startmenu
@startmenu.bsky.social
Gaming from a new direction.
hello [at] startmenu [dot] co [dot] UK.
https://www.redbubble.com/people/startmenu/shop
hello [at] startmenu [dot] co [dot] UK.
https://www.redbubble.com/people/startmenu/shop
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startmenu
@startmenu.bsky.social
· May 2
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Gaming In A New Direction
patreon.com
We got a lot of new followers yesterday, so let us reintroduce ourselves.
startmenu is a website dedicated to helping young and emerging voices break into games media and the video game industry.
(full mission statement below)
patreon.com/startmenu
startmenu is a website dedicated to helping young and emerging voices break into games media and the video game industry.
(full mission statement below)
patreon.com/startmenu
This week has Larian lose its sheen, awards be retracted, and new fan translations of old games.
All this, and more, in the latest Update Patch from @wendeego.bsky.social.
www.patreon.com/posts/update...
All this, and more, in the latest Update Patch from @wendeego.bsky.social.
www.patreon.com/posts/update...
Update Patch News Roundup (22/12/25) | startmenu
Get more from startmenu on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:22 PM
This week has Larian lose its sheen, awards be retracted, and new fan translations of old games.
All this, and more, in the latest Update Patch from @wendeego.bsky.social.
www.patreon.com/posts/update...
All this, and more, in the latest Update Patch from @wendeego.bsky.social.
www.patreon.com/posts/update...
Reposted by startmenu
I knew I had to write something Hundred Line related for the @startmenu.bsky.social Winter Spectacular. As always, a massive thanks to @lexluddy.xyz for giving this piece a home and to @kellymerka.bsky.social for editing it.
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is about many things and for @brawler1993.bsky.social, it's about the lengths we're willing to go to avoid extinction and whether it's actually worth it.
Michael Beckwith Unpacks The Hundred Line's Most Challenging Question: How Far Would You Go To Save the Human Race? | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is about many things and for Michael Beckwith, it's about the lengths we're willing to go to avoid extinction and whether it's actually worth it.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I knew I had to write something Hundred Line related for the @startmenu.bsky.social Winter Spectacular. As always, a massive thanks to @lexluddy.xyz for giving this piece a home and to @kellymerka.bsky.social for editing it.
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is about many things and for @brawler1993.bsky.social, it's about the lengths we're willing to go to avoid extinction and whether it's actually worth it.
Michael Beckwith Unpacks The Hundred Line's Most Challenging Question: How Far Would You Go To Save the Human Race? | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is about many things and for Michael Beckwith, it's about the lengths we're willing to go to avoid extinction and whether it's actually worth it.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is about many things and for @brawler1993.bsky.social, it's about the lengths we're willing to go to avoid extinction and whether it's actually worth it.
Reposted by startmenu
My favorite thing I've written in quite some time!! Pls give it a read if you haven't already & make sure to follow @startmenu.bsky.social 🔥🔥🔥
We then had @abrambuehner.bsky.social on the site to examine his relationship with nostalgia and Metroid.
bsky.app/profile/star...
bsky.app/profile/star...
Lost In Cult’s @abrambuehner.bsky.social joins us to break down his experience returning to Metroid and learning to experience old things anew instead of attempting to relive previous highs.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/abram-b...
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/abram-b...
December 20, 2025 at 5:26 PM
My favorite thing I've written in quite some time!! Pls give it a read if you haven't already & make sure to follow @startmenu.bsky.social 🔥🔥🔥
No Winter Spectacular piece today so instead here's catch up thread of everything we've posted so far.
Starting off with @ela-bambust.bsky.social reflecting on time.
Starting off with @ela-bambust.bsky.social reflecting on time.
We're kicking off the Winter Spectacular 2025 with a doozie.
2025 has highlighted just how many problems the video game industry faces, but @ela-bambust.bsky.social has identified one
issue that fuels everything else: Time.
Or lack thereof, to be specific.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/ela-bam...
2025 has highlighted just how many problems the video game industry faces, but @ela-bambust.bsky.social has identified one
issue that fuels everything else: Time.
Or lack thereof, to be specific.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/ela-bam...
Ela Bambust Reflects On The Time Of Indies | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
2025 has highlighted just how many problems the video game industry faces, but Ela Bambust has identified one issue that fuels everything else: Time. Or lack thereof, to be specific.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 20, 2025 at 4:49 PM
No Winter Spectacular piece today so instead here's catch up thread of everything we've posted so far.
Starting off with @ela-bambust.bsky.social reflecting on time.
Starting off with @ela-bambust.bsky.social reflecting on time.
Reposted by startmenu
"2025 has seen the industry seemingly collectively agree that its prices should be based around the income of the CFO rather than the working Joe." SPEAK ON THAT
It’s a weird time to observe games industry trends. Call of Duty is full of AI slop and threadbare updates and costs up to $130, while Clair Obscur, Dispatch and Peak explore a range of price below the standard. But @alexgreen9898.bsky.social's biggest question is, “Where is all the money going?”
Alex Green Tries To Pin Down Why Everything Is So Expensive And What Exactly We Are Paying For | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
It’s a weird time to observe games industry trends. Call of Duty is full of AI slop and threadbare updates and costs up to $130, while Clair Obscur, Dispatch and Peak explore a range of price below th...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 19, 2025 at 5:52 PM
"2025 has seen the industry seemingly collectively agree that its prices should be based around the income of the CFO rather than the working Joe." SPEAK ON THAT
Reposted by startmenu
My piece for @startmenu.bsky.social as part of the winter spectacular! Take a gander and whilst you're at it, read some of the other fabulous pieces
It’s a weird time to observe games industry trends. Call of Duty is full of AI slop and threadbare updates and costs up to $130, while Clair Obscur, Dispatch and Peak explore a range of price below the standard. But @alexgreen9898.bsky.social's biggest question is, “Where is all the money going?”
Alex Green Tries To Pin Down Why Everything Is So Expensive And What Exactly We Are Paying For | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
It’s a weird time to observe games industry trends. Call of Duty is full of AI slop and threadbare updates and costs up to $130, while Clair Obscur, Dispatch and Peak explore a range of price below th...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 19, 2025 at 7:48 PM
My piece for @startmenu.bsky.social as part of the winter spectacular! Take a gander and whilst you're at it, read some of the other fabulous pieces
It’s a weird time to observe games industry trends. Call of Duty is full of AI slop and threadbare updates and costs up to $130, while Clair Obscur, Dispatch and Peak explore a range of price below the standard. But @alexgreen9898.bsky.social's biggest question is, “Where is all the money going?”
Alex Green Tries To Pin Down Why Everything Is So Expensive And What Exactly We Are Paying For | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
It’s a weird time to observe games industry trends. Call of Duty is full of AI slop and threadbare updates and costs up to $130, while Clair Obscur, Dispatch and Peak explore a range of price below th...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 19, 2025 at 5:34 PM
It’s a weird time to observe games industry trends. Call of Duty is full of AI slop and threadbare updates and costs up to $130, while Clair Obscur, Dispatch and Peak explore a range of price below the standard. But @alexgreen9898.bsky.social's biggest question is, “Where is all the money going?”
Reposted by startmenu
Love me some betas and demos!
We welcome back @oronalex.bsky.social and Super GG Radio to run down the best betas and demo of games coming in 2026.
Alex Orona And Super GG Radio's Best Betas And Early Access Games Of 2025 | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
We welcome back Alex Orona and Super GG Radio to run down the best betas and demo of games coming in 2026.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Love me some betas and demos!
We welcome back @oronalex.bsky.social and Super GG Radio to run down the best betas and demo of games coming in 2026.
Alex Orona And Super GG Radio's Best Betas And Early Access Games Of 2025 | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
We welcome back Alex Orona and Super GG Radio to run down the best betas and demo of games coming in 2026.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 7:17 PM
We welcome back @oronalex.bsky.social and Super GG Radio to run down the best betas and demo of games coming in 2026.
Hollow Knight is a lot of things to a lot of people. To Louise Chase, the once-intimidating game has served as a source of newfound confidence. If she can beat Hollow Knight and its sequel, Silksong, well… what can’t she do?
Hollow Knight Taught Louise Chase Hard Lessons About Herself And What She Could Do | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
Hollow Knight is a lot of things to a lot of people. To Louise Chase, the once-intimidating game has served as a source of newfound confidence. If she can beat Hollow Knight and its sequel, Silksong, ...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Hollow Knight is a lot of things to a lot of people. To Louise Chase, the once-intimidating game has served as a source of newfound confidence. If she can beat Hollow Knight and its sequel, Silksong, well… what can’t she do?
Reposted by startmenu
I LOVED Before Your Eyes, but Goodnight Universe struggled to reach the same highs. Read my full thoughts on @startmenu.bsky.social below!
You might play as a baby in Goodnight Universe, but the game has big shoes to fill. Made by developers who worked on the critically-acclaimed Before Your Eyes, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as its predecessor.
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social reviews.
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social reviews.
Review | Goodnight Universe - Don’t Blink Twice — startmenu
You might play as a baby in Goodnight Universe, but the game has big shoes to fill. Made by developers who worked on the critically-acclaimed Before Your Eyes, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 7:46 PM
I LOVED Before Your Eyes, but Goodnight Universe struggled to reach the same highs. Read my full thoughts on @startmenu.bsky.social below!
You might play as a baby in Goodnight Universe, but the game has big shoes to fill. Made by developers who worked on the critically-acclaimed Before Your Eyes, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as its predecessor.
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social reviews.
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social reviews.
Review | Goodnight Universe - Don’t Blink Twice — startmenu
You might play as a baby in Goodnight Universe, but the game has big shoes to fill. Made by developers who worked on the critically-acclaimed Before Your Eyes, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 7:38 PM
You might play as a baby in Goodnight Universe, but the game has big shoes to fill. Made by developers who worked on the critically-acclaimed Before Your Eyes, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as its predecessor.
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social reviews.
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social reviews.
Reposted by startmenu
Thanks to @lexluddy.xyz and @startmenu.bsky.social for letting me write some lukewarm takes for their site!! It was so much fun to write and appreciate the opportunity to offer my
Perspective (and deservedly promote some
Irish games in the process ;))
Perspective (and deservedly promote some
Irish games in the process ;))
There was very little good in 2025, yet despite it all, @carlo-no-s.bsky.social has found some games that gave him hope for the future of the video game industry.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/the-202...
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/the-202...
The 2025 Games That Made Carlo Azzari Hopeful About Our Industry | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
There was very little good in 2025, yet despite it all, Carlo Azzari has found some games that gave him hope for the future of the video game industry.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Thanks to @lexluddy.xyz and @startmenu.bsky.social for letting me write some lukewarm takes for their site!! It was so much fun to write and appreciate the opportunity to offer my
Perspective (and deservedly promote some
Irish games in the process ;))
Perspective (and deservedly promote some
Irish games in the process ;))
There was very little good in 2025, yet despite it all, @carlo-no-s.bsky.social has found some games that gave him hope for the future of the video game industry.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/the-202...
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/the-202...
The 2025 Games That Made Carlo Azzari Hopeful About Our Industry | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
There was very little good in 2025, yet despite it all, Carlo Azzari has found some games that gave him hope for the future of the video game industry.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 4:46 PM
There was very little good in 2025, yet despite it all, @carlo-no-s.bsky.social has found some games that gave him hope for the future of the video game industry.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/the-202...
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/the-202...
Reposted by startmenu
This week: 25 new-and-interesting selections on the western construction of the JRPG, Chris Roberts, Hades II, and Keoff Geighley:
critical-distance.com/2025/12/15/d...
critical-distance.com/2025/12/15/d...
critical-distance.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:18 AM
This week: 25 new-and-interesting selections on the western construction of the JRPG, Chris Roberts, Hades II, and Keoff Geighley:
critical-distance.com/2025/12/15/d...
critical-distance.com/2025/12/15/d...
Reposted by startmenu
getting to write this for @startmenu.bsky.social's Winter Spectacular has been so rewarding, a feeling compounded by how much fun I've been having editing features from contributors and guest writers this month
and there's more to come!!
and there's more to come!!
Not A Herd, An Ensemble: How Herdling’s Music Brought KM Nelson Closer To Her Calicorns — startmenu
KM Nelson’s experience playing Herdling was shaped by the power of its music. The soundtrack’s emphasis on the physicality of each instrument’s performance engenders closeness, cementing your bond wit...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 2:23 PM
getting to write this for @startmenu.bsky.social's Winter Spectacular has been so rewarding, a feeling compounded by how much fun I've been having editing features from contributors and guest writers this month
and there's more to come!!
and there's more to come!!
Reposted by startmenu
Really great piece from Deniz today.
Deniz Amasya joins us to take moment to reflect on espressos in Cologne, philosophers, and Sega Saturn visual novels.
Deniz Amasya Reflects On Social Vs. Anti-Social Writing: Visual Novels And Adventure Games | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
Deniz Amasya joins us to take moment to reflect on espressos in Cologne, philosophers, and Sega Saturn visual novels.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Really great piece from Deniz today.
Reposted by startmenu
I wrote about the thing people call “visual novels” for start menu magazine in which I talk out my ass about games I haven’t played for a few thousand words
Deniz Amasya joins us to take moment to reflect on espressos in Cologne, philosophers, and Sega Saturn visual novels.
Deniz Amasya Reflects On Social Vs. Anti-Social Writing: Visual Novels And Adventure Games | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
Deniz Amasya joins us to take moment to reflect on espressos in Cologne, philosophers, and Sega Saturn visual novels.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 2:26 AM
I wrote about the thing people call “visual novels” for start menu magazine in which I talk out my ass about games I haven’t played for a few thousand words
This week's Update Patch @wendeego.bsky.social rounds up The Game Awards' biggest announcements, games back from the dead, and the best Doom WADs of 2025 getting recognition.
www.patreon.com/posts/update...
www.patreon.com/posts/update...
Update Patch News Roundup (15/12/25) | startmenu
Get more from startmenu on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:03 PM
This week's Update Patch @wendeego.bsky.social rounds up The Game Awards' biggest announcements, games back from the dead, and the best Doom WADs of 2025 getting recognition.
www.patreon.com/posts/update...
www.patreon.com/posts/update...
Deniz Amasya joins us to take moment to reflect on espressos in Cologne, philosophers, and Sega Saturn visual novels.
Deniz Amasya Reflects On Social Vs. Anti-Social Writing: Visual Novels And Adventure Games | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
Deniz Amasya joins us to take moment to reflect on espressos in Cologne, philosophers, and Sega Saturn visual novels.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Deniz Amasya joins us to take moment to reflect on espressos in Cologne, philosophers, and Sega Saturn visual novels.
Reposted by startmenu
I need to write my Steam library into my will. Someone's got to inherit my backlog
Are our game collections doomed to disappear along with us when we die? @coledone.com unpacks the problem of ownership when it comes to digital libraries, as well as what it means to hold a cartridge in your hands in 2025.
David Cole Craves Ownership | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
Are our game collections doomed to disappear along with us when we die? David Cole unpacks the problem of ownership when it comes to digital libraries, as well as what it means to hold a cartridge in ...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I need to write my Steam library into my will. Someone's got to inherit my backlog
Are our game collections doomed to disappear along with us when we die? @coledone.com unpacks the problem of ownership when it comes to digital libraries, as well as what it means to hold a cartridge in your hands in 2025.
David Cole Craves Ownership | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
Are our game collections doomed to disappear along with us when we die? David Cole unpacks the problem of ownership when it comes to digital libraries, as well as what it means to hold a cartridge in ...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Are our game collections doomed to disappear along with us when we die? @coledone.com unpacks the problem of ownership when it comes to digital libraries, as well as what it means to hold a cartridge in your hands in 2025.
Reposted by startmenu
Another great Winter Spectacular piece today!
Zackary Edwards muses on the cathartic power of “Proof of a Hero” — an iconic theme in Monster Hunter that only rears its head when you face the series’ most formidable foes — in the epic fight against the dragon Fatalis.
Zackary Edwards Finds Meaning In The (Monster) Hunt | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
Zackary Edwards muses on the cathartic power of “Proof of a Hero” — an iconic theme in Monster Hunter that only rears its head when you face the series’ most formidable foes — in the epic fight...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 13, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Another great Winter Spectacular piece today!
Zackary Edwards muses on the cathartic power of “Proof of a Hero” — an iconic theme in Monster Hunter that only rears its head when you face the series’ most formidable foes — in the epic fight against the dragon Fatalis.
Zackary Edwards Finds Meaning In The (Monster) Hunt | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
Zackary Edwards muses on the cathartic power of “Proof of a Hero” — an iconic theme in Monster Hunter that only rears its head when you face the series’ most formidable foes — in the epic fight...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 13, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Zackary Edwards muses on the cathartic power of “Proof of a Hero” — an iconic theme in Monster Hunter that only rears its head when you face the series’ most formidable foes — in the epic fight against the dragon Fatalis.