Mare Sheppard
@maresheppard.bsky.social
Designer, Artist, 1/2 of Metanet Software Inc www.maresheppard.com / www.metanetsoftware.com
She/her
She/her
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
The NYU Game Center's hiring! A senior, tenure-track professor post for an experienced game designer, artist or industry pro with a notable body of creative work. Experience finishing games and mentoring/teaching more important than any kind of academic credential!
gamecenter.nyu.edu/were-hiring-...
gamecenter.nyu.edu/were-hiring-...
We're Hiring! Join the NYU Game Center Faculty as an Associate Professor! - NYU | Game Center
Description Associate or Full tenure professor position for the NYU Game Center New York University, Tisch School of the Arts Position Overview The NYU Game Center is seeking applicants to join its fa...
gamecenter.nyu.edu
February 11, 2026 at 10:42 PM
The NYU Game Center's hiring! A senior, tenure-track professor post for an experienced game designer, artist or industry pro with a notable body of creative work. Experience finishing games and mentoring/teaching more important than any kind of academic credential!
gamecenter.nyu.edu/were-hiring-...
gamecenter.nyu.edu/were-hiring-...
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
Córy Doctorow with another verbal bullseye: pluralistic.net/2026/01/13/n...
January 18, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Córy Doctorow with another verbal bullseye: pluralistic.net/2026/01/13/n...
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
It's an honour to have been part of @indiecade.bsky.social both as attendees as well as award recipients -- it's an event that has contributed enormously to indie games as an industry, and even moreso as a community. Happy Anniversary, Indiecade!
January 17, 2026 at 10:44 PM
It's an honour to have been part of @indiecade.bsky.social both as attendees as well as award recipients -- it's an event that has contributed enormously to indie games as an industry, and even moreso as a community. Happy Anniversary, Indiecade!
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
writing poetry has given me so much experience making stuff no one is going to look at and no one thinks is really worth thinking about. I encourage everyone to work in discarded, "abdandoned", neglected, "low", "unimportant", "irrational" forms, media, etc.; it is liberating, educational, useful
January 9, 2026 at 12:57 AM
writing poetry has given me so much experience making stuff no one is going to look at and no one thinks is really worth thinking about. I encourage everyone to work in discarded, "abdandoned", neglected, "low", "unimportant", "irrational" forms, media, etc.; it is liberating, educational, useful
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
Sometimes all you can do is make the world 0.0000000000001% less awful by being a good person and it feels very meaningless but it’s also the only thing that really matters
January 7, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Sometimes all you can do is make the world 0.0000000000001% less awful by being a good person and it feels very meaningless but it’s also the only thing that really matters
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
raigan said he's nearly out of copies, so let me pick up the banner: i've got 5 copies of Cinco Paus if you want to play one of @smestorp.bsky.social 's best games.
ATTENTION BSKY: in celebration of Cinco Paus Day's Eve, please message me if you'd like a free copy of the best game ever made. :)
smestorp.itch.io/cinco-paus
Also TSLOG are doing an amazing series of podcasts on Michael's games:
eggplant.show
PLEASE REPOST! OR RE-SKEET! WHATEVER IT'S CALLED!! :)
smestorp.itch.io/cinco-paus
Also TSLOG are doing an amazing series of podcasts on Michael's games:
eggplant.show
PLEASE REPOST! OR RE-SKEET! WHATEVER IT'S CALLED!! :)
Cinco Paus by Michael Brough
Available for Windows, macOS
smestorp.itch.io
December 26, 2025 at 8:54 PM
raigan said he's nearly out of copies, so let me pick up the banner: i've got 5 copies of Cinco Paus if you want to play one of @smestorp.bsky.social 's best games.
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
ATTENTION BSKY: in celebration of Cinco Paus Day's Eve, please message me if you'd like a free copy of the best game ever made. :)
smestorp.itch.io/cinco-paus
Also TSLOG are doing an amazing series of podcasts on Michael's games:
eggplant.show
PLEASE REPOST! OR RE-SKEET! WHATEVER IT'S CALLED!! :)
smestorp.itch.io/cinco-paus
Also TSLOG are doing an amazing series of podcasts on Michael's games:
eggplant.show
PLEASE REPOST! OR RE-SKEET! WHATEVER IT'S CALLED!! :)
Cinco Paus by Michael Brough
Available for Windows, macOS
smestorp.itch.io
December 24, 2025 at 6:52 PM
ATTENTION BSKY: in celebration of Cinco Paus Day's Eve, please message me if you'd like a free copy of the best game ever made. :)
smestorp.itch.io/cinco-paus
Also TSLOG are doing an amazing series of podcasts on Michael's games:
eggplant.show
PLEASE REPOST! OR RE-SKEET! WHATEVER IT'S CALLED!! :)
smestorp.itch.io/cinco-paus
Also TSLOG are doing an amazing series of podcasts on Michael's games:
eggplant.show
PLEASE REPOST! OR RE-SKEET! WHATEVER IT'S CALLED!! :)
Happy Birthday to all my birthday twins! @doubleanna.bsky.social @ryanodonnell.bsky.social @droqen.bsky.social @petripurho.bsky.social I hope you are all having a wonderful day 🎉
December 19, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Happy Birthday to all my birthday twins! @doubleanna.bsky.social @ryanodonnell.bsky.social @droqen.bsky.social @petripurho.bsky.social I hope you are all having a wonderful day 🎉
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
Rob Reiner: “Silence in the face of authoritarianism is complicity. Speaking out is a patriotic act. Democracy doesn’t defend itself. It requires participation, vigilance, and courage from ordinary people."
December 15, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Rob Reiner: “Silence in the face of authoritarianism is complicity. Speaking out is a patriotic act. Democracy doesn’t defend itself. It requires participation, vigilance, and courage from ordinary people."
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
Today in "Don't Trust AI to Tell You Facts": How several different "AI" programs messed up the simple fact of to whom I dedicated a book, and what that means for how much you should trust "AI" to tell you the truth about things (spoiler: not much at all):
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/13/a...
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/13/a...
“AI”: A Dedicated Fact-Failing Machine, or, Yet Another Reason Not to Trust It For Anything
I search my name on a regular basis, not only because I am an ego monster (although I try not to pretend that I’m not) but because it’s a good way for me to find reviews, end-of-the-yea…
whatever.scalzi.com
December 13, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Today in "Don't Trust AI to Tell You Facts": How several different "AI" programs messed up the simple fact of to whom I dedicated a book, and what that means for how much you should trust "AI" to tell you the truth about things (spoiler: not much at all):
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/13/a...
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/13/a...
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
AI has actively made life worse for literally everyone
- tech is now more expensive
- you cannot trust most media of reality anymore
- programs barely function
- energy prices
- literal psychosis
- your voice can be literally stolen for evil
- more spyware
but hey, you can avoid paying an artist.
- tech is now more expensive
- you cannot trust most media of reality anymore
- programs barely function
- energy prices
- literal psychosis
- your voice can be literally stolen for evil
- more spyware
but hey, you can avoid paying an artist.
December 14, 2025 at 4:19 AM
AI has actively made life worse for literally everyone
- tech is now more expensive
- you cannot trust most media of reality anymore
- programs barely function
- energy prices
- literal psychosis
- your voice can be literally stolen for evil
- more spyware
but hey, you can avoid paying an artist.
- tech is now more expensive
- you cannot trust most media of reality anymore
- programs barely function
- energy prices
- literal psychosis
- your voice can be literally stolen for evil
- more spyware
but hey, you can avoid paying an artist.
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
It's my birthday! The ONLY thing I want is more subscribers to the exp. Patreon! It's just $1/month for consistent, quality video game criticism, but my gift to you TODAY ONLY (til 11:59pm EST) is 90% off the first month with the code 09BAA.
That's like 10¢! But if you can't sub, please share!
That's like 10¢! But if you can't sub, please share!
exp. magazine | Patreon
Established 2009, an independent video game magazine.
www.patreon.com
December 14, 2025 at 5:00 AM
It's my birthday! The ONLY thing I want is more subscribers to the exp. Patreon! It's just $1/month for consistent, quality video game criticism, but my gift to you TODAY ONLY (til 11:59pm EST) is 90% off the first month with the code 09BAA.
That's like 10¢! But if you can't sub, please share!
That's like 10¢! But if you can't sub, please share!
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
Microsoft: 30% of our code is now written by AI
Also Microsoft:
Also Microsoft:
Microsoft finally admits almost all major Windows 11 core features are broken | Microsoft Community Hub
A major new Windows 11 update has introduced widespread stability issues affecting core system functionality. Many users, including myself, are now...
techcommunity.microsoft.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Microsoft: 30% of our code is now written by AI
Also Microsoft:
Also Microsoft:
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
I was one of the other authors whose free games were used as a basis for this (by permission, under contract).
Read the thread for details; I agree with every word Alan has written (both the positives about the game, and the negatives about Jonathan Blow).
Read the thread for details; I agree with every word Alan has written (both the positives about the game, and the negatives about Jonathan Blow).
So, “Order of the Sinking Star” by Thekla was just announced, which takes several small free games (two of which are mine) and gives them a major graphical upgrade and mashes up their rulesets. I haven’t been very involved but it’s a great concept and looks cool.
December 12, 2025 at 2:53 AM
I was one of the other authors whose free games were used as a basis for this (by permission, under contract).
Read the thread for details; I agree with every word Alan has written (both the positives about the game, and the negatives about Jonathan Blow).
Read the thread for details; I agree with every word Alan has written (both the positives about the game, and the negatives about Jonathan Blow).
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
The handmade, human qualities of your work are more valuable than they've ever been. Don't doubt that for a second.
December 11, 2025 at 4:54 PM
The handmade, human qualities of your work are more valuable than they've ever been. Don't doubt that for a second.
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
My love for em dashes is as old as the hills and as mighty as my inability to make a transition between thoughts literally any other way and I will be damned if I let the clankers take that from me
December 10, 2025 at 3:00 AM
My love for em dashes is as old as the hills and as mighty as my inability to make a transition between thoughts literally any other way and I will be damned if I let the clankers take that from me
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
HEY if you have ever wanted to make a whole working #PICO8 ROM from absolute scratch, but weren't sure where to start...
just head over to www.pico-8-edu.com and i'll take you on a lil 15 minute tour that will have you up and running in no time! well, in 15 minutes 😅 www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWsj...
just head over to www.pico-8-edu.com and i'll take you on a lil 15 minute tour that will have you up and running in no time! well, in 15 minutes 😅 www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWsj...
How to make a game using PICO-8 | CorgiJam
YouTube video by Finji
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:14 PM
HEY if you have ever wanted to make a whole working #PICO8 ROM from absolute scratch, but weren't sure where to start...
just head over to www.pico-8-edu.com and i'll take you on a lil 15 minute tour that will have you up and running in no time! well, in 15 minutes 😅 www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWsj...
just head over to www.pico-8-edu.com and i'll take you on a lil 15 minute tour that will have you up and running in no time! well, in 15 minutes 😅 www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWsj...
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
Just stop and read this John Paul Brammer piece on Substack. You’re welcome!
Here’s a nibble:
“The color of ChatGPT’s blood if ChatGPT could bleed, if ChatGPT could be slashed with a sashimi knife and if milky fluid could come gushing out of its jugular.”
Here’s a nibble:
“The color of ChatGPT’s blood if ChatGPT could bleed, if ChatGPT could be slashed with a sashimi knife and if milky fluid could come gushing out of its jugular.”
sorry I'm late! I have at last broken my silence on Pantone's Color of the Year johnpaulbrammer.substack.com/p/cloud-danc...
'Cloud Dancer': A Measured Response
Regarding Pantone's decision, and so on, and so forth
johnpaulbrammer.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Just stop and read this John Paul Brammer piece on Substack. You’re welcome!
Here’s a nibble:
“The color of ChatGPT’s blood if ChatGPT could bleed, if ChatGPT could be slashed with a sashimi knife and if milky fluid could come gushing out of its jugular.”
Here’s a nibble:
“The color of ChatGPT’s blood if ChatGPT could bleed, if ChatGPT could be slashed with a sashimi knife and if milky fluid could come gushing out of its jugular.”
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
I feel like I *just* posted about it but every time someone says people should promote their book I'm gonna promote my book.
Just imagine adding this wonderful book of essays to your cart of Black Friday whatever. Think how you will cherish the experience of buying and then reading it
Just imagine adding this wonderful book of essays to your cart of Black Friday whatever. Think how you will cherish the experience of buying and then reading it
November 26, 2025 at 9:34 PM
I feel like I *just* posted about it but every time someone says people should promote their book I'm gonna promote my book.
Just imagine adding this wonderful book of essays to your cart of Black Friday whatever. Think how you will cherish the experience of buying and then reading it
Just imagine adding this wonderful book of essays to your cart of Black Friday whatever. Think how you will cherish the experience of buying and then reading it
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
Our upcoming game HORSES was preemptively banned from Steam, with no path to appeal. The game will still launch next week on December 2nd and will be available on EGS, GOG, Humble, and Itch for $4.99. Here is a detailed FAQ covering what happened: horses.wtf/BannedFromSt...
November 25, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Our upcoming game HORSES was preemptively banned from Steam, with no path to appeal. The game will still launch next week on December 2nd and will be available on EGS, GOG, Humble, and Itch for $4.99. Here is a detailed FAQ covering what happened: horses.wtf/BannedFromSt...
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
I am glad to hear HORSES—the most incredible demo I played all year—is coming out soon, but hearing about yet another indie game getting axed by Steam really frustrates me.
Our upcoming game HORSES was preemptively banned from Steam, with no path to appeal. The game will still launch next week on December 2nd and will be available on EGS, GOG, Humble, and Itch for $4.99. Here is a detailed FAQ covering what happened: horses.wtf/BannedFromSt...
November 25, 2025 at 8:44 PM
I am glad to hear HORSES—the most incredible demo I played all year—is coming out soon, but hearing about yet another indie game getting axed by Steam really frustrates me.
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
One more week to submit games to the Pico-8 arcade residency! Application deadline is 11/23 at midnight
We're now accepting submissions for our Pico-8 Arcade Cabinet residency until November 23! The selected game will be featured from Dec 1 - March 1 on a custom 2P cabinet. Apply here!
www.wonderville.nyc/pico8-cabine...
Here's a list of past Pico-8 residents:
wondervilleprojects.org/programs/res...
www.wonderville.nyc/pico8-cabine...
Here's a list of past Pico-8 residents:
wondervilleprojects.org/programs/res...
November 16, 2025 at 5:03 PM
One more week to submit games to the Pico-8 arcade residency! Application deadline is 11/23 at midnight
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
We don’t use generative AI at Strange Scaffold and I can confirm that a *lot* of other studios are not—whether indie or AAA.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm - AUTOMATON WEST
In an interview following the launch of ARC Raiders, the CEO of Embark Studios' parent company Nexon shares his views on AI.
automaton-media.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:25 AM
We don’t use generative AI at Strange Scaffold and I can confirm that a *lot* of other studios are not—whether indie or AAA.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
Reposted by Mare Sheppard
TEN++ bonus update! We've added support for Steam Cloud and fixed the save corruption issue -- hooray! Hope this helps everyone have an even better time playing N++ <3
store.steampowered.com/app/230270/N...
store.steampowered.com/app/230270/N...
November 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
TEN++ bonus update! We've added support for Steam Cloud and fixed the save corruption issue -- hooray! Hope this helps everyone have an even better time playing N++ <3
store.steampowered.com/app/230270/N...
store.steampowered.com/app/230270/N...