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Noah Wardrip-Fruin

@n-w-f.bsky.social

4K followers 360 following 72 posts

UC Santa Cruz professor; makes/studies games, elit, AI, etc; co-editor MIT Press Software Studies series; parent; Quaker; Henson/Muppet fan; disabled; he/him New book on Animal Crossing: New Horizons in the U Chicago Press Replay series .. more

Noah Wardrip-Fruin is a professor in the Computational Media department of the University of California, Santa Cruz, and is an advisor for the Expressive Intelligence Studio. He is an alumnus of the Literary Arts MFA program and Special Graduate Study PhD program at Brown University. In addition to his research in digital media, computer games, and software studies, he served for 10 years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Electronic Literature Organization. .. more

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Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · 1d

30% off and free shipping on my new book 😀

The University of Chicago Press @uchicagopress.bsky.social · 3d

The Society for the History of Technology meeting is underway! You can check out our featured books and get 30% off & free US shipping with promo code EX58160 at our virtual exhibit: bit.ly/UCPEXSHOT #SHOT2025

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · 1d

It's the #BookBirthday of Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Can a Game Take Care of Us?

If you were one of the players swept up in the embrace of #ACNH, or one of the people puzzled by the whole phenomenon, I hope this book reveals something new.

Thanks to everyone at @uchicagopress.bsky.social

Book held open by hand, with two images of Animal Crossing, one on each page. There is text below the images, which begins: In time we got more rambunctious. We would run around playing tag and follow-the-leader, narrowly skirting the flower beds. He'd run laps around Resident Services, then suddenly head off toward another area of the island. I'd have a hint that he was about to climb a cliff or jump a stream, because I'd see a ladder or vaulting pole appear in his character's grip. He'd zig and I'd take a risk on zagging, opening or closing the distance between us. The game kept our running speed the same. I might tire out mentally, but I sure lasted longer than I would have physically.

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

The University of Chicago Press @uchicagopress.bsky.social · 3d

The Society for the History of Technology meeting is underway! You can check out our featured books and get 30% off & free US shipping with promo code EX58160 at our virtual exhibit: bit.ly/UCPEXSHOT #SHOT2025

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · 3d

I’m so glad it resonated with you!

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

The Video Game Library 📚 @thevideogamelibrary.org · 3d

Just wrapped this one up from @n-w-f.bsky.social and loved it.

I too found solace in ACNH during the pandemic, and while I’m neither a father nor living with a disability, this memoir resonated deeply with me.

Will share a full review in an upcoming newsletter.

Add this to your must-read list 🙏

Reposted by Maarten Vink, Noah Wardrip‐Fruin, Robert B. Reich , and 6 more Maarten Vink, Noah Wardrip‐Fruin, Robert B. Reich, Jessica Vitak, Karen O’Donnell, Gary Sheffield, Catriona Seth, Jason A. Heppler, Bartosz Bartkowski

Bookshop.org @bookshop.org · 4d

Can’t decide what to buy on Prime Day?

Try: absolutely nothing, and then go support indie bookstores instead 📚

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

Shane Denson @shanedenson.bsky.social · 5d

The film|minutes video|graphic workstation is a tool for reading AND writing minute-by-minute analyses of moving-image media. (Thread)

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin, Anastasia Salter

The Video Game Library 📚 @thevideogamelibrary.org · 6d

Kicking things off with this exciting new REPLAY series

Thank you so much to @uchicagopress.bsky.social for this one 🙏

“ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS - CAN A GAME TAKE CARE OF US?”

Excited to see @n-w-f.bsky.social and @anasalter.bsky.social headline this launch!

The book cover for animal Crossing New Horizon‘s can a game take care of us. It is sitting on a wooden table with a blurred background. The cover is a series of 4 o’clock’s with one of the hands being a heart shape.

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

Jen @jkmahal.bsky.social · 19d

What movie do you consider to be “perfect?”

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · 23d

Faculty job — please help spread the word!

At UC Santa Cruz we have two games degrees, one in Engineering and one in Arts. This is a job with the Arts folks, who include super cool creators like @mattiebrice.bsky.social & @swensen.bsky.social

recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01998

Assistant Professor of Interactive Art, Performance & Games (Initial Review Date 11/14/25)

University of California, Santa Cruz is hiring. Apply now!

recruit.ucsc.edu

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · 24d

Just arrived!

With this book, @paulcornell.bsky.social & @rachaelsmith.bsky.social have established the genre of "cute cryptid whodunnit." It's about as far from the drumbeat of bad news as I can imagine.

I can't wait to discover Who Killed Nessie!

The cover of Who Killed Nessie by Paul Cornell and Rachel Smith

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

Dr. José Zagal @jzagal.bsky.social · 28d

Well, well, well played @nintendousa.bsky.social ! @benjedwards.com and I wouldn't have predicted THIS banger of an announcement... We should plug our @mitpress.bsky.social book "Seeing Red: Nintendo's Virtual Boy" at this point., no?

www.youtube.com/live/tWIEv_a...

Nintendo Direct 9.12.2025

YouTube video by Nintendo of America

www.youtube.com

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · 29d

How did Animal Crossing: New Horizons come to mean so much to so many? Travel back in time with me, five long years back, to the early days of ACNH and the Covid pandemic

Front cover of Animal Crossing: New Horizons book by Noah Wardrip-Fruin

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

Wes Miller @getwired.com · 29d

Overheard someone saying their doctor told them to skip the Covid vaccine this year since it’s so mild.

If your doctor says that, you should probably get a different doctor.

I have several friends down with it right now… and it sure as hell doesn’t sound mild and irrelevant to me.

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Sep 9

It’s an honor to help launch this series with @anasalter.bsky.social

Anastasia Salter @anasalter.bsky.social · Sep 9

The first copies of my next book, a short reflection on the lasting impact of indie game Undertale, have arrived at @uchicagopress.bsky.social and are in good company with @n-w-f.bsky.social's upcoming book on Animal Crossing. Find both at: press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/se...

First books upcoming in University of Chicago Press's Replay series: Undertale: Can a Game Give Hope? and Animal Crossing: New Horizons: Can a Game Take Care of Us?

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

Anastasia Salter @anasalter.bsky.social · Sep 9

The first copies of my next book, a short reflection on the lasting impact of indie game Undertale, have arrived at @uchicagopress.bsky.social and are in good company with @n-w-f.bsky.social's upcoming book on Animal Crossing. Find both at: press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/se...

First books upcoming in University of Chicago Press's Replay series: Undertale: Can a Game Give Hope? and Animal Crossing: New Horizons: Can a Game Take Care of Us?

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Feb 1

I agree that 5E D&D (as a system) lacks narrative nuance. But at the same time, I feel that the ability to mentally grasp incredible breadth is the core experience of BG3. For me, the breadth (without emptiness) is a marvel, almost sublime

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

Laine Nooney @ 🔥🗑️🔥 @lainenooney.bsky.social · Feb 14

THIS Friday online game history journal ROMchip hosts @aarontram.bsky.social for a talk abt his recent book THE PRIVILEGE OF PLAY and the racialized history of hobby games
LIVE on TWITCH FEB 16 @ 2PM EST.

RSVP: www.tickettailor.com/events/romch...

FOLLOW US ON TWITCH: www.twitch.tv/romchipjournal

Join the guestlist – ROMchip Presents: Aaron Trammell on The Privilege of Play – Twitch

ROMchip Presents: Aaron Trammell on The Privilege of Play – Twitch, Fri Feb 16, 2024 - Join us Friday, February 16, as ROMchip: A Journal of Game Histories hosts games studies scholar Aaron Trammell f...

www.tickettailor.com

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Mar 6

Defeated the monsters — that didn't snap her out of it. Defeated Swann. (Maybe he's the big bad?) No dice. She kept attacking. Had to kill her

Reading later, *there is no way you can help* unless you approach her as a character w/ the [Scholar] tag

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

Maria Farrell @mariafarrell.bsky.social · Mar 14

This time 4 years ago I had covid

Hi, past self! in 2 months you'll write a viral piece about convalescing and how ME/CFS shows rest - real, serious rest - is the only treatment we have for Long Covid

This is still true

In 6 mths your lungs will still be fucked

In 2 yrs you'll get covid again.

Indefinitely Ill – Post-Covid Fatigue

What to do when your body forgets how to be well OK well this is going to be tricky to write because I’m not a doctor and it’s not medical advice, and the more I read around in the displaceme…

crookedtimber.org

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

Scott Gustin @scottgustin.com · Nov 22

NEW: Monsters, Inc. land will replace Muppets Courtyard and Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney's Hollywood Studios. To make way for monsters, the Muppets will take over Rock 'n Roller Coaster and "team up with music's biggest starts for a rockin' music festival."

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

Dr. Nic, Namer of the Universe @quakefultales.bsky.social · Apr 19

Oh yeah Terry Pratchett is always great, and I grew up reading Prydain which is something more people should read

Also hell, Redwall is great too

Spooky McSkellington @gooberzilla.bsky.social · Apr 19

The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley. Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain. Not necessarily YA, but anything by Terry Pratchett and Patricia A. McKillip.

Skulldog @skulldog.bsky.social · Apr 17

Instead of vague posting about the bad books, I want to hear what GOOD fantasy series you read and stuck to growing up?

What kid and young adult fantasy lit have you read recently that isn't created by a dumpster fire funding regressive laws?

Boost it!

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Jul 4

My jump reflexes aren't what they used to be, but I'm still enjoying the chance to imbibe some Cherry Cough Syrup from @altice.bsky.social

ex-writer.itch.io/cherry-cough...

🍒 Cherry Cough Syrup 🍒 by Ex-Writer Games

Cherry is sick—and they need cough syrup!

ex-writer.itch.io

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Jun 13

In honor of @brettbobley.bsky.social's retirement, I'm joining the #ThanksBrett clap out. Brett's a transformative leader for digital humanities — and a genuine, fun human being (he's the only colleague I've joined on the log ride at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk)

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Apr 28

Only once. A return visit sounds good!

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Apr 26

I didn’t realize we were never co-authors! Anyway, it’s been my pleasure to offer whatever support I can 😀

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Apr 25

Yay!

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

mewelke @mewelke.bsky.social · Apr 22

My new science fiction novel is out today! A quirky band of scientists investigate a threat in a town riddled with strange events and science that pushes the envelope of what is possible. Awesome cover art by Kelly Lyon King!

#BookSky

www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5XXGDZ3/

The Azure Cove Assignment

Amazon.com: The Azure Cove Assignment: 9798280062238: Welke, Ian: Books

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

Double Fine @doublefine.com · Apr 19

To celebrate Psychonauts' 20th anniversary today we literally turned the sales knob as high as the system allowed us on Steam. Can't turn it any higher.

You can grab it for... *91 percent* off! Dear god..

store.steampowered.com/app/3830/Psy...

Save 91% on Psychonauts on Steam

A Psychic Odyssey Through the Minds of Misfits, Monsters, and Madmen. This classic action/adventure platformer from acclaimed developers Double Fine Productions follows the story of a young psychic na...

store.steampowered.com

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Apr 19

My daughter and I have fond memories of Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching books as bedtime reading. Also Catherynne M. Valente’s Fairyland books.

Dr. Nic, Namer of the Universe @quakefultales.bsky.social · Apr 19

Oh yeah Terry Pratchett is always great, and I grew up reading Prydain which is something more people should read

Also hell, Redwall is great too

Spooky McSkellington @gooberzilla.bsky.social · Apr 19

The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley. Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain. Not necessarily YA, but anything by Terry Pratchett and Patricia A. McKillip.