John • Gaming In The Wild
@gaminginthewild.com
Video games • Podcasts & YouTube: gaminginthewild.com • Books: Lost In Cult & Phaidon • Critique with kindness • Journalist • Social & PR • There's a patreon! patreon.com/gaminginthewild
Pinned
GOTY 2025: The Best Video Games Of 2025
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
youtu.be
If you'd told me at the start of the year that my GOTY list wouldn't feature Silksong or Hades II, but would have an extraction shooter and a business sim, I'd have thought you were smokin' something.
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
Reposted by John • Gaming In The Wild
One of my proudest accolades is being Nominated for "RPG of the Year" by D.I.C.E. and... it's happened again! 😅
Really appreciate the recognition for Citizen Sleeper 2 in a genre I care so deeply about pushing forward!
Check out the rest of the finalists here - www.interactive.org/awards/29th_...
Really appreciate the recognition for Citizen Sleeper 2 in a genre I care so deeply about pushing forward!
Check out the rest of the finalists here - www.interactive.org/awards/29th_...
January 8, 2026 at 6:38 PM
One of my proudest accolades is being Nominated for "RPG of the Year" by D.I.C.E. and... it's happened again! 😅
Really appreciate the recognition for Citizen Sleeper 2 in a genre I care so deeply about pushing forward!
Check out the rest of the finalists here - www.interactive.org/awards/29th_...
Really appreciate the recognition for Citizen Sleeper 2 in a genre I care so deeply about pushing forward!
Check out the rest of the finalists here - www.interactive.org/awards/29th_...
It's funny how in Arc Raiders, the solo queue is all sweethearts giving each other blueprints and helping out anyone in need, and the duo queue is made up entirely of bloodlust psychos trying to clear the map of anything person-shaped
January 8, 2026 at 9:06 PM
It's funny how in Arc Raiders, the solo queue is all sweethearts giving each other blueprints and helping out anyone in need, and the duo queue is made up entirely of bloodlust psychos trying to clear the map of anything person-shaped
Switched my BlueSky profile address to the gaminginthewild.com domain name, so now I'm bsky.app/profile/gaminginthewild.com. This account will from now on be terribly fancy and grown-up.
January 8, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Switched my BlueSky profile address to the gaminginthewild.com domain name, so now I'm bsky.app/profile/gaminginthewild.com. This account will from now on be terribly fancy and grown-up.
Reposted by John • Gaming In The Wild
Every week my partner goes out to netball for the evening so hit me with your best sub 3 hour game recommendations
January 7, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Every week my partner goes out to netball for the evening so hit me with your best sub 3 hour game recommendations
Podcasters and YouTubers: comment on this megathread to be added to a good little creator directory.
From the indiegametube community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the indiegametube community
www.reddit.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Podcasters and YouTubers: comment on this megathread to be added to a good little creator directory.
BTW 2026 is a great year to #BoycottSpotify.
Best of 2025: Tiki Taane takes aim at Spotify as Kiwi artists boycott platform
Many of New Zealand's biggest musicians are boycotting Spotify and ditching the platform amid accusations of exploitation.
www.newstalkzb.co.nz
January 7, 2026 at 2:23 PM
BTW 2026 is a great year to #BoycottSpotify.
Oh great, #Microslop have inserted Copilot into the @xbox.com app. It's like they're trying to talk me into switching to a Steam Machine every day.
January 6, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Oh great, #Microslop have inserted Copilot into the @xbox.com app. It's like they're trying to talk me into switching to a Steam Machine every day.
I'm a badge-carrying Reddit disliker.
I sometimes drop a video in one indie game channel or another, then get a 200 word chastisement for not formatting it right or whatever.
So I started a no-nonsense, "normal" indie game Subreddit where people can post indie game videos, podcasts, reviews etc.
I sometimes drop a video in one indie game channel or another, then get a 200 word chastisement for not formatting it right or whatever.
So I started a no-nonsense, "normal" indie game Subreddit where people can post indie game videos, podcasts, reviews etc.
indiegametube
A chill place for indie game videos, podcast, reviews — share your stuff, and check out what others are posting!
www.reddit.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:07 PM
I'm a badge-carrying Reddit disliker.
I sometimes drop a video in one indie game channel or another, then get a 200 word chastisement for not formatting it right or whatever.
So I started a no-nonsense, "normal" indie game Subreddit where people can post indie game videos, podcasts, reviews etc.
I sometimes drop a video in one indie game channel or another, then get a 200 word chastisement for not formatting it right or whatever.
So I started a no-nonsense, "normal" indie game Subreddit where people can post indie game videos, podcasts, reviews etc.
New year tip: if you'd like an easy Wrapped-style breakdown of your games, playtimes, trophies *across all platforms* at the end of the year, check out @playtracker.bsky.social. I'm giving it a go, and I can already see a breakdown of time spent per platform (Steam is winning handily so far).
Gaming In The Wild x PlayTracker
Earn rewards by tracking your cross-platform game library, achievements, stats, friend activity, and more.
playtracker.net
January 6, 2026 at 7:36 AM
New year tip: if you'd like an easy Wrapped-style breakdown of your games, playtimes, trophies *across all platforms* at the end of the year, check out @playtracker.bsky.social. I'm giving it a go, and I can already see a breakdown of time spent per platform (Steam is winning handily so far).
Introduce yourself with 4 video games
January 5, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Introduce yourself with 4 video games
Reposted by John • Gaming In The Wild
Looking for even more new games coming out this month, with a focus on indies? Check out @gaminginthewild.bsky.social's video (which we sponsored this month):
bsky.app/profile/gami...
bsky.app/profile/gami...
It's time for the first indie game releases video of the year. January has a lot going on, including:
- An extremely happy bouncing frog game
- A paranoid cyberpunk hack 'n' slash saga
- An epidemic doctor insanity simulator
- And more!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m4y...
- An extremely happy bouncing frog game
- A paranoid cyberpunk hack 'n' slash saga
- An epidemic doctor insanity simulator
- And more!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m4y...
The Indie Game Guide To January '26
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Looking for even more new games coming out this month, with a focus on indies? Check out @gaminginthewild.bsky.social's video (which we sponsored this month):
bsky.app/profile/gami...
bsky.app/profile/gami...
Some of these amazing 2025 indie games have 0.01% of Silksong's Steam reviews.
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
The Indie Hidden Gems Of 2025
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
youtu.be
January 5, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Some of these amazing 2025 indie games have 0.01% of Silksong's Steam reviews.
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
Won't someone think of all the 11th and 17th and 21st placed GOTY games that didn't make lists?
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
13 Indie Games You Might Have Missed In 2025
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
youtu.be
January 4, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Won't someone think of all the 11th and 17th and 21st placed GOTY games that didn't make lists?
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
youtu.be/Ig643WXE5Zk?...
I liked #ManyNightsAWhisper so much, I bought it as a Christmas gift for half my Steam friends list. Play as a young archer who has to make a 1 kilometre shot into a huge huge stone chalice. If they hit, the world's dreams come true. If they miss, no such dreams will ever happen.
1.5hrs, $2.24.
1.5hrs, $2.24.
Save 25% on Many Nights a Whisper on Steam
A short interactive essay on dreams, pressure, and expectations. Take part in an ancient ritual where one shot determines the fate of a generation.
store.steampowered.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:24 PM
I liked #ManyNightsAWhisper so much, I bought it as a Christmas gift for half my Steam friends list. Play as a young archer who has to make a 1 kilometre shot into a huge huge stone chalice. If they hit, the world's dreams come true. If they miss, no such dreams will ever happen.
1.5hrs, $2.24.
1.5hrs, $2.24.
Reposted by John • Gaming In The Wild
If you'd told me at the start of the year that my GOTY list wouldn't feature Silksong or Hades II, but would have an extraction shooter and a business sim, I'd have thought you were smokin' something.
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
GOTY 2025: The Best Video Games Of 2025
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
youtu.be
December 30, 2025 at 12:35 PM
If you'd told me at the start of the year that my GOTY list wouldn't feature Silksong or Hades II, but would have an extraction shooter and a business sim, I'd have thought you were smokin' something.
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
But here we are.
youtu.be/K5Z4bBENvW0?...
The most detailed and clarifying piece of journalism I've encountered on the Xbox BDS boycott. youtu.be/Ybj10537yi4?...
Why We're Boycotting Xbox (and Maybe You Should Too)
YouTube video by People Make Games
youtu.be
January 3, 2026 at 11:11 PM
The most detailed and clarifying piece of journalism I've encountered on the Xbox BDS boycott. youtu.be/Ybj10537yi4?...
Here's where I ended up this year:
10. Many Nights A Whisper
9. Skate Story
8. DISPATCH
7. Sword of the Sea
6. BALL x PIT
5. ARC Raiders
4. Promise Mascot Agency
3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
1. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
10. Many Nights A Whisper
9. Skate Story
8. DISPATCH
7. Sword of the Sea
6. BALL x PIT
5. ARC Raiders
4. Promise Mascot Agency
3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
1. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
GOTY 2025: The Best Video Games Of 2025
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
youtu.be
January 3, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Here's where I ended up this year:
10. Many Nights A Whisper
9. Skate Story
8. DISPATCH
7. Sword of the Sea
6. BALL x PIT
5. ARC Raiders
4. Promise Mascot Agency
3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
1. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
10. Many Nights A Whisper
9. Skate Story
8. DISPATCH
7. Sword of the Sea
6. BALL x PIT
5. ARC Raiders
4. Promise Mascot Agency
3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
1. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
The Ghost games are odd ones. Playing both Tsushima & Yotei, I found myself looking for some kind of essence or ~soul that I never managed to find.
They're sleek, glossy, and proficient, but lacking in heft, gravity, texture, or substance, as I perceive those things, at least.
They're sleek, glossy, and proficient, but lacking in heft, gravity, texture, or substance, as I perceive those things, at least.
January 3, 2026 at 12:59 PM
The Ghost games are odd ones. Playing both Tsushima & Yotei, I found myself looking for some kind of essence or ~soul that I never managed to find.
They're sleek, glossy, and proficient, but lacking in heft, gravity, texture, or substance, as I perceive those things, at least.
They're sleek, glossy, and proficient, but lacking in heft, gravity, texture, or substance, as I perceive those things, at least.
I'm going to be contributing a monthly indie game release guide to @somanygames.co.uk this year. It's a great, well-intentioned little site that covers good games with no cookie / spam / popup / clickbait / tracker internet nonsense. Here's the first edition.
In the first of a new monthly series of articles @gaminginthewild.bsky.social runs down his most anticipated releases for January 2026!
somanygames.co.uk/articles/ind...
somanygames.co.uk/articles/ind...
January 3, 2026 at 11:27 AM
I'm going to be contributing a monthly indie game release guide to @somanygames.co.uk this year. It's a great, well-intentioned little site that covers good games with no cookie / spam / popup / clickbait / tracker internet nonsense. Here's the first edition.
Untangled: "Please stop calling our low quality product a low quality product, and instead focus on thinking about how you can use our low quality product."
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says people should move beyond calling AI 'slop'
"We need to get beyond the arguments of slop vs sophistication and develop a new equilibrium ... that accounts for humans being equipped with these new cognitive amplifier tools as we relate to each other"
"We need to get beyond the arguments of slop vs sophistication and develop a new equilibrium ... that accounts for humans being equipped with these new cognitive amplifier tools as we relate to each other"
January 3, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Untangled: "Please stop calling our low quality product a low quality product, and instead focus on thinking about how you can use our low quality product."
It's time for the first indie game releases video of the year. January has a lot going on, including:
- An extremely happy bouncing frog game
- A paranoid cyberpunk hack 'n' slash saga
- An epidemic doctor insanity simulator
- And more!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m4y...
- An extremely happy bouncing frog game
- A paranoid cyberpunk hack 'n' slash saga
- An epidemic doctor insanity simulator
- And more!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m4y...
The Indie Game Guide To January '26
YouTube video by Gaming In The Wild
www.youtube.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM
It's time for the first indie game releases video of the year. January has a lot going on, including:
- An extremely happy bouncing frog game
- A paranoid cyberpunk hack 'n' slash saga
- An epidemic doctor insanity simulator
- And more!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m4y...
- An extremely happy bouncing frog game
- A paranoid cyberpunk hack 'n' slash saga
- An epidemic doctor insanity simulator
- And more!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m4y...
Instagram you've gotta be fckn kidding me
January 2, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Instagram you've gotta be fckn kidding me
I finished 2nd in the patron #FantasyCritic league, but the crown went to @dovetail.bsky.social!
A mixed season: I started strong by calling Bananza ahead of the announcement, but a series of critical flops from renowned publishers—Skin Deep, Rematch, Shadow Labyrinth—did for me in the end.
A mixed season: I started strong by calling Bananza ahead of the announcement, but a series of critical flops from renowned publishers—Skin Deep, Rematch, Shadow Labyrinth—did for me in the end.
January 1, 2026 at 12:11 PM
I finished 2nd in the patron #FantasyCritic league, but the crown went to @dovetail.bsky.social!
A mixed season: I started strong by calling Bananza ahead of the announcement, but a series of critical flops from renowned publishers—Skin Deep, Rematch, Shadow Labyrinth—did for me in the end.
A mixed season: I started strong by calling Bananza ahead of the announcement, but a series of critical flops from renowned publishers—Skin Deep, Rematch, Shadow Labyrinth—did for me in the end.
Have a happy new year everyone, warm wishes from chilly Reykjavík!
December 31, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Have a happy new year everyone, warm wishes from chilly Reykjavík!
"Secret" unlisted playlist: interesting #ARCRaiders runs, mostly me and my pal Ciaràn being pacifist raiders on the voice chat.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
ARC Raiders - YouTube
John & Ciaran are two careful pacifist Raiders trying to knock off quests, find loot, explore, and only get into a manageable amount of trouble.
www.youtube.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:55 PM
"Secret" unlisted playlist: interesting #ARCRaiders runs, mostly me and my pal Ciaràn being pacifist raiders on the voice chat.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...