Zeno Rogue
@zenorogue.bsky.social
roguelikes, mathematics, non-Euclidean geometry
HyperRogue (non-Euclidean roguelike), RogueViz, ZenoRogue (non-Euclidean visualization) on YouTube, Hydra Slayer (math roguelike).
HyperRogue (non-Euclidean roguelike), RogueViz, ZenoRogue (non-Euclidean visualization) on YouTube, Hydra Slayer (math roguelike).
Pinned
Zeno Rogue
@zenorogue.bsky.social
· Oct 28
HyperRogue on Steam
A truly non-Euclidean tactical puzzle/roguelike!
store.steampowered.com
OK, so to introduce myself:
My first online presence was ~2000, when I joined the #roguelike* communities to talk about the best games ever, such as ADOM, Crawl, IVAN.
Then I became a roguelike developer too. HyperRogue is probably the biggest** non-Euclidean game!
My first online presence was ~2000, when I joined the #roguelike* communities to talk about the best games ever, such as ADOM, Crawl, IVAN.
Then I became a roguelike developer too. HyperRogue is probably the biggest** non-Euclidean game!
In platformers with "double jump", where should you actually perform the second jump?
Generally somewhere in the middle. Your jumps reach the furthest if you do so.
Generally somewhere in the middle. Your jumps reach the furthest if you do so.
November 6, 2025 at 1:04 PM
In platformers with "double jump", where should you actually perform the second jump?
Generally somewhere in the middle. Your jumps reach the furthest if you do so.
Generally somewhere in the middle. Your jumps reach the furthest if you do so.
How can we tell how good are we in run-based games? Win rates? Streaks? Streaks ignoring one loss?
Here is how much information is given by various methods, depending on what our winning probability roughly is, and the number of runs.
More details on: mathstodon.xyz/@zenorogue/1... #roguelike
Here is how much information is given by various methods, depending on what our winning probability roughly is, and the number of runs.
More details on: mathstodon.xyz/@zenorogue/1... #roguelike
October 30, 2025 at 2:53 PM
How can we tell how good are we in run-based games? Win rates? Streaks? Streaks ignoring one loss?
Here is how much information is given by various methods, depending on what our winning probability roughly is, and the number of runs.
More details on: mathstodon.xyz/@zenorogue/1... #roguelike
Here is how much information is given by various methods, depending on what our winning probability roughly is, and the number of runs.
More details on: mathstodon.xyz/@zenorogue/1... #roguelike
Take a grid, for each line add 1 to all points on a randomly picked side of that line, paint points black if the result equals 0 to 1 mod 4, and you get a hitomezashi pattern.
But what if we do this for an arbitrary pattern of curves instead of a grid?
#hitomezashi #mathart #generativeart
But what if we do this for an arbitrary pattern of curves instead of a grid?
#hitomezashi #mathart #generativeart
October 26, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Take a grid, for each line add 1 to all points on a randomly picked side of that line, paint points black if the result equals 0 to 1 mod 4, and you get a hitomezashi pattern.
But what if we do this for an arbitrary pattern of curves instead of a grid?
#hitomezashi #mathart #generativeart
But what if we do this for an arbitrary pattern of curves instead of a grid?
#hitomezashi #mathart #generativeart
a tiny world, pretending to be infinite
October 8, 2025 at 3:11 PM
a tiny world, pretending to be infinite
They say that making "roguelikes" makes things easier for developers.
But Rogue devs wanted a game that was exciting every time you played it. That is definitely HARDER than making a game that is exciting once.
Procgen games take ages to mature. Otherwise they feel repetitive.
For example:
But Rogue devs wanted a game that was exciting every time you played it. That is definitely HARDER than making a game that is exciting once.
Procgen games take ages to mature. Otherwise they feel repetitive.
For example:
September 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
They say that making "roguelikes" makes things easier for developers.
But Rogue devs wanted a game that was exciting every time you played it. That is definitely HARDER than making a game that is exciting once.
Procgen games take ages to mature. Otherwise they feel repetitive.
For example:
But Rogue devs wanted a game that was exciting every time you played it. That is definitely HARDER than making a game that is exciting once.
Procgen games take ages to mature. Otherwise they feel repetitive.
For example:
There should be a genre of "genreless" games. A good genreless game is good because it has unique ideas that make it different from everything else. At the same time, it is a perfect realization of that idea, and/or that idea is difficult to replicate, so it does not start a genre.
Your favorites?
Your favorites?
September 12, 2025 at 1:29 PM
There should be a genre of "genreless" games. A good genreless game is good because it has unique ideas that make it different from everything else. At the same time, it is a perfect realization of that idea, and/or that idea is difficult to replicate, so it does not start a genre.
Your favorites?
Your favorites?
I have seen some backlash for Silksong destroying the game industry by being cheap, while it is just one game that one cannot even play forever.
But we have lots of other "reasons not to buy games anymore" looking more serious, and I do not see much protests against them.
For example:
But we have lots of other "reasons not to buy games anymore" looking more serious, and I do not see much protests against them.
For example:
September 7, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I have seen some backlash for Silksong destroying the game industry by being cheap, while it is just one game that one cannot even play forever.
But we have lots of other "reasons not to buy games anymore" looking more serious, and I do not see much protests against them.
For example:
But we have lots of other "reasons not to buy games anymore" looking more serious, and I do not see much protests against them.
For example:
Four new "player character shapes" were added to HyperRogue recently. All can be recolored.
send pics of your characters #roguelike
send pics of your characters #roguelike
August 19, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Four new "player character shapes" were added to HyperRogue recently. All can be recolored.
send pics of your characters #roguelike
send pics of your characters #roguelike
Reposted by Zeno Rogue
The #HugoAward for Best Game or Interactive Work goes to Caves of Qud.
August 17, 2025 at 4:45 AM
The #HugoAward for Best Game or Interactive Work goes to Caves of Qud.
What is the most important?
if you want to know what this #mathart means:
mathstodon.xyz/@zenorogue/1...
if you want to know what this #mathart means:
mathstodon.xyz/@zenorogue/1...
August 17, 2025 at 5:54 PM
What is the most important?
if you want to know what this #mathart means:
mathstodon.xyz/@zenorogue/1...
if you want to know what this #mathart means:
mathstodon.xyz/@zenorogue/1...
Reposted by Zeno Rogue
Fast-paced and turn-based - the return of a roguelike legend!
*Jupiter Hell Classic* packs procedural levels, explosive weapons, and brutal tactical combat.
Early Access starts NOW!
store.steampowered.com/app/3126530/...
*Jupiter Hell Classic* packs procedural levels, explosive weapons, and brutal tactical combat.
Early Access starts NOW!
store.steampowered.com/app/3126530/...
August 13, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Fast-paced and turn-based - the return of a roguelike legend!
*Jupiter Hell Classic* packs procedural levels, explosive weapons, and brutal tactical combat.
Early Access starts NOW!
store.steampowered.com/app/3126530/...
*Jupiter Hell Classic* packs procedural levels, explosive weapons, and brutal tactical combat.
Early Access starts NOW!
store.steampowered.com/app/3126530/...
Reposted by Zeno Rogue
Silly alternatives to the classic Chess notation for the squares on chessboard.
August 8, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Silly alternatives to the classic Chess notation for the squares on chessboard.
Reposted by Zeno Rogue
Interesting. The world map in #RealmsOfAncardia no longer is flat. What do you think?
(ignore the stupid text log)
And thanks once more to @zenorogue.bsky.social for the original implementation idea in bsky.app/profile/zeno... and to @ravenmore.pl for suggesting to use this in #RealmsOfAncardia.
(ignore the stupid text log)
And thanks once more to @zenorogue.bsky.social for the original implementation idea in bsky.app/profile/zeno... and to @ravenmore.pl for suggesting to use this in #RealmsOfAncardia.
August 3, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Interesting. The world map in #RealmsOfAncardia no longer is flat. What do you think?
(ignore the stupid text log)
And thanks once more to @zenorogue.bsky.social for the original implementation idea in bsky.app/profile/zeno... and to @ravenmore.pl for suggesting to use this in #RealmsOfAncardia.
(ignore the stupid text log)
And thanks once more to @zenorogue.bsky.social for the original implementation idea in bsky.app/profile/zeno... and to @ravenmore.pl for suggesting to use this in #RealmsOfAncardia.
Reposted by Zeno Rogue
Inspired by @zenorogue.bsky.social 's post about globular ASCII projections (my words) in bsky.app/profile/zeno... I tried that for #RealmsOfAncardia but I guess I have no talent at anything but rectangular 2D maps 🤪
The joys of #roguelike #programming
The joys of #roguelike #programming
August 3, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Inspired by @zenorogue.bsky.social 's post about globular ASCII projections (my words) in bsky.app/profile/zeno... I tried that for #RealmsOfAncardia but I guess I have no talent at anything but rectangular 2D maps 🤪
The joys of #roguelike #programming
The joys of #roguelike #programming
A yet another vizualization of the distortions of the Mercator projection.
A #roguelike map using the Mercator projection is projected back on a sphere. In the map, all the characters are of the same size.
A #roguelike map using the Mercator projection is projected back on a sphere. In the map, all the characters are of the same size.
July 20, 2025 at 3:42 PM
A yet another vizualization of the distortions of the Mercator projection.
A #roguelike map using the Mercator projection is projected back on a sphere. In the map, all the characters are of the same size.
A #roguelike map using the Mercator projection is projected back on a sphere. In the map, all the characters are of the same size.
Reposted by Zeno Rogue
July 11, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Our new video. Have fun!
In most of our videos, we have been playing with the non-Euclidean spaces. However, we have not played with the time dimension in them so far. In this video, we combine spherical and hyperbolic geometry with relativistic effects.
youtu.be/PxnoSsjMrck
In most of our videos, we have been playing with the non-Euclidean spaces. However, we have not played with the time dimension in them so far. In this video, we combine spherical and hyperbolic geometry with relativistic effects.
youtu.be/PxnoSsjMrck
Non-Euclidean Game + Relativity = ?
YouTube video by ZenoRogue
youtu.be
June 19, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Our new video. Have fun!
In most of our videos, we have been playing with the non-Euclidean spaces. However, we have not played with the time dimension in them so far. In this video, we combine spherical and hyperbolic geometry with relativistic effects.
youtu.be/PxnoSsjMrck
In most of our videos, we have been playing with the non-Euclidean spaces. However, we have not played with the time dimension in them so far. In this video, we combine spherical and hyperbolic geometry with relativistic effects.
youtu.be/PxnoSsjMrck
Reposted by Zeno Rogue
WE DID IT!
Approaching Infinity is Overwhelmingly Positive!
#startrek #roguelike #indiegame #gamedev #indiedev
Approaching Infinity is Overwhelmingly Positive!
#startrek #roguelike #indiegame #gamedev #indiedev
June 14, 2025 at 12:25 AM
WE DID IT!
Approaching Infinity is Overwhelmingly Positive!
#startrek #roguelike #indiegame #gamedev #indiedev
Approaching Infinity is Overwhelmingly Positive!
#startrek #roguelike #indiegame #gamedev #indiedev
Reposted by Zeno Rogue
May 22, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Reposted by Zeno Rogue
My marine biology roguelike is finished! With 200+ sea creatures, 300+ items, and seven dungeons it's the full release of the underwater dungeon crawler, Crablike!
quinn2win.itch.io/crablike
quinn2win.itch.io/crablike
Crablike by Quinn2win
Traditional roguelike where you're a crab
quinn2win.itch.io
April 27, 2025 at 6:18 PM
My marine biology roguelike is finished! With 200+ sea creatures, 300+ items, and seven dungeons it's the full release of the underwater dungeon crawler, Crablike!
quinn2win.itch.io/crablike
quinn2win.itch.io/crablike
Reposted by Zeno Rogue
springboarding off this interesting post to talk about some characteristics of "roguelikes" or whatever
first thread: map vs. overmap
maps, like Rogue: you move and fight on the same map
overmaps, like Dicey Dungeons: the map selects the next encounter which takes you somewhere else
first thread: map vs. overmap
maps, like Rogue: you move and fight on the same map
overmaps, like Dicey Dungeons: the map selects the next encounter which takes you somewhere else
May 5, 2025 at 11:37 PM
springboarding off this interesting post to talk about some characteristics of "roguelikes" or whatever
first thread: map vs. overmap
maps, like Rogue: you move and fight on the same map
overmaps, like Dicey Dungeons: the map selects the next encounter which takes you somewhere else
first thread: map vs. overmap
maps, like Rogue: you move and fight on the same map
overmaps, like Dicey Dungeons: the map selects the next encounter which takes you somewhere else
The evolution of randomized synergy builders:
(1) literal #roguelike: focus on complex turn-based tactics and adventure, with some synergies.
(2) Isaac-like: focus on synergies, with some intermediate gameplay/adventure.
(3) Survivors-like: more focus on synergies, very simple gameplay.
[...]
(1) literal #roguelike: focus on complex turn-based tactics and adventure, with some synergies.
(2) Isaac-like: focus on synergies, with some intermediate gameplay/adventure.
(3) Survivors-like: more focus on synergies, very simple gameplay.
[...]
May 4, 2025 at 7:05 PM
The evolution of randomized synergy builders:
(1) literal #roguelike: focus on complex turn-based tactics and adventure, with some synergies.
(2) Isaac-like: focus on synergies, with some intermediate gameplay/adventure.
(3) Survivors-like: more focus on synergies, very simple gameplay.
[...]
(1) literal #roguelike: focus on complex turn-based tactics and adventure, with some synergies.
(2) Isaac-like: focus on synergies, with some intermediate gameplay/adventure.
(3) Survivors-like: more focus on synergies, very simple gameplay.
[...]
Metaprogression for me is usually a reason to stop playing the game, but there are some games with metaprogression that I liked, and the common thing in these 2 games is that they do not have other form of progression. Is it the case that intraprogression and metaprogression clash?
May 2, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Metaprogression for me is usually a reason to stop playing the game, but there are some games with metaprogression that I liked, and the common thing in these 2 games is that they do not have other form of progression. Is it the case that intraprogression and metaprogression clash?