Sam Nelson
@samanthanelson.bsky.social
Covering entertainment and tabletop games at Polygon and food and drinks for Eater and the Chicago Tribune.
I’m at Spiel Essen. If you want to say hi, play a game or show me your game let me know!
October 22, 2025 at 11:33 AM
I’m at Spiel Essen. If you want to say hi, play a game or show me your game let me know!
Playing an 11th level D&D game and my druid has used a 5th level spell slot to charm a bunch of goats. Definitely a good use of my gas.
September 28, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Playing an 11th level D&D game and my druid has used a 5th level spell slot to charm a bunch of goats. Definitely a good use of my gas.
My 71-year-old dad with asthma can't get a COVID vaccine in Florida. The pharmacy has them but said they're waiting for guidance on whether they're allowed to give them. Good times. Meanwhile I got my annual Amsterdam postcard telling me when to go get my free flu shot at my local doctor's office.
September 21, 2025 at 2:29 PM
My 71-year-old dad with asthma can't get a COVID vaccine in Florida. The pharmacy has them but said they're waiting for guidance on whether they're allowed to give them. Good times. Meanwhile I got my annual Amsterdam postcard telling me when to go get my free flu shot at my local doctor's office.
John Cena's Peacemaker thinks he's found the 'best dimension ever,' but I think I know what's coming next.
Peacemaker season 2 takes a darker, deeper dive into the potential of the multiverse
The MCU is doing it wrong
www.polygon.com
September 6, 2025 at 7:48 AM
John Cena's Peacemaker thinks he's found the 'best dimension ever,' but I think I know what's coming next.
Reposted by Sam Nelson
think your job sucks? try working for the Triangle Agency...
In our new issue @samanthanelson.bsky.social speaks to the @hauntedtable.bsky.social crew about their reality warping, Ennie award winning RPG of corporate horror & how their games upends convention
Pre-order now! shop.wyrd.science
In our new issue @samanthanelson.bsky.social speaks to the @hauntedtable.bsky.social crew about their reality warping, Ennie award winning RPG of corporate horror & how their games upends convention
Pre-order now! shop.wyrd.science
September 3, 2025 at 1:26 PM
think your job sucks? try working for the Triangle Agency...
In our new issue @samanthanelson.bsky.social speaks to the @hauntedtable.bsky.social crew about their reality warping, Ennie award winning RPG of corporate horror & how their games upends convention
Pre-order now! shop.wyrd.science
In our new issue @samanthanelson.bsky.social speaks to the @hauntedtable.bsky.social crew about their reality warping, Ennie award winning RPG of corporate horror & how their games upends convention
Pre-order now! shop.wyrd.science
My allergies are very bad right now and I realized the filters on my air purifiers needed to be changed but also that my husband had quietly stashed replacements in the closet so I could change them immediately. It's really nice to have someone looking out for you like that.
August 27, 2025 at 7:17 AM
My allergies are very bad right now and I realized the filters on my air purifiers needed to be changed but also that my husband had quietly stashed replacements in the closet so I could change them immediately. It's really nice to have someone looking out for you like that.
I explained to my mom last week that I was covering Gamescom and she didn't understand what that meant but today she told someone at the dog park about it and they were impressed so I guess that's something?
August 25, 2025 at 6:31 PM
I explained to my mom last week that I was covering Gamescom and she didn't understand what that meant but today she told someone at the dog park about it and they were impressed so I guess that's something?
Neil Patrick Harris provides a constant stream of sassy commentary that keeps things fun in Deadpool VR.
www.polygon.com/deadpool-vr-...
www.polygon.com/deadpool-vr-...
I got decapitated and spent a lot of time looking at Deadpool’s butt in VR
Slash ninja to ribbons while making fun of them and stealing their weapons to produce some quality reality TV
www.polygon.com
August 20, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Neil Patrick Harris provides a constant stream of sassy commentary that keeps things fun in Deadpool VR.
www.polygon.com/deadpool-vr-...
www.polygon.com/deadpool-vr-...
I'm covering Gamescom for the first time. Wish me luck and stay tuned for stories!
August 19, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I'm covering Gamescom for the first time. Wish me luck and stay tuned for stories!
Reposted by Sam Nelson
Hey, hey, hey. We have very very big news. We finally have a new issue on sale right... NOW!
We hope it's not our last but that is up in the air so this really is a case where YOU ARE THE HERO
but also other very cool non WS stuff mentioned! so check it out...
We hope it's not our last but that is up in the air so this really is a case where YOU ARE THE HERO
but also other very cool non WS stuff mentioned! so check it out...
Wyrd Science 7! Back from the Dread
Not going to sugarcoat this, we're here to talk - at length- about our new issue here...
wyrd.science
August 8, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Hey, hey, hey. We have very very big news. We finally have a new issue on sale right... NOW!
We hope it's not our last but that is up in the air so this really is a case where YOU ARE THE HERO
but also other very cool non WS stuff mentioned! so check it out...
We hope it's not our last but that is up in the air so this really is a case where YOU ARE THE HERO
but also other very cool non WS stuff mentioned! so check it out...
I'm so heartbroken by this news. I've had the great pleasure of spending five years freelancing for Eater Chicago editor @shokdiesel.bsky.social, who won a James Beard Award just two months before being laid off. No one cared more than he did about the city's incredible dining scene.
Vox Media Union statement on today's devastating round of layoffs at Eater. We stand with all of our wonderful colleagues. #solidarityforever #unionstrong #1u
August 8, 2025 at 7:37 AM
I'm so heartbroken by this news. I've had the great pleasure of spending five years freelancing for Eater Chicago editor @shokdiesel.bsky.social, who won a James Beard Award just two months before being laid off. No one cared more than he did about the city's incredible dining scene.
Reposted by Sam Nelson
I'm starting up a game of Wildsea and my party is going to be sailing around in a giant beetle carapace they turned into a food truck that's also infested with ghost cats. Our chef is a cactus, the bartender's a mushroom, and our third crewmember is an undead sack of spiders. I cannot wait to play.
July 20, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I'm starting up a game of Wildsea and my party is going to be sailing around in a giant beetle carapace they turned into a food truck that's also infested with ghost cats. Our chef is a cactus, the bartender's a mushroom, and our third crewmember is an undead sack of spiders. I cannot wait to play.
Reposted by Sam Nelson
Bring back the weirdest animated series of 1991
The weirdest animated series of 1991 deserves a modern remake
Let another generation watch the crew of the Righteous Indignation croak some toads
www.polygon.com
July 20, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Bring back the weirdest animated series of 1991
Reposted by Sam Nelson
The people have spoken
damn this cover is badass someone give me 2 grand so i can hand it to bailie please
July 18, 2025 at 8:33 PM
The people have spoken
So nice of Paramount to congratulate Colbert on his Emmy nomination by cancelling his show.
July 18, 2025 at 7:16 AM
So nice of Paramount to congratulate Colbert on his Emmy nomination by cancelling his show.
James Gunn found a different way to let Lex Luthor fight Superman, one that leans more into his skills as a mastermind. It’s a spin that links up closely with a clever recent reinvention of a Marvel villain.
James Gunn’s Superman lets Lex Luthor fight using only his brain
A version of Superman’s nemesis reminscent of All-Star Superman crowdsources his battles
www.polygon.com
July 12, 2025 at 6:50 PM
James Gunn found a different way to let Lex Luthor fight Superman, one that leans more into his skills as a mastermind. It’s a spin that links up closely with a clever recent reinvention of a Marvel villain.
Ironheart is an underwhelming series for many reasons, but the biggest problems aren't revealed until its final episode.
Ironheart doesn’t earn its big twist ending
It’s meant as a shocker, but Riri Williams’ story is missing a few crucial steps
www.polygon.com
July 9, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Ironheart is an underwhelming series for many reasons, but the biggest problems aren't revealed until its final episode.
I grew up in South Florida and the only things I miss are Cuban food and the Everglades. My family would do a 14-mile bike ride there every year and the River of Grass and its animals are awe inspiring. DeSantis building an ICE facility there to cater to Trump's Alcatraz obsession is disgusting.
July 2, 2025 at 6:14 AM
I grew up in South Florida and the only things I miss are Cuban food and the Everglades. My family would do a 14-mile bike ride there every year and the River of Grass and its animals are awe inspiring. DeSantis building an ICE facility there to cater to Trump's Alcatraz obsession is disgusting.
Just a reminder that you really don't need to spend anything on D&D miniatures or accessories. I'm playing a game where the minis are fruit candies (I'm a lemon) and having an absolute blast.
June 28, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Just a reminder that you really don't need to spend anything on D&D miniatures or accessories. I'm playing a game where the minis are fruit candies (I'm a lemon) and having an absolute blast.
It’s wild that when wildfire smoke hit Chicago most of my friends just vaguely noted it was a little hazy out while asthma means I immediately had to buy an air purifier and it didn’t do enough so I have bronchitis. Working the JBFA red carpet is going to be rough 😮💨
June 7, 2025 at 9:24 PM
It’s wild that when wildfire smoke hit Chicago most of my friends just vaguely noted it was a little hazy out while asthma means I immediately had to buy an air purifier and it didn’t do enough so I have bronchitis. Working the JBFA red carpet is going to be rough 😮💨
Talking to game designers is one of the absolute best part of my job. If you have a game crowdfunding or releasing soon, reach out to me and I’d love to share the news.
Choose whether to forgive a soul or condemn one in the creepy solo TTRPG Sin Eater
Conduct a soul-saving (or soul-condemning) ritual at home in the solo TTRPG Sin Eater
Contemplate death, forgiveness, and the recipe-making process
www.polygon.com
May 27, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Talking to game designers is one of the absolute best part of my job. If you have a game crowdfunding or releasing soon, reach out to me and I’d love to share the news.
Got a 10 1/2 hour flight tomorrow which I am both dreading for how long that day will be but also kind of excited about the chance to read and watch movies.
May 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Got a 10 1/2 hour flight tomorrow which I am both dreading for how long that day will be but also kind of excited about the chance to read and watch movies.
Reposted by Sam Nelson
Before Final Destination: Bloodlines, the directors made an unsettling Stranger Things-style sci-fi thriller
Final Destination: Bloodlines’ directors previously teamed up for a mystery-box thriller with lots of family drama
Freaks is available to stream on Netflix and you should go into it blind
www.polygon.com
May 17, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Before Final Destination: Bloodlines, the directors made an unsettling Stranger Things-style sci-fi thriller
I pay 180 Euros a month for health insurance and then pay nothing for doctor visits and prescription drugs. It’s been more than two years and when they just give me my meds at the pharmacy and say have a nice day (or tot ziens) I still feel a little surge of glee.
May 17, 2025 at 12:22 AM
I pay 180 Euros a month for health insurance and then pay nothing for doctor visits and prescription drugs. It’s been more than two years and when they just give me my meds at the pharmacy and say have a nice day (or tot ziens) I still feel a little surge of glee.