Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in US History @ljmuofficial.bsky.social, historian of games, the Cold War, nuclear stuff, researching #ColdWar era post-apocalypse roleplaying games. #TTRPG designer. You may remember me from such games as #astaterpg, #ColdCity, and #HotWar
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Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
· Nov 14
When You Say, “Thermonuclear War,” I Think You Mean “the Call to Adventure”! The Twilight: 2000 Tabletop Role-Playing Game and the Postapocalyptic World’s Imaginary Spaces | Journal of American Studie...
When You Say, “Thermonuclear War,” I Think You Mean “the Call to Adventure”! The Twilight: 2000 Tabletop Role-Playing Game and the Postapocalyptic World’s Imaginary Spaces
www.cambridge.org
Hurrah! My article on the Twilight 2000 RPG in the Journal of American Studies is now open access (OA), so anyone who wants to can have a read. OA is important to me, as I want my work on RPG history to go beyond the academy and reach the gaming public.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
27/3/63. "It took four days before we learned what had become of 8th Platoon. What we found surpassed even our worst nightmares. Their forms were twisted and fused into a grotesque, infernal construct; a sight that left us utterly shaken." #HotWar #HandiworkGames
February 6, 2026 at 1:30 PM
27/3/63. "It took four days before we learned what had become of 8th Platoon. What we found surpassed even our worst nightmares. Their forms were twisted and fused into a grotesque, infernal construct; a sight that left us utterly shaken." #HotWar #HandiworkGames
If you can get over me waving my arms around and talking too fast, then this is remarkably informative.
Hey in the run up to the crowdfunding campaign for Cold City and Hot War, (Both games are now out in PDF) I sat down with @malcolmcraig.bsky.social to chat about the upcoming new edition. You can watch (or listen) to all of the parts in one go: youtu.be/Hds6fbPzvJE #coldcity
All the Cold City Hot War short videos in one long video
YouTube video by Handiwork Games
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 5:44 PM
If you can get over me waving my arms around and talking too fast, then this is remarkably informative.
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
Diving into some FiveEvil art tomorrow for the new book “Netherworlds”. Really enjoyed working on these - montages and paint overs and assemblages is something I’ve always enjoyed doing, way back to the earliest days of my art foundation course. Nothing is wasted eh? FiveEvil is a handsome book.
February 3, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Diving into some FiveEvil art tomorrow for the new book “Netherworlds”. Really enjoyed working on these - montages and paint overs and assemblages is something I’ve always enjoyed doing, way back to the earliest days of my art foundation course. Nothing is wasted eh? FiveEvil is a handsome book.
It is! (available)
You should! (get it)
You should! (get it)
Hot War Second Edition is available now from @handiworkgames.bsky.social
Get it here: tinyurl.com/4bjzme92
Revised and reimagined from the first edition that appeared in 2008. #ttrpg
Get it here: tinyurl.com/4bjzme92
Revised and reimagined from the first edition that appeared in 2008. #ttrpg
February 4, 2026 at 4:58 PM
It is! (available)
You should! (get it)
You should! (get it)
Remember: Do not mention the war! And stay alert! And remain indoors!
Hot War Second Edition. "Work together for a brighter future."
Print pre-order with free PDF: handiwork.games/product/hot-...
PDF: www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...
Print pre-order with free PDF: handiwork.games/product/hot-...
PDF: www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...
February 4, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Remember: Do not mention the war! And stay alert! And remain indoors!
I vividly recall when Graham was a callow youth, and I likewise. We were both striving to make our mark in games land. I now look like I've been to the Gulag and back, while Graham looks exactly the same. How is that justice? He's the British RPG scene's Dorian Gray, I tell you.
It's amazing that so many people have followed the Kickstarter for Play Unsafe, my book about play, storytelling and TTRPGs, in the first 24 hours.
Go and follow it if you haven't already. And please spread the word, it helps!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/gra... #ttrpg #kickstarter
Go and follow it if you haven't already. And please spread the word, it helps!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/gra... #ttrpg #kickstarter
Coming soon: Play Unsafe
An all-new edition of Graham Walmsley's classic book about playing tabletop roleplaying games.
www.kickstarter.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:09 PM
I vividly recall when Graham was a callow youth, and I likewise. We were both striving to make our mark in games land. I now look like I've been to the Gulag and back, while Graham looks exactly the same. How is that justice? He's the British RPG scene's Dorian Gray, I tell you.
This is a smaller point within @rdonoghue.bsky.social's wider thread (which you should read), but this really resonates with me. D&D was not something we (my RPG friend group as a teenager) ever really thought about playing. For me the progression was Fighting Fantasy>Twilight 2000>Traveller>etc.
I’m running through these thoughts because as much as I think of D&D as monolithic in my teens, it never felt inescapable, and there absolutely were more options, so I’m thinking through what was vs the story I’ve built up out of habit.
February 3, 2026 at 5:08 PM
This is a smaller point within @rdonoghue.bsky.social's wider thread (which you should read), but this really resonates with me. D&D was not something we (my RPG friend group as a teenager) ever really thought about playing. For me the progression was Fighting Fantasy>Twilight 2000>Traveller>etc.
It's thrilling that the second edition of Hot War is now available in PDF & to preorder in hardcopy. It keep everything that was great about 1st ed, but makes it so much better. Plus the art and design from @paulbourne.bsky.social and @handiworkgames.bsky.social is phenomenal, as you would expect
Just released! Hot War Second Edition by @malcolmcraig.bsky.social
A game of friends, enemies, secrets and consequences in the aftermath.
Preorder the print edition at our web store: handiwork.games/product/hot-...
Or get the PDF @drivethrurpg.com
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5... #coldcity
A game of friends, enemies, secrets and consequences in the aftermath.
Preorder the print edition at our web store: handiwork.games/product/hot-...
Or get the PDF @drivethrurpg.com
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5... #coldcity
February 3, 2026 at 3:50 PM
It's thrilling that the second edition of Hot War is now available in PDF & to preorder in hardcopy. It keep everything that was great about 1st ed, but makes it so much better. Plus the art and design from @paulbourne.bsky.social and @handiworkgames.bsky.social is phenomenal, as you would expect
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
Just now I’m collecting material from the Cold City Hot War Kickstarter campaign updates to repost on our blog. There’s a lot of material there explaining in detail how the games work.
But I’d forgotten I’d made these 3d mockups of the games and supporting material.
I could animate these…
But I’d forgotten I’d made these 3d mockups of the games and supporting material.
I could animate these…
February 2, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Just now I’m collecting material from the Cold City Hot War Kickstarter campaign updates to repost on our blog. There’s a lot of material there explaining in detail how the games work.
But I’d forgotten I’d made these 3d mockups of the games and supporting material.
I could animate these…
But I’d forgotten I’d made these 3d mockups of the games and supporting material.
I could animate these…
Today's book writing has included reference to the work of Camille Flammarion, Lee Gold, H G Wells, Mary Shelley, and Hilda Hannifen. Don't ask me to make sense of it at this stage, it's only the first draft!
February 2, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Today's book writing has included reference to the work of Camille Flammarion, Lee Gold, H G Wells, Mary Shelley, and Hilda Hannifen. Don't ask me to make sense of it at this stage, it's only the first draft!
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
Once again it is time to be clear in how much I enjoy Seyed's reviews. I have found them extremely enlightening about our own material. The summaries of systems are really sharp.
I've said it before, but I really admire Seyed's ability to engage with creator intentions. Nice.
I've said it before, but I really admire Seyed's ability to engage with creator intentions. Nice.
Started reading this... Hot Damn it looks good.
Will have to do a review when I've finished reading it.
Then the bigger challenge - find time and players to run it! But Cold City first maybe?
Will have to do a review when I've finished reading it.
Then the bigger challenge - find time and players to run it! But Cold City first maybe?
Cold City Hot War Backers - check your kickstarter email - a coupon for the PDF of Hot War Second Edition is with you now. #coldcity
February 2, 2026 at 10:52 AM
Once again it is time to be clear in how much I enjoy Seyed's reviews. I have found them extremely enlightening about our own material. The summaries of systems are really sharp.
I've said it before, but I really admire Seyed's ability to engage with creator intentions. Nice.
I've said it before, but I really admire Seyed's ability to engage with creator intentions. Nice.
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
Random publishing thoughts 🧵 : it’s interesting to do maths and work out how much a crowdfunding effort has made per equivalent item offered or even per page of content. You can then usually also work out some ratios for the size of the team working on it. It can be surprising stuff.
February 2, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Random publishing thoughts 🧵 : it’s interesting to do maths and work out how much a crowdfunding effort has made per equivalent item offered or even per page of content. You can then usually also work out some ratios for the size of the team working on it. It can be surprising stuff.
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
Get this occult action thriller ttRPG for 1-7 people. Perfect if you enjoy playing powerful undead revenants embroiled in breakneck action, interpersonal drama, and occult investigation. Soundtrack by @mollynoise.bsky.social and human-made art by @stregawolf.art. Jump in now for early bird deals!
Coming soon: The Thunder Perfect Mind
An Occult Action Thriller Tabletop RPG
www.kickstarter.com
February 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Get this occult action thriller ttRPG for 1-7 people. Perfect if you enjoy playing powerful undead revenants embroiled in breakneck action, interpersonal drama, and occult investigation. Soundtrack by @mollynoise.bsky.social and human-made art by @stregawolf.art. Jump in now for early bird deals!
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
Ok, let’s do this🙄
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
February 1, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Ok, let’s do this🙄
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
You can always rely on Honoria Cashe-Arbuthnot to have the hottest of hot takes.
January 31, 2026 at 11:52 AM
You can always rely on Honoria Cashe-Arbuthnot to have the hottest of hot takes.
I've been lucky enough to be very close friends with - and work with - @paulbourne.bsky.social for nearly three decades now. There has always been a wonderful synergy between my words and his art and design. Paul's images bring to life the thoughts in my head in ways I never anticipated.
Cold City Hot War Backers - check your kickstarter email - a coupon for the PDF of Hot War Second Edition is with you now. #coldcity
January 31, 2026 at 9:54 AM
I've been lucky enough to be very close friends with - and work with - @paulbourne.bsky.social for nearly three decades now. There has always been a wonderful synergy between my words and his art and design. Paul's images bring to life the thoughts in my head in ways I never anticipated.
I have to say that not only is @fromthemorgue.bsky.social a great person and a fantastic RPG designer, he is also a person of taste and discrimination.
Paging through this and wow. @paulbourne.bsky.social and @handiworkgames.bsky.social have made so many beautiful books I don’t know how they keep topping themselves but this one is a new high. Just looks incredible.
(Words by @malcolmcraig.bsky.social are great too but I’d already read those!)
(Words by @malcolmcraig.bsky.social are great too but I’d already read those!)
Cold City Hot War Backers - check your kickstarter email - a coupon for the PDF of Hot War Second Edition is with you now. #coldcity
January 31, 2026 at 9:53 AM
I have to say that not only is @fromthemorgue.bsky.social a great person and a fantastic RPG designer, he is also a person of taste and discrimination.
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
The weapon they seem the most afraid of. Don't look away. Keep your foot on the gas, when your open is on their back foot, that's best time to push harder. #fuckice #fucktrump
January 27, 2026 at 11:14 PM
The weapon they seem the most afraid of. Don't look away. Keep your foot on the gas, when your open is on their back foot, that's best time to push harder. #fuckice #fucktrump
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
Wow! @paulbourne.bsky.social has made some of the best art I've seen him do for any RPG in this book. Absolutely stunning.
Cold City Hot War Backers - check your kickstarter email - a coupon for the PDF of Hot War Second Edition is with you now. #coldcity
January 30, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Wow! @paulbourne.bsky.social has made some of the best art I've seen him do for any RPG in this book. Absolutely stunning.
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
Ah shit. Within amazing body of work, my favourites were always her fantastic performances in Best in Show and A Mighty Wind. A comic actor with very few peers in TV and film history.
The inimitable Catherine O'Hara has died at age 71. From the archives, we revisit her reflections on her early days performing at Second City and on SCTV—and how her work helped shape a fresh, silly and distinctly Torontonian comic sensibility
Untold stories from the early years of Second City, the group that changed comedy - Toronto Life
An oral history featuring Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Rick Moranis, and more
torontolife.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Ah shit. Within amazing body of work, my favourites were always her fantastic performances in Best in Show and A Mighty Wind. A comic actor with very few peers in TV and film history.
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
No masks, no artillery, no talk of being ‘in theater’, no dressing up like you’re in fucking Fallujah rather than at the mall.
January 30, 2026 at 4:40 PM
No masks, no artillery, no talk of being ‘in theater’, no dressing up like you’re in fucking Fallujah rather than at the mall.
FFS.
the White House's official X account gloats over the arrest of Don Lemon with a chains emoji
January 30, 2026 at 3:57 PM
FFS.
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five modules you took at university.
Document or Lampost?
The semiotics of the birdbath
Stalin: the Swing Years
Otters: What are they up to?
Esperanto for the hard of thinking
Document or Lampost?
The semiotics of the birdbath
Stalin: the Swing Years
Otters: What are they up to?
Esperanto for the hard of thinking
When I was an undergrad, classes weren't this simple, & I didn't go to many because I had reeeeal bad depression & didn't know it, but:
Economics for Historians
Introduction to Icelandic
Woodrow Wilson & the First World War
The Vikings in Europe
History of Political Thought (Ancient) (also Modern)
Economics for Historians
Introduction to Icelandic
Woodrow Wilson & the First World War
The Vikings in Europe
History of Political Thought (Ancient) (also Modern)
Never mind jobs you had, tell me five classes you took in college/uni/grad school/etc
Folksong & Folkdance (Morris dancing with the late, great Tony Barrand)
The Printed Book in the West to 1900
Aegean Prehistory
Evaluating Rare Books & Manuscripts
Folklore on Film
Folksong & Folkdance (Morris dancing with the late, great Tony Barrand)
The Printed Book in the West to 1900
Aegean Prehistory
Evaluating Rare Books & Manuscripts
Folklore on Film
January 30, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five modules you took at university.
Document or Lampost?
The semiotics of the birdbath
Stalin: the Swing Years
Otters: What are they up to?
Esperanto for the hard of thinking
Document or Lampost?
The semiotics of the birdbath
Stalin: the Swing Years
Otters: What are they up to?
Esperanto for the hard of thinking
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
"I'm coming to Boston and I'm bringing hell with me."
--Homan in February
"Do I expect violence to escalate? Absolutely."
-- Tom Homan in March
"I actually thought about getting up and throwing that man a beating right there in the middle of the room"
-- Homan in July, referring to a D congressman
--Homan in February
"Do I expect violence to escalate? Absolutely."
-- Tom Homan in March
"I actually thought about getting up and throwing that man a beating right there in the middle of the room"
-- Homan in July, referring to a D congressman
Homan: "I begged for the last two months on TV for the rhetoric to stop. I said in March -- if the rhetoric doesn't stop, there is gonna be bloodshed. And there has been. I wish I wasn't right. I don't want to see anybody die."
January 29, 2026 at 3:32 PM
"I'm coming to Boston and I'm bringing hell with me."
--Homan in February
"Do I expect violence to escalate? Absolutely."
-- Tom Homan in March
"I actually thought about getting up and throwing that man a beating right there in the middle of the room"
-- Homan in July, referring to a D congressman
--Homan in February
"Do I expect violence to escalate? Absolutely."
-- Tom Homan in March
"I actually thought about getting up and throwing that man a beating right there in the middle of the room"
-- Homan in July, referring to a D congressman