Don Parsons
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coboney.bsky.social
Don Parsons
@coboney.bsky.social
620 followers 600 following 380 posts
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
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coboney.bsky.social
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
November 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
coboney.bsky.social
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
October 20, 2025 at 11:13 PM
coboney.bsky.social
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...
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
coboney.bsky.social
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.
Steam Next Fest "A Celebration of Upcoming Games" Oct 13 - Oct 20 at 10 AM Pacific
September 27, 2025 at 11:53 PM
coboney.bsky.social
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.
August 25, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by Don Parsons
platysaur.bsky.social
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...
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
coboney.bsky.social
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...
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
Reposted by Don Parsons
tnperkins4.bsky.social
August 24, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Reposted by Don Parsons
techraptor.net
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
Reposted by Don Parsons
mckelvie.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Don Parsons
andrewstretch.bsky.social
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...
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
coboney.bsky.social
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!
July 30, 2025 at 8:02 PM
coboney.bsky.social
I shared my thoughts on Edge of Eternities limited through the prism of 10 cards.
July 27, 2025 at 3:03 AM
coboney.bsky.social
I wrote about all the commander options in Edge of Eternities from limited designed uncommons, to mythic rares, and even some Spacecrafts!
July 21, 2025 at 8:48 PM
coboney.bsky.social
The Lego Movie is far better than it really had any right to be.
jamesbatchelor.bsky.social James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · Jul 13
Me watching The Lego Movie for the first time: I'll never be that strict with Lego as a parent

Me as a parent: This is Daddy's Lego. It's not for playing, it's for sitting there and looking cool. Go play with your own Lego.
July 13, 2025 at 11:08 AM
coboney.bsky.social
Israel is continuing its genocide in Palestine, as today saw almost 100 people killed in Gaza.

www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblo...

Meanwhile, Israel is discussing sending all Palestinians to Rafah, an area they've razed and allowing no movement www.cbc.ca/news/world/g...
‘Horrific crimes’: Nearly 100 killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza
US president to meet Israeli prime minister again with Gaza ‘exclusively’ topping the agenda.
www.aljazeera.com
July 8, 2025 at 9:43 PM
coboney.bsky.social
Technobabylon is a really good adventure and getting it at this low a price should probably count as theft.
wadjeteyegames.bsky.social Dave Gilbert 🔜 AdventureX! @wadjeteyegames.bsky.social · Jul 5
Cyberpunk adventure Technobabylon by is 70% off during the Steam Summer Sale!

Hit the blue-neon streets of Newton to follow the trail of a serial killer known as The Mindjacker!

Discover why "there's nothing like being in Trance."

Jack in here: t.co/0sb5Mdnlbb
July 5, 2025 at 2:40 AM
coboney.bsky.social
Well only 13 for me - but I am in fact Canadian. Just not done all the things and a lot of Canadians won't be higher or the like there!
How Canadian are you quiz: Seen Niagara Falls - Check Been to an NHL Game Eaten Poutine - Check Been to 3 Provinces - Check Gone Up CN Tower Been on a Ferry - Check Rocky Mountains - Check Kayaking/Canoeing - Check Seen a Beaver - Check Been to a Territory Gone Skiing - Check Ottawa Seen Northern Lights - Check Calgary Stampede Eaten a Beavertail Visited a National Park - Check Seen a Whale Felt -40 Celsius - Check Had a Snow Day - Check Seen a Moose played Hockey - Check Made an Inukshuk Slept in a Tent - Check Drank Bagged Milk - Check What's Your Score 13
July 5, 2025 at 1:27 AM
coboney.bsky.social
Hey I know the world is terrible right now - but I wrote a thing!

I talked about some cards that go with the new Sonic the Hedgehog secret lair if you're thinking about building it or just want to think about Dr Eggman working with The Valeyard and Y’shtola Rhul as a weird and funny combination.
July 2, 2025 at 7:20 PM
coboney.bsky.social
To everyone impacted by the Microsoft layoffs (or any others!) you have my condolences and best wishes.

I am sorry this industry, and world has failed you as it values shareholder value and AI investment over people, creation, and basically everything of any use.
July 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM
coboney.bsky.social
I'll do a longer write up at my blog at some point with citations and everything, but here's a bit on why I think Generative AI is an existential threat and a hard no line for me in anything
Generative AI is an existential poison. On an environmental level it is causing countries and companies to abandon all sorts of climate goals. It is pushing the bringing back and ongoing running of coal plants. It is helping drain out water. Each usage of it helps feed the proponents of it. It is an economic poison because no one is making money with AI bots. Thats why they are forcing them into things because they need to figure out how to make money that they've poured on this. It doesn't scale the way most things do as each use of it has a static charge which is why Open AI loses money each time someone does anything with ChatGPT and why they said they didn't want you saying thank you or good bye to it. It is creative poison because it can create nothing new. Instead it can only regurgitate in different takes what it was fed. It is good at doing alterations of things or stuff it has a lot of - like weird pictures of franchise icons because it has a lot of that in its diet. It attempts to steal content from everyone and anyone from your voice on social media, to the book you read, to the picture you see, or to the tv show you watch. All of them are just more grist for its content mills. It is societal poison because there is no algorithm for truth. There is nothing that can make it check if what it is doing is accurate or truthful. Thus, it is used to disseminate tons of misinformation, fake photos, and create false worldviews. It is why it is so adopted by strong men and dictators around the world - they can tell it to make them look good and it will do that. It can make their enemies look bad. It does it at a speed that is far faster than real information gathering can take. It is sycophantic and presumptuous to a fault. It will feed whatever delusions you feed it, while it will also present you with false information while arguing that it's true. It predicts what is next, it doesn't know anything. (3 sentences cut off)
June 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
coboney.bsky.social
Don't let Israel playing fire with World War 3 with Iran let you forget that they are daily executing people who go to get food in Gaza, forcing Palestinians to choose between starving or playing Russian Roulette to get some food.

apnews.com/article/isra...
Palestinian health authorities say Israel kills 25 waiting on aid as war death toll exceeds 56,000
Israeli forces and drones have opened fire toward hundreds of people waiting for aid trucks in central Gaza, killing at least 25 people, Palestinian witnesses and hospitals said, as health authorities...
apnews.com
June 24, 2025 at 12:54 PM
coboney.bsky.social
ADOM (Ancient Domains of Mystery)
Renowned Explorers: International Society
Mount and Blade: Warband (with mods)
sophianyx.bsky.social Sophia_Nyx 🏳️‍⚧️ @sophianyx.bsky.social · Jun 20
Name 3 Videogames you've played for 200 hours.
June 21, 2025 at 10:33 AM
coboney.bsky.social
Israel is continuing its genocidal attack on the Palestinian people.

www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/...
June 21, 2025 at 12:36 AM
coboney.bsky.social
Israel is attempting to commit genocide of the Palestinian people and it doesn't care if they are citizens of Israel or not.
nkalamb.bsky.social Nathan Kalman-Lamb @nkalamb.bsky.social · Jun 18
"Not for you."

Palestinian citizens of Israel--21% of the population--are being excluded from bomb shelters on the basis of their ethnicity.

This is the society the West will defend at all costs.

www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/...
Mostly living in cities, towns, and villages within Israel’s internationally recognised borders, many Palestinian citizens of Israel found themselves excluded from life-saving infrastructure during the worst nights of the Iran-Israel conflict to date. For Samar al-Rashed, a 29-year-old single mother living in a mostly Jewish apartment complex near Acre, the reality of that exclusion came on Friday night. Samar was at home with her five-year-old daughter, Jihan. As sirens pierced the air, warning of incoming missiles, she grabbed her daughter and rushed for the building’s shelter. “I didn’t have time to pack anything,” she recalled. “Just water, our phones, and my daughter’s hand in mine.” The panicking mother tried to ease her daughter’s fear, while hiding her own, gently encouraging her in soft-spoken Arabic to keep up with her rushed steps towards the shelter, as other neighbours climbed down the stairs, too. But at the shelter door, she said, an Israeli resident, having heard her speak Arabic, blocked their entry – and shut it in their faces. “I was stunned,” she said. “I speak Hebrew fluently. I tried to explain. But he looked at me with contempt and just said, ‘Not for you.’”
June 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM