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Sam Nelson

@samanthanelson.bsky.social
1.1K followers 716 following 1K posts

Covering entertainment and games at Polygon and food and drinks for the Chicago Tribune.

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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I predict that the Lanterns finale begins in 2006 showing Hal taking down Simestro and how that affected him so deeply he hasn’t backed up his memory since.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
One of the coolest things I've ever gotten to do professionally was visit the set of Zach Cregger's Resident Evil. Here's what I learned and what it smelled like. www.polygon.com/resident-evi...
polygon.com
How Zach Cregger Pulled Off Resident Evil’s Most Disgusting Scenes
Making the horror movie involved 50 gallons of fake blood and a lot of cleanup
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
A Popeye’s just opened at the train station in Rome but they don’t serve biscuits and I would like to complain to whatever execs decided not to share America’s best bread with the world.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I got to speak to Poorna Jagannathan and Garret Dillahunt about the wild episode 5 and what the Macons were thinking. www.polygon.com/lanterns-epi...
polygon.com
The Cast of HBO's 'Lanterns' Breaks Down That Shocking Villain Twist
“The core of me is still an outsider.”
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
One of the amazing things about Amsterdam is you can get this experience everywhere. Yes, I can still go to the grocery store and use self checkout or even order groceries delivered but I can also get samples and recommendations at the cheesemonger, baker and butcher nearby.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
I just got my Essen Spiel credentials so if you're going to be there hit me up!
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
I get that living in New York is expensive but playing Magic: The Gathering as an affordable way to have fun is one of the funniest things I have ever read. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/19/n...
nytimes.com
‘I’ve Hit My Limit’: Some New Yorkers Opt for Fun at Home to Save Money
When wages are low and activities are pricey, the frugal find new ways of socializing.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
I'm putting together a guide to the most anticipated board games for the rest of 2026 but it is infuriatingly hard to actually find release dates. If you're a board game maker or an enthusiast let me know what you're excited about.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Kevin: Was the plot of The Fantastic Four: First Steps that Galactus wants to eat their baby? Me: No, he wanted their baby to be his heir and was going to eat every other baby on Earth if that didn't happen.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
I wrote an article about cyberpunk books you can read before watching Neuromancer on Apple TV. The lead explains how Neuromancer defined the genre and you should go read it before January and then check out some other books on the list. So of course the comments are "Where's Neuromancer?"
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
The most absurd part of this absurd story is what he’s apparently spending that money on.
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Renee Sogueco @reneesogueco.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
“At a time when gaming success stories are hard to come by, these partnerships offer a bit of hope for the industry." Huge thanks to @samanthanelson.bsky.social, Hristo, Julian, and Isaac for such a great conversation about collaboration, especially on Frosthaven. 📰 www.polygon.com/gloomhaven-x...
polygon.com
XCOM and Gloomhaven's creators say video game and tabletop collabs can save the industry
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
When @felicia.day got a call asking if she would reboot The Guild with a new, younger cast, she was so angry she decided to turn to Kickstarter to fund the continuation of her hit web series she wanted to make. The campaign has already raised nearly $3 million. www.polygon.com/felicia-day-...
polygon.com
Felicia Day is making The Guild movie to spite Hollywood: 'I’m very used to being rejected'
The actress, content creator, and author has abandoned her dreams of stardom and is focusing on connecting with fans.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
My brother is a journalism professor so I think I could do OK but my sister is an estate lawyer working for my dad so I’d both be incompetent and cause an enormous family incident.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
The real tragedy here is that Seth Meyers will no longer be able to do his phenomenal Lindsey Graham impression. I hope all the obituaries treat him the same way as this 2020 profile, which pointed out he was the political equivalent of a remora. share.google/KXISFydNZDBe...
share.google
How Lindsey Graham Lost His Way
Lindsey Graham, the Senator from South Carolina, has gone from respected bipartisan Republican to blind Trump loyalist. What happened?
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Chicago-style is fun but the real hero is the sport pepper.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Living in the Netherlands rules. There’s a little America district rapidly forming here. Lines were out the door at the American bakery that made lemonade, Rice Krispie treats and peanut butter pie for July 4.
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Dovewoman 💙 🇺🇦 💙 @dovewoman.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Getting tons of emails about both SDCC and Gen Con is giving me maximum FOMO.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
I'm in the airport waiting to fly home from my first time covering Annecy Festival. It was absolutely incredible and you can see my coverage here: www.polygon.com/2026-annecy-...
polygon.com
The biggest news and reveals from Annecy Animation Festival
Cartoon cartoon
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
I'm covering Annecy for @polygon.com and didn't realize how fairy tale beautiful this place is. I'm super excited for everything I'm going to get to see and everyone I'm going to be interviewing but if you've got any opportunities I should know about hit me up!
Three swans in a lake in Annecy.A view of the lake and mountains of Annecy.A view of the lake and mountains in Annecy.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Discovered my parents didn’t know what Slack was and tried to explain it to them and regretted it immediately.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Such a treat to get to talk to @jasonbulmahn.bsky.social and @joeadultman.bsky.social about @paizo.com's upcoming rules-light horror game 13 Omens. Be prepared for a lot of character death. www.polygon.com/paizo-new-ho...
polygon.com
A new horror game from D&D's biggest rival builds dread through dice rolls
Paizo's 13 Omens is meant to be the opposite of Pathfinder, providing an easy to pick-up experience perfect for one-shots.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Stephen Colbert gave a commencement address at Northwestern where he said "Follow your dreams. But what if your dreams are stupid?" His message was that it's OK for your dreams to change over time, for you to grow up and decide you want different things. I think about that that advice a lot.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
I started reading Dungeon Crawler Carl and I thought I would like it because I love many forms of dungeon crawling games but mostly I enjoy it because there is a cat.
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Ravenous @weareravenous.com · 06/04/2026
We are Ravenous — food media with teeth. Ravenous is worker-owned food and culture media company founded by @francesdoingthings.bsky.social, @aemccarthy.bsky.social, @jayasaxena.com, @shokdiesel.bsky.social, and @thecourtneyesmith.bsky.social.
weareravenous.com
Ravenous Is a New Worker-Owned Food Culture Media Company
For too long, food media has felt toothless. Help us take a bite out of it.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
New Carl Hiassen villain just dropped. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Social media influencer Clavicular arrested in Florida on battery charges
‘Looksmaxxer’ influencer and his girlfriend are suspected of involvement in attack on 19-year-old woman, officials say
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
This weekend was a Magic: The Gathering prerelease, early access for the new World of Warcraft expansion, and a Pokemon Go tour and I'm very glad to have had all of those distractions.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Anyone I know still playing WoW or getting back into it for Midnight? I'm returning after taking two expansions off and looking for people to play with once I figure out how to play again.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
The Trump administration worked so hard to tank the Netflix Warner Bros. deal I wouldn't be surprised if one of the conditions of Paramount's purchase is that Trump gets to appear in every DC movie like Stan Lee did for Marvel.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Old Oak Games founder Emmet Byrne is hoping to get more people to try Legend in the Mist by moving his D&D system to the more narrative game. www.polygon.com/beyond-the-w...
polygon.com
Love Elden Ring? This hit dark fantasy setting is leaving D&D behind
A successful Irish folklore-inspired setting is pivoting to a new TTRPG system
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
The Game of Thrones finale was terrible, but it did draw on George R.R. Martin's career-spanning obsession with the power of stories. That theme is much better conveyed in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, where it's women into the drama and humor.
polygon.com
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms redeems Game of Thrones' flawed finale message
The Game of Thrones prequel is a better proof of the power of stories than the show that ended with a monologue about the power of stories.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
I made steak for Valentine’s Day dinner and now I’m watching Ready or Not.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
Playing Draw Steel and the fact that War Dogs explode on death makes them the meanest low level enemies since the exploding skeletons of D&D 4E.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
I'm trying to give indie TTRPGs some love on Polygon but it's tough because they don't do the sort of traffic as D&D stories. But one of the best part of my job is talking to game developers about their passion for the hobby. Here's a piece on Nimble: www.polygon.com/nimble-dunge...
polygon.com
D&D alternative Nimble returns to Kickstarter with a big expansion
Designer Evan Diaz talks about respecting everyone's time and making memories
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
I love that my job sometimes involves an editor coming to me like J. Jonah Jameson demanding a story about Spider-Man. Spider-Noir looks like it's going to be really weird and I am excited about it. www.polygon.com/spider-noir-...
polygon.com
Spider-Noir won't be Peter Parker in the upcoming Nicolas Cage show
The new Spider-Noir series made major changes to the character's comics background to give him a darker origin story.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
I woke up from an anxiety dream and then started reading the news on my phone like that was a smart thing to do. Going to yoga to try to get my brain back in check.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
There’s a play called I Never Saw Another Butterfly based on the art and writing of children kept at the Terezin Concentration Camp during WWII. I wonder if it will have a revival or someone will just write the American version.
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Jacob Oller @jacoboller.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Extremely exciting news: We're hiring a full-time film critic to come work with me at The A.V. Club! You probably have an idea if you're qualified for this, but if there's something that's not in the job listing, I'm sure I can answer Qs www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/43...
linkedin.com
The A.V. Club hiring Film Critic in Greater Chicago Area | LinkedIn
Posted 8:42:22 PM. The A.V. Club is seeking an experienced Film Critic to join our team of trenchant writers and…See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Me playing a platformer.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
I wrote a very silly story. This is NSFW! www.polygon.com/big-dongs-mo...
polygon.com
Full frontal male nudity is having a major mainstream media moment
In a sign that taboos may be shrinking, Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, and The Pitt all put penises on the screen.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Playing a D&D one-shot where all our characters had dark secrets and two of us confessed ours over the course of the game which meant that we fought fewer skeletons in the final boss fight because we banished the skeletons in our closets. 😅
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
I worked at Blockbuster in college. Dogville was on our loop but the clips they showed didn’t make it clear what a weird movie it was. Then people rented it and returned it complaining “the sets were missing.” After I got a job editing and quit my manager was arrested for embezzlement.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
I get to live in the Netherlands because of the Dutch American Friendship Treaty and I'm a little worried that if the U.S. invades Greenland I'm going to get unfriended and I really don't want to go back. I still have two years until I can apply for permanent residency.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Eddie Munson was a great Dungeon Master, but Mike's games have had a lot of problems since season 1. Here are some tips for running better games that put characters at the center. www.polygon.com/stranger-thi...
polygon.com
Stranger Things' emotional ending is undermined by one brutal truth: Mike is a bad Dungeon Master
Mike's flaws as a DM parallel some of the show's biggest storytelling mistakes
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Rodrigo is one of the best game masters out there. Check out his new show.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Invading another country to steal it's resources is abhorent but what's wild is that the U.S. is barely going to benefit from Venezualen oil. Oil prices are going down because of clean energy. More oil will hurt U.S. producers who will just stop drilling and the cost of gas will remain stable.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
When I tell my husband I have to work late on Jan. 2 to write a story about Stranger Things I feel exactly like Seth Rogen in The Studio interrupting his date because he has to sign off on fart jokes.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
My friends invited me to go see a screening of Only Lovers Left Alive introduced by Tilda Swinton today assuming I had the day off but I told them I sadly have to spend the rest of the day writing about Stranger Things. Now they're distracting me by complaining about plot holes in the finale.
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Sam Nelson @samanthanelson.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
Happy New Year from Amsterdam where the whole city smells like smoke from all the amateur fireworks that have been going off for hours.
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