Part VIII: Thomas Takes Manhattan

Indies and original IP blew up in 2026. More than half of the games that sold more than 500,000 units in their first month were the start of a new series, and 43% were indies. https://bit.ly/4i8HKl5

She's "racing to save" the Xbox from... basically herself. One of my takeaways from covering PNW gaming news for the last nine years is that the threats to Xbox are coming from inside the house. From the Activision Blizzard acquisition onward, they'd have done better by throwing darts at a wall.

The Michael Myers mask in HALLOWEEN started as a Captain Kirk mask that they cut up and painted white. He's technically William Shatner in kabuki makeup.

Only 12 ghosting days left until Halloween.

Last month we lost our jobs. This month we made new ones. Introducing X BUTTON: an independent gaming network from three ex-IGN employees. A new weekly Nintendo podcast! A new weekly video game podcast! And that’s just the start, but we can’t do it without your help! www.patreon.com/cw/XButtonShow

I haven't played in years, but nobody I knew in college could handle her dumb little tantrum move.

Interesting how we're starting to see a few AAs/indies that are very clearly inspired by PACIFIC DRIVE.

To articulate a thought I've been having for some time: It baffles me why people keep saying "AI will let us make games faster" as if that's a desirable thing. The only people who care about that are shareholders. Meanwhile, anyone on Steam is drinking from a firehose.

it’s just great marketing

It's a little fascinating how focus-grouped this is. She's careful to keep the tone light and utopian while never using the term "AI," but this is absolutely an AI initiative.

This is a great story! Scarecrow Video is legendary, give them some love and rent a movie! www.thestranger.com/film-2/shelf... @thestranger.com

We are looking for an comic book artist / illustrator to collaborate with to make a leaflet for 10-18yo on how to resist AI. We're especially interested in artists based in Canada 💖 If you're interested, please DM us or email contact@aicaution.ca

I took a random swing by watching BLOODY TENNIS on Shudder. Goddamn, what a weird movie. I'm wondering if it might not be of a piece with BATTLE ROYALE, where it's such a dark satire of a particular time/place/culture (here, teenage athletes) that it ends up being more surreal than anything else.

‘Star Wars’ is crossing over with ‘D&D’ in two upcoming books from Wizards of the Coast https://www.geekwire.com/2026/star-wars-crosses-over-with-dungeons-dragons-in-two-upcoming-books-from-wizards-of-the-coast/

I don't believe there are any problems with modern AAA gaming that cannot be solved by firing everyone with an MBA into the sun. That'd actually solve a lot of other things, too.

Hey gang, if you own a #Playdate handheld, be sure to check whatever email address you attached to it. Apparently a security certificate expires next week and it's mandating a software update so your Playdate stays compatible with Panic's servers.

The first nightmare I remember having as a little kid was about my father inexplicably undergoing the painful-looking transformation sequence from the old "Incredible Hulk" TV show.

I catch some heat for this occasionally whenever I report on legal issues. There's a reason that journalists write this way. It's not a conspiracy.

I really struggle to find the difference between Steam on a typical day and Steam Next Fest.

I'm bleakly fascinated with the 21st century's ability to exploit new parts of the human experience. First COVID forced you to explain to adults that they should care about other people. Now it's AI stripping out the basic purpose of art and communication. It's all techno-solipsism.

The monsters have overtaken the city.

"Influencers" really will receive a box of swag and IMMEDIATELY turn around and sell it for massive profit. Sometimes they even brag about it. It's the games press who are corrupt tho, remember

Steam Frame trip report: Well, it's trying to squeeze my brain out through the top of my skull, so that's not ideal. Oh, hey, ARIZONA SUNSHINE's on Steam now. Bonus. Ouch, my head.

Bungie apologizes to fans, unseals ‘Destiny’ content vault, tries to convince the world it’s still Bungie https://www.geekwire.com/2026/bungie-apologizes-to-fans-unseals-destiny-content-vault-tries-to-convince-the-world-its-still-bungie/

Japan’s cautious approach to growth and staff retention once seemed old-fashioned and unambitious. Against a backdrop of AAA failed gambles, gratuitous executive compensation and uncontrolled costs, I spoke to experts who explained why that conservative stance has never felt more modern.

Well, hot damn. New HITMAN in December.

If you were one of the many people I talked to at PAX West 2026 who were confused why Washington's Secretary of State had a booth in the expo hall: me too. Fortunately, I am occasionally moved to do a Journalism and I went to ask him directly. This is the story:

What is the etiquette protocol for telling a PR flack that they appear to be routinely misspelling their own name in their promotional emails, because this is starting to make me uncomfortable

If I didn't know Zach Cregger was in The Whitest Kids U Know, I would be so confused about why every comment thread about his RESIDENT EVIL movie eventually mentions how he took a gallon of PCP.

Monday-morning surprise: Valve Software suddenly launches its wireless VR headset Steam Frame for $1,059 https://www.geekwire.com/2026/monday-morning-surprise-valve-software-suddenly-launches-its-wireless-vr-headset-steam-frame-for-1059/

Dude looks like a Garbage Pail Adult.

We are out and about at the con! Come see us on convention way and get some pins and swag.

Pretty bummed about this one. I'd covered Polyarc a lot in the last few years, and met a bunch of the team on a couple of occasions. They'd even given me one of their Quill statuettes.

RT if you've never had a tab of ChatGPT open, period.

First thought for a hallucinogenic game (hallucinogame) is MOUTHWASHING.

Chillin' next to the beast of hell, as men do