Stephen Totilo
@stephentotilo.bsky.social
Reporter covering video games at Game File (gamefile.news). Previously launched games coverage at Axios and MTV News. Was Kotaku EiC. stephen(at)gamefile(dot)news he/him
Switch 2 is not outputting a video signal to my TV tonight when docked. Just audio. I tried different wires and ensured the power was still connected. The only other variable is that I recently implemented parental controls and an 8pm “bedtime”. But I turned that off tonight. Anyone experience this?
November 26, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Switch 2 is not outputting a video signal to my TV tonight when docked. Just audio. I tried different wires and ensured the power was still connected. The only other variable is that I recently implemented parental controls and an 8pm “bedtime”. But I turned that off tonight. Anyone experience this?
Reposted by Stephen Totilo
Okay fine. If 25 people send me proof of purchase of a game file annual subscription….i will post a selfie in the Mario costume my stupid friends got me. I am posting this late in the hopes no one does this
November 25, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Okay fine. If 25 people send me proof of purchase of a game file annual subscription….i will post a selfie in the Mario costume my stupid friends got me. I am posting this late in the hopes no one does this
For what it's worth, my kids attended an advance screening yesterday, immediately had my wife call me so they could tell me about a plot twist in the movie... even told me what the sloths did
Hasn't hurt my desire to see it when it comes to Disney+
Hasn't hurt my desire to see it when it comes to Disney+
Well, doesn’t leave a lot for me to say about Zootopia 2 if you’re gonna ban proper nouns, themes, and I guess general vibes next?
November 25, 2025 at 3:54 PM
For what it's worth, my kids attended an advance screening yesterday, immediately had my wife call me so they could tell me about a plot twist in the movie... even told me what the sloths did
Hasn't hurt my desire to see it when it comes to Disney+
Hasn't hurt my desire to see it when it comes to Disney+
Reposted by Stephen Totilo
Want to enable more freelance reporting and reviews on Game File?
Now's a great time to support Game File and Joshua--and to help fund future guest contributions
Guest writers receive a flat rate plus a 25% cut of any annual subscriptions purchased in the 24 hours after their articles run
Now's a great time to support Game File and Joshua--and to help fund future guest contributions
Guest writers receive a flat rate plus a 25% cut of any annual subscriptions purchased in the 24 hours after their articles run
November 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Want to enable more freelance reporting and reviews on Game File?
Now's a great time to support Game File and Joshua--and to help fund future guest contributions
Guest writers receive a flat rate plus a 25% cut of any annual subscriptions purchased in the 24 hours after their articles run
Now's a great time to support Game File and Joshua--and to help fund future guest contributions
Guest writers receive a flat rate plus a 25% cut of any annual subscriptions purchased in the 24 hours after their articles run
"After Harrison was fired, Asmongold.. discussed the developments on his stream...
"He added, 'Eventually, you’ll get a new job, and when you do, I might just make another video and contact that employer, too. Now, why would I do that? For fun. I enjoy it. I like it. It’s a nice pastime.'”
"He added, 'Eventually, you’ll get a new job, and when you do, I might just make another video and contact that employer, too. Now, why would I do that? For fun. I enjoy it. I like it. It’s a nice pastime.'”
Two months after firing over Charlie Kirk comments, Ghost of Yotei dev blames harassment campaign, not 'bad joke'
aftermath.site/sucker-punch-c...
aftermath.site/sucker-punch-c...
November 24, 2025 at 6:52 PM
"After Harrison was fired, Asmongold.. discussed the developments on his stream...
"He added, 'Eventually, you’ll get a new job, and when you do, I might just make another video and contact that employer, too. Now, why would I do that? For fun. I enjoy it. I like it. It’s a nice pastime.'”
"He added, 'Eventually, you’ll get a new job, and when you do, I might just make another video and contact that employer, too. Now, why would I do that? For fun. I enjoy it. I like it. It’s a nice pastime.'”
NEW: @jmrivera.bsky.social has written Game File's first freelance game review--about one of 2025's stranger games
"Blippo+ feels like something I was lucky enough to catch in the wee hours of the night, on a channel that I wasn’t supposed to receive"
www.gamefile.news/p/blippo-plu...
"Blippo+ feels like something I was lucky enough to catch in the wee hours of the night, on a channel that I wasn’t supposed to receive"
www.gamefile.news/p/blippo-plu...
A new video game that's all fake TV shows
A review of Blippo+, one of 2025's stranger new games for Switch and PC (previously on Playdate!)
www.gamefile.news
November 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM
NEW: @jmrivera.bsky.social has written Game File's first freelance game review--about one of 2025's stranger games
"Blippo+ feels like something I was lucky enough to catch in the wee hours of the night, on a channel that I wasn’t supposed to receive"
www.gamefile.news/p/blippo-plu...
"Blippo+ feels like something I was lucky enough to catch in the wee hours of the night, on a channel that I wasn’t supposed to receive"
www.gamefile.news/p/blippo-plu...
Reposted by Stephen Totilo
EXCLUSIVE: So far it's been unclear what proof Rockstar Games has to justify its firing of 34 union members, who it claims were leaking "confidential information in a public forum".
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
The Messages Rockstar Saw Before Firing 34 Union Members
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:06 PM
EXCLUSIVE: So far it's been unclear what proof Rockstar Games has to justify its firing of 34 union members, who it claims were leaking "confidential information in a public forum".
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
It’s unfortunate that Nintendo hasn’t made the key, earlier Metroid Prime games easily accessible to the public, for those who want to be up to speed ahead of Prime 4
Only Prime 1 Remastered runs on Switch
Thankfully, I’ve got older hardware and physical copies of the classics
Only Prime 1 Remastered runs on Switch
Thankfully, I’ve got older hardware and physical copies of the classics
November 24, 2025 at 1:49 PM
It’s unfortunate that Nintendo hasn’t made the key, earlier Metroid Prime games easily accessible to the public, for those who want to be up to speed ahead of Prime 4
Only Prime 1 Remastered runs on Switch
Thankfully, I’ve got older hardware and physical copies of the classics
Only Prime 1 Remastered runs on Switch
Thankfully, I’ve got older hardware and physical copies of the classics
Pretty good night so far
November 23, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Pretty good night so far
I think this is the only autograph I’ve ever gotten.
October 16, 1996
October 16, 1996
November 22, 2025 at 10:40 PM
I think this is the only autograph I’ve ever gotten.
October 16, 1996
October 16, 1996
NEW: Microsoft confirms to me that it won't publish its annual Diversity & Inclusion report, ending a decade-long run
Company's top spokesperson tells Game File that MS has "evolved" past publishing one
Prior reports tracked pay equity and company demographics
www.gamefile.news/p/microsoft-...
Company's top spokesperson tells Game File that MS has "evolved" past publishing one
Prior reports tracked pay equity and company demographics
www.gamefile.news/p/microsoft-...
Microsoft won’t publish a diversity and inclusion report this year
Company says it has “evolved” its D&I approach, as it skips its annual data-filled report
www.gamefile.news
November 21, 2025 at 10:32 PM
NEW: Microsoft confirms to me that it won't publish its annual Diversity & Inclusion report, ending a decade-long run
Company's top spokesperson tells Game File that MS has "evolved" past publishing one
Prior reports tracked pay equity and company demographics
www.gamefile.news/p/microsoft-...
Company's top spokesperson tells Game File that MS has "evolved" past publishing one
Prior reports tracked pay equity and company demographics
www.gamefile.news/p/microsoft-...
Drag x Drive somehow remains the top Switch 2 game in my house
In September, I wrote that my 8-year-old son loves it
It faded, but came back
Last night at bath time: "Daddy, in Drag and Drive, I can do unbelievably amazing tricks"
[pauses; beaming]
"I’ve been park champion... I'm level 107!"
In September, I wrote that my 8-year-old son loves it
It faded, but came back
Last night at bath time: "Daddy, in Drag and Drive, I can do unbelievably amazing tricks"
[pauses; beaming]
"I’ve been park champion... I'm level 107!"
I might be playing Silk Song, but my daughter is digging the superb Is This Seat Taken?
And my son is hooked on... Drag x Drive.
Quite the surprise!
In today's (free) Game File, I share what's terrific about each game: www.gamefile.news/p/kids-switc...
And my son is hooked on... Drag x Drive.
Quite the surprise!
In today's (free) Game File, I share what's terrific about each game: www.gamefile.news/p/kids-switc...
November 21, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Drag x Drive somehow remains the top Switch 2 game in my house
In September, I wrote that my 8-year-old son loves it
It faded, but came back
Last night at bath time: "Daddy, in Drag and Drive, I can do unbelievably amazing tricks"
[pauses; beaming]
"I’ve been park champion... I'm level 107!"
In September, I wrote that my 8-year-old son loves it
It faded, but came back
Last night at bath time: "Daddy, in Drag and Drive, I can do unbelievably amazing tricks"
[pauses; beaming]
"I’ve been park champion... I'm level 107!"
"CDC’s monkey program was in jeopardy even before it was ordered to be shut down. A U.S. House of Representatives budget bill that sets 2026 spending levels for CDC would zero out funding for the HIV division at the agency. "
EXCLUSIVE: CDC to end all monkey studies. Decision handed down by recent college grad and former DOGE employee who is now deputy chief of staff at the agency. Animals were being used in studies of HIV prevention. Some may be euthanized. My latest for @science.org
Exclusive: CDC to end all monkey research
Studies related to HIV and other infectious diseases will be phased out, sources say; fate of the agency's animals remains unclear
www.science.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:01 PM
"CDC’s monkey program was in jeopardy even before it was ordered to be shut down. A U.S. House of Representatives budget bill that sets 2026 spending levels for CDC would zero out funding for the HIV division at the agency. "
Fascinating interview with the CEO of Roblox
He's flat-out asked why they even have chat in Roblox. Why is it so important to have chat while playing kids' games. (There are ways to disable it, mind you)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/p...
He's flat-out asked why they even have chat in Roblox. Why is it so important to have chat while playing kids' games. (There are ways to disable it, mind you)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/p...
November 21, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Fascinating interview with the CEO of Roblox
He's flat-out asked why they even have chat in Roblox. Why is it so important to have chat while playing kids' games. (There are ways to disable it, mind you)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/p...
He's flat-out asked why they even have chat in Roblox. Why is it so important to have chat while playing kids' games. (There are ways to disable it, mind you)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/p...
NEW: Ubisoft has not been sold, nor has it collapsed.
The week-long delay in its corporate earnings, the subject of much speculation, was due to--are you sitting down?-- financial reporting technicalities regarding two unspecified partnerships.
www.gamefile.news/p/ubisoft-de...
The week-long delay in its corporate earnings, the subject of much speculation, was due to--are you sitting down?-- financial reporting technicalities regarding two unspecified partnerships.
www.gamefile.news/p/ubisoft-de...
Speculation around Ubisoft earnings delay proves unfounded
It was an accounting issue involving new auditors and the reporting of revenue from two unspecified partnerships, the company said.
www.gamefile.news
November 21, 2025 at 10:18 AM
NEW: Ubisoft has not been sold, nor has it collapsed.
The week-long delay in its corporate earnings, the subject of much speculation, was due to--are you sitting down?-- financial reporting technicalities regarding two unspecified partnerships.
www.gamefile.news/p/ubisoft-de...
The week-long delay in its corporate earnings, the subject of much speculation, was due to--are you sitting down?-- financial reporting technicalities regarding two unspecified partnerships.
www.gamefile.news/p/ubisoft-de...
A weird news week for former Assassin's Creed voice actors
Wait hang on this is crazy
November 20, 2025 at 10:45 PM
A weird news week for former Assassin's Creed voice actors
EA just announced the date for shareholders to vote on the sale of the company: December 22.
Regulatory approval would need to follow.
www.sec.gov/Archives/edg...
Regulatory approval would need to follow.
www.sec.gov/Archives/edg...
TABLE OF CONTENTS
www.sec.gov
November 20, 2025 at 10:01 PM
EA just announced the date for shareholders to vote on the sale of the company: December 22.
Regulatory approval would need to follow.
www.sec.gov/Archives/edg...
Regulatory approval would need to follow.
www.sec.gov/Archives/edg...
Circana U.S. console sales for October 2025:
-"Nintendo Switch 2 sold 328k units in October."
-"Video game hardware spending in October grew 36% when compared a year ago, to $351M. Switch 2 was again
able to offset declines across Switch (-52% versus a year ago), Xbox Series (-37%) and PS5 (-22%)"
-"Nintendo Switch 2 sold 328k units in October."
-"Video game hardware spending in October grew 36% when compared a year ago, to $351M. Switch 2 was again
able to offset declines across Switch (-52% versus a year ago), Xbox Series (-37%) and PS5 (-22%)"
November 20, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Circana U.S. console sales for October 2025:
-"Nintendo Switch 2 sold 328k units in October."
-"Video game hardware spending in October grew 36% when compared a year ago, to $351M. Switch 2 was again
able to offset declines across Switch (-52% versus a year ago), Xbox Series (-37%) and PS5 (-22%)"
-"Nintendo Switch 2 sold 328k units in October."
-"Video game hardware spending in October grew 36% when compared a year ago, to $351M. Switch 2 was again
able to offset declines across Switch (-52% versus a year ago), Xbox Series (-37%) and PS5 (-22%)"
"Hiiiii one last bump here!
"It seems our paths may not align at this time, but we’ll be here if you ever need some capital injection (up to $30M) to take Game File to the next level - ..."
"It seems our paths may not align at this time, but we’ll be here if you ever need some capital injection (up to $30M) to take Game File to the next level - ..."
November 20, 2025 at 3:16 PM
"Hiiiii one last bump here!
"It seems our paths may not align at this time, but we’ll be here if you ever need some capital injection (up to $30M) to take Game File to the next level - ..."
"It seems our paths may not align at this time, but we’ll be here if you ever need some capital injection (up to $30M) to take Game File to the next level - ..."
Reposted by Stephen Totilo
“There are 750 achievements divided across checklists dedicated to each mode, and completing them earns you meaningful unlockables like characters, machines, tracks, music, alternate colors, hats, and other cosmetics”
Kirby Air Riders has an enormous amount of varied content, meaningful unlockables, in-depth customization, and an unrivaled attention to detail.
Our review: https://bit.ly/4oeSpfi
Our review: https://bit.ly/4oeSpfi
November 19, 2025 at 11:52 AM
“There are 750 achievements divided across checklists dedicated to each mode, and completing them earns you meaningful unlockables like characters, machines, tracks, music, alternate colors, hats, and other cosmetics”
One more Metroid Prime 4 thing... the mysterious world map
I included this clip in my preview last week. The main zone I explored had the familiar 3D map. But it zooms out to show a map made of hundreds of hexagons.
Not sure how it'll fill out
I included this clip in my preview last week. The main zone I explored had the familiar 3D map. But it zooms out to show a map made of hundreds of hexagons.
Not sure how it'll fill out
November 19, 2025 at 3:37 AM
One more Metroid Prime 4 thing... the mysterious world map
I included this clip in my preview last week. The main zone I explored had the familiar 3D map. But it zooms out to show a map made of hundreds of hexagons.
Not sure how it'll fill out
I included this clip in my preview last week. The main zone I explored had the familiar 3D map. But it zooms out to show a map made of hundreds of hexagons.
Not sure how it'll fill out
REVIEW: In the last two weeks, I've spent 30+ hours playing the remarkable News Tower, a PC/Mac strategy game about chasing deadlines and making hard choices while publishing a weekly newspaper in New York City in the 1930s.
www.gamefile.news/p/news-tower...
www.gamefile.news/p/news-tower...
My new surprise obsession: A game about running a 1930s newspaper
In News Tower, I published lies for the mob, then printed a blank front page to impress an artist. Review: I had an amazing time.
www.gamefile.news
November 19, 2025 at 12:12 AM
REVIEW: In the last two weeks, I've spent 30+ hours playing the remarkable News Tower, a PC/Mac strategy game about chasing deadlines and making hard choices while publishing a weekly newspaper in New York City in the 1930s.
www.gamefile.news/p/news-tower...
www.gamefile.news/p/news-tower...
Reposted by Stephen Totilo
Rebecca was one of the founders of Interplay and programmed & designed for some of the most influential games of my youth, notably Bard's Tale I & III and Wasteland. She will be missed.
My trailblazing game industry bad-ass friend Rebecca Heineman has passed away.
Fuck cancer.
Friends, let’s not forget her: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca...
Fuck cancer.
Friends, let’s not forget her: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca...
Rebecca Heineman - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 17, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Rebecca was one of the founders of Interplay and programmed & designed for some of the most influential games of my youth, notably Bard's Tale I & III and Wasteland. She will be missed.
Something Metroid Prime 4 related that's not about you-know-who...
The build I recently played had lots of helper text on-screen. You can turn off tutorials, which is nice, because I found that the info Samus got from scanning provided sufficient guidance
Couple of examples:
1st, with tutorial on
The build I recently played had lots of helper text on-screen. You can turn off tutorials, which is nice, because I found that the info Samus got from scanning provided sufficient guidance
Couple of examples:
1st, with tutorial on
November 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Something Metroid Prime 4 related that's not about you-know-who...
The build I recently played had lots of helper text on-screen. You can turn off tutorials, which is nice, because I found that the info Samus got from scanning provided sufficient guidance
Couple of examples:
1st, with tutorial on
The build I recently played had lots of helper text on-screen. You can turn off tutorials, which is nice, because I found that the info Samus got from scanning provided sufficient guidance
Couple of examples:
1st, with tutorial on