Rob Haines
@robhainescreative.space
Creative writer, statistical programmer, photographer, pianist and unrepentant catdad.
he/him
Microfiction, essays and visual art at https://robhainescreative.space
Cannot view DMs on Bluesky.
he/him
Microfiction, essays and visual art at https://robhainescreative.space
Cannot view DMs on Bluesky.
Pinned
Rob Haines
@robhainescreative.space
· Mar 17
These Hearts, Who Once Held Up the Sky by Rob Haines
We find each other on the road towards the failing Span. The sky is still golden here, every star, every path and confluence a part of the greater whole. We each recall, together and apart, when ou…
factorfourmag.com
"We are not gods, but tinder.
We turn the world, but in doing so, we burn."
These Hearts, Who Once Held Up the Sky, my latest short story, about burnout, managed collapse and finding a road forward together.
Read it here:
factorfourmag.com/these-hearts...
#Fiction #ShortStory #Fantasy #Burnout
We turn the world, but in doing so, we burn."
These Hearts, Who Once Held Up the Sky, my latest short story, about burnout, managed collapse and finding a road forward together.
Read it here:
factorfourmag.com/these-hearts...
#Fiction #ShortStory #Fantasy #Burnout
Reposted by Rob Haines
Last chance to take advantage of the Unwinnable year-end special subscription offer: sign up for $5, get all 24 issues from 2025. Ends tonight!
Easily one whole day of distraction from doomscrolling.
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
@unwinnable.com
Easily one whole day of distraction from doomscrolling.
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
@unwinnable.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Last chance to take advantage of the Unwinnable year-end special subscription offer: sign up for $5, get all 24 issues from 2025. Ends tonight!
Easily one whole day of distraction from doomscrolling.
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
@unwinnable.com
Easily one whole day of distraction from doomscrolling.
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
@unwinnable.com
Reposted by Rob Haines
Hey! Do you want to pitch a feature for @unwinnable.com's Final Fantasy x Politics theme issue this spring?
Use this form: forms.gle/3jqN8rJavyQc... !!!
Use this form: forms.gle/3jqN8rJavyQc... !!!
January 22, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Hey! Do you want to pitch a feature for @unwinnable.com's Final Fantasy x Politics theme issue this spring?
Use this form: forms.gle/3jqN8rJavyQc... !!!
Use this form: forms.gle/3jqN8rJavyQc... !!!
Reposted by Rob Haines
With the loudest mega-spoilers warnings for Outer Wilds / Echoes of the Eye, and with thanks to @robhainescreative.space: on Outer Wilds, stubbornness in dark times, and saying no to things.
Props to @emilyprice.bsky.social for the piece and post that tied this together.
lia-sae.net/articles/202...
Props to @emilyprice.bsky.social for the piece and post that tied this together.
lia-sae.net/articles/202...
Lia's blog - Rocket science and marshmallows against toxic nihilism
Major spoilers for Outer Wilds and Echoes of the Eye. Let's take a few life lessons from the Hearthians.
lia-sae.net
January 22, 2026 at 1:48 AM
With the loudest mega-spoilers warnings for Outer Wilds / Echoes of the Eye, and with thanks to @robhainescreative.space: on Outer Wilds, stubbornness in dark times, and saying no to things.
Props to @emilyprice.bsky.social for the piece and post that tied this together.
lia-sae.net/articles/202...
Props to @emilyprice.bsky.social for the piece and post that tied this together.
lia-sae.net/articles/202...
Reposted by Rob Haines
Iykyk, but the one thing I've learned about game dev very early on is that if there's a big controversial writing decision, the writing team will have flagged it, they were ignored, and they will be the ones blamed regardless
Call me old-fashioned, but I think it’s incredibly crass to demand certain (controversial) story beats from your writing team, fire that writing team, then throw that writing team under the bus for decisions *they didn’t make* while marketing your new thing.
Very crass! Very ick!
Very crass! Very ick!
January 21, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Iykyk, but the one thing I've learned about game dev very early on is that if there's a big controversial writing decision, the writing team will have flagged it, they were ignored, and they will be the ones blamed regardless
Reposted by Rob Haines
Good evening! I'm looking to get a new subscriber for @unwinnable.com every day this year. Right now, if you sign up, you get all of our 2025 issues for free. But when the January issue comes out this week, that will end. Strike while the iron is hot!
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
January 18, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Good evening! I'm looking to get a new subscriber for @unwinnable.com every day this year. Right now, if you sign up, you get all of our 2025 issues for free. But when the January issue comes out this week, that will end. Strike while the iron is hot!
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
Reposted by Rob Haines
Hi #PortfolioDay! I'm Jenny, a UK-based freelance artist who loves painting colorful, dreamy environments, often inspired by my love of retro games.
I'm available for 2D games concept art and fantasy illustration!
🖌️ www.jennyhainesart.com
✉️ [email protected]
🎨 cara.app/snarkylamassu
I'm available for 2D games concept art and fantasy illustration!
🖌️ www.jennyhainesart.com
✉️ [email protected]
🎨 cara.app/snarkylamassu
January 13, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Hi #PortfolioDay! I'm Jenny, a UK-based freelance artist who loves painting colorful, dreamy environments, often inspired by my love of retro games.
I'm available for 2D games concept art and fantasy illustration!
🖌️ www.jennyhainesart.com
✉️ [email protected]
🎨 cara.app/snarkylamassu
I'm available for 2D games concept art and fantasy illustration!
🖌️ www.jennyhainesart.com
✉️ [email protected]
🎨 cara.app/snarkylamassu
Reposted by Rob Haines
This is simply not technically possible. You cannot generate enough writing in-house to train an LLM. You cannot generate enough art in-house to train a GAN. People who think they have a model "trained on our own material" are using a base model of mass-scraped data, unknowingly or disingenuously.
Larian CEO says Divinity could have gen AI assets in it but only if the tools are trained on the studio's own data.
"If we use a GenAI model to create in-game assets, then it'll be trained on data we own."
https://kotaku.com/divinity-gen-ai-larian-bg3-reddit-ama-2000658429
"If we use a GenAI model to create in-game assets, then it'll be trained on data we own."
https://kotaku.com/divinity-gen-ai-larian-bg3-reddit-ama-2000658429
January 9, 2026 at 3:39 PM
This is simply not technically possible. You cannot generate enough writing in-house to train an LLM. You cannot generate enough art in-house to train a GAN. People who think they have a model "trained on our own material" are using a base model of mass-scraped data, unknowingly or disingenuously.
Reposted by Rob Haines
which is why anyone who defaults to having respect for other people and their work rejects ai without exception
the discourse on what jobs are acceptable to replace with generative AI reveals a lot about what we think of other people's jobs
January 9, 2026 at 11:15 AM
which is why anyone who defaults to having respect for other people and their work rejects ai without exception
Reposted by Rob Haines
I've been running an indie games studio for 15 years now, and it felt like a good time to boil down what I've learned into 4 pieces of advice:
www.pentadact.com/2026-01-08-1...
I hope it's of use, not least because goddamn I forgot how long blog posts take to write.
www.pentadact.com/2026-01-08-1...
I hope it's of use, not least because goddamn I forgot how long blog posts take to write.
January 8, 2026 at 6:02 PM
I've been running an indie games studio for 15 years now, and it felt like a good time to boil down what I've learned into 4 pieces of advice:
www.pentadact.com/2026-01-08-1...
I hope it's of use, not least because goddamn I forgot how long blog posts take to write.
www.pentadact.com/2026-01-08-1...
I hope it's of use, not least because goddamn I forgot how long blog posts take to write.
Reposted by Rob Haines
Let's walk through why Unwinnable is some of the goodest critical writing you can find today. I'm going through our Genuine Unintelligence issue (April, 2025) story by story to show you the stuff, then at the end you can smash the "subscribe button" up there because you've been blinded by our light.
Oh, it's a new year? Well lemme tell you something: the Unwinnable Year-End Subscription Special only ends when I say it does. So pretend it is still 2025 and grab those 24 issues for 5 bucks. unwinnable.com/subscribe/ @unwinnable.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Let's walk through why Unwinnable is some of the goodest critical writing you can find today. I'm going through our Genuine Unintelligence issue (April, 2025) story by story to show you the stuff, then at the end you can smash the "subscribe button" up there because you've been blinded by our light.
One excellent duck, on demand!
January 6, 2026 at 6:17 PM
One excellent duck, on demand!
Reposted by Rob Haines
I'm planning on launching a blog that shares short interviews with writers about their craft. Do I know anyone who wants to be featured? Hit me up.
January 6, 2026 at 4:53 PM
I'm planning on launching a blog that shares short interviews with writers about their craft. Do I know anyone who wants to be featured? Hit me up.
Taking the chance to dip out into the frosty garden for some seasonal photography
#Photography #Birds #Snow
#Photography #Birds #Snow
January 6, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Taking the chance to dip out into the frosty garden for some seasonal photography
#Photography #Birds #Snow
#Photography #Birds #Snow
Forgot that I'd never edited these good bird photos from August, so thought we could all use a little summer warmth!
#Photography #Birds
#Photography #Birds
January 5, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Forgot that I'd never edited these good bird photos from August, so thought we could all use a little summer warmth!
#Photography #Birds
#Photography #Birds
Reposted by Rob Haines
Found some time in the ebb and flow of the holidays for my creative Year in Review for the year past:
www.robhainescreative.space/blog/2025-ye...
www.robhainescreative.space/blog/2025-ye...
Year in Review - 2025
As 2025 recedes in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to revisit what ended up being a very busy year.
After taking a chunk of time off for creativity in 2024, the past year was dominated by programming ...
www.robhainescreative.space
January 2, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Found some time in the ebb and flow of the holidays for my creative Year in Review for the year past:
www.robhainescreative.space/blog/2025-ye...
www.robhainescreative.space/blog/2025-ye...
Found some time in the ebb and flow of the holidays for my creative Year in Review for the year past:
www.robhainescreative.space/blog/2025-ye...
www.robhainescreative.space/blog/2025-ye...
Year in Review - 2025
As 2025 recedes in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to revisit what ended up being a very busy year.
After taking a chunk of time off for creativity in 2024, the past year was dominated by programming ...
www.robhainescreative.space
January 2, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Found some time in the ebb and flow of the holidays for my creative Year in Review for the year past:
www.robhainescreative.space/blog/2025-ye...
www.robhainescreative.space/blog/2025-ye...
While growing up, I'd always been frustrated by my inability to draw or paint. Even as an adult, despite having an eye for photography and other mediums, I still had an ingrained belief I couldn't *do* art.
So in April I decided to give it a go. Nine months of #birdwhisperer later:
So in April I decided to give it a go. Nine months of #birdwhisperer later:
December 31, 2025 at 4:32 PM
While growing up, I'd always been frustrated by my inability to draw or paint. Even as an adult, despite having an eye for photography and other mediums, I still had an ingrained belief I couldn't *do* art.
So in April I decided to give it a go. Nine months of #birdwhisperer later:
So in April I decided to give it a go. Nine months of #birdwhisperer later:
A study of a European Crested Tit for the last #birdwhisperer of the year!
December 31, 2025 at 4:02 PM
A study of a European Crested Tit for the last #birdwhisperer of the year!
Reposted by Rob Haines
The only reasonable position is zero tolerance: the AI industry must end sooner rather than later. It is culturally, socially, environmentally, and economically destructive, and all the Silicon Valley marketing in the world isn't going to make it otherwise.
December 23, 2025 at 4:57 PM
The only reasonable position is zero tolerance: the AI industry must end sooner rather than later. It is culturally, socially, environmentally, and economically destructive, and all the Silicon Valley marketing in the world isn't going to make it otherwise.
Reposted by Rob Haines
👇
One thing I haven't seen addressed is that all LLM companies are currently charging very low teaser/loss leader prices. These WILL go up in the near future once the VC subsidy cash is burnt off. Probably by a lot.
I doubt the cash savings will last very long.
I doubt the cash savings will last very long.
December 20, 2025 at 11:56 PM
👇
Reposted by Rob Haines
I don’t think I’ve ever gone HELL YES this hard at every single sentence of a piece in quite some time. And GODS it feels good to see someone else draw the covid / genAI nihilism parallel
tapping the sign or whatever
December 19, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I don’t think I’ve ever gone HELL YES this hard at every single sentence of a piece in quite some time. And GODS it feels good to see someone else draw the covid / genAI nihilism parallel
During the writing of this essay, I fundamentally changed my entire stance on the topic during the course of both the research and the writing of it.
If I had decided to opt-out of any part of that process, it would have been a much weaker piece, and one I wouldn't feel so proud of today.
If I had decided to opt-out of any part of that process, it would have been a much weaker piece, and one I wouldn't feel so proud of today.
December 19, 2025 at 9:55 AM
During the writing of this essay, I fundamentally changed my entire stance on the topic during the course of both the research and the writing of it.
If I had decided to opt-out of any part of that process, it would have been a much weaker piece, and one I wouldn't feel so proud of today.
If I had decided to opt-out of any part of that process, it would have been a much weaker piece, and one I wouldn't feel so proud of today.
Reposted by Rob Haines
I often stop a painting partway bc something feels off in the execution. I pull it apart, put it back together again and the end result is so much better, more focused on the original goal for it.
That's part of the process. If I skip that part, the results are less polished, and less meaningful.
That's part of the process. If I skip that part, the results are less polished, and less meaningful.
the thing that drives me insane about genAI/chatgpt bullshit is that brother, the process IS the work IS the entire thing. no artist comes to art for the final result. the final result is inextricable from the fucking labor that came into making it
December 19, 2025 at 9:17 AM
I often stop a painting partway bc something feels off in the execution. I pull it apart, put it back together again and the end result is so much better, more focused on the original goal for it.
That's part of the process. If I skip that part, the results are less polished, and less meaningful.
That's part of the process. If I skip that part, the results are less polished, and less meaningful.
Reposted by Rob Haines
We spoke to a dozen professional concept artists who are currently or have previously worked in game development about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs any easier.
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Concept Artists Say Generative AI References Only Make Their Jobs Harder
“The ‘early ideation stages’, when worlds are being fleshed out by writers and artists, are literally crucial to the development of a game’s vision,” said one artist.
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:06 PM
We spoke to a dozen professional concept artists who are currently or have previously worked in game development about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs any easier.
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Reposted by Rob Haines
Subscribe to Unwinnable before the end of the year and get all the 2025 issues free! That's twelve issues of Unwinnable Monthly AND twelve issues of Exploits for five clams. Feed your brain over the holidays!
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
(@unwinnable.com)
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
(@unwinnable.com)
December 17, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Subscribe to Unwinnable before the end of the year and get all the 2025 issues free! That's twelve issues of Unwinnable Monthly AND twelve issues of Exploits for five clams. Feed your brain over the holidays!
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
(@unwinnable.com)
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
(@unwinnable.com)