Fred Hicks
@deadlyfredly.bsky.social
President of Evil Hat (I publish Fate, Blades in the Dark, Monster of the Week, Thirsty Sword Lesbians, &c). Liberal in politics, reposting, & use of the block button. Be advised, I limit parasociality when I can. Permanently in AMA mode (so ask).
Pinned
Fred Hicks
@deadlyfredly.bsky.social
· Oct 25
And perhaps most importantly, there is no "right" level of appetite for risk. It's something you'll have to come to on your own and, should circumstances change, possibly revise.
The thing you *shouldn't* do is find someone successful and emulate their posture.
The thing you *shouldn't* do is find someone successful and emulate their posture.
The fact that I am here and able to share numbers and give looks under the hood is because we’ve survived.
Survivor bias is in effect. If you’re not also learning from companies that failed you’re ignoring a ton of relevant data.
Survivor bias is in effect. If you’re not also learning from companies that failed you’re ignoring a ton of relevant data.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
The US extracted the wealth from Puerto Rico through sugar/tobacco plantations for decades while paying farm laborers almost nothing. The Jones act has taxed Puerto Ricans to prop up a US shipping cartel for a century. The only parasites are the wealthy Americans extracting wealth from the island.
February 10, 2026 at 5:38 PM
The US extracted the wealth from Puerto Rico through sugar/tobacco plantations for decades while paying farm laborers almost nothing. The Jones act has taxed Puerto Ricans to prop up a US shipping cartel for a century. The only parasites are the wealthy Americans extracting wealth from the island.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
That freaking trailer!
It's 968 AC.
An artificial sun shines down upon Doskvol. Autopods cruise down rows of peaceful, prosperous houses. Beneath it all, strange actors and twisted conspiracies work their shadowy agendas.
Blades '68. The future is now. Don't miss it:
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/e...
An artificial sun shines down upon Doskvol. Autopods cruise down rows of peaceful, prosperous houses. Beneath it all, strange actors and twisted conspiracies work their shadowy agendas.
Blades '68. The future is now. Don't miss it:
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/e...
Blades '68 Crowdfunding Trailer
YouTube video by Evil Hat Productions
www.youtube.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:21 PM
That freaking trailer!
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Plotweaver is currently getting developed by a wonderful group of folks!
So, please read (and share!) below about the people making this awesome game 🧵
So, please read (and share!) below about the people making this awesome game 🧵
February 10, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Plotweaver is currently getting developed by a wonderful group of folks!
So, please read (and share!) below about the people making this awesome game 🧵
So, please read (and share!) below about the people making this awesome game 🧵
Reposted by Fred Hicks
I hate when they do this. Play the clip! Why are you asking these questions without the footage on hand? Bitch, we are ALL going to watch together so I can get your first impression then!
THANEDAR: What did your ICE agent mean when he said, 'you raise your voice, I erase your voice' in the video all of us have seen?
LYONS: I'm not aware of that video. I can't comment
LYONS: I'm not aware of that video. I can't comment
February 10, 2026 at 4:52 PM
I hate when they do this. Play the clip! Why are you asking these questions without the footage on hand? Bitch, we are ALL going to watch together so I can get your first impression then!
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Oh that’s a crazy good #ttrpg deal.
Blades '68 launches today! As a companion to the campaign, we're offering 20% off all of our core Forged in the Dark games.
A universe of adventure awaits.
evilhat.com/product-tag/...
A universe of adventure awaits.
evilhat.com/product-tag/...
February 10, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Oh that’s a crazy good #ttrpg deal.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Rep. Delia Ramirez to DHS officials: "I have as much respect for you as I do for the last white men who put on masks to terrorize communities of color. I have no respect for the inheritors of the Klanhood and the slave patrol. Those activities were criminal and so are yours."
February 10, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Rep. Delia Ramirez to DHS officials: "I have as much respect for you as I do for the last white men who put on masks to terrorize communities of color. I have no respect for the inheritors of the Klanhood and the slave patrol. Those activities were criminal and so are yours."
Reposted by Fred Hicks
This is a policy choice.
The Wall Street Journal just illustrated the core argument of my book: a system rigged to reward capital over labor is one in which even full-time work no longer secures the most basic material needs.
This is the economic order that produces the "working homeless."
www.wsj.com/economy/jobs...
This is the economic order that produces the "working homeless."
www.wsj.com/economy/jobs...
February 10, 2026 at 4:31 PM
This is a policy choice.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
omg it's live!!! i've been playing so much 68 and had so much fun diving back into blades with a new look (and with deep cuts too!)
there might even be a fun surprise later on in the stretch goals......
there might even be a fun surprise later on in the stretch goals......
It's 968 AC.
An artificial sun shines down upon Doskvol. Autopods cruise down rows of peaceful, prosperous houses. Beneath it all, strange actors and twisted conspiracies work their shadowy agendas.
Blades '68. The future is now. Don't miss it:
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/e...
An artificial sun shines down upon Doskvol. Autopods cruise down rows of peaceful, prosperous houses. Beneath it all, strange actors and twisted conspiracies work their shadowy agendas.
Blades '68. The future is now. Don't miss it:
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/e...
Blades '68 Crowdfunding Trailer
YouTube video by Evil Hat Productions
www.youtube.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:37 PM
omg it's live!!! i've been playing so much 68 and had so much fun diving back into blades with a new look (and with deep cuts too!)
there might even be a fun surprise later on in the stretch goals......
there might even be a fun surprise later on in the stretch goals......
Reposted by Fred Hicks
It's 968 AC.
An artificial sun shines down upon Doskvol. Autopods cruise down rows of peaceful, prosperous houses. Beneath it all, strange actors and twisted conspiracies work their shadowy agendas.
Blades '68. The future is now. Don't miss it:
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/e...
An artificial sun shines down upon Doskvol. Autopods cruise down rows of peaceful, prosperous houses. Beneath it all, strange actors and twisted conspiracies work their shadowy agendas.
Blades '68. The future is now. Don't miss it:
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/e...
Blades '68 Crowdfunding Trailer
YouTube video by Evil Hat Productions
www.youtube.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:12 PM
It's 968 AC.
An artificial sun shines down upon Doskvol. Autopods cruise down rows of peaceful, prosperous houses. Beneath it all, strange actors and twisted conspiracies work their shadowy agendas.
Blades '68. The future is now. Don't miss it:
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/e...
An artificial sun shines down upon Doskvol. Autopods cruise down rows of peaceful, prosperous houses. Beneath it all, strange actors and twisted conspiracies work their shadowy agendas.
Blades '68. The future is now. Don't miss it:
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/e...
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Blades ‘68 rips. All the history of Duskvol meets 60s retrofuturism, Cold War spy games, and industrialized paranormalism. It plays like driving a stolen autopod. I’ve been looking forward to the crowdfunder since the playtest and can’t wait to see everything Tim and Evil Hat have cooked up
It's 968 AC.
An artificial sun shines down upon Doskvol. Autopods cruise down rows of peaceful, prosperous houses. Beneath it all, strange actors and twisted conspiracies work their shadowy agendas.
Blades '68. The future is now. Don't miss it:
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/e...
An artificial sun shines down upon Doskvol. Autopods cruise down rows of peaceful, prosperous houses. Beneath it all, strange actors and twisted conspiracies work their shadowy agendas.
Blades '68. The future is now. Don't miss it:
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/e...
Blades '68 Crowdfunding Trailer
YouTube video by Evil Hat Productions
www.youtube.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Blades ‘68 rips. All the history of Duskvol meets 60s retrofuturism, Cold War spy games, and industrialized paranormalism. It plays like driving a stolen autopod. I’ve been looking forward to the crowdfunder since the playtest and can’t wait to see everything Tim and Evil Hat have cooked up
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Reposted by Fred Hicks
I mean, fuck these guys for removing the Pride flag from the Stonewall Monument, but also, fuck those guys.
The queer history of Stonewall isn't changing.
The queer people of today aren't changing.
Fuck off, haters.
The queer history of Stonewall isn't changing.
The queer people of today aren't changing.
Fuck off, haters.
February 10, 2026 at 4:12 PM
I mean, fuck these guys for removing the Pride flag from the Stonewall Monument, but also, fuck those guys.
The queer history of Stonewall isn't changing.
The queer people of today aren't changing.
Fuck off, haters.
The queer history of Stonewall isn't changing.
The queer people of today aren't changing.
Fuck off, haters.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
As a community, we have brilliant designers, and we have large hearted, generous people, but there is no space where those two circles intersect so strongly and brightly as they do with the Bakers.
We are all tremendously lucky.
We are all tremendously lucky.
February 10, 2026 at 3:42 PM
As a community, we have brilliant designers, and we have large hearted, generous people, but there is no space where those two circles intersect so strongly and brightly as they do with the Bakers.
We are all tremendously lucky.
We are all tremendously lucky.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
In past models, PBTA would have been A GAME, with all these other things being built onto that game, and it would be a giant, janky mess.
PBTA is an expression of the idea that it is better that these thing should each be THEIR OWN GAME.
PBTA is an expression of the idea that it is better that these thing should each be THEIR OWN GAME.
February 10, 2026 at 3:33 PM
In past models, PBTA would have been A GAME, with all these other things being built onto that game, and it would be a giant, janky mess.
PBTA is an expression of the idea that it is better that these thing should each be THEIR OWN GAME.
PBTA is an expression of the idea that it is better that these thing should each be THEIR OWN GAME.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Listen to me and @seannittner.bsky.social from @evilhat.bsky.social discuss everything from mechanics vs narrative, play testing, and effective habits for making and publishing games. On all platforms and here: open.spotify.com/episode/3O7O...
February 10, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Listen to me and @seannittner.bsky.social from @evilhat.bsky.social discuss everything from mechanics vs narrative, play testing, and effective habits for making and publishing games. On all platforms and here: open.spotify.com/episode/3O7O...
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Blades '68 launches today! As a companion to the campaign, we're offering 20% off all of our core Forged in the Dark games.
A universe of adventure awaits.
evilhat.com/product-tag/...
A universe of adventure awaits.
evilhat.com/product-tag/...
February 10, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Blades '68 launches today! As a companion to the campaign, we're offering 20% off all of our core Forged in the Dark games.
A universe of adventure awaits.
evilhat.com/product-tag/...
A universe of adventure awaits.
evilhat.com/product-tag/...
Reposted by Fred Hicks
So, I have only touched on Fate briefly so far, but this is where I bring it into the conversation, primarily as a cautionary tale. This may end up sounding like I'm using Fate as a punching bag, and that's not my intent, but it's a game I can speak to freely and fairly authoritatively.
February 10, 2026 at 2:53 PM
So, I have only touched on Fate briefly so far, but this is where I bring it into the conversation, primarily as a cautionary tale. This may end up sounding like I'm using Fate as a punching bag, and that's not my intent, but it's a game I can speak to freely and fairly authoritatively.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
6/ The Post has lost over 375,000 subscribers in just over a year. If 10% of those readers subscribed to The 51st instead, we could hire 10 reporters and five editors, dramatically scaling our coverage of the city at this critical time. 51st.news/signup
Join The 51st
The 51st is a worker-led nonprofit news source for D.C. Our reporting is rooted in our conviction that local journalism is meant to make people’s lives better — no paywalls, ever. But that's only…
51st.news
February 4, 2026 at 7:21 PM
6/ The Post has lost over 375,000 subscribers in just over a year. If 10% of those readers subscribed to The 51st instead, we could hire 10 reporters and five editors, dramatically scaling our coverage of the city at this critical time. 51st.news/signup
Reposted by Fred Hicks
So, I dropped this comment in passing in another thread, because I consider it kind of self evident, but a number of people raised very reasonable objections, and that's on me for being a bit loose with language.
So, let's talk about modularity and RPG design.
So, let's talk about modularity and RPG design.
An idea that has fallen out of favor in design circles is the idea of RPG rules as something modular, but for a period of time, this was the default assumption - one way of building good rules was to build them so that others could write complementary rules and slot them in.
February 10, 2026 at 1:38 PM
So, I dropped this comment in passing in another thread, because I consider it kind of self evident, but a number of people raised very reasonable objections, and that's on me for being a bit loose with language.
So, let's talk about modularity and RPG design.
So, let's talk about modularity and RPG design.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
I tried to take a photo of a grasshopper on my windshield, but now it looks like a gigantic bug destroying the town.
February 10, 2026 at 6:10 AM
I tried to take a photo of a grasshopper on my windshield, but now it looks like a gigantic bug destroying the town.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
I wrote the original brief for this product. It was originally supposed to be a campaign that celebrated D&D’s 50th by sending the players on a tour of all the classic settings we reintroduced for 5E—Ravenloft, Eberron, Spelljammer, DL, and, of course FR—to battle a multiversal threat.
February 10, 2026 at 12:40 AM
I wrote the original brief for this product. It was originally supposed to be a campaign that celebrated D&D’s 50th by sending the players on a tour of all the classic settings we reintroduced for 5E—Ravenloft, Eberron, Spelljammer, DL, and, of course FR—to battle a multiversal threat.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Today I emailed publishers about a concerning practice a board game media creator engaged in. This will likely become public, so I'm providing the details here to give the full context of what I shared.
1) Document: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o8ovt...
2) Video: youtu.be/fHXGWflPj4c
1/2
1) Document: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o8ovt...
2) Video: youtu.be/fHXGWflPj4c
1/2
www.dropbox.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Today I emailed publishers about a concerning practice a board game media creator engaged in. This will likely become public, so I'm providing the details here to give the full context of what I shared.
1) Document: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o8ovt...
2) Video: youtu.be/fHXGWflPj4c
1/2
1) Document: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o8ovt...
2) Video: youtu.be/fHXGWflPj4c
1/2
No shade to those who haven't, but I beg you, please don't sign on for royalty payment deals without an up-front advance payment made against those royalties. Looking at the whole field, many projects never "earn out". Advances give you *something* even in that case, otherwise, you worked for free.
February 9, 2026 at 3:50 PM
No shade to those who haven't, but I beg you, please don't sign on for royalty payment deals without an up-front advance payment made against those royalties. Looking at the whole field, many projects never "earn out". Advances give you *something* even in that case, otherwise, you worked for free.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
“I’m mad I can’t understand Bad Bunny’s lyrics because they’re not in English”
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
February 9, 2026 at 5:46 AM
“I’m mad I can’t understand Bad Bunny’s lyrics because they’re not in English”
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist