#HotWar
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malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
For the afternoon crowd: How I'm embedding Cold War era concept of societal collapse in the aftermath of a nuclear attack into #HotWar 2nd edition. Cheery!
malcolmcraig.bsky.social Malcolm Craig @malcolmcraig.bsky.social · 5d
1) In redesigning #HotWar for its 2nd ed w/ @handiworkgames.bsky.social, a lot of work has gone into further embedding the game's themes into the play mechanics. A way this was done in #ColdCity was to introduce 'The Cold'. But in HW, this is replaced with 'Breakdown'. So what's that then?
The cover of the TTRPG Hot War, rendered in shades of red, against a grey background photo of an aerial view of London and the River Thames.
October 17, 2025 at 2:33 PM Everybody can reply
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malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
1) In redesigning #HotWar for its 2nd ed w/ @handiworkgames.bsky.social, a lot of work has gone into further embedding the game's themes into the play mechanics. A way this was done in #ColdCity was to introduce 'The Cold'. But in HW, this is replaced with 'Breakdown'. So what's that then?
The cover of the TTRPG Hot War, rendered in shades of red, against a grey background photo of an aerial view of London and the River Thames.
October 17, 2025 at 11:33 AM Everybody can reply
2 reposts 2 quotes 13 likes
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siberiantigger.bsky.social
Dubya: The Chosen Chooser!
@siberiantigger.bsky.social
Coldplay had one about this, iirc. You know, back when they were cool.

#Coldplay not #HotWar

[it's physically painful to send this. sorry]
Coldplay - The Scientist (Official 4K Video)
YouTube video by Coldplay
www.youtube.com
August 21, 2025 at 12:47 PM Everybody can reply
angelicimouto.moe.observer
Sarah
@angelicimouto.moe.observer
i hate to sound conspiratorial...

but like... i cant see any reason to deploy this many soldiers to a capital city... unless you are either A) planning to start a hotwar with a country with capability to strike back.. or B) planning to do something so insane domestically, you trigger open revolt...
August 18, 2025 at 10:49 PM Everybody can reply
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siberiantigger.bsky.social
Dubya: The Chosen Chooser!
@siberiantigger.bsky.social
Hekuva job, 'merica.

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for the bonds on our families break... break the bonds...

You didn't keep the Republic.

@governor.ca.gov
@joeroganhq.bsky.social

Liberate yourselves from the #Draculas.

#ConsciousUncoupling

#ColdPlay>HotWar
Rory Scovel - The United States Should Break Up Into 50 Countries - Nashville 2020
YouTube video by Official Rory Scovel
www.youtube.com
August 12, 2025 at 9:12 AM Everybody can reply
3 reposts 3 likes
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fourthfloorlx.bsky.social
Fourth
@fourthfloorlx.bsky.social
Good to see Germany finally helping the EU lead, instead of being the backstopper for everything. Ukraine needs to win, or Europe will be engulfed in a hotwar, again. Germany has everything to gain by helping and leading.
July 12, 2025 at 3:19 PM Everybody can reply
1 reposts 11 likes
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lanigrasago.bsky.social
Morpilim aka the Black Arrow 🖤🇵🇸 🏴ANTIFASCIST #FTPNJNP
@lanigrasago.bsky.social
so tell me , #anarchists, we all know about the #nonagression pact. When do we start the #HotWar against these fascist fks?
June 27, 2025 at 1:26 PM Everybody can reply
iamluminosity.bsky.social
Luminosity
@iamluminosity.bsky.social
Global Hotwar by Luminosity-e
June 16, 2025 at 4:16 PM Everybody can reply
handiworkgames.bsky.social
Jon at Handiwork Games
@handiworkgames.bsky.social
Soon the obligatory period of spamming your feed will come to an end. But will you be happier? No. So enjoy these last two days. You’ll miss it when it’s over.

#coldcity #hotwar

www.kickstarter.com/projects/jon...
An image of the Cold City Hot War slip case. Text overlaid reads: “final 48 hours”
March 23, 2025 at 7:25 PM Everybody can reply
7 reposts 1 quotes 16 likes
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malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
We are now inside 48 hours to go on the campaign for #coldcity and #hotwar. If you're on the verge of backing, then we're reaching making your mind up time!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/jon...
Cold City Hot War
Berlin and London. Horror and trust.
www.kickstarter.com
March 23, 2025 at 6:11 PM Everybody can reply
2 reposts 5 likes
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malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Top quality chitchat with @evilgaz.bsky.social and @burnafterrunning.bsky.social, where we discuss the new versions ofd #coldcity and #hotwar, plus key influences, history, game mechanics, and - yes - my inherent laziness as a GM.
March 22, 2025 at 4:36 PM Everybody can reply
5 reposts 9 likes
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malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
If you're looking for a succinct rundown of some of the mechanical elements of #coldcity and #hotwar, then look no further. We've put together another free PDF download that also features a range of Paul's brilliant propaganda posters for Hot War.
handiworkgames.bsky.social Jon at Handiwork Games @handiworkgames.bsky.social · Mar 19
Cold City Hot War Report 8 is out! In this report we bring you info on the core mechanic of #ColdCity and #HotWar, plus Hidden Agendas, Trust/Relationships and Betrayal. We also take a look at some of the brilliant in-world posters by Paul Bourne.

It's free: www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...
The cover of Cold City Hot War Report Eight, showing the red and blue of both games, with overlaid maps and barbed wire. The logo is splashed on an angle in white.
March 19, 2025 at 5:29 PM Everybody can reply
6 reposts 11 likes
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handiworkgames.bsky.social
Jon at Handiwork Games
@handiworkgames.bsky.social
Cold City Hot War Report 8 is out! In this report we bring you info on the core mechanic of #ColdCity and #HotWar, plus Hidden Agendas, Trust/Relationships and Betrayal. We also take a look at some of the brilliant in-world posters by Paul Bourne.

It's free: www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5...
The cover of Cold City Hot War Report Eight, showing the red and blue of both games, with overlaid maps and barbed wire. The logo is splashed on an angle in white.
March 19, 2025 at 3:02 PM Everybody can reply
1 reposts 1 quotes 8 likes
1 1 8
malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
A week today at 5pm, the campaign for #coldcity & #hotwar will be over. The 1st week exceeded my wildest expectations, the 2nd week was the usual KS lull, & now we're looking forward to a strong final week. Also: I'm still glad we used Stephen Vincent Benét's 'Song for Three Soldiers' on the video.
handiworkgames.bsky.social Jon at Handiwork Games @handiworkgames.bsky.social · Mar 18
It’s the final week of the Cold City Hot War Kickstarter! Two classic indie games back in fresh new editions. Trust and betrayal in 1950 Berlin, and hidden agendas in post-nuclear strike London. #coldcity

youtu.be/IiUhjm1XxmQ?...
Cold City Hot War Campaign Video
YouTube video by Handiwork Games
youtu.be
March 18, 2025 at 11:48 AM Everybody can reply
handiworkgames.bsky.social
Jon at Handiwork Games
@handiworkgames.bsky.social
New Cold City Hot War art drop! Paul Bourne is once again showing us that we're gas we don't live in the 196os of Hot War. Swinging London this is not. Maybe swinging from a lamp post after stealing food from the wrong people? #coldcity #hotwar
A double page spread illustration from Hot War. Three characters are advancing through a derelict building or tunnel. There's fire and weird outgrowths of troubling tendrils. It looks like something bad is likely to happen here. A double page spread illustration from Hot War. Two people in hazmat suits with gas masks are stood in the ruins of the limited nuclear exchange that has befallen the UK in the 1960s of Hot War. Further characters are reflected in the lenses of their gas mask eye pieces.
March 17, 2025 at 4:13 PM Everybody can reply
2 reposts 17 likes
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malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
If you're at the always excellent @conpulsion.bsky.social con in Edinburgh, 12-13 April, then you're most welcome to pitch up at the Pleasance Theatre, Sunday at 3.30 to hear me, Paul, & @handiworkgames.bsky.social talk about #coldcity, #hotwar, & real-world history.
conpulsion.org/playing-the-...
Playing the Cold War
Cold City, Hot War and history’s impact on RPGs Sunday 15:30 – 16:30 – Pleasance Theatre The era known as the Cold War has always drawn gamers into its wilderness of mirrors. With…
conpulsion.org
March 17, 2025 at 8:46 AM Everybody can reply
6 reposts 14 likes
3 6 14
malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
This in-world poster from the new edition of #hotwar from @handiworkgames.bsky.social will have particular resonance for those who frequently travel via Britain's creaking railway network.
A two page spread from the roleplaying game Hot War. The left hand page contained background text, while the right hand page is a poster saying Recognise It! Report It! Resolve It!
March 12, 2025 at 5:45 PM Everybody can reply
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handiworkgames.bsky.social
Jon at Handiwork Games
@handiworkgames.bsky.social
The first week of the Cold City Hot War campaign is drawing to its conclusion, and it's been wild! Who knew?

Here's another chapter opening spread (unlocked by our awesome backers) by Paul Bourne.
Join us!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/jon... #coldcity #hotwar
An image of ruined Berlin from Cold City by Paul Bourne. The scene shows bombed out ruins in flames.
March 10, 2025 at 5:34 PM Everybody can reply
6 reposts 2 quotes 14 likes
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malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
8: So by backing #coldcity and #hotwar you're not simply buying more games, you are actively participating in the (hoped for) success of me, my department, and my university. And I am grateful to every single backer for that participation.
March 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM Everybody can reply
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malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
5: I'm very keen to take the latest historical and historiographical research out beyond academia in a format accessible to a wide audience. My hope and belief is that #coldcity and #hotwar will do exactly that.
March 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM Everybody can reply
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malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
1: As you're doubtless aware, the completely revised 2nd editions of my RPGs #coldcity and #hotwar are now on Kickstarter. What do these games have to do with my professional life as a historian and why do they matter for in that professional life? Read on!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/jon...
Cold City Hot War
Berlin and London. Horror and trust.
www.kickstarter.com
March 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM Everybody can reply
2 reposts 1 quotes 4 likes
1 2 4
madjay.bsky.social
Mad Jay
@madjay.bsky.social
Also, #ColdCity #HotWar is live on Kickstarter. You know I backed it!! www.kickstarter.com/projects/jon...
Cold City Hot War
Berlin and London. Horror and trust.
www.kickstarter.com
March 10, 2025 at 2:05 PM Everybody can reply
1 reposts 5 likes
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malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
I've worked with Paul for decades now, and he still manages to scare seven shades of something unpleasant out of me at times. Anyway, the campaign for #coldcity and #hotwar is about to enter its second week, so please do take a look and considering supporting us.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/jon...
March 10, 2025 at 11:27 AM Everybody can reply
10 reposts 22 likes
10 22
malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Just look at this stuff! If you're on the fence about back the new, completely revised and updated editions of #coldcity and #hotwar, then surely this should tip you over the edge!
handiworkgames.bsky.social Jon at Handiwork Games @handiworkgames.bsky.social · Mar 7
We unlocked double page opening spreads for both Cold City and Hot War. These are gonna be some beautiful books. Here's one now by the mighty Paul Bourne! #coldcity #hotwar
You can join the campaign here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/jon...
A double page spread image from Paul Bourne for Hot War. The scene is lit in red with blue shadows. The buildings of London lie in ruins following a limited nuclear exchange in the 60s.
March 8, 2025 at 12:40 PM Everybody can reply
3 reposts 10 likes
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malcolmcraig.bsky.social
Malcolm Craig
@malcolmcraig.bsky.social
A key aim with #coldcity and #hotwar is to impart historical knowledge in a light-touch way. Of course, not everyone knows about the Cold War era. As part of stretch goals for the campaign, I'm going record mini-lectures on the Cold War in 40s/50s/60s. Exciting!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/jon...
Cold City Hot War
Berlin and London. Horror and trust.
www.kickstarter.com
March 8, 2025 at 11:12 AM Everybody can reply
7 reposts 1 quotes 17 likes
2 7 17