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patfio.bsky.social
Patrick Fiorilli
@patfio.bsky.social
1.6K followers 3K following 45 posts
writer, critic, & theorist; games & literature; bylines in the LA Review of Books, Gamers with Glasses, Bright Wall/Dark Room; lecturer in media arts & design at the University of Chicago; he/him; read my newsletter, "Critical Theorycraft," at www.patf.io
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patfio.bsky.social
Patrick Fiorilli @patfio.bsky.social · Dec 16
I've got an article in the new issue of Angelaki! It's called "Video Games Need a Theory of Language," and the big idea is that video games are actually a kind of writing. If you're unable to access it via a university library, you can use this link: www.tandfonline.com/eprint/JXIMV.... Take a look!
Article Screenshot: "Video Games Need a Theory of Language" by Patrick Fiorilli. "Introduction: How does a world emerge from language? This is the fundamental question posed by the medium of the video game, a form literally inscribed in code and in circuitry and thereby experienced as a phenomenal world. Yet this question goes unheard in studies of video games, and the fact that the video game can articulate such a quandary goes unrecognized in theories of language. The reason why is historical. The theories best suited to realize the potential of video games to imagine new relations between world and language were waning in influence just as the popularity of video games was on the rise. Where the link was located, in the niche area of game studies, it was only partially explained. How does a world emerge from language? This is precisely the question posed at once by video games and poststructuralism. Realizing this, we are prepared to conceive both apparatuses anew. Spend time in games-adjacent spaces and you will realize that this essential connection to language is not lost in discourse about video games. One often hears game designers and critics speak of video games in terms of “objects,” “verbs,” and other parts of speech. We talk about jumping in Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo R&D4, 1985) as if we were talking about the word “jump.” But despite the popularity of these turns of phrase, their meaning is most often uninvestigated. Why does it make sense to talk about video games as if we were talking about language?"
patfio.bsky.social
Hey look, new post! Read how playing Rock Band with friends made me realize how much I missed not just Rock Band, but what Rock Band kinda stood for.
www.patf.io/the-song-at-...
The Song, At Least, Remains the Same
You know what still hits? Rock Band. I turned 30 to find out why. 18 years ago, I woke up on Christmas morning to find Rock Band—like Guitar Hero before it, just a few years prior—under the tree. It ...
www.patf.io
February 6, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Reposted by Patrick Fiorilli
pynchonpals.bsky.social
If you'd like to directly support the work we do at Pynchon Pals and get access to monthly bonus episodes like future Q+A's, movie discussions, and whatever else we come up with, you can join our very own Whole Sick Crew for $5 a month at the brand new patreon.com/PynchonPals! Thanks for listening!
Pynchon Pals | Patreon
A podcast about finally reading Thomas Pynchon
patreon.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Reposted by Patrick Fiorilli
pynchonpals.bsky.social
It's Pynchon Pals' V. Q+A episode! Thank y'all so much for all the great questions -- we had a blast answering them, and we can't wait to jump into The Crying of Lot 49 in a couple of weeks. Also, we have an exciting announcement! redcircle.com/shows/3c4720...
cover of Big Joe Turner's "Flip, Flop and Fly 1951-1955" featuring the singer at a microphone.
January 28, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Reposted by Patrick Fiorilli
pynchonpals.bsky.social
That's a wrap on V.! Last call to send in your questions for our Q+A episode, after which, we'll be zooming right along to The Crying of Lot 49. Listen: redcircle.com/shows/3c4720...
Screenshot from the cartoon-styled Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. On the open sea, protagonist Link and his small red boat is lifted into the air by a cyclone.
January 14, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Reposted by Patrick Fiorilli
pynchonpals.bsky.social
game recognizes game. shout-out to Paul Thomas Anderson shouting out Thomas Pynchon (that's with a "y," Google) at the Golden Globes
Screenshot of YouTube video "Paul Thomas Anderson Wins Best Screenplay." PTA in a dark suit stands on-stage as subtitles read "I stole a lot of words from Thomas Pinchon who wrote a great book"
January 12, 2026 at 7:41 PM
patfio.bsky.social
January 11, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Reposted by Patrick Fiorilli
blippo.plus
@plante.bsky.social of Post Games and The Besties podcast for getting the lost experience Blippo+ conjures up:
postgame.substack.com/p/can-you-fi...

@patfio.bsky.social for the @gamerswithglasses.bsky.social review that made us feel seen down to our bones:
www.gamerswithglasses.com/reviews/blip...
December 31, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Reposted by Patrick Fiorilli
pynchonpals.bsky.social
New! Take a peek at the Things Behind the Curtain with us. Episode 08: In which Thomas Pynchon, like his cousin Taylor Swift, reflects on love (V. Chs. 14-16): podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/0...
The Red Room from Twin Peaks. Black and white chevron floor surrounded by tall red curtains. At the end of the corridor, the broken Venus de Milo statue.
December 31, 2025 at 5:05 PM
patfio.bsky.social
Reposting for the Friday crowd: featuring Derrida, Tetris, and why we keep using words like "verbs" and "texts" to describe video games.
patfio.bsky.social Patrick Fiorilli @patfio.bsky.social · Dec 16
I've got an article in the new issue of Angelaki! It's called "Video Games Need a Theory of Language," and the big idea is that video games are actually a kind of writing. If you're unable to access it via a university library, you can use this link: www.tandfonline.com/eprint/JXIMV.... Take a look!
Article Screenshot: "Video Games Need a Theory of Language" by Patrick Fiorilli. "Introduction: How does a world emerge from language? This is the fundamental question posed by the medium of the video game, a form literally inscribed in code and in circuitry and thereby experienced as a phenomenal world. Yet this question goes unheard in studies of video games, and the fact that the video game can articulate such a quandary goes unrecognized in theories of language. The reason why is historical. The theories best suited to realize the potential of video games to imagine new relations between world and language were waning in influence just as the popularity of video games was on the rise. Where the link was located, in the niche area of game studies, it was only partially explained. How does a world emerge from language? This is precisely the question posed at once by video games and poststructuralism. Realizing this, we are prepared to conceive both apparatuses anew. Spend time in games-adjacent spaces and you will realize that this essential connection to language is not lost in discourse about video games. One often hears game designers and critics speak of video games in terms of “objects,” “verbs,” and other parts of speech. We talk about jumping in Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo R&D4, 1985) as if we were talking about the word “jump.” But despite the popularity of these turns of phrase, their meaning is most often uninvestigated. Why does it make sense to talk about video games as if we were talking about language?"
December 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Reposted by Patrick Fiorilli
pynchonpals.bsky.social
Delayed Bluesky post! Dive into La (Whole Sick) Vie Bohème with Pynchon Pals Episode 07: In which a solid option for a V.-themed tattoo emerges (V. Chs. 12-13): podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/0...
Screengrab from the movie adaptation of the musical "Rent" -- characters are dancing in a grimy bar.
December 19, 2025 at 5:27 PM
patfio.bsky.social
I've got an article in the new issue of Angelaki! It's called "Video Games Need a Theory of Language," and the big idea is that video games are actually a kind of writing. If you're unable to access it via a university library, you can use this link: www.tandfonline.com/eprint/JXIMV.... Take a look!
Article Screenshot: "Video Games Need a Theory of Language" by Patrick Fiorilli. "Introduction: How does a world emerge from language? This is the fundamental question posed by the medium of the video game, a form literally inscribed in code and in circuitry and thereby experienced as a phenomenal world. Yet this question goes unheard in studies of video games, and the fact that the video game can articulate such a quandary goes unrecognized in theories of language. The reason why is historical. The theories best suited to realize the potential of video games to imagine new relations between world and language were waning in influence just as the popularity of video games was on the rise. Where the link was located, in the niche area of game studies, it was only partially explained. How does a world emerge from language? This is precisely the question posed at once by video games and poststructuralism. Realizing this, we are prepared to conceive both apparatuses anew. Spend time in games-adjacent spaces and you will realize that this essential connection to language is not lost in discourse about video games. One often hears game designers and critics speak of video games in terms of “objects,” “verbs,” and other parts of speech. We talk about jumping in Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo R&D4, 1985) as if we were talking about the word “jump.” But despite the popularity of these turns of phrase, their meaning is most often uninvestigated. Why does it make sense to talk about video games as if we were talking about language?"
December 16, 2025 at 5:02 PM
patfio.bsky.social
Hey look at that! Read me talk about the new word of the year on my newsletter: www.patf.io/friendslop-o...
December 15, 2025 at 7:54 PM
patfio.bsky.social
Really pleased with how this post turned out! Thoughts on the term "friendslop," which I don't think is that bad, and on why its abrasiveness might actually help us think through some of the slushy, "immediate" aesthetics of contemporary capitalism.

www.patf.io/friendslop-o...
"Friendslop," or, I Guess, the Cultural Logic of Slapstick Capitalism
Inspired by recent discussions on Remap Radio and across the internet, as well as by my own recent time spent playing games, I wanted toss around some thoughts about friendslop. "Friendslop" is a buz...
www.patf.io
December 6, 2025 at 3:59 PM
patfio.bsky.social
Hey, thanks a lot for the shout-out!
December 5, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Reposted by Patrick Fiorilli
pynchonpals.bsky.social
Pynchon Pals 06: In which the phrase, "history is like a sine wave," like a sine wave, recurs (V. Chs. 10-11) is now live! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/0...
Mystery and Melancholy of a Street by the painter Giorgio de Chirico. Amidst a minimalist Mediterranean plaza depicted in conflicting perspectives, a silhouetted girl pushes a wheel. Across from her, another shadow stretches around a corner.
December 3, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Reposted by Patrick Fiorilli
pynchonpals.bsky.social
New (extra long) episode! Listen to Pynchon Pals 05: In which Forrest Gump is revealed as the Hegelian World-Soul (V. Chs. 8-9) podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/0...
Illustration for "The Masque of the Red Death" by Harry Clarke, 1919. A grotesque figure of Death stands next to a grandfather clock, holding aloft a tragic mask.
November 19, 2025 at 7:32 PM
patfio.bsky.social
Newsletter! Thoughts on Prince of Darkness, Altered States, The Keep, Zodiac, Scream, and The Shining. Not my biggest pool of horror flicks for the month of October, but the 5 new watches and 1 rewatch I got around to were pretty good! www.patf.io/horror-movie...
Horror Movie Roundup 2025
Salutations from the other side of a not exactly planned hiatus! We now return you to your regularly scheduled program. Today, a dispatch from the far flung season of the witch and the werewolf. Octo...
www.patf.io
November 14, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reposted by Patrick Fiorilli
pynchonpals.bsky.social
Shout out to Luis Aparicio -- real V.-heads know!
Man pointing at shortstop Luis Aparicio's gold plaque in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
November 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Reposted by Patrick Fiorilli
pynchonpals.bsky.social
A new episode of Pynchon Pals has arrived! 04: In which appear a bodacious cowboy, a Babylon sister, and several gentleman losers (V. Ch. 7) Listen now: redcircle.com/shows/3c4720...
Album cover of Gaucho by Steely Dan. Stylized man and woman dancing close together, framed in gold on a grey background.
November 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
patfio.bsky.social
Pynchonesque Halloween ft. player-two palette-swapped Bob Ferguson and an alligator from V. -- listen to our podcast! pynchonpals.com @pynchonpals.bsky.social
man with a handlebar mustache in a blue plaid bathrobe, T-shirt, jeans, beanie, and wraparound sunglasses, holding a dog in an alligator costume
October 31, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by Patrick Fiorilli
pynchonpals.bsky.social
In which an elderly puggle, quick change artist, does an impersonation of an alligator 🎃💀🐊 Happy Halloween!
An elderly puggle in an alligator costume.
October 31, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Reposted by Patrick Fiorilli
pynchonpals.bsky.social
It's live! Listen to Pynchon Pals Episode 03: In which Andrew uncovers a conspiracy and North Carolina is mentioned (V. Chs. 5-6). redcircle.com/shows/3c4720...
Underneath Impact-font text reading NORTH CAROLINA MENTIONED, an anime girl wearing a North Carolina hat and a UNC Tar Heels sweatshirt holds aloft a box of Bojangles chicken and a bottle of Cheerwine. A cardinal swoops behind her amidst a lush autumn forest.
October 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Reposted by Patrick Fiorilli
brightwalldarkroom.com
“As far back as American Graffiti, George Lucas has posed the conundrum of teachers who fail their students. With Star Wars, he complicates the issue, considering students who fail their teachers, who fail their students, who grow into teachers whose students fail them and whom they likewise fail.”
Master & Apprentice: The Failed Mentors of George Lucas’ Star Wars Saga
In Lucas' Star Wars saga, it’s not the teacher’s wisdom, but his failure, that drives the protagonist to his destiny.
www.brightwalldarkroom.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:06 AM
patfio.bsky.social
Beyond excited to contribute to Bright Wall/Dark Room @bwdr.bsky.social, and about Star Wars no less! A series whose heroic figures and iconic proverbs belie a simmering melodrama of teachers failing their students and students failing their teachers.
Master & Apprentice: The Failed Mentors of George Lucas’ Star Wars Saga
In Lucas' Star Wars saga, it’s not the teacher’s wisdom, but his failure, that drives the protagonist to his destiny.
www.brightwalldarkroom.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Reposted by Patrick Fiorilli
brightwalldarkroom.com
New on the site!

Master and Apprentice: The Failed Mentors of George Lucas’ STAR WARS Saga - @patfio.bsky.social
Master & Apprentice: The Failed Mentors of George Lucas’ Star Wars Saga
In Lucas' Star Wars saga, it’s not the teacher’s wisdom, but his failure, that drives the protagonist to his destiny.
www.brightwalldarkroom.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:06 PM