Sasha

https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@sashabilton

Tabletop and computer gamer, programmer, terrain maker, model painter, art enjoyer, reader!, electronics fumbler, 8bit CPU fan, awake. Anarchosyndicalish. ADHD. Ex-Pelgrane Press, ex-Dragonmeet, Illusionaryterrain. Londoner. Cto-irl. Parent. Partner. Ally.

Games ideas: https://typical-radio-da4.notion.site/44e9b0b1e2be48be914c69a752e84076?v=2a6f7da10aaf4fabb11ebd37115d771c
itch.io: https://myraid.itch.io/
Titan Depths setting: http://titandepths.com/

Public Key

npub1jaq6vaam258qxl62dkrcpk9fp9k6xmvn58tzu4tywj95s8znthzsn0x03k

NIP-05 Address

[email protected]

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsfwsdxw7a42rsr0a9xmpuqmz5sjmdrdkf6r43w24j8fz6gr3f4m3gprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0d4hhxarj9ecxjmntqyqqc0cwea

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relay.momostr.pink

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npub1jaq6vaam258qxl62dkrcpk9fp9k6xmvn58tzu4tywj95s8znthzsn0x03k

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Last Notes

2026-07-16 17:17:33 CEST

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but the American propaganda of what happens when capitalism collapses is false. People Reform, recover and repair quickly.
Nobody riots (not even Americans) when disasters happen. Hollywood loves that post zombie wild west, but it just doesn't happen.
And if all their money is in a data centre, they can't even burn it to keep warm.

2026-07-16 17:08:45 CEST

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yes, but, it still allows people to do all those things.
And if the web destroyed the high street, it destroyed a valued community space.
I feel like I'm trying to defend AI, when actually I'm annoyed that many people who have built a career of destroying other people's livelihoods are using "it'll steal our jobs" as a rationale for attacking AI rather than it's destroying our planet and handing more power to the worst people on the planet.

2026-06-14 10:05:00 CEST

Gosh a picture of me that I like! I was at my BFFs wedding celebration yesterday, which was another lovely people-reaffirming day.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/747/409/555/230/094/original/25af698d42a17817.jpg

2026-06-12 12:23:26 CEST

We might be male, stale and pale but there isn't one of us who wouldn't fight for your right to be #queer, #trans or be an ally in the battle for #equality. And of course anyone who isn't an arsehole is welcome to play at this table. (Plus were not always quite so male or pale).
#osr #ose #dungeonsanddragons
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/736/616/790/459/367/original/f5be6cdc9c4820be.jpg

2026-06-03 22:27:39 CEST

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yes! I have that book. It's amazing.

2026-06-03 14:31:45 CEST

Oh no John Blanche has died 😞
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Blanche
I had the pleasure of running a 40K racing game for him a few years ago and ended up going for brunch with him the next day. He seemed a really down to earth, slightly shy but genuinely warm human. And obviously incredibly talented. #JohnBlanche

2026-06-02 16:59:40 CEST

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me too, the listening to what's not being said, or the negative space if you want to sound modern and cool, is the only way I can keep focus at conferences.

2026-06-02 15:57:45 CEST

I'm at SXSW London, just about to see @npub1fdr…lvhs talk. It's been a mixed bag, as most conferences are, and I've learned to listen to what people aren't saying. The music industry still doesn't understand how ML models work. They want to know what fraction of Black Sabbath generated a song.
AI/robot automation companies are lying about job creation, because the jobs they say they are creating can be done by AI/Robots according to their own presentation.

2026-05-29 10:32:55 CEST

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thanks Ben, I've (sorry , my friend) signed up!

2026-05-28 21:16:54 CEST

Hey UK #gamedevs, can anyone recommend a reasonably priced #accountant for a tiny #IndieGames company that wants to take full advantage of VGEC and R&D tax credits, and apply for grants?
Asking for a friend.

2026-05-18 13:55:02 CEST

There are more games published than anyone could play in a lifetime. Indeed, there are more games segmented by genre than anyone could play in a lifetime.
Yet here we are, burning fossil fuels and brain cells, making more.

2026-05-16 16:39:23 CEST

My Red Redemptionists Stormcast Eternals new army. They'll get a black pin wash after this. #AgeOfSigmar
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/584/753/030/722/384/original/b50c787c19bcd15b.jpg

2026-05-14 21:49:36 CEST

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when I moved to the Piccadilly line from the Northern everything got better. No shade on Northerners, I hope it's got better for you. Maybe the Pics just lied to the fesser rather than telling them they couldn't face seeing them first thing in the morning?

2026-05-14 21:37:29 CEST

What if I told you every time you use flood fill and traditional painter dies?

2026-05-12 19:19:47 CEST

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and not even gracefully.

2026-05-12 12:48:49 CEST

At some point the dumber CEOs who want to replace everyone with AI will realise that makes anyone a CEO. Literally their only moat is the team they lead.

2026-05-12 10:38:58 CEST

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I'm reading this, thinking they never had a business, just a pass-through of investor money to their staff and probably AWS.
It's happening a lot! Tech companies that seem successful but aren't anywhere near profitable.

2026-05-12 10:05:27 CEST

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it drips in AI generated investor-speak. But then they'll just ask AI for a summary anyway, so they'll never see it.

2026-05-12 09:36:58 CEST

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"We’re reducing our country footprint because operating in nearly 60 countries does not allow us to give every team member a great experience."
Firing them or making them relocate is a top notch experience though.
The steer bullshit double-speak is unbelievable.

2026-05-10 14:10:47 CEST

Funny story, 4 years ago Catherine West used to be my MP, and her constituency used to hold my workshop. We have an annual open studios day. She was being shown around and upon arriving at mine the power went out, which meant the staff rushed off to fix the problem. So I spoke to her for 15 minutes. She was pleasant, not at all put off by my claim that Labour were far too right wing for my anarchist tastes. Then I explained 3D printing and why wargames are great at making people peaceful 😃

2026-05-10 14:00:42 CEST

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someone will take umbrage with any choice you make, and lots of people will want it for free, often because of their own privilege. Standing by and up for your values is the best way to avoid becoming cynical and losing them.
If there isn't a market for people who want to swap their time for yours (which is usually what money is) then so be it, the game isn't good enough.

2026-05-10 13:51:37 CEST

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100% but then you are faced with the problem there is no ethical consumption under capitalism.
No cash refunds (other than legal requirements), no transfers above a small amount, no transfering of player accounts that have sizable positive credit accounts. No power ups based on credits. Credit limits. Etc
Most of the issues in these areas are caused by unethical practices either by the company or the players. Build trust and regulate player abilities.

2026-05-10 12:25:31 CEST

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I've been playing with the idea of credits. Players buy them, and they decrease for play (in my case per turn). If you don't play, they don't decrease. This allows control of spending for the player, as well as a bunch of fine grain controls for the dev (sales, rewards, gifts, cheap bulk purchasing, etc).

2026-05-10 12:06:24 CEST

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which is a reasonable cost model. Inflation and changing hosting costs could be a big factor. It'll piss people off, but you shouldn't run things at a loss because you'll shut it down, which is the worst outcome. Ethical business practices are very important, and trust can only be earned understandably though.

2026-05-10 12:02:14 CEST

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but maybe you're talking about initial pre-launch funding? In which case, I'd say a couple of options, for different psychologies. Founders pack + voluntary contribution?

2026-05-10 11:50:26 CEST

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isn't straight up subscription the most stable model? My understanding is that subscription was made a bad word because of VC funding "free" platforms that try to outlive and kill subscription models then ramp up the costs.

2026-05-09 12:18:40 CEST

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but how do BlackRock benefit?

2026-05-09 09:53:44 CEST

After years and years of decline at the hands of the rightwing Tories and then two years of timid centrist Labour, the English know what'll reverse our fortunes. Putting the very worst idiots in power. The ones who caused Brexit, the ones who think people who have nothing are the cause of our woes, and that little fascist public school stockbrokers will represent their best interests.
No gods, no masters

2026-05-07 23:03:39 CEST

You commission Henry South, you get Henry South.
"I wear no mask." #warhammer #AgeOfSigmar #tzeench
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/535/296/109/349/737/original/39e77df32e0817d7.jpg

2026-05-07 20:48:06 CEST

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but is there a way to profit without enshitification?

2026-05-07 08:30:20 CEST

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software language design :)

2026-05-06 21:42:57 CEST

That thing where you meet someone for dinner because their interests and yours are interestingly adjacent, and they turn out to be geek royalty 😍

2026-05-04 22:18:09 CEST

I was at the Jack In The Green festival in Hastings today, which was great fun and I even managed to get some leaves at the end when Jack is torn apart.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/518/138/103/774/270/original/bc95f43d5c9b3af5.mp4

2026-05-03 09:19:42 CEST

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skipping wee pig,right? 😭

2026-05-02 10:19:57 CEST

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as a Jew, and one who has joined antifascist direct action groups, I can see a great deal of the narrative in the UK controlled by right wing supporters of the Israeli governments policy of genocide. Accusing anti Likud Jews of being antisemitic in the Labour party was probably the most obvious element of this. This has confused people's understanding of separation of Jews from Israel. And I think that's intentional. The fearful are likely to support Israeli no matter what.

2026-05-01 15:59:16 CEST

Bad news, Fuggslow my #OSE #DungeonsAndDragons thug/henchmen in search of a master/mistress died in our club #OSR game. Trapped on the wrong side of a portcullis, a back of ravaging white wolves torn him apart. Sad times.
Romax Wakanza, a Lawful fighter has given up his life of goose husbandry to claim the right to bear the Wakanza family sword and slay evil. With 18 strength and 17 constitution he's definitely the highest stat'd of my 6 characters in this game so far. Huzzah!
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/499/653/058/111/836/original/94b8719b433dfe05.jpg
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/499/653/147/477/101/original/6bf14388a6ff6594.jpg

2026-05-01 15:53:36 CEST

Such a sensible cat.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/499/643/177/829/166/original/d4fd50ec6e062d73.jpg
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/499/643/269/273/649/original/efdf2f7e3acc4e0c.jpg

2026-04-28 21:01:10 CEST

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I think a "No AI Inside" sticker, perhaps with a hologram might do the job? Like Organic stickers.

2026-04-28 20:57:02 CEST

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I agree, but I fear very little commercial software would have got that cert even 10 years ago. Equal pay for outsourced or offshore workers, and working hours confined to a 40 HR work week are essential for ethical conditions imho.

2026-04-28 18:58:02 CEST

Thank god no human ever deleted a prod database early in their career, whilst doing what they thought been asked to do.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/483/389/906/704/122/original/17202ad3a9322650.mp4

2026-04-28 08:53:35 CEST

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allowing for megacorps to step in and build internal universities and indentured scientists.

2026-04-27 11:47:58 CEST

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thanks, and very cool!

2026-04-27 11:40:21 CEST

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😮 do you have a link to the source?

2026-04-27 11:25:45 CEST

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Is that on a standard BBC B?!

2026-04-27 07:29:39 CEST

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BBC Basic really is tip top

2026-04-26 14:23:32 CEST

Violence is never the answer (exceptions apply -
Trans, Mexicans, Iranians, Venezuelans, Muslims, Roman Catholics, bad Jews, Atheists, Greenlanders, small boat crew, judges, journalists, scientists, women, men, animals)

2026-04-26 10:36:55 CEST

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I hope you have a very relaxing and restful time

2026-04-26 09:15:00 CEST

That's one way to get out of it I suppose

2026-04-24 15:23:44 CEST

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so much this++. It's mirrored too in supermarkets Vs local retailers.

2026-04-24 14:22:46 CEST

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food, accommodation, power should at least have non obscene profiteering options.

2026-04-24 13:08:41 CEST

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I'm glad for you, and I feel the same even if I don't want to do -this- work for much longer.

2026-04-24 11:57:01 CEST

Nobody wants to work, especially CEOS & founders.
One thing that's very clear working with people at the top of companies is many are desperate to retire. They're caught in the trap of burning out in the hopes of a big $$$ off. This rarely happens.
How many founders aim to create a sustainable business that they can be involved in, perhaps multigenerationally, anymore?
Capitalism (and the patriarchy) hurts 99.999% of everyone.

2026-04-23 18:46:13 CEST

Inductamancy is cool, but I'm not sure what to use it for... Yet.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/455/027/560/530/487/original/cc73267b0627c458.mp4

2026-04-21 23:31:39 CEST

Sometimes China just really wants a cuddle. #CatsOfMastodon
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/444/819/743/772/108/original/559930fddfdece22.jpg

2026-04-21 22:58:42 CEST

At a networking event this evening with some old consultant colleagues. One of whom has now done a Master's in AI & Digital Ethics. We talked about Shop Local, and she said an interesting thing - the cost of cloud AI isn't likely to come down at the same rate that open-source models are likely to improve. The idea that you could have high street local shops offering on-prem built bespoke apps for local businesses isn't as wild as it seems.

2026-04-20 13:29:11 CEST

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haha! I'd never thought of it like that but yes absolutely!

2026-04-20 12:43:58 CEST

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this. Trump's favourite colour too.

2026-04-20 12:42:35 CEST

We need Shop Local campaigns but for tech. Making people million and billionaires just isn't trickling down, surprise surprise.

2026-04-20 08:46:13 CEST

Does the company you work for make a profit?

2026-04-19 15:02:29 CEST

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"I was there Gandalf, 3000 years ago..."
Yes absolutely, but people are still writing pet BASIC interpreters for all sorts of things. Pythons biggest failing Vs BASIC to make it really easy to pick up is __main__

2026-04-19 12:13:13 CEST

Why is #BASIC so terrible and yet so attractive? #dev

2026-04-19 10:01:53 CEST

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I think fast fashion might be an example of festering mass production.
Mass produced code, which is the vast majority code, is built by people under pressure to work faster, by people they don't know or even don't like. Their best route to higher income is to change job. Many of these developers became developers to have a safe, higher income jobs.
They're see as huge cost centres by their employers, distrusted and undervalued.
Imho This is why AI is taking root in corporate tech

2026-04-18 21:35:35 CEST

Is the Pope Catholic?
Maga: Well...

2026-04-17 20:48:25 CEST

Me circa 1980. Pre-Tron, post Star Wars. T-shirt is probably from my very communist grandmother.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/421/521/238/072/092/original/0346bfaafa889f21.jpg

2026-04-17 18:29:08 CEST

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Sorry to hear that. The job market is screwed up, with so many factors without AI poking its nose in right now.
However, I do find it frustrating how much shade is being thrown at AI by people who have happily been reducing other people's jobs, but now that they are affected, it's unethical.

2026-04-17 18:19:46 CEST

A lot of working in tech is about taking people's jobs, because a lot of tech work is building automation or efficiency gains. As a dev, I at least created work for QAs...

2026-04-17 14:42:01 CEST

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Heads are rolling. We'll see how far. Starmer has few friends now.

2026-04-17 14:40:16 CEST

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The background - https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/17/keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-unforgivable-not-told-failed-vetting

2026-04-17 14:38:22 CEST

For once, I understand Starmers' thinking, who better to send to work with Trump than someone comfortable working with corrupt paedophiles with huge amounts of power?
#UKPol

2026-04-17 11:31:11 CEST

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fingers and toes crossed for you!

2026-04-15 20:18:18 CEST

They said it couldn't be done, but I did it anyway.
Very fond memories of playing D&D at Bugman's Bar at Warhammer World in Nottingham.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/410/080/496/977/550/original/95c2279a613efc3d.jpg

2026-04-15 18:50:13 CEST

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I had forgotten all about the modes! That's a real blast from the past!

2026-04-15 18:44:57 CEST

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would there be a difference between the ZX80 & 81 do you think?

2026-04-15 14:30:24 CEST

Is there a word for the extra time things take when your cat is being cute? #catsofmastodon

2026-04-13 10:24:01 CEST

Our Hobby And Tabletop Enthusiasts club(formerly Hackney Area Tabletop Enthusiasts) at #salute2026 was a blast. Busy all day with people kitbashing models to play on the fortress table. It was great to be recognised (the club t-shirt, not me personally) so often too. The event itself was very busy, more diverse than ever and extremely well run.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/396/415/904/275/510/original/1545b64b307acd7c.jpg
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/396/415/998/387/972/original/c23012e735b2d333.jpg
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/396/416/098/740/954/original/7860cf19515e7a8d.jpg

2026-04-13 07:48:57 CEST

Congratulations Hungarians.

2026-04-08 11:52:00 CEST

So what do #cybersecurity folks make of Glasswing?
https://www.anthropic.com/glasswing
Hype of course, we live under capitalism and so that's inevitable, but often there are some truths in hype.

2026-04-08 08:56:53 CEST

Very nearly there for my #salute2026 Chaos Fortress skirmish game board. Some dry brushing on the curtain wall, fixing the tops of the towers, eyeballs, bridges painted and it's done. For now. Come kitbash a warrior on our other stall and play on this on Saturday or just wander by and say hello from Mastodon. #HATEclub #WarhammerCommunity #dungeonsanddragons
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/367/741/231/960/044/original/b1a0ee67cd199999.mp4

2026-04-07 21:28:12 CEST

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thank you 😊

2026-04-07 17:28:27 CEST

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is it the difference between art and illustration? Art ideally generates a strong emotion in the artist, illustration aims to generate a strong emotion in the viewer/customer.
Some (indie game) devs are artists, some illustrators. Some of the most lauded games are made by artists, but for consistency illustration is more successful.

2026-04-03 20:27:59 CEST

Now with glowy lights and hungering maw
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/342/184/607/783/002/original/714c23dd7ef10d97.mp4

2026-04-02 17:55:51 CEST

The horror isn't that there is terrible code in #Claude Code, or that Claude Code can be so successful based on terrible code, but that it's terrible code because most code is terrible.

2026-04-02 08:59:19 CEST

In #warhammer #TheOldWorld news my Orcs & Goblins followed a giant, hoping for some fun and maybe a little a little loot. The giant, following its nose stumbled across Bugman's Brewery! A big fight ensued but the dwarves, who are basically the fun police, had too many bolt throwers and crossbows for the ladz and little'uns to get to their lines.
Also the #Salute2026 demo team played on the board last night.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/333/794/601/087/222/original/307994450e52b604.jpg
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/333/794/732/747/580/original/5aa26070fae7eda0.jpg
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/333/794/858/271/577/original/b844f2a3ee5103dc.jpg
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/333/794/971/563/991/original/de06f61ad7bfcb77.jpg

2026-04-01 18:06:30 CEST

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looking forward to my copy

2026-04-01 17:27:04 CEST

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the universe itself is against us!

2026-04-01 16:47:36 CEST

More importantly, when do they start stocking mince pies again?

2026-04-01 12:50:20 CEST

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the next iMac will look like this
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/329/057/056/721/351/original/556ce3fbba817974.jpg

2026-04-01 09:05:00 CEST

The two people I know who use Chat LLMs extensively for mental health help are both women, one is an ex- NASA satellite engineer and the other a tenured Professor. They both dislike techbro culture.

2026-04-01 00:17:02 CEST

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thank you!

2026-04-01 00:08:16 CEST

I suddenly got a new job and started today. Obviously very lucky to find work at the moment. It means I'm having to finish the board with more urgency. #WarhammerCommunity #Chaos
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/325/989/294/582/409/original/4a10267fc9af12f7.jpg

2026-03-29 11:11:35 CEST

If every there was a good reason to take my meds, I've got fucking Oasis playing on my internal radio this morning. #ADHD

2026-03-28 09:32:08 CET

The boy becomes mum today. Fight the power, fight power. #Together
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/305/857/437/330/934/original/abd23810a85f1e95.jpg

2026-03-27 21:15:58 CET

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I did the same with a Dell. But beat your record by about 6 weeks 😃

2026-03-27 15:00:01 CET

Gary, my club-mate, has got the banner done for #salute26 and it looks great. Come by the stall, kitbash a model and play in our conqueror skirmish game.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodongamedevplace/media_attachments/files/116/301/482/056/230/197/original/30679102a51360f3.jpg

2026-03-27 11:25:31 CET

I kept my FB account so it couldn't be recycled.
It means I get to see all my 'friends' who loudly and performatively shout about how awful Meta is in public, and keep posting in private.

2026-03-27 11:20:09 CET

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Or genuine students.

2026-03-26 15:12:37 CET

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RE: https://fosstodon.org/@marcioaleks/116288389449934441
@npub14g6…pv7v Lovely to watch, but it shows how easily we hallucinate from pattern matching.
#note12vg…elyg

2026-03-26 15:07:28 CET

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo%C3%B6tes_Void

2026-03-02 11:06:30 CET

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well they do say during a gold rush it's the shovel sellers who get rich.
But I know what you mean, especially since great generic universal role playing systems are out there. It's actually why it's art, imho. Deep down they are satisfying their urge to create, not get fed. (See also flavours of Linux)

2026-03-02 10:04:11 CET

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yes that's true, but then many artists dream of being Hirst/Picasso/da Vinci, making something public is always an act of ego.
These RPG makers just not very good at their art. Or actually they are good, but terrible at market research because they want to be valued for a creative output that is disengaged from what people need. Wholly valued in its own right. Which after the first wave of a product type never happens.