Matt Thrower
@mattthr.bsky.social
Board game writer. Words on IGN, GamesRadar, Senet and many others. There will be puns.
Pinned
Matt Thrower
@mattthr.bsky.social
· Aug 7
I'm working on a card game design at the moment, in which players are magicians trying to steal the secrets of their illusions from each other.
It's a trick-taking game.
It's a trick-taking game.
After all the horror movies in October my family has made a joint decision to watch Christmas films through December.
This initially alarmed me, bc I've enjoyed literally 2 Christmas films my whole life.
However, it seems there are more than I realised yet to see. So, we're doing a thread
This initially alarmed me, bc I've enjoyed literally 2 Christmas films my whole life.
However, it seems there are more than I realised yet to see. So, we're doing a thread
December 1, 2025 at 10:19 PM
After all the horror movies in October my family has made a joint decision to watch Christmas films through December.
This initially alarmed me, bc I've enjoyed literally 2 Christmas films my whole life.
However, it seems there are more than I realised yet to see. So, we're doing a thread
This initially alarmed me, bc I've enjoyed literally 2 Christmas films my whole life.
However, it seems there are more than I realised yet to see. So, we're doing a thread
Of what BGG users have rated the top 50 games of 2025, I have managed to play 12 of them.
Trying to keep up as a critic nowadays feels like running after a treadmill mounted on a jet engine.
Trying to keep up as a critic nowadays feels like running after a treadmill mounted on a jet engine.
December 1, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Of what BGG users have rated the top 50 games of 2025, I have managed to play 12 of them.
Trying to keep up as a critic nowadays feels like running after a treadmill mounted on a jet engine.
Trying to keep up as a critic nowadays feels like running after a treadmill mounted on a jet engine.
Reposted by Matt Thrower
Hahaha, right?! Or what about mandatory disclosures for the discrepancy between the salaries of the CEO and their lowest paid worker? That would be so funny, right?! Let’s do it as a funny joke!!!
"Why stop at AI use? We could have mandatory disclosures for what shampoo brand the developer uses" — Epic boss Tim Sweeney says Steam should ditch its AI generated content disclosure. https://bit.ly/4a193vt
November 30, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Hahaha, right?! Or what about mandatory disclosures for the discrepancy between the salaries of the CEO and their lowest paid worker? That would be so funny, right?! Let’s do it as a funny joke!!!
I did a class on bioethics as part of my biochem degree, which also encouraged us to reflect on personal experiences, and I'd still have deservedly got a zero if I'd failed to cite a single fucking source, and stuck rigidly to a single interpretation without examining the relative merits of others.
This won’t be a popular opinion, but I don’t think the instructor was right here. The assignment said that the goal was for students to demonstrate they completed the readings *and* they could do so by reflecting on, among other things, their personal experiences. www.oudaily.com/news/ou-stat...
OU puts graduate instructor on leave after student claims discrimination on Bible-based essay grade
OU placed a graduate student instructor on leave after a student publicly contested a grade and filed an illegal discrimination claim after she received a failing grade on an essay
www.oudaily.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:39 PM
I did a class on bioethics as part of my biochem degree, which also encouraged us to reflect on personal experiences, and I'd still have deservedly got a zero if I'd failed to cite a single fucking source, and stuck rigidly to a single interpretation without examining the relative merits of others.
Reposted by Matt Thrower
College students who can’t handle their strictest instructors need to grow up, which is part of what they’re there for. TPUSA and OU are ironically doing the triggered snowflake participation trophy shtick and harming everyone’s ability to grow up in the process
December 1, 2025 at 2:28 AM
College students who can’t handle their strictest instructors need to grow up, which is part of what they’re there for. TPUSA and OU are ironically doing the triggered snowflake participation trophy shtick and harming everyone’s ability to grow up in the process
I'm so steeped in D&D that I can't eat an omelette without thinking about T1.
December 1, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I'm so steeped in D&D that I can't eat an omelette without thinking about T1.
The magic bit for me is where I'm sure it's looking shit, and then I add another layer and voilà it still looks like shit, because all my models look like shit.
One of my biggest joys when painting is that bit when you're pretty sure it's looking shit and then you add another layer and voilà it finally looks the business.
That's the part I never get bored of.
Its fucking magic!
That's the part I never get bored of.
Its fucking magic!
December 1, 2025 at 2:57 PM
The magic bit for me is where I'm sure it's looking shit, and then I add another layer and voilà it still looks like shit, because all my models look like shit.
Not sure what other people see here, but the commentator's interpretation of this cartoon is not how I read it. I read it as the increasing impossibility of trying to get something without being sold a dozen "upgrades". Which seems a valid enough topic
This is actually quite brilliant, up to and including the final sentence 🔥
December 1, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Not sure what other people see here, but the commentator's interpretation of this cartoon is not how I read it. I read it as the increasing impossibility of trying to get something without being sold a dozen "upgrades". Which seems a valid enough topic
Reposted by Matt Thrower
The secret to early retirement; dine out rarely, fly economy and be a Google employee making $390,000/year married to a fellow Google employee 17 years older than you who likely makes twice as much as you.
37-year-old quit her $390,000 Google job after saving up $1.5 million—see the 'no buy checklist' that helps her spend less
She left a $390,000-a-year job and now uses a simple set of rules to make her savings last in Switzerland.
www.cnbc.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:23 PM
The secret to early retirement; dine out rarely, fly economy and be a Google employee making $390,000/year married to a fellow Google employee 17 years older than you who likely makes twice as much as you.
Reposted by Matt Thrower
Issue 21 is out now! In which @mattthr.bsky.social confirms that there IS life on Mars… As a board-game theme, in titles like First Martians, On Mars and Terraforming Mars. Go to senetmagazine.com to order your copy or subscribe. #boardgamesarebeautiful
December 1, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Issue 21 is out now! In which @mattthr.bsky.social confirms that there IS life on Mars… As a board-game theme, in titles like First Martians, On Mars and Terraforming Mars. Go to senetmagazine.com to order your copy or subscribe. #boardgamesarebeautiful
Just had a sudden vision of all the untold millions of past Britons who had to face winter mornings in this country without the benefit of tea and my god is that a bleak realisation
a cup of coffee is on a table in front of a window
ALT: a cup of coffee is on a table in front of a window
media.tenor.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Just had a sudden vision of all the untold millions of past Britons who had to face winter mornings in this country without the benefit of tea and my god is that a bleak realisation
This is incredible. These people seem to regard academic discipline as an annoying barrier to promoting gibberish.
One of the student's responses is that the class didn't specify empirical evidence was required. She's doing a psychology degree. A BSc. And she thinks that needs to be spelled out?!
One of the student's responses is that the class didn't specify empirical evidence was required. She's doing a psychology degree. A BSc. And she thinks that needs to be spelled out?!
Turning Point at OU posted this girl's essay in full and man is it rough
November 30, 2025 at 12:22 PM
This is incredible. These people seem to regard academic discipline as an annoying barrier to promoting gibberish.
One of the student's responses is that the class didn't specify empirical evidence was required. She's doing a psychology degree. A BSc. And she thinks that needs to be spelled out?!
One of the student's responses is that the class didn't specify empirical evidence was required. She's doing a psychology degree. A BSc. And she thinks that needs to be spelled out?!
Reposted by Matt Thrower
You’ve heard me saying this before:
When you portray an NPC keep a famous celebrity or character in your head when you do it.
You don’t have to do. A good impression. You should never tell the players who you’ve got in mind. But it keeps your portrayal consistent.
Yesterday….. 1/2
When you portray an NPC keep a famous celebrity or character in your head when you do it.
You don’t have to do. A good impression. You should never tell the players who you’ve got in mind. But it keeps your portrayal consistent.
Yesterday….. 1/2
How do you create memorable NPCs?
Please share your tips! Here’s a few from our DM @tcpatrick.bsky.social
Please share your tips! Here’s a few from our DM @tcpatrick.bsky.social
Five Tips for Creating Memorable NPCs in Your TTRPG - Dice Company Podcast
By Tom Patrick Creating memorable NPCs (Non-Player Characters) is one of the best ways to bring your tabletop RPG world to life. Whether you’re running…
dicecompanypodcast.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:23 AM
You’ve heard me saying this before:
When you portray an NPC keep a famous celebrity or character in your head when you do it.
You don’t have to do. A good impression. You should never tell the players who you’ve got in mind. But it keeps your portrayal consistent.
Yesterday….. 1/2
When you portray an NPC keep a famous celebrity or character in your head when you do it.
You don’t have to do. A good impression. You should never tell the players who you’ve got in mind. But it keeps your portrayal consistent.
Yesterday….. 1/2
Reposted by Matt Thrower
I regret to inform everyone that I have accidentally become the leader of Your Party after a series of internal elections. I hope everyone supports my platform of “just chilling and playing a board game”. I look forward to being cancelled because I quite like the poetry of Ezra Pound.
Oh God I needed this so much right now. Good old fashioned funny chaos and farce instead of constant depression in politics.
Looking forward to them setting up their own rival parties.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Looking forward to them setting up their own rival parties.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana dropped as Your Party leaders
Members vote in favour of 'collective leadership' option, with a ‘lay’ chair – who cannot be an MP
www.independent.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 11:47 AM
I regret to inform everyone that I have accidentally become the leader of Your Party after a series of internal elections. I hope everyone supports my platform of “just chilling and playing a board game”. I look forward to being cancelled because I quite like the poetry of Ezra Pound.
Guys!
Guys?
Remember when December used to be cold?
Guys?
Remember when December used to be cold?
November 30, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Guys!
Guys?
Remember when December used to be cold?
Guys?
Remember when December used to be cold?
Most of the Jorgos Lanthimos films I've seen have been so close to 5*, but there's always something that stops me giving them full marks, a bump that just stops them crossing that line to personal perfection
a woman wearing a yellow ruffled cape stands in front of a crowd
ALT: a woman wearing a yellow ruffled cape stands in front of a crowd
media.tenor.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Most of the Jorgos Lanthimos films I've seen have been so close to 5*, but there's always something that stops me giving them full marks, a bump that just stops them crossing that line to personal perfection
Someone on /r/boardgames did a scrape of the most recommended games on that sub and I was astonished to see Oath at #3. Feels like it could be a microculture suggestion.
November 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Someone on /r/boardgames did a scrape of the most recommended games on that sub and I was astonished to see Oath at #3. Feels like it could be a microculture suggestion.
Oh, I don't know if they are selling them but I had a fantastic time with their solo journalling RPG advent last year.
Dragonmeet we are in you!
Come find us, stall F1/2
Come find us, stall F1/2
November 29, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Oh, I don't know if they are selling them but I had a fantastic time with their solo journalling RPG advent last year.
Reposted by Matt Thrower
While we are doing stoicism in the face of horrendous wartime dismemberment, I was struck by this line from Aristide du Petit-Thouars's wiki page.
November 29, 2025 at 9:42 AM
While we are doing stoicism in the face of horrendous wartime dismemberment, I was struck by this line from Aristide du Petit-Thouars's wiki page.
If you are meeting dragons today I hope they are of the polite variety and don't eat you. Have a lovely day.
November 29, 2025 at 9:55 AM
If you are meeting dragons today I hope they are of the polite variety and don't eat you. Have a lovely day.
Reposted by Matt Thrower
Depressingly well-made point.
November 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Depressingly well-made point.
Reposted by Matt Thrower
PRO-TIP: The only good use for Black Friday is unsubscribing from company email lists you’re still on. Don’t just delete and move on, take an extra fifteen seconds to get off their mailing list.
November 28, 2025 at 5:12 PM
PRO-TIP: The only good use for Black Friday is unsubscribing from company email lists you’re still on. Don’t just delete and move on, take an extra fifteen seconds to get off their mailing list.
Reposted by Matt Thrower
Fascinating reading about unheralded women game designers in the C19th.
daily.jstor.org/the-hidden-h...
daily.jstor.org/the-hidden-h...
The Hidden History of Women Game Designers - JSTOR Daily
Nineteenth-century women turned music lessons into interactive entertainment, complete with spinning wheels and ivory counters.
daily.jstor.org
November 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Fascinating reading about unheralded women game designers in the C19th.
daily.jstor.org/the-hidden-h...
daily.jstor.org/the-hidden-h...
I keep thinking about this, and how it's possible for a senior political figure to utter a single statement that's verifiably wrong on absolutely every level.
November 28, 2025 at 1:49 PM
I keep thinking about this, and how it's possible for a senior political figure to utter a single statement that's verifiably wrong on absolutely every level.