James Batchelor
@jamesbatchelor.bsky.social
Comms Manager at @digitalbandidos.bsky.social. Runs Non-Violent Game of the Day (@nvgotd.bsky.social). Former journalist
Author (The Best Non-Violent Video Games, Wandless, Blow The House Down) www.jamesbatchelor.me
Father. Gamer. Soundtrack Nerd
Author (The Best Non-Violent Video Games, Wandless, Blow The House Down) www.jamesbatchelor.me
Father. Gamer. Soundtrack Nerd
Pinned
Important News: You can now pre-order The History of the Pokémon Games from @penandswordbooks.bsky.social!
💻The making of Gen 1-9
🎮Over 150+ games
🎙️Foreword by @theveronicat.bsky.social, the original Ash Ketchum
Also available via Amazon, Waterstones, etc
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
💻The making of Gen 1-9
🎮Over 150+ games
🎙️Foreword by @theveronicat.bsky.social, the original Ash Ketchum
Also available via Amazon, Waterstones, etc
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
Reposted by James Batchelor
⚠️ We're getting reports of severe snow around the world this week. ⚠️
Everyone is advised to stay home and ensure they are prepared with shovels, scarfs, hot tea, penguins & flamethrowers.
Be sure to consult (wishlist) this essential survival training sim: store.steampowered.com/app/3232380/...
Everyone is advised to stay home and ensure they are prepared with shovels, scarfs, hot tea, penguins & flamethrowers.
Be sure to consult (wishlist) this essential survival training sim: store.steampowered.com/app/3232380/...
December 27, 2025 at 8:26 PM
⚠️ We're getting reports of severe snow around the world this week. ⚠️
Everyone is advised to stay home and ensure they are prepared with shovels, scarfs, hot tea, penguins & flamethrowers.
Be sure to consult (wishlist) this essential survival training sim: store.steampowered.com/app/3232380/...
Everyone is advised to stay home and ensure they are prepared with shovels, scarfs, hot tea, penguins & flamethrowers.
Be sure to consult (wishlist) this essential survival training sim: store.steampowered.com/app/3232380/...
Really hoping the Strangers Things finale has an Avengers-style one-shot with every character fighting off Demos. El and the Sorcerer ripping them to shreds, Nancy with an assault rifle, Steve with The Bat, Lucas with his wrist rocket, Mrs Wheeler with a broken wine bottle, etc
December 27, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Really hoping the Strangers Things finale has an Avengers-style one-shot with every character fighting off Demos. El and the Sorcerer ripping them to shreds, Nancy with an assault rifle, Steve with The Bat, Lucas with his wrist rocket, Mrs Wheeler with a broken wine bottle, etc
Reposted by James Batchelor
🎄🎁Merry Christmas everyone, from all of the Bandidos! 🎁
Wishing you happy holidays, fun family times, and (hopefully) time for that 'one more run' game of your choice 😜
Wishing you happy holidays, fun family times, and (hopefully) time for that 'one more run' game of your choice 😜
December 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
🎄🎁Merry Christmas everyone, from all of the Bandidos! 🎁
Wishing you happy holidays, fun family times, and (hopefully) time for that 'one more run' game of your choice 😜
Wishing you happy holidays, fun family times, and (hopefully) time for that 'one more run' game of your choice 😜
Who cares about the presents that came in the bag when the bag itself lets you channel your inner Solid Snake?
December 23, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Who cares about the presents that came in the bag when the bag itself lets you channel your inner Solid Snake?
Say what you will about the Wii U (and people do!) but it can still be so much fun, even 13 years later! Would love Nintendo to explore more asymmetrical multiplayer stuff, especially since everyone has their own screens in handheld mode
December 21, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Say what you will about the Wii U (and people do!) but it can still be so much fun, even 13 years later! Would love Nintendo to explore more asymmetrical multiplayer stuff, especially since everyone has their own screens in handheld mode
It's the last work day of the year so post a video game banger. Here's one I attempted to make the official 'we've sent an issue of Develop to the printers' anthem: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D4Y...
December 19, 2025 at 6:48 PM
It's the last work day of the year so post a video game banger. Here's one I attempted to make the official 'we've sent an issue of Develop to the printers' anthem: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D4Y...
Reposted by James Batchelor
BITS & BOPS
Collection of delightful rhythm-action mini-games presented in hand-drawn 2D animation. Also coming to consoles
[ PC, Mac, Linux / 2025 / @tempolab.games ]
www.tempolabgames.com
Collection of delightful rhythm-action mini-games presented in hand-drawn 2D animation. Also coming to consoles
[ PC, Mac, Linux / 2025 / @tempolab.games ]
www.tempolabgames.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:42 PM
BITS & BOPS
Collection of delightful rhythm-action mini-games presented in hand-drawn 2D animation. Also coming to consoles
[ PC, Mac, Linux / 2025 / @tempolab.games ]
www.tempolabgames.com
Collection of delightful rhythm-action mini-games presented in hand-drawn 2D animation. Also coming to consoles
[ PC, Mac, Linux / 2025 / @tempolab.games ]
www.tempolabgames.com
Reposted by James Batchelor
MY LITTLE SPIDER
A cute little spider lives on your desktop, catching bugs for you to collect, catalogue and sell. Spend the money on upgrades (to catch rarer bugs) or hats for your spider
[ PC / 2025 / @9fingergames.bsky.social @evantor.bsky.social ]
store.steampowered.com/app/3854330/...
A cute little spider lives on your desktop, catching bugs for you to collect, catalogue and sell. Spend the money on upgrades (to catch rarer bugs) or hats for your spider
[ PC / 2025 / @9fingergames.bsky.social @evantor.bsky.social ]
store.steampowered.com/app/3854330/...
December 18, 2025 at 4:56 PM
MY LITTLE SPIDER
A cute little spider lives on your desktop, catching bugs for you to collect, catalogue and sell. Spend the money on upgrades (to catch rarer bugs) or hats for your spider
[ PC / 2025 / @9fingergames.bsky.social @evantor.bsky.social ]
store.steampowered.com/app/3854330/...
A cute little spider lives on your desktop, catching bugs for you to collect, catalogue and sell. Spend the money on upgrades (to catch rarer bugs) or hats for your spider
[ PC / 2025 / @9fingergames.bsky.social @evantor.bsky.social ]
store.steampowered.com/app/3854330/...
Bingeing Star Trek Voyager before it leaves Netflix in Jan (so much I never saw), so tried the demo for that Voyager: Across The Unknown game as well.
Really like it so far - hoping they can get some soundbites from the original cast, cos that really helped with Elite Force!
Really like it so far - hoping they can get some soundbites from the original cast, cos that really helped with Elite Force!
December 18, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Bingeing Star Trek Voyager before it leaves Netflix in Jan (so much I never saw), so tried the demo for that Voyager: Across The Unknown game as well.
Really like it so far - hoping they can get some soundbites from the original cast, cos that really helped with Elite Force!
Really like it so far - hoping they can get some soundbites from the original cast, cos that really helped with Elite Force!
Reposted by James Batchelor
December 17, 2025 at 9:01 PM
I gather this has hints of Heaven's Vault and Chants of Senaar about it - right up my street, then!
LOK DIGITAL
Adaptation of acclaimed pen & paper puzzle book LOK. Learn words from a strange language and use their mysterious powers to clear each grid. Now on Switch!
[ PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Switch / 2024 / @letibus.bsky.social @icedropgames.bsky.social @draknek.bsky.social ]
lok-digital.com
Adaptation of acclaimed pen & paper puzzle book LOK. Learn words from a strange language and use their mysterious powers to clear each grid. Now on Switch!
[ PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Switch / 2024 / @letibus.bsky.social @icedropgames.bsky.social @draknek.bsky.social ]
lok-digital.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I gather this has hints of Heaven's Vault and Chants of Senaar about it - right up my street, then!
Reposted by James Batchelor
New update for Let Them Come: Onslaught available now for PC!
Additions include:
🤖 New character: deadly mech K-02
🧊 XP Cube Attractors, hidden at new energy stations hidden around each map
🛠️ Fixes for weapons and Onslaught Mode
Full details here:
store.steampowered.com/news/app/205...
Additions include:
🤖 New character: deadly mech K-02
🧊 XP Cube Attractors, hidden at new energy stations hidden around each map
🛠️ Fixes for weapons and Onslaught Mode
Full details here:
store.steampowered.com/news/app/205...
December 17, 2025 at 6:18 PM
New update for Let Them Come: Onslaught available now for PC!
Additions include:
🤖 New character: deadly mech K-02
🧊 XP Cube Attractors, hidden at new energy stations hidden around each map
🛠️ Fixes for weapons and Onslaught Mode
Full details here:
store.steampowered.com/news/app/205...
Additions include:
🤖 New character: deadly mech K-02
🧊 XP Cube Attractors, hidden at new energy stations hidden around each map
🛠️ Fixes for weapons and Onslaught Mode
Full details here:
store.steampowered.com/news/app/205...
Reveal your Game of the Year - unrelated pics only! No screenshots/artwork.
Could be photos of merch, memes, real-world equivalents of in-game objects... or, in my case, frantically scribbled notes in my childish handwriting. Any guesses?
Could be photos of merch, memes, real-world equivalents of in-game objects... or, in my case, frantically scribbled notes in my childish handwriting. Any guesses?
December 17, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Reveal your Game of the Year - unrelated pics only! No screenshots/artwork.
Could be photos of merch, memes, real-world equivalents of in-game objects... or, in my case, frantically scribbled notes in my childish handwriting. Any guesses?
Could be photos of merch, memes, real-world equivalents of in-game objects... or, in my case, frantically scribbled notes in my childish handwriting. Any guesses?
Reposted by James Batchelor
FAO all indie developers and publishers!
We know the last week before the holidays is manic, so here's a handy checklist:
✅ Clear inbox
✅ Submit any titles planned for Steam Next Fest (February 2026) for a spot in Indie Fan Fest: indiefanfest.com
✅ Move everything else to your January To Do list
We know the last week before the holidays is manic, so here's a handy checklist:
✅ Clear inbox
✅ Submit any titles planned for Steam Next Fest (February 2026) for a spot in Indie Fan Fest: indiefanfest.com
✅ Move everything else to your January To Do list
Indie Fan Fest
A Showcase Designed to Drive Wishlists
indiefanfest.com
December 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
FAO all indie developers and publishers!
We know the last week before the holidays is manic, so here's a handy checklist:
✅ Clear inbox
✅ Submit any titles planned for Steam Next Fest (February 2026) for a spot in Indie Fan Fest: indiefanfest.com
✅ Move everything else to your January To Do list
We know the last week before the holidays is manic, so here's a handy checklist:
✅ Clear inbox
✅ Submit any titles planned for Steam Next Fest (February 2026) for a spot in Indie Fan Fest: indiefanfest.com
✅ Move everything else to your January To Do list
Skyrim. Divinity: Original Sin 2. Tomb Raider Definitive Edition. A lot of great games are having Switch 2 versions shadow-drop just in time for Christmas - and The Witcher 3 is next, right @cdprojektred.com? Right?!
December 15, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Skyrim. Divinity: Original Sin 2. Tomb Raider Definitive Edition. A lot of great games are having Switch 2 versions shadow-drop just in time for Christmas - and The Witcher 3 is next, right @cdprojektred.com? Right?!
Reposted by James Batchelor
Well done to our friends at Tuatara. Keep up the great work!
And that concludes the 2025 Charity Streams!
Thank you to our presenters, moderators, organizers, and everyone who tuned in, donated, and supported us during the event.
Together we helped raise over $5k for @childsplaycharity.bsky.social Happy holidays to all, and we look forward to the next one!
Thank you to our presenters, moderators, organizers, and everyone who tuned in, donated, and supported us during the event.
Together we helped raise over $5k for @childsplaycharity.bsky.social Happy holidays to all, and we look forward to the next one!
December 15, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Well done to our friends at Tuatara. Keep up the great work!
It's me. I'm the Bandido. Frantically attempting to finish Pokemon Violet and Star Wars Outlaws so I can justify buying Donkey Kong Bananza, Metroid Prime 4 or Metroid Prime Remastered (or, ideally, all three!)
So what are you folks playing this weekend?
The DB team has a fresh new build of Froggy Hates Snow to dive into, plus one Bandido is desperately trying to clear a few things from his backlog so he can treat himself to a new game this Christmas.
The DB team has a fresh new build of Froggy Hates Snow to dive into, plus one Bandido is desperately trying to clear a few things from his backlog so he can treat himself to a new game this Christmas.
December 12, 2025 at 6:29 PM
It's me. I'm the Bandido. Frantically attempting to finish Pokemon Violet and Star Wars Outlaws so I can justify buying Donkey Kong Bananza, Metroid Prime 4 or Metroid Prime Remastered (or, ideally, all three!)
Someone only just learned/realised that Bradely The Badger is developed by @davidesoliani.bsky.social and his team, with music by @grantkirkhope.bsky.social. That game just leapt even higher up my Most Wanted list.
December 12, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Someone only just learned/realised that Bradely The Badger is developed by @davidesoliani.bsky.social and his team, with music by @grantkirkhope.bsky.social. That game just leapt even higher up my Most Wanted list.
Will be looking out for Pedro in future TGAs
I haven't been able to stop thinking about him, he played with so much passion 😭 and the range?!!
His name is Pedro Eustache and he's a Venezuelan wind instrumentalist, hugely talented and his career is super impressive!!
(yes, I have fallen down a post-TGAs rabbit hole, thanks for noticing)
His name is Pedro Eustache and he's a Venezuelan wind instrumentalist, hugely talented and his career is super impressive!!
(yes, I have fallen down a post-TGAs rabbit hole, thanks for noticing)
Been catching up on #TheGameAwards, including the orchestral GOTY medley (always a highlight). Please tell me this bloke got an award as well. Six instruments in less than four minutes, and he was putting so much energy into each one.
December 12, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Will be looking out for Pedro in future TGAs
Reposted by James Batchelor
Congratulations to all the winners at last night's #TheGameAwards - especially the teams at @sandfallgames.bsky.social and @kepler-interactive.bsky.social for absolutely smashing it with @expedition33.bsky.social. Well done, all of you!
December 12, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Congratulations to all the winners at last night's #TheGameAwards - especially the teams at @sandfallgames.bsky.social and @kepler-interactive.bsky.social for absolutely smashing it with @expedition33.bsky.social. Well done, all of you!
Been catching up on #TheGameAwards, including the orchestral GOTY medley (always a highlight). Please tell me this bloke got an award as well. Six instruments in less than four minutes, and he was putting so much energy into each one.
December 12, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Been catching up on #TheGameAwards, including the orchestral GOTY medley (always a highlight). Please tell me this bloke got an award as well. Six instruments in less than four minutes, and he was putting so much energy into each one.
Reposted by James Batchelor
Today is the last day of #BulletHeaveFest, a celebration of relentless action games where YOU drive the chaos.
Be sure to check out the full line-up -- including @TuataraGames.com's Let Them Come: Onslaught -- right here: store.steampowered.com/sale/BulletH...
Be sure to check out the full line-up -- including @TuataraGames.com's Let Them Come: Onslaught -- right here: store.steampowered.com/sale/BulletH...
December 11, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Today is the last day of #BulletHeaveFest, a celebration of relentless action games where YOU drive the chaos.
Be sure to check out the full line-up -- including @TuataraGames.com's Let Them Come: Onslaught -- right here: store.steampowered.com/sale/BulletH...
Be sure to check out the full line-up -- including @TuataraGames.com's Let Them Come: Onslaught -- right here: store.steampowered.com/sale/BulletH...
Reposted by James Batchelor
I’m leaving MCV/DEVELOP in the new year, which means that I’m available for work!
If you need:
- Narrative / Game Design
- Screenwriting or Comic Scripts
- News
- Reviews
- Interviews
- Features
- Mock Reviews & Consultancy
… or anything else we offer over at hologramghost.com, please hit me up!
If you need:
- Narrative / Game Design
- Screenwriting or Comic Scripts
- News
- Reviews
- Interviews
- Features
- Mock Reviews & Consultancy
… or anything else we offer over at hologramghost.com, please hit me up!
December 2, 2025 at 10:06 AM
I’m leaving MCV/DEVELOP in the new year, which means that I’m available for work!
If you need:
- Narrative / Game Design
- Screenwriting or Comic Scripts
- News
- Reviews
- Interviews
- Features
- Mock Reviews & Consultancy
… or anything else we offer over at hologramghost.com, please hit me up!
If you need:
- Narrative / Game Design
- Screenwriting or Comic Scripts
- News
- Reviews
- Interviews
- Features
- Mock Reviews & Consultancy
… or anything else we offer over at hologramghost.com, please hit me up!
My son borrows/demands my phone on a daily basis so he can have battle music as he plays with his toys. No surprise, then, that he's completely derailed my Nintendo Music Review 2025 (I'm just surprised it's as low as 70 hours!)
December 11, 2025 at 11:30 AM
My son borrows/demands my phone on a daily basis so he can have battle music as he plays with his toys. No surprise, then, that he's completely derailed my Nintendo Music Review 2025 (I'm just surprised it's as low as 70 hours!)
Wondering if there will ever be a year where my son doesn't completely derail my PlayStation Wrap-up (or, indeed, any console end-of-year stats).
At least I managed to keep his games out of the Top 2 this year
At least I managed to keep his games out of the Top 2 this year
December 9, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Wondering if there will ever be a year where my son doesn't completely derail my PlayStation Wrap-up (or, indeed, any console end-of-year stats).
At least I managed to keep his games out of the Top 2 this year
At least I managed to keep his games out of the Top 2 this year