Jonathan Higgins
@radicaldefect.bsky.social
I’m just a man who wants to see his friends again. Avatar by @hail9000.bsky.social. (He/Him)
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radicaldefect's profile | Backloggd
Keep a virtual backlog of your video game collection, then rate and review the ones you've played to share with your friends!
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Hi, huge influx of new folks. I am a late-30s, exhausted grocery clerk with a brief (& v. dated now) history in games press.
I'm not active much on this or any platform, but follow me for niche Game Boy BS, wild flailing whenever a new Kirby game comes out, Pokémon, & photos of my cat. Also, here:
I'm not active much on this or any platform, but follow me for niche Game Boy BS, wild flailing whenever a new Kirby game comes out, Pokémon, & photos of my cat. Also, here:
Reposted by Jonathan Higgins
Some years ago an Antarctic diver encountered a leopard seal who, instead of attacking her, brought her half-dead penguins for her to “hunt.” Every time the diver let the penguin get away, the seal seemed confused, even exasperated. ⬇️
November 10, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Some years ago an Antarctic diver encountered a leopard seal who, instead of attacking her, brought her half-dead penguins for her to “hunt.” Every time the diver let the penguin get away, the seal seemed confused, even exasperated. ⬇️
Reposted by Jonathan Higgins
Reposted by Jonathan Higgins
Because SE's QA people are probably not in a position to defend themselves and their jobs in public, I want to spell out some of what it is they specifically do for us localizers, because nothing I've written here is rhetorical. SE QA acts as a final check on our work after translation and editing.
You don't need me to tell you this is yet more good money being burned after bad. But as someone who's worked with that QA team, I'll say they're unsung heroes who truly play a huge role in maintaining SE's reputation for high quality locs and to attempt to replace them with AI is deeply insulting.
Square Enix wants 70% of its QA work to be handled by generative AI by the end of 2027, in partnership with the University of Tokyo's Matsuo-Iwasawa Laboratory. https://bit.ly/4qKdyQR
November 6, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Because SE's QA people are probably not in a position to defend themselves and their jobs in public, I want to spell out some of what it is they specifically do for us localizers, because nothing I've written here is rhetorical. SE QA acts as a final check on our work after translation and editing.
Reposted by Jonathan Higgins
If you are in the business of making stories, quality writing is non-negotiable. Good localization is non-negotiable.
The writing has been on the wall, but to be quite frank, current SE leadership has shown utter disdain for its entire loc pipeline and if they can find a way to get rid of everyone in the chain, they will. If you care about quality prose in SE games, NOW is the time to let your feelings be known.
November 6, 2025 at 8:45 PM
If you are in the business of making stories, quality writing is non-negotiable. Good localization is non-negotiable.
The $30 Legends ZA DLC seemingly doesn't have any new Pokémon/environments, locks another new Mega behind battling online, and needlessly inflates the level cap for the sole purpose of keeping players from steamrolling the story.
...This is probably the first time I ever pass on Pokémon DLC? Idk.
...This is probably the first time I ever pass on Pokémon DLC? Idk.
November 6, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The $30 Legends ZA DLC seemingly doesn't have any new Pokémon/environments, locks another new Mega behind battling online, and needlessly inflates the level cap for the sole purpose of keeping players from steamrolling the story.
...This is probably the first time I ever pass on Pokémon DLC? Idk.
...This is probably the first time I ever pass on Pokémon DLC? Idk.
Reposted by Jonathan Higgins
Five bucks on Apple TV right now. Go get it.
November 6, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Five bucks on Apple TV right now. Go get it.
Reposted by Jonathan Higgins
i promise you that you have a locally owned coffee shop in your area that makes just as good a version of whatever starbucks drink you like, and isn't actively engaged in trying to dismantle labor rights in america
Union baristas are calling on allies to STOP BUYING STARBUCKS if we go on ULP strike. If our communities stand with us in action, we can take back power from the billionaires & CEOs.
nocontractnocoffee.org
nocontractnocoffee.org
No Contract, No Coffee | Starbucks Workers United
Starbucks baristas brewing change. Join the movement for fair contracts, better wages, and worker protections.
nocontractnocoffee.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:18 PM
i promise you that you have a locally owned coffee shop in your area that makes just as good a version of whatever starbucks drink you like, and isn't actively engaged in trying to dismantle labor rights in america
My profile icon on Nintendo Switch (2) has been my Mii wearing a pink shirt since 2017. Tonight.......everything changed.....
November 4, 2025 at 4:17 AM
My profile icon on Nintendo Switch (2) has been my Mii wearing a pink shirt since 2017. Tonight.......everything changed.....
Did YOU know you can play SEGA Master System cartridges on your Analogue Pocket? If not, have I got news for you! With this true “Tower of Power”, you too can be as happy as I am in this moment.
November 4, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Did YOU know you can play SEGA Master System cartridges on your Analogue Pocket? If not, have I got news for you! With this true “Tower of Power”, you too can be as happy as I am in this moment.
Reposted by Jonathan Higgins
i'm so overjoyed that, as of tomorrow, 1000xRESIST will gain new audiences. it's one of the best games i've ever played and will ever play. it's the honor of a lifetime to work on this game's future. i hope all of you who haven't played it yet fall in love with it as rapidly as i did 💙
The indie hit has one of the most personal narratives in gaming. Now, more players will be able to experience it as 1000xResist comes to PS5 and Xbox.
One of the best stories in games finally comes to PS5 and Xbox
The indie hit has one of the most personal narratives in gaming. Now, more players will be able to experience it as 1000xResist comes to PS5 and Xbox.
www.polygon.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:30 PM
i'm so overjoyed that, as of tomorrow, 1000xRESIST will gain new audiences. it's one of the best games i've ever played and will ever play. it's the honor of a lifetime to work on this game's future. i hope all of you who haven't played it yet fall in love with it as rapidly as i did 💙
There are like sixteen different ways to play of Streets of Rage 1&2. But SOR3 has....the Mega Drive original and an Xbox port from M2? Maybe a delisted Virtual Console version or two??
I would've thought the SEGA Vintage Collection would get a modern re-release when SOR4 was announced, but noooo.
I would've thought the SEGA Vintage Collection would get a modern re-release when SOR4 was announced, but noooo.
November 1, 2025 at 3:31 PM
There are like sixteen different ways to play of Streets of Rage 1&2. But SOR3 has....the Mega Drive original and an Xbox port from M2? Maybe a delisted Virtual Console version or two??
I would've thought the SEGA Vintage Collection would get a modern re-release when SOR4 was announced, but noooo.
I would've thought the SEGA Vintage Collection would get a modern re-release when SOR4 was announced, but noooo.
I stopped playing Dragon Quest III HD2D right at the "finish line" a chunk of the way through Alefgard.
I want someone to convince me that everything I disliked about III HD2D (world too big relative to the originals, exploration felt boring, everything was so slow) has been solved in I & II HD2D.
I want someone to convince me that everything I disliked about III HD2D (world too big relative to the originals, exploration felt boring, everything was so slow) has been solved in I & II HD2D.
November 1, 2025 at 12:18 AM
I stopped playing Dragon Quest III HD2D right at the "finish line" a chunk of the way through Alefgard.
I want someone to convince me that everything I disliked about III HD2D (world too big relative to the originals, exploration felt boring, everything was so slow) has been solved in I & II HD2D.
I want someone to convince me that everything I disliked about III HD2D (world too big relative to the originals, exploration felt boring, everything was so slow) has been solved in I & II HD2D.
The coming update to Animal Crossing got me to revisit my “100% complete”island from early 2020 for the first time in…several years? It’s downright EERIE how little things changed in all this time. Glad to see it’s been well-maintained. And I have plenty of bells in savings & Nook Miles stored up. 🤣
October 30, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The coming update to Animal Crossing got me to revisit my “100% complete”island from early 2020 for the first time in…several years? It’s downright EERIE how little things changed in all this time. Glad to see it’s been well-maintained. And I have plenty of bells in savings & Nook Miles stored up. 🤣
They’re saving the extensive Kirby collaboration for the next big Animal Crossing game… right? 😜
October 30, 2025 at 1:31 PM
They’re saving the extensive Kirby collaboration for the next big Animal Crossing game… right? 😜
Reposted by Jonathan Higgins
The problem with Pokemon Z-A all taking place in one city isn’t the lack of environmental variety, it’s that the city design is not conducive to being fun. It’s a maze of walls that are shaped like buildings and hallways.
They didn’t build a city, they built a labyrinth with a city skin on it.
They didn’t build a city, they built a labyrinth with a city skin on it.
October 29, 2025 at 11:24 PM
The problem with Pokemon Z-A all taking place in one city isn’t the lack of environmental variety, it’s that the city design is not conducive to being fun. It’s a maze of walls that are shaped like buildings and hallways.
They didn’t build a city, they built a labyrinth with a city skin on it.
They didn’t build a city, they built a labyrinth with a city skin on it.
Reposted by Jonathan Higgins
Short form video is killing gaming and the fastest selling console in US history just launched and layoffs are the only answer and multiple franchises are seeing record setting launches and we need to expand use of AI to make more games faster and we've had huge increases in release count each year.
October 29, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Short form video is killing gaming and the fastest selling console in US history just launched and layoffs are the only answer and multiple franchises are seeing record setting launches and we need to expand use of AI to make more games faster and we've had huge increases in release count each year.
Reposted by Jonathan Higgins
Today marks 15 years since the release of Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, the most recent entry in the Nintendo/Camelot RPG series. As good a time as any to revisit our feature from Golden Sun's 21st anniversary 3 years ago, where we called for a series revival: https://loom.ly/8ORj4rQ
October 28, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Today marks 15 years since the release of Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, the most recent entry in the Nintendo/Camelot RPG series. As good a time as any to revisit our feature from Golden Sun's 21st anniversary 3 years ago, where we called for a series revival: https://loom.ly/8ORj4rQ
I’m free! FREEEEEEEEEE!
October 25, 2025 at 6:47 PM
I’m free! FREEEEEEEEEE!
From the very first battle at the start of the game to the very last postgame fight, I fought 485 trainers in Pokémon ZA.
When what I thought was the final Research Task asked for 500? "That's a bit grindy, but. Fair enough."
No, fam. They want you to fight *1,000 battles* for your Shiny Charm.
When what I thought was the final Research Task asked for 500? "That's a bit grindy, but. Fair enough."
No, fam. They want you to fight *1,000 battles* for your Shiny Charm.
October 24, 2025 at 3:58 AM
From the very first battle at the start of the game to the very last postgame fight, I fought 485 trainers in Pokémon ZA.
When what I thought was the final Research Task asked for 500? "That's a bit grindy, but. Fair enough."
No, fam. They want you to fight *1,000 battles* for your Shiny Charm.
When what I thought was the final Research Task asked for 500? "That's a bit grindy, but. Fair enough."
No, fam. They want you to fight *1,000 battles* for your Shiny Charm.
Reposted by Jonathan Higgins
If you understand this reference, make sure you take your medications today.
October 24, 2025 at 12:55 AM
If you understand this reference, make sure you take your medications today.
If you want to make video games expensive, fiiiiiine. Maybe they should be if a credit roll takes 25 minutes.
But if you do, you have to *actually treat your developers and large teams with dignity and respect* instead of *cyclically laying them off and replacing them* when it's convenient for you.
But if you do, you have to *actually treat your developers and large teams with dignity and respect* instead of *cyclically laying them off and replacing them* when it's convenient for you.
October 23, 2025 at 7:13 PM
If you want to make video games expensive, fiiiiiine. Maybe they should be if a credit roll takes 25 minutes.
But if you do, you have to *actually treat your developers and large teams with dignity and respect* instead of *cyclically laying them off and replacing them* when it's convenient for you.
But if you do, you have to *actually treat your developers and large teams with dignity and respect* instead of *cyclically laying them off and replacing them* when it's convenient for you.
I was already excited for Kirby Air Riders before this Direct. But over the past 45 minutes, I've screamed so much I should be one of those reaction YouTubers.
It's not just a Sakurai racing sequel—it's a frickin' celebration of *everything* Kirby. There's SO MUCH HERE W T F.
It's not just a Sakurai racing sequel—it's a frickin' celebration of *everything* Kirby. There's SO MUCH HERE W T F.
October 23, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I was already excited for Kirby Air Riders before this Direct. But over the past 45 minutes, I've screamed so much I should be one of those reaction YouTubers.
It's not just a Sakurai racing sequel—it's a frickin' celebration of *everything* Kirby. There's SO MUCH HERE W T F.
It's not just a Sakurai racing sequel—it's a frickin' celebration of *everything* Kirby. There's SO MUCH HERE W T F.