Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
@edwinet.bsky.social
News editor at RockPaperShotgun, previously seen at Eurogamer, The Guardian, Wired and Edge - writing about (video)games, art, culture, technology - PhD poetics with a focus on procedural and erasure-based verse. He & him.
I'm looking for examples of solo card games (digital or physical) in which rules or patterns are created and/or identified through play. You have simple rules to start with and the process 'thickens' according to some hidden logic or principle intuited from the cards.
February 7, 2026 at 1:07 PM
I'm looking for examples of solo card games (digital or physical) in which rules or patterns are created and/or identified through play. You have simple rules to start with and the process 'thickens' according to some hidden logic or principle intuited from the cards.
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
"A whole literary fiction of the festival grew up around the plague... But there was also a political dream of the plague, which was exactly its reverse... not masks that were put on and taken off, but the assignment to each individual of his 'true' name, his 'true' place..." Foucault, tr Sheridan
January 31, 2026 at 5:06 PM
"A whole literary fiction of the festival grew up around the plague... But there was also a political dream of the plague, which was exactly its reverse... not masks that were put on and taken off, but the assignment to each individual of his 'true' name, his 'true' place..." Foucault, tr Sheridan
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
A new website about PC games, from me, @brendyc.bsky.social and @jonhicks.com.
Reader-supported, which means no ads, no guff, and lots of games blogging about delightful things to play. If you liked our work on RPS, we think you'll like @jank.cool.
Reader-supported, which means no ads, no guff, and lots of games blogging about delightful things to play. If you liked our work on RPS, we think you'll like @jank.cool.
January 27, 2026 at 1:00 PM
A new website about PC games, from me, @brendyc.bsky.social and @jonhicks.com.
Reader-supported, which means no ads, no guff, and lots of games blogging about delightful things to play. If you liked our work on RPS, we think you'll like @jank.cool.
Reader-supported, which means no ads, no guff, and lots of games blogging about delightful things to play. If you liked our work on RPS, we think you'll like @jank.cool.
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
⚠️ BREAKING:
UK Loses Measles Elimination Status After Nearly 3,000 Cases Reported in England and Wales
The World Health Organization says the UK has lost its measles elimination status after nearly 3,000 cases were reported in England and Wales in 2024.
UK Loses Measles Elimination Status After Nearly 3,000 Cases Reported in England and Wales
The World Health Organization says the UK has lost its measles elimination status after nearly 3,000 cases were reported in England and Wales in 2024.
January 26, 2026 at 4:43 PM
⚠️ BREAKING:
UK Loses Measles Elimination Status After Nearly 3,000 Cases Reported in England and Wales
The World Health Organization says the UK has lost its measles elimination status after nearly 3,000 cases were reported in England and Wales in 2024.
UK Loses Measles Elimination Status After Nearly 3,000 Cases Reported in England and Wales
The World Health Organization says the UK has lost its measles elimination status after nearly 3,000 cases were reported in England and Wales in 2024.
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
One of the most beautiful documents ever created: the leaflet that everyone received when Britain's NHS was launched (1948)
"Everyone—rich or poor, man, woman or child—can use it... There are no charges, except for a few special items...it will relieve your money worries in time of illness”
"Everyone—rich or poor, man, woman or child—can use it... There are no charges, except for a few special items...it will relieve your money worries in time of illness”
January 23, 2026 at 6:37 PM
One of the most beautiful documents ever created: the leaflet that everyone received when Britain's NHS was launched (1948)
"Everyone—rich or poor, man, woman or child—can use it... There are no charges, except for a few special items...it will relieve your money worries in time of illness”
"Everyone—rich or poor, man, woman or child—can use it... There are no charges, except for a few special items...it will relieve your money worries in time of illness”
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Hello! Over the weekend, my article on some cool games reliving the spirit of Y2K went up on RPS! Feat @rj.dcellgames.com @davidjaumandreu.bsky.social
www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-game-dev...
www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-game-dev...
How game developers worldwide are reliving Y2K Japan, from Jet Set Radio to Dance Dance Revolution
The people behind Unbeatable, Hyperyuki and Denshattack discuss their Japanese influences, from trains and Digimon to music and the Dreamcast.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Hello! Over the weekend, my article on some cool games reliving the spirit of Y2K went up on RPS! Feat @rj.dcellgames.com @davidjaumandreu.bsky.social
www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-game-dev...
www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-game-dev...
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
wrote about Tomb Raider I-III Remastered's apology message for all the racism it contains, and how its claims of presenting the original games "unaltered" to learn from harm are undermined by not actually doing that, and by taking your money in the meantime glitchout.blog/2026/01/12/w...
We’re sorry for Tomb Raider, thank you for buying.
Start up the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered (2024, Aspyr, pub. Crystal Dynamics, Embracer) and you’re met with a curious message. Tomb Raider I-III (2024, dev. Aspyr, pub. Crystal Dynamics, of …
glitchout.blog
January 12, 2026 at 9:09 PM
wrote about Tomb Raider I-III Remastered's apology message for all the racism it contains, and how its claims of presenting the original games "unaltered" to learn from harm are undermined by not actually doing that, and by taking your money in the meantime glitchout.blog/2026/01/12/w...
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
I'm writing a Dark Souls 2 article for RPS and I'm looking for a few quotes from game devs / designers to contextualize its reputation... is Dark Souls 2 the best or worst designed? good-weird or bad-weird? why? replies open
January 16, 2026 at 10:54 PM
I'm writing a Dark Souls 2 article for RPS and I'm looking for a few quotes from game devs / designers to contextualize its reputation... is Dark Souls 2 the best or worst designed? good-weird or bad-weird? why? replies open
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Inverse's Gaming section is being shut down as the company "divests" from gaming content. I'm out of a job along with my wonderful co-writers. I've put my heart and soul into this job for four years. Gonna need to take time to process, but I'm now completely open for work - and boy do I need it.
January 16, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Inverse's Gaming section is being shut down as the company "divests" from gaming content. I'm out of a job along with my wonderful co-writers. I've put my heart and soul into this job for four years. Gonna need to take time to process, but I'm now completely open for work - and boy do I need it.
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Breaks my heart to share this, but today is my last day at The Verge and I am looking for work! I'd really like to stay in video games, preferably in some kind of journalistic capacity but I can do PR/Marketing and maybe even a lil Narrative Design. Please get in touch!
www.ashparrish.com
www.ashparrish.com
Ash Parrish
www.ashparrish.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Breaks my heart to share this, but today is my last day at The Verge and I am looking for work! I'd really like to stay in video games, preferably in some kind of journalistic capacity but I can do PR/Marketing and maybe even a lil Narrative Design. Please get in touch!
www.ashparrish.com
www.ashparrish.com
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
hi! i'm co-founding a new gaming website with my former polygon colleague @zoehhannah.com. it's called mothership.blog. i made it for someone like me... the kind of website i always wished we had in our space. watch the video to learn more :D
It's time to board the Mothership.
www.youtube.com/shorts/iEw90...
www.youtube.com/shorts/iEw90...
Board the Mothership.
YouTube video by Mothership Media LLC
www.youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:04 PM
hi! i'm co-founding a new gaming website with my former polygon colleague @zoehhannah.com. it's called mothership.blog. i made it for someone like me... the kind of website i always wished we had in our space. watch the video to learn more :D
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Thank you all for your patience! Without further ado, it's This Year In Videogame Blogging 2025, complete with a bonus This Week In Videogame Blogging, December 28, 2025!
critical-distance.com/2026/01/01/t...
critical-distance.com/2026/01/01/t...
critical-distance.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Thank you all for your patience! Without further ado, it's This Year In Videogame Blogging 2025, complete with a bonus This Week In Videogame Blogging, December 28, 2025!
critical-distance.com/2026/01/01/t...
critical-distance.com/2026/01/01/t...
I’m joining the BDS boycott of Microsoft in a qualified personal capacity. I won’t write previews, reviews, reveal or release day coverage for Microsoft-published works for the foreseeable. I will continue to edit work about MS games and write about the company itself (layoff news, etc).
December 22, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I’m joining the BDS boycott of Microsoft in a qualified personal capacity. I won’t write previews, reviews, reveal or release day coverage for Microsoft-published works for the foreseeable. I will continue to edit work about MS games and write about the company itself (layoff news, etc).
The sun from Gusev crater on Mars, taken by NASA's Spirit rover. Happy winter solstice.
December 22, 2025 at 12:12 AM
The sun from Gusev crater on Mars, taken by NASA's Spirit rover. Happy winter solstice.
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
We spoke to a dozen professional concept artists who are currently or have previously worked in game development about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs any easier.
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Concept Artists Say Generative AI References Only Make Their Jobs Harder
“The ‘early ideation stages’, when worlds are being fleshed out by writers and artists, are literally crucial to the development of a game’s vision,” said one artist.
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:06 PM
We spoke to a dozen professional concept artists who are currently or have previously worked in game development about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs any easier.
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
The Xbox Boycott (Still) Matters
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
🚨 The UK government just published a breakdown of the responses to its consultation on AI & copyright:
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
December 15, 2025 at 11:22 AM
🚨 The UK government just published a breakdown of the responses to its consultation on AI & copyright:
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
@naomiaklein.bsky.social: ”Where the Surrealists made irreverent and untameable art, the fascists sought a world of perfect symmetry. While the Surrealists embraced the frailties and mysteries of the human body, the fascists waged war on deviance.’’ www.equator.org/articles/sur...
www.equator.org
November 26, 2025 at 8:30 PM
@naomiaklein.bsky.social: ”Where the Surrealists made irreverent and untameable art, the fascists sought a world of perfect symmetry. While the Surrealists embraced the frailties and mysteries of the human body, the fascists waged war on deviance.’’ www.equator.org/articles/sur...
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
I do not know what editors are supposed to do about the flood of AI-generated pitches. I can't be the only editor who's been caught out once or twice over my career by a writer (or a source) who was making something up. Now you can make up a whole article in seconds.
thelocal.to/investigatin...
thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 29, 2025 at 6:04 PM
I do not know what editors are supposed to do about the flood of AI-generated pitches. I can't be the only editor who's been caught out once or twice over my career by a writer (or a source) who was making something up. Now you can make up a whole article in seconds.
thelocal.to/investigatin...
thelocal.to/investigatin...
The Seashell and the Clergyman - "this is not a dream, but the very world of images that leads the mind where it would never have consented to go, the mechanism is available to everyone" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Th...
November 29, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The Seashell and the Clergyman - "this is not a dream, but the very world of images that leads the mind where it would never have consented to go, the mechanism is available to everyone" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Th...
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
I am building my own world 🌱
June 22, 2025 at 7:53 PM
I am building my own world 🌱
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
I discovered ‘Penda’s Fen’ in 2018, when I was writing on the poet Geoffrey Hill and stumbled upon this fascinating essay that reads the play alongside Hill’s ‘Mercian Hymns’ (1971):
Strange English Work: Geoffrey Hill’s Mercian Hymns and David Rudkin’s Penda’s Fen
“Child be strange, dark, true, impure, and dissonant.” Penda’s Fen. “Not strangeness, but strange likeness. Obstinate, outclassed forefathers, I too concede, I am your staggeringly-gifted child.” M…
corsepresentblog.wordpress.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I discovered ‘Penda’s Fen’ in 2018, when I was writing on the poet Geoffrey Hill and stumbled upon this fascinating essay that reads the play alongside Hill’s ‘Mercian Hymns’ (1971):
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
I don’t post much on here but this came out today & I’m very proud of it.
Thanks RPS & @edwinet.bsky.social for letting me do this.
Skating, videogames…both things have had a profound impact on how and why I write, so to be able to put this article out in the world means a lot to me.
Thanks RPS & @edwinet.bsky.social for letting me do this.
Skating, videogames…both things have had a profound impact on how and why I write, so to be able to put this article out in the world means a lot to me.
November 14, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I don’t post much on here but this came out today & I’m very proud of it.
Thanks RPS & @edwinet.bsky.social for letting me do this.
Skating, videogames…both things have had a profound impact on how and why I write, so to be able to put this article out in the world means a lot to me.
Thanks RPS & @edwinet.bsky.social for letting me do this.
Skating, videogames…both things have had a profound impact on how and why I write, so to be able to put this article out in the world means a lot to me.
Reposted by Dr Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Photos from the 2025 Small Publishers Fair! Drop by the @royalholloway.bsky.social Poetics Research Centre table for new work from the poetry and poetic practice MA pathways, PhD candidates, and staff 🧡
October 25, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Photos from the 2025 Small Publishers Fair! Drop by the @royalholloway.bsky.social Poetics Research Centre table for new work from the poetry and poetic practice MA pathways, PhD candidates, and staff 🧡