Samuel Horti
@samuelhorti.bsky.social
Freelance editor and reporter, mainly about video games. Previously BBC News and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism.
Also seen in the New York Times, PC Gamer, IGN, Edge, and many others.
Portfolio is samuelhorti.com / email sphorti@gmail.com
Also seen in the New York Times, PC Gamer, IGN, Edge, and many others.
Portfolio is samuelhorti.com / email sphorti@gmail.com
Pinned
‘They Complained, Then Left With the Best Exclusivity Deal of All Time’ – The Story of PS2’s Blockbuster GTA Deal - IGN
Inside the lucrative West Hollywood meeting where Sony secured Grand Theft Auto as a PS2 timed-exclusive.
www.ign.com
For @ign.com: An inside look at how Sony secured GTA as a PS2 exclusive and how it helped the console 'win' that generation.
With new details on the exclusivity deal, how Sony nearly missed out on exclusivity in the US, and how Xbox could've derailed it.
www.ign.com/articles/how...
With new details on the exclusivity deal, how Sony nearly missed out on exclusivity in the US, and how Xbox could've derailed it.
www.ign.com/articles/how...
Reposted by Samuel Horti
Hitman's Paris level was originally gigantic, with a multi-storey restaurant in addition to the palace.
This was cut early on, but was eventually re-used as the starting point of the Bangkok hotel level - hence the slightly incongruous French colonial architecture.
www.techradar.com/gaming/hitma...
This was cut early on, but was eventually re-used as the starting point of the Bangkok hotel level - hence the slightly incongruous French colonial architecture.
www.techradar.com/gaming/hitma...
Hitman developers on how 25 years of the series led to the ultimate stealth game – 'when Absolution shipped, we had 50,000 or 100,000 players every month playing Contracts Mode just enjoying the game ...
Celebrating 25 years of the bald contract killer
www.techradar.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Hitman's Paris level was originally gigantic, with a multi-storey restaurant in addition to the palace.
This was cut early on, but was eventually re-used as the starting point of the Bangkok hotel level - hence the slightly incongruous French colonial architecture.
www.techradar.com/gaming/hitma...
This was cut early on, but was eventually re-used as the starting point of the Bangkok hotel level - hence the slightly incongruous French colonial architecture.
www.techradar.com/gaming/hitma...
Reposted by Samuel Horti
HANG IT IN THE LOUVRE
November 2, 2025 at 2:27 AM
HANG IT IN THE LOUVRE
Reposted by Samuel Horti
The #BlueJays are three outs away from winning the World Series... and Jeff Hoffman will need to go through Shohei Ohtani.
This is as good at baseball gets.
This is as good at baseball gets.
November 2, 2025 at 2:52 AM
The #BlueJays are three outs away from winning the World Series... and Jeff Hoffman will need to go through Shohei Ohtani.
This is as good at baseball gets.
This is as good at baseball gets.
Reposted by Samuel Horti
Bo Bichette just hit a three-run shot off the Flight Deck in centre field. 442 feet.
A career-defining moment for Bichette. Wow. Shohei Ohtani is walking off the mound.
#BlueJays up, 3-0.
A career-defining moment for Bichette. Wow. Shohei Ohtani is walking off the mound.
#BlueJays up, 3-0.
November 2, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Bo Bichette just hit a three-run shot off the Flight Deck in centre field. 442 feet.
A career-defining moment for Bichette. Wow. Shohei Ohtani is walking off the mound.
#BlueJays up, 3-0.
A career-defining moment for Bichette. Wow. Shohei Ohtani is walking off the mound.
#BlueJays up, 3-0.
Reposted by Samuel Horti
With multiple conflicting interviews around Arc Raiders' use of AI, I tried to pick apart what is and isn't "generative," how much that distinction matters ethically, and the tension between today's efficiency tools and tomorrow's eliminated jobs.
Arc Raiders' use of AI highlights the tension and confusion over where machine learning ends and generative AI begins
Embark Studios' contradictory statements about generative AI highlight what's sure to be a long-term industry debate.
www.pcgamer.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:19 AM
With multiple conflicting interviews around Arc Raiders' use of AI, I tried to pick apart what is and isn't "generative," how much that distinction matters ethically, and the tension between today's efficiency tools and tomorrow's eliminated jobs.
Playing Arc Raiders for review - if anyone wants to test out teaming up with comms, give me a shout!
October 30, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Playing Arc Raiders for review - if anyone wants to test out teaming up with comms, give me a shout!
Reposted by Samuel Horti
Hi everyone, I'm urgently looking for any work. I'm a writer and narrative designer, I offer game consultations and mock reviews, I localise between German and English, I can write copy. If it needs words, I'll do it! Here's some games I've written on in the past:
October 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Hi everyone, I'm urgently looking for any work. I'm a writer and narrative designer, I offer game consultations and mock reviews, I localise between German and English, I can write copy. If it needs words, I'll do it! Here's some games I've written on in the past:
Reposted by Samuel Horti
I asked Microsoft PR about this—specially the DHS using Halo IP to recruit for ICE—and the company declined to comment.
October 27, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I asked Microsoft PR about this—specially the DHS using Halo IP to recruit for ICE—and the company declined to comment.
Reposted by Samuel Horti
For @ign.com: An inside look at how Sony secured GTA as a PS2 exclusive and how it helped the console 'win' that generation.
With new details on the exclusivity deal, how Sony nearly missed out on exclusivity in the US, and how Xbox could've derailed it.
www.ign.com/articles/how...
With new details on the exclusivity deal, how Sony nearly missed out on exclusivity in the US, and how Xbox could've derailed it.
www.ign.com/articles/how...
‘They Complained, Then Left With the Best Exclusivity Deal of All Time’ – The Story of PS2’s Blockbuster GTA Deal - IGN
Inside the lucrative West Hollywood meeting where Sony secured Grand Theft Auto as a PS2 timed-exclusive.
www.ign.com
October 26, 2025 at 5:48 PM
For @ign.com: An inside look at how Sony secured GTA as a PS2 exclusive and how it helped the console 'win' that generation.
With new details on the exclusivity deal, how Sony nearly missed out on exclusivity in the US, and how Xbox could've derailed it.
www.ign.com/articles/how...
With new details on the exclusivity deal, how Sony nearly missed out on exclusivity in the US, and how Xbox could've derailed it.
www.ign.com/articles/how...
Reposted by Samuel Horti
I dug up the predecessor to Battlefield, judged by Gamespot reviewer Erik Wolpaw to be "really goofy" and "enthusiastically mediocre". www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/ba...
Battlefield had a messy predecessor, Codename Eagle, that predates even DICE’s involvement in the series
The millennium-era reviews make for funny and illuminating reading.
www.pcgamer.com
October 26, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I dug up the predecessor to Battlefield, judged by Gamespot reviewer Erik Wolpaw to be "really goofy" and "enthusiastically mediocre". www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/ba...
For @ign.com: An inside look at how Sony secured GTA as a PS2 exclusive and how it helped the console 'win' that generation.
With new details on the exclusivity deal, how Sony nearly missed out on exclusivity in the US, and how Xbox could've derailed it.
www.ign.com/articles/how...
With new details on the exclusivity deal, how Sony nearly missed out on exclusivity in the US, and how Xbox could've derailed it.
www.ign.com/articles/how...
‘They Complained, Then Left With the Best Exclusivity Deal of All Time’ – The Story of PS2’s Blockbuster GTA Deal - IGN
Inside the lucrative West Hollywood meeting where Sony secured Grand Theft Auto as a PS2 timed-exclusive.
www.ign.com
October 26, 2025 at 5:48 PM
For @ign.com: An inside look at how Sony secured GTA as a PS2 exclusive and how it helped the console 'win' that generation.
With new details on the exclusivity deal, how Sony nearly missed out on exclusivity in the US, and how Xbox could've derailed it.
www.ign.com/articles/how...
With new details on the exclusivity deal, how Sony nearly missed out on exclusivity in the US, and how Xbox could've derailed it.
www.ign.com/articles/how...
@blakemurphy.bsky.social is the Davis Schneider start a surprise for you? I know JS likes him against LHP... but he's only OPSing 708 against lefties this year, only a smidge over Lukes, who offers better defence and is playing very well
October 24, 2025 at 8:45 PM
@blakemurphy.bsky.social is the Davis Schneider start a surprise for you? I know JS likes him against LHP... but he's only OPSing 708 against lefties this year, only a smidge over Lukes, who offers better defence and is playing very well
Reposted by Samuel Horti
In which I come clean about the degree to which a hi-fi system might be serving as a fun alternative to therapy. remapradio.com/articles/the...
The Home Theater of the Mind
Yearning for the simple life. A life of speaker wire, 50-pound amplifiers, and absolutely no need for therapy.
remapradio.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:11 PM
In which I come clean about the degree to which a hi-fi system might be serving as a fun alternative to therapy. remapradio.com/articles/the...
Reposted by Samuel Horti
And while I'm making my (glorious?) return to social media...
oh hey, I'm writing this, it should be pretty cool.
oh hey, I'm writing this, it should be pretty cool.
ALAN WAKE X @lostincult.co.uk
Documenting the creation and evolution of the Alan Wake series, told by those who made fiction into reality.
Dive in deep to Alan Wake: Design Works, presented by Remedy and Lost in Cult.
Pre-order now: www.lostincult.co.uk/alanwake
Documenting the creation and evolution of the Alan Wake series, told by those who made fiction into reality.
Dive in deep to Alan Wake: Design Works, presented by Remedy and Lost in Cult.
Pre-order now: www.lostincult.co.uk/alanwake
September 4, 2025 at 12:07 PM
And while I'm making my (glorious?) return to social media...
oh hey, I'm writing this, it should be pretty cool.
oh hey, I'm writing this, it should be pretty cool.
Reposted by Samuel Horti
For the Guardian, I spoke to Speculative Agency about All Will Rise, a card game about environmenral activism that hopes to show that community will win out. Thanks again for having me, @meghna.bsky.social 😗
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/a...
All Will Rise, the game empowering players to tackle real-world problems
With its rousing card game about activism, indie studio Speculative Agency hopes to inspire players to engage with issues such as pollution and the climate crisis
www.theguardian.com
August 22, 2025 at 8:02 AM
For the Guardian, I spoke to Speculative Agency about All Will Rise, a card game about environmenral activism that hopes to show that community will win out. Thanks again for having me, @meghna.bsky.social 😗
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/a...
If you haven't read Jason's latest on AI yet, it's well worth making the time. Made me flit between despair and hope several times
Media outlets can't pivot to AI to save themselves. It's not a business strategy and it's not going to work. The only path forward is for journalists to lean into their humanity, to do things AI can't, and to make clear they are writing for people, not algorithms:
www.404media.co/the-medias-p...
www.404media.co/the-medias-p...
The Media's Pivot to AI Is Not Real and Not Going to Work
AI is not going to save media companies, and forcing journalists to use AI is not a business model.
www.404media.co
July 16, 2025 at 7:59 AM
If you haven't read Jason's latest on AI yet, it's well worth making the time. Made me flit between despair and hope several times
Reposted by Samuel Horti
I spent a couple of months putting this feature together, with exclusive interviews from MachineGames and other Wolfenstein veterans. I like to think a reader would come out of it understanding the games industry a little better.
"Before there was 3D, there was Wolfenstein. on.games
@jeremypeel.bsky.social dives deep into the history of videogames via Wolfenstein. Old-school never looked this good.
#Wolfenstein #gamesmagazine"
@jeremypeel.bsky.social dives deep into the history of videogames via Wolfenstein. Old-school never looked this good.
#Wolfenstein #gamesmagazine"
July 13, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I spent a couple of months putting this feature together, with exclusive interviews from MachineGames and other Wolfenstein veterans. I like to think a reader would come out of it understanding the games industry a little better.
I'm still very keen to speak to people with insight into the FIFA vs PES rivalry - I'm writing a longform piece for an independent outlet. DMs open, or I'm sphorti@gmail.com
I'm reporting a story for an independent outlet about the rivalry between FIFA and Pro Evo Soccer in 2000s/10s - do you know devs who worked on those series or who would have an insight about football/soccer games in that period? Please send them my way, DM or sphorti@gmail.com. Shares appreciated!
July 12, 2025 at 2:30 PM
I'm still very keen to speak to people with insight into the FIFA vs PES rivalry - I'm writing a longform piece for an independent outlet. DMs open, or I'm sphorti@gmail.com
Reposted by Samuel Horti
Statement made: #BlueJays sweep Yankees to take over 1st place in the AL East
Story:
www.mlb.com/bluejays/new...
Story:
www.mlb.com/bluejays/new...
4-game sweep of Yanks finds Blue Jays alone in 1st this late for first time since '16
TORONTO -- The Blue Jays have swept the Yankees with a four-game masterpiece and taken over first place in the American League East.
These are words you wouldn’t have believed three months ago. But th...
www.mlb.com
July 4, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Statement made: #BlueJays sweep Yankees to take over 1st place in the AL East
Story:
www.mlb.com/bluejays/new...
Story:
www.mlb.com/bluejays/new...
For GQ, I spoke to some of the world's best Mario Kart players (including Alberto, arguably the GOAT) about the wild, painful, joyous race for world records after release day.
Been a real joy getting to know this community, would love to report on them more!
www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/mari...
Been a real joy getting to know this community, would love to report on them more!
www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/mari...
Inside the wild, “painful” race for world records in Mario Kart World
While most Mario Kart World players goof around as a cartoon Cow, a handful of elite drivers are locked in a viral race for the fastest track times. Eat your heart out, Lando Norris…
www.gq-magazine.co.uk
June 27, 2025 at 2:33 PM
For GQ, I spoke to some of the world's best Mario Kart players (including Alberto, arguably the GOAT) about the wild, painful, joyous race for world records after release day.
Been a real joy getting to know this community, would love to report on them more!
www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/mari...
Been a real joy getting to know this community, would love to report on them more!
www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/mari...
Reposted by Samuel Horti
Had a quiet spell last week, so decided to brush up on my video editing skills and put together a 51 minute (!) video on all question mark panel locations in Mario Kart World.
I'm planning to make more YouTube videos between paid work, so any subs, likes, and general support would be welcome!
I'm planning to make more YouTube videos between paid work, so any subs, likes, and general support would be welcome!
All 150 '?' Question Mark Panel locations in Mario Kart World
YouTube video by Matthew Reynolds
www.youtube.com
June 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Had a quiet spell last week, so decided to brush up on my video editing skills and put together a 51 minute (!) video on all question mark panel locations in Mario Kart World.
I'm planning to make more YouTube videos between paid work, so any subs, likes, and general support would be welcome!
I'm planning to make more YouTube videos between paid work, so any subs, likes, and general support would be welcome!
I spoke to @mrsambarlow.bsky.social on Her Story's 10th anniversary.
We discussed how his grandmothers shaped the game, whether he'd make a sequel, and why a popular interpretation of the story makes him uncomfortable (the "true" narrative remains a mystery).
www.gamespot.com/articles/a-d...
We discussed how his grandmothers shaped the game, whether he'd make a sequel, and why a popular interpretation of the story makes him uncomfortable (the "true" narrative remains a mystery).
www.gamespot.com/articles/a-d...
A Decade Later, Her Story Is Still A Mystery--And One Interpretation Makes Sam Barlow "Uncomfortable"
10 years on, Sam Barlow reflects on police interviews, subtext, and whether he’d ever make a sequel.
www.gamespot.com
June 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
I spoke to @mrsambarlow.bsky.social on Her Story's 10th anniversary.
We discussed how his grandmothers shaped the game, whether he'd make a sequel, and why a popular interpretation of the story makes him uncomfortable (the "true" narrative remains a mystery).
www.gamespot.com/articles/a-d...
We discussed how his grandmothers shaped the game, whether he'd make a sequel, and why a popular interpretation of the story makes him uncomfortable (the "true" narrative remains a mystery).
www.gamespot.com/articles/a-d...
Reposted by Samuel Horti
Samuel did a great job with this one, give it a read. Personally I only know Deus Ex from the later games but this was a really fascinating warts-and-all look at where the franchise started.
For my first GameSpot byline, I spoke to Deus Ex designer @stevepowers.bsky.social about his generous, extravagant version of Hong Kong, 25 years on. We spoke about fever dreams, inauthenticity, and hand modelling...
Thx @sporkyreeve.bsky.social for commissioning
www.gamespot.com/articles/how...
Thx @sporkyreeve.bsky.social for commissioning
www.gamespot.com/articles/how...
How One Deus Ex Designer Created The Game's Best Level
Steve Powers' version of Hong Kong feels as generous and extravagant as it did 25 years ago.
www.gamespot.com
June 23, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Samuel did a great job with this one, give it a read. Personally I only know Deus Ex from the later games but this was a really fascinating warts-and-all look at where the franchise started.
For my first GameSpot byline, I spoke to Deus Ex designer @stevepowers.bsky.social about his generous, extravagant version of Hong Kong, 25 years on. We spoke about fever dreams, inauthenticity, and hand modelling...
Thx @sporkyreeve.bsky.social for commissioning
www.gamespot.com/articles/how...
Thx @sporkyreeve.bsky.social for commissioning
www.gamespot.com/articles/how...
How One Deus Ex Designer Created The Game's Best Level
Steve Powers' version of Hong Kong feels as generous and extravagant as it did 25 years ago.
www.gamespot.com
June 23, 2025 at 4:25 PM
For my first GameSpot byline, I spoke to Deus Ex designer @stevepowers.bsky.social about his generous, extravagant version of Hong Kong, 25 years on. We spoke about fever dreams, inauthenticity, and hand modelling...
Thx @sporkyreeve.bsky.social for commissioning
www.gamespot.com/articles/how...
Thx @sporkyreeve.bsky.social for commissioning
www.gamespot.com/articles/how...
I'm reporting a story for an independent outlet about the rivalry between FIFA and Pro Evo Soccer in 2000s/10s - do you know devs who worked on those series or who would have an insight about football/soccer games in that period? Please send them my way, DM or sphorti@gmail.com. Shares appreciated!
June 22, 2025 at 9:07 PM
I'm reporting a story for an independent outlet about the rivalry between FIFA and Pro Evo Soccer in 2000s/10s - do you know devs who worked on those series or who would have an insight about football/soccer games in that period? Please send them my way, DM or sphorti@gmail.com. Shares appreciated!