Edmond Tran
@edmondtran.bsky.social
// Managing Editor, @ThisWeekInVideogames.com
// Managing Editor, GamesHub (2021-2023)
// Senior Editor and Video Producer, GameSpot (2008-2020)
// Multi-Award-Winning, Token Asian
// Contact: DM's open, edmond@thisweekinvideogames.com
// Managing Editor, GamesHub (2021-2023)
// Senior Editor and Video Producer, GameSpot (2008-2020)
// Multi-Award-Winning, Token Asian
// Contact: DM's open, edmond@thisweekinvideogames.com
Pinned
Edmond Tran
@edmondtran.bsky.social
· Nov 12
👋🏽 Hello to all my new BlueSky followers, figured I might as well introduce myself again.
My name is Edmond Tran and I created the videogame “Super Mario Bros.”
My name is Edmond Tran and I created the videogame “Super Mario Bros.”
Reposted by Edmond Tran
Patrick Dane, longtime games and entertainment journalist and News Editor at This Week in Videogames, has died in a motor vehicle accident. He was 34 years old.
Patrick Dane, This Week in Videogames News Editor, Dies
Patrick will be remembered for his passion and enthusiasm for his work and the games industry, and as a cherished colleague and friend.
thisweekinvideogames.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Patrick Dane, longtime games and entertainment journalist and News Editor at This Week in Videogames, has died in a motor vehicle accident. He was 34 years old.
Reposted by Edmond Tran
In another attempt to demystify the presumed benefits of introducing generative AI into the gamedev pipeline, Maddie set out to investigate the assumption that using genAI voices saves developers time and money.
And how much does a voice actor cost to hire, anyway?
The answer may surprise you!
And how much does a voice actor cost to hire, anyway?
The answer may surprise you!
What's actually involved in getting a human voice actor to record lines for a game, and how does that compare to an AI replacement?
@maddie-b-a.bsky.social speaks to actors and audio engineers like @selmaleh.bsky.social and @jeffvandyck.com to try and demystify what goes into giving games a voice.
@maddie-b-a.bsky.social speaks to actors and audio engineers like @selmaleh.bsky.social and @jeffvandyck.com to try and demystify what goes into giving games a voice.
How the Cost and Effort of Human Voice Actors Compares to Generative AI
“A well-trained actor will save production in the end because you know the better trained you are, the quicker you can do the job and get what you need”
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:16 PM
In another attempt to demystify the presumed benefits of introducing generative AI into the gamedev pipeline, Maddie set out to investigate the assumption that using genAI voices saves developers time and money.
And how much does a voice actor cost to hire, anyway?
The answer may surprise you!
And how much does a voice actor cost to hire, anyway?
The answer may surprise you!
In another attempt to demystify the presumed benefits of introducing generative AI into the gamedev pipeline, Maddie set out to investigate the assumption that using genAI voices saves developers time and money.
And how much does a voice actor cost to hire, anyway?
The answer may surprise you!
And how much does a voice actor cost to hire, anyway?
The answer may surprise you!
What's actually involved in getting a human voice actor to record lines for a game, and how does that compare to an AI replacement?
@maddie-b-a.bsky.social speaks to actors and audio engineers like @selmaleh.bsky.social and @jeffvandyck.com to try and demystify what goes into giving games a voice.
@maddie-b-a.bsky.social speaks to actors and audio engineers like @selmaleh.bsky.social and @jeffvandyck.com to try and demystify what goes into giving games a voice.
How the Cost and Effort of Human Voice Actors Compares to Generative AI
“A well-trained actor will save production in the end because you know the better trained you are, the quicker you can do the job and get what you need”
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:16 PM
In another attempt to demystify the presumed benefits of introducing generative AI into the gamedev pipeline, Maddie set out to investigate the assumption that using genAI voices saves developers time and money.
And how much does a voice actor cost to hire, anyway?
The answer may surprise you!
And how much does a voice actor cost to hire, anyway?
The answer may surprise you!
Did You Know: The Australian Christmas song “Six White Boomers” was written about the holiday tradition of having Xmas lunch with your in-laws.
youtu.be/w0tnRu6Opfk
youtu.be/w0tnRu6Opfk
Six White Boomers
YouTube video by ABC Kids - Topic
youtu.be
December 25, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Did You Know: The Australian Christmas song “Six White Boomers” was written about the holiday tradition of having Xmas lunch with your in-laws.
youtu.be/w0tnRu6Opfk
youtu.be/w0tnRu6Opfk
Now that’s a list
Ryosuke Horii (Sega - Director of Yakuza: Like A Dragon, LAD Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, & Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth)
1) Thank Goodness You're Here
2) Despelote
3) Tokimeki Memorial ~forever with you~ Emotional
4) and Roger
5) INDIKA
1) Thank Goodness You're Here
2) Despelote
3) Tokimeki Memorial ~forever with you~ Emotional
4) and Roger
5) INDIKA
December 24, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Now that’s a list
Anyone else at the "Scrooge was just autistic" stage of family Xmas discourse?
December 24, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Anyone else at the "Scrooge was just autistic" stage of family Xmas discourse?
Reposted by Edmond Tran
I had been loosely following RAM shortages, but Micron leaving the consumer market made me take a deeper look at what's happening.
If you're like me, and had filed away as 'a thing that is happening', it's worth starting to take a look, because this is getting pretty bad, pretty quick.
If you're like me, and had filed away as 'a thing that is happening', it's worth starting to take a look, because this is getting pretty bad, pretty quick.
Wondering why everyone is suddenly talking about RAM? What's the big deal?
@patrickdane.bsky.social speaks to analysts and hardware experts like @matpiscatella.bsky.social, @superhys.bsky.social, and Daniel Owen to outline why RAM prices are skyrocketing, and what this means for videogames.
@patrickdane.bsky.social speaks to analysts and hardware experts like @matpiscatella.bsky.social, @superhys.bsky.social, and Daniel Owen to outline why RAM prices are skyrocketing, and what this means for videogames.
The Insatiable Appetite for RAM is Threatening to Consume the Gaming Market
RAM provider Micron recently decided to leave the consumer space. Experts tell us about the effect this will have on gaming.
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:03 PM
I had been loosely following RAM shortages, but Micron leaving the consumer market made me take a deeper look at what's happening.
If you're like me, and had filed away as 'a thing that is happening', it's worth starting to take a look, because this is getting pretty bad, pretty quick.
If you're like me, and had filed away as 'a thing that is happening', it's worth starting to take a look, because this is getting pretty bad, pretty quick.
As someone only vaguely aware of this issue I found this pretty informative! Maybe you will too!
Wondering why everyone is suddenly talking about RAM? What's the big deal?
@patrickdane.bsky.social speaks to analysts and hardware experts like @matpiscatella.bsky.social, @superhys.bsky.social, and Daniel Owen to outline why RAM prices are skyrocketing, and what this means for videogames.
@patrickdane.bsky.social speaks to analysts and hardware experts like @matpiscatella.bsky.social, @superhys.bsky.social, and Daniel Owen to outline why RAM prices are skyrocketing, and what this means for videogames.
The Insatiable Appetite for RAM is Threatening to Consume the Gaming Market
RAM provider Micron recently decided to leave the consumer space. Experts tell us about the effect this will have on gaming.
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:37 PM
As someone only vaguely aware of this issue I found this pretty informative! Maybe you will too!
Reposted by Edmond Tran
You've probably already seen it and sorry I can't/won't get back to every single tag, but I was among those that spoke to Edmond about the nature of concept art and the influence of AI
Thank you so much again @edmondtran.bsky.social for the opportunity and giving us a voice
__
(yes that is Fritz)
Thank you so much again @edmondtran.bsky.social for the opportunity and giving us a voice
__
(yes that is Fritz)
We spoke to a dozen professional concept artists who are currently or have previously worked in game development about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs any easier.
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Concept Artists Say Generative AI References Only Make Their Jobs Harder
“The ‘early ideation stages’, when worlds are being fleshed out by writers and artists, are literally crucial to the development of a game’s vision,” said one artist.
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:02 PM
You've probably already seen it and sorry I can't/won't get back to every single tag, but I was among those that spoke to Edmond about the nature of concept art and the influence of AI
Thank you so much again @edmondtran.bsky.social for the opportunity and giving us a voice
__
(yes that is Fritz)
Thank you so much again @edmondtran.bsky.social for the opportunity and giving us a voice
__
(yes that is Fritz)
Reposted by Edmond Tran
I spoke to a dozen professional concept artists working in games about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs easier, even if it's just used in "very early ideation stages."
Zero said "yes." Most said it made their job harder.
I learnt a lot about concept artists. You should too!
Zero said "yes." Most said it made their job harder.
I learnt a lot about concept artists. You should too!
We spoke to a dozen professional concept artists who are currently or have previously worked in game development about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs any easier.
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Concept Artists Say Generative AI References Only Make Their Jobs Harder
“The ‘early ideation stages’, when worlds are being fleshed out by writers and artists, are literally crucial to the development of a game’s vision,” said one artist.
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:07 PM
I spoke to a dozen professional concept artists working in games about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs easier, even if it's just used in "very early ideation stages."
Zero said "yes." Most said it made their job harder.
I learnt a lot about concept artists. You should too!
Zero said "yes." Most said it made their job harder.
I learnt a lot about concept artists. You should too!
I spoke to a dozen professional concept artists working in games about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs easier, even if it's just used in "very early ideation stages."
Zero said "yes." Most said it made their job harder.
I learnt a lot about concept artists. You should too!
Zero said "yes." Most said it made their job harder.
I learnt a lot about concept artists. You should too!
We spoke to a dozen professional concept artists who are currently or have previously worked in game development about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs any easier.
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Concept Artists Say Generative AI References Only Make Their Jobs Harder
“The ‘early ideation stages’, when worlds are being fleshed out by writers and artists, are literally crucial to the development of a game’s vision,” said one artist.
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:07 PM
I spoke to a dozen professional concept artists working in games about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs easier, even if it's just used in "very early ideation stages."
Zero said "yes." Most said it made their job harder.
I learnt a lot about concept artists. You should too!
Zero said "yes." Most said it made their job harder.
I learnt a lot about concept artists. You should too!
I'm looking for concept artists or illustrators working in gamedev who would like to share thoughts or comments (anonymous or attributed) regarding the use of GenAI as a reference tool in their process.
If that's you, DM or email me! Details in bio.
If that's you, DM or email me! Details in bio.
December 16, 2025 at 11:08 PM
I'm looking for concept artists or illustrators working in gamedev who would like to share thoughts or comments (anonymous or attributed) regarding the use of GenAI as a reference tool in their process.
If that's you, DM or email me! Details in bio.
If that's you, DM or email me! Details in bio.
Oh hell yeah the best hip hop sample just dropped www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2nF...
December 16, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Oh hell yeah the best hip hop sample just dropped www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2nF...
There is something very amusing to me about the narrative of Bungie's Marathon's being about people trying to claim a distant objective and failing at it, and then (as the Game Director puts it) "all these corporations that were invested now going, 'What happened? How do we recoup our investment?'"
Bungie has set a release window of March 2026 for its extraction shooter, Marathon.
The date lines up with the end of Sony's fiscal year and previous suggestions from the company.
Bungie says it has made several improvements since the game's Closed Alpha playtest, which received middling feedback.
The date lines up with the end of Sony's fiscal year and previous suggestions from the company.
Bungie says it has made several improvements since the game's Closed Alpha playtest, which received middling feedback.
Bungie Sets 'Marathon' Release Window for March 2026
The slated release window is in line with the end of Sony's fiscal year. Bungie says it's made several improvements.
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:30 AM
There is something very amusing to me about the narrative of Bungie's Marathon's being about people trying to claim a distant objective and failing at it, and then (as the Game Director puts it) "all these corporations that were invested now going, 'What happened? How do we recoup our investment?'"
Reposted by Edmond Tran
Games industry layoffs appear to have slowed in 2025, but the exact number is unclear.
Industry advocate Amir Satvat says, “a meaningful number of layoffs simply never enter the news cycle,” including “quiet reductions, regional cuts, and contractor or games-specific teams..."
Industry advocate Amir Satvat says, “a meaningful number of layoffs simply never enter the news cycle,” including “quiet reductions, regional cuts, and contractor or games-specific teams..."
Videogame Layoffs Slow Since 2024, But The Exact Number is Unclear
With unprecedented numbers of layoffs across the games industry in 2025, analysts can't seem to agree on how many were let go this year.
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Games industry layoffs appear to have slowed in 2025, but the exact number is unclear.
Industry advocate Amir Satvat says, “a meaningful number of layoffs simply never enter the news cycle,” including “quiet reductions, regional cuts, and contractor or games-specific teams..."
Industry advocate Amir Satvat says, “a meaningful number of layoffs simply never enter the news cycle,” including “quiet reductions, regional cuts, and contractor or games-specific teams..."
To a T is great and you should play it. It should win Best Family Game somewhere.
Katamari Damacy creator wants industry to "make more fun and weird games", as he admits his latest To a T "didn't sell well"
www.eurogamer.net/katamari-dam...
www.eurogamer.net/katamari-dam...
December 15, 2025 at 12:03 PM
To a T is great and you should play it. It should win Best Family Game somewhere.
Reposted by Edmond Tran
Reposted by Edmond Tran
Soooo we accidentally launched the same day as UNBEATABLE, oops 😅
To celebrate our blunder, there's a bundle available on Steam featuring Bits & Bops and UNBEATABLE at a discount! 🤩
Enjoy this wonderful week of rhythm goodness by grabbing it for yourself or a friend! 🥰
To celebrate our blunder, there's a bundle available on Steam featuring Bits & Bops and UNBEATABLE at a discount! 🤩
Enjoy this wonderful week of rhythm goodness by grabbing it for yourself or a friend! 🥰
December 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Soooo we accidentally launched the same day as UNBEATABLE, oops 😅
To celebrate our blunder, there's a bundle available on Steam featuring Bits & Bops and UNBEATABLE at a discount! 🤩
Enjoy this wonderful week of rhythm goodness by grabbing it for yourself or a friend! 🥰
To celebrate our blunder, there's a bundle available on Steam featuring Bits & Bops and UNBEATABLE at a discount! 🤩
Enjoy this wonderful week of rhythm goodness by grabbing it for yourself or a friend! 🥰
![Excerpt from an interview with Santa Ragione co-founder Pietro Righi Riva about the ban of Horses.
"During the development process, the team also worked with consultants from the United States, knowing most of their audience would be American. But, seeing as Steam and Epic Games are both American companies, I was curious as to whether Riva saw Horses' ban as an American issue considering the country's recent sprint towards conservatism.
To Riva, it feels like in America there's "a subtext of, like, violence and sex are fine as long as they're used for entertainment, and to not use them for anything that talks about politics and society... it felt [like a] very American way to see nudity, for example."
"There is a way that these stores are curated that almost exclusively emphasize sales and sales optimisation is very much in line with that way of interpreting games as primarily a product for entertainment and not something that has artistic value," he continued. "So those two things are very much aligned [with] capitalism and American values in that sense."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cfjppbuyg3plx6covvh3ntby/bafkreiagw7kmdkxd77qvh5mowu5gpbwzevxjgdx24rtd5ywwdkzigj4wbq@jpeg)
New interview with Santa Ragione about the Horses bans and the studio's suspension, courtesy of @maddie-b-a.bsky.social
“If there is an opportunity for a reunion in the future based on our success, it’d be lovely. If not, we’re still very happy and proud of the eight games that we’ve made."
“If there is an opportunity for a reunion in the future based on our success, it’d be lovely. If not, we’re still very happy and proud of the eight games that we’ve made."
The Ban of Horses Has a Lot To Do With "American Values," Says Santa Ragione
Santa Ragione says the studio is "very much suspended," despite being a GOG best seller. "If that had happened on Steam, I could stop working for the rest of my life.”
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:35 PM
New interview with Santa Ragione about the Horses bans and the studio's suspension, courtesy of @maddie-b-a.bsky.social
“If there is an opportunity for a reunion in the future based on our success, it’d be lovely. If not, we’re still very happy and proud of the eight games that we’ve made."
“If there is an opportunity for a reunion in the future based on our success, it’d be lovely. If not, we’re still very happy and proud of the eight games that we’ve made."
Reposted by Edmond Tran
Despelote is one of my favorite games of the last few years. Documentarian and personal and unlike anything else I’ve played. Go run around as a little kid trying to make sense of the world in the shadow of the World Cup.
few more reviews for despelote to hit 500 and overwhelmingly positive 🙏🏽
December 12, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Despelote is one of my favorite games of the last few years. Documentarian and personal and unlike anything else I’ve played. Go run around as a little kid trying to make sense of the world in the shadow of the World Cup.
Let out an audible gasp scrolling down this list
It's time for the FINALS for the inaugural Kinda Funny Games Daily Awards!
Make sure to vote for Reporter and Outlet of the year:
kindafunny.com/awards
Make sure to vote for Reporter and Outlet of the year:
kindafunny.com/awards
December 12, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Let out an audible gasp scrolling down this list
Reposted by Edmond Tran
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took home a total of nine trophies at The Game Awards, including Game of the Year.
Hades II won Best Action Game, while Hollow Knight Silksong won Best Action/Adventure.
Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yotei, despite seven nominations apiece, went home empty handed.
Hades II won Best Action Game, while Hollow Knight Silksong won Best Action/Adventure.
Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yotei, despite seven nominations apiece, went home empty handed.
The Game Awards 2025 - All The Winners and Finalists
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was awarded Game of the Year, with the team behind it winning nine awards total after receiving 12 nominations.
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took home a total of nine trophies at The Game Awards, including Game of the Year.
Hades II won Best Action Game, while Hollow Knight Silksong won Best Action/Adventure.
Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yotei, despite seven nominations apiece, went home empty handed.
Hades II won Best Action Game, while Hollow Knight Silksong won Best Action/Adventure.
Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yotei, despite seven nominations apiece, went home empty handed.
Reposted by Edmond Tran
Two new Star Wars games, two new Tomb Raider games, and the return of Mega Man were just some of the numerous announcements that made up the bulk of The Game Awards.
Here's a concise list of over 35 announcements and trailers to skim through:
Here's a concise list of over 35 announcements and trailers to skim through:
The Game Awards 2025 – All the Announcements and Trailers
The Game Awards featured over 35 trailers amidst its awards, closing with Highguard, a free-to-play fantasy FPS from former Respawn developers.
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Two new Star Wars games, two new Tomb Raider games, and the return of Mega Man were just some of the numerous announcements that made up the bulk of The Game Awards.
Here's a concise list of over 35 announcements and trailers to skim through:
Here's a concise list of over 35 announcements and trailers to skim through:
So happy Nagoshi left Sega to follow his dream
Making a sequel to Yakuza: Dead Souls
Making a sequel to Yakuza: Dead Souls
December 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM
So happy Nagoshi left Sega to follow his dream
Making a sequel to Yakuza: Dead Souls
Making a sequel to Yakuza: Dead Souls