iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

I guess slight spoiler here, but as someone who suffers from them, Disclosure Day has the most accurate depiction of a panic attack I’ve ever seen. Well done, Spielberg.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

It's the dog picture of the year in my world.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Working with the ESRB also brings me back to my time at SuperParent, where I was focused on teaching parents and guardians about video games (plus tabletop games and more). I still think it’s such an important topic / coverage angle that I’m happy to dive back into, even if only briefly.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

While I’m still looking for a full-time job outside of games media, I recently had the chance to try Minecraft Dungeons II to put together a parent’s guide for the ESRB blog. So thankful for the opportunity. www.esrb.org/blog/a-paren...

esrb.org

A Parent’s Guide to Minecraft Dungeons II

Find out if Minecraft Dungeons II is appropriate for the whole family with this tip blog, including the ESRB rating information.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Whaaaa? I love this for you! We need to catch up!

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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 · 22/08/2026

Oh man! You’ve got some catching up to do! Costume Quest! Stacking! Full throttle! Go go go!

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

If I’m right, this is very on brand for you.

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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 · 17/08/2026

We were able to get it fixed this morning! Sweet relief.

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

You know how it was hot in my house? Turns out the AC is full on busted. 😭

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Brandy Berthelson @brandyberthelson.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

It is currently 85 inside our poorly insulated house, despite the AC being on full blast. Help.

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

I think a week at Knoebels would fix me.

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

I’m sorry, but I’m not able to discuss it. I can point you to this Aftermath article, however. aftermath.site/restart-layo...

aftermath.site

Restart, Walmart's Gaming Site, Lays Off Entire Editorial Team

The site started in December 2024

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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

And before I fully close out this chapter, I want to shout out my fantastic team at Restart. @mamavitelli.bsky.social @imrankhan.bsky.social @hensten.bsky.social @higgins.games @mylesobenza.bsky.social and more are some of the best people I have ever worked with. Thank you for everything.

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

I’ll always be a gamer, but it’s time for a change, and I’ll be looking for positions in travel / hospitality / amusements.

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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)

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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.

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

The one time I could be useful as someone who lives in Indiana (and as someone who regularly attends Gen Con) is the one year I’m also on vacation and in a different state. 😭😭

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