iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Yesterday (and most of this month) was close to 90 degrees. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy about a weather forecast in my life.

Extended weather forecast showing multiple days of high temperatures in the 60s

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Being laid off is weird. One day I’m relatively fine, “everything is going to be ok.” The next day, or even the next hour, complete darkness. I don’t say this for sympathy, just to vent, I guess. It’s just rough. Here, have a cat:

Brown tabby cat asleep with his head resting on his outstretched front limbs. He’s resting on a gray and white buffalo check blanket.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

This car gets better and better the longer you look at it. #SonicTheChevySonic

A blue Chevy sedan with a Sonic the Hedgehog Squishmallow in the back window, the text #SonicTheChevySonic on the back window, a Sonic license plate holder, a license plate that reads “GGFast” and a Sonic decal next to the car’s model decal.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Now that our AC is fixed (when it rains, it pours) and the house is no longer literally 85 degrees, I made a tater tot casserole for dinner. Simple, yes, but yummy. Who wants some?

9x13 glass baking dish filled with a tater tot casserole. The tater tots are arranged in rows covering the ground beef mixture underneath.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I think a week at Knoebels would fix me.

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Thank you to everyone for their kind words and well wishes following the layoffs on Friday. No matter where I end up, it’s you, the awesome people in this industry, that I’lI remember and cherish most.

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Reposted by Brandy Berthelson

JessEviltelli @mamavitelli.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

I was laid off from Restart today, alongside my wonderful and talented co-workers. Sucks to write, but here we are. Lots of ways you can help, but I'm currently live with a lay-off subathon where you can come and chat and sub to keep the timer going to give me some cash Twitch.tv/MamaVitelli

twitch.tv

MamaVitelli - Live on Twitch

I was Laid Off So I'm Doing A Subathon! | Subathon | Cool Content | Variety | Streaming just chatting.

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Reposted by Brandy Berthelson

Imran Khan @imrankhan.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

So we found out this morning that everyone - myself included - from Restart's editorial staff has been let go. After like six layoffs in six years, that gif is my unfortunate reaction. Looking! For! Opportunities! I guess I'm open for freelance for a while!

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Reposted by Brandy Berthelson

Myles Obenza @mylesobenza.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Everyone at Restart was let go today, so another layoff for me in the span of a month. Editors, I'll be at PAX West and I'm looking to fill my schedule with (paid) opportunities.

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Reposted by Brandy Berthelson

Brendan Hesse @brendanlh.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

I can vouch BIG TIME for Myles. Before the GameSpot layoffs last month, he wrote for the commerce section and was one of the most reliable writers I've ever worked with. He works hard, knows his beats, and is also just a super good dude. Hire him, he'd be a great addition to any team.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Well, it happened again. The entire editorial team at Restart, myself included, was laid off today. With that, my time in games media has also come to an end. After 20 years, helping to build and run multiple sites, and experiencing numerous layoffs, I just don’t have it in me anymore.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

"Oh, this game looks cute I should add it to my..." *already on wishlist* "Oh. Ha." (It was Dragon Shelter, btw)

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Hello Chicago! (Don’t worry, I’m not driving)

Downtown Chicago skyline, including the John Hancock Center.

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Valleyfair has my two favorite coin pushers (though Willy Wonka is out of order). I love it here.

Wizard of Oz coin pusher machine in an arcade.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Road trip vacation go! First surprise: Wally’s apparently opened up around Indy three weeks ago. Love Wally’s!

Vintage white and orange motor home in a large convenience store. The side of the motor home has been converted into shelving displaying hats that are for sale.

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

It’s the first time in weeks that it’s been “cool” enough to turn the oven on? COOK ALL THE THINGS 👩🏻‍🍳🍽️🍳

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Happy Con Air Day to everyone who celebrates.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Sometimes, you just need a good old-fashioned list.

List of crops in Moonlight Peaks that I’ve already donated to the museum written on a page in a short notebook with metal ring binding.

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Reposted by Brandy Berthelson

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Minneapolis restaurant recommendations?

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Minneapolis restaurant recommendations?

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

What do you mean I have to work when all I want to do is play more Story of Seasons? 🐓🌾👩🏻‍🌾

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Found a pair of like-new Crocs in my size at Goodwill for $9.99. Figured why not? I’d try them since they’d be nice for water activities (like water rides at theme parks). I’m surprised, but they’re actually really comfortable and now I understand why people wear them as house shoes.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Kate has been great to work with on this massive undertaking!

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

@mamavitelli.bsky.social once again proving he is the master of "weird little guys."

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

I had such a pretty purple landline phone when I was a kid and I told my husband I regretted getting rid of it. Ya’ll, look at what this man just dropped on my desk. It’s my phone! I am suddenly a teenager all over again. 😭😭😭

Purple landline telephone that’s slightly see-through so you can see the components inside.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Finished the Pokédex in Pokopia. What a wonderful game. I can’t see anything else topping it for my Game of the Year.

The Pokédex completion certificate in Pokemon Pokopia. It reads:

“Certificate

Player Brandy

We hereby certify your achievement of completing the Pokédex. May this great feat be celebrated by all!

Staff”

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

I've been doing this for 20 years this June. The answer is no (and that's not just for new writers).

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

It was a major grind, but I finished the rare Coin decor collection!

Screenshot from the Pikmin Bloom mobile game showing the eight rare Coin decor Pikmin in the Roadside collection. Confetti is on the screen celebrating the set’s completion.

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

My island now has the four main characters from White Christmas, my favorite film, as well as Doris, because I need more single women to live here and so I can make her say “Mutual, I’m sure” in that high-pitched voice during every introduction.

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

I asked my mom who she would like her celebrity husband to be in Tomodachi Life. At her request, I have now created Michael Bolton, who is living next to Martha Washington. My island is becoming delightfully bizarre.

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

My husband helped me create George and Martha Washington in Tomodachi Life, which, if you know me, is very on brand for me. Now I’m just hoping the game throws me some historical fashions at some point.

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

This is probably my favorite project I’ve ever worked on in a game like this (Minecraft, Animal Crossing, etc.) - my take on the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. There are 11 furnished “homes” connected in the U shape. Nine for Eevee and its evolutions, plus a restaurant and sauna.

Pokemon Pokopia screenshot. An aerial view of a large bay with a series of connected buildings in a U-shape along the water’s edge. Five red canoes float in the bay.

Official photograph of Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort. The hotel is designed to look like a series of buildings in different colors and styles that surround the bay in a U-shape. But the exterior is a facade for the luxury hotel, shops and more that are inside. A number of boats in different sizes float on the bay.

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

My current Pokopia project is a tulip field / windmill. It’s coming along nicely but will wind up costing so much Pokemetal, since I didn’t have any yellow or white tulips when I started and didn’t have nearly enough of the other colors saved (red was close). Each flower costs four Pokemetal! 😬

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

If you’d like a cozy murder mystery (with a cat!), highly recommend The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Country Gardening by Naomi Kuttner. First in a series - excited to start the second! www.booksamillion.com/p/Retired-As...

booksamillion.com

The Retired Assassin's Guide to Country Gardening: Naomi Kuttner: 9798231037476

The Retired Assassin's Guide to Country Gardening: Naomi Kuttner: 9798231037476: Paperback: Mystery & Detective - Cozy - Paranormal

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Today is my husband's birthday. I'm playing through the Tomodachi Life demo. I created us as my first two Miis and just got this special news bulletin, with a report straight from his birthday party. Stop it. This is so cute.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

As someone whose last trip to the movie theater was for Avengers: Endgame (that’s 2019), and someone who doesn’t really like going to the theater in the first place, Project Hail Mary was spectacular (I also should mention I haven’t read the book).

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

If anyone ever gets this recipe in their shop in Pokopia, please tell me and I will come running!

The player stands next to television and potted plant in the museum in Pokopia. Four red arrows are pointing at two gray stone blocks with horizontal stripes that are part of the museum's walls.

Restart.run @restart.run · 23/03/2026

Reposted by Brandy Berthelson

Hey, our EIC has the Television and Technology Poster recipe today in Pokemon Pokopia if anyone wants to come grab them. Town's open! VWTLL8

Pokemon Pokopia stop screenshot showing the five items available today only. One is the Television recipe. Another is the Technology poster recipe.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

The space exhibit in the museum is completely repaired! (Just don’t look at the walls or roof outside…) I still need quite a few fossils to finish the other wing (especially head pieces), but I’m happy with this progress. 😁🪐🔭

Outer space exhibit in the museum in Pokemon Pokopia with model spaceships and planets on display. The walls, floor, and ceiling look like outer space filled with stars in a rainbow of colors.

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

The museum is coming along. The space room is 99% repaired and I made a nice information desk at the entrance. I also turned part of the music studio into a gift shop and freed up a lot of extra resources in the process, which I used to repair some of the exterior walls. Still lots more work to do!

Information counter at a museum in Pokemon Pokopia with a computer, lamp, and more office supplies on a long counter. A wall calendar and two bookcases are behind the counter.