@phobosmiller.bsky.social
Writing, game design, and other general nerdery (He/Him)
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People would be shocked how often a romance mechanic is planned or pitched for a game that could genuinely benefit from it, only to be blocked by a single oldhead dude in leadership despite everyone else being into the idea because he thinks romance game play is "weird" or "cringe."
Random thought I could probably write a whole essay about some time: the fact that there aren‘t more mainstream Romance video games is such a bizarre failure, like don‘t you people wanna make money? Why not cater to the infamously ever hungry audience of Romance book readers in another medium?
September 18, 2026 at 5:55 AM
People would be shocked how often a romance mechanic is planned or pitched for a game that could genuinely benefit from it, only to be blocked by a single oldhead dude in leadership despite everyone else being into the idea because he thinks romance game play is "weird" or "cringe."
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To all the folks frustrated by Google and how they have ruined their own search with genAI slop:
I cannot stress enough that there are other search engines out there. They offer little-to-no genAI slop*. Are they AMAZING? No, but they are passable, workable options.
I cannot stress enough that there are other search engines out there. They offer little-to-no genAI slop*. Are they AMAZING? No, but they are passable, workable options.
Search Engines That Don't Use AI: 8 Options | The Write Direction
Looking for search engines that don't use AI? Compare 8 private, link-first options, learn what "no AI" means in practice, and how to turn off AI in Google.
www.thewrite-direction.com
September 17, 2026 at 1:42 PM
To all the folks frustrated by Google and how they have ruined their own search with genAI slop:
I cannot stress enough that there are other search engines out there. They offer little-to-no genAI slop*. Are they AMAZING? No, but they are passable, workable options.
I cannot stress enough that there are other search engines out there. They offer little-to-no genAI slop*. Are they AMAZING? No, but they are passable, workable options.
Well, that's a new one.
A game dev saying they have to use LLM voice gen because casting a human to play their robot character would be cultural appropriation 🙄
A game dev saying they have to use LLM voice gen because casting a human to play their robot character would be cultural appropriation 🙄
September 16, 2026 at 4:58 AM
Well, that's a new one.
A game dev saying they have to use LLM voice gen because casting a human to play their robot character would be cultural appropriation 🙄
A game dev saying they have to use LLM voice gen because casting a human to play their robot character would be cultural appropriation 🙄
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Since it's Sapphic September AND Werewolf Wednesday, you should play the demo of my sapphic werewolf interactive fiction. Break the Masquerade. Kiss girls and 1 enby. Adopt lovable teen. Save "Dracula's" wives.
www.choiceofgames.com/user-contrib...
www.choiceofgames.com/user-contrib...
Moonrise
Teeth, fur, kisses, bone. Date and thrive in the queer supernatural underground.
www.choiceofgames.com
September 9, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Since it's Sapphic September AND Werewolf Wednesday, you should play the demo of my sapphic werewolf interactive fiction. Break the Masquerade. Kiss girls and 1 enby. Adopt lovable teen. Save "Dracula's" wives.
www.choiceofgames.com/user-contrib...
www.choiceofgames.com/user-contrib...
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Some deals on my books today! #booksky #queerbooks #gayficiton #horror #SciFi #EbookDeal #Kindle
Brief Pose is FREE. (Science Fiction Drama) www.amazon.com/dp/B01KKVYPEA/
The Forgiving is $0.99. (Horror)
www.amazon.com/dp/B00DZZIEX2/
Brief Pose is FREE. (Science Fiction Drama) www.amazon.com/dp/B01KKVYPEA/
The Forgiving is $0.99. (Horror)
www.amazon.com/dp/B00DZZIEX2/
September 9, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Some deals on my books today! #booksky #queerbooks #gayficiton #horror #SciFi #EbookDeal #Kindle
Brief Pose is FREE. (Science Fiction Drama) www.amazon.com/dp/B01KKVYPEA/
The Forgiving is $0.99. (Horror)
www.amazon.com/dp/B00DZZIEX2/
Brief Pose is FREE. (Science Fiction Drama) www.amazon.com/dp/B01KKVYPEA/
The Forgiving is $0.99. (Horror)
www.amazon.com/dp/B00DZZIEX2/
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The Fraternity Box: A Mystery Box Romance is £0.99 for UK readers.
College rivals isolated together over winter break receive a mysterious invitation from a closed fraternity in this spicy paranormal romance. #mmromance
Link: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX36SDHM
College rivals isolated together over winter break receive a mysterious invitation from a closed fraternity in this spicy paranormal romance. #mmromance
Link: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX36SDHM
September 5, 2026 at 3:07 PM
The Fraternity Box: A Mystery Box Romance is £0.99 for UK readers.
College rivals isolated together over winter break receive a mysterious invitation from a closed fraternity in this spicy paranormal romance. #mmromance
Link: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX36SDHM
College rivals isolated together over winter break receive a mysterious invitation from a closed fraternity in this spicy paranormal romance. #mmromance
Link: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX36SDHM
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📖 Who We Could Be by Chelsea M. Cameron
➡️Dual POV/dual coming out romance inspired by Anne of Green Gables with a modern twist.
✂️Bffs to lovers
🥵butch/femme
💋Practice kisses
📚Bookseller/Librarian
🍁Fall vibes
🏠Small town
books2read.com/u/bMXQJ5
➡️Dual POV/dual coming out romance inspired by Anne of Green Gables with a modern twist.
✂️Bffs to lovers
🥵butch/femme
💋Practice kisses
📚Bookseller/Librarian
🍁Fall vibes
🏠Small town
books2read.com/u/bMXQJ5
Available now at your favorite digital store!
Who We Could Be by Chelsea M. Cameron
books2read.com
September 6, 2026 at 8:08 PM
📖 Who We Could Be by Chelsea M. Cameron
➡️Dual POV/dual coming out romance inspired by Anne of Green Gables with a modern twist.
✂️Bffs to lovers
🥵butch/femme
💋Practice kisses
📚Bookseller/Librarian
🍁Fall vibes
🏠Small town
books2read.com/u/bMXQJ5
➡️Dual POV/dual coming out romance inspired by Anne of Green Gables with a modern twist.
✂️Bffs to lovers
🥵butch/femme
💋Practice kisses
📚Bookseller/Librarian
🍁Fall vibes
🏠Small town
books2read.com/u/bMXQJ5
Okay that's a great pun 😆
Upcoming Norwegian animated feature ‘Viqueens’ has been acquired by Ketchup Entertainment for U.S. distribution.
A teaser for the film will screen alongside ‘COYOTE VS. ACME’ in theaters this weekend.
A release date has yet to be announced.
A teaser for the film will screen alongside ‘COYOTE VS. ACME’ in theaters this weekend.
A release date has yet to be announced.
September 6, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Okay that's a great pun 😆
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Tomorrow, The Fraternity Box: A Mystery Box Romance goes on deep discount in the UK.
Link: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX36SDHM
Link: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX36SDHM
September 4, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Tomorrow, The Fraternity Box: A Mystery Box Romance goes on deep discount in the UK.
Link: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX36SDHM
Link: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX36SDHM
Dragon's Dogma 2 has just had a big engine update in prep for the new Dark Arisen expansion coming soonish, so I've been back checking it out.
And oh my gosh, I forgot just how fun exploring it's world was 😁 (and the very noticeable performance improvements help too)
And oh my gosh, I forgot just how fun exploring it's world was 😁 (and the very noticeable performance improvements help too)
September 4, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Dragon's Dogma 2 has just had a big engine update in prep for the new Dark Arisen expansion coming soonish, so I've been back checking it out.
And oh my gosh, I forgot just how fun exploring it's world was 😁 (and the very noticeable performance improvements help too)
And oh my gosh, I forgot just how fun exploring it's world was 😁 (and the very noticeable performance improvements help too)
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Nice to have a citation for the stuff we all sort of assume to be true but question if it's just our own biases making it look that way
September 3, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Nice to have a citation for the stuff we all sort of assume to be true but question if it's just our own biases making it look that way
It's going to be so funny if Sony makes it all the way to trial arguing that "the EULA says you agreed you didn't have any rights" as it wouldn't be the first one of these things a judge has looked and declared it an invalid contract.
(which is why they'll probably settle but 🤞)
(which is why they'll probably settle but 🤞)
September 1, 2026 at 8:26 PM
It's going to be so funny if Sony makes it all the way to trial arguing that "the EULA says you agreed you didn't have any rights" as it wouldn't be the first one of these things a judge has looked and declared it an invalid contract.
(which is why they'll probably settle but 🤞)
(which is why they'll probably settle but 🤞)
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New name for Reacher
September 1, 2026 at 4:28 PM
New name for Reacher
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So, I haven't Formally Announced this anywhere yet, but IT'S NONBINARY DAY and I, A Nonbinary, have something pretty cool coming up.
If you like CHAMELEON MOON, and/or Weird, Queer/Trans/Polyam/Disabled-centric, Stubbornly Hopeful Dystopia series finally getting a Book 3, might I suggest...
If you like CHAMELEON MOON, and/or Weird, Queer/Trans/Polyam/Disabled-centric, Stubbornly Hopeful Dystopia series finally getting a Book 3, might I suggest...
Get Ready For Chameleon Moon Book 3: Call The Storm!
From RoAnna Sylver - Get Ready For Chameleon Moon Book 3: Call The Storm!
www.backerkit.com
July 14, 2026 at 10:23 PM
So, I haven't Formally Announced this anywhere yet, but IT'S NONBINARY DAY and I, A Nonbinary, have something pretty cool coming up.
If you like CHAMELEON MOON, and/or Weird, Queer/Trans/Polyam/Disabled-centric, Stubbornly Hopeful Dystopia series finally getting a Book 3, might I suggest...
If you like CHAMELEON MOON, and/or Weird, Queer/Trans/Polyam/Disabled-centric, Stubbornly Hopeful Dystopia series finally getting a Book 3, might I suggest...
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The Motel Box is 99 cents today! #mmromance #booksky #deal #ebook
Buy it here: www.amazon.com/dp/B0H3VHCXY9
Buy it here: www.amazon.com/dp/B0H3VHCXY9
August 22, 2026 at 4:14 PM
The Motel Box is 99 cents today! #mmromance #booksky #deal #ebook
Buy it here: www.amazon.com/dp/B0H3VHCXY9
Buy it here: www.amazon.com/dp/B0H3VHCXY9
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there is a terrific essay on m/m romance called “The Shoulder Check Problem” by @nathanburgoine.bsky.social which examines tropes which pull queer readers out of books that weren’t written by or for us, of which a big one is “Happy Ending Requires Queer Protagonist To Reconcile With Bigoted Family”
August 17, 2026 at 5:25 PM
there is a terrific essay on m/m romance called “The Shoulder Check Problem” by @nathanburgoine.bsky.social which examines tropes which pull queer readers out of books that weren’t written by or for us, of which a big one is “Happy Ending Requires Queer Protagonist To Reconcile With Bigoted Family”
Checked out the new season of Reacher (it's good) and hoo boy does the squeaky clean former military presidential hopeful who earns Reachers respect not hit the way they intended these days lol. (his wife looking like she's from Fox News central casting might be some good foreshadowing tho 🤷)
August 16, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Checked out the new season of Reacher (it's good) and hoo boy does the squeaky clean former military presidential hopeful who earns Reachers respect not hit the way they intended these days lol. (his wife looking like she's from Fox News central casting might be some good foreshadowing tho 🤷)
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You can now buy all three of my Mystery Box Romance books! #mmromance #booksky 🌶️📚
Each standalone M/M romance delivers an isolated location, intense chemistry, a mysterious box, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZ7D94KF
Each standalone M/M romance delivers an isolated location, intense chemistry, a mysterious box, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZ7D94KF
August 7, 2026 at 4:41 PM
You can now buy all three of my Mystery Box Romance books! #mmromance #booksky 🌶️📚
Each standalone M/M romance delivers an isolated location, intense chemistry, a mysterious box, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZ7D94KF
Each standalone M/M romance delivers an isolated location, intense chemistry, a mysterious box, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZ7D94KF
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My Mystery Box Romance anthology series is like if The Twilight Zone had a lot of gay sex and romance in every episode.
Each story stands on its own. They're short, 50k-65k words.
The Cabin Box is the most straightforward (they find a box in the woods).
The third one comes out Thursday. #booksky
Each story stands on its own. They're short, 50k-65k words.
The Cabin Box is the most straightforward (they find a box in the woods).
The third one comes out Thursday. #booksky
August 5, 2026 at 3:11 AM
My Mystery Box Romance anthology series is like if The Twilight Zone had a lot of gay sex and romance in every episode.
Each story stands on its own. They're short, 50k-65k words.
The Cabin Box is the most straightforward (they find a box in the woods).
The third one comes out Thursday. #booksky
Each story stands on its own. They're short, 50k-65k words.
The Cabin Box is the most straightforward (they find a box in the woods).
The third one comes out Thursday. #booksky
Reposted
What do you fucking mean they embroidered all the sprites
July 21, 2026 at 3:01 PM
What do you fucking mean they embroidered all the sprites
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Seen some talk of unethical fiction, so here’s my take
July 22, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Seen some talk of unethical fiction, so here’s my take
Well I may have binged all of Ride or Die 😅
It was very good, like the way it chose to show Octavia Spencers character was smart and competent but in a very different way to the action movie assassins running around. Also manages to avoid running out of plot in its 8 eps and keeps up a solid pace.
It was very good, like the way it chose to show Octavia Spencers character was smart and competent but in a very different way to the action movie assassins running around. Also manages to avoid running out of plot in its 8 eps and keeps up a solid pace.
July 21, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Well I may have binged all of Ride or Die 😅
It was very good, like the way it chose to show Octavia Spencers character was smart and competent but in a very different way to the action movie assassins running around. Also manages to avoid running out of plot in its 8 eps and keeps up a solid pace.
It was very good, like the way it chose to show Octavia Spencers character was smart and competent but in a very different way to the action movie assassins running around. Also manages to avoid running out of plot in its 8 eps and keeps up a solid pace.
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People complaining about a woman with dark skin in an Odyssey film.
They don't care about accuracy, they're just racist.
Otherwise people would also be complaining that they didn't have steel swords and armor in the Bronze Age.
It was THE BRONZE AGE. They didn't have steel AT ALL.
They don't care about accuracy, they're just racist.
Otherwise people would also be complaining that they didn't have steel swords and armor in the Bronze Age.
It was THE BRONZE AGE. They didn't have steel AT ALL.
July 21, 2026 at 12:31 AM
People complaining about a woman with dark skin in an Odyssey film.
They don't care about accuracy, they're just racist.
Otherwise people would also be complaining that they didn't have steel swords and armor in the Bronze Age.
It was THE BRONZE AGE. They didn't have steel AT ALL.
They don't care about accuracy, they're just racist.
Otherwise people would also be complaining that they didn't have steel swords and armor in the Bronze Age.
It was THE BRONZE AGE. They didn't have steel AT ALL.
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Beautiful work.
Meta glasses ad vandalized in London https://manualdousuario.net/en/they-live-meta-glasses-kylie-jenner/
Meta glasses ad vandalized in London
Everything about this story is wonderful, from the activist group’s name to the surgical vandalism to the not-so-subtle nod to the classic ”They Live”, John Carpenter’s 1988 film…
manualdousuario.net
July 16, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Beautiful work.