J. Walton
@ludopolitics.bsky.social
He/they. I teach about Game Design, Technoscience, & East Asia at CMU. Belatedly joining this thing to keep up with my creative & academic communities (comments my own).
Pinned
J. Walton
@ludopolitics.bsky.social
· Feb 23
Hi folks. Not sure if I'm going to post a bunch here -- I'm trying to get back into blogging, actually -- but I want a way to keep track of what y'all are up to, particular in terms of indie games and games scholarship. Nice to see your digital faces again.
Eastwood Guitars loves designing modern takes on classic unusual instruments, so I emailed them a while back to suggest a new version of the Japanese 1960s Winston/Kawai electric banjo. Just now, this model popped up for pre-order. Unreal. eastwoodguitars.com/products/eas...
Eastwood Banjotar Electric Banjo Guitar
In the early 1960s, a small Japanese brand called Winston (built by Kawai) quietly released a banjo-guitar that most of you have probably never heard of. Some people noticed the 6-string version, but ...
eastwoodguitars.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:06 AM
Eastwood Guitars loves designing modern takes on classic unusual instruments, so I emailed them a while back to suggest a new version of the Japanese 1960s Winston/Kawai electric banjo. Just now, this model popped up for pre-order. Unreal. eastwoodguitars.com/products/eas...
DHS was created with an intentionally Orwellian name, amid the Islamophobic and xenophobic environment of the early War On Terror moral panic and its associated right-wing suspension of even the most basic human rights for everyone. Abolish the whole department.
January 28, 2026 at 6:35 PM
DHS was created with an intentionally Orwellian name, amid the Islamophobic and xenophobic environment of the early War On Terror moral panic and its associated right-wing suspension of even the most basic human rights for everyone. Abolish the whole department.
Reposted by J. Walton
Education is a public good for all.
When politicians censor classroom teaching in order to narrow the field of topics that students can engage in, they rob them of a stellar world class education.
This is what is happening at Texas A&M & other institutions in the state.
🧵
When politicians censor classroom teaching in order to narrow the field of topics that students can engage in, they rob them of a stellar world class education.
This is what is happening at Texas A&M & other institutions in the state.
🧵
January 28, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Education is a public good for all.
When politicians censor classroom teaching in order to narrow the field of topics that students can engage in, they rob them of a stellar world class education.
This is what is happening at Texas A&M & other institutions in the state.
🧵
When politicians censor classroom teaching in order to narrow the field of topics that students can engage in, they rob them of a stellar world class education.
This is what is happening at Texas A&M & other institutions in the state.
🧵
Pretty great pre-winter-storm haul at the used bookstore. Already own @jmstar.bsky.social's Durance & multiple editions of Montsegur 1244, so those will go to my university library's new indie games collection. But check out that old Chaosium larp book co-written by our Forge colleague Walt Freitag!
January 24, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Pretty great pre-winter-storm haul at the used bookstore. Already own @jmstar.bsky.social's Durance & multiple editions of Montsegur 1244, so those will go to my university library's new indie games collection. But check out that old Chaosium larp book co-written by our Forge colleague Walt Freitag!
Reposted by J. Walton
it sucks that to stay solvent in any kind of self-employed creative field rn you have to maintain constant cognitive dissonance - everything is objectively Very Bad but also gotta find and speak to an audience (who also knows that everything is Very Bad) and… it’s a lot!
April 8, 2025 at 2:05 AM
it sucks that to stay solvent in any kind of self-employed creative field rn you have to maintain constant cognitive dissonance - everything is objectively Very Bad but also gotta find and speak to an audience (who also knows that everything is Very Bad) and… it’s a lot!
Reposted by J. Walton
At the end of the day, the Black Lives Matter era was about whether people should be killed in the street, and lots of people decided yeah and put those little blue flags on their cars. It spread to everyone because it stopped for no one.
January 24, 2026 at 4:45 PM
At the end of the day, the Black Lives Matter era was about whether people should be killed in the street, and lots of people decided yeah and put those little blue flags on their cars. It spread to everyone because it stopped for no one.
We're playing @megueyb.bsky.social @lumpley.bsky.social 's Doomed Pilgrim + Firebrands excerpts + @johnharper.bsky.social 's Lasers & Feelings + Pocket Danger Patrol in my "Indie RPG Studio" class today. Wish me luck as I weird out some college students with micro-scale mini-games.
January 23, 2026 at 2:18 PM
We're playing @megueyb.bsky.social @lumpley.bsky.social 's Doomed Pilgrim + Firebrands excerpts + @johnharper.bsky.social 's Lasers & Feelings + Pocket Danger Patrol in my "Indie RPG Studio" class today. Wish me luck as I weird out some college students with micro-scale mini-games.
Reposted by J. Walton
On my secret prior history of game design with @ludopolitics.bsky.social & the Oulipian influence on my work on Tacklebox
With all the buzz around Tacklebox, I'm so glad @rascal.news focused in on my favorite thing about the game—the reuniting of childhood friends @ludopolitics.bsky.social & @inauthenticity.bsky.social to flesh out its cards after diverging lives & decades apart. It was such a treat reconnecting them!
Tacklebox is a two-player RPG about fishing in surreal waters. It's also the story of two old friends who reuinited by chance as its co-designers.
January 17, 2026 at 2:55 PM
On my secret prior history of game design with @ludopolitics.bsky.social & the Oulipian influence on my work on Tacklebox
Reposted by J. Walton
With all the buzz around Tacklebox, I'm so glad @rascal.news focused in on my favorite thing about the game—the reuniting of childhood friends @ludopolitics.bsky.social & @inauthenticity.bsky.social to flesh out its cards after diverging lives & decades apart. It was such a treat reconnecting them!
Tacklebox is a two-player RPG about fishing in surreal waters. It's also the story of two old friends who reuinited by chance as its co-designers.
Rekindling a decades-long friendship by designing Tacklebox
Hook, line, and reunion.
www.rascal.news
January 15, 2026 at 11:05 PM
With all the buzz around Tacklebox, I'm so glad @rascal.news focused in on my favorite thing about the game—the reuniting of childhood friends @ludopolitics.bsky.social & @inauthenticity.bsky.social to flesh out its cards after diverging lives & decades apart. It was such a treat reconnecting them!
Reposted by J. Walton
follow the page for The Endtimes Trilogy if you like weird storygames, GMless games, games with a GMPC who's a total jerk, games with playing cards, games with tarot cards, games with dice, games inspired by Krasznahorkai books, games inspired by 10 cloverfield lane, anthology trilogies, zines, etc
The Endtimes Trilogy is coming to #zinetopia & #zinemonth in February! Follow the page now!
I'm bringing three interesting new tabletop rpgs about the end of the world. They play great standalone, or pair nicely as a three part apocalyptic anthology.
www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...
I'm bringing three interesting new tabletop rpgs about the end of the world. They play great standalone, or pair nicely as a three part apocalyptic anthology.
www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...
Get Ready for The Endtimes Trilogy
From Adam Bell Games - Get Ready for The Endtimes Trilogy
www.backerkit.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:41 PM
follow the page for The Endtimes Trilogy if you like weird storygames, GMless games, games with a GMPC who's a total jerk, games with playing cards, games with tarot cards, games with dice, games inspired by Krasznahorkai books, games inspired by 10 cloverfield lane, anthology trilogies, zines, etc
Reposted by J. Walton
I’m planning a column about women and games next year. I want to discuss how stories about women are told/received in games, and how does womens’ criticism exist- where/what is it? If you are a woman game writer/dev/critic and would like to share your thoughts, dm or email eaprice.work@gmail.com !
December 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
I’m planning a column about women and games next year. I want to discuss how stories about women are told/received in games, and how does womens’ criticism exist- where/what is it? If you are a woman game writer/dev/critic and would like to share your thoughts, dm or email eaprice.work@gmail.com !
Reposted by J. Walton
Narrascope 2026 open call:
The Experience
Bridging the Physical and Digital Worlds through Narrative
Seeking projects in the realms of augmented/mixed reality, interactive installations, haunts, escape rooms, live performances that leverage tech, and more.
narrascope.org/experience/
The Experience
Bridging the Physical and Digital Worlds through Narrative
Seeking projects in the realms of augmented/mixed reality, interactive installations, haunts, escape rooms, live performances that leverage tech, and more.
narrascope.org/experience/
NarraScope 2026 | The Experience
NarraScope is a conference that brings together the writers, developers, scholars, and players of interactive narrative.
narrascope.org
January 3, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Narrascope 2026 open call:
The Experience
Bridging the Physical and Digital Worlds through Narrative
Seeking projects in the realms of augmented/mixed reality, interactive installations, haunts, escape rooms, live performances that leverage tech, and more.
narrascope.org/experience/
The Experience
Bridging the Physical and Digital Worlds through Narrative
Seeking projects in the realms of augmented/mixed reality, interactive installations, haunts, escape rooms, live performances that leverage tech, and more.
narrascope.org/experience/
Reposted by J. Walton
Happy to see "An Unknown Brand" included among the Scaffold Top 50! & many thanks to @justinhendrix.bsky.social and @somewordslit.bsky.social for publishing the story originally
the scaffold top 50 micro writings of 2025 — scaffold literary magazine
curated by steve gergley , editor of scaffold
www.scaffoldlit.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Happy to see "An Unknown Brand" included among the Scaffold Top 50! & many thanks to @justinhendrix.bsky.social and @somewordslit.bsky.social for publishing the story originally
Reposted by J. Walton
Lying to Americans to manufacture consent --> manufacturing consent by simply appearing to manufacture consent --> consent pre-manufactured. No need to do anything
I feel like I haven’t even been properly lied to about the purposes of this war
January 3, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Lying to Americans to manufacture consent --> manufacturing consent by simply appearing to manufacture consent --> consent pre-manufactured. No need to do anything
Reposted by J. Walton
Here's some example maps that are fun to think about:
December 31, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Here's some example maps that are fun to think about:
Reposted by J. Walton
Neoplastomacy
1. Pick a neoplastic painting by Mondrian.
2. It's the map for a game of Diplomacy.
3. Every colored space (Red Yellow Blue Grey Black) is a starting Supply Center. Each color (other than white) is played by a different player.
4. Every space has a Supply Center.
5. It's Fall 1930. Go.
1. Pick a neoplastic painting by Mondrian.
2. It's the map for a game of Diplomacy.
3. Every colored space (Red Yellow Blue Grey Black) is a starting Supply Center. Each color (other than white) is played by a different player.
4. Every space has a Supply Center.
5. It's Fall 1930. Go.
December 31, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Neoplastomacy
1. Pick a neoplastic painting by Mondrian.
2. It's the map for a game of Diplomacy.
3. Every colored space (Red Yellow Blue Grey Black) is a starting Supply Center. Each color (other than white) is played by a different player.
4. Every space has a Supply Center.
5. It's Fall 1930. Go.
1. Pick a neoplastic painting by Mondrian.
2. It's the map for a game of Diplomacy.
3. Every colored space (Red Yellow Blue Grey Black) is a starting Supply Center. Each color (other than white) is played by a different player.
4. Every space has a Supply Center.
5. It's Fall 1930. Go.
Reposted by J. Walton
I need everyone to make a shitpost game that fits into at most 3 posts on here before the end of the year otherwise thr sun will not rise again
Not enough shitpost games though
December 31, 2025 at 1:13 AM
I need everyone to make a shitpost game that fits into at most 3 posts on here before the end of the year otherwise thr sun will not rise again
Things I re-learned this year:
(1) Working harder can't fix Systemic Problems. I need to be strategic about tackling those, w/ others.
(2) The U.S. Public is frustratingly hesitant about direct action against blatant cruelty & corruption. Shut it down!
(3) People like my games? Always a surprise.
(1) Working harder can't fix Systemic Problems. I need to be strategic about tackling those, w/ others.
(2) The U.S. Public is frustratingly hesitant about direct action against blatant cruelty & corruption. Shut it down!
(3) People like my games? Always a surprise.
December 31, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Things I re-learned this year:
(1) Working harder can't fix Systemic Problems. I need to be strategic about tackling those, w/ others.
(2) The U.S. Public is frustratingly hesitant about direct action against blatant cruelty & corruption. Shut it down!
(3) People like my games? Always a surprise.
(1) Working harder can't fix Systemic Problems. I need to be strategic about tackling those, w/ others.
(2) The U.S. Public is frustratingly hesitant about direct action against blatant cruelty & corruption. Shut it down!
(3) People like my games? Always a surprise.
Reposted by J. Walton
A quick publishing/writing wrap up for 2025: My story "A Haunting" was published in @ergot.bsky.social and later featured in @lithub.com.web.brid.gy's "One Great Short Story to Read Today"; you can read it here:
ergot.
innovative + experimental horror
www.ergot.press
December 29, 2025 at 5:57 PM
A quick publishing/writing wrap up for 2025: My story "A Haunting" was published in @ergot.bsky.social and later featured in @lithub.com.web.brid.gy's "One Great Short Story to Read Today"; you can read it here:
100% this.
It is not a golden age because forge/story games ideas have become more successful.
It is a golden age because people around the world are making new games, and to them all that stuff is just one more input among many.
It is a golden age because people around the world are making new games, and to them all that stuff is just one more input among many.
December 29, 2025 at 11:29 PM
100% this.
Trying to figure out if I can make a Neoplastic board game for the Public Domain Jam, since several 1930 paintings by Mondrian and van Doesburg become public domain on Jan 1.
December 28, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Trying to figure out if I can make a Neoplastic board game for the Public Domain Jam, since several 1930 paintings by Mondrian and van Doesburg become public domain on Jan 1.
Reposted by J. Walton
Reminder that when it comes to historically inspired art and media the question “but how accurate is it??” Is both one of the most boring to ask and also pretty unhelpful.
December 28, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Reminder that when it comes to historically inspired art and media the question “but how accurate is it??” Is both one of the most boring to ask and also pretty unhelpful.
Thinking about the different contexts of "prompt writing" today. When I try to write good prompts for RPGs (for random cards, for PBTA moves), I'm trying to create interesting structures where I myself cannot know what the emergent outcomes will be -- they are context- & player-dependent.
December 26, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Thinking about the different contexts of "prompt writing" today. When I try to write good prompts for RPGs (for random cards, for PBTA moves), I'm trying to create interesting structures where I myself cannot know what the emergent outcomes will be -- they are context- & player-dependent.
I would like to wish everyone a Very Merry "things published in 1930 will enter the public domain in 6 days."
itch.io/jam/gaming-l...
itch.io/jam/gaming-l...
Gaming Like It's 1930
A game jam from 2026-01-01 to 2026-02-01 hosted by Randy Lubin & Copia Gaming. A new year means new material entering the public domain! Starting January 1st 2026, works from 1930 are free to use and ...
itch.io
December 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I would like to wish everyone a Very Merry "things published in 1930 will enter the public domain in 6 days."
itch.io/jam/gaming-l...
itch.io/jam/gaming-l...
Reposted by J. Walton
Jonathan is as great collaborator as he is a designer, with multiple all-but-art-complete RPGs publishers would be lucky to have in their catalog. Hell, I want to publish him again too—it'll just be 2+ years before I have room. Now's your time to seize the momentum & start a convo: www.jwalton.media
Tacklebox is kinda blowing up at the moment, thanks to Quinn's Quest (~1500 copies & counting). Just in case anyone's interested, I would also be open to co-publishing some of my other games (Geiger Counter, Planarch Codex, Restless, Tomb Priestesses, Lofty Beacons, Metrofinal, Last Kings, etc).
December 23, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Jonathan is as great collaborator as he is a designer, with multiple all-but-art-complete RPGs publishers would be lucky to have in their catalog. Hell, I want to publish him again too—it'll just be 2+ years before I have room. Now's your time to seize the momentum & start a convo: www.jwalton.media