gril
@funambulism.com
Narratives, philosophies, arts.
Currently: (Unannounced x 2), ZEPHON, Warhammer 40K: Gladius, Min/Max
Previously: Tides of Tomorrow, Nightingale, RimWorld, Total War: Warhammer III, Endless Dungeon, , Absolver...
https://linktr.ee/griddleoctopus
Currently: (Unannounced x 2), ZEPHON, Warhammer 40K: Gladius, Min/Max
Previously: Tides of Tomorrow, Nightingale, RimWorld, Total War: Warhammer III, Endless Dungeon, , Absolver...
https://linktr.ee/griddleoctopus
Pinned
gril
@funambulism.com
· Apr 28
Babysteps in Belief-Building
"The richness an enshrined contradiction gives to a belief system and world cannot be understated."
funambulism.com
My article for Worldbuilding Magazine on using philosophy to create believable settings.
Reposted by gril
I learned from an early age, that even if you comply with societal expectations, people will still complain about you and what you're doing.
This is usually not because of some real grievance, it is an attempt at control.
Fuck em. And fuck control. Do what makes you happy, but don't hurt anyone.
This is usually not because of some real grievance, it is an attempt at control.
Fuck em. And fuck control. Do what makes you happy, but don't hurt anyone.
December 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I learned from an early age, that even if you comply with societal expectations, people will still complain about you and what you're doing.
This is usually not because of some real grievance, it is an attempt at control.
Fuck em. And fuck control. Do what makes you happy, but don't hurt anyone.
This is usually not because of some real grievance, it is an attempt at control.
Fuck em. And fuck control. Do what makes you happy, but don't hurt anyone.
Reposted by gril
It was deeply cathartic to be asked to contribute some thoughts to this piece on the use of LLM chatbots in NPC dialogue. And a privilege to be among such insightful company.
Very grateful to @samuelhorti.bsky.social for giving us so much breadth and depth to discuss such a hefty topic.
Very grateful to @samuelhorti.bsky.social for giving us so much breadth and depth to discuss such a hefty topic.
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:45 PM
It was deeply cathartic to be asked to contribute some thoughts to this piece on the use of LLM chatbots in NPC dialogue. And a privilege to be among such insightful company.
Very grateful to @samuelhorti.bsky.social for giving us so much breadth and depth to discuss such a hefty topic.
Very grateful to @samuelhorti.bsky.social for giving us so much breadth and depth to discuss such a hefty topic.
Reposted by gril
i think you can do this but have to design the game around it. you have to have enough hypersurfaces to pen the pointer in to the space of things which might be fun to do. but nobody knows how to do this, quite, and this is a type of constraint, not a type of freedom.
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:44 PM
i think you can do this but have to design the game around it. you have to have enough hypersurfaces to pen the pointer in to the space of things which might be fun to do. but nobody knows how to do this, quite, and this is a type of constraint, not a type of freedom.
Reposted by gril
Recently had a comment about my work on NPCs go a lil viral on YT and it's actually scary how many people want gAI NPCs.
You can have natural language processing without gAI. Look at Façade.
It's just that gAI is the latest jangling keys from gamers and they think they want it.
You can have natural language processing without gAI. Look at Façade.
It's just that gAI is the latest jangling keys from gamers and they think they want it.
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Recently had a comment about my work on NPCs go a lil viral on YT and it's actually scary how many people want gAI NPCs.
You can have natural language processing without gAI. Look at Façade.
It's just that gAI is the latest jangling keys from gamers and they think they want it.
You can have natural language processing without gAI. Look at Façade.
It's just that gAI is the latest jangling keys from gamers and they think they want it.
Reposted by gril
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
Reposted by gril
We can’t afford a $1M trailer slot 😔
But reposts on Bluesky cost $0 - and they really help tiny teams like ours ❤️
If cozy medieval creativity is your thing, here’s our Scriptorium trailer!
But reposts on Bluesky cost $0 - and they really help tiny teams like ours ❤️
If cozy medieval creativity is your thing, here’s our Scriptorium trailer!
December 11, 2025 at 6:08 PM
We can’t afford a $1M trailer slot 😔
But reposts on Bluesky cost $0 - and they really help tiny teams like ours ❤️
If cozy medieval creativity is your thing, here’s our Scriptorium trailer!
But reposts on Bluesky cost $0 - and they really help tiny teams like ours ❤️
If cozy medieval creativity is your thing, here’s our Scriptorium trailer!
Reposted by gril
Hedwig and the Angry Grinch.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Grinch
Honey, I Shrunk the Grinch
December 18, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Hedwig and the Angry Grinch.
Reposted by gril
Either way it's a little project for yourself.
December 18, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Either way it's a little project for yourself.
Reposted by gril
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 11, 2025 at 7:46 PM
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:
As a Hannkuah present to myself, I did a classic Vinted gamble and bought a pile of Warhammer models that were far too cheap to be real, which means it's almost certainly a scam so I'll spend a few hours next week trying to get my money back. 🧑🎄👹🎁
December 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
As a Hannkuah present to myself, I did a classic Vinted gamble and bought a pile of Warhammer models that were far too cheap to be real, which means it's almost certainly a scam so I'll spend a few hours next week trying to get my money back. 🧑🎄👹🎁
Reposted by gril
#TTRPG persons: you have until Christmas Day to get hold of our beloved and acclaimed TEETH zines of 18th century horror, lost pigs, and ballgowns, at a bold 50% off!
It's the incredibly toothsome TEETHAZINE Bundle: itch.io/s/167336/tee...
It's the incredibly toothsome TEETHAZINE Bundle: itch.io/s/167336/tee...
TEETHazine Bundle by TEETH: A ROLEPLAYING GAME
A bundle by TEETH: A ROLEPLAYING GAME, $13.00 for STRANGER & STRANGER, BLOOD COTILLION, MORE TEETH
itch.io
December 17, 2025 at 12:32 PM
#TTRPG persons: you have until Christmas Day to get hold of our beloved and acclaimed TEETH zines of 18th century horror, lost pigs, and ballgowns, at a bold 50% off!
It's the incredibly toothsome TEETHAZINE Bundle: itch.io/s/167336/tee...
It's the incredibly toothsome TEETHAZINE Bundle: itch.io/s/167336/tee...
December 17, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Reposted by gril
Reposted by gril
Admitting and owning when you are wrong, will actually make you popular.
I really fucking do not know where so much of humanity has a psychosis on not being wrong, not admitting when we're wrong, WE MUST BE RIGHT GODDAMMIT
It's sick. It's weird.
And yeah there's people, even people you love...
I really fucking do not know where so much of humanity has a psychosis on not being wrong, not admitting when we're wrong, WE MUST BE RIGHT GODDAMMIT
It's sick. It's weird.
And yeah there's people, even people you love...
December 17, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Admitting and owning when you are wrong, will actually make you popular.
I really fucking do not know where so much of humanity has a psychosis on not being wrong, not admitting when we're wrong, WE MUST BE RIGHT GODDAMMIT
It's sick. It's weird.
And yeah there's people, even people you love...
I really fucking do not know where so much of humanity has a psychosis on not being wrong, not admitting when we're wrong, WE MUST BE RIGHT GODDAMMIT
It's sick. It's weird.
And yeah there's people, even people you love...
Reposted by gril
reminder you can sign up to be notified when it launches 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 17, 2025 at 10:49 AM
reminder you can sign up to be notified when it launches here
Reposted by gril
rude but yeah I kinda agree lol
I don't want Infinite Possibilities I want to know a writer wrote something compelling for me to experience. giving my idiot ass "agency" over the story just diminishes it
I don't want Infinite Possibilities I want to know a writer wrote something compelling for me to experience. giving my idiot ass "agency" over the story just diminishes it
December 7, 2025 at 10:26 PM
rude but yeah I kinda agree lol
I don't want Infinite Possibilities I want to know a writer wrote something compelling for me to experience. giving my idiot ass "agency" over the story just diminishes it
I don't want Infinite Possibilities I want to know a writer wrote something compelling for me to experience. giving my idiot ass "agency" over the story just diminishes it
Reposted by gril
I think there is an underestimation of the prevalence of the use of AI in game development. The tech scares me for so many reasons, and the push back is necessary - but I fear that today's conversation isn't going to dissuade the techs implementation, but rather the transparency of its use.
December 17, 2025 at 1:42 AM
I think there is an underestimation of the prevalence of the use of AI in game development. The tech scares me for so many reasons, and the push back is necessary - but I fear that today's conversation isn't going to dissuade the techs implementation, but rather the transparency of its use.
Reposted by gril
Caves of Qud update: poured warm static on my dog, it turned into a dromad trader that comes with guards and items. They are all my dog, the whole trade party and merchandise. I convinced my dog to sell me my dog for free while my dog, my dog, my dog and my dog were standing guard.
December 16, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Caves of Qud update: poured warm static on my dog, it turned into a dromad trader that comes with guards and items. They are all my dog, the whole trade party and merchandise. I convinced my dog to sell me my dog for free while my dog, my dog, my dog and my dog were standing guard.
Reposted by gril
Slightly longer thoughts on the passing of Rob Reiner, and what a remarkable storyteller he turned out to be.
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/15/r...
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/15/r...
Rob Reiner, RIP
I don’t have much to add about Rob Reiner and wife Michelle Singer’s shocking death that other people haven’t said better, likewise any more to add about his career and political …
whatever.scalzi.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Slightly longer thoughts on the passing of Rob Reiner, and what a remarkable storyteller he turned out to be.
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/15/r...
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/15/r...
GO DESPELOTE! <3
The #NewYorkGameAwards nominees for Game of the Year are:
🔵 Blue Prince
🔵 Split Fiction
🔵 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
🔵 Despelote
🔵 Sword of the Sea
🔵 Silent Hill f
🔵 Hades II
🔵 Ghost of Yōtei
🔵 Blue Prince
🔵 Split Fiction
🔵 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
🔵 Despelote
🔵 Sword of the Sea
🔵 Silent Hill f
🔵 Hades II
🔵 Ghost of Yōtei
December 15, 2025 at 6:08 PM
GO DESPELOTE! <3
Reposted by gril
I wrote a little comic for my brother and asked @ramonvillalobos.bsky.social to help make it real. Sharing it in case you get something out of it too.
October 6, 2025 at 5:52 PM
I wrote a little comic for my brother and asked @ramonvillalobos.bsky.social to help make it real. Sharing it in case you get something out of it too.
Reposted by gril
THEY'VE PUT ME ON THE POCKETSTATION COOP. I'M BEING RENDERED IN A 32 BY 32 GRID OF MONOCHROME PIXELS. THE BOYS BACK AT QUANTICO SAID THEY'RE GOING TO RELOCATE ME TO A "DOKO DEMO ISSYO" UNTIL THEY CAN GET THIS STRAIGHTENED OUT.
December 13, 2025 at 9:24 PM
THEY'VE PUT ME ON THE POCKETSTATION COOP. I'M BEING RENDERED IN A 32 BY 32 GRID OF MONOCHROME PIXELS. THE BOYS BACK AT QUANTICO SAID THEY'RE GOING TO RELOCATE ME TO A "DOKO DEMO ISSYO" UNTIL THEY CAN GET THIS STRAIGHTENED OUT.
Reposted by gril
