Chase Taylor-Carter
@chasecarter.bsky.social
Co-owner of Rascal News. Tabletop and internet culture journalist. Avoiding unhealthy use this time around.
✉️: chase@rascal.news
https://www.rascal.news/
✉️: chase@rascal.news
https://www.rascal.news/
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
From @newmadras.bsky.social; a look back on his work over the past year, and gives us a peek on the kind of work he wants to focus on in 2026.
The Year Ahead: Thomas Manuel
Couldn't get worse at least, right? Right?
www.rascal.news
December 24, 2025 at 2:47 AM
From @newmadras.bsky.social; a look back on his work over the past year, and gives us a peek on the kind of work he wants to focus on in 2026.
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
We're literally ONE member away from 2500 paid subscribers in 2025!! Will you be the one to help push us over the edge?
December 23, 2025 at 3:25 PM
We're literally ONE member away from 2500 paid subscribers in 2025!! Will you be the one to help push us over the edge?
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
The Rascals are hibernating, but we prepared our now-traditional end of year articles for you. Join us as we look back at 2025, and ponder the year ahead.
First up, it's Caelyn!
First up, it's Caelyn!
The Year Ahead 2025: Caelyn Ellis
We catch up with Caelyn before she gets too lost in the nog.
www.rascal.news
December 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The Rascals are hibernating, but we prepared our now-traditional end of year articles for you. Join us as we look back at 2025, and ponder the year ahead.
First up, it's Caelyn!
First up, it's Caelyn!
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
Come listen to me getting increasingly drunk while I talk tabletop games and all sorts of other bollocks with @chasecarter.bsky.social and @lincodega.com
Holiday Special 2025
Clearing out the Question Dungeon, Part I of ???
www.rascal.news
December 22, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Come listen to me getting increasingly drunk while I talk tabletop games and all sorts of other bollocks with @chasecarter.bsky.social and @lincodega.com
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
Contributor CJ Shearwood examines how the UK wargaming landscape has transformed in recent decades, and the clear connections to austerity politics.
Austerity Killed Narrative Wargaming (And, Statistically, Your Nan)
How politics impacts play.
www.rascal.news
December 18, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Contributor CJ Shearwood examines how the UK wargaming landscape has transformed in recent decades, and the clear connections to austerity politics.
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
Board game publishers Stonemaier, CMYK and Eurydice Games on how they’re utilising – and paying to include – fan designs in their releases:
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
Thanks to @stonemaiergames.com @jacksonpope.bsky.social and @cmyk.games for taking part!
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
Thanks to @stonemaiergames.com @jacksonpope.bsky.social and @cmyk.games for taking part!
December 18, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Board game publishers Stonemaier, CMYK and Eurydice Games on how they’re utilising – and paying to include – fan designs in their releases:
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
Thanks to @stonemaiergames.com @jacksonpope.bsky.social and @cmyk.games for taking part!
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
Thanks to @stonemaiergames.com @jacksonpope.bsky.social and @cmyk.games for taking part!
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
Traveller's life path system becomes a potent character creation tool for any RPG when you add some good ol' fashioned blame into the mix.
My one-shot character trick is asking “why is this your fault?”
What’s in a blame?
www.rascal.news
December 17, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Traveller's life path system becomes a potent character creation tool for any RPG when you add some good ol' fashioned blame into the mix.
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
I've been helping out at The Guardian's games team this year with edits and other support - thanks @mackeza.bsky.social for the opportunity, and to the (brilliant) freelancers I've worked with these past few months.
A reminder if any sites in 2026 need an additional editor during busy periods, HMU!
A reminder if any sites in 2026 need an additional editor during busy periods, HMU!
December 17, 2025 at 11:58 AM
I've been helping out at The Guardian's games team this year with edits and other support - thanks @mackeza.bsky.social for the opportunity, and to the (brilliant) freelancers I've worked with these past few months.
A reminder if any sites in 2026 need an additional editor during busy periods, HMU!
A reminder if any sites in 2026 need an additional editor during busy periods, HMU!
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
GAMA's interim executive director, Zaria Davis, has sparked some optimism from the trade organization's DEI committee. Members told us they want to see her focus on internal stability and more diversity among staff.
GAMA appoints new interim executive director, Zaria Davis, with a background in advocacy and restorative practice
The search for the next executive director goes on.
www.rascal.news
December 16, 2025 at 5:06 PM
GAMA's interim executive director, Zaria Davis, has sparked some optimism from the trade organization's DEI committee. Members told us they want to see her focus on internal stability and more diversity among staff.
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
I am not immune to propaganda.
Caelyn finds herself enamoured with the teaser for WARLOCK, the upcoming D&D video game recently announced at The Game Awards.
Don't worry, she's disappointed in herself too.
Don't worry, she's disappointed in herself too.
Double teamed by Goth Mommy and TOOL at The Game Awards: A personal tragedy
WARLOCK isn’t just Wizards of the Coast’s newest video game project, it’s also my lesbian kryptonite.
www.rascal.news
December 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I am not immune to propaganda.
Ambitious is the best word to describe MCDM's plan for developing Crack the Sun. Props for the ostensible honesty regarding its crowdfunding goal, but there's a lot of manufacturing and shipping unknowns between now and 2027.
Crack the Sun, the first major supplement for the Draw Steel RPG, is a production doozy. If you're curious about MCDM's project, which might span the next two years, @crapstacular.bsky.social delved into what we know.
Draw Steel studio says Crack the Sun will be an epic campaign about a worldrending conquest
Five acts, two villains, and one gigantic campaign.
www.rascal.news
December 15, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Ambitious is the best word to describe MCDM's plan for developing Crack the Sun. Props for the ostensible honesty regarding its crowdfunding goal, but there's a lot of manufacturing and shipping unknowns between now and 2027.
25(00) by the end of (20)25!
If you subscribe to Rascal News and help us grow, I promise to work on my promotional slogan game!
If you subscribe to Rascal News and help us grow, I promise to work on my promotional slogan game!
We now have 2468 paying subscribers! That's just 32 away from our goal of 2500 by the end of 2025. You can get access to almost two years of amazing tabletop games journalism for just $1 right now! Be one of those 32 absolute heroes!
New subscriptions to Rascal News will be rising by $1 in 2026. If you've been waiting to support us, we're currently running a holiday sale where the first two months of our entry tier is only $1/month!
Independent journalism on the cheap? Yippee-Ki-Yay, Anklebiters!
Independent journalism on the cheap? Yippee-Ki-Yay, Anklebiters!
December 12, 2025 at 5:06 PM
25(00) by the end of (20)25!
If you subscribe to Rascal News and help us grow, I promise to work on my promotional slogan game!
If you subscribe to Rascal News and help us grow, I promise to work on my promotional slogan game!
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
Root and Arcs publisher Leder Games has axed its next Kickstarter campaign just a few weeks before its expected launch, after the game’s creator abruptly left the publisher and took his design with him:
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
December 12, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Root and Arcs publisher Leder Games has axed its next Kickstarter campaign just a few weeks before its expected launch, after the game’s creator abruptly left the publisher and took his design with him:
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
This was a nice surprise 👀 As always, Rascal and Chase continue putting out great articles and thoughtful takes.
FWIW the pessimism in the design of Revolt! is both intentional and convenient given the legacy design I wanted to lean into. 👑 🐸
I hope more people check out the game!
FWIW the pessimism in the design of Revolt! is both intentional and convenient given the legacy design I wanted to lean into. 👑 🐸
I hope more people check out the game!
Amidst Revolt!'s fantastical politcal arena, which are evocative and entertaining, is a missed opportunity to dig deeper into what follows a tyrant's fall.
Revolt! interrogates power but falters in conversation
Telling stories about violent regime change is cathartic and entertaining, and maybe that's all it needs to be.
www.rascal.news
December 11, 2025 at 5:58 PM
This was a nice surprise 👀 As always, Rascal and Chase continue putting out great articles and thoughtful takes.
FWIW the pessimism in the design of Revolt! is both intentional and convenient given the legacy design I wanted to lean into. 👑 🐸
I hope more people check out the game!
FWIW the pessimism in the design of Revolt! is both intentional and convenient given the legacy design I wanted to lean into. 👑 🐸
I hope more people check out the game!
I really enjoyed @alwayscheckers.bsky.social's Revolt! and its collaborative stories about cyclical power and corruption. But a lack of follow through on imagining something, anything else creates a narrative hole that might be either intended pessimism or limited vision.
Amidst Revolt!'s fantastical politcal arena, which are evocative and entertaining, is a missed opportunity to dig deeper into what follows a tyrant's fall.
Revolt! interrogates power but falters in conversation
Telling stories about violent regime change is cathartic and entertaining, and maybe that's all it needs to be.
www.rascal.news
December 11, 2025 at 5:38 PM
I really enjoyed @alwayscheckers.bsky.social's Revolt! and its collaborative stories about cyclical power and corruption. But a lack of follow through on imagining something, anything else creates a narrative hole that might be either intended pessimism or limited vision.
It's so cool to hand @crapstacular.bsky.social an idea, a fancy, a whim, and then they come back with a full-ass interview and smart copy.
Anyway, I think this is an interesting trend within the RPG designer ecosystem. Transparency helps everyone!
Anyway, I think this is an interesting trend within the RPG designer ecosystem. Transparency helps everyone!
Tabletop designers such as @byodinsbeardrpg.com are making a habit out of post-convention transparency through post-mortem reports. Their hope is to inspire others and turn event tabling into a science.
The trials and tribulations of tabling at conventions
Colin Le Sueur discusses his post-mortems and why he writes them.
www.rascal.news
December 11, 2025 at 3:07 PM
It's so cool to hand @crapstacular.bsky.social an idea, a fancy, a whim, and then they come back with a full-ass interview and smart copy.
Anyway, I think this is an interesting trend within the RPG designer ecosystem. Transparency helps everyone!
Anyway, I think this is an interesting trend within the RPG designer ecosystem. Transparency helps everyone!
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
If you are a comic artist or writer that wants to talk to me, on or off the record, about the Disney OpenAI deal, shoot me a line. Gita@aftermath.site
December 11, 2025 at 2:47 PM
If you are a comic artist or writer that wants to talk to me, on or off the record, about the Disney OpenAI deal, shoot me a line. Gita@aftermath.site
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
Jason Carl departs White Wolf and parent company Paradox Interactive after just six months resurrecting the publisher of World of Darkness RPGs.
Jason Carl announces his departure from Paradox Interactive after an eventful decade
This is in the midst of one of Paradox’s most tumultuous periods, and World of Darkness’ active revival.
www.rascal.news
December 10, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Jason Carl departs White Wolf and parent company Paradox Interactive after just six months resurrecting the publisher of World of Darkness RPGs.
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
Who has takes about how the (social media) internet ruined fandom?
December 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Who has takes about how the (social media) internet ruined fandom?
The complete collapse of Mythic Games should be framed as a cautionary tale against treating crowdfunding as a reliable business model.
Instead, people will likely blame COVID-era greed. And like, yeah. That's part of it, but do not be tempted by the easy scapegoat.
Instead, people will likely blame COVID-era greed. And like, yeah. That's part of it, but do not be tempted by the easy scapegoat.
Mythic Games, formerly one of the most successful crowdfunding-focused board game publishers of all time, has officially been liquidated after a financial collapse which left it unable to fulfill millions of dollars-worth of Kickstarter projects:
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
boardgamewire.com/index.php/20...
December 10, 2025 at 1:25 PM
The complete collapse of Mythic Games should be framed as a cautionary tale against treating crowdfunding as a reliable business model.
Instead, people will likely blame COVID-era greed. And like, yeah. That's part of it, but do not be tempted by the easy scapegoat.
Instead, people will likely blame COVID-era greed. And like, yeah. That's part of it, but do not be tempted by the easy scapegoat.
Calling out the AI voice to text in Arc raiders will apparently set a "dangerous precedent" and result in "unethical AI practices." Businesses are too scared to disclose the truth
As if we're talking about people living with addictions and not hypercapitalist ghouls who hate paying people for work!
As if we're talking about people living with addictions and not hypercapitalist ghouls who hate paying people for work!
December 10, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Calling out the AI voice to text in Arc raiders will apparently set a "dangerous precedent" and result in "unethical AI practices." Businesses are too scared to disclose the truth
As if we're talking about people living with addictions and not hypercapitalist ghouls who hate paying people for work!
As if we're talking about people living with addictions and not hypercapitalist ghouls who hate paying people for work!
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
Late night cultural prodding: if you heard about OVER/UNDER and thought it was cool or interesting, you will also think this is interesting.
Out now: WHALE ROADS
The chronicle of a year-long, 30+ player West Marches campaign of Wolves Upon the Coast by @lukegearing.bsky.social
A 250-page "zine" filled with play summaries, original art, and Referee commentary.
Available now, and it's 100% completely free.
sulcata.itch.io/whale-roads
The chronicle of a year-long, 30+ player West Marches campaign of Wolves Upon the Coast by @lukegearing.bsky.social
A 250-page "zine" filled with play summaries, original art, and Referee commentary.
Available now, and it's 100% completely free.
sulcata.itch.io/whale-roads
WHALE ROADS by sulcata | Brendan McLeod
A megazine about Wolves Upon the Coast
sulcata.itch.io
December 10, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Late night cultural prodding: if you heard about OVER/UNDER and thought it was cool or interesting, you will also think this is interesting.
Picked up Dungeon Pulp from @alfredvalley.bsky.social because who can resist a grimy solo crawl paired with good beans?
I've been picking away at it over my morning cup, and now I'm determined to find more ways to embrace incidental play.
I've been picking away at it over my morning cup, and now I'm determined to find more ways to embrace incidental play.
We found a tabletop game inside a bag of coffee beans, and it's recapturing a bit of breakfast table magic.
Dungeon Pulp is part of a balanced breakfast
Good to the last loot drop.
www.rascal.news
December 9, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Picked up Dungeon Pulp from @alfredvalley.bsky.social because who can resist a grimy solo crawl paired with good beans?
I've been picking away at it over my morning cup, and now I'm determined to find more ways to embrace incidental play.
I've been picking away at it over my morning cup, and now I'm determined to find more ways to embrace incidental play.
Not sure how to feel about a CDPR-backed TCG using crowdfunding for a project based on one of the highest selling video games of all time.
If you believe this means Cyberpunk: Trading Card Game won't come in booster packs, well... hm, ah, nevertheless.
If you believe this means Cyberpunk: Trading Card Game won't come in booster packs, well... hm, ah, nevertheless.
Exclusive: CD Projekt-Backed Cyberpunk TCG Revealed, Featuring Characters From 2077 and Edgerunners — Here's Everything You Need to Know - IGN
The team behind the Cyberpunk TCG reveals how the game is being built, showcasing early art, character choices, and insight into the collaboration with CD Projekt Red.
www.ign.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Not sure how to feel about a CDPR-backed TCG using crowdfunding for a project based on one of the highest selling video games of all time.
If you believe this means Cyberpunk: Trading Card Game won't come in booster packs, well... hm, ah, nevertheless.
If you believe this means Cyberpunk: Trading Card Game won't come in booster packs, well... hm, ah, nevertheless.
Reposted by Chase Taylor-Carter
this might be helpful in illustrating the difference between looking at buying subscriptions as “buying content” vs. seeing it as “investing in writers” or even “building new media orgs to last”
Running any media organization is expensive, especially when we pay freelancers industry-standard rates. We were running at a loss until our subscription drive in October, and we're looking at around $33,000 in expenses for 2025.
That is before we pay ourselves.
That is before we pay ourselves.
Yes, it is paywalled! And every time y'all point this out, we will reiterate that writers and artists deserve to be paid for their work. We are an independent publication run and owned by workers. Also A LOT OF OUR CONTENT IS FREE.
Plus, you can read single articles for $2. Including this one.
Plus, you can read single articles for $2. Including this one.
December 9, 2025 at 3:24 PM
this might be helpful in illustrating the difference between looking at buying subscriptions as “buying content” vs. seeing it as “investing in writers” or even “building new media orgs to last”