Show HN: Make cursed fonts like Times New Bastard

The Hacker News community is buzzing over "Times New Bastard," a creative web tool that abuses OpenType ligature features to blend different fonts into a single file. By running Python via WebAssembly, the tool allows users to generate "cursed" typography, such as ransom-note styles or fonts that swap words through clever ligatures (e.g., displaying "green" when "red" is typed). Users have praised the tool for its chaotic potential, suggesting applications ranging from playful pranks and game design to creating "self-censoring" fonts or subtle, unsettling text distortions. While some users encountered minor technical glitches on mobile browsers, the overall reception has been enthusiastic—with many describing the results as "diabolical," "beautifully on point," and "lovably infuriating." It has emerged as a hit for designers and hobbyists looking to experiment with the disruptive possibilities of font manipulation.

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Where can I use bastard fonts?

Every download is a normal OpenType font. The swap is a liga contextual substitution registered for every script, so browsers turn it on by default.

It works anywhere OpenType text is shaped: browsers, design tools, print. If a font looks unchanged, check that ligatures aren't switched off in the app you're using.

Any pro tips?

Bastardica can make simple fonts feel a little, hmm, richer? Use Y-offset and scale effects to make glyphs align perfectly.

When mixing 3 or more fonts, they will intersect (e.g. every 5th and every 7th will collide on every 35th). The first font wins. The stride won't break for either.

Use prime numbers for strides, so the mix-in fonts collide more rarely.

Some websites to grab free fonts to play with: Google Fonts, UNCUT, Velvetyne, Font Squirrel, FontSpace, DaFont.

What about font licensing?

Mixing two fonts produces a derivative work, so make sure to check licenses of both source fonts if you plan to use a bastard font commercially. Bastardica adds no conditions of its own. A credit is appreciated, but optional.

Bastardica was inspired by Times New Bastard and Easy Pete.

You can ask me about anything at [email protected]