James Batchelor
@jamesbatchelor.bsky.social
Comms Manager at @digitalbandidos.bsky.social. Runs Non-Violent Game of the Day (@nvgotd.bsky.social). Former journalist
Author (The Best Non-Violent Video Games, Wandless, Blow The House Down) www.jamesbatchelor.me
Father. Gamer. Soundtrack Nerd
Author (The Best Non-Violent Video Games, Wandless, Blow The House Down) www.jamesbatchelor.me
Father. Gamer. Soundtrack Nerd
Pinned
10 DAYS TO GO!
The History of the Pokémon Games features:
🎮 Over 150 games
🧑💻 In-depth chapters on the making of Gens 1-9
🎤 Foreword by @theveronicat.bsky.social (the original Ash Ketchum)
❓Fun facts to fascinate any Pokéfan
Pre-order today: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
The History of the Pokémon Games features:
🎮 Over 150 games
🧑💻 In-depth chapters on the making of Gens 1-9
🎤 Foreword by @theveronicat.bsky.social (the original Ash Ketchum)
❓Fun facts to fascinate any Pokéfan
Pre-order today: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
Reposted by James Batchelor
Calling all content creators! 🎥 🎙️
If you want a chance to get:
📣 The latest news on Digital Bandidos' upcoming games
🐸 Early access to titles like Froggy Hates Snow and Psychofinger
🎮 Potential review opportunities
Then sign up for our mailing list here: digitalbandidos.com/creators/
If you want a chance to get:
📣 The latest news on Digital Bandidos' upcoming games
🐸 Early access to titles like Froggy Hates Snow and Psychofinger
🎮 Potential review opportunities
Then sign up for our mailing list here: digitalbandidos.com/creators/
January 22, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Calling all content creators! 🎥 🎙️
If you want a chance to get:
📣 The latest news on Digital Bandidos' upcoming games
🐸 Early access to titles like Froggy Hates Snow and Psychofinger
🎮 Potential review opportunities
Then sign up for our mailing list here: digitalbandidos.com/creators/
If you want a chance to get:
📣 The latest news on Digital Bandidos' upcoming games
🐸 Early access to titles like Froggy Hates Snow and Psychofinger
🎮 Potential review opportunities
Then sign up for our mailing list here: digitalbandidos.com/creators/
Seeing this 'Oblivion 15-hour' headline a lot and my gut reaction is: so what?
15 hours is a lot of time to put into a game. Doesn't mean players didn't get their money's worth, or won't come back again. Not every game needs to be 100 hours, and not every 100-hour game needs to be played to death
15 hours is a lot of time to put into a game. Doesn't mean players didn't get their money's worth, or won't come back again. Not every game needs to be 100 hours, and not every 100-hour game needs to be played to death
On Steam, only 56% completed the first main quest achievement.
Oblivion Remastered may have been a success, but half of the players stopped after 15 hours
On Steam, only 56% completed the first main quest achievement.
www.polygon.com
January 22, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Seeing this 'Oblivion 15-hour' headline a lot and my gut reaction is: so what?
15 hours is a lot of time to put into a game. Doesn't mean players didn't get their money's worth, or won't come back again. Not every game needs to be 100 hours, and not every 100-hour game needs to be played to death
15 hours is a lot of time to put into a game. Doesn't mean players didn't get their money's worth, or won't come back again. Not every game needs to be 100 hours, and not every 100-hour game needs to be played to death
Reposted by James Batchelor
Hurry! Today is your last chance to save 25% on the Soulstone Survivors & Supporter Pack bundle in the PlayStation January sale
Hone your godlike powers and take on the relentless hordes of the void in Game Smithing's acclaimed action-roguelike
store.playstation.com/en-us/produc...
Hone your godlike powers and take on the relentless hordes of the void in Game Smithing's acclaimed action-roguelike
store.playstation.com/en-us/produc...
January 21, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Hurry! Today is your last chance to save 25% on the Soulstone Survivors & Supporter Pack bundle in the PlayStation January sale
Hone your godlike powers and take on the relentless hordes of the void in Game Smithing's acclaimed action-roguelike
store.playstation.com/en-us/produc...
Hone your godlike powers and take on the relentless hordes of the void in Game Smithing's acclaimed action-roguelike
store.playstation.com/en-us/produc...
Love this, but could the next update add in all the terrain destruction stuff from Bananza? Would love to quite literally smash my way through this game.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Gets A Free Switch 2 Update And Adds Dixie Kong. (Repost)
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Gets A Free Switch 2 Update And Adds Dixie Kong
Download Version 1.1.0 for Switch and Switch 2 today!
www.nintendolife.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Love this, but could the next update add in all the terrain destruction stuff from Bananza? Would love to quite literally smash my way through this game.
My copies have arrived and they are beautiful. Thank you @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
January 21, 2026 at 2:15 PM
My copies have arrived and they are beautiful. Thank you @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
Pokémon Violet finished.
Glad I finally took the plunge on this one. I still prefer Arceus as an open world Pokémon game, but this was a lot better than I expected. Intrigued to see where they go with Gen 10
Glad I finally took the plunge on this one. I still prefer Arceus as an open world Pokémon game, but this was a lot better than I expected. Intrigued to see where they go with Gen 10
January 20, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Pokémon Violet finished.
Glad I finally took the plunge on this one. I still prefer Arceus as an open world Pokémon game, but this was a lot better than I expected. Intrigued to see where they go with Gen 10
Glad I finally took the plunge on this one. I still prefer Arceus as an open world Pokémon game, but this was a lot better than I expected. Intrigued to see where they go with Gen 10
A Wild Pokémon (Book) Appeared...
January 19, 2026 at 7:53 PM
A Wild Pokémon (Book) Appeared...
Reposted by James Batchelor
Wherever you are, whatever you're dealing with, we hope you find a mental flamethrower to deal with your #BlueMonday
January 19, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Wherever you are, whatever you're dealing with, we hope you find a mental flamethrower to deal with your #BlueMonday
10 DAYS TO GO!
The History of the Pokémon Games features:
🎮 Over 150 games
🧑💻 In-depth chapters on the making of Gens 1-9
🎤 Foreword by @theveronicat.bsky.social (the original Ash Ketchum)
❓Fun facts to fascinate any Pokéfan
Pre-order today: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
The History of the Pokémon Games features:
🎮 Over 150 games
🧑💻 In-depth chapters on the making of Gens 1-9
🎤 Foreword by @theveronicat.bsky.social (the original Ash Ketchum)
❓Fun facts to fascinate any Pokéfan
Pre-order today: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
January 19, 2026 at 1:28 PM
10 DAYS TO GO!
The History of the Pokémon Games features:
🎮 Over 150 games
🧑💻 In-depth chapters on the making of Gens 1-9
🎤 Foreword by @theveronicat.bsky.social (the original Ash Ketchum)
❓Fun facts to fascinate any Pokéfan
Pre-order today: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
The History of the Pokémon Games features:
🎮 Over 150 games
🧑💻 In-depth chapters on the making of Gens 1-9
🎤 Foreword by @theveronicat.bsky.social (the original Ash Ketchum)
❓Fun facts to fascinate any Pokéfan
Pre-order today: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
You know some folks (quite wisely) go through a digital detox: a weekend or other period of time without social media, Internet, or any sort of digital interaction/device?
I feel like I need a gaming *re*tox. Shut everything out for a couple of days and just lose myself in virtual worlds I love
I feel like I need a gaming *re*tox. Shut everything out for a couple of days and just lose myself in virtual worlds I love
January 18, 2026 at 7:01 PM
You know some folks (quite wisely) go through a digital detox: a weekend or other period of time without social media, Internet, or any sort of digital interaction/device?
I feel like I need a gaming *re*tox. Shut everything out for a couple of days and just lose myself in virtual worlds I love
I feel like I need a gaming *re*tox. Shut everything out for a couple of days and just lose myself in virtual worlds I love
This was the review I was waiting for, given that @yahtzeecroshaw.bsky.social has as deep a love for this series as I do. Sounds like this is best avoiding - time for yet another Thief 2 Replay perhaps (and maybe I *finally* try some fan missions/campaigns)
youtu.be/JR_p8wFevr8?...
youtu.be/JR_p8wFevr8?...
Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow | Fully Ramblomatic
YouTube video by Second Wind
youtu.be
January 18, 2026 at 11:18 AM
This was the review I was waiting for, given that @yahtzeecroshaw.bsky.social has as deep a love for this series as I do. Sounds like this is best avoiding - time for yet another Thief 2 Replay perhaps (and maybe I *finally* try some fan missions/campaigns)
youtu.be/JR_p8wFevr8?...
youtu.be/JR_p8wFevr8?...
My daughter fired up Animal Crossing today expecting the hotel to be there. Apparently you have to bring in more residents, earn a 3-star island, host KK Slider concert, establish Kappn's boat tours, and *then* you get a hotel.
This is what happens when you just faff about rather than playing 😤
This is what happens when you just faff about rather than playing 😤
January 17, 2026 at 3:03 PM
My daughter fired up Animal Crossing today expecting the hotel to be there. Apparently you have to bring in more residents, earn a 3-star island, host KK Slider concert, establish Kappn's boat tours, and *then* you get a hotel.
This is what happens when you just faff about rather than playing 😤
This is what happens when you just faff about rather than playing 😤
Should clarify: doesn't have to be about the book. Could be just general Pokémon, or writing, or gaming, or random stuff.
At this point, it's less "ask me anything", more "ask me something" 😜
At this point, it's less "ask me anything", more "ask me something" 😜
The History of the Pokémon Games, published by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social, is out in two weeks from today!
Want to know more? Ask me anything!
(I'll pre-empt the first question: you can buy it here - www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...)
Want to know more? Ask me anything!
(I'll pre-empt the first question: you can buy it here - www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...)
January 17, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Should clarify: doesn't have to be about the book. Could be just general Pokémon, or writing, or gaming, or random stuff.
At this point, it's less "ask me anything", more "ask me something" 😜
At this point, it's less "ask me anything", more "ask me something" 😜
The History of the Pokémon Games, published by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social, is out in two weeks from today!
Want to know more? Ask me anything!
(I'll pre-empt the first question: you can buy it here - www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...)
Want to know more? Ask me anything!
(I'll pre-empt the first question: you can buy it here - www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...)
January 16, 2026 at 12:29 PM
The History of the Pokémon Games, published by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social, is out in two weeks from today!
Want to know more? Ask me anything!
(I'll pre-empt the first question: you can buy it here - www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...)
Want to know more? Ask me anything!
(I'll pre-empt the first question: you can buy it here - www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...)
Reposted by James Batchelor
Damn. We got excited when we saw 'Bandido' trending, but it turns out people are talking about some wrestler. Future company spokesperson?
MAIN EVENT TIME! Bandido is dressed for WAR!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS & HBO Max
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS & HBO Max
January 15, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Damn. We got excited when we saw 'Bandido' trending, but it turns out people are talking about some wrestler. Future company spokesperson?
Recently I've added:
- Wild Blue Skies (store.steampowered.com/app/1921490/...)
- Aether & Iron (store.steampowered.com/app/1836560/...)
- Gunny Ascned (store.steampowered.com/app/2886300/...)
How about you lot?
- Wild Blue Skies (store.steampowered.com/app/1921490/...)
- Aether & Iron (store.steampowered.com/app/1836560/...)
- Gunny Ascned (store.steampowered.com/app/2886300/...)
How about you lot?
January 14, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Recently I've added:
- Wild Blue Skies (store.steampowered.com/app/1921490/...)
- Aether & Iron (store.steampowered.com/app/1836560/...)
- Gunny Ascned (store.steampowered.com/app/2886300/...)
How about you lot?
- Wild Blue Skies (store.steampowered.com/app/1921490/...)
- Aether & Iron (store.steampowered.com/app/1836560/...)
- Gunny Ascned (store.steampowered.com/app/2886300/...)
How about you lot?
Only 16 days to go! I cannot wait for you all to get your hands on it.
➡️ www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
(Pics by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social )
➡️ www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
(Pics by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social )
January 14, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Only 16 days to go! I cannot wait for you all to get your hands on it.
➡️ www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
(Pics by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social )
➡️ www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
(Pics by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social )
I felt like I'd put more time into my Switch this year. Will just have to up the ante in 2026 ;-)
No surprises that Violet has been my most played game this year. A little surprised that Echoes of Wisdom is No.3 (thought I'd given up on that sooner)
#NintendoYearInReview
No surprises that Violet has been my most played game this year. A little surprised that Echoes of Wisdom is No.3 (thought I'd given up on that sooner)
#NintendoYearInReview
January 14, 2026 at 11:00 AM
I felt like I'd put more time into my Switch this year. Will just have to up the ante in 2026 ;-)
No surprises that Violet has been my most played game this year. A little surprised that Echoes of Wisdom is No.3 (thought I'd given up on that sooner)
#NintendoYearInReview
No surprises that Violet has been my most played game this year. A little surprised that Echoes of Wisdom is No.3 (thought I'd given up on that sooner)
#NintendoYearInReview
We've had Pokémon regions based on the UK, Spain/Portugal, France, Hawaii, New York and several bits of Japan. Which part of the world would you like to see Pokémonified next?
📖 www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
📖 www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
January 12, 2026 at 5:04 PM
We've had Pokémon regions based on the UK, Spain/Portugal, France, Hawaii, New York and several bits of Japan. Which part of the world would you like to see Pokémonified next?
📖 www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
📖 www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
Reposted by James Batchelor
OUTSIDE THE BLOCKS
@otbgame.bsky.social
This incredibly detailed model-builder lets you create practically any scene you can imagine, then show it off with Photo Mode
[ PC / 2025 / Michał Kubas ]
store.steampowered.com/app/2350220/...
@otbgame.bsky.social
This incredibly detailed model-builder lets you create practically any scene you can imagine, then show it off with Photo Mode
[ PC / 2025 / Michał Kubas ]
store.steampowered.com/app/2350220/...
January 9, 2026 at 8:56 PM
OUTSIDE THE BLOCKS
@otbgame.bsky.social
This incredibly detailed model-builder lets you create practically any scene you can imagine, then show it off with Photo Mode
[ PC / 2025 / Michał Kubas ]
store.steampowered.com/app/2350220/...
@otbgame.bsky.social
This incredibly detailed model-builder lets you create practically any scene you can imagine, then show it off with Photo Mode
[ PC / 2025 / Michał Kubas ]
store.steampowered.com/app/2350220/...
Reposted by James Batchelor
Time's running out!
If you've got an awesome indie game due to be featured in next month's Steam Next Fest, submit it for the Indie Fan Fest showcase via www.indiefanfest.com
You have until 11.59pm PT today.
If you've got an awesome indie game due to be featured in next month's Steam Next Fest, submit it for the Indie Fan Fest showcase via www.indiefanfest.com
You have until 11.59pm PT today.
January 9, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Time's running out!
If you've got an awesome indie game due to be featured in next month's Steam Next Fest, submit it for the Indie Fan Fest showcase via www.indiefanfest.com
You have until 11.59pm PT today.
If you've got an awesome indie game due to be featured in next month's Steam Next Fest, submit it for the Indie Fan Fest showcase via www.indiefanfest.com
You have until 11.59pm PT today.
Reposted by James Batchelor
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE TOMORROW!
If you've got a great indie game demo arriving during the February Steam Next Fest, submit it for our upcoming showcase at www.indiefanfest.com.
Deadline is 11.59pm PT on Friday, January 9. (Again, that's tomorrow!)
If you've got a great indie game demo arriving during the February Steam Next Fest, submit it for our upcoming showcase at www.indiefanfest.com.
Deadline is 11.59pm PT on Friday, January 9. (Again, that's tomorrow!)
January 8, 2026 at 6:02 PM
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE TOMORROW!
If you've got a great indie game demo arriving during the February Steam Next Fest, submit it for our upcoming showcase at www.indiefanfest.com.
Deadline is 11.59pm PT on Friday, January 9. (Again, that's tomorrow!)
If you've got a great indie game demo arriving during the February Steam Next Fest, submit it for our upcoming showcase at www.indiefanfest.com.
Deadline is 11.59pm PT on Friday, January 9. (Again, that's tomorrow!)
So I've been listening to Blue Turtle's ambient music vids / enjoying their animation for years - so @mariedeal.bsky.social made my day when she found it was all built into a game!
ITHYA: MAGIC STUDIES
Cozy productivity game set in a beautiful, hand-drawn fantasy world with tons of original music. Journey as a travelling and create the perfect environment for study
[ PC, Mac / 2025 / Blue Turtle
]
www.blueturtle-design.com/game
Cozy productivity game set in a beautiful, hand-drawn fantasy world with tons of original music. Journey as a travelling and create the perfect environment for study
[ PC, Mac / 2025 / Blue Turtle
]
www.blueturtle-design.com/game
January 8, 2026 at 6:50 PM
So I've been listening to Blue Turtle's ambient music vids / enjoying their animation for years - so @mariedeal.bsky.social made my day when she found it was all built into a game!
22 days until The History of the Pokémon Games launches.
What was the best handheld era for Pokémon games?
Reply and let me know (and don't forget to pre-order your copy of the book: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...)
What was the best handheld era for Pokémon games?
Reply and let me know (and don't forget to pre-order your copy of the book: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...)
January 8, 2026 at 4:54 PM
22 days until The History of the Pokémon Games launches.
What was the best handheld era for Pokémon games?
Reply and let me know (and don't forget to pre-order your copy of the book: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...)
What was the best handheld era for Pokémon games?
Reply and let me know (and don't forget to pre-order your copy of the book: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...)
Damn it, Epic.
This is probably what gets me to finally play Fortnite: www.youtube.com/watch?v=13Qo...
This is probably what gets me to finally play Fortnite: www.youtube.com/watch?v=13Qo...
Born in Chaos - South Park Drops Into Fortnite!
YouTube video by Fortnite
www.youtube.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Damn it, Epic.
This is probably what gets me to finally play Fortnite: www.youtube.com/watch?v=13Qo...
This is probably what gets me to finally play Fortnite: www.youtube.com/watch?v=13Qo...