Chris Allcock
@taskbaarchitect.com
Writer and Video Game Designer for hire. Wrangles words, finds fun. Opinions are my own!
DEMO TAPE:
01. Title Theme
Weeeeeeeeeeeee-eeeeellllll...
Sonic is doing his thing
Sticking out his head through a big-ass ring
Up, Down, Left, Right just won't work
Go hang off some handles, you useless berk!
(For the cheats, for the cheats, it's for the...)
01. Title Theme
Weeeeeeeeeeeee-eeeeellllll...
Sonic is doing his thing
Sticking out his head through a big-ass ring
Up, Down, Left, Right just won't work
Go hang off some handles, you useless berk!
(For the cheats, for the cheats, it's for the...)
*Gets out 2026 planner and writes in big letters 'Do lyrics for every tune in Sonic 3 & Knuckles.'*
December 27, 2025 at 7:27 PM
DEMO TAPE:
01. Title Theme
Weeeeeeeeeeeee-eeeeellllll...
Sonic is doing his thing
Sticking out his head through a big-ass ring
Up, Down, Left, Right just won't work
Go hang off some handles, you useless berk!
(For the cheats, for the cheats, it's for the...)
01. Title Theme
Weeeeeeeeeeeee-eeeeellllll...
Sonic is doing his thing
Sticking out his head through a big-ass ring
Up, Down, Left, Right just won't work
Go hang off some handles, you useless berk!
(For the cheats, for the cheats, it's for the...)
*Gets out 2026 planner and writes in big letters 'Do lyrics for every tune in Sonic 3 & Knuckles.'*
December 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
*Gets out 2026 planner and writes in big letters 'Do lyrics for every tune in Sonic 3 & Knuckles.'*
I've not posted much about The War Between the Land and the Sea (or "Twabbles", as I've taken to calling it) because I know there's swathes of people who've yet to see it.
But having watched all of it, I'm convinced it was once intended to be Torchwood Season Five.
But having watched all of it, I'm convinced it was once intended to be Torchwood Season Five.
December 27, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I've not posted much about The War Between the Land and the Sea (or "Twabbles", as I've taken to calling it) because I know there's swathes of people who've yet to see it.
But having watched all of it, I'm convinced it was once intended to be Torchwood Season Five.
But having watched all of it, I'm convinced it was once intended to be Torchwood Season Five.
I'm feeling guilty about it, but I'm also aware that I'm deliberately finding excuses not to dive back into Metroid Prime 4.
December 27, 2025 at 1:28 PM
I'm feeling guilty about it, but I'm also aware that I'm deliberately finding excuses not to dive back into Metroid Prime 4.
For the longest time I've been meaning to buy a Captained Brigantine and now, with the 30th anniversary of DKC2 in the rear-view mirror, it's fitting that I pay homage to its breakout character design.
December 26, 2025 at 10:11 PM
For the longest time I've been meaning to buy a Captained Brigantine and now, with the 30th anniversary of DKC2 in the rear-view mirror, it's fitting that I pay homage to its breakout character design.
BBC News: Orphan Boxing Day return to workhouses lower than expected year-on-year.
"I can't believe it," Osmodius Stingler bellowed to the BBC, over the sound of smoky, clanking machinery. "They're all out farming the Robux these days, the unwanted. It's a very hard time to be a Dickensian tyrant."
"I can't believe it," Osmodius Stingler bellowed to the BBC, over the sound of smoky, clanking machinery. "They're all out farming the Robux these days, the unwanted. It's a very hard time to be a Dickensian tyrant."
December 26, 2025 at 9:19 PM
BBC News: Orphan Boxing Day return to workhouses lower than expected year-on-year.
"I can't believe it," Osmodius Stingler bellowed to the BBC, over the sound of smoky, clanking machinery. "They're all out farming the Robux these days, the unwanted. It's a very hard time to be a Dickensian tyrant."
"I can't believe it," Osmodius Stingler bellowed to the BBC, over the sound of smoky, clanking machinery. "They're all out farming the Robux these days, the unwanted. It's a very hard time to be a Dickensian tyrant."
Welp, since this now pops up on every stage and the A button (like every other button) does nothing, I guess I'm done with Plants vs. Zombies Replanted...
December 26, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Welp, since this now pops up on every stage and the A button (like every other button) does nothing, I guess I'm done with Plants vs. Zombies Replanted...
If next month's Animal Crossing update could make it so that the almost-daily snowfall doesn't water all your flowers, that would be DELIGHTFUL.
December 26, 2025 at 12:37 PM
If next month's Animal Crossing update could make it so that the almost-daily snowfall doesn't water all your flowers, that would be DELIGHTFUL.
However, because I can't turn Design Brain *completely* off, when presented with the rules I did immediately identify and bemoan the inherent imbalances in the meta of Richard Osman's House of Games play-at-home Christmas Cracker set.
December 25, 2025 at 9:39 PM
However, because I can't turn Design Brain *completely* off, when presented with the rules I did immediately identify and bemoan the inherent imbalances in the meta of Richard Osman's House of Games play-at-home Christmas Cracker set.
Since returning home from Christmas Lunch I have been floating around my home like the Ghost of Food Comas Present. I think I've passed straight through several walls as I drift aimlessly between rooms.
I can only interact with nibbles now, but cheesemongers can sense my presence.
I can only interact with nibbles now, but cheesemongers can sense my presence.
December 25, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Since returning home from Christmas Lunch I have been floating around my home like the Ghost of Food Comas Present. I think I've passed straight through several walls as I drift aimlessly between rooms.
I can only interact with nibbles now, but cheesemongers can sense my presence.
I can only interact with nibbles now, but cheesemongers can sense my presence.
Reposted by Chris Allcock
Merry from @stuartgipp.bsky.social's Merry Hell doing some last-minute Christmas shopping, oblivious to the hustle and bustle around her.
December 24, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Merry from @stuartgipp.bsky.social's Merry Hell doing some last-minute Christmas shopping, oblivious to the hustle and bustle around her.
I think nothing quite captures the insanely short timelines of 90s game development more than that one calendar month in 1999 separating "Here's how the coldswap will work" and the fax from Nintendo.
December 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
I think nothing quite captures the insanely short timelines of 90s game development more than that one calendar month in 1999 separating "Here's how the coldswap will work" and the fax from Nintendo.
Reposted by Chris Allcock
This Dale Gribble, he played six, he employed "SQUIRREL TACTICS"!
December 22, 2025 at 7:04 PM
This Dale Gribble, he played six, he employed "SQUIRREL TACTICS"!
No-one: ...
My brain:
This Hank Hill, he played one, got annoyed by "Thatherton...!"
This Hank Hill, he played three, propane and accessory,
This Hank Hill, he played four, sadly doped out of his gourd,
This Hank Hill, he played nine, then declared this asinine.
My brain:
This Hank Hill, he played one, got annoyed by "Thatherton...!"
This Hank Hill, he played three, propane and accessory,
This Hank Hill, he played four, sadly doped out of his gourd,
This Hank Hill, he played nine, then declared this asinine.
December 22, 2025 at 6:50 PM
No-one: ...
My brain:
This Hank Hill, he played one, got annoyed by "Thatherton...!"
This Hank Hill, he played three, propane and accessory,
This Hank Hill, he played four, sadly doped out of his gourd,
This Hank Hill, he played nine, then declared this asinine.
My brain:
This Hank Hill, he played one, got annoyed by "Thatherton...!"
This Hank Hill, he played three, propane and accessory,
This Hank Hill, he played four, sadly doped out of his gourd,
This Hank Hill, he played nine, then declared this asinine.
As it's the holidays, I've decided to pen some short reviews of popular games to help people out during this busy shopping season!
December 20, 2025 at 1:10 PM
As it's the holidays, I've decided to pen some short reviews of popular games to help people out during this busy shopping season!
Reposted by Chris Allcock
They made an early 00s flash game style arg website for the new Silent Hill movie I'm so happy that this sort of thing is making a come back yesss 😭🧡🙏
you live here now
welcome back...
youliveherenow.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:23 AM
They made an early 00s flash game style arg website for the new Silent Hill movie I'm so happy that this sort of thing is making a come back yesss 😭🧡🙏
Reposted by Chris Allcock
If you're not trans, I don't think I can fully explain how important this is.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
The name "Popular Science" doesn't mean we shift our coverage depending on public opinion. It means we cover relevant subjects that are rigorously researched, reliable, and grounded in reality.
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
First-of-a-kind study shows encouraging data for trans kids who socially transition
Ninety-four percent of participants in a new study stood firm in their trans identity after five years, and "detransitioning" is rare.
www.popsci.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:58 PM
If you're not trans, I don't think I can fully explain how important this is.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
Nintendo knew PRECISELY what they were doing here.
🎉 It’s a frog. 🎉
Enjoy The Legend of #Zelda: #BreathOfTheWild – #NintendoSwitch2 Edition in stunning new detail.
Enjoy The Legend of #Zelda: #BreathOfTheWild – #NintendoSwitch2 Edition in stunning new detail.
December 19, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Nintendo knew PRECISELY what they were doing here.
Pauline's outfits in Donkey Kong Bananza are fine, but what if you could dress her up as, like, Isabelle, Midna, Kirby, or an Inkling? That's the kind of cuteness that would even get me tempted by Amiibo...
December 19, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Pauline's outfits in Donkey Kong Bananza are fine, but what if you could dress her up as, like, Isabelle, Midna, Kirby, or an Inkling? That's the kind of cuteness that would even get me tempted by Amiibo...
OI! Oi, you lot. Yeah, I'm talking to you!
Lots of Very Big Things suck, they're not getting better in the immediate future, and we're all ground down and frankly exhausted. Not a new take, I know.
But even so, you're an incredible bunch of resilient, talented people and I'm so proud to know you.
Lots of Very Big Things suck, they're not getting better in the immediate future, and we're all ground down and frankly exhausted. Not a new take, I know.
But even so, you're an incredible bunch of resilient, talented people and I'm so proud to know you.
December 19, 2025 at 12:22 AM
OI! Oi, you lot. Yeah, I'm talking to you!
Lots of Very Big Things suck, they're not getting better in the immediate future, and we're all ground down and frankly exhausted. Not a new take, I know.
But even so, you're an incredible bunch of resilient, talented people and I'm so proud to know you.
Lots of Very Big Things suck, they're not getting better in the immediate future, and we're all ground down and frankly exhausted. Not a new take, I know.
But even so, you're an incredible bunch of resilient, talented people and I'm so proud to know you.
Just rewatched the pilot of Sliders, because provoked.
From the typeface of the credits to Dennis McCarthy's TNG-ass music, to Garwin Sanford's supporting role and night filming at That One Canadian Campus (which was also the homeworld for Garwin Sanford's character!) it was NINETIES AS ALL HELL.
From the typeface of the credits to Dennis McCarthy's TNG-ass music, to Garwin Sanford's supporting role and night filming at That One Canadian Campus (which was also the homeworld for Garwin Sanford's character!) it was NINETIES AS ALL HELL.
December 18, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Just rewatched the pilot of Sliders, because provoked.
From the typeface of the credits to Dennis McCarthy's TNG-ass music, to Garwin Sanford's supporting role and night filming at That One Canadian Campus (which was also the homeworld for Garwin Sanford's character!) it was NINETIES AS ALL HELL.
From the typeface of the credits to Dennis McCarthy's TNG-ass music, to Garwin Sanford's supporting role and night filming at That One Canadian Campus (which was also the homeworld for Garwin Sanford's character!) it was NINETIES AS ALL HELL.
Reposted by Chris Allcock
Most of us did not choose to write or draw or design so that we could put products on the shelf. We chose to do it because it’s a set of skills we enjoy exercising, that give us fulfillment.
It’s like asking a pro pitcher to just let a machine pitch for them. Fuck off and give me the ball.
It’s like asking a pro pitcher to just let a machine pitch for them. Fuck off and give me the ball.
December 18, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Most of us did not choose to write or draw or design so that we could put products on the shelf. We chose to do it because it’s a set of skills we enjoy exercising, that give us fulfillment.
It’s like asking a pro pitcher to just let a machine pitch for them. Fuck off and give me the ball.
It’s like asking a pro pitcher to just let a machine pitch for them. Fuck off and give me the ball.
Atic Atac: officially better than Manic Miner and the one with "the 3D graphic".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9aU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9aU...
1984: Are The Top COMPUTER GAMES Good? | Saturday Superstore | Retro Gaming | BBC Archive
YouTube video by BBC Archive
www.youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Atic Atac: officially better than Manic Miner and the one with "the 3D graphic".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9aU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9aU...