James Youngman
@jyoungman.bsky.social
He/him Game Designer, composer, writer
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/ten-lessons-over-ten-years
http://jamesyoungman.bandcamp.com
https://jyoungman.itch.io
Senior Tech Designer at Elsewhere. All opinions my own.
#gamedev | #gamedesign
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/ten-lessons-over-ten-years
http://jamesyoungman.bandcamp.com
https://jyoungman.itch.io
Senior Tech Designer at Elsewhere. All opinions my own.
#gamedev | #gamedesign
Reposted by James Youngman
This is starting to get like universal basic income where every single objective study shows the same result but the people who don't like that result go "uh, well there's just really no way to know"
HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW: “.. In our in-progress research, we discovered that AI tools didn’t reduce work, they consistently intensified it.”
hbr.org/2026/02/ai-d...
hbr.org/2026/02/ai-d...
February 10, 2026 at 3:06 PM
This is starting to get like universal basic income where every single objective study shows the same result but the people who don't like that result go "uh, well there's just really no way to know"
Reposted by James Youngman
For the new folks: I am a disaster survivor and my only income is making shirts and art.
www.etsy.com/shop/thenigh...
www.etsy.com/shop/thenigh...
February 10, 2026 at 6:56 PM
For the new folks: I am a disaster survivor and my only income is making shirts and art.
www.etsy.com/shop/thenigh...
www.etsy.com/shop/thenigh...
Reposted by James Youngman
When a sitting representative refers to the Super Bowl halftime show as “pornography,” people should use that to reflect on how they and other representatives are simultaneously working to ban, censor, and restrict “pornography” and what that actually means
February 10, 2026 at 6:52 PM
When a sitting representative refers to the Super Bowl halftime show as “pornography,” people should use that to reflect on how they and other representatives are simultaneously working to ban, censor, and restrict “pornography” and what that actually means
Reposted by James Youngman
It is hard to overstate how upset you should be about this. First, the equal credit act (revoking women’s rights to credit) and now this, which will revoke millions of women’s right to vote.
They’re using trans people as a stalking horse for bigger targets.
They’re using trans people as a stalking horse for bigger targets.
February 10, 2026 at 4:04 PM
It is hard to overstate how upset you should be about this. First, the equal credit act (revoking women’s rights to credit) and now this, which will revoke millions of women’s right to vote.
They’re using trans people as a stalking horse for bigger targets.
They’re using trans people as a stalking horse for bigger targets.
Reposted by James Youngman
So many red flags in here but “smaller core team + co-dev and outsourcing” is a model we’re gonna see more of and this is a very worst case scenario of how it can be executed.
February 10, 2026 at 12:19 PM
So many red flags in here but “smaller core team + co-dev and outsourcing” is a model we’re gonna see more of and this is a very worst case scenario of how it can be executed.
Reposted by James Youngman
can't really put into words how much the neoliberal movement to kick teenagers off social media "for their protection" enrages me because it doesn't give a shit about protecting them from covid despite estimates that up to 20% develop signs of long covid post infection www.yahoo.com/news/article...
How vulnerable are kids to long COVID?
Little is known about what makes some people more susceptible to long COVID than others, including children.
www.yahoo.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:26 PM
can't really put into words how much the neoliberal movement to kick teenagers off social media "for their protection" enrages me because it doesn't give a shit about protecting them from covid despite estimates that up to 20% develop signs of long covid post infection www.yahoo.com/news/article...
Reposted by James Youngman
I have learned one thing in my years in games and that is that the most interesting games to play usually have a rating spread that looks like this, either leaning towards a 9 or towards a 4.
ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN | Reviews
9 - PSU
9 - CGM
9 - Console Creatures
8 - VGC
8 - Slant
8 - Gameliner
8 - TechRadar
8 - Noisy Pixel
8 - GameReactor
7 - IGN
7 - TheSixthAxis
6.5 - GamingTrend
6 - PSX Brasil
6 - WellPlayed
6 - Push Square
5.5 - ZTGD
5 - Gamespot
4 - MonsterVine
MC: 74
OC: 71
9 - PSU
9 - CGM
9 - Console Creatures
8 - VGC
8 - Slant
8 - Gameliner
8 - TechRadar
8 - Noisy Pixel
8 - GameReactor
7 - IGN
7 - TheSixthAxis
6.5 - GamingTrend
6 - PSX Brasil
6 - WellPlayed
6 - Push Square
5.5 - ZTGD
5 - Gamespot
4 - MonsterVine
MC: 74
OC: 71
February 10, 2026 at 2:41 PM
I have learned one thing in my years in games and that is that the most interesting games to play usually have a rating spread that looks like this, either leaning towards a 9 or towards a 4.
Thinking about this in the context of @techconnectify.bsky.social's commentary of the energy per acre of solar vs corn for ethanol production.
More food, more energy, fewer carbon emissions, all with technology that's already operating at scale.
Our problems are solved. We just have to act.
More food, more energy, fewer carbon emissions, all with technology that's already operating at scale.
Our problems are solved. We just have to act.
deploying solar panels over farms increases crop yields by up to 18% by preventing them from getting scorched, meaning huge solar power plants can be built with no harm to natural landscapes
www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/19/f...
www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/19/f...
France agrivoltaics trials show early crop and livestock gains
Data from agrivoltaic canopy trials in France, developed by energy producer TSE and the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE), indicate measurable temper...
www.pv-magazine.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:18 AM
Thinking about this in the context of @techconnectify.bsky.social's commentary of the energy per acre of solar vs corn for ethanol production.
More food, more energy, fewer carbon emissions, all with technology that's already operating at scale.
Our problems are solved. We just have to act.
More food, more energy, fewer carbon emissions, all with technology that's already operating at scale.
Our problems are solved. We just have to act.
Reposted by James Youngman
that is a fun age they're just about to get really into bluesky 🦋🦋🦋
When someone tells me how old their child is I say "that's such a fun age" even if it's 37
February 10, 2026 at 3:08 AM
that is a fun age they're just about to get really into bluesky 🦋🦋🦋
Reposted by James Youngman
He murdered 300,000 people last year right here on earth and the toll may climb to 14 million.
Elon Musk's ambition to one day settle Mars appears to have taken a back seat for a rather nearer and more achievable goal – sending humans to live on the moon. https://cnn.it/46sbAMm
February 10, 2026 at 3:12 AM
He murdered 300,000 people last year right here on earth and the toll may climb to 14 million.
LA isn't Amsterdam. We have a dramatically more bike-friendly climate than they do, and it's time we start acting like it.
The perfect answer to "Our city isn't Amsterdam."
"Yeah, they made better choices. But we can do that too, starting now."
"Yeah, they made better choices. But we can do that too, starting now."
“OUR city isn’t [insert name of a much more livable & successful city here].”
Trust me, we know that. It’s abundantly obvious that you’re not that city.
That city made, and continues to make, much better choices with fewer excuses.
The real question is, do you want YOUR city to be better or not?
Trust me, we know that. It’s abundantly obvious that you’re not that city.
That city made, and continues to make, much better choices with fewer excuses.
The real question is, do you want YOUR city to be better or not?
February 9, 2026 at 11:53 PM
LA isn't Amsterdam. We have a dramatically more bike-friendly climate than they do, and it's time we start acting like it.
Post a banger that isn't in English
youtu.be/jL9e6P8Rq60?...
youtu.be/jL9e6P8Rq60?...
February 9, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Post a banger that isn't in English
youtu.be/jL9e6P8Rq60?...
youtu.be/jL9e6P8Rq60?...
Reposted by James Youngman
Reposted by James Youngman
To repeat.
--
And to repeat:
The political faction saying we must all have to log legal ID before speaking or accessing speech on the Internet,
and the political faction who believe transgenderism is a dangerous mental contagion that spreads by speech about transgenderism,
are the same faction.
--
And to repeat:
The political faction saying we must all have to log legal ID before speaking or accessing speech on the Internet,
and the political faction who believe transgenderism is a dangerous mental contagion that spreads by speech about transgenderism,
are the same faction.
Age verification is deanonymization,
Deanonymization is censorship.
The Supreme Court is now taking away your right to anonymously *read* a form of speech. If speaking can mean that your readers have to subject themselves to potential consequences to read it, how can there be freedom of speech?
Deanonymization is censorship.
The Supreme Court is now taking away your right to anonymously *read* a form of speech. If speaking can mean that your readers have to subject themselves to potential consequences to read it, how can there be freedom of speech?
NEW: In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court held that age verification for explicit sites is constitutional. The majority said it protects minors without violating free speech; dissenters warned it burdens adults’ rights and ignores First Amendment precedent.
by @mattburgess1.bsky.social:
by @mattburgess1.bsky.social:
February 9, 2026 at 7:40 PM
To repeat.
--
And to repeat:
The political faction saying we must all have to log legal ID before speaking or accessing speech on the Internet,
and the political faction who believe transgenderism is a dangerous mental contagion that spreads by speech about transgenderism,
are the same faction.
--
And to repeat:
The political faction saying we must all have to log legal ID before speaking or accessing speech on the Internet,
and the political faction who believe transgenderism is a dangerous mental contagion that spreads by speech about transgenderism,
are the same faction.
Reposted by James Youngman
February 9, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Reposted by James Youngman
NEW COCKTAILS & CRIME. The newsletter lives up to its title for once, with looks at a pair of musical noir curios in advance of Noir City Seattle and a new documentary on the godfather of tiki culture. vincekeenan.substack.com/p/c-and-c-91...
February 9, 2026 at 5:43 PM
NEW COCKTAILS & CRIME. The newsletter lives up to its title for once, with looks at a pair of musical noir curios in advance of Noir City Seattle and a new documentary on the godfather of tiki culture. vincekeenan.substack.com/p/c-and-c-91...
Reposted by James Youngman
We're challenging you to read a book set in the 1930s in February. Have you tried The Lillian Frost & Edith Head Mysteries by Renee Patrick? cozymystery.com/links/design...
February 9, 2026 at 1:01 PM
We're challenging you to read a book set in the 1930s in February. Have you tried The Lillian Frost & Edith Head Mysteries by Renee Patrick? cozymystery.com/links/design...
Reposted by James Youngman
The No ICE in Minnesota Charity Bundle has officially LAUNCHED!
There are 1,439 games to discover for a $10+ donation to Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota!
Purchase the bundle here: itch.io/b/3484/no-ic...
There are 1,439 games to discover for a $10+ donation to Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota!
Purchase the bundle here: itch.io/b/3484/no-ic...
February 9, 2026 at 2:33 PM
The No ICE in Minnesota Charity Bundle has officially LAUNCHED!
There are 1,439 games to discover for a $10+ donation to Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota!
Purchase the bundle here: itch.io/b/3484/no-ic...
There are 1,439 games to discover for a $10+ donation to Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota!
Purchase the bundle here: itch.io/b/3484/no-ic...
For those who don't know music theory, the chord it plays is an ursa major
wait no there's one other good reason and that's if a bear breaks into your house to play piano and you don't have it on film.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTPu...
but honestly this is probably still a bad idea and i think OP has the right point.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTPu...
but honestly this is probably still a bad idea and i think OP has the right point.
Bear Breaks Into Colorado Home, Plays Piano
YouTube video by Storyful Viral
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:46 PM
For those who don't know music theory, the chord it plays is an ursa major
Reposted by James Youngman
<taps the sign>
Remember kids:
- Discord is not a place for storing game dev/project materials
- You (probably) don't need Jira
- Your internal deadlines should be BEFORE their final due date
- Don't put up with stuff; speak up
- If someone can't speak up, speak up for them
- Stay a little silly but take no shit
- Discord is not a place for storing game dev/project materials
- You (probably) don't need Jira
- Your internal deadlines should be BEFORE their final due date
- Don't put up with stuff; speak up
- If someone can't speak up, speak up for them
- Stay a little silly but take no shit
February 9, 2026 at 2:55 PM
<taps the sign>
Thread
Yesterday in our Intro to Judaism class I told the story behind Kristallnacht
- that on October 27, 1938, the Nazis rescinded legal status for 12,000 ostjuden (Eastern Jews) and deported them by train to Poland. Poland did not admit them, and they were trapped at the border for weeks. /1
- that on October 27, 1938, the Nazis rescinded legal status for 12,000 ostjuden (Eastern Jews) and deported them by train to Poland. Poland did not admit them, and they were trapped at the border for weeks. /1
February 9, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Thread
Reposted by James Youngman
Like I'm not trying to be conspiratorial. I just want to understand the causal origins of this stuff. Payment processors holding a gun to their client's heads across multiple industries to implement sweeping and unpopular age verification mechanics isn't coming from nowhere, and AFAIK it's not a law
February 9, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Like I'm not trying to be conspiratorial. I just want to understand the causal origins of this stuff. Payment processors holding a gun to their client's heads across multiple industries to implement sweeping and unpopular age verification mechanics isn't coming from nowhere, and AFAIK it's not a law
Reposted by James Youngman
If there is one thing you take from yesterday, remember this: love is stronger than hate.
If you take two things: as a creator, you have power that some leaders don’t and it terrifies them. That’s why they rename theaters to try and get close to that power. Stand strong and use your power for good.
If you take two things: as a creator, you have power that some leaders don’t and it terrifies them. That’s why they rename theaters to try and get close to that power. Stand strong and use your power for good.
February 9, 2026 at 3:36 PM
If there is one thing you take from yesterday, remember this: love is stronger than hate.
If you take two things: as a creator, you have power that some leaders don’t and it terrifies them. That’s why they rename theaters to try and get close to that power. Stand strong and use your power for good.
If you take two things: as a creator, you have power that some leaders don’t and it terrifies them. That’s why they rename theaters to try and get close to that power. Stand strong and use your power for good.
Reposted by James Youngman
Discord is switching to teen-by-default settings next month, with face scanning or ID upload required for full access.
Unrelated - this past October, Discord suffered a data breach where 70,000 government IDs and info was stolen.
(Discord official press release)
Unrelated - this past October, Discord suffered a data breach where 70,000 government IDs and info was stolen.
(Discord official press release)
February 9, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Discord is switching to teen-by-default settings next month, with face scanning or ID upload required for full access.
Unrelated - this past October, Discord suffered a data breach where 70,000 government IDs and info was stolen.
(Discord official press release)
Unrelated - this past October, Discord suffered a data breach where 70,000 government IDs and info was stolen.
(Discord official press release)
Non-active party members in Rebirth gain exp and AP at full rate, which more or less rounds to what I really want in RPGs, which is level bring a property of the party, not individual units.
Weapon proficiency is per character, but so far can be achieved pretty quickly.
Weapon proficiency is per character, but so far can be achieved pretty quickly.
Glad that with the addition of Queen's Blood, FF7 has at last become a PS1 Final Fantasy game
(Real takes once I'm further in)
(Real takes once I'm further in)
February 9, 2026 at 6:48 AM
Non-active party members in Rebirth gain exp and AP at full rate, which more or less rounds to what I really want in RPGs, which is level bring a property of the party, not individual units.
Weapon proficiency is per character, but so far can be achieved pretty quickly.
Weapon proficiency is per character, but so far can be achieved pretty quickly.