Mata Haggis-Burridge
@matahb.bsky.social
Writer of video games, horror, and more. Professor of video games, bi/pan, they/he, visibility still matters.
Maybe the uncanny unease of Hookland's lore is only considered 'cosy' because of the very visceral and visible terror of our everyday climate crisis political omnishambles Jackpot lives. Compared that, Miss Goodwin's dread about the tin sprites requiring payment in bread or teeth appears wholesome.
Just for any academics, let me be clear, Hookland is anti-nostalgic. It's an exploration and exorcism of my childhood, not a celebration of falsely remembered sunshine. Nostalgia is a warping gravity.
November 14, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Maybe the uncanny unease of Hookland's lore is only considered 'cosy' because of the very visceral and visible terror of our everyday climate crisis political omnishambles Jackpot lives. Compared that, Miss Goodwin's dread about the tin sprites requiring payment in bread or teeth appears wholesome.
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
I'm losing my mind over how many reviewers are like "GDT's Frankenstein makes you wonder who the real monster is." THAT'S THE STORY! That's the story Shelley wrote!
November 7, 2025 at 12:00 PM
I'm losing my mind over how many reviewers are like "GDT's Frankenstein makes you wonder who the real monster is." THAT'S THE STORY! That's the story Shelley wrote!
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
sometimes an Oxford comma can make all the difference
November 8, 2025 at 12:36 PM
sometimes an Oxford comma can make all the difference
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
I can't describe how beautiful tonight's murder of crows against a red sky was.
I'm kindof emotional about it.
50% speed. Narrative video in next post 🪶
I'm kindof emotional about it.
50% speed. Narrative video in next post 🪶
November 4, 2025 at 1:34 AM
I can't describe how beautiful tonight's murder of crows against a red sky was.
I'm kindof emotional about it.
50% speed. Narrative video in next post 🪶
I'm kindof emotional about it.
50% speed. Narrative video in next post 🪶
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
Last night I went to the Puca Festival in Trim, Ireland.
It's all fun and games until someone unleashes a giant demonic hare.
It's all fun and games until someone unleashes a giant demonic hare.
November 2, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Last night I went to the Puca Festival in Trim, Ireland.
It's all fun and games until someone unleashes a giant demonic hare.
It's all fun and games until someone unleashes a giant demonic hare.
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
I say we give the carnivorous death ball a go.
November 7, 2025 at 6:08 AM
I say we give the carnivorous death ball a go.
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
Any shares of this much appreciated! When my ex-publishers collapsed, taking over £20,000 of my earnings with them into the void, all my books suffered but none more than 1983. This is me trying to repair that. It’s about:
Childhood
Education
Aliens
Alpacas
The East Midlands
The old future we lost
Childhood
Education
Aliens
Alpacas
The East Midlands
The old future we lost
Hello! My CEO Roscoe and I are giving away TWO signed copies of my novel 1983 to two randomly selected people who repost this & pop a reply below. You also get a free postcard of this illustration of Roscoe by my mum.
It’s been called “Stranger Things rewritten by Kurt Vonnegut & Sue Townsend”…
It’s been called “Stranger Things rewritten by Kurt Vonnegut & Sue Townsend”…
November 1, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Any shares of this much appreciated! When my ex-publishers collapsed, taking over £20,000 of my earnings with them into the void, all my books suffered but none more than 1983. This is me trying to repair that. It’s about:
Childhood
Education
Aliens
Alpacas
The East Midlands
The old future we lost
Childhood
Education
Aliens
Alpacas
The East Midlands
The old future we lost
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
Accusations of hypocrisy only have impact if the target cares. For example, the Tories during Covid lockdowns were constantly and recklessly hypocritical, and didn't give a toss, yet they're the first to rage and demand action from Labour when there's hypocrisy.
October 30, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Accusations of hypocrisy only have impact if the target cares. For example, the Tories during Covid lockdowns were constantly and recklessly hypocritical, and didn't give a toss, yet they're the first to rage and demand action from Labour when there's hypocrisy.
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
It's kinda cool that Gary Larson is doing new cartoons because he picked up a digital tablet, taught himself how to use it, and it made him love drawing again.
www.thefarside.com/new-stuff/
www.thefarside.com/new-stuff/
New Work by Gary Larson | TheFarSide.com
Get an exclusive look at brand new cartoons and artwork from cartoonist Gary Larson, creator of the iconic comic strip The Far Side®.
www.thefarside.com
October 17, 2025 at 9:09 PM
It's kinda cool that Gary Larson is doing new cartoons because he picked up a digital tablet, taught himself how to use it, and it made him love drawing again.
www.thefarside.com/new-stuff/
www.thefarside.com/new-stuff/
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
Proud papa moment: my son J published a letter in the @nytimes.com today (in print tomorrow) on the need to think our definitions of autism.
October 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Proud papa moment: my son J published a letter in the @nytimes.com today (in print tomorrow) on the need to think our definitions of autism.
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
Hey #horrorwriting folks. Is #PitDark going to happen this year? I've deleted everything on the old bird place and really don't want to support that network anymore. Are we going to try PitDark on Bluesky?
June 12, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Hey #horrorwriting folks. Is #PitDark going to happen this year? I've deleted everything on the old bird place and really don't want to support that network anymore. Are we going to try PitDark on Bluesky?
Free online event about video game narrative <3
Shaping your game narrative - 15 October
Join our expert panel of games writers/narrative designers for this free online series of talks + Q&A, sponsored by @articydraft.bsky.social
Non-members welcome too!
Find out more + register:
forms.office.com/pages/respon...
Join our expert panel of games writers/narrative designers for this free online series of talks + Q&A, sponsored by @articydraft.bsky.social
Non-members welcome too!
Find out more + register:
forms.office.com/pages/respon...
October 8, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Free online event about video game narrative <3
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
Thanks, New Yorker
October 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Thanks, New Yorker
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
September 30 October 1
October 1, 2025 at 8:56 PM
September 30 October 1
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
Fun fact: One of EA's new owners, Affinity Partners (investment group founded by Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner) has a similar logo to fictional Templar-run evil Assassin's Creed gaming company Abstergo Entertainment
September 29, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Fun fact: One of EA's new owners, Affinity Partners (investment group founded by Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner) has a similar logo to fictional Templar-run evil Assassin's Creed gaming company Abstergo Entertainment
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
THE MEME IS REAL
September 29, 2025 at 1:38 AM
THE MEME IS REAL
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
Waiting for Waiting for Godot.
September 27, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Waiting for Waiting for Godot.
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
Book Cover of the Day:
September 27, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Book Cover of the Day:
I watched The VelociPastor last night. I can confirm it is exactly as expected: knowingly rubbish and very good fun.
I also admire the editing. With bad editing literally none of the jokes would have landed, but it's solid throughout and makes the film is fun and very watchable.
I also admire the editing. With bad editing literally none of the jokes would have landed, but it's solid throughout and makes the film is fun and very watchable.
September 27, 2025 at 6:26 AM
I watched The VelociPastor last night. I can confirm it is exactly as expected: knowingly rubbish and very good fun.
I also admire the editing. With bad editing literally none of the jokes would have landed, but it's solid throughout and makes the film is fun and very watchable.
I also admire the editing. With bad editing literally none of the jokes would have landed, but it's solid throughout and makes the film is fun and very watchable.
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
Hey, guys, bad news. Just been to the void and it's closed to any new screams. Apparently it's overflowing so we've gotta find somewhere else to unburden ourselves into the ether. I might try the abyss next, but I hear if you scream long enough, it'll start screaming back, which, y'know, fair.
September 26, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Hey, guys, bad news. Just been to the void and it's closed to any new screams. Apparently it's overflowing so we've gotta find somewhere else to unburden ourselves into the ether. I might try the abyss next, but I hear if you scream long enough, it'll start screaming back, which, y'know, fair.
Reposted by Mata Haggis-Burridge
the post office is a public service. it doesn’t need to make money. public transit doesn’t need to make money. the library doesn’t need to make money. some things exist for the public good and we desperately need lawmakers to stop thinking about them in terms of capitalism. these are not businesses.
September 25, 2025 at 11:09 PM
the post office is a public service. it doesn’t need to make money. public transit doesn’t need to make money. the library doesn’t need to make money. some things exist for the public good and we desperately need lawmakers to stop thinking about them in terms of capitalism. these are not businesses.
I just read coverage of a revolutionary AI disease diagnostic tool which could help doctors give stunning and practical health advice such as
*checks notes*
lose weight and stop smoking.
Well, that's $30bn well spent.
*checks notes*
lose weight and stop smoking.
Well, that's $30bn well spent.
September 17, 2025 at 8:36 PM
I just read coverage of a revolutionary AI disease diagnostic tool which could help doctors give stunning and practical health advice such as
*checks notes*
lose weight and stop smoking.
Well, that's $30bn well spent.
*checks notes*
lose weight and stop smoking.
Well, that's $30bn well spent.