We really needed a good news story in games, and this is great news!

Finally got around to starting #GhostsAustralia, and it’s a bloody delight. Lovely positive but cheeky tone, and it really feels authentically Australian, rather than a carbon copy of the original. Plus the cast are all wonderful - @michellebrasier.bsky.social, you’re killing it! I recommend.

Me: Hey Gemini, what is the absolute worst possible example for an AI prompt to encourage people to use you? Gemini: How about outsourcing human connection and gratitude, while abrogating involvement in a child's education? Me: Nailed it.

Screen Australia is doing a massive research project on the current state of the screen and games industries in Australia. Local devs, please consider taking the time to complete their survey survey.alchemer.com/s3/8573365/S...

I went to meet the 'Rockstar 31', the developers who were suddenly fired from their work on GTA 6 for what the studio has described as gross misconduct. That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting. www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...

I’m going down Peel Street on the tram and there’s so much dandelion in the air! It’s like the pollen count has become visible! I’ve never seen this before. Most visible around Queensberry and Victoria Streets.

No Pun Included is one of my favourite channels for game criticism and thinking. Efka and Elaine make some outstanding videos which get deeper than just reviews. For example, for Blood on the Clocktower, Efka digs into the history of social deduction games. You won’t regret subscribing.

It’s out! Get yourself to Steam and pick up your copy! store.steampowered.com/app/1166940/... Now to make it run on my ancient games PC - or get some play time on my partner’s around her current return to Skyrim. (The backup plan is to get it on XBox! It’s on GamePass if you have it.)

Today is the day for @deadstaticdrive.com! I have to go to work, but I’ll probably still sneak in a little bit of refreshing Steam until the launch time comes around. (This game was made in Melbourne by some of the best people, including one of my all-time faves. I can’t wait!)

Been a while since I had a #DoctorWho take, but I have a wish for the Christmas special for next year: that Billie gets one big amazing adventure and then regenerates, showing off the best consequence of the Timeless Child arc: that the occasional short-run Doctor is now possible with big names.

Does anyone know who I might contact at #PAXAus about getting copies of footage of performances I did for them in past years which are no longer available on Twitch?

Our next episode, #Pratchat89, is recording this weekend - and we’re discussing the #Discworld point and click adventure game from 1995! Ben may have lost the box and the disc but he still has his original manual… If you have questions, get them in ASAP!

I need a poster for a scripted podcast made, please reply with portfolios!!!!

Join us (finally) for a new episode as @brendanbarnett.bsky.social chats with Ben* about how one man can draw so many wizards, witches, dragons, guards, goblins and other denizen of the Disc, as we read Paul Kidby’s Designing Terry Pratchett’s #Discworld! #Pratchat88 * Liz will be back next month!

I hate the weasel phrase “going away”. No feature or service “goes away” - it doesn’t have legs and a will of its own. Its owner is removing, cancelling or discontinuing it. Use a verb; take responsibility. Don’t pretend you’re helplessly subject to the whim of an inanimate object or concept.

“We realise this made it less useful/enjoyable to many users who had no mental health problems” is a wild way to start a sentence about a system that encouraged young people to hide suicidal thoughts from their loved ones. Surely “make the friend you want” is likely to have worse outcomes?

Golden hour in our narrative adventure Little Ruin. #indiedev #gameart #indiegames #madewithunity

Australians, please raid your Uncle's old PC in his shed, and help me find a copy of this to archive. #Australia #AFL #DOSGaming #Wolfenstein #RetroGaming #MSDOS #RetroComputing

Great list! Some more excellent Australian artists on Bandcamp: davidbridie.bandcamp.com allindiaradio.bandcamp.com jefflang.bandcamp.com jakflute.bandcamp.com davegraney1.bandcamp.com davesteel.bandcamp.com mickthomas.bandcamp.com notdrowningwaving.bandcamp.com desmonddoom.bandcamp.com #AusMusic

On #BandcampFriday, Bandcamp waives its cut; the artists get more of your money. It ends 5 PM AEST. Australian artists on Bandcamp include: geraldinequinn.bandcamp.com georgiafields.bandcamp.com 3pod.bandcamp.com thetwoks.bandcamp.com pickup.bandcamp.com judeperl.bandcamp.com tomcardy.bandcamp.com

💛 TRACES OF PLAY 💛 is a participatory installation that celebrates the folk, playground, and street games we used to play. Created with @chadtoprak.bsky.social, come subvert these humble everyday objects into magnificent playthings of joy! 🪨🥜🥄✏️🪢

And here we go! Shadow of the Weird Wizard is available on Bundle of Holding! If you've been waiting to check it out, now's your chance! bundleofholding.com/presents/Wei...

I enjoy subtle, metaphorical, deep art. But sometimes I also like a banger which just straight up says a thing out loud. youtu.be/GOQFWGiJqWI Jeangu’s been on my radar since his Eurovision entry from a few years back, “Birth of a New Age”. Nice to see he’s still kicking it!

If you don’t know @horrornonna.com, she is one of the best horror film critics and academics out there. But film criticism, even the really good stuff, doesn’t pay enough to fight the aged care business machine. Please help out Alex if you can!

Comic nerd friends (so @patrickoduffy.bsky.social and @alkennedy.bsky.social), my other comic nerd friend Adam Ford is currently crowdfunding a book of poems inspired by Rom Space Knight. Adam’s a great poet, a massive Rom fan and a real good egg! Give it a look and maybe spread the word?

New #RPG thing from me - my first dungeon! A collaboration with amazing artist Brendan Barnett, “Flee the Flying Saucer!” is a light-hearted A3 “dungeon” in which your characters try to escape a UFO. An entry in the 1-Page TOONgeon Jam inspired by @itsquinns.bsky.social #PlayToFindOut podcast.

Participants needed for research on innovative grammar in Australian English. It will involve an anonymous online questionnaire that will take approximately 5-15 minutes to complete.

I've always wondered if the discussion around these games reflects the quality of the work or the fact that I happened to write lot about them. It's really a core insecurity I have the games that I've worked on. Would they speak without this critical framing (the designer diaries, etc)? 🧵

So pleased to learn the Remix Kit is still around; I had the original app version. Time for an updated one to account for the popularity of games like Catan, Pandemic and Ticket to Ride? (Yes, I’m thinking about doing something like this.)

‘There’s no room to grow’: Aunty Donna on why Australian TV comedy needs a massive shake-up

Today is #SevereMEDay - a day to recognise and honour the people living with the most devastating forms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). We are deeply grateful to those with Severe ME who took part in the DecodeME study. Your contribution is vital.

With all of the attention on YouTube and it's inclusion in the teen social media ban, no one seemed to notice a change that will exempt another tech platform used by millions: LinkedIn. It appears the company's argument that it was too boring for teens has paid off. www.crikey.com.au/20...

As the mother of a 10yo and a 13yo, I totally agree. The under 16s social media ban is populist bullshit which won’t help kids, but will actively harm many. It’ll cut off their access to social groups, information, community, while leaving them with less protection against the really bad stuff

Hello! I am a future society in a sci-fi film. I have advanced technology, a specific cultural difference or two, and otherwise late twentieth century conceptions of gender, sexuality, family, health, work, disability, money, class, conflict, ethics, politics, religion and everything else.

Hello. I am a female armpit in an apocalypse movie, smooth as a baby’s bottom. My friends, the legs, are here too She has to scavenge for food and kill her friends to survive but she has her Lady Gillette, don’t worry

GNU Tom Lehrer, perhaps the greatest musical comedian to have ever lived. His songs are, incredibly, still funny and mostly unproblematic sixty years later - and all in the public domain as of 2020. Hard to pick a favourite, but since I’m currently dealing with a possible COVID exposure…

Last day for the Teacup Magic special editions Kickstarter. Cozy fantasy, beautiful books, marvellous merch. www.kickstarter.com/projects/cas...

JUST 28 MORE BACKERS!!!

I’ve said this before, but please podcasters: have a website for your podcast. And set up your feed to link to it, for the show as a whole, and each episode If all you have is a Spotify, Apple Podcasts or other app or platform dependent link, a whole bunch of people cannot or will not use it.

From the ABS sats this article cites, there is no statistically significant difference in male and female readers in any generation except gen X. www.theage.com.au/culture/book...

I’ve developed an allergy to the word “utilise” (or “utilize”). It keeps cropping up in RPGs, but not just there, and I can’t think of any reason it’s necessary. Just use “use” instead! Or a more specific word, for game terms! Am I missing something? Do you use “utilise”, and if so, when and why?

It’s only just come out so I won’t say much to avoid spoilers, but the new season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has started strong! I enjoy the fun they’re having finding inventive ways to include elements from TOS without breaking canon. But I am looking forward to seeing more new stuff too.

Help give gorgeous Jess a proper celebration of her life 🩵 gofund.me/e6daa029

Come with me as I share my hopes and dreams for the film franchise that keeps breaking my heart again and again! 🦕

Rowan, Rook and Decard - makers of Heart, Spire, Voidheart Symphony and Eat the Reich- has two new part-time positions available in marketing and customer relations. You can find the details and apply here: rowanrookanddecard.com/work-with-us...

Update: movie did not disappoint. Loved it!

Mostly for COVID reasons, I haven’t been to a cinema since early 2020, when I saw The Meg. I’m going tonight, though. (Been waiting fifteen years for a good reason to wear this T-shirt out.)

Melbourne horror people, you'll definitely want this on your radar: MIFF is showing the 1000 WOMEN IN HORROR doc inspired by @horrornonna.com's book! miff.com.au/program/film...

Oh yes indeed: @realmsunknown.bsky.social subgenre deep dive for this week is Comedy in Sci-Fi and fantasy. What are your favourites?