Andy / FluffyFreak
@fluffyfreak.bsky.social
Senior Software Engineer. He/Him. I make games. Gameplay, networking, rendering, tools, optimisation. Generalist parachuted into projects for 20+ years.
Green party member 💚 bit of a lefty.
https://Join.greenparty.org.uk
Rebuilding an old sailing boat
Green party member 💚 bit of a lefty.
https://Join.greenparty.org.uk
Rebuilding an old sailing boat
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
(alt text for previous repost)
"Re: 'There are a lot of people on your side who will be in the Epstein Files too!': No there aren't, my side is the 'People Who Don't Fuck Children' side, anyone not on this side can get all the way into the bin, what side are YOU on, exactly?" — John Scalzi
"Re: 'There are a lot of people on your side who will be in the Epstein Files too!': No there aren't, my side is the 'People Who Don't Fuck Children' side, anyone not on this side can get all the way into the bin, what side are YOU on, exactly?" — John Scalzi
November 15, 2025 at 10:49 PM
(alt text for previous repost)
"Re: 'There are a lot of people on your side who will be in the Epstein Files too!': No there aren't, my side is the 'People Who Don't Fuck Children' side, anyone not on this side can get all the way into the bin, what side are YOU on, exactly?" — John Scalzi
"Re: 'There are a lot of people on your side who will be in the Epstein Files too!': No there aren't, my side is the 'People Who Don't Fuck Children' side, anyone not on this side can get all the way into the bin, what side are YOU on, exactly?" — John Scalzi
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
Aura brings up a great point here. When I killed the blacksmith in ds 1 by accident, the entire tone of the game changed for me, it made me feel even less like a hero and gave the world had even more melancholic uncaring autonomy.
I liked the shift (even though I think I had to start again)
I liked the shift (even though I think I had to start again)
An interesting example of how it's easy to get trapped in "doing things for the sake of doing them" in gamedev how this thread showcases complex game desgin being done to allow this sort of thing but little examination of how that possibility space affects the world and the player's psychology
Hive mind.. whats the general thoughts on allowing players to brick their games by letting them kill NPCs? Are folk ok with that? any smart examples where it is recoverable?
November 15, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Aura brings up a great point here. When I killed the blacksmith in ds 1 by accident, the entire tone of the game changed for me, it made me feel even less like a hero and gave the world had even more melancholic uncaring autonomy.
I liked the shift (even though I think I had to start again)
I liked the shift (even though I think I had to start again)
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
Chat, is "the rich are doing the 'fox' hunts again where the fox is a person" a recession indicator www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‘Are they going to eat me alive?’: trail runners become prey in newest form of hunting
Nervous reporter is chased across English countryside by baying bloodhounds, in what could soon be only legal way to hunt with dogs
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Chat, is "the rich are doing the 'fox' hunts again where the fox is a person" a recession indicator www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
What fictional creature/villain traumatised you as a kid?
November 15, 2025 at 9:00 PM
What fictional creature/villain traumatised you as a kid?
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
IRIDESCENT CLOUD ON MARS
Iridescent clouds over Gale Crater (enhanced color) - From Simeon Schmauß (stim3on.bsky.social) - https://flic.kr/p/2qJvryP
November 15, 2025 at 9:05 PM
IRIDESCENT CLOUD ON MARS
Currently in Prague. Beautiful city. Taking the worst photos I can...
November 15, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Currently in Prague. Beautiful city. Taking the worst photos I can...
This embodies my relationship with programming projects so painfully accurately
I am working on two, simultaneously because:
A. I have learned NOTHING
B. I cannot choose between them, so I'm yielding to natural selection
C. Wheeeeeeeeee!
A. I have learned NOTHING
B. I cannot choose between them, so I'm yielding to natural selection
C. Wheeeeeeeeee!
November 15, 2025 at 2:25 PM
This embodies my relationship with programming projects so painfully accurately
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
Additionally, AAA has to be engaged in this race to the bottom because their bloated budgets means they have to appeal to the broadest group of players. That leads to blander output that is inherently less interesting, so of course they have to deal with people getting bored of their work quicker
I'm seeing variants of "ah but today's gamers just don't have attention spans so we sort of have to-" rolled out earnestly so
No. You can let those players fail. The AAA conception of handholding is silly. There's huge genres that don't do it.
You just have a bad manager making you do dumb things.
No. You can let those players fail. The AAA conception of handholding is silly. There's huge genres that don't do it.
You just have a bad manager making you do dumb things.
November 14, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Additionally, AAA has to be engaged in this race to the bottom because their bloated budgets means they have to appeal to the broadest group of players. That leads to blander output that is inherently less interesting, so of course they have to deal with people getting bored of their work quicker
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
One ~182km x ~211km solar thermal plant could provide all of America’s electricity, including a fully-electrified land transport sector.
100% clean power from just 0.39% of U.S land.
That’s why renewables are constantly under attack from the fossil fuel industry and their paid mouthpieces.
100% clean power from just 0.39% of U.S land.
That’s why renewables are constantly under attack from the fossil fuel industry and their paid mouthpieces.
November 14, 2025 at 12:36 PM
One ~182km x ~211km solar thermal plant could provide all of America’s electricity, including a fully-electrified land transport sector.
100% clean power from just 0.39% of U.S land.
That’s why renewables are constantly under attack from the fossil fuel industry and their paid mouthpieces.
100% clean power from just 0.39% of U.S land.
That’s why renewables are constantly under attack from the fossil fuel industry and their paid mouthpieces.
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
#TaxTheSuperRich to fund public services and reduce inequality
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
Survey finds 60% of key cities councils are planning to sell assets to meet costs of adult and children’s social care
English councils are planning to sell social clubs, sports centres and shopping arcades as they bet on a fire sale of assets to balance the books, according to a survey of local authorities.
The key cities group of councils, which represents second-tier cities in England, said 60% of councils were planning to sell assets to meet the escalating costs of adult and children’s social care. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:22 AM
#TaxTheSuperRich to fund public services and reduce inequality
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
I agree with Tomas here, and before people rush in to point out games that counter the argument.. yes ofc there are counter-examples, there is more generalised concern being voiced here and i think its one worth paying attention to
The winner takes all-instant hit-meme-flywheel mentality that has completely overtaken the games industry and even #indiedev is poison.
It deteriorates the space for risk and sustainable growth, until all that's left is to to either make slot-machines or slop-machines.
It deteriorates the space for risk and sustainable growth, until all that's left is to to either make slot-machines or slop-machines.
November 15, 2025 at 11:29 AM
I agree with Tomas here, and before people rush in to point out games that counter the argument.. yes ofc there are counter-examples, there is more generalised concern being voiced here and i think its one worth paying attention to
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
The winner takes all-instant hit-meme-flywheel mentality that has completely overtaken the games industry and even #indiedev is poison.
It deteriorates the space for risk and sustainable growth, until all that's left is to to either make slot-machines or slop-machines.
It deteriorates the space for risk and sustainable growth, until all that's left is to to either make slot-machines or slop-machines.
November 14, 2025 at 8:50 AM
The winner takes all-instant hit-meme-flywheel mentality that has completely overtaken the games industry and even #indiedev is poison.
It deteriorates the space for risk and sustainable growth, until all that's left is to to either make slot-machines or slop-machines.
It deteriorates the space for risk and sustainable growth, until all that's left is to to either make slot-machines or slop-machines.
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
If the government really intends to seize jewellery and other valuables from refugees,
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
No 10 tells Labour MPs it expects support for tough new asylum policies
Some backbenchers already opposing planned immigration crackdown seen as ‘economically and culturally illiterate’
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:41 AM
If the government really intends to seize jewellery and other valuables from refugees,
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
imagine going through a rough patch financially and u have to cancel your subscription to your mum
November 15, 2025 at 11:06 AM
imagine going through a rough patch financially and u have to cancel your subscription to your mum
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
your dead AI mother loves you so much ❤️
November 15, 2025 at 12:50 AM
your dead AI mother loves you so much ❤️
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
Since 15 Sept IFTAS has tracked a network of over 300 Mastodon accounts engaged in a high-volume propaganda campaign, promoting pro-Russian narratives:
https://about.iftas.org/2025/10/05/coordinated-pro-russian-propaganda-network-targeting-activitypub-and-atproto-services/
https://about.iftas.org/2025/10/05/coordinated-pro-russian-propaganda-network-targeting-activitypub-and-atproto-services/
November 15, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Since 15 Sept IFTAS has tracked a network of over 300 Mastodon accounts engaged in a high-volume propaganda campaign, promoting pro-Russian narratives:
https://about.iftas.org/2025/10/05/coordinated-pro-russian-propaganda-network-targeting-activitypub-and-atproto-services/
https://about.iftas.org/2025/10/05/coordinated-pro-russian-propaganda-network-targeting-activitypub-and-atproto-services/
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
I will keep saying this until I am blue in the face; we have been in a disinfo/propaganda war with Russia since 2014, & it's one of the few things their military is genuinely excellent at, & we're fucking LOSING
Farage, Trump, Brexit, Transphobia, the rise of the far right - they're pushing it all
Farage, Trump, Brexit, Transphobia, the rise of the far right - they're pushing it all
Note that if it's happening in the Fediverse it is ABSOLUTELY DEFINITELY happening here on Bsky.
Since 15 Sept IFTAS has tracked a network of over 300 Mastodon accounts engaged in a high-volume propaganda campaign, promoting pro-Russian narratives:
https://about.iftas.org/2025/10/05/coordinated-pro-russian-propaganda-network-targeting-activitypub-and-atproto-services/
https://about.iftas.org/2025/10/05/coordinated-pro-russian-propaganda-network-targeting-activitypub-and-atproto-services/
November 15, 2025 at 11:44 AM
I will keep saying this until I am blue in the face; we have been in a disinfo/propaganda war with Russia since 2014, & it's one of the few things their military is genuinely excellent at, & we're fucking LOSING
Farage, Trump, Brexit, Transphobia, the rise of the far right - they're pushing it all
Farage, Trump, Brexit, Transphobia, the rise of the far right - they're pushing it all
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
All those journalists & politicians basing their reading of public opinion on Twitter and Facebook and goddamn Mumsnet? Their feeds and replies are full of Russians
Elon & Zuck are surrounded
It's why whenever these groups have IRL meetups their numbers are pathetic; they're mostly Russians
Elon & Zuck are surrounded
It's why whenever these groups have IRL meetups their numbers are pathetic; they're mostly Russians
November 15, 2025 at 11:48 AM
All those journalists & politicians basing their reading of public opinion on Twitter and Facebook and goddamn Mumsnet? Their feeds and replies are full of Russians
Elon & Zuck are surrounded
It's why whenever these groups have IRL meetups their numbers are pathetic; they're mostly Russians
Elon & Zuck are surrounded
It's why whenever these groups have IRL meetups their numbers are pathetic; they're mostly Russians
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
Trump appears in the Epstein files more than anyone else.
More than ANYONE ELSE.
More than ANYONE ELSE.
This is cool. COURIER has created a searchable database with all 20,000 of the files just released from Epstein’s estate.
Trump's name appears in them more than anyone else, in 1,628 documents.
couriernewsroom.com/news/we-crea...
Trump's name appears in them more than anyone else, in 1,628 documents.
couriernewsroom.com/news/we-crea...
We created a searchable database with all 20,000 files from Epstein’s Estate
Easily find every mention of Trump, Clinton, blackmail, and potential sex crimes in the thousands of private messages between Epstein and his close associates.
couriernewsroom.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Trump appears in the Epstein files more than anyone else.
More than ANYONE ELSE.
More than ANYONE ELSE.
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
Solidarity with resident doctors striking in Nottingham and across the country from today.
Their pay is 21% lower today in real terms than it was in 2008/9, with a third of doctors planning to leave.
A fair settlement is vital to the future of our NHS.
Their pay is 21% lower today in real terms than it was in 2008/9, with a third of doctors planning to leave.
A fair settlement is vital to the future of our NHS.
November 14, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Solidarity with resident doctors striking in Nottingham and across the country from today.
Their pay is 21% lower today in real terms than it was in 2008/9, with a third of doctors planning to leave.
A fair settlement is vital to the future of our NHS.
Their pay is 21% lower today in real terms than it was in 2008/9, with a third of doctors planning to leave.
A fair settlement is vital to the future of our NHS.
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
A response to Matt Goodwin on small boat refugees (with record of crime in Germany) committing crime (rape) in the UK.
November 14, 2025 at 1:57 PM
A response to Matt Goodwin on small boat refugees (with record of crime in Germany) committing crime (rape) in the UK.
Reposted by Andy / FluffyFreak
Reform UK Ltd gets 92% of its funding from climate change deniers and fossil fuel corporate interests.
A new survey reveals negative attitudes to Reform UK Ltd
Reform UK Ltd gets 92% of its funding from climate change deniers and fossil fuel corporate interests, provoking negative reactions
centralbylines.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reform UK Ltd gets 92% of its funding from climate change deniers and fossil fuel corporate interests.