Avid Gamer & Pinballer. Free Agent Games Industry Analyst. Enthusiast. Reviewer. Researcher. Formerly ran Working Casual. [email protected]
NJ & NYC
Joined January 2016
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Wild to think we're just a month away from the biggest video game ever made.
Launch trailer 🔥 as expected.
It's been an amazing year for releases (less so for the industry & those working in it) though I'm not sure how anything tops GTA VI for GOTY.
rockstargames.com/VI/launch-…
Ah yes, "streamlining" aka "laying off thousands of people, killing projects & selling studios."
Executives will always find ways to spin. Especially during times when it's their poor decision-making that led to the situation in the first place.
🙄
videogameschronicle.com/news…
There is a lot to unpack with the rough Xbox news. Up front, this quote from Booty immediately stands out. They are only:
"roughly three-quarters of the way through previously announced restructuring”.
In that job loss & closings likely aren't over.
videogameschronicle.com/news…
Bungie giving players back what we already paid for is nearly the least it could do, but at least leadership is trying for goodwill.
I'll believe Destiny has a future when I see it. The series means so much to me, so I want to believe.
Time will tell.
bungie.net/7/en/News/Article…
Control Resonant reviews sound mostly solid with a few reviewers hitting on the lower side.
Starts @ 84 on OpenCritic.
It's still near the top of my list to try for the remainder of 2026, and I'm even more intrigued after seeing today's impressions 👀
opencritic.com/game/20766/co…
Almost as if people don't like when companies try to squeeze money out of them without adding an equivalent amount of value.
(I will note Mat from Circana says there aren't necessarily more people canceling, it's that the underlying reason is shifting.)
gamesindustry.biz/more-than-…
Games like Wolverine, with diverging critical takes, intrigue me more than across-the-board glowing reviews.
Still, critiques on its narrative approach, hand-holding & lack of a "wow" factor give me pause.
I planned to pick it up near launch. Will see!
opencritic.com/game/17842/ma…
Below is today's Nintendo Direct press release.
Headlined by Metroid Ravenous & Kirby & the World Beyond, along with the likes of Fire Emblem, FF7R Revelation, Switch Sports Resort & more.
Decent showing overall, though nothing earth-shattering. Rounding out the Switch library.
Impressed by the visual style of the world in Ocarina of Time remake. Though character models & voice acting seem slightly off to me.
I'm also liking the Nov 5th date, as one of the few AAA launches standing alongside Rockstar.
Nintendo's PR is below.
businesswire.com/news/home/2…
Blood of Dawnwalker has been way up on my list as we move into a busy release schedule.
Now that reviews are out, it sounds like an essential 2026 game. Character choices, engaging RPG mechanics & a bloody good story.
Hope to sink my teeth into it asap.
opencritic.com/game/20499/th…
I've watched the GTA VI footage a few times, to soak up every incredible detail.
Media previews are reassuring in terms of the team's vision, seemingly a blend of San Andreas & RDR2 with a tag-team character story & modern trappings.
Also, here's my sales estimate: bazillions.
Below is the extended look from Rockstar's own YT account.
youtube.com/watch?v=tJbzMqJG…
Today's the day! We get our 1st ever big look at GTA VI!
Okay, not *really*. Still hyped to see Rockstar's presentation, even acknowledging the silliness of it being a paid subscription service timed exclusive.
I suppose that's just how it goes in 2026.
netflix.com/tudum/articles/g…
Gamescom ONL is always funky, considering its timing on the calendar.
I found this year's poorly paced & packed w filler, as expected lately with a Keighley joint.
Still, plenty of games caught my eye. Especially indies. Next few months are looking 🔥
kotaku.com/gamescom-opening-…
I'm leaning a bit more cautious on global industry growth for 2026 mainly due to cost pressures & uncertainty, even considering what will be a monumental start for GTA VI.
I'd be in the 3% - 4% range, which would equate to $208B - $210B for the year.
gamesindustry.biz/newzoo-glo…
We knew EA would pull back on transparency when private. Seeing Microsoft make the same decision to no longer report digital sales to Circana is disheartening.
To me, any move that obfuscates how a business is doing also signals a lack of confidence.
🤷
kotaku.com/xbox-isnt-sharing…
Good thing Sony & MS will launch at US$ 999.99!
Though really, I'm struggling w guessing PS6 & Xbox Helix pricing.
Sticker shock will be huge at 4-digits. Still, I'm wondering if either company can afford to be at or below it.
Lots of unknowns & TBDs.
videogameschronicle.com/news…
