Stacey Mason
@stcymsn.bsky.social
❧ Interactive narrative innovation & research
❧ Senior Quest Designer: Cyberpunk 2
❧ Prev R&D: procedural narrative, hypertext lit
❧ PhD: Responsive Narrative Systems
❧ Narr design analysis: twitch.tv/CerebralArcade
❧ Opinions mine
❧ More: staceymason.info
❧ Senior Quest Designer: Cyberpunk 2
❧ Prev R&D: procedural narrative, hypertext lit
❧ PhD: Responsive Narrative Systems
❧ Narr design analysis: twitch.tv/CerebralArcade
❧ Opinions mine
❧ More: staceymason.info
Pinned
Stacey Mason
@stcymsn.bsky.social
· Oct 18
For new folks, my whole deal is that I’m obsessively trying to advance the art of interactive storytelling & do new things with how we tell stories!
I talk a lot about agency, responsive systems, procedural narrative, AI ethics, creative leadership, burnout, etc. I also just babble. It’s 50/50.
I talk a lot about agency, responsive systems, procedural narrative, AI ethics, creative leadership, burnout, etc. I also just babble. It’s 50/50.
Reposted by Stacey Mason
We have made the general niceties and pleasantries of connection “cringe” and are now funneling them through tech to avoid the discomfort
And calling it “optimization”
And calling it “optimization”
This is so soulless, I can't stand it. We have BRAINS. We can USE THEM.
November 25, 2025 at 6:23 PM
We have made the general niceties and pleasantries of connection “cringe” and are now funneling them through tech to avoid the discomfort
And calling it “optimization”
And calling it “optimization”
Keeping a gratitude journal is so good for clarity on your decisions and relationships.
Not because it will make you grateful for what you have (it will). But if you're unsure about something in your life, you try REALLY hard to find things in it you're grateful for, and can't…it's illuminating.
Not because it will make you grateful for what you have (it will). But if you're unsure about something in your life, you try REALLY hard to find things in it you're grateful for, and can't…it's illuminating.
November 22, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Keeping a gratitude journal is so good for clarity on your decisions and relationships.
Not because it will make you grateful for what you have (it will). But if you're unsure about something in your life, you try REALLY hard to find things in it you're grateful for, and can't…it's illuminating.
Not because it will make you grateful for what you have (it will). But if you're unsure about something in your life, you try REALLY hard to find things in it you're grateful for, and can't…it's illuminating.
Reposted by Stacey Mason
Choomers, all our projects are looking for remarkable individuals -- Witcher 4, Cyberpunk 2, Sirius and Hadar! Lets make your next favorite game, together 🥰
We have open roles in Poland, Canada and US, remote and onsite. Check it out bonbons 😌
www.cdprojektred.com/en/jobs
We have open roles in Poland, Canada and US, remote and onsite. Check it out bonbons 😌
www.cdprojektred.com/en/jobs
November 21, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Choomers, all our projects are looking for remarkable individuals -- Witcher 4, Cyberpunk 2, Sirius and Hadar! Lets make your next favorite game, together 🥰
We have open roles in Poland, Canada and US, remote and onsite. Check it out bonbons 😌
www.cdprojektred.com/en/jobs
We have open roles in Poland, Canada and US, remote and onsite. Check it out bonbons 😌
www.cdprojektred.com/en/jobs
Reposted by Stacey Mason
One curious thing that helped me a lot in my freelance career is knowing a lot of other freelancers.
Being able to tell people "I'm not the most suitable person for this, but I know a guy/gal/pal who is" is a great way to present yourself as reliable and considerate, which'll take you very far
Being able to tell people "I'm not the most suitable person for this, but I know a guy/gal/pal who is" is a great way to present yourself as reliable and considerate, which'll take you very far
November 20, 2025 at 11:39 AM
One curious thing that helped me a lot in my freelance career is knowing a lot of other freelancers.
Being able to tell people "I'm not the most suitable person for this, but I know a guy/gal/pal who is" is a great way to present yourself as reliable and considerate, which'll take you very far
Being able to tell people "I'm not the most suitable person for this, but I know a guy/gal/pal who is" is a great way to present yourself as reliable and considerate, which'll take you very far
Well-animated floofy ponytails
November 11, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Well-animated floofy ponytails
Reposted by Stacey Mason
Hi! Many things are bad you can still have a great day. Try to plan something fun offline like a walk outside, picking up a favorite pastry, going to a local farmer's market or a nap. You still deserve joy and time to rest and recover.
November 8, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Hi! Many things are bad you can still have a great day. Try to plan something fun offline like a walk outside, picking up a favorite pastry, going to a local farmer's market or a nap. You still deserve joy and time to rest and recover.
Just finished In Waves and War on Netflix and wow, what a great documentary. 2 hours of veteran Navy Seals confronting their own trauma from PTSD and toxic masculinity, healing through psychedelics. Incredibly moving.
"Would we even have a military if we didn't abuse children— makes you wonder"
"Would we even have a military if we didn't abuse children— makes you wonder"
In Waves and War - Official Trailer
YouTube video by Actual Films Docs
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Just finished In Waves and War on Netflix and wow, what a great documentary. 2 hours of veteran Navy Seals confronting their own trauma from PTSD and toxic masculinity, healing through psychedelics. Incredibly moving.
"Would we even have a military if we didn't abuse children— makes you wonder"
"Would we even have a military if we didn't abuse children— makes you wonder"
It has taken me AGES to get a new healthcare provider post-move and my appointment is finally only a couple of weeks away and I cannot overstate how excited I am to get back on my regular ADHD meds soon 😭
November 7, 2025 at 10:18 PM
It has taken me AGES to get a new healthcare provider post-move and my appointment is finally only a couple of weeks away and I cannot overstate how excited I am to get back on my regular ADHD meds soon 😭
Reposted by Stacey Mason
i owe so many video game designers an apology
November 3, 2025 at 6:49 PM
i owe so many video game designers an apology
Reposted by Stacey Mason
Eminently reasonable proposed principles for professors’ use of AI, from a student refusinggenai.wordpress.com/2025/08/29/a...
October 31, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Eminently reasonable proposed principles for professors’ use of AI, from a student refusinggenai.wordpress.com/2025/08/29/a...
Reposted by Stacey Mason
friends in the US, here’s a great website that lists food assistance sites and services near you.
if you need it, take it. it’s given with love and goodwill to you from your community
for those with resources to spare—please consider donating to your local 💖
foodsearch.net
if you need it, take it. it’s given with love and goodwill to you from your community
for those with resources to spare—please consider donating to your local 💖
foodsearch.net
Find Food Banks & Pantries Near You | FoodSearch.net
Find food banks, pantries, and hot meals near you. Free food assistance resources nationwide.
foodsearch.net
October 31, 2025 at 2:12 PM
friends in the US, here’s a great website that lists food assistance sites and services near you.
if you need it, take it. it’s given with love and goodwill to you from your community
for those with resources to spare—please consider donating to your local 💖
foodsearch.net
if you need it, take it. it’s given with love and goodwill to you from your community
for those with resources to spare—please consider donating to your local 💖
foodsearch.net
Reposted by Stacey Mason
The people yearn for (democratic) socialism (this one will make you cry)
October 30, 2025 at 1:06 AM
The people yearn for (democratic) socialism (this one will make you cry)
Reposted by Stacey Mason
📣 IF YOU HAVE A LITTLE FREE LIBRARY TURN IT INTO A COMMUNITY PANTRY ASAP IF YOU ARE ABLE
October 30, 2025 at 1:03 AM
📣 IF YOU HAVE A LITTLE FREE LIBRARY TURN IT INTO A COMMUNITY PANTRY ASAP IF YOU ARE ABLE
Reposted by Stacey Mason
Honestly
QA might be the hardest of ALL dev jobs to replace with AI. The entire goal of QA is to notice when things are falling outside of expected parameters.
QA might be the hardest of ALL dev jobs to replace with AI. The entire goal of QA is to notice when things are falling outside of expected parameters.
It figures that an industry that thinks that "vibe coding" is a reliable thing would now decide that QA is the next thing you can replace with AI 😒
Your friendly reminder that good QA people are worth their weight in gold and an invaluable part of game dev
Your friendly reminder that good QA people are worth their weight in gold and an invaluable part of game dev
October 28, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Honestly
QA might be the hardest of ALL dev jobs to replace with AI. The entire goal of QA is to notice when things are falling outside of expected parameters.
QA might be the hardest of ALL dev jobs to replace with AI. The entire goal of QA is to notice when things are falling outside of expected parameters.
Reposted by Stacey Mason
The 10th Roguelike Celebration is now LIVE! Pick up a ticket, pay what you can, and join us for a full weekend of amazing talks! We have a whole online chat space that's bustling and full of secrets, we have breakout rooms to chat with speakers, please come say hi!
ti.to/roguelike-ce...
ti.to/roguelike-ce...
Roguelike Celebration: 2025
Celebrate the rich history and inspiring future of roguelikes with streamed talks and more in our own custom-built roguelike social space! Roguelike games have been part of gaming culture for over 30 ...
ti.to
October 25, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The 10th Roguelike Celebration is now LIVE! Pick up a ticket, pay what you can, and join us for a full weekend of amazing talks! We have a whole online chat space that's bustling and full of secrets, we have breakout rooms to chat with speakers, please come say hi!
ti.to/roguelike-ce...
ti.to/roguelike-ce...
Reposted by Stacey Mason
Branching narrative class got cancelled, so I'm doing the thing I probably should have done in the first place and rereading @stcymsn.bsky.social 's dissertation.
October 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Branching narrative class got cancelled, so I'm doing the thing I probably should have done in the first place and rereading @stcymsn.bsky.social 's dissertation.
Reposted by Stacey Mason
A good reminder for all the indie game devs out there.
What we do is very difficult. It doesn't always work out the way we might hope. But you created something from nothing and put it out into the world. That matters. You matter.
What we do is very difficult. It doesn't always work out the way we might hope. But you created something from nothing and put it out into the world. That matters. You matter.
I don't know who needs to hear this right now, but to any indie devs feeling bad because their game didn't sell or wasn't played as much as you wanted:
You still made a god damn video game. You did it, and that's harder than anything most people will do. I'm proud of you, you did great.
You still made a god damn video game. You did it, and that's harder than anything most people will do. I'm proud of you, you did great.
October 25, 2025 at 8:26 PM
A good reminder for all the indie game devs out there.
What we do is very difficult. It doesn't always work out the way we might hope. But you created something from nothing and put it out into the world. That matters. You matter.
What we do is very difficult. It doesn't always work out the way we might hope. But you created something from nothing and put it out into the world. That matters. You matter.
Reposted by Stacey Mason
Good article by @im.giovanh.com about a "cozy" airport security game.
Wholesome games tend to reimagine labor -and reality as a whole- as we'd like it to be: beautiful, tidy, meaningful, social... but why would there be terrorist threats in this utopia?
blog.giovanh.com/blog/2025/10...
Wholesome games tend to reimagine labor -and reality as a whole- as we'd like it to be: beautiful, tidy, meaningful, social... but why would there be terrorist threats in this utopia?
blog.giovanh.com/blog/2025/10...
October 25, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Good article by @im.giovanh.com about a "cozy" airport security game.
Wholesome games tend to reimagine labor -and reality as a whole- as we'd like it to be: beautiful, tidy, meaningful, social... but why would there be terrorist threats in this utopia?
blog.giovanh.com/blog/2025/10...
Wholesome games tend to reimagine labor -and reality as a whole- as we'd like it to be: beautiful, tidy, meaningful, social... but why would there be terrorist threats in this utopia?
blog.giovanh.com/blog/2025/10...
October 22, 2025 at 11:40 PM
When I first got a puppy (years ago) they said that if you want to wear out all that puppy energy, the best thing is to give them brain puzzles.
Today, I’m the puppy—learning a ton at once, but totally exhausted by end of day.
(Here’s puppy tax from when Pharah was about 10 mo and mentally done)
Today, I’m the puppy—learning a ton at once, but totally exhausted by end of day.
(Here’s puppy tax from when Pharah was about 10 mo and mentally done)
October 22, 2025 at 11:38 PM
When I first got a puppy (years ago) they said that if you want to wear out all that puppy energy, the best thing is to give them brain puzzles.
Today, I’m the puppy—learning a ton at once, but totally exhausted by end of day.
(Here’s puppy tax from when Pharah was about 10 mo and mentally done)
Today, I’m the puppy—learning a ton at once, but totally exhausted by end of day.
(Here’s puppy tax from when Pharah was about 10 mo and mentally done)
Reposted by Stacey Mason
Parents, please check your kids’ candy this Halloween. I’ve just found an ancient metal whistle with the inscription “QUIS EST ISTE QUI VENIT" inside a Snickers bar. I blew it and heard a note of infinite distance, and now I’m haunted by a figure in pale, fluttering draperies. Be safe.
October 22, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Parents, please check your kids’ candy this Halloween. I’ve just found an ancient metal whistle with the inscription “QUIS EST ISTE QUI VENIT" inside a Snickers bar. I blew it and heard a note of infinite distance, and now I’m haunted by a figure in pale, fluttering draperies. Be safe.
Reposted by Stacey Mason
I'm okay with this ONLY if it's like 6 hrs of people asking "Sheep for Stone?"
Netflix is making various films and TV series based on Catan, the world-renowned multiplayer board game.
Netflix Goes All-in on Catan, With Live-Action and Animated Films and TV Series Planned
bit.ly
October 22, 2025 at 12:19 AM
I'm okay with this ONLY if it's like 6 hrs of people asking "Sheep for Stone?"
Tapping the sign.
Wow we’re having “games are art” discourse again! Just gonna leave this here.
From my dissertation:
From my dissertation:
October 21, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Tapping the sign.
Reposted by Stacey Mason
As promised, if you’re inspired by the march today but don’t know how else to get involved, how to sustainably fight fascism, that can look a few different ways. Here’s a thread of thoughts, short of nationwide withholding of labor / sustained protest:
October 18, 2025 at 5:51 PM
As promised, if you’re inspired by the march today but don’t know how else to get involved, how to sustainably fight fascism, that can look a few different ways. Here’s a thread of thoughts, short of nationwide withholding of labor / sustained protest:
