One more example of the ‘cardification’ of PAX, and gaming. Nerdier than Califorinication and not dire like enshitification.

Here’s a blast from the not too distant past. Listening to the Hi-Fi Rush Soundtrack on the train into #PAXAus today. The Elsinore cover of Fiona Apple’s ‘Fast As You Can’ is a banger — and the accompanying boss fight is one of the game’s best. RIP Tango Gameworks music.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

PAX Day 2! Thanks everyone :) @bradgoodwin.bsky.social @nomibelle.bsky.social @jaydencusack.bsky.social @bibbybhoy.bsky.social @faultrunner.bsky.social @austingallagher.bsky.social @gdig.bsky.social @jamiegalea.bsky.social @riorobayo.bsky.social @kjpalmer.bsky.social @harrisonpolites.bsky.social

A drink after a jam packed PAX Friday! See you all tommorow! #paxaus2025 @bradgoodwin.bsky.social @alexbestie.com.au @harrisonpolites.bsky.social

All set for an even bigger day at #PAXAUS tomorrow.

Bumper edition of Infinite Lives this week, covering Melb International Games Week. Game dev challenges, AI in games, Roblox and... Neopets? It's all in there.

Melbourne International Games Week is next week! Govt estimations say it will draw more of a crowd than the AFL Grand Final this year -- one of the city's largest events. I look at what makes this event so special and ask those in the industry what they are attending and why.

In today's Inf Lives: @thisweekinvideogames.com, launched by @skillup.bsky.social and @edmondtran.bsky.social, secured 500+ paid subscribers in its first month—a rare feat for any publication. I look at the growing trend of reader-supported platforms in global gaming journalism.

One of the world's oldest gaming studies is Australian. Australia Plays has been running 20 years now, shaping global debate about what the average videogamer looks like. As the data becomes repetitive, I explore the report's future with its creators.

Happy Silksong launch day! It's real! And finally out! In today's column: How did Hollow Knight—15M+ copies sold, an indie rivalling the attention on AAA games — go broadly unrecognised in its home country? Weird, right?

AI and game dev -- it's a pretty polarising topic, to say the least. Spoke to a bunch of devs and industry types on it, on both the good and bad, and here's what I came up with:

Stoked to be part of this awesome post alongside some fantastic game writers! 👏

A cool global collab that I pulled together on Substack. Good place to start if you are looking for gaming writers on that platform. Got a character that you reckon is underrated or unappreciated in a video game? Add it to the list in the comments!

In today’s Infinite Lives I call out some data that surfaced as part of the Digital Platform Services Inquiry by the ACCC. It kinda snuck under the radar when the report launched.

Every so often, a game comes along that makes you think. The Alters is one of those games. Come for the deep ethical questions on cloning and the impact of life choices, or stay away for the debate on Gen AI in games it’s inadvertently created. Here's my review.

Has Nintendo inadvertently put itself on the ACCC’s hit list? Nintendo’s new Terms of Service allows it to brick tampered consoles, but it could breach Australian consumer law. It's a complex issue, and I break it down in this week's Inf Lives.

You may think that 24 player racers mean each and every track is unadulterated chaos. And you would be correct. But the intro or rail and wall riding in this game have quietly made it the most technical we've seen. World record time trial tricks are now a lot more accessible.

Launching the second part of my investigation into game reviews today, this time focusing on journalist reviews. The more I spoke to media reviewers, the more I realised just how much control is exerted with game code distribution.

I spent the past two weeks playing Elden Ring: Nightreign. It may have to do with being in Australia, but no matter what I did I struggled to find a match. Even found two other friends with the game and it wouldn't let us connect. Have a NAT 2 connection. Anyway, I wrote this as a result:

I'm on the cusp of being swept away by Summer Game Fest hype. But before I let the excitement of both the Switch 2 launch and trailer-mania wash over me... a reality check: infinitelives.substack.com/p/the-gaming...

Thank you @sporktank.bsky.social for taking the time to chat to me!

how it started (shitpost) vs how it's going (cryin because I can't believe we just wrapped production on @frostygamesfest.com) open.substack.com/pub/infinite...

Here's something I hope Bluesky can relate to: How a Tweet turned into a global Australian games showcase -- that's featuring as part of Summer Games Fest. infinitelives.substack.com/p/from-twitt...

Played a lot of games over the years that attempt to tackle grief as a concept, and I reckon Expedition 33 nails it. It's not without its flaws, but its a solid story-focused game.

Possibly the best tourism campaign we could ever run. Still after a Switch 2? How about a trip down under? How Australia still has an abundance of Switch 2 preorders for launch — retailers here are even discounting them. infinitelives.substack.com/p/still-afte...

Latest from me. Now you have an article you can point to when somebody says: "I don't get this whole GTA thing? What's the deal with it?"

Sometimes, you just wake up, read some news and have to write on it. I've been part of a media trade sale too. And the contrast to what's happened here is stark, and alarming. Thoughts are with everyone affected by this. Not sure if I can do much, halfway around the world. But it sucks.

Late to the party here, but what's your take on Blue Prince? Did its randomness spurn you from the game? Or did you push through and master its systems? I loved the game, but in this review, I reconcile why others may not.

This week, I delve into how gaming music is going mainstream. I spoke to ABC Classic’s @musophrenic.bsky.social on trend and polled around 20 incredible Substack writers on their favourite tunes. Take a look! (and a listen!)

Despite a focus on new media channels this Australian election, game platforms remain relatively untouched by politicians. But maybe not for much longer. Would you mix politics with your gaming?

My Assassin's Creed Shadows review, as a haiku: Shadows in Japan.
 Beautiful stealth, bloated map.
 Moments shine through flaws. Need more? Full link here:

And they just keep updating it too!

I’m maybe calling it a little early in this review… But I had a great time with this game, and it’s about to be forgotten about amid everything else coming out this year.

Genuinely thought this was a historic game when I saw the trailer.

In lieu of International Pokemon Day, I dig into its competitive scene, just how complex a game it is, and it's cheating scandal.

This week's issue of Multiplier has long been in the works but I'm thrilled to reveal that it features @seamusbyrne.me and myself talking about the past, present and future of Blizzard Entertainment multiplierau.substack.com/p/why-do-bli...

Was an honor to be asked to contribute to this roundup from @harrisonpolites.bsky.social. You’ll never guess who I wrote about 🥰

I'm back for the year with Infinite Lives. Now at post #2 for 2025. (I wanted a longer holiday from having to shill my yarns🫠 ) This week I'm digging into what a new 24-player Mario Kart dog-whistles: Better online functionality for the Switch 2. I also review The Plucky Squire!

OK. I’m back for 2025. Bit of a broader first piece to set the scene. But some cool stats in here about the local industry: infinitelives.substack.com/p/the-switch...

Regarding today’s Switch 2 reveal: One of my first ever articles was about Nintendo’s launch approaches to consoles. There’s no rhyme or reason to them. And, one year on, my Switch OLED still has an annoying scratch! (Article in thread).

I accidentally set today’s post to publish at 9PM instead of AM. Enjoy this nighttime ode to #FinalFantasyXI and #EverQuestOnlineAdventures

@harrisonpolites.bsky.social tagged me in for some 2025 predictions in the latest issue of Infinite Lives. It's always fun to be a guest on someone else's thing and it's good stuff so be sure to check it out!

This makes me think that just by doing the usual dev-made content I'm actually missing a lot interesting stuff in this game...

Does Australia punch above its weight globally with its gaming industry? Maybe, but only just. Quick math based on recent labor figures and a comparative US study. 🇦🇺0.016% of the Aus working population are in the gaming industry. 🇺🇸0.0019% of the US working population are in the gaming industry.

Had fun pulling together this wrap on 2024 and some predictions for next year. Will Nintendo move into VR? Will Ubisoft exacerbate its own problems and what about AI for NPCs? What do you think?

Completely agree with this @lukeplunkett.com. Many (even here) are still surprised to hear Hollow Knight is an Australian game I’ve heard some say that we’re bad at marketing, others blame a lack of local press interest helping amplify the sector. But your piece is a good point all the same.

So I counted four real life brand placements in the new Naughty Dog game trailer. Future of #gaming?

Hoping for a quiet Friday arvo at work so I can watch The Game Awards with mates. It's a surprisingly good show for what it's worth! I know a few Australians are in the room this year.

We’re now one moral panic away from regulating online games as part of our new social media laws and experts are nervous. #Australia #videogames

This is indeed so sad, and exactly what we’ve seen in Australia.