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Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

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Noah Wardrip-Fruin is a professor in the Computational Media department of the University of California, Santa Cruz, and is an… more

H-index: 27
Computer science 46%
Sociology 15%
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by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

n-w-f.bsky.social
It’s very different from my other books. Kind of a “scholarly memoir” of the early Covid pandemic, the waning days of the first Trump term, and playing games with my kids as a disabled dad — all leading to passionate feelings about Animal Crossing

Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

catacalypto.bsky.social
I have a theory that when designing a social simulation / generator, it can be useful to keep in mind a story you’d like your system to be able to organically generate. not every system should generate the same story but I have a short list of high-salience interesting stories I reach for. (1/2)
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by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

n-w-f.bsky.social
30% off and free shipping on my new book 😀
uchicagopress.bsky.social
The University of Chicago Press @uchicagopress.bsky.social · 4d
The Society for the History of Technology meeting is underway! You can check out our featured books and get 30% off & free US shipping with promo code EX58160 at our virtual exhibit: bit.ly/UCPEXSHOT #SHOT2025
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by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

n-w-f.bsky.social
It's the #BookBirthday of Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Can a Game Take Care of Us?

If you were one of the players swept up in the embrace of #ACNH, or one of the people puzzled by the whole phenomenon, I hope this book reveals something new.

Thanks to everyone at @uchicagopress.bsky.social
Book held open by hand, with two images of Animal Crossing, one on each page. There is text below the images, which begins: In time we got more rambunctious. We would run around playing tag and follow-the-leader, narrowly skirting the flower beds. He'd run laps around Resident Services, then suddenly head off toward another area of the island. I'd have a hint that he was about to climb a cliff or jump a stream, because I'd see a ladder or vaulting pole appear in his character's grip. He'd zig and I'd take a risk on zagging, opening or closing the distance between us. The game kept our running speed the same. I might tire out mentally, but I sure lasted longer than I would have physically.
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Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

uchicagopress.bsky.social
The Society for the History of Technology meeting is underway! You can check out our featured books and get 30% off & free US shipping with promo code EX58160 at our virtual exhibit: bit.ly/UCPEXSHOT #SHOT2025
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by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

n-w-f.bsky.social
I’m so glad it resonated with you!
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Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

thevideogamelibrary.org
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 🙏
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Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin, Maarten Vink, Robert B. Reich , and 6 more

bookshop.org
Can’t decide what to buy on Prime Day?

Try: absolutely nothing, and then go support indie bookstores instead 📚
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Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

shanedenson.bsky.social
The film|minutes video|graphic workstation is a tool for reading AND writing minute-by-minute analyses of moving-image media. (Thread)
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Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin, Anastasia Salter

thevideogamelibrary.org
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.
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Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

jkmahal.bsky.social
What movie do you consider to be “perfect?”
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by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

n-w-f.bsky.social
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
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by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

n-w-f.bsky.social
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
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Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

jzagal.bsky.social
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
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by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

n-w-f.bsky.social
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
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Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

getwired.com
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.
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by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

n-w-f.bsky.social
It’s an honor to help launch this series with @anasalter.bsky.social
anasalter.bsky.social
Anastasia Salter @anasalter.bsky.social · Sep 9
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?
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by Anastasia Salter — Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

anasalter.bsky.social
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?
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Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

n-w-f.bsky.social
I agree that 5E D&D (as a system) lacks narrative nuance. But at the same time, I feel that the ability to mentally grasp incredible breadth is the core experience of BG3. For me, the breadth (without emptiness) is a marvel, almost sublime
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Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

lainenooney.bsky.social
THIS Friday online game history journal ROMchip hosts @aarontram.bsky.social for a talk abt his recent book THE PRIVILEGE OF PLAY and the racialized history of hobby games
LIVE on TWITCH FEB 16 @ 2PM EST.

RSVP: www.tickettailor.com/events/romch...

FOLLOW US ON TWITCH: www.twitch.tv/romchipjournal
Join the guestlist – ROMchip Presents: Aaron Trammell on The Privilege of Play – Twitch
ROMchip Presents: Aaron Trammell on The Privilege of Play – Twitch, Fri Feb 16, 2024 - Join us Friday, February 16, as ROMchip: A Journal of Game Histories hosts games studies scholar Aaron Trammell f...
www.tickettailor.com
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Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

n-w-f.bsky.social
Defeated the monsters — that didn't snap her out of it. Defeated Swann. (Maybe he's the big bad?) No dice. She kept attacking. Had to kill her

Reading later, *there is no way you can help* unless you approach her as a character w/ the [Scholar] tag
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Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

mariafarrell.bsky.social
This time 4 years ago I had covid

Hi, past self! in 2 months you'll write a viral piece about convalescing and how ME/CFS shows rest - real, serious rest - is the only treatment we have for Long Covid

This is still true

In 6 mths your lungs will still be fucked

In 2 yrs you'll get covid again.
Indefinitely Ill – Post-Covid Fatigue
What to do when your body forgets how to be well OK well this is going to be tricky to write because I’m not a doctor and it’s not medical advice, and the more I read around in the displaceme…
crookedtimber.org
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Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

scottgustin.com
NEW: Monsters, Inc. land will replace Muppets Courtyard and Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney's Hollywood Studios. To make way for monsters, the Muppets will take over Rock 'n Roller Coaster and "team up with music's biggest starts for a rockin' music festival."
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Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

quakefultales.bsky.social
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
gooberzilla.bsky.social
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.
skulldog.bsky.social
Skulldog @skulldog.bsky.social · Apr 17
Instead of vague posting about the bad books, I want to hear what GOOD fantasy series you read and stuck to growing up?

What kid and young adult fantasy lit have you read recently that isn't created by a dumpster fire funding regressive laws?

Boost it!
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by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

n-w-f.bsky.social
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
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by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

n-w-f.bsky.social
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)
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by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

n-w-f.bsky.social
Only once. A return visit sounds good!

by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

n-w-f.bsky.social
I didn’t realize we were never co-authors! Anyway, it’s been my pleasure to offer whatever support I can 😀
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by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

n-w-f.bsky.social
Yay!
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Reposted by Noah Wardrip‐Fruin

mewelke.bsky.social
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
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