One day late, because it's a busy summer holiday already and I didn't want to just rush a post out the door to hit my "streak". thelongplay.bearblog.dev/the-dream-is...

I’m sorry but Paraguay are you okay? What’s with the violence on the football pitch? Geeze.

Honestly, I'm even surprised that I have once again posted a post. Is the habit finally forming? Is it sticking? thelongplay.bearblog.dev/why-even-hav...

Remember the internet before Google, before algorithmic feeds, before monolithic social media corralled us onto the same handful of apps? When small, *personal websites* and webrings linking them together reigned supreme? Time to bring it back.

It’s hot. My son and I have been playing some games in the afternoon to avoid being out in the heat. thelongplay.bearblog.dev/a-heatwave-g...

Oh my gosh. That is so sweet even for a digital doggo. And they can hang out with their other doggo friends. I love this.

wrote something

I am trying to prove to myself that I can do this. So i've picked a little corner on the internet to try and do the thing. I kept my own promise and posted two weeks in a row! Here are my thoughts on the Nintendo Direct, and how I've rewired my brain... thelongplay.bearblog.dev/my-thoughts-...

I was so happy to see Star Fox get the demo! As a kid I found it so hard. I don’t think I ever got past the first level. I really thought that after all these years of gaming I would have gotten better but turns out, it’s still a skill issue 😂 I redid that sharp left/right training way too much 😅

100% Agree! This game is so cozy. I just put it on, put on a podcast, and drive around. And buy all the cars along the side of the road 😂🚗

Taking a break from reviews this week with this opinion piece.

I finally wrote a thing about my experience with Dragon Quest 11s. thelongplay.bearblog.dev/why-dragon-q...

I’ve picked up dragon quest V again, after having put it down for a couple months, and oh my gosh…I just…LOVE dragon quest. There is a version of my life where I give up on the DQXI demo for the last time, and never get to experience this 😅

For some reason it feels like such a hump to open up #pokopia I had planned to just get through the story, but every time I try to boot it up it just feels like a chore 🫣

I wrote a little thing about being a "mom gamer"...then was too scared to post it because it felt dumb to even use a label...but then I realized... I AM a "mom gamer". joanaponder.com/blog/mom-gam...

#Pokopia is cute. Pokopia stresses me out. joanaponder.com/blog/pokopia/

@pewpewbang.bsky.social not @sarahpodz.bsky.social saying “then you’re like walking people. What you’re just doing this for your health? Embarrassing” While I am doing my daily walk…as a 40 year old mom...with no dog 😂 yall were coming for me with this episode 🤣🤣🤣

Yay! My favourite podcast is back! I feel like y'all really captured the female experience in this episode. Kelsey's fear of everyone kicking her out of Pew Pew Bang is so real!

Gosh I'm really liking seeing the full cover art for the games! So glad I finally made that change 😅

Thank you for writing this. I remember hiding my 3ds back when I was in an abusive relationship because I didn’t want my partner to break it in rage (he had already broken my MacBook screen 😵).

I cant stop thinking about #dragonquest y'all. DQ11s was my first. I'm still playing the post game, but there's something about the post game that I'm not super duper about. So I also picked up DQ5 on my 3DS. And oh my gosh...why is it so good?

Made some UI changes to Backlog Explorer...It now shows the full game art and then the information on hover...what do we think?

I hate to be that person, but dang I hope this comes to Switch one day 😅

random gaming memory... playing Super Princess Peach in the SVA elevator on my way to a photo critique class

Yay! One of my favourite blogs is back from holidays!

I’m going to attempt to keep a thread of games I completed this year (2026) 🧵

Hi @chiaracokieng.bsky.social ! I wrote you a letter ✉️ joanaponder.com/letters/lett...

Went back to #dragonquest 11. Gosh…this truly feels less like a “game” game and more like a world and friends I’m visiting.

When I first built my site I felt like it had to be "done" before I shared it. I’ve just reworked a lot of how I write about games and play there, and it’s a good reminder that this is a living practice, not a finished thing. And I'm excited to like actually "work" in there :) joanaponder.com

I did it!! I rolled credits on #dragonquest 11s! A game that I started like a year ago. I know there’s a third act, I know. But for me it was important to roll those credits before the end of the year and I did it! As a notorious non finisher of games, this feels like such a win!

Eee!! 💛 Level Up Journal – Save File 02 is live!! Inside: a deep dive into permission to play. As well as a letter to a game, collages, game thoughts, and a Co-op Mode question for you Flip through it: joanaponder.com/blog/zine-is... #zine #zinepromo

Ellie is always my go to for cozy games! I never manage to leave a video without adding something to my wishlist

Oh my gosh. I’m loving dragon quest 11s. I know it’s taking me forever to get through because I play so sporadically but I’m in act 2 and it’s just so…good! Im constantly smiling and giggling. It’s so good. I’m going to try and finish this game before the end of the year. #dragonquest #backlog

"nowadays I often gravitate towards tips or compilations of things to know before even starting a game." @lunasgaminglog.com put into words exactly how I’ve been feeling about playing games lately. I’m on a little journey to rediscover the child-like wonder of play myself.

I have a Steam curator page where I made lists for hidden indie gems, games that kept me awake at night, upcoming indie games I'm looking forward to and more. Follow if you feel you might be interested in my recommendations:

Sometimes you just need your brother @oponder.bsky.social to help you get things going. What started as a 45 min creative session to just play around with some code, has turned into a full day of work on Backlog Explorer!

Another game crossover I never expected to hear on a podcast. @nadiaoxford.bsky.social mentioning Milles Bornes on @bloodgodpod.bsky.social. Another game I used to play a lot as a kid.

I had no idea there was the @cozyquest.bsky.social showcase! It's happening right now and it's a four day showcase, with an awards show at the end. The opening showcase had a trailer for a beautiful game called The Regreening by @cozy-impact.bsky.social www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

🫶🏼

I made a cozy digital zine! 💛 Level Up Journal – Save File 01 is live. Inside: a deep dive into cyclical gaming, thoughts on the games I played this month, a photo collage, podcasts I loved, and a Co-op Mode question for you. Flip through it: joanaponder.com/blog/zine-issue01 #zinepromo #zine

Please employment jelly, please

❤️ Hey Backlog Explorer users! Quick update! I’ve temporarily moved Backlog Explorer to Supabase’s free plan so I can keep costs low while I’m job-hunting. That means for now, when you sign in with Google, you’ll see a Supabase URL instead of backlogexplorer.com but everything still works the same!

Wow hello! It's been a while since I updated. My bad. I'm still here and still busy looking for a job. Meanwhile I've been cleaning up the code, which means not much front facing updates to Backlog Explorer.

DONKEY KONG BANANZA! DK DK DK! What a GAME! I love it. Finally rolled credits. My gosh.

I am still actively working on backlog explorer! Just doing a lot of clean up and refactoring because I’m also trying to find a job 😅 so no big backlog explorer updates, except things are smoother behind the scenes. Still working on making the steam import more user friendly!

Now that I completed the Pokédex in Pokémon Scarlet I think I’m going back to Pokémon Legends Arceus and trying it there. Sooo I coded a little simple companion helper app for my play through 😂

It's officially September, which means we've got SO MANY upcoming games to talk about 😍 I found 34 cozy games launching this month, so let's talk about them: youtu.be/Zs-aZBUv-Bw

I did it!! 🎉 I completed the Paldean Pokédex! This wasn’t just a game goal. This proved to me that I can follow through and actually finish games. Feeling so proud!

🍂 Backlog Explorer is ready for autumn! It’s now recommending the perfect cozy games to play this fall. Which of these would you play this fall?

@partyarlie.com ‘s recent YouTube video inspired me to boot up my OG Animal Crossing New Leaf game. I truly hope the next installment will have more of the New Leaf/Wild World charm. I don’t care much for the crafting and terraforming mechanics.