Matt Gardner
@gametripperuk.bsky.social
Games writer at Forbes | Indie game supporter | Leeds | Hartlepool/Pittsburgh fan | GamePupper cameos
You know you're hitting 40 when you're more excited about getting a new front door than the entirety of Christmas
November 21, 2025 at 12:22 PM
You know you're hitting 40 when you're more excited about getting a new front door than the entirety of Christmas
pikachushockedface.jpg
Tell you what, I know it's a public vote for the Joysticks, but given that Split Fiction just won't win any big awards in any major awards ceremony even though it deserves all of them, I'll take E33 as a backup
Tell you what, I know it's a public vote for the Joysticks, but given that Split Fiction just won't win any big awards in any major awards ceremony even though it deserves all of them, I'll take E33 as a backup
2025 Golden Joysticks Winners: ‘Expedition 33’ Grabs GOTY And 6 More
Is this a sign of what’s to come in the gaming awards season? Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 didn’t just make a statement — it dominated 2025's Golden Joysticks.
www.forbes.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:26 PM
pikachushockedface.jpg
Tell you what, I know it's a public vote for the Joysticks, but given that Split Fiction just won't win any big awards in any major awards ceremony even though it deserves all of them, I'll take E33 as a backup
Tell you what, I know it's a public vote for the Joysticks, but given that Split Fiction just won't win any big awards in any major awards ceremony even though it deserves all of them, I'll take E33 as a backup
I really wish I was allowed to simply title this "Look At This Fucking Tartan Xbox Controller" but this will have to make do.
Seriously though, look at this fucking tartan Xbox controller
Seriously though, look at this fucking tartan Xbox controller
Scottish Kiltmaker To Give Away 2 Super-Rare Tartan Xbox Controllers
One of the most beautiful official Xbox collaborations is also one of its most exclusive - only two of the tartan-decked pads are being given away,
www.forbes.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I really wish I was allowed to simply title this "Look At This Fucking Tartan Xbox Controller" but this will have to make do.
Seriously though, look at this fucking tartan Xbox controller
Seriously though, look at this fucking tartan Xbox controller
My darling @samg-g.bsky.social saw a Christmas decorating trend on TikTok. I ended up figuring it out over an hour with a pen, paper, maths, and a little cry.
Not gonna lie, I'm over the fucking moon with how it turned out
Not gonna lie, I'm over the fucking moon with how it turned out
November 18, 2025 at 8:57 PM
My darling @samg-g.bsky.social saw a Christmas decorating trend on TikTok. I ended up figuring it out over an hour with a pen, paper, maths, and a little cry.
Not gonna lie, I'm over the fucking moon with how it turned out
Not gonna lie, I'm over the fucking moon with how it turned out
Yep, we're *those* people. Well, my wife is, but I'm along for the ride, as the lights make me happy #simpleton
November 17, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Yep, we're *those* people. Well, my wife is, but I'm along for the ride, as the lights make me happy #simpleton
Great to know @robbotron.bsky.social is performing just around the corner from me in April - that's a must-buy right there!
November 15, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Great to know @robbotron.bsky.social is performing just around the corner from me in April - that's a must-buy right there!
I daresay the Call of Duty Black Ops 7 campaign may be the worst in the series, and it's not even close - utterly mad, given how amazing BLOPS6 was.
Online only. Co-op with strangers by default. Endless XP and upgrade chasing. Can't pause. No checkpoints. Shit story. Who is this even for?
Online only. Co-op with strangers by default. Endless XP and upgrade chasing. Can't pause. No checkpoints. Shit story. Who is this even for?
November 15, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I daresay the Call of Duty Black Ops 7 campaign may be the worst in the series, and it's not even close - utterly mad, given how amazing BLOPS6 was.
Online only. Co-op with strangers by default. Endless XP and upgrade chasing. Can't pause. No checkpoints. Shit story. Who is this even for?
Online only. Co-op with strangers by default. Endless XP and upgrade chasing. Can't pause. No checkpoints. Shit story. Who is this even for?
"Tonight's SmackDown is brought to you by Army Men Air Combat, the most intense chopper game in the sky, good to go by 3DO!"
November 14, 2025 at 8:54 PM
"Tonight's SmackDown is brought to you by Army Men Air Combat, the most intense chopper game in the sky, good to go by 3DO!"
Somehow, the only thing I bought for myself at Disneyland Paris was a MASSIVE Darth Vader mug - 880ml.
I fear that drinking a coffee from this will make me see into the future, and no one survives, not even the children
I fear that drinking a coffee from this will make me see into the future, and no one survives, not even the children
November 14, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Somehow, the only thing I bought for myself at Disneyland Paris was a MASSIVE Darth Vader mug - 880ml.
I fear that drinking a coffee from this will make me see into the future, and no one survives, not even the children
I fear that drinking a coffee from this will make me see into the future, and no one survives, not even the children
I know there are a lot of really important causes to fight for, but I can't help but feel that people really laid down for the rebranding of Lilt to Fanta
November 13, 2025 at 2:48 PM
I know there are a lot of really important causes to fight for, but I can't help but feel that people really laid down for the rebranding of Lilt to Fanta
Committed myself to sleeping for under five hours just so I could do Big Thunder Mountain at rope drop, because I'm a massive dweeb
November 13, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Committed myself to sleeping for under five hours just so I could do Big Thunder Mountain at rope drop, because I'm a massive dweeb
There are three things guaranteed in life: death, taxes, and child-free couples in their late 30s going to Disneyland Paris during term time
November 12, 2025 at 11:27 AM
There are three things guaranteed in life: death, taxes, and child-free couples in their late 30s going to Disneyland Paris during term time
We went back to the Eiffel Tower at night. Still f***ing massive. Gorgeous views from the top, though
November 11, 2025 at 9:00 PM
We went back to the Eiffel Tower at night. Still f***ing massive. Gorgeous views from the top, though
I'm sure this will probably be a known thing, but there's an artist who does gaming pixel art with tiles across Paris. These are everywhere. You love to see it
November 10, 2025 at 9:12 PM
I'm sure this will probably be a known thing, but there's an artist who does gaming pixel art with tiles across Paris. These are everywhere. You love to see it
Bonjour
Just quickly checking in to confirm that the Eiffel Tower is f***ing massive
Just quickly checking in to confirm that the Eiffel Tower is f***ing massive
November 10, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Bonjour
Just quickly checking in to confirm that the Eiffel Tower is f***ing massive
Just quickly checking in to confirm that the Eiffel Tower is f***ing massive
It absolutely blows my mind that family-friendly Nintendo is so militantly protective of its IPs, but this AI shit is in the top ten most purchased games in its sale right now
November 7, 2025 at 10:49 PM
It absolutely blows my mind that family-friendly Nintendo is so militantly protective of its IPs, but this AI shit is in the top ten most purchased games in its sale right now
Little man was recovering from an injury, so didn't get his scheduled haircut and therefore looked abandoned.
What a difference 24 hours makes!
What a difference 24 hours makes!
November 7, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Little man was recovering from an injury, so didn't get his scheduled haircut and therefore looked abandoned.
What a difference 24 hours makes!
What a difference 24 hours makes!
Your man Joe Marler, turning up to The Traitors finale dressed like Jack-2 in Tekken Tag Tournament
November 6, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Your man Joe Marler, turning up to The Traitors finale dressed like Jack-2 in Tekken Tag Tournament
Forgot to post this last night, but during the fireworks, GamePupper cuddled up with Panda, the only toy he's had since gotcha day in 2019
November 6, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Forgot to post this last night, but during the fireworks, GamePupper cuddled up with Panda, the only toy he's had since gotcha day in 2019
Well, that's another massive thing to add to the "I can't afford this but I need it" list. LEGO Star Trek kicks off with the iconic Enterprise (and a spectacular GWP)
Resistance Is Futile: 2025’s LEGO Star Trek USS Enterprise Revealed
LEGO's first major LEGO Star Trek set brings to life arguably the most iconic ship in the franchise’s fleet, and at a massive, 3,600-piece scale.
www.forbes.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Well, that's another massive thing to add to the "I can't afford this but I need it" list. LEGO Star Trek kicks off with the iconic Enterprise (and a spectacular GWP)
So @localthunk.com, @playstack.com and @fangamer.com are going all in on a delightful @playbalatro.com charity calendar starring @benstarr.bsky.social.
Brilliant, unhinged stuff. 10/10, like the game.
Brilliant, unhinged stuff. 10/10, like the game.
‘Balatro’ Has Released Its Most Absurd, Unmissable Merch Yet
It's not often that 'Expedition 33' royalty dresses as a clown for a charity gaming calendar, but stranger things have happened in 2025, and this is glorious.
www.forbes.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:29 PM
So @localthunk.com, @playstack.com and @fangamer.com are going all in on a delightful @playbalatro.com charity calendar starring @benstarr.bsky.social.
Brilliant, unhinged stuff. 10/10, like the game.
Brilliant, unhinged stuff. 10/10, like the game.
GamePupper Live: having a paddy and kicking the shit out of his bed for no good reason
November 4, 2025 at 8:08 PM
GamePupper Live: having a paddy and kicking the shit out of his bed for no good reason
2025 has been a VERY good year for games. This GOTY shortlist is possibly the strongest I've seen in years, 2023 included
2025 Golden Joystick Awards Reveals Stacked GOTY Shortlist
There’s absolutely no fat on the Golden Joysticks' 12 nominees, to the point that you can see any one of them winning GOTY honors in 2025.
www.forbes.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:13 PM
2025 has been a VERY good year for games. This GOTY shortlist is possibly the strongest I've seen in years, 2023 included
Essentially dropped everything for five minutes after hearing @mattchorley.bsky.social introduce @toadsanime.lostincult.co.uk on BBC 5 Live to talk about @stopkillinggames.bsky.social. You love to hear it
November 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Essentially dropped everything for five minutes after hearing @mattchorley.bsky.social introduce @toadsanime.lostincult.co.uk on BBC 5 Live to talk about @stopkillinggames.bsky.social. You love to hear it
It's our first visit to The Lowry - Salford Quays is a pretty impressive place these days
November 2, 2025 at 12:43 PM
It's our first visit to The Lowry - Salford Quays is a pretty impressive place these days