Stephen Totilo
@stephentotilo.bsky.social
Reporter covering video games at Game File (gamefile.news). Previously launched games coverage at Axios and MTV News. Was Kotaku EiC. stephen(at)gamefile(dot)news he/him
I asked a Netflix rep if they had anything to share about Netflix's plans for the WB game studios (Rocksteady, Netherrealm, etc) and how they'd operate vis a vis the Netflix games group. The rep had nothing to share.
(Seems to reflect today’s deal focus on streaming, movies, shows and franchises)
(Seems to reflect today’s deal focus on streaming, movies, shows and franchises)
December 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I asked a Netflix rep if they had anything to share about Netflix's plans for the WB game studios (Rocksteady, Netherrealm, etc) and how they'd operate vis a vis the Netflix games group. The rep had nothing to share.
(Seems to reflect today’s deal focus on streaming, movies, shows and franchises)
(Seems to reflect today’s deal focus on streaming, movies, shows and franchises)
Fascinating review by @papapishu.bsky.social.
Despite the controversy, Horses is only shocking if you're unfamiliar with the history movies, theater, literature, or basically any art form that does not have stats. aftermath.site/horses-indie-g...
Horses Is Tame
Horses, the indie game that is too scandalous for either Valve or Epic, is only beyond the pale if you're not familiar with any other art form.
aftermath.site
December 5, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Fascinating review by @papapishu.bsky.social.
December 5, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Biig question about what happens with WB's video game studios (Rocksteady, Netherrealm, TT Games...), which were originally going to be part of the "Streaming & Studios" part of the planned WBD split but not mentioned in today's Netflix announcement
Netflix expects deal to close in 12-18 months
Netflix expects deal to close in 12-18 months
“The Company also expects to realize at least $2-3 billion of cost savings per year by the third year “
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Following the Separation of Discovery Global for a Total Enterprise Value of $82.7 Billion (Equity Value of $72.0 Billion) - About Netflix
Combination Will Offer More Choice and Greater Value for Consumers, Create More Opportunities for the Creative Community and Generate Shareholder Value
about.netflix.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Biig question about what happens with WB's video game studios (Rocksteady, Netherrealm, TT Games...), which were originally going to be part of the "Streaming & Studios" part of the planned WBD split but not mentioned in today's Netflix announcement
Netflix expects deal to close in 12-18 months
Netflix expects deal to close in 12-18 months
“The Company also expects to realize at least $2-3 billion of cost savings per year by the third year “
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Following the Separation of Discovery Global for a Total Enterprise Value of $82.7 Billion (Equity Value of $72.0 Billion) - About Netflix
Combination Will Offer More Choice and Greater Value for Consumers, Create More Opportunities for the Creative Community and Generate Shareholder Value
about.netflix.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:58 PM
“The Company also expects to realize at least $2-3 billion of cost savings per year by the third year “
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
Bad Robot putting out a game is a long time coming
In some shape or form, they've been talking about getting into gaming since at least 2013, when Gabe Newell and JJ Abrams c0-keynoted the DICE Summit--and spoke about making a game together (not sure what came of that)
My pic from that panel
In some shape or form, they've been talking about getting into gaming since at least 2013, when Gabe Newell and JJ Abrams c0-keynoted the DICE Summit--and spoke about making a game together (not sure what came of that)
My pic from that panel
December 4, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Bad Robot putting out a game is a long time coming
In some shape or form, they've been talking about getting into gaming since at least 2013, when Gabe Newell and JJ Abrams c0-keynoted the DICE Summit--and spoke about making a game together (not sure what came of that)
My pic from that panel
In some shape or form, they've been talking about getting into gaming since at least 2013, when Gabe Newell and JJ Abrams c0-keynoted the DICE Summit--and spoke about making a game together (not sure what came of that)
My pic from that panel
I'm in this, making a case for reader-paid support:
"True, honest, earnest, fearless, curiosity-driven reporting and criticism of video games can be valuable. The highest quality execution of such work largely costs money to produce. Reporters gotta eat. Critics (most of them) need to wear clothes"
"True, honest, earnest, fearless, curiosity-driven reporting and criticism of video games can be valuable. The highest quality execution of such work largely costs money to produce. Reporters gotta eat. Critics (most of them) need to wear clothes"
'We survive or fail on our own terms:' The rise and risk of independent game media
'We survive or fail on our own terms:' The rise and risk of independent game media
Can worker-owned outlets create a brighter future for video game journalists and their readers?
www.gamedeveloper.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I'm in this, making a case for reader-paid support:
"True, honest, earnest, fearless, curiosity-driven reporting and criticism of video games can be valuable. The highest quality execution of such work largely costs money to produce. Reporters gotta eat. Critics (most of them) need to wear clothes"
"True, honest, earnest, fearless, curiosity-driven reporting and criticism of video games can be valuable. The highest quality execution of such work largely costs money to produce. Reporters gotta eat. Critics (most of them) need to wear clothes"
This tracks. Kids seem to love motion games.
My 8-year-olds’ most-played Switch 1 game is probably WarioWare Move It
(One thing keeping them from more Switch 2 use is probably that game’s partial incompatibility; it needs an S2 patch that deactivates microgames that need the JoyCon 1’s IR sensor)
My 8-year-olds’ most-played Switch 1 game is probably WarioWare Move It
(One thing keeping them from more Switch 2 use is probably that game’s partial incompatibility; it needs an S2 patch that deactivates microgames that need the JoyCon 1’s IR sensor)
I've had one since launch and it's the number one played system in the house by my wife and kids. It really is an optimized kinnect in the best way
December 4, 2025 at 12:48 AM
This tracks. Kids seem to love motion games.
My 8-year-olds’ most-played Switch 1 game is probably WarioWare Move It
(One thing keeping them from more Switch 2 use is probably that game’s partial incompatibility; it needs an S2 patch that deactivates microgames that need the JoyCon 1’s IR sensor)
My 8-year-olds’ most-played Switch 1 game is probably WarioWare Move It
(One thing keeping them from more Switch 2 use is probably that game’s partial incompatibility; it needs an S2 patch that deactivates microgames that need the JoyCon 1’s IR sensor)
Back in March I was sent a press release about the Nex, stating that
“In just its first holiday season last year, Nex Playground sold nearly 150,000 units, completely selling out on Black Friday at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy”
I failed to investigate further
“In just its first holiday season last year, Nex Playground sold nearly 150,000 units, completely selling out on Black Friday at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy”
I failed to investigate further
US best-selling hardware SKUs for week ending Nov 22, 2025, ranked on units sold:
1) NS2 Mario Kart World Bundle
2) NEX Playground Interactive Gaming System
3) PS5 Slim Digital 1 TB
So that's neat.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
1) NS2 Mario Kart World Bundle
2) NEX Playground Interactive Gaming System
3) PS5 Slim Digital 1 TB
So that's neat.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
December 4, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Back in March I was sent a press release about the Nex, stating that
“In just its first holiday season last year, Nex Playground sold nearly 150,000 units, completely selling out on Black Friday at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy”
I failed to investigate further
“In just its first holiday season last year, Nex Playground sold nearly 150,000 units, completely selling out on Black Friday at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy”
I failed to investigate further
Reposted by Stephen Totilo
Hi. There has been $38 million worth of activity on the game of the year results on gambling platform Polymarket.
December 3, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Hi. There has been $38 million worth of activity on the game of the year results on gambling platform Polymarket.
NEW: Netflix is selling cozy game studio Spry Fox back to its founders as the streamer shrinks from six game studios in 2024 to three
Spry Fox is avoiding closure, still working on the ambitious MMO Spirit Crossing
Netflix is releasing games, but has changed focus
www.gamefile.news/p/netflix-se...
Spry Fox is avoiding closure, still working on the ambitious MMO Spirit Crossing
Netflix is releasing games, but has changed focus
www.gamefile.news/p/netflix-se...
Netflix sells game studio Spry Fox back to its founders
Exclusive: The streamer’s six-studio gaming operation is down to three, as Netflix pursues an altered video game strategy
www.gamefile.news
December 3, 2025 at 7:25 PM
NEW: Netflix is selling cozy game studio Spry Fox back to its founders as the streamer shrinks from six game studios in 2024 to three
Spry Fox is avoiding closure, still working on the ambitious MMO Spirit Crossing
Netflix is releasing games, but has changed focus
www.gamefile.news/p/netflix-se...
Spry Fox is avoiding closure, still working on the ambitious MMO Spirit Crossing
Netflix is releasing games, but has changed focus
www.gamefile.news/p/netflix-se...
Great to see a new review by @dreamcastaway.bsky.social on Kotaku!
"Meet this game with your own child-like sense of earnestness, and you will have an experience that you’ll not forget anytime soon."
kotaku.com/octopath-tra...
"Meet this game with your own child-like sense of earnestness, and you will have an experience that you’ll not forget anytime soon."
kotaku.com/octopath-tra...
Octopath Traveler 0: The Kotaku Review - Kotaku
A mobile spin-off transforms into the best game in the RPG series
kotaku.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Great to see a new review by @dreamcastaway.bsky.social on Kotaku!
"Meet this game with your own child-like sense of earnestness, and you will have an experience that you’ll not forget anytime soon."
kotaku.com/octopath-tra...
"Meet this game with your own child-like sense of earnestness, and you will have an experience that you’ll not forget anytime soon."
kotaku.com/octopath-tra...
December 3, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Drawing a blank on a 2D puzzle game that I thought I saw is about to get a demo. Kind of a metroidvania,
I think? Nonogame or something like that? Anyone have any idea what I’m talking about?
I think? Nonogame or something like that? Anyone have any idea what I’m talking about?
December 3, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Drawing a blank on a 2D puzzle game that I thought I saw is about to get a demo. Kind of a metroidvania,
I think? Nonogame or something like that? Anyone have any idea what I’m talking about?
I think? Nonogame or something like that? Anyone have any idea what I’m talking about?
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Franklin the Turtle
- Norman Rockwell
- Thomas Kinkade
- Celine Dion
- Rufus Wainright
- Theo Von
- Halo
NYT: All have been featured in provocative Trump admin posts
Describes public pushback from parties/rights-holders...from all but one
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
- Franklin the Turtle
- Norman Rockwell
- Thomas Kinkade
- Celine Dion
- Rufus Wainright
- Theo Von
- Halo
NYT: All have been featured in provocative Trump admin posts
Describes public pushback from parties/rights-holders...from all but one
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
Neither Franklin the Turtle Nor Sabrina Carpenter Wants to Appear in Trump Posts
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:39 PM
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Franklin the Turtle
- Norman Rockwell
- Thomas Kinkade
- Celine Dion
- Rufus Wainright
- Theo Von
- Halo
NYT: All have been featured in provocative Trump admin posts
Describes public pushback from parties/rights-holders...from all but one
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
- Franklin the Turtle
- Norman Rockwell
- Thomas Kinkade
- Celine Dion
- Rufus Wainright
- Theo Von
- Halo
NYT: All have been featured in provocative Trump admin posts
Describes public pushback from parties/rights-holders...from all but one
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
For those interested in more info, here's the list of publicly traded companies that Nintendo had the biggest stakes in, as of the end of March
Several game companies in there
Several game companies in there
December 2, 2025 at 6:39 PM
For those interested in more info, here's the list of publicly traded companies that Nintendo had the biggest stakes in, as of the end of March
Several game companies in there
Several game companies in there
"Products with AO ratings cannot be distributed on the Epic Games Store (the only exception is for products in cases where an AO rating was applied solely due to the usage of blockchain or NFT technology)."
Please find our updated FAQ covering this news here www.horses.wtf/BannedFromSt...
Why is HORSES Banned from Steam?
First person horror adventure HORSES was unjustly refused by Steam prior to release with no path to appeal.
www.horses.wtf
December 2, 2025 at 6:18 PM
"Products with AO ratings cannot be distributed on the Epic Games Store (the only exception is for products in cases where an AO rating was applied solely due to the usage of blockchain or NFT technology)."
I recently played through Metroid Prime for the first time in nine years. This time via the gorgeous Remastered remake for Switch
Such a great game (except for that penultimate boss battle)
Alien archaeology with some combat mixed in. You’re sci-fi Indiana Jones, but sometimes a sci-fi boulder
Such a great game (except for that penultimate boss battle)
Alien archaeology with some combat mixed in. You’re sci-fi Indiana Jones, but sometimes a sci-fi boulder
December 2, 2025 at 3:07 AM
I recently played through Metroid Prime for the first time in nine years. This time via the gorgeous Remastered remake for Switch
Such a great game (except for that penultimate boss battle)
Alien archaeology with some combat mixed in. You’re sci-fi Indiana Jones, but sometimes a sci-fi boulder
Such a great game (except for that penultimate boss battle)
Alien archaeology with some combat mixed in. You’re sci-fi Indiana Jones, but sometimes a sci-fi boulder
I wrote about Nintendo's 5th acquisition in 5 years
And about Nintendo's ties to Bandai Namco. Not just buying BN's Singapore studio, not just co-dev on Kirby, but how Nintendo holds about $300m in BN stock. Bigger than their stakes in Square, Konami & Koei Tecmo
www.gamefile.news/p/nintendo-b...
And about Nintendo's ties to Bandai Namco. Not just buying BN's Singapore studio, not just co-dev on Kirby, but how Nintendo holds about $300m in BN stock. Bigger than their stakes in Square, Konami & Koei Tecmo
www.gamefile.news/p/nintendo-b...
Nintendo's acquisition streak
Plus: A look back at Metroid Prime 1
www.gamefile.news
December 1, 2025 at 10:12 PM
I wrote about Nintendo's 5th acquisition in 5 years
And about Nintendo's ties to Bandai Namco. Not just buying BN's Singapore studio, not just co-dev on Kirby, but how Nintendo holds about $300m in BN stock. Bigger than their stakes in Square, Konami & Koei Tecmo
www.gamefile.news/p/nintendo-b...
And about Nintendo's ties to Bandai Namco. Not just buying BN's Singapore studio, not just co-dev on Kirby, but how Nintendo holds about $300m in BN stock. Bigger than their stakes in Square, Konami & Koei Tecmo
www.gamefile.news/p/nintendo-b...
Switch 2 is not outputting a video signal to my TV tonight when docked. Just audio. I tried different wires and ensured the power was still connected. The only other variable is that I recently implemented parental controls and an 8pm “bedtime”. But I turned that off tonight. Anyone experience this?
November 26, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Switch 2 is not outputting a video signal to my TV tonight when docked. Just audio. I tried different wires and ensured the power was still connected. The only other variable is that I recently implemented parental controls and an 8pm “bedtime”. But I turned that off tonight. Anyone experience this?
Reposted by Stephen Totilo
Okay fine. If 25 people send me proof of purchase of a game file annual subscription….i will post a selfie in the Mario costume my stupid friends got me. I am posting this late in the hopes no one does this
November 25, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Okay fine. If 25 people send me proof of purchase of a game file annual subscription….i will post a selfie in the Mario costume my stupid friends got me. I am posting this late in the hopes no one does this
For what it's worth, my kids attended an advance screening yesterday, immediately had my wife call me so they could tell me about a plot twist in the movie... even told me what the sloths did
Hasn't hurt my desire to see it when it comes to Disney+
Hasn't hurt my desire to see it when it comes to Disney+
Well, doesn’t leave a lot for me to say about Zootopia 2 if you’re gonna ban proper nouns, themes, and I guess general vibes next?
November 25, 2025 at 3:54 PM
For what it's worth, my kids attended an advance screening yesterday, immediately had my wife call me so they could tell me about a plot twist in the movie... even told me what the sloths did
Hasn't hurt my desire to see it when it comes to Disney+
Hasn't hurt my desire to see it when it comes to Disney+
Reposted by Stephen Totilo
Want to enable more freelance reporting and reviews on Game File?
Now's a great time to support Game File and Joshua--and to help fund future guest contributions
Guest writers receive a flat rate plus a 25% cut of any annual subscriptions purchased in the 24 hours after their articles run
Now's a great time to support Game File and Joshua--and to help fund future guest contributions
Guest writers receive a flat rate plus a 25% cut of any annual subscriptions purchased in the 24 hours after their articles run
November 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Want to enable more freelance reporting and reviews on Game File?
Now's a great time to support Game File and Joshua--and to help fund future guest contributions
Guest writers receive a flat rate plus a 25% cut of any annual subscriptions purchased in the 24 hours after their articles run
Now's a great time to support Game File and Joshua--and to help fund future guest contributions
Guest writers receive a flat rate plus a 25% cut of any annual subscriptions purchased in the 24 hours after their articles run
"After Harrison was fired, Asmongold.. discussed the developments on his stream...
"He added, 'Eventually, you’ll get a new job, and when you do, I might just make another video and contact that employer, too. Now, why would I do that? For fun. I enjoy it. I like it. It’s a nice pastime.'”
"He added, 'Eventually, you’ll get a new job, and when you do, I might just make another video and contact that employer, too. Now, why would I do that? For fun. I enjoy it. I like it. It’s a nice pastime.'”
Two months after firing over Charlie Kirk comments, Ghost of Yotei dev blames harassment campaign, not 'bad joke'
aftermath.site/sucker-punch-c...
aftermath.site/sucker-punch-c...
November 24, 2025 at 6:52 PM
"After Harrison was fired, Asmongold.. discussed the developments on his stream...
"He added, 'Eventually, you’ll get a new job, and when you do, I might just make another video and contact that employer, too. Now, why would I do that? For fun. I enjoy it. I like it. It’s a nice pastime.'”
"He added, 'Eventually, you’ll get a new job, and when you do, I might just make another video and contact that employer, too. Now, why would I do that? For fun. I enjoy it. I like it. It’s a nice pastime.'”
NEW: @jmrivera.bsky.social has written Game File's first freelance game review--about one of 2025's stranger games
"Blippo+ feels like something I was lucky enough to catch in the wee hours of the night, on a channel that I wasn’t supposed to receive"
www.gamefile.news/p/blippo-plu...
"Blippo+ feels like something I was lucky enough to catch in the wee hours of the night, on a channel that I wasn’t supposed to receive"
www.gamefile.news/p/blippo-plu...
A new video game that's all fake TV shows
A review of Blippo+, one of 2025's stranger new games for Switch and PC (previously on Playdate!)
www.gamefile.news
November 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM
NEW: @jmrivera.bsky.social has written Game File's first freelance game review--about one of 2025's stranger games
"Blippo+ feels like something I was lucky enough to catch in the wee hours of the night, on a channel that I wasn’t supposed to receive"
www.gamefile.news/p/blippo-plu...
"Blippo+ feels like something I was lucky enough to catch in the wee hours of the night, on a channel that I wasn’t supposed to receive"
www.gamefile.news/p/blippo-plu...