iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by James Batchelor

Hilltop Studios @playhilltop.bsky.social · 6h

“There are good indies, and there are timeless indies” This $%^&ing rules. Beaming at @lejenk603.bsky.social preview of Resthaven. Certainly helps quiet the anxiety demons as we head into Next Fest and launch October 29! Read the issue cover to cover, and subscribe to Indie Corner. They’re great.

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

My son had *finally* stopped playing this game. He was trying new things. Why? Why would you do this to me, Coffee Stain?

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Reposted by James Batchelor

Hilltop Studios @playhilltop.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Your niece is missing, and somebody in Resthaven knows what happened. Over 20 suspects. Multiple culprits across multiple timelines. Six days. Can you uncover the truth? Wishlist and play the demo now! store.steampowered.com/app/3796150/...

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Happy Witcher 3 Remastered Day, everyone! (Especially if you, like me, had a mild panic attack when your save file didn't show up at first)

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I'm not even a fan of Gears, but I want one

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Seen this doing the rounds and fancied joining in. Since the theme is actually '9 games that shaped me' rather than '9 favourite games of all time', these are the titles that influenced my gaming tastes at a formative stage - and, perhaps inevitably, make me seem old as fuck.

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Reposted by James Batchelor

Digital Bandidos | Wishlist CURSE OF RESTHAVEN @digitalbandidos.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” — Maria Robinson (Of course, thanks to Curse of Resthaven's time loop, you can *absolutely* go back and start a new beginning. In fact, you have no choice...) #MondayMotivation #CurseOfResthaven

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Saber's port of The (S)Witcher 3 was already a miracle, but how on earth have CDP made it look this good on Switch 2? Cannot wait for tomorrow.

youtu.be

The Witcher 3 Remastered Looks Stunning on Switch 2 - Switch Comparison

YouTube video by Nintendo Life

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

No ad interruptions at all. Only remaining narrative medium where you can enjoy the main content from beginning to end without a single ad or product placement pulling you out of the experience

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Took part in the MKW European Slipstream this weekend - first time I've entered an online event. It reminded me two things about Mario Kart World. 1. I suck, and need to practice 2. This game is so good. I know people quite rightly say MK8DX is peak Mario Kart, but this is a close second!

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Reposted by James Batchelor

Hilltop Studios @playhilltop.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Announcing the Oct 29 release date yesterday was incredible. And then @bradshankar.bsky.social gave Curse of Resthaven a shoutout on @kindafunnyvids.bsky.social, a show we ADORE. Absolutely surreal. Thanks @snowbikemike.bsky.social and Brad. Check out the clip!

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Reposted by James Batchelor

Digital Bandidos | Wishlist CURSE OF RESTHAVEN @digitalbandidos.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

In case you missed the big news yesterday...

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Mark your calendars, folks! This one is going to be something special... It's an absolute pleasure to work with the Hilltop team and I cannot wait for you all to get your hands on the full game.

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

When your Switch 2 downloads The Witcher 3 Remastered several days early... but it won't let you play yet 😭

static.klipy.com

Friends: Joey Tribbiani's Mood Swing

ALT: Friends: Joey Tribbiani's Mood Swing

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

For those complaining the Ocarina Remake uses EoW's scroll bar for item swapping, I think that'll actually be an improvement. Playing MM's Pirate Fortress and it's a faff only having three buttons to handle four bottles, bow, hookshot, and multiple masks!

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Reposted by James Batchelor

Hilltop Studios @playhilltop.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Tomorrow's an exciting day for Resthaven, but in the meantime today is #wishlistwednesday. Go ahead and give our gothic narrative roguelite a wee wishlist! And then use this helpful tool to figure out who you should forge an alliance with once you embark. store.steampowered.com/app/3796150/...

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This tweet is brought to you by someone who still regularly reads Julia Donaldson books to their children. You're welcome/I'm sorry [Delete as appropriate].

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I find myself hoping/wondering if the Ocarina Remake will improve the appetite among both players and developers for smaller, more memorable open worlds

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Digital Bandidos | Wishlist CURSE OF RESTHAVEN @digitalbandidos.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Love #TheTraitors? Us too! So you can imagine how pleased we were when @townofsalem1.bsky.social was picked as one of the 8 Best Social Deception Games Every Traitors Fan Must Play. Thanks @Polygon.com! www.polygon.com/best-games-l...

polygon.com

8 Best Social Deception Games Every Traitors Fan Must Play

Love The Traitors? These eight video games make you the one deciding who's lying

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Reposted by James Batchelor

Digital Bandidos | Wishlist CURSE OF RESTHAVEN @digitalbandidos.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

🕰️ Reminder! 🕰️ You have just three days to complete the Curse of Resthaven demo if you want the bonus gold and skill points to be waiting for you when you play the final game

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Replaying Majora's Mask for the first time in years. Still one of my favourite Zeldas, but this is the first time I've thought Ocarina is better (maybe that's just hype for the remake?)

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Doing this to my son while he plays I Am Cat VR never gets old

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

You should try this demo out anyway, but especially if you want extra stuff when the full game launches

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Just in case I already didn't love Nightdive enough for doing the Thief remaster...

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Stop teasing and tell me when I can play the bloody game! Must...resist...Googling...leaks...

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Reposted by James Batchelor

Digital Bandidos | Wishlist CURSE OF RESTHAVEN @digitalbandidos.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson (Although Curse of Resthaven's Dr Hastings may be taking that a little too far...) #MondayMotivation

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Finally starting the boy's education

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Quick reminder that my book The History of the Pokémon Games is: a) available in the US via Castmate, and b) the perfect way to celebrate #pokemon30thanniversary

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Like so many of you, I've been baffled at how Trump and his team have been able to use elements of Zelda, Halo, Tetris, Pokemon, Sonic, Xbox and more in their social media propaganda with zero consequences (beyond a few 'er, we didn't agree to this' statements from IP holders) I wanted to know why.

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Reposted by James Batchelor

Digital Bandidos | Wishlist CURSE OF RESTHAVEN @digitalbandidos.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Meet Evelyn Sprigg, pregnant widow to the former governor of Resthaven. She's been evicted from the manor, offered safe passage off the island, yet she stays because she believes her husband was murdered - and she wants answers.

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

When an Outlook notification reminds you that you have a meeting starting at the same time as the Nintendo Direct...

static.klipy.com

Elf Will Ferrell Screaming NOOOOOOOO!!!

ALT: Elf Will Ferrell Screaming NOOOOOOOO!!!

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I *love* time travel stories and one day hope to write one (there's a book I've been itching to write for years)... but I wouldn't even know where to begin if I were writing something interactive like a game. So much admiration for game writers like the fine folks at @playhilltop.bsky.social

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Resisting the urge to play the original Ocarina ahead of the remake by playing the next best (or, IMO, better) thing. Whoever says Navi is annoying obviously doesn't remember Tatl during the first loop. "You've only got three days left" It's not even lunchtime yet!

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

This was the moment where I truly fell in love with Zelda and realised it was bigger than anything I'd played before. I cannot wait to play this again. Ocarina is my most replayed game of all time, and I suspect I'll be going through the remake more than a few times!

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Humming or playing an actual ocarina to activate the in-game ocarna is such a Nintendo thing. I probably won't do it, but I love that it exists.

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

As similar as they look, the locations don't appear to be exact 1:1 recreations like the 3DS version. Really looking forward to exploring this Hyrule for the first time again

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Have I been saying Saria wrong since 1998? I've been saying suh-RIA, not SAR-ia

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Genuine 'Oh Wow!' burst from my lips as soon as Kokiri Forest came on screen

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

The music of this series will never fail to bring goosebumps to my skin, especially performed by an orchestra

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

[Switching to Fanboy Mode. Mode activated] [Optimising hot/lukewarm take generator] [Lowering expectations... CRITICAL FAILURE]

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Free Q update, with John De Lancie? That's just bumped Voyager further up my wishlist. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uPt...

youtube.com

Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown - Official Q Trials Announcement Trailer

YouTube video by IGN

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Happy Zelda Day, everyone! Quick, what's your wildest predictions? E.g. Grezzo's next 2D remake is Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, tuned to be a Souls-like

static.klipy.com

Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link NES Gameplay

ALT: Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link NES Gameplay

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Reposted by James Batchelor

Digital Bandidos | Wishlist CURSE OF RESTHAVEN @digitalbandidos.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

“Your calm mind is the ultimate weapon against your challenges. So relax.” ― Bryant McGil (Actually, Bryant, we'd argue the flamethrower is ultimate weapon. Still relaxing, mind you) #MondayMotivation #FroggyHatesSnow

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Finally ready for the final mission of Horizon Forbidden West. As with the original, I both do and don't want this game to end

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

My son keeps calling this guy Richard. Richard & Clank. I've given up correcting him.

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Happy #readabookday - got a couple of fairly obvious (and utterly shameless) recommendations for you here. (Also, isn't every day Read A Book Day?)

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Reposted by James Batchelor

Digital Bandidos | Wishlist CURSE OF RESTHAVEN @digitalbandidos.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Curse of Resthaven is tantalisingly close to a key wishlists milestone. Go support the fine folks at @playhilltop.bsky.social by adding this gothic narrative roguelite to your wishlist (and don't forget to try the demo!) bit.ly/WishlistRest...

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

My son finally asked to play something new, specifically Ratchet & Clank. I've been waiting for this!

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James Batchelor @jamesbatchelor.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Still catching up on various takes on the GTA 6 reveal via podcasts. Weirdly, it's still not making me excited about the game - but it is tempting me to replay GTA 5. Haven't even touched it since 2013, despite somehow owning the PS5 version. Worth revisiting?

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