Derek
@astralcitymini.com
Professional editor and arcade romanticist in Chicago.
Digital explorer. 🗺️ Café connoisseur. ☕️ Audiophile. 🎧
I post mostly about video games and gay shit.
🏳️🌈 he/him
Digital explorer. 🗺️ Café connoisseur. ☕️ Audiophile. 🎧
I post mostly about video games and gay shit.
🏳️🌈 he/him
Pinned
Derek
@astralcitymini.com
· Mar 29
Astral City Mini
High-fidelity writing and state-of-the-art critique double your reading enjoyment!
astralcitymini.com
Announcing the launch of Astral City Mini, my personal blog featuring short-to-medium-form writing about video games, their music, and related miscellany.
astralcitymini.com
astralcitymini.com
Reposted by Derek
You there! You like shmups?
I think you should play tz mini stg collection. It came out less than two weeks ago and ought to have more eyes on it.
Four neat little STGs by Tamazusa, each proof-of-concept'ing their own cool mechanics. Learning them is a lot of fun. Very stylish.
Free.
Link below.
I think you should play tz mini stg collection. It came out less than two weeks ago and ought to have more eyes on it.
Four neat little STGs by Tamazusa, each proof-of-concept'ing their own cool mechanics. Learning them is a lot of fun. Very stylish.
Free.
Link below.
December 6, 2025 at 1:20 PM
You there! You like shmups?
I think you should play tz mini stg collection. It came out less than two weeks ago and ought to have more eyes on it.
Four neat little STGs by Tamazusa, each proof-of-concept'ing their own cool mechanics. Learning them is a lot of fun. Very stylish.
Free.
Link below.
I think you should play tz mini stg collection. It came out less than two weeks ago and ought to have more eyes on it.
Four neat little STGs by Tamazusa, each proof-of-concept'ing their own cool mechanics. Learning them is a lot of fun. Very stylish.
Free.
Link below.
Reposted by Derek
Hey if you’re in Uptown/Lakeview and in the 46th Ward, our Alderwoman’s office is running a survey on those delivery robots we’ve been seeing around these past few weeks, please share your thoughts!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
December 6, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Hey if you’re in Uptown/Lakeview and in the 46th Ward, our Alderwoman’s office is running a survey on those delivery robots we’ve been seeing around these past few weeks, please share your thoughts!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
This is my Golden. 🔥
Light it up, let's go! 🔥
A new song by award-winning guitarist Tom Morello, featuring Beartooth, is making its way onto the Arcadion stage in #FFXIV!
Here's a message from Tom and a preview of the upcoming track, Everything Burns!
A new song by award-winning guitarist Tom Morello, featuring Beartooth, is making its way onto the Arcadion stage in #FFXIV!
Here's a message from Tom and a preview of the upcoming track, Everything Burns!
December 5, 2025 at 4:05 PM
This is my Golden. 🔥
Reposted by Derek
Extremely proud to announce I was a translator on Octopath Traveler 0! 🎉 So glad this game got a second life on consoles, and heartened to see reviewers say the story brought them to tears. Guess that means we did our job. 😊
December 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Extremely proud to announce I was a translator on Octopath Traveler 0! 🎉 So glad this game got a second life on consoles, and heartened to see reviewers say the story brought them to tears. Guess that means we did our job. 😊
FANTASIAN 💖💖💖 Is this a dream?
New collaboration items are coming to the #FFXIV Online Store! ✨
New attire, hairstyles, and emotes inspired by FANTASIAN Neo Dimension characters Leo, Kina, and Cheryl will be available on Tuesday, December 16. 👕
New attire, hairstyles, and emotes inspired by FANTASIAN Neo Dimension characters Leo, Kina, and Cheryl will be available on Tuesday, December 16. 👕
December 5, 2025 at 3:38 PM
FANTASIAN 💖💖💖 Is this a dream?
Reposted by Derek
Reposted by Derek
it's time once again to do this year's #merrywhatever card, so here's last year's, featuring Babycat's farewell appearance 😢 but this year will welcome to the stage Saffron!
December 1, 2025 at 11:35 PM
it's time once again to do this year's #merrywhatever card, so here's last year's, featuring Babycat's farewell appearance 😢 but this year will welcome to the stage Saffron!
Reposted by Derek
this is why complete control of the camera just being a given in commercial game design has been the death of beauty.
Bring back fixed cameras.
Bring back composition.
Bring back the screen as proscenium arch.
Bring back fixed cameras.
Bring back composition.
Bring back the screen as proscenium arch.
There should be more games inspired by avant-garde stage design.
November 26, 2025 at 10:40 PM
this is why complete control of the camera just being a given in commercial game design has been the death of beauty.
Bring back fixed cameras.
Bring back composition.
Bring back the screen as proscenium arch.
Bring back fixed cameras.
Bring back composition.
Bring back the screen as proscenium arch.
Liz proves once again that she's one of the most talented localization professionals in the industry. Her takeaways here, thoughtfully reached after examining well over a hundred concrete examples, are hugely instructive for any J-E translator/editor.
My Suikoden Localization Let's Play has finally come to a complete end! This overview covers the main points of the series, like "don't take words or punctuation at face value" and "consider the larger context," then dives into reviews of both the PS1 and HD Remaster English translations.
Localization Let’s Play: Suikoden 1 – Overview - Elizabeth Bushouse
I have to say, I did not think this project would be nearly this long when I first started it, but...here we are. Since it turned into such a behemoth of a
lizbushouse.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Liz proves once again that she's one of the most talented localization professionals in the industry. Her takeaways here, thoughtfully reached after examining well over a hundred concrete examples, are hugely instructive for any J-E translator/editor.
Reposted by Derek
i see game of the year (or ANY ART of the year) as a deeply personal endeavor, and the more it becomes commercialized or legitimized the further it moves from being a tool for introspection
The thing that makes “game of the year” a fun conversation is the absence of a widely recognized award and every attempt to legitimize or take “Game of the Year” (The Game Award) seriously just ruins the whole thing
November 26, 2025 at 6:18 PM
i see game of the year (or ANY ART of the year) as a deeply personal endeavor, and the more it becomes commercialized or legitimized the further it moves from being a tool for introspection
Reposted by Derek
Just downloaded my copy of Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved on the Switch! Way back in 2023 I did some volunteer testing on this game and offered my feedback on some early builds. It's so impressive to see how polished the game looks now! Congrats @traindetective.bsky.social on the release!
November 26, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Just downloaded my copy of Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved on the Switch! Way back in 2023 I did some volunteer testing on this game and offered my feedback on some early builds. It's so impressive to see how polished the game looks now! Congrats @traindetective.bsky.social on the release!
They remembered Stars of Tears! I hoot; I holler. 🤩 The rest is a thinly veiled #FFXIV cover album, but you won’t hear me complaining. 🎧
'SQUARE ENIX Vocal Covers - Timeless Classics Vol.2' cover album (1 CD) features music from Final Fantasy XIV, Xenogears, and Grimm's Notes. Releases February 18, 2026 for 2400 JPY.
www.jp.square-enix.com/music/sem/pa...
Album illus.: Ahmondo
www.jp.square-enix.com/music/sem/pa...
Album illus.: Ahmondo
November 26, 2025 at 2:20 PM
They remembered Stars of Tears! I hoot; I holler. 🤩 The rest is a thinly veiled #FFXIV cover album, but you won’t hear me complaining. 🎧
Started watching The Mighty Nein, which rules.
But my god do the ads on Prime Video make me incandescent with rage. I hate that it costs extra money on top of a Prime sub to go ad-free. It used to simply Not Have Ads. The present sucks.
But my god do the ads on Prime Video make me incandescent with rage. I hate that it costs extra money on top of a Prime sub to go ad-free. It used to simply Not Have Ads. The present sucks.
November 26, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Started watching The Mighty Nein, which rules.
But my god do the ads on Prime Video make me incandescent with rage. I hate that it costs extra money on top of a Prime sub to go ad-free. It used to simply Not Have Ads. The present sucks.
But my god do the ads on Prime Video make me incandescent with rage. I hate that it costs extra money on top of a Prime sub to go ad-free. It used to simply Not Have Ads. The present sucks.
what if we kissed
at the Square Enix Capsule Garden
at the Square Enix Capsule Garden
Finally visited SQEX Capsule Garden in Shibuya, a new gatcha store themed around Square Enix goods. And by store, I mean wall. It does have exclusive stuff so check it out if you need to buff up your FF/DQ/Nier merch collection.
November 25, 2025 at 11:02 PM
what if we kissed
at the Square Enix Capsule Garden
at the Square Enix Capsule Garden
Considering how much I adored the first two Famicom Detective Club games, even I’m surprised I’m so LTTP with Emio: The Smiling Man. But here I am! And it’s already good. It might have the best implementation of Live2D-style portraits I’ve ever seen. Everyone is so…well, animated!
November 25, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Considering how much I adored the first two Famicom Detective Club games, even I’m surprised I’m so LTTP with Emio: The Smiling Man. But here I am! And it’s already good. It might have the best implementation of Live2D-style portraits I’ve ever seen. Everyone is so…well, animated!
Reposted by Derek
If you played Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, consider nominating it for a chill Steam Award! 🐮❤️
store.steampowered.com/news/app/250...
store.steampowered.com/news/app/250...
November 24, 2025 at 8:55 PM
If you played Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, consider nominating it for a chill Steam Award! 🐮❤️
store.steampowered.com/news/app/250...
store.steampowered.com/news/app/250...
Spent $1.50 to make about a month’s worth of pandan syrup. Worth every penny.
November 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Spent $1.50 to make about a month’s worth of pandan syrup. Worth every penny.
Dorks that we are, husband and I made navel orange cookies from the 2nd #FFXIV cookbook for Friendsgiving today. The powdered sugar coating could use a second application for the glamour, but they’re deliciously moist & zingy.
November 23, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Dorks that we are, husband and I made navel orange cookies from the 2nd #FFXIV cookbook for Friendsgiving today. The powdered sugar coating could use a second application for the glamour, but they’re deliciously moist & zingy.
Reposted by Derek
November 21, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Reposted by Derek
Hi all. ❤️ thanks for reaching out. I’m sad about FPC still, but I’m coping.
I am looking for work! I’m interested in Head of Community/Comms roles for teams who want to build strong and lasting communities. I’ve done Creator programs, PR, Brand, Social, Corporate comms mgmt - you name it!
I am looking for work! I’m interested in Head of Community/Comms roles for teams who want to build strong and lasting communities. I’ve done Creator programs, PR, Brand, Social, Corporate comms mgmt - you name it!
November 21, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Hi all. ❤️ thanks for reaching out. I’m sad about FPC still, but I’m coping.
I am looking for work! I’m interested in Head of Community/Comms roles for teams who want to build strong and lasting communities. I’ve done Creator programs, PR, Brand, Social, Corporate comms mgmt - you name it!
I am looking for work! I’m interested in Head of Community/Comms roles for teams who want to build strong and lasting communities. I’ve done Creator programs, PR, Brand, Social, Corporate comms mgmt - you name it!
A phenomenally insightful piece. Timothy interrogates the themes of these games with refreshing optimism. He also gives voice to my own feeling of loneliness playing DQIII HD-2D. I yearn for the catharsis of camaraderie embedded in its pre/sequels. Guess I’m getting on with those sooner than later.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is not Dragon Quest I or Dragon Quest II, but it is a a classic song of hope for our modern, hopeless times. In one of my deepest dives yet, I unpack how these games have changed, and how the meaning of Dragon Quest has evolved for me through these remakes. #blutoid
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Has Forever Changed How I Look At The Legendary RPG Series:
November 21, 2025 at 10:09 PM
A phenomenally insightful piece. Timothy interrogates the themes of these games with refreshing optimism. He also gives voice to my own feeling of loneliness playing DQIII HD-2D. I yearn for the catharsis of camaraderie embedded in its pre/sequels. Guess I’m getting on with those sooner than later.
With this final piece of the puzzle, RPGFan's gotta have the most comprehensive "SQ" review coverage on the web. I'm proud to have contributed the SQ Chips review fourteen(!!) years ago—and I stand by my endorsement. Cheers to @gameodactyl.bsky.social for all his hard work covering most of the rest!
Square Enix is proud of their music –so much that they have a record label devoted to compilations, OSTs, guest works, and more. The SQ series is an array of different and dynamic arrangements and Pat's reviewed the collection –and you can too!♫
Reviews: www.rpgfan.com/music-review...
Reviews: www.rpgfan.com/music-review...
November 21, 2025 at 8:23 PM
With this final piece of the puzzle, RPGFan's gotta have the most comprehensive "SQ" review coverage on the web. I'm proud to have contributed the SQ Chips review fourteen(!!) years ago—and I stand by my endorsement. Cheers to @gameodactyl.bsky.social for all his hard work covering most of the rest!
Cursed to forever mix up 中枢、中軸、and 枢軸 in WaniKani, pushing them back down into my review pile until the end of time 💀
November 21, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Cursed to forever mix up 中枢、中軸、and 枢軸 in WaniKani, pushing them back down into my review pile until the end of time 💀
Reposted by Derek
I don't know which of my kouhais need to hear this, but because I'm seeing this in a ton of commercial J>E game locs: you really shouldn't retain quotation marks in the same places as the Japanese source text 9 times of 10, especially outside dialogue. Punctuation parity in general is often sloppy.
November 21, 2025 at 1:07 AM
I don't know which of my kouhais need to hear this, but because I'm seeing this in a ton of commercial J>E game locs: you really shouldn't retain quotation marks in the same places as the Japanese source text 9 times of 10, especially outside dialogue. Punctuation parity in general is often sloppy.
I will be participating in the WoL sticker trade for the first time at #FFXIV Fan Festival 2026! Can't wait to see everyone's designs!
#FanfestWoLTrade returns for NA #FFXIV Fanfest 2026!
As always, participation is open to all, so bring your Warriors of Light to bear and receive a free badge ribbon to trade with others over the weekend! 🎀
Links and information in the🧵!
As always, participation is open to all, so bring your Warriors of Light to bear and receive a free badge ribbon to trade with others over the weekend! 🎀
Links and information in the🧵!
November 20, 2025 at 11:55 PM
I will be participating in the WoL sticker trade for the first time at #FFXIV Fan Festival 2026! Can't wait to see everyone's designs!