Unwinnable
@unwinnable.com
A place for stories | Subscribe: http://bit.ly/1VQ9omB | Pitch: http://bit.ly/3oBCo5z
Pinned
Unwinnable
@unwinnable.com
· 11d
Let the lights guide you to a peaceful 2026. The first Exploits of the year includes micro criticism on topics like Andor and Yerin Baek plus our monthly horoscope.
Buy: buff.ly/ntaZX8t
Subscribe: buff.ly/fMT3UIA
Read @lizardrock.bsky.social's essay on character creation: buff.ly/SJHPfOI
Buy: buff.ly/ntaZX8t
Subscribe: buff.ly/fMT3UIA
Read @lizardrock.bsky.social's essay on character creation: buff.ly/SJHPfOI
"So, while Root was one of the earliest games I ever picked up in my quest to get back into board gaming (due to its reputation and Kyle Ferrin’s art), it is likely to always exist at the periphery, for me."
@orringrey.com explains why he hasn't tried the popular game Root:
@orringrey.com explains why he hasn't tried the popular game Root:
The Woods Are Lovely, Dark and Deep: On Why I Haven’t Played Root, Like, Twice - Unwinnable
I picked it up because of Kyle Ferrin’s art.
unwinnable.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:00 AM
"So, while Root was one of the earliest games I ever picked up in my quest to get back into board gaming (due to its reputation and Kyle Ferrin’s art), it is likely to always exist at the periphery, for me."
@orringrey.com explains why he hasn't tried the popular game Root:
@orringrey.com explains why he hasn't tried the popular game Root:
"Where Phoenix’s spaces are made to be jumped between as stages for single witnesses, Edgeworth’s are homes for entire groups."
@jaymcastello.bsky.social examines Ace Attorney Investigations' explorable spaces:
@jaymcastello.bsky.social examines Ace Attorney Investigations' explorable spaces:
Nooks and Crannies - Unwinnable
Ace Attorney Investigations’ spaces feel like spaces made for people.
unwinnable.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:00 AM
"Where Phoenix’s spaces are made to be jumped between as stages for single witnesses, Edgeworth’s are homes for entire groups."
@jaymcastello.bsky.social examines Ace Attorney Investigations' explorable spaces:
@jaymcastello.bsky.social examines Ace Attorney Investigations' explorable spaces:
Reposted by Unwinnable
Feeling grateful for the privilege to be part of @unwinnable.com and being afforded the ability to write things like this piece on Paint It Black, a hardcore band seemingly purpose-built to score this current moment in American history: unwinnable.com/2024/01/26/a...
Age, Angst, and Paint It Black - Unwinnable
On their latest album Famine, long-running hardcore punk band Paint It Black prove that righteous anger has no age limit.
unwinnable.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Feeling grateful for the privilege to be part of @unwinnable.com and being afforded the ability to write things like this piece on Paint It Black, a hardcore band seemingly purpose-built to score this current moment in American history: unwinnable.com/2024/01/26/a...
ICYMI: "Did the same thing happen when I was 13? Or did I just figure it out naturally, as developer Climax Entertainment assumed I could?"
Replaying one of his childhood Sega Genesis games has @mattmarrone.bsky.social questioning how he made progress:
Replaying one of his childhood Sega Genesis games has @mattmarrone.bsky.social questioning how he made progress:
How Did We Ever Beat Videogames Before the Internet? - Unwinnable
When I was a kid, we didn’t have online resources to beat bewildering RPGs – but beat them we did.
buff.ly
January 13, 2026 at 6:03 PM
ICYMI: "Did the same thing happen when I was 13? Or did I just figure it out naturally, as developer Climax Entertainment assumed I could?"
Replaying one of his childhood Sega Genesis games has @mattmarrone.bsky.social questioning how he made progress:
Replaying one of his childhood Sega Genesis games has @mattmarrone.bsky.social questioning how he made progress:
Reposted by Unwinnable
In which I confess to never having played Root over at @unwinnable.com:
The Woods Are Lovely, Dark and Deep: On Why I Haven’t Played Root, Like, Twice - Unwinnable
I picked it up because of Kyle Ferrin’s art.
unwinnable.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:35 PM
In which I confess to never having played Root over at @unwinnable.com:
"Did the same thing happen when I was 13? Or did I just figure it out naturally, as developer Climax Entertainment assumed I could?"
Replaying one of his childhood Sega Genesis games has @mattmarrone.bsky.social questioning how he made progress:
Replaying one of his childhood Sega Genesis games has @mattmarrone.bsky.social questioning how he made progress:
How Did We Ever Beat Videogames Before the Internet? - Unwinnable
When I was a kid, we didn’t have online resources to beat bewildering RPGs – but beat them we did.
unwinnable.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:00 AM
"Did the same thing happen when I was 13? Or did I just figure it out naturally, as developer Climax Entertainment assumed I could?"
Replaying one of his childhood Sega Genesis games has @mattmarrone.bsky.social questioning how he made progress:
Replaying one of his childhood Sega Genesis games has @mattmarrone.bsky.social questioning how he made progress:
Reposted by Unwinnable
In 2026, Unwinnable is running a long-term drive with the goal of getting one new subscription each day. To up the ante, we're including the 2025 issues of Unwinnable Monthly and Exploits – 24 free issues of thoughtful, sharp writing on games and culture. Is today your day? unwinnable.com/subscribe/
January 12, 2026 at 8:35 PM
In 2026, Unwinnable is running a long-term drive with the goal of getting one new subscription each day. To up the ante, we're including the 2025 issues of Unwinnable Monthly and Exploits – 24 free issues of thoughtful, sharp writing on games and culture. Is today your day? unwinnable.com/subscribe/
Reposted by Unwinnable
My goal this year is to get one new subscriber for Unwinnable Monthly every day. Is that you, today? If you do it, you also get all 24 issues from 2025 right now, which is a pretty good distraction, if you want to be distracted.
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
@unwinnable.com
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
@unwinnable.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:50 PM
My goal this year is to get one new subscriber for Unwinnable Monthly every day. Is that you, today? If you do it, you also get all 24 issues from 2025 right now, which is a pretty good distraction, if you want to be distracted.
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
@unwinnable.com
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
@unwinnable.com
Reposted by Unwinnable
My partner and I had been anticipating Henry Halfhead since Day of the Devs SGF 2023. We loved Henry's story so much that I decided to write about it - here's my essay from last Fall. Thank you @lululu.games and @popagenda.co for such a playfully inventive and subversive game.
"Henry’s experiences exhibited in the game make clear the delineation between the alterity inseparable from personhood and the exploitation that structures capitalist reproduction."
Christopher Spina examines alienation under capitalism in Henry Halfhead:
Christopher Spina examines alienation under capitalism in Henry Halfhead:
Subjectivity and Exploitation: On the "Right Degree" of Alienation in Henry Halfhead - Unwinnable
Henry does not succumb to this vicious cycle forever.
unwinnable.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:20 PM
My partner and I had been anticipating Henry Halfhead since Day of the Devs SGF 2023. We loved Henry's story so much that I decided to write about it - here's my essay from last Fall. Thank you @lululu.games and @popagenda.co for such a playfully inventive and subversive game.
ICYMI: "This show is so skilled at spelling out a whole lifetime of character without too much exposition."
@nochshorn.bsky.social watches Mad Men S1E3 and S1E4:
@nochshorn.bsky.social watches Mad Men S1E3 and S1E4:
THAT’S WHAT THE BLOG IS FOR! Mad Men S1E3–S1E4 - Unwinnable
Betty is in the way of Don getting what he wants. Betty is the threat.
unwinnable.com
January 10, 2026 at 7:01 PM
ICYMI: "This show is so skilled at spelling out a whole lifetime of character without too much exposition."
@nochshorn.bsky.social watches Mad Men S1E3 and S1E4:
@nochshorn.bsky.social watches Mad Men S1E3 and S1E4:
ICYMI: "Homecoming oftentimes grapples with questions of how agency is constricted by societal notions of obedience."
@phoenixwritesdown.bsky.social analyzes Silent Hill Homecoming's Scarlet and her story:
@phoenixwritesdown.bsky.social analyzes Silent Hill Homecoming's Scarlet and her story:
Fragile Traditions - Unwinnable
Porcelain as a material metaphor is a way to emphasize not just legacy, but the hands-on and time-consuming craft that creates objects of precious worth.
unwinnable.com
January 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM
ICYMI: "Homecoming oftentimes grapples with questions of how agency is constricted by societal notions of obedience."
@phoenixwritesdown.bsky.social analyzes Silent Hill Homecoming's Scarlet and her story:
@phoenixwritesdown.bsky.social analyzes Silent Hill Homecoming's Scarlet and her story:
Reposted by Unwinnable
This is nicely written.
"Homecoming oftentimes grapples with questions of how agency is constricted by societal notions of obedience."
@phoenixwritesdown.bsky.social analyzes Silent Hill Homecoming's Scarlet and her story:
@phoenixwritesdown.bsky.social analyzes Silent Hill Homecoming's Scarlet and her story:
Fragile Traditions - Unwinnable
Porcelain as a material metaphor is a way to emphasize not just legacy, but the hands-on and time-consuming craft that creates objects of precious worth.
unwinnable.com
January 10, 2026 at 7:16 AM
This is nicely written.
Reposted by Unwinnable
Replayed Homecoming for the first time since high school. Realized there was a lot to unpack. Scarlet was my favourite boss and haunting sequence this time around, so this piece focuses on her and why her haunting was particularly gripping for me.
"Homecoming oftentimes grapples with questions of how agency is constricted by societal notions of obedience."
@phoenixwritesdown.bsky.social analyzes Silent Hill Homecoming's Scarlet and her story:
@phoenixwritesdown.bsky.social analyzes Silent Hill Homecoming's Scarlet and her story:
Fragile Traditions - Unwinnable
Porcelain as a material metaphor is a way to emphasize not just legacy, but the hands-on and time-consuming craft that creates objects of precious worth.
unwinnable.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:21 AM
Replayed Homecoming for the first time since high school. Realized there was a lot to unpack. Scarlet was my favourite boss and haunting sequence this time around, so this piece focuses on her and why her haunting was particularly gripping for me.
"This show is so skilled at spelling out a whole lifetime of character without too much exposition."
@nochshorn.bsky.social watches Mad Men S1E3 and S1E4:
@nochshorn.bsky.social watches Mad Men S1E3 and S1E4:
THAT’S WHAT THE BLOG IS FOR! Mad Men S1E3–S1E4 - Unwinnable
Betty is in the way of Don getting what he wants. Betty is the threat.
unwinnable.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:00 AM
"This show is so skilled at spelling out a whole lifetime of character without too much exposition."
@nochshorn.bsky.social watches Mad Men S1E3 and S1E4:
@nochshorn.bsky.social watches Mad Men S1E3 and S1E4:
"Homecoming oftentimes grapples with questions of how agency is constricted by societal notions of obedience."
@phoenixwritesdown.bsky.social analyzes Silent Hill Homecoming's Scarlet and her story:
@phoenixwritesdown.bsky.social analyzes Silent Hill Homecoming's Scarlet and her story:
Fragile Traditions - Unwinnable
Porcelain as a material metaphor is a way to emphasize not just legacy, but the hands-on and time-consuming craft that creates objects of precious worth.
unwinnable.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:00 AM
"Homecoming oftentimes grapples with questions of how agency is constricted by societal notions of obedience."
@phoenixwritesdown.bsky.social analyzes Silent Hill Homecoming's Scarlet and her story:
@phoenixwritesdown.bsky.social analyzes Silent Hill Homecoming's Scarlet and her story:
ICYMI: "As a certified Ugly American, I watched Saga of the Phoenix the way a person like me is supposed to watch something like this: out of order, and with almost no idea what’s going on."
@orringrey.com reviews the 1990 film Saga of the Phoenix:
@orringrey.com reviews the 1990 film Saga of the Phoenix:
Life in the Human World is Far from Perfect: Watching Saga of the Phoenix (1989) Without Knowing What’s Going On - Unwinnable
The Hell Virgin is actually a pretty good-natured sort.
buff.ly
January 9, 2026 at 7:02 PM
ICYMI: "As a certified Ugly American, I watched Saga of the Phoenix the way a person like me is supposed to watch something like this: out of order, and with almost no idea what’s going on."
@orringrey.com reviews the 1990 film Saga of the Phoenix:
@orringrey.com reviews the 1990 film Saga of the Phoenix:
ICYMI: "It’s only with art, made by tireless human beings striving to make meaning out of our existence, that we can start to make sense of it all."
@unabridgedgamer.bsky.social shares the pieces of media that got him through 2025:
@unabridgedgamer.bsky.social shares the pieces of media that got him through 2025:
How Art Helped Me in 2025 - Unwinnable
We might not even realize it as it happens, but what we engage with shapes us.
unwinnable.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:03 PM
ICYMI: "It’s only with art, made by tireless human beings striving to make meaning out of our existence, that we can start to make sense of it all."
@unabridgedgamer.bsky.social shares the pieces of media that got him through 2025:
@unabridgedgamer.bsky.social shares the pieces of media that got him through 2025:
"As a certified Ugly American, I watched Saga of the Phoenix the way a person like me is supposed to watch something like this: out of order, and with almost no idea what’s going on."
@orringrey.com reviews the 1990 film Saga of the Phoenix:
@orringrey.com reviews the 1990 film Saga of the Phoenix:
Life in the Human World is Far from Perfect: Watching Saga of the Phoenix (1989) Without Knowing What’s Going On - Unwinnable
The Hell Virgin is actually a pretty good-natured sort.
unwinnable.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:00 AM
"As a certified Ugly American, I watched Saga of the Phoenix the way a person like me is supposed to watch something like this: out of order, and with almost no idea what’s going on."
@orringrey.com reviews the 1990 film Saga of the Phoenix:
@orringrey.com reviews the 1990 film Saga of the Phoenix:
Reposted by Unwinnable
My last piece of 2025, available to read now in... 2026. It time traveled!
"It’s only with art, made by tireless human beings striving to make meaning out of our existence, that we can start to make sense of it all."
@unabridgedgamer.bsky.social shares the pieces of media that got him through 2025:
@unabridgedgamer.bsky.social shares the pieces of media that got him through 2025:
How Art Helped Me in 2025 - Unwinnable
We might not even realize it as it happens, but what we engage with shapes us.
unwinnable.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:14 AM
My last piece of 2025, available to read now in... 2026. It time traveled!
"It’s only with art, made by tireless human beings striving to make meaning out of our existence, that we can start to make sense of it all."
@unabridgedgamer.bsky.social shares the pieces of media that got him through 2025:
@unabridgedgamer.bsky.social shares the pieces of media that got him through 2025:
How Art Helped Me in 2025 - Unwinnable
We might not even realize it as it happens, but what we engage with shapes us.
unwinnable.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:00 AM
"It’s only with art, made by tireless human beings striving to make meaning out of our existence, that we can start to make sense of it all."
@unabridgedgamer.bsky.social shares the pieces of media that got him through 2025:
@unabridgedgamer.bsky.social shares the pieces of media that got him through 2025:
Reposted by Unwinnable
This is a really good reason to subscribe.
In even more concrete terms, if you sign up at the moment, you'll get 12 issues of Unwinnable Monthly and 12 issues of Exploits entirely free, and that should distract you from doomscrolling for at LEAST one whole day, probably two.
January 8, 2026 at 5:34 PM
This is a really good reason to subscribe.
Reposted by Unwinnable
Unwinnable rules.
I've resolved to be more energetic in promoting Unwinnable this year. Stories deserve to be read! Readers deserve thoughtful stories! These things should be bullshit-free!
In more measurable terms, I'd like to get a new subscriber for every day of 2026.
So, ahem: unwinnable.com/subscribe/
In more measurable terms, I'd like to get a new subscriber for every day of 2026.
So, ahem: unwinnable.com/subscribe/
January 8, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Unwinnable rules.
Reposted by Unwinnable
unwinnable could be even better if you subscribe. Yes that is a threat
I've resolved to be more energetic in promoting Unwinnable this year. Stories deserve to be read! Readers deserve thoughtful stories! These things should be bullshit-free!
In more measurable terms, I'd like to get a new subscriber for every day of 2026.
So, ahem: unwinnable.com/subscribe/
In more measurable terms, I'd like to get a new subscriber for every day of 2026.
So, ahem: unwinnable.com/subscribe/
January 8, 2026 at 5:52 PM
unwinnable could be even better if you subscribe. Yes that is a threat
Reposted by Unwinnable
In even more concrete terms, if you sign up at the moment, you'll get 12 issues of Unwinnable Monthly and 12 issues of Exploits entirely free, and that should distract you from doomscrolling for at LEAST one whole day, probably two.
January 8, 2026 at 5:31 PM
In even more concrete terms, if you sign up at the moment, you'll get 12 issues of Unwinnable Monthly and 12 issues of Exploits entirely free, and that should distract you from doomscrolling for at LEAST one whole day, probably two.
Reposted by Unwinnable
I've resolved to be more energetic in promoting Unwinnable this year. Stories deserve to be read! Readers deserve thoughtful stories! These things should be bullshit-free!
In more measurable terms, I'd like to get a new subscriber for every day of 2026.
So, ahem: unwinnable.com/subscribe/
In more measurable terms, I'd like to get a new subscriber for every day of 2026.
So, ahem: unwinnable.com/subscribe/
January 8, 2026 at 5:31 PM
I've resolved to be more energetic in promoting Unwinnable this year. Stories deserve to be read! Readers deserve thoughtful stories! These things should be bullshit-free!
In more measurable terms, I'd like to get a new subscriber for every day of 2026.
So, ahem: unwinnable.com/subscribe/
In more measurable terms, I'd like to get a new subscriber for every day of 2026.
So, ahem: unwinnable.com/subscribe/