"Stone Cold" Steve Cobden
@stephencobden.bsky.social
Was a penguin before fascists decided to be weird about them. History buff. Classic cinema lover. Formerly resident of Alexandria, Dublin, Sofia and Los Angeles. Enjoys the odd video game. Great War Living Historian. Heritage Railway porter.
Cis. He/him
Cis. He/him
Pinned
I do sometimes wonder if there were instructions on the sign up page most of us missed:
"Bluesky is a game where you have to put forth your most mad, yet sincerely held, opinions. The winner will be decided by a combination of the madness of the opinion, and the size of the ratio "
"Bluesky is a game where you have to put forth your most mad, yet sincerely held, opinions. The winner will be decided by a combination of the madness of the opinion, and the size of the ratio "
Why is Jackie Abbot dressed for #totp whereas Paul Heaton is dressed for hanging around at Waterloo station waiting for a Class 33 that is running on an unusual route?
February 6, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Why is Jackie Abbot dressed for #totp whereas Paul Heaton is dressed for hanging around at Waterloo station waiting for a Class 33 that is running on an unusual route?
I have a huge amount of respect for the Sims team for reaching out to cultural experts in crafting Africa and East Asian outfits, but I do wish they would talk to someone (me) about western male formalwear, because, seriously, what the shit is this wank?
February 5, 2026 at 11:47 AM
I have a huge amount of respect for the Sims team for reaching out to cultural experts in crafting Africa and East Asian outfits, but I do wish they would talk to someone (me) about western male formalwear, because, seriously, what the shit is this wank?
I'm not certain what would be funnier, a lot of empty US stadiums during the World Cup, or the inevitable chants from England and Scotland (and other) fans detailing, to the tune of some well known traditional song, all the ways in which the US President is a cunt.
February 4, 2026 at 8:44 PM
I'm not certain what would be funnier, a lot of empty US stadiums during the World Cup, or the inevitable chants from England and Scotland (and other) fans detailing, to the tune of some well known traditional song, all the ways in which the US President is a cunt.
Just a book talking utter tosh, pushed by every bloody bookshop at the time. No sources, no references, and digging around makes it clear that it is largely just the untruthful account of one man trying desperately to get gigs in the 1950s.
January 22, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Just a book talking utter tosh, pushed by every bloody bookshop at the time. No sources, no references, and digging around makes it clear that it is largely just the untruthful account of one man trying desperately to get gigs in the 1950s.
My two rules of social media:
1) Never post angry. You won't be rational, you will say something stupid, it'll be misinterpreted, and the response will just make you more angry.
2) Recognise when some else is posting angry. No point commenting, because of the above. Let 'em vent.
1) Never post angry. You won't be rational, you will say something stupid, it'll be misinterpreted, and the response will just make you more angry.
2) Recognise when some else is posting angry. No point commenting, because of the above. Let 'em vent.
January 21, 2026 at 4:32 PM
My two rules of social media:
1) Never post angry. You won't be rational, you will say something stupid, it'll be misinterpreted, and the response will just make you more angry.
2) Recognise when some else is posting angry. No point commenting, because of the above. Let 'em vent.
1) Never post angry. You won't be rational, you will say something stupid, it'll be misinterpreted, and the response will just make you more angry.
2) Recognise when some else is posting angry. No point commenting, because of the above. Let 'em vent.
"In August 1944 AFO 4538 advised for the duration of the war Officers were not required to provide themselves with a Sun Helmet, and that they could wear a white cap or cap with white cover on all occasions the regulations prescribed a Sun Helmet."
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence.
"It pulls at my clothing and sometimes I feel I've got to pick it up, cuddle and kiss it."
"It pulls at my clothing and sometimes I feel I've got to pick it up, cuddle and kiss it."
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence.
'In the evening we had a dance'.
'In the evening we had a dance'.
January 21, 2026 at 11:48 AM
"In August 1944 AFO 4538 advised for the duration of the war Officers were not required to provide themselves with a Sun Helmet, and that they could wear a white cap or cap with white cover on all occasions the regulations prescribed a Sun Helmet."
God, 14 year old Cobden thought this was the bees knees. Huge nostalgia for this...fairly terrible song. 14 year old Cobden was an idiot. #totp
January 16, 2026 at 7:23 PM
God, 14 year old Cobden thought this was the bees knees. Huge nostalgia for this...fairly terrible song. 14 year old Cobden was an idiot. #totp
I remember 1999. I was at an age when I would have been listening to music. Never heard this song in my life. Though I do think recognise the singer from a Need 4 Speed Carbon live action cutscene #totp
January 16, 2026 at 7:18 PM
I remember 1999. I was at an age when I would have been listening to music. Never heard this song in my life. Though I do think recognise the singer from a Need 4 Speed Carbon live action cutscene #totp
No better Saturday night than playing a simulator game, listening to the incorporated terrible/excellent internet radio station, and putting in a series of requests pseudonymously using the names of Rorke's Drift VC winners.
January 10, 2026 at 10:53 PM
No better Saturday night than playing a simulator game, listening to the incorporated terrible/excellent internet radio station, and putting in a series of requests pseudonymously using the names of Rorke's Drift VC winners.
Who could have guessed when it was renamed from twitter to something that sounds like a porn site, it would become a porn site.
January 10, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Who could have guessed when it was renamed from twitter to something that sounds like a porn site, it would become a porn site.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - then and now. Really felt they "got" Indy.
Quote this with your favourite game from 2024, and whether that's changed from what you would have said a year ago
Localisations/early access/expansions count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
For a fuller refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
Localisations/early access/expansions count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
For a fuller refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
January 9, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - then and now. Really felt they "got" Indy.
This is a tricky one - I think the then/now is going to be the same, with a tie between BG3 and Cities:Skylines 2. The former is a great game I have no desire to return to, the latter is a (initially very, but thankfully increasingly less) flawed game that I can't stop myself from booting up.
Quote this with your favourite game from 2023 NOW, and what your favourite was THEN (if you had one)
Localisations/early access/expansions count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
Refresher list: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
Localisations/early access/expansions count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
Refresher list: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
January 8, 2026 at 11:08 AM
This is a tricky one - I think the then/now is going to be the same, with a tie between BG3 and Cities:Skylines 2. The former is a great game I have no desire to return to, the latter is a (initially very, but thankfully increasingly less) flawed game that I can't stop myself from booting up.
A really interesting year as this must have been the year I moved from being primarily an Amiga user (albeit no new games) to being a PC gamer, and not with the greatest PC.
Then: Titanic, an Adventure out of Time*
Now: Red Alert
*Terrible, but I enjoyed it. I didn't have many PC games yet!
Then: Titanic, an Adventure out of Time*
Now: Red Alert
*Terrible, but I enjoyed it. I didn't have many PC games yet!
Now we come to the furthest back I'll go, the year of my birth
Quote this with your favourite game from 1996 NOW, and what your favourite was THEN (if you had one)
Localisations/expansions count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
Quote this with your favourite game from 1996 NOW, and what your favourite was THEN (if you had one)
Localisations/expansions count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
January 7, 2026 at 11:30 AM
A really interesting year as this must have been the year I moved from being primarily an Amiga user (albeit no new games) to being a PC gamer, and not with the greatest PC.
Then: Titanic, an Adventure out of Time*
Now: Red Alert
*Terrible, but I enjoyed it. I didn't have many PC games yet!
Then: Titanic, an Adventure out of Time*
Now: Red Alert
*Terrible, but I enjoyed it. I didn't have many PC games yet!
Was invited to a local fish restaurant in Alexandria by the Anglican Bishop of North Africa, which was awkward enough as my father nor I really eat fish (long story, but stems from the Angolan civil war). Anyway, we are polite, eat our fish, despite it being served with the heads on and 1/?
So, to offer a better version of food discourse what is your funniest food story?
Recently a colleague excitedly brought in what she described as "the proper pakistani biryani" for me and my colleague having forgotten she'd been ordering it extra spicy for years and basically melted our heads.
Recently a colleague excitedly brought in what she described as "the proper pakistani biryani" for me and my colleague having forgotten she'd been ordering it extra spicy for years and basically melted our heads.
January 6, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Was invited to a local fish restaurant in Alexandria by the Anglican Bishop of North Africa, which was awkward enough as my father nor I really eat fish (long story, but stems from the Angolan civil war). Anyway, we are polite, eat our fish, despite it being served with the heads on and 1/?
Look, if people are going to misinterpret the article (seemingly without reading it), can people at least misinterpret it as "volunteer at a heritage railway"? It's bloody great fun and they always need volunteers.
Male bonds develop one way, female friendships another. Should we stop trying to make men more like women? | Gaby Hinsliff
Male bonds develop one way, female friendships another. Should we stop trying to make men more like women? | Gaby Hinsliff
The strong and silent masculine image is often derided, but why? Perhaps companionship via trains, golf or a quiet drink is enough, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff
www.theguardian.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Look, if people are going to misinterpret the article (seemingly without reading it), can people at least misinterpret it as "volunteer at a heritage railway"? It's bloody great fun and they always need volunteers.
Then, the Original GTA.
Now: Theme Hospital.
(Did have to check about Amiga games, as at this point I was still using one, albeit not as my primary gaming vector)
Now: Theme Hospital.
(Did have to check about Amiga games, as at this point I was still using one, albeit not as my primary gaming vector)
Quote this with your favourite game from 1997 NOW, and what your favourite was THEN (if you had one)
(Please make clear which is which)
Localisations/expansions count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
For a fuller refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
(Please make clear which is which)
Localisations/expansions count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
For a fuller refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
January 6, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Then, the Original GTA.
Now: Theme Hospital.
(Did have to check about Amiga games, as at this point I was still using one, albeit not as my primary gaming vector)
Now: Theme Hospital.
(Did have to check about Amiga games, as at this point I was still using one, albeit not as my primary gaming vector)
Honestly, running into a 'bus station. Not a 'bus stop. Not a 'bus shelter. A 'bus STATION. It's presence was not a mystery to me. I was waiting at said 'bus station before running into it. Yet somehow I still managed to run into it.
This happened last month.
This happened last month.
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 6, 2026 at 12:57 AM
Honestly, running into a 'bus station. Not a 'bus stop. Not a 'bus shelter. A 'bus STATION. It's presence was not a mystery to me. I was waiting at said 'bus station before running into it. Yet somehow I still managed to run into it.
This happened last month.
This happened last month.
Oh, lummy, some hard choices here.
At the time, Half Life and Grim Fandango.
Now Grim Fandango and Railroad Tycoon II
At the time, Half Life and Grim Fandango.
Now Grim Fandango and Railroad Tycoon II
Quote this with your favourite game from 1998 NOW, and what your favourite was THEN (if you had one)
Localisations/expansions count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
For a fuller refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
Localisations/expansions count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
For a fuller refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
January 5, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Oh, lummy, some hard choices here.
At the time, Half Life and Grim Fandango.
Now Grim Fandango and Railroad Tycoon II
At the time, Half Life and Grim Fandango.
Now Grim Fandango and Railroad Tycoon II
At the time, probably Driver. Now, it has to be Roller Coaster Tycoon.
Quote this with your favourite game from 1999 NOW, and what your favourite was THEN (if you had one)
Localisations/expansions count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
For a fuller refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
- PSA: Metal Gear Solid and Half-Life were 1998 -
Localisations/expansions count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
For a fuller refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
- PSA: Metal Gear Solid and Half-Life were 1998 -
January 5, 2026 at 11:49 AM
At the time, probably Driver. Now, it has to be Roller Coaster Tycoon.
NOLF then, NOLF now. NOLF forever (except we can't have it now due to legal issues)
Quote this with your favourite game from 2000 NOW, and what your favourite was THEN (if you had one)
Localisations count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
For a fuller refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
Localisations count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
For a fuller refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
January 4, 2026 at 2:36 PM
NOLF then, NOLF now. NOLF forever (except we can't have it now due to legal issues)
Then: Grand Theft Auto and Civilisations III
Now: Microsoft Train Simulator. The second best train simulator ever.
Now: Microsoft Train Simulator. The second best train simulator ever.
Quote this with your favourite game from 2001 NOW, and what your favourite was THEN (if you had one)
Localisations count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
For a fuller refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
Localisations count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
For a fuller refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
January 2, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Then: Grand Theft Auto and Civilisations III
Now: Microsoft Train Simulator. The second best train simulator ever.
Now: Microsoft Train Simulator. The second best train simulator ever.
Hi! I'm an Egyptian Policeman with a rusty Kalashnikov who cannot tell the difference between a terrorist attempting to blow up the British Consulate-General and a white guy in a suit trying to get in (through the actual entrance - not climbing over a wall).
Introduce yourself with what almost killed you.
Hi, I'm some squashed raw potatoes on a road
Hi, I'm some squashed raw potatoes on a road
Introduce yourself with what almost killed you.
Hi, I'm toothpaste.
Hi, I'm toothpaste.
January 2, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Hi! I'm an Egyptian Policeman with a rusty Kalashnikov who cannot tell the difference between a terrorist attempting to blow up the British Consulate-General and a white guy in a suit trying to get in (through the actual entrance - not climbing over a wall).