Ben Newbon
@bennewbon.itch.io
Creator of silly rules-lite TTRPGs, actual player and host of the Cybertopia actual play podcast.
Videogames analyst currently looking for work
https://bennewbon.itch.io
https://anchor.fm/cybertopiaap
https://youtube.com/@ben_newbon/videos
Say no to genAI
Videogames analyst currently looking for work
https://bennewbon.itch.io
https://anchor.fm/cybertopiaap
https://youtube.com/@ben_newbon/videos
Say no to genAI
Pinned
Ben Newbon
@bennewbon.itch.io
· Sep 2
Overgrown 2e is now available to purchase (or update to if you already owned it!)
bennewbon.itch.io/overgrown/de...
bennewbon.itch.io/overgrown/de...
Hey all, I'm looking for audio promos to feature in the midroll of Cybertopia. Next spot would be mid December. Ideally 60-90 secs.
Must be TTRPG related but not necessarily actual plays - interview/review shows, crowdfund ads, etc all welcome.
Ad swaps are of course welcome but not required.
Must be TTRPG related but not necessarily actual plays - interview/review shows, crowdfund ads, etc all welcome.
Ad swaps are of course welcome but not required.
November 19, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Hey all, I'm looking for audio promos to feature in the midroll of Cybertopia. Next spot would be mid December. Ideally 60-90 secs.
Must be TTRPG related but not necessarily actual plays - interview/review shows, crowdfund ads, etc all welcome.
Ad swaps are of course welcome but not required.
Must be TTRPG related but not necessarily actual plays - interview/review shows, crowdfund ads, etc all welcome.
Ad swaps are of course welcome but not required.
Reposted by Ben Newbon
This episode was a wild ride to record, it's one of my many favourites of the ones I was involved in this season.
This ep in Cybertopia we get a new heist underway, as Team Tentacle break into Paradigm City's premier car dealership, Stellar. With flawless planning, teamwork and superb execution, the only thing that could possibly stand in their way is their own hubris... oh no! open.spotify.com/episode/6o6B...
2.26 Wanna Punch a Robot?
open.spotify.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:22 PM
This episode was a wild ride to record, it's one of my many favourites of the ones I was involved in this season.
This ep in Cybertopia we get a new heist underway, as Team Tentacle break into Paradigm City's premier car dealership, Stellar. With flawless planning, teamwork and superb execution, the only thing that could possibly stand in their way is their own hubris... oh no! open.spotify.com/episode/6o6B...
2.26 Wanna Punch a Robot?
open.spotify.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
This ep in Cybertopia we get a new heist underway, as Team Tentacle break into Paradigm City's premier car dealership, Stellar. With flawless planning, teamwork and superb execution, the only thing that could possibly stand in their way is their own hubris... oh no! open.spotify.com/episode/6o6B...
Reposted by Ben Newbon
Another friendly reminder my email is always open for indie ttrpgs who might want some press coverage!
November 18, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Another friendly reminder my email is always open for indie ttrpgs who might want some press coverage!
Reposted by Ben Newbon
I attended the protest outside of Rockstar North in Edinburgh this evening to stand in solidarity with the more than 30 workers across the UK, including a number of my constituents who have been sacked.
November 18, 2025 at 6:29 PM
I attended the protest outside of Rockstar North in Edinburgh this evening to stand in solidarity with the more than 30 workers across the UK, including a number of my constituents who have been sacked.
As if everything Build A Rocket Boy did already (laying off 300 staff) wasn't bad enough, they're now failing ppl on probation, which HR arbitrarily extended, who have glowing reports from their leads, based on vague feedback from sources they won't reveal!
November 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM
As if everything Build A Rocket Boy did already (laying off 300 staff) wasn't bad enough, they're now failing ppl on probation, which HR arbitrarily extended, who have glowing reports from their leads, based on vague feedback from sources they won't reveal!
I love editing Cybertopia episodes so much - getting to relive the absolute hilarity of these recordings from like a year ago brings so much joy. We've got some absolute bangers coming up and I can not wait for y'all to hear them!
November 13, 2025 at 3:04 PM
I love editing Cybertopia episodes so much - getting to relive the absolute hilarity of these recordings from like a year ago brings so much joy. We've got some absolute bangers coming up and I can not wait for y'all to hear them!
Reposted by Ben Newbon
NEW: the IWGB has filed formal legal claims against Rockstar after it says the company refused to meet to discuss bringing back fired developers.
"Rockstar has declined to meet with the IWGB, leading the union and barristers to issue formal legal claims on behalf of the Claimants."
"Rockstar has declined to meet with the IWGB, leading the union and barristers to issue formal legal claims on behalf of the Claimants."
November 12, 2025 at 3:23 PM
NEW: the IWGB has filed formal legal claims against Rockstar after it says the company refused to meet to discuss bringing back fired developers.
"Rockstar has declined to meet with the IWGB, leading the union and barristers to issue formal legal claims on behalf of the Claimants."
"Rockstar has declined to meet with the IWGB, leading the union and barristers to issue formal legal claims on behalf of the Claimants."
Reposted by Ben Newbon
“Say sorry, be nice is a Rockstar slogan, it has been for many, many years. At least in this instance, it doesn’t seem like the company is interested in living by it.”
Watch the video of our demonstration & interviews with dismissed workers at Rockstar North here!
Watch the video of our demonstration & interviews with dismissed workers at Rockstar North here!
I went to meet the 'Rockstar 31', the developers who were suddenly fired from their work on GTA 6 for what the studio has described as gross misconduct.
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
The Rockstar Workers Fired Before They Could Finish GTA 6
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
“Say sorry, be nice is a Rockstar slogan, it has been for many, many years. At least in this instance, it doesn’t seem like the company is interested in living by it.”
Watch the video of our demonstration & interviews with dismissed workers at Rockstar North here!
Watch the video of our demonstration & interviews with dismissed workers at Rockstar North here!
Ah gawwwd my tattoos are so itchy as the leg hairs grow back through them!
November 9, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Ah gawwwd my tattoos are so itchy as the leg hairs grow back through them!
Reposted by Ben Newbon
We won't back down - we will fight @rockstargames.com & @taketwointeractive.bsky.social for our members' reinstatement.
No one should be fired for union activity.
You can support our campaign here: actionnetwork.org/fundraising/...
No one should be fired for union activity.
You can support our campaign here: actionnetwork.org/fundraising/...
November 6, 2025 at 11:53 AM
We won't back down - we will fight @rockstargames.com & @taketwointeractive.bsky.social for our members' reinstatement.
No one should be fired for union activity.
You can support our campaign here: actionnetwork.org/fundraising/...
No one should be fired for union activity.
You can support our campaign here: actionnetwork.org/fundraising/...
I'm joining this protest outside Rockstar North in Edinburgh today and if you're nearby, we'd really appreciate your support. After what happened with my colleagues under Leslie Benzies (of former Rockstar "fame"), and now this, we really need to fix this industry!
(also come meet me! 😉)
(also come meet me! 😉)
November 6, 2025 at 11:54 AM
I'm joining this protest outside Rockstar North in Edinburgh today and if you're nearby, we'd really appreciate your support. After what happened with my colleagues under Leslie Benzies (of former Rockstar "fame"), and now this, we really need to fix this industry!
(also come meet me! 😉)
(also come meet me! 😉)
New Cybertopia episode went out yesterday & we return to see what Nox @stellarencore.bsky.social, Frankie @valerynorth.bsky.social & Bludgeon @genvexed.bsky.social got up to after the casino heist and whatever happened to Rev @thoughtpunks.com in the ARC Lead Bank!? open.spotify.com/episode/13kY...
2.25 Team Tentacle
open.spotify.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:59 PM
New Cybertopia episode went out yesterday & we return to see what Nox @stellarencore.bsky.social, Frankie @valerynorth.bsky.social & Bludgeon @genvexed.bsky.social got up to after the casino heist and whatever happened to Rev @thoughtpunks.com in the ARC Lead Bank!? open.spotify.com/episode/13kY...
Reposted by Ben Newbon
Rockstar union workers have set up a solidarity fund to help our fight after 30 of them were fired in an attempt to destroy the union.
Help us fight back! Anything you can donate will massively help our efforts to hold Rockstar to account.
actionnetwork.org/fundraising/...
Help us fight back! Anything you can donate will massively help our efforts to hold Rockstar to account.
actionnetwork.org/fundraising/...
Support Rockstar Workers Fighting Unfair Dismissals!
Last week over 30 members of staff at Grand Theft Auto VI developer Rockstar were fired en masse in a “calculated attack on workers”. The IWGB described Rockstar’s actions as ‘the most blatant and rut...
actionnetwork.org
November 5, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Rockstar union workers have set up a solidarity fund to help our fight after 30 of them were fired in an attempt to destroy the union.
Help us fight back! Anything you can donate will massively help our efforts to hold Rockstar to account.
actionnetwork.org/fundraising/...
Help us fight back! Anything you can donate will massively help our efforts to hold Rockstar to account.
actionnetwork.org/fundraising/...
Off for an adventure!
November 4, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Off for an adventure!
Reposted by Ben Newbon
I joke with a bit of truth behind it that one of the first things we did as a union is teach companies what the law is and what they're allowed (or not allowed) to do.
That has continued seven years later. It's almost like they don't want to learn. 🤔
That has continued seven years later. It's almost like they don't want to learn. 🤔
November 1, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I joke with a bit of truth behind it that one of the first things we did as a union is teach companies what the law is and what they're allowed (or not allowed) to do.
That has continued seven years later. It's almost like they don't want to learn. 🤔
That has continued seven years later. It's almost like they don't want to learn. 🤔
I already know before I even talk to any R* union buddies what's gonna be the corpo angle on this - they'll claim this external chat group was leaking confidential game info. Leslie Benzies had similar issues with staff at BARB. The paranoia is immense. They are terrified about unionisation!
BREAKING: Yesterday Grand Theft Auto VI maker Rockstar Games fired dozens of people, all of whom were involved in union efforts. A British union calls it "blatant and ruthless" union-busting. Take-Two Interactive says it was due to misconduct.
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
‘Grand Theft Auto’ Studio Accused of Union Busting After Firings
Union says 30 and 40 people were terminated. Rockstar Games’ parent company cites ‘gross misconduct’
www.bloomberg.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I already know before I even talk to any R* union buddies what's gonna be the corpo angle on this - they'll claim this external chat group was leaking confidential game info. Leslie Benzies had similar issues with staff at BARB. The paranoia is immense. They are terrified about unionisation!
Reposted by Ben Newbon
BREAKING: Yesterday Grand Theft Auto VI maker Rockstar Games fired dozens of people, all of whom were involved in union efforts. A British union calls it "blatant and ruthless" union-busting. Take-Two Interactive says it was due to misconduct.
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
‘Grand Theft Auto’ Studio Accused of Union Busting After Firings
Union says 30 and 40 people were terminated. Rockstar Games’ parent company cites ‘gross misconduct’
www.bloomberg.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:44 PM
BREAKING: Yesterday Grand Theft Auto VI maker Rockstar Games fired dozens of people, all of whom were involved in union efforts. A British union calls it "blatant and ruthless" union-busting. Take-Two Interactive says it was due to misconduct.
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Holy heck this is brutally unacceptable. Just as it was starting to feel like we were making progress with the industry this happens!? Just as well they never gave me a job!
This is the most ruthless act of union busting in the history of the UK games industry. Yesterday, @rockstargames.com unfairly fired over 30 employees for union activity.
We won't back down, and we're not scared - we will fight for every member to be reinstated.
We won't back down, and we're not scared - we will fight for every member to be reinstated.
BREAKING: Yesterday Grand Theft Auto VI maker Rockstar Games fired dozens of people, all of whom were involved in union efforts. A British union calls it "blatant and ruthless" union-busting. Take-Two Interactive says it was due to misconduct.
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
October 31, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Holy heck this is brutally unacceptable. Just as it was starting to feel like we were making progress with the industry this happens!? Just as well they never gave me a job!
Made the mistake of watching a video commenting on the state of the videogame industry where within minutes the host pushes back on worker claims of CEO mismanagement because "did the CEO make you leave in bugs? did the CEO make you write a bad story? etc."
October 29, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Made the mistake of watching a video commenting on the state of the videogame industry where within minutes the host pushes back on worker claims of CEO mismanagement because "did the CEO make you leave in bugs? did the CEO make you write a bad story? etc."
Reposted by Ben Newbon
Hey, want to find a new and exciting AP to possible leave some helpful critics? Look at my fun list of AP studios!
Also, if you want to be added to the list, just let me know below!
Also, if you want to be added to the list, just let me know below!
October 28, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Hey, want to find a new and exciting AP to possible leave some helpful critics? Look at my fun list of AP studios!
Also, if you want to be added to the list, just let me know below!
Also, if you want to be added to the list, just let me know below!
Reposted by Ben Newbon
I don't think most people understand that the games industry is run by people who do not care about games or the people who make them.
They care about money. They intentionally create many risky endeavors hoping one will hit large. The rest of the teams and people they don't care about.
They care about money. They intentionally create many risky endeavors hoping one will hit large. The rest of the teams and people they don't care about.
important to remember that all these redundancies and closures are not because people are playing fewer games or less willing to pay for them
October 27, 2025 at 1:56 PM
I don't think most people understand that the games industry is run by people who do not care about games or the people who make them.
They care about money. They intentionally create many risky endeavors hoping one will hit large. The rest of the teams and people they don't care about.
They care about money. They intentionally create many risky endeavors hoping one will hit large. The rest of the teams and people they don't care about.
New Cybertopia ep is live and we hear how the gang make themselves comfy in their newly acquired "abode", consider their futures and take important decisions like what to name their new hideout... spotify.link/4xua9XI4GXb
2.24 The Muscle Mansion
spotify.link
October 23, 2025 at 7:22 AM
New Cybertopia ep is live and we hear how the gang make themselves comfy in their newly acquired "abode", consider their futures and take important decisions like what to name their new hideout... spotify.link/4xua9XI4GXb
Hey mum, I'm on the beeb! www.bbc.com/news/article...
MindsEye: How ex-Grand Theft Auto boss’s grand vision became a £200m flop
Lesley Benzies was one of the architects behind one of the most successful video games in history.
www.bbc.com
October 19, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Hey mum, I'm on the beeb! www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Ben Newbon
Live out your wildest animal hybrid dreams as we take you through @bennewbon.itch.io's Overgrown2e
Join 4 brave souls as they follow the trail of nefarious thieves to recover some stolen pumpkins, using their brains, brawn, and - the power of friendship?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Al0...
Join 4 brave souls as they follow the trail of nefarious thieves to recover some stolen pumpkins, using their brains, brawn, and - the power of friendship?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Al0...
Overgrown 2e One-Shot | But Why? Episode 1.5
YouTube video by Pantsless Tables
www.youtube.com
October 18, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Live out your wildest animal hybrid dreams as we take you through @bennewbon.itch.io's Overgrown2e
Join 4 brave souls as they follow the trail of nefarious thieves to recover some stolen pumpkins, using their brains, brawn, and - the power of friendship?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Al0...
Join 4 brave souls as they follow the trail of nefarious thieves to recover some stolen pumpkins, using their brains, brawn, and - the power of friendship?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Al0...