J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 28/09/2026How can people use AI to write emails when clearly you should: re-read them over at least 8 times before sending them, while making tiny little clever word choices that don't matter, and ensuring they are way too long for any actual human to actually read them. Letters = Victorian art form. 130
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Everybody else: "It's decorative gourd season MFers." New Englanders: "It's cranberry season MFers." 000
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 23/09/2026RPG Thought of the Day: There are three primordial structures for campaign-length play -- Dungeon, Overland, and Urban (thanks @johnharper.bsky.social). Urban doesn't come from LOTR, but sneaks in through Lankhmar & especially Cyberpunk. The D&D thing that best embodies all 3 is Planescape. 170
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 21/09/2026I dreamed that Tor Books was publishing a Party Larp by @jmstar.bsky.social called Moon & Amethyst Try Not to Destroy the Earth. Moon (bored nepo-baby) & Amethyst (indulgent aristocrat) are two groovy aliens bringing their eternal roving hippy party to Earth, alongside their semi-friend Sex Head. 350
Reposted by J. WaltonAaron Trammell @aarontram.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Happy Monday!! Amazing little piece by @edmondchang.bsky.social about what he calls ludofatigue…or the kind of play that happens when games are no longer fun. www.gamerswithglasses.com/features/the...gamerswithglasses.comThe Summer without Games, or, Living with Ludofatigue — Gamers with GlassesDon’t you sometimes just feel…tired? Edmond Y. Chang discusses “ludofatigue,” how it feels to live with the persistent sense that play just isn’t fun anymore, and the perennial relevance of Candleman ... 2174
Reposted by J. WaltonKara Stone @solarserver.games · 01/08/2026I decided to playtest my upcoming game Landfill every single day for 7 weeks — and make a short vlog about it each week 1357
Reposted by J. WaltonUnited Academics of the University of Oregon, AAUP-AFT 3209 @uauoregon.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Make no mistake: Just like the Trump administration's first failed higher ed compact, Compact 2.0 once again asks colleges and universities to align themselves with a far-right agenda at the expense of students’ education and the public’s well-being. www.aft.org/press-releas... 074
Reposted by J. WaltonPlaytest Material Magazine @playtestmaterial.bsky.social · 20/09/2026A serious one today. "This is a call to our readers and future readers: please, consider before scrolling away, if you think our magazine is worth £18+postage. It is not just an investment in a bundle of paper, but in meaningful critique in the ttrpg space." playtestmaterial.org/playtest-mat...playtestmaterial.orgPlaytest Material launches its first ever subscription drivePlaytest Material needs 75 subscribers to break even — one of those could be you. 6120105
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Opportune moment for the AAUP to be posting this, right as my university is in the midst of publicly denouncing one of my colleagues -- likely in a misguided attempt to appease right-wing political pressure. Academic leaders: We have to stand up to this nonsense. The frogs are boiling in the pot. 010
Reposted by J. WaltonJonathan @jsench.bsky.social · 16/09/2026I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by private equity and data science. 04916
Reposted by J. WaltonDuke University Press @dukepress.bsky.social · 02/09/2026In "Materia Medica," Nicole N. Ivy @nicotron3000.bsky.social traces the lives of the enslaved women conscripted into the development of US gynecology, exposing the representational labor imposed on black female bodies in both medical and creative works. Read the intro for free: buff.ly/YQSWs0T 11413
Reposted by J. WaltonHannah @venneh.bsky.social · 02/09/2026So, if you’re keeping track, this is the punishment/retribution phase of narcissistic abuse, which you get when you don’t comply with what they want. 18249111
Reposted by J. WaltonJ. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 01/09/2026VERILY, LET IT BE KNOWN. Other revelations ring yet true, O Prophet. Still WE descend via shitpost now to proclaim a new news. Let this gospel tell of TIME INDIFFERENT. Mortal lives are candleflickers, mapped as moments in sequence, but WE the Messengers know Creation only ONCE, as a singular event. 101
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 01/09/2026VERILY, LET IT BE KNOWN. Other revelations ring yet true, O Prophet. Still WE descend via shitpost now to proclaim a new news. Let this gospel tell of TIME INDIFFERENT. Mortal lives are candleflickers, mapped as moments in sequence, but WE the Messengers know Creation only ONCE, as a singular event. 101
Reposted by J. WaltonMatthew Kirschenbaum @mkirschenbaum.bsky.social · 26/08/2026A 30% cut to international enrollment is lights out at many public R1’s. And: once again, this is not bungling on the part of the administration, or unintended consequences. It is *precisely* the intention. 4501201
Reposted by J. WaltonMalcolm Craig @malcolmcraig.bsky.social · 26/08/20261) With 3000 reads and a whole bunch of responses since publication, I'm very grateful for each and every response to my Twilight: 2000 article. I'd say about 80% of responses from the TTRPG community have been positive. I'd like to address the negative ones - in particular some common criticisms. 2253
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Robot & A.I. stuff is weird & a bit freaky, right? But also: Let's be careful about how Orientalism & Yellow Peril bullshit sneaks into these framings --> a robotic & specifically Chinese/Asian Other that has better raw technical performance than "us" but lacks creativity & soul. You see? 250
Reposted by J. WaltonMolleindustria FUTURE? NO THANKS! OUT NOW @molleindustria.org · 24/08/2026I hate it when I find my wife’s dead body on a ship and I have to use my magical pocket watch to figure out her identity and fate. 3947
Reposted by J. WaltonGreg Stolze @gregstolze.bsky.social · 24/08/2026The lovely thing about #TTRPG writing is that number two isn't at all true, although one and three are, like, DOUBLE true. 3587
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 22/08/2026Uh, I made this surreal card game about fishing, in collaboration with my best friend from Middle School @inauthenticity.bsky.social, and then we won an Ennie Award...? store.possibleworldsgames.com/product/tack...store.possibleworldsgames.comTackleboxStep off of dry land and into Tacklebox, a surreal fishing TTRPG where reality shifts with every card. Featuring 40 roleplaying prompts by designer J. Walton & surrealist author James Tadd Adcox, Tack... 2175
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 19/08/2026On Monday classes start back for both myself and my kids, grinding out degrees at the degree mill. For those about to commence similar endeavors, I salute you! May our efforts to create meaning, learning, compassion, and justice in the midst of intensely problematic institutions bear fruit. 030
Reposted by J. WaltonTressie McMillan Cottom @tressiemcphd.bsky.social · 19/08/2026Fifteen years and i have never seen good evidence of this. 723631
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 18/08/2026Oops. Apparently my Patreon account -- which often suffers from benign neglect -- was on hold for a few months because I needed to unify my backer account & my (unused) creator account? Weird. Apologies to folks like @evlynmoreau.bsky.social and @jeeyon.bsky.social, who are some of my fave creators. 120
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 09/08/2026I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS. You have no idea. I can't believe he finally released a bunch of games from this series. Aaaaaaahhhh. It's happening!!! 060
Reposted by J. WaltonBully Pulpit Games @bullypulpithq.bsky.social · 08/08/2026Let @jmstar.bsky.social further pique your curiosity with his #NineSpaceGames walk-through! #TTRPGs #RPGs #games #larp youtu.be/x4OaeHSBxkAyoutu.beNine Space Games Walk-throughYouTube video by Bully Pulpit Games 1105
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 09/08/2026Hmm, I think the best options are... 1. Women Are Werewolves 2. Rapture: The Second Coming 3. The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen 4. Teenagers from Outer Space 5. Die 6. Midnight 130
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 09/08/2026This photo from GenCon 2026 could have been taken at GenCon 2006, where I first met these folks in person. We all look pretty much the same. 120
Reposted by J. WaltonJ. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 27/07/2026JOB POST: Games/Creative Folks with a Master's Degree (or more), Carnegie Mellon's Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) -- where I work -- is HIRING for 1 permanent & 1 contract teaching position, for interactive media folks w/ some programming background. Is that you? apply.interfolio.com/189698apply.interfolio.com Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio 1612
Reposted by J. WaltonAdrian Hon @adrianhon.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Great news: the talks from Jubensha Con are now available online for FREE! Big thanks to our amazing speakers for agreeing to this, and to Joe Strickland at @chronicinsanity.bsky.social for producing the videos. A lot of much bigger and more expensive conferences don't do this – but we just did.youtube.comJubensha Con 2026 - YouTubeThe talks given at JubenshaCon 2026 Find out more about the convention at https://jubenshacon.com Buy jubensha from: https://jubensha.co.uk https://www.suspe... 24727
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Driving to GenCon tomorrow (Thurs) for the first time since... 2007? I'm basically using Tacklebox & @possibleworlds.bsky.social getting a Judges Choice Ennie as an excuse to reconnect with more folks I haven't seen in a dozen+ years. Excited to chat and play weird games with y'all. 0111
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 27/07/2026Promotion of lukewarm word/art/data soup as "AI" has been so misguided -- & pushed by such terrible people -- that Big Tech may have finally poisoned the well? The public correctly doesn't trust them, or the institutions allied w/ them, to implement large-scale ML projects w/o causing massive harm. 040
Reposted by J. Waltonastra is dreaming ⭐ @featherlewd.bsky.social · 27/07/2026every day the same shit over and over again 4879642239
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 27/07/2026JOB POST: Games/Creative Folks with a Master's Degree (or more), Carnegie Mellon's Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) -- where I work -- is HIRING for 1 permanent & 1 contract teaching position, for interactive media folks w/ some programming background. Is that you? apply.interfolio.com/189698apply.interfolio.com Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio 1612
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 21/07/2026Oh, I finally figured out what game everybody was subtweeting about. Amazing how the edgelord schtick always works, no matter how many times. Makes me want to finally finish my game draft that's not-so-subtlely about the edgelord schtick. 020
Reposted by J. WaltonShannon Mattern @shannonmattern.bsky.social · 19/07/2026"Kathryn J. Gindlesparger... [shows] how everyday documents such as meeting minutes, policy drafts, budgets, and accreditation reports can be used to push back against authoritarian and corporate forces that undermine an institution’s mission." (Echoes of Ben Kafka's The Demon of Paperwork 😈)upress.umn.eduPaper PusherPaperwork is the new protest: leveraging bureaucracy for progressive actionIn contemporary higher education, power increasingly circulates through documents ... 45324
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 18/07/2026With all the Odyssey film buzz, someone should make "Rocs & Rocks," the game of fantastic voyages. I want to Dawn Treader it up on some strange islands. 240
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 18/07/2026Uh... Episode I, maybe? I would pick Vernon, Florida, but that's totally intentional on the part of the filmmakers.en.wikipedia.orgVernon, Florida (film) - Wikipedia 000
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 16/07/2026Müller and Lewandowski are playing in the same soccer game tonight. Hey, @cwgriffen.bsky.social, what year is it? Gonna try to stay up for the big West Coast game though: Seattle vs. Portland is always the best.chicagofirefc.comMatchday | Chicago Fire FC Celebrates Homecoming Red Out, pres. by Wintrust, Facing Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Chicago Fire FCMatch Information Chicago Fire FC (8-4-2, 26 points) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (10-2-2, 32 points) Thursday, July 16, 2026 7:30 p.m. CT Soldier Field – Chicago How to Watch: Apple TV English: Evan We... 110
Reposted by J. WaltonMolleindustria FUTURE? NO THANKS! OUT NOW @molleindustria.org · 14/07/2026The United States is turning into a kind of reverse Omelas: everyone is miserable except for a single child, Donald Trump, who inexplicably must be kept happy. 171351376
Reposted by J. Waltonchris “bluesky” poster @chrisrd19.bsky.social · 12/07/2026It’s like when your food is taking a long time to come out so your server brings some free bread to apologize for the wait. 253192223781
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 12/07/2026If you look up "feckless unprincipled sycophant" in the dictionary, there's a photo of Lindsey Graham. One of the worst senators to ever have substantial political power, which he used in the most cowardly & cruel ways possible. See you at the Resurrection of the Dead, Lindsey! 051
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 09/07/2026The new-ish @chaosium.bsky.social series -- where RJ Ivankovic adapts Lovecraft stories in a Dr. Seuss style -- reminds me of the time Josh Jordan & I tried to write a small indie RPG in anapestic pentameter. I would wrestle a giant albino penguin for a simplified kids' version of CoC in that style. 1204
J. Walton @ludopolitics.bsky.social · 09/07/2026Haven't played this game since middle school, with @inauthenticity.bsky.social, and it was OOP then. 000
Reposted by J. WaltonMolleindustria FUTURE? NO THANKS! OUT NOW @molleindustria.org · 09/07/2026We owe you an apology 9730123
Reposted by J. WaltonTadd Adcox @inauthenticity.bsky.social · 09/07/2026Oh hey, it's @crabmoney.bsky.social on @partyofonepodcast.bsky.social playing Tacklebox, the surrealist fishing game from @possibleworlds.bsky.social designed by @ludopolitics.bsky.social and co-written by me:open.spotify.comParty of One Says Go Birds: Tacklebox with Emma ShannonParty of One Podcast · Episode 0117