Alex / gamesplayd
@gamesplayd.bsky.social
Live near London. Ex-poker industry. Enjoyer of games, historical and new. Particularly like indie-spirited art-games that innovate with the form. Hoping to one day write and finish a book about the medium and its history.
For two years running now I had a really good time with the COD campaign. This one is sillier, barely worth worrying about story, but probably the slickest online co-op I've played.
The 'endgame' mode, repeatable quest-based pve in the main 'zone' from the campaign, is a smart idea.
Is it an mmo?
The 'endgame' mode, repeatable quest-based pve in the main 'zone' from the campaign, is a smart idea.
Is it an mmo?
November 15, 2025 at 9:37 AM
For two years running now I had a really good time with the COD campaign. This one is sillier, barely worth worrying about story, but probably the slickest online co-op I've played.
The 'endgame' mode, repeatable quest-based pve in the main 'zone' from the campaign, is a smart idea.
Is it an mmo?
The 'endgame' mode, repeatable quest-based pve in the main 'zone' from the campaign, is a smart idea.
Is it an mmo?
Going through some game boy advance games, and it does feel like a cultural backwater. Never truly loved or celebrated, caught inbetween generations. Some of the most hideous 3D polygons ever created, but I take that as a positive.
Unsophisticated kart racers and Shrek games can be a comfort zone!
Unsophisticated kart racers and Shrek games can be a comfort zone!
November 7, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Going through some game boy advance games, and it does feel like a cultural backwater. Never truly loved or celebrated, caught inbetween generations. Some of the most hideous 3D polygons ever created, but I take that as a positive.
Unsophisticated kart racers and Shrek games can be a comfort zone!
Unsophisticated kart racers and Shrek games can be a comfort zone!
Agh I'm bailing on The Outer Worlds 2 despite slick smart RPG design.
Such a strong start to the story, but the drip-feed of plot is glacially slow, I lost interest in it. Always felt out of step with the levelling, and every faction feels like a bunch of pricks. Who am I helping and why? Idk.
Such a strong start to the story, but the drip-feed of plot is glacially slow, I lost interest in it. Always felt out of step with the levelling, and every faction feels like a bunch of pricks. Who am I helping and why? Idk.
November 5, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Agh I'm bailing on The Outer Worlds 2 despite slick smart RPG design.
Such a strong start to the story, but the drip-feed of plot is glacially slow, I lost interest in it. Always felt out of step with the levelling, and every faction feels like a bunch of pricks. Who am I helping and why? Idk.
Such a strong start to the story, but the drip-feed of plot is glacially slow, I lost interest in it. Always felt out of step with the levelling, and every faction feels like a bunch of pricks. Who am I helping and why? Idk.
Nice attempt to document 'friendslop' games, currently the hottest trend in terms of indie success? Though Meg Clarke said at a recent panel - "if you're starting to make a friendslop game now, it is too late". Probably true. www.gamesindustry.biz/where-did-al...
backloggd.com/u/vehemently...
backloggd.com/u/vehemently...
'friendslop' a list of games by vehemently | Backloggd
Friendslop is a term that originated as a joke term in a satirical Twitter posthttpsxcomwooosaaaahhhhhstatus1901717577056780478 but gradually came to represent a real wave of games with relatively sim...
backloggd.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Nice attempt to document 'friendslop' games, currently the hottest trend in terms of indie success? Though Meg Clarke said at a recent panel - "if you're starting to make a friendslop game now, it is too late". Probably true. www.gamesindustry.biz/where-did-al...
backloggd.com/u/vehemently...
backloggd.com/u/vehemently...
New World is having no more updates.
After 4 years of pretty constant complaining abt the game, the community is now up in arms about Amazon moving on.
Imo there's a basic misunderstanding of the business model. Buy to play - you sell your copies then you're done!
www.newworld.com/en-gb/news/a...
After 4 years of pretty constant complaining abt the game, the community is now up in arms about Amazon moving on.
Imo there's a basic misunderstanding of the business model. Buy to play - you sell your copies then you're done!
www.newworld.com/en-gb/news/a...
An Update on New World
As New World recognizes its fourth anniversary since launching on PC, we reflect on an incredible journey shaped by our dedicated player community.
www.newworld.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:15 AM
New World is having no more updates.
After 4 years of pretty constant complaining abt the game, the community is now up in arms about Amazon moving on.
Imo there's a basic misunderstanding of the business model. Buy to play - you sell your copies then you're done!
www.newworld.com/en-gb/news/a...
After 4 years of pretty constant complaining abt the game, the community is now up in arms about Amazon moving on.
Imo there's a basic misunderstanding of the business model. Buy to play - you sell your copies then you're done!
www.newworld.com/en-gb/news/a...
A Battle Royale but with random natural disasters. Floods or tornadoes or tidal waves or forest fires or some mix of them.
It could not have guns. You win by building barricades for shelters and rescuing dogs from house roofs.
It could not have guns. You win by building barricades for shelters and rescuing dogs from house roofs.
October 29, 2025 at 9:12 AM
A Battle Royale but with random natural disasters. Floods or tornadoes or tidal waves or forest fires or some mix of them.
It could not have guns. You win by building barricades for shelters and rescuing dogs from house roofs.
It could not have guns. You win by building barricades for shelters and rescuing dogs from house roofs.
Blacksmith Master. Absolute crack for a while.
It's the Agent Smith fight in Matrix Reloaded, but with blacksmiths. Hundreds of Blacksmiths making pans and axe heads for shoppers.
They sit silently on a bench overnight then start again. Over-consumption the game. www.youtube.com/watch?v=enX9...
It's the Agent Smith fight in Matrix Reloaded, but with blacksmiths. Hundreds of Blacksmiths making pans and axe heads for shoppers.
They sit silently on a bench overnight then start again. Over-consumption the game. www.youtube.com/watch?v=enX9...
Blacksmith Master - Official Early Access Launch Trailer
YouTube video by GameTrailers
www.youtube.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Blacksmith Master. Absolute crack for a while.
It's the Agent Smith fight in Matrix Reloaded, but with blacksmiths. Hundreds of Blacksmiths making pans and axe heads for shoppers.
They sit silently on a bench overnight then start again. Over-consumption the game. www.youtube.com/watch?v=enX9...
It's the Agent Smith fight in Matrix Reloaded, but with blacksmiths. Hundreds of Blacksmiths making pans and axe heads for shoppers.
They sit silently on a bench overnight then start again. Over-consumption the game. www.youtube.com/watch?v=enX9...
Superb demo... Skate Story. Roll on December... store.steampowered.com/app/1263240/...
Skate Story on Steam
Ollie, kickflip, and grind your way through the ash and smoke of the Underworld as you take on a seemingly impossible quest. Skate fast to destroy demons and save other tortured souls on your journey ...
store.steampowered.com
October 13, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Superb demo... Skate Story. Roll on December... store.steampowered.com/app/1263240/...
Well I have thoughts on the gamepass price increase and changes.
Though it's obviously not good news from a consumer pov, it cannot imo be said to be bad value. You get major releases on day one. They're actually saying 75 day one releases a year on console, which is a lot of new games!
Though it's obviously not good news from a consumer pov, it cannot imo be said to be bad value. You get major releases on day one. They're actually saying 75 day one releases a year on console, which is a lot of new games!
October 2, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Well I have thoughts on the gamepass price increase and changes.
Though it's obviously not good news from a consumer pov, it cannot imo be said to be bad value. You get major releases on day one. They're actually saying 75 day one releases a year on console, which is a lot of new games!
Though it's obviously not good news from a consumer pov, it cannot imo be said to be bad value. You get major releases on day one. They're actually saying 75 day one releases a year on console, which is a lot of new games!
Loved South of Midnight.
Imperfect at times, loses its narrative focus in the second half, but ultimately its a rites of passage earned through heartfelt empathy and understanding of poverty and emotional pain. I was moved.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEZg...
Imperfect at times, loses its narrative focus in the second half, but ultimately its a rites of passage earned through heartfelt empathy and understanding of poverty and emotional pain. I was moved.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEZg...
South of Midnight | Launch Trailer
YouTube video by Compulsion Games
www.youtube.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Loved South of Midnight.
Imperfect at times, loses its narrative focus in the second half, but ultimately its a rites of passage earned through heartfelt empathy and understanding of poverty and emotional pain. I was moved.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEZg...
Imperfect at times, loses its narrative focus in the second half, but ultimately its a rites of passage earned through heartfelt empathy and understanding of poverty and emotional pain. I was moved.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEZg...
Reposted by Alex / gamesplayd
OK IT IS TIME to tell you more about THRESHOLD's unique Country-Based difficulty system and that cataclysmic ending.
Out of two parameters, one has been found fairly quickly by the community but the other hasn't.
Spoilers ahead 👇👇👇👇
Out of two parameters, one has been found fairly quickly by the community but the other hasn't.
Spoilers ahead 👇👇👇👇
March 30, 2025 at 2:04 PM
OK IT IS TIME to tell you more about THRESHOLD's unique Country-Based difficulty system and that cataclysmic ending.
Out of two parameters, one has been found fairly quickly by the community but the other hasn't.
Spoilers ahead 👇👇👇👇
Out of two parameters, one has been found fairly quickly by the community but the other hasn't.
Spoilers ahead 👇👇👇👇
Reposted by Alex / gamesplayd
With a $0 budget, here’s how I’ve been developing and marketing my game Tossdown as a Solo developer over the past year and a half.
(and stick around, I’ve got a super big ANNOUNCEMENT dropping later today 👀)
Thread 🧵
(and stick around, I’ve got a super big ANNOUNCEMENT dropping later today 👀)
Thread 🧵
September 10, 2025 at 12:54 PM
With a $0 budget, here’s how I’ve been developing and marketing my game Tossdown as a Solo developer over the past year and a half.
(and stick around, I’ve got a super big ANNOUNCEMENT dropping later today 👀)
Thread 🧵
(and stick around, I’ve got a super big ANNOUNCEMENT dropping later today 👀)
Thread 🧵
Once I got used to the slower pacing, ended up loving 'To A T'. So inventive, playful, witty - masterful and original.
It's almost like a light pastiche of open world design, but actually thematically v coherent and artfully achieved.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWE0...
It's almost like a light pastiche of open world design, but actually thematically v coherent and artfully achieved.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWE0...
to a T - Official Release Date Trailer | Annapurna Interactive Showcase 2025
YouTube video by GameTrailers
www.youtube.com
September 11, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Once I got used to the slower pacing, ended up loving 'To A T'. So inventive, playful, witty - masterful and original.
It's almost like a light pastiche of open world design, but actually thematically v coherent and artfully achieved.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWE0...
It's almost like a light pastiche of open world design, but actually thematically v coherent and artfully achieved.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWE0...
Herdling is rather wonderful. Wordlessly guiding pack animals through uncertain environments is the duty I needed right now.
herdling.game
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6qq...
herdling.game
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6qq...
Herdling — OUT NOW
YouTube video by Panic
www.youtube.com
September 9, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Herdling is rather wonderful. Wordlessly guiding pack animals through uncertain environments is the duty I needed right now.
herdling.game
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6qq...
herdling.game
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6qq...
Enjoyed this demo - Trifoil. Fresh and unusual puzzles within pattern-tracing grids. 2026 release.
Something v elegant and mysterious about the structure / presentation of it too.
store.steampowered.com/app/3085710/...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxdZ...
Something v elegant and mysterious about the structure / presentation of it too.
store.steampowered.com/app/3085710/...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxdZ...
Trifoil Demo Release Trailer
YouTube video by Andrew Jones
www.youtube.com
September 8, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Enjoyed this demo - Trifoil. Fresh and unusual puzzles within pattern-tracing grids. 2026 release.
Something v elegant and mysterious about the structure / presentation of it too.
store.steampowered.com/app/3085710/...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxdZ...
Something v elegant and mysterious about the structure / presentation of it too.
store.steampowered.com/app/3085710/...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxdZ...
Anecdotally, I agree with this. The PS5 has simply never come close to being in affordable territory for me.
It's likely to be a Sony generation I simply skip because of lack of value. A first for me.
Ofc Capcom could have addressed this with a PS4 release.
www.gamesindustry.biz/capcoms-pres...
It's likely to be a Sony generation I simply skip because of lack of value. A first for me.
Ofc Capcom could have addressed this with a PS4 release.
www.gamesindustry.biz/capcoms-pres...
Capcom's president says high price of PS5 has contributed to low sales of Monster Hunter Wilds
Capcom president Haruhiro Tsujimoto has attributed the high price of the PlayStation 5 as a reason for low sales of Mon…
www.gamesindustry.biz
September 7, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Anecdotally, I agree with this. The PS5 has simply never come close to being in affordable territory for me.
It's likely to be a Sony generation I simply skip because of lack of value. A first for me.
Ofc Capcom could have addressed this with a PS4 release.
www.gamesindustry.biz/capcoms-pres...
It's likely to be a Sony generation I simply skip because of lack of value. A first for me.
Ofc Capcom could have addressed this with a PS4 release.
www.gamesindustry.biz/capcoms-pres...
Had a great time with Wheel World.
Fresh world of bicycles, parts and bikers, designed for the player's chosen pace. My only gripe is that probably the areas a little too packed - I didn't quite feel enough of that 'riding through wilderness' feel that I wanted.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7tf...
Fresh world of bicycles, parts and bikers, designed for the player's chosen pace. My only gripe is that probably the areas a little too packed - I didn't quite feel enough of that 'riding through wilderness' feel that I wanted.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7tf...
WHEEL WORLD | Launch Trailer
YouTube video by Annapurna Interactive
www.youtube.com
September 6, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Had a great time with Wheel World.
Fresh world of bicycles, parts and bikers, designed for the player's chosen pace. My only gripe is that probably the areas a little too packed - I didn't quite feel enough of that 'riding through wilderness' feel that I wanted.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7tf...
Fresh world of bicycles, parts and bikers, designed for the player's chosen pace. My only gripe is that probably the areas a little too packed - I didn't quite feel enough of that 'riding through wilderness' feel that I wanted.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7tf...
Really want to play Hell Is Us - loved the demo, seemed much more of an explorey tone-based thing than it looks in the trailer.
Unfortunately already too much on the docket to play... it will have to wait.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha5N...
Unfortunately already too much on the docket to play... it will have to wait.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha5N...
Hell is Us - Official Launch Trailer
YouTube video by IGN
www.youtube.com
September 5, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Really want to play Hell Is Us - loved the demo, seemed much more of an explorey tone-based thing than it looks in the trailer.
Unfortunately already too much on the docket to play... it will have to wait.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha5N...
Unfortunately already too much on the docket to play... it will have to wait.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha5N...
Reposted by Alex / gamesplayd
interesting article by @hughdavies.bsky.social about indie game dev culture in southern China... they think of indie games as "Original games" vs. big budget commercial "Capital games" journals.publishing.umich.edu/mij/article/...
December 17, 2024 at 1:56 AM
interesting article by @hughdavies.bsky.social about indie game dev culture in southern China... they think of indie games as "Original games" vs. big budget commercial "Capital games" journals.publishing.umich.edu/mij/article/...
Reposted by Alex / gamesplayd
There's a non-insignificant number of people working in games media who are old enough to remember the job being part of a wider movement, to distance the act of writing about games from the practice of selling them.
Seeing the tide wash back in on that, despite our best efforts, fucking sucks!
Seeing the tide wash back in on that, despite our best efforts, fucking sucks!
December 17, 2024 at 2:32 AM
There's a non-insignificant number of people working in games media who are old enough to remember the job being part of a wider movement, to distance the act of writing about games from the practice of selling them.
Seeing the tide wash back in on that, despite our best efforts, fucking sucks!
Seeing the tide wash back in on that, despite our best efforts, fucking sucks!
I found the game awards, even with some huge reveals in the show, just felt like another doubling-down on rote gameplay mechanics. Mainstream game dev is in a very moribund place imo. Didn't get a sense of innovation, or even of new stories being told.
December 13, 2024 at 12:13 PM
I found the game awards, even with some huge reveals in the show, just felt like another doubling-down on rote gameplay mechanics. Mainstream game dev is in a very moribund place imo. Didn't get a sense of innovation, or even of new stories being told.
Usual late-year rush to catch up on games I missed this year, so can engage more with the GOTY awards and recaps approaching new year.
Always tends to turn into a rush/slog, but gets me engaging with new games so its worth it.
Current 2024 faves listed here...
www.backloggd.com/u/AlexV/list...
Always tends to turn into a rush/slog, but gets me engaging with new games so its worth it.
Current 2024 faves listed here...
www.backloggd.com/u/AlexV/list...
'My Favourite 2024 Games...' a list of games by AlexV | Backloggd
Unlisted titles Sokobrawn
www.backloggd.com
November 29, 2024 at 1:49 PM
Usual late-year rush to catch up on games I missed this year, so can engage more with the GOTY awards and recaps approaching new year.
Always tends to turn into a rush/slog, but gets me engaging with new games so its worth it.
Current 2024 faves listed here...
www.backloggd.com/u/AlexV/list...
Always tends to turn into a rush/slog, but gets me engaging with new games so its worth it.
Current 2024 faves listed here...
www.backloggd.com/u/AlexV/list...
Reposted by Alex / gamesplayd
From salvaging 1914 Orient Express archives for The Last Express to the fight for digital preservation, legendary game designer Jordan Mechner shares why safeguarding our cultural artifacts—like video games—is vital.
🔗 blog.archive.org/2024/11/21/v...
🕳️ #VanishingCulture @jmechner.bsky.social
🔗 blog.archive.org/2024/11/21/v...
🕳️ #VanishingCulture @jmechner.bsky.social
November 21, 2024 at 2:49 PM
From salvaging 1914 Orient Express archives for The Last Express to the fight for digital preservation, legendary game designer Jordan Mechner shares why safeguarding our cultural artifacts—like video games—is vital.
🔗 blog.archive.org/2024/11/21/v...
🕳️ #VanishingCulture @jmechner.bsky.social
🔗 blog.archive.org/2024/11/21/v...
🕳️ #VanishingCulture @jmechner.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex / gamesplayd
Don’t sleep on Arco. It’s painful to hear the devs lament how poorly it sold
I plan to make a video on it in the future. Maybe we can hope for a late surge in popularity. Good games deserved recognition
www.polygon.com/gaming/47511...
I plan to make a video on it in the future. Maybe we can hope for a late surge in popularity. Good games deserved recognition
www.polygon.com/gaming/47511...
Don’t let Arco be the most overlooked game of the year
A breathtaking revenge saga told as a pixel RPG
www.polygon.com
November 21, 2024 at 12:44 PM
Don’t sleep on Arco. It’s painful to hear the devs lament how poorly it sold
I plan to make a video on it in the future. Maybe we can hope for a late surge in popularity. Good games deserved recognition
www.polygon.com/gaming/47511...
I plan to make a video on it in the future. Maybe we can hope for a late surge in popularity. Good games deserved recognition
www.polygon.com/gaming/47511...
A cooler, better GOTY awards exists... love the variety of nominations here. Just better games imo.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oWF...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oWF...
The Indie Game Awards Nominee Announcement
YouTube video by Six One Indie
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2024 at 11:59 PM
A cooler, better GOTY awards exists... love the variety of nominations here. Just better games imo.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oWF...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oWF...