Ben Hickling // MNKY
@benhickling.bsky.social
Artist / Game Dev / Current project: Ex-Zodiac (out in early access now!) - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/ExZodiac/
Reposted by Ben Hickling // MNKY
HEY! LISTEN!! 🧚
Did y'all know there's a "Tree" style comment thread option on Bluesky?
I've been using it for a month and it makes the overall threads of comments and replies MUCH cleaner and more organized!
It's something I haven't mentioned yet, but I just wanted to spread the word! ✌️
Did y'all know there's a "Tree" style comment thread option on Bluesky?
I've been using it for a month and it makes the overall threads of comments and replies MUCH cleaner and more organized!
It's something I haven't mentioned yet, but I just wanted to spread the word! ✌️
January 21, 2026 at 1:03 AM
HEY! LISTEN!! 🧚
Did y'all know there's a "Tree" style comment thread option on Bluesky?
I've been using it for a month and it makes the overall threads of comments and replies MUCH cleaner and more organized!
It's something I haven't mentioned yet, but I just wanted to spread the word! ✌️
Did y'all know there's a "Tree" style comment thread option on Bluesky?
I've been using it for a month and it makes the overall threads of comments and replies MUCH cleaner and more organized!
It's something I haven't mentioned yet, but I just wanted to spread the word! ✌️
Reposted by Ben Hickling // MNKY
Here's the first of five yet to come, setting the standard. It's Kyuu from Ex Zodiac, as suggested by @mardymuntjak.bsky.social!
I wasn't sure what her bottom half looked like, so I made something up to fit with her jumpsuit. She's very fun to draw, and I like her ship too!
I wasn't sure what her bottom half looked like, so I made something up to fit with her jumpsuit. She's very fun to draw, and I like her ship too!
January 14, 2026 at 5:54 AM
Here's the first of five yet to come, setting the standard. It's Kyuu from Ex Zodiac, as suggested by @mardymuntjak.bsky.social!
I wasn't sure what her bottom half looked like, so I made something up to fit with her jumpsuit. She's very fun to draw, and I like her ship too!
I wasn't sure what her bottom half looked like, so I made something up to fit with her jumpsuit. She's very fun to draw, and I like her ship too!
Reposted by Ben Hickling // MNKY
@rittzler.bsky.social (creator of Pseudoregalia), has had their Discord and email hacked and is linking to a virus in disguise. If you see anything linking to a game called "Furfall", DO NOT engage with it. It's not made by Rittz and isn't a real game (it's a Remote Access Trojan) DO NOT CLICK IT.
December 28, 2025 at 7:14 AM
@rittzler.bsky.social (creator of Pseudoregalia), has had their Discord and email hacked and is linking to a virus in disguise. If you see anything linking to a game called "Furfall", DO NOT engage with it. It's not made by Rittz and isn't a real game (it's a Remote Access Trojan) DO NOT CLICK IT.
Reposted by Ben Hickling // MNKY
soundcloud.com/perfectlygen...
still such a neat arrange, sometimes I think about it. thanks, @preferablygeneric.bsky.social
still such a neat arrange, sometimes I think about it. thanks, @preferablygeneric.bsky.social
Soothingsnow.WAV (Burning Frost | Ex-Zodiac)
Original by +TEK
https://soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan/burning-frost-stage-2?in=plrusek-chan/sets/ex-zodiac-soundtrack-ongoing&si=ee31be554e624a4cb3394f005f82db3d&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&ut
soundcloud.com
December 25, 2025 at 10:53 AM
soundcloud.com/perfectlygen...
still such a neat arrange, sometimes I think about it. thanks, @preferablygeneric.bsky.social
still such a neat arrange, sometimes I think about it. thanks, @preferablygeneric.bsky.social
Finally got an ADHD assessment this Saturday, will be interesting to see how that goes
December 23, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Finally got an ADHD assessment this Saturday, will be interesting to see how that goes
The stages of Ex-Zodiac levels so far
December 23, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The stages of Ex-Zodiac levels so far
Reposted by Ben Hickling // MNKY
New stage, new themes!
Aethereal
soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...
(and the boss theme, Glyphbreaker: soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...)
Aethereal
soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...
(and the boss theme, Glyphbreaker: soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...)
December 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
New stage, new themes!
Aethereal
soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...
(and the boss theme, Glyphbreaker: soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...)
Aethereal
soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...
(and the boss theme, Glyphbreaker: soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...)
There were far more delays than I would have liked, but the latest level Ethuna is finally playable in the latest update to #exzodiac!
The game is also currently 60% off in the Steam Winter sale - store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
The game is also currently 60% off in the Steam Winter sale - store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
December 18, 2025 at 9:44 PM
There were far more delays than I would have liked, but the latest level Ethuna is finally playable in the latest update to #exzodiac!
The game is also currently 60% off in the Steam Winter sale - store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
The game is also currently 60% off in the Steam Winter sale - store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
I might moan about Godot from time to time, but what we have now is infinitely better than what I first tried using back in 2014 😂
New vid on how to install and use Godot 1.0! Thanks to @akien.bsky.social for making it possible to use the first version of the #GodotEngine again, and to my girlfriend for making the video's thumbnail :) youtu.be/HsVLwCKGoWs?... #Godot #gamedev #indiedev
Is Game Development too Easy?! Install Godot 1.0!!
YouTube video by Maxfield
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 10:20 AM
I might moan about Godot from time to time, but what we have now is infinitely better than what I first tried using back in 2014 😂
I dream of the day when Godot's bezier animation editor is functional
November 23, 2025 at 11:28 PM
I dream of the day when Godot's bezier animation editor is functional
At least Bluesky is still working lol
November 18, 2025 at 2:12 PM
At least Bluesky is still working lol
This is how the 15fps mode works in Ex-Zodiac
November 10, 2025 at 12:36 PM
This is how the 15fps mode works in Ex-Zodiac
My favourite thing about game development is getting part way through developing a boss, deciding it's shite, and then starting a new one. Then doing that multiple times
November 2, 2025 at 10:34 PM
My favourite thing about game development is getting part way through developing a boss, deciding it's shite, and then starting a new one. Then doing that multiple times
Reposted by Ben Hickling // MNKY
CANDY RANGERS IS OUT EVERYWHERE
youtu.be/xDVBrPUXr78
youtu.be/xDVBrPUXr78
Candy Rangers Launch Trailer
YouTube video by Mechano
youtu.be
October 2, 2025 at 1:48 PM
CANDY RANGERS IS OUT EVERYWHERE
youtu.be/xDVBrPUXr78
youtu.be/xDVBrPUXr78
Sorry for the lack of updates, I'm still chipping away at the latest level for Ex-Zodiac. I've been caught up with other life stuff like looking for a new job after my previous position came to an end. Anyhoo, I should have something to show soon, hopefully!
July 28, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Sorry for the lack of updates, I'm still chipping away at the latest level for Ex-Zodiac. I've been caught up with other life stuff like looking for a new job after my previous position came to an end. Anyhoo, I should have something to show soon, hopefully!
The issue with the mac build was due to the custom build I was using. The only reason I was using a custom build was because the devs removed the rotation_degrees property and all of my animations used it, so I had to create a custom build where that property was still available
May 8, 2025 at 6:29 PM
The issue with the mac build was due to the custom build I was using. The only reason I was using a custom build was because the devs removed the rotation_degrees property and all of my animations used it, so I had to create a custom build where that property was still available
Good news, she fixed the MacOS build, so now all 2.3% of you can finally enjoy the latest stage update! 🐒
store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
May 7, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Good news, she fixed the MacOS build, so now all 2.3% of you can finally enjoy the latest stage update! 🐒
store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
Reposted by Ben Hickling // MNKY
the new stage's theme:
Steam Stampede
Boss track also available on SoundCloud (and Steam OST release)
Steam Stampede
Boss track also available on SoundCloud (and Steam OST release)
April 25, 2025 at 4:43 PM
the new stage's theme:
Steam Stampede
Boss track also available on SoundCloud (and Steam OST release)
Steam Stampede
Boss track also available on SoundCloud (and Steam OST release)
It's that time again, and Kyuu's found herself back on the bike chasing a runaway armoured train in the latest stage - Mirage!
Now is a great time to grab the game, as it's currently on sale at it's lowest discount yet (55%!)
store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
(MacOS version soon, hopefully)
Now is a great time to grab the game, as it's currently on sale at it's lowest discount yet (55%!)
store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
(MacOS version soon, hopefully)
April 25, 2025 at 4:14 PM
It's that time again, and Kyuu's found herself back on the bike chasing a runaway armoured train in the latest stage - Mirage!
Now is a great time to grab the game, as it's currently on sale at it's lowest discount yet (55%!)
store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
(MacOS version soon, hopefully)
Now is a great time to grab the game, as it's currently on sale at it's lowest discount yet (55%!)
store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
(MacOS version soon, hopefully)
My favourite thing about doing an update for Ex-Zodiac is finding out the mac build doesn't work and having no idea why. I completely understand why other games don't bother 😬
April 25, 2025 at 2:26 PM
My favourite thing about doing an update for Ex-Zodiac is finding out the mac build doesn't work and having no idea why. I completely understand why other games don't bother 😬
Almost there...
Ex-Zodiac has been on a long colorful journey for years, and it wont stop until it's the foxiest modern rail shooter you've ever played :)
Next major update is coming right up - keep an eye out: store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
Thanks to @benhickling.bsky.social for his dedication!
Next major update is coming right up - keep an eye out: store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
Thanks to @benhickling.bsky.social for his dedication!
April 15, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Almost there...
It's getting harder and harder to come up with interesting & fun bosses for my game. It's like I've exhausted the possibilities, which I obviously haven't, but it often feels like it. Also a lot of times an idea seems great in my head, but just doesn't work out in reality. That always sucks.
April 9, 2025 at 11:22 PM
It's getting harder and harder to come up with interesting & fun bosses for my game. It's like I've exhausted the possibilities, which I obviously haven't, but it often feels like it. Also a lot of times an idea seems great in my head, but just doesn't work out in reality. That always sucks.
I'm pretty sure I have ADHD. This graph represents my productivity as I approach a deadline. I've tried and tried again, but no matter what I cannot seem to shake the way I work
March 20, 2025 at 8:17 PM
I'm pretty sure I have ADHD. This graph represents my productivity as I approach a deadline. I've tried and tried again, but no matter what I cannot seem to shake the way I work
Brain: you should add a Panzer Dragoon style level
Me:
Me:
a woman 's face is visible in a tik tok video
ALT: a woman 's face is visible in a tik tok video
media.tenor.com
March 8, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Brain: you should add a Panzer Dragoon style level
Me:
Me:
Releasing a demo will not hurt your game's sales, maybe a bad demo, but that's a different story
February 3, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Releasing a demo will not hurt your game's sales, maybe a bad demo, but that's a different story