Jeff H
@nazmazh.bsky.social
30-something former Grad Student.
Semi-professional curly-haired doofus.
Excessively verbose, perpetual student, scientist, SCIENCE!-tist.
Lover of music, all things nerdy and all things strange.
Dice Goblin Extraordinaire.
He/Him
Semi-professional curly-haired doofus.
Excessively verbose, perpetual student, scientist, SCIENCE!-tist.
Lover of music, all things nerdy and all things strange.
Dice Goblin Extraordinaire.
He/Him
As for FB and Twitter? (ie: Those aren't the ones I was referring to above)
Their bosses torched and enshittified them long before the idea that it might be worthwhile to pay for any benefits even remotely entered the conversation.
Their bosses torched and enshittified them long before the idea that it might be worthwhile to pay for any benefits even remotely entered the conversation.
December 20, 2025 at 2:07 AM
As for FB and Twitter? (ie: Those aren't the ones I was referring to above)
Their bosses torched and enshittified them long before the idea that it might be worthwhile to pay for any benefits even remotely entered the conversation.
Their bosses torched and enshittified them long before the idea that it might be worthwhile to pay for any benefits even remotely entered the conversation.
Like, even if the people actually running and building the sites/apps are great, and they're putting in stuff people actually might like and use,
Their bosses sucked so bad that I couldn't it wouldn't all be ruined or torn down on a whim.
Their bosses sucked so bad that I couldn't it wouldn't all be ruined or torn down on a whim.
December 20, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Like, even if the people actually running and building the sites/apps are great, and they're putting in stuff people actually might like and use,
Their bosses sucked so bad that I couldn't it wouldn't all be ruined or torn down on a whim.
Their bosses sucked so bad that I couldn't it wouldn't all be ruined or torn down on a whim.
The leadership at the top of companies made moves so utterly, gallingly contemptuous of their users that I was instantly flipped to "Under no circumstances am I giving these people my money."
December 20, 2025 at 2:03 AM
The leadership at the top of companies made moves so utterly, gallingly contemptuous of their users that I was instantly flipped to "Under no circumstances am I giving these people my money."
There's been a few times that I've asked myself, "Would I kick in a few bucks a month to help keep this smaller, more niche social media place running?"
And just as I was leaning towards "Y'know, it might not be the worst thing in the world"...
And just as I was leaning towards "Y'know, it might not be the worst thing in the world"...
December 20, 2025 at 2:01 AM
There's been a few times that I've asked myself, "Would I kick in a few bucks a month to help keep this smaller, more niche social media place running?"
And just as I was leaning towards "Y'know, it might not be the worst thing in the world"...
And just as I was leaning towards "Y'know, it might not be the worst thing in the world"...
Now, if a social media company wanted to charge any sort of fee, I'd really *only* ever consider it if that was all being put towards hiring and maintaining a proper (human) moderation team.
December 20, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Now, if a social media company wanted to charge any sort of fee, I'd really *only* ever consider it if that was all being put towards hiring and maintaining a proper (human) moderation team.
If this extends to other apps they own - Instagram, Snapchat, etc. as of right now, it might be closer to that "Is it worth it?" question.
If they try to force it on regular non-business users? It'd probably push more people away than anything.
If they try to force it on regular non-business users? It'd probably push more people away than anything.
December 20, 2025 at 1:57 AM
If this extends to other apps they own - Instagram, Snapchat, etc. as of right now, it might be closer to that "Is it worth it?" question.
If they try to force it on regular non-business users? It'd probably push more people away than anything.
If they try to force it on regular non-business users? It'd probably push more people away than anything.
(Nevertheless, the game very much did have you repeating conversations with characters all the time, otherwise.
In the same sort of "nobody's to question this detective's running back and forth across town to ask the same thing as 5 minutes ago?"-thing I've been describing)
In the same sort of "nobody's to question this detective's running back and forth across town to ask the same thing as 5 minutes ago?"-thing I've been describing)
December 11, 2025 at 5:28 AM
(Nevertheless, the game very much did have you repeating conversations with characters all the time, otherwise.
In the same sort of "nobody's to question this detective's running back and forth across town to ask the same thing as 5 minutes ago?"-thing I've been describing)
In the same sort of "nobody's to question this detective's running back and forth across town to ask the same thing as 5 minutes ago?"-thing I've been describing)
And also dialogue that acknowledges if you have a good reason for actually asking someone something again - eg: You've found a contradiction in their words/new evidence, etc.
(shoutout to the game Contradiction for their use of that aspect of what I'm describing)
(shoutout to the game Contradiction for their use of that aspect of what I'm describing)
December 11, 2025 at 5:25 AM
And also dialogue that acknowledges if you have a good reason for actually asking someone something again - eg: You've found a contradiction in their words/new evidence, etc.
(shoutout to the game Contradiction for their use of that aspect of what I'm describing)
(shoutout to the game Contradiction for their use of that aspect of what I'm describing)
Ones that are awkward, rude, etc.
Basically, I'd like to see a game that tells its player to actually pay attention to people they're interacting with. Reward them for showing tact.
And full-on facilitate this with a flashback-journal system so you don't lose access to specific dialogue sequences.
Basically, I'd like to see a game that tells its player to actually pay attention to people they're interacting with. Reward them for showing tact.
And full-on facilitate this with a flashback-journal system so you don't lose access to specific dialogue sequences.
December 11, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Ones that are awkward, rude, etc.
Basically, I'd like to see a game that tells its player to actually pay attention to people they're interacting with. Reward them for showing tact.
And full-on facilitate this with a flashback-journal system so you don't lose access to specific dialogue sequences.
Basically, I'd like to see a game that tells its player to actually pay attention to people they're interacting with. Reward them for showing tact.
And full-on facilitate this with a flashback-journal system so you don't lose access to specific dialogue sequences.
And the nature of dialogue trees in video games is that the player needs to be able to access information whenever they need it and often can't (in-character) just go google it for themselves, so most games just gloss over the weirdness of repeatedly asking the same question, including...
December 11, 2025 at 5:19 AM
And the nature of dialogue trees in video games is that the player needs to be able to access information whenever they need it and often can't (in-character) just go google it for themselves, so most games just gloss over the weirdness of repeatedly asking the same question, including...
But there's also way too much boundary-overstepping and not respecting of people's time/feelings/full-on requests to change the subject.
December 11, 2025 at 5:15 AM
But there's also way too much boundary-overstepping and not respecting of people's time/feelings/full-on requests to change the subject.
The whole "You are a person I know who is/has [x trait/condition/etc.]. I demand you to now drop everything you were doing and explain everything about this to me, including your personal history"-thing.
Like, plenty of people can and will talk about their situations, in appropriate circumstances.
Like, plenty of people can and will talk about their situations, in appropriate circumstances.
December 11, 2025 at 5:13 AM
The whole "You are a person I know who is/has [x trait/condition/etc.]. I demand you to now drop everything you were doing and explain everything about this to me, including your personal history"-thing.
Like, plenty of people can and will talk about their situations, in appropriate circumstances.
Like, plenty of people can and will talk about their situations, in appropriate circumstances.
I also know from just reading things and in talking with friends of various trans identities how it can get exhausting being expected to always go through the whole spiel, in excrutiating detail, often to complete strangers.
I also see similar frustration from people with disabilities.
I also see similar frustration from people with disabilities.
December 11, 2025 at 5:10 AM
I also know from just reading things and in talking with friends of various trans identities how it can get exhausting being expected to always go through the whole spiel, in excrutiating detail, often to complete strangers.
I also see similar frustration from people with disabilities.
I also see similar frustration from people with disabilities.
Like, part of this for me is inspired by the conversations with Krem in Dragon Age 3, about his gender identity.
Like, I get why his dialogue is there, to explain his situation to an audience that might not know much about the experiences of a trans man. But,
Like, I get why his dialogue is there, to explain his situation to an audience that might not know much about the experiences of a trans man. But,
December 11, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Like, part of this for me is inspired by the conversations with Krem in Dragon Age 3, about his gender identity.
Like, I get why his dialogue is there, to explain his situation to an audience that might not know much about the experiences of a trans man. But,
Like, I get why his dialogue is there, to explain his situation to an audience that might not know much about the experiences of a trans man. But,
Eg: Keep asking about someone's scars/disability; make a joke about something they value; bring up someone's traumatic or criminal past - Especially when it's irrelevant or a very public setting and you're "just being curious".
December 11, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Eg: Keep asking about someone's scars/disability; make a joke about something they value; bring up someone's traumatic or criminal past - Especially when it's irrelevant or a very public setting and you're "just being curious".
And yeah, some times (as per detective games), you might have to press a point and lose some standing with a friend.
Other times though, if you're just being nosy, insensitive, or outright rude and don't pick up on their irritation, you just erode your relationship with them.
Other times though, if you're just being nosy, insensitive, or outright rude and don't pick up on their irritation, you just erode your relationship with them.
December 11, 2025 at 5:03 AM
And yeah, some times (as per detective games), you might have to press a point and lose some standing with a friend.
Other times though, if you're just being nosy, insensitive, or outright rude and don't pick up on their irritation, you just erode your relationship with them.
Other times though, if you're just being nosy, insensitive, or outright rude and don't pick up on their irritation, you just erode your relationship with them.
Then mix in stuff (for npcs in general) where it's like
"This topic is a sore point for them. They answer you, but are evasive or curt" and the more you press, the more they dislike you.
"This topic is a sore point for them. They answer you, but are evasive or curt" and the more you press, the more they dislike you.
December 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Then mix in stuff (for npcs in general) where it's like
"This topic is a sore point for them. They answer you, but are evasive or curt" and the more you press, the more they dislike you.
"This topic is a sore point for them. They answer you, but are evasive or curt" and the more you press, the more they dislike you.
Especially if you repeat it, or ignore them telling you stuff like "Don't bring me [thing]. I don't deal in [thing]".
So far, not unlike a repuation system.
So far, not unlike a repuation system.
December 11, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Especially if you repeat it, or ignore them telling you stuff like "Don't bring me [thing]. I don't deal in [thing]".
So far, not unlike a repuation system.
So far, not unlike a repuation system.
Anyway, back from this tangent: Irritation.
Basically, move away from a binary "Befriend" vs. "Obviously offend" set of choices (perhaps with a few neutral options here and there)
Add stuff like, most merchants start off neutral, but if you ask for unreasonable bargains, they like you less.
Basically, move away from a binary "Befriend" vs. "Obviously offend" set of choices (perhaps with a few neutral options here and there)
Add stuff like, most merchants start off neutral, but if you ask for unreasonable bargains, they like you less.
December 11, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Anyway, back from this tangent: Irritation.
Basically, move away from a binary "Befriend" vs. "Obviously offend" set of choices (perhaps with a few neutral options here and there)
Add stuff like, most merchants start off neutral, but if you ask for unreasonable bargains, they like you less.
Basically, move away from a binary "Befriend" vs. "Obviously offend" set of choices (perhaps with a few neutral options here and there)
Add stuff like, most merchants start off neutral, but if you ask for unreasonable bargains, they like you less.
Save it for well into the game. Well after it's been established as a safe, consistent mechanic. Then, hit 'em with a tactical gut-punch of "You think *that's* how it happened?!"]
December 11, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Save it for well into the game. Well after it's been established as a safe, consistent mechanic. Then, hit 'em with a tactical gut-punch of "You think *that's* how it happened?!"]
[Fun/mean twist/playing around with idea, for a more horror-focused or such game: Introduce elements of unreliability to this flashback stuff.
December 11, 2025 at 4:54 AM
[Fun/mean twist/playing around with idea, for a more horror-focused or such game: Introduce elements of unreliability to this flashback stuff.
That way you can retreive information, if you're forgetful like me, without the ludonarrative dissonance of you running all the way back to a person to get one specific line of dialogue, and then immediately peacing out, mid-their sentence.
December 11, 2025 at 4:52 AM
That way you can retreive information, if you're forgetful like me, without the ludonarrative dissonance of you running all the way back to a person to get one specific line of dialogue, and then immediately peacing out, mid-their sentence.
That way, you could replay the non-verbal cues in their responses as well
(honestly, yeah, this kind of borrows a bit from detective games, in my mind)
(honestly, yeah, this kind of borrows a bit from detective games, in my mind)
December 11, 2025 at 4:50 AM
That way, you could replay the non-verbal cues in their responses as well
(honestly, yeah, this kind of borrows a bit from detective games, in my mind)
(honestly, yeah, this kind of borrows a bit from detective games, in my mind)
My ideal version?
You click on the written text, and it can trigger a full-on flashback sequence, slightly hazy visual effect and all.
You click on the written text, and it can trigger a full-on flashback sequence, slightly hazy visual effect and all.
December 11, 2025 at 4:49 AM
My ideal version?
You click on the written text, and it can trigger a full-on flashback sequence, slightly hazy visual effect and all.
You click on the written text, and it can trigger a full-on flashback sequence, slightly hazy visual effect and all.