Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 21hI got tired of reading my linker configuration file manually, so I built a quick visualizer to see how much space I have left in each bank. Every pixel is one byte of the final program, separated into PRG (code and data) up top, and CHR (graphics tiles) down below. Roomy, for now! #nes #gamedev 0105
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 28/09/2026I've been working on a cursed series of items. This is the Cursed GPS, which seems... broken? Playing without a functioning minimap is certainly troublesome. However, all cursed items have *some* utility. This one can map out warp zones! #gamedev #nes #indie 2226
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 20/09/2026It's a whole bunch of new items! (And some familiar ones.) I wonder what these do? 👻 It is a mystery. #gamedev #nes #pixelart 2224
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 16/09/2026I've been working on polishing up the transitions between floors. Check it out: glowy tepelort panels, with particles! Also, when you die a little death animation plays, helping you learn from your mistakes. Tiny details, but they do accumulate. #gamedev #pixelart #nes 1211
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Just for fun, I decided to implement a "retro throwback" level, modeled after this game's original Action53 compo entry. It was really fun reworking these smaller (and much simpler) chambers so that they play well with modern conveniences. #gamedev #nes #chiptune 0297
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Getting damaged by a cultist that happens to tepelort under your feet feels awful every time... so I fixed it. Now the two of you swap positions! This can cover quite some distance, and is delightfully chaotic. #gamedev #nes #indie 1264
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 06/08/2026On a whim, I wrote a memory viewer for Tactus. Up top we have 2k of IWRAM, followed by the first 8k of PRG RAM, which contains most of the interesting game state. Every square is 256 bytes of memory. It's real fun watching the RAM dance to the music. #gamedev #nes #retro 1216
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 15/06/2026I had the opportunity to play this at MAGFest this year, and cannot recommend it enough. Satisfying movement, and great level design that effortlessly introduces you to the mechanics as you play. 093
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 13/06/2026I was a bit worn out from working nonstop on Tactus, so I took a short break to learn PICO-8. Please enjoy(?) my brief and mildly infuriating platformer, played with just one button. zeta0134.itch.io/boba #pico8 #pixelart #gamedevzeta0134.itch.ioBoba by ZetaA one button platformer for pico8 54711
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 09/05/2026Put together a little gameplay trailer for the Steam page! This is my first time using kdenlive, though it certainly got the job done. I think I'll need to splash in other tools for motion graphics. Learning as I go here, this is all new territory for me. 😅 #gamedev #indie #kdenlive 0112
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 02/05/2026So I recently optimized the game engine, and ... uh... I can explain! #gamedev #nes #indie 1194
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 14/04/2026After a bit of effort this morning, I'm pleased to report that the game over screen can now taunt the player based on the specific enemy that led to their demise. #gamedev #nes 1124
Reposted by ZetaSarahLynne @sarahlynne.bsky.social · 14/04/2026It is time! Dizzy Sheep Disaster: EX is now available for purchase for your Nintendo E-Reader! Here's the store link: store.nes.science It contains 30 puzzles to test your reflexes and skills! I'm so excited to share this with the world! #indiedev #homebrew #gbastore.nes.scienceIGW GamesNew games for old consoles! IGW Games makes tools and games targeting classic consoles to mix nostalgia with modern fun. 18939
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 30/03/2026Moles were feeling weak. So, I reworked them to pop up more quickly, and added elemental variations to their attacks. The tethered wrenches are easily my favorite! Wrench jumping is still technically a valid strategy, but Earth and Air moles now need appropriate resistances. #gamedev #nes #indie 0257
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 27/03/2026Check out this very WIP effect for "stability" in my warp zones. This is just the torchlight system under the hood, but there's no reason the alternate tiles have to be "lightness variants" exclusively. Needs tweaking, and less placeholder walls. #gamedev #pixelart #nes 1288
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 22/03/2026Finally working on a new in-game area. I've just reworked the tile compression system (I *have* tile compression now) and that means I can go nuts with metatile variants without blowing out my CHR budget. I haven't even started on detail structures and I already love how this looks. #pixelart #nes 0202
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 18/03/2026After a few more rounds of polish, the new VWF system for dialog is complete! Here's a quick tour of the new stuff it can do. Being able to mix and match all unicode glyphs on an NES is wild. (Pay no attention to the Combat Anchor's brief visual bug. I see it. 😱) #gamedev #nes #pixelart 2206
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 17/03/2026Oh my stars, it WORKS. I just rendered UTF-8 on an NES! Apparently ca65 can even handle UTF-8 strings by using .literal, so the resulting file with localized strings is shockingly readable. I'm so happy right now! #programming #gamedev #unicode 2265
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 15/03/2026What a delightful, cheery game! Nothing bad could ever happen to these characters. #omori #chiptune #famitracker I'm pleased with how well VRC6 handled the "synth burst" at the start of this. For 8bit hardware it sounds just fine. www.youtube.com/watch?v=49so...youtube.comOmori - Three Bar Logos [2A03 + VRC6] | Dn-FamiTracker CoverYouTube video by zeta0134 040
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 13/03/2026Yes, that's what this solution needed. *Another* raster trick... VWF system is coming along! Rendering works, nametable layout is solid, and I even managed to squeeze in little dialog portraits for items and such. #gamedev #nes #pixelart 183
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 08/03/2026I'm so happy right now! My very complicated VWF system just drew its first lines of text today. The core is working, but lots of little polish-y details remain. This is software-rendering these glyphs directly into CHR patterns on the fly. Goodness, the code is messy! #gamedev #nes #retrodev 1121
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 08/03/2026Various flavors of "ah yes, that's working, technically!" Just normal gamedev things really. #nes #gamedev 051
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 28/02/2026"Why, I'll just decode UTF8 on an NES," I said. "It'll be the easiest option!", I said. So if you're wondering why updates have been slow, it turns out text encoding is remarkably complicated. Who knew? Have a peek into the abyss with me. #gamedev #programming #unicode 062
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 23/02/2026Crazed cultist casting making you cranky? Turn the tables with the Forbidden Amulet, available at your nearest in-game shop. Now you, too, can cast the forbidden shapes. Show those cultists how it is **done**, yes! #gamedev #tactus #pixelart 1163
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 14/02/2026Kijetesantakalu is here to help you remember all of the numbers in Tactus. 😱 "All of them?" 🦝 "ALL numbers, yes yes!" #gamedev #pixelart #kijetesantakalu 1133
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 12/02/2026I'm finally working on implementing nasin nanpa kijetesantakalu in Tactus. It's sure to be very helpful on your runs! #gamedev #tokipona There are so many different ways to draw numbers in this game. It's gonna take a bit to work through them all, but I've committed to the task, yes yes! 071
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 11/02/2026I've been following development of this for a while. This game has uncomfortable levels of polish! 121
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 06/02/2026Been a while since I posted any of my chiptune covers, so have an Angel Island! ...no not *that* Angel Island, the other one. NES + VRC6. (Triangle does nothing 😔) #chiptune #famitracker #sonic www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HOK...youtube.comSonic Advance - Angel Island [2A03 + VRC6] | Dn-FamiTracker CoverYouTube video by zeta0134 051
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 29/01/2026It turns out a cornucopia is too difficult to draw at low res, so I fixed it. #pixelart #gamedev 2151
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 22/01/2026If you'll pardon a bit of shameless self-promotion, Tactus is now available for wishlisting on Steam! 🎉 Digital copies will also include an NES ROM, compatible with modern emulators and dev carts. "Wishlist Now!", "Tell your friends", other clichés, etc! store.steampowered.com/app/4129270/...store.steampowered.comTactus on SteamA rhythm-based dungeon crawler with authentic retro charm. Explore mysterious ruins, find powerful weapons, and slay to the beat. Designed and built for the original NES, playable on Steam with modern... 2287
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 19/01/2026Playtesting revealed that damaging hits weren't obviously successful-looking enough. I realized I can repurpose the coin system to also handle these bouncy damage indicators. Now, if you don't defeat a foe outright, you can see how much damage your (possibly buffed) attack did. #gamedev #nes 0181
Reposted by ZetaMega Cat Studios @megacatstudios.bsky.social · 13/01/2026The results for the #SuperMAGFest2026 Indie Retro Showcase winners are here! 🏆 🔊 Best Sound Design: Tactus by Phonorail LLC 🎨 Best Art Direction: Wicked Plague by Locus Motion 🕹️ Best Gameplay: The Adventures of Panzer: Frontiers by Pixel Craft 🎮 Best in Show: Light from Within by Atarath Games 2298
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 08/01/2026I'm set up at #MAGFest 2026! Come find me at Indie Retro. Mega shoutouts to @megacatstudios.bsky.social, setup was a breeze. There's tons of other awesome games here too. Excited, nervous... emotions, yes! 0100
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 04/01/2026I am in awe. @provolonecinco.com absolutely knocked this out of the park. Tactus officially has key #art! I'm scrambling to get the Steam page through review, and trying to get this printed in time for #Magfest. Did you know Tactus will be at MAGFest 2026? Come find me at Indie Retro. :D #indiedev 1133
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 25/12/2025Did I add #holiday themed easter eggs to my shopkeepers? ... maaaaybe! #gamedev 072
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 18/12/2025The slime is one of the oldest enemies in this game. Three years ago, targeting 64 kB compo constraints, one "look to camera" pose was acceptable. Today I decided to overhaul the artwork and give all slimes "lookahead" powers. Hopefully they're now much easier to predict. #pixelart #gamedev #nes 0224
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 14/12/2025Decided to take an old bassline sketch and noodle over it yesterday... and it very rapidly evolved into a whole thing. This is already working in-engine! Here's the "cave" variant, with extra echo and wider duty cycles. ... at some point I have to name these, don't I? #chiptune #nes 185
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 14/12/2025Now that the event is done, I can show off this quick #15seconds trailer for my indie game, Tactus! You can play the demo over at zeta0134.itch.io/tactus. It was fun trying to capture the essence of the game in such a short runtime. If you're also a #gamedev, why not give it a try? 1277
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 14/12/2025Good grief, there are so many surprisingly high quality indie showings in here. I was not prepared for this much polish. What a fun idea! (My own game may or may not be in here. :D) #15seconds #gamedev #indie 0143
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 08/12/2025How did I manage to get the slot reels* on my one-armed bandit enemy to work properly? Like so many other things on this #nes project, sheer brute force! #pixelart (* they're not random at all. pure skill.) 161
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 27/11/2025New graphics are drawn and working in-game. I present the *Combat Anchor.* Gosh it's HEAVY! Drag it behind you to catch foes giving chase, then charge it up and SLAM it down in front of you for massive damage. Tricky to use, but quite powerful in the right hands. #gamedev #nes #pixelart 0215
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 25/11/2025How to summarize this fix... ermh. For "racing the beam" reasons, dialog splits weren't quite finished before the top-of-screen split got drawn. To fix it? Add an extra invisible split that does nothing, but which gives dialog time to finish processing. Bug squashed, yes! #nes #gamedev 1114
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 23/11/2025I'm pleased to report that Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo controllers (on PC), along with NES, SNES, and PowerPad controllers (on NES) are all ... mostly supported! (xbox+SDL2 on MacOS specifically is misbehaving.) This was so VERY tedious. But it's nearly done! #gamedev #screenshotsaturday #nes 1152
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 16/11/2025Currently wrangling the finer points of controller standards. Check it out though: I can detect the controller type and display the appropriate glyphs! It feels... so odd for my #nes game to display #playstation buttons in the interface, but it matches the controller, so... it does. #gamedev 0114
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 12/11/2025I'm so excited to finally be able to demo Tactus in person at #SuperMAGFest2026! This will be the game's first public showing, so come on by and Slay to the Beat! Shoutouts also to @frankengraphics.bsky.social and the rest of the Halcyon team! That game looks *rad* and you should check them out! 071
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 09/11/2025As part of the effort for the PC port, I'm slowly working on alternate button labels. Good lord, there are so many buttons. Why do we have so many competing standards for what to call shoulder buttons? #gamedev #pixelart 0164
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 06/11/2025Here's a fun polish-y detail. When a bomb explodes, I need to scroll the playfield 3 pixels "up" for screen shake. But there isn't any valid data "underneath" the playfield to draw. To avoid glitchy tiles, we use extra scroll splits to repeat the last scanline instead. Problem solved! #nes #gamedev 0186
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 23/10/2025Added a new accessibility feature after getting some feedback from playtesters: high contrast mode! This forces the floor color to always be $0F (black) even in rooms that would otherwise be fully lit. It's also great if you just prefer that classic NES aesthetic. #accessibility #pixelart #nes 041
Zeta @zeta0134.bsky.social · 11/10/2025Today in especially cursed input methods, I am pleased to present working Power Pad support for my #nes game Tactus. Like other entries in the rhythm-based roguelike genre, it is **remarkably** difficult to play like this. Ermh... enjoy? #gamedev #screenshotsaturday 0288
Reposted by ZetaKaosRio @kaosrio.bsky.social · 28/09/2025i can finally say that the steam page for my game Ricochet Raven is FINALLY UP!!! #indiedev #indiegame #plswishlisthankyou store.steampowered.com/app/4002020/...store.steampowered.comRicochet Raven on SteamRicochet Raven is a fast paced side scrolling roguelike where you can only attack by deflecting enemy projectiles back at them! upgrade your deflection abilities by acquiring upgrade feathers as you m... 0154
