Cyningstan
@cyningstan.bsky.social
Hobbyist retro-game developer. Writing for the ancient IBM PC of 1981: fun in all four colours. I appreciate the Sinclair ZX Spectrum and Psion pocket computers too. Also an ancient board game nerd.
Website: http://dos.cyningstan.org.uk/
Website: http://dos.cyningstan.org.uk/
Pinned
Now that 2026 is underway, it's a good time to post an updated collage of my DOS games. Since I have nine out now, that fits into a nice neat rectangle. So here are all 9 #msdos games I released from 2020 to 2025. All #cga, all running on an #ibmpc, all available from cyningstan.itch.io
Reposted by Cyningstan
Jon Ritman was amazed by Knight Lore, and set out to make his own isometric adventure. Ocean got him the Batman licence to use.
With Bernie Drummond's art and some forward-thinking gameplay ideas, he would do much more than just make The Dark Knight Lore.
New post on Batman (and Head Over Heels):
With Bernie Drummond's art and some forward-thinking gameplay ideas, he would do much more than just make The Dark Knight Lore.
New post on Batman (and Head Over Heels):
Batman – “Batcraft parts”
For Jon Ritman, playing Knight Lore for the first time was a revelatory experience. As he later told Retro Gamer, when he first saw Ultimate’s isometric 3D platform adventure game, his jaw hit the …
www.superchartisland.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:03 AM
Jon Ritman was amazed by Knight Lore, and set out to make his own isometric adventure. Ocean got him the Batman licence to use.
With Bernie Drummond's art and some forward-thinking gameplay ideas, he would do much more than just make The Dark Knight Lore.
New post on Batman (and Head Over Heels):
With Bernie Drummond's art and some forward-thinking gameplay ideas, he would do much more than just make The Dark Knight Lore.
New post on Batman (and Head Over Heels):
For my other hobby of ancient #boardgames I self-published a book over a decade ago: "A Book of Historic Board Games." History, rules and strategy for twelve board games spread across the world and across time. You can buy it from www.lulu.com/shop/damian-... or from some better known sources...
A Book of Historic Board Games
Board games have been played throughout the world for thousands of years. Many times, in many different cultures, people have amused themselves by devising mock races, battles and hunts, played in min...
www.lulu.com
January 18, 2026 at 1:42 PM
For my other hobby of ancient #boardgames I self-published a book over a decade ago: "A Book of Historic Board Games." History, rules and strategy for twelve board games spread across the world and across time. You can buy it from www.lulu.com/shop/damian-... or from some better known sources...
Reposted by Cyningstan
If you use Discord and want to tell them how you feel about them adding AI tools, here's a link to the survey. Share it far & wide. Let them know we don't want it. discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com
January 10, 2026 at 6:11 AM
If you use Discord and want to tell them how you feel about them adding AI tools, here's a link to the survey. Share it far & wide. Let them know we don't want it. discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Star Cadre: Combat Class offers a choice of six different missions to play. You can get the game and try them out at cyningstan.itch.io/star-cadre-c... #starcadre #ibmpc #msdos #cga
January 10, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Star Cadre: Combat Class offers a choice of six different missions to play. You can get the game and try them out at cyningstan.itch.io/star-cadre-c... #starcadre #ibmpc #msdos #cga
Reposted by Cyningstan
The Pain Train stops for no one! DOS coders, let's see some cyan/magenta magic!
itch.io/jam/cga-game...
itch.io/jam/cga-game...
CGA Game Jam 2026
A game jam from 2026-01-07 to 2026-02-28 hosted by TheLobdegg. This is a casual game jam focusing on the old CGA video card / standard. Games can be either .EXE or .COM files and must be capable of ru...
itch.io
January 7, 2026 at 1:42 PM
The Pain Train stops for no one! DOS coders, let's see some cyan/magenta magic!
itch.io/jam/cga-game...
itch.io/jam/cga-game...
Reposted by Cyningstan
I am delighted to announce the release of my latest project:
Fully documented source code for The Sentinel, Geoff Crammond’s 1986 masterpiece.
Here’s the repository; deep dives coming soon.
See thread for details.
1/9
github.com/markmoxon/th...
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro #c64 #8bit
Fully documented source code for The Sentinel, Geoff Crammond’s 1986 masterpiece.
Here’s the repository; deep dives coming soon.
See thread for details.
1/9
github.com/markmoxon/th...
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro #c64 #8bit
GitHub - markmoxon/the-sentinel-source-code-bbc-micro: Fully documented and annotated source code for The Sentinel on the BBC Micro
Fully documented and annotated source code for The Sentinel on the BBC Micro - markmoxon/the-sentinel-source-code-bbc-micro
github.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:29 PM
I am delighted to announce the release of my latest project:
Fully documented source code for The Sentinel, Geoff Crammond’s 1986 masterpiece.
Here’s the repository; deep dives coming soon.
See thread for details.
1/9
github.com/markmoxon/th...
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro #c64 #8bit
Fully documented source code for The Sentinel, Geoff Crammond’s 1986 masterpiece.
Here’s the repository; deep dives coming soon.
See thread for details.
1/9
github.com/markmoxon/th...
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro #c64 #8bit
Reposted by Cyningstan
These DOS games turn 30 in 2026:
Quake
Duke Nukem 3D
Red Alert
Tomb Raider
Chex Quest
Broken Sword
Daggerfall
Death Rally
HOMM 2
Phantasmagoria 2
Settlers 2
Harvester
Leisure Suit Larry 7
Big Red Racing
Lighthouse
Normality
Powerslave
Strife
Pandora Directive
Time Commando
Zork Nemesis
Toonstruck
Z
Quake
Duke Nukem 3D
Red Alert
Tomb Raider
Chex Quest
Broken Sword
Daggerfall
Death Rally
HOMM 2
Phantasmagoria 2
Settlers 2
Harvester
Leisure Suit Larry 7
Big Red Racing
Lighthouse
Normality
Powerslave
Strife
Pandora Directive
Time Commando
Zork Nemesis
Toonstruck
Z
January 1, 2026 at 3:18 PM
These DOS games turn 30 in 2026:
Quake
Duke Nukem 3D
Red Alert
Tomb Raider
Chex Quest
Broken Sword
Daggerfall
Death Rally
HOMM 2
Phantasmagoria 2
Settlers 2
Harvester
Leisure Suit Larry 7
Big Red Racing
Lighthouse
Normality
Powerslave
Strife
Pandora Directive
Time Commando
Zork Nemesis
Toonstruck
Z
Quake
Duke Nukem 3D
Red Alert
Tomb Raider
Chex Quest
Broken Sword
Daggerfall
Death Rally
HOMM 2
Phantasmagoria 2
Settlers 2
Harvester
Leisure Suit Larry 7
Big Red Racing
Lighthouse
Normality
Powerslave
Strife
Pandora Directive
Time Commando
Zork Nemesis
Toonstruck
Z
Now that 2026 is underway, it's a good time to post an updated collage of my DOS games. Since I have nine out now, that fits into a nice neat rectangle. So here are all 9 #msdos games I released from 2020 to 2025. All #cga, all running on an #ibmpc, all available from cyningstan.itch.io
January 1, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Now that 2026 is underway, it's a good time to post an updated collage of my DOS games. Since I have nine out now, that fits into a nice neat rectangle. So here are all 9 #msdos games I released from 2020 to 2025. All #cga, all running on an #ibmpc, all available from cyningstan.itch.io
A whole year of Pym's Daily Word Square puzzle fun has just passed. I admit I missed some days and had to go back to them, but this daily play makes #Pym my most-played #msdos game of the year. You can also have a whole year's fun by visiting cyningstan.itch.io/pyms-daily-w... #ibmpc #cga
January 1, 2026 at 11:01 AM
A whole year of Pym's Daily Word Square puzzle fun has just passed. I admit I missed some days and had to go back to them, but this daily play makes #Pym my most-played #msdos game of the year. You can also have a whole year's fun by visiting cyningstan.itch.io/pyms-daily-w... #ibmpc #cga
Reposted by Cyningstan
"Dragonfell" from @cyningstan.bsky.social for the #Psion Series 3 - old-school turn based strategy warring on a fabulous 1990s retro handheld computer platform - what's not to love? :-)
December 30, 2025 at 11:03 AM
"Dragonfell" from @cyningstan.bsky.social for the #Psion Series 3 - old-school turn based strategy warring on a fabulous 1990s retro handheld computer platform - what's not to love? :-)
Reposted by Cyningstan
How about a little #Psion gaming for the holiday season! @cyningstan.bsky.social has written a brand new game for the original Series 3 entirely in OPL. I've got it running on my 3mx. The added EL backlight adds an ethereal feeling to the play.
Get your copy here: cyningstan.itch.io/dragonfell-p...
Get your copy here: cyningstan.itch.io/dragonfell-p...
December 25, 2025 at 10:18 AM
How about a little #Psion gaming for the holiday season! @cyningstan.bsky.social has written a brand new game for the original Series 3 entirely in OPL. I've got it running on my 3mx. The added EL backlight adds an ethereal feeling to the play.
Get your copy here: cyningstan.itch.io/dragonfell-p...
Get your copy here: cyningstan.itch.io/dragonfell-p...
Reposted by Cyningstan
As a little Christmas gift for #Psion fans, Dragonfell is released for the #PsionSeries3! This is a #HOMM inspired strategy war game, featuring ogres, dark elves, dragons and wizards. Finish off your enemy by conquering their citadel. Get it from cyningstan.itch.io/dragonfell-p...
December 24, 2025 at 10:34 AM
As a little Christmas gift for #Psion fans, Dragonfell is released for the #PsionSeries3! This is a #HOMM inspired strategy war game, featuring ogres, dark elves, dragons and wizards. Finish off your enemy by conquering their citadel. Get it from cyningstan.itch.io/dragonfell-p...
In some places it's Christmas already, so the time is right to wish you all a Merry Christmas, or a Happy Whatever else you celebrate, or failing all else a nice end to the week.
December 24, 2025 at 1:51 PM
In some places it's Christmas already, so the time is right to wish you all a Merry Christmas, or a Happy Whatever else you celebrate, or failing all else a nice end to the week.
As a little Christmas gift for #Psion fans, Dragonfell is released for the #PsionSeries3! This is a #HOMM inspired strategy war game, featuring ogres, dark elves, dragons and wizards. Finish off your enemy by conquering their citadel. Get it from cyningstan.itch.io/dragonfell-p...
December 24, 2025 at 10:34 AM
As a little Christmas gift for #Psion fans, Dragonfell is released for the #PsionSeries3! This is a #HOMM inspired strategy war game, featuring ogres, dark elves, dragons and wizards. Finish off your enemy by conquering their citadel. Get it from cyningstan.itch.io/dragonfell-p...
The second expansion for #BarrenPlanet is #Waterworld. Dapra's neighbouring planet Dalen is over 95% covered with water. And at the bottom of these oceans: crystal nodes! Let battle commence! Get it at cyningstan.itch.io/waterworld. #ibmpc #msdos #cga #Waterworld
December 23, 2025 at 5:53 PM
The second expansion for #BarrenPlanet is #Waterworld. Dapra's neighbouring planet Dalen is over 95% covered with water. And at the bottom of these oceans: crystal nodes! Let battle commence! Get it at cyningstan.itch.io/waterworld. #ibmpc #msdos #cga #Waterworld
In the coming weeks I'll detail the treasures that you will find in the #Ossuary, and how they can help you. First, gold is what you're there for. Collect as much as you can in your descent. You can download and play Ossuary at cyningstan.itch.io/ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga #zxspectrum
December 22, 2025 at 2:21 PM
In the coming weeks I'll detail the treasures that you will find in the #Ossuary, and how they can help you. First, gold is what you're there for. Collect as much as you can in your descent. You can download and play Ossuary at cyningstan.itch.io/ossuary #ibmpc #msdos #cga #zxspectrum
Reposted by Cyningstan
X-Mas Quest:
Can I do a 6502 X-mas themed game for the Commodore PET in a single day?
Progress so far…
Can I do a 6502 X-mas themed game for the Commodore PET in a single day?
Progress so far…
December 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM
X-Mas Quest:
Can I do a 6502 X-mas themed game for the Commodore PET in a single day?
Progress so far…
Can I do a 6502 X-mas themed game for the Commodore PET in a single day?
Progress so far…
Reposted by Cyningstan
Consider making 2026 the Year of the Personal Website. Even a little thing on Neocities works. It’s just nice to have a home base on the internet that you don’t have to deal with bsky mods are random popping into every post and if something goes wrong with your host, you just move it elsewhere
Neocities
Create and surf awesome websites for free.
neocities.org
December 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Consider making 2026 the Year of the Personal Website. Even a little thing on Neocities works. It’s just nice to have a home base on the internet that you don’t have to deal with bsky mods are random popping into every post and if something goes wrong with your host, you just move it elsewhere
Reposted by Cyningstan
Reposted by Cyningstan
I'm wiping the floor with the Hard Psion #AI in #Dragonfell - still @cyningstan.bsky.social 's Beta release - watch out for the full release soon, and maybe get a last-minute Psion for that special retro person in your life :-) #ReadTheALT
December 21, 2025 at 1:04 PM
I'm wiping the floor with the Hard Psion #AI in #Dragonfell - still @cyningstan.bsky.social 's Beta release - watch out for the full release soon, and maybe get a last-minute Psion for that special retro person in your life :-) #ReadTheALT
Reposted by Cyningstan
Con un ZX Spectrum 128K y su BASIC para hacer música en 3 canales usando el comando PLAY, se pueden hacer maravillas sabiendo uno crear/adaptar música. Y aquí un ejemplo, influenciado por J.S. Bach y también por Wendy Carlos y su Switched-On Bach de 1968:
neilparsons1.bandcamp.com/track/prelud...
neilparsons1.bandcamp.com/track/prelud...
Prelude and Fugue nº 2 in C minor BWV 847, by Neil Parsons
from the album 8-Bit Bach Reloaded
neilparsons1.bandcamp.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Con un ZX Spectrum 128K y su BASIC para hacer música en 3 canales usando el comando PLAY, se pueden hacer maravillas sabiendo uno crear/adaptar música. Y aquí un ejemplo, influenciado por J.S. Bach y también por Wendy Carlos y su Switched-On Bach de 1968:
neilparsons1.bandcamp.com/track/prelud...
neilparsons1.bandcamp.com/track/prelud...
Reposted by Cyningstan
This is an interesting project to port a simple overhead shooter to seemingly every platform under the sun. I booted the 320KB disk image on my real IBM PC/XT + CGA and it fired right up and it played very well, considering the hardware platform. Smart screen updates too (no tearing or flickering).
December 16, 2025 at 3:54 AM
This is an interesting project to port a simple overhead shooter to seemingly every platform under the sun. I booted the 320KB disk image on my real IBM PC/XT + CGA and it fired right up and it played very well, considering the hardware platform. Smart screen updates too (no tearing or flickering).
#Pym Daily Word Square Puzzle 2026 is now available. This is the game for #msdos, with the puzzle data for 2025/6. Or you can download the 2026 puzzle data and add it to your existing installation. These files are available at cyningstan.itch.io/pyms-daily-w... #ibmpc #cga
December 15, 2025 at 2:40 PM
#Pym Daily Word Square Puzzle 2026 is now available. This is the game for #msdos, with the puzzle data for 2025/6. Or you can download the 2026 puzzle data and add it to your existing installation. These files are available at cyningstan.itch.io/pyms-daily-w... #ibmpc #cga
Reposted by Cyningstan
November 30, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Reposted by Cyningstan
November 30, 2025 at 12:42 AM