Darren Grey

Yeah, it's an odd Slay the Spire -> Balatro chain. Who knows what'll come next!

I've seen some board game makers calling their game "roguelike" because it includes meta-progression. The truth is true roguelike mechanics have existed in board games long before roguelikes existed.

It's simple randomisation + restarts. Which are inherent to card games, but now are being labelled "roguelike" by many.

Yes, though Balatro seems to have stretched things even further.

And apparently anything with cards is now a roguelike. Which is interesting, because originally Rogue was based on tabletop D&D. Modern "roguelikes" have a parallel root in board games, capturing some of the same mechanics but with entirely separate inspiration.

I'm now seeing some people saying something is roguelike because everything resets on death, and others say something is roguelike because it has legacy/meta-progression mechanics. "Roguelike" has now become an absurd term.

Trophy award stating, "You get a new trophy: Night Owl. Do you ever sleep?"

I do not need you judging me, Board Game Arena.

Google with AI buttons

Google without AI buttons

I made a filterlist for uBlock Origin to remove Generative AI features on websites. Includes blocks for
* Google AI Summaries
* YouTube Ask button & chat summaries
* GitHub Copilot
* Facebook AI chat
* X's Grok buttons
* Deviantart DreamUp
* Booru AI images
* And more

github.com/Stevoisiak/S...

‘It’s the underground Met Gala of concrete murderzone design’: welcome to the Quake Brutalist Game Jam Quake Brutalist Jam began as a celebration of old-fashioned shooter level design, but its latest version is one step away from being a game in its own right

thanks to @ricklane.bsky.social for talking to me and other modders. sorry not-sorry for the ludicrous headline quote

btw credit to @asponge.bsky.social who coined “concrete murderzones” years ago to describe QBJ1 and it stuck in my head all these years

Call for Speakers! We are looking for passionate speakers to deliver a talk during Everything Procedural 2026. Are you excited to share your experiences with an audience? Then we encourage you to submit your proposal: forms.office.com/e/sG6z0eCAyG
#procgen #procedural #gamedev

Reposting for the day crowd. We discuss critical analysis of games, in what Andrew labels our most white male podcast discussion to date.

It's nice to have some wtf that brings delight instead of despair.

I loved the bit! I think we need more "what the fuck?" rants at the start of episodes.
And yeah, was a really fun and engaging chat.

New Roguelike Radio! @andrewdoull.bsky.social, @robotparking.kvlt.rip and I discuss 'critical play' - the act of engaging in design-oriented analysis whilst playing games, and the special challenges in doing this for roguelikes. www.roguelikeradio.com/2026/01/epis...

I want off this timeline :-/

It feels to me like there's some classic misogyny at play here. We're a few steps away from just calling them witches.

I've been working on a new coffeebreak roguelike for a little while and figured it's time to share it: stellarcartography.itch.io/gasp
Don't run out of air! Get to the goal in level 12 to win.

Turn all RPGs into board games then?

This is managed in the board game space fairly well. Though often the rules are not as complex.

Job opening: game designer @ Hidden Folks We're looking for a game designer in the Netherlands to help build games in The Hidden Folks Universe, starting with a sequel to the indie hit game Hidden Folks.

friends! acquaintances! help!

i'm looking to hire a game designer (living in the Netherlands) to help build games in The Hidden Folks Universe, starting with a sequel to the indie hit game Hidden Folks.

know someone who's a good fit? pls forward this, ty!

hiddenfolks.com/job-opening/...

Simon Howie's Chocolate Haggis with Fudge and Shortbread

nope. we're done here. shut it down

Are science fiction writers meant to let science constrain them?

Screenshot from the game Omega Labyrinth Life. Two maids are talking, one tall and proud, the other lower down and submissive. The lower one has a speech bubble saying, "*pant* *pant* Yes Master, defile meeee!"

This game is turning out different than I expected...

Reposting for the evening crowd. Mark and I discuss innovation in roguelikes. 7DRLs feature heavily, but we also cover how to include various approaches to new twists in big games without alienating established players.

We also recorded a new episode on "Critical Play" that ends with genocide, so you can look forward to that in the new year.

New Roguelike Radio! @mrjgames.bsky.social and I discuss innovation, ways to tap into innovative ideas, and how to manage going too far with innovative and exotic game mechanics. www.roguelikeradio.com/2025/12/rogu...

Keychain in the style of the Cities of Gold medallion, with a golden sun and moon emblem.

My kids got me this amazing Cities of Gold medallion keychain (my eldest daughter has been really into the series lately, and knows I loved it as a kid).

The BMA has come out swinging for the rights of all trans people in healthcare settings and beyond - both patients and healthcare providers.

Genuinely brilliant news amongst the bad - please read it and share, and remember that we are NOT alone. Not by a long stretch.