cmrn knzlmn
@ckunzelman.bsky.social
Critic. Tabletop columnist at The AV Club and Rascal News. Podcasts for Ranged Touch (Shelved By Genre | Just King Things | Game Studies Study Buddies). Wrote THE WORLD IS BORN FROM ZERO and EVERYTHING IS PERMITTED. Working on a Magic: The Gathering book.
Pinned
cmrn knzlmn
@ckunzelman.bsky.social
· Jul 3
You can PREORDER my book about the Assassin's Creed franchise NOW! Please do that. I think it is both a fun and interesting dive into what Assassin's Creed is, how it develops its ideas, and what it says about the world we live in. TOC attached, preorder at the link! bookshop.org/p/books/ever...
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
The Tunisia guy mentions he helped with a magazine on the history of gaming in Iraq - you can download it here:
iqgc.net
Once again, paying per hour to play consoles comes up. I can't shout enough how this was the default for basically the entre global south but gets ignored when retelling history
iqgc.net
Once again, paying per hour to play consoles comes up. I can't shout enough how this was the default for basically the entre global south but gets ignored when retelling history
February 1, 2026 at 7:40 AM
The Tunisia guy mentions he helped with a magazine on the history of gaming in Iraq - you can download it here:
iqgc.net
Once again, paying per hour to play consoles comes up. I can't shout enough how this was the default for basically the entre global south but gets ignored when retelling history
iqgc.net
Once again, paying per hour to play consoles comes up. I can't shout enough how this was the default for basically the entre global south but gets ignored when retelling history
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
If you're in for a cold weekend, have I got a game for you! Let's live and love in 2003 (again, or for the first time) together
January 31, 2026 at 7:25 PM
If you're in for a cold weekend, have I got a game for you! Let's live and love in 2003 (again, or for the first time) together
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
In the 90th episode of GAME STUDIES STUDY BUDDIES, we journey all the way back to 1984 to discuss the first published textbook on video game development, Atari legend Chris Crawford's pointed, prescient, and idiosyncratic THE ART OF COMPUTER GAME DESIGN: rangedtouch.com/2026/01/31/9...
January 31, 2026 at 3:21 PM
In the 90th episode of GAME STUDIES STUDY BUDDIES, we journey all the way back to 1984 to discuss the first published textbook on video game development, Atari legend Chris Crawford's pointed, prescient, and idiosyncratic THE ART OF COMPUTER GAME DESIGN: rangedtouch.com/2026/01/31/9...
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
this book is just over 100 pages. its emphatic first pillar of design is Crawford's self-developed aesthetic philosophy. it calls some shockingly accurate shots about the future of the industry. it also asserts video games adapting actual athletic sports are a dead end and will die off very soon.
In the 90th episode of GAME STUDIES STUDY BUDDIES, we journey all the way back to 1984 to discuss the first published textbook on video game development, Atari legend Chris Crawford's pointed, prescient, and idiosyncratic THE ART OF COMPUTER GAME DESIGN: rangedtouch.com/2026/01/31/9...
January 31, 2026 at 3:29 PM
this book is just over 100 pages. its emphatic first pillar of design is Crawford's self-developed aesthetic philosophy. it calls some shockingly accurate shots about the future of the industry. it also asserts video games adapting actual athletic sports are a dead end and will die off very soon.
we forgot to talk about it in the episode but he admits that Donkey Kong defies categorization and typology
In the 90th episode of GAME STUDIES STUDY BUDDIES, we journey all the way back to 1984 to discuss the first published textbook on video game development, Atari legend Chris Crawford's pointed, prescient, and idiosyncratic THE ART OF COMPUTER GAME DESIGN: rangedtouch.com/2026/01/31/9...
January 31, 2026 at 3:30 PM
we forgot to talk about it in the episode but he admits that Donkey Kong defies categorization and typology
The sports team fans in my town are truly terrible. Just the most sour, rude-ass fans, no matter what sport you go to. It is mostly charmingly sincere, and that's why this story of a 65 year old local becoming emergency backup goalie for the other team is very funny. maconmelody.com/hockey-heckl...
Hockey, hecklers and taxidermy: Meet a Middle Georgia emergency goalie
Bill Yox, a 65-year-old taxidermist from Monticello, recently got to suit up against the Macon Mayhem.
maconmelody.com
January 31, 2026 at 5:42 AM
The sports team fans in my town are truly terrible. Just the most sour, rude-ass fans, no matter what sport you go to. It is mostly charmingly sincere, and that's why this story of a 65 year old local becoming emergency backup goalie for the other team is very funny. maconmelody.com/hockey-heckl...
We learn about a little guy named...Smug...Smog.....Smaug in this one.
Venture with SHELVED BY GENRE into the dragon's lair today, as we continue our reading of THE HOBBIT by JRR Tolkien! rangedtouch.com/2026/01/30/t...
January 31, 2026 at 5:29 AM
We learn about a little guy named...Smug...Smog.....Smaug in this one.
I put more work into this than anyone in their right mind would, and I blame/credit the good folks at @rangedtouch.bsky.social for putting the thought into my head.
#comioc #hobbit #bofur #traditionalart
#comioc #hobbit #bofur #traditionalart
January 31, 2026 at 2:07 AM
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
Venture with SHELVED BY GENRE into the dragon's lair today, as we continue our reading of THE HOBBIT by JRR Tolkien! rangedtouch.com/2026/01/30/t...
January 30, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Venture with SHELVED BY GENRE into the dragon's lair today, as we continue our reading of THE HOBBIT by JRR Tolkien! rangedtouch.com/2026/01/30/t...
Count 420
Count Zero but Marly is trying to track down the artist who made The Painting That Will Heal The World
January 31, 2026 at 1:02 AM
Count 420
I buy a lot of weird local history stuff for the describe world project and one thing that has hit me hardest is this photo that reveals that we used to have a HobbyTownUSA here in 1995
January 30, 2026 at 11:44 PM
I buy a lot of weird local history stuff for the describe world project and one thing that has hit me hardest is this photo that reveals that we used to have a HobbyTownUSA here in 1995
I do not envy the job of Magic design in 2026
Lorwyn Eclipsed, the first Magic set of 2026, tries to balance newbie interest and old-timer nostalgia, and only partially succeeds. www.avclub.com/magic-gather...
Lorwyn Eclipsed struggles to stand out amid Magic's flood of releases
Lorwyn Eclipsed, the first set in a buy 2026 for Magic: The Gathering, tries to balance newbie interest and old-timer nostalgia; it only partially succeeds.
www.avclub.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:12 PM
I do not envy the job of Magic design in 2026
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
Lorwyn Eclipsed, the first Magic set of 2026, tries to balance newbie interest and old-timer nostalgia, and only partially succeeds. www.avclub.com/magic-gather...
Lorwyn Eclipsed struggles to stand out amid Magic's flood of releases
Lorwyn Eclipsed, the first set in a buy 2026 for Magic: The Gathering, tries to balance newbie interest and old-timer nostalgia; it only partially succeeds.
www.avclub.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Lorwyn Eclipsed, the first Magic set of 2026, tries to balance newbie interest and old-timer nostalgia, and only partially succeeds. www.avclub.com/magic-gather...
They call it “going Smaug mode”
Venture with SHELVED BY GENRE into the dragon's lair today, as we continue our reading of THE HOBBIT by JRR Tolkien! rangedtouch.com/2026/01/30/t...
January 30, 2026 at 5:57 PM
They call it “going Smaug mode”
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
New from 404 Media: here is the user guide for ELITE, the tool Palantir made for ICE. A map shows people on a map; ICE clicks them, brings up their dossier. ICE uses to find which neighborhoods to target. We obtained it, you can now read the document for yourself: www.404media.co/here-is-the-...
Here is the User Guide for ELITE, the Tool Palantir Made for ICE
404 Media is publishing a version of the user guide for ELITE, which lets ICE bring up dossiers on individual people and provides a “confidence score” of their address.
www.404media.co
January 30, 2026 at 2:51 PM
New from 404 Media: here is the user guide for ELITE, the tool Palantir made for ICE. A map shows people on a map; ICE clicks them, brings up their dossier. ICE uses to find which neighborhoods to target. We obtained it, you can now read the document for yourself: www.404media.co/here-is-the-...
One of the greatest to ever do it.
We are deeply saddened at the news of the passing of Magic legend Kai Budde. His achievements in the game and community go beyond what we could say in one post. Our thoughts go out to Kai's friends and family in this moment.
Remembering Kai Budde: magic.wizards.com/en/news/anno...
Remembering Kai Budde: magic.wizards.com/en/news/anno...
January 30, 2026 at 2:33 AM
One of the greatest to ever do it.
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
If you’re in Central PA in late Feb., come learn about Bitsy, a tiny video game-making tool, with me through a really cool, free, community-hosted organization. DM me for details & signup link.
January 28, 2026 at 2:18 PM
If you’re in Central PA in late Feb., come learn about Bitsy, a tiny video game-making tool, with me through a really cool, free, community-hosted organization. DM me for details & signup link.
What books have we not covered on Game Studies Study Buddies that you really want us to get to?
January 29, 2026 at 5:04 PM
What books have we not covered on Game Studies Study Buddies that you really want us to get to?
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
Today, Luke Farrell (@lukef.bsky.social) explains how complex eligibility requirements have turned America’s safety net into a lucrative revenue stream for monopolistic private contractors.
The Means-Testing Industrial Complex
As Republicans tightened work requirements and eligibility rules for Medicaid and SNAP last year, Equifax’s CEO openly celebrated the profits to be made from administering this deprivation.
lpeproject.org
January 28, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Today, Luke Farrell (@lukef.bsky.social) explains how complex eligibility requirements have turned America’s safety net into a lucrative revenue stream for monopolistic private contractors.
I completely beefed getting my submission in for this, but I am very happy to see that it exists and look forward to reading it!
We’re excited to announce Scholar’s Codex – a new anthology where academia explores the games of FromSoftware.
Beautifully produced as a premium hardcover and illustrated by acclaimed artist @nicodelort.bsky.social.
#eldenring #darksouls #bloodborne 💙📚
www.tuneandfairweather.com/products/sch...
Beautifully produced as a premium hardcover and illustrated by acclaimed artist @nicodelort.bsky.social.
#eldenring #darksouls #bloodborne 💙📚
www.tuneandfairweather.com/products/sch...
January 28, 2026 at 11:22 PM
I completely beefed getting my submission in for this, but I am very happy to see that it exists and look forward to reading it!
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
Can finally talk about this book! @domford.bsky.social @gua-le-ni.com @nelevdm.bsky.social & I have been on this journey for a while with a great team of contributors, and it's amazing to see what T&F have done with it. Certainly the most gorgeous book I've ever been involved with.
We’re excited to announce Scholar’s Codex – a new anthology where academia explores the games of FromSoftware.
Beautifully produced as a premium hardcover and illustrated by acclaimed artist @nicodelort.bsky.social.
#eldenring #darksouls #bloodborne 💙📚
www.tuneandfairweather.com/products/sch...
Beautifully produced as a premium hardcover and illustrated by acclaimed artist @nicodelort.bsky.social.
#eldenring #darksouls #bloodborne 💙📚
www.tuneandfairweather.com/products/sch...
January 28, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Can finally talk about this book! @domford.bsky.social @gua-le-ni.com @nelevdm.bsky.social & I have been on this journey for a while with a great team of contributors, and it's amazing to see what T&F have done with it. Certainly the most gorgeous book I've ever been involved with.
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
'We are shutting it down:' Ubisoft unions call for international strike
'We are shutting it down:' Ubisoft unions call for international strike
Five unions in France have proposed a mass walkout in February in response to widespread cost-cutting and a return-to-office mandate.
www.gamedeveloper.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:10 PM
'We are shutting it down:' Ubisoft unions call for international strike
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
still looking to collect repondents to this! thanks much to everyone who has reached out already.
Are you a tabletop designer/creator/actor/etc. who has quit TikTok becuase of ownership changes in the US? Are you thinking about leaving? I'd love to chat for a story!
email: chase@rascal.news
Signal: ChaseTC.24
Sharing and reposts appreciated.
email: chase@rascal.news
Signal: ChaseTC.24
Sharing and reposts appreciated.
January 28, 2026 at 2:29 PM
still looking to collect repondents to this! thanks much to everyone who has reached out already.
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
Hanging out with one of my favorite game designers tomorrow night.
Wednesday Night Tony & @aaronmfking.bsky.social sit down w/ Adam from @worldchamp.bsky.social to talk about their approach to PBTA design, LOST, & making Hard Moves as an interdisciplinary artist.
Adam is one of our favorite creators in #TTRPGs!
Join us live tomorrow for Show Me Your Moves!
Adam is one of our favorite creators in #TTRPGs!
Join us live tomorrow for Show Me Your Moves!
January 28, 2026 at 3:43 AM
Hanging out with one of my favorite game designers tomorrow night.
The success of Baldur’s Gate 3 partially lays in the hands of critics, reviewers, content creators, and other folks who created the world’s most friendly cultural on-ramp for a vast public to engage with a fiddly, weird, mechanically hostile game. Have a little humility.
January 28, 2026 at 3:16 AM
The success of Baldur’s Gate 3 partially lays in the hands of critics, reviewers, content creators, and other folks who created the world’s most friendly cultural on-ramp for a vast public to engage with a fiddly, weird, mechanically hostile game. Have a little humility.