iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

For Campaign Mode: Gears of War: E-Day is a fantastic time, and easily the best game The Coalition has made. In the wider context of launching something as an Xbox studio, I truly hope that means something. campaign-mode.ghost.io/gears-of-war...

campaign-mode.ghost.io

Gears of War: E-Day is a series-best showpiece, and I hope that means something

My thoughts on Gears of War: E-Day's expansive campaign.

0105

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I first followed you because you talked about and worked on Dishonored, and you've just been cool to follow/talk with online ever since.

020

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

My real start came at AC and its sister sites shortly after. I learned so much from @carlivelocci.com and @jenlocke.bsky.social being patient with me and showing me the ropes. It was a really good, tight-knit crew. This is rough to see.

040

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

campaign-mode.ghost.io

Gears of War: E-Day is a series-best showpiece, and I hope that means something

My thoughts on Gears of War: E-Day's expansive campaign.

0105

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Be there for people. Say something when needed, no matter how uncomfortable. Push back, be the change. I'm sorry for absolutely every survivor of the worst of what this world is. You have all my support. If I'm ever at an event and you need help or just a vibe check, please ask away.

170

Reposted by Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻

Bat-Tali 🦇🎃 (Vancouver era ✨) @talidev3d.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I want to say it cannot be said enough how important it is for other men to say things about this shit. In the moment, or ASAP My first ever game dev event I was sexually harassed (assaulted?) by a Sony exec while all of my coworkers saw and said nothing Please say something, for people that can't

1740396

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

If you have the ability and want to donate or tip me, I do have a Ko-Fi. Any support is seriously appreciated right now. ko-fi.com/samtolbert48...

ko-fi.com

Support Samuel Tolbert

010

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Since this topic is going around, I'll say again, it's been an extremely hard year for me on the freelance side since I was cut from my main gig. I love writing, that's why I've poured so much into starting my newsletter. If you want to help, please feel free to sign up, it's still free right now.

251

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Redeeming the disc for Middle-earth: Shadow of War on my Series X, then seeing it available to install on my PC, is very, very cool.

000

Reposted by Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻

Cj Says: Racism is scarier than anything 🎃🦇👻 @cynicalceezy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

ICYMI: I wrote about Crucible, embracing failure and how building out my Guardian helped me earn my first title in any video game.

134

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I had this happen a few months ago, and unfortunately it was the first sign of my mouse failing. (I'd had the thing for almost a decade, I can't complain, but still)

001

Reposted by Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

New on Campaign Mode -- I played a ton of Control Resonant and Total War: Warhammer 3's new expansion over the weekend, and so far, I'm really enjoying both! campaign-mode.ghost.io/a-weekend-sp...

campaign-mode.ghost.io

A weekend spent with Control Resonant and Total War: Warhammer 3's new DLC

Some thoughts and impressions of Control Resonant, as well as Total War: Warhammer 3's Lords of the End Times DLC.

062

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The writing is absolutely Peak Flanagan but when that finale finally pops off, WHEW.

120

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

New on Campaign Mode -- I played a ton of Control Resonant and Total War: Warhammer 3's new expansion over the weekend, and so far, I'm really enjoying both! campaign-mode.ghost.io/a-weekend-sp...

campaign-mode.ghost.io

A weekend spent with Control Resonant and Total War: Warhammer 3's new DLC

Some thoughts and impressions of Control Resonant, as well as Total War: Warhammer 3's Lords of the End Times DLC.

062

Reposted by Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Weekend Campaign Mode! I had a great conversation with some folks at Blizzard Entertainment who shared details on the huge union contract they recently ratified, getting recall rights, having a say in AI usage, the general vibe at the studio, and what's next. campaign-mode.ghost.io/it-is-a-real...

campaign-mode.ghost.io

'It is a really good time to be at Blizzard' — devs talk ratifying union contract and what's next

Blizzard Entertainment developers talk ratifying a huge union contract and what's next.

185

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

If you appreciate the work I'm doing, please sign up with your email and feel free to kick a coffee or two my way. I could definitely use the support. ko-fi.com/samtolbert48...

ko-fi.com

Support Samuel Tolbert

021

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

campaign-mode.ghost.io

'It is a really good time to be at Blizzard' — devs talk ratifying union contract and what's next

Blizzard Entertainment developers talk ratifying a huge union contract and what's next.

185

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

If you haven't already, please subscribe to my newsletter! I'm doing this for free right now just to keep being creative and writing, but I'm still looking for work, so if you like what I'm doing, feel free to throw some support my way, I could certainly use it. ko-fi.com/samtolbert48...

ko-fi.com

Support Samuel Tolbert

001

Reposted by Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Double-feature for Campaign Mode today! I previewed The Viking Sagas DLC for Age of Empires 2, which adds a bunch of new northern factions and a campaign focused on the life of Harald Hardrada. Plus, impressions of Warcraft 3's new Forsaken Kingdom DLC. campaign-mode.ghost.io/decades-late...

campaign-mode.ghost.io

Decades later, Age of Empires 2 and Warcraft 3 are still growing with Vikings and Undead

Hi there! Age of Empires 2 and Warcraft 3 are two of the most important and influential strategy games ever created, so it's pretty cool that over the past few days, I've been getting a double portion...

1217

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

No secret that I love Viking/Old Norse history and Harald is such a fascinating, tragic figure. Love that he's getting the focus for an expansive campaign here. Had to bust this out to verify a couple of things, too:

A red book titled "Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway" by Snorri Sturluson.

110

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Age of Empires 2 and Warcraft 3 are both such pivotal, important RTS games, it's really cool and special to me that both are still going strong with new DLC right now.

140

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

campaign-mode.ghost.io

Decades later, Age of Empires 2 and Warcraft 3 are still growing with Vikings and Undead

1217

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I think it's easy, and understandable, to be cynical about a lot right now. But for me, it was very cool to watch some big announcements out of Blizzard today and know that the teams behind it all recently achieved a major ratified union contract. campaign-mode.ghost.io/blizzard-off...

campaign-mode.ghost.io

Blizzard officially reveals a new Diablo game and a StarCraft shooter...coming in 2029 and 2030

Blizzard announced a new Diablo game and a StarCraft shooter, though both are years away.

040

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Said it for 2025, I'll say it for 5786: it's been a really rough year for me. A lot of hurt, a lot of struggle. Feels like a thousand wounds are opened before one is healed. But I'm still here. May the next year be significantly sweeter. Shanah Tovah, y'all. שנה טובה

171

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Maybe every couple of months Snow just gets sick and tired of it and hits him with a fire hose.

010

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Well, maybe more of a wet dog, but still.

Bigby Wolf from The Wolf Among Us, smoking a cigarette in the rain.

100

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Some thoughts on the two recent Nintendo Directs and how I'm excited for both the Ocarina of Time remake and Metroid Ravenous. I just wish the latter wasn't launching the same day as Until Dawn 2, especially how packed the following weeks into February look. campaign-mode.ghost.io/nintendo-bri...

campaign-mode.ghost.io

Nintendo brings Metroid and Zelda across two Directs, plus, a January problem

Thoughts on two recent Nintendo Directs, featuring The Legend of Zelda and Metroid.

040

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Ocarina of Time was the first Zelda game I ever played. Didn't even really know what I was doing a long while, I played at a friend's house in increments. But I still loved it. I'm so excited to go back.

Link riding the horse Epona in the Ocarina of Time remake, as she stops to drink at a brook.

The water temple in the Ocarina of Time remake.

A Great Fairy in the Ocarina of Time remake. 😳

Link riding the horse Epona in the Ocarina of Time remake, looking at Death Mountain.

010

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

If I lived in Hyrule Castle Town and was emotionally exhausted, struggling to fall asleep, only to finally drift off just as Link plays his little Sun Song, I'd be beating him over the head with that ocarina, I promise.

081

Reposted by Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

We're in September now, so a good time for me to put out a call and say if you don't have all your outlet's game reviews sorted for the next couple of months, I'm ready and available to help, let's get in touch. Also, frankly, I could really use the work.

0107

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

0107

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

ICYMI: I'm really, really liking Star Wars: Zero Company.

041

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Me: "So obviously, bounty hunting is problematic if you think about it from an Oppo Rancisis textual way..." Lady Mandalorian: "Lemme join and hunt people." Me: "Absolutely, I'm at your service."

120

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I somewhat wrote about this yesterday but at least so far it's a compelling case for "the formula works, focus on the tiny details and don't reinvent the wheel."

010

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Put some respect on my mans Teemto Pagalies and Dud Bolt.

110

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Happy Friday! New piece for the weekend. Almost 10 hours in, I'm really enjoying Star Wars: Zero Company. It's not shocking me, but it absolutely nails the strategy formula and is filled with tons of care for its greater universe without feeling forced. campaign-mode.ghost.io/nearly-10-ho...

campaign-mode.ghost.io

Nearly 10 hours in, Star Wars: Zero Company has the strategy sauce

Nearly 10 hours in, some early thoughts on Star Wars: Zero Company and how it nails strategy gameplay.

162

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Plenty of people quite rightfully reminiscing on Tim Curry's myriad starring roles, but I'll always be particularly fond of his voice acting for Arl Howe in Dragon Age: Origins. A sneering, contemptuous antagonist that you just love to hate, Curry gave him pure venom.

Arl Howe in Dragon Age: Origins, saying "Even the Wardens are gone. You're the last of nothing. This is pointless. You've lost." the subtitles are extremely tiny, look, this game was well prior to accessibility standards in gaming and I hadn't found a good font size mod when I took this screenshot.

0145

Reposted by Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Double-feature for Campaign Mode today! Some thoughts on the Gamescom 2026 showcase, plus, hands-on impressions of Gears of War: E-Day's campaign. campaign-mode.ghost.io/hands-ongear...

campaign-mode.ghost.io

Gamescom 2026 brings trailers, plus, hands-on with Gears of War: E-Day's wide-ranging campaign

Thoughts on Gamescom 2026, as well as hands-on impressions of Gears of War: E-Day's campaign mode.

041

Samhain Tolbert 🐺👻 @samueltolbert.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

When everything appears dour and the monsters without are once again a reflection of humanity's monsters within, but the LELELELELE starts in the soundtrack.

The meme of someone turning the volume to 10 as a kid celebrates in joy wearing headphones.

010