iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 6h

THREAD: All the talk of the new Dizzy game and the sad fact the Oliver Twins are using AI, reminded me of a few Commodore 64 issues around the 8-bit versions of Dizzy for that format. Two games in particular which are notable:

130

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

At the Halle St Michael's for the @kristinhersh.bsky.social gig shortly. Going to be very enjoyable and a cosy intimate setting, the sort of gigs I like.

020

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Amstrad CPC owners - if you are after original games that are properly tested before going on sale, see below. I have bought C64 and MSX games from here (and they do Spectrum too) and all loaded first go. Comes highly recommended by me. #AmstradCPC #MSX #ZXSpectrum #Commodore64 #C64 #RetroGaming

172

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

THREAD: So I set myself a little musical challenge: get together a compilation where: * all songs are between 8 and 9 minutes long (8:00 to 8:59) * I must own the song on an album on CD * The songs chosen would need to fit on an 80 minute CD, so that would be a maximum of 9 I did 2CDs. Here goes:

110

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Some excellent people to follow here on Bluesky courtesy of @81632bitretro.com - do read the whole thread as there's plenty of good'uns in here.

020

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Your perfect opportunity to discover the back catalogue of the former project of @penfriendrocks.bsky.social - She Makes War. Either for free, or pay what you can. Hard to pick a favourite, but the Direction of Travel album is a very good start point - and go from there.

020

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Listening to this just shows what an impressive double 12" EP it was back in 1985. Cabaret Voltaire at their beats driven uncompromising best. www.discogs.com/release/5181...

discogs.com

Cabaret Voltaire - Drinking Gasoline

View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1985 Vinyl release of "Drinking Gasoline" on Discogs.

010

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Nice deliveries in the post today: Issue 88 of @freeze64.bsky.social complete with Back to the Future insight Karate Champ C64 Americana re-release

192

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Fun fun fun on the Warsaw tram tram tram... It's time for the round up of the European Tram Driver Championships from The Tim Traveller. Spot the Croydon drivers breaking something, and tram themed versions of Waterfall by The Stone Roses, F1, and Champions League: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBP9...

youtube.com

FULL HIGHLIGHTS: The European Tram Driver Championships 2026

YouTube video by The Tim Traveller

011

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Listening to the latest album from @kristinhersh.bsky.social and it's very enjoyable. Looking forward to the live gig in Manchester on Friday night too.

The front cover of the new Kristin Hersh album Sugar on Blackstone. The lettering is to the left with a white background, whilst the middle and right has a pastel coloured painting of Kristin, showing her face, hair, neck and shoulders. Kristin is looking left towards the camera with her eyes piercing the image perfectly.

1142

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Time for four more obscure arcade games, including an odd beat-em-up and a three dimensional game that may feature helicopters. Watch the latest instalment from @bloggospow.bsky.social and find out, and stay around for the extra bonus game. I'm sure it will remind you of a later C64 budget classic.

021

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Some excellent people to follow on here in the thread below - cheers to @81632bitretro.com for putting it together.

030

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Sound advice from Dr Jessica Barker on why you should never give out a Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) code to anyone, not least scammers who may be calling you. www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN_b...

youtube.com

Someone asked for your 2FA code? Here’s what’s really happening

YouTube video by jessica barker

120

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

37 years ago today, I attended my first Manchester derby at Maine Road. And as a City fan, it was not a bad one to start with. The noise, and the passion was something else, not to mention Andy Hinchcliffe's superb fifth goal. www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3So...

youtube.com

[89/90] Man City v Man Utd, Sep 23rd 1989 [Highlights]

YouTube video by mcfcvideos2

020

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Oh dear me. Another broadcaster (Disney+) who clearly does not know what to do with women's football. Stop using social media "influencers" and concentrate on the football instead, giving the players, teams and the game the respect it deserves. Is it that hard? www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

bbc.co.uk

Advert break during Arsenal Champions League game was unscheduled

Coverage of Arsenal's Women's Champions League opener also featured a dog on set, a vegetable platter and a rotating floor.

010

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Can't believe it's already been a week since I was having a wonderful time in Lisbon. I'll need to go back and explore more of the craft beer places, but in the meantime here's some pics to give you a flavour: flickr.com/photos/zawto...

flickr.com

Lisbon September 2026

It was an enjoyable holiday in Lisbon after a previous visit in 2015, and this time based quite close to the river and the Praça do Comércio, which meant a different view on some sights old and new. ...

050

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Still to this day a cracking album.

062

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

As someone mentioned the obscure origins of the theme from Kick Start, I always refer people on to this absolute banger - the theme for the BBC2 Rugby League Floodlit Trophy. I am sure @thersw.bsky.social would agree. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZHk...

youtube.com

Ticket To Rio * Rolf-Hans Müller * Rugby League BBC2 Trophy

YouTube video by bondbrookebond

041

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Back in the 1980s, Steve Davis was the leading snooker player (understatement) so it was inveitable a licenced game would appear. It had huge chart success across multiple formats, and @superchartisland.com takes up the story of the original CDS release and its Blue Ribbon budget label re-release.

111

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Today is the European Tram Driver Championship from Warsaw. This will be fun with the challenges, and yes, The Tim Traveller is there: www.youtube.com/live/R1PeT9Z...

youtube.com

12th European TramDriver Championship in Warsaw

YouTube video by TRAM-EM

020

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

And that is why Manchester City under Andrée Jeglertz are still the side to beat in the WSL this season. Finding a way to win and late on too shows that determination, drive, and will to win. Lauren Hemp on fire as per usual. #WSL #MCILIV

000

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Another WSL Manchester City game, and another Khadija "Bunny" Shaw goal. Not sure Khiara Keating, the Liverpool and former City goalkeeper, will want to watch that save back though... #WSL #MCILIV

000

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I had a very enjoyable week in Lisbon recently. Lots of exploration including Graça, Alfama, Belém, Cristo Rei, Carcevelos, the castle, Panteão Nacional (where Eusébio is buried), the iconic 28 tram, MAAT museum, and even a free festival. Pictures are here: www.flickr.com/photos/zawto...

flickr.com

Lisbon September 2026

030

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

There were some odd game licences back in the day, including model toys, bands and even tie ins with tyre companies. @bloggospow.bsky.social takes a look at a few of them with some interesting results. Are the games worth it or are they meh? Watch and find out.

011

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Well done Ireland. Now let's see other countries follow suit.

130

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Manchester is BLUE. That is all. To Blue Moon: "Ten men You couldn't beat ten men You couldn't beat ten men You couldn't beat ten men.'

122

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

@stepickford.bsky.social - can you please verify if John had anything to do with this, or is it incorrect?

210

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Turning a negative into a positive with a donation today, and thoroughly deserved. The RNLI also have beach lifeguards that you may need one day when caught by a wave in Cornwall, and their volunteers and communities are the best of us. Let's celebrate them for the heroes that they are.

Image from the RNLI website which apears when you make a donation to their cause. The text says "Thank you for your donation" in large print, and underneath in smaller print it says "Your generosity today will help save lives at sea". The image to the right has four volunteers dressed in yellow and black outfits ready to take the sea to save lives, no matter who they are.

031

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

It's the Women's Champions League draw tomorrow. Part of me would love Man City to get Inter Milan away, because it means I can visit this! (video courtesy of The Tim Traveller - he could've started in central Milan with a capuccino and a copy of Gazetta Della Sport!) www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8mu...

youtube.com

The Oldest Stadium Ever Used For Professional Football

YouTube video by The Tim Traveller

110

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Approved by the Tony Wilson Archive, this is an anthem for modern day Manchester with the iconic quotes of the late great Anthony H Wilson in video form here too. An essential listen brought to you by @thecubanboys.bsky.social

163

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Four words that define today: Sky Sports News understands...

010

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Man City's signing of Allan Elias reminds me straight away of the Champions League game against Red Bull Salzburg, when Alan Douglas Borges de Carvalho came off the bench. The Alan chants that followed were iconic. Maybe we can re-use them now. More on Alan here: www.mancity.com/citytv/featu...

mancity.com

City DNA #17:

Recalling special strands of Man City DNA, remembering Red Bull Salzburg striker Alan.

000

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

So nice of Avanti Worst Coast to cancel my train 5 mins before departure. More so, as they knew they had train crew issues, they could have cancelled earlier and I could have boarded the one before. Usual shambles.

020

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Did you know there were seven different versions of Mastertronic's Vegas Jackpot released? (and this despite there being no Amstrad CPC or MSX versions) We take a look at all seven of them and see which one fares the best. #Mastertronic #C64 #Spectrum #C16 #Vic20 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj7Z...

youtube.com

Vegas Jackpot - All 7 Versions Compared Head-To-Head! (Mastertronic)

YouTube video by Mastertronic Collectors Archive

372

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Apart from her music, Dolly Parton's lasting legacy will be her encouragement for all to read through the Imagination Library, with 332 million books gifted, and her standing for LGBTQ+ rights too. Be more Dolly. She was on the right side. imaginationlibrary.com

imaginationlibrary.com

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library | USA, UK, IE, CA, AU

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth until they begin school in participating areas.

051

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Over at Seb's Place, he's put together the top 20 #Mastertronic best sellers, based on an article I wrote for @mastertronic.bsky.social - and he also rates all 20 of them. A thoroughly enjoyable watch too. And yes, there's a few surprises in there! www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ng-...

youtube.com

Mastertronic Sold How Many??

YouTube video by Seb's Place

0116

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Whether you own an original Commodore 64, a fresh new C64 Ultimate or even just play old games with an emulator, @freeze64.bsky.social has something for you. Lots of interviews with developers, cheats and hidden messages, and plenty of great #C64 content. Subscribe and you won't regret it.

051

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

I take a look at Sweep, a Commodore 64 only game released by Mastertronic where you need to sweep all the chimneys around a maze. Will it sweep you off your feet or be swept to poor game oblivion? Find out. #Mastertronic #Commodore64 #RetroGaming mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...

mastertronic.co.uk

Game Review: Sweep (Commodore 64, Mastertronic) - Mastertronic Collectors Archive

Sweep for the Commodore 64 is a maze game where you must sweep all the chimneys, put out the fires and avoid the rats, ghosts and sparks.

051

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

THREAD: On the way home from work, I saw the usual sight of arrivals from Gatwick Airport at London Victoria station, and me thinking "They got ripped off there." For anyone flying into Gatwick, six words of advice: Do not take the Gatwick Express. I'll now explain why (1)

141

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I remember the arcade version of Combat School being a tiring workout with the trackball, and probably battered a joystick on the excellent C64 conversion which I still own. Here's more of the low down from @superchartisland.com

061

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Some arcade games are iconic. Then they make the difficult second album equivalent, and, well, see for yourself with @bloggospow.bsky.social as your host. There is one howler in there which deserves so much criticism. See if you can guess which one I loathe.

172

Warren Pilkington @zawtowers.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

THREAD: As BBC Four is playing two hours' worth of cover versions at the BBC, time to share some cover versions I like. So here goes: Kristin Hersh doing Led Zeppelin's When The Levee Breaks, as a B-side on her Your Ghost single. Still spine tingling (1) www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz76...

youtube.com

When the Levee Breaks

YouTube video by Kristin Hersh - Topic

100