Joseph Hooper @ PAX West
@th3hoopman.bsky.social
Software developer by day. Video game enthusiast by pretty much any other time.
Owner of CantPause.com / YouTube.com/@cantpause
Host of the Player Player podcast
Co-Host on @crossplayconvos.bsky.social
Owner of CantPause.com / YouTube.com/@cantpause
Host of the Player Player podcast
Co-Host on @crossplayconvos.bsky.social
Reposted by Joseph Hooper @ PAX West
It is my great pleasure to reveal the newest voice joining The Indie Informer is the seriously accomplished Hayes Madsen (@solfleet.bsky.social)!
His first article on the site is a brilliant examination of Cairn, which I hope you will enjoy and share.
His first article on the site is a brilliant examination of Cairn, which I hope you will enjoy and share.
Cairn's early frustrations give ways to a beautifully meditative simulation.
Cairn Impressions: Patience Is A Virtue
Lick frogs wisely.
theindieinformer.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:50 PM
It is my great pleasure to reveal the newest voice joining The Indie Informer is the seriously accomplished Hayes Madsen (@solfleet.bsky.social)!
His first article on the site is a brilliant examination of Cairn, which I hope you will enjoy and share.
His first article on the site is a brilliant examination of Cairn, which I hope you will enjoy and share.
Reposted by Joseph Hooper @ PAX West
Our penultimate episode of the show is out now! @th3hoopman.bsky.social and @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social break down the TGAs - awards, announcements and more!
Listen: plnk.to/crossplaycon...
Watch: youtu.be/gYPURqaXEAM?...
Listen: plnk.to/crossplaycon...
Watch: youtu.be/gYPURqaXEAM?...
December 16, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Our penultimate episode of the show is out now! @th3hoopman.bsky.social and @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social break down the TGAs - awards, announcements and more!
Listen: plnk.to/crossplaycon...
Watch: youtu.be/gYPURqaXEAM?...
Listen: plnk.to/crossplaycon...
Watch: youtu.be/gYPURqaXEAM?...
Crazy to see a post and think "I know that dog"
December 12, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Crazy to see a post and think "I know that dog"
Please. I'm begging for one reputable outlet to review Detective Instinct before the end of the year for fantasy critic.
December 9, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Please. I'm begging for one reputable outlet to review Detective Instinct before the end of the year for fantasy critic.
Reposted by Joseph Hooper @ PAX West
On today's episode, the gang is deep in GOTY prep and talks about five 2025 indie games:
🥾 Tall Trails
🛒 Discounty
👁️ The King is Watching
🛹 Megabonk
⚔️ Absolum
Listen: plnk.to/crossplaycon...
Watch: youtu.be/GsW5oN7Lu94
🥾 Tall Trails
🛒 Discounty
👁️ The King is Watching
🛹 Megabonk
⚔️ Absolum
Listen: plnk.to/crossplaycon...
Watch: youtu.be/GsW5oN7Lu94
November 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
On today's episode, the gang is deep in GOTY prep and talks about five 2025 indie games:
🥾 Tall Trails
🛒 Discounty
👁️ The King is Watching
🛹 Megabonk
⚔️ Absolum
Listen: plnk.to/crossplaycon...
Watch: youtu.be/GsW5oN7Lu94
🥾 Tall Trails
🛒 Discounty
👁️ The King is Watching
🛹 Megabonk
⚔️ Absolum
Listen: plnk.to/crossplaycon...
Watch: youtu.be/GsW5oN7Lu94
Reposted by Joseph Hooper @ PAX West
Our upcoming game HORSES was preemptively banned from Steam, with no path to appeal. The game will still launch next week on December 2nd and will be available on EGS, GOG, Humble, and Itch for $4.99. Here is a detailed FAQ covering what happened: horses.wtf/BannedFromSt...
November 25, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Our upcoming game HORSES was preemptively banned from Steam, with no path to appeal. The game will still launch next week on December 2nd and will be available on EGS, GOG, Humble, and Itch for $4.99. Here is a detailed FAQ covering what happened: horses.wtf/BannedFromSt...
Reposted by Joseph Hooper @ PAX West
We’re doing an @extralife4kids.bsky.social stream on Friday! Come hang out with us as we raise money for a great cause. 💙
Friday! 15 hour Extra Life stream starting at 10am ET! Indie games! Party games! INDIE PARTY GAMES!
Watch: youtube.com/@crossplayco...
Donate: bit.ly/cpcextralife
Watch: youtube.com/@crossplayco...
Donate: bit.ly/cpcextralife
November 17, 2025 at 11:34 PM
We’re doing an @extralife4kids.bsky.social stream on Friday! Come hang out with us as we raise money for a great cause. 💙
Reposted by Joseph Hooper @ PAX West
I hope everyone will help me congratulate @th3hoopman.bsky.social on his debut at The Indie Informer!
Read his wonderful work below:
Read his wonderful work below:
With oversized blades come oversized gameplay expectations. Can Gigasword deliver?
Gigasword Impressions: Gigantic Expectations
This sword’s not for just any old buster.
the-indie-in-former.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:09 PM
I hope everyone will help me congratulate @th3hoopman.bsky.social on his debut at The Indie Informer!
Read his wonderful work below:
Read his wonderful work below:
Go easy on me.
I hope everyone will help me congratulate @th3hoopman.bsky.social on his debut at The Indie Informer!
Read his wonderful work below:
Read his wonderful work below:
With oversized blades come oversized gameplay expectations. Can Gigasword deliver?
November 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Go easy on me.
Reposted by Joseph Hooper @ PAX West
This week, the crew builds a list of the best games to play during the month of October! From horrific scares to a cozy fall vibe, we have a game for everyone. Pour a hot beverage, relax, and let’s get spooky! 🎃
Watch or listen now!
Video: youtu.be/FL6Iwf-M-XA?...
Audio: plnk.to/crossplayconvos
Watch or listen now!
Video: youtu.be/FL6Iwf-M-XA?...
Audio: plnk.to/crossplayconvos
October 28, 2025 at 5:09 PM
This week, the crew builds a list of the best games to play during the month of October! From horrific scares to a cozy fall vibe, we have a game for everyone. Pour a hot beverage, relax, and let’s get spooky! 🎃
Watch or listen now!
Video: youtu.be/FL6Iwf-M-XA?...
Audio: plnk.to/crossplayconvos
Watch or listen now!
Video: youtu.be/FL6Iwf-M-XA?...
Audio: plnk.to/crossplayconvos
W. Fantastic game.
October 15, 2025 at 3:11 PM
W. Fantastic game.
Maybe one of my favorite pods of all time? I love this game.
We have arrived at Room 46, and we are still obsessed. Luke, Claire and Joseph are here with a brand new, no-holds-barred spoiler-filled chat about Blue Prince!
Watch: youtu.be/In647FS-reU
Listen: plnk.to/crossplaycon...
Watch: youtu.be/In647FS-reU
Listen: plnk.to/crossplaycon...
October 14, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Maybe one of my favorite pods of all time? I love this game.
Sometimes I have to make some tough realizations on the show, this was one of them (Demon Tides is still gas though 🔥)
September 17, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Sometimes I have to make some tough realizations on the show, this was one of them (Demon Tides is still gas though 🔥)
Reposted by Joseph Hooper @ PAX West
Wake up y'all, the squad has another one!
@clairebearrose.bsky.social, @jacob.bsky.social, @th3hoopman.bsky.social & @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social are back to talk about their favorite games of PAX West!
Audio: plnk.to/crossplaycon...
Video: youtu.be/S7mh26Py1yk?...
@clairebearrose.bsky.social, @jacob.bsky.social, @th3hoopman.bsky.social & @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social are back to talk about their favorite games of PAX West!
Audio: plnk.to/crossplaycon...
Video: youtu.be/S7mh26Py1yk?...
September 17, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Wake up y'all, the squad has another one!
@clairebearrose.bsky.social, @jacob.bsky.social, @th3hoopman.bsky.social & @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social are back to talk about their favorite games of PAX West!
Audio: plnk.to/crossplaycon...
Video: youtu.be/S7mh26Py1yk?...
@clairebearrose.bsky.social, @jacob.bsky.social, @th3hoopman.bsky.social & @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social are back to talk about their favorite games of PAX West!
Audio: plnk.to/crossplaycon...
Video: youtu.be/S7mh26Py1yk?...
Reposted by Joseph Hooper @ PAX West
Recently @th3hoopman.bsky.social and @jacob.bsky.social attended a special Hands-On Preview Event hosted by @xbox.com! They played Hollow Knight: Silksong on the ROG Xbox Ally X and more. Let's talk about it!
Watch or listen now!
Video: youtu.be/L6dLh4qhHkI?...
Audio: plnk.to/crossplayconvos
Watch or listen now!
Video: youtu.be/L6dLh4qhHkI?...
Audio: plnk.to/crossplayconvos
September 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Recently @th3hoopman.bsky.social and @jacob.bsky.social attended a special Hands-On Preview Event hosted by @xbox.com! They played Hollow Knight: Silksong on the ROG Xbox Ally X and more. Let's talk about it!
Watch or listen now!
Video: youtu.be/L6dLh4qhHkI?...
Audio: plnk.to/crossplayconvos
Watch or listen now!
Video: youtu.be/L6dLh4qhHkI?...
Audio: plnk.to/crossplayconvos
I spent a week moving my site over to Substack, but now that it's done, I can start sharing my thoughts about some of the most interesting things I saw at PAX. Let's start with No Stone Unturned from @wisemonkeyltd.bsky.social!
www.cantpause.com/p/no-stone-u...
www.cantpause.com/p/no-stone-u...
No Stone Unturned has Hints of Undertale's DNA
Is it blasphemous to make such a lofty comparison?
www.cantpause.com
September 11, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I spent a week moving my site over to Substack, but now that it's done, I can start sharing my thoughts about some of the most interesting things I saw at PAX. Let's start with No Stone Unturned from @wisemonkeyltd.bsky.social!
www.cantpause.com/p/no-stone-u...
www.cantpause.com/p/no-stone-u...
I jumped on Octopath Traveller 0 and Dragon Quest HD-2D Remake at PAX. I break down my thoughts in the short(ish) ep below!
This week, the crew breaks down their time playing some upcoming titles from Square Enix including: FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles, OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0, and DRAGON QUEST I + II HD-2D Remake!
Watch or listen now!
Video: youtu.be/qJzjT0WGZ28?...
Audio: plnk.to/crossplayconvos
Watch or listen now!
Video: youtu.be/qJzjT0WGZ28?...
Audio: plnk.to/crossplayconvos
September 9, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I jumped on Octopath Traveller 0 and Dragon Quest HD-2D Remake at PAX. I break down my thoughts in the short(ish) ep below!
Reposted by Joseph Hooper @ PAX West
Hi! I was laid off from Firaxis this morning. I wrote leaders and civs for Civilization VII (NDA for now) and Deadpool and Storm for Marvel's Midnight Suns. I also wrote the award-nominated Hindsight.
I'm available for full time, remote work starting ASAP. DMs are open:
emmkid.info
I'm available for full time, remote work starting ASAP. DMs are open:
emmkid.info
Portfolio
emmkid.info
September 4, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Hi! I was laid off from Firaxis this morning. I wrote leaders and civs for Civilization VII (NDA for now) and Deadpool and Storm for Marvel's Midnight Suns. I also wrote the award-nominated Hindsight.
I'm available for full time, remote work starting ASAP. DMs are open:
emmkid.info
I'm available for full time, remote work starting ASAP. DMs are open:
emmkid.info
Some of these bugs be singing their mf heart out
September 4, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Some of these bugs be singing their mf heart out
Xbox, Nintendo, and Steam stores are all cooked lol
September 4, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Xbox, Nintendo, and Steam stores are all cooked lol
Reposted by Joseph Hooper @ PAX West
Want to see @th3hoopman.bsky.social and I literally transform into mad scientists in the name of Video Game Trivia? Well have I got a PAX Panel VOD for you! Big shoutout to @jacob.bsky.social for hosting such fun panels! Always a blast to be a part of it. 🎉😻🥰
Video Game Trivia: Forever from PAX West 2025 is available on YouTube now!
Thanks to the crew for getting me the file so quickly and for everyone that came by!
youtu.be/wm6WEZFjosA?...
Thanks to the crew for getting me the file so quickly and for everyone that came by!
youtu.be/wm6WEZFjosA?...
Video Game Trivia: Forever (PAX West 2025) [Ep. 32]
YouTube video by Jacob McCourt
youtu.be
September 3, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Want to see @th3hoopman.bsky.social and I literally transform into mad scientists in the name of Video Game Trivia? Well have I got a PAX Panel VOD for you! Big shoutout to @jacob.bsky.social for hosting such fun panels! Always a blast to be a part of it. 🎉😻🥰
Crazy hand drawn artwork combined with fun and varied combat abilities made this one a standout last weekend. Apparently the have a 2 (yes TWO) hour demo up right now for people interested.
store.steampowered.com/app/1446900/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1446900/...
September 2, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Crazy hand drawn artwork combined with fun and varied combat abilities made this one a standout last weekend. Apparently the have a 2 (yes TWO) hour demo up right now for people interested.
store.steampowered.com/app/1446900/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1446900/...
This might be one of the greatest weeks of my life.
- Short work week
- PAX West wrap up
- Silksong launch
- NFL Regular season start
- New JJK season 3 trailer
- Blue Prince merch
What generational disaster is coming my way to balance all of this out?
- Short work week
- PAX West wrap up
- Silksong launch
- NFL Regular season start
- New JJK season 3 trailer
- Blue Prince merch
What generational disaster is coming my way to balance all of this out?
September 2, 2025 at 8:01 PM
This might be one of the greatest weeks of my life.
- Short work week
- PAX West wrap up
- Silksong launch
- NFL Regular season start
- New JJK season 3 trailer
- Blue Prince merch
What generational disaster is coming my way to balance all of this out?
- Short work week
- PAX West wrap up
- Silksong launch
- NFL Regular season start
- New JJK season 3 trailer
- Blue Prince merch
What generational disaster is coming my way to balance all of this out?
Fastest $150 impulse buy I've ever made
Introducing the Blue Prince physical collection in partnership with @iam8bit.com.
The collection includes the Commissary Bundle, PS5 physical edition, pins, a notebook, The Red Prince children's book and more.
The pre-order is open NOW: blueprince.iam8bit.com
The collection includes the Commissary Bundle, PS5 physical edition, pins, a notebook, The Red Prince children's book and more.
The pre-order is open NOW: blueprince.iam8bit.com
September 2, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Fastest $150 impulse buy I've ever made