Chris Allcock
@taskbaarchitect.com
Writer and Video Game Designer for hire. Wrangles words, finds fun. Opinions are my own!
What's your favourite video game box art?
This was mine. When I got the game, which I was really anticipating, I had it on my shelf, facing my bed. I eventually had to turn it away because when my bedside lamp hit it in such a way, the eyes would GLOW...
This was mine. When I got the game, which I was really anticipating, I had it on my shelf, facing my bed. I eventually had to turn it away because when my bedside lamp hit it in such a way, the eyes would GLOW...
January 7, 2026 at 11:56 PM
What's your favourite video game box art?
This was mine. When I got the game, which I was really anticipating, I had it on my shelf, facing my bed. I eventually had to turn it away because when my bedside lamp hit it in such a way, the eyes would GLOW...
This was mine. When I got the game, which I was really anticipating, I had it on my shelf, facing my bed. I eventually had to turn it away because when my bedside lamp hit it in such a way, the eyes would GLOW...
Recent studies have shown that dinosaurs were less Robert Scaley Jr. and more Robert Downey Jr. than previously believed.
January 6, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Recent studies have shown that dinosaurs were less Robert Scaley Jr. and more Robert Downey Jr. than previously believed.
And here's that same screen at maximum zoom. You "unlock" to pan the viewport around and then "lock" to resume normal gameplay controls.
January 4, 2026 at 10:08 PM
And here's that same screen at maximum zoom. You "unlock" to pan the viewport around and then "lock" to resume normal gameplay controls.
Here's one of the extra-large Picross puzzles on my PC, docked at 1080p:
January 4, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Here's one of the extra-large Picross puzzles on my PC, docked at 1080p:
By the way, the audiobook in question is the unwarranted adaptation of Star Trek: Generations read by John DeLancie and I'm in awe of the 90s-ass PC MIDI file they chose to underscore this scene with.
January 3, 2026 at 11:06 PM
By the way, the audiobook in question is the unwarranted adaptation of Star Trek: Generations read by John DeLancie and I'm in awe of the 90s-ass PC MIDI file they chose to underscore this scene with.
I'm starting to think that there might be some link between major powers committing unilateral acts of aggression to serve their own interests and me suddenly wanting to listen to audiobooks while I dig deep underground tunnels in Minecraft.
Nevertheless, here is an underground tunnel in Minecraft.
Nevertheless, here is an underground tunnel in Minecraft.
January 3, 2026 at 10:15 PM
I'm starting to think that there might be some link between major powers committing unilateral acts of aggression to serve their own interests and me suddenly wanting to listen to audiobooks while I dig deep underground tunnels in Minecraft.
Nevertheless, here is an underground tunnel in Minecraft.
Nevertheless, here is an underground tunnel in Minecraft.
For the longest time I've been meaning to buy a Captained Brigantine and now, with the 30th anniversary of DKC2 in the rear-view mirror, it's fitting that I pay homage to its breakout character design.
December 26, 2025 at 10:11 PM
For the longest time I've been meaning to buy a Captained Brigantine and now, with the 30th anniversary of DKC2 in the rear-view mirror, it's fitting that I pay homage to its breakout character design.
Welp, since this now pops up on every stage and the A button (like every other button) does nothing, I guess I'm done with Plants vs. Zombies Replanted...
December 26, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Welp, since this now pops up on every stage and the A button (like every other button) does nothing, I guess I'm done with Plants vs. Zombies Replanted...
Merry from @stuartgipp.bsky.social's Merry Hell doing some last-minute Christmas shopping, oblivious to the hustle and bustle around her.
December 24, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Merry from @stuartgipp.bsky.social's Merry Hell doing some last-minute Christmas shopping, oblivious to the hustle and bustle around her.
I think nothing quite captures the insanely short timelines of 90s game development more than that one calendar month in 1999 separating "Here's how the coldswap will work" and the fax from Nintendo.
December 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
I think nothing quite captures the insanely short timelines of 90s game development more than that one calendar month in 1999 separating "Here's how the coldswap will work" and the fax from Nintendo.
As it's the holidays, I've decided to pen some short reviews of popular games to help people out during this busy shopping season!
December 20, 2025 at 1:10 PM
As it's the holidays, I've decided to pen some short reviews of popular games to help people out during this busy shopping season!
An image of Dan from Merry Hell, drawn to pay off last night's Merry Tax (it's a whole thing).
December 7, 2025 at 1:01 PM
An image of Dan from Merry Hell, drawn to pay off last night's Merry Tax (it's a whole thing).
A Dad joke has escaped from my brain.
November 29, 2025 at 9:51 PM
A Dad joke has escaped from my brain.
The House Flipping will continue until morale improves.
November 29, 2025 at 5:26 PM
The House Flipping will continue until morale improves.
On my third attempt, I finally got the elderly couple to buy a #HouseFlipper property.
Trying to figure out their likes and dislikes, as well as up the property value, is the kind of mechanical depth I really hope they'll add to the hotel stuff in next year's Animal Crossing update.
Trying to figure out their likes and dislikes, as well as up the property value, is the kind of mechanical depth I really hope they'll add to the hotel stuff in next year's Animal Crossing update.
November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
On my third attempt, I finally got the elderly couple to buy a #HouseFlipper property.
Trying to figure out their likes and dislikes, as well as up the property value, is the kind of mechanical depth I really hope they'll add to the hotel stuff in next year's Animal Crossing update.
Trying to figure out their likes and dislikes, as well as up the property value, is the kind of mechanical depth I really hope they'll add to the hotel stuff in next year's Animal Crossing update.
And last but not least: the framed Kameo key art signed by the team, a case created as a joke by the Xbox QA team to house the very limited number of OG Xbox demos that were pressed, and the autograph of Romi Park.. voice actor of Edward from Full Metal Alchemist! Also: Japanese Kameo.
Dinner time!
Dinner time!
November 22, 2025 at 6:36 PM
And last but not least: the framed Kameo key art signed by the team, a case created as a joke by the Xbox QA team to house the very limited number of OG Xbox demos that were pressed, and the autograph of Romi Park.. voice actor of Edward from Full Metal Alchemist! Also: Japanese Kameo.
Dinner time!
Dinner time!
Hidden away in at the back of the wardrobe we have two more PDZ entries: a sampler of the Perfect Dark comic, and a 2006 'glamour' calendar which... speaks for itself, really.
2006 sure was a year, eh?
2006 sure was a year, eh?
November 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Hidden away in at the back of the wardrobe we have two more PDZ entries: a sampler of the Perfect Dark comic, and a 2006 'glamour' calendar which... speaks for itself, really.
2006 sure was a year, eh?
2006 sure was a year, eh?
Onto two less-successful experiments. That warped monstrosity was an attempt at a T-shirt with a lenticular panel on the front, showing different Warriors depending on the angle you viewed it from. It's, er, it's not well.
And despite PDZ's best efforts, we're still not on the crab milk
And despite PDZ's best efforts, we're still not on the crab milk
November 22, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Onto two less-successful experiments. That warped monstrosity was an attempt at a T-shirt with a lenticular panel on the front, showing different Warriors depending on the angle you viewed it from. It's, er, it's not well.
And despite PDZ's best efforts, we're still not on the crab milk
And despite PDZ's best efforts, we're still not on the crab milk
Next, a trifecta of T-shirts, each increasingly wrinkled. The polo shirt is interesting because it was made in an area where Kameo was still destined for the original Xbox.
No, I will not be ironing any of these.
No, I will not be ironing any of these.
November 22, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Next, a trifecta of T-shirts, each increasingly wrinkled. The polo shirt is interesting because it was made in an area where Kameo was still destined for the original Xbox.
No, I will not be ironing any of these.
No, I will not be ironing any of these.