Florence Smith Nicholls
@florencesn.bsky.social
Video game archaeologist + game dev//
PhD on archaeogaming as play preservation + procgen//
Prev: Story Tech @gutefabrik.bsky.social, Planning Archaeologist at Museum of London Archaeology
they/them
💾 florencesmithnicholls.com
PhD on archaeogaming as play preservation + procgen//
Prev: Story Tech @gutefabrik.bsky.social, Planning Archaeologist at Museum of London Archaeology
they/them
💾 florencesmithnicholls.com
Pinned
~Thread of my past publications~
"Virtual Dark Tourism in The Town of Light"
2018, Routledge
In this book chapter I argue that video games marketing a setting associated with historical suffering can be considered dark tourism experiences.
www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edi...
"Virtual Dark Tourism in The Town of Light"
2018, Routledge
In this book chapter I argue that video games marketing a setting associated with historical suffering can be considered dark tourism experiences.
www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edi...
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
i'm incredibly honored beyond words, belief, and ALL THE THINGS to finally share that i'm part of GLAAD's first Queer Emerging Developers cohort!!! 😭💖
it still has not sunk in. i'm so proud and grateful to be among such incredible people. truly, this is the honor of a lifetime.
it still has not sunk in. i'm so proud and grateful to be among such incredible people. truly, this is the honor of a lifetime.
January 28, 2026 at 7:10 PM
i'm incredibly honored beyond words, belief, and ALL THE THINGS to finally share that i'm part of GLAAD's first Queer Emerging Developers cohort!!! 😭💖
it still has not sunk in. i'm so proud and grateful to be among such incredible people. truly, this is the honor of a lifetime.
it still has not sunk in. i'm so proud and grateful to be among such incredible people. truly, this is the honor of a lifetime.
The parallels with archaeology here are so fascinating - "knolling" reminds me of working at the Knossos Stratigraphical Museum, processing pottery sherds to be photographed by laying then out according to their diagnostic features
My 2025 talk 'Gyms, Zoos, and Museums: Your documentation should be in-game' is now also available in text format, for those who like to read instead of watch: rystorm.com/blog/gyms-zo...
And if you haven't seen it yet, there is an all new video too, with bonus material on the history of Zoos!
And if you haven't seen it yet, there is an all new video too, with bonus material on the history of Zoos!
Gyms, Zoos, and Museums: Your documentation should be in-game — Robin-Yann Storm, Product & UX Designer for Tools
Gyms, Zoos, and Museums: Your documentation should be in-game
rystorm.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:28 PM
The parallels with archaeology here are so fascinating - "knolling" reminds me of working at the Knossos Stratigraphical Museum, processing pottery sherds to be photographed by laying then out according to their diagnostic features
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Super delighted to say that I wrote a chapter of this beautiful book! It's about my favourite character from Dark Souls 3 - Greirat of the Undead Settlement ❤️
We’re excited to announce Scholar’s Codex – a new anthology where academia explores the games of FromSoftware.
Beautifully produced as a premium hardcover and illustrated by acclaimed artist @nicodelort.bsky.social.
#eldenring #darksouls #bloodborne 💙📚
www.tuneandfairweather.com/products/sch...
Beautifully produced as a premium hardcover and illustrated by acclaimed artist @nicodelort.bsky.social.
#eldenring #darksouls #bloodborne 💙📚
www.tuneandfairweather.com/products/sch...
January 28, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Super delighted to say that I wrote a chapter of this beautiful book! It's about my favourite character from Dark Souls 3 - Greirat of the Undead Settlement ❤️
Ahhhhh I can finally talk about it! I wrote a piece for this on the Prisoner Iron Mask, BDSM and the queer pleasures of Elden Ring!
We’re excited to announce Scholar’s Codex – a new anthology where academia explores the games of FromSoftware.
Beautifully produced as a premium hardcover and illustrated by acclaimed artist @nicodelort.bsky.social.
#eldenring #darksouls #bloodborne 💙📚
www.tuneandfairweather.com/products/sch...
Beautifully produced as a premium hardcover and illustrated by acclaimed artist @nicodelort.bsky.social.
#eldenring #darksouls #bloodborne 💙📚
www.tuneandfairweather.com/products/sch...
January 28, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Ahhhhh I can finally talk about it! I wrote a piece for this on the Prisoner Iron Mask, BDSM and the queer pleasures of Elden Ring!
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
「The Museum of Stones I Found While Walking」を公開しました。
私が散歩中に見つけた石に題名を付けて展示しているバーチャル美術館です。
“The Museum of Stones I Found While Walking” is now released.
A virtual museum of stones I found while walking, each with a title.
aug81074.itch.io/the-museum-o...
#wareware
私が散歩中に見つけた石に題名を付けて展示しているバーチャル美術館です。
“The Museum of Stones I Found While Walking” is now released.
A virtual museum of stones I found while walking, each with a title.
aug81074.itch.io/the-museum-o...
#wareware
The Museum of Stones I Found While Walking by Aug
Most boring museum in the world
aug81074.itch.io
January 28, 2026 at 12:45 PM
「The Museum of Stones I Found While Walking」を公開しました。
私が散歩中に見つけた石に題名を付けて展示しているバーチャル美術館です。
“The Museum of Stones I Found While Walking” is now released.
A virtual museum of stones I found while walking, each with a title.
aug81074.itch.io/the-museum-o...
#wareware
私が散歩中に見つけた石に題名を付けて展示しているバーチャル美術館です。
“The Museum of Stones I Found While Walking” is now released.
A virtual museum of stones I found while walking, each with a title.
aug81074.itch.io/the-museum-o...
#wareware
More proof of the power of the in-game walking (or indeed, climbing) interview!
These devs make games about climbing - I sent them up a mountain in Peak
www.jank.cool/three-game-d...
www.jank.cool/three-game-d...
Three game devs climb a mountain
It's your turn to get over it, Foddy
www.jank.cool
January 28, 2026 at 12:41 PM
More proof of the power of the in-game walking (or indeed, climbing) interview!
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Stayed up WAY too late playing this last night. Absolutely hypnotic.
It’s like doing archaeology but on literature. And tangled family relationships. And possibly reality itself. Oh, and every now and again your spade develops sentience and tries to entomb you.
It’s like doing archaeology but on literature. And tangled family relationships. And possibly reality itself. Oh, and every now and again your spade develops sentience and tries to entomb you.
TR-49: OUT NOW
Narrative deduction / audio drama
"Outstanding" - PC Gamer
"Politically fierce" - Polygon
"One of the best" - Thinky Games
"I wanted to know everything" - RPS
"Impressive - very impressive indeed" - Eurogamer
$6.99 / ~6 hours
Steam: tinyurl.com/2jvt9ewk
iOS: tinyurl.com/4ucwx4s7
Narrative deduction / audio drama
"Outstanding" - PC Gamer
"Politically fierce" - Polygon
"One of the best" - Thinky Games
"I wanted to know everything" - RPS
"Impressive - very impressive indeed" - Eurogamer
$6.99 / ~6 hours
Steam: tinyurl.com/2jvt9ewk
iOS: tinyurl.com/4ucwx4s7
TR-49 - Official Trailer
YouTube video by inkleStudios
www.youtube.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Stayed up WAY too late playing this last night. Absolutely hypnotic.
It’s like doing archaeology but on literature. And tangled family relationships. And possibly reality itself. Oh, and every now and again your spade develops sentience and tries to entomb you.
It’s like doing archaeology but on literature. And tangled family relationships. And possibly reality itself. Oh, and every now and again your spade develops sentience and tries to entomb you.
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
had a crazy fun time writing about why skeletons regenerate in games for av club!
When you defeat a skeleton in a video game, there's a very good chance it will quickly reassemble itself. What inspired this cliche? www.avclub.com/regenerating...
Why do video game skeletons put themselves back together?
When you defeat a skeleton in a video game, there's a very good chance it will quickly reassemble itself. How did this trope start?
www.avclub.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:06 PM
had a crazy fun time writing about why skeletons regenerate in games for av club!
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
EVERYTHING BURIED WILL SOME DAY RISE FROM THE EARTH.
January 27, 2026 at 6:58 PM
EVERYTHING BURIED WILL SOME DAY RISE FROM THE EARTH.
Oh you know I'm so hyped for this
Announcing Bog Bodies from Dreamfeel!
A "short hike”-alike 3d adventure set in a far future Ireland populated only by radioactive talking cats.
Players explore a late 19th c inspired landscape full of strange characters and stories...
A "short hike”-alike 3d adventure set in a far future Ireland populated only by radioactive talking cats.
Players explore a late 19th c inspired landscape full of strange characters and stories...
January 27, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Oh you know I'm so hyped for this
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Writing up my Excavation Report for the recent community excavation in Sackville Gardens has given me the chance to handle our finds again, so I thought I'd share a few of my favourite contemporary (1970-present) finds from the site...
📸 Is a 1979 Smiths Crips Salt and Vinager Wrapper.
1/9
📸 Is a 1979 Smiths Crips Salt and Vinager Wrapper.
1/9
January 27, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Writing up my Excavation Report for the recent community excavation in Sackville Gardens has given me the chance to handle our finds again, so I thought I'd share a few of my favourite contemporary (1970-present) finds from the site...
📸 Is a 1979 Smiths Crips Salt and Vinager Wrapper.
1/9
📸 Is a 1979 Smiths Crips Salt and Vinager Wrapper.
1/9
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Tardigrades in Space Wikipedia page.
I thought tardigrades were well known but I once sold #sciart at a microbiology conference & was surprised that there were folks there who had not heard of the mighty tardigrades, so I am happy to introduce you if new to you
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardigr...
I thought tardigrades were well known but I once sold #sciart at a microbiology conference & was surprised that there were folks there who had not heard of the mighty tardigrades, so I am happy to introduce you if new to you
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardigr...
January 27, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Tardigrades in Space Wikipedia page.
I thought tardigrades were well known but I once sold #sciart at a microbiology conference & was surprised that there were folks there who had not heard of the mighty tardigrades, so I am happy to introduce you if new to you
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardigr...
I thought tardigrades were well known but I once sold #sciart at a microbiology conference & was surprised that there were folks there who had not heard of the mighty tardigrades, so I am happy to introduce you if new to you
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardigr...
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
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 Florence Smith Nicholls
Coverage for Gaza has died down recently, so I wanted to remind folks that lots of people are still struggling. The Gaza Soup Kitchen opened its 14th location recently, and they are accepting donations. If you have some money to spare, please consider sending some spare funds their way.
Donate to Hot meals 4 Starved Palestinian Kids in north Gaza, organized by Hani Almadhoun
Do you know what it’s like to watch your family starve? I do.
My… Hani Almadhoun needs your support for Hot meals 4 Starved Palestinian Kids in north Gaza
www.gofundme.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:25 AM
Coverage for Gaza has died down recently, so I wanted to remind folks that lots of people are still struggling. The Gaza Soup Kitchen opened its 14th location recently, and they are accepting donations. If you have some money to spare, please consider sending some spare funds their way.
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Hi I spoke to Jade from Traitors about how playing video games prepared her for life in the castle…
www.theguardian.com/games/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/games/2026/j...
‘I didn’t have anything to prove’: what Traitors finalist Jade Scott learned about survival from video games
Accused, isolated and constantly under scrutiny, The Traitors contestant drew on years of social deduction gaming to stay calm under pressure
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Hi I spoke to Jade from Traitors about how playing video games prepared her for life in the castle…
www.theguardian.com/games/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/games/2026/j...
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Bent iron sword and lance head found in a burial at St. Johann-Gächingen. Bronze and Iron Age weapons deposited in burials were often bent or hacked into pieces before being placed into graves.. In this way, they 'died' with the owner. 3rd c. BC
📷 Landesmuseum Württemberg🏺
📷 Landesmuseum Württemberg🏺
January 27, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Bent iron sword and lance head found in a burial at St. Johann-Gächingen. Bronze and Iron Age weapons deposited in burials were often bent or hacked into pieces before being placed into graves.. In this way, they 'died' with the owner. 3rd c. BC
📷 Landesmuseum Württemberg🏺
📷 Landesmuseum Württemberg🏺
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Every word of this article is a delight. There are some great anecdotes about working for real tip lines.
yarnspinner.dev/blog/hint-li...
yarnspinner.dev/blog/hint-li...
We Pitched a Museum a 1993 Game Hint Line (And They Actually Said Yes) | Yarn Spinner
Early 2025, ACMI, the Australian museum of screen culture, put out a call for comissions for Game Worlds. They wanted to commission microgames from Australian developers, and the brief was deliberatel...
yarnspinner.dev
January 26, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Every word of this article is a delight. There are some great anecdotes about working for real tip lines.
yarnspinner.dev/blog/hint-li...
yarnspinner.dev/blog/hint-li...
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Two archivists duel in the centre of the sauna. One casts 'Sound of Paint', which the other effortlessly counters with 'Hail of Air'.
January 26, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Two archivists duel in the centre of the sauna. One casts 'Sound of Paint', which the other effortlessly counters with 'Hail of Air'.
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Television is 100 years old today! 🎉
January 26, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Television is 100 years old today! 🎉
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
I ported Super Monkey Ball to a website.
You can access it in the replies.
(or just type what you see in the video, I'm not your boss.)
You can access it in the replies.
(or just type what you see in the video, I'm not your boss.)
January 26, 2026 at 12:33 AM
I ported Super Monkey Ball to a website.
You can access it in the replies.
(or just type what you see in the video, I'm not your boss.)
You can access it in the replies.
(or just type what you see in the video, I'm not your boss.)
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
The 19th century Struve Geodetic Arc is, to me, one of the most extraordinary properties on the World Heritage List. It crosses 10 countries and was used to determine the size and shape of the world. 🧪 🏺 #ContemporaryArchaeology
Struve Geodetic Arc
The Struve Arc is a chain of survey triangulations stretching from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea, through 10 countries and over 2,820 km. These are points of a survey, carried out between 1816...
whc.unesco.org
January 26, 2026 at 12:01 AM
The 19th century Struve Geodetic Arc is, to me, one of the most extraordinary properties on the World Heritage List. It crosses 10 countries and was used to determine the size and shape of the world. 🧪 🏺 #ContemporaryArchaeology
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
Once again tapping my sign: ICE exist in the UK 🚨 They have had arrest powers since 2000. This government - not a hypothetical future one - is working harder than ever before to raid homes and businesses.
Immigration Enforcement raids at the highest level in UK history
Record number of arrests and raids of illegal workers across the UK including 187 raids in Northern Ireland leading to 234 arrests.
www.gov.uk
January 25, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Once again tapping my sign: ICE exist in the UK 🚨 They have had arrest powers since 2000. This government - not a hypothetical future one - is working harder than ever before to raid homes and businesses.
Reposted by Florence Smith Nicholls
January 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM