Chris Gardiner
@chrisgardiner.bsky.social
Narrative Director at Failbetter Games. He/him. Our titles include: Fallen London, Sunless Sea/Skies, and Mask of the Rose. Opinions are mine, so there.
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
December 31, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Ate a waffle 12 feet away from Danny John Jules.
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 29, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Ate a waffle 12 feet away from Danny John Jules.
I would like to request a new layer of Hell specifically for hotels that turn on TruMotion/Motion Smoothing on their TVs and then lock you out of the settings that would allow you to turn it off.
December 27, 2025 at 10:37 PM
I would like to request a new layer of Hell specifically for hotels that turn on TruMotion/Motion Smoothing on their TVs and then lock you out of the settings that would allow you to turn it off.
Essentially, I think that LLM-generated dialogue only makes sense if you believe that the product of writing is words.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Essentially, I think that LLM-generated dialogue only makes sense if you believe that the product of writing is words.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
It was deeply cathartic to be asked to contribute some thoughts to this piece on the use of LLM chatbots in NPC dialogue. And a privilege to be among such insightful company.
Very grateful to @samuelhorti.bsky.social for giving us so much breadth and depth to discuss such a hefty topic.
Very grateful to @samuelhorti.bsky.social for giving us so much breadth and depth to discuss such a hefty topic.
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:45 PM
It was deeply cathartic to be asked to contribute some thoughts to this piece on the use of LLM chatbots in NPC dialogue. And a privilege to be among such insightful company.
Very grateful to @samuelhorti.bsky.social for giving us so much breadth and depth to discuss such a hefty topic.
Very grateful to @samuelhorti.bsky.social for giving us so much breadth and depth to discuss such a hefty topic.
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
For anyone that was worrying that Mandrake might be too cute for their tastes x
December 19, 2025 at 9:48 PM
For anyone that was worrying that Mandrake might be too cute for their tastes x
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
I really liked Eternal Strands. Actively jealous of the premise, setting and characters. Well worth your time.
Our debut game, Eternal Strands is on sale again for the Steam Winter Sale. Explore a ruined magical city full of constructs, climb everything, including huge creatures, and combine magical abilities in physics-based combat. Fully voiced, light romances. Enjoy
store.steampowered.com/app/1491410/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1491410/...
Save 70% on Eternal Strands on Steam
A next-generation action experience where the elements obey you, the terrain bends to your will, and every victory is entirely your own.
store.steampowered.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:16 PM
I really liked Eternal Strands. Actively jealous of the premise, setting and characters. Well worth your time.
idk personally I like making things with my brain and my weird fingers
December 16, 2025 at 10:04 PM
idk personally I like making things with my brain and my weird fingers
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
There's danger in the dark, but at least we're giving you a lantern.
Here's art director Toby Cook with a look at how we're creating light and shadow in our upcoming rural life sim, Mandrake.
Here's art director Toby Cook with a look at how we're creating light and shadow in our upcoming rural life sim, Mandrake.
Light and Shadow in Mandrake: Rural Life Sim
YouTube video by Failbetter Games
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:58 AM
There's danger in the dark, but at least we're giving you a lantern.
Here's art director Toby Cook with a look at how we're creating light and shadow in our upcoming rural life sim, Mandrake.
Here's art director Toby Cook with a look at how we're creating light and shadow in our upcoming rural life sim, Mandrake.
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
Brief window into selling decade-old games on Steam: my sales flatlined from 2022 to 2024, but have recovered in 2025, seemingly because of being on Bluesky. The increased attention here has drawn the notice of streamers who played Sir and so on, leading to wishlists and sales. Odd business.
A week of 50% off our blue-skies-and-space-ruins robot ghost story:
Save 50% on The Signal From Tölva on Steam
The Signal From Tölva is an open-world first-person shooter set on a distant, haunted, future world. Unlock savage weapons and recruit robots to fight alongside you as rival factions struggle to disco...
store.steampowered.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Brief window into selling decade-old games on Steam: my sales flatlined from 2022 to 2024, but have recovered in 2025, seemingly because of being on Bluesky. The increased attention here has drawn the notice of streamers who played Sir and so on, leading to wishlists and sales. Odd business.
This video made me giggle.
Hannah having a normal one today.
Hannah having a normal one today.
December 5, 2025 at 4:34 PM
This video made me giggle.
Hannah having a normal one today.
Hannah having a normal one today.
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
i literally can't stop them from writing like this all the time
Our boiler broke at the weekend, and our house was FREEZING. But a very nice man called Barry from British Gas came around and fixed it.
Anyway today I got a text asking for feedback on Barry, and possibly I shouldn’t reply to these things while still loopy on painkillers from root-canal.
Anyway today I got a text asking for feedback on Barry, and possibly I shouldn’t reply to these things while still loopy on painkillers from root-canal.
December 3, 2025 at 3:40 PM
i literally can't stop them from writing like this all the time
Our boiler broke at the weekend, and our house was FREEZING. But a very nice man called Barry from British Gas came around and fixed it.
Anyway today I got a text asking for feedback on Barry, and possibly I shouldn’t reply to these things while still loopy on painkillers from root-canal.
Anyway today I got a text asking for feedback on Barry, and possibly I shouldn’t reply to these things while still loopy on painkillers from root-canal.
December 3, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Our boiler broke at the weekend, and our house was FREEZING. But a very nice man called Barry from British Gas came around and fixed it.
Anyway today I got a text asking for feedback on Barry, and possibly I shouldn’t reply to these things while still loopy on painkillers from root-canal.
Anyway today I got a text asking for feedback on Barry, and possibly I shouldn’t reply to these things while still loopy on painkillers from root-canal.
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
We can only describe our character designs as preposterously luscious!
Here's a detailed look at how we created the neighbours you'll be meeting in our upcoming game, Mandrake.
#indiedev #indiegames (Please do share!)
Here's a detailed look at how we created the neighbours you'll be meeting in our upcoming game, Mandrake.
#indiedev #indiegames (Please do share!)
December 2, 2025 at 12:10 PM
We can only describe our character designs as preposterously luscious!
Here's a detailed look at how we created the neighbours you'll be meeting in our upcoming game, Mandrake.
#indiedev #indiegames (Please do share!)
Here's a detailed look at how we created the neighbours you'll be meeting in our upcoming game, Mandrake.
#indiedev #indiegames (Please do share!)
It‘s always a treat to talk to @erionmakuo.bsky.social in-depth about her work.
In Mandrake, character design, writing, and illustration are so tightly knotted that it’s impossible to tell where one ends and the next begins.
Tons of gorgeous art in the link!
store.steampowered.com/news/app/371...
In Mandrake, character design, writing, and illustration are so tightly knotted that it’s impossible to tell where one ends and the next begins.
Tons of gorgeous art in the link!
store.steampowered.com/news/app/371...
Mandrake - Preposterously Luscious - Steam News
Chris Gardiner - Failbetter's Narrative Director and lead writer on Mandrake - and senior artist Erion Makuo talk about their character design process.
store.steampowered.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:42 PM
It‘s always a treat to talk to @erionmakuo.bsky.social in-depth about her work.
In Mandrake, character design, writing, and illustration are so tightly knotted that it’s impossible to tell where one ends and the next begins.
Tons of gorgeous art in the link!
store.steampowered.com/news/app/371...
In Mandrake, character design, writing, and illustration are so tightly knotted that it’s impossible to tell where one ends and the next begins.
Tons of gorgeous art in the link!
store.steampowered.com/news/app/371...
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
Hob Halfling: fastidious, partial to tea. A friend.
Sometimes those details are prompted by the constraints of the illustration – the way colours might work together, or the space we need to fill. But they always try to say something about the character.
December 3, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Hob Halfling: fastidious, partial to tea. A friend.
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
I wrote this! I do hope you Fallen Londoners enjoy it.
Looking upon one's likeness is always a little uncanny. But there is some awful radiance to those eyes. As if some creature had taken your shape upon the canvas.
The Exceptional Story in Fallen London for December is Father's Oils, by @rossignol.bsky.social.
The Exceptional Story in Fallen London for December is Father's Oils, by @rossignol.bsky.social.
November 27, 2025 at 12:17 PM
I wrote this! I do hope you Fallen Londoners enjoy it.
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
In the popular end-of-year tradition, here's a thread of what you might have missed in Fallen London in 2025, and some plans for what we'll be doing in 2026.
November 26, 2025 at 1:16 PM
In the popular end-of-year tradition, here's a thread of what you might have missed in Fallen London in 2025, and some plans for what we'll be doing in 2026.
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
Fallen London
November 20, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Fallen London
Oo – I’ve been looking forward to the final version of this!
Surprise, we're getting pretty close to the final version of REALIS!
ICYMI: I've been making a TTRPG about mystical moons and living spaceships and sentences that can kill you. A preview is available now (see my pinned post), but the full version draws near!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/cru...
ICYMI: I've been making a TTRPG about mystical moons and living spaceships and sentences that can kill you. A preview is available now (see my pinned post), but the full version draws near!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/cru...
Coming soon: Realis
A new tabletop roleplaying game by Austin Walker
www.kickstarter.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Oo – I’ve been looking forward to the final version of this!
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
All the best to @digitalsungames.com who are entering Early Access with Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault today!
Very charming, we can't wait to play.
Very charming, we can't wait to play.
Save 17% on Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault on Steam
Live the double life of a fearless adventurer and a crafty merchant! Dive into vibrant dimensions brimming with shiny loot and pesky enemies. Grow your shop, tinker with weapons and gadgets, as well a...
store.steampowered.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:42 PM
All the best to @digitalsungames.com who are entering Early Access with Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault today!
Very charming, we can't wait to play.
Very charming, we can't wait to play.
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
Indie Marketing Tip of the day: There are VERY FEW EXCEPTIONS to the rule that you should not have a colon in your game's name
almost certainly your game does not need whatever comes after the colon
almost certainly your game does not need whatever comes after the colon
November 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Indie Marketing Tip of the day: There are VERY FEW EXCEPTIONS to the rule that you should not have a colon in your game's name
almost certainly your game does not need whatever comes after the colon
almost certainly your game does not need whatever comes after the colon
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
What is Nighthawks? It's a vampire game where the vampires have been exposed to the world... but it's also different in tone from most. Vampire games tend to be cold and cynical, but this time, being a light in the darkness can be the real adventure.
store.steampowered.com/app/1221950/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1221950/...
Nighthawks on Steam
The secret is out. Vampires have been exposed to the world… and you’re one of them. Seize the night as a modern monster, stepping out of the shadows to build a thriving nightclub empire through fear, ...
store.steampowered.com
October 13, 2025 at 12:48 PM
What is Nighthawks? It's a vampire game where the vampires have been exposed to the world... but it's also different in tone from most. Vampire games tend to be cold and cynical, but this time, being a light in the darkness can be the real adventure.
store.steampowered.com/app/1221950/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1221950/...
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
Read more about Mandrakes, the naming of things, and how to introduce a new world to a player without going too weird, too fast in our recent blog post by @chrisgardiner.bsky.social.
And if you, too, are enthralled by the magic of the Mandrakes then please drop us a wishlist; it's a great help!
And if you, too, are enthralled by the magic of the Mandrakes then please drop us a wishlist; it's a great help!
Mandrake - A Mandrake by Any Other Name - Steam News
Narrative Director Chris is here with the history of Mandrakes in the real world, and insight into how the people of Chandley feel about Mandrakes.
store.steampowered.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Read more about Mandrakes, the naming of things, and how to introduce a new world to a player without going too weird, too fast in our recent blog post by @chrisgardiner.bsky.social.
And if you, too, are enthralled by the magic of the Mandrakes then please drop us a wishlist; it's a great help!
And if you, too, are enthralled by the magic of the Mandrakes then please drop us a wishlist; it's a great help!
Reposted by Chris Gardiner
Here are some real and actual facts about Mandrakes:
- Their smell could drive away demons
- It was a popular component of fertility spells
- Witches used it in the unguents which gave them the power of flight
So: the perfect plant to name our new game and its protagonist after.
#indiedev
- Their smell could drive away demons
- It was a popular component of fertility spells
- Witches used it in the unguents which gave them the power of flight
So: the perfect plant to name our new game and its protagonist after.
#indiedev
October 6, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Here are some real and actual facts about Mandrakes:
- Their smell could drive away demons
- It was a popular component of fertility spells
- Witches used it in the unguents which gave them the power of flight
So: the perfect plant to name our new game and its protagonist after.
#indiedev
- Their smell could drive away demons
- It was a popular component of fertility spells
- Witches used it in the unguents which gave them the power of flight
So: the perfect plant to name our new game and its protagonist after.
#indiedev