Courtney Simpson
@tianaarylle.bsky.social
Leave each moment better than you found it and always open with respect. Story-lover and sometimes storyteller. Gamer, art lover, I cannot live a day without music. She/her
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
This is Kevin. He's a reactive dog getting some training to be more comfortable. His trainer brought him to a pet store for some socialization where they learned he is no longer reactive when given a giant stuffed dinosaur. 14/10 (TT: katieandtatesfostermates)
January 16, 2026 at 12:35 AM
This is Kevin. He's a reactive dog getting some training to be more comfortable. His trainer brought him to a pet store for some socialization where they learned he is no longer reactive when given a giant stuffed dinosaur. 14/10 (TT: katieandtatesfostermates)
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
Here are the Top 5 Dogs of the week!
January 16, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Here are the Top 5 Dogs of the week!
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
This job doesn't usually require you to get existential, but I've been thinking about artifacts we have to remember people/art that are gone by. I talked to Anthem fans before the shutdown and asked them what they had left of the game and a lot of them said they just had memories, and those fade.
EA Kills Anthem: A BioWare Fan's Five Stages Of Grief https://kotaku.com/anthem-server-shutdown-final-hours-videos-clips-stream-2000659367
7 Years Later, BioWare's Anthem Is Dead But It'll Never Be Forgotten
After a canceled revamp and a server shutdown, BioWare fans mourn the loot shooter’s potential
kotaku.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:49 PM
This job doesn't usually require you to get existential, but I've been thinking about artifacts we have to remember people/art that are gone by. I talked to Anthem fans before the shutdown and asked them what they had left of the game and a lot of them said they just had memories, and those fade.
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
Women of Xal II's Kickstarter is FINALLY up and running! Please share with your #VisualNovel friends who like their dark political mysteries, character studies, and cast of queer ladies.
First game is free during the campaign, of course.
#Gaming #Kickstarter #Campaign #Yuri #Indie #Indiedev #Game
First game is free during the campaign, of course.
#Gaming #Kickstarter #Campaign #Yuri #Indie #Indiedev #Game
Women of Xal II
Original Game Free! The revolution begins. Can Xjena survive rising violence and The Great Silence— Xal's final extinction event?
www.kickstarter.com
December 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Women of Xal II's Kickstarter is FINALLY up and running! Please share with your #VisualNovel friends who like their dark political mysteries, character studies, and cast of queer ladies.
First game is free during the campaign, of course.
#Gaming #Kickstarter #Campaign #Yuri #Indie #Indiedev #Game
First game is free during the campaign, of course.
#Gaming #Kickstarter #Campaign #Yuri #Indie #Indiedev #Game
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
“Fuck ICE!” chants & a brass band performing “Which side are you on?” as hundreds march in Manhattan, NYC against ICE and in solidarity with Minneapolis.
January 9, 2026 at 12:06 AM
“Fuck ICE!” chants & a brass band performing “Which side are you on?” as hundreds march in Manhattan, NYC against ICE and in solidarity with Minneapolis.
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
IT IS GLORY TO BATHE IN THE BLOOD OF YOUR ENEMIES BUT TO ALSO BATHE IN THE SHOWER.
January 9, 2026 at 3:10 AM
IT IS GLORY TO BATHE IN THE BLOOD OF YOUR ENEMIES BUT TO ALSO BATHE IN THE SHOWER.
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
YOU MUST SATE YOUR THIRST TO HAVE STRENGTH TO GRIND YOUR ENEMIES' BONES TO DUST.
January 5, 2026 at 11:10 PM
YOU MUST SATE YOUR THIRST TO HAVE STRENGTH TO GRIND YOUR ENEMIES' BONES TO DUST.
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
This is Ollie. He found a perfectly placed carrot snack on his walk. Simply can't believe his luck. 13/10 best day ever (TT: maxime_aries)
January 5, 2026 at 11:10 PM
This is Ollie. He found a perfectly placed carrot snack on his walk. Simply can't believe his luck. 13/10 best day ever (TT: maxime_aries)
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
Daaaaaaaang
Last night I set up my telescope so we could all watch the planets while waiting for the new year to arrive.
After the fireworks had subsided, I attached my camera and captured my first astrophoto of the year featuring Jupiter and its moon Europa. #astrophotography
Happy New Year everyone!
After the fireworks had subsided, I attached my camera and captured my first astrophoto of the year featuring Jupiter and its moon Europa. #astrophotography
Happy New Year everyone!
January 2, 2026 at 2:48 AM
Daaaaaaaang
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
Were 90s kids clamoring for a Batman cartoon with 1930s Art Deco aesthetics? Is that what the market demanded? Or did some really smart creative people have a vision and make a genre-defining hit that sustained 20 years of TV shows? If you want success look for vision, not just metrics.
January 1, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Were 90s kids clamoring for a Batman cartoon with 1930s Art Deco aesthetics? Is that what the market demanded? Or did some really smart creative people have a vision and make a genre-defining hit that sustained 20 years of TV shows? If you want success look for vision, not just metrics.
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
In case you ever wondered, New Years Day on the Gregorian Calendar is cosmically arbitrary, carrying no Astronomical significance at all. Just Saying.
Meanwhile, the dates of Chinese New Year, Lent, Easter, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Saturnalia, Christmas, & Ramadan, all index to Astronomical events.
Meanwhile, the dates of Chinese New Year, Lent, Easter, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Saturnalia, Christmas, & Ramadan, all index to Astronomical events.
January 1, 2026 at 12:34 AM
In case you ever wondered, New Years Day on the Gregorian Calendar is cosmically arbitrary, carrying no Astronomical significance at all. Just Saying.
Meanwhile, the dates of Chinese New Year, Lent, Easter, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Saturnalia, Christmas, & Ramadan, all index to Astronomical events.
Meanwhile, the dates of Chinese New Year, Lent, Easter, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Saturnalia, Christmas, & Ramadan, all index to Astronomical events.
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
Curious fact: The New Years Eve countdown to midnight, second-by-second, is the most precise time-reckoning of a Holiday on the calendar.
Meanwhile, the celebration scatters across 24 time zones, requiring a full Earth rotation to complete for everyone.
Meanwhile, the celebration scatters across 24 time zones, requiring a full Earth rotation to complete for everyone.
January 1, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Curious fact: The New Years Eve countdown to midnight, second-by-second, is the most precise time-reckoning of a Holiday on the calendar.
Meanwhile, the celebration scatters across 24 time zones, requiring a full Earth rotation to complete for everyone.
Meanwhile, the celebration scatters across 24 time zones, requiring a full Earth rotation to complete for everyone.
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
This year:
- Bolsonaro went to prison
- Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested and is being tried
- Brazil and Belgium joined S. Africa's ICJ case on Israel's genocide
- Global green energy surpassed coal power
- Denmark passed a law against deepfakes
There are people still fighting to make the world better.
- Bolsonaro went to prison
- Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested and is being tried
- Brazil and Belgium joined S. Africa's ICJ case on Israel's genocide
- Global green energy surpassed coal power
- Denmark passed a law against deepfakes
There are people still fighting to make the world better.
December 31, 2025 at 10:56 PM
This year:
- Bolsonaro went to prison
- Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested and is being tried
- Brazil and Belgium joined S. Africa's ICJ case on Israel's genocide
- Global green energy surpassed coal power
- Denmark passed a law against deepfakes
There are people still fighting to make the world better.
- Bolsonaro went to prison
- Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested and is being tried
- Brazil and Belgium joined S. Africa's ICJ case on Israel's genocide
- Global green energy surpassed coal power
- Denmark passed a law against deepfakes
There are people still fighting to make the world better.
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
Ring in the new year with ROSEWATER, an IndieCade-nominated point & click Old West extravaganza!
Travel across the frontier with 5 companions and experience a story that changes based on your choices.
20% off on Steam during the Winter Sale! store.steampowered.com/app/1226670/...
Travel across the frontier with 5 companions and experience a story that changes based on your choices.
20% off on Steam during the Winter Sale! store.steampowered.com/app/1226670/...
December 31, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Ring in the new year with ROSEWATER, an IndieCade-nominated point & click Old West extravaganza!
Travel across the frontier with 5 companions and experience a story that changes based on your choices.
20% off on Steam during the Winter Sale! store.steampowered.com/app/1226670/...
Travel across the frontier with 5 companions and experience a story that changes based on your choices.
20% off on Steam during the Winter Sale! store.steampowered.com/app/1226670/...
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
YOU MUST MAINTAIN YOUR STRENGTH AND POWER! TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS.
December 30, 2025 at 11:09 PM
YOU MUST MAINTAIN YOUR STRENGTH AND POWER! TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS.
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
Hey so this seems like something more people should be talking about 🤔 🗳️
www.npr.org/2025/10/23/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/23/n...
December 29, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Hey so this seems like something more people should be talking about 🤔 🗳️
www.npr.org/2025/10/23/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/23/n...
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
🏆
ME: it’s boxing day
SCHRÖDINGER’S CAT: oh shit oh fuck
SCHRÖDINGER’S CAT: oh shit oh fuck
December 27, 2025 at 5:08 AM
🏆
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
Essentially, I think that LLM-generated dialogue only makes sense if you believe that the product of writing is words.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Essentially, I think that LLM-generated dialogue only makes sense if you believe that the product of writing is words.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
“there are only 7 full-time book critics left in the US: three at NYT ( Jacobs, Garner, Szalai), 2 at WaPo(Rothfeld, Charles), 1 each at WSJ (Sacks), NY mag (Chu), Slate (Miller)
more people have walked on the moon than write book reviews for a living”
worldliteraturetoday.org/2025/septemb...
more people have walked on the moon than write book reviews for a living”
worldliteraturetoday.org/2025/septemb...
Criticism Is Literature. Why Is It Vanishing?, by Adam Morgan
What do the best book reviews do? What is the current state of the critical ecosystem? Chicago Review of Books founder Adam Morgan takes stock of book reviewing in the US.
worldliteraturetoday.org
December 23, 2025 at 4:53 PM
“there are only 7 full-time book critics left in the US: three at NYT ( Jacobs, Garner, Szalai), 2 at WaPo(Rothfeld, Charles), 1 each at WSJ (Sacks), NY mag (Chu), Slate (Miller)
more people have walked on the moon than write book reviews for a living”
worldliteraturetoday.org/2025/septemb...
more people have walked on the moon than write book reviews for a living”
worldliteraturetoday.org/2025/septemb...
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
Treebeard went through a Freddie Mercury phase.
THREAD. A collection of photographs of excellent trees I have met on walks.
You will find the captions to each photo in the alt text.
You will find the captions to each photo in the alt text.
December 22, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Treebeard went through a Freddie Mercury phase.
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
Luke Skywalker’s Return in LEGACY OF VADER Redeems His LAST JEDI Death - “That’s What My Life Was For”
Luke Skywalker’s Return in LEGACY OF VADER Redeems His LAST JEDI Death - “That’s What My Life Was For”
It’s been years since Star Wars: The Last Jedi hit theaters, but the debate surrounding Luke Skywalker’s fate hasn’t faded. Many fans struggled with seeing the once-legendary Jedi Master as a broken...
buff.ly
December 23, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Luke Skywalker’s Return in LEGACY OF VADER Redeems His LAST JEDI Death - “That’s What My Life Was For”
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
If you haven’t caught it yet, here’s @sofiahariz.bsky.social ‘s interview with Kyle which has a lot of insights behind the scenes of The Game Awards, Summer Game Fest, and gamescom ONL. Really great stuff.
www.sofiahariz.com/portfolioblo...
www.sofiahariz.com/portfolioblo...
Gamer.no - Kyle Bosman talks working with Geoff Keighley- In English. — Sofia Hariz
Originally written for Gamer.no in Norwegian. I sat down with Kyle Bosman to talk Muppets, “Please Wrap It Up”, Alligator Brides, and what it’s like being a part of producing three of gamin...
www.sofiahariz.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:41 PM
If you haven’t caught it yet, here’s @sofiahariz.bsky.social ‘s interview with Kyle which has a lot of insights behind the scenes of The Game Awards, Summer Game Fest, and gamescom ONL. Really great stuff.
www.sofiahariz.com/portfolioblo...
www.sofiahariz.com/portfolioblo...
Reposted by Courtney Simpson
I highly recommend watching this segment, not just because the CBS News execs and the White House didn’t want you to, but because these men were tortured and they deserved to have their voices heard.
!! Here’s a link to full video of the 60 Minutes segment that Bari Weiss killed last minute, via @jasonparis.bsky.social:
is.gd/paU8Ko
(It was uploaded to the Global TV app in Canada, seemingly by accident, and has now been taken down)
is.gd/paU8Ko
(It was uploaded to the Global TV app in Canada, seemingly by accident, and has now been taken down)
December 22, 2025 at 10:46 PM
I highly recommend watching this segment, not just because the CBS News execs and the White House didn’t want you to, but because these men were tortured and they deserved to have their voices heard.