Mark Ripley
@markripley.com
Fractional CTO. I help tech startups scale. Making games since 1981, 200+ published titles. Solo indie dev.
LinkedIn: https://markripley.net
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grumpyoaf
Indie: https://wearedinosaurs.uk
LinkedIn: https://markripley.net
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grumpyoaf
Indie: https://wearedinosaurs.uk
The Grumpy Oaf YouTube channel is now live, hosting precisely one intro video featuring yours truly. Just had a bout of flu, so now I no longer look like a ghost, the YT sausage machine shall enter full production.
www.youtube.com/@grumpyoaf/v...
www.youtube.com/@grumpyoaf/v...
Grumpy Oaf: Game Dev & Industry Insight
Game developer for 45+ years with 220+ shipped projects across retro micros, web, mobile, PC, console, VR and XR. Now a fractional CTO helping startups build tech properly (and avoid costly mistakes)....
www.youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:34 PM
The Grumpy Oaf YouTube channel is now live, hosting precisely one intro video featuring yours truly. Just had a bout of flu, so now I no longer look like a ghost, the YT sausage machine shall enter full production.
www.youtube.com/@grumpyoaf/v...
www.youtube.com/@grumpyoaf/v...
Can we have this in NI too please :) @niscreen.bsky.social
February 11, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Can we have this in NI too please :) @niscreen.bsky.social
I wonder how many people googled "IRC client" today.
February 10, 2026 at 10:14 PM
I wonder how many people googled "IRC client" today.
Reposted by Mark Ripley
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.
Today I've been reviewing grant applications, which I flippantly call "crushing dreams". However, there's so much innovation in the majority of applications I typically end up approving them, providing gushing comments urging them on.
It's a great job, spreading happiness into people's lives.
It's a great job, spreading happiness into people's lives.
February 10, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Today I've been reviewing grant applications, which I flippantly call "crushing dreams". However, there's so much innovation in the majority of applications I typically end up approving them, providing gushing comments urging them on.
It's a great job, spreading happiness into people's lives.
It's a great job, spreading happiness into people's lives.
Lots of discord around Discord 😀
So...where's everyone moving to?
So...where's everyone moving to?
February 9, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Lots of discord around Discord 😀
So...where's everyone moving to?
So...where's everyone moving to?
Today is AI video recording day. Got to do it today 'cos I fully expect the MS/Oracle/AWS/nVidia/OpenAI bubble to burst tomorrow, so I want to get this out then I can appear all knowledgable and prophetic.
Basically the premise is how to make a sustainable, fair business whilst tech bros burn.
Basically the premise is how to make a sustainable, fair business whilst tech bros burn.
February 8, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Today is AI video recording day. Got to do it today 'cos I fully expect the MS/Oracle/AWS/nVidia/OpenAI bubble to burst tomorrow, so I want to get this out then I can appear all knowledgable and prophetic.
Basically the premise is how to make a sustainable, fair business whilst tech bros burn.
Basically the premise is how to make a sustainable, fair business whilst tech bros burn.
Are there any video editors out there that aren't steaming piles of shit? I mean, how hard can it be....
February 6, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Are there any video editors out there that aren't steaming piles of shit? I mean, how hard can it be....
First video recorded. Phew! Now I need a nap.
February 6, 2026 at 2:05 PM
First video recorded. Phew! Now I need a nap.
Reposted by Mark Ripley
My god, I hadn't spotted it either. That's really lovely.
500 years of Frasier repeats on C4 and only just noticed that the delivery man who brings in Martin's chair in the first episode is the same guy who takes it away in the finale.
February 6, 2026 at 10:17 AM
My god, I hadn't spotted it either. That's really lovely.
Well that's another software suite going in the bin.
February 5, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Well that's another software suite going in the bin.
Ubuntu installed on Windows machine. Unreal not only works, it flies! Even coped with opening a project from a previous version.
Godot, Rider, Gitkraken (no Fork, boo!), Vivaldi all installed and working. Unity next, then experimental stuff like Meta Quest Dev Hub under Proton/Wine or something.
Godot, Rider, Gitkraken (no Fork, boo!), Vivaldi all installed and working. Unity next, then experimental stuff like Meta Quest Dev Hub under Proton/Wine or something.
February 3, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Ubuntu installed on Windows machine. Unreal not only works, it flies! Even coped with opening a project from a previous version.
Godot, Rider, Gitkraken (no Fork, boo!), Vivaldi all installed and working. Unity next, then experimental stuff like Meta Quest Dev Hub under Proton/Wine or something.
Godot, Rider, Gitkraken (no Fork, boo!), Vivaldi all installed and working. Unity next, then experimental stuff like Meta Quest Dev Hub under Proton/Wine or something.
I've emerged from CV updating hell. Even made one of those AI / gatekeeper - friendly versions with all the meat stripped out.
I'll see if it makes a difference - my plan is to lure them with the airhead version, then thwap them with the full-fat version once they nibble.
I'll see if it makes a difference - my plan is to lure them with the airhead version, then thwap them with the full-fat version once they nibble.
February 3, 2026 at 12:05 PM
I've emerged from CV updating hell. Even made one of those AI / gatekeeper - friendly versions with all the meat stripped out.
I'll see if it makes a difference - my plan is to lure them with the airhead version, then thwap them with the full-fat version once they nibble.
I'll see if it makes a difference - my plan is to lure them with the airhead version, then thwap them with the full-fat version once they nibble.
I have Steve Hillage going round my head. Who knows how he got in there!
February 3, 2026 at 11:30 AM
I have Steve Hillage going round my head. Who knows how he got in there!
So Mandelson has been found to be insider trading with Epstein. I shouldn't be surprised really, it just proves the whole system is rigged.
By rights a lot of rich and powerful people should be heading to prison, but it'll never happen.
Do they sell guillotines on Amazon?
By rights a lot of rich and powerful people should be heading to prison, but it'll never happen.
Do they sell guillotines on Amazon?
February 2, 2026 at 6:25 PM
So Mandelson has been found to be insider trading with Epstein. I shouldn't be surprised really, it just proves the whole system is rigged.
By rights a lot of rich and powerful people should be heading to prison, but it'll never happen.
Do they sell guillotines on Amazon?
By rights a lot of rich and powerful people should be heading to prison, but it'll never happen.
Do they sell guillotines on Amazon?
Someone had a good night out in Macclesfield last night! They're proper Levi's as well - he must've been well badgered!
February 1, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Someone had a good night out in Macclesfield last night! They're proper Levi's as well - he must've been well badgered!
Just watched @stepickford.bsky.social 's interview at Crash last year, and reminded just how brutal, and frankly shit, the games business was during the 90's and 00's.
Predatory publishers forcing devs to go bust so they don't need to pay their final milestones. I had the same with THQ.
Predatory publishers forcing devs to go bust so they don't need to pay their final milestones. I had the same with THQ.
January 31, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Just watched @stepickford.bsky.social 's interview at Crash last year, and reminded just how brutal, and frankly shit, the games business was during the 90's and 00's.
Predatory publishers forcing devs to go bust so they don't need to pay their final milestones. I had the same with THQ.
Predatory publishers forcing devs to go bust so they don't need to pay their final milestones. I had the same with THQ.
Reposted by Mark Ripley
Absolutely brilliant last line. No spoilers, but Swedish Chef's kiss
The Muppet Show: this thrilling return is so great I can’t even count how many times I laughed
The Muppet Show: this thrilling return is so great I can’t even count how many times I laughed
Sabrina Carpenter fangirling Miss Piggy, Beaker losing his eyes … yes, Kermit and co are back for a trip down memory lane – and it’s a perfect, saucy joy
www.theguardian.com
January 31, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Absolutely brilliant last line. No spoilers, but Swedish Chef's kiss
First YouTube test done, using the new rig. Swore a lot at Kdenlive, binned it and used iMovie instead; which has its own foibles but job done. Manually syncing the phone video with Mac audio was easier than I thought it'd be....
Couple of tweaks and I think I'm ready for Grumpy Oaf YT video #1!
Couple of tweaks and I think I'm ready for Grumpy Oaf YT video #1!
January 30, 2026 at 4:01 PM
First YouTube test done, using the new rig. Swore a lot at Kdenlive, binned it and used iMovie instead; which has its own foibles but job done. Manually syncing the phone video with Mac audio was easier than I thought it'd be....
Couple of tweaks and I think I'm ready for Grumpy Oaf YT video #1!
Couple of tweaks and I think I'm ready for Grumpy Oaf YT video #1!
Playing with Kdenlive. Unity levels of swearing. Hmm.
January 30, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Playing with Kdenlive. Unity levels of swearing. Hmm.
Well it's February next week, so I'd better start searching for a new role in earnest. CTO, NED, Consultant, Problem Solver; Games, XR, HealthTech, EduTech; Full Time, Part Time, Contract, Fractional -- pick your buzzwords from my bingo card and hopefully we can make a line :)
January 30, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Well it's February next week, so I'd better start searching for a new role in earnest. CTO, NED, Consultant, Problem Solver; Games, XR, HealthTech, EduTech; Full Time, Part Time, Contract, Fractional -- pick your buzzwords from my bingo card and hopefully we can make a line :)
Reposted by Mark Ripley
recorded a Windows 95 full disk defrag to soothe your timeline.
January 29, 2026 at 9:48 AM
recorded a Windows 95 full disk defrag to soothe your timeline.
Just in case anyone needs reminding :)
Yesterday I glimpsed this Cornish-flag bumper sticker in the wild and leaned forward expecting to read some horrible jingoistic slogan across the middle.
January 30, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Just in case anyone needs reminding :)
Reposted by Mark Ripley
It's getting very difficult to find #CreativeTech / #GameDev roles that don't require AI experience, and I simply refuse to engage in that.
I am actively looking for new creative projects, and I would love to work with a small team.
Portfolio: www.dcturner.co.uk
(shares greatly appreciated x)
I am actively looking for new creative projects, and I would love to work with a small team.
Portfolio: www.dcturner.co.uk
(shares greatly appreciated x)
DC TURNER
Award-winning game developer / animator / director.
www.dcturner.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 10:16 PM
It's getting very difficult to find #CreativeTech / #GameDev roles that don't require AI experience, and I simply refuse to engage in that.
I am actively looking for new creative projects, and I would love to work with a small team.
Portfolio: www.dcturner.co.uk
(shares greatly appreciated x)
I am actively looking for new creative projects, and I would love to work with a small team.
Portfolio: www.dcturner.co.uk
(shares greatly appreciated x)