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 ten albums in a row, I feel I need to slow down on this. I presume it waits for me if I do? It's working too well, like .. too much new music. I want to hear some of these tunes again before I move on!
Right, so I've started doing this 1001 albums thing because I feel I ought to both broaden my musical experiences, and also listen to whole albums more. So I'll be doing a thread on it at least for as long as I remember to update it. 1001albumsgenerator.com
1001 Albums Generator
Explore the history of music. One album a day. From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
1001albumsgenerator.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:27 PM
After ten albums in a row, I feel I need to slow down on this. I presume it waits for me if I do? It's working too well, like .. too much new music. I want to hear some of these tunes again before I move on!
It has come to my attention that many people are giving thanks today. If that includes you, I hope you are given a very enjoyable giving of thanks, thanks.
November 27, 2025 at 7:35 PM
It has come to my attention that many people are giving thanks today. If that includes you, I hope you are given a very enjoyable giving of thanks, thanks.
I do not particularly like things with cats on them but I do particularly like these.
Do you like things with cats on them? If so, good news! I have two new cat designs in my dashery store and it's all on sale right now in time for xmas!! 😻
exocomics.dashery.com
exocomics.dashery.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I do not particularly like things with cats on them but I do particularly like these.
It's always the money that wins these cases, not the ethics.
In the 80s, labels went after rap crews for sampling, and won.
Now AI companies are doing the exact same thing and no one bats an eyelid.
In the 80s, labels went after rap crews for sampling, and won.
Now AI companies are doing the exact same thing and no one bats an eyelid.
The companies suing gen-AI companies for stealing their work are not doing so on ethical grounds, to protect artists, or even to protect their work.
They're doing it because *they* want the AI money.
They're doing it because *they* want the AI money.
Warner Music Drops Lawsuit Against Suno, Only to Cut Deal With Same AI Tech It Tried to Shut Down
www.ibtimes.co.uk/warner-music...
www.ibtimes.co.uk/warner-music...
November 27, 2025 at 7:18 PM
It's always the money that wins these cases, not the ethics.
In the 80s, labels went after rap crews for sampling, and won.
Now AI companies are doing the exact same thing and no one bats an eyelid.
In the 80s, labels went after rap crews for sampling, and won.
Now AI companies are doing the exact same thing and no one bats an eyelid.
Reposted by Matt Thrower
So, trying something new today. as our new issue is on sale at DriveThruRPG I just had an idea & added an extra file, a voucher with a code which will get you the price of the PDF (in fact a few pennies more) off at our store so you can upgrade to print for free & escape the tyranny of your screens
Wyrd Science (Vol.1, Issue 7) - Wyrd Science | DriveThruRPG
The award winning Wyrd Science returns for another exploration of the strange worlds and new horizons of tabletop games...
In this issue...
Roleplaying Games & the Cold War! What can they tell us ...
www.drivethrurpg.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:49 AM
So, trying something new today. as our new issue is on sale at DriveThruRPG I just had an idea & added an extra file, a voucher with a code which will get you the price of the PDF (in fact a few pennies more) off at our store so you can upgrade to print for free & escape the tyranny of your screens
Big adulting dilemma tonight: work towards my Darkwater deadline or make a start on Stranger Things ...
November 27, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Big adulting dilemma tonight: work towards my Darkwater deadline or make a start on Stranger Things ...
Interesting but no surprises
November 27, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Interesting but no surprises
Reducing the reliance of US banks to market shocks right before there's likely to be a huge market shock when the AI bubble bursts seems like a cool idea www.ft.com/content/fcfd...
The US is deregulating banks. Will the rest of the world follow?
New rules will boost lending and profits and entrench American dominance. But critics say they could lead to another crash
www.ft.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Reducing the reliance of US banks to market shocks right before there's likely to be a huge market shock when the AI bubble bursts seems like a cool idea www.ft.com/content/fcfd...
Reposted by Matt Thrower
It is pretty tiring, learning that requests for clarity often get read as dissent, or a play for status, so either you have to do a bunch of fawning theatre beforehand to manage the other person's emotions, or you go ahead not fully understanding & risk anger when you didn't guess the secret intent.
PSA to neurotypicals - asking “why” is not arguing. “Here is how a thing is.” “Why?” Is not an argument. It’s a request for more information. Why is the thing that way? Teach me.
November 27, 2025 at 10:04 AM
It is pretty tiring, learning that requests for clarity often get read as dissent, or a play for status, so either you have to do a bunch of fawning theatre beforehand to manage the other person's emotions, or you go ahead not fully understanding & risk anger when you didn't guess the secret intent.
Reviewed Brass: Birmingham for GamesRadar www.gamesradar.com/games/board-...
Fans think this is the best strategy board game ever made, and I have to admit that they've got a point
Brass: Birmingham review
www.gamesradar.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Reviewed Brass: Birmingham for GamesRadar www.gamesradar.com/games/board-...
Paradroid
November 26, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Paradroid
Reposted by Matt Thrower
I really need an actual camera, not just my phone. Yes, it's 'alright,' but this is still tweaked within an inch of being legible to get it closer to how it looks in reality! Hey ho, gotta make do!
November 26, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I really need an actual camera, not just my phone. Yes, it's 'alright,' but this is still tweaked within an inch of being legible to get it closer to how it looks in reality! Hey ho, gotta make do!
Reposted by Matt Thrower
The 50 wealthiest families own more wealth than the bottom 50% of the population.
How can this Labour Government say this is a "cost of living" budget and refuse to tax the rich?
They care about protecting power and wealth. And cost of living is a buzz phrase for them. Dire.
How can this Labour Government say this is a "cost of living" budget and refuse to tax the rich?
They care about protecting power and wealth. And cost of living is a buzz phrase for them. Dire.
November 26, 2025 at 12:16 PM
The 50 wealthiest families own more wealth than the bottom 50% of the population.
How can this Labour Government say this is a "cost of living" budget and refuse to tax the rich?
They care about protecting power and wealth. And cost of living is a buzz phrase for them. Dire.
How can this Labour Government say this is a "cost of living" budget and refuse to tax the rich?
They care about protecting power and wealth. And cost of living is a buzz phrase for them. Dire.
So this is something vaguely progressive but I feel it would have been a good opportunity to actually reform and revalue council tax rather than making it even more complex and fiddly to administer
November 26, 2025 at 12:30 PM
So this is something vaguely progressive but I feel it would have been a good opportunity to actually reform and revalue council tax rather than making it even more complex and fiddly to administer
Reposted by Matt Thrower
Actually I do know why I'm angry: it's the cowardly way they're just trying to nickel-and-dime the electorate while still not sorting out our national problems, and indeed not feeling that they even want to do more than fiddle round the edges.
November 26, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Actually I do know why I'm angry: it's the cowardly way they're just trying to nickel-and-dime the electorate while still not sorting out our national problems, and indeed not feeling that they even want to do more than fiddle round the edges.
Absolutely true. They all break at the first gust of wind.
Umbrella companies are such a giant scam. I refuse to work through one and have lost small jobs as a result. Many lower paid workers don’t have the option to vote with their feet.
The "umbrella" companies often fail to pay PAYE, either by pure fraud (they nick the money) or "tax avoidance" (often really fraud).
The Government wants to make the agencies liable for this, so they police the umbrellas.
The Government wants to make the agencies liable for this, so they police the umbrellas.
November 26, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Absolutely true. They all break at the first gust of wind.
Reposted by Matt Thrower
The 28mm miniatures for the ALIEN Evolved Edition TTRPG are really good. I'm not a mini painter at all so I'll probably ask my son to paint them up for me.
The box set also comes with a booklet to use the ALIEN RPG rules as a skirmish game using the big maps provided. That's a cool idea.
The box set also comes with a booklet to use the ALIEN RPG rules as a skirmish game using the big maps provided. That's a cool idea.
November 26, 2025 at 10:05 AM
The 28mm miniatures for the ALIEN Evolved Edition TTRPG are really good. I'm not a mini painter at all so I'll probably ask my son to paint them up for me.
The box set also comes with a booklet to use the ALIEN RPG rules as a skirmish game using the big maps provided. That's a cool idea.
The box set also comes with a booklet to use the ALIEN RPG rules as a skirmish game using the big maps provided. That's a cool idea.
Reposted by Matt Thrower
This. You can work non-stop and have all the talent and still not see a dime from that effort. It's not a complaint - just a feature of what it means to create art. For most people art is the journey not the eyes that experience it afterwards. This is ok but should also set your expectations.
Some close friends to be get a little frustrated in my tendency to priortise luck in my own career, as they know how I work. I try to explain that work just is buying a lottery ticket. It's necessary, but certainly not sufficient. I know many folks who've worked as hard but the dice have been cruel.
November 26, 2025 at 8:10 AM
This. You can work non-stop and have all the talent and still not see a dime from that effort. It's not a complaint - just a feature of what it means to create art. For most people art is the journey not the eyes that experience it afterwards. This is ok but should also set your expectations.
Reposted by Matt Thrower
Ngl visiting Margate’s Crab Museum was a highlight of our summer (make of that what you will), combine that with my love of giant crabs in fantasy settings and I’ve been trying to think of a way of featuring it in the mag 🤔
November 26, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Ngl visiting Margate’s Crab Museum was a highlight of our summer (make of that what you will), combine that with my love of giant crabs in fantasy settings and I’ve been trying to think of a way of featuring it in the mag 🤔
I'm sorry what is "tuscan tumble dryer style"?!
We boarded nearly four hours ago and finally got a baggie of chips. Everyone was getting hungry! This is a long international flight so people are served a meal and might not have brought any food.
November 26, 2025 at 9:50 AM
I'm sorry what is "tuscan tumble dryer style"?!
A thought process only dog owners have: "ah, I see it's a frosty morning. Great poo-picking weather!"
November 26, 2025 at 8:01 AM
A thought process only dog owners have: "ah, I see it's a frosty morning. Great poo-picking weather!"
Reposted by Matt Thrower
This is discrimination, Microsoft
November 25, 2025 at 2:04 PM
This is discrimination, Microsoft
Oh God. They made the perfect card game for pedants. I must own this. spacebiff.com/2025/11/25/t...
This Is Not a Review of a Pipe
All I play anymore is trick-takers. And while some of them are challenging, others risk disappearing down their own pipe-hole in a semantic puff of tobacco smoke. That isn’t a bad thing. This…
spacebiff.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Oh God. They made the perfect card game for pedants. I must own this. spacebiff.com/2025/11/25/t...
Reposted by Matt Thrower
