iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Derek L.H.

Rie Sonomura, NeoY2K Hacker Vtuber @riesonomura.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

same with the AI flag in the video itself, ESPECIALLY for music

I wish all AI generated thumbnails a very "Don't recommend channel"

Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 05/10/2026

Just finished Cai's route in Part 1 of FE: Fortune's Weave. 35 hours in so far and have three more routes to do. Loving every minute so far. Such a fun game!!

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 03/10/2026

Hope you had an incredible birthday, Feesh! <3

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 03/10/2026

Yeah, I can see a lot of people getting fed up with how heavy-handed this movie is, but it's hard not to respect the ambition on display. Definitely glad to have seen it despite the pretentiousness.

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Kumail Nanjiani @kumail.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

AI will never be able to make art. Thanks.

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Jason Schreier @jasonschreier.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

This sucks for many reasons. But I think it's worth emphasizing how selfish and duplicitous it is to go work with a public-facing, community-focused media org like MinnMax without disclosing this part of your past to them. (MinnMax confirmed to me they were not told.) Please support them if you can

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Reposted by Derek L.H.

Peggy Flanagan @peggyflanagan.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Renee Nicole Good was a mother, a daughter, a wife, a neighbor, and a Minnesotan. Nine months ago, an ICE agent shot her, then allegedly refused a physician's offer of medical aid. Her family deserves accountability and justice. It's long past time.

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 01/10/2026

Didn't see anything about this until this afternoon. Absolutely shocking and disappointing in the worst way possible.

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 30/09/2026

Yeah, almost certainly. Hope we get updates on the localized release soon!

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 30/09/2026

Yeah, I'm pretty shocked it hasn't gotten an updated release window at the very least. Pretty much a 0% chance it comes out this year at this point.

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 30/09/2026

Does Kyoto Xanadu still not have a western release date?

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 29/09/2026

Was checking Game Informer's video game release schedule because that's genuinely one of the best tools to keep track of upcoming game releases, but I kept getting 404 errors. Was wondering why until I remembered that their GTA VI cover story is today. Guess that crashed the website, lol.

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 28/09/2026

Being seeing this trend making waves across social media, so I figured I'd make my own. These are probably the 9 most important games in defining who I am and playing a role in me developing my sense of self and personal taste in games and media in general.

My 9 games: Super Mario 64, Final Fantasy IX, Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, Super Smash Bros. Melee, The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Xenoblade Chronicles, Persona 3 FES, and Xenoblade Chronicles X.

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Reposted by Derek L.H.

Getlucky12341 @getlucky12341.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

They literally allow wanted criminals at Universal Studios

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 25/09/2026

Really happy with how this one turned out. I feel like the blog's been kind of going by the wayside lately since I've been focusing on work, traveling, writing for other projects, and getting sick. Still happy that I'm able to get something out at least. Likes, reposts, and comments appreciated! <3

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 25/09/2026

🗣️📣 NEW BLOG POST ALERT!! My recent playthrough of Saros made me reflect on how stories can be well-written but have poor storytelling. This week, I take a look at the relationship between writing quality and storytelling quality. Read more: www.derekexmachina.com/blog/2026/9/...

derekexmachina.com

Saros is Proof that Games can Have Good Stories Told Badly — Derek Ex Machina

The quality of Saros ’ storytelling is a byproduct of the many developers, systems, and layers of presentation that come together to create the package that is Saros . On a narrative front, they fai...

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 25/09/2026

I think there's a real market for a short story collection full of tales of sons with dumb stuff names. You're onto something here.

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 25/09/2026

New blog post out tomorrow! 👀

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 24/09/2026

I'm biased, but Minneapolis is genuinely a great spot. Affordable and has lots to do! Minnesota in general is a pretty big hub for health and health-adjacent industries and professionals, so it's a worthwhile spot to consider for networking if that matters for you and your work.

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 24/09/2026

Omg, congrats, Mel! Really excited to check this out and see your work!!

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Reposted by Derek L.H.

Mel, the Herohom ( • `ω´ • ) ➡️ FFXIV Fanfest 🇯🇵 @herohommel.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Was excited for this one. I worked on ArcSys's Qliphah in Providence's Shadow as editor! Rena's reminiscent of Ragna the Bloodedge (fun for this Blazblue girlie). The VN-like story is eerie but straightforward, the battle system unique, and the presentation stylish. It's also only $25! Check it out!

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 23/09/2026

Bro, I'm so mad. Each time I think I'm over my cold this week, it keeps coming back. I've had enough of this!!

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 22/09/2026

Really shitty strategy to lay off people after they launch a product, but the most soulless way to go about it is to throw people away once they've launched something of value to your portfolio. I really wish things weren't being managed and run this way.

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 22/09/2026

The second wave of layoffs conveniently hit Halo Studios only after they shipped a game. I fully expect the next and final wave of Xbox layoffs to affect The Coalition after they ship Gears of War: E-Day in a few weeks, regardless of how the game financially performs.

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 22/09/2026

I think I'm finally free from the shackles of being sick! Hoping to get a LOT done this week to make up for lost time.

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 20/09/2026

Got hit with a nasty virus last night, and had like the worst sleep of my life. Thankfully feeling mostly better now. As someone that only gets sick once every two years, getting sick is usually REALLY miserable.

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 17/09/2026

This week has been a reminder that I really thrive when I have things to keep me engaged and busy. I've had a really slow week at work doing something really monotonous and uninteresting and really feel my brain dying of boredom.

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 17/09/2026

I love Ni no Kuni 1 and 2, but apparently the mobile game from a few years ago had crypto and blockchain BS in it? This is apparently made by the same team. Just gutted by the direction Level 5 has gone in. Really hope there's a universe where this is good and BS-free.

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 17/09/2026

So Bloomwalker, another Level-5 game, just got shown off at TGS, and it's confirmed to be in the Ni no Kuni universe. This frustrates me so much because it's probably the closest thing we'll get to Ni no Kuni 3 for a long time if ever. Plus, you know. Modern Level 5. youtu.be/dbT0aEUsPlc?...

youtu.be

[Bloomwalker] TGS 2026 Trailer | Wishlist Now!

YouTube video by Bloomwalker

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TruJek @trujek.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Zelda Ocarina Remake Hype!

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 16/09/2026

For Metacritic, at least, 2nd Chapter looks like it has 28 total reviews across all platforms - though, that's still less than half of Fire Emblem's critic reviews. I think it's additionally tough for 2nd Chapter to gain mainstream traction outside of its niche by way of also being a direct sequel.

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 16/09/2026

Unsurprisingly, Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is also reviewing super well. The JRPG Apocalypse (or JR-mageddon?) tomorrow is gonna be brutal. I'll be playing Fire Emblem first, then circle back to Trails in the Sky. What will you be playing?

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Reposted by Derek L.H.

Metro - Comms Full 🥲 @metro-cat.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I drew Freya Crescent from FF9 riding a skateboard while running a fever today.🤒 No reason. Just because. 😂🛹 #MetroArt #FF9

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 16/09/2026

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave reviews are coming in this morning, and it's looking quite good! It's currently tied with Three Houses as being the second-highest reviewed game in the series, only behind Awakening. Safe to say, we're in for peak gaming.

Fire Emblem Fortune Weave's Metacritic score as an 89 based on 58 reviews.

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 16/09/2026

This is for better and for worse. It's a solid JRPG that doesn't have any particular weak points, but there's also nothing impressive about it, even considering what it did at the time. Glad to have played this again! Holds up well despite still being fairly simple.

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Derek L.H. @derekexmachina.com · 16/09/2026

Video Game #41: Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster I've only played the DS remake / 3D version of FF IV, so this was my first time playing the 2D version of the game. I stand by my opinion that FF IV is the most consistent and solid game in the series. Doesn't have high highs or low lows.