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/
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
Well, it didn't break my game, but using the editor kept crashing randomly, so back to 4.3 for now
Compiling Godot 4.4 Beta 1, let's see if this breaks my game..!
January 26, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Well, it didn't break my game, but using the editor kept crashing randomly, so back to 4.3 for now
Compiling Godot 4.4 Beta 1, let's see if this breaks my game..!
January 21, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Compiling Godot 4.4 Beta 1, let's see if this breaks my game..!
He'd make a cameo in Alien Soldier too
Bringing this one from the other website
Homie moving like a Treasure Co. Ltd boss from 1993
Homie moving like a Treasure Co. Ltd boss from 1993
December 16, 2024 at 1:16 PM
He'd make a cameo in Alien Soldier too
Reposted by Ben Hickling // MNKY
preview of "Wings of Magma (Stage 8)"
the new stage theme for this update's lava stage
Full version on Soundcloud:
soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...
Boss track too!:
soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...
the new stage theme for this update's lava stage
Full version on Soundcloud:
soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...
Boss track too!:
soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...
December 7, 2024 at 10:50 PM
preview of "Wings of Magma (Stage 8)"
the new stage theme for this update's lava stage
Full version on Soundcloud:
soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...
Boss track too!:
soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...
the new stage theme for this update's lava stage
Full version on Soundcloud:
soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...
Boss track too!:
soundcloud.com/plrusek-chan...
Does anyone smell burning..?
Oh, never mind, it's just Kyuu's tail 🙈🔥
But more importantly, a new level update just dropped - Caldera!
The game is also currently available for 50% off in the Steam Autumn Sale (in case you don't have it 🙇♂️)
store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
(potato quality)
Oh, never mind, it's just Kyuu's tail 🙈🔥
But more importantly, a new level update just dropped - Caldera!
The game is also currently available for 50% off in the Steam Autumn Sale (in case you don't have it 🙇♂️)
store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
(potato quality)
November 27, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Does anyone smell burning..?
Oh, never mind, it's just Kyuu's tail 🙈🔥
But more importantly, a new level update just dropped - Caldera!
The game is also currently available for 50% off in the Steam Autumn Sale (in case you don't have it 🙇♂️)
store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
(potato quality)
Oh, never mind, it's just Kyuu's tail 🙈🔥
But more importantly, a new level update just dropped - Caldera!
The game is also currently available for 50% off in the Steam Autumn Sale (in case you don't have it 🙇♂️)
store.steampowered.com/app/1249480/...
(potato quality)
I don't know if this is a galaxy brain move or not
November 15, 2024 at 5:43 PM
I don't know if this is a galaxy brain move or not
Things are really starting to heat up!™ #ex-zodiac
November 8, 2024 at 8:55 PM
Things are really starting to heat up!™ #ex-zodiac
finally deactivated my Facebook account, man that place is so useless these days
November 3, 2024 at 1:11 PM
finally deactivated my Facebook account, man that place is so useless these days
Injecting deadlines into my veins to cure the adhd
October 29, 2024 at 10:24 AM
Injecting deadlines into my veins to cure the adhd
Reposted by Ben Hickling // MNKY
Demo is now live! You can now play a sizeable chunk of the game on Steam thanks to #steamnextfest !
Dont forget to add it to your wishlist 🌼
store.steampowered.com/app/3226270/...
Dont forget to add it to your wishlist 🌼
store.steampowered.com/app/3226270/...
Candy Rangers Demo on Steam
Fight nature in Candy Rangers, an on-rails shooter game where you control 4 characters at once. Shoot down chains of enemies, don't run out of time and find medals to unlock new levels, areas and boss...
store.steampowered.com
October 16, 2024 at 9:17 AM
Demo is now live! You can now play a sizeable chunk of the game on Steam thanks to #steamnextfest !
Dont forget to add it to your wishlist 🌼
store.steampowered.com/app/3226270/...
Dont forget to add it to your wishlist 🌼
store.steampowered.com/app/3226270/...
I'm enjoying bluesky like I enjoyed discord after Skype went to crap. Unfortunately discord eventually went poop, and I'm sure this will too eventually, but until then I'll make the most of it
October 24, 2024 at 8:14 PM
I'm enjoying bluesky like I enjoyed discord after Skype went to crap. Unfortunately discord eventually went poop, and I'm sure this will too eventually, but until then I'll make the most of it