David Dunham
@radiofreelunch.bsky.social
Software and game designer (Six Ages, King of Dragon Pass, Opal). Working on a new game, Thousand Hells: the Underworld Heists https://store.steampowered.com/app/3794210/Thousand_Hells_The_Underworld_Heists/
Reposted by David Dunham
just realized only now that "graphite" means "writing rock"
December 21, 2025 at 2:05 AM
just realized only now that "graphite" means "writing rock"
Reposted by David Dunham
Happy Winter Solstice!
On midwinter’s day, the sun sets between the pair of stones that form the largest trilithon at #Stonehenge
Farewell to the shortest day of the year, as we look forward to lighter days ahead! ☀️
#StandingStoneSunday
#Archaeology
On midwinter’s day, the sun sets between the pair of stones that form the largest trilithon at #Stonehenge
Farewell to the shortest day of the year, as we look forward to lighter days ahead! ☀️
#StandingStoneSunday
#Archaeology
December 21, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Happy Winter Solstice!
On midwinter’s day, the sun sets between the pair of stones that form the largest trilithon at #Stonehenge
Farewell to the shortest day of the year, as we look forward to lighter days ahead! ☀️
#StandingStoneSunday
#Archaeology
On midwinter’s day, the sun sets between the pair of stones that form the largest trilithon at #Stonehenge
Farewell to the shortest day of the year, as we look forward to lighter days ahead! ☀️
#StandingStoneSunday
#Archaeology
Reposted by David Dunham
I made a Bear blog and used it to collate a bunch of old article I had scattered between gamasutra and medium: cheerfulgoth.bearblog.dev
I like Bear so far! (Tho I really wish the world would abandon Markdown already and return to simple HTML)
I like Bear so far! (Tho I really wish the world would abandon Markdown already and return to simple HTML)
A Cheerful Goth
I'm Giada (they/she), a game designer and retired games journalist with an interest in comics, videogames and narrative design....
cheerfulgoth.bearblog.dev
December 21, 2025 at 10:59 AM
I made a Bear blog and used it to collate a bunch of old article I had scattered between gamasutra and medium: cheerfulgoth.bearblog.dev
I like Bear so far! (Tho I really wish the world would abandon Markdown already and return to simple HTML)
I like Bear so far! (Tho I really wish the world would abandon Markdown already and return to simple HTML)
Reposted by David Dunham
i really think there is legit political space for running on "we are going to dismantle ICE"
How it started vs. How it’s going NOW 👀
LA tow truck driver who towed ICE’s car found NOT GUILTY 🦸🏽♂️
LA tow truck driver who towed ICE’s car found NOT GUILTY 🦸🏽♂️
December 21, 2025 at 12:41 AM
i really think there is legit political space for running on "we are going to dismantle ICE"
Reposted by David Dunham
Six Ages for 10 dollars is a completely non-optional deal imo. if you don't know, it is your duty to find out
Everything is on sale for the Kitfox Steam Winter sale!
❄Store page: store.steampowered.com/publisher/ki...
❄Store page: store.steampowered.com/publisher/ki...
December 20, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Six Ages for 10 dollars is a completely non-optional deal imo. if you don't know, it is your duty to find out
Reposted by David Dunham
this is the greatest feeling, when the cord box proves its utility to a family member
December 20, 2025 at 6:35 AM
this is the greatest feeling, when the cord box proves its utility to a family member
Reposted by David Dunham
Everything is on sale for the Kitfox Steam Winter sale!
❄Store page: store.steampowered.com/publisher/ki...
❄Store page: store.steampowered.com/publisher/ki...
December 20, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Everything is on sale for the Kitfox Steam Winter sale!
❄Store page: store.steampowered.com/publisher/ki...
❄Store page: store.steampowered.com/publisher/ki...
Reposted by David Dunham
Please enjoy my top 10 free browser games of 2025:
1. Type Help william-rous.itch.io/type-help
2. Dragonsweeper danielben.itch.io/dragonsweeper/
3. Clues by Sam cluesbysam.com
4. Stimulation Clicker neal.fun/stimulation-...
5. The Collector split82.itch.io/the-collector
1. Type Help william-rous.itch.io/type-help
2. Dragonsweeper danielben.itch.io/dragonsweeper/
3. Clues by Sam cluesbysam.com
4. Stimulation Clicker neal.fun/stimulation-...
5. The Collector split82.itch.io/the-collector
Type Help by William Rous
The Unsolvable Mystery
william-rous.itch.io
December 12, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Please enjoy my top 10 free browser games of 2025:
1. Type Help william-rous.itch.io/type-help
2. Dragonsweeper danielben.itch.io/dragonsweeper/
3. Clues by Sam cluesbysam.com
4. Stimulation Clicker neal.fun/stimulation-...
5. The Collector split82.itch.io/the-collector
1. Type Help william-rous.itch.io/type-help
2. Dragonsweeper danielben.itch.io/dragonsweeper/
3. Clues by Sam cluesbysam.com
4. Stimulation Clicker neal.fun/stimulation-...
5. The Collector split82.itch.io/the-collector
Reposted by David Dunham
Quantic Foundry does legit trustworthy analysis of gamer behaviour, and these survey results are shockingly negative toward genAI, to the point where I’m more hopeful that data driven mobile and AAA backpedals on their uses.
everyone dislikes genai in games, but kids and story-focused players the most.
sounds like we'll be ok. just have to stay the course here and the "inevitable" new technology nobody likes will die. again.
quanticfoundry.com/2025/12/18/g...
sounds like we'll be ok. just have to stay the course here and the "inevitable" new technology nobody likes will die. again.
quanticfoundry.com/2025/12/18/g...
Gamers Are Overwhelmingly Negative About Gen AI in Video Games, but Attitudes Vary by Gender, Age, and Gaming Motivations.
Learn about how gender, age, and gaming motivations shape the perception of Gen AI in video games.
quanticfoundry.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Quantic Foundry does legit trustworthy analysis of gamer behaviour, and these survey results are shockingly negative toward genAI, to the point where I’m more hopeful that data driven mobile and AAA backpedals on their uses.
Reposted by David Dunham
ICE whistles work.
The horns and whistles work
What it's like to watch community activists stand up to a Border Patrol raid.
www.motherjones.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:09 PM
ICE whistles work.
Reposted by David Dunham
This is precisely how fascism works, by grabbing at and taking away a little more freedom whenever events lend themselves to it. Bit by bit you lose your rights, until you turn around and realize the road you're on has been long, and democracy is well behind you over the horizon.
The admin is wasting no crisis... Sec. Kristi Noem said she is suspending the diversity visa lottery program (DV-1) after the Brown University suspect entered the U.S. through it in 2017.
December 19, 2025 at 5:10 AM
This is precisely how fascism works, by grabbing at and taking away a little more freedom whenever events lend themselves to it. Bit by bit you lose your rights, until you turn around and realize the road you're on has been long, and democracy is well behind you over the horizon.
Reposted by David Dunham
Yes, it’s illegal. Like changing it to Department of War, like ten thousand other things. Part of the Trump strategy is to break the law and convey “the rule of law is weak and feminine and laughable and should be overridden by Our Guy.” Trump is fundamentally anti-law.
/1
/1
NEWS: They're adding Trump's name to the Kennedy Center building right now. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Kennedy Center adds Trump’s name to building
The signage change follows a vote by the board of trustees to rename the performing arts complex the Trump Kennedy Center.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Yes, it’s illegal. Like changing it to Department of War, like ten thousand other things. Part of the Trump strategy is to break the law and convey “the rule of law is weak and feminine and laughable and should be overridden by Our Guy.” Trump is fundamentally anti-law.
/1
/1
Reposted by David Dunham
We spoke to a dozen professional concept artists who are currently or have previously worked in game development about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs any easier.
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Concept Artists Say Generative AI References Only Make Their Jobs Harder
“The ‘early ideation stages’, when worlds are being fleshed out by writers and artists, are literally crucial to the development of a game’s vision,” said one artist.
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:06 PM
We spoke to a dozen professional concept artists who are currently or have previously worked in game development about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs any easier.
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Reposted by David Dunham
It almost goes without saying, but this is illegal. The name "John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" is established by law and the board doesn't have the power to change it. 20 USC 3 §§ 76h - 76s.
Kennedy Center to be renamed Trump-Kennedy Center —Karoline Leavitt x.com/PressSec/sta...
December 18, 2025 at 6:54 PM
It almost goes without saying, but this is illegal. The name "John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" is established by law and the board doesn't have the power to change it. 20 USC 3 §§ 76h - 76s.
Reposted by David Dunham
Trump Assures Struggling Nation He Has Plenty Of Money
December 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Trump Assures Struggling Nation He Has Plenty Of Money
Reposted by David Dunham
This is such a misunderstanding of why writers, artists, and designers do research to begin with, which is to find something unexpected, not capture the average or find reference for the default.
And, as always, the biggest misapprehension: We don’t want to NOT do this part. It’s fun to learn shit
And, as always, the biggest misapprehension: We don’t want to NOT do this part. It’s fun to learn shit
Anyone who supports this is an embarrassment. "Instead of typing it out they'll generate their idea"? Are you insane?
Call yourself whatever you want but you aren't creatives, that's for sure.
Call yourself whatever you want but you aren't creatives, that's for sure.
December 18, 2025 at 5:40 PM
This is such a misunderstanding of why writers, artists, and designers do research to begin with, which is to find something unexpected, not capture the average or find reference for the default.
And, as always, the biggest misapprehension: We don’t want to NOT do this part. It’s fun to learn shit
And, as always, the biggest misapprehension: We don’t want to NOT do this part. It’s fun to learn shit
Reposted by David Dunham
“Then came the chaos. Within days, Claudius had given away nearly all its inventory for free—including a PlayStation 5 it had been talked into buying for ‘marketing purposes.’ It ordered a live fish. It offered to buy stun guns, pepper spray, cigarettes and underwear.”
Don’t let AI run anything.
Don’t let AI run anything.
We Let AI Run Our Office Vending Machine. It Lost Hundreds of Dollars.
An AI agent ran a snack operation in the WSJ newsroom. It gave away a free PlayStation, ordered a live fish—and taught us lessons about the future of AI.
www.wsj.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:15 PM
“Then came the chaos. Within days, Claudius had given away nearly all its inventory for free—including a PlayStation 5 it had been talked into buying for ‘marketing purposes.’ It ordered a live fish. It offered to buy stun guns, pepper spray, cigarettes and underwear.”
Don’t let AI run anything.
Don’t let AI run anything.
Reposted by David Dunham
It's a shell game. Trump is taking money from soldiers' housing subsidies to "give" them $1,776 "warrior dividend" checks.
Trump rebrands Congressionally-approved troop housing subsidy as ‘warrior dividend’ bonus
More than $2.9 billion in reconciliation funds was allocated to beef up troop housing allowances. Now it’s being used for $1,776 checks.
www.defenseone.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:14 PM
It's a shell game. Trump is taking money from soldiers' housing subsidies to "give" them $1,776 "warrior dividend" checks.
Reposted by David Dunham
Inkle has made one game a year for 15 years without AI. Sometimes - and I stress only sometimes - two.
December 18, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Inkle has made one game a year for 15 years without AI. Sometimes - and I stress only sometimes - two.
Reposted by David Dunham
A break from Christmas content to enjoy this capybara eating a banana. From François Froger's 'A relation of a voyage ...' (London, 1698).
December 17, 2025 at 9:49 AM
A break from Christmas content to enjoy this capybara eating a banana. From François Froger's 'A relation of a voyage ...' (London, 1698).
Reposted by David Dunham
I intend to use my profits from the game to fund and uplift creators less privileged than he is. I’ve already begun that effort with the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant: grants.draknek.org
Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant
The Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant is a grant opportunity for game developers from traditionally underrepresented groups and backgrounds who are interested in designing and developing puzzle games.
grants.draknek.org
December 12, 2025 at 1:58 AM
I intend to use my profits from the game to fund and uplift creators less privileged than he is. I’ve already begun that effort with the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant: grants.draknek.org
Reposted by David Dunham
Not to go down this week's particular rabbit hole very deeply, but as a guy who was *in fact hiring Hollywood writers* between 2011 and 2018, four staffs in total, it seems a lot of smart commenters are missing I did not diversify my rooms to be woke, I diversified my rooms to have better rooms.
December 17, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Not to go down this week's particular rabbit hole very deeply, but as a guy who was *in fact hiring Hollywood writers* between 2011 and 2018, four staffs in total, it seems a lot of smart commenters are missing I did not diversify my rooms to be woke, I diversified my rooms to have better rooms.
I submitted a piece on “Procedural People” and am eager to see what everyone else did.
Interested in game-writing?
In early 2026 we'll be publishing a kaleidoscope: short articles by 100+ game writers - experts, freelancers, and juniors - about the craft.
~1/3 of them are in: multiple bangers, from some very famous names and games.
Sign up to be notified when it's ready here:
In early 2026 we'll be publishing a kaleidoscope: short articles by 100+ game writers - experts, freelancers, and juniors - about the craft.
~1/3 of them are in: multiple bangers, from some very famous names and games.
Sign up to be notified when it's ready here:
Sign up for news about the Game Writing Kaleidoscope
In early 2026 we’ll be publishing The Game Narrative Kaleidoscope, a collection of over 100 short essays by game writers about writing.
Featuring some very famous names, some highly experienced free...
forms.gle
December 18, 2025 at 4:38 AM
I submitted a piece on “Procedural People” and am eager to see what everyone else did.
Reposted by David Dunham
Heavy rains have turned an Iranian beach on Hormuz Island bright red after iron-oxide-rich soil from the area washed into the sea.
December 17, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Heavy rains have turned an Iranian beach on Hormuz Island bright red after iron-oxide-rich soil from the area washed into the sea.
Reposted by David Dunham
What is insane about these graphs is that for that insane dive in federal government employment, they haven't actually managed to spend any less money.
Change in employment since Trump took office, by sector. www.ms.now/opinion/trum...
December 17, 2025 at 5:47 PM
What is insane about these graphs is that for that insane dive in federal government employment, they haven't actually managed to spend any less money.