Nicole Maines (Aimu)
@aimunicolem.bsky.social
QA Analyst II at Sledgehammer Games & Kingdom Hearts fanatic. All opinions/tweets are my own. She/her/hers
https://nicolemainesgamedev.wordpress.com/
https://nicolemainesgamedev.wordpress.com/
Pinned
ALL RIGHT FINE, FUCK IT!
IF STAR WARS IS IN KINGDOM HEARTS 4 I'LL GET ANOTHER TATTOO!
I WILL DIE ON THE HILL THAT IT'S NOT AN AT-ST FOOT IN THE TRAILER
IF STAR WARS IS IN KINGDOM HEARTS 4 I'LL GET ANOTHER TATTOO!
I WILL DIE ON THE HILL THAT IT'S NOT AN AT-ST FOOT IN THE TRAILER
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
#3202 Heck yeah! Twenty-Twenty-SICK!!!
January 2, 2026 at 1:03 AM
#3202 Heck yeah! Twenty-Twenty-SICK!!!
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
#ArtVsArtist2025
I'm pretty happy with the standard of my art this year, lot's to choose from, but these were my faves. Lots of weird guys, and little guys. 2025 was alright too.
I'm pretty happy with the standard of my art this year, lot's to choose from, but these were my faves. Lots of weird guys, and little guys. 2025 was alright too.
December 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM
#ArtVsArtist2025
I'm pretty happy with the standard of my art this year, lot's to choose from, but these were my faves. Lots of weird guys, and little guys. 2025 was alright too.
I'm pretty happy with the standard of my art this year, lot's to choose from, but these were my faves. Lots of weird guys, and little guys. 2025 was alright too.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
I've been working on this project for the last year. My goal was to finish it by the end of 2025, and while it's literally the LAST day I did it!
So here it is: I played the Fullmetal Alchemist PS2 games so you don't have to
youtu.be/vZjzlNPszVo #fullmetalalchemist
So here it is: I played the Fullmetal Alchemist PS2 games so you don't have to
youtu.be/vZjzlNPszVo #fullmetalalchemist
December 31, 2025 at 4:16 PM
I've been working on this project for the last year. My goal was to finish it by the end of 2025, and while it's literally the LAST day I did it!
So here it is: I played the Fullmetal Alchemist PS2 games so you don't have to
youtu.be/vZjzlNPszVo #fullmetalalchemist
So here it is: I played the Fullmetal Alchemist PS2 games so you don't have to
youtu.be/vZjzlNPszVo #fullmetalalchemist
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
how many billions of gallons of water evaporated just this week for this?
December 30, 2025 at 7:56 PM
how many billions of gallons of water evaporated just this week for this?
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
I've thrown together a category here, hope it helps :)
kimimithegameeatingshemonster.com/category/chi...
kimimithegameeatingshemonster.com/category/chi...
~Chinese & Taiwanese RPGS~ – Kimimi The Game-Eating She-Monster
Posts about ~Chinese & Taiwanese RPGS~ written by Kimimi
kimimithegameeatingshemonster.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
I've thrown together a category here, hope it helps :)
kimimithegameeatingshemonster.com/category/chi...
kimimithegameeatingshemonster.com/category/chi...
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Chinese and Taiwanese RPGs have been experimenting in various ways with reaction-based additions to turn-based battles for ~decades~ at this point.
And it's OK if you don't know that! But ~maybe~ we could just assume that the genre doesn't begin and end with games English speakers have heard of :)
And it's OK if you don't know that! But ~maybe~ we could just assume that the genre doesn't begin and end with games English speakers have heard of :)
December 29, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Chinese and Taiwanese RPGs have been experimenting in various ways with reaction-based additions to turn-based battles for ~decades~ at this point.
And it's OK if you don't know that! But ~maybe~ we could just assume that the genre doesn't begin and end with games English speakers have heard of :)
And it's OK if you don't know that! But ~maybe~ we could just assume that the genre doesn't begin and end with games English speakers have heard of :)
DIY shitty couch re-upholstery progress! I've got a peeling couch, bed sheets that won't be used anymore, scissors, and a staple gun!
I sanded off as much of the peeling pleather on one side and started cutting the sheets to the cushions I can't take out.
I sanded off as much of the peeling pleather on one side and started cutting the sheets to the cushions I can't take out.
December 29, 2025 at 2:37 AM
DIY shitty couch re-upholstery progress! I've got a peeling couch, bed sheets that won't be used anymore, scissors, and a staple gun!
I sanded off as much of the peeling pleather on one side and started cutting the sheets to the cushions I can't take out.
I sanded off as much of the peeling pleather on one side and started cutting the sheets to the cushions I can't take out.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Started on Saturn, completed on Dreamcast and drawing inspiration from Dragon Quest III, Captain Harlock, Treasure Island, Laputa, The Secret of Blue Water and Grandia (?): the making of Skies of Arcadia, AKA Eternal Arcadia.
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama14
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamav...
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama14
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamav...
December 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Started on Saturn, completed on Dreamcast and drawing inspiration from Dragon Quest III, Captain Harlock, Treasure Island, Laputa, The Secret of Blue Water and Grandia (?): the making of Skies of Arcadia, AKA Eternal Arcadia.
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama14
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamav...
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama14
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamav...
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Just gonna say this again for games sphere cus we get the same question:
Networking doesn't mean schmoozing up to famous people, it means making friends with your peers. Then in 10 years, 20, one of you might be famous? And sure you're still helping each other cus well yeah friends.
Make. Friends.
Networking doesn't mean schmoozing up to famous people, it means making friends with your peers. Then in 10 years, 20, one of you might be famous? And sure you're still helping each other cus well yeah friends.
Make. Friends.
Talking to one of these types at a con who asked how I 'got in' with so many 'famous writers' who I'd been talking to and I said "we made friends before anyone knew who we were decades ago by striking up interesting conversations and enjoying each other's company" and he kept re-asking the question.
They have come to the convention hoping to "break in" and then find themselves -- shocker! -- a "nobody in the book world." Yeah no shit! We all are! I have gently told guys like this a million times that it takes most of us *years* of hard work but they do not believe that could be true for them. +
December 27, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Just gonna say this again for games sphere cus we get the same question:
Networking doesn't mean schmoozing up to famous people, it means making friends with your peers. Then in 10 years, 20, one of you might be famous? And sure you're still helping each other cus well yeah friends.
Make. Friends.
Networking doesn't mean schmoozing up to famous people, it means making friends with your peers. Then in 10 years, 20, one of you might be famous? And sure you're still helping each other cus well yeah friends.
Make. Friends.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Others have noted this before, but it's ENRAGING to see corporations and bosses give this bullshit "A.i." trash FAR more leeway for error and general crappiness than they'd ever give any human creator.
I've started to see arguments that we have to get used to AI Slop coding even if it isn't great, because it's fast. Humans could go faster, too, if they're allowed to turn in stuff that only sometimes works. Such a fascinating double standard that will in no way come back to haunt, naw.
December 26, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Others have noted this before, but it's ENRAGING to see corporations and bosses give this bullshit "A.i." trash FAR more leeway for error and general crappiness than they'd ever give any human creator.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Welcome Lowlander to the Super MAGFest XP Stage lineup! Hailing from the lowlands of Glasgow, Scotland, Lowlander and Co. (Ro Panuganti, Colby Terry, and Alyx Guevara) are smashing together video game music and metal in ways that make head banging a near guarantee!
December 26, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Welcome Lowlander to the Super MAGFest XP Stage lineup! Hailing from the lowlands of Glasgow, Scotland, Lowlander and Co. (Ro Panuganti, Colby Terry, and Alyx Guevara) are smashing together video game music and metal in ways that make head banging a near guarantee!
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
A frustrated Pedro Pascal asking Neil Druckmann, who was directing Pascal in a Last of Us episode, “do you like art?”
What's an insult you'll never forget?
December 26, 2025 at 2:46 AM
A frustrated Pedro Pascal asking Neil Druckmann, who was directing Pascal in a Last of Us episode, “do you like art?”
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Also special thanks, as always, to @marzgurl.com for her tireless work in writing the closed captions for this video.
December 25, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Also special thanks, as always, to @marzgurl.com for her tireless work in writing the closed captions for this video.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Just in time for Xmas, the Final Fantasy X Retrospective is here! Learn about the creative decisions behind the game, the state of Square as a company after the failure of The Spirits Within, and the grander themes which may have eluded western players.
youtu.be/f8PqQE_FbNc
youtu.be/f8PqQE_FbNc
The Final Fantasy X Retrospective
YouTube video by Andrew Bluett
youtu.be
December 25, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Just in time for Xmas, the Final Fantasy X Retrospective is here! Learn about the creative decisions behind the game, the state of Square as a company after the failure of The Spirits Within, and the grander themes which may have eluded western players.
youtu.be/f8PqQE_FbNc
youtu.be/f8PqQE_FbNc
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
yeah my IMO is: it's bad to use it, it's bad they left it in, it's good they removed it, it's good they disavow it, and it's entirely justified to have rescinded awards for it. i will continue to talk about clair obscur fondly.
youtu.be/7MSRfVKC-Tc 11:38
fiiinally an official atatement i can just accept LMAO
"we did use it when it was new but we didn't like it and never will again" is a great and satisfying answer
fiiinally an official atatement i can just accept LMAO
"we did use it when it was new but we didn't like it and never will again" is a great and satisfying answer
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Sandfall Interactive Q&A
YouTube video by Sushi
youtu.be
December 24, 2025 at 9:17 PM
yeah my IMO is: it's bad to use it, it's bad they left it in, it's good they removed it, it's good they disavow it, and it's entirely justified to have rescinded awards for it. i will continue to talk about clair obscur fondly.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Making Chris muhs may king crih mus 🎄 wrapping gifts and hunkering down for a long winters nap 🛌
www.twitch.tv/absolutelyaeba
www.twitch.tv/absolutelyaeba
a sign that says ' days to christmas ' hangs from a clock
ALT: a sign that says ' days to christmas ' hangs from a clock
media.tenor.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Making Chris muhs may king crih mus 🎄 wrapping gifts and hunkering down for a long winters nap 🛌
www.twitch.tv/absolutelyaeba
www.twitch.tv/absolutelyaeba
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Best KH quote:
Phil with “the GAAAAAAAAAAAMEZ”
Phil with “the GAAAAAAAAAAAMEZ”
December 24, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Best KH quote:
Phil with “the GAAAAAAAAAAAMEZ”
Phil with “the GAAAAAAAAAAAMEZ”
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
In physical media news, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be releasing "OVER THE GARDEN WALL" on Blu-ray on April 7, 2026, per a listing on Barnes and Noble's website. First Blu-ray release of a Cartoon Network original in 10 years.
December 23, 2025 at 5:23 PM
In physical media news, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be releasing "OVER THE GARDEN WALL" on Blu-ray on April 7, 2026, per a listing on Barnes and Noble's website. First Blu-ray release of a Cartoon Network original in 10 years.
Absolutely fascinating!
Legendary Rare designer Gregg Mayles has posted the full Stop 'N' Swop document for Banjo-Tooie! This includes plans for Donkey Kong as a playable character in Banjo-Tooie's multiplayer, how the Ice Key would be passed from Banjo-Kazooie to Donkey Kong 64 to Tooie (and beyond!), and much, much more.
DK Vine • News • Gregg Mayles Reveals Donkey Kong Was Planned for Banjo-Tooie Multiplayer via Stop 'N' Swop
We finally know the original purpose of the Ice Key, Gold DK Bust, and other treasures in Banjo-Tooie.
www.dkvine.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Absolutely fascinating!
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
🚨EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT🚨
I'm thrilled to FINALLY annnouce "LanzTheRiffmaster" happening this Saturday, December 27th at 10AMEST! We'll be celebrating 6 years of streaming & taking on the KH3 Secret Episode on Crit lv. 1 All Pro Codes with the Riffmaster!
I'm thrilled to FINALLY annnouce "LanzTheRiffmaster" happening this Saturday, December 27th at 10AMEST! We'll be celebrating 6 years of streaming & taking on the KH3 Secret Episode on Crit lv. 1 All Pro Codes with the Riffmaster!
December 22, 2025 at 3:22 PM
🚨EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT🚨
I'm thrilled to FINALLY annnouce "LanzTheRiffmaster" happening this Saturday, December 27th at 10AMEST! We'll be celebrating 6 years of streaming & taking on the KH3 Secret Episode on Crit lv. 1 All Pro Codes with the Riffmaster!
I'm thrilled to FINALLY annnouce "LanzTheRiffmaster" happening this Saturday, December 27th at 10AMEST! We'll be celebrating 6 years of streaming & taking on the KH3 Secret Episode on Crit lv. 1 All Pro Codes with the Riffmaster!
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
The IGAs Nomination Committee is officially retracting Debut Game and Game of the Year, awarding both categories to new recipients. Additionally, we are retracting one of the Indie Vanguard recipients.
Full details can be found in our FAQ under Game Eligibility: www.indiegameawards.gg/faq
Full details can be found in our FAQ under Game Eligibility: www.indiegameawards.gg/faq
December 20, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The IGAs Nomination Committee is officially retracting Debut Game and Game of the Year, awarding both categories to new recipients. Additionally, we are retracting one of the Indie Vanguard recipients.
Full details can be found in our FAQ under Game Eligibility: www.indiegameawards.gg/faq
Full details can be found in our FAQ under Game Eligibility: www.indiegameawards.gg/faq
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Around half of San Francisco is without power right now and something like 1/3rd of intersections I drove through had waymos stopped in the middle of them making a dangerous situation even worse.
Do not let Waymo into your city.
Do not let Waymo into your city.
December 21, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Around half of San Francisco is without power right now and something like 1/3rd of intersections I drove through had waymos stopped in the middle of them making a dangerous situation even worse.
Do not let Waymo into your city.
Do not let Waymo into your city.
Yooooooooo. Go Bears! That was awesome!
I'd be more invested in general in sports if it wasn't boring to watch most of the time. Being forced (not really) to watch Nascar every Sunday as a kid will do that to ya lol.
I'd be more invested in general in sports if it wasn't boring to watch most of the time. Being forced (not really) to watch Nascar every Sunday as a kid will do that to ya lol.
Sportsball is very interesting tonight! (I'm at family's so I'm watching the Packers vs Bears). That last catch was CLUTCH.
December 21, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Yooooooooo. Go Bears! That was awesome!
I'd be more invested in general in sports if it wasn't boring to watch most of the time. Being forced (not really) to watch Nascar every Sunday as a kid will do that to ya lol.
I'd be more invested in general in sports if it wasn't boring to watch most of the time. Being forced (not really) to watch Nascar every Sunday as a kid will do that to ya lol.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
There's Discourse about using genAI for writing research, and I want to add that every time I've done research (reading books, emailing the library, talking directly to experts, etc) I always stumble across something that inspires a new direction or adds depth that wouldn't have been there before.
December 20, 2025 at 11:23 PM
There's Discourse about using genAI for writing research, and I want to add that every time I've done research (reading books, emailing the library, talking directly to experts, etc) I always stumble across something that inspires a new direction or adds depth that wouldn't have been there before.