Rob "Xemu" Fermier
@xemu.bsky.social
He/ Him. Making games since 1993. System Shock 1&2, Age of Mythology, Heretic Operative, Millennia, and lots of others.
MIT grad, founder at Irrational Games & C Prompt Games.
Next project: TBD!
MIT grad, founder at Irrational Games & C Prompt Games.
Next project: TBD!
Pinned
Rob "Xemu" Fermier
@xemu.bsky.social
· May 4
Hello BlueSky folks!
My very first official game industry job was working on System Shock at Looking Glass - which was previously known as ...
"Blue Sky Productions"
So I take this as an auspicious sign for the success of the game dev community here!
My very first official game industry job was working on System Shock at Looking Glass - which was previously known as ...
"Blue Sky Productions"
So I take this as an auspicious sign for the success of the game dev community here!
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
I see a lot of folks saying this will hurt Dems in the midterms and frankly I’m not sure that’s true - if anything, it shows the depth to which people are angry and engaged and wanting to fight these assholes
but it does substantially increase the chance they will be voting for different Democrats
but it does substantially increase the chance they will be voting for different Democrats
November 10, 2025 at 3:37 AM
I see a lot of folks saying this will hurt Dems in the midterms and frankly I’m not sure that’s true - if anything, it shows the depth to which people are angry and engaged and wanting to fight these assholes
but it does substantially increase the chance they will be voting for different Democrats
but it does substantially increase the chance they will be voting for different Democrats
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
Van Hollen Senate Minority Leader vote when
November 10, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Van Hollen Senate Minority Leader vote when
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
Donald Trump’s approval rating has tanked and Republican suffered heavy losses in last week’s elections. There’s never been a better time for Senate Democrats to cave on the ACA extension.
November 9, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Donald Trump’s approval rating has tanked and Republican suffered heavy losses in last week’s elections. There’s never been a better time for Senate Democrats to cave on the ACA extension.
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
So it turns out... the US air travel system was incredibly, deeply dependent on federal funding to just run day-to-day all this time, to the benefit of private airline shareholders, when everyone thinks that state-run trains are leeching off the government. Weird!
November 9, 2025 at 12:10 AM
So it turns out... the US air travel system was incredibly, deeply dependent on federal funding to just run day-to-day all this time, to the benefit of private airline shareholders, when everyone thinks that state-run trains are leeching off the government. Weird!
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
I wish Del Toro’s Frankenstein was a more comprehensive look at the monster’s life. They never cover when he met Abbott and Costello, for example.
November 7, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I wish Del Toro’s Frankenstein was a more comprehensive look at the monster’s life. They never cover when he met Abbott and Costello, for example.
How does this make any sense to anyone?!?!
This will devastate families. And especially harm enlisted soldiers living on remote bases with little access to nearby stores w/o transportation. The DoD cafeteria system (DFAC) is also suffering closures. Which will start to leave military with almost no options for food on small bases.
Army closes only dining facility on Kansas base due to government shutdown
The only dining facility for junior troops at the Army’s Fort Leavenworth in Kansas has been closed due to funding issues.
taskandpurpose.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:38 AM
How does this make any sense to anyone?!?!
Really good writeup answering the main WTF question I had about tonight’s news, which was why did Justice Jackson, of all people, issue a stay to block SNAP funding.
Trying to figure out what #SCOTUS just did with #SNAP, and why Justice Jackson temporarily froze the district court's ruling?
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
190. SNAP WTF?
A very quick explainer on what (and why) Justice Jackson issued an "administrative stay" in the SNAP case late on Friday night, and on what's likely to happen next
www.stevevladeck.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Really good writeup answering the main WTF question I had about tonight’s news, which was why did Justice Jackson, of all people, issue a stay to block SNAP funding.
Wow, Plur1bus. That was something else! Can’t wait to see where they are going with it.
November 8, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Wow, Plur1bus. That was something else! Can’t wait to see where they are going with it.
Donate cash to your local food banks / pantries if you can, folks. The federal govt and corrupt SCOTUS are doing the best they can to starve our most vulnerable among our own citizens. Monstrous.
November 8, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Donate cash to your local food banks / pantries if you can, folks. The federal govt and corrupt SCOTUS are doing the best they can to starve our most vulnerable among our own citizens. Monstrous.
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
If EVERY Catholic priest in the DC metro area DOESN’T preach on Matthew 5-7*† this weekend, they have not only lost the opportunity to be true spiritual leaders, they are aiding in the damnation of 5 SCOTUS judges.
*someone can go Matthew 14 for loaves & fishes.
† Sermon on the Mount
*someone can go Matthew 14 for loaves & fishes.
† Sermon on the Mount
This just into the newsroom
WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court issues emergency order temporarily blocking full SNAP food aid payments.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court issues emergency order temporarily blocking full SNAP food aid payments.
November 8, 2025 at 2:56 AM
If EVERY Catholic priest in the DC metro area DOESN’T preach on Matthew 5-7*† this weekend, they have not only lost the opportunity to be true spiritual leaders, they are aiding in the damnation of 5 SCOTUS judges.
*someone can go Matthew 14 for loaves & fishes.
† Sermon on the Mount
*someone can go Matthew 14 for loaves & fishes.
† Sermon on the Mount
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
so, yes, at a basic level I think Tuesday showed that we can vote our way out of this
and so we have to be clearer than ever about making sure the people we vote in are willing to do what's necessary to rebuild - packing the court, adding states, etc.
or we'll find ourselves right back here
and so we have to be clearer than ever about making sure the people we vote in are willing to do what's necessary to rebuild - packing the court, adding states, etc.
or we'll find ourselves right back here
November 7, 2025 at 9:24 PM
so, yes, at a basic level I think Tuesday showed that we can vote our way out of this
and so we have to be clearer than ever about making sure the people we vote in are willing to do what's necessary to rebuild - packing the court, adding states, etc.
or we'll find ourselves right back here
and so we have to be clearer than ever about making sure the people we vote in are willing to do what's necessary to rebuild - packing the court, adding states, etc.
or we'll find ourselves right back here
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
Not now, carnivorous death ball
November 6, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Not now, carnivorous death ball
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
There is something deeply broken about an economy that creates trillionaires while people get buried under the cost of living and 42 million go hungry. The ultra-rich should realize that my Billionaires Income Tax, aimed at ensuring they pay their fair share, represents the moderate path forward.
Tesla shareholders have approved a pay package that could make CEO Elon Musk, already the world’s richest person, the world’s first trillionaire. https://cnn.it/43KZnkA
November 7, 2025 at 1:57 AM
There is something deeply broken about an economy that creates trillionaires while people get buried under the cost of living and 42 million go hungry. The ultra-rich should realize that my Billionaires Income Tax, aimed at ensuring they pay their fair share, represents the moderate path forward.
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
NOBODY SPEAK, NO BODY GET CHOKED
incredible photo that's definitely worth at least 1,000 words from Andrew Harnik of Getty
November 6, 2025 at 6:59 PM
NOBODY SPEAK, NO BODY GET CHOKED
RIP anything trying to release holiday 2026, and also LOL to everyone who was carefully dodging the old release date
BREAKING: Rockstar has delayed Grand Theft Auto VI again, pushing the highly anticipated game from May to November 19, 2026. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ Is Postponed Again — to November 2026
The release date for the game had previously slipped to May 2026 from fall 2025
www.bloomberg.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:12 PM
RIP anything trying to release holiday 2026, and also LOL to everyone who was carefully dodging the old release date
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
The judge DENIES the government a stay.
SNAP must be fully paid by TOMORROW.
SNAP must be fully paid by TOMORROW.
November 6, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The judge DENIES the government a stay.
SNAP must be fully paid by TOMORROW.
SNAP must be fully paid by TOMORROW.
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
You don't need me to tell you this is yet more good money being burned after bad. But as someone who's worked with that QA team, I'll say they're unsung heroes who truly play a huge role in maintaining SE's reputation for high quality locs and to attempt to replace them with AI is deeply insulting.
Square Enix wants 70% of its QA work to be handled by generative AI by the end of 2027, in partnership with the University of Tokyo's Matsuo-Iwasawa Laboratory. https://bit.ly/4qKdyQR
November 6, 2025 at 5:46 PM
You don't need me to tell you this is yet more good money being burned after bad. But as someone who's worked with that QA team, I'll say they're unsung heroes who truly play a huge role in maintaining SE's reputation for high quality locs and to attempt to replace them with AI is deeply insulting.
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
A massive economic bubble is on the verge of bursting, a new Simpsons movie is on the horizon, and someone decided to start manufacturing plastic drums again. I've seen enough. 2007 Part II is finally here.
🥁 Feel the beat. Own the stage.
CRKD Drums - Coming 2026.
👉 Sign up to be notified: https://go.crkd.gg/drums
CRKD Drums - Coming 2026.
👉 Sign up to be notified: https://go.crkd.gg/drums
November 6, 2025 at 5:41 PM
A massive economic bubble is on the verge of bursting, a new Simpsons movie is on the horizon, and someone decided to start manufacturing plastic drums again. I've seen enough. 2007 Part II is finally here.
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
incredible photo that's definitely worth at least 1,000 words from Andrew Harnik of Getty
November 6, 2025 at 6:10 PM
incredible photo that's definitely worth at least 1,000 words from Andrew Harnik of Getty
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
Ellis is concluding, with John Adams words to his wife in 1775 about the need to fight for the nascent American democracy.
"Liberty once lost is lost forever."
"Liberty once lost is lost forever."
November 6, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Ellis is concluding, with John Adams words to his wife in 1775 about the need to fight for the nascent American democracy.
"Liberty once lost is lost forever."
"Liberty once lost is lost forever."
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
I have lost count of the number of times that Ellis has said the Trump administration's arguments "lack credibility."
November 6, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I have lost count of the number of times that Ellis has said the Trump administration's arguments "lack credibility."
Wow this is quite a litany of abuses for a judge to roll out as findings of fact right out of the gate. Hope we see some actual consequences.
Greetings from the Dirksen federal courthouse, where U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis has just taken the bench to rule on federal agents actions' during a series of increasingly aggressive raids across Chicago and the suburbs.
Background, for @wttw.bsky.social from @bymattmasterson.bsky.social
Background, for @wttw.bsky.social from @bymattmasterson.bsky.social
Judge Set to Rule Thursday in Case Centering on Federal Immigration Agents’ Use of Force: ‘I Could See Inside the Barrel’
Protesters, clergy members and others who say they’ve been directly impacted by a series of increasingly aggressive raids across Chicago and the suburbs will testify before a federal judge weighing wh...
news.wttw.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Wow this is quite a litany of abuses for a judge to roll out as findings of fact right out of the gate. Hope we see some actual consequences.
Is there really no way to pick a different start date / age in EU5? I must be missing something?
November 5, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Is there really no way to pick a different start date / age in EU5? I must be missing something?
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
This is a fun chart!
The green is the main bsky load balancer traffic throughput from Saturday night, and the purple is how much traffic there was 7 days before (the previous Saturday)
The spike is due to the world series - pretty incredible! ⚾
The green is the main bsky load balancer traffic throughput from Saturday night, and the purple is how much traffic there was 7 days before (the previous Saturday)
The spike is due to the world series - pretty incredible! ⚾
November 3, 2025 at 6:05 PM
This is a fun chart!
The green is the main bsky load balancer traffic throughput from Saturday night, and the purple is how much traffic there was 7 days before (the previous Saturday)
The spike is due to the world series - pretty incredible! ⚾
The green is the main bsky load balancer traffic throughput from Saturday night, and the purple is how much traffic there was 7 days before (the previous Saturday)
The spike is due to the world series - pretty incredible! ⚾
Reposted by Rob "Xemu" Fermier
What we know, 3pm on Wednesday:
[In 4 parts]
—CA's Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems gain leg seats in VA & NJ
—Dems win NJ & VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
[In 4 parts]
—CA's Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems gain leg seats in VA & NJ
—Dems win NJ & VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
November 5, 2025 at 7:47 PM
What we know, 3pm on Wednesday:
[In 4 parts]
—CA's Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems gain leg seats in VA & NJ
—Dems win NJ & VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
[In 4 parts]
—CA's Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems gain leg seats in VA & NJ
—Dems win NJ & VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices