Friends, it has taken me several days to muster the strenght to write this post, and by now you have no doubt heard that our wonderful, beautiful, talented Nick has passed in his sleep this Saturday night. Brave, witty and incredibly funny do not even begin to describe the person he was.

I remember seeing this commercial for the first time and crying. KH2 catches flack but it was amazing when it released.

Health update: I had one night of sleep but I’m back to not sleeping. My whole body feels weighted and cold and I have a huge hard lump on my arm that they theorize is a swollen lymphoid. They took a flu/corona test and I should know the results tomorrow. I’ll let everyone know the results.

Say it with me now- placeholder assets are supposed to be bright and obvious so you DON’T ship with them. Also it doesn’t matter if no ai-generated assets are in the final executable?? The rising sea levels aren’t gonna be like “oh well no one saw that so the climate change doesn’t count”

Who are my Abbot girlies? I just wrapped season 4 and can’t get over it being in KH 4. Sora parkouring through the streets of PA. Babs being a Fairy who replaces her Biblical talk with talk of Light. Ava gets possessed by Darknes, Janine joins the party where she cast light spells. I just love it.

Doing my annual viny fundraiser for those unhoused and hungry in the KC area. Rare/well-loved items up for sale through the Discogs website, and every dollar goes directly to area organizations. Looking for something for yourself/friend in the soundtrack/rock world? www.discogs.com/seller/riots...

kh3 ending

Someone accused me of using AI to write this review which is bafflingly funny to me.

hey, i'm looking for work! full-time or freelance 💜 journalist, critic, author proficient in features, criticism, reporting, reviews, previews, news, guides words at lost in cult, RPS, VGC, unwinnable, gamesradar+, polygon, EDGE, PLAY muckrack.com/ash-like-a-d... [email protected]

Me looking at the bears showing up on my Instagram feed.

I finished Dexter tonight — as in, I just cleared the last series on top of the two previous series and the prequel — and it’s really been one of the most enjoyable shows I’ve seen.

Ah, men.

Shout out to everyone in Québec who just shit themselves from that random testing of the Alert Ready.

Downloading Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road and I want to play it so bad that the download time is killing me. This will be my first Inazuma game and I’m really excited. I think I might try to recruit all 5,400 characters!

Men only want one thing (to fight someone on top of a moving train)

Gagged me a bit, not gonna lie.

Started Dexter: New Blood yesterday and it’s miles better than any of the post-four season of the original series.

Me at my first Pride parade.

Penguins vs Maple Leafs tonight. It feels sacrilegious to go against a Canadian team seeing as how I’ve lived here for five years but I’m rooting for the Penguins tonight. I’m Québecois now and that means I’m legally obligated to root against Toronto.

Today makes one year of my new lungs and one year of my hospitalization. Let me tell you, a year in the hospital puts a lot of your life into perspective.

So close to Tales of Xillia unlocking on Switch 👁️👄👁️

Still feels so weird to have been in the hospital for a year. I haven’t even seen my cat for a while year. Haven’t slept in my bed or cuddled with my husband in a year. Had to pass for the first time in years on reviewing NHL for IGN. This shit sucks.

I’m playing Final Fantasy Tactics for the first time, and is Ramza supposed to be so effortlessly cool? Because wow this guy is cool.

I don't think KH is complicated. I think KH fans over complicate things with Russian-Novel length theories. AND I LOVE THAT PEOPLE WRITE THEM but I don't love the fallout when they end up not happening.

“Home” by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros sounds like how autumn feels.

It’s never too late to play the best MonHun game (aside from 4)

when i tell a man about my special interest

Are you or someone you know skipping GDC (or considering doing so) because of worries about coming to the US/San Francisco in the current environment? If so, I want to hear from you for a piece. DM me here or kyle DOT orland AT arstechnica DOT com. Please spread the word

My buddies @cabletown.bsky.social and @regularpat.bsky.social have a fantastic KH fandom positivity podcast that’s equal parts hysterical and heartwarming. Don’t miss the season finale!

Amy worked on the advertising side of Game Informer for 18 years starting in 2002. We were incredibly saddened to hear of her sudden passing and are wishing the best for her family. www.gofundme.com/f/help-ava-c...

i truly believe some art director was like “hey, you know the Nevermind album cover?”

The world would be better if we had a new Trauma Center/Trauma Team game.

My first review for @nintendolife.com is up! Despite my gripes, I had a lot of fun playing Patapon; it certainly passed the time in the hospital. www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nint...

My first review for @nintendolife.com is up! Despite my gripes, I had a lot of fun playing Patapon; it certainly passed the time in the hospital. www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nint...

No because this is some real bullshit, actually.

So proud of my besties @frootoon.bsky.social, @regularpat.bsky.social, and @cabletown.bsky.social for their well deserved wins!! 😊

I’m looking for consultant work while I’m in the hospital. RPGs are my specialty but I’ve covered everything from RPGs to bullet hell. If you’re in PR and have a Steam Deck or Switch 2/Switch opportunity, hit me up in my DMs! Shares appreciated. You can find my work here: linktr.ee/nickransbott...

Living in Montréal starter pack

REMEMBER: All the "Don't use em-dashes" "don't use rule of three" advice because it makes your writing "look like AI" is because they stole actual writers work, and their "predict the next thing" stuff just simulates what WE FUCKING DO. Keep writing well. Use every style and trick you have. Fuck AI.

Man, @dateeverythinggame.bsky.social has me in stitches and the character designs are just genius. Can’t recommend this game enough.

I’ve been in the hospital since October recovering from a double lung transplant. I’m in desperate need of financial aid for my bills— I’m down to only $500 in my entire life savings. If you can help even a dollar, it helps tremendously, as does sharing this GoFundMe. gofund.me/4146e677

The outpour of love and kindness that’s come from this is indescribable. It’s truly made my heart swell, and my husband and I both thank everyone involved. Whether you donate $1 or spread the word, you’re tremendously helpful and wonderful. Thank you so, so much.

I’ve been in the hospital since October recovering from a double lung transplant. I’m in desperate need of financial aid for my bills— I’m down to only $500 in my entire life savings. If you can help even a dollar, it helps tremendously, as does sharing this GoFundMe. gofund.me/4146e677

Friends and colleagues! I'm still very much looking for both freelance review and consultant work. I now own a Switch 2 FWIW as well. Please take a moment to share if you can as money is getting tighter and tighter, and I really would love to work on some assignments. My DMs are open!