Jon Ingold
@jon.inkle.co
Narrative @inkle.co he/him
Writer: TR-49 / EXPELLED! / A Highland Song / Heaven's Vault / Overboard! / Over the Alps / Sorcery! / 80 Days. ink co-creator.
Writer: TR-49 / EXPELLED! / A Highland Song / Heaven's Vault / Overboard! / Over the Alps / Sorcery! / 80 Days. ink co-creator.
Pinned
Jon Ingold
@jon.inkle.co
· Oct 18
AdvX 2018 - Jon Ingold - Sparkling Dialogue: A Masterclass
YouTube video by AdventureX
www.youtube.com
Little thread of talks about writing and interactive narrative I've done, so I can pin it here:
First up - Sparkling Dialogue from Adventure X; how to make interactive conversations that have flow and meaning to them
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vRf...
First up - Sparkling Dialogue from Adventure X; how to make interactive conversations that have flow and meaning to them
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vRf...
Reposted by Jon Ingold
Got a couple of pieces on the go. First, I want to talk to indie developers about accessibility for The Verge: about the process, how daunting it is, the solutions open to you. Second, I want to speak to POC and trans folks in the gaming accessibility space. Hit me up at the contacts in my bio.
February 9, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Got a couple of pieces on the go. First, I want to talk to indie developers about accessibility for The Verge: about the process, how daunting it is, the solutions open to you. Second, I want to speak to POC and trans folks in the gaming accessibility space. Hit me up at the contacts in my bio.
btw if you too are learning piano, can I remind inkle fans that this exists:
February 9, 2026 at 5:33 PM
btw if you too are learning piano, can I remind inkle fans that this exists:
For many years I've been trying to learn jazz piano. It's very hard. I often stall, or hit the the wrong notes. It doesn't sound as good as when a professional player plays. But, I've found a solution: MP3. I sit down, press play, and - bingo! I can now play all my favourite pieces flawlessly.
February 9, 2026 at 4:44 PM
For many years I've been trying to learn jazz piano. It's very hard. I often stall, or hit the the wrong notes. It doesn't sound as good as when a professional player plays. But, I've found a solution: MP3. I sit down, press play, and - bingo! I can now play all my favourite pieces flawlessly.
Reposted by Jon Ingold
Also, @mammonmachine.bsky.social has a great write up on making a short story/novella length VN in a "short" period that I like to send to beginner game writers/narrative designers.
medium.com/mammon-machi...
medium.com/mammon-machi...
How To Make A Plan To Write A Visual Novel In A Month So You Can Finish It In Three And A Half…
Postmortem: 100 Days On We Know The Devil
medium.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Also, @mammonmachine.bsky.social has a great write up on making a short story/novella length VN in a "short" period that I like to send to beginner game writers/narrative designers.
medium.com/mammon-machi...
medium.com/mammon-machi...
Listened to a podcast that disparagingly reviewed TR49 as a short story which I thought was a bit odd because, short stories are in fact great, and it absolutely is one.
February 6, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Listened to a podcast that disparagingly reviewed TR49 as a short story which I thought was a bit odd because, short stories are in fact great, and it absolutely is one.
life goal achieved that I didn’t know I had until today
Corrections and clarifications
Foster homes | Enigma machine
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:03 PM
life goal achieved that I didn’t know I had until today
Reposted by Jon Ingold
It’s finally official: TR-49 is Steam Deck Verified!
TR-49 is Steam Deck Verified
TR-49 is Steam Deck Verified
store.steampowered.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:42 PM
It’s finally official: TR-49 is Steam Deck Verified!
Reposted by Jon Ingold
For his perfect console @jon.inkle.co, narrative designer and co-founder
of @inkle.co, chose:
1. Plundered Hearts
2. Blade Runner: The Adventure Game
3. Riven: The Sequel to Myst
4. The Last Express
5. Shadow of the Colossus
Listen to Jon discuss his picks in this week's episode:
sptfy.in/3lqj
of @inkle.co, chose:
1. Plundered Hearts
2. Blade Runner: The Adventure Game
3. Riven: The Sequel to Myst
4. The Last Express
5. Shadow of the Colossus
Listen to Jon discuss his picks in this week's episode:
sptfy.in/3lqj
February 5, 2026 at 5:40 PM
For his perfect console @jon.inkle.co, narrative designer and co-founder
of @inkle.co, chose:
1. Plundered Hearts
2. Blade Runner: The Adventure Game
3. Riven: The Sequel to Myst
4. The Last Express
5. Shadow of the Colossus
Listen to Jon discuss his picks in this week's episode:
sptfy.in/3lqj
of @inkle.co, chose:
1. Plundered Hearts
2. Blade Runner: The Adventure Game
3. Riven: The Sequel to Myst
4. The Last Express
5. Shadow of the Colossus
Listen to Jon discuss his picks in this week's episode:
sptfy.in/3lqj
I’m only in it for the mugs really
February 4, 2026 at 4:06 PM
I’m only in it for the mugs really
good job
Guest column by Someone Who Is Definitely a Real Person
Why AI-generated PlayStation podcasts are a good thing
Guest column by Someone Who Is Definitely a Real Person
www.polygon.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:12 AM
good job
Reposted by Jon Ingold
There are two writers that I always listen to if they show up on podcasts. @jon.inkle.co is one of them. open.spotify.com/episode/58Z5...
Jon Ingold, co-founder Inkle (80 Days, Expelled!, TR-49).
open.spotify.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:10 PM
There are two writers that I always listen to if they show up on podcasts. @jon.inkle.co is one of them. open.spotify.com/episode/58Z5...
i was delighted to be on this
Joining us for our first episode of 2026 is the mathmetician and narrative designer, @jon.inkle.co.
In 2011, Jon co-founded the independent studio Inkle, and has since worked on titles such as 80 Days, A Highland Song, and now a game set in a wartime computer: TR-49.
Listen now: apple.co/45JM19p
In 2011, Jon co-founded the independent studio Inkle, and has since worked on titles such as 80 Days, A Highland Song, and now a game set in a wartime computer: TR-49.
Listen now: apple.co/45JM19p
February 3, 2026 at 12:07 PM
i was delighted to be on this
Reposted by Jon Ingold
Go and follow the Play Unsafe Kickstarter, if you haven't already. Here it is. And reposting helps too.
And apologies to all the mid-2000s game designers who are saying "It can't be 20 years since...".
www.kickstarter.com/projects/gra...
#kickstarter #ttrpg
And apologies to all the mid-2000s game designers who are saying "It can't be 20 years since...".
www.kickstarter.com/projects/gra...
#kickstarter #ttrpg
Coming soon: Play Unsafe
An all-new edition of Graham Walmsley's classic book about playing tabletop roleplaying games.
www.kickstarter.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Go and follow the Play Unsafe Kickstarter, if you haven't already. Here it is. And reposting helps too.
And apologies to all the mid-2000s game designers who are saying "It can't be 20 years since...".
www.kickstarter.com/projects/gra...
#kickstarter #ttrpg
And apologies to all the mid-2000s game designers who are saying "It can't be 20 years since...".
www.kickstarter.com/projects/gra...
#kickstarter #ttrpg
Reposted by Jon Ingold
(Thank you to @lmichet.bsky.social , @jon.inkle.co and @caraellison.bsky.social for speaking to me about this)
February 2, 2026 at 11:19 AM
(Thank you to @lmichet.bsky.social , @jon.inkle.co and @caraellison.bsky.social for speaking to me about this)
Presumably Steam send us a fruit basket now or something
February 2, 2026 at 10:49 AM
Presumably Steam send us a fruit basket now or something
Speaking of reviews Tr-49 is on 495. 500 is a threshold value. Er, help!
One negative review killed Pendragon. It was posted within hours of release: a detailed "objective" explanation of why they didn't connect with it.
But it's ticked as helpful by passing people *who have not played the game*. This keeps it pinned to the top.
It's longer than our description text.
But it's ticked as helpful by passing people *who have not played the game*. This keeps it pinned to the top.
It's longer than our description text.
RE that RT.. it’s wild how steam reviews are still so damn important to getting visibility. If you play and like indie games, the most generous and helpful thing you can do is spend an hour popping positive reviews onto anything you like with <500 or so reviews.
February 1, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Speaking of reviews Tr-49 is on 495. 500 is a threshold value. Er, help!
Reposted by Jon Ingold
Wrote a thing about the excellent TR-49 by @inkle.co. Tried to keep things relatively spoiler-free, as this is a game best experienced knowing as little as possible going into it -- but it's also difficult to talk about without revealing a *few* things about it! moegamer.net/2026/02/01/t...
TR-49: suspicious minds - MoeGamer
Inkle's latest adventure, TR-49, is a story about the power of words, delivered through your interactions with a mysterious machine.
moegamer.net
February 1, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Wrote a thing about the excellent TR-49 by @inkle.co. Tried to keep things relatively spoiler-free, as this is a game best experienced knowing as little as possible going into it -- but it's also difficult to talk about without revealing a *few* things about it! moegamer.net/2026/02/01/t...
This is the greatest review I’ve ever had
It's one of those games where each discovery, large or small, feels like you're cracking something wide open and discovering whole new layers to it, your brain firing on all cylinders the more you read & uncover. Mysteries are teased with wisps of sentences, and answers roll into view like thunder.
January 31, 2026 at 7:53 PM
This is the greatest review I’ve ever had
One negative review killed Pendragon. It was posted within hours of release: a detailed "objective" explanation of why they didn't connect with it.
But it's ticked as helpful by passing people *who have not played the game*. This keeps it pinned to the top.
It's longer than our description text.
But it's ticked as helpful by passing people *who have not played the game*. This keeps it pinned to the top.
It's longer than our description text.
RE that RT.. it’s wild how steam reviews are still so damn important to getting visibility. If you play and like indie games, the most generous and helpful thing you can do is spend an hour popping positive reviews onto anything you like with <500 or so reviews.
January 31, 2026 at 11:02 AM
One negative review killed Pendragon. It was posted within hours of release: a detailed "objective" explanation of why they didn't connect with it.
But it's ticked as helpful by passing people *who have not played the game*. This keeps it pinned to the top.
It's longer than our description text.
But it's ticked as helpful by passing people *who have not played the game*. This keeps it pinned to the top.
It's longer than our description text.
Reposted by Jon Ingold
RE that RT.. it’s wild how steam reviews are still so damn important to getting visibility. If you play and like indie games, the most generous and helpful thing you can do is spend an hour popping positive reviews onto anything you like with <500 or so reviews.
January 31, 2026 at 10:11 AM
RE that RT.. it’s wild how steam reviews are still so damn important to getting visibility. If you play and like indie games, the most generous and helpful thing you can do is spend an hour popping positive reviews onto anything you like with <500 or so reviews.
Reposted by Jon Ingold
How did Inkle co-founder @jon.inkle.co go from a Maths Teacher to a BAFTA-winning narrative designer?
Tune in next Tuesday for the full conversation: bit.ly/43RMgx9
Tune in next Tuesday for the full conversation: bit.ly/43RMgx9
January 30, 2026 at 5:58 PM
How did Inkle co-founder @jon.inkle.co go from a Maths Teacher to a BAFTA-winning narrative designer?
Tune in next Tuesday for the full conversation: bit.ly/43RMgx9
Tune in next Tuesday for the full conversation: bit.ly/43RMgx9
Reposted by Jon Ingold
I interviewed @jamespatton.bsky.social about his game Duskpunk and what it means to be a Citizen Sleeper-like! We also chatted about the limits of '-like', immersion in games, marketing narrative games and more. The full interview is on YT, but here's a short excerpt:
exalclaw.com/2026/01/29/c...
exalclaw.com/2026/01/29/c...
How Do You Make A Citizen Sleeper-Like? Also, What Even Makes Something A [Game You Know Here]-Like?
Developer James Patton shares how Citizen Sleeper influenced his game Duskpunk, memorable examples of world-building and immersion in games, and the limits of “X-like” as a descriptor.
exalclaw.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:01 PM
I interviewed @jamespatton.bsky.social about his game Duskpunk and what it means to be a Citizen Sleeper-like! We also chatted about the limits of '-like', immersion in games, marketing narrative games and more. The full interview is on YT, but here's a short excerpt:
exalclaw.com/2026/01/29/c...
exalclaw.com/2026/01/29/c...
Reposted by Jon Ingold
Montreal friends, I'll be hosting a book-launch for my novel, The Halter, at an incredible bookstore-cafe on St-Laurent, Joie de Livres ... Feb 18.
lnkd.in/eRDjUwSX
The first 30 people to pre-order the book through Joie de Livres will get a free glass of wine and some nibbles! Stop by and say hi!
lnkd.in/eRDjUwSX
The first 30 people to pre-order the book through Joie de Livres will get a free glass of wine and some nibbles! Stop by and say hi!
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
January 28, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Montreal friends, I'll be hosting a book-launch for my novel, The Halter, at an incredible bookstore-cafe on St-Laurent, Joie de Livres ... Feb 18.
lnkd.in/eRDjUwSX
The first 30 people to pre-order the book through Joie de Livres will get a free glass of wine and some nibbles! Stop by and say hi!
lnkd.in/eRDjUwSX
The first 30 people to pre-order the book through Joie de Livres will get a free glass of wine and some nibbles! Stop by and say hi!
Reposted by Jon Ingold
You can’t just say AI tutors are going to teach disadvantaged kids. You might as well say inflatable dentists will solve the NHS backlog.
The casual anthropomorphising of AI has got to stop. They’re not ‘tutors’, it’s software. It’s not ‘one-to-one’, it’s a kid on a screen on their own.
The casual anthropomorphising of AI has got to stop. They’re not ‘tutors’, it’s software. It’s not ‘one-to-one’, it’s a kid on a screen on their own.
January 28, 2026 at 8:27 PM
You can’t just say AI tutors are going to teach disadvantaged kids. You might as well say inflatable dentists will solve the NHS backlog.
The casual anthropomorphising of AI has got to stop. They’re not ‘tutors’, it’s software. It’s not ‘one-to-one’, it’s a kid on a screen on their own.
The casual anthropomorphising of AI has got to stop. They’re not ‘tutors’, it’s software. It’s not ‘one-to-one’, it’s a kid on a screen on their own.