Don Parsons
@coboney.bsky.social
Writer at TechRaptor, and own blog about video games, travels, food, books, and anything else that tickles my fancy. You can email me at don@techraptor.net. Previously at: Hardcore Gamer. Pronouns: He/Him
ADOM (Ancient Domains of Mystery) a classicish roguelite that I've poured time into at times over decades. Steam has it over 500 hours... and I had put much longer long before it was on Steam.
Name a videogame you've put 500 hours into.
February 14, 2026 at 4:24 PM
ADOM (Ancient Domains of Mystery) a classicish roguelite that I've poured time into at times over decades. Steam has it over 500 hours... and I had put much longer long before it was on Steam.
Reposted by Don Parsons
"You're gonna turn people away from you if you make such a big deal about being against GenAI all the time."
I guarantee you that the most powerful microscope in existence could not fathom a small enough fuck that I could give.
Fuck Generative AI. 💖
I guarantee you that the most powerful microscope in existence could not fathom a small enough fuck that I could give.
Fuck Generative AI. 💖
February 11, 2026 at 5:48 PM
"You're gonna turn people away from you if you make such a big deal about being against GenAI all the time."
I guarantee you that the most powerful microscope in existence could not fathom a small enough fuck that I could give.
Fuck Generative AI. 💖
I guarantee you that the most powerful microscope in existence could not fathom a small enough fuck that I could give.
Fuck Generative AI. 💖
A conclusion to the Void War saga, as the game has returned to Steam today following Games Workshop's DMCA on it.
Following a DMCA from the litigious Games Workshop, FTL-like indie game Void War is back on Steam
Following a DMCA from the litigious Games Workshop, FTL-like indie game Void War is back on Steam
Following a Games Workshop DMCA, Void War has returned from the ashes to Steam bringing the FTL inspired game back to the largest PC store front.
Read this article on TechRaptor
dlvr.it
February 7, 2026 at 12:36 AM
A conclusion to the Void War saga, as the game has returned to Steam today following Games Workshop's DMCA on it.
Wrote about how indiegame Void War was DMCA'd allegedly by Games Workshop.
Games Workshop may be up to its old tricks again, as a new DMCA against indie game Void War is allegedly from the company and took it down from Steam.
Games Workshop may be up to its old tricks again, as a new DMCA against indie game Void War is allegedly from the company and took it down from Steam.
Games Workshop has allegedly fired off a Void War DMCA taking down the FTL-Like game over copyright issues, likely regarding Warhammer 40k.
Read this article on TechRaptor
dlvr.it
January 23, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Wrote about how indiegame Void War was DMCA'd allegedly by Games Workshop.
Reposting this as we're now just over a month out and I am looking for demos to try ahead of Next Fest for consideration
Hey folks we're coming up on the next Steam Next Fest for February..
So I'm asking you if you have any demos that are part of Steam Next Fest let me know here or email me at don@techraptor.net.
I do a list for each rounding up 10 games from each Fest featuring games of all sizes.
So I'm asking you if you have any demos that are part of Steam Next Fest let me know here or email me at don@techraptor.net.
I do a list for each rounding up 10 games from each Fest featuring games of all sizes.
January 21, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Reposting this as we're now just over a month out and I am looking for demos to try ahead of Next Fest for consideration
Post a game you remember playing that nobody else remembers.
January 15, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Post a game you remember playing that nobody else remembers.
Reposted by Don Parsons
GenAI companies keep claiming the books and copyrighted works their programed were "trained" on without permission didn't retain complete copies in their systems. This was a lie.
These companies may now face for even more liability for violating copyrights. 1/
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
These companies may now face for even more liability for violating copyrights. 1/
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
AI’s Memorization Crisis
Large language models don’t “learn”—they copy. And that could change everything for the tech industry.
www.theatlantic.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:45 PM
GenAI companies keep claiming the books and copyrighted works their programed were "trained" on without permission didn't retain complete copies in their systems. This was a lie.
These companies may now face for even more liability for violating copyrights. 1/
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
These companies may now face for even more liability for violating copyrights. 1/
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Hey folks we're coming up on the next Steam Next Fest for February..
So I'm asking you if you have any demos that are part of Steam Next Fest let me know here or email me at don@techraptor.net.
I do a list for each rounding up 10 games from each Fest featuring games of all sizes.
So I'm asking you if you have any demos that are part of Steam Next Fest let me know here or email me at don@techraptor.net.
I do a list for each rounding up 10 games from each Fest featuring games of all sizes.
January 9, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Hey folks we're coming up on the next Steam Next Fest for February..
So I'm asking you if you have any demos that are part of Steam Next Fest let me know here or email me at don@techraptor.net.
I do a list for each rounding up 10 games from each Fest featuring games of all sizes.
So I'm asking you if you have any demos that are part of Steam Next Fest let me know here or email me at don@techraptor.net.
I do a list for each rounding up 10 games from each Fest featuring games of all sizes.
I wrote about how almost 1 in 5 of last year's best selling games I was able to identify as having used Generative AI - either from disclosure or from interviews or other comments made including from Companies not associated with the technology: techraptor.net/gaming/featu...
Many of 2025's Best Selling Games Used Generative AI
Generative AI was all over 2025's Steam best seller list with titles you expect like Call of Duty to developers you didn't like Obsidian Entertainment
techraptor.net
January 7, 2026 at 9:28 PM
I wrote about how almost 1 in 5 of last year's best selling games I was able to identify as having used Generative AI - either from disclosure or from interviews or other comments made including from Companies not associated with the technology: techraptor.net/gaming/featu...
This has happened multiple times that have been publicly spotted like Expedition 33, and The Alters.
The studios also seem to feel no need to put an AI disclosure on Steam despite it being part of their pipeline.
The studios also seem to feel no need to put an AI disclosure on Steam despite it being part of their pipeline.
Can't believe I'm doing this again but:
I don't believe the "using AI as a placeholder" excuse studios make. Placeholders are supposed to be bright and ugly so you remember to change it later.
"Placeholder AI" is being used so that if they don't remember to change it, it's "good enough" to ship.
I don't believe the "using AI as a placeholder" excuse studios make. Placeholders are supposed to be bright and ugly so you remember to change it later.
"Placeholder AI" is being used so that if they don't remember to change it, it's "good enough" to ship.
December 18, 2025 at 1:58 AM
This has happened multiple times that have been publicly spotted like Expedition 33, and The Alters.
The studios also seem to feel no need to put an AI disclosure on Steam despite it being part of their pipeline.
The studios also seem to feel no need to put an AI disclosure on Steam despite it being part of their pipeline.
Reposted by Don Parsons
Yesterday, the Epic Games Store decided at the last minute not to distribute the game, after having previously approved a release build. HORSES is otherwise now available on GOG, Itch, and Humble for $4.99. www.horses.wtf
December 2, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Yesterday, the Epic Games Store decided at the last minute not to distribute the game, after having previously approved a release build. HORSES is otherwise now available on GOG, Itch, and Humble for $4.99. www.horses.wtf
Reposted by Don Parsons
"Doherty’s story began when he noticed a rise in bizarre medical conditions among the county’s 45,000 residents, linked to toxins in the local water."
December 1, 2025 at 2:21 PM
"Doherty’s story began when he noticed a rise in bizarre medical conditions among the county’s 45,000 residents, linked to toxins in the local water."
Reposted by Don Parsons
Really wild situation here: a celebrated and well-regarded indie dev and publisher is facing shutdown because Valve banned their game from Steam and won't talk to them about it, at all.
www.ign.com/articles/uns...
www.ign.com/articles/uns...
Unsettling Horror Game Horses Banned From Steam, Leaving Studio With 'High Risk' of Closure - IGN
Indie horror game Horses is preparing to launch on December 2, on the Epic Games Store, GOG, Itch.io, and the Humble Store. But one place it won't be is on Steam, because Steam has banned the game for...
www.ign.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Really wild situation here: a celebrated and well-regarded indie dev and publisher is facing shutdown because Valve banned their game from Steam and won't talk to them about it, at all.
www.ign.com/articles/uns...
www.ign.com/articles/uns...
I took an indepth look at Generative AI use at the last Steam Next Fest and share various numbers and insights based on that!
techraptor.net/gaming/featu...
techraptor.net/gaming/featu...
techraptor.net
November 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
I took an indepth look at Generative AI use at the last Steam Next Fest and share various numbers and insights based on that!
techraptor.net/gaming/featu...
techraptor.net/gaming/featu...
I did some digging and I've written a report about the number of games in Steam Next Fest that made use of Generative AI - more than 500 or over 17%.
techraptor.net/gaming/news/...
techraptor.net/gaming/news/...
techraptor.net
October 20, 2025 at 11:13 PM
I did some digging and I've written a report about the number of games in Steam Next Fest that made use of Generative AI - more than 500 or over 17%.
techraptor.net/gaming/news/...
techraptor.net/gaming/news/...
Due to personal stuff, my Steam Next Fest article is on my own blog this month rather than on TechRaptor - so here's a look at some of the best games I got to try out.
iamcoboney.medium.com/best-of-stea...
iamcoboney.medium.com/best-of-stea...
Best of Steam Next Fest October 2025
Steam Next Fest is ongoing, and I’ve shared my thoughts on the best demos I got to play.
iamcoboney.medium.com
October 18, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Due to personal stuff, my Steam Next Fest article is on my own blog this month rather than on TechRaptor - so here's a look at some of the best games I got to try out.
iamcoboney.medium.com/best-of-stea...
iamcoboney.medium.com/best-of-stea...
If you have a demo for Steam Next Fest in October - and especially if its up early or available early - reach out and let me know!
I do a list for each rounding up 10 games from each Fest showing people some of the best and most interesting games from ones that top the charts to obscurities.
I do a list for each rounding up 10 games from each Fest showing people some of the best and most interesting games from ones that top the charts to obscurities.
September 27, 2025 at 11:53 PM
If you have a demo for Steam Next Fest in October - and especially if its up early or available early - reach out and let me know!
I do a list for each rounding up 10 games from each Fest showing people some of the best and most interesting games from ones that top the charts to obscurities.
I do a list for each rounding up 10 games from each Fest showing people some of the best and most interesting games from ones that top the charts to obscurities.
It was really interesting to talk with the creators of AAA Simulator and their view of the industry - and how it's all on fire.
Ever wanted to be a corpo and run your own AAA company? AAA Simulator serves up exactly that—and we chat with its creator to learn more about satirizing the industry.
Ever wanted to be a corpo and run your own AAA company? AAA Simulator serves up exactly that—and we chat with its creator to learn more about satirizing the industry.
AAA Simulator satirizes and highlights the dark side of the gaming industry. We talk with the creators about the industry through the lens of parody.
Read this article on TechRaptor
dlvr.it
August 25, 2025 at 6:08 PM
It was really interesting to talk with the creators of AAA Simulator and their view of the industry - and how it's all on fire.
Reposted by Don Parsons
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a triumphant return for this classic franchise. @lizardcube.bsky.social and @sega-west.bsky.social nail it. Please check out my review on @techraptor.net!
techraptor.net/gaming/revie...
techraptor.net/gaming/revie...
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Review - Cutting Edge | TechRaptor
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a fast-paced, action-packed platformer featuring the return of a SEGA icon.
techraptor.net
August 25, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a triumphant return for this classic franchise. @lizardcube.bsky.social and @sega-west.bsky.social nail it. Please check out my review on @techraptor.net!
techraptor.net/gaming/revie...
techraptor.net/gaming/revie...
I'll probably start talking games on here more again... but in the meantime this is your reminder about the genocide taking place in Gaza and how Israel is still denying that there is famine in Gaza, caused entirely by their actions.
apnews.com/article/gaza...
apnews.com/article/gaza...
For the first time, the world's food crises authority announces a famine in Gaza
The world's leading authority on food crises says the Gaza Strip’s largest city is gripped by famine, and that it is likely to spread without an immediate ceasefire and an end to restrictions on human...
apnews.com
August 25, 2025 at 11:02 AM
I'll probably start talking games on here more again... but in the meantime this is your reminder about the genocide taking place in Gaza and how Israel is still denying that there is famine in Gaza, caused entirely by their actions.
apnews.com/article/gaza...
apnews.com/article/gaza...
Reposted by Don Parsons
Reposted by Don Parsons
The Video Game History Foundation has purchased the rights to an influential and historic video game magazine, and it's making said magazine free for everyone to access and use.
The Video Game History Foundation has purchased the rights to an influential and historic video game magazine, and it's making said magazine free for everyone to access and use.
The Video Game History Foundation has announced that it has acquired the rights to Computer Entertainer, an influential gaming magazine from the 80s.
Read this article on TechRaptor
dlvr.it
August 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
The Video Game History Foundation has purchased the rights to an influential and historic video game magazine, and it's making said magazine free for everyone to access and use.
Reposted by Don Parsons
The fact that ai art and writing programs are built on stolen work really seems to be fading from the discussion even amongst artists and writers, which is a bit shit.
August 3, 2025 at 7:04 PM
The fact that ai art and writing programs are built on stolen work really seems to be fading from the discussion even amongst artists and writers, which is a bit shit.
Reposted by Don Parsons
Was truly wild to see this #CriticalRole news come across my desk
- October 2nd release date
- @matthewmercer.bsky.social as a player with returning... and new faces
- @brennanleemulligan.bsky.social as the DM for the WHOLE CAMPAIGN
No confirmed system yet..
#Critters
techraptor.net/tabletop/new...
- October 2nd release date
- @matthewmercer.bsky.social as a player with returning... and new faces
- @brennanleemulligan.bsky.social as the DM for the WHOLE CAMPAIGN
No confirmed system yet..
#Critters
techraptor.net/tabletop/new...
Critical Role Announces Brennan Lee Mulligan As Campaign 4 GM, Release Date In October | TechRaptor
The Critical Role Direct not only revealed the release date of Campaign 4, but that Brennan Lee Mulligan will be taking over as GM
techraptor.net
August 2, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Was truly wild to see this #CriticalRole news come across my desk
- October 2nd release date
- @matthewmercer.bsky.social as a player with returning... and new faces
- @brennanleemulligan.bsky.social as the DM for the WHOLE CAMPAIGN
No confirmed system yet..
#Critters
techraptor.net/tabletop/new...
- October 2nd release date
- @matthewmercer.bsky.social as a player with returning... and new faces
- @brennanleemulligan.bsky.social as the DM for the WHOLE CAMPAIGN
No confirmed system yet..
#Critters
techraptor.net/tabletop/new...
It's just about to be the Standard Regional Qualifier season, so if you want to see how some of the top decks are adapting with rotation, and bans from last month I covered it here.
If you have other questions on Standard or Magic: The Gathering hit me up here as well!
If you have other questions on Standard or Magic: The Gathering hit me up here as well!
Magic: The Gathering's Standard Format is Rotating, and Decks Are Being Forced to Change. How Might Your Favorite Deck Survive Rotation?!
Magic: The Gathering's Standard Format is Rotating, and Decks Are Being Forced to Change. How Might Your Favorite Deck Survive Rotation?!
Magic: The Gathering's Standard Format is rotating and all the decks need to change - find out what it means for the top decks in the format.
Read this article on TechRaptor
dlvr.it
July 30, 2025 at 8:02 PM
It's just about to be the Standard Regional Qualifier season, so if you want to see how some of the top decks are adapting with rotation, and bans from last month I covered it here.
If you have other questions on Standard or Magic: The Gathering hit me up here as well!
If you have other questions on Standard or Magic: The Gathering hit me up here as well!