Cyningstan

@cyningstan
820 Followers
288 Following
1.3K Posts
Developing #retrogames for the #ibmpc of the early 1980s running #msdos and featuring #cga graphics. Turn-based strategy, puzzle and RPG! Fun in all four colours. With a fondness for Sinclair #zxspectrum and #psion handhelds too.
Webhttp://dos.cyningstan.org.uk/
Itchhttps://cyningstan.itch.io/
Kofihttps://ko-fi.com/cyningstan
Show threadCyningstan6h ago
Bats in #Ossuary will gradually give way to Vermin. These giant rats are easier to hit than the bats that preceded them, but they also have a nasty bite, so you should despatch them as quickly as possible, and try not to get surrounded. Vermin don't pick up items, but might be found guarding useful or valuable treasures. You can download the game from https://cyningstan.itch.io/ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga
Show threadCyningstan1d ago
Another thought on this machine. People do it a disservice calling it a PDA. The included software, especially the programming language, make them a full-fledged computer. Something between the 8-bit machines like the BBC micro and the 16-bit machines like the ST and Amiga, but in your pocket.
Show threadCyningstan2d ago
Auxiliaries are light armed units that support the soldiers and other units. Equipped with a laser pistol, sometimes auxilliaries also have armour. Unlike soldiers with their laser rifles, an auxiliary can shoot effectively at close range. Useful for protecting the rear of the group when retreating from a potentially dangerous area. You can download the Star Cadre: Combat Class at https://cyningstan.itch.io/star-cadre-combat-class #starcadre #ibmpc #msdos #cga
Cyningstan2d ago
The CGALIB music editor is still a work in progress, but I'm looking forward to using it for my #DOSember game jam entry. Transcribing sheet music into this will be a lot easier than typing a bunch of numbers in a text file, like I did with my previous projects.
Cyningstan2d ago
Robb Sherwin2d ago
Moved one corner of my desk around because I think playing Hack 1.03 on DOS was having a measurable positive effect on calming my mind!
Cyningstan3d ago
I've recently got back into using this excellent little computer, and for serious purposes no less. The inclusion of a spreadsheet makes it ideal for keeping track of the copious amount of meds I need to take as a transplant patient. I found it hard to find a decent functional spreadsheet for Android that doesn't cost; the #Psion has it built right in. And the Psion plays Barbarians too.
Cyningstan3d ago
While creating a music editor for CGALIB, I noticed an error in the Star Cadre: Combat Class music that I hadn't noticed from listening (that bass B should be an E). #cga #pcspeaker
Show threadCyningstan4d ago
A common and delicious foodstuff found in The #ChambersBeneath, Berries restore a single hit point of health. Their disadvantage compared to other foodstuffs is that it can take many turns of eating to restore a significant amount of health. Get the game from https://cyningstan.itch.io/the-chambers-beneath #roguelike #ibmpc #msdos #cga
Cyningstan5d ago
Ele Willoughby, PhD5d ago

Today is the feast day of Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179), here surrounded by plants & a mineral she touted as medical treatments, her invented alphabet & model of the universe. One of my most popular prints this year!

Her writings preserve not only her own knowledge & theories but the nature of institutional #medicine & folk healing of her day (which she deftly combined). While she might be best remembered today as a composer 🧵

#printmaking #womenInSTEM #histSci #histMed #botany #mastoArt

Show threadCyningstan5d ago
The fourth of the Jam Levels in #TeamDroid is a labyrinth, with turntables that turn your droid in the most unhelpful directions. The ideal droid for this level is Strider, who is equipped to step left and right, as well as forward and backward, and always has the "Step Forward" instruction available in ROM. You can't push the card around in this level, so Multibot is out of the question. Get the game from https://cyningstan.itch.io/team-droid #ibmpc #msdos #cga
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Show threadCyningstanAug 12
Crystal Nodes, as in the desert, are where resources are found. If you see one poking out of the snow, you will need to build a Mining Station on top of it to begin harvesting the resources. In some battles, there are Mining Stations already built here. #barrenplanet #ibmpc #msdos #cga
Show threadCyningstanAug 19
Roads are strips of Snow plain that have been dug down to the rock beneath, and then smoothed out for fast vehicle travel. All ground units move at full speed along a road, so use them to get your vehicles around the battle map as needed. #barrenplanet #ibmpc #msdos #cga
Show threadCyningstanSep 2
Monorail lines built around a base allow Gun Platforms to move around as needed. Without a Monorail, a Gun Platform is a static unit that needs to be protected; with Monorail, the Gun Platform can advance and retreat to cause a real nuisance to an invading enemy. #barrenplanet #ibmpc #msdos #cga
Show threadCyningstanSep 9
Buildings provide excellent protective cover for Combat Droids. If you're defending a base, you need to keep enemy Combat Droids out of here, as once they get in, the droids are very difficult to shift with all but the most powerful units. #barrenplanet #ibmpc #msdos #cga
Show threadCyningstan6d ago
The Polar Expedition and later expansions are available from the Barren Planet Itch page: https://cyningstan.itch.io/barren-planet. Keep an eye on this page for future expansions and other news. #barrenplanet #ibmpc #msdos #cga