Gonçalo Santos
@mushwrites.bsky.social
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Freelance writer on all things videogames.
https://buttonmusher.substack.com/
pinned post!
"We were worried about how our Monster Sanctuary community would react to the change in genre"- moi rai games' community-first approach to game development with Aethermancer How
@moiraigames.bsky.social
are striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built.
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"We were worried about how our Monster Sanctuary community would react to the change in genre"- moi rai games' community-first approach to game development with Aethermancer
Interview with the studio behind indie hit Monster Sanctuary on how they're striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built as they develop Aethermancer.
https://buttonmusher.substack.com/p/we-were-worried-about-how-our-monster
about 1 month ago
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Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
11 days ago
if there are any sites looking for a freelancer to review/cover yakuza kiwami 3 who has also reviewed infinite wealth + pirate yakuza and wrote about the series at length in the past, i'm truly the girl for it 💜 aware this is a little early shares appreciated 💜
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youtu.be/icR8vvu5UuY?...
a comprehensive and nuanced piece of criticism of gen-AI in videogames and condensed into an 11 minute video, great stuff.
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I Was Wrong About Ethical AI in Games
YouTube video by Laura Fryer
https://youtu.be/icR8vvu5UuY?si=iChUPB0ucFpeIrHR
12 days ago
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This Week in Videogames
15 days ago
We spoke to a dozen professional concept artists who are currently or have previously worked in game development about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs any easier. Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
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Concept Artists Say Generative AI References Only Make Their Jobs Harder
“The ‘early ideation stages’, when worlds are being fleshed out by writers and artists, are literally crucial to the development of a game’s vision,” said one artist.
https://thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/concept-artists-in-games-say-generative-ai-references-only-make-their-jobs-harder/
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Jacob Geller
13 days ago
Buried in this article are FIVE DIFFERENT WIP versions of Begin Again. Unbelievably cool.
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jasmine james
14 days ago
Ending the work year feeling very thankful and unbelievably privileged to have worked with so many great people and talented teams who've trusted me with their games as a freelancer. Shoutout to all of the press and creator pals who've believed in those titles and have shown them some love, too 💛
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George E. Osborn
15 days ago
I love handing over Game of the Year to VGIM readers. A small way for the community to show some love to the games that mattered to them.
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Rebekah Valentine
16 days ago
the good news is that the media attention and support from an audience has helped Horses do well enough that Santa Ragione has been able to pay all its owed royalties and loans. so it's not in debt. the bad news is it's still not enough to keep the studio together.
www.ign.com/articles/hor...
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Horses Sells Over 18k Copies, Pays Back Loans and Royalties Despite Removal From Steam and Epic - IGN
Horses, the indie horror game that was banned from both Steam and the Epic Games Store ahead of its launch two weeks ago, has nonetheless managed to sell over 18,000 copies, says publisher Santa Ragio...
https://www.ign.com/articles/horses-sells-over-18k-copies-pays-back-loans-and-royalties-despite-removal-from-steam-and-epic
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Stu Horvath
16 days ago
Subscribe to Unwinnable before the end of the year and get all the 2025 issues free! That's twelve issues of Unwinnable Monthly AND twelve issues of Exploits for five clams. Feed your brain over the holidays!
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
(
@unwinnable.com
)
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Jason Schreier
17 days ago
If I had known the two paragraphs about genAI in my article today would be so controversial, I would have expanded them a bit! Here's a rough transcript of the relevant portion of my interview with Swen Vincke, so everyone has all the context. (Full article here:
www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
)
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ashley bardhan
18 days ago
this interview is essential reading for SILENT HILL fans 🐜🦟🦗 i know i wrote it 🤧 but 😇😈 silent hill f producer motoi okamoto and scriptwriter ryukishi07 were just so honest with me about their vision for the franchise, and what they need from you...
www.gamesradar.com/games/silent...
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Silent Hill f writer knows you don't really want to see "a happily ever after," and the game's horrific portrayal of young womanhood makes it my GOTY
Year in Review 2025 | Konami returns to Silent Hill with a steel pipe and a wedding veil
https://www.gamesradar.com/games/silent-hill/silent-hill-f-writer-knows-you-dont-really-want-to-see-a-happily-ever-after-and-the-games-horrific-portrayal-of-young-womanhood-makes-it-my-goty/
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Emma Kidwell | Looking for work ✨
21 days ago
I know the holidays are the worst for hiring but I'm still looking for work :') my website goes into detail on my contributions to Civ VII, MMS, and Hindsight:
emmkid.info
I'm quick, adaptable, and eager to learn from smart people who enjoy abusing custom slack emotes
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Gonçalo Santos
@alphanomos.bsky.social
is a delight and you should be playing the demo right now (especially if you've been itching for something similar to Hifi Rush)! ✍️ Brawling On The Beat
@aiig.bsky.social
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Brawling On Beat: Alpha Nomos
Beat the cursed toys on beat in this rhythm roguelite arena fighting game.
https://open.substack.com/pub/indiegames/p/brawling-on-beat-alpha-nomos?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=25xipc
30 days ago
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Gonçalo Santos
My review of Scrabdackle, a special game almost solely made by an ambitious, talented maniac called
@jakefriend.bsky.social
. Not only is Scrabdackle fun to say, it is incredibly fun to play. My personal pick for 2025's hidden gem. Congratulations to jake and
@fellowtraveller.games
.
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Scrabdackle- The Best Metroidvania You've Never Heard of
How jakefriend (and friends) scribbled an unexpectedly complex world into existence.
https://open.substack.com/pub/buttonmusher/p/scrabdackle-the-best-metroidvania?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer
26 days ago
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My review of Scrabdackle, a special game almost solely made by an ambitious, talented maniac called
@jakefriend.bsky.social
. Not only is Scrabdackle fun to say, it is incredibly fun to play. My personal pick for 2025's hidden gem. Congratulations to jake and
@fellowtraveller.games
.
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Scrabdackle- The Best Metroidvania You've Never Heard of
How jakefriend (and friends) scribbled an unexpectedly complex world into existence.
https://open.substack.com/pub/buttonmusher/p/scrabdackle-the-best-metroidvania?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer
26 days ago
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Not one, but two classic literature quotes in a review of a Doom 2 total conversion mod. Beautiful
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28 days ago
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Chris Schilling
28 days ago
Working with Ash on her brilliant VA-11 Hall-A book has been comfortably among the most enjoyable things I've done in 2025. Please consider commissioning her!
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Portuguese-made goodness.
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29 days ago
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Great read! Parry fatigue is a real thing now that it seems ubiquitous in games, but a good implementation of it can still be excellent (Sekiro, my beloved). The interviewed devs seem to agree that the key is finding the fine line between frustratingly difficult and game-breakingly easy.
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29 days ago
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jasmine james
30 days ago
Kotaku are looking for freelance contributors (rate info in the link)
bsky.app/profile/kota...
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Looks better and better!
add a skeleton here at some point
30 days ago
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@alphanomos.bsky.social
is a delight and you should be playing the demo right now (especially if you've been itching for something similar to Hifi Rush)! ✍️ Brawling On The Beat
@aiig.bsky.social
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Brawling On Beat: Alpha Nomos
Beat the cursed toys on beat in this rhythm roguelite arena fighting game.
https://open.substack.com/pub/indiegames/p/brawling-on-beat-alpha-nomos?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=25xipc
30 days ago
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Luke Plunkett
about 1 month ago
5000 is such a psychological barrier, breaking it is gonna rule. thanks to everyone who has subbed so far, I hope you're enjoying it all, but also if you haven't, a reminder that we're running a $1 sale at the moment!
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Santa Ragione
about 1 month ago
Our upcoming game HORSES was preemptively banned from Steam, with no path to appeal. The game will still launch next week on December 2nd and will be available on EGS, GOG, Humble, and Itch for $4.99. Here is a detailed FAQ covering what happened:
horses.wtf/BannedFromSt...
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Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
about 1 month ago
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]
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John Walker - Industry Analcyst
about 1 month ago
Hello indies! It's almost Thanksgaming 2025! If you have an unknown indie project in dev or just released, please could you email me at
[email protected]
with the subject "THANKSGAMING 2025", and a store page and YouTube link? I'll put as many as I can on Kotaku. Rules next. Reposts appreciated!
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Excellent scoop from VGIM. Steam has a monopoly on PC storefronts and they've proven that they will cower to autocratic ideals. This is why monopolies are bad and stores like GOG and EGS should be relevant. As it stands, there is no relevant competitor that Flick Games can go to be sold in Russia.
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about 1 month ago
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Gonçalo Santos
"We were worried about how our Monster Sanctuary community would react to the change in genre"- moi rai games' community-first approach to game development with Aethermancer How
@moiraigames.bsky.social
are striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built.
loading . . .
"We were worried about how our Monster Sanctuary community would react to the change in genre"- moi rai games' community-first approach to game development with Aethermancer
Interview with the studio behind indie hit Monster Sanctuary on how they're striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built as they develop Aethermancer.
https://buttonmusher.substack.com/p/we-were-worried-about-how-our-monster
about 1 month ago
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"We were worried about how our Monster Sanctuary community would react to the change in genre"- moi rai games' community-first approach to game development with Aethermancer How
@moiraigames.bsky.social
are striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built.
loading . . .
"We were worried about how our Monster Sanctuary community would react to the change in genre"- moi rai games' community-first approach to game development with Aethermancer
Interview with the studio behind indie hit Monster Sanctuary on how they're striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built as they develop Aethermancer.
https://buttonmusher.substack.com/p/we-were-worried-about-how-our-monster
about 1 month ago
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Gonçalo Santos
Chris Bratt
about 1 month ago
EXCLUSIVE: So far it's been unclear what proof Rockstar Games has to justify its firing of 34 union members, who it claims were leaking "confidential information in a public forum". PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
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The Messages Rockstar Saw Before Firing 34 Union Members
YouTube video by People Make Games
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvWNFBBwuY
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Gonçalo Santos
Frog Team 👁️ ONIRIA
about 1 month ago
Wishlist our horror game Oniria on Steam 👁️
store.steampowered.com/app/3727380/...
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Oniria on Steam
Oniria is a first-person psychological horror game with a retro aesthetic. Explore the village by solving puzzles and evading the strange presence that haunts it. Experience Angy's present in 3D, and ...
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3727380/Oniria/
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Chris Kerr
about 1 month ago
NEW: In a court exhibit obtained by Game Developer, former Unknown Worlds exec Charlie Cleveland outlines a plan to take down Krafton. The document—entitled 'Litigation Help'—suggests Krafton will struggle to win in a Delaware court and describes Korea as the "Joe Pesci of countries."
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How one Unknown Worlds exec sought to take down Krafton
Charlie Cleveland seemingly documents advice from former Nexon CEO Owen Mahoney in a series of notes submitted as evidence in his trial against Krafton.
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-korea-they-are-the-joe-pesci-of-countries-unknown-worlds-co-founder-compiles-plan-to-take-on-krafton-in-newly-surfaced-litigation-help-document
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Here is the first edition of Monday Mushings, my weekly newsletter covering what I’ve been playing, who I’ve been reading, and why you should care.
buttonmusher.substack.com/p/monday-mus...
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Monday Mushings- November 17th, 2025
Anno 117, Arc Raiders, Dishonored, and five excellent pieces.
https://buttonmusher.substack.com/p/monday-mushings-november-17th-2025
about 1 month ago
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Good Game Lobby
about 2 months ago
It was great to have Luna review the game and I loved talking about a review before release! Thanks Luna! I loved her insights into the gameplay and coziness in a survival game. Check out the review!
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Linked to the wrong piece 😅 here is the right one:
open.substack.com/pub/buttonmu...
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about 2 months ago
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Here is my third and final article (at least for now) covering my time
@devgamm.bsky.social
Lisbon 2025. I muse on what made this conference so cool, why it seemed much more optimistic than the industry as a whole, and highlight the coolest business cards I collected.
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DevGamm Lisbon 2025 Award Winners
Helping smaller game creators reach for the stars.
https://buttonmusher.substack.com/p/devgamm-lisbon-2025-award-winners
about 2 months ago
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I have a bit of a devil’s advocate take on the Eurogamer review Arc Raiders. Using AI TTS to replacing voice actors is undeniably bad and distopic, but is that really what is happening here? Embark is a studio inserted squarely in the AA scope.
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about 2 months ago
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Chris Bratt
about 2 months ago
I went to meet the 'Rockstar 31', the developers who were suddenly fired from their work on GTA 6 for what the studio has described as gross misconduct. That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
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The Rockstar Workers Fired Before They Could Finish GTA 6
YouTube video by People Make Games
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nOwjeznjI
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Aftermath
about 2 months ago
For non-subscribers, here's a gift: For the next 30 days, Aftermath subscriptions for new readers are on sale at $1 for your first month:
aftermath.ghost.io/11-06-2025...
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Luke Plunkett
about 2 months ago
read the site but never subscribed? you can get a month for $1. try it out, read some blogs, support worker-owned media. been hesitant to give us your cc details? fair! we now accept link, google pay and apple pay as well. been a $7 subscriber but wanted to comment? now you can comment!
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Luke Plunkett
about 2 months ago
WE HAVE A NEW WEBSITE This has consumed around 4 months of my life. We've rebuilt the business from the ground-up. New site, new backend, new customer experience, new platform, new everything. we spent two years flailing, having no idea how to run a business. now...we have more of an idea.
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Here is my second piece covering my time at
@devgamm.bsky.social
Portugal 2025. I go over the 8 most interesting games I played at the event and my experience talking to some of the developers. I challenge you to finish this piece without at least a new game on your Steam Wishlist.
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8 DevGAMM Portugal 2025 Games To Add To Your Wishlist
Here are the most interesting titles I played at the event.
https://open.substack.com/pub/buttonmusher/p/8-devgamm-portugal-2025-games-to?r=25xipc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
about 2 months ago
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Here is my second piece covering my time at
@devgamm.bsky.social
Portugal 2025. I go over the 8 most interesting games I played at the event and my experience talking to some of the developers. I challenge you to finish this piece without at least a new game on your Steam Wishlist.
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8 DevGAMM Portugal 2025 Games To Add To Your Wishlist
Here are the most interesting titles I played at the event.
https://open.substack.com/pub/buttonmusher/p/8-devgamm-portugal-2025-games-to?r=25xipc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
about 2 months ago
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Great piece! I spent the last day of Next Fest playing Final Sentence and it was a genuinely stressful experience, loved it.
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about 2 months ago
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Nicole Carpenter
about 2 months ago
my first for gamespot, about the typing games that are doing a bunch of fun things with the genre:
www.gamespot.com/articles/typ...
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Typing Games Are Cool Again Thanks To Wildly Unexpected Twists
Typing games have come a long way since Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing.
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/typing-games-are-cool-again-thanks-to-wildly-unexpected-twists/1100-6535830/
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buttonmusher.substack.com/p/devgamm-li...
Here is the first part of my
@devgamm.bsky.social
Lisbon 2025 coverage: Award Winners. I'll recommend games that I played in another piece, but this list is curated by people a lot more qualified than me. Prepare your Wishlists and hide your wallets.
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DevGamm Lisbon 2025 Award Winners
Helping smaller game creators reach for the stars.
https://buttonmusher.substack.com/p/devgamm-lisbon-2025-award-winners
about 2 months ago
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Gonçalo Santos
Blue Prince Out Now!
about 2 months ago
A plea for help. 🙏 One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor. His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
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buttonmusher.substack.com/p/devgamm-li...
Here is the first part of my
@devgamm.bsky.social
Lisbon 2025 coverage: Award Winners. I'll recommend games that I played in another piece, but this list is curated by people a lot more qualified than me. Prepare your Wishlists and hide your wallets.
loading . . .
DevGamm Lisbon 2025 Award Winners
Helping smaller game creators reach for the stars.
https://buttonmusher.substack.com/p/devgamm-lisbon-2025-award-winners
about 2 months ago
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Gonçalo Santos
Nicole Carpenter
2 months ago
update: 😭😭😭😭
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Exploring A Planet From An ER Waiting Room. ✍️ How a tiny game had the power to transport me from a stressful situation into a small planet where I just had to make five deliveries. Thank you to
@lukeplunkett.com
at
@aftermath.site
for showing me this gem. Go play
messenger.abeto.co
now!
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Exploring A Planet From An ER Waiting Room
"It's a small planet, but someone's gotta make the deliveries."
https://open.substack.com/pub/buttonmusher/p/exploring-a-planet-from-an-er-waiting?r=25xipc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
3 months ago
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Game Developer
3 months ago
'Gaming is the new oil:' How the EA buyout 'diverges from the traditional playbook'
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'Gaming is the new oil:' How the EA buyout 'diverges from the traditional playbook'
Analysts explain how the high-risk leveraged buyout will impact Electronic Arts and the video game industry.
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-gaming-is-the-new-oil-how-the-ea-buyout-diverges-from-the-traditional-playbook-?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky
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