2025 Recap
I have been remiss in my regular posting around here, but <gestures at a world gone mad>, which is something I hope to change in 2026. This year I recommitted myself to reading books and playing video games. I've kept up a rough log of my
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2025 in Noteworthy Books
This year I decided I'd start keeping a log or journal of my book-reading, and I actually managed to stick with it! Here are a few of the highlights of the year.
2025 In Video Gaming
I've really enjoyed gaming this year, finding several titles that restored this jaded old-timer's faith in the industry and desire to make games.
2025 Mid-year Media Log
One of my side-goals for the year was to try to remember the books I'd read, any video games I played, etc. I have more or less managed to do that, but not in any permanently organized place. So here, at the outset of July, is the Mid-year Log!
Busted! (2018) — Season 1 Review
Busted! has the organizational logic of a tabletop roleplaying game, whether it knows that or not...
Brindlewood Bay: The Gold Crown Con
One of my favorite developments in the TTRPG world over the past couple of years has been the maturation of the Carved from Brindlewood mystery-centric take on PbtA games. Of course, this inevitably meant that I would create my own scenario...
On the Impossibility of Landscapes
Impossible Landscapes is a large-scale campaign for the Delta Green role-playing game, written by Dennis Detwiller and published in 2021. This article is a short history of Carcosan roleplay, a review of said campaign, a manifesto, and a project announcement all bundled together.
On Curbing Pedestrian Deaths
In which an excellent op-ed by Jamelle Bouie prompts me to stake out my current baseline position in the War on Cars.
Review: Turn of Fortune's Wheel (2023)
In which I, regrettably, give Hasbro money because they've published an update to one of my favorite RPG settings, Planescape.
The Raymond Chandler Tier List
I recently "batted the cycle", re-listening to all of the Philip Marlowe stories—so what better time to but them in a tier list?
Diablo IV and RPG Design Theory
In which I suggest some lessons from "Modern RPG Theory"™ as answers to some of Diablo IV's failings.
The Last Express (1997)
In which we revisit Jordan Mechner's 1997 masterpiece, a deeply immersive, real-time mystery that unfolds aboard the Orient Express on the eve of european catastrophe...
On EVs, mineral problems, and industrial policy
In which a well-timed bit from the Washington Post interrupts a conversation I was already having about battery chemistry... and completely fails to mention the bigger picture!
Review: Arkham Investigator's Wallet (2023)
In which I take a detailed look at a fabulous collection of prop documents for 1920s investigative games... and delve into unboxing videos?