iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Steven Messner

Wes Fenlon @wes.readonlymemo.com · 28/06/2026

Remember the internet before Google, before algorithmic feeds, before monolithic social media corralled us onto the same handful of apps? When small, *personal websites* and webrings linking them together reigned supreme? Time to bring it back.

readonlymemo.com

Introducing Warp Point, a Web 1.0 gaming blog directory built for 2026

It's a webring! And a website!

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

You've all heard of or played Friendslop, sure. But today I want to show you something special... *Rips tarp off of $90 AAA social game* This. Is. Friendswank.

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The Spaceshipper 🚀 @thespaceshipper.com · 24/05/2026

Hardspace: Shipbreaker was released 4 years ago today. Last year, @bbigames.bsky.social reached an agreement with Focus Entertainment, their publishing partner, to reacquire full ownership of the Hardspace: Shipbreaker intellectual property. And they're now working on "new Hardspace experiences." 🚀

A colorful digital illustration by Jude Smith from the video game "Hardspace: Shipbreaker" features a lone astronaut in a yellow and black spacesuit floating in front of a massive, partially destroyed spaceship. The astronaut is actively working with a tool in their right hand, seemingly cutting or dismantling the ship, as sparks and debris fly around them. Bright orange explosions and fiery bursts are visible around the spaceship, indicating ongoing demolition or damage.

The spaceship itself is a colossal, blocky structure with various modules, some intact and some heavily damaged, exposing internal components and glowing hot metal. Its colors are predominantly dark grey, red, and yellow.

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Alex Delamaire @alexdlmr.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Deep dive into a game @stevenmessner.bsky.social, the @bbigames.bsky.social team, and myself proudly helped with - by one of the finest purveyors of sci-fi content ❤️ Now to get the talented folks at @softrains.bsky.social one of those #CanadianGameAwards🍁🏆 they are nominated for 😉

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

I've already been enjoying Marathon immensely, but knowing that Brian and Jason worked on its narrative has me a billion times more hyped!

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

The Marathon discourse sure is exhausting, huh.

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Can someone explain to me why VR has such a distinct smell

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Finally watches 28 Years Later. Had held off because it was so divisive, but I ended up enjoying it a lot -- especially because it's such a fever dream that takes some wild risks. I get why some people bounced off, though. Really excited to watch Bone Temple next.

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Not having paid much attention to it since I left journalism (but having read all the latest), my instinct is to just feel sad for everyone involved. The players AND the devs. I'm not saying "told you so" because my reporting at the time was heavily anchored in it barely having playable software...

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

A moment of silent prayer for all those who have to watch a movie with their family on a TV that has motion smoothing enabled... 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

I've been a big fan of EVERSPACE 2 since it launched in Early Access all those years ago, so being able to bundle it with Hardspace: Shipbreaker is a big treat. And with both games discounted during the Steam Winter Sale, I'm excited for all the new players that'll get to play such awesome games!

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

It wasn't framed as a question but I had a friend who thought my job was to make posters for games. That was the depth of his knowledge about game marketing, I guess.

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Just shovelled a foot of snow off the walks which, coincidentally, was the last quest I needed to complete my Seasonal Depression battle pass!

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Alex Delamaire @alexdlmr.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

ICYMI #AmbrosiaSky🪐 - ACT ONE from our friends at @softrains.bsky.social just launched last week, with @bbigames.bsky.social lending a hand here & there!

youtube.com

Ambrosia Sky 🪐 | Launch Trailer

YouTube video by Soft Rains Games

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Ambrosia Sky 🪐 @softrains.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

ICYMI ✨ Ambrosia Sky: Act One is now available! Don't miss out on the launch week discount (15%!) or pick up the soundtrack at the same time for a bigger discount. (20%!) For more info on our launch: store.steampowered.com/news/app/358...

store.steampowered.com

Ambrosia Sky - Ambrosia Sky: Act One is now available! - Steam News

In this update: new launch trailer, community links & how to submit bug reports & feedback, and a letter from studio head Joel Burgess providing some clarity on the act structure.

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Ambrosia Sky 🪐 @softrains.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

We are spinning up our final guested segment of the evening, with @stevenmessner.bsky.social from @bbigames.bsky.social! I (Colin) am playing Hardspace: Shipbreaker for the first time??? Let's do this! Catch the stream here: twitch.tv/softrainsgames Donate here: tiny.cc/sr-extralife2025

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

Wordle 1,603 1/6 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 I knew this day would come...

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Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 07/11/2025

Hi Bluesky 👋 Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

The vibes in Arc Raiders' solo queue are so chill. I haven't felt *this* enchanted by a multiplayer game since Classic WoW. Met a buddy and looted, then at extraction met two other players, exchanged pleasantries, and then caught the elevator down together. Yes, I was terrified the whole time.

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Worm Girl @cataclysmtlg.com · 03/10/2025

komm susser tod on slap bass gigantic newman lying dead in an ocean of coffee

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Where are my Vancouver friends at??? Come say hello!

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Reposted by Steven Messner

Victoria 🪴 @mimimerlot.northsky.social · 26/09/2025

The way I snorted when I saw this...

A LOTR/producer meme in four panels.

Panel 1: Gandalf looks at the enspelled King Theoden and says "I am blocked by this issue."

Panel 2: An enspelled King Theoden replies, laughing, "You have no power here."

Panel 3: Gandalf sheds his robe and shows he's now Gandalf the White and says, "@producer for vis"

Panel 4: Enspelled King Theoden is subdued.

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Alex Delamaire @alexdlmr.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Looking forward to @vangamegarden.bsky.social🌱🕹 this weekend and hanging out with fellow independent studios & creators! @bbigames.bsky.social is providing hardware, while @stevenmessner.bsky.social and I will have #AmbrosiaSky🪐 from our friends at @softrains.bsky.social available to play 😀

vangamegarden.com

Vancouver Game Garden

Vancouver Game Garden is an independent games showcase featuring local developers in Vancouver, Canada.

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Hardspace: Shipbreaker @shipbreakergame.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Did you know that early versions of Shipbreaker looked a lot more like Citizen Sleeper (and vice versa)? Watch this video to learn about the serendipitous similarities between each game and the ways they each explore labor and life under (space) capitalism. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClXa...

youtube.com

Future Labors: Citizen Sleeper and Hardspace Shipbreaker in Conversation

Both Hardspace: Shipbreaker and Citizen Sleeper depict near futures where the familiar structures of capitalism and corporate control dictate the lives of their characters. In this panel Shipbreaker…

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Reposted by Steven Messner

Hardspace: Shipbreaker @shipbreakergame.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

In space, no one can hear you scream... for joy! Citizen Sleeper and Hardspace: Shipbreaker are teaming up for the Space Capitalism Steam Bundle! Two awesome sci-fi games, together at a permanent 10% discount! Buy it here: store.steampowered.com/bundle/58811...

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

My PC has been hard resetting when playing certain games (like Expedition 33) pretty regularly after I got a 5070ti. Thought maybe the card or drivers were the issue but then I looked up when I bought my PSU and that bad boy is now 13 years old. I think it's time for a Viking funeral...

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

One last plug for @shipbreakergame.bsky.social before I sleep for a thousand years. I'm *very* excited about the LYNX Pioneer Program, a new community initiative to get our players closer to development of the next Hardspace games. Learn about it here: blackbirdinteractive.com/lynxpioneerp...

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Brendan Hesse @brendanlh.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Between the FF7 Remake trilogy, the Eva Rebuild series, Gundam GQuuuX, and now Death Stranding 2, I'm discovering that I really like the "Works in direct but understated conversation with the creator's previous stuff" genre.

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Got home from a work trip to a surprise birthday party. Cake, balloons, even a present! It is not my birthday. Turns out my 3yo just randomly decided she had to throw me a party and refused to take no for an answer. Also the gift was reusable water balloons... She insisted I'd love them!

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Got really worried when this random person messaged me on Chess dot com, only for it to turn into the most wonderful interaction. I'm stunned (and humbled) that someone remembered my byline from @pcgamer.com all these years later 🥹

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Reposted by Steven Messner

Christian Laventure (probably) @cniper.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

WHAT IS @stevenmessner.bsky.social TELLING US HERE !!! had a fun time, thanks everyone!

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Made a disastrous parenting error playing chess with my 3yo this morning. I saw a chance to teach her about discovered checks while also taking her bishop. I am an idiot. But I'm at least a proud idiot: While she was sobbing under the sofa she correctly referred to it as her "dark-squared bishop"

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Super excited that BBI is supporting this wonderful project as co-development partners. Go check out the demo on Steam and let me know what you think!

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

I want this to sell no less than 33 times more.

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Wes Fenlon @wes.readonlymemo.com · 24/05/2025

I wrote a tribute to Leif Johnson, a former writer for many gaming publications, and my friend, who died last weekend. The world is poorer without him in it.

pcgamer.com

Remembering Leif Johnson, the gaming industry's one and only cowboy poet

Leif was a historian, a fountain pen connoisseur, and a kind soul who brought a remarkably eclectic background to his time writing about games.

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

I became friends with Leif so early in my career because I emailed him out of the blue randomly asking for advice. He didn't know me at all, but he was so generous with his time. He was a wonderful, brilliant person and we will miss him dearly. RIP, friend... www.after.com/obituaries/j...

after.com

Obituary for Jeremiah Leif Pickett Johnson | After®

Remembering the obituary for Jeremiah Leif Pickett Johnson: On May 17, 2025, Jeremiah Leif Pickett Johnson, 45, died suddenly of a cardiovascular event. Known as “Leif” to his friends and colleagues a...

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Very good fix in today's Stellaris patch notes:

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Alert: I'm now Director of Communications & Audiences! Hooray! I'm STOKED for obvious reasons but especially because this role means working more closely with our amazing dev teams, empowering them to make games that players will adore. Lots happening at BBI that I can't wait to talk about SOON™!

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Stephen Totilo @stephentotilo.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

There are too many strong games reporters, not enough platforms. Maybe Game File can help? Thus...I'm announcing a plan for freelancers Guaranteed rates plus a cut of new subscriber revenue, so that writers, not just me, benefit if their stories blow up Details: www.gamefile.news/p/game-file-...

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Nicole Carpenter @nicolecarpenter.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

I'm getting more sad about getting laid off. My work means so much to me. I'm a really good reporter. I've been getting scoops every single week lately, while also doing in-depth, award-winning reporting. I have good ideas! New email: nicolecarpenterwrites@gmail.com www.polygon.com/23776996/bar...

polygon.com

The untold history of Barbie Fashion Designer, the first mass-market ‘game for girls’

How Digital Domain and Mattel Media built Barbie’s wardrobe

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Nathan Grayson @nathangrayson.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

doom and gloom aside, we just recently committed to publishing even more freelance work as part of our subscriber drive, and we’re (finally) gonna post an actual pitch guide next week. for now, though, hit up inbox@aftermath.site if you’ve got a cool idea. our rates are pretty good

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Really sad to hear the news about Polygon today. Hoping all those very talented folks land *VERY QUICKLY* into new jobs.

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Steven Messner @stevenmessner.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Pretty sweet to go see a band you've never even heard before, they end up being one of the best live shows you've ever seen, and walk out being like yah okay I guess this is my new favorite artist. (They're called Leprous and you should listen to them)

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