David Varela
@writingstudio.bsky.social
Degenerate freelancer. Narrative test pilot. Senior Narrative Designer on Clockwork Revolution at inXile. Previously provided interactive words for Wallace & Gromit, Sherlock, Need for Speed, a bit of Star Wars and a lot of other games. 🔀davidvarela.com
Here's a lovely thing for unpublished/unproduced writers in the UK: www.londonlibrary.co.uk/about-us/ll-...
Emerging Writers Programme
www.londonlibrary.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Here's a lovely thing for unpublished/unproduced writers in the UK: www.londonlibrary.co.uk/about-us/ll-...
Reposted by David Varela
A recent cartoon for @theguardian.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:53 AM
A recent cartoon for @theguardian.com
Reposted by David Varela
Lowest murder rate in London since records began.
January 12, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Lowest murder rate in London since records began.
Last week, I ate a persimmon for the first time and it's now one of my favourite fruits. This morning, I read a chapter in a novel where the main characters experience exactly the same revelation. Am I just late to the whole persimmon trend? Were you all in on this?
This place needs some Innocuous Discourse pronto. Quote this with a take that’s not political or aggressive
January 6, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Last week, I ate a persimmon for the first time and it's now one of my favourite fruits. This morning, I read a chapter in a novel where the main characters experience exactly the same revelation. Am I just late to the whole persimmon trend? Were you all in on this?
I was once in the same flight from Australia as Kylie Minogue, but all I knew about it was from the very excited air stewards.
Please quote this with the time you didn’t interact with someone famous - eg one time I was in Cardiff the same weekend as Willem Dafoe (but I didn’t see him or even know he was there until he appeared on the telly later)
Please quote this with your major interactions with massive celebrities. eg “I was married to the pope for fifteen years”
December 30, 2025 at 9:38 AM
I was once in the same flight from Australia as Kylie Minogue, but all I knew about it was from the very excited air stewards.
Reposted by David Varela
The real networking is the friends we made along the way
December 28, 2025 at 11:15 AM
The real networking is the friends we made along the way
Some gifts wrap themselves.
December 23, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Some gifts wrap themselves.
Driving Home for Christmas was the unofficial anthem for a very specific group of my uni friends and it has brought back ridiculous memories every year for the past 30 years. Drive safe, Mr Rea.
December 22, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Driving Home for Christmas was the unofficial anthem for a very specific group of my uni friends and it has brought back ridiculous memories every year for the past 30 years. Drive safe, Mr Rea.
Merry Christmas everyone!*
*Full-time employees only. Contractors and freelance team-members must provide their own merriment. Management cannot be held responsible for any lack of joy, gaiety or festive spirit. Glad tidings expire 26 December.
*Full-time employees only. Contractors and freelance team-members must provide their own merriment. Management cannot be held responsible for any lack of joy, gaiety or festive spirit. Glad tidings expire 26 December.
December 19, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Merry Christmas everyone!*
*Full-time employees only. Contractors and freelance team-members must provide their own merriment. Management cannot be held responsible for any lack of joy, gaiety or festive spirit. Glad tidings expire 26 December.
*Full-time employees only. Contractors and freelance team-members must provide their own merriment. Management cannot be held responsible for any lack of joy, gaiety or festive spirit. Glad tidings expire 26 December.
I haven't posted on the Hellsite for years, but this was the final kick up the arse I needed to delete my account. Do yourself a favour if you haven't already.
Reposting this with alt text.
Delete your Twitter. Now.
Delete your Twitter. Now.
December 18, 2025 at 5:56 PM
I haven't posted on the Hellsite for years, but this was the final kick up the arse I needed to delete my account. Do yourself a favour if you haven't already.
Reposted by David Varela
*WRITERS WANTED*
We’re looking for freelance writers who know and love The Laundry Files.
If that sounds like your kind of hazard pay, we want to hear from you!
https://cubicle7games.com/en_EU/blog/call-for-writers-the-laundry-roleplaying-game
We’re looking for freelance writers who know and love The Laundry Files.
If that sounds like your kind of hazard pay, we want to hear from you!
https://cubicle7games.com/en_EU/blog/call-for-writers-the-laundry-roleplaying-game
December 18, 2025 at 12:31 PM
*WRITERS WANTED*
We’re looking for freelance writers who know and love The Laundry Files.
If that sounds like your kind of hazard pay, we want to hear from you!
https://cubicle7games.com/en_EU/blog/call-for-writers-the-laundry-roleplaying-game
We’re looking for freelance writers who know and love The Laundry Files.
If that sounds like your kind of hazard pay, we want to hear from you!
https://cubicle7games.com/en_EU/blog/call-for-writers-the-laundry-roleplaying-game
Reposted by David Varela
OPPORTUNITY Narrative Designer- Jam City - US, CA
Not affiliated. Shares welcome!
jobs.lever.co/jamcity/aad4...
Not affiliated. Shares welcome!
jobs.lever.co/jamcity/aad4...
Jam City - Narrative Designer
We are looking for an experienced Narrative Designer to bring their expert writing and game design skills to help build a new game within our Narrative studio, the team behind the hit mobile game Harr...
jobs.lever.co
December 18, 2025 at 11:55 AM
OPPORTUNITY Narrative Designer- Jam City - US, CA
Not affiliated. Shares welcome!
jobs.lever.co/jamcity/aad4...
Not affiliated. Shares welcome!
jobs.lever.co/jamcity/aad4...
Reposted by David Varela
On International Migrants Day, let’s celebrate the generations of migrants who’ve helped make London what it is today - the greatest city in the world.
December 18, 2025 at 9:23 AM
On International Migrants Day, let’s celebrate the generations of migrants who’ve helped make London what it is today - the greatest city in the world.
Aw shit. He directed some of the most warm-hearted, brilliant (and brilliantly stupid) movies ever made. Inconceivable.
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...
Hollywood reacts in shock to death of Rob Reiner: ‘One of the greatest filmmakers to ever live’
Actors, directors and politicians voice their sadness after bodies of Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner were found by authorities
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Aw shit. He directed some of the most warm-hearted, brilliant (and brilliantly stupid) movies ever made. Inconceivable.
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...
Reposted by David Varela
Narrative role on work with indies! www.workwithindies.com/careers/unco...
Uncommon Games is hiring a Narrative Writer
We are looking for a Narrative Writer to collaborate with our small but growing team.
www.workwithindies.com
December 14, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Narrative role on work with indies! www.workwithindies.com/careers/unco...
Reposted by David Varela
🚨 The UK Video Games Industry Census closes 19 Dec.
Run by Ukie & Dr Mark Taylor, it’s the most comprehensive survey of the UK games workforce, exploring:
🔹 Industry mood & outlook
🔹 Layoffs, visas & training
🔹 Careers of women in games
Open to all UK games workers. Take part: zurl.co/yfMwu
Run by Ukie & Dr Mark Taylor, it’s the most comprehensive survey of the UK games workforce, exploring:
🔹 Industry mood & outlook
🔹 Layoffs, visas & training
🔹 Careers of women in games
Open to all UK games workers. Take part: zurl.co/yfMwu
December 10, 2025 at 11:14 AM
🚨 The UK Video Games Industry Census closes 19 Dec.
Run by Ukie & Dr Mark Taylor, it’s the most comprehensive survey of the UK games workforce, exploring:
🔹 Industry mood & outlook
🔹 Layoffs, visas & training
🔹 Careers of women in games
Open to all UK games workers. Take part: zurl.co/yfMwu
Run by Ukie & Dr Mark Taylor, it’s the most comprehensive survey of the UK games workforce, exploring:
🔹 Industry mood & outlook
🔹 Layoffs, visas & training
🔹 Careers of women in games
Open to all UK games workers. Take part: zurl.co/yfMwu
I showed Spela this stat for today and she just looked at me and couldn’t stop laughing.
December 10, 2025 at 10:01 AM
I showed Spela this stat for today and she just looked at me and couldn’t stop laughing.
Hats off to FairSquare for registering the complaint. I expect FIFA will take it so seriously that Gianni Infantino himself will head up the investigation.
As reported in multiple outlets @fairsq.bsky.social has submitted a complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino with the FIFA Ethics Committee alleging repeated breaches of article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics which requires football officials remain politically neutral in dealing with govts.
December 9, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Hats off to FairSquare for registering the complaint. I expect FIFA will take it so seriously that Gianni Infantino himself will head up the investigation.
When the Wind Blows. Which also ruined The Snowman for me.
December 9, 2025 at 9:26 AM
When the Wind Blows. Which also ruined The Snowman for me.
Reposted by David Varela
Hi guys, I’m fundraising, join me? Christmas won’t be magical for every child. A book gift could add sparkle to Christmas for a child who needs it most, giving them something to cherish for years to come. Will you help? Find out more here: www.booktrust.org.uk/xmas @booktrust.org.uk #MagicOfBooks
Donate to BookTrust
Support us by making a donation
www.booktrust.org.uk
December 8, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Hi guys, I’m fundraising, join me? Christmas won’t be magical for every child. A book gift could add sparkle to Christmas for a child who needs it most, giving them something to cherish for years to come. Will you help? Find out more here: www.booktrust.org.uk/xmas @booktrust.org.uk #MagicOfBooks
Reposted by David Varela
A massive problem today is the uneven distribution of shame. Some of us are running dedicated on-site shame servers 24/7 while others have no access to shame at all, even though they desperately need it. What we need to do is put shame in the cloud
December 6, 2025 at 2:54 AM
A massive problem today is the uneven distribution of shame. Some of us are running dedicated on-site shame servers 24/7 while others have no access to shame at all, even though they desperately need it. What we need to do is put shame in the cloud
Reposted by David Varela
After Netflix execs dismantled their AAA games studio in 2024, because they believe those types of games are too risky, I am big time worried about WB Montreal, NetherRealm, Avalanche and Rocksteady.
December 5, 2025 at 4:24 PM
After Netflix execs dismantled their AAA games studio in 2024, because they believe those types of games are too risky, I am big time worried about WB Montreal, NetherRealm, Avalanche and Rocksteady.
Today marks 20 years since I first worked in the games industry.
I count the starting date as the evening I met Adrian & Naomi at Waterstone’s Piccadilly to become a freelancer for Mind Candy on Perplex City.
I’m still writing nonsense and getting paid for it. That’s reason enough to celebrate.🎉
I count the starting date as the evening I met Adrian & Naomi at Waterstone’s Piccadilly to become a freelancer for Mind Candy on Perplex City.
I’m still writing nonsense and getting paid for it. That’s reason enough to celebrate.🎉
December 1, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Today marks 20 years since I first worked in the games industry.
I count the starting date as the evening I met Adrian & Naomi at Waterstone’s Piccadilly to become a freelancer for Mind Candy on Perplex City.
I’m still writing nonsense and getting paid for it. That’s reason enough to celebrate.🎉
I count the starting date as the evening I met Adrian & Naomi at Waterstone’s Piccadilly to become a freelancer for Mind Candy on Perplex City.
I’m still writing nonsense and getting paid for it. That’s reason enough to celebrate.🎉