Tristan J. Tarwater
@backthatelfup.bsky.social
Writer, producer, maker of video games. Nuyorican/Black. Wrote some comics in some Eisner award winning anthologies. Linguist-ish. They/them. Making "Vampire The Taskerade." Website: https://www.backthatelfup.com
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
A game doesn't need to be 'by and for fans'
aftermath.site/life-is-strang...
aftermath.site/life-is-strang...
January 22, 2026 at 5:12 PM
A game doesn't need to be 'by and for fans'
aftermath.site/life-is-strang...
aftermath.site/life-is-strang...
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
"Two members of Elon Musk’s DOGE team working at the Social Security Administration were secretly in touch with an advocacy group seeking to “overturn election results in certain states,” and one signed an agreement that may have involved using Social Security data to match state voter rolls..."
If anyone has any information on the identity of the "advocacy group tyring to overturn election results in certain states” and who were secretly in contact with DOGE, my Signal is DavidGilbert.01
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Trump administration concedes DOGE team may have misused Social Security data
Some DOGE personnel had more access to data than previously acknowledged, according to a court filing.
www.politico.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:14 PM
"Two members of Elon Musk’s DOGE team working at the Social Security Administration were secretly in touch with an advocacy group seeking to “overturn election results in certain states,” and one signed an agreement that may have involved using Social Security data to match state voter rolls..."
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
dajdhadjkh LINK YOUR DAMN SHIT ON HERE MAN
seein a trailer for a cool game that says wishlist now and there's no link and i go in the replies and the only link is to a discord server
🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪
seein a trailer for a cool game that says wishlist now and there's no link and i go in the replies and the only link is to a discord server
🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪
January 21, 2026 at 1:19 AM
dajdhadjkh LINK YOUR DAMN SHIT ON HERE MAN
seein a trailer for a cool game that says wishlist now and there's no link and i go in the replies and the only link is to a discord server
🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪
seein a trailer for a cool game that says wishlist now and there's no link and i go in the replies and the only link is to a discord server
🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
As for me, the job hunt begins. I’m looking for work in video and audio production, editorial (both as a writer and an editor), and communications. I’ll also be looking for a home for a few stories in the days to come. Check out my portfolio linked here. My DMs are also open if anyone wants to chat.
Trone L. Dowd - Writing Portfolio
Trone is a writer and journalist from Queens. He has reported on national politics, criminal justice, and gaming, with work published in Vice, Inverse, ...
www.clippings.me
January 20, 2026 at 11:03 PM
As for me, the job hunt begins. I’m looking for work in video and audio production, editorial (both as a writer and an editor), and communications. I’ll also be looking for a home for a few stories in the days to come. Check out my portfolio linked here. My DMs are also open if anyone wants to chat.
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
Feds have created a drone no fly zone that will stop people from filming ICE. It's not just above stationary facilities, but convoys of vehicles too.
www.404media.co/feds-create-...
www.404media.co/feds-create-...
Feds Create Drone No Fly Zone That Would Stop People Filming ICE
The FAA has altered a no fly zone designation that was originally created for US military bases to apply to DHS units.
www.404media.co
January 20, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Feds have created a drone no fly zone that will stop people from filming ICE. It's not just above stationary facilities, but convoys of vehicles too.
www.404media.co/feds-create-...
www.404media.co/feds-create-...
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
I am serious. Foreign visitation to the US is fraught right now and it might be easier and less stressful for some outlets to hire local instead of sending one of their own. Please let me know if you're such an outlet.
If there are any European/Australian gaming outlets that still have a budget and want coverage of the year's biggest gaming events in the US but *don't* want to expose their people to well... the US, my email is in my bio!
January 20, 2026 at 10:26 PM
I am serious. Foreign visitation to the US is fraught right now and it might be easier and less stressful for some outlets to hire local instead of sending one of their own. Please let me know if you're such an outlet.
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
I think people underestimate how big this is. Like a city-wide strike is not something that has happened in the US for nearly 100 years
there are a bunch of big names on this list, including multiple beard award winners, and some places i never would have guessed in a hundred years (the malt shop?!) and i'm genuinely floored and delighted to see so many participants
bringmethenews.com/minnesota-li...
bringmethenews.com/minnesota-li...
List of Minnesota businesses closing for Jan. 23 anti-ICE strike
First announced by faith leaders and unions on Jan. 13, Minnesota businesses have begun announcing plans to join the action.
bringmethenews.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:37 PM
I think people underestimate how big this is. Like a city-wide strike is not something that has happened in the US for nearly 100 years
Reread something I wrote a while back when I was doing a new fantasy project and it's...not bad. It needs some cleaning up. I was going to change the framing (was going to be a series of interviews), might make it part of a triptych and keep it as a written account.
January 21, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Reread something I wrote a while back when I was doing a new fantasy project and it's...not bad. It needs some cleaning up. I was going to change the framing (was going to be a series of interviews), might make it part of a triptych and keep it as a written account.
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
Just having to move hotels will have used up hours of enforcement activities. Even a few hours is worth something. I would also like to think it's really irritating.
ICE agents at a hotel in St. Paul woke up this morning to news that they’re getting kicked out of their hotel today at noon.
January 18, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Just having to move hotels will have used up hours of enforcement activities. Even a few hours is worth something. I would also like to think it's really irritating.
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
Hey, Portlanders! Billed as a town hall, the Jan. 21 event at Revolution Hall will feature attorneys general Dan Rayfield of Oregon, Rob Bonta of California, Anne Lopez of Hawaii, Aaron Frey of Maine and Keith Ellison of Minnesota.
Cheryl Strayed to moderate Portland town hall with attorneys general from 5 states
Here's how to attend for free.
www.oregonlive.com
January 18, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Hey, Portlanders! Billed as a town hall, the Jan. 21 event at Revolution Hall will feature attorneys general Dan Rayfield of Oregon, Rob Bonta of California, Anne Lopez of Hawaii, Aaron Frey of Maine and Keith Ellison of Minnesota.
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
You're allowed to yell at people for good, too. Make your voices heard
Hey, Portlanders! Billed as a town hall, the Jan. 21 event at Revolution Hall will feature attorneys general Dan Rayfield of Oregon, Rob Bonta of California, Anne Lopez of Hawaii, Aaron Frey of Maine and Keith Ellison of Minnesota.
Cheryl Strayed to moderate Portland town hall with attorneys general from 5 states
Here's how to attend for free.
www.oregonlive.com
January 18, 2026 at 11:22 PM
You're allowed to yell at people for good, too. Make your voices heard
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
one takeaway from the grok noncon porn thing is that much of the media just isn't interested in an issue they can't pretend has two sides or that doesn't give them an opportunity to shit on the left. Also it would be uncomfortable to justify remaining on twitter after acknowledging it
January 6, 2026 at 9:06 PM
one takeaway from the grok noncon porn thing is that much of the media just isn't interested in an issue they can't pretend has two sides or that doesn't give them an opportunity to shit on the left. Also it would be uncomfortable to justify remaining on twitter after acknowledging it
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
I’m developing a game where you have to go back to assassinate Adam. It’s a first person shooter.
January 7, 2026 at 12:58 AM
I’m developing a game where you have to go back to assassinate Adam. It’s a first person shooter.
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
The fun doesn't stop there, @lazyfishy.bsky.social and I have created THE worldbuild to lose yourself in "The Library of Memories"!💯✨
Middle Grade as it gets, SO much to explore and discover, we can't wait to open it up!!!
Out August 25th. 2026!
www.mustachebabs.com/library
Middle Grade as it gets, SO much to explore and discover, we can't wait to open it up!!!
Out August 25th. 2026!
www.mustachebabs.com/library
Barbara Perez Marquez — The Library of Memories
The Library of Memories is a middle grade fantasy graphic novel about Copenhagen, a young girl that finds herself without her memories in a library full of them.
www.mustachebabs.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:29 PM
The fun doesn't stop there, @lazyfishy.bsky.social and I have created THE worldbuild to lose yourself in "The Library of Memories"!💯✨
Middle Grade as it gets, SO much to explore and discover, we can't wait to open it up!!!
Out August 25th. 2026!
www.mustachebabs.com/library
Middle Grade as it gets, SO much to explore and discover, we can't wait to open it up!!!
Out August 25th. 2026!
www.mustachebabs.com/library
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
Please watch this, it's truly important.....33 mins. of you time but critical information. Sarah knows what she is talking about.
"One of Trump's most consistent beliefs is that the world will end in nuclear annihilation. He mentions this often in older interviews. He fears it. I worry the way he copes with his fear of annihilation is by becoming the annihilator. The man who can end the world." www.youtube.com/watch?v=htdw...
Trump's Apocalypse Mindset: Becoming The Annihilator, Sarah Kendzior
YouTube video by The Mark Thompson Show
www.youtube.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Please watch this, it's truly important.....33 mins. of you time but critical information. Sarah knows what she is talking about.
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
New from 404 Media: Flock exposed some of its AI-powered cameras to the internet. We know because we tracked ourselves with them. These cameras zoom in on passersby, sometimes so close we could read a random person's phone screen. Required no login to view cameras
www.404media.co/flock-expose...
www.404media.co/flock-expose...
December 22, 2025 at 4:11 PM
New from 404 Media: Flock exposed some of its AI-powered cameras to the internet. We know because we tracked ourselves with them. These cameras zoom in on passersby, sometimes so close we could read a random person's phone screen. Required no login to view cameras
www.404media.co/flock-expose...
www.404media.co/flock-expose...
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
time to boycott Fortnite on top of everything else!
spend that Fortnite skins cash on your local trans charity instead, just to spite Joanne
spend that Fortnite skins cash on your local trans charity instead, just to spite Joanne
"Rowling will undoubtedly receive substantial royalties from the Fortnite skins… That money will likely be funneled into her hate campaign against trans people.
"… over a third of… funding for the [U.K.] case came directly from Rowling…"
www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/12/fort...
"… over a third of… funding for the [U.K.] case came directly from Rowling…"
www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/12/fort...
Fortnite dragged for collaborating with JK Rowling after canceling Pride celebration - LGBTQ Nation
An upcoming Harry Potter x Fortnite collab got leaked.
www.lgbtqnation.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:56 PM
time to boycott Fortnite on top of everything else!
spend that Fortnite skins cash on your local trans charity instead, just to spite Joanne
spend that Fortnite skins cash on your local trans charity instead, just to spite Joanne
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
the epstein files as rick owens fall/winter 2024
December 19, 2025 at 10:43 PM
the epstein files as rick owens fall/winter 2024
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
if you want to support visual novel devs:
- wishlist our games on Steam
- leave reviews / ratings for them on store platforms
- tell friends about our games
- recommend them to streamers to play
- share posts on social media
- tell a developer you enjoy their work
- wishlist our games on Steam
- leave reviews / ratings for them on store platforms
- tell friends about our games
- recommend them to streamers to play
- share posts on social media
- tell a developer you enjoy their work
December 19, 2025 at 10:53 PM
if you want to support visual novel devs:
- wishlist our games on Steam
- leave reviews / ratings for them on store platforms
- tell friends about our games
- recommend them to streamers to play
- share posts on social media
- tell a developer you enjoy their work
- wishlist our games on Steam
- leave reviews / ratings for them on store platforms
- tell friends about our games
- recommend them to streamers to play
- share posts on social media
- tell a developer you enjoy their work
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
Do you write about comics? If you do, you should consider applying to the Comics Criticism Mini Grant. All you need are two clips published over the past year. It is a very simple application!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
2026 Comics Criticism Mini Grant
This project will be awarding four mini grants of $250 to comics critics.
To apply, please provide 2 links to comics criticism work of at least 500 words published within the last year (blogs and YouT...
docs.google.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Do you write about comics? If you do, you should consider applying to the Comics Criticism Mini Grant. All you need are two clips published over the past year. It is a very simple application!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
That's us!!! 😭💖
Tanat Boozayaangool, C. Bedford, and Remy Siu introduce our 2025 Industry Impact recipient, Game Devs of Color.
Game Devs of Color Receives the Industry Impact Award 2025
YouTube video by Six One Indie
youtu.be
December 19, 2025 at 12:57 AM
That's us!!! 😭💖
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
Ahh! I love love love Amano’s work! This year I made a tiny Over the Garden Wall fan game, with the help of @patrickmchale.bsky.social, @forkfrenzy.bsky.social, @blastingcompany.bsky.social & Elijah Wood! It’s free to play in browser on itch.io! juliaminamata.itch.io/otgw
December 18, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Ahh! I love love love Amano’s work! This year I made a tiny Over the Garden Wall fan game, with the help of @patrickmchale.bsky.social, @forkfrenzy.bsky.social, @blastingcompany.bsky.social & Elijah Wood! It’s free to play in browser on itch.io! juliaminamata.itch.io/otgw
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
i stand by this statement every year
December 12, 2025 at 1:27 AM
i stand by this statement every year
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
Wow! This is very commendable. This is what honest people do when they encounter information that they didn't have before.
Good on Penn Jillette. Having to come to terms with your entire political identity and philosophy being wrong is not easy and most people could never do it.
December 8, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Wow! This is very commendable. This is what honest people do when they encounter information that they didn't have before.
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
please mask up in shared air, too. the current vaccines only protect kids about 40%, at peak efficacy, from #LongCovid, which is why it’s now the most common childhood disease (even over asthma).
After you read the Prasad memo, read this.
Covid-19 vaccines protect children from severe disease. Here is the evidence
“Over and over again, Covid-19 has shown it can cause severe disease in children, disease that is preventable by a safe and effective vaccine,” writes former CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.
www.statnews.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:31 AM
please mask up in shared air, too. the current vaccines only protect kids about 40%, at peak efficacy, from #LongCovid, which is why it’s now the most common childhood disease (even over asthma).