Sam Shields
@smshieldsy.bsky.social
Game Design Research Lead @ IDEO. PhD in procedural game design. Hoping one day to be the frontman of a ska-punk band.
Shot calling: With the inevitable release of Majora's Mask remastered, we also get a tie-in A24 produced adaptation of BEN DROWNED
September 10, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Shot calling: With the inevitable release of Majora's Mask remastered, we also get a tie-in A24 produced adaptation of BEN DROWNED
id you know there's a ~hip~ new workshop in #AGD / #PCG? Check us out at wagd.site! We want to read your papers, see your demos, play your interactive sessions, and see your systems making weird little dudes doing weird little things.
@tanyaxshort.bsky.social and @mtrc.bsky.social are keynoting!
@tanyaxshort.bsky.social and @mtrc.bsky.social are keynoting!
WAGD 2026 - Workshop on Automated Game Design at AIIDE
A home for advancing the state-of-the-art in automated game design. AIIDE 2026, November 9-10. Submissions due September 18th.
wagd.site
August 19, 2026 at 6:40 PM
id you know there's a ~hip~ new workshop in #AGD / #PCG? Check us out at wagd.site! We want to read your papers, see your demos, play your interactive sessions, and see your systems making weird little dudes doing weird little things.
@tanyaxshort.bsky.social and @mtrc.bsky.social are keynoting!
@tanyaxshort.bsky.social and @mtrc.bsky.social are keynoting!
Reposted by Sam Shields
There's still lots of time to submit to the 1st Workshop on Automated Game Design, led by @smshieldsy.bsky.social. Come and tell us your ideas about game design spaces, weird little procedural generation gremlins, and more: smshields.github.io/AIIDE-2026-W...
WAGD - Workshop on Automated Game Design
smshields.github.io
August 11, 2026 at 10:34 AM
There's still lots of time to submit to the 1st Workshop on Automated Game Design, led by @smshieldsy.bsky.social. Come and tell us your ideas about game design spaces, weird little procedural generation gremlins, and more: smshields.github.io/AIIDE-2026-W...
How aware do you think Magic designers are of player's proclivities to smell freshly opened cards
...or is that just a me thing
...or is that just a me thing
July 30, 2026 at 2:50 PM
How aware do you think Magic designers are of player's proclivities to smell freshly opened cards
...or is that just a me thing
...or is that just a me thing
Not sure we need a new Resident Evil movie when Evil Dead Burn absolutely nailed the Biohazard vibes
July 24, 2026 at 2:55 AM
Not sure we need a new Resident Evil movie when Evil Dead Burn absolutely nailed the Biohazard vibes
If you're in the bay area and interested in learning about or trying your hand at trading card game design, come join me at the MADE sometime in the next two months!
luma.com/3x2vn3xv
luma.com/3x2vn3xv
TCG Design Workshop #1 · Luma
Are you a fan of Gundam, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon, and/or other trading card games? Do you ever wonder what makes them so popular?
Well this…
luma.com
July 21, 2026 at 6:06 PM
If you're in the bay area and interested in learning about or trying your hand at trading card game design, come join me at the MADE sometime in the next two months!
luma.com/3x2vn3xv
luma.com/3x2vn3xv
Reposted by Sam Shields
Reposted by Sam Shields
Consider sponsoring the AAAI AIIDE conference in Belo Horizonte, Brazil! Your support will help motivate cutting-edge advancements in Game AI and creative technologies while giving you access to the best global talent in the field. Get involved: sites.google.com/view/aiide20...
AIIDE 2026 - Sponsors
Call for Sponsors
We are excited to announce the Call for Sponsors for the The 22nd AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Digital Entertainment (AIIDE 2026), taking place in Belo ...
sites.google.com
July 15, 2026 at 4:11 AM
Consider sponsoring the AAAI AIIDE conference in Belo Horizonte, Brazil! Your support will help motivate cutting-edge advancements in Game AI and creative technologies while giving you access to the best global talent in the field. Get involved: sites.google.com/view/aiide20...
Reposted by Sam Shields
Today is the last day to submit full papers for AIIDE 2026! Submit in Easychair by midnight tonight (AOE).
Missed the paper deadline but want to show a demo? Submit to the case studies track by next Thursday to showcase and playtest it at the conference!
sites.google.com/view/aiide20...
Missed the paper deadline but want to show a demo? Submit to the case studies track by next Thursday to showcase and playtest it at the conference!
sites.google.com/view/aiide20...
AIIDE 2026
The 22nd AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Digital Entertainment (AIIDE 2026) is the next in an annual series of conferences showcasing interdisciplinary research on modeling,...
sites.google.com
July 3, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Today is the last day to submit full papers for AIIDE 2026! Submit in Easychair by midnight tonight (AOE).
Missed the paper deadline but want to show a demo? Submit to the case studies track by next Thursday to showcase and playtest it at the conference!
sites.google.com/view/aiide20...
Missed the paper deadline but want to show a demo? Submit to the case studies track by next Thursday to showcase and playtest it at the conference!
sites.google.com/view/aiide20...
Reposted by Sam Shields
It's with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of iconic artist, Ron Spears.
With a flair for the fantastic, Spears's illustrations have transported players to planes across the Multiverse for over 20 years🌻magic.wizards.com/en/news/feat...
With a flair for the fantastic, Spears's illustrations have transported players to planes across the Multiverse for over 20 years🌻magic.wizards.com/en/news/feat...
June 24, 2026 at 10:33 PM
It's with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of iconic artist, Ron Spears.
With a flair for the fantastic, Spears's illustrations have transported players to planes across the Multiverse for over 20 years🌻magic.wizards.com/en/news/feat...
With a flair for the fantastic, Spears's illustrations have transported players to planes across the Multiverse for over 20 years🌻magic.wizards.com/en/news/feat...
My new favorite whiteboard doodle, in which a player thinks too hard about their role in The Sims
June 24, 2026 at 7:10 PM
My new favorite whiteboard doodle, in which a player thinks too hard about their role in The Sims
Reposted by Sam Shields
Today is a momentous day for the workers of Arena! After months of planning, waiting and organizing, our dream is finally a reality; the votes have been counted, and our union of UWOTC-CWA has been officially elected.
From this day forward, we have a union!
From this day forward, we have a union!
June 23, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Today is a momentous day for the workers of Arena! After months of planning, waiting and organizing, our dream is finally a reality; the votes have been counted, and our union of UWOTC-CWA has been officially elected.
From this day forward, we have a union!
From this day forward, we have a union!
Can someone tell me why Baudrillard's "reception" section on Wikipedia is only negative
June 23, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Can someone tell me why Baudrillard's "reception" section on Wikipedia is only negative
Reposted by Sam Shields
AIIDE is going to have three workshops this year! This year, we are hosting Experimental AI in Games, The Workshop on Automated Game Design, and Designing Neuroinclusive Human-AI Interactive Learning Environments. Learn more here: sites.google.com/view/aiide20...
AIIDE 2026 - Workshops
AIIDE is proud to announce three workshops this year! See their descriptions below.
Experimental AI in Games (EXAG)
The Experimental AI in Games (EXAG) workshop is a workshop traditionally held at th...
sites.google.com
June 10, 2026 at 4:42 AM
AIIDE is going to have three workshops this year! This year, we are hosting Experimental AI in Games, The Workshop on Automated Game Design, and Designing Neuroinclusive Human-AI Interactive Learning Environments. Learn more here: sites.google.com/view/aiide20...
Very excited to announce the FIRST Workshop on Automated Game Design at this year's AIIDE! We are welcoming submissions through to September. Read more and submit here: smshields.github.io/AIIDE-2026-W...
WAGD - Workshop on Automated Game Design
smshields.github.io
June 3, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Very excited to announce the FIRST Workshop on Automated Game Design at this year's AIIDE! We are welcoming submissions through to September. Read more and submit here: smshields.github.io/AIIDE-2026-W...
Reposted by Sam Shields
We're one month away from submissions! Start (or finish) your papers and join an active and thriving AI in entertainment community at AIIDE.
Abstracts are due June 19th. Read more: sites.google.com/view/aiide20...
Abstracts are due June 19th. Read more: sites.google.com/view/aiide20...
AIIDE 2026 - Call for Papers
AIIDE 2026 welcomes submissions across the vast field of Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Digital Entertainment. We are particularly interested in novel contributions and applications, as well ...
sites.google.com
May 22, 2026 at 5:37 PM
We're one month away from submissions! Start (or finish) your papers and join an active and thriving AI in entertainment community at AIIDE.
Abstracts are due June 19th. Read more: sites.google.com/view/aiide20...
Abstracts are due June 19th. Read more: sites.google.com/view/aiide20...
Reposted by Sam Shields
Robe of Philosophy:
+2 INT
+2 WIS
-2 DEX
Wearer takes 1 fire damage every turn spent in direct sunlight
+2 INT
+2 WIS
-2 DEX
Wearer takes 1 fire damage every turn spent in direct sunlight
May 16, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Robe of Philosophy:
+2 INT
+2 WIS
-2 DEX
Wearer takes 1 fire damage every turn spent in direct sunlight
+2 INT
+2 WIS
-2 DEX
Wearer takes 1 fire damage every turn spent in direct sunlight
Reposted by Sam Shields
living as a normal human: yes let's become more self-aware and gently try to improve ourselves and achieve enlightenment
trying to create literally anything at all: SHUT UP SHUT UP I HAVE TO STOP EXISTING FOR THIS TO WORK SHUT UP
trying to create literally anything at all: SHUT UP SHUT UP I HAVE TO STOP EXISTING FOR THIS TO WORK SHUT UP
May 10, 2026 at 4:39 PM
living as a normal human: yes let's become more self-aware and gently try to improve ourselves and achieve enlightenment
trying to create literally anything at all: SHUT UP SHUT UP I HAVE TO STOP EXISTING FOR THIS TO WORK SHUT UP
trying to create literally anything at all: SHUT UP SHUT UP I HAVE TO STOP EXISTING FOR THIS TO WORK SHUT UP
Excited to share two pieces of accepted work at this year's IEEE Conference on Games! One work details a framework for balancing games based on a literature review, while the other focuses on player experiences in interactive digital narrative. See you in Madrid!
May 1, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Excited to share two pieces of accepted work at this year's IEEE Conference on Games! One work details a framework for balancing games based on a literature review, while the other focuses on player experiences in interactive digital narrative. See you in Madrid!
Reposted by Sam Shields
Hello my name is Sam
I sometimes draw hands
I sometimes draw hands
April 21, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Hello my name is Sam
I sometimes draw hands
I sometimes draw hands
Throwing this out there to my fellow game designers/devs - how do we feel about the ethics of using LLMs in coding? I'm on the side of the fence of being profoundly negative about the strip-mining of creatives in asset production, but coding is something that I'm scratching my head on.
April 21, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Throwing this out there to my fellow game designers/devs - how do we feel about the ethics of using LLMs in coding? I'm on the side of the fence of being profoundly negative about the strip-mining of creatives in asset production, but coding is something that I'm scratching my head on.
Reposted by Sam Shields
Are you a PhD student interested in game AI? Submit to AIIDE 2026’s Doctoral Consortium! The feedback a DC provides helps sharpen your dissertation focus while informing you about potential career options.
Applications are due July 25, 2026! Read more at: tinyurl.com/aiide26dc
Applications are due July 25, 2026! Read more at: tinyurl.com/aiide26dc
https://tinyurl.com/aiide26dc
t.co
April 17, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Are you a PhD student interested in game AI? Submit to AIIDE 2026’s Doctoral Consortium! The feedback a DC provides helps sharpen your dissertation focus while informing you about potential career options.
Applications are due July 25, 2026! Read more at: tinyurl.com/aiide26dc
Applications are due July 25, 2026! Read more at: tinyurl.com/aiide26dc
Grogu, Pikachu, thank you for coming today, it's an honor *wipes sweat* Imagine: a haunted light fixture travels the universe trying to meet other friendly ghosts, but keeps accidentally burning down manors in the process.
I call it... "The Chandelurean"
I can get 50 pages on your desk by Monday
I call it... "The Chandelurean"
I can get 50 pages on your desk by Monday
April 15, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Grogu, Pikachu, thank you for coming today, it's an honor *wipes sweat* Imagine: a haunted light fixture travels the universe trying to meet other friendly ghosts, but keeps accidentally burning down manors in the process.
I call it... "The Chandelurean"
I can get 50 pages on your desk by Monday
I call it... "The Chandelurean"
I can get 50 pages on your desk by Monday