Graeme Strachan
@gstrachan.bsky.social
Writer | he/him (available for hire)
BAFTA Member
prev: Writer - Simure Vikings for Bigpoint/Yoozoo Games
https://linktr.ee/reviewist
Tall, Scottish, friendly, occasionally handsome (not actually an Alpaca)
BAFTA Member
prev: Writer - Simure Vikings for Bigpoint/Yoozoo Games
https://linktr.ee/reviewist
Tall, Scottish, friendly, occasionally handsome (not actually an Alpaca)
Pinned
Graeme Strachan
@gstrachan.bsky.social
· Sep 16
Just to let people know, I am probably going to be applying for any and all game writing jobs that are coming up for the rest of the year.
I have a hankering to get writing on a nice project with some cool people. I miss the creative banter of that process.
So hit me up if you know of anything!
I have a hankering to get writing on a nice project with some cool people. I miss the creative banter of that process.
So hit me up if you know of anything!
Reposted by Graeme Strachan
Banned 60 minutes segment on CECOT
Dailymotion video by fond_.mhb423
www.dailymotion.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Halfway through the finale of #TheWarBetween and I really want this to end with it all having been a long con by the merfolk and Barclay being the hapless dimwit stooge he’s felt like since episode one.
Literally every human in this story is so stupid it hurts, the plot only works if they’re thick.
Literally every human in this story is so stupid it hurts, the plot only works if they’re thick.
December 22, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Halfway through the finale of #TheWarBetween and I really want this to end with it all having been a long con by the merfolk and Barclay being the hapless dimwit stooge he’s felt like since episode one.
Literally every human in this story is so stupid it hurts, the plot only works if they’re thick.
Literally every human in this story is so stupid it hurts, the plot only works if they’re thick.
Halfway through Episode 4 of #TheWarBetween and honestly, I’m just kind of in disbelief at how awful this script is.
It feels like there are whole chunks of story just missing here, but they also spent most of episode 3 with 6 (5 expendable) characters talking pish in a submarine, for half of it.
It feels like there are whole chunks of story just missing here, but they also spent most of episode 3 with 6 (5 expendable) characters talking pish in a submarine, for half of it.
December 22, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Halfway through Episode 4 of #TheWarBetween and honestly, I’m just kind of in disbelief at how awful this script is.
It feels like there are whole chunks of story just missing here, but they also spent most of episode 3 with 6 (5 expendable) characters talking pish in a submarine, for half of it.
It feels like there are whole chunks of story just missing here, but they also spent most of episode 3 with 6 (5 expendable) characters talking pish in a submarine, for half of it.
Reposted by Graeme Strachan
Regular reminder that the majority of the people who dreamed up the stories you love are, like, BROKE broke, and that most of the money spent on their work was given to Some Guy™️ instead.
December 22, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Regular reminder that the majority of the people who dreamed up the stories you love are, like, BROKE broke, and that most of the money spent on their work was given to Some Guy™️ instead.
Reposted by Graeme Strachan
And the folks who write about and champion all those games, films, and books. Most of us LOSE money to do this.
Regular reminder that the majority of the people who dreamed up the stories you love are, like, BROKE broke, and that most of the money spent on their work was given to Some Guy™️ instead.
December 22, 2025 at 12:56 PM
And the folks who write about and champion all those games, films, and books. Most of us LOSE money to do this.
Reposted by Graeme Strachan
Reposted by Graeme Strachan
I just spent six years writing a book. I learned how to use archives, how to handle secondary sources, how to structure a 140k-word argument. I fell so hard in love I went back to school for a PhD. Now people ask how I use LLMs to write or summarize and I can only think “You don’t value what I do.”
December 21, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I just spent six years writing a book. I learned how to use archives, how to handle secondary sources, how to structure a 140k-word argument. I fell so hard in love I went back to school for a PhD. Now people ask how I use LLMs to write or summarize and I can only think “You don’t value what I do.”
#Pluribus episode 8 is simultaneously better paced than a lot of the earlier season but also frustrating in the way it’s spun out. The stuff it’s paying out is all rather obvious and a bit facile in Sci-fi terms.
In many ways this show is just deeply frustrating viewing experience to me.
In many ways this show is just deeply frustrating viewing experience to me.
December 19, 2025 at 8:25 AM
#Pluribus episode 8 is simultaneously better paced than a lot of the earlier season but also frustrating in the way it’s spun out. The stuff it’s paying out is all rather obvious and a bit facile in Sci-fi terms.
In many ways this show is just deeply frustrating viewing experience to me.
In many ways this show is just deeply frustrating viewing experience to me.
It’s weird watching the Albert Finney Scrooge these days.
There are moments where it feels like he’s channeling the mannerisms of Trump from back in 1970.
It’s also weird because Finney was in his 30s and he has really young looking hands, but this really good but simple old man make-up.
There are moments where it feels like he’s channeling the mannerisms of Trump from back in 1970.
It’s also weird because Finney was in his 30s and he has really young looking hands, but this really good but simple old man make-up.
December 18, 2025 at 9:22 PM
It’s weird watching the Albert Finney Scrooge these days.
There are moments where it feels like he’s channeling the mannerisms of Trump from back in 1970.
It’s also weird because Finney was in his 30s and he has really young looking hands, but this really good but simple old man make-up.
There are moments where it feels like he’s channeling the mannerisms of Trump from back in 1970.
It’s also weird because Finney was in his 30s and he has really young looking hands, but this really good but simple old man make-up.
There must be mileage in A Christmas Carol told from the POV of Jacob Marley’s ghost, Scrooge’s gay business partner who was madly but unrequitedly in love with him, and even in death refused to see Scrooge go to hell.
December 18, 2025 at 8:57 PM
There must be mileage in A Christmas Carol told from the POV of Jacob Marley’s ghost, Scrooge’s gay business partner who was madly but unrequitedly in love with him, and even in death refused to see Scrooge go to hell.
It’s time for some Scrooge. This is what it’s about. Wrapping presents and having a Merry Xmas.
December 18, 2025 at 7:54 PM
It’s time for some Scrooge. This is what it’s about. Wrapping presents and having a Merry Xmas.
Reposted by Graeme Strachan
This is such a misunderstanding of why writers, artists, and designers do research to begin with, which is to find something unexpected, not capture the average or find reference for the default.
And, as always, the biggest misapprehension: We don’t want to NOT do this part. It’s fun to learn shit
And, as always, the biggest misapprehension: We don’t want to NOT do this part. It’s fun to learn shit
Anyone who supports this is an embarrassment. "Instead of typing it out they'll generate their idea"? Are you insane?
Call yourself whatever you want but you aren't creatives, that's for sure.
Call yourself whatever you want but you aren't creatives, that's for sure.
December 18, 2025 at 5:40 PM
This is such a misunderstanding of why writers, artists, and designers do research to begin with, which is to find something unexpected, not capture the average or find reference for the default.
And, as always, the biggest misapprehension: We don’t want to NOT do this part. It’s fun to learn shit
And, as always, the biggest misapprehension: We don’t want to NOT do this part. It’s fun to learn shit
OK. I swear to GOD. I have bought ALL the xmas stuff.
I will NOT buy anything else.
Maybe.
*cries in bank balance.*
I will NOT buy anything else.
Maybe.
*cries in bank balance.*
December 18, 2025 at 4:06 PM
OK. I swear to GOD. I have bought ALL the xmas stuff.
I will NOT buy anything else.
Maybe.
*cries in bank balance.*
I will NOT buy anything else.
Maybe.
*cries in bank balance.*
Reposted by Graeme Strachan
Reposted by Graeme Strachan
1/ It is essential that the creative trade unions are represented on the Creative Industries Council
December 18, 2025 at 10:28 AM
1/ It is essential that the creative trade unions are represented on the Creative Industries Council
Reposted by Graeme Strachan
This is absolutely nuts.
*£500m* of loans without loan agreements from local government run by a Tory lord.
*£500m* of loans without loan agreements from local government run by a Tory lord.
Auditors and new officials have been turning over stones at the body in charge of Teesworks. Turns out the Tees Valley Combined Authority has been lending hundreds of millions of £ to connected orgs, without loan agreements, and those orgs are now struggling to repay
as.ft.com/r/ac457745-4...
as.ft.com/r/ac457745-4...
Auditors raise red flags at public body run by Ben Houchen
[FREE TO READ] EY said errors included ‘material misstatements’ in latest setback for Conservative metro mayor Lord Houchen
as.ft.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:07 AM
This is absolutely nuts.
*£500m* of loans without loan agreements from local government run by a Tory lord.
*£500m* of loans without loan agreements from local government run by a Tory lord.
That's me submitted my piece for @jon.inkle.co's The Game Narrative Kaleidoscope.
Not at all what I planned to write, but sometimes the bug gets you and things go weirdly sideways.
But that's me... done. ALL THE WORK THINGS.
I guess... that means it's Christmas now?
Not at all what I planned to write, but sometimes the bug gets you and things go weirdly sideways.
But that's me... done. ALL THE WORK THINGS.
I guess... that means it's Christmas now?
December 18, 2025 at 10:55 AM
That's me submitted my piece for @jon.inkle.co's The Game Narrative Kaleidoscope.
Not at all what I planned to write, but sometimes the bug gets you and things go weirdly sideways.
But that's me... done. ALL THE WORK THINGS.
I guess... that means it's Christmas now?
Not at all what I planned to write, but sometimes the bug gets you and things go weirdly sideways.
But that's me... done. ALL THE WORK THINGS.
I guess... that means it's Christmas now?
Reposted by Graeme Strachan
Bill Clinton: “This is our responsibility.”
“We forced Ukraine to give up nuclear weapons, cruise missiles, and strategic bombers.
We promised to protect Ukraine from Russia.
We made Ukraine vulnerable.
So yes — this is our war,” said Bill Clinton.👇
“We forced Ukraine to give up nuclear weapons, cruise missiles, and strategic bombers.
We promised to protect Ukraine from Russia.
We made Ukraine vulnerable.
So yes — this is our war,” said Bill Clinton.👇
December 17, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Bill Clinton: “This is our responsibility.”
“We forced Ukraine to give up nuclear weapons, cruise missiles, and strategic bombers.
We promised to protect Ukraine from Russia.
We made Ukraine vulnerable.
So yes — this is our war,” said Bill Clinton.👇
“We forced Ukraine to give up nuclear weapons, cruise missiles, and strategic bombers.
We promised to protect Ukraine from Russia.
We made Ukraine vulnerable.
So yes — this is our war,” said Bill Clinton.👇
Reposted by Graeme Strachan
Alright gang, there's a Senior Level Designer opening on my team.
You know the drill. 👇 Please pass this along and AMA*
jobs.zenimax.com/requisitions...
You know the drill. 👇 Please pass this along and AMA*
jobs.zenimax.com/requisitions...
ZeniMax Jobs - Senior Level Designer - Arkane Studios - France
Bethesda Softworks is hiring for multiple positions across our award-winning game development studios and global publishing teams!
jobs.zenimax.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Alright gang, there's a Senior Level Designer opening on my team.
You know the drill. 👇 Please pass this along and AMA*
jobs.zenimax.com/requisitions...
You know the drill. 👇 Please pass this along and AMA*
jobs.zenimax.com/requisitions...
My most recent piece (and one of the last of year)
Will happily admit, I was slightly out of my comfort zone in this area. I'm absolutely not a classical music journalist, but I tried to do my best to review it as an Opera and theatre lover.
Will happily admit, I was slightly out of my comfort zone in this area. I'm absolutely not a classical music journalist, but I tried to do my best to review it as an Opera and theatre lover.
Theatre review: Tchaikovsky: Heroines and Heroes from Scottish Opera at Usher Hall
www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/tcha...
www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/tcha...
Theatre review: Tchaikovsky: Heroines and Heroes from Scottish Opera at Usher Hall
Theatre review of Tchaikovsky: Heroines and Heroes (Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky) from Scottish Opera at Usher Hall - reviewer: Graeme Strachan
www.britishtheatreguide.info
December 16, 2025 at 11:15 AM
My most recent piece (and one of the last of year)
Will happily admit, I was slightly out of my comfort zone in this area. I'm absolutely not a classical music journalist, but I tried to do my best to review it as an Opera and theatre lover.
Will happily admit, I was slightly out of my comfort zone in this area. I'm absolutely not a classical music journalist, but I tried to do my best to review it as an Opera and theatre lover.
I literally had to delete a reddit account and unfollow the Pluribus hashtag on here because the sheer intractable madness of that fanbase was making me feel ill.
Literally, there are some fanbases it's best to steer clear of. They just aren't healthy.
Literally, there are some fanbases it's best to steer clear of. They just aren't healthy.
December 16, 2025 at 10:56 AM
I literally had to delete a reddit account and unfollow the Pluribus hashtag on here because the sheer intractable madness of that fanbase was making me feel ill.
Literally, there are some fanbases it's best to steer clear of. They just aren't healthy.
Literally, there are some fanbases it's best to steer clear of. They just aren't healthy.
Reposted by Graeme Strachan
Machine-learned AI is terrible for idea generation.
The algorithm is designed to *produce the most predictable next token*
Even as you try to push it to originality, it fights you and tries to pull it back to the most average tropes.
Its a PREDICTABILITY MACHINE.
The algorithm is designed to *produce the most predictable next token*
Even as you try to push it to originality, it fights you and tries to pull it back to the most average tropes.
Its a PREDICTABILITY MACHINE.
America, you have spoken loud and clear: You do not like AI. But what if AI is the way to restart the world’s idea machine?
We’re running out of good ideas. AI might be how we find new ones.
What if the best use of AI is restarting the world’s idea machine?
www.vox.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Machine-learned AI is terrible for idea generation.
The algorithm is designed to *produce the most predictable next token*
Even as you try to push it to originality, it fights you and tries to pull it back to the most average tropes.
Its a PREDICTABILITY MACHINE.
The algorithm is designed to *produce the most predictable next token*
Even as you try to push it to originality, it fights you and tries to pull it back to the most average tropes.
Its a PREDICTABILITY MACHINE.
so many of the people I have met IRL who are in solid emplotment the game industry are the "keep head down, don't make waves" sort of folks.
Whereas grumpy, union-minded, rights-knowing and utterly intractable when it comes to fairplay people like me often end up working elsewhere.
Whereas grumpy, union-minded, rights-knowing and utterly intractable when it comes to fairplay people like me often end up working elsewhere.
December 16, 2025 at 10:05 AM
so many of the people I have met IRL who are in solid emplotment the game industry are the "keep head down, don't make waves" sort of folks.
Whereas grumpy, union-minded, rights-knowing and utterly intractable when it comes to fairplay people like me often end up working elsewhere.
Whereas grumpy, union-minded, rights-knowing and utterly intractable when it comes to fairplay people like me often end up working elsewhere.
Reposted by Graeme Strachan
"Lay off CEOs instead": Game Awards protesters fed up with the show and the state of the industry
aftermath.site/game-awards-...
aftermath.site/game-awards-...
December 15, 2025 at 11:19 PM
"Lay off CEOs instead": Game Awards protesters fed up with the show and the state of the industry
aftermath.site/game-awards-...
aftermath.site/game-awards-...
I love (I'm not being glib here) that years on, people are STILL discussing these games.
I feel like the further we get from the actual release of this, and all that hoopla, the closer we get to actually digging into the merits and flaws of these games without all the partisan bullshittery.
I feel like the further we get from the actual release of this, and all that hoopla, the closer we get to actually digging into the merits and flaws of these games without all the partisan bullshittery.
The Last of Us Games Deserve Their Reputation
YouTube video by Whitelight
www.youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:02 AM
I love (I'm not being glib here) that years on, people are STILL discussing these games.
I feel like the further we get from the actual release of this, and all that hoopla, the closer we get to actually digging into the merits and flaws of these games without all the partisan bullshittery.
I feel like the further we get from the actual release of this, and all that hoopla, the closer we get to actually digging into the merits and flaws of these games without all the partisan bullshittery.