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
Samuel Horti
@samuelhorti.bsky.social
· Oct 26
‘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...
Hearing Rematch in some GOTY lists (including
on @backpagepod.bsky.social) reminded me I forgot to post this. After a decade of trying I finally got good at an online game - and it wasn't everything I hoped it would be.
Wonderful illustration by Katherine (below!)
remapradio.com/articles/the...
on @backpagepod.bsky.social) reminded me I forgot to post this. After a decade of trying I finally got good at an online game - and it wasn't everything I hoped it would be.
Wonderful illustration by Katherine (below!)
remapradio.com/articles/the...
January 3, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Hearing Rematch in some GOTY lists (including
on @backpagepod.bsky.social) reminded me I forgot to post this. After a decade of trying I finally got good at an online game - and it wasn't everything I hoped it would be.
Wonderful illustration by Katherine (below!)
remapradio.com/articles/the...
on @backpagepod.bsky.social) reminded me I forgot to post this. After a decade of trying I finally got good at an online game - and it wasn't everything I hoped it would be.
Wonderful illustration by Katherine (below!)
remapradio.com/articles/the...
Reposted by Samuel Horti
So very tired, but I couldn't let 2025 end without taking stock of Microsoft's embarrassing treatment of gaming, Windows, and indeed human beings while it chases the AI money train
Microsoft's year of shame
Can't make a few trillion dollars without ditching game developers, going googoo gaga for AI and supplying tech to the military, I suppose!
www.pcgamer.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:42 PM
So very tired, but I couldn't let 2025 end without taking stock of Microsoft's embarrassing treatment of gaming, Windows, and indeed human beings while it chases the AI money train
Reposted by Samuel Horti
It was deeply cathartic to be asked to contribute some thoughts to this piece on the use of LLM chatbots in NPC dialogue. And a privilege to be among such insightful company.
Very grateful to @samuelhorti.bsky.social for giving us so much breadth and depth to discuss such a hefty topic.
Very grateful to @samuelhorti.bsky.social for giving us so much breadth and depth to discuss such a hefty topic.
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:45 PM
It was deeply cathartic to be asked to contribute some thoughts to this piece on the use of LLM chatbots in NPC dialogue. And a privilege to be among such insightful company.
Very grateful to @samuelhorti.bsky.social for giving us so much breadth and depth to discuss such a hefty topic.
Very grateful to @samuelhorti.bsky.social for giving us so much breadth and depth to discuss such a hefty topic.
Reposted by Samuel Horti
Essentially, I think that LLM-generated dialogue only makes sense if you believe that the product of writing is words.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Essentially, I think that LLM-generated dialogue only makes sense if you believe that the product of writing is words.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
Reposted by Samuel Horti
There are a ton of wonderful people in this article discussing the realities of LLM based character interaction
I always return to the fact that parser games are not mainstream juggernauts and that people don't want to have to learn to be improv actors to participate as a character in a setting
I always return to the fact that parser games are not mainstream juggernauts and that people don't want to have to learn to be improv actors to participate as a character in a setting
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:45 PM
There are a ton of wonderful people in this article discussing the realities of LLM based character interaction
I always return to the fact that parser games are not mainstream juggernauts and that people don't want to have to learn to be improv actors to participate as a character in a setting
I always return to the fact that parser games are not mainstream juggernauts and that people don't want to have to learn to be improv actors to participate as a character in a setting
Reposted by Samuel Horti
i got to rant about LLM chatbots in games + my fears about the dead future that tech oligarchs want for all of us, alongside some very clever + thoughtful folks. thanks so much @samuelhorti.bsky.social for giving me the space & time to articulate all of this
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
i got to rant about LLM chatbots in games + my fears about the dead future that tech oligarchs want for all of us, alongside some very clever + thoughtful folks. thanks so much @samuelhorti.bsky.social for giving me the space & time to articulate all of this
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
Reposted by Samuel Horti
Delighted to see this piece up! Massive thank you to all the women who shared their experience with me for this 🖤
www.gamesindustry.biz/a-decade-on-...
www.gamesindustry.biz/a-decade-on-...
A decade on from Gamergate, how has the games industry changed for women?
Some of gaming's most influential women share their experiences, along with what still needs to be done
www.gamesindustry.biz
December 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Delighted to see this piece up! Massive thank you to all the women who shared their experience with me for this 🖤
www.gamesindustry.biz/a-decade-on-...
www.gamesindustry.biz/a-decade-on-...
@mikebithell.bsky.social Hi Mike, hope all well - any chance you could follow or DM me? I wanted to discuss an article with you. Cheers
December 8, 2025 at 6:37 PM
@mikebithell.bsky.social Hi Mike, hope all well - any chance you could follow or DM me? I wanted to discuss an article with you. Cheers
Reposted by Samuel Horti
EXCLUSIVE: So far it's been unclear what proof Rockstar Games has to justify its firing of 34 union members, who it claims were leaking "confidential information in a public forum".
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
The Messages Rockstar Saw Before Firing 34 Union Members
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:06 PM
EXCLUSIVE: So far it's been unclear what proof Rockstar Games has to justify its firing of 34 union members, who it claims were leaking "confidential information in a public forum".
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
Reposted by Samuel Horti
Honored to be featured on the freshly-relaunched @aftermath.site with this new piece!
It's about AI and Fascism, and also the beloved Y2K-era teen comedy Mean Girls.
It's about AI and Fascism, and also the beloved Y2K-era teen comedy Mean Girls.
AI Is The Ultimate "Forced Meme"
There are few things in this world more insufferable than a rich person trying to force their shitty ideas on everyone else. And in 2025, there are very few things that feel more forced than “Generati...
aftermath.site
November 12, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Honored to be featured on the freshly-relaunched @aftermath.site with this new piece!
It's about AI and Fascism, and also the beloved Y2K-era teen comedy Mean Girls.
It's about AI and Fascism, and also the beloved Y2K-era teen comedy Mean Girls.
Reposted by Samuel Horti
I went to meet the 'Rockstar 31', the developers who were suddenly fired from their work on GTA 6 for what the studio has described as gross misconduct.
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
The Rockstar Workers Fired Before They Could Finish GTA 6
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I went to meet the 'Rockstar 31', the developers who were suddenly fired from their work on GTA 6 for what the studio has described as gross misconduct.
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
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...