Dr Holly Nielsen
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hollynielsen.bsky.social
Dr Holly Nielsen
@hollynielsen.bsky.social
16K followers 530 following 4.9K posts
Historian of play | AHRC funded PhD on board games & play c.1860-1939 | Game developer | Writer & narrative designer

Repped by Will Francis at Janklow & Nesbit

she/her
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hollynielsen.bsky.social
Really tough few days, so only Wind Waker will do.
Picture of a TV showing the opening screen for The Legend of Zelda Wind Waker
November 13, 2025 at 9:32 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
I was going to joke about needing an IMDB but apparently I have one??

Incredible stuff. Why does this exist.
Screenshot from IMDB. It says “Holly Nielsen- self, Videogames Nation (2016)”
November 12, 2025 at 11:17 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
I wasn’t a very smiley toddler. I just looked like a duckling that was judging everyone.
Two photos of toddler Holly. I have fluffy white hair and I look either mildly annoyed or like I’m judging you
November 10, 2025 at 11:05 AM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
DEKU TREE COMPLETED
Me and my dad grinning behind the Great Deku Tree Lego set
November 9, 2025 at 11:21 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
Saturday nights are for vermouth and starting a new Animal Crossing island
Picture of a glass with ice and a drink, and a switch 2 with animal crossing on it resting on legs wearing pyjamas
November 8, 2025 at 9:29 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
I love him
A Lego of Hestu from Legend of Zelda
November 8, 2025 at 3:22 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
Building this with dad today
The manual and some bits of Lego from the Legend of Zelda Deku Tree Lego set
November 8, 2025 at 1:54 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
To be a complete egotist for a moment, when “Writing Game Histories” comes out in May, that’ll be my sixth academic publication- which isn’t too shabby for someone who has just finished their PhD!

(I think… this is where everyone is like “pfft when I finished my PhD I had 24 publications & 7 books)
A Pomeranian with a top hat and cane looking fancy
November 8, 2025 at 12:33 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
Our discussion was a joy to have despite the fact that when it happened I was a week away from handing in my PhD thesis- the fact I managed to enjoy something at that stage should be an indicator of how interesting it was
11. ‘research is a creative process’: Writinf Histories with Games, James Coltrain, Leyla Johnson, Nikhail Murthy and Holly Nielsen (with Esther Wright)
November 8, 2025 at 11:57 AM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
My favourite walk in autumn, continued 🍁
A small cottage and stone outbuildings with a rusting metal roof, edging is forest with evergreens and the occasional autumn coloured tree Drystone wall with moss and ferns, behind is a field with sheep in, and behind that forest A river with autumn forest A field with sheep in lovely autumn light. One of the sheep is looking at me
November 6, 2025 at 2:19 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
My favourite walk in autumn 🍂
A river in a valley with autumn forest behind it A river in a valley with autumn forest behind it, there a big rock with moss on top A cliff with ivy on it and autumn trees behind A small stream tumbling over mossy rocks in an autumn forest
November 6, 2025 at 1:53 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
🍂 🦆
Waterfowl on a pond with blue sky reflected and autumnal trees Boating lake at Victoria park. The trees in the background are autumnal
November 2, 2025 at 4:06 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
A bit of graffiti/a poster on a bridge that shows two newsreaders with “BBC NEWS” underneath. One is saying “can we call it a genocide yet?” The other says “not until everyone’s dead, sorry”
November 2, 2025 at 3:50 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
Officially awarded my PhD today 🥲
Section of a letter informing me that my examiners have recommended that on November 1st 2025 I be awarded degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Thesis title: British Board Games and Ludic Lives, c.1860-1939
November 1, 2025 at 11:12 AM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
Outfit for staying in and ordering pizza but make it Halloween 🎃 🩻
Selfie, I’m sat cross legged on a sofa and wearing leggings with pumpkins and other veg on them, and a black cardigan with ribs and bones on it
October 31, 2025 at 5:31 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
Everyone else at the party dressed super cute meanwhile I look like everyone’s most regretted ex boyfriend
Selfie. I’m wearing a plaid shirt with a white tshirt underneath, and glasses
October 31, 2025 at 12:21 AM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
All about the details
A small notebook with “Billion $ game ideas” written on the front Front page of the same notebook, it says “game idea template- Nat game is a (insert existing game)-like. About (insert theme)
October 30, 2025 at 7:41 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
Halloween costume ready for the party :)
Selfie. I’m wearing blue jeans, glasses, a red plaid shirt with a white tshirt underneath, I have a name tag and I’m holding a steamdeck case Close up on my name tag, it says “hello I’m Dan/Chris/Matt I’m a GENUINE solo game dev (shout out the my contractors)”
October 30, 2025 at 7:40 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
Getting my Halloween costume together for tonight :)
A plaid shirt with a name tag that says “Hello I’m Dan/Chris/Matt I’m a GENUINE solo game dev (shout out to my contractors)
October 30, 2025 at 5:44 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
Meme template from Lord of the Rings showing Bilbo contemplating keeping the ring. It says “After all… why not? Why shouldn’t I spend another 400 hours on a new Animal Crossing Island”
October 30, 2025 at 4:36 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
Thought I looked chic but actually I looked ✨ beige✨
Selfie in a mirror, I’m wearing dark brown trousers and a beigey long sleeve top
October 29, 2025 at 10:12 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
Everyone needs to wish @hownottodraw.bsky.social a very happy birthday 🎂✨

My best friend, a wonderful and thoughtful person who gives the best presents, AND is also incredibly funny and super talented?? WOW
Me and Kate about ten years ago in front of tower bridge Me and Kate nine years ago with mulled cider and fireworks behind us Me and Kate wearing pyjamas, I’m pulling a silly face at her and she’s laughing Me, Kate, and Andrew last month in a pub with pints of beer
October 28, 2025 at 12:45 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
I love how Victorian this train station is
Great Malvern train station, a lovely small train station with decorative red, blue and black wrought iron decorations, and slim iron columns with crown and plant decorations at the top Great Malvern train station, a lovely small train station with decorative red, blue and black wrought iron decorations, and slim iron columns with crown and plant decorations at the top Great Malvern train station, a lovely small train station with decorative red, blue and black wrought iron decorations, and slim iron columns with crown and plant decorations at the top- close up of the crown and plant column iron decoration- showing daffodils and leaves
October 27, 2025 at 2:16 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
My reward for the Big Walk up the Big Hills
A mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows
October 26, 2025 at 2:42 PM
hollynielsen.bsky.social
This way to the bean
Part of a stone sign, it has a green bean like shape with a blue arrow
October 26, 2025 at 2:36 PM