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Showing posts from May 18, 2025

Restless Pedals: from real-life Bicycle Touring to Game Design

   About Restless Pedals The game grew out of a long-held passion for bicycle touring. Packing my life into a few bags and setting off without knowing where I’ll sleep pushes me far outside my comfort zone—but that uncertainty is also strangely addictive. Life on the road is stripped down to the essentials: a single spoon, fork, and knife; two pots and a stove for my kitchen. My winter jacket becomes extra insulation on cold nights, and a rain poncho doubles as protection for the tent’s ventilation when the weather turns. I captured the essence of bicycle travel into Restless Pedals . At its core is limited bag capacity and the constant decision-making that comes with carrying the right items for each journey. Just like real bike travel, preparation matters. Another essential part of the lifestyle is meeting like-minded people and riding together for a while—and that social element is woven directly into the game. Inventory items are intentio...

Outsmart Scammers in Fez: Lessons from the Medina

Nomadic Tales As a popular destination for international travelers, Morocco sees a constant influx of visitors, which also means ample opportunity for hustlers to refine their craft. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Fez, the ancient walled city, where waves of unsuspecting tourists meet a parallel tide of clever scammers. To be clear, the vast majority of Moroccans are warm, honest, and hospitable. However, the medina’s 9,000 narrow alleys offer a perfect hunting ground for the more opportunistic among the city’s million residents. One of the most profitable cons involves the so-called “faux guide.” These individuals offer to “take you to the medina”, even though you’re already deep inside it. Their real aim is to lead you to overpriced shops and restaurants that offer them a cut, while taking you as quickly as possible outside of medina, where a small gang appears suddenly to mob and intimidate you into paying for their “services”. A common tactic is the classic bai...