The hottest Games Substack posts right now

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Out of Whack

Knicks Film School • 813 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Games
  1. The Knicks struggled in their recent game, blowing a 13-point lead. This shows they still need to work on their offensive strategy.
  2. Key players like Karl-Anthony Towns didn't get enough shots during the game. Balancing shot attempts among players is crucial for success.
  3. Injuries and the losing stretch affected the team's performance late in the game. These moments highlight the importance of player health and teamwork.

That's More Like It

Knicks Film School • 1249 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Games
  1. The Knicks won their first game of the season against the Pacers, showing strong performance.
  2. It's important not to overreact to a single win, just like it was unwise to focus too much on the season's opening loss.
  3. A specific play might mark a significant moment for a player, suggesting changes in the team's future.

Math Problems

Knicks Film School • 833 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Games
  1. The Celtics played really well, nearly breaking a record for the most three-pointers made in a game. Their shooting was impressive, even though they missed a lot towards the end.
  2. The Knicks struggled defensively, allowing the Celtics to score easily. Even when the Knicks had a good offensive moment, it didn't matter because they shot fewer threes than Boston.
  3. Some Knicks players stood out, like Deuce McBride and Jalen Brunson, but overall, it was a tough loss for New York.

Out of the Abyss

Knicks Film School • 952 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Games
  1. The Knicks are starting a new basketball season tonight, which is exciting for fans after a long wait since their last important game.
  2. Several NBA players received contract extensions recently, highlighting the team's investments in their players for the future.
  3. The past years for the Knicks were tough, especially with bad trades that made the team's situation worse, but there's hope for improvement this season.

Who Should be the Fifth Starter?

Knicks Film School • 753 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Games
  1. There's a debate about who should start as the fifth player on the team, with a focus on Deuce McBride and Josh Hart. Fans have strong opinions on who would be better.
  2. The idea of happiness comes up, suggesting that sometimes people aren’t satisfied and always want more, even if the team seems set for the season.
  3. As the team moves toward the opening night, discussions around player choices are heating up, reflecting ongoing excitement and anticipation for the season.
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Integer programming easily encloses horse

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 968 implied HN points • 15 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Games
  1. The horse-enclosure puzzle can be encoded as an integer program using binary variables for walls and for whether a tile can escape, with linear constraints that enforce adjacency and boundaries, so solvers can quickly find and certify optimal enclosures.
  2. Integer programming is a hugely practical and powerful tool for discrete optimization: even though it’s NP-hard in theory, modern solvers solve many real-world instances very fast and reliably.
  3. Whether a combinatorial problem is fun depends on legibility and the right level of difficulty, and many NP-complete problems can be made engaging with a good interface; it’s not obvious whether this specific puzzle is provably NP-complete.

What does it mean to cheat at poker?

The Leap • 619 implied HN points • 26 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Games
  1. Cheating in poker can involve bending or breaking the rules to gain an unfair advantage. It's important to understand what constitutes cheating to maintain fair play.
  2. Angle-shooting is a gray area in poker where players exploit loopholes in the rules without outright cheating. This behavior can create tension and mistrust among players.
  3. Understanding the meaning of rules and how they are enforced is vital in poker. It helps ensure that everyone is playing the game fairly and enjoying the experience.

Staying Relevant in a Post-AI World

Let's talk games & AI. • 15 implied HN points • 17 Mar 26
🕹 Technology Games
  1. Surface-level polish can hide core flaws and create false positives. Always put a bare prototype in front of users first and make evaluation an explicit, scheduled step before you add polish.
  2. AI speeds up production but not judgment, so faster generation shouldn’t force faster review. Don’t let generation volume set your review pace—deliberate discernment must be preserved.
  3. As AI and automated testing scale, volume and measurement can replace human taste, making distribution the real advantage. Build and nurture an audience now because reach will matter more once creation commoditizes.

Best of 2025

Obvious Bicycle • 526 implied HN points • 30 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Games
  1. A huge annual roundup of favorite media and experiences across movies, music, books, games, videos, and tech.
  2. The selections blend timeless classics with fresh 2025 releases and are presented as ranked lists for films, songs, albums, TV shows, and games.
  3. Live events and practical tools made a big impression too — memorable concerts and theatre, a Waymo self‑driving ride, and recommended software and hardware shaped the year.

Playing your best, up to the end

The Leap • 339 implied HN points • 19 Jul 24
🎾 Sports Games
  1. Playing your best is important, even when things look tough. It helps you learn and grow, no matter the outcome.
  2. Tracking your progress can give you valuable insights, especially when it comes to unexpected results. It’s a great way to see where you stand.
  3. Life can be like poker; sometimes you don't win, but that doesn’t mean you didn’t play well or that you can’t improve for next time.

Vol. 2, Issue 32 - Carrie's Pokémon Memories

Johto Times • 119 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Games
  1. Carrie had a memorable Pokémon-themed birthday party in 1999, where everything was decorated with Pokémon. She had a blast with her friends and even got some cool Pokémon gifts, including cards and games.
  2. The Pokémon series played a big role in Carrie's childhood, helping her make friends and enjoy fun experiences like playing video games and trading cards. She has many happy memories that she cherishes.
  3. Even as an adult, Carrie still loves Pokémon and continues to play the games. The franchise has remained a positive and nostalgic part of her life throughout the years.

A Calming Low Winter Sky of Links & Recs

Culture Study • 2846 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Games
  1. It's nice to spend time doing things that make you feel relaxed and at home, like gardening or cooking. Simple activities can bring joy and comfort, especially in winter.
  2. Trying new things, like a fun game or a good book, can be a great way to break the routine and keep things interesting. Sharing these experiences makes them even better.
  3. Enjoying time with family and friends, such as skiing and having fun moments together, helps strengthen relationships and creates memorable experiences.

Silver clouds over Memphis

Good Morning It's Basketball • 786 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Games
  1. Ja Morant is out for the season with a shoulder injury, affecting the Grizzlies and broader NBA.
  2. The Grizzlies will get a high draft pick due to their current situation.
  3. The Grizzlies won't make hasty win-now trades and can focus on long-term development.

The World Series of Poker Starts Tomorrow

Matt’s Five Points • 219 implied HN points • 27 May 24
🎭️ Culture Games
  1. Poker isn't just a card game; it's a gambling game that really depends on money decisions. Unlike other card games, poker's fun mostly comes from the stakes involved, not the actual cards.
  2. No-Limit Hold'em is super popular but not ideal for casual games. It's better to play games with betting limits to keep it fun and relaxed among friends.
  3. The poker scene has changed a lot in the past 20 years. Players today have access to sophisticated strategies and tools, making the competition tougher and more global than ever.

Tuesday Thread: What Games Are You Playing?

Culture Study • 1654 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Games
  1. There's a new series where people share about their work lives and how they manage their time. It will help others learn how different professionals organize their days.
  2. The focus is on understanding how people protect their time and handle tasks like emails. This can give useful insights for managing one's own work.
  3. Participants will do their interviews using Google Docs, making it easy for everyone to share and read their experiences.

The Creative Playground

Ralph Ammer • 825 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Games
  1. The secret to jumpstarting creativity is having fun and being immersed in a game with clear goals and rules.
  2. Drawing exercises are like structured games that set creative limitations to free up our creativity.
  3. To build a creative playground, make variations, limit your time, pick a format, and focus on improving a skill.

What makes a card game great?

Matt’s Five Points • 219 implied HN points • 12 May 24
🎭️ Culture Games
  1. A great card game needs meaningful strategy. Players should be able to make decisions that can really affect the outcome, making the game more engaging and exciting.
  2. The game should be easy to learn and quick to set up. If new players can't grasp the rules in about ten minutes, they may lose interest before they even get to play.
  3. It’s important for the game to have little to no downtime. Everyone should stay involved and be able to play continuously to keep the fun going.

What time is it? Players' only meeting time HOO

Good Morning It's Basketball • 963 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🎾 Sports Games
  1. The Bulls had a strong start to the season but need improvement in offensive rebounds and field goal percentage from key players.
  2. Kristaps Porzingis made a significant impact in his Celtics debut with 30 points, changing the team dynamics.
  3. The Chicago Bulls faced a rough start to the season, leading to a players' only meeting after a brutal home loss.

I'm writing a book about Oh Hell

Matt’s Five Points • 199 implied HN points • 11 May 24
🎭️ Culture Games
  1. The author is writing a book on Oh Hell, a card game they love and play often. They want to share their passion and knowledge about the game with others.
  2. There is no existing book on Oh Hell, unlike many other card games, which motivates the author to fill this gap in the market.
  3. The book will mix strategy tips with personal stories about the game, showcasing its fun and competitive nature while engaging a broad audience.

You can't spell VEGAS POKER without E-V and R-A-K-E

Matt’s Five Points • 99 implied HN points • 26 Jun 24
🎾 Sports Games
  1. Public poker tournaments can be tougher to profit from than home games because of the rake. The rake is a cut the casino takes, making it harder for players to win money.
  2. Expected value (EV) is important in poker. Good players can have positive EV, while many players in public games are actually losing players due to the rake.
  3. Starting a home poker game can be a better option for recreational players. Without the rake, more players can win, making it a more enjoyable experience.

The Memphis Grisly

Good Morning It's Basketball • 727 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🎾 Sports Games
  1. The Memphis Grizzlies are off to a rough start with a 0-5 record.
  2. Injuries and suspensions have significantly impacted the Grizzlies' performance.
  3. The Grizzlies are struggling offensively and facing challenges with their lineup decisions.

Under the microscope: Small Soldiers (PlayStation)

Rings of Saturn • 14 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Games
  1. The game packs eight button presses into a 32‑bit value (X=0, Square=1, Circle=2, Triangle=3) and extracts fields for starting level, difficulty, three ammo bits, and a checksum; the password is valid if the checksum equals the sum of the other fields and the values are within allowed ranges.
  2. Because the checksum is just the sum of level + difficulty + ammo, you can generate every valid level password programmatically; the three ammo bits map to the Rebound, Star Bolt, and Big Blast weapons, so a small script produces a complete set of passwords beyond the common Normal‑difficulty lists.
  3. There are static special passwords that trigger cheats (movie, invulnerability, all weapons) and two undocumented codes — one plays the staff credits, and the other, if entered twice, opens a cheat screen to pick starting level and toggle invulnerability/weapons; the full generation script is on GitHub.

2025 in Review

the shimmering void • 46 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Games
  1. Hands-on experimentation with LLMs and custom tools drove progress, and tight feedback loops proved more valuable than following hype or consuming social media.
  2. I reconnected with creative roots by shipping a game while making 50+ prototypes, plus music and art experiments, to reclaim playfulness and escape productised game design.
  3. I shifted from breadth to depth by prioritising archival work and refactoring my thinking, and now plan to clarify a design philosophy, pursue more meaningful software, and treat art and meditation as serious practices.

Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets are unbothered

Good Morning It's Basketball • 668 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🎾 Sports Games
  1. The Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic, have a history of being unbothered even in disappointing finishes.
  2. Despite setbacks like injuries and playoff losses, Jokic and the Nuggets have remained unbothered and resilient.
  3. The Nuggets have established dominance over their rivals, like the Los Angeles Lakers, and seem unfazed by challenges.

Succeeding at Failing

RPG Design Theories • 687 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Games
  1. Desire can drive success or failure in games, not just decisions and die rolls.
  2. Players can want their characters to fail for the sake of the story, leading to deeper character development.
  3. RPGs can offer immersion where players experience the story or participation where they help create it, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

The Toxic Pursuit of Greatness in Chess (w/ Brin-Jonathan Butler) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 70 implied HN points • 06 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Games
  1. For a small, obsessive group, chess can act like a narcotic that consumes lives, driving extreme devotion, mental breakdown, and the loss of broader education or skills.
  2. Elite chess culture prizes domination and status, encouraging sadistic, hypercompetitive behavior where winning isolates and often masks deep insecurity.
  3. The modern chess ecosystem has structural problems: only top players earn well, technology makes cheating easier, and persistent misogyny and hostile atmospheres keep many women and newcomers out.

Milwaukee shocker

Good Morning It's Basketball • 569 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🎾 Sports Games
  1. Giannis Antetokounmpo signed a surprise extension with the Milwaukee Bucks before the season, surprising many.
  2. The Bucks seem to be planning ahead with Giannis for future contracts and competitiveness.
  3. This move could alleviate some pressure on the Bucks for the upcoming season.

Luna’s Landing is LIVE!

The Lunacian • 828 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🔮 Crypto Games
  1. Luna's Landing is now live, and players can explore the rarest plots in the game. Landowners can play on their plots while everyone else can visit them in the Homeland.
  2. These plots have special features like starting at higher levels for resources, which means players can find better rewards nearby. This helps all players, not just landowners.
  3. Players with Luna's Landing plots will earn a lot more Ancient Coins than others, and there's a good chance they'll get bonus rewards like Moonfall Tickets.

I Lost on Jeopardy!

Sucks to Suck • 550 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🎭️ Culture Games
  1. The author lost on Jeopardy! but was okay with it.
  2. Being on Jeopardy! was a unique experience, with behind-the-scenes moments of interest.
  3. Losing on Jeopardy! meant missing out on potential prize money, but the author found camaraderie and closure in the experience.

Happy Opening Day!

Mets Fix • 412 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Games
  1. Baseball fans celebrate Opening Day with special memories and stories.
  2. The New York Mets have a strong history of winning on Opening Day.
  3. New rules and exciting matchups mark the start of the 2023 baseball season.

Statement Game

Knicks Film School • 912 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Games
  1. The Knicks had a successful season with a big victory over the Heat.
  2. Despite injuries, the Knicks showcased the power of their bench players.
  3. Immanuel Quickley's emergence as a star is transforming the Knicks' narrative.

The Lone Toad Newsletter - March 2024

The Lone Toad - Croaker RPGs Newsletter • 159 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Games
  1. The Lone Toad newsletter is going bi-monthly, offering more content and free-flowing thoughts on Solo RPG development.
  2. Exciting new RPG called Substratum Protocol by Pandion Games launching on Backerkit March 26th, offering a unique solo survival mystery experience.
  3. Croaker RPGs is continuously releasing new games like Night Terror and An Antique Land, with more to come like the Lost City of Cargoth, showcasing their dedication to creating engaging RPG content.

Nevermore

Secretum Secretorum • 454 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Games
  1. Sports can evoke strong emotions and create alternate realities in our minds. After a tough loss, it can be helpful to imagine a better outcome.
  2. There are words or ideas that can deeply affect us, either breaking us down or helping us heal. It's important to recognize both the harsh truths and the potential for recovery.
  3. In life, teamwork and understanding are crucial. Just like in sports, everyone plays a role, and being supportive can help everyone move forward together.

Database Review

Zwischenzug • 353 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
🎾 Sports Games
  1. In poker, understanding strategy requires looking at the big picture over many hands.
  2. Chess is a game of specifics and calculation, unlike poker which has too many possibilities to calculate precisely.
  3. In both chess and poker, it's essential to have a global view of your strategy to identify and correct systematic mistakes.