iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

What's the deal with Ace Combat 8 coming with Zero? Have I missed this forever now?

I've had a few vile comments come through about this. I guess people are protective over a Star Wars racing game. I have to tell it how I see it. I can't review games based on the thoughts of others, and I can't ignore actively disliking parts of a game just because I really wanted to love it.

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Respec @respec.net · 22h

It’s hard not to feel that a few more back to basics game modes and a fully fleshed out Podracing section would have made for an all-round more enjoyable experience. Our Star Wars: Galactic Racer review: www.respec.net/review/241-star-wars…

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 22h

Everyone seems to like Galactic Racer more than I do, especially the campaign. I do love the racing, but have issues with how the game is structured.

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Who doesn't want to be remembered as being fucking awesome? Maybe it's a very "online creative" mindset, but I think about my legacy a lot. Probably too much. I'm not really as bigheaded as this article makes me look (or am I?) lowpolymess.com/29-am-i-grea...

lowpolymess.com

#29 - Am I great enough to leave behind a legacy?

Does everyone want to be remembered as being great?

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Respec @respec.net · 01/10/2026

Is Gears of War: E-Day going to be all things to all people? No, of course not. It’s a third-person barnstormer of a video game, created with big strokes rather than fine lines, and Tom loves it for that. Our campaign review: www.respec.net/review/239-gears-war…

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

lowpolymess.com

#29 - Am I great enough to leave behind a legacy?

Does everyone want to be remembered as being great?

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Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 30/09/2026

Anyway, on this theme - the main site will always be free, but we've got some fun stuff on the @respec.net Patreon. Respec's contributor list is almost entirely made up of super talented people chewed & spat by the big machine and corporate fuck-ups. Support appreciated: www.patreon.com/c/Respecnet

patreon.com

Respec — Writing, Video, and Podcasts about video games

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Flip Satan @teawithphil.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I now have a Patreon! I'd love to build a community of people who love old retro gaming setups and keep making stuff for people to enjoy. If you love old consoles, CRT TVs, and hate that social media is dominated by AI slop setups, then I have you covered. www.patreon.com/flipsatan/po...

patreon.com

Okay, let's do this | Flip Satan

Hi, I am Flip! I've been writing about video games, tinkering with retro consoles, and getting up to nonsense for a long time now. By day,

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Got bored writing a review, so I did the 9 games thing. Obviously this is the best one, no question.

Nine games: International Track & Field, Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Halo Combat Evolved, Ridge Racer, Super Mario 64, Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec, Project Gotham Racing 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Master System), and Championship Manager Season 01/02.

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Respec @respec.net · 29/09/2026

Returning to the Nintendo Museum two years, what's changed (and what hasn't) truly emphasizes just how quickly the house that Mario built is changing: www.respec.net/feature/237-visiting…

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Raimo Kangasniemi @rk70534.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

From Al-Jazeera: "Google Maps just updated its satellite imagery of Gaza ... exposing the utter devastation left behind by Israel’s genocide." #BDS #BoycottIsrael #FreePalestine #Gaza #GazaNews #GazaGenocide #GazaStrip #Israel #IsraelNews #MiddleEast #Palestine #PalestineNews #Zionism

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Well, as I often say on fajita night, THAT'S A WRAP! I am, as of eight minutes ago, no longer news editor of Game Developer.

A farewell post that reads:

Hello! Today was my final day at Game Developer. This is not BREAKING news. I announced that I was stepping down four weeks ago, but it does mean that after over 11 years at the publication formerly (and perhaps infamously) known as Gamasutra, I have once again become a journalistic nomad.

Right now, I still processing my decision to turn my back on a full-time corporate gig in favour of *something else*—especially in the current climate. Out of the frying pan and into the ninth circle of hell? Hopefully not.

I’l have more details on What Comes Next in the not-too-distant future, but I want to stress that I am not leaving the world of trade journalism. I believe that now, more than ever, the video game industry needs a tenacious, fearless, and uncompromising trade press capable of holding power to account by publishing quality reporting. As I grew into my role at Gama/GD over the many, many years, that became my singular purpose. It has not changed now that I have departed.

I’ll spare you a meandering ramble because, like I said, you’ll be hearing more from me quite soon. But I do want to thank my colleagues at Game Developer (past and present) their assistance and support—with a special shoutout to Kris Graft (who took a punt on hiring a very green reporter back in 2015 and basically taught me almost everything I know) and Danielle Riendeau (who offered their unwavering support during particular hairy moments).

Despite the carnage that has become commonplace in game media in recent years, I’m more confident than ever that proper, top-notch journalism can move the needle for the betterment of developers everywhere. So, if you’ll have me, I’d love to stick around for another decade (hell, maybe even longer) with that ambition front and centre.

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RPG Site @rpgsite.net · 28/09/2026

Our second Witcher 3 feature today covers The Witcher 3 Remastered on PS5 Pro going over the performance and ray tracing modes: www.rpgsite.net/feature/21473-the-w…

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RPG Site @rpgsite.net · 28/09/2026

The Witcher 3 Remastered on Nintendo Switch 2 offers a gigantic upgrade over the Switch 1 version. Our impressions with some comparisons: www.rpgsite.net/feature/21472-the-w…

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Me signing up to review games: Yeah, great, love it, cool, no problem. Me reviewing games, both to be published the same day: FML!

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Konami sent me the deed to a whole house in Scotland. Thanks! I'm renting it out and raking in £1000 per calendar month. Comes unfurnished apart from a tiny portable TV.

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

My son just said Andy Garcia in Ocean's Eleven looks like Mark Zuckerberg. Honestly, I've never heard anything more fucking stupid in my life. Are they bringing Punk'd back or something?

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Anyone seen True Lies recently? Does it hold up? Anything massively unsuitable for a 13-year-old?

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

If you're bored or just between doing things, read this. You might not enjoy it, but at least you did something lowpolymess.com/28-the-wait/

lowpolymess.com

#28 - The wait

What to do when creative inspiration just isn't coming.

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Respec @respec.net · 25/09/2026

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve's renewed focus on cinematic storytelling, alongside some of the series' most in-depth dogfighting across your entire crew makes for one of the best games of 2026 so far. www.respec.net/review/231-ace-comba…

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Respec @respec.net · 25/09/2026

The podcast is here! This week, review discussion of Fire Emblem and Control Resonant, TGS adventures, and the 30th anniversary of the US N64 launch & its tiny game line-up is upon us. Remember Comet? bit.ly/4AyFtYR

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Rarely I just can't think of anything fun to write about lowpolymess.com/28-the-wait/

lowpolymess.com

#28 - The wait

What to do when creative inspiration just isn't coming.

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Chris Bratt @chrisbratt.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

In recent years, the media has quietly begun to change the way in which it writes about Bobby Kotick, the former CEO of Activision Blizzard. PMG investigates how Kotick used the threat of defamation to reshape his legacy in the games business, one article at a time. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKwp...

youtube.com

Inside Bobby Kotick's Campaign Against the Press

YouTube video by People Make Games

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

What happens when you've got nothing to write about and can't retire because you're only 43? lowpolymess.com/28-the-wait/

lowpolymess.com

#28 - The wait

What to do when creative inspiration just isn't coming.

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

What happens when you've got nothing to write about and can't retire because you're only 43? lowpolymess.com/28-the-wait/

lowpolymess.com

#28 - The wait

What to do when creative inspiration just isn't coming.

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I swear the weather people keep throwing hot days into the forecast and hope we won't notice, scared that if they put all the hot days in at once we'll all lose our minds. Well I have noticed! You can't fool me. Convinced Friday looked pretty normal, and now it's set to be 25 degrees!

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Xbox seemingly saying it did a terrible job running many of its studios, now positioning a lot of them under Acti Blizzard. Feel for everyone losing jobs, especially those at Ninja Theory who must have had a hellish time these recent months while also trying to make a game (that looked great).

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Me to my daughter: There is absolutely no way you are having a Freddo. Zero chance. Get over it. Crying won't help. I'm Bad Dad now. Me to my daughter a little while later: Fine, enough crying. It seems you won't get over it. Have a Freddo! Have all the Freddos! I failed at being Bad Dad.

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Respec @respec.net · 21/09/2026

Dynasty Warriors 3 Complete Edition Remastered producer Tomohiko Sho chats with us about the future, the Switch 2, DW5 Remastered, Origins 2, & much more: www.respec.net/interview/213-dynast…

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Sorry to hear this. Worked a fair bit with the team when the site was still relatively new. Hope all those affected land something new soon.

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Meet the teacher at my daughter's school. Will wear my Sonic the Hedgehog T-shirt to make the right first impression.

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Respec @respec.net · 21/09/2026

Silent Hill: Townfall has a marvelous sense of time and place coupled with a riveting story, but unfortunately so many of the gameplay elements around that grind down the experience. Our review: www.respec.net/review/212-silent-hi…

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I've been writing this blog for six months now. I think there's some good stuff here. If you've liked any of it, please share (RT) and hopefully some new people will discover it lowpolymess.com

A photo of my face in a Pac-Man cap, looking hot on a beach.

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Having had 90 mins to deal with Spurs losing yet again, I'm now convinced there is a curse. Really weren't bad today. Seems every Sliding Doors moment only ever gives the shit option.

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I've been writing this blog for six months now. I think there's some good stuff here. If you've liked any of it, please share (RT) and hopefully some new people will discover it lowpolymess.com

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Remember when reviews for FIFA used to be a big thing? Who actually got code for the new EA FC?

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Imagine if films asked you to hit pause while you are encouraged to read/listen to a bit of plot/world building.

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

lowpolymess.com/27-ive-had-e...

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Respec @respec.net · 18/09/2026

On this week's podcast, Tom talks about Wolverine being just OK, while Rebecca checked out the LaDS community IRL www.respec.net/podcast/211-wolverin…

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Respec @respec.net · 18/09/2026

Control Resonant review - Remedy’s action metroidvania RPG is one of the biggest disappointments of the year: www.respec.net/review/210-control-r…

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I've had enough of the internet being overloaded with shit like this lowpolymess.com/27-ive-had-e...

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Mikhail @va11halla.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I covered Diablo IV on Switch 2 for @rpgsite.net. Not only is this one of the better ports in recent months, but is a lot better than Blizzard's Overwatch S2 port as well. It is a few patches away from being amazing. My impressions with some comparisons: www.rpgsite.net/feature/2142...

diablo 4 on steam deck, switch 2, ps portal, the physical ps5 disc, 2 korn albums, xbox local stream to portal, korn song for lord of hatred on the bottom screen, double espresso

diablo 4 switch 2 review - https://www.rpgsite.net/feature/21421-diablo-4-nintendo-switch-2-port-review-impressions-vs-ps5-pro-steam-deck-pc-ps4

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I finally saw one too many bullshit headlines so had to write about it. If you feel like you're losing brain cells while browsing the internet, this is for you lowpolymess.com/27-ive-had-e...

lowpolymess.com

#27 - I’ve had enough of all these bullshit headlines

The worst headlines on the internet have got to stop.

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I finally saw one too many bullshit headlines so had to write about it. If you feel like you're losing brain cells while browsing the internet, this is for you lowpolymess.com/27-ive-had-e...

lowpolymess.com

#27 - I’ve had enough of all these bullshit headlines

The worst headlines on the internet have got to stop.

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Saw Mortal Kombat 2 the other day. Never seen a film with less story, and I've seen the previous film. Assume anyone who praised it isn't serious. Not to slam the writers, but I'd do better, and the only script I've written is the first two scenes of an Adam Sandler movie about him being adopted.

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Tom O @vgtomo.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Enough is enough. It's time to end all the bullshit headlines ruining the internet lowpolymess.com/27-ive-had-e...

lowpolymess.com

#27 - I’ve had enough of all these bullshit headlines

The worst headlines on the internet have got to stop.

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Chris Higgins🔜 @higgins.games · 17/09/2026

Some of these are so egregious I’m not just co-signing this, I’m promoting it to my small cadre of loyal followers

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