Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · 1d

I’m so glad it resonated with you!

Reposted by Noah Wardrip-Fruin

The Video Game Library 📚 @thevideogamelibrary.org · 1d

Just wrapped this one up from @n-w-f.bsky.social and loved it.

I too found solace in ACNH during the pandemic, and while I’m neither a father nor living with a disability, this memoir resonated deeply with me.

Will share a full review in an upcoming newsletter.

Add this to your must-read list 🙏

1 2 10

Reposted by Noah Wardrip-Fruin

Bookshop.org @bookshop.org · 1d

Can’t decide what to buy on Prime Day?

Try: absolutely nothing, and then go support indie bookstores instead 📚

63 2.7K 7.6K

Reposted by Noah Wardrip-Fruin

Shane Denson @shanedenson.bsky.social · 3d

The film|minutes video|graphic workstation is a tool for reading AND writing minute-by-minute analyses of moving-image media. (Thread)

1 3 6

Reposted by Noah Wardrip-Fruin

The Video Game Library 📚 @thevideogamelibrary.org · 3d

Kicking things off with this exciting new REPLAY series

Thank you so much to @uchicagopress.bsky.social for this one 🙏

“ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS - CAN A GAME TAKE CARE OF US?”

Excited to see @n-w-f.bsky.social and @anasalter.bsky.social headline this launch!

The book cover for animal Crossing New Horizon‘s can a game take care of us. It is sitting on a wooden table with a blurred background. The cover is a series of 4 o’clock’s with one of the hands being a heart shape.

1 6 31

Reposted by Noah Wardrip-Fruin

Jen @jkmahal.bsky.social · 17d

What movie do you consider to be “perfect?”

1 2

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · 21d

Faculty job — please help spread the word!

At UC Santa Cruz we have two games degrees, one in Engineering and one in Arts. This is a job with the Arts folks, who include super cool creators like @mattiebrice.bsky.social & @swensen.bsky.social

recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01998

Assistant Professor of Interactive Art, Performance & Games (Initial Review Date 11/14/25)

University of California, Santa Cruz is hiring. Apply now!

recruit.ucsc.edu

10 15

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · 22d

Just arrived!

With this book, @paulcornell.bsky.social & @rachaelsmith.bsky.social have established the genre of "cute cryptid whodunnit." It's about as far from the drumbeat of bad news as I can imagine.

I can't wait to discover Who Killed Nessie!

The cover of Who Killed Nessie by Paul Cornell and Rachel Smith

2 6

Reposted by Noah Wardrip-Fruin

Dr. José Zagal @jzagal.bsky.social · 26d

Well, well, well played @nintendousa.bsky.social ! @benjedwards.com and I wouldn't have predicted THIS banger of an announcement... We should plug our @mitpress.bsky.social book "Seeing Red: Nintendo's Virtual Boy" at this point., no?

www.youtube.com/live/tWIEv_a...

Nintendo Direct 9.12.2025

YouTube video by Nintendo of America

www.youtube.com

2 5 8

Reposted by Noah Wardrip-Fruin

A Girl Walks Home Alone 2 @kellylink.bsky.social · 27d

My husband had a mild case of Covid, following which he has spent almost 4 years mostly flat on his back. This advice fills me with rage & horror.

Wes Miller @getwired.com · 27d

Overheard someone saying their doctor told them to skip the Covid vaccine this year since it’s so mild.

If your doctor says that, you should probably get a different doctor.

I have several friends down with it right now… and it sure as hell doesn’t sound mild and irrelevant to me.

6 44 180

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · 27d

How did Animal Crossing: New Horizons come to mean so much to so many? Travel back in time with me, five long years back, to the early days of ACNH and the Covid pandemic

Front cover of Animal Crossing: New Horizons book by Noah Wardrip-Fruin

7 18

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · 29d

It’s an honor to help launch this series with @anasalter.bsky.social

Anastasia Salter @anasalter.bsky.social · 29d

The first copies of my next book, a short reflection on the lasting impact of indie game Undertale, have arrived at @uchicagopress.bsky.social and are in good company with @n-w-f.bsky.social's upcoming book on Animal Crossing. Find both at: press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/se...

First books upcoming in University of Chicago Press's Replay series: Undertale: Can a Game Give Hope? and Animal Crossing: New Horizons: Can a Game Take Care of Us?

1 6

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Jul 4

My jump reflexes aren't what they used to be, but I'm still enjoying the chance to imbibe some Cherry Cough Syrup from @altice.bsky.social

ex-writer.itch.io/cherry-cough...

🍒 Cherry Cough Syrup 🍒 by Ex-Writer Games

Cherry is sick—and they need cough syrup!

ex-writer.itch.io

1 2

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Jun 13

In honor of @brettbobley.bsky.social's retirement, I'm joining the #ThanksBrett clap out. Brett's a transformative leader for digital humanities — and a genuine, fun human being (he's the only colleague I've joined on the log ride at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk)

1 14

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Apr 28

Only once. A return visit sounds good!

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Apr 26

I didn’t realize we were never co-authors! Anyway, it’s been my pleasure to offer whatever support I can 😀

1

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Apr 25

Yay!

1 2

Reposted by Noah Wardrip-Fruin

mewelke @mewelke.bsky.social · Apr 22

My new science fiction novel is out today! A quirky band of scientists investigate a threat in a town riddled with strange events and science that pushes the envelope of what is possible. Awesome cover art by Kelly Lyon King!

#BookSky

www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5XXGDZ3/

The Azure Cove Assignment

Amazon.com: The Azure Cove Assignment: 9798280062238: Welke, Ian: Books

www.amazon.com

2 5 23

Reposted by Noah Wardrip-Fruin

Double Fine @doublefine.com · Apr 19

To celebrate Psychonauts' 20th anniversary today we literally turned the sales knob as high as the system allowed us on Steam. Can't turn it any higher.

You can grab it for... *91 percent* off! Dear god..

store.steampowered.com/app/3830/Psy...

Save 91% on Psychonauts on Steam

A Psychic Odyssey Through the Minds of Misfits, Monsters, and Madmen. This classic action/adventure platformer from acclaimed developers Double Fine Productions follows the story of a young psychic na...

store.steampowered.com

19 750 1.2K

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Apr 19

My daughter and I have fond memories of Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching books as bedtime reading. Also Catherynne M. Valente’s Fairyland books.

Dr. Nic, Namer of the Universe @quakefultales.bsky.social · Apr 19

Oh yeah Terry Pratchett is always great, and I grew up reading Prydain which is something more people should read

Also hell, Redwall is great too

Spooky McSkellington @gooberzilla.bsky.social · Apr 19

The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley. Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain. Not necessarily YA, but anything by Terry Pratchett and Patricia A. McKillip.

1

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Apr 7

Just devoured The Raven Tower. At first I was worried that the second person narration would turn out to be a stunt, but it really works for the book. Thanks again!

1 2

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Apr 4

Congratulations! I’m looking forward to checking it out!

1

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Apr 4

Intriguing! Can you link to more info?

1

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Apr 4

Thanks so much!

1 1

Noah Wardrip-Fruin @n-w-f.bsky.social · Apr 4

So I think I need a new novel to help me limit doomscrolling. Any recommendations? I've previously found escape in the Teixcalaan books, Murderbot diaries, Rivers of London, Laundry Files, Children of Time, October Daye, Ruth Galloway, Thursday Murder Club, etc.

3 4