Hayes Madsen
@solfleet.bsky.social
Video Game Trends Writer at Inverse.com Freelance Reporter. Words at CGMagOnline, IGN, Rolling Stone, and more. RPG aficionado. Bisexual.He/they. madsenhayes@Gmail.com. Signal: HayesM.26
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Hayes Madsen
@solfleet.bsky.social
· May 21
Know things aren't great right now, but after dealing with a family event, I'm officially looking for freelance work again. Made a new portfolio selection, focusing on what I think I do best - interviews.
Please reach out if you want to talk or are open to pitches. www.clippings.me/users/hayesm...
Please reach out if you want to talk or are open to pitches. www.clippings.me/users/hayesm...
Okay, my big RPG gap for this year is Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. People who know it - can I play this without the first game (I've played a bit of it, just keep getting busy with other stuff). I'd like to have knowledge of Deliverance 2, but sometimes I'm a stickler for playing the first game
November 11, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Okay, my big RPG gap for this year is Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. People who know it - can I play this without the first game (I've played a bit of it, just keep getting busy with other stuff). I'd like to have knowledge of Deliverance 2, but sometimes I'm a stickler for playing the first game
Reposted by Hayes Madsen
The top 3 achievements we're proudest of as a game studio, in order of importance ✨
And yes of course we had to put that masterpiece in a frame!
And yes of course we had to put that masterpiece in a frame!
November 11, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The top 3 achievements we're proudest of as a game studio, in order of importance ✨
And yes of course we had to put that masterpiece in a frame!
And yes of course we had to put that masterpiece in a frame!
I told my friend this weekend that I honestly think there are only two things I need in life to be happy - enough money to comfortably pay my bills and a house with a LEGO room.
November 11, 2025 at 4:05 PM
I told my friend this weekend that I honestly think there are only two things I need in life to be happy - enough money to comfortably pay my bills and a house with a LEGO room.
Starting a LEGO fund for myself as of today
November 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Starting a LEGO fund for myself as of today
Reposted by Hayes Madsen
Lumines Arise is an incredible culmination of much of Mizuguchi and Enhance's legacy, and the result is something that Lex needed now more than ever.
www.rewinder.co.uk/lumines-aris...
www.rewinder.co.uk/lumines-aris...
Lumines Arise Review: A Miraculous Follow-Up To The Perfect Game That I Needed Right Now
Lumines Arise is an incredible culmination of much of Mizuguchi and Enhance's legacy, and the result is something that Lex needed now more than ever.
www.rewinder.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Lumines Arise is an incredible culmination of much of Mizuguchi and Enhance's legacy, and the result is something that Lex needed now more than ever.
www.rewinder.co.uk/lumines-aris...
www.rewinder.co.uk/lumines-aris...
Reposted by Hayes Madsen
When I play Lumines Arise,
I am no longer in The Cynical World.
I am a cat in a sunbeam.
(my lumines arise review) www.polygon.com/lumines-aris...
I am no longer in The Cynical World.
I am a cat in a sunbeam.
(my lumines arise review) www.polygon.com/lumines-aris...
Lumines Arise is the cure for our cynical world
The cult classic rhythm game is back in life-affirming fashion
www.polygon.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:13 PM
When I play Lumines Arise,
I am no longer in The Cynical World.
I am a cat in a sunbeam.
(my lumines arise review) www.polygon.com/lumines-aris...
I am no longer in The Cynical World.
I am a cat in a sunbeam.
(my lumines arise review) www.polygon.com/lumines-aris...
I absolutely adored Lumines Arise in every way. But it’s hard to put into words why I love it so much, or what it’s like to even play - i liken it to finding that one painting at the art musuem that your just inexplicably drawn to. It pulls you in and makes you cry. www.inverse.com/gaming/lumin...
'Lumines Arise' Review: A 10/10 Masterpiece And A Puzzle Game Epiphany
'Lumines Arise' is a stunning puzzle game that genuinely transcends the bounds of what most other games can only dream of doing.
www.inverse.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I absolutely adored Lumines Arise in every way. But it’s hard to put into words why I love it so much, or what it’s like to even play - i liken it to finding that one painting at the art musuem that your just inexplicably drawn to. It pulls you in and makes you cry. www.inverse.com/gaming/lumin...
Reposted by Hayes Madsen
“Don’t gather some of the most brilliant activists in the industry, treat us like crap, and then expect us to do nothing about it.” After the Game Awards cancelled its Future Class programme, @alyssamerc.bsky.social talked to its former honorees
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
“We were effectively props”: young stars of game development feel let down by the ‘gaming Oscars’
Announced in 2020 by the Game Awards as an inclusive programme for the industry’s next generation, the Future Class initiative has now been discontinued. Inductees describe clashes with organisers and...
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:33 PM
“Don’t gather some of the most brilliant activists in the industry, treat us like crap, and then expect us to do nothing about it.” After the Game Awards cancelled its Future Class programme, @alyssamerc.bsky.social talked to its former honorees
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
Well, I think for the first time in my life I just got ding-dong ditched.
November 11, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Well, I think for the first time in my life I just got ding-dong ditched.
Monday Night Football is hilarious man. 0-0 at the half. Goofy ass nothing but defense game.
November 11, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Monday Night Football is hilarious man. 0-0 at the half. Goofy ass nothing but defense game.
This also goes for freelance writers, journalists, editors, etc. So many people I know use marketplace plans (including myself) and those prices are going through the roof - unbelievably so
Many freelancers in the United States rely on ACA marketplace plans for their health insurance. In an industry that has already been working overtime to turn gamedevs into gig workers, freelance and contract devs are about to get even more squeezed. This is unacceptable.
November 10, 2025 at 11:37 PM
This also goes for freelance writers, journalists, editors, etc. So many people I know use marketplace plans (including myself) and those prices are going through the roof - unbelievably so
At the very least, Dynasty Warriors has NEVER gotten the credit it deserves for music
November 10, 2025 at 11:23 PM
At the very least, Dynasty Warriors has NEVER gotten the credit it deserves for music
Age of Imprisonment has some great remixes, but I honestly don’t think Warriors music will every go harder than this rendition of Skyloft from the first Hyrule Warriors. youtu.be/mlxt2qQc7A8?...
Skyloft Hyrule Warriors
YouTube video by Rito
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Age of Imprisonment has some great remixes, but I honestly don’t think Warriors music will every go harder than this rendition of Skyloft from the first Hyrule Warriors. youtu.be/mlxt2qQc7A8?...
I hope Chris Pratt is there
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Trailer - Nintendo Direct announced for Nov 12, 6 AM PT. No game info in the Direct www.youtube.com/live/yqjMaKQ...
November 10, 2025 at 10:41 PM
I hope Chris Pratt is there
Reposted by Hayes Madsen
I interviewed David Carrasco about Crisol: Theater of Idols, religion, working with Blumhouse Games, and reliquary shotguns.
www.shacknews.com/article/1467...
www.shacknews.com/article/1467...
Crisol: Theater of Idols isn't shying away from its horrific religious themes
David Carrasco explains how Vermila Studios is incorporating religion and Spanish politics to give Crisol a unique identity.
www.shacknews.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:05 PM
I interviewed David Carrasco about Crisol: Theater of Idols, religion, working with Blumhouse Games, and reliquary shotguns.
www.shacknews.com/article/1467...
www.shacknews.com/article/1467...
Reposted by Hayes Madsen
Hi-Fi Rush's Soundtrack Delisted From All Major Streaming Platforms Without Warning (OST still on Steam) www.thegamer.com/hi-fi-rush-s...
also worth noting that the game was removed from PC stores (stores that sell Steam codes) last month. Not sure anyone else noticed at the time
also worth noting that the game was removed from PC stores (stores that sell Steam codes) last month. Not sure anyone else noticed at the time
November 10, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Hi-Fi Rush's Soundtrack Delisted From All Major Streaming Platforms Without Warning (OST still on Steam) www.thegamer.com/hi-fi-rush-s...
also worth noting that the game was removed from PC stores (stores that sell Steam codes) last month. Not sure anyone else noticed at the time
also worth noting that the game was removed from PC stores (stores that sell Steam codes) last month. Not sure anyone else noticed at the time
Huh, this is a weird feeling. Some people know this, but Star Wars Insider was actually founded by my dad. He sold the company after Episode I. But Star Wars was a huge part of my life growing up because of it.
The official Star Wars magazine STAR WARS INSIDER will come to an end in 2026 😔
The final 2 issues of the magazine, which launched in 1994, will be published early next year
The final 2 issues of the magazine, which launched in 1994, will be published early next year
November 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Huh, this is a weird feeling. Some people know this, but Star Wars Insider was actually founded by my dad. He sold the company after Episode I. But Star Wars was a huge part of my life growing up because of it.
Absolute STEAL for one of the best modern visual novels, period. Love this game so much.
PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is $9.99 on US eShop buff.ly/YedgQoU
November 10, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Absolute STEAL for one of the best modern visual novels, period. Love this game so much.
Fwiw, I actually asked Yoshinori Kitase about this in an interview two years ago and he laughed and literally just said "Tell me why you want that."
Seeing Square Enix continue to make gacha Dissidia games when they could just make Dissidia Final Fantasy Warriors...... man
November 10, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Fwiw, I actually asked Yoshinori Kitase about this in an interview two years ago and he laughed and literally just said "Tell me why you want that."
Seeing Square Enix continue to make gacha Dissidia games when they could just make Dissidia Final Fantasy Warriors...... man
November 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Seeing Square Enix continue to make gacha Dissidia games when they could just make Dissidia Final Fantasy Warriors...... man
Found a game store in the mounting this weekend and got a Cactuar buddy
November 10, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Found a game store in the mounting this weekend and got a Cactuar buddy
Reposted by Hayes Madsen
Ambrosia Sky: Act One is out now.
Support is everything right now. If you purchase a copy: thank you. If you enjoy it, please leave a review. If you like what we're doing as a studio, tell a friend.
Discovery is lifeblood in games today, and grassroots support makes the difference for indies
Support is everything right now. If you purchase a copy: thank you. If you enjoy it, please leave a review. If you like what we're doing as a studio, tell a friend.
Discovery is lifeblood in games today, and grassroots support makes the difference for indies
November 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Ambrosia Sky: Act One is out now.
Support is everything right now. If you purchase a copy: thank you. If you enjoy it, please leave a review. If you like what we're doing as a studio, tell a friend.
Discovery is lifeblood in games today, and grassroots support makes the difference for indies
Support is everything right now. If you purchase a copy: thank you. If you enjoy it, please leave a review. If you like what we're doing as a studio, tell a friend.
Discovery is lifeblood in games today, and grassroots support makes the difference for indies
Reposted by Hayes Madsen
Designer Zach Gage's Puzzmo puzzle site made me appreciate crosswords by teaching me how they're put together. www.inverse.com/gaming/puzzm...
An Award-Winning Puzzle Website Taught Me The Secret Craft Of Crossword Puzzles
Designer Zach Gage's Puzzmo puzzle site made me appreciate crosswords by teaching me how they're put together.
www.inverse.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Designer Zach Gage's Puzzmo puzzle site made me appreciate crosswords by teaching me how they're put together. www.inverse.com/gaming/puzzm...
Genuinely don't have words anymore for all the dumb evil shit we see on a daily basis. Took the weekend off social media mostly, and catching up on dems giving up on American having even moderately affordable healthcare
November 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Genuinely don't have words anymore for all the dumb evil shit we see on a daily basis. Took the weekend off social media mostly, and catching up on dems giving up on American having even moderately affordable healthcare
Went on a pilgrimage today. I bought so much food
November 8, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Went on a pilgrimage today. I bought so much food