm currently ranked #1 worldwide for Insane difficulty on the Depth Dwellers global leaderboard! I guess it really goes to show you: As long as you put your mind to it, there is no depth you cannot dwell! #depthdwellers #awsome

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

The 1997 3D Realms building virtual tour has a photo of THE iconic urinal that was digitized for Duke Nukem 3D. How many have virtually urinated into this very fixture? Hey @3drealms.bsky.social, where's this historical artifact preserved and viewable by the public? #dukelore

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Even after all these Quake expansions, there has yet to be a single explanation as to why the series keeps depicting Jesus partially noclipping into walls. Hey @doom.com (@Quake is not on Bluesky), are you explicitly implying that Jesus came from the Backrooms™? #quake #backrooms #quakelore

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

In Doom's PC manual, the Imp is called a "brown bastard". In the Super Nintendo manual, the Imp's called a "mutant". In the Sega 32X manual, the Imp's called a "brown bomber". What in the fireblu did you mean by a "brown bomber", @doom.com @sega-west.bsky.social @sega.jp? #doom #doomlore

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Good news, my fellow Depth Dwellians! The developer of the in-development Depth Dwellers remaster, @trisoftlegacy.com,posted photos of the game's original box sample as well as the rare Spanish edition! Truly, we may live to see the day of the long-awaited Depth Dwellers big box rerelease. #awsome

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

You know what? I'm not gonna to take this sitting down! Despite Ritual not selling this SiN Ep1 patch shirt for 20 years now, I went and bought it and the accompanying mouse pad anyway! They just arrived, and here's photo proof! How do you like them apples, @MumboJumboGames (again, not on Bluesky)?

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

I wish I had bought the official "I beat SiN Episode 1 Before the Patch!" shirt when I had the chance back in 2006, because how can I tell people 20 years later that I did, in fact, beat SiN Episode 1 before the patch? Hey @MumboJumboGames (not on Bluesky), can you come back and unpatch SiN Ep1?

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Speaking of its 20th anniversary, these are just a handful of screenshots I captured on the first day I purchased The Ship on July 24, 2006. Boy, it's hard to believe all these people must certainly be dead by now. #theship

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

After 27 years, I've finally solved this Duke Nukem: Zero Hour mystery reference for myself. Hey @dukenukemgame (not on BlueSky), how was I supposed to get this as a kid? This bloody British humour just went way over me bloomin' head! #dukenukem #dukelore #alanpartridge #cookpassbabtridge

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

URGENT TWEET: Did anyone about 30-ish years ago either send or receive a @sega.jp Segagram using one of these "Duke Grams"? That email sitting in your AOL or Compuserve account may be the last hope of preserving these lost Duke Nukem 3D renders! #segagram #dukelore #damnyouregood

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

I want to wish everyone a Happy Valenti- wait a minute, why is the camouflage pattern on Duke 3D's Pig Cop Tank the same as the one on the camo walls in Final Doom's Plutonia? You lied to me, @dukenukemgame (not on Bluesky) @doom.com! You betrayed me! You used me! #dukelore #doomlore #Valentines

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

I've received reports that Steam scammers are impersonating my profile and sending friend requests. If you ever need to verify it's really me, always check for Verne and Varginha Remastered Playtest. In other words, if it ain't got Mini-Me in Varginha, it ain't me (in Varginha).

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

I see all these people always talking about Half-Life 3, and yet no one talks about the fact that the Stalker concept art in the Half-Life 2 anniversary documentary is so heavily cropped. Why do you not want us to see, like, 80% of the beta Stalker, @valvesoftware.com? #halflife

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

I wanted to assure everyone that the Ivan and Monkey picture is not lost media as it had always been safely preserved. Perhaps by viewing this image you may also be a part in ensuring its historical legacy for future generations. #halflife #gordonandamonkey

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

YEARLY THANKSGIVING REDNECK RAMPAGE FU FACT: If you "Yeehaw!" in a barrel, you're rewarded with a whole 10 bonus health points instead of the normal 1! Be sure to use this elite tactic to give yourself the edge in your next Redneck Rampage multiplayer competition! #Thanksgiving

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

On this day and no other, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Ricochet, unleashed Nov. 14, 2000 with Counter-Strike. As its Steam page is wrong, I suggest finding a way of remembering Ricochet's correct birthday. It's easy for me since today is also my own birthday. #ricochet2

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Once again, Valve's deceit fools an unsuspecting populace: Ricochet's release date on Steam is false. Ricochet released November 14, 2000 in the retail disc version of Counter-Strike. But fear not, for I continue my 20+ years vigilance against Valve's Ricochet lies! #ricochet2

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

I searched and could only find 20+ year old forum posts mentioning this, so here's the Return to Castle Wolfenstein "I need ammo!" reference in Sealab 2021. To any surviving show creators: See? One guy did recognize the reference. And I even remembered it too! Totally worth it!

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

After years of searching, I finally refound my favorite 90s Half-Life fan art of all time! Sadly, I lost the artist's name literal decades ago, but what mere name can do justice to a masterpiece? Hey @valvesoftware.com, please cancel HLX and remake this picture. #halflife

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Reposted by Marphy Black

Mega64 @mega64official.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Today is the 20th anniversary of the original “WTF BOOM” meme getting uploaded to the internet. Many may not know this, but the explosion and laughter comes from our “Cold Fear” video we did for Ubisoft back in 2005. Thank you for keeping the legacy alive.

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

20 years ago today, July 14, 2005, I created "Link finds a WTF" on YTMND, later becoming better known today on the Internet after it took on a life of its own as "WTF BOOM!". To commemorate this 20th anniversary, I've remastered my original WTF BOOM! YTMND in 4k. #ytmnd #wtfboom

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Spurred on by @wrestlingbios.bsky.social' latest Reliving the War, I reviewed the Sep 18, 2000 WWF Raw to try to find myself and my dad in the audience, and I think we're roughly among these blurry splotches. Thus, I can say I was on cable TV! Does anyone have a satellite feed of this show?

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

Actual footage of my desktop on this day (and most days, to be fair). #doom #fireworks

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

20 years ago today, June 28, 2005, I created "What is Half-Life?" on YTMND, becoming my most popular site there which spurred an interest in creating more HL stuff. whatishl.ytmnd.com But it left one burning question: Hey @valvesoftware.com, what is Half-Life? #halflife #ytmnd

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

In this Duke Nukem D-Day build, the lockers in this science lab kind of look like the ones in Half-Life's Anomalous Materials Lab. It even has one labeled "Freeman" too! What are the odds? Boy, what a coincidence this is, eh @valvesoftware.com @gearboxofficial.bsky.social? #halflife #dukelore

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

In this book's Garry Newman interview, this screenshot is identified as being the original 1998 Half-Life, yet it's clearly 2006's Half-Life: Deathmatch Source! Boy I really hope somebody got fired for this blunder, @bitmapbooks.com! And why didn't you correct them, @garrynewman.bsky.social? #jbmod

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

In this newly-leaked Duke Nukem: D-Day build, the evil scientist's lab contains cloning tanks with Dukes from 1, 2, 3D, and even TTK. However, the fourth tank is empty! As if we're still waiting for that Duke! Maybe waiting... 'forever'! I see what you did there, @dukenukemgame (not on Bluesky)!

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

You: Barney Calhoun in Blue Shift isn't Barney Calhoun because it doesn't call you Barney. Me: The manual calls you Barney Calhoun. Multiple times, even! Don't worry, @gearboxofficial.bsky.social, I'm a real fan who's got your back! #halflife #realfan (Scans by @segadreamcastinfo.bsky.social)

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

The key art for the new release of The Fortress of Dr. Radiaki depicts Dr. Radiaki himself with two normal arms, yet his left arm (or right, if the shot's flipped) is canonically a laser cannon. Boy, I really hope somebody got fired for this blunder, @zoom-platform.com! #radiakilore

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Whoever just won this shirt at auction has officially laid claim to the being the coolest cat in all of the Doom-dom. You can go ahead and cancel the game release now, @doom.com; the dark ages of Doom are no more! #doom #doomer #doomersdoit

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

The RIOTTANK.3DS model found in the recent 3D Realms discs in the late Stephen Hornback's data archive sure looks like it could be 'the' original model used for the Pig Cop Tank sprites in Duke Nukem 3D. Hey @dukenukemgame (not on Bluesky), can you confirm or disconfirm this suspicion? #dukelore

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Good news, my fellow PO'ed-ians! My PC physical edition of PO'ed: Definitive Edition has arrived, now joining The World's Largest (known) PO'ed Collection™! This may also inadvertently document the woeful decline of PC "big" box releases. #poed #RIPboxesthatRtoobig #3do4life

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

To assuage the public's fears, I wanted to assure everyone that, after several harrowing months in shipping, my Barney on Miami Beach mug has arrived safe and sound. It now sits on my desk where it will serve out its days as a container for bits and bobs. #halflife #barney #miami

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Speaking of Painkiller, I'll be on the lookout in the reboot for my favorite iconic foes of the series, those being stagehands, robots, vikings, Japan, and pirate skeletons. What did you mean by the theological implications of robots ending up in Purgatory, @painkillergame.bsky.social?

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

Hey Activision, in your new Hexen Reborn mobile game app, the store page shows an ESRB rating of M but captioned as 13, but the event page about the ongoing raid event clearly shows PEGI 7 (and 3)! Boy, I really hope somebody got fired for this blunder, @ravensoftware.com! #hexen

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

According to video rental store chain Hollywood Video, Halo has more "family appeal" than Half-Life. While I can't find Hollywood Video's social media account, let me tell you, @playhalo.bsky.social (not real?), that the daily life of an MIT graduate can be perfectly enjoyed by the whole family!

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

In the grand tradition of putting too many enemies than wot belongs in one space, I've created the first custom map for PO'ed: Definitive Edition that pits you against hundreds and hundreds of Butts in a level inspired by the classics that I dub... BUTTNUTS. #poed #nuts #buttnuts

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

Happy 30 years of Rise of the Triad! To celebrate, I went and fixed those fullbright yellow pixels that appeared on foggy enemies that really bugged me the past few decades. I mean, what are we to believe, that these are some sort of magic sparkly Enforcers or something? #rott30

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

The 1999 Team Fortress Classic Mapping Contest winners were included on the Opposing Force install disc. However, they were never added to TFC proper, leaving them forgotten to time. What sin must a TFC map commit for you to banish it to obscurity, @valvesoftware.com?

Look! It's The Blood Tube (btube.bsp) by Erik Doescher aka AoW|McCoy!

Look! It's Open Fire (openfire.bsp) by Preston Glenn aka Hexadecimal!

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Valve lied to us. On Nov 18, 2023, they claimed their HL1 25th Anniversary Update added sprays from the Further Data disc. However, one unique new spray was slipped in among them: "gorilla", the same one seen in Half-Life: Alyx. @valvesoftware.com, what's da deal? #halflife #gorilla

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

I was perusing 1970s-era publications on mythological woodland creatures, as you do, and I found him. Hey @valvesoftware.com, what about this specific 1976 illustration by Dutch artist Rien Poortvliet inspired aspirations of space travel? #halflife #LittleRocketMan #youvebeengnomed

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

Actual footage of me celebrating January 1st. #doom #HappyNewYear

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

Now that the newest oldest Blue Shift build has been released, I can finally say that my favorite part of this prototype is its comically oversized toolbox. I mean, gee, that's one really big toolbox! Yep. Boy howdy! Why'd you make this toolbox so big, @gearboxofficial.bsky.social ? #halflife

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

I want to wish everyone a Merry Chri- wait a minute, why does page 129 of the Prima Games Doom 3 guide say that the Monorail Airlock's security code is 953 when it's actually 826!? I'm afraid I have no choice but to declare Christmas officially ruined. #doom #doom3 #hackxmasery

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

Actual photo of me in the middle of deciding which Duke expansion to play this holiday season.

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Looking back at the Half-Life 2: Update community commentary node I wrote in 2013, I'd say I was darn close at guessing Valve's official 2024 node! I only missed the unimportant bits like physics, story, sweeping, etc. @valvesoftware.com, can I write Half-Life: Source's commentary?

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Marphy Black @slappycromwell.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

These are YouTube's video ideas for me. I think I shall pursue the last one. Hey @valvesoftware.com, I will require 50 billion dollars in order to construct an Anti-Mass Spectrometer and engineer a cataclysmic world-ending catastrophe. Also, what's an Anti-Mass Spectrometer?

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