iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 1h

I really enjoy going onto mid-size retail websites, and a massive sidebar pops up with Cyrax AI beta to completely ruin another part of my life

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 3h

I went back to an old Control Resonant save to get a missed achievement after today's update, and now the loading is stuck when going back to my most recent save states 💀💀💀

The loading screen from Control Resonant, with the loading bar stuck at 90%

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

She is a real beauty. Up there with the Lego Game Boy for fun building.

A Lego Sony PlayStation on a metal table

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Genuinely gutted about Benjamin Satterley, AKA Pac/Neville. One of the best wrestlers out there, who never really got the push he deserved. I always love seeing someone from the north-east do well, and he was incredible - someone whose matches I always watched.

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Reposted by Matt Gardner | GameTripper

Preeti Chhibber @runwithskizzers.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

How are we both in like a monoculture but also in a world where I’ll catch a late night interview w/ an actor I’ve never heard of where the host will be like “how does it feel to be on the most popular tv show in America?” And the show is something like “Pills Tomorrow”, 3 seasons deep on Paramount+

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I really want to go to bed, but I decided to watch Summerslam 2002 and can't switch it off. Kurt Angle vs Rey Mysterio: all-time perfect match. A true 14/10. Edge vs Eddie: Banger with fantastic technical work and timing. Now, prime Booker T and, er, Goldust vs the Un-Americans. It's good stuff.

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

After a woeful couple of weeks, it's finally time for some LEGO.

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This absolutely has to be based on this shambles of a man

A @SmashJT post featuring the Halo Campaign Evolved promo art, saying:

"This is unnecessary and intentionally signaling Trans.
They know what they’re doing.

Once you notice bisexual lighting being used, you can not unsee it. This is intentional.

I will not be gaslit."

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

eBay is f***ing weird. Someone sent me an offer for a Lego set I'm selling. I haven't accepted it. Turns out they've already listed it, with *my photo*, as "build only" to sell the minifigs. Absolutely spectacular.

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Nearly threw my phone at my garden fence Wordle 1,921 6/6 🟩⬛⬛🟨🟩 🟩🟩🟩⬛🟩 🟩🟩🟩⬛🟩 🟩🟩🟩⬛🟩 🟩🟩🟩⬛🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Utterly pathetic stuff from Polygon. "It's unfortunate that this controversy is throwing shade over a funding campaign that could lead to the development of an interesting indie game." Where's the controversy? Erika won a DICE Award for Ghost of Yōtei. Perfect hire. I'm sick of clickbait shit.

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Dog in bed. Hugging the panda toy he got on day one. Legs. Mirroring. Perfect.

A small dog laying on his bed with his foot up, cuddling a toy panda facing him that also has its foot up

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I wanted my Control Resonant review live today, but I'm still checking a few things - it's massive and different and weird and very Remedy. And as a Control fan, I want to get it right. Sunday? In the meantime, I did a deep dive interview with Vilma Jää and Mikael Kasurinen about the OST...

forbes.com

‘Control Resonant’: Inside Remedy’s Unusual Approach To Its Soundtrack

Vilma Jää explains how runolaulu, folklore and creative freedom shaped her song for an eclectic 'Control Resonant' soundtrack.

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I had a really good idea for a game-themed book, but I'll now never write it because at least one person will think it was done with AI

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I'm wearing a watch again after abandoning my Fitbit because I'm sick of stressing about stats about my life. I still forget to check it. I love looking at it when I remember, though - I bought it years ago and it just sat in a drawer until now.

A Pac-Man Timex Indiglo watch in black on a man's wrist.

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

GamePupper gave me the most withering look of all time today. Real 1930s Weimar Germany poster vibes. I could barely look at him since then TBH

The head of a small black and white dog between balustrades on a staircase. The dog is looking between two of the posts, with a surprisingly withering look to the camera, which would make most viewers feel like they've done something terribly wrong

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I've taken a day off to help me review Control Resonant, and now that I'm 40, by god do I struggle to play games for long periods without getting headaches 🫠

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

The poodle is no longer with us. This little man is exhausted. Back to normal.

A small black maltipoo laying on his side on a couch, with his paws together.

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I've never been inside a British theatre I didn't like, but Leeds Grand is among my absolute favourites

The inside of Leeds Grand Theatre, showing the ceiling, balconies and stalls

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

This was terribly needed for performance and it's a great gesture from Hazelight

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Reposted by Matt Gardner | GameTripper

Mike X. Nichols @mikexnichols.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Thinking about this exchange today

A YouTube video for the Water Temple in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The comments section has an exchange as detailed below. “@TheMrdangles16 • 11y ago:
i hate the water temple... too confusing :(“ “@KeithHalsell • 2y ago:
it's been 9 years, i hope you are doing great in life now.” “@TheMrdangles16 • 2y ago: it couldn't be going worse Keith.”

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

It's 2026 and while Nintendo offers up the OOT Remake, it still won't tell you what you already own until you try to rebuy it. The eShop is SO shit. If it's not this, it's the hentai "games" that flood every single sale, with their "one-handed controls". God bless the company's family friendly rep

A squid and the following text: Error Code: 9001-1695
This product is already included in content you have purchased or pre-ordered."

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Flashback to 2023, when I told the 17th PR of that particular week that I didn’t cover blockchain/NFTs/crypto on moral grounds, and got this in response. Needless to say, I didn't reply; the event they were promoting was a predictable bust, and I still haven't been proven wrong.

Thank you for getting back to me. I certainly appreciate you taking the time to respond. I understand if this event is not to your liking, but I’m a little taken aback by the “on moral grounds”.

As a woman who has worked in the blockchain industry for several years now, the projects, companies, and individuals I have worked with have been among the most honest, hard working and dedicated individuals I’ve had the pleasure to work with. While the industry has its bad players, no industry is without them. But I do take umbrage to the notion there are moral reasons not to get involved with blockchain tech.

I implore you to please not dismiss an entire swath of technological advances and developments simply because of a sweeping generalisation made about blockchain tech. There are carbon neutral chains, there are chains centred on the redistribution of wealth in a fair and equitable manner to alleviate the wealth disparity. There are organisations working to ensure artists benefit from their own works (both musical and otherwise).

It is not all overpriced JPEG’s, Ponzi schemes, and/or energy guzzling infrastructure. It is a wide and thriving ecosystem platforms and projects of every kind.

I hope my reply hasn’t come across as confrontational, it’s certainly not my intent. But felt the need to defend my career industry.

I hope you have a lovely day,

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I wish I could be this comfortable and relaxed at any given time

A small maltipoo and a large poodle sleeping on a couch

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Finally caught up on All In 2026. Will Ospreay's entrance package is absolutely S-tier - pure cinema. Reckon this'll get watched weekly from now on.

youtube.com

Will Ospreay's EMOTIONAL homecoming introduction! | AEW All In: London

YouTube video by All Elite Wrestling

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Can't help but feel like this review is a bit late

As per The Guardian:

Review
The Bayeux tapestry: a stupefying, thrilling, horrifying masterpiece that shakes the earth
British Museum, London
The greatest battle ever depicted in art is here at last – and it hurtles along, making your heart pound with its sense of doom and destiny, culminating in fires and corpses on a battlefield full of pathos

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Take me back to when Geri Halliwell was on a bag of cheese & chive Walkers, and there was a surprisingly reasonable chance there'd also be a folded up fiver inside

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

The Museum of Brands is excellent, and absolutely chock full of 70s and 80s shite.

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

I'm not a particularly interesting person, but my dad's best man played the dead body of Michael Caine's brother in the seminal 1971 gritty British gangster classic Get Carter.

Frank Carter lying in an open coffin in the movie Get Carter

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Reposted by Matt Gardner | GameTripper

Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Actual adult people who work in the mainstream press talk to this guy and take him seriously. He's a white supremacist, yes, but he's also just a premium sexless dork.

Richard Hanania: The point of a game like Grand Theft Auto is to identify with the character.

By making a female character, the new game will be promoting autogynephilia.

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that, and if they make her bisexual then the game won’t necessarily be unhealthy.

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I've had four separate PR pitches today about how social posts about GTA6 jumped by 400-500% yesterday. It's almost as if there was a massive announcement about GTA6, or something.

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Happy International Dog Day to Dougal T. Bear (the T stands for terrorist), the laziest boy I know. I'm genuinely surprised he's stood up in one of these photos

A small black and white maltipoo stood on a tiled floor in a kitchen

A small black maltipoo perched on a Gilmore Girls cushion looking at the camera

A small black maltipoo with a white and pink chest laying on his back like he's dead

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

The only thing worse than not being at Gamescom is getting 25 emails an hour from people at Gamescom

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The Witcher 3 remastered? Take my money. Literally take all of my money. Put me in debt and then punch me in the face as hard as you can

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

In the last 20 years, I still can't think of a ~1-minute game intro that goes quite as hard as this. It ticks every box. It's what everyone wants.

youtube.com

Red Alert 3 Intro Cinematic HD 60fps

YouTube video by Kamran Baqirov

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Walked into my room and Dougal had a side quest. It was a fetch mission involving chicken

A small dog on a carpet looking up at the camera. A small window of light covers him.

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I'm gutted I'm not at Gamescom, but I feel exhausted just thinking about Gamescom. I don't miss those 30k-step days, the random re-routing, the fact you have to stay in Bonn to keep it "cheap", or the heat. I really miss the people, though. My people. The best of us

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Talking Heads' (Nothing But) Flowers is easily my favourite song of theirs on simple merit, but every now and then I remember to watch the video - filmed in 1988 - and re-realise how a) ahead of their time were and b) how absolutely fucked the world is now

youtube.com

Talking Heads - [Nothing But] Flowers (Official Video)

YouTube video by Talking Heads

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I think the worst bit about AI recently has been people "making" videos of dogs being cute, like you can't just film any real dog at any time to get the desired effect

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Matt Gardner | GameTripper @gametripperuk.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Honestly my favourite moment in gaming of the last ten years and I'm not even joking Until I remember a couple more

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