Lewis Gordon
@lewisgordon.bsky.social
Culture on computers, mostly | ✍ The Verge, FT, The Ringer, The Nation, ArtReview, The Guardian, Vulture | ✉️ lewisjohngordon~at~gmail~dot~com | he/him
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
And good luck to each and every Ubisoft employee.
November 13, 2025 at 6:49 PM
And good luck to each and every Ubisoft employee.
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
people are focusing on the scary part ("AI-generated") but why, why on Earth, would I want content "from users"
Bob Iger says Disney+ will soon have AI-generated short form content from users
(via THR)
(via THR)
November 13, 2025 at 5:14 PM
people are focusing on the scary part ("AI-generated") but why, why on Earth, would I want content "from users"
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
I wonder if Rockstar leadership envisaged this kind of response when they decided to fire 30+ workers in a union?
Video game giant Rockstar has sacked more than 30 workers across the UK, including my constituents working at their Edinburgh office. I urged Ministers to support workers who have lost their jobs, and stop this from happening again.
November 13, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I wonder if Rockstar leadership envisaged this kind of response when they decided to fire 30+ workers in a union?
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
Mom, I'm in the magazine!
The Unlikely ‘Father’ of Let’s Plays 🎮🎥
Japanese national treasure Shinya Arino has been the host of GameCenter CX for more than 20 years.
@lewisgordon.bsky.social meets with the comedian, host and game industry’s original ‘Let’s Player’ to discuss what makes the show so beloved to this day.
Japanese national treasure Shinya Arino has been the host of GameCenter CX for more than 20 years.
@lewisgordon.bsky.social meets with the comedian, host and game industry’s original ‘Let’s Player’ to discuss what makes the show so beloved to this day.
November 12, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Mom, I'm in the magazine!
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
NEW: the IWGB has filed formal legal claims against Rockstar after it says the company refused to meet to discuss bringing back fired developers.
"Rockstar has declined to meet with the IWGB, leading the union and barristers to issue formal legal claims on behalf of the Claimants."
"Rockstar has declined to meet with the IWGB, leading the union and barristers to issue formal legal claims on behalf of the Claimants."
November 12, 2025 at 3:23 PM
NEW: the IWGB has filed formal legal claims against Rockstar after it says the company refused to meet to discuss bringing back fired developers.
"Rockstar has declined to meet with the IWGB, leading the union and barristers to issue formal legal claims on behalf of the Claimants."
"Rockstar has declined to meet with the IWGB, leading the union and barristers to issue formal legal claims on behalf of the Claimants."
Writing my games-of-the-year list. Here's what I got so far 😈
10. Donkey Kong Bananza
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. Baby Steps
10. Donkey Kong Bananza
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. Baby Steps
November 12, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Writing my games-of-the-year list. Here's what I got so far 😈
10. Donkey Kong Bananza
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. Baby Steps
10. Donkey Kong Bananza
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. Baby Steps
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
Larson’s gunning for that Samus gig lol
November 12, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Larson’s gunning for that Samus gig lol
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
This was my favorite piece in APOT5, and that's saying a lot.
"I see the game as the guest. I want to make sure I do everything I can to show off every part of this guest."
I spoke with Shinya Arino, host and faithful "employee" of GameCenter CX about his philosophy, career highlights, and the secrets behind the trailblazing show. He was a delight.
I spoke with Shinya Arino, host and faithful "employee" of GameCenter CX about his philosophy, career highlights, and the secrets behind the trailblazing show. He was a delight.
The Unlikely ‘Father’ of Let’s Plays 🎮🎥
Japanese national treasure Shinya Arino has been the host of GameCenter CX for more than 20 years.
@lewisgordon.bsky.social meets with the comedian, host and game industry’s original ‘Let’s Player’ to discuss what makes the show so beloved to this day.
Japanese national treasure Shinya Arino has been the host of GameCenter CX for more than 20 years.
@lewisgordon.bsky.social meets with the comedian, host and game industry’s original ‘Let’s Player’ to discuss what makes the show so beloved to this day.
November 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM
This was my favorite piece in APOT5, and that's saying a lot.
"I see the game as the guest. I want to make sure I do everything I can to show off every part of this guest."
I spoke with Shinya Arino, host and faithful "employee" of GameCenter CX about his philosophy, career highlights, and the secrets behind the trailblazing show. He was a delight.
I spoke with Shinya Arino, host and faithful "employee" of GameCenter CX about his philosophy, career highlights, and the secrets behind the trailblazing show. He was a delight.
The Unlikely ‘Father’ of Let’s Plays 🎮🎥
Japanese national treasure Shinya Arino has been the host of GameCenter CX for more than 20 years.
@lewisgordon.bsky.social meets with the comedian, host and game industry’s original ‘Let’s Player’ to discuss what makes the show so beloved to this day.
Japanese national treasure Shinya Arino has been the host of GameCenter CX for more than 20 years.
@lewisgordon.bsky.social meets with the comedian, host and game industry’s original ‘Let’s Player’ to discuss what makes the show so beloved to this day.
November 12, 2025 at 1:20 PM
"I see the game as the guest. I want to make sure I do everything I can to show off every part of this guest."
I spoke with Shinya Arino, host and faithful "employee" of GameCenter CX about his philosophy, career highlights, and the secrets behind the trailblazing show. He was a delight.
I spoke with Shinya Arino, host and faithful "employee" of GameCenter CX about his philosophy, career highlights, and the secrets behind the trailblazing show. He was a delight.
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
Or to put it another way, if scored video game reviews only ever illuminate the inadequacy of scores when they foreground a progressive ideology, that would describe an inherent conservative bias in reviewing.
November 11, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Or to put it another way, if scored video game reviews only ever illuminate the inadequacy of scores when they foreground a progressive ideology, that would describe an inherent conservative bias in reviewing.
Possibly unpopular opinion: I like review scores!
I like how clear-cut they can be. I like how numerical valuations often force the writer and editorial team to sharpen focus — that a publication has to *really* commit.
I like how clear-cut they can be. I like how numerical valuations often force the writer and editorial team to sharpen focus — that a publication has to *really* commit.
Arc Raiders has produced twenty years of "why game reviews shouldn't have numeric scores" evidence in two weeks
November 11, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Possibly unpopular opinion: I like review scores!
I like how clear-cut they can be. I like how numerical valuations often force the writer and editorial team to sharpen focus — that a publication has to *really* commit.
I like how clear-cut they can be. I like how numerical valuations often force the writer and editorial team to sharpen focus — that a publication has to *really* commit.
Goodnight Universe, from @nicedreamgames.com, is a treat: funny, beautifully observed, gently profound. And by frequently tasking you to close your eyes, it is a rare video game that soothes rather than scorches the retinas.
www.ft.com/content/a3f4...
www.ft.com/content/a3f4...
November 11, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Goodnight Universe, from @nicedreamgames.com, is a treat: funny, beautifully observed, gently profound. And by frequently tasking you to close your eyes, it is a rare video game that soothes rather than scorches the retinas.
www.ft.com/content/a3f4...
www.ft.com/content/a3f4...
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
Interesting thread! Paet of why Balatro is cool is because it demonstrates that poker is a much more fun "game" once you give players tools to break free of chance as a determining factor - i.e., what makes the game lucrative as a gambling operation. Which I don't think most of its imitators get.
Feels very weird how some devs seem to now look at direct implementation of mechanics that simulate real gambling as being fine so long as they aren't the mechanism that directly siphons takes real money from you. I'm not sure I really agree with that principle personally.
November 10, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Interesting thread! Paet of why Balatro is cool is because it demonstrates that poker is a much more fun "game" once you give players tools to break free of chance as a determining factor - i.e., what makes the game lucrative as a gambling operation. Which I don't think most of its imitators get.
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
The company says it’s heartbreaking, they promise improvements, new guardrails. Anything but shutting it down. Suicide is just a metric in their ongoing beta test.
Sam Altman and everyone like him should be in fucking jail.
Sam Altman and everyone like him should be in fucking jail.
November 7, 2025 at 4:14 AM
The company says it’s heartbreaking, they promise improvements, new guardrails. Anything but shutting it down. Suicide is just a metric in their ongoing beta test.
Sam Altman and everyone like him should be in fucking jail.
Sam Altman and everyone like him should be in fucking jail.
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
The Scottish Greens stand with the dozens of workers sacked by @rockstargames.com for exercising their right to organise with @gameworkers.co.uk @iwgbunion.bsky.social
Reinstate them now, then get around the table & give your staff the pay & conditions they deserve for making you billions.
Reinstate them now, then get around the table & give your staff the pay & conditions they deserve for making you billions.
November 6, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The Scottish Greens stand with the dozens of workers sacked by @rockstargames.com for exercising their right to organise with @gameworkers.co.uk @iwgbunion.bsky.social
Reinstate them now, then get around the table & give your staff the pay & conditions they deserve for making you billions.
Reinstate them now, then get around the table & give your staff the pay & conditions they deserve for making you billions.
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
I wrote about historical fiction and romantic visions of the past in this year's videogames. Read it below!
Ghost of Yotei, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Mafia: The Old Country each, to different degrees, complicate our vision of the past.
Ghost Of Yotei And Other Historical Games Are Rewriting Old Myths
Ghost of Yotei, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Mafia: The Old Country each, to different degrees, complicate our vision of the past
kotaku.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM
I wrote about historical fiction and romantic visions of the past in this year's videogames. Read it below!
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
BREAKING: Yesterday Grand Theft Auto VI maker Rockstar Games fired dozens of people, all of whom were involved in union efforts. A British union calls it "blatant and ruthless" union-busting. Take-Two Interactive says it was due to misconduct.
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
‘Grand Theft Auto’ Studio Accused of Union Busting After Firings
Union says 30 and 40 people were terminated. Rockstar Games’ parent company cites ‘gross misconduct’
www.bloomberg.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:44 PM
BREAKING: Yesterday Grand Theft Auto VI maker Rockstar Games fired dozens of people, all of whom were involved in union efforts. A British union calls it "blatant and ruthless" union-busting. Take-Two Interactive says it was due to misconduct.
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
Booted up this game for the countless time this morning without even realising it was its birthday!
One of the most beautiful games of all time with an astounding sense of place and history. Can only give it my highest recommendation.
One of the most beautiful games of all time with an astounding sense of place and history. Can only give it my highest recommendation.
Jusant was released 2 years ago today! I couldn't have wished for a better reception. Thanks to every person who played this game (you are MANY), and a special <3 to all those who shared how it made them feel. Each comment, message, essay and critic I've seen helped me continue writing for games 🌱💫
October 31, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Booted up this game for the countless time this morning without even realising it was its birthday!
One of the most beautiful games of all time with an astounding sense of place and history. Can only give it my highest recommendation.
One of the most beautiful games of all time with an astounding sense of place and history. Can only give it my highest recommendation.
A beautiful, singular, and quietly radical game that I'm proud to have covered a bunch of times.
• www.theguardian.com/games/2023/n...
• www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/a...
• www.theguardian.com/games/2023/a...
• www.theguardian.com/games/2023/n...
• www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/a...
• www.theguardian.com/games/2023/a...
October 31, 2025 at 10:21 AM
A beautiful, singular, and quietly radical game that I'm proud to have covered a bunch of times.
• www.theguardian.com/games/2023/n...
• www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/a...
• www.theguardian.com/games/2023/a...
• www.theguardian.com/games/2023/n...
• www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/a...
• www.theguardian.com/games/2023/a...
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
- Simon Parkin reports on the Microsoft boycott
- Reid McCarter interviews MachineGames maestro Jerk Gustafsson
- Paul Weedon profiles Snapshot, founded by XCOM creator Julian Gollop
- I have an essay on Resident Evil. I also speak with Red Barrels about making The Outlast Trials
- Reid McCarter interviews MachineGames maestro Jerk Gustafsson
- Paul Weedon profiles Snapshot, founded by XCOM creator Julian Gollop
- I have an essay on Resident Evil. I also speak with Red Barrels about making The Outlast Trials
Edge 417 is out today, with an exclusive look behind the scenes of Routine, the long-awaited sci-fi thriller from UK indie studio Lunar Software. Our deep-dive cover story tracks the marathon journey of its development, from the 2012 announcement trailer to its imminent release.
October 30, 2025 at 11:59 AM
- Simon Parkin reports on the Microsoft boycott
- Reid McCarter interviews MachineGames maestro Jerk Gustafsson
- Paul Weedon profiles Snapshot, founded by XCOM creator Julian Gollop
- I have an essay on Resident Evil. I also speak with Red Barrels about making The Outlast Trials
- Reid McCarter interviews MachineGames maestro Jerk Gustafsson
- Paul Weedon profiles Snapshot, founded by XCOM creator Julian Gollop
- I have an essay on Resident Evil. I also speak with Red Barrels about making The Outlast Trials
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
hi all, the awaited day has come: I'm looking for freelance writers to pitch Inverse Gaming for end-of-year coverage! namely, I'm looking for someone to contribute our best of RPGs this year list ($350), and pitch us on some year-end lookback essays ($500+). please pitch me: shannon@inverse.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:31 PM
hi all, the awaited day has come: I'm looking for freelance writers to pitch Inverse Gaming for end-of-year coverage! namely, I'm looking for someone to contribute our best of RPGs this year list ($350), and pitch us on some year-end lookback essays ($500+). please pitch me: shannon@inverse.com
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
I have been fighting with Silent Hill f since I finished it a few weeks ago. The latest issue of @bulletpointsvg.bsky.social continues here: bulletpointsmonthly.com/2025/10/29/i...
If you have the time and inclination to read and share this, I'll be grateful. Small preview attached.
If you have the time and inclination to read and share this, I'll be grateful. Small preview attached.
October 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
I have been fighting with Silent Hill f since I finished it a few weeks ago. The latest issue of @bulletpointsvg.bsky.social continues here: bulletpointsmonthly.com/2025/10/29/i...
If you have the time and inclination to read and share this, I'll be grateful. Small preview attached.
If you have the time and inclination to read and share this, I'll be grateful. Small preview attached.
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
thank you to @mikesenters.bsky.social for being so succinct and clear about why this latest wave of Trump branded Halo memes feels so horrifying
Trump Admin’s Racist Halo Memes Are ‘A New Level of Dehumanization of Immigrants’
'The White House just marked the end of the console wars; DHS is posting deep fried Halo memes. We are somewhere else entirely.'
www.404media.co
October 28, 2025 at 9:16 PM
thank you to @mikesenters.bsky.social for being so succinct and clear about why this latest wave of Trump branded Halo memes feels so horrifying
Reposted by Lewis Gordon
The Last Guardian executive producer Yasuhide Kobayashi didn't want to move the game from PS3 to PS4.
October 28, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The Last Guardian executive producer Yasuhide Kobayashi didn't want to move the game from PS3 to PS4.