Stefan Pietraszak
@up-pity.bsky.social
SysAdmin, author, game designer, maker, game master, smash burger chef, miniature painter, typesetter, wrestling aficionado, lefty (in both applicable ways), punk rock singer, Marxist (of the Groucho variety), non-practicing shaman, time traveler from 1974
Now watching: Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001).
Not sure why I remembered that gem. Probably because of the Muppet Show relaunch?
Not sure why I remembered that gem. Probably because of the Muppet Show relaunch?
Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001) ⭐ 7.0 | Action, Adventure, Drama
2h 22m | R
www.imdb.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Now watching: Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001).
Not sure why I remembered that gem. Probably because of the Muppet Show relaunch?
Not sure why I remembered that gem. Probably because of the Muppet Show relaunch?
Fun fact: JFK said this while his nephew was snorting cocaine from a toilet seat.
February 14, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Fun fact: JFK said this while his nephew was snorting cocaine from a toilet seat.
Interesting thread by one of the best game designers working today (fact!).
For some reason I'm reminded of the time when I got my first TTRPG in the early 80s from an older cousin (he was 25ish, I was 11 or so), who basically said: "I didn't get it. You won't either".
For some reason I'm reminded of the time when I got my first TTRPG in the early 80s from an older cousin (he was 25ish, I was 11 or so), who basically said: "I didn't get it. You won't either".
While I think this is often true, it also elides another critical point: professional designers often don't realize how smart and capable people are, espeically people who don't play games. 🧵
It cannot be overstated how much hobby gamers underestimate how unintuitive and difficult hobby games are to non-gamers.
This is perhaps even more true of professional game designers, publishers and reviewers/pundits, broadly speaking.
This is perhaps even more true of professional game designers, publishers and reviewers/pundits, broadly speaking.
February 13, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Interesting thread by one of the best game designers working today (fact!).
For some reason I'm reminded of the time when I got my first TTRPG in the early 80s from an older cousin (he was 25ish, I was 11 or so), who basically said: "I didn't get it. You won't either".
For some reason I'm reminded of the time when I got my first TTRPG in the early 80s from an older cousin (he was 25ish, I was 11 or so), who basically said: "I didn't get it. You won't either".
FYI: today the Rhenish Carnival starts. Meaning that if you're in the vicinity of Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bonn or Aachen, you should leave the area or seek shelter until Tuesday.
February 12, 2026 at 8:07 AM
FYI: today the Rhenish Carnival starts. Meaning that if you're in the vicinity of Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bonn or Aachen, you should leave the area or seek shelter until Tuesday.
I've always said that the only true video games are board games that require a VCR.
a video game is a type of game that is made out of video
February 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
I've always said that the only true video games are board games that require a VCR.
There are a myriad of TTRPGs out there, most doing one thing really well, offering a great experience for folks looking for that specific thing. The 800 pound gorilla in the room tries to do a lot of things, all of which it does "good enough". DS does that lot of things, too, just much better.
I love that shit just works in Draw Steel. "Do you have the skill? That's good enough. Here's what you know."
Skills are mostly about expressing character. Just having the skill says a lot about you. Needing to roll should mean danger, drama, tension.
Skills are mostly about expressing character. Just having the skill says a lot about you. Needing to roll should mean danger, drama, tension.
February 12, 2026 at 7:06 AM
There are a myriad of TTRPGs out there, most doing one thing really well, offering a great experience for folks looking for that specific thing. The 800 pound gorilla in the room tries to do a lot of things, all of which it does "good enough". DS does that lot of things, too, just much better.
After decades of using a wallet, I finally lost mine. Used to nod along in agreement to the chorus, but not anymore.
Not complaining, it's okay. Just wanted to post this song 🤷♂️
Not complaining, it's okay. Just wanted to post this song 🤷♂️
Hope I Never Lose My Wallet
YouTube video by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Topic
www.youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:40 PM
After decades of using a wallet, I finally lost mine. Used to nod along in agreement to the chorus, but not anymore.
Not complaining, it's okay. Just wanted to post this song 🤷♂️
Not complaining, it's okay. Just wanted to post this song 🤷♂️
YSK: one of these wrestlers, Brody King, is known for being anti-ICE, which might explain this somewhat.
Anyway, love to hear this. More, please.
Anyway, love to hear this. More, please.
Wow! What sounded like the entire AEW Dynamite audience in Las Vegas tonight chanted "Fuck ICE! Fuck ICE!" in unison before the main event
February 10, 2026 at 3:53 PM
YSK: one of these wrestlers, Brody King, is known for being anti-ICE, which might explain this somewhat.
Anyway, love to hear this. More, please.
Anyway, love to hear this. More, please.
In zwei Monaten haben sie den Chrupalla in die Ecke gedrückt, dass er quietscht. Ganz, ganz bestimmt.
Ich kann die Erläuterungen der Redaktion durchaus nachvollziehen, was meine Ansicht zu diesen rückratlosen Steigbügelhaltern deutlich zum Ausdruck bringen sollte.
Ich kann die Erläuterungen der Redaktion durchaus nachvollziehen, was meine Ansicht zu diesen rückratlosen Steigbügelhaltern deutlich zum Ausdruck bringen sollte.
Die "Caren #Miosga"- Redaktion hat mir schnell geantwortet. Bin nun umso mehr irritiert: #Rechtsextremismus darf für Demokrat:innen niemals "umstritten" sein, sondern ist selbstverständlich mit klarer Haltung abzulehnen. Egal in wie vielen Parlamenten Rechtsextremist:innen sitzen. #noAfD #ARD
February 10, 2026 at 3:15 PM
In zwei Monaten haben sie den Chrupalla in die Ecke gedrückt, dass er quietscht. Ganz, ganz bestimmt.
Ich kann die Erläuterungen der Redaktion durchaus nachvollziehen, was meine Ansicht zu diesen rückratlosen Steigbügelhaltern deutlich zum Ausdruck bringen sollte.
Ich kann die Erläuterungen der Redaktion durchaus nachvollziehen, was meine Ansicht zu diesen rückratlosen Steigbügelhaltern deutlich zum Ausdruck bringen sollte.
Was mir beizeiten erklärt werden sollte: wie der Mangel an Integrationskursen der sog. Integration zuträglich ist.
Ach so, #selbsterfüllendeProphezeiung, kk
Ach so, #selbsterfüllendeProphezeiung, kk
Die #Bundesregierung will offenbar #Integrationskurse stark einschränken: Künftig sollen sie nur noch Menschen mit „Bleibeperspektive“ bekommen – das könnte auch viele Ukrainer:innen treffen. Kurse könnten außerdem monatelang nicht bewilligt werden.
Integrationskurse für Migranten voraussichtlich noch für Monate auf Eis
Die Bundesregierung will nur noch Zugewanderten Integrationskurse gewähren, die eine „Bleibeperspektive“ haben – auch Ukrainern nicht mehr.
correctiv.org
February 7, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Was mir beizeiten erklärt werden sollte: wie der Mangel an Integrationskursen der sog. Integration zuträglich ist.
Ach so, #selbsterfüllendeProphezeiung, kk
Ach so, #selbsterfüllendeProphezeiung, kk
The lights have been dimmed for quite some time now, which is the reason for the WaPo's decline in subscribers (the current layoffs will only accelerate this). Oh well, it's not like he bought the paper as a financial investment anyway ...
February 6, 2026 at 8:30 AM
The lights have been dimmed for quite some time now, which is the reason for the WaPo's decline in subscribers (the current layoffs will only accelerate this). Oh well, it's not like he bought the paper as a financial investment anyway ...
No, no, they *are* protecting the victims. They just use a different metric to determine who's a victim and who's a perpetrator.
Exclusive | Epstein Files Release Exposes Names of at Least 43 Victims, WSJ Review Finds
The Justice Department was required to redact all victims’ names prior to releasing the files.
www.wsj.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:15 AM
No, no, they *are* protecting the victims. They just use a different metric to determine who's a victim and who's a perpetrator.
We turn
And look for help
But it comes
Only from ourselves
And we know the ice we melt
Is the passion of our lives
Don't know about you, but this punk rock song from the early 1990s will be my anthem for the foreseeable future. #WeCanMeltTheICE
And look for help
But it comes
Only from ourselves
And we know the ice we melt
Is the passion of our lives
Don't know about you, but this punk rock song from the early 1990s will be my anthem for the foreseeable future. #WeCanMeltTheICE
Spermbirds - Melt The Ice
YouTube video by RookieRecordsGermany
www.youtube.com
January 25, 2026 at 11:46 AM
We turn
And look for help
But it comes
Only from ourselves
And we know the ice we melt
Is the passion of our lives
Don't know about you, but this punk rock song from the early 1990s will be my anthem for the foreseeable future. #WeCanMeltTheICE
And look for help
But it comes
Only from ourselves
And we know the ice we melt
Is the passion of our lives
Don't know about you, but this punk rock song from the early 1990s will be my anthem for the foreseeable future. #WeCanMeltTheICE
Seems like I did well in choosing both my favorite RPG (Draw Steel) and favorite board game (Arcs) – not that I had much of a choice in the matter, mind you, as both were (coincidentally) tailor-made to my taste. But seeing creators of both distinctly speaking out ...
1/2
1/2
January 25, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Seems like I did well in choosing both my favorite RPG (Draw Steel) and favorite board game (Arcs) – not that I had much of a choice in the matter, mind you, as both were (coincidentally) tailor-made to my taste. But seeing creators of both distinctly speaking out ...
1/2
1/2
Never *ever* forget that sane people are still in the majority. Main difference to the right wing grifters and bad actors: sane people don't tend to constantly scream hateful gibberish.
in case you're curious about how angry Minnesota is about ICE, it was -20 today
January 24, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Never *ever* forget that sane people are still in the majority. Main difference to the right wing grifters and bad actors: sane people don't tend to constantly scream hateful gibberish.
Once again thankful for Draw Steel.
(It's not a D&D bashing video, that's not his style.)
[Watch it for his comments on Moorcock, if nothing else.]
{Great channel overall, btw.}
(It's not a D&D bashing video, that's not his style.)
[Watch it for his comments on Moorcock, if nothing else.]
{Great channel overall, btw.}
Bioessentialism in Gaming
YouTube video by LegalKimchi
www.youtube.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Once again thankful for Draw Steel.
(It's not a D&D bashing video, that's not his style.)
[Watch it for his comments on Moorcock, if nothing else.]
{Great channel overall, btw.}
(It's not a D&D bashing video, that's not his style.)
[Watch it for his comments on Moorcock, if nothing else.]
{Great channel overall, btw.}
The reason the Department of Labor didn't go for the more obvious slogan: deniability. Rile up the opposition while not losing the not yet fully radicalized followers. "Work sets you free" would've been just a little much on the nose. In a year or two perhaps?
Trump Labor Department's Chilling Slogan Draws Damning Comparisons
The social media post was hauntingly familiar, said critics.
www.yahoo.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:02 AM
The reason the Department of Labor didn't go for the more obvious slogan: deniability. Rile up the opposition while not losing the not yet fully radicalized followers. "Work sets you free" would've been just a little much on the nose. In a year or two perhaps?
If you like to play Fallout 4 every now and again and have any mods installed, Bethesda might've given you a Christmas gift you didn't ask for, and thanks to an update it crashes on start up.
If that's the case for you, grab the old version again, as explained here:
If that's the case for you, grab the old version again, as explained here:
forums.nexusmods.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:03 AM
If you like to play Fallout 4 every now and again and have any mods installed, Bethesda might've given you a Christmas gift you didn't ask for, and thanks to an update it crashes on start up.
If that's the case for you, grab the old version again, as explained here:
If that's the case for you, grab the old version again, as explained here:
Thinking about how only people born between, say, 1970 and 1995 are any good with technology (generally speaking, of course; there's always exceptions – you, for instance). Any older, and they see computers as incomprehensible sorcery. Any younger, and there was no longer a reason to understand it.
January 6, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Thinking about how only people born between, say, 1970 and 1995 are any good with technology (generally speaking, of course; there's always exceptions – you, for instance). Any older, and they see computers as incomprehensible sorcery. Any younger, and there was no longer a reason to understand it.
Just finished Stranger Things Season 5. And before I give my inconsequential verdict, I only now realized that the show isn't called "Trange Things", because I watched it on a vintage tube TV.
Anyhow ...
Anyhow ...
January 6, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Just finished Stranger Things Season 5. And before I give my inconsequential verdict, I only now realized that the show isn't called "Trange Things", because I watched it on a vintage tube TV.
Anyhow ...
Anyhow ...
Many times somebody criticizes #DrawSteel, it seems to me that their d20 bias is showing. "Doing diddly squat on your turn by wildly missing is good actually", "there's tons of material for the much older system", "stamina should work like HP+AC", etc. pp.
Good criticism this is not.
Good criticism this is not.
January 6, 2026 at 12:43 PM
Many times somebody criticizes #DrawSteel, it seems to me that their d20 bias is showing. "Doing diddly squat on your turn by wildly missing is good actually", "there's tons of material for the much older system", "stamina should work like HP+AC", etc. pp.
Good criticism this is not.
Good criticism this is not.
Dictators are not satisfied with what they conquer, they're emboldened by it.
January 5, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Dictators are not satisfied with what they conquer, they're emboldened by it.
If Microsoft wasn't what it is, it'd be slightly amusing that their app to administrate their volume licensing is called "MAC".
December 18, 2025 at 7:54 AM
If Microsoft wasn't what it is, it'd be slightly amusing that their app to administrate their volume licensing is called "MAC".
Finally, the first session of #DrawSteel looms large! Literally. Currently in the prepping phase for the #DelianTomb (while also moving apartments ...), and wow, those maps are HUGE. Not complaining, mind, they need to be (happy they're included).
Friday can't come fast enough.
Friday can't come fast enough.
December 17, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Finally, the first session of #DrawSteel looms large! Literally. Currently in the prepping phase for the #DelianTomb (while also moving apartments ...), and wow, those maps are HUGE. Not complaining, mind, they need to be (happy they're included).
Friday can't come fast enough.
Friday can't come fast enough.
That reminds me of showing some friends "The Princess Bride". Watching it for the first time, they weren't into it, until finally somebody said: "I get it now. It's so bad, it's good."
That was back in the early to mid 2010s. And that's the beginning of everything going to shit for everyone.
That was back in the early to mid 2010s. And that's the beginning of everything going to shit for everyone.
December 15, 2025 at 10:37 AM
That reminds me of showing some friends "The Princess Bride". Watching it for the first time, they weren't into it, until finally somebody said: "I get it now. It's so bad, it's good."
That was back in the early to mid 2010s. And that's the beginning of everything going to shit for everyone.
That was back in the early to mid 2010s. And that's the beginning of everything going to shit for everyone.