Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
@wallstormer.bsky.social
I run @Intelligame.us (pronounced "us"), diving deep into narratives and connecting games with the real world. #ThoughtfulPlay
For work/opps: josh@intelligame.us
https://linktr.ee/intelligame
For work/opps: josh@intelligame.us
https://linktr.ee/intelligame
Pinned
Hey, folks! I'm Josh, and I focus on what I call #ThoughtfulPlay: gaming with a focus on talking about narrative and making connections to the world around us.
If you like that, drop a follow over to @intelligame.us! Plenty more to come.
P.S. HMU if you have writing/editing/narrative design work!
If you like that, drop a follow over to @intelligame.us! Plenty more to come.
P.S. HMU if you have writing/editing/narrative design work!
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
New: We got an internal ICE document revealing its $100 million ad plan to bring in 14,000 new hires: deals with "tactical" influencers; ads to gun & military buffs; and geo-targeting phones around NASCAR races and gun shows.
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
ICE plans $100 million ‘wartime recruitment’ push targeting gun shows, military fans for hires
An internal ICE document shared among immigration officials details plans to use influencers and geo-targeted ads to rapidly hire thousands of deportation officers.
wapo.st
December 31, 2025 at 12:09 PM
New: We got an internal ICE document revealing its $100 million ad plan to bring in 14,000 new hires: deals with "tactical" influencers; ads to gun & military buffs; and geo-targeting phones around NASCAR races and gun shows.
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
Stream's live: heading back into Final Fantasy X and chatting about the new year:
twitch.tv/intelligame
twitch.tv/intelligame
January 2, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Stream's live: heading back into Final Fantasy X and chatting about the new year:
twitch.tv/intelligame
twitch.tv/intelligame
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
I think 2025 was the year that I finally realized how much my anxious inner judge lies to me. I’m honoured to have my pieces Selective Attention, Rhythm of Stillness, and Genre-Queer featured.
The past year was perhaps one of my most chaotic and I‘m beyond grateful I didn’t burn out. (1/2)
The past year was perhaps one of my most chaotic and I‘m beyond grateful I didn’t burn out. (1/2)
Thank you all for your patience! Without further ado, it's This Year In Videogame Blogging 2025, complete with a bonus This Week In Videogame Blogging, December 28, 2025!
critical-distance.com/2026/01/01/t...
critical-distance.com/2026/01/01/t...
critical-distance.com
January 1, 2026 at 7:56 PM
I think 2025 was the year that I finally realized how much my anxious inner judge lies to me. I’m honoured to have my pieces Selective Attention, Rhythm of Stillness, and Genre-Queer featured.
The past year was perhaps one of my most chaotic and I‘m beyond grateful I didn’t burn out. (1/2)
The past year was perhaps one of my most chaotic and I‘m beyond grateful I didn’t burn out. (1/2)
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
Because of a conspiracy theory-based stunt by a January 6 insurrectionist who was trying to intimidate children and daycare workers, Trump is now freezing ALL childcare payments across the country.
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
December 31, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Because of a conspiracy theory-based stunt by a January 6 insurrectionist who was trying to intimidate children and daycare workers, Trump is now freezing ALL childcare payments across the country.
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
What. No.
Don't use their language, @newyorker.com that is not even a real word. What the hell is wrong with "flee" or like. "Flee this godforsaken country"
Don't use their language, @newyorker.com that is not even a real word. What the hell is wrong with "flee" or like. "Flee this godforsaken country"
![[email subject line] The New Yorker Daily The Mexican Couple Planning to Self-Deport](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:un7ax3cmaqemchu5tsqnymts/bafkreihkgcfyxr6m2klg63f4wxk5dinyipggr2fz6arzkunbtsduv543wu@jpeg)
December 30, 2025 at 8:37 PM
What. No.
Don't use their language, @newyorker.com that is not even a real word. What the hell is wrong with "flee" or like. "Flee this godforsaken country"
Don't use their language, @newyorker.com that is not even a real word. What the hell is wrong with "flee" or like. "Flee this godforsaken country"
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
game good www.avclub.com/saltsea-chro...
December 26, 2025 at 7:49 PM
game good www.avclub.com/saltsea-chro...
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
If YOU would like a free list of my favorite weird indie games I played in 2025 I have compiled the best of the best of my monthly game recommendation newsletter I write for @pigsquad.com!!
Hear ye hear ye, @marlowedobbe.com's "best of" Truffle Hunter Newsletter is now available to view!
Check out an awesome curated list of indie game goodness, gathered from 2025's newsletters:
🏆 bit.ly/trufflehunte... 🏆
Check out an awesome curated list of indie game goodness, gathered from 2025's newsletters:
🏆 bit.ly/trufflehunte... 🏆
December 30, 2025 at 8:07 PM
If YOU would like a free list of my favorite weird indie games I played in 2025 I have compiled the best of the best of my monthly game recommendation newsletter I write for @pigsquad.com!!
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
Black Nerd Probems won a Hugo Award in 2025!
Will & Omar founded the site but this is a collective of writers, authors, streamers, editors, and more that keep this thang thangin'. 1/
Will & Omar founded the site but this is a collective of writers, authors, streamers, editors, and more that keep this thang thangin'. 1/
December 31, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Black Nerd Probems won a Hugo Award in 2025!
Will & Omar founded the site but this is a collective of writers, authors, streamers, editors, and more that keep this thang thangin'. 1/
Will & Omar founded the site but this is a collective of writers, authors, streamers, editors, and more that keep this thang thangin'. 1/
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
"Everywhere I went in Chicago, there were community members patrolling streets, following government agents, warning victims, and pushing back any way they could — and always, the whistles around their necks, the sign you’re around allies."
(via @hammerandhope.bsky.social)
(via @hammerandhope.bsky.social)
War at Home
A record of ICE’s assault on immigrants and the people’s resistance.
hammerandhope.org
December 27, 2025 at 7:01 PM
"Everywhere I went in Chicago, there were community members patrolling streets, following government agents, warning victims, and pushing back any way they could — and always, the whistles around their necks, the sign you’re around allies."
(via @hammerandhope.bsky.social)
(via @hammerandhope.bsky.social)
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
Spending some time today playing the wonderful narrative @despelote.game . Missed this one earlier this year, and after a community recommendation had to cover it before swinging into 2026.
twitch.tv/intelligame, come on by!
twitch.tv/intelligame, come on by!
December 27, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Spending some time today playing the wonderful narrative @despelote.game . Missed this one earlier this year, and after a community recommendation had to cover it before swinging into 2026.
twitch.tv/intelligame, come on by!
twitch.tv/intelligame, come on by!
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
i posted about all my favorite games from this year. i hope you will fall in love with them too!
One whole year of video game recommendations: www.nathalielawhead.com/candybox/one...
"The international indiegame scene is full of undiscovered gems. They are waiting for you to find them."
#IndieGames
One whole year of video game recommendations: www.nathalielawhead.com/candybox/one...
"The international indiegame scene is full of undiscovered gems. They are waiting for you to find them."
#IndieGames
December 20, 2025 at 2:48 PM
i posted about all my favorite games from this year. i hope you will fall in love with them too!
One whole year of video game recommendations: www.nathalielawhead.com/candybox/one...
"The international indiegame scene is full of undiscovered gems. They are waiting for you to find them."
#IndieGames
One whole year of video game recommendations: www.nathalielawhead.com/candybox/one...
"The international indiegame scene is full of undiscovered gems. They are waiting for you to find them."
#IndieGames
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
December 23, 2025 at 1:28 AM
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
Missed out on playing Final Fantasy X last week on stream for @intelligame.us , so it's the only game for today :D
Let's get started: twitch.tv/intelligame
Let's get started: twitch.tv/intelligame
a pixelated image of a video game character
Alt: Tidus, laughing (a blonde haired man laughing raucously at a blue sky)
media.tenor.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Missed out on playing Final Fantasy X last week on stream for @intelligame.us , so it's the only game for today :D
Let's get started: twitch.tv/intelligame
Let's get started: twitch.tv/intelligame
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
Stream's live! We're heading back to Spira: it's time for more Final Fantasy X:
twitch.tv/intelligame
twitch.tv/intelligame
a man with blonde hair and a yellow jacket is standing in front of a blue sky .
Alt: a man with blonde hair and a yellow jacket is standing in front of a blue sky . Tidus laughing
media.tenor.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Stream's live! We're heading back to Spira: it's time for more Final Fantasy X:
twitch.tv/intelligame
twitch.tv/intelligame
🟣 Stream's Live! 🟣
Today:
* The Warmup - Let's talk Awards Shows (again, lol)
* Below the Crown - Chess roguelike from the folks that brought you Duskers
* Death's Howl - Soulslike deckbuilder about fighting death
* Final Fantasy X - Gotta get back to Spira, of course 😄
twitch.tv/intelligame
Today:
* The Warmup - Let's talk Awards Shows (again, lol)
* Below the Crown - Chess roguelike from the folks that brought you Duskers
* Death's Howl - Soulslike deckbuilder about fighting death
* Final Fantasy X - Gotta get back to Spira, of course 😄
twitch.tv/intelligame
December 19, 2025 at 5:21 PM
🟣 Stream's Live! 🟣
Today:
* The Warmup - Let's talk Awards Shows (again, lol)
* Below the Crown - Chess roguelike from the folks that brought you Duskers
* Death's Howl - Soulslike deckbuilder about fighting death
* Final Fantasy X - Gotta get back to Spira, of course 😄
twitch.tv/intelligame
Today:
* The Warmup - Let's talk Awards Shows (again, lol)
* Below the Crown - Chess roguelike from the folks that brought you Duskers
* Death's Howl - Soulslike deckbuilder about fighting death
* Final Fantasy X - Gotta get back to Spira, of course 😄
twitch.tv/intelligame
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
There’s a moment in this where @ramiismail.com talks about people distancing themselves or being told to do so because of his advocacy. Most never talk about but, man, it’s so real. The last couple years have been professionally and personally isolating in brutal ways. It’s been really eye-opening.
December 19, 2025 at 5:18 PM
There’s a moment in this where @ramiismail.com talks about people distancing themselves or being told to do so because of his advocacy. Most never talk about but, man, it’s so real. The last couple years have been professionally and personally isolating in brutal ways. It’s been really eye-opening.
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
In honor of Sunken Stones being nominated for the 2026 indiegameawards.gg BVIG Award.
I wanted to (re)Introduce everyone to my current project with a shiny new animated teaser!
Check it out and Wishlist Now:
store.steampowered.com/app/1958800/...
I wanted to (re)Introduce everyone to my current project with a shiny new animated teaser!
Check it out and Wishlist Now:
store.steampowered.com/app/1958800/...
December 18, 2025 at 11:03 PM
In honor of Sunken Stones being nominated for the 2026 indiegameawards.gg BVIG Award.
I wanted to (re)Introduce everyone to my current project with a shiny new animated teaser!
Check it out and Wishlist Now:
store.steampowered.com/app/1958800/...
I wanted to (re)Introduce everyone to my current project with a shiny new animated teaser!
Check it out and Wishlist Now:
store.steampowered.com/app/1958800/...
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
The White House claims the vote to rename the Kennedy Center was “unanimous.” That is false. I was muted on the call and denied the opportunity to speak or register my opposition. That is not consensus. That is censorship.
December 18, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The White House claims the vote to rename the Kennedy Center was “unanimous.” That is false. I was muted on the call and denied the opportunity to speak or register my opposition. That is not consensus. That is censorship.
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
It's Steam Sale Time and that means it's a great time to check out my Steam Curator Page, an ever-growing list of what I've played on and off stream. Recently updated with a ton of new games!!!
store.steampowered.com/curator/4038...
store.steampowered.com/curator/4038...
Steam Curator: MattCaulder
Your nonbinary Gamer Dad - Big Mechs, Cool Cards, Queer Rep, Loud Opinions - Making every space safe for Queer folk
store.steampowered.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM
It's Steam Sale Time and that means it's a great time to check out my Steam Curator Page, an ever-growing list of what I've played on and off stream. Recently updated with a ton of new games!!!
store.steampowered.com/curator/4038...
store.steampowered.com/curator/4038...
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
The Xbox Boycott (Still) Matters
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
Seeing people in the comments saying that To a T was unfun and essentially that he deserves this if he can't make a good game.
Gamers, I don't know how else to say this, artists are not supposed to be punished with financial ruin for making imperfect art. That's such a fucked up idea you have
Gamers, I don't know how else to say this, artists are not supposed to be punished with financial ruin for making imperfect art. That's such a fucked up idea you have
Keita Takahashi (Katamari, Wattam, Noby Noby Boy) has moved back to Japan, and says he may be forced to quit the games industry due to To a T underperforming.
He also says he'd love to work on Katamari again, and for someone to invest in his studio.
(Read more at GamesRadar)
He also says he'd love to work on Katamari again, and for someone to invest in his studio.
(Read more at GamesRadar)
December 15, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Seeing people in the comments saying that To a T was unfun and essentially that he deserves this if he can't make a good game.
Gamers, I don't know how else to say this, artists are not supposed to be punished with financial ruin for making imperfect art. That's such a fucked up idea you have
Gamers, I don't know how else to say this, artists are not supposed to be punished with financial ruin for making imperfect art. That's such a fucked up idea you have
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
It was amazing to be part of this team. It means so much to come together with this wonderful people and try to do some actual good
Over $77K raised from our friends @stumpt.tv, their team and their communities! Thank you!
December 15, 2025 at 11:55 PM
It was amazing to be part of this team. It means so much to come together with this wonderful people and try to do some actual good
LIVE!
Today's stream features:
*A physical solo card game
*A chess, dungeon-crawling roguelike
*A short, psychological horror narrative game
I'm a little low on sleep, so please pay no mind to the selfie, lol
Let's do this: twitch.tv/intelligame
Today's stream features:
*A physical solo card game
*A chess, dungeon-crawling roguelike
*A short, psychological horror narrative game
I'm a little low on sleep, so please pay no mind to the selfie, lol
Let's do this: twitch.tv/intelligame
Intelligame - Twitch
Variety Monday | Spire's End (physical solo card game), Without a Dawn, Below the Crown
twitch.tv
December 15, 2025 at 5:35 PM
LIVE!
Today's stream features:
*A physical solo card game
*A chess, dungeon-crawling roguelike
*A short, psychological horror narrative game
I'm a little low on sleep, so please pay no mind to the selfie, lol
Let's do this: twitch.tv/intelligame
Today's stream features:
*A physical solo card game
*A chess, dungeon-crawling roguelike
*A short, psychological horror narrative game
I'm a little low on sleep, so please pay no mind to the selfie, lol
Let's do this: twitch.tv/intelligame
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
In Gaza, "surveillance is constant," says Palestinian writer Mohammed Mhawish. This omnipresent sense of being watched and tracked — through checkpoints, social media, drones, AI and more — creates an "enormous psychological burden" on the civilian population.
Gaza Writer Mohammed Mhawish on Life Under Israeli Surveillance
Award-winning Palestinian reporter Mohammed Mhawish, who left Gaza last year, joins us to discuss his new piece for New York magazine about Israel’s surveillance practices. It describes how Palestinia...
www.democracynow.org
December 15, 2025 at 3:01 AM
In Gaza, "surveillance is constant," says Palestinian writer Mohammed Mhawish. This omnipresent sense of being watched and tracked — through checkpoints, social media, drones, AI and more — creates an "enormous psychological burden" on the civilian population.
Reposted by Josh Boykin (Intelligame)
We grieve the loss of life in Sydney, Australia, where gunmen attacked a celebration of the first night of Hanukkah, killing at least 11 people. This was a terrifying incident of hate-fueled violence that no community should face.
December 14, 2025 at 9:23 PM
We grieve the loss of life in Sydney, Australia, where gunmen attacked a celebration of the first night of Hanukkah, killing at least 11 people. This was a terrifying incident of hate-fueled violence that no community should face.