Naomi Clark (@metasynthie) 暗悪直美
@halfrobot.com
Game Designer (Consentacle +37 others)
Chair / Director, NYU Game Center ( https://gamecenter.nyu.edu/ )
Founding Collective, Sylvia Rivera Law Project
Formerly: Gamelab, LEGO, strap-on.org etc.
https://metasynthie.itch.io/
Opinions are only my own!
Chair / Director, NYU Game Center ( https://gamecenter.nyu.edu/ )
Founding Collective, Sylvia Rivera Law Project
Formerly: Gamelab, LEGO, strap-on.org etc.
https://metasynthie.itch.io/
Opinions are only my own!
6-year-old: I want to play that kids game with the people again.
Me: ...with people? What were they doing?
6-year-old: You... click the little white people to complete things!
Me: ...complete things? That's lots of games...
6-year-old: NO!! THEY JUMP IN HOLES!
Me: Ohhhh, you want the game KIDS!
Me: ...with people? What were they doing?
6-year-old: You... click the little white people to complete things!
Me: ...complete things? That's lots of games...
6-year-old: NO!! THEY JUMP IN HOLES!
Me: Ohhhh, you want the game KIDS!
November 11, 2025 at 10:45 PM
6-year-old: I want to play that kids game with the people again.
Me: ...with people? What were they doing?
6-year-old: You... click the little white people to complete things!
Me: ...complete things? That's lots of games...
6-year-old: NO!! THEY JUMP IN HOLES!
Me: Ohhhh, you want the game KIDS!
Me: ...with people? What were they doing?
6-year-old: You... click the little white people to complete things!
Me: ...complete things? That's lots of games...
6-year-old: NO!! THEY JUMP IN HOLES!
Me: Ohhhh, you want the game KIDS!
Wow. Wow, it's really easy for Obsidian to talk a big game like this but have you considered how expensive it would be for other game studios to treat writers like humans instead of fungible peripherals? Or for them to find good writers who want that kind of disposable creative labor?
NEW: I spoke to Obsidian (Outer Worlds, Avowed, Fallout: NV) about how their games are written
They've heard "horror stories" of writers sidelined at other studios
Sawyer: At Obsidian, writers and area designers are "co-creators" who sculpt a game world together
www.gamefile.news/p/obsidian-e...
They've heard "horror stories" of writers sidelined at other studios
Sawyer: At Obsidian, writers and area designers are "co-creators" who sculpt a game world together
www.gamefile.news/p/obsidian-e...
How Obsidian writes
A chat about the words that go into video games, with creators behind The Outer Worlds, Pillars of Eternity, Pentiment and more.
www.gamefile.news
November 11, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Wow. Wow, it's really easy for Obsidian to talk a big game like this but have you considered how expensive it would be for other game studios to treat writers like humans instead of fungible peripherals? Or for them to find good writers who want that kind of disposable creative labor?
Finally, as if a week of events wasn't enough:
SATURDAY NOV 22 at 7PM NYC's pile of weirdo/artsy/indie game-makers hosts the 14th annual NO QUARTER exhibition of games, with four never-before-seen works of play at a big party.
RSVP for a free ticket WHILE THEY LAST: noquarter2025.eventbrite.com
SATURDAY NOV 22 at 7PM NYC's pile of weirdo/artsy/indie game-makers hosts the 14th annual NO QUARTER exhibition of games, with four never-before-seen works of play at a big party.
RSVP for a free ticket WHILE THEY LAST: noquarter2025.eventbrite.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Finally, as if a week of events wasn't enough:
SATURDAY NOV 22 at 7PM NYC's pile of weirdo/artsy/indie game-makers hosts the 14th annual NO QUARTER exhibition of games, with four never-before-seen works of play at a big party.
RSVP for a free ticket WHILE THEY LAST: noquarter2025.eventbrite.com
SATURDAY NOV 22 at 7PM NYC's pile of weirdo/artsy/indie game-makers hosts the 14th annual NO QUARTER exhibition of games, with four never-before-seen works of play at a big party.
RSVP for a free ticket WHILE THEY LAST: noquarter2025.eventbrite.com
Then, STARTING FRIDAY NIGHT across NYC it's the week of Game Design Days, a series of free pop-up community game events at Wonderville, the Game of 1000 Boxes, Women in Games NYC, Twenty-Sided Store, BumbleBear Games and many more spaces!
Check out the full calendar+map:
game-design-days.com
Check out the full calendar+map:
game-design-days.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Then, STARTING FRIDAY NIGHT across NYC it's the week of Game Design Days, a series of free pop-up community game events at Wonderville, the Game of 1000 Boxes, Women in Games NYC, Twenty-Sided Store, BumbleBear Games and many more spaces!
Check out the full calendar+map:
game-design-days.com
Check out the full calendar+map:
game-design-days.com
THURSDAY EVENING in downtown Brooklyn I'm moderating a talk w/
julian cordero of @despelote.game !
@apthomson.bsky.social + @qdork.bsky.social of Consume Me !
@gcuzzillo.bsky.social of Baby Steps !
Come discuss the SHEER AUDACITY to release an indie game in 2025
alumnideveloperspanel.eventbrite.com
julian cordero of @despelote.game !
@apthomson.bsky.social + @qdork.bsky.social of Consume Me !
@gcuzzillo.bsky.social of Baby Steps !
Come discuss the SHEER AUDACITY to release an indie game in 2025
alumnideveloperspanel.eventbrite.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:08 PM
THURSDAY EVENING in downtown Brooklyn I'm moderating a talk w/
julian cordero of @despelote.game !
@apthomson.bsky.social + @qdork.bsky.social of Consume Me !
@gcuzzillo.bsky.social of Baby Steps !
Come discuss the SHEER AUDACITY to release an indie game in 2025
alumnideveloperspanel.eventbrite.com
julian cordero of @despelote.game !
@apthomson.bsky.social + @qdork.bsky.social of Consume Me !
@gcuzzillo.bsky.social of Baby Steps !
Come discuss the SHEER AUDACITY to release an indie game in 2025
alumnideveloperspanel.eventbrite.com
Embarrassing and shameful for the Game Awards to slink away, not least because the Future Class itself will continue to exist as a network of talented professionals in touch with each other... and perhaps with long memories for a thoroughly unnecessary slight
“Don’t gather some of the most brilliant activists in the industry, treat us like crap, and then expect us to do nothing about it.” After the Game Awards cancelled its Future Class programme, @alyssamerc.bsky.social talked to its former honorees
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
“We were effectively props”: young stars of game development feel let down by the ‘gaming Oscars’
Announced in 2020 by the Game Awards as an inclusive programme for the industry’s next generation, the Future Class initiative has now been discontinued. Inductees describe clashes with organisers and...
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Embarrassing and shameful for the Game Awards to slink away, not least because the Future Class itself will continue to exist as a network of talented professionals in touch with each other... and perhaps with long memories for a thoroughly unnecessary slight
You heard it here first, folks -- a new religion with sacrifices! Who's the sacrifice? Alex Karp has declared HIMSELF the sacrifice! [ applause light flashes ] Prepare the wicker man!
November 11, 2025 at 6:58 PM
You heard it here first, folks -- a new religion with sacrifices! Who's the sacrifice? Alex Karp has declared HIMSELF the sacrifice! [ applause light flashes ] Prepare the wicker man!
I know everyone’s posting their solutions for this Deep Narrative Problem, from the prosaic “just reboot it” to things like “vampire queen M” and so forth.
However, it’s clear to me that the correct answer is “legally distinct Lazarus Pit.”
However, it’s clear to me that the correct answer is “legally distinct Lazarus Pit.”
James Bond’s death in No Time to Die is causing a nightmare for the next film. Writers are stuck because Bond “was blown to pieces.”
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
November 11, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I know everyone’s posting their solutions for this Deep Narrative Problem, from the prosaic “just reboot it” to things like “vampire queen M” and so forth.
However, it’s clear to me that the correct answer is “legally distinct Lazarus Pit.”
However, it’s clear to me that the correct answer is “legally distinct Lazarus Pit.”
Re: last repost
About 25 years ago, I noticed the same funny thing about games framed as brutal competition but where cooperative play IS possible. It also happened in the first multiplayer online game I designed: co-op peer pressure vs "bad form" PVP! Ever since I've been more interested in co-op.
About 25 years ago, I noticed the same funny thing about games framed as brutal competition but where cooperative play IS possible. It also happened in the first multiplayer online game I designed: co-op peer pressure vs "bad form" PVP! Ever since I've been more interested in co-op.
November 10, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Re: last repost
About 25 years ago, I noticed the same funny thing about games framed as brutal competition but where cooperative play IS possible. It also happened in the first multiplayer online game I designed: co-op peer pressure vs "bad form" PVP! Ever since I've been more interested in co-op.
About 25 years ago, I noticed the same funny thing about games framed as brutal competition but where cooperative play IS possible. It also happened in the first multiplayer online game I designed: co-op peer pressure vs "bad form" PVP! Ever since I've been more interested in co-op.
Reposted by Naomi Clark (@metasynthie) 暗悪直美
For Arc Raiders to ride the wave of human sociability all the way to the bank, while also being so contemptuous of the thing that makes us social animals in its own workflow demonstrates a lack of artistic integrity that I find impossible to ignore.
Our review: https://bit.ly/49bVn01
Our review: https://bit.ly/49bVn01
November 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
For Arc Raiders to ride the wave of human sociability all the way to the bank, while also being so contemptuous of the thing that makes us social animals in its own workflow demonstrates a lack of artistic integrity that I find impossible to ignore.
Our review: https://bit.ly/49bVn01
Our review: https://bit.ly/49bVn01
I mut go on record: Musk DOES occasionally post about games, including analog ("chess? it has no fog of war!") But it's been clear to me for years--even before the "pays other people to play" semi-scandal--that he has almost no taste in games either, only failed bids for clout or relevancy.
November 10, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I mut go on record: Musk DOES occasionally post about games, including analog ("chess? it has no fog of war!") But it's been clear to me for years--even before the "pays other people to play" semi-scandal--that he has almost no taste in games either, only failed bids for clout or relevancy.
This AI system, deployed live as a medical "note-taker," is supposed to have a safeguard in that a human doctor reviews and approves the notes and decisions.
BUT WAIT: multiple studies have now noted that humans w/ AI "assistance" tend towards rubber-stamping AI decisions as a time-saver. OOPSIE.
BUT WAIT: multiple studies have now noted that humans w/ AI "assistance" tend towards rubber-stamping AI decisions as a time-saver. OOPSIE.
a few months ago I said "having generative AI handle absolutely anything with regards to healthcare is a nightmare and should be banned" and a bunch of people made fun of me and called me stupid. anyways,
November 10, 2025 at 6:57 PM
This AI system, deployed live as a medical "note-taker," is supposed to have a safeguard in that a human doctor reviews and approves the notes and decisions.
BUT WAIT: multiple studies have now noted that humans w/ AI "assistance" tend towards rubber-stamping AI decisions as a time-saver. OOPSIE.
BUT WAIT: multiple studies have now noted that humans w/ AI "assistance" tend towards rubber-stamping AI decisions as a time-saver. OOPSIE.
Reposted by Naomi Clark (@metasynthie) 暗悪直美
okay, seriously: if we were to corral this, would anyone be interested in contributing? Here is the google form:
forms.gle/m2V4j4cDvwNu...
forms.gle/m2V4j4cDvwNu...
November 10, 2025 at 5:18 PM
okay, seriously: if we were to corral this, would anyone be interested in contributing? Here is the google form:
forms.gle/m2V4j4cDvwNu...
forms.gle/m2V4j4cDvwNu...
Reposted by Naomi Clark (@metasynthie) 暗悪直美
Some of the most powerful and well-paid people in the world don't understand a lesson that every schoolchild knows: if you surrender to bullies, they will only bully you more
November 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Some of the most powerful and well-paid people in the world don't understand a lesson that every schoolchild knows: if you surrender to bullies, they will only bully you more
Can't believe you have to listen to another Baby Steps improv session after you beat Q-UP, what did players do to deserve this. there's no skip button this time
November 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Can't believe you have to listen to another Baby Steps improv session after you beat Q-UP, what did players do to deserve this. there's no skip button this time
Reposted by Naomi Clark (@metasynthie) 暗悪直美
Tonight was a very bad night.
November 10, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Tonight was a very bad night.
Reposted by Naomi Clark (@metasynthie) 暗悪直美
i think this is key. taking the deal would amount to taking the blame. it would turn a clear political victory into an unambiguous defeat.
If the Dems blink after all of this, for a deal that all but ensures no ACA subsidies in 2026 anyway, then what was the purpose of letting the shutdown go for 40 days in the first place?
November 10, 2025 at 12:56 AM
i think this is key. taking the deal would amount to taking the blame. it would turn a clear political victory into an unambiguous defeat.
Sorry to moderate/right politicians, but “affordability” is now a hard-left socialist term. To include affordability in your platform you must now answer questions like “so, you agree with the democratic socialist emphasis on affordability, that government needs new, decisive action in this area?”
November 8, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Sorry to moderate/right politicians, but “affordability” is now a hard-left socialist term. To include affordability in your platform you must now answer questions like “so, you agree with the democratic socialist emphasis on affordability, that government needs new, decisive action in this area?”
Reposted by Naomi Clark (@metasynthie) 暗悪直美
new pod and it's a special one! we talk to @qdork.bsky.social and @apthomson.bsky.social about CONSUME ME, the multi-award-winning overachievement simulator that took me personally on a real ride through my own history with academics, pressure, and food. incredible game eggplant.show/149-making-a...
Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games: 149: Making A Meal Of It with Jenny Jiao Hsia and AP Thomson (Consume Me)
Rob, Sarah, and Doug chat with Jenny Jiao Hsia and AP Thomson about Consume Me, an award-winning autobiographical resource-management RPG about the pressure cooker of young adulthood. We discuss the g...
eggplant.show
November 7, 2025 at 11:06 PM
new pod and it's a special one! we talk to @qdork.bsky.social and @apthomson.bsky.social about CONSUME ME, the multi-award-winning overachievement simulator that took me personally on a real ride through my own history with academics, pressure, and food. incredible game eggplant.show/149-making-a...
Real bellyflop from this human face stretched over a cyberframe. Even I can answer Joe Rogan: Mamdani went ON RECORD (New York magazine, 11/2002) as wanting Sim City 3000 for the holidays. He would’ve known from PC Gamer that Sim City 4 was out IN JANUARY and he could whine to an upgrade! SWINDLER.
November 8, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Real bellyflop from this human face stretched over a cyberframe. Even I can answer Joe Rogan: Mamdani went ON RECORD (New York magazine, 11/2002) as wanting Sim City 3000 for the holidays. He would’ve known from PC Gamer that Sim City 4 was out IN JANUARY and he could whine to an upgrade! SWINDLER.
GONE GONE THE AGE OF SKILL
The biggest day in esports has arrived. Q-UP is out. store.steampowered.com/app/3730790/...
Save 10% on Q-UP on Steam
Sick of long queues, unfair matchups, and arbitrary reflex tests? Try Q-UP, the coin flipping eSport. It's one part clicker, one part multiplayer strategy game, one part demented capitalism simulator,...
store.steampowered.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:40 PM
GONE GONE THE AGE OF SKILL
Reposted by Naomi Clark (@metasynthie) 暗悪直美
despelote by julian cordero + sebastian valbuena takes home Excellence in Narrative prize from DevGAMM Awards 2025! 📚
November 7, 2025 at 7:09 PM
despelote by julian cordero + sebastian valbuena takes home Excellence in Narrative prize from DevGAMM Awards 2025! 📚
All but the most stable traditional media institutions had difficulty with shifts in online audience and venture inroads, so right-wing funding swooped in at various angles, in newer & older media. The question now is how center & left institutions, hammered by the result, will recognize & respond?
This is ALSO a media story.
Non-white, young, and low-income voters were misled about what Trump would do. Now they’re learning, and they hate it.
Non-white, young, and low-income voters were misled about what Trump would do. Now they’re learning, and they hate it.
Dem gains in this week's elections erased the inroads Trump made with non-white, young, and low-income voters in 2024. In fact, the R-to-D shift from 24 to 25 is double Trump's gains from 20-24. Claims of a GOP political realignment have been highly exaggerated
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trumps-win...
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trumps-win...
November 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
All but the most stable traditional media institutions had difficulty with shifts in online audience and venture inroads, so right-wing funding swooped in at various angles, in newer & older media. The question now is how center & left institutions, hammered by the result, will recognize & respond?
An amazing chart-crime from researchers at the Dallas Fed to illustrate “Gosh people sure say a lot of things about AI singularities but most of it is kind of unhinged speculation! So let’s assume things will keep being normal! Some of the economists did a conservative projection that says that…”
November 7, 2025 at 2:25 PM
An amazing chart-crime from researchers at the Dallas Fed to illustrate “Gosh people sure say a lot of things about AI singularities but most of it is kind of unhinged speculation! So let’s assume things will keep being normal! Some of the economists did a conservative projection that says that…”
Any sci-fi fans who still can’t wrap their heads around how a system like a LLM can appear to be intelligent without ever being conscious or having any conscious intents, goals or opinions would do well to read Peter Watts’ Blindsight, a prescient narrative explanation
November 7, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Any sci-fi fans who still can’t wrap their heads around how a system like a LLM can appear to be intelligent without ever being conscious or having any conscious intents, goals or opinions would do well to read Peter Watts’ Blindsight, a prescient narrative explanation