Derek Donahue
@derkderkderk.bsky.social
lead gameplay designer for wwe2k games. Formerly @derkderkderk on Twitter. Statements/opinions are my own.
The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon has taken a new form in recent years. Before, when a newly learned concept seemed to appear everywhere all of a sudden, it was simply a cognitive bias. Now, thanks to engagement algorithms, people *really are* experiencing these high frequencies. But it's no more real.
August 15, 2025 at 6:01 AM
The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon has taken a new form in recent years. Before, when a newly learned concept seemed to appear everywhere all of a sudden, it was simply a cognitive bias. Now, thanks to engagement algorithms, people *really are* experiencing these high frequencies. But it's no more real.
Reposted by Derek Donahue
Really proud of this story ❤️
Interview: VGC speaks to WWE 2K25 lead narrative designer @andrealistenberger.bsky.social about how the game's new Wyatt Sicks story content, and its use of previously unheard recordings of Bray Wyatt, gives new meaning to the late superstar's words.
www.videogameschronicle.com/features/int...
www.videogameschronicle.com/features/int...
Interview: How WWE 2K25’s free story update gives new meaning to the previously unheard words of the late Bray Wyatt | VGC
VGC speaks to the game’s senior narrative designer about the new Wyatt Sicks story…
www.videogameschronicle.com
August 13, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Really proud of this story ❤️
Reposted by Derek Donahue
Reposted by Derek Donahue
Oh wrestling is fake?
Then explain this
Then explain this
May 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Oh wrestling is fake?
Then explain this
Then explain this
About 5 hours and 10 runs into Blue Prince... still not clicking for me yet. I'm taking note of all the clues I'm seeing, but so far they mostly seem like material for puzzles I haven't unlocked yet. I've made some neat discoveries but none felt particularly earned, just stumbled upon.
April 14, 2025 at 8:13 AM
About 5 hours and 10 runs into Blue Prince... still not clicking for me yet. I'm taking note of all the clues I'm seeing, but so far they mostly seem like material for puzzles I haven't unlocked yet. I've made some neat discoveries but none felt particularly earned, just stumbled upon.
When an airline promises to make my flight "unforgettable" it comes across much more like a threat than a sales pitch.
April 12, 2025 at 11:59 AM
When an airline promises to make my flight "unforgettable" it comes across much more like a threat than a sales pitch.
I got to meet one of my favorite wrestlers, Minoru Suzuki! His shop in Harajuku is sweet.
April 12, 2025 at 7:06 AM
I got to meet one of my favorite wrestlers, Minoru Suzuki! His shop in Harajuku is sweet.
I love professional wrestling.
April 11, 2025 at 10:35 AM
I love professional wrestling.
My neck is sore from sleeping on the plane so now I have to turn my head like Gregg Turkington
April 8, 2025 at 6:31 AM
My neck is sore from sleeping on the plane so now I have to turn my head like Gregg Turkington
You only have one chance to make a first impression. But also, you only have one chance to make a second impression. You only have one chance to make a third impression.
March 24, 2025 at 3:33 AM
You only have one chance to make a first impression. But also, you only have one chance to make a second impression. You only have one chance to make a third impression.
Reposted by Derek Donahue
Reposted by Derek Donahue
This #screenshotsaturday is for the sickos.
March 22, 2025 at 6:02 PM
This #screenshotsaturday is for the sickos.
Reposted by Derek Donahue
If Hamas had killed 7 Israelis inside of Israel this week, it would be one of the biggest stories in the world, & all over the US media.
But Israel killed 7 HUNDRED Palestinians this week, including almost 200 children, & yet there's little outrage from our politicians or media.
But Israel killed 7 HUNDRED Palestinians this week, including almost 200 children, & yet there's little outrage from our politicians or media.
March 21, 2025 at 4:11 AM
If Hamas had killed 7 Israelis inside of Israel this week, it would be one of the biggest stories in the world, & all over the US media.
But Israel killed 7 HUNDRED Palestinians this week, including almost 200 children, & yet there's little outrage from our politicians or media.
But Israel killed 7 HUNDRED Palestinians this week, including almost 200 children, & yet there's little outrage from our politicians or media.
Reposted by Derek Donahue
I reviewed #WWE2K25 and enjoyed it! Here’s my review.
WWE 2K25 review: Island of Relevancy
WWE 2K25 review: Island of Relevancy
WWE 2K25 presents another strong showing for the franchise, even if it's treading on a slippery slope.
dlvr.it
March 7, 2025 at 1:10 AM
I reviewed #WWE2K25 and enjoyed it! Here’s my review.
#OnCinemaAtTheCinema is a goddn triumph. That was another incredible Oscar Special, an easy five bags of popcorn. I hope New is okay, hopefully all those HEI points cover his medical and legal expenses.
March 3, 2025 at 3:49 AM
#OnCinemaAtTheCinema is a goddn triumph. That was another incredible Oscar Special, an easy five bags of popcorn. I hope New is okay, hopefully all those HEI points cover his medical and legal expenses.
I'm still reeling from the outcome of #WWEEliminationChamber last night. By far the most interesting and shocking twist I've seen in WWE so far, it feels like the possibility space just broke wide open.
March 3, 2025 at 1:22 AM
I'm still reeling from the outcome of #WWEEliminationChamber last night. By far the most interesting and shocking twist I've seen in WWE so far, it feels like the possibility space just broke wide open.
More gameplay info at the end of the latest #WWE2K25 Ringside Report! We've significantly expanded Special Guest Referee to be available in dozens of match types. Adding a guest ref is also streamlined so you can easily toggle it in the character select screen.
wwe.2k.com/2k25/ringsid...
wwe.2k.com/2k25/ringsid...
February 25, 2025 at 5:41 PM
More gameplay info at the end of the latest #WWE2K25 Ringside Report! We've significantly expanded Special Guest Referee to be available in dozens of match types. Adding a guest ref is also streamlined so you can easily toggle it in the character select screen.
wwe.2k.com/2k25/ringsid...
wwe.2k.com/2k25/ringsid...
I'm stoked to see people excited for the new AI Settings in #WWE2K25! To pull this off we reworked almost all of the attack selection logic. As a result, AI is better at performing diverse attacks across their moveset, even without any AI settings assigned. wwe.2k.com/en-GB/2k25/r...
WWE 2K25 Ringside Report - Gameplay Deep Dive & Trailer
Learn more details about new gameplay features like intergender matches, barricade diving, Chain Wrestling and more in WWE 2K25, plus watch the brand new trailer.
wwe.2k.com
February 8, 2025 at 11:14 PM
I'm stoked to see people excited for the new AI Settings in #WWE2K25! To pull this off we reworked almost all of the attack selection logic. As a result, AI is better at performing diverse attacks across their moveset, even without any AI settings assigned. wwe.2k.com/en-GB/2k25/r...
Some have noticed the expanded Instant Recovery feature in #WWE2K25! You can now perform Instant Recovery and Possum attack from Corner Lean, Corner Seated, and Rope Lean. There's also new customization options to individually disable these mechanics, as well as Possum Pin and Ring Escape.
February 8, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Some have noticed the expanded Instant Recovery feature in #WWE2K25! You can now perform Instant Recovery and Possum attack from Corner Lean, Corner Seated, and Rope Lean. There's also new customization options to individually disable these mechanics, as well as Possum Pin and Ring Escape.
A subtle #WWE2K25 feature you may not have noticed is the new Recovery meter in the corner of the HUD, which shows how long a wrestler will stay down before they start to recover. This is helpful when you want to go for a dive, or deciding whether to spend Special Meter for Instant Recovery.
February 8, 2025 at 11:06 PM
A subtle #WWE2K25 feature you may not have noticed is the new Recovery meter in the corner of the HUD, which shows how long a wrestler will stay down before they start to recover. This is helpful when you want to go for a dive, or deciding whether to spend Special Meter for Instant Recovery.
Awesome to finally see #WWE2K25 footage in the wild! I'll highlight and elaborate on new features as I see them, but I can't speak to things that weren't part of the limited Royal Rumble build.
February 5, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Awesome to finally see #WWE2K25 footage in the wild! I'll highlight and elaborate on new features as I see them, but I can't speak to things that weren't part of the limited Royal Rumble build.
Started another playthrough of Disco Elysium and it still blows me away how good this game is. The personification of every Skill is such a brilliant design choice. The Thought Cabinet (once you figure out the clunky UI) is so clever and evocative. Man I wish things turned out better for the devs.
January 22, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Started another playthrough of Disco Elysium and it still blows me away how good this game is. The personification of every Skill is such a brilliant design choice. The Thought Cabinet (once you figure out the clunky UI) is so clever and evocative. Man I wish things turned out better for the devs.
This is an application of game design that genuinely troubles me. When a game does this, it's training the player to have a _worse_ intuition of probability, which the player then goes and applies to real-world things! Especially bad if the dice roll is frequently encountered.
i forget the context but i remember reading a game dev say they had to jack up the behind-the-scenes probabilities in relation to what was displayed to the player, because when they, for instance, actually gave something an 80% chance to succeed, players universally thought they were being scammed
January 19, 2025 at 10:59 PM
This is an application of game design that genuinely troubles me. When a game does this, it's training the player to have a _worse_ intuition of probability, which the player then goes and applies to real-world things! Especially bad if the dice roll is frequently encountered.