Andrew Plotkin
@eblong.com
An interactive fiction guy. https://zarfhome.com, https://blog.zarfhome.com, https://eblong.com/zarf/home.html
Pinned
Andrew Plotkin
@eblong.com
· Oct 23
Intro post!
I'm a game designer and developer. I've written a bunch of old-style inteactive fiction. Then I helped start an IF nonprofit (IFComp, NarraScope, other stuff).
Currently job-hunting but also releasing small interactive narrative games.
I'm a game designer and developer. I've written a bunch of old-style inteactive fiction. Then I helped start an IF nonprofit (IFComp, NarraScope, other stuff).
Currently job-hunting but also releasing small interactive narrative games.
Reposted by Andrew Plotkin
If you're in or around Cambridge (US) tonight at 6:30pm, come join me to chat about DEAD HAND RULE! I'll be reading, talking, answering questions, and signing books.
pandemoniumbooks.com/products/aut...
pandemoniumbooks.com/products/aut...
Dead Hand Rule: Book Three of the Craft Wars Series by Gladstone, Max (Paperback)
From the co-author of the viral New York Times bestseller This Is How You Lose the Time War....Great powers clash and epic action unfolds in book three of the Craft Wars series. The time until the end...
pandemoniumbooks.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:35 PM
If you're in or around Cambridge (US) tonight at 6:30pm, come join me to chat about DEAD HAND RULE! I'll be reading, talking, answering questions, and signing books.
pandemoniumbooks.com/products/aut...
pandemoniumbooks.com/products/aut...
Re last comment… (I can never remember whether everybody sees replies, so I'll repost:)
Last week I gave a ThinkyCon talk: “Towers of Pen: puzzle experiences that zoom out and out”
The video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHxZ...
The talk as a web page, text and slides: eblong.com/zarf/essays/...
Last week I gave a ThinkyCon talk: “Towers of Pen: puzzle experiences that zoom out and out”
The video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHxZ...
The talk as a web page, text and slides: eblong.com/zarf/essays/...
Towers of Pen: puzzle experiences that zoom out and out - Andrew Plotkin (ThinkyCon 2025)
YouTube video by Thinky Games
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Re last comment… (I can never remember whether everybody sees replies, so I'll repost:)
Last week I gave a ThinkyCon talk: “Towers of Pen: puzzle experiences that zoom out and out”
The video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHxZ...
The talk as a web page, text and slides: eblong.com/zarf/essays/...
Last week I gave a ThinkyCon talk: “Towers of Pen: puzzle experiences that zoom out and out”
The video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHxZ...
The talk as a web page, text and slides: eblong.com/zarf/essays/...
Reposted by Andrew Plotkin
Andrew Plotkin's interactive fiction games are known for their mind-expanding metapuzzling. Appropriate, then, that his talk about designing them was equally mind-expanding!
Towers of Pen: puzzle experiences that zoom out and out - Andrew Plotkin (ThinkyCon 2025)
Andrew Plotkin joins us at ThinkyCon 2025 to present the talk: "Towers of Pen: puzzle experiences that zoom out and out"
Talk description: What does it mean to take a puzzle to the next level? In Hadean Lands (parser IF, 2014) I designed a game where every solved puzzle "collapses" to become a sing
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Andrew Plotkin's interactive fiction games are known for their mind-expanding metapuzzling. Appropriate, then, that his talk about designing them was equally mind-expanding!
10. Halfway through the movie, James Bond turns to the camera, smirks, and says “What, dear, never seen a regeneration before?” And then gets back to the story.
9. Airbags!
9. Airbags!
November 11, 2025 at 10:19 PM
10. Halfway through the movie, James Bond turns to the camera, smirks, and says “What, dear, never seen a regeneration before?” And then gets back to the story.
9. Airbags!
9. Airbags!
Reposted by Andrew Plotkin
Presenting our newest archival collection:
The Andrew Nelson papers, from the writer of the 1996 mystery game Titanic: Adventure Out of Time 🚢
Read more:
The Andrew Nelson papers, from the writer of the 1996 mystery game Titanic: Adventure Out of Time 🚢
Read more:
Our first narrative collection: the Andrew Nelson papers | Video Game History Foundation
A new archival collection from the writer of the mystery game Titanic: Adventure Out of Time.
gamehistory.org
October 29, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Presenting our newest archival collection:
The Andrew Nelson papers, from the writer of the 1996 mystery game Titanic: Adventure Out of Time 🚢
Read more:
The Andrew Nelson papers, from the writer of the 1996 mystery game Titanic: Adventure Out of Time 🚢
Read more:
I see I'm just going to have to outlive the era of “nostalgic for PS1 graphics”. Those pixels wuz nasty, yough.
November 8, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I see I'm just going to have to outlive the era of “nostalgic for PS1 graphics”. Those pixels wuz nasty, yough.
Reposted by Andrew Plotkin
Two more weeks to apply to our microgrants program! We've received a few applications already (wooo!) but there is room left, so shoot your shot!
Head over to blog.iftechfoundation.org/2025-10-12-2..., and ask us any lingering questions - we want to hear from you!
Head over to blog.iftechfoundation.org/2025-10-12-2..., and ask us any lingering questions - we want to hear from you!
2026 IFTF Microgrant Applications Now Open!
You can now apply to our third grant cycle!
blog.iftechfoundation.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Two more weeks to apply to our microgrants program! We've received a few applications already (wooo!) but there is room left, so shoot your shot!
Head over to blog.iftechfoundation.org/2025-10-12-2..., and ask us any lingering questions - we want to hear from you!
Head over to blog.iftechfoundation.org/2025-10-12-2..., and ask us any lingering questions - we want to hear from you!
November 3, 2025 at 10:26 PM
I grabbed the new free-without-AI Affinity 3.
First thing I tried to do is switch it into light theme. That... doesn't exist any more? Am I seeing this right? The preference documented for Affinity 2 no longer exists.
First thing I tried to do is switch it into light theme. That... doesn't exist any more? Am I seeing this right? The preference documented for Affinity 2 no longer exists.
November 1, 2025 at 2:48 PM
I grabbed the new free-without-AI Affinity 3.
First thing I tried to do is switch it into light theme. That... doesn't exist any more? Am I seeing this right? The preference documented for Affinity 2 no longer exists.
First thing I tried to do is switch it into light theme. That... doesn't exist any more? Am I seeing this right? The preference documented for Affinity 2 no longer exists.
Reposted by Andrew Plotkin
American friends, esp fellow freelancers, workers whose employers offer NO health insurance, entrepreneurs, small business owners.
Yep, I've been ALL of those things. The BIGGEST obstacle to my career dreams has been health coverage. If you're on the ACA exchange, here's some practical help.
Yep, I've been ALL of those things. The BIGGEST obstacle to my career dreams has been health coverage. If you're on the ACA exchange, here's some practical help.
📣📣📣 The 2026 #ACA Open Enrollment Period launches TOMORROW, so here's my annual guide: 13 important things to know before you #GetCovered.
It's gonna be ugly for most this year, but there are things you can do to mitigate the carnage & even some pleasant surprises:
acasignups.net/25/10/27/slo...
It's gonna be ugly for most this year, but there are things you can do to mitigate the carnage & even some pleasant surprises:
acasignups.net/25/10/27/slo...
Slouching towards Enrollment: My 2026 ACA OEP Guide
Almost exactly a year ago I began my 2025 ACA Open Enrollment Period guide with the following words: This is the best OEP ever for the ACA for several reasons: The expanded/enhanced premium subsidies ...
acasignups.net
November 1, 2025 at 1:23 AM
American friends, esp fellow freelancers, workers whose employers offer NO health insurance, entrepreneurs, small business owners.
Yep, I've been ALL of those things. The BIGGEST obstacle to my career dreams has been health coverage. If you're on the ACA exchange, here's some practical help.
Yep, I've been ALL of those things. The BIGGEST obstacle to my career dreams has been health coverage. If you're on the ACA exchange, here's some practical help.
I'm giving a talk at ThinkyCon 2025!
thinkygames.com/events/think...
Towers of Pen: puzzle experiences that zoom out and out
Thursday, November 6th
4:00 - 4:30 pm (Eastern time)
Free, streamed online.
thinkygames.com/events/think...
Towers of Pen: puzzle experiences that zoom out and out
Thursday, November 6th
4:00 - 4:30 pm (Eastern time)
Free, streamed online.
ThinkyCon 2025 · Thinky Games
Puzzle design, art, development, production — learn about every aspect of crafting thinky games.
thinkygames.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:32 AM
I'm giving a talk at ThinkyCon 2025!
thinkygames.com/events/think...
Towers of Pen: puzzle experiences that zoom out and out
Thursday, November 6th
4:00 - 4:30 pm (Eastern time)
Free, streamed online.
thinkygames.com/events/think...
Towers of Pen: puzzle experiences that zoom out and out
Thursday, November 6th
4:00 - 4:30 pm (Eastern time)
Free, streamed online.
Rolled credits on Spooky Express. Good stuff as always from Draknek.
(The number of bonus levels that pop up after the credits is a legit jump scare.)
(The number of bonus levels that pop up after the credits is a legit jump scare.)
October 30, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Rolled credits on Spooky Express. Good stuff as always from Draknek.
(The number of bonus levels that pop up after the credits is a legit jump scare.)
(The number of bonus levels that pop up after the credits is a legit jump scare.)
Reposted by Andrew Plotkin
DEAD HAND RULE is out today! As an implacable enemy skitters nearer across the stars, Tara Abernathy gathers Gods and Deathless Kings alike to join forces. Of course, there's still a little fine print to be sorted out. But surely they'll be able to come together against the darkness. Any minute now.
October 28, 2025 at 4:04 PM
DEAD HAND RULE is out today! As an implacable enemy skitters nearer across the stars, Tara Abernathy gathers Gods and Deathless Kings alike to join forces. Of course, there's still a little fine print to be sorted out. But surely they'll be able to come together against the darkness. Any minute now.
Bunch of headlines today of the form "Microsoft Pushes Xbox Division to Hit Higher Profit Margins". E.g. www.theverge.com/news/805280/...
> Microsoft CFO Amy Hood set across-the-board targets of 30 percent profit margins in fall 2023
> Microsoft CFO Amy Hood set across-the-board targets of 30 percent profit margins in fall 2023
Microsoft cancels next surprise hit game
Dateline May 7th (or May 2, or Apr 12, or Mar 28, or...) Microsoft shocked industry observers today by announcing the cancellation of its upcoming unexpected hit game. The title was still in productio...
blog.zarfhome.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Bunch of headlines today of the form "Microsoft Pushes Xbox Division to Hit Higher Profit Margins". E.g. www.theverge.com/news/805280/...
> Microsoft CFO Amy Hood set across-the-board targets of 30 percent profit margins in fall 2023
> Microsoft CFO Amy Hood set across-the-board targets of 30 percent profit margins in fall 2023
"Bloodhound Detective Agency, whenever there's trouble we're there on the double, Mr Bloodhound isn't here.”
(…It's been in my head.)
(…It's been in my head.)
October 20, 2025 at 1:23 AM
"Bloodhound Detective Agency, whenever there's trouble we're there on the double, Mr Bloodhound isn't here.”
(…It's been in my head.)
(…It's been in my head.)
Tron Ares wasn't a great movie but somehow I came up with a post's worth of things to say about it.
I dunno, I just work here, man.
blog.zarfhome.com/2025/10/tron...
I dunno, I just work here, man.
blog.zarfhome.com/2025/10/tron...
Thoughts, I swear, on Tron: Ares
Really? I'm going to blog about a movie which will shortly be known only as Jared Leto's last stop before oblivion? (I wrote that before checking wikipedia. Apparently Leto has been cast as Skeletor i...
blog.zarfhome.com
October 17, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Tron Ares wasn't a great movie but somehow I came up with a post's worth of things to say about it.
I dunno, I just work here, man.
blog.zarfhome.com/2025/10/tron...
I dunno, I just work here, man.
blog.zarfhome.com/2025/10/tron...
Reposted by Andrew Plotkin
Hellooooooo! We will be posting some talk recordings and stuff regularly and as it gets closer to the conference there will be even more posting!
October 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Hellooooooo! We will be posting some talk recordings and stuff regularly and as it gets closer to the conference there will be even more posting!
Saw the new Tron movie.
It was better than the trailer made it look. Not substantial, and you have to kind of imagine that Jared Leto is having an emotion -- this is not his forte -- but it hits its marks and is a movie. Introducing all new characters, too (modulo obvious cameo).
It was better than the trailer made it look. Not substantial, and you have to kind of imagine that Jared Leto is having an emotion -- this is not his forte -- but it hits its marks and is a movie. Introducing all new characters, too (modulo obvious cameo).
October 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Saw the new Tron movie.
It was better than the trailer made it look. Not substantial, and you have to kind of imagine that Jared Leto is having an emotion -- this is not his forte -- but it hits its marks and is a movie. Introducing all new characters, too (modulo obvious cameo).
It was better than the trailer made it look. Not substantial, and you have to kind of imagine that Jared Leto is having an emotion -- this is not his forte -- but it hits its marks and is a movie. Introducing all new characters, too (modulo obvious cameo).
Reposted by Andrew Plotkin
Gavin Newsom is a shitheel who should never be president, but the legislation he vetoed was unconstitutional, poorly written, both underinclusive and overexclusive, a severe privacy infringement for adults, and would have done nothing but cost California lots of money in court (to lose)
October 15, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Gavin Newsom is a shitheel who should never be president, but the legislation he vetoed was unconstitutional, poorly written, both underinclusive and overexclusive, a severe privacy infringement for adults, and would have done nothing but cost California lots of money in court (to lose)
Reposted by Andrew Plotkin
Just a few more days to play (and judge!) this year's batch of games in the annual Interactive Fiction competition!
It's the weekend! It's also the FINAL WEEKEND before IFComp 2025 wraps! Remember to get those final votes in. Also, if you are in a position to do so and have not yet contributed to this year's Colossal Fund, we're just a bit short of our stretch goal. Thank you! Have fun!
October 12, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Just a few more days to play (and judge!) this year's batch of games in the annual Interactive Fiction competition!
Reposted by Andrew Plotkin
Our microgrants program is back for a third year! This year again, IFTF is looking to disburse $3,000 to cool projects related to interactive fiction that could benefit from a little bit of cash. More details on our blog post!
2026 IFTF Microgrant Applications Now Open!
You can now apply to our third grant cycle!
blog.iftechfoundation.org
October 12, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Our microgrants program is back for a third year! This year again, IFTF is looking to disburse $3,000 to cool projects related to interactive fiction that could benefit from a little bit of cash. More details on our blog post!
The annoying bit where you're five paragraphs into writing a post about why fantasy author X wrote a world with Y when our world contains only Z, and exactly what Y might be like in real life...
October 11, 2025 at 1:17 AM
The annoying bit where you're five paragraphs into writing a post about why fantasy author X wrote a world with Y when our world contains only Z, and exactly what Y might be like in real life...
I snapshotted the opening of each transcript in my old Infocom transcript printout collection.
blog.zarfhome.com/2025/10/old-...
Doesn't reveal much new, but it was fun.
(I was hoping to determine the release number of the version of Suspended that I played, but the transcript doesn't show it.)
blog.zarfhome.com/2025/10/old-...
Doesn't reveal much new, but it was fun.
(I was hoping to determine the release number of the version of Suspended that I played, but the transcript doesn't show it.)
My old Infocom transcripts
Back when I was a kid, after I solved an Infocom game, I'd print out a transcript of a
blog.zarfhome.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:32 PM
I snapshotted the opening of each transcript in my old Infocom transcript printout collection.
blog.zarfhome.com/2025/10/old-...
Doesn't reveal much new, but it was fun.
(I was hoping to determine the release number of the version of Suspended that I played, but the transcript doesn't show it.)
blog.zarfhome.com/2025/10/old-...
Doesn't reveal much new, but it was fun.
(I was hoping to determine the release number of the version of Suspended that I played, but the transcript doesn't show it.)
I have mastered the MPMediaItemPropertyArtwork property.
October 6, 2025 at 9:56 PM
I have mastered the MPMediaItemPropertyArtwork property.