Tristan J. Tarwater
@backthatelfup.bsky.social
Writer, producer, maker of video games. Nuyorican/Black. Wrote some comics in some Eisner award winning anthologies. Linguist-ish. They/them. Making "Vampire The Taskerade." Website: https://www.backthatelfup.com
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
NEW: The US has deported a longtime Oregon firefighter who was arrested by Border Patrol while deployed at a major wildfire in Washington state.
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
US firefighter detained on the job speaks out after deportation: ‘I feel betrayed’
Exclusive: Border patrol arrested José Bertin Cruz-Estrada while he was battling a wildfire in Washington. He is now in Mexico, separated from his family in Oregon
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:04 PM
NEW: The US has deported a longtime Oregon firefighter who was arrested by Border Patrol while deployed at a major wildfire in Washington state.
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
Found this old drawing I did, guess I can get a tattoo of it
November 11, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Found this old drawing I did, guess I can get a tattoo of it
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
games people, if you could talk to a game developer about their craft for an hour, who would it be, and what would you ask them about?
November 11, 2025 at 5:06 PM
games people, if you could talk to a game developer about their craft for an hour, who would it be, and what would you ask them about?
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
“Don’t gather some of the most brilliant activists in the industry, treat us like crap, and then expect us to do nothing about it.” After the Game Awards cancelled its Future Class programme, @alyssamerc.bsky.social talked to its former honorees
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
“We were effectively props”: young stars of game development feel let down by the ‘gaming Oscars’
Announced in 2020 by the Game Awards as an inclusive programme for the industry’s next generation, the Future Class initiative has now been discontinued. Inductees describe clashes with organisers and...
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:33 PM
“Don’t gather some of the most brilliant activists in the industry, treat us like crap, and then expect us to do nothing about it.” After the Game Awards cancelled its Future Class programme, @alyssamerc.bsky.social talked to its former honorees
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
Just want you to know that when I asked Geoff why he gave the silent treatment to an open letter written by his own "future of games" program (& co-signed by 3000+ industry peers), he replied:
"Because that's my show and nobody gets to tell me how I should use my platform". 💀💀💀
"Because that's my show and nobody gets to tell me how I should use my platform". 💀💀💀
“Don’t gather some of the most brilliant activists in the industry, treat us like crap, and then expect us to do nothing about it.” After the Game Awards cancelled its Future Class programme, @alyssamerc.bsky.social talked to its former honorees
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
“We were effectively props”: young stars of game development feel let down by the ‘gaming Oscars’
Announced in 2020 by the Game Awards as an inclusive programme for the industry’s next generation, the Future Class initiative has now been discontinued. Inductees describe clashes with organisers and...
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Just want you to know that when I asked Geoff why he gave the silent treatment to an open letter written by his own "future of games" program (& co-signed by 3000+ industry peers), he replied:
"Because that's my show and nobody gets to tell me how I should use my platform". 💀💀💀
"Because that's my show and nobody gets to tell me how I should use my platform". 💀💀💀
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
Our Continue Mode update is now live on Xbox! 🎮
💚Thanks for sticking with us on this adventure!
*🕹️This is a free update if you already have the game!
Link👇
#Xbox #XboxONE #XboxSeriesX #XboxSeries #update #FreeUpdate #Indiegame #indiedev #IndieGameDev
💚Thanks for sticking with us on this adventure!
*🕹️This is a free update if you already have the game!
Link👇
#Xbox #XboxONE #XboxSeriesX #XboxSeries #update #FreeUpdate #Indiegame #indiedev #IndieGameDev
October 31, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Our Continue Mode update is now live on Xbox! 🎮
💚Thanks for sticking with us on this adventure!
*🕹️This is a free update if you already have the game!
Link👇
#Xbox #XboxONE #XboxSeriesX #XboxSeries #update #FreeUpdate #Indiegame #indiedev #IndieGameDev
💚Thanks for sticking with us on this adventure!
*🕹️This is a free update if you already have the game!
Link👇
#Xbox #XboxONE #XboxSeriesX #XboxSeries #update #FreeUpdate #Indiegame #indiedev #IndieGameDev
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
In times like these, links are needed because it's far too easy to throw up a faked headline. So I'm sliding in to assist with the receipts: www.texasobserver.org/ice-prosecut...
November 11, 2025 at 7:20 PM
In times like these, links are needed because it's far too easy to throw up a faked headline. So I'm sliding in to assist with the receipts: www.texasobserver.org/ice-prosecut...
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
"Gay people should just create their own stuff" Webfishing dev got doxxed because their game was too gay, you guys literally don't let us have anything
November 7, 2025 at 11:35 PM
"Gay people should just create their own stuff" Webfishing dev got doxxed because their game was too gay, you guys literally don't let us have anything
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
📢 our friends have launched the incredible Goodnight Universe!! 💫
to celebrate, we're giving away 5 Goodnight Universe Steam keys!!
enter by:
1. following @nicedreamgames.com
2. like + repost this post
entries close tomorrow, 12pm PST 💖
s.team/a/2416100/
to celebrate, we're giving away 5 Goodnight Universe Steam keys!!
enter by:
1. following @nicedreamgames.com
2. like + repost this post
entries close tomorrow, 12pm PST 💖
s.team/a/2416100/
Save 10% on Goodnight Universe on Steam
You are Isaac, a 6-month-old baby, developing mysterious psychic powers. What you want most is to be loved and accepted by your family, but a secretive tech corporation wants you for their own.
store.steampowered.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:44 PM
📢 our friends have launched the incredible Goodnight Universe!! 💫
to celebrate, we're giving away 5 Goodnight Universe Steam keys!!
enter by:
1. following @nicedreamgames.com
2. like + repost this post
entries close tomorrow, 12pm PST 💖
s.team/a/2416100/
to celebrate, we're giving away 5 Goodnight Universe Steam keys!!
enter by:
1. following @nicedreamgames.com
2. like + repost this post
entries close tomorrow, 12pm PST 💖
s.team/a/2416100/
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
Oregonians living in the Portland metro area now have access to a climate dashboard that looks at how the changing environment is impacting their health.
Portland metro counties release updated regional climate dashboard
Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties released an updated regional climate dashboard that includes five health areas impacted by climate change.
www.opb.org
November 11, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Oregonians living in the Portland metro area now have access to a climate dashboard that looks at how the changing environment is impacting their health.
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
Alaska Airlines accounted for the majority of Tuesday's cancelations.
PDX flight cancellations climb even as shutdown nears end: Here’s the full list
Alaska Airlines accounted for the majority of Tuesday's cancelations.
www.oregonlive.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Alaska Airlines accounted for the majority of Tuesday's cancelations.
Oh hell yeah, new Blue Period
November 11, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Oh hell yeah, new Blue Period
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
heads up that even if you didn't ever actively intend to do so, a lot of people are accidentally heavily invested in AI right now and didn't notice that it happened, just from the mechanics of how these index funds work. if you'd rather bet on people it may be worth looking into moving things around
friend shared this, TLDR if you're fortunate enough to have any retirement invested and it's in a previously not crazy index fund, a lot of your investment is now in the AI tech bubble. I just reallocated to options less tied up in it
p.s. this is not investment advice, I'm not a certified anything
p.s. this is not investment advice, I'm not a certified anything
How The S&P 500 Quietly Became An AI Fund
YouTube video by CNBC
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:10 PM
heads up that even if you didn't ever actively intend to do so, a lot of people are accidentally heavily invested in AI right now and didn't notice that it happened, just from the mechanics of how these index funds work. if you'd rather bet on people it may be worth looking into moving things around
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
update - there are enough responses to believe that this will probably happen, after taking into account the no-shows.
(You can still put your name down if you want to! There will be no shows, and if we need to make 2+ volumes, we can also do that.)
(You can still put your name down if you want to! There will be no shows, and if we need to make 2+ volumes, we can also do that.)
okay, seriously: if we were to corral this, would anyone be interested in contributing? Here is the google form:
forms.gle/m2V4j4cDvwNu...
forms.gle/m2V4j4cDvwNu...
November 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM
update - there are enough responses to believe that this will probably happen, after taking into account the no-shows.
(You can still put your name down if you want to! There will be no shows, and if we need to make 2+ volumes, we can also do that.)
(You can still put your name down if you want to! There will be no shows, and if we need to make 2+ volumes, we can also do that.)
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
[Indie Spotlight]
Spindle from Wobbly Ghost launched a month ago on Steam and Switch and sold "only" 2.5k copies so far.
"SPINDLE is an old-school action-adventure about death and the many ways we choose to deal with it."
store.steampowered.com/app/1386750/...
youtu.be/3_2ngvThrsA?...
Spindle from Wobbly Ghost launched a month ago on Steam and Switch and sold "only" 2.5k copies so far.
"SPINDLE is an old-school action-adventure about death and the many ways we choose to deal with it."
store.steampowered.com/app/1386750/...
youtu.be/3_2ngvThrsA?...
November 9, 2025 at 11:35 PM
[Indie Spotlight]
Spindle from Wobbly Ghost launched a month ago on Steam and Switch and sold "only" 2.5k copies so far.
"SPINDLE is an old-school action-adventure about death and the many ways we choose to deal with it."
store.steampowered.com/app/1386750/...
youtu.be/3_2ngvThrsA?...
Spindle from Wobbly Ghost launched a month ago on Steam and Switch and sold "only" 2.5k copies so far.
"SPINDLE is an old-school action-adventure about death and the many ways we choose to deal with it."
store.steampowered.com/app/1386750/...
youtu.be/3_2ngvThrsA?...
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
VOICE AUDITIONS ARE OPEN! (a thread)
elmo from sesame street is standing in front of a wall of fire .
ALT: elmo from sesame street is standing in front of a wall of fire .
media.tenor.com
September 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
VOICE AUDITIONS ARE OPEN! (a thread)
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
if you are food insecure for both the humans and pets in your household there is a tool called Pet Help Finder that can help locate pet food banks nearby and other free or reduced price assistance and supplies for pets.
no one, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, should have to give up their pet bc of this.
no one, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, should have to give up their pet bc of this.
November 8, 2025 at 6:35 PM
if you are food insecure for both the humans and pets in your household there is a tool called Pet Help Finder that can help locate pet food banks nearby and other free or reduced price assistance and supplies for pets.
no one, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, should have to give up their pet bc of this.
no one, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, should have to give up their pet bc of this.
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
🔴 I will write, even though this is very painful for me. I swear to you, without your donations, my children and I would have perished long ago. We have no other source to ease the burdens and aftermath of this war 1/3 👇🏼
chuffed.org/project/sharif
chuffed.org/project/sharif
November 4, 2025 at 10:24 AM
🔴 I will write, even though this is very painful for me. I swear to you, without your donations, my children and I would have perished long ago. We have no other source to ease the burdens and aftermath of this war 1/3 👇🏼
chuffed.org/project/sharif
chuffed.org/project/sharif
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
100!!!
Ohio State to hire 100 new faculty with AI expertise
The Ohio State University has announced a major Artificial Intelligence (AI) Faculty Hiring Initiative that will add 100 new tenure-track faculty with expertise in AI over the next five years. The ini...
news.osu.edu
November 7, 2025 at 9:24 PM
100!!!
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
Make the Goddamn meal and put it in your Free Fridge. Write the $100 check to the food bank. Ask your local school what they need for the kids and then go about trying to get that stuff.... Do these things regularly and you are making meaningful contributions to your communities.
November 9, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Make the Goddamn meal and put it in your Free Fridge. Write the $100 check to the food bank. Ask your local school what they need for the kids and then go about trying to get that stuff.... Do these things regularly and you are making meaningful contributions to your communities.
If you can share or contribute, anything helps.
here we go- we are being evicted, and our next court date is tomorrow. i am pretty sure we will be forced to leave. the cheapest apartments i can find are $2700, and most places want 40x that in income!!! maybe through some miracle we can raise that much gofund.me/ee5a3b747
Donate to Support a Disabled Family Facing Eviction, organized by Priya Huq
We are being evicted and need to find another place to live. Rent in NYC is insane… Priya Huq needs your support for Support a Disabled Family Facing Eviction
gofund.me
November 9, 2025 at 6:01 PM
If you can share or contribute, anything helps.
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
A plea for help. 🙏
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
November 8, 2025 at 12:42 AM
A plea for help. 🙏
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
finding a good paper planner this year was absolute dogshit, haha, amirite? between so many printers/creators getting fucked on paper, the tariffs, bonkers for me personally. I'm sure it was wacky for others.
November 8, 2025 at 11:21 PM
finding a good paper planner this year was absolute dogshit, haha, amirite? between so many printers/creators getting fucked on paper, the tariffs, bonkers for me personally. I'm sure it was wacky for others.
Gotta say, it was very rad to go to NYC and see one of my comics in this exhibit: www.nypl.org/events/exhib... "Pasitos grandes" is one of the most important things I've written, and it was amazing to see my work alongside really phenomenal pieces, really important creators 💖🇵🇷
¡Wepa! Puerto Ricans in the World of Comics | ¡Wepa! Puertorriqueños en el mundo de los cómics
Highlights from the Manuel Martínez Nazario Collection explore aspects of Puerto Rican life and culture through space and time.
www.nypl.org
November 8, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Gotta say, it was very rad to go to NYC and see one of my comics in this exhibit: www.nypl.org/events/exhib... "Pasitos grandes" is one of the most important things I've written, and it was amazing to see my work alongside really phenomenal pieces, really important creators 💖🇵🇷
Reposted by Tristan J. Tarwater
in Feb. 2025, I worked on this story about why & how Elon Musk suddenly put an end to USAID… www.nbcnews.com/politics/dog...
How Elon Musk boosted false USAID conspiracy theories to shut down global aid
Musk drove fringe viewpoints on USAID into the mainstream on X as the Trump administration halted the humanitarian relief agency’s work.
www.nbcnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:47 PM
in Feb. 2025, I worked on this story about why & how Elon Musk suddenly put an end to USAID… www.nbcnews.com/politics/dog...