iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 3h

This is worth reading - and a great closer from Alex here 👇

"For readers, that means diversifying their reading habits, turning off adblock on their favorite sites, or supporting them directly. To the industry the argument is simpler still: sites that are well supported by development, publishing and comms apparatus in terms of opportunities and spend will thrive. As imperfect as games media can be, the old adage is true: you don't know what you've got until it's gone."

1115

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 06/10/2026

This could actually be a big deal:

The deal will mean only Xbox Cloud Gaming can stream Grand Theft Auto VI to players at launch, but it’s not clear how long the agreement will be in place. Rockstar Games still hasn’t announced a PC version of Grand Theft Auto VI, so this deal will allow Xbox to market its Xbox Cloud Gaming service to PC players who would otherwise need an Xbox Series X / S or PS5 console.

11439

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 04/10/2026

On hindsight, this was a stupid place to save before not touching the game for a few months

4230

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 02/10/2026

New Edge magazine day, with Final Fantasy VII Revelation on the cover 😍

A copy of Edge 420 featuring Cloud Strife with his back turned on a wooden desk.

2181

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 27/09/2026

This was *so* good. An orchestra playing Bonetrousle and Spider Dance? Perfection.

Outside the Hammersmith Apollo with a sign saying 'Undertale in Concert'

A picture of the stage at Undertale in Concert

061

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 16/09/2026

Aniimo also marks the first major non-Pokémon game covered on @onemorecatch.site! Lots on the site this morning, with more to come: www.onemorecatch.site/aniimo/

The home page for One More Catch showing various Aniimo coverage

011

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 10/09/2026

Couldn't get the Special Edition, but this will do nicely:

A screenshot from a Nintendo Store order with the text:

Samus amiibo (Metroid Ravenous)

£16.99

Qty:1

Chozo Statue amiibo (Metroid Ravenous)

£33.99

Qty:1

190

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 08/09/2026

We had Celda, now it's time for Gelda

A soggy Young Link staring just off camera in Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Switch 2

140

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 02/09/2026

The Mario Kart 8 UI being retrofitted for eight players is hilarious. smol kart

The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe character select screen showing eight tiny players around a grid of characters

1110

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 30/08/2026

Keep seeing variations of this since the Tarnished Edition came out and I think it’s beautiful www.reddit.com/r/Eldenring/...

A screenshot from Reddit with a picture of a TV playing Elden Ring with the text: Just bought Elden ring, opened a random chest and was teleported to an area that is way too powerful for me with no way out

1422317

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 28/08/2026

Not confirmed numbers, but some interesting estimates of how much the GTA VI trailer might have cost Netflix (via today's VGIM): www.videogamesindustrymemo.com/p/gaming-for...

Grand Theft Arrival: The obvious, ginormous video game news is that Netflix and Rockstar's much-anticipated showcase for Grand Theft Auto VI was unveiled last night. Excited viewers watched 26 minutes of in-engine footage featuring the things the series is known for: guns, cars, crime, and an almost religious fervour for graphical fidelity. Although the trailer was interesting, previews in publications like IGN revealed actual game mechanics like a dynamic relationship system between the two main protagonists, Jason and Lucia, and a more complex wanted system.
Gamescom also proved fertile ground for estimates on how much Netflix paid Rockstar to host its trailer. Estimates ranged from low millions to a high eight-figure total. Do feel free to get in touch if you actually know the magic number.

120

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 26/08/2026

Scopely Explore confirms that high speed play indeed only works by train, and that's because it uses map data to work out whether the player is on a railway line:

"In Asia, where many players commute to school or work by train, we came up with this feature to provide a more enjoyable and complete gameplay experience," read the statement.

"Technically, the game compares the player’s location data with map data to determine whether they are on a railway line. If so, when checking their speed, the game also asks them to confirm that they are not a driver. Only then are the usual gameplay restrictions relaxed.

"Because this feature involves safety, we use both technical detection and user confirmation rather than relying solely on one method."

000

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 26/08/2026

Love that today’s VGIM has a section on The Corkonian 🇬🇧🫡 open.substack.com/pub/videogam...

Group dynamics: But the Corky l
as a particular magic for the UK games industry. According to people in the know (the bar staff), the pub is only this busy during gamescom. None of the other massive conferences in Cologne attracts
anywhere near as much footfall through the pub's doors. So, why do so many people from the UK industry gravitate towards it? Partly, it's

190

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 20/08/2026

Well, I'd rather this asset placeholder than AI

A screenshot from Fortnite's Override season with a prompt saying 'Big Fish - Makes all fishing holes golden!' and a blank asset with the text 'Placeholder Cartridge Icon'

090

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 13/08/2026

Going to give the Oxenfree soundtrack a big ol’ listen tonight.

A screenshot of the Oxenfree soundtrack by scntfc on Apple Music

040

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 05/08/2026

New Edge magazine day, with Blood Message by @netease.bsky.social on the cover 🩸

150

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 05/08/2026

Happy Pokémon Pokopia DLC day! Here's how to start the Bubbly Basin DLC: www.nintendolife.com/guides/pokem... And here's how to learn Dive, which is free for all players: www.nintendolife.com/guides/pokem...

A screenshot of Ditto on floating blocks in Pokopia's Bubbly Basin DLC.

051

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 23/07/2026

I know this website skews American, but I wanted to reply with a Martin Lewis gif and disappointedly could not

A search of Bluesky's GIF feature for Martin Lewis and it not coming up with the man himself (of Money Saving Expert)

030

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 22/07/2026

A heads up that The Duskbloods Network Test sign ups are now open! PSA: If you come across an error message, make sure you open the dropdown menu on Nintendo's website and tick the 'Country/region setting' along the way 👍 More details on the Network Test here: www.nintendolife.com/guides/duskb...

A screenshot of the Nintendo website when linking up to the Duskbloods Network Test, with the text:

Information shared with this service
^ View/Edit
Crazyreyn
Country/region setting
Country/region setting
Your country/region setting will be shared,
The service with which your information is shared will handle your information in accordance with its privacy policy and user agreement. Note that the service may combine the shared information with other information they hold about you.

000

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 15/07/2026

My first day of Develop… I’m ready

A chalkboard sign saying Virtual Reality £2 only

1100

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 11/07/2026

A busy One More Catch home page for Pokémon Go Fest Global this weekend! www.onemorecatch.site

A screenshot of the website One More Catch, with the lead article headline reading: Your guide to Pokémon Go Fest Global 2026

052

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 08/07/2026

chef's kiss for this strapline www.eurogamer.net/minecraft-pr...

A Eurogamer headline reading '17 years later, Minecraft is finally adding somewhere to sit' with the strapline 'Something for the weak end.', written by Matt Wales, News Reporter on July 8, 2026

090

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 08/07/2026

New Edge magazine day, with 1666: Amsterdam by @panachedgames.bsky.social on the cover 🐈‍⬛

040

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 07/07/2026

Something in yesterday's Pokémon Go anniversary feature was a reminder of how *massive* it was in 2016. Here's a Google Trends graph with it towering over every other big game from the past decade, if only for a moment: www.onemorecatch.site/pokemon-go-l...

A graph from Google Trends comparing searches for various video games, with Pokémon Go in blue

4154

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 06/07/2026

Pokémon Go was released on 6th July, 2016, meaning it's officially a decade old today - and One More Catch has some features to celebrate! 🎉 🧵

161

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 30/06/2026

I’m sorry but how can you dislike this game

1131

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 26/06/2026

Much preferred the option without a controller, but I'll take it

A screenshot from an email that reads:

Hello
You're officially in the reservation queue for Steam Machine 512GB with Controller
When your Steam Machine 512GB with Controller becomes available, we will send you a separate email with the option to purchase. You'll then have 3 days to complete the purchase before we cancel your reservation and move on to the next person in the queue.
This is the only email you will receive about the results of the randomization. If you ended up with a reservation queue spot for more than one model, you were allocated a reservation for the highest end model, and were removed from all the others.

160

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 25/06/2026

Lovely new games publication alert (straypixels.co.uk, Wales-based, £4 a copy) 😍

The front cover of a magazine, Stray Pixels, on a table.

A copy of a magazine, Stray Pixels, open on a table, the left page with text and the right with a grid of pixel art.

061

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 21/06/2026

Happy Father’s Day from my monochrome son

0301

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 09/06/2026

I haven't played the original Xenoblade Chronicles, but is ‘world-changing whatchamajig’ the name of an actual quest? www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/...

Text on the Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition product page on Nintendo.co.uk that reads:

Get set for the Ether Jet
Traverse the vast worlds of the Bionis and the Mechonis at high-speed using the new Ether Jet vehicle. As well as providing a faster mode of transportation in both the main adventure and Xenoblade Chronicles: Future Connected, you can also take part in the Nopon Grand Prix, competing in timed and score-based races throughout the open world.

The Ether Jet can be unlocked by completing the quest ‘world-changing whatchamajig’ that appears from Chapter 4 onwards.

150

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 28/05/2026

Some news - I’ve joined the Nintendo Life team as Acting Deputy Editor! I'm covering for Alana while she's out on maternity leave, and looking forward to helping out across the site over the year ahead (including tinkering away at guides as always 😍)

4322310

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 27/05/2026

In the UK it’s £649 and £779 🫠 (launched at £479 / £569)

A Steam Deck 512GB OLED listing for £649

571

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 27/05/2026

Google, you've done it again

A Google search box which reads ‘venom 2 star fox’ and an Al Mode response saying:

Venom 2 (officially Venom: Let There Be Carnage) and Starfox (Eros) do not share a direct connection. Venom 2 is a Sony Pictures film focused on the symbiotic antihero, while Starfox is a cosmic Marvel character who made his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut in

Breaking down the confusion
Fans often conflate these properties because of the sprawling Marvel movie rights and overlapping post-credits scenes. The breakdown below explains how the confusion likely…

2100

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 21/05/2026

Right, let's give this a go then:

The main menu for Star Fox 64 with the text Main Game, Training, VS., Ranking, Sound, Data.

290

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 13/05/2026

Good news everyone. Pokémon Champions's new battle pass has another trilby as the end reward 🙏 www.onemorecatch.site/pokemon-cham...

A Pokémon Trainer wearing a trilby in the Pokémon Champions M-2 battle pass. hashtag blessed

250

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 11/05/2026

This month’s Edge magazine is an AI special. (Plus, three 9/10s this issue!)

0141

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 30/04/2026

Big fan of Monster Crown: Sin Eater's trippy title screen:

062

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 28/04/2026

The early bird catches the Orthworm: www.onemorecatch.site/pokemon-go-o...

A split screenshot showing Orthworm in a Pokémon Go raid, with the text '16153 CP' on the left.

070

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 19/04/2026

Rediscovering the Star Fox back catalogue and starting with a classic.

The title screen for Starfox Adventures, featuring a fox, Fox McCloud, in a pilot's seat.

2130

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 17/04/2026

Had a lovely time at New Game Plus yesterday - great to catch up with folks, add a couple of games to the wishlist, and see a UK event so well attended (on a Thursday no less!)

290

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 13/04/2026

Yes! It increases the catch rate by 1.7x. The trick is to hold and spin the ball before throwing so you can time it right. Takes practice, but the bonus is worth it:

200

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 10/04/2026

Pokémon Champions on Switch 2 has a weird bug where removing then reinserting the system from the dock gives the game a resolution boost. I asked Digital Foundry's @cataferal.bsky.social what's going on: www.onemorecatch.site/pokemon-cham...

0215

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 09/04/2026

Appalling. How is this allowed? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

More than 20,000 students have been told they were given maintenance loans and grants in error and now face demands to immediately pay the money back.

The students, who are all studying weekend courses, received letters from the Student Loans Company (SLC) or their university saying their courses had never been eligible for maintenance loans or childcare grants.

One letter, from the SLC and seen by the BBC, says the student's university provided incorrect information and "unfortunately, they didn't tell us you only attended on the weekend".

It states that any "over-payment" will have to be repaid.

The BBC understands courses at 15 universities and colleges including London Met, Bath Spa, Leeds Trinity, Southampton Solent and Oxford Brookes are affected.

050

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 08/04/2026

Love how Pokémon Champions' take on the sought-after cosmetic at the end of a Battle Pass is a trilby

A screen of the Pokémon Champions battle pass, showing the Striped Trilby White item

071

Matthew Reynolds @mattreyn.games · 02/04/2026

Lovely homepage ahead of the long weekend.

The home page for website One More Catch, with the lead story headlined: "Playing Pokémon Champions next week? Start transferring from Pokémon Go now"

1266