Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in US History @ljmuofficial.bsky.social, historian of the nuclear age, researching #ColdWar era post-apocalypse roleplaying games. #TTRPG designer. You may remember me from such games as #astaterpg, #ColdCity, and #HotWar
Pinned
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
My new cast with @ava.foxfort.net and @timclare.bsky.social is out for your auditory pleasure. Each episode we answer ludological questions from listeners! Would you like to have your question answered on a future cast? Get in touch!
open.spotify.com/show/02ctAw2...
open.spotify.com/show/02ctAw2...
Deranged in my Promiscuity
open.spotify.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:17 AM
My new cast with @ava.foxfort.net and @timclare.bsky.social is out for your auditory pleasure. Each episode we answer ludological questions from listeners! Would you like to have your question answered on a future cast? Get in touch!
open.spotify.com/show/02ctAw2...
open.spotify.com/show/02ctAw2...
We need to pressure @omnihedron.co.uk into playtesting Duty & Honour 2nd ed (and Beat to Quarters! The most Aubrey-Maturin RPG ever!)
I need to run a serious play test of D&H2e. I've done a couple over the years but it needs another.
I want to have a bash at a full campaign of Spectaculars
I'm getting the yearning to re-explore the Silt Verses Carved from Brindle wood game because it's brilliant...
I want to have a bash at a full campaign of Spectaculars
I'm getting the yearning to re-explore the Silt Verses Carved from Brindle wood game because it's brilliant...
November 8, 2025 at 6:40 PM
We need to pressure @omnihedron.co.uk into playtesting Duty & Honour 2nd ed (and Beat to Quarters! The most Aubrey-Maturin RPG ever!)
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
I've really enjoyed adding my own twists onto @malcolmcraig.bsky.social's setting and @fromthemorgue.bsky.social's mechanics. Cheers to Jon and the team for having me on board to do so.
There's so much I want to say about hope & struggle in cities, and will do as soon as the project is done!
There's so much I want to say about hope & struggle in cities, and will do as soon as the project is done!
Gratitude post! Today I am extremely grateful for Tanya Floaker’s amazing work on Mapmaker’s Guide for a|state, alongside their amazing perseverance with my entirely unreasonable demand that we’re not talking about it until it’s written.
November 8, 2025 at 10:57 AM
I've really enjoyed adding my own twists onto @malcolmcraig.bsky.social's setting and @fromthemorgue.bsky.social's mechanics. Cheers to Jon and the team for having me on board to do so.
There's so much I want to say about hope & struggle in cities, and will do as soon as the project is done!
There's so much I want to say about hope & struggle in cities, and will do as soon as the project is done!
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
Back in the day, we all had 15-minute demos of our games ready, which we'd offer to play when we sold games at conventions.
I wonder why we stopped?
I wonder why we stopped?
It's one of the great mysteries of life: why have 15-minute demos been forgotten/memory-holed/discarded as chaff unto the pitiless winds? They worked brilliantly on multiple levels: as intros to RPG/intros to new games/as a sales tool/etc.
I would go further than that. Back in the Collective Endeavour days we very successfully used 15-min demos that distilled games to their core experience. People loved them, as they very quickly got a feel for whether or not the game was for them. Taking that into the wider world would be a winner.
November 8, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Back in the day, we all had 15-minute demos of our games ready, which we'd offer to play when we sold games at conventions.
I wonder why we stopped?
I wonder why we stopped?
The WAC is a hugely important resource for historians (I've made extensive use of it on multiple projects) and these hugely significant changes are an effective bar on access.
WAC wrong-headedness
(that's the BBC Written Archives Centre)
I've brought together the key links for the campaign against the changes which now make independent and exploratory research at WAC impossible - and why this matters.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/wac-wrong-he...
(that's the BBC Written Archives Centre)
I've brought together the key links for the campaign against the changes which now make independent and exploratory research at WAC impossible - and why this matters.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/wac-wrong-he...
WAC wrong-headedness - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: Some of you will know that I have been very involved over the past months with attempts to reverse the wrong-headed changes to access at the BBC Written Archives Centre (above, with...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 8:56 AM
The WAC is a hugely important resource for historians (I've made extensive use of it on multiple projects) and these hugely significant changes are an effective bar on access.
The reviews of #ColdCity on @drivethrurpg.com have been immensely cheering. It's been a delight to see that people are enjoying the game in all its aspects.
Wow. Cold City has 100% five star rating @drivethrurpg.com and a series of brilliant reviews: Hector writes: "Love the research, the feel, and the subtlety of game design. And for all that, it is fast-moving and on the low end of prep time."
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5... #coldcity
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5... #coldcity
November 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
The reviews of #ColdCity on @drivethrurpg.com have been immensely cheering. It's been a delight to see that people are enjoying the game in all its aspects.
Now, this isn't meant to diminish their massive contributions to RPG design in any way, shape, or form. But the thing I recall most fondly about @megueyb.bsky.social and @lumpley.bsky.social is their kindness and generosity of spirit.
November 7, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Now, this isn't meant to diminish their massive contributions to RPG design in any way, shape, or form. But the thing I recall most fondly about @megueyb.bsky.social and @lumpley.bsky.social is their kindness and generosity of spirit.
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
Gratitude post! Today I am extremely grateful for Tanya Floaker’s amazing work on Mapmaker’s Guide for a|state, alongside their amazing perseverance with my entirely unreasonable demand that we’re not talking about it until it’s written.
November 7, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Gratitude post! Today I am extremely grateful for Tanya Floaker’s amazing work on Mapmaker’s Guide for a|state, alongside their amazing perseverance with my entirely unreasonable demand that we’re not talking about it until it’s written.
As well as being a very generous short thread from @trvshane.bsky.social, he also cuts to the heart of what I wanted to do with the 2nd editions of #ColdCity and #HotWar - embed actual historical understanding in a an accessible format.
I finally found the time to have a deep read through of Cold City 2e from @handiworkgames.bsky.social (after a skim on release). One thing I am particularly loving about the new edition is the footnotes added by the now professional historian @malcolmcraig.bsky.social.
1/?
1/?
November 7, 2025 at 9:14 AM
As well as being a very generous short thread from @trvshane.bsky.social, he also cuts to the heart of what I wanted to do with the 2nd editions of #ColdCity and #HotWar - embed actual historical understanding in a an accessible format.
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
I finally found the time to have a deep read through of Cold City 2e from @handiworkgames.bsky.social (after a skim on release). One thing I am particularly loving about the new edition is the footnotes added by the now professional historian @malcolmcraig.bsky.social.
1/?
1/?
November 6, 2025 at 5:38 PM
I finally found the time to have a deep read through of Cold City 2e from @handiworkgames.bsky.social (after a skim on release). One thing I am particularly loving about the new edition is the footnotes added by the now professional historian @malcolmcraig.bsky.social.
1/?
1/?
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
The first photo of my new book, courtesy of my editor... "The Most Awful Responsibility: Truman and the Secret Struggle for Control of the Atomic Age" comes out in early December! Feel free to pre-order it today! www.harpercollins.com/products/the...
November 6, 2025 at 10:41 AM
The first photo of my new book, courtesy of my editor... "The Most Awful Responsibility: Truman and the Secret Struggle for Control of the Atomic Age" comes out in early December! Feel free to pre-order it today! www.harpercollins.com/products/the...
Something I have enjoyed recently is a short reminiscence with @craigoxbrow.bsky.social about his RPGnet Buffy the Vampire Slayer RPG actual play, which started 22 years ago. I only played a tiny part in the game for a brief moment, but that entire thing was pretty big on RPGnet back in the day.
November 6, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Something I have enjoyed recently is a short reminiscence with @craigoxbrow.bsky.social about his RPGnet Buffy the Vampire Slayer RPG actual play, which started 22 years ago. I only played a tiny part in the game for a brief moment, but that entire thing was pretty big on RPGnet back in the day.
My copy of The Quatermass Experiment arrived yesterday, and so far it's a great and fascinating read. So much that I never knew about Kneale, the series, etc. Definitely worth getting hold of.
Some spooky reprints have appropriately arrived on Halloween. 🎃 The Quatermass Experiment: The Making of TV's First Sci-Fi Classic and Penda's Fen: Scene by Scene are back in stock and could be haunting your bookshelves. Order now from tenacrebooks.co.uk/
November 6, 2025 at 9:53 AM
My copy of The Quatermass Experiment arrived yesterday, and so far it's a great and fascinating read. So much that I never knew about Kneale, the series, etc. Definitely worth getting hold of.
A while back I had the daft idea of doing an oral history of the Collective Endeavour as a side project. But it would be better just to get us all back in a room together and record a chitchat about it and make a short podcast series. Because it was a fascinating time.
Of course, much of this cycles back to my "The Collective Endeavour existed, you know. And it did some pretty meaningful stuff in the UK RPG scene!" schtick.
November 6, 2025 at 9:47 AM
A while back I had the daft idea of doing an oral history of the Collective Endeavour as a side project. But it would be better just to get us all back in a room together and record a chitchat about it and make a short podcast series. Because it was a fascinating time.
It's one of the great mysteries of life: why have 15-minute demos been forgotten/memory-holed/discarded as chaff unto the pitiless winds? They worked brilliantly on multiple levels: as intros to RPG/intros to new games/as a sales tool/etc.
I would go further than that. Back in the Collective Endeavour days we very successfully used 15-min demos that distilled games to their core experience. People loved them, as they very quickly got a feel for whether or not the game was for them. Taking that into the wider world would be a winner.
November 5, 2025 at 6:54 PM
It's one of the great mysteries of life: why have 15-minute demos been forgotten/memory-holed/discarded as chaff unto the pitiless winds? They worked brilliantly on multiple levels: as intros to RPG/intros to new games/as a sales tool/etc.
Many years ago I had the privilege of an Eccles Institute fellowship, and the chances it gave me to do sustained research in the BL's amazing collections was invaluable. Apply now!
Eccles Institute at the British Library is now inviting applications for its 2026–2027 Visiting Fellowship programme.
Applications are due before 19th December.
buff.ly/nQpkuyj
Applications are due before 19th December.
buff.ly/nQpkuyj
Eccles Institute Visiting Fellowships: applications now open - British Association for American Studies
The Eccles Institute for the Americas and Oceania at the British Library is inviting applications for its 2026–2027 Visiting Fellowship programme. If you are working on any kind of project about the…
baas.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Many years ago I had the privilege of an Eccles Institute fellowship, and the chances it gave me to do sustained research in the BL's amazing collections was invaluable. Apply now!
@kevinboniface.bsky.social always finds the best stuff in the archives.
A favourite from the BBC archive. Fyfe Robertson interviews Huddersfield Thunderstorm gurus Mr and Mrs Morris and Edith Bower. @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social and I featured Morris and Edith in the first episode of our podcast The Last King of Elmet back in February.
fb.watch/DaEpE9VvV9/
fb.watch/DaEpE9VvV9/
fb.watch
November 5, 2025 at 9:45 AM
@kevinboniface.bsky.social always finds the best stuff in the archives.
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
I am so running this as soon as I get my grubby mits on it, bee tee dubs.
Psssttttt...
...yes, you!
As of this evening I have completed the text for #HotWar 2nd edition. It's now off for editing, then layout, with the great team at @handiworkgames.bsky.social.
Just wait until your see it!
...yes, you!
As of this evening I have completed the text for #HotWar 2nd edition. It's now off for editing, then layout, with the great team at @handiworkgames.bsky.social.
Just wait until your see it!
November 4, 2025 at 7:45 PM
I am so running this as soon as I get my grubby mits on it, bee tee dubs.
Absolutely this.
The truth about editing TTRPGs is that even the best books by the most experienced designers/developers contain way more errors than you think. Not because the creators are bad at their jobs—it just reflects the truly immense complexity of our books. To catch all those takes a huge amount of work!
November 4, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Absolutely this.
Reposted by Malcolm Craig
Oh god suppose we have to do MORE WORK now or something? Nah super excited. I've read it. It's great.
Psssttttt...
...yes, you!
As of this evening I have completed the text for #HotWar 2nd edition. It's now off for editing, then layout, with the great team at @handiworkgames.bsky.social.
Just wait until your see it!
...yes, you!
As of this evening I have completed the text for #HotWar 2nd edition. It's now off for editing, then layout, with the great team at @handiworkgames.bsky.social.
Just wait until your see it!
November 4, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Oh god suppose we have to do MORE WORK now or something? Nah super excited. I've read it. It's great.
Psssttttt...
...yes, you!
As of this evening I have completed the text for #HotWar 2nd edition. It's now off for editing, then layout, with the great team at @handiworkgames.bsky.social.
Just wait until your see it!
...yes, you!
As of this evening I have completed the text for #HotWar 2nd edition. It's now off for editing, then layout, with the great team at @handiworkgames.bsky.social.
Just wait until your see it!
November 4, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Psssttttt...
...yes, you!
As of this evening I have completed the text for #HotWar 2nd edition. It's now off for editing, then layout, with the great team at @handiworkgames.bsky.social.
Just wait until your see it!
...yes, you!
As of this evening I have completed the text for #HotWar 2nd edition. It's now off for editing, then layout, with the great team at @handiworkgames.bsky.social.
Just wait until your see it!
It's good stuff!
Cold City Second Edition is out now in PDF and preorder with free PDF.
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...
Or pre-order the print book and get the PDF free:
handiwork.games/product/pre-...
Find out more: handiwork.games/cold-city-ho...
#coldcity
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...
Or pre-order the print book and get the PDF free:
handiwork.games/product/pre-...
Find out more: handiwork.games/cold-city-ho...
#coldcity
November 4, 2025 at 5:16 PM
It's good stuff!
He's got me!
November 3, 2025 at 10:13 PM
He's got me!
Honestly, this is good advice.
Stay safe. Follow all advice from your local Maskwitches, and help them whenever you can. No one wants a manifestation of a ten thousand year old spirit made from pine tar and dog teeth from the ice.
handiwork.games/home/the-sil...
#ttrpg #maskwitches
handiwork.games/home/the-sil...
#ttrpg #maskwitches
November 3, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Honestly, this is good advice.
Also thinking of proposing a GURPS supplement about being at Heidelberg university in the 19th century: GURPS Otto Duel.
Ho ho!
Will the hilarity never begin?
Ho ho!
Will the hilarity never begin?
Added another hardcopy to my ever expanding research library of post-apocalyptic RPGs from the Cold War era. It's GURPS Autoduel! Only very slightly Mad-Max-y.
November 3, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Also thinking of proposing a GURPS supplement about being at Heidelberg university in the 19th century: GURPS Otto Duel.
Ho ho!
Will the hilarity never begin?
Ho ho!
Will the hilarity never begin?