Brian Vaughn
@morningtoast.bsky.social
Hobby game dev making tiny games on PICO-8 for all to play. UX web guy by day. Pyr dad, all around nerd, retro cartoons & toys, pro wrestling lifer...amongst other things.
https://www.morningtoast.com
https://www.morningtoast.com
Pinned
Look ma, I'm in a magazine! I'm proud and honored to be interviewed in Retro Gamer #268 about my #pico8 #gamedev. The issue just got onto shelves here in the US. THANK YOU to @merman1974.bsky.social and @retrogamermag.bsky.social for the opportunity to share a little bit of my story. More...
Reposted by Brian Vaughn
Sign up to get notified the second it goes live to check out the previews. www.kickstarter.com/projects/2o4...
Coming soon: Sony: Personal Audio - A Visual Journey 1955-2025
A visual tribute from Obsolete Sony celebrating more than seven decades of Sony personal audio devices!
www.kickstarter.com
October 20, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Sign up to get notified the second it goes live to check out the previews. www.kickstarter.com/projects/2o4...
Tron: Ares was fine...far better than I think the box office and many reviews suggest. It looked like a Tron film but in many ways it didn't feel like a Tron film. Also...where the hell was Tron?! We get the ghost of Obi Wan Flynn but no hint of Tron. Miss. #tron #tronares #disney #wherestron
October 13, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Tron: Ares was fine...far better than I think the box office and many reviews suggest. It looked like a Tron film but in many ways it didn't feel like a Tron film. Also...where the hell was Tron?! We get the ghost of Obi Wan Flynn but no hint of Tron. Miss. #tron #tronares #disney #wherestron
I'd bet Gruber is the most prolific #pico8 music man since he has graciously made his music available to everyone. I know I've used his music in just about every game I've made.
🎶 New Retro Titans episode!
Guest: Chris Donnelly (Gruber) — jazz pianist turned Pico-8 composer whose chiptunes bring pixel worlds to life.
We talk creativity, burnout, and how limitations can spark inspiration.
🎧 Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3TKO...
#pico8 #chiptune #retrogaming
Guest: Chris Donnelly (Gruber) — jazz pianist turned Pico-8 composer whose chiptunes bring pixel worlds to life.
We talk creativity, burnout, and how limitations can spark inspiration.
🎧 Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3TKO...
#pico8 #chiptune #retrogaming
October 13, 2025 at 1:05 PM
I'd bet Gruber is the most prolific #pico8 music man since he has graciously made his music available to everyone. I know I've used his music in just about every game I've made.
I have no qualms with the picks here but the order could probably use a little adjustment. Also a reminder that 1988 was a banner year.
For @rollingstone.com I ranked the 20 Best Games for the #Nintendo Entertainment System. #Zelda #MarioBros and #metroid all appear, but the real joy was including Super Dodge Ball — a highly underrated game.
@nintendousa.bsky.social
www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...
@nintendousa.bsky.social
www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...
The 20 Best NES Games of All Time
The Nintendo Entertainment System introduced the world to Mario Bros., Metroid, Zelda, and more
www.rollingstone.com
October 13, 2025 at 12:10 AM
I have no qualms with the picks here but the order could probably use a little adjustment. Also a reminder that 1988 was a banner year.
It seems a lot of my games feel appropriate for the Halloween & horror season. Because what's more Halloween-worthy than #Ghostbusters? Bustin' is my #pico8 arcade game tasking you with saving the city from Gozer and all the Slimers. Great for parties!
Play: morningtoast.itch.io/ghostbusters...
Play: morningtoast.itch.io/ghostbusters...
October 9, 2025 at 10:59 PM
It seems a lot of my games feel appropriate for the Halloween & horror season. Because what's more Halloween-worthy than #Ghostbusters? Bustin' is my #pico8 arcade game tasking you with saving the city from Gozer and all the Slimers. Great for parties!
Play: morningtoast.itch.io/ghostbusters...
Play: morningtoast.itch.io/ghostbusters...
I know better than to hold my breath but the #pico8 Splore browser could really use some QoL updates for helping to organize favorited games. At this point I’d rather have some effort put there than more functions and commands for making games. www.timeextension.com/news/2025/10...
Playdate OS 3.0 Adds A Much-Requested Feature: Folders
"We never dreamt developers would create so many great Playdate games"
www.timeextension.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:43 PM
I know better than to hold my breath but the #pico8 Splore browser could really use some QoL updates for helping to organize favorited games. At this point I’d rather have some effort put there than more functions and commands for making games. www.timeextension.com/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Brian Vaughn
The holiday season is right around the corner and that means it’s almost time for another #pico8 Advent Calendar!
Submissions for the 2025 PICO-8 Advent Calendar are open starting today and we’ll be accepting entries until the end of November.
More information on Itch:
itch.io/jam/pico-8-a...
Submissions for the 2025 PICO-8 Advent Calendar are open starting today and we’ll be accepting entries until the end of November.
More information on Itch:
itch.io/jam/pico-8-a...
PICO-8 Advent Calendar 2025
A game jam from 2025-10-04 to 2025-12-01 hosted by Kevin & Jenny Schmidt (bikibird). Every year, the PICO-8 community comes together to make games that reflect the joys and anxieties of the winter hol...
itch.io
October 4, 2025 at 7:48 PM
The holiday season is right around the corner and that means it’s almost time for another #pico8 Advent Calendar!
Submissions for the 2025 PICO-8 Advent Calendar are open starting today and we’ll be accepting entries until the end of November.
More information on Itch:
itch.io/jam/pico-8-a...
Submissions for the 2025 PICO-8 Advent Calendar are open starting today and we’ll be accepting entries until the end of November.
More information on Itch:
itch.io/jam/pico-8-a...
It's October and the perfect time for my most successful #pico8 game. Adventure, horror, shmup...like all those words? Then you'll probably dig it.
Don't Dig Up the Dead
morningtoast.itch.io/dont-dig-up-...
Deluxe version comes with special in-game item.
#october #halloween #horror #shmup
Don't Dig Up the Dead
morningtoast.itch.io/dont-dig-up-...
Deluxe version comes with special in-game item.
#october #halloween #horror #shmup
October 3, 2025 at 7:11 PM
It's October and the perfect time for my most successful #pico8 game. Adventure, horror, shmup...like all those words? Then you'll probably dig it.
Don't Dig Up the Dead
morningtoast.itch.io/dont-dig-up-...
Deluxe version comes with special in-game item.
#october #halloween #horror #shmup
Don't Dig Up the Dead
morningtoast.itch.io/dont-dig-up-...
Deluxe version comes with special in-game item.
#october #halloween #horror #shmup
Bouquets & Bunnies is now up on Itch!
morningtoast.itch.io/bouquetsbunn...
Download also available for PC and the PICO-8 cart. Thanks to everyone that has played and enjoyed!
What's your high score so far?
#pico8 #gamedev #itch #ufo50 #release #arcade
morningtoast.itch.io/bouquetsbunn...
Download also available for PC and the PICO-8 cart. Thanks to everyone that has played and enjoyed!
What's your high score so far?
#pico8 #gamedev #itch #ufo50 #release #arcade
Bouquets & Bunnies by Brian Vaughn / Morning Toast
A UFO50-inspired snake game. Collect flowers and make bouquets to win back your partner's love.
morningtoast.itch.io
October 1, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I miss the days of awesome EQs and wicked visualizers with our music players. In the car, on the computer, everywhere! I would just keep a display going on an extra monitor just to create the "club vibe" in my room (back when I didn't have to worry about power bills).
Nobody asked for it. We did it anyway.
If you ever used Winamp during the later years, it had an awesome, awesome visualizer called Milkdrop. The Webamp people implemented a workalike called Butterchurn.
Internet Archive now supports Webamp and Butterchurn. Just click on the llama!
If you ever used Winamp during the later years, it had an awesome, awesome visualizer called Milkdrop. The Webamp people implemented a workalike called Butterchurn.
Internet Archive now supports Webamp and Butterchurn. Just click on the llama!
September 30, 2025 at 7:45 PM
I miss the days of awesome EQs and wicked visualizers with our music players. In the car, on the computer, everywhere! I would just keep a display going on an extra monitor just to create the "club vibe" in my room (back when I didn't have to worry about power bills).
Reposted by Brian Vaughn
Bouquets & Bunnies released for #pico8
www.lexaloffle.com/bbs/?tid=151...
Plant and collect followers to charm back your partner. Avoid the bunnies and grow that high score! A #UFO50 Magic Garden tribute.
Go native! Look for it in Splore. On Itch soon.
#gamedev #indiedev #arcade #retro
www.lexaloffle.com/bbs/?tid=151...
Plant and collect followers to charm back your partner. Avoid the bunnies and grow that high score! A #UFO50 Magic Garden tribute.
Go native! Look for it in Splore. On Itch soon.
#gamedev #indiedev #arcade #retro
September 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Bouquets & Bunnies released for #pico8
www.lexaloffle.com/bbs/?tid=151...
Plant and collect followers to charm back your partner. Avoid the bunnies and grow that high score! A #UFO50 Magic Garden tribute.
Go native! Look for it in Splore. On Itch soon.
#gamedev #indiedev #arcade #retro
www.lexaloffle.com/bbs/?tid=151...
Plant and collect followers to charm back your partner. Avoid the bunnies and grow that high score! A #UFO50 Magic Garden tribute.
Go native! Look for it in Splore. On Itch soon.
#gamedev #indiedev #arcade #retro
September 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Time to plug in my 360…often forget about this one. So much fun. So fast. easily one of the best Arcade releases. This and Outrun are 2 big reasons I keep my 360 in working order.
ENGAGE!
Blasting out of the arcades to the Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2010 and long-since delisted, Climax put a fresh coat of shiny paint on the classic aviation rail shooter arcade action.
📺: After Burner: Climax, Sega AM2, 2006/2010 (captured from 360)
Blasting out of the arcades to the Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2010 and long-since delisted, Climax put a fresh coat of shiny paint on the classic aviation rail shooter arcade action.
📺: After Burner: Climax, Sega AM2, 2006/2010 (captured from 360)
September 25, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Time to plug in my 360…often forget about this one. So much fun. So fast. easily one of the best Arcade releases. This and Outrun are 2 big reasons I keep my 360 in working order.
I have no nostalgia for the C64 or the ZX but I find myself debating between getting one of them. They just look like fun...but they ain’t cheap. On the good side, if I end up with one, it can’t ruin any memories. Orrrr…just get a Steamdeck and get it all anyway. Choices, choices…
"We're Building The Future Together" - Commodore Has Sold Over 10,000 C64 Ultimate Systems. (Image: @commodoreofcl) (Repost)
"We're Building The Future Together" - Commodore Has Sold Over 10,000 C64 Ultimate Systems
Units are still available if you want one from the first batch
www.timeextension.com
September 23, 2025 at 12:58 AM
I have no nostalgia for the C64 or the ZX but I find myself debating between getting one of them. They just look like fun...but they ain’t cheap. On the good side, if I end up with one, it can’t ruin any memories. Orrrr…just get a Steamdeck and get it all anyway. Choices, choices…
Lords of light! Wrong. Thundarr deserves a modern reboot more than Blackstar. They both pre-date He-Man but I think you could do a lot with Thundarr and his crew these days. Just let someone like Joaquim Dos Santos run things and it would rock.
September 19, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Lords of light! Wrong. Thundarr deserves a modern reboot more than Blackstar. They both pre-date He-Man but I think you could do a lot with Thundarr and his crew these days. Just let someone like Joaquim Dos Santos run things and it would rock.
Easily one of the best all-around games I've played in all my years. Plays good, looks good, sounds good. Arcade damn near perfected. Don't discount that soundtrack either, it's worth a buy on its own. I had good luck using a joystick with this on the Switch. Makes it even more arcade-y.
September 19, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Easily one of the best all-around games I've played in all my years. Plays good, looks good, sounds good. Arcade damn near perfected. Don't discount that soundtrack either, it's worth a buy on its own. I had good luck using a joystick with this on the Switch. Makes it even more arcade-y.
Guess I need to watch "Sneakers" and "The Natural" real soon. The Natural was my intro to Redford when I was little...anything baseball, I was all about it...and my mom was always happy to watch it thanks to him, lol
Robert Redford, the big-screen idol turned Oscar-winning director, Sundance Film Festival founder and environmental activist, died on Tuesday. He was 89. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/m...
September 16, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Guess I need to watch "Sneakers" and "The Natural" real soon. The Natural was my intro to Redford when I was little...anything baseball, I was all about it...and my mom was always happy to watch it thanks to him, lol
Perhaps no other movie impacted my high school gimmick more than Hackers. From the bright orange pager I had to “Hack the planet” written on the top of grad cap. Not unlike Tron, Hackers gave us an awesome visual for what being a computer nerd could be. And it had an incredible soundtrack to boot.
This flick is my favorite high-tech time capsule
30 years later, Hackers is still the perfect hit of ‘90s nostalgia
This flick is my favorite high-tech time capsule
www.polygon.com
September 16, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Perhaps no other movie impacted my high school gimmick more than Hackers. From the bright orange pager I had to “Hack the planet” written on the top of grad cap. Not unlike Tron, Hackers gave us an awesome visual for what being a computer nerd could be. And it had an incredible soundtrack to boot.
Finally got some time to work on my #pico8 game, now with a new title: Bouquets & Bunnies. Slightly "cuter" than maybe I'd prefer but a little easier to say and remember. Thanks to @russellashby.bsky.social for giving me some better movement math, much better now! Soon. #gamedev #ufo50
September 14, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Finally got some time to work on my #pico8 game, now with a new title: Bouquets & Bunnies. Slightly "cuter" than maybe I'd prefer but a little easier to say and remember. Thanks to @russellashby.bsky.social for giving me some better movement math, much better now! Soon. #gamedev #ufo50
Reposted by Brian Vaughn
Reposted by Brian Vaughn
The 𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗢⬩𝟭𝗞 𝗝𝗔𝗠 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 has now started! 🥳
🌐 itch.io/jam/pico-1k-...
You have until end of Sep to create:
🕹️ Games
📺 Demos
🛠️ Tools
...in #Pico8 (or #Picotron) using ≤ 1KB of 🗜️ code
( #Tweetcart, see code in ALT tag)
#Pico1k #GameJam #Demoscene #Sizecoding
🌐 itch.io/jam/pico-1k-...
You have until end of Sep to create:
🕹️ Games
📺 Demos
🛠️ Tools
...in #Pico8 (or #Picotron) using ≤ 1KB of 🗜️ code
( #Tweetcart, see code in ALT tag)
#Pico1k #GameJam #Demoscene #Sizecoding
September 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
The 𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗢⬩𝟭𝗞 𝗝𝗔𝗠 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 has now started! 🥳
🌐 itch.io/jam/pico-1k-...
You have until end of Sep to create:
🕹️ Games
📺 Demos
🛠️ Tools
...in #Pico8 (or #Picotron) using ≤ 1KB of 🗜️ code
( #Tweetcart, see code in ALT tag)
#Pico1k #GameJam #Demoscene #Sizecoding
🌐 itch.io/jam/pico-1k-...
You have until end of Sep to create:
🕹️ Games
📺 Demos
🛠️ Tools
...in #Pico8 (or #Picotron) using ≤ 1KB of 🗜️ code
( #Tweetcart, see code in ALT tag)
#Pico1k #GameJam #Demoscene #Sizecoding
I need some recommendations for web hosting services. I've been using Ionos/1&1 for 15+ years. Problems with them are very rare but when problems do happen, they offer zero help. I'm not a sysop or domain admin, nor do I want to be. #needhelp #webhosting #ssl #webadmin #domains
September 8, 2025 at 2:20 PM
I need some recommendations for web hosting services. I've been using Ionos/1&1 for 15+ years. Problems with them are very rare but when problems do happen, they offer zero help. I'm not a sysop or domain admin, nor do I want to be. #needhelp #webhosting #ssl #webadmin #domains
Hell yes. I still have my Shatterhand NES cart and it’s still a great play (and not a cake walk). The NES wasn’t short on platformers but Shatterhand was one of the few where the theme/style got my attention. If this remake is anything like what they did with Wild Guns, we’ll be in for a good time.
We Could Be Getting A New Version Of NES Cult Classic Shatterhand. (Repost)
We Could Be Getting A New Version Of NES Cult Classic Shatterhand
Natsume Atari files trademark in Japan
www.timeextension.com
September 4, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Hell yes. I still have my Shatterhand NES cart and it’s still a great play (and not a cake walk). The NES wasn’t short on platformers but Shatterhand was one of the few where the theme/style got my attention. If this remake is anything like what they did with Wild Guns, we’ll be in for a good time.