Daniel Auger

Code Custodian, guitar tinkerer, retro gamer, and table-top RPG player. David Bowie changed my life. @[email protected]

[Bueno @0xBueno_]

VHS cassette packaging design was on another level

[Todd Kenreck @ToddKenreck]

https://t.co/8DeujoYopi

[Matt Barton @mattbarton]

Here's a new video with TechJesse. If you're interested in retro-PCs and LAN parties (complete with 100-lbs CRTs), tune in!
https://t.co/hsNG4ZxOOe

[lostinspace @BowieArt]

David Bowie 1994 The Leon Suites 1 Outside Outtakes https://t.co/nvg36j7fq9 via @YouTube

[Donovan @donovanofficial]

THIRD DONOVAN NEW SINGLE
the sensitive kind
Written by JJ Cale
With Robbie Blunt Guitar
Donovan Says:
Hello to JJ Cale's family and fans everywhere. I honour JJ Cale with my version of his amazing song…
https://t.co/7oJymWXDRe

[Matt Barton @mattbarton]

Tune in tonight for some holiday fun! Hope to see you there.
https://t.co/TNoHrnA8EC

[Official Commodore® @commodoreofcl]

After 40 years, Commodore returns to Corby; and with magic still in the walls, we wasted no time putting Peri straight to work.

[Matt Barton @mattbarton]

Remember SSI's Goldbox games? How about BioWare's Baldur's Gate? Those are great. But how about that other D&D game from this era--Interplay's Descent to Undermountain? It had a great IP, a fully 3D engine based on Descent (6DOF!), freakin' Chris Avellone on lead, and epic voice talent. So it's totally awesome too, right? WRONG.

Let's start with that engine. Descent was an awesome zero-gravity spaceship combat game in enclosed tunnels. Low-poly mines of claustrophobia! Awesome stuff. So that'd be great for a CRPG, right?

Annk. Hello, have you ever seen a warrior pitch, roll, and yaw their way through a dungeon? And how does that low-poly stuff work for animating NPCs, exploring open cities, or finely detailed dungeon like Undermountain, which is THE dungeon of Forgotten Realms? Short answer: IT DONT. You stagger around like a dwarf on his twelfth Baalor Ale who just got knocked on the head and tossed out of the yawning portal.

At first glance you're like--oh, yeah. This is like Might and Magic 6 but with AD&D 2nd edition. THACO...GRANDE. But how well was it implemented?

Let's see. Spell casting: minimal and glitchy. AI: dumb. Inventory and encumbrance: clunky. Mechanics: Crunchy! Just kidding. Total sogbusters. They don't even show you the rolls, so you've got no way to calculate hit chance, saving throws, or how many baalor ales you put down. Thief skills? Forget about it. Class abilities? Only in the linux version. Oh, wait, there's no linux version? Linux? Who cares about Linux?

But how about that sweet turn-based combat? Shite. They converted everything to real-time? How'd that work. Not bad, really--I mean, you've got no tactical positioning, initiative rolls, or any of that, you know, D&D stuff, but you can mash buttons and pretend you're playing Heretic.

Is it all bad? Well, you have great lore integration. Avellone's the man when it comes to this stuff, and he delivers as best he can. Good dialog, quest variety, complex dungeons, Halaster Blackcloak popping in to humble brag.

The project had ambition, but there was just too much going wrong. Rewriting the descent engine cost way more than anyone thought, and all the news sytems were kludged and janky. Morale: low. Debt: high. So they rushed this thing onto the shelves in early alpha.

The good news is Interplay was set with Fallout, Baldur's Gate, and Planescape: torment, so they survived this flop. Avellone says they were trying to make the next Ultima Underworld. Maybe if Descent to Undermountain was about a spaceship in a mine, it would've turned out different. But hey, you can still learn a lot from a game like this, and you can see the potential if you swill enough dwarven ale. #crpg

[Matt Barton @mattbarton]

My new game, XT Crisis: The Activation, is now available at https://t.co/tdQDNg63nS. You can find it here: https://t.co/nXTg7nHiSd

The game explores certain disturbing trends in AI and how they might have some very unintended consequences. It's not for everyone, but I hope you'll give it a try.

Please be advised--it has plenty of violent and disturbing content. However, it does not depict violence against children, and there's no sexual content whatsoever. Still, it's probably not suitable for minors.

If you like the game, please reshare this post and help me get the word out. I'd love to keep making games like this, but that's up to you. :)

[Cybertronic Spree @cybertronicband]

⚡

[Matt Barton @mattbarton]

Watch my new interview with the developer of Monomyth! MC542: Michael Tröls of Rat Tower Software https://t.co/PLsy3RJGUj @rattower #crpg #dungeoncrawler #indiedev

[Visual Snow Initiative @VisualSnowInit]

All of the symptoms of VSS 🌎

Follow our Tiktok or be sure to submit your own original #Tiktok content by tagging us (link to our Tiktok is on our bio) 👆

[Daniel Auger @danielauger]

@VisualSnowInit Glad you got the non-visual symptoms in there too. They don't get as much attention.

[KL Studio Classics / Kino Cult @KLStudioClassic]

Coming December 10th!
Two Action Classics Starring Shô Kosugi!
https://t.co/jTF32j6eQ6
https://t.co/wIsdQDAYxh

PRAY FOR DEATH (1985)
• NEW Audio Commentary by Action Film Historian Mike Leeder
• Unrated and R Rated Versions of the Film on Two Discs
• Sho and Tell Part 1: Interview with Shô Kosugi (19:05)
• Theatrical Trailer (Newly Mastered in 2K)
• Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase
• Two Dual-Layered BD50 Discs
• Optional English Subtitles

RAGE OF HONOR (1986)
• NEW Audio Commentary by Action Film Historian Mike Leeder
• Sho and Tell Part 2: Interview with Shô Kosugi (17:48)
• American Ninjas: Video Essay by Chris Poggiali on the Rise of the Ninja Film in the 1980s (7:34)
• Interview with Composer Stelvio Cipriani (2:47)
• Theatrical Trailer
• Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase
• Dual-Layered BD50 Disc
• Optional English Subtitles

[Daniel Auger @danielauger]

@OrangreMan They eventually "ship" it to you via email. I got the woot deal in July and I think it was a few days before I got the code. It's not an instant fulfillment.

[Paul Koller @paulko64]

The official #C64 port of Spelunky is finally available. Have fun!
https://t.co/9141EnkRed

[Daniel Auger @danielauger]

@gameinformer I'm gonna miss you. Thanks for all the great work over the years.

[Rebecca Heineman @burgerbecky]

Sometimes, newer isn’t better.

[Daniel Auger @danielauger]

@ActualArgonaut @CommodoreBlog My guess would be that it wasn’t targeted. Probably was a fully automated script looking for vulnerable sites. Just a hunch though.