Mercer
@mercer-gh.bsky.social
Games without the PR spin.
Analysis, critiques, PC hardware, deals, and industry trends.
Pseudonymous writer at GameHazards
gamehazards.com
Analysis, critiques, PC hardware, deals, and industry trends.
Pseudonymous writer at GameHazards
gamehazards.com
Pinned
Games don’t get worse by accident.
They get worse by spreadsheets.
I write about the decisions behind the decline.
Pseudonymous writer at
gamehazards.com
They get worse by spreadsheets.
I write about the decisions behind the decline.
Pseudonymous writer at
gamehazards.com
Rockstar firing 34 devs over alleged GTA 6 leaks feels off.
Some “leaked” info was already expected/public, timelines don’t fully match, and this is happening amid union disputes.
NDAs matter,but so does worker protection.
Some “leaked” info was already expected/public, timelines don’t fully match, and this is happening amid union disputes.
NDAs matter,but so does worker protection.
January 8, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Rockstar firing 34 devs over alleged GTA 6 leaks feels off.
Some “leaked” info was already expected/public, timelines don’t fully match, and this is happening amid union disputes.
NDAs matter,but so does worker protection.
Some “leaked” info was already expected/public, timelines don’t fully match, and this is happening amid union disputes.
NDAs matter,but so does worker protection.
Reposted by Mercer
Six months fighting a union.
Twenty days after workers win, the studio is gone.
Ubisoft says it’s a coincidence.
Coincidences usually don’t come with lawyers.
Twenty days after workers win, the studio is gone.
Ubisoft says it’s a coincidence.
Coincidences usually don’t come with lawyers.
January 7, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Six months fighting a union.
Twenty days after workers win, the studio is gone.
Ubisoft says it’s a coincidence.
Coincidences usually don’t come with lawyers.
Twenty days after workers win, the studio is gone.
Ubisoft says it’s a coincidence.
Coincidences usually don’t come with lawyers.
Six months fighting a union.
Twenty days after workers win, the studio is gone.
Ubisoft says it’s a coincidence.
Coincidences usually don’t come with lawyers.
Twenty days after workers win, the studio is gone.
Ubisoft says it’s a coincidence.
Coincidences usually don’t come with lawyers.
January 7, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Six months fighting a union.
Twenty days after workers win, the studio is gone.
Ubisoft says it’s a coincidence.
Coincidences usually don’t come with lawyers.
Twenty days after workers win, the studio is gone.
Ubisoft says it’s a coincidence.
Coincidences usually don’t come with lawyers.
If Ubisoft decided to close Halifax before unionization, they can prove it.
Game Developer asked for the timeline.
Ubisoft refused.
Silence is also an answer.
gamehazards.com/article/ubis...
Game Developer asked for the timeline.
Ubisoft refused.
Silence is also an answer.
gamehazards.com/article/ubis...
Ubisoft Closes Halifax Studio 20 Days After Unionization: The Timeline They Won't Provide
On December 18, 2025, Ubisoft Halifax became the company's first North American union. Twenty days later, Ubisoft announced the studio's closure. When asked to prove the decision wasn't retaliation, U...
gamehazards.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:57 PM
If Ubisoft decided to close Halifax before unionization, they can prove it.
Game Developer asked for the timeline.
Ubisoft refused.
Silence is also an answer.
gamehazards.com/article/ubis...
Game Developer asked for the timeline.
Ubisoft refused.
Silence is also an answer.
gamehazards.com/article/ubis...
What do you expect from 2026? From gaming and tech? I know it's not the best year, but seriously, what do you hope 2026 should become?
January 7, 2026 at 2:21 PM
What do you expect from 2026? From gaming and tech? I know it's not the best year, but seriously, what do you hope 2026 should become?
Every app now has AI.
None of them can fix bugs they shipped last week.
None of them can fix bugs they shipped last week.
January 7, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Every app now has AI.
None of them can fix bugs they shipped last week.
None of them can fix bugs they shipped last week.
Jobs boom is real — but that’s not the whole picture.
Grid upgrades = high capex, higher maintenance, long delays, and rising costs passed to consumers.
Hiring more people doesn’t magically fix intermittency, storage gaps, or grid congestion.
This is a transition, not a victory lap.
Grid upgrades = high capex, higher maintenance, long delays, and rising costs passed to consumers.
Hiring more people doesn’t magically fix intermittency, storage gaps, or grid congestion.
This is a transition, not a victory lap.
Power grid jobs boom as UK energy shifts away from fossil fuels
One of 🇬🇧 ’s largest electricity network owners says it's hiring at fastest pace since the 1950s
Why?
⬆️ in activity across sector as part of the transition away from fossil fuels
www.ft.com/content/281...
One of 🇬🇧 ’s largest electricity network owners says it's hiring at fastest pace since the 1950s
Why?
⬆️ in activity across sector as part of the transition away from fossil fuels
www.ft.com/content/281...
Power grid jobs boom as UK energy shifts away from fossil fuels
Electricity network owners are hiring at fastest pace since 1950s
www.ft.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Jobs boom is real — but that’s not the whole picture.
Grid upgrades = high capex, higher maintenance, long delays, and rising costs passed to consumers.
Hiring more people doesn’t magically fix intermittency, storage gaps, or grid congestion.
This is a transition, not a victory lap.
Grid upgrades = high capex, higher maintenance, long delays, and rising costs passed to consumers.
Hiring more people doesn’t magically fix intermittency, storage gaps, or grid congestion.
This is a transition, not a victory lap.
DLSS 4.5 nukes RTX 20/30 with 2× VRAM + 2× frame time, then runs fine on 40+.
That’s not “optimization” — that’s FP8-only tech shoved onto FP16 hardware.
Shipping this as universal DLSS is wild.
Someone let the dishwasher CEO write the label.
t.co/1LZoD0eYAQ
That’s not “optimization” — that’s FP8-only tech shoved onto FP16 hardware.
Shipping this as universal DLSS is wild.
Someone let the dishwasher CEO write the label.
t.co/1LZoD0eYAQ
https://github.com/NVIDIA/DLSS/blob/main/doc/DLSS_Programming_Guide_Release.pdf
t.co
January 7, 2026 at 5:26 AM
DLSS 4.5 nukes RTX 20/30 with 2× VRAM + 2× frame time, then runs fine on 40+.
That’s not “optimization” — that’s FP8-only tech shoved onto FP16 hardware.
Shipping this as universal DLSS is wild.
Someone let the dishwasher CEO write the label.
t.co/1LZoD0eYAQ
That’s not “optimization” — that’s FP8-only tech shoved onto FP16 hardware.
Shipping this as universal DLSS is wild.
Someone let the dishwasher CEO write the label.
t.co/1LZoD0eYAQ
Reposted by Mercer
In 2022–2023, a $700 laptop usually came with 16GB RAM + 512GB SSD.
In 2026, that same price gets you 8GB RAM + 256GB SSD — sometimes worse.
Prices didn’t fall. Specs did. Quietly.
Made an article about it----https://gamehazards.com/article/oem-laptop-spec-downgrade-2026
In 2026, that same price gets you 8GB RAM + 256GB SSD — sometimes worse.
Prices didn’t fall. Specs did. Quietly.
Made an article about it----https://gamehazards.com/article/oem-laptop-spec-downgrade-2026
January 6, 2026 at 4:50 PM
In 2022–2023, a $700 laptop usually came with 16GB RAM + 512GB SSD.
In 2026, that same price gets you 8GB RAM + 256GB SSD — sometimes worse.
Prices didn’t fall. Specs did. Quietly.
Made an article about it----https://gamehazards.com/article/oem-laptop-spec-downgrade-2026
In 2026, that same price gets you 8GB RAM + 256GB SSD — sometimes worse.
Prices didn’t fall. Specs did. Quietly.
Made an article about it----https://gamehazards.com/article/oem-laptop-spec-downgrade-2026
read about it here --- gamehazards.com/article/oem-...
January 6, 2026 at 4:52 PM
read about it here --- gamehazards.com/article/oem-...
In 2022–2023, a $700 laptop usually came with 16GB RAM + 512GB SSD.
In 2026, that same price gets you 8GB RAM + 256GB SSD — sometimes worse.
Prices didn’t fall. Specs did. Quietly.
Made an article about it----https://gamehazards.com/article/oem-laptop-spec-downgrade-2026
In 2026, that same price gets you 8GB RAM + 256GB SSD — sometimes worse.
Prices didn’t fall. Specs did. Quietly.
Made an article about it----https://gamehazards.com/article/oem-laptop-spec-downgrade-2026
January 6, 2026 at 4:50 PM
In 2022–2023, a $700 laptop usually came with 16GB RAM + 512GB SSD.
In 2026, that same price gets you 8GB RAM + 256GB SSD — sometimes worse.
Prices didn’t fall. Specs did. Quietly.
Made an article about it----https://gamehazards.com/article/oem-laptop-spec-downgrade-2026
In 2026, that same price gets you 8GB RAM + 256GB SSD — sometimes worse.
Prices didn’t fall. Specs did. Quietly.
Made an article about it----https://gamehazards.com/article/oem-laptop-spec-downgrade-2026
“Microsoft renaming Office to Copilot PC is hilarious. Same Word, Excel, PowerPoint, same clunky workflows, same random crashes — just sprinkled with AI buzzwords. This isn’t innovation, it’s a new way to scrap more data, push in to the AI word with this slop.
January 6, 2026 at 4:43 PM
“Microsoft renaming Office to Copilot PC is hilarious. Same Word, Excel, PowerPoint, same clunky workflows, same random crashes — just sprinkled with AI buzzwords. This isn’t innovation, it’s a new way to scrap more data, push in to the AI word with this slop.
Reposted by Mercer
We’re entering the age of AI slop that people believe en masse.
This post is 100% fake and probably AI generated. All made up. Yet massive number of upvotes, views and shares.
Journalist @caseynewton.bsky.social got in touch with the “whistleblower.” The guy faked all “evidence” with AI…
This post is 100% fake and probably AI generated. All made up. Yet massive number of upvotes, views and shares.
Journalist @caseynewton.bsky.social got in touch with the “whistleblower.” The guy faked all “evidence” with AI…
January 6, 2026 at 8:03 AM
We’re entering the age of AI slop that people believe en masse.
This post is 100% fake and probably AI generated. All made up. Yet massive number of upvotes, views and shares.
Journalist @caseynewton.bsky.social got in touch with the “whistleblower.” The guy faked all “evidence” with AI…
This post is 100% fake and probably AI generated. All made up. Yet massive number of upvotes, views and shares.
Journalist @caseynewton.bsky.social got in touch with the “whistleblower.” The guy faked all “evidence” with AI…
A $2,000 GPU drifting toward $5,000 isn’t inflation or bad luck.
It’s the result of taxpayer-funded infrastructure, AI-first memory allocation, political stock trading, and Nvidia’s pricing power as a gatekeeper.
Full investigation → gamehazards.com/article/nvid...
It’s the result of taxpayer-funded infrastructure, AI-first memory allocation, political stock trading, and Nvidia’s pricing power as a gatekeeper.
Full investigation → gamehazards.com/article/nvid...
How Nvidia Built an AI-Fueled Monopoly — and Why GPU Prices Are Exploding
Reports suggest the RTX 5090 could hit $5,000 by end of 2026. Your first instinct is to blame supply chains. That's what Nvidia wants you to think. I spent three weeks tracking congressional trading d...
gamehazards.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:25 PM
A $2,000 GPU drifting toward $5,000 isn’t inflation or bad luck.
It’s the result of taxpayer-funded infrastructure, AI-first memory allocation, political stock trading, and Nvidia’s pricing power as a gatekeeper.
Full investigation → gamehazards.com/article/nvid...
It’s the result of taxpayer-funded infrastructure, AI-first memory allocation, political stock trading, and Nvidia’s pricing power as a gatekeeper.
Full investigation → gamehazards.com/article/nvid...
This didn’t just “happen.”
Xbox console sales collapsed after years of leadership decisions that deprioritized hardware, bet on unsustainable Game Pass economics, and shut down studios even after successful releases.
The long version → gamehazards.com/article/fall...
Xbox console sales collapsed after years of leadership decisions that deprioritized hardware, bet on unsustainable Game Pass economics, and shut down studios even after successful releases.
The long version → gamehazards.com/article/fall...
January 6, 2026 at 6:57 AM
This didn’t just “happen.”
Xbox console sales collapsed after years of leadership decisions that deprioritized hardware, bet on unsustainable Game Pass economics, and shut down studios even after successful releases.
The long version → gamehazards.com/article/fall...
Xbox console sales collapsed after years of leadership decisions that deprioritized hardware, bet on unsustainable Game Pass economics, and shut down studios even after successful releases.
The long version → gamehazards.com/article/fall...
Reposted by Mercer
2025 has been the worst year on record for Xbox console sales in the UK. https://bit.ly/4qCvImA
January 5, 2026 at 8:30 PM
2025 has been the worst year on record for Xbox console sales in the UK. https://bit.ly/4qCvImA
No new RTX GPU announcements from NVIDIA at CES.
Expect AI roadmap updates, GeForce software news, and partner devices — more iteration than introduction. Will be covering CES 2026.
Expect AI roadmap updates, GeForce software news, and partner devices — more iteration than introduction. Will be covering CES 2026.
January 5, 2026 at 5:47 PM
No new RTX GPU announcements from NVIDIA at CES.
Expect AI roadmap updates, GeForce software news, and partner devices — more iteration than introduction. Will be covering CES 2026.
Expect AI roadmap updates, GeForce software news, and partner devices — more iteration than introduction. Will be covering CES 2026.
Reposted by Mercer
“No one can escape memory shortages,” says Samsung.
Funny how shortages coincide with record profits, AI-first allocation, and shrinking specs.
When supply decisions are made in boardrooms, “market forces” become a storytelling choice.
Full breakdown → gamehazards.com/article/sams...
Funny how shortages coincide with record profits, AI-first allocation, and shrinking specs.
When supply decisions are made in boardrooms, “market forces” become a storytelling choice.
Full breakdown → gamehazards.com/article/sams...
Samsung's 'No One Can Escape' Memory Shortage: The Manufactured Crisis Making Billions
On January 5, 2026, Samsung's co-CEO told Reuters 'no one can escape' the memory shortage. He didn't mention Samsung is making $14 billion this quarter while deliberately cutting consumer production 2...
gamehazards.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:04 PM
“No one can escape memory shortages,” says Samsung.
Funny how shortages coincide with record profits, AI-first allocation, and shrinking specs.
When supply decisions are made in boardrooms, “market forces” become a storytelling choice.
Full breakdown → gamehazards.com/article/sams...
Funny how shortages coincide with record profits, AI-first allocation, and shrinking specs.
When supply decisions are made in boardrooms, “market forces” become a storytelling choice.
Full breakdown → gamehazards.com/article/sams...
“No one can escape memory shortages,” says Samsung.
Funny how shortages coincide with record profits, AI-first allocation, and shrinking specs.
When supply decisions are made in boardrooms, “market forces” become a storytelling choice.
Full breakdown → gamehazards.com/article/sams...
Funny how shortages coincide with record profits, AI-first allocation, and shrinking specs.
When supply decisions are made in boardrooms, “market forces” become a storytelling choice.
Full breakdown → gamehazards.com/article/sams...
Samsung's 'No One Can Escape' Memory Shortage: The Manufactured Crisis Making Billions
On January 5, 2026, Samsung's co-CEO told Reuters 'no one can escape' the memory shortage. He didn't mention Samsung is making $14 billion this quarter while deliberately cutting consumer production 2...
gamehazards.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:04 PM
“No one can escape memory shortages,” says Samsung.
Funny how shortages coincide with record profits, AI-first allocation, and shrinking specs.
When supply decisions are made in boardrooms, “market forces” become a storytelling choice.
Full breakdown → gamehazards.com/article/sams...
Funny how shortages coincide with record profits, AI-first allocation, and shrinking specs.
When supply decisions are made in boardrooms, “market forces” become a storytelling choice.
Full breakdown → gamehazards.com/article/sams...
Reposted by Mercer
Games don’t get worse by accident.
They get worse by spreadsheets.
I write about the decisions behind the decline.
Pseudonymous writer at
gamehazards.com
They get worse by spreadsheets.
I write about the decisions behind the decline.
Pseudonymous writer at
gamehazards.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Games don’t get worse by accident.
They get worse by spreadsheets.
I write about the decisions behind the decline.
Pseudonymous writer at
gamehazards.com
They get worse by spreadsheets.
I write about the decisions behind the decline.
Pseudonymous writer at
gamehazards.com
A revised version of the community GTA 6 mapping project has been released. The panhandle has been removed, with reworks to The Keys and Port Gellhorn. The map is speculative and based only on available footage and evidence. Large areas remain undefined.
January 5, 2026 at 12:55 PM
A revised version of the community GTA 6 mapping project has been released. The panhandle has been removed, with reworks to The Keys and Port Gellhorn. The map is speculative and based only on available footage and evidence. Large areas remain undefined.
X optimized for reach and outrage until neither meant much.
#Bluesky optimized for conversation and accidentally became useful.
Strange how low the bar was.
#Bluesky optimized for conversation and accidentally became useful.
Strange how low the bar was.
January 5, 2026 at 12:45 PM
X optimized for reach and outrage until neither meant much.
#Bluesky optimized for conversation and accidentally became useful.
Strange how low the bar was.
#Bluesky optimized for conversation and accidentally became useful.
Strange how low the bar was.
CES week.
A lot of announcements, a few real products, and many things we won’t hear about again.
A lot of announcements, a few real products, and many things we won’t hear about again.
January 5, 2026 at 12:07 PM
CES week.
A lot of announcements, a few real products, and many things we won’t hear about again.
A lot of announcements, a few real products, and many things we won’t hear about again.
“Hardwired to find the best of the best”
clicks
Email wall, legal boilerplate, class-action waiver.
Very on brand for Wired in 2026.
At least say there is a signup wall and you have to login to read.
clicks
Email wall, legal boilerplate, class-action waiver.
Very on brand for Wired in 2026.
At least say there is a signup wall and you have to login to read.
January 5, 2026 at 12:02 PM
“Hardwired to find the best of the best”
clicks
Email wall, legal boilerplate, class-action waiver.
Very on brand for Wired in 2026.
At least say there is a signup wall and you have to login to read.
clicks
Email wall, legal boilerplate, class-action waiver.
Very on brand for Wired in 2026.
At least say there is a signup wall and you have to login to read.
Rumor circulating that Nvidia is considering reintroducing the RTX 3060 to help address GPU shortages.
Nothing official yet — but if true, it’s a surprising inventory strategy in 2026.
Thoughts?
Nothing official yet — but if true, it’s a surprising inventory strategy in 2026.
Thoughts?
January 5, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Rumor circulating that Nvidia is considering reintroducing the RTX 3060 to help address GPU shortages.
Nothing official yet — but if true, it’s a surprising inventory strategy in 2026.
Thoughts?
Nothing official yet — but if true, it’s a surprising inventory strategy in 2026.
Thoughts?