Nick Calandra
@nickjcal.bsky.social
Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of @secondwindgroup.com Creating the video series Unpacked, and working on secret projects. Former Editor in Chief of The Escapist.
Email: nick.calandra@secondwindgroup.com
Email: nick.calandra@secondwindgroup.com
Pinned
Nick Calandra
@nickjcal.bsky.social
· Jan 3
And that's my first game of 2025 completed with Roboquest.
What a gem of a game.
Final boss is hard as nails, but did enough runs with enough unlocks that I got a crazy overpower build in the end.
Will definitely be returning for more runs later.
What a gem of a game.
Final boss is hard as nails, but did enough runs with enough unlocks that I got a crazy overpower build in the end.
Will definitely be returning for more runs later.
Working on so many cool things right now.
Games Showcase, next episodes of Beyond the Pixels, Lost and Found pitches... secret stuff.
Heading into 3 years of Second Wind already and really have found the passion for this job again after being entirely burnt out by end of Escapist.
Games Showcase, next episodes of Beyond the Pixels, Lost and Found pitches... secret stuff.
Heading into 3 years of Second Wind already and really have found the passion for this job again after being entirely burnt out by end of Escapist.
February 3, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Working on so many cool things right now.
Games Showcase, next episodes of Beyond the Pixels, Lost and Found pitches... secret stuff.
Heading into 3 years of Second Wind already and really have found the passion for this job again after being entirely burnt out by end of Escapist.
Games Showcase, next episodes of Beyond the Pixels, Lost and Found pitches... secret stuff.
Heading into 3 years of Second Wind already and really have found the passion for this job again after being entirely burnt out by end of Escapist.
As we wrap up work on our current @lostandfound.media project, we're looking for new clients to take on!
If you need help with marketing for your upcoming game (trailers, key art, store pages, planning, etc) we're available and ready to work!
Email biz at lostandfound.media for a meet!
If you need help with marketing for your upcoming game (trailers, key art, store pages, planning, etc) we're available and ready to work!
Email biz at lostandfound.media for a meet!
February 3, 2026 at 5:22 PM
As we wrap up work on our current @lostandfound.media project, we're looking for new clients to take on!
If you need help with marketing for your upcoming game (trailers, key art, store pages, planning, etc) we're available and ready to work!
Email biz at lostandfound.media for a meet!
If you need help with marketing for your upcoming game (trailers, key art, store pages, planning, etc) we're available and ready to work!
Email biz at lostandfound.media for a meet!
No GDC for me this year as I’m taking a personal vacation to go explore Rome and Athens in March!
If you wanna do a virtual meet to catch-up, share updates on projects etc, shoot me an email or DM and we can get something scheduled.
If you wanna do a virtual meet to catch-up, share updates on projects etc, shoot me an email or DM and we can get something scheduled.
February 3, 2026 at 5:05 PM
No GDC for me this year as I’m taking a personal vacation to go explore Rome and Athens in March!
If you wanna do a virtual meet to catch-up, share updates on projects etc, shoot me an email or DM and we can get something scheduled.
If you wanna do a virtual meet to catch-up, share updates on projects etc, shoot me an email or DM and we can get something scheduled.
Reposted by Nick Calandra
Obsidian shipped three games last year: Avowed, Grounded 2, and Outer Worlds 2. Grounded 2 was a hit, but the two RPGs were not, leading to some self-reflection. How to make games in 3-4 years rather than 6-7? This story may be a case study for the entire industry www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Inside Xbox, a Game Studio Is Trying to Reinvent Itself
Microsoft’s Obsidian Entertainment is searching for ways to make games more quickly and on smaller budgets.
www.bloomberg.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Obsidian shipped three games last year: Avowed, Grounded 2, and Outer Worlds 2. Grounded 2 was a hit, but the two RPGs were not, leading to some self-reflection. How to make games in 3-4 years rather than 6-7? This story may be a case study for the entire industry www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Nick Calandra
CONSPIRACY CORNER
Put on your tinfoil hats as we try to figure out if the new Stranger Things animated series was made from the remnants of a cancelled Telltale game.
New column is live now on Patreon -- www.patreon.com/posts/column...
Put on your tinfoil hats as we try to figure out if the new Stranger Things animated series was made from the remnants of a cancelled Telltale game.
New column is live now on Patreon -- www.patreon.com/posts/column...
February 3, 2026 at 3:04 PM
CONSPIRACY CORNER
Put on your tinfoil hats as we try to figure out if the new Stranger Things animated series was made from the remnants of a cancelled Telltale game.
New column is live now on Patreon -- www.patreon.com/posts/column...
Put on your tinfoil hats as we try to figure out if the new Stranger Things animated series was made from the remnants of a cancelled Telltale game.
New column is live now on Patreon -- www.patreon.com/posts/column...
Man it’s crazy how good Fallout is on Prime, and that makes it even more annoying at how badly they screwed up Halo.
a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of a window with his hands on his head .
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of a window with his hands on his head .
media.tenor.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:35 AM
Man it’s crazy how good Fallout is on Prime, and that makes it even more annoying at how badly they screwed up Halo.
Blue states cut all funding to red states then. Enough subsidizing morons like Mullin in Oklahoma.
Markwayne Mullin: "I agree with what Lindsey is saying on defunding these sanctuary cities. We should pull our TSA agents out of their airports and not allow their airpot to be classified as international or even a regional hub. We should pull all of our aid."
February 3, 2026 at 2:33 AM
Blue states cut all funding to red states then. Enough subsidizing morons like Mullin in Oklahoma.
Reposted by Nick Calandra
Highguard saw a notable uptick in player numbers and positive reviews during its first weekend, following the introduction of a 5v5 match mode.
The free-to-play shooter attracted a significant amount of interest and negative sentiment following its launch, which tapered off throughout the week.
The free-to-play shooter attracted a significant amount of interest and negative sentiment following its launch, which tapered off throughout the week.
Highguard Reviews Improve To "Mixed" After One Week, Thanks To 5v5 Mode
The number of positive user reviews on Steam began outpacing the negative late last week, following the introduction of the new mode.
thisweekinvideogames.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Highguard saw a notable uptick in player numbers and positive reviews during its first weekend, following the introduction of a 5v5 match mode.
The free-to-play shooter attracted a significant amount of interest and negative sentiment following its launch, which tapered off throughout the week.
The free-to-play shooter attracted a significant amount of interest and negative sentiment following its launch, which tapered off throughout the week.
Just sent out email blast to PR for our upcoming Games Showcase!
If you didn't get it and need it let me know.
Over the next couple weeks, I'll also be personally contacting individual games we'd love to see in the showcase, so keep an eye out in your inboxes!
If you didn't get it and need it let me know.
Over the next couple weeks, I'll also be personally contacting individual games we'd love to see in the showcase, so keep an eye out in your inboxes!
February 2, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Just sent out email blast to PR for our upcoming Games Showcase!
If you didn't get it and need it let me know.
Over the next couple weeks, I'll also be personally contacting individual games we'd love to see in the showcase, so keep an eye out in your inboxes!
If you didn't get it and need it let me know.
Over the next couple weeks, I'll also be personally contacting individual games we'd love to see in the showcase, so keep an eye out in your inboxes!
Reposted by Nick Calandra
The crew at @secondwindgroup.com and @nickjcal.bsky.social going from strength to strength and doing even more cool shit
Congrats guys, it’s been so awesome to see you thrive
Congrats guys, it’s been so awesome to see you thrive
It's finally time!
Registration is officially open for our upcoming Games Showcase on @secondwindgroup.com in April 2026!
Registration is officially open for our upcoming Games Showcase on @secondwindgroup.com in April 2026!
Today we're excited to open up registration for our upcoming Second Wind Games Showcase which will air on April 23rd, 2026!
No hosts, no filler, just cool games from all around the world.
Registration is free - forms.gle/cmF7vUkPc96d...
Deadline is March 15, 2026!
No hosts, no filler, just cool games from all around the world.
Registration is free - forms.gle/cmF7vUkPc96d...
Deadline is March 15, 2026!
February 2, 2026 at 7:49 PM
The crew at @secondwindgroup.com and @nickjcal.bsky.social going from strength to strength and doing even more cool shit
Congrats guys, it’s been so awesome to see you thrive
Congrats guys, it’s been so awesome to see you thrive
Reposted by Nick Calandra
It's finally time!
Registration is officially open for our upcoming Games Showcase on @secondwindgroup.com in April 2026!
Registration is officially open for our upcoming Games Showcase on @secondwindgroup.com in April 2026!
Today we're excited to open up registration for our upcoming Second Wind Games Showcase which will air on April 23rd, 2026!
No hosts, no filler, just cool games from all around the world.
Registration is free - forms.gle/cmF7vUkPc96d...
Deadline is March 15, 2026!
No hosts, no filler, just cool games from all around the world.
Registration is free - forms.gle/cmF7vUkPc96d...
Deadline is March 15, 2026!
February 2, 2026 at 5:53 PM
It's finally time!
Registration is officially open for our upcoming Games Showcase on @secondwindgroup.com in April 2026!
Registration is officially open for our upcoming Games Showcase on @secondwindgroup.com in April 2026!
It's finally time!
Registration is officially open for our upcoming Games Showcase on @secondwindgroup.com in April 2026!
Registration is officially open for our upcoming Games Showcase on @secondwindgroup.com in April 2026!
Today we're excited to open up registration for our upcoming Second Wind Games Showcase which will air on April 23rd, 2026!
No hosts, no filler, just cool games from all around the world.
Registration is free - forms.gle/cmF7vUkPc96d...
Deadline is March 15, 2026!
No hosts, no filler, just cool games from all around the world.
Registration is free - forms.gle/cmF7vUkPc96d...
Deadline is March 15, 2026!
February 2, 2026 at 5:53 PM
It's finally time!
Registration is officially open for our upcoming Games Showcase on @secondwindgroup.com in April 2026!
Registration is officially open for our upcoming Games Showcase on @secondwindgroup.com in April 2026!
Reposted by Nick Calandra
UPDATE: Ubisoft Montreal team lead David Michaud-Cromp has been terminated by Ubisoft less than a week after being suspended without pay for publicly commenting on the company's recently announced RTO policy.
NEW: I spoke to the Ubisoft team lead who said they were suspended without pay after commenting on the company's recently-announced RTO policy.
They wanted to take a moment to elaborate on their personal views to explain how sudden policy changes can leave workers in the lurch.
Full story below:
They wanted to take a moment to elaborate on their personal views to explain how sudden policy changes can leave workers in the lurch.
Full story below:
Ubisoft team lead suspended for commenting on RTO policy
The Ubisoft Montréal team lead has now spoken to Game Developer to further outline their views on return-to-office mandates.
www.gamedeveloper.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:25 PM
UPDATE: Ubisoft Montreal team lead David Michaud-Cromp has been terminated by Ubisoft less than a week after being suspended without pay for publicly commenting on the company's recently announced RTO policy.
Hell yea, very deserved!
Is this the revival of Kami’s golden age of tourism?
We couldn’t be happier to have welcomed 200,000 climbers to the mountain over the weekend.
We couldn’t be happier to have welcomed 200,000 climbers to the mountain over the weekend.
February 2, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Hell yea, very deserved!
A reminder that with Steam Next Fest around the corner again I've created 9 (so far) Starter Packs for game developers and game accounts to follow on Bluesky.
Here's the latest one and you can find the rest on the Starter Packs tab on my profile.
Shares appreciated so more studios join!
Here's the latest one and you can find the rest on the Starter Packs tab on my profile.
Shares appreciated so more studios join!
February 2, 2026 at 4:53 PM
A reminder that with Steam Next Fest around the corner again I've created 9 (so far) Starter Packs for game developers and game accounts to follow on Bluesky.
Here's the latest one and you can find the rest on the Starter Packs tab on my profile.
Shares appreciated so more studios join!
Here's the latest one and you can find the rest on the Starter Packs tab on my profile.
Shares appreciated so more studios join!
Reposted by Nick Calandra
Announcement: The Crabmeat Steam Demo is Out Now!
An early segment of the game is available for those willing to brave the ice ❄️
Explore the full depths when the game launches March 10th
store.steampowered.com/app/3671850/...
Please Wishlist and Share!🦀🦀
#gamedev #indiedev
An early segment of the game is available for those willing to brave the ice ❄️
Explore the full depths when the game launches March 10th
store.steampowered.com/app/3671850/...
Please Wishlist and Share!🦀🦀
#gamedev #indiedev
February 2, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Announcement: The Crabmeat Steam Demo is Out Now!
An early segment of the game is available for those willing to brave the ice ❄️
Explore the full depths when the game launches March 10th
store.steampowered.com/app/3671850/...
Please Wishlist and Share!🦀🦀
#gamedev #indiedev
An early segment of the game is available for those willing to brave the ice ❄️
Explore the full depths when the game launches March 10th
store.steampowered.com/app/3671850/...
Please Wishlist and Share!🦀🦀
#gamedev #indiedev
Reposted by Nick Calandra
Do you remember when people were saying "I think my phone is listening to me, i'm getting ads for stuff I spoke about" and people said "They arent listening to you, they're just this good at predicting your interests"?
Well, it happens they were doing exactly that.
www.cbsnews.com/news/google-...
Well, it happens they were doing exactly that.
www.cbsnews.com/news/google-...
Google to pay $68 million over allegations its voice assistant eavesdropped on users
Class-action lawsuit alleged that Google's voice assistant illegally recorded and shared private conversations with advertisers.
www.cbsnews.com
February 1, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Do you remember when people were saying "I think my phone is listening to me, i'm getting ads for stuff I spoke about" and people said "They arent listening to you, they're just this good at predicting your interests"?
Well, it happens they were doing exactly that.
www.cbsnews.com/news/google-...
Well, it happens they were doing exactly that.
www.cbsnews.com/news/google-...
Reposted by Nick Calandra
BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.
Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...
www.propublica.org
February 1, 2026 at 9:10 PM
BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.
I am here for the crash.
Oh.
"Nvidia’s plan to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI... has stalled after some inside the chip giant expressed doubts about the deal"
"Nvidia’s plan to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI... has stalled after some inside the chip giant expressed doubts about the deal"
Exclusive | The $100 Billion Megadeal Between OpenAI and Nvidia Is on Ice
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has privately played down the likelihood the original deal will be finalized, although the two companies will continue to have a close collaboration.
www.wsj.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:00 PM
I am here for the crash.
Has literally any MMO that was kickstarted actually come out?
Crowfall, Dreamworld, Star Citizen and now Ashes of Creation?
Feels like every single one either ends up as a scam or never finished.
Crowfall, Dreamworld, Star Citizen and now Ashes of Creation?
Feels like every single one either ends up as a scam or never finished.
Ashes of Creation Collapses as Entire Intrepid Studios Team Laid Off Without Final Pay
In a shocking twist, Ashes of Creation has crumbled as Intrepid Studios has been slashed to pieces by a suspicious breakdown.
insider-gaming.com
February 1, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Has literally any MMO that was kickstarted actually come out?
Crowfall, Dreamworld, Star Citizen and now Ashes of Creation?
Feels like every single one either ends up as a scam or never finished.
Crowfall, Dreamworld, Star Citizen and now Ashes of Creation?
Feels like every single one either ends up as a scam or never finished.
People focus on player counts without even thinking about the context of it.
If a game has 2000 active players at any given moment that’s healthier than you think for studios not beholden to shareholders.
Why studios are more focused on MAU (monthly active users) over hyper-focusing on CCU.
If a game has 2000 active players at any given moment that’s healthier than you think for studios not beholden to shareholders.
Why studios are more focused on MAU (monthly active users) over hyper-focusing on CCU.
January 31, 2026 at 9:31 PM
People focus on player counts without even thinking about the context of it.
If a game has 2000 active players at any given moment that’s healthier than you think for studios not beholden to shareholders.
Why studios are more focused on MAU (monthly active users) over hyper-focusing on CCU.
If a game has 2000 active players at any given moment that’s healthier than you think for studios not beholden to shareholders.
Why studios are more focused on MAU (monthly active users) over hyper-focusing on CCU.
Reposted by Nick Calandra
Finally got round to watching this and it's an absolute belter from @darrenmooney.bsky.social. While Star Trek is one of the most obviously symptomatic of the sci-fi/specfi greats, I think it's something that a lot of modern reboots or sequels to excellent sci-fi of yesteryear fail to grasp.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is... not great. In fact, we're not even sure who it's for at this point.
The latest episode of The Backdrop from @darrenmooney.bsky.social is now available!
The latest episode of The Backdrop from @darrenmooney.bsky.social is now available!
How Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Betrays the Next Generation | The Backdrop
YouTube video by Second Wind
youtu.be
January 31, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Finally got round to watching this and it's an absolute belter from @darrenmooney.bsky.social. While Star Trek is one of the most obviously symptomatic of the sci-fi/specfi greats, I think it's something that a lot of modern reboots or sequels to excellent sci-fi of yesteryear fail to grasp.
Reposted by Nick Calandra
Brutal column in the Kansas City Star about a local real estate company trying to avoid public scrutiny for selling ICE a property for a massive prison camp:
www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
January 30, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Brutal column in the Kansas City Star about a local real estate company trying to avoid public scrutiny for selling ICE a property for a massive prison camp:
www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Nick Calandra
This week on Unpacked, @nickjcal.bsky.social is looking at the "controversy" around Highguard and how it highlights just how absurd the engagement bait has gotten around games from all mediums.
Highguard Highlights the Problem with Engagement Bait | Unpacked
YouTube video by Second Wind
www.youtube.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:05 PM
This week on Unpacked, @nickjcal.bsky.social is looking at the "controversy" around Highguard and how it highlights just how absurd the engagement bait has gotten around games from all mediums.
Reposted by Nick Calandra
This is a fantastic watch. It's a sad reality of the current media landscape.
This week on Unpacked, @nickjcal.bsky.social is looking at the "controversy" around Highguard and how it highlights just how absurd the engagement bait has gotten around games from all mediums.
Highguard Highlights the Problem with Engagement Bait | Unpacked
YouTube video by Second Wind
www.youtube.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:46 PM
This is a fantastic watch. It's a sad reality of the current media landscape.