Retro Gaming in the Las Vegas Valley
Las Vegas has always been a city full of entertainment, but lately I’ve noticed even more for retro gaming fans like myself. Pink Gorilla Games and Retro City Games in Henderson both have shelves packed with classic consoles, cartridges, and all kinds of memorabilia. No matter if you’ve been collecting for years or you’re just…
State of Play, Showcases and the Bleep Bloop
The Sony PlayStation State of Play was on Wednesday the 27th, earlier this week, and while some may say it did not showcase the stuff people really want to see I would contest that it showcased so great games and content for games from some great developers and creators. It featured 9 titles but to…
5 Games You Must Play
You love Metroidvanias, Platformers and all around fun indie action games. You want more of them. Well, here are five timeless games that you absolutely MUST PLAY. Shovel Knight, developed and published by Yacht Club Games, is a 2D side-scrolling platform game with an 8-bit graphical style. Some have often confused this game as being…
Why Blasphemous Is The Only Metroidvania You Need to Play
The penitent one. The land of Cvstodia. I suppose to understand why this game, in my mind, is the epitome of a genre of games that is timeless, refreshing and taking games back and forth on a gated adventure, I must first understand why I in fact love this genre. Then I must help you,…
The Callisto Protocol Review
Before The Game When I first saw this game all I kept hearing was that if you loved Dead Space then this was a game you would love as well because it was remarkably similar to Dead Space. That would make sense considering the co-creator of the series was now the head of the studio that…
Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Rediscovering The Shadows
Before The Game The last Assassin’s Creed game that I played in its entirety and finished was the first Assassin’s Creed game which was released over 17 years ago. That was when I actually played the game and I had a blast playing it. Last year when this game was released I was hearing relatively positive…
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
Before The Game The Yakuza games have always been a game series that I wanted to dive into at some point but knew that, due to the length of each game, it may not happen. Eventually the series got to the point it is now where there are close to ten entries. I felt like I…
Finding My Way: How I’m Building My Path Into the Gaming Industry
A creator’s journey through doubt, rediscovery, and redefining purpose Introduction: When a Degree Isn’t Enough It’s not enough to just earn and learn for me. I wholeheartedly felt accomplished when I received my degree in Digital Marketing. Sadly, when I didn’t see that translate into a career in the industry I wanted to get into — let alone…
New Game+ Showcase Shows What’s New
Independent games are becoming more visible and popular in the video game industry. The New Game+ Showcase gave a good look at how smaller studios are finding their place among many new releases. The livestream, led by creators, showed off more than 40 games, many made by independent teams not working with big publishers. Instead…
I’ve Been Waiting for REPLACED, and It’s Almost Here
A cyberpunk indie worth waiting for REPLACED is a game I’ve been waiting years for. When it was first announced in 2021, I knew right away it would be my kind of game. I remember watching the reveal at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase and thinking, yeah… this is for me. The announcement trailer…
From Control Rooms to Creator Culture: Ryan “Smitty2447” Smith Is Building in Both Worlds
When the red tally light switches on and the countdown reaches zero, Ryan “Smitty2447” Smith is already in motion. Inside a Las Vegas control room, he monitors audio levels, graphics, and live feeds — a setting that has defined much of his professional life. Long before home streaming setups and digital creator platforms, Smith built his career…
The Indie Resurgence of Metroidvanias
Intro Metroidvanias are one of the few video game genres to make a strong comeback. In these games, players explore sprawling, connected worlds, unlock new abilities to reach hidden spots, and revisit old areas to find secrets and move forward. The name “metroidvania” comes from Nintendo’s Metroid series, which started in 1986, and Konami’s Castlevania,…
Inside the Silence of the Climb
Some games are loud. Explosions. Boss fights. Skill trees. Systems stacked on systems. And then there are games like Cairn. Some games move at a slower pace. They whisper instead of shouting. They are made from calm moments: fragments of music, overheard dialogue, and the sound of wind against granite. These experiences don’t overwhelm you.…
The Indie Game Boom Deserves Better Journalism
Mainstream video game journalism often relies on catchy headlines, rumors, and sensational stories, while giving little space to the fast-growing indie game scene. This drop in standards makes it harder for readers to trust what they see, even though indie games bring fresh ideas and real value to the industry. Millions of players count on…
3.6 Billion Gamers Are Powering the Indie Story Boom
The gaming world just keeps getting bigger. By 2025, there could be 3.6 billion players worldwide, bringing in almost $189 billion. Mobile games make up a huge part of that at $103 billion, but what really catches my attention is how indie games are growing. The indie market has jumped from $4.85 billion to $5.54…
Level Up Your Social Media Game Without Getting Sued!
As someone who enjoys making gaming content — whether that’s sharing Let’s Plays, streaming, or writing about games — I’ve learned that even a single careless clip or comment can put your whole channel at risk. Copyright, defamation, and privacy issues come up more often than you might think. The good news is that with a few smart habits…
Using Public Records, Data, and Interviews Began Helping Me Grow as a Gaming Journalist
One thing that stood out to me in this course was learning how to use public records, data charts, and interviews in real journalism, especially when it comes to games. These tools helped me go beyond just the basics and really get into the heart of a story. Over the past month, I’ve noticed I’m…
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