@tiotasram@kolektiva.social2025-10-02 10:55:31
Day 9: Eniko Fox
Edit: added a store link for Kitsune Tails.
We're back to videogames, and with another author who's on the fediverse: @…
Fox has developed a few games, but the one that I've played and love is Kitsune Tails. It's a sapphic romance take on Super Mario Bros. 3, and (critically for a platformer) it's got very crisp controls and runs smoothly. I think one thing a lot of indie platforms devs struggle with is getting those fundamentals right, because on the technical side they require very challenging things like optimization of your code and extremely careful input handling that go beyond the basic skills necessary to put together a game. From following her on Twitter and now the Fediverse, it's clear that Fox is a deeply competent programmer, and her games reflect that. Beyond the fundamentals, Kitsune Tails has a very sweet plot with a very cool twist in the middle, and without spoilers, that twist made both the levels and gameplay very difficult to design, but Fox rose to that challenge and put together a wonderful game. Particularly past the plot twist (but in subtle ways before it) Fox is able to build beyond SMB3 mechanics in ways that gracefully complement the original, and the movement in the game ends up being difficult but extremely satisfying, with an excellent skill/speed response allowing for both slower, easier approaches that work for a range of players and high-skill extremely-fast options for those who want to push themselves.
There have been plenty of people I follow with indie game projects that are kinda meh in the end, and I'll still boost them without much comment if they're decent. Fox' work is actually amazing, which is why if you've followed me for a while you'll know I tend to mention it periodically, and which is why she makes this list of authors I respect.
You can buy Kitsune Tails here: #20AuthorsNoMen
@Dragofix@veganism.social2025-10-02 00:12:27
As Amazon's 'flying rivers' weaken with tree loss, scientists warn of worsening droughts #Amazon
@dhuyvetter@mastodon.social2025-10-01 14:45:11
The US Mainstream Media Is Catastrophically Failing To Meet The Moment
Techdirt wrote about Trump’s extraordinary admission that he was basing military deployment decisions on old Fox News footage and lies from his advisors. But there’s an even more damning story here: how that revelation almost never saw the light of day because of journalistic cowardice.
@cdarwin@c.im2025-10-02 04:30:30
@paulwermer@sfba.social2025-10-01 18:37:41
@PaulWermer@sfba.social2025-10-01 18:37:41
@cowboys@darktundra.xyz2025-10-02 16:14:45
Science Lab: How to fix NFL overtime rules, end tie games forever https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/science-lab-how-to-fix-nfl-overtime-rules-end-tie-games-forever
@metacurity@infosec.exchange2025-08-30 01:19:23
https://www.nextgov.com/people/2025/08/noem-terminates-24-fema-workers-failing-address-cyber-vulnerabilities/407807/
Noem terminates 24 FEMA workers for failing to address cyber vulnerabilities
@Techmeme@techhub.social2025-08-30 10:45:52
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem fires 24 FEMA IT staffers, including the CIO and CISO; DHS says they failed security protocols and let hackers access FEMA networks (David DiMolfetta/Nextgov/FCW)
https://www.nextgov.com/people/2025/08/noe
@cowboys@darktundra.xyz2025-10-02 15:58:38
Science Lab: How to fix NFL overtime rules, end tie games forever https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/science-lab-how-to-fix-nfl-overtime-rules-end-tie-games-forever