Chris de Hoog
@hoogathy.bsky.social
Canadian geek of many passions. RPG Editor @cgmagonline, Features Editor @ffunion; host @kyberclub; streamer @guildtwotaps. Random opinions are my own. (He/him)
Pinned
Chris de Hoog
@hoogathy.bsky.social
· May 2
Time for an updated pinned post: I’m Chris, and I write about video games, tabletop games, and general geeky things - editorials, previews, and reviews for CGMagazine as RPG Editor, and Final Fantasy Union’s Wark Digest & Kupo Chronicle newsletters.
Real dick move by Google here: if you turn off these invasive Gemini features, suddenly you lose access to the Updates, Promotions, and Social tabs too - basic functionality that has existed for a long time.
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 20, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Real dick move by Google here: if you turn off these invasive Gemini features, suddenly you lose access to the Updates, Promotions, and Social tabs too - basic functionality that has existed for a long time.
Reposted by Chris de Hoog
“Dragon Quest VII Reimagined invites even the most disheartened fan of the original to come back and give it another chance.”
https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/previews/dragon-quest-vii-reimagined/
#DragonQuestVII #Reimagined #SquareEnix
https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/previews/dragon-quest-vii-reimagined/
#DragonQuestVII #Reimagined #SquareEnix
November 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM
“Dragon Quest VII Reimagined invites even the most disheartened fan of the original to come back and give it another chance.”
https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/previews/dragon-quest-vii-reimagined/
#DragonQuestVII #Reimagined #SquareEnix
https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/previews/dragon-quest-vii-reimagined/
#DragonQuestVII #Reimagined #SquareEnix
Missed opportunity to release them together as "Picross SNK vs Capcom: Mark of the Quarter Century"
Picross S Capcom Classics Edition & SNK CLASSICS & NEOGEO edition announced for Switch (out Nov 27)
Capcom www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y7u...
SNK www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD4h...
Capcom www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y7u...
SNK www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD4h...
November 19, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Missed opportunity to release them together as "Picross SNK vs Capcom: Mark of the Quarter Century"
Gen Z also famously wanted to eat Tide Pods for a while, but we didn't have to sit there and let them consume poison
Ex-Square Enix director and Genvid CEO Jacob Navok (Silent Hill Ascension) says "Gen Z loves AI slop", and that "consumers generally do not care" about gen-AI in games.
(Read more: IGN)
(Read more: IGN)
November 19, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Gen Z also famously wanted to eat Tide Pods for a while, but we didn't have to sit there and let them consume poison
Reposted by Chris de Hoog
Best purhcase every playthrough
November 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Best purhcase every playthrough
Heading into the final two hours with Jackbox games and about 2/3 of the way to our fundraising goal!
Starting tonight, my team is taking part in its TENTH fundraiser for EXTRA LIFE! We’ll be streaming games for 24 hours to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals - help us make a difference for kids and families by tuning in, spreading the word, or donating if you’re able!
GuildTwoTaps - Twitch
We are a group of Canadian gamers who raise money for Children's Hospitals in our communities with Extra Life! Join us for other miscellaneous streams!
twitch.tv
November 15, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Heading into the final two hours with Jackbox games and about 2/3 of the way to our fundraising goal!
Starting tonight, my team is taking part in its TENTH fundraiser for EXTRA LIFE! We’ll be streaming games for 24 hours to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals - help us make a difference for kids and families by tuning in, spreading the word, or donating if you’re able!
GuildTwoTaps - Twitch
We are a group of Canadian gamers who raise money for Children's Hospitals in our communities with Extra Life! Join us for other miscellaneous streams!
twitch.tv
November 15, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Starting tonight, my team is taking part in its TENTH fundraiser for EXTRA LIFE! We’ll be streaming games for 24 hours to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals - help us make a difference for kids and families by tuning in, spreading the word, or donating if you’re able!
Who would win:
A) a game from an under-utilized franchise, which we've been waiting 8 years for
or
B) one chatty guy
A) a game from an under-utilized franchise, which we've been waiting 8 years for
or
B) one chatty guy
November 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Who would win:
A) a game from an under-utilized franchise, which we've been waiting 8 years for
or
B) one chatty guy
A) a game from an under-utilized franchise, which we've been waiting 8 years for
or
B) one chatty guy
25 years ago I begged my dad to let me rent Final Fantasy IX, after reading about it for months in magazines. He finally caved so long as I didn’t get too far if I still wanted to get it for Christmas.
I may have made it well into disc 2 on that rental, but getting it for Christmas wasn’t a waste.
I may have made it well into disc 2 on that rental, but getting it for Christmas wasn’t a waste.
November 14, 2025 at 3:14 PM
25 years ago I begged my dad to let me rent Final Fantasy IX, after reading about it for months in magazines. He finally caved so long as I didn’t get too far if I still wanted to get it for Christmas.
I may have made it well into disc 2 on that rental, but getting it for Christmas wasn’t a waste.
I may have made it well into disc 2 on that rental, but getting it for Christmas wasn’t a waste.
"Oh, am I being too *annoying*? You know what's annoying? Taking a shift for JERRY, of all people, and then getting teleported to some godforsaken planet halfway across the galaxy! I'm not even supposed to BE here today!"
Now just imagine how Myles would feel if he saw everything you’re all saying about him smh😔
November 14, 2025 at 3:04 PM
"Oh, am I being too *annoying*? You know what's annoying? Taking a shift for JERRY, of all people, and then getting teleported to some godforsaken planet halfway across the galaxy! I'm not even supposed to BE here today!"
Reposted by Chris de Hoog
*loading a pistol and reopening netscape navigator* net's haunted
January 3, 2025 at 9:32 PM
*loading a pistol and reopening netscape navigator* net's haunted
Reposted by Chris de Hoog
“Metroid Prime 4: Beyond respects the player's intelligence and gives you just enough to push through without extra help, and solving each puzzle feels great.”
https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/previews/metroid-prime-4-beyond-2/
#MetroidPrime4 #Nintendo
https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/previews/metroid-prime-4-beyond-2/
#MetroidPrime4 #Nintendo
November 14, 2025 at 2:04 PM
“Metroid Prime 4: Beyond respects the player's intelligence and gives you just enough to push through without extra help, and solving each puzzle feels great.”
https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/previews/metroid-prime-4-beyond-2/
#MetroidPrime4 #Nintendo
https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/previews/metroid-prime-4-beyond-2/
#MetroidPrime4 #Nintendo
Reposted by Chris de Hoog
It's almost like when you tax the rich in a place you get to make that place a better place and even the rich just looking out the windows of their limos at most of that place in passing prefer to think "oh, that looks nice" rather than "I must prepare my bunker for the impending apocalypse"
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:13 AM
It's almost like when you tax the rich in a place you get to make that place a better place and even the rich just looking out the windows of their limos at most of that place in passing prefer to think "oh, that looks nice" rather than "I must prepare my bunker for the impending apocalypse"
I love that you can at least still StreetPass Miyamoto at the Nintendo Museum so long after the 3DS' time.
November 14, 2025 at 1:45 AM
I love that you can at least still StreetPass Miyamoto at the Nintendo Museum so long after the 3DS' time.
Reposted by Chris de Hoog
End of an era.
I had the privilege to talk with Diane Walton, long-time editor of On Spec, Canada's premier sci-fi and fantasy magazine, as she heads into retirement and the publication wraps an impressive 35-year run.
Check it all out on CBC Arts: www.cbc.ca/arts/on-spec...
#Canada
#CanadaWrites
#SFF
#SciFi
Check it all out on CBC Arts: www.cbc.ca/arts/on-spec...
#Canada
#CanadaWrites
#SFF
#SciFi
Canada’s premier speculative fiction magazine calls it a day after 35 years | CBC Arts
Edmonton-based On Spec, which showcased authors like Julie E. Czerneda, Tony Pi and a young Cory Doctorow, will publish its final issue in December
www.cbc.ca
November 12, 2025 at 4:07 PM
End of an era.
The *real* Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition just dropped, thank you McElroy Family
The Return of Pam | Monster Factory
YouTube video by The McElroy Family
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:26 PM
The *real* Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition just dropped, thank you McElroy Family
Just opened MTG Arena for the first time in awhile and saw they banned sweet lil’ guy Vivi… but they also banned the true abomination, Screaming Nemesis, so I can live with this.
November 12, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Just opened MTG Arena for the first time in awhile and saw they banned sweet lil’ guy Vivi… but they also banned the true abomination, Screaming Nemesis, so I can live with this.
The *only* thing I don't like about Brie Larson as Rosalina for the new Mario Movie is that it could prevent her from playing Samus someday, should a project like that ever come to pass. But the chances of that seem slim, and she's a perfect choice for Rosalina.
November 12, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The *only* thing I don't like about Brie Larson as Rosalina for the new Mario Movie is that it could prevent her from playing Samus someday, should a project like that ever come to pass. But the chances of that seem slim, and she's a perfect choice for Rosalina.
Reposted by Chris de Hoog
We don’t use generative AI at Strange Scaffold and I can confirm that a *lot* of other studios are not—whether indie or AAA.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm - AUTOMATON WEST
In an interview following the launch of ARC Raiders, the CEO of Embark Studios' parent company Nexon shares his views on AI.
automaton-media.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:25 AM
We don’t use generative AI at Strange Scaffold and I can confirm that a *lot* of other studios are not—whether indie or AAA.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
Aside from The Hobbit, The Giver by Lois Lowry.
performative reading, lack of reading skills, nobody's reading anymore -- NO!
tell me about a book that changed you
for me? the *extremely* ahistorical novel, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY which I read at 13 and was like, "Oh, art can be *everything* to a maker, for good and bad"
tell me about a book that changed you
for me? the *extremely* ahistorical novel, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY which I read at 13 and was like, "Oh, art can be *everything* to a maker, for good and bad"
November 12, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Aside from The Hobbit, The Giver by Lois Lowry.
My fellow Canadians: I know it's a stereotype that "everyone forgets how to drive the first time it snows," but we don't *have* to prove it right every single time, you know?
November 11, 2025 at 2:28 PM
My fellow Canadians: I know it's a stereotype that "everyone forgets how to drive the first time it snows," but we don't *have* to prove it right every single time, you know?
Reposted by Chris de Hoog
"...the iPad Pro M5 continues to prove the value of this product line—a top-of-the-line alternative to laptops, with all the ease of use of Apple's smaller devices."
https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/hardware/ipad-pro-m5-review/
#Apple #ipad #ContentCreation
https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/hardware/ipad-pro-m5-review/
#Apple #ipad #ContentCreation
November 10, 2025 at 1:24 PM
"...the iPad Pro M5 continues to prove the value of this product line—a top-of-the-line alternative to laptops, with all the ease of use of Apple's smaller devices."
https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/hardware/ipad-pro-m5-review/
#Apple #ipad #ContentCreation
https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/hardware/ipad-pro-m5-review/
#Apple #ipad #ContentCreation
Reposted by Chris de Hoog
"...suddenly, we turn a corner and everything is escalating at such a rapid pace that we're like, 'Oh God, what's happening?' It's equal parts exhilarating and terrifying." - Matt Mercer
https://www.cgmagonline.com/interviews/matthew-mercer-critical-role-lucca/
#CriticalRole
https://www.cgmagonline.com/interviews/matthew-mercer-critical-role-lucca/
#CriticalRole
November 7, 2025 at 7:03 PM
"...suddenly, we turn a corner and everything is escalating at such a rapid pace that we're like, 'Oh God, what's happening?' It's equal parts exhilarating and terrifying." - Matt Mercer
https://www.cgmagonline.com/interviews/matthew-mercer-critical-role-lucca/
#CriticalRole
https://www.cgmagonline.com/interviews/matthew-mercer-critical-role-lucca/
#CriticalRole
The apple-bottom jeans, the sheep with the eye
Alien: Earth's scene stealing sheep now has its own Funko POP!
The Creepy Sheep From ALIEN: EARTH Has a Gnarly Funko POP!
nerdist.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:38 PM
The apple-bottom jeans, the sheep with the eye