Joshua Novalis
@jnovalis.bsky.social
Writing about games, stories, and the myths we live by. He/him. Subscribe to my Substack, Area of Effect: https://joshuanovalis.substack.com/.
Pinned
Joshua Novalis
@jnovalis.bsky.social
· Apr 8
New post is up on Area of Effect! Enjoy an extra-large recap of what I played in February and March.
joshuanovalis.substack.com/p/wake-up-sl...
joshuanovalis.substack.com/p/wake-up-sl...
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
not a great start to the day… a battlebot got under my feet and flipped me
November 28, 2025 at 4:33 PM
not a great start to the day… a battlebot got under my feet and flipped me
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
Part of the reason I find most discussion/the hype cycle of GTA6 uninteresting because almost none of it is about the game itself.
Its about games that have to move around it, its about how much it can get away costing, its about how it will affect the industry. Not gameplay or narrative.
Its about games that have to move around it, its about how much it can get away costing, its about how it will affect the industry. Not gameplay or narrative.
GTA 6 will be released in 1 year from today
… unless it’s delayed again.
… unless it’s delayed again.
November 19, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Part of the reason I find most discussion/the hype cycle of GTA6 uninteresting because almost none of it is about the game itself.
Its about games that have to move around it, its about how much it can get away costing, its about how it will affect the industry. Not gameplay or narrative.
Its about games that have to move around it, its about how much it can get away costing, its about how it will affect the industry. Not gameplay or narrative.
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
Very funny to compare this to the Valve hardware announcement video, and think back to the Amazon guy on LinkedIn who was like, “why can’t we compete with Valve??? It is a mystery!!!”
November 16, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Very funny to compare this to the Valve hardware announcement video, and think back to the Amazon guy on LinkedIn who was like, “why can’t we compete with Valve??? It is a mystery!!!”
If Predator: Badlands was a video game, all the discourse would be about Thia’s hints being too obvious and how the devs should patch in a way to turn them off.
November 16, 2025 at 5:46 AM
If Predator: Badlands was a video game, all the discourse would be about Thia’s hints being too obvious and how the devs should patch in a way to turn them off.
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
"one day, when it's safe, when there's no personal downside to calling a thing what it is, when it's too late to hold anyone accountable, everyone will have always been against this"
‘We Should’ve Done More’: Kamala Harris Slams Biden Admin Over Netanyahu Support and Praises Pro-Palestine Protesters
‘We Should’ve Done More’: Kamala Harris Slams Biden Admin Over Netanyahu Support and Praises Pro-Palestine Protesters
Kamala Harris criticized Joe Biden's Administration, saying they should have been more willing to publicly criticize Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu over Gaza
The post ‘We Should’ve Done More’: Kamala Harris Slams Biden Admin Over Netanyahu Support and Praises Pro-Palestine Protesters first appeared on Mediaite.
dlvr.it
November 14, 2025 at 6:23 PM
"one day, when it's safe, when there's no personal downside to calling a thing what it is, when it's too late to hold anyone accountable, everyone will have always been against this"
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
ouroboreos
oh wow that’s crazy
oreos with bits of
of oreos. in them
Real Bits of Oreos
oreos with bits of
of oreos. in them
Real Bits of Oreos
November 13, 2025 at 10:13 PM
ouroboreos
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
📢 our friends have launched the incredible Goodnight Universe!! 💫
to celebrate, we're giving away 5 Goodnight Universe Steam keys!!
enter by:
1. following @nicedreamgames.com
2. like + repost this post
entries close tomorrow, 12pm PST 💖
s.team/a/2416100/
to celebrate, we're giving away 5 Goodnight Universe Steam keys!!
enter by:
1. following @nicedreamgames.com
2. like + repost this post
entries close tomorrow, 12pm PST 💖
s.team/a/2416100/
Save 10% on Goodnight Universe on Steam
You are Isaac, a 6-month-old baby, developing mysterious psychic powers. What you want most is to be loved and accepted by your family, but a secretive tech corporation wants you for their own.
store.steampowered.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:44 PM
📢 our friends have launched the incredible Goodnight Universe!! 💫
to celebrate, we're giving away 5 Goodnight Universe Steam keys!!
enter by:
1. following @nicedreamgames.com
2. like + repost this post
entries close tomorrow, 12pm PST 💖
s.team/a/2416100/
to celebrate, we're giving away 5 Goodnight Universe Steam keys!!
enter by:
1. following @nicedreamgames.com
2. like + repost this post
entries close tomorrow, 12pm PST 💖
s.team/a/2416100/
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
This reminded me of this classic post except that everything has gotten far far dumber and more made up
November 7, 2025 at 4:15 PM
This reminded me of this classic post except that everything has gotten far far dumber and more made up
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
Not now, carnivorous death ball
November 6, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Not now, carnivorous death ball
We subscribe to Haymarket's monthly book club, and I'm consistently impressed by the quality and diverse range of books they release each year. Take advantage of this sale while you can!
ALL Haymarket EBooks are 80% off through November 7th ✊🏾✊🏿✊🏽
Haymarket Ebooks on sale for $2!
At Haymarket, our mission is to publish books that contribute to struggles for social and economic justice. We strive to make our books a vibrant and organic part of social movements, and we believe t...
www.haymarketbooks.org
November 5, 2025 at 9:18 PM
We subscribe to Haymarket's monthly book club, and I'm consistently impressed by the quality and diverse range of books they release each year. Take advantage of this sale while you can!
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
As many have pointed out, Mamdani didn't stand apart from our trans brothers and sisters. He didn't play the "Gee, gosh, it sure is complicated," milquetoast moderate card. And he crushed.
The way forward is together, not over the bodies of our own.
The way forward is together, not over the bodies of our own.
November 5, 2025 at 2:52 AM
As many have pointed out, Mamdani didn't stand apart from our trans brothers and sisters. He didn't play the "Gee, gosh, it sure is complicated," milquetoast moderate card. And he crushed.
The way forward is together, not over the bodies of our own.
The way forward is together, not over the bodies of our own.
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
i owe so many video game designers an apology
November 3, 2025 at 6:49 PM
i owe so many video game designers an apology
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
Follow @wario64.bsky.social and repost for a chance to win 1 of 5 Steam codes for Tales of Xillia Remastered courtesy of @gamesplanet.bsky.social. Giveaway closes on Nov 2nd, 6:30 PM PT
Game is $32.97 on Gamesplanet w/ code MILLA buff.ly/t0b4NED
Game is $32.97 on Gamesplanet w/ code MILLA buff.ly/t0b4NED
October 30, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Follow @wario64.bsky.social and repost for a chance to win 1 of 5 Steam codes for Tales of Xillia Remastered courtesy of @gamesplanet.bsky.social. Giveaway closes on Nov 2nd, 6:30 PM PT
Game is $32.97 on Gamesplanet w/ code MILLA buff.ly/t0b4NED
Game is $32.97 on Gamesplanet w/ code MILLA buff.ly/t0b4NED
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
Not now, widening gyre
August 1, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Not now, widening gyre
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings. Look on my works and let me know if you have any questions! 🤗
October 29, 2025 at 9:16 PM
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings. Look on my works and let me know if you have any questions! 🤗
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
I’m one of more than 300 writers who have signed a pledge not to write for New York Times Opinion until the paper takes accountability for its role in the genocide of the Palestinian people.
/1
boycottdivestunsubscribe.com
/1
boycottdivestunsubscribe.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:14 AM
I’m one of more than 300 writers who have signed a pledge not to write for New York Times Opinion until the paper takes accountability for its role in the genocide of the Palestinian people.
/1
boycottdivestunsubscribe.com
/1
boycottdivestunsubscribe.com
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
still thinking about this article today. so many societal ills are caused by people white-washing what actually happens. it's awful to see games do it too.
can't wait for cozy domestic violence simulator or cozy kkk simulator
can't wait for cozy domestic violence simulator or cozy kkk simulator
a wholesome plane has hit the second cozy tower
more like no thoughts to declare
blog.giovanh.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:15 PM
still thinking about this article today. so many societal ills are caused by people white-washing what actually happens. it's awful to see games do it too.
can't wait for cozy domestic violence simulator or cozy kkk simulator
can't wait for cozy domestic violence simulator or cozy kkk simulator
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
It should be pointed out that a 30% margin isn't really an 'ambitious target' so much as it is setting up future justifications for layoffs and downsizing once the impossible sales goal fails to be met. It's "Dead Space 3 needs to sell five million copies" but brand-wide.
SCOOP: For the last two years, Microsoft has pushed Xbox to hit profit margins of 30%, an ambitious target that's far higher than the industry average.
This chase for profit has led Xbox to raise prices, cut thousands of jobs, and rethink everything.
Story: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
This chase for profit has led Xbox to raise prices, cut thousands of jobs, and rethink everything.
Story: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Microsoft Pushes Xbox Division to Hit Higher Profit Margins
Management’s goal of 30% profit margins for gaming has led to job losses, canceled projects
www.bloomberg.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It should be pointed out that a 30% margin isn't really an 'ambitious target' so much as it is setting up future justifications for layoffs and downsizing once the impossible sales goal fails to be met. It's "Dead Space 3 needs to sell five million copies" but brand-wide.
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
I wrote about the degrading choices our political system forces on us, the importance of respecting yourself, and the time I experienced a mild Oliver Stone moment at Sammy's Deluxe in Rockland, Maine. defector.com/what-job-is-...
What Job Is A Guy With A Nazi Tattoo Qualified For? | Defector
The man that my wife and I found ourselves talking to at the bar of a restaurant in Rockland, Me. in the summer of 2019 had arrived in town as your fancier visitors do, which is by boat. He told us th...
defector.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
I wrote about the degrading choices our political system forces on us, the importance of respecting yourself, and the time I experienced a mild Oliver Stone moment at Sammy's Deluxe in Rockland, Maine. defector.com/what-job-is-...
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
dont understand all the hype around The Brothers Karamazov. there's no progression system at all. who am i supposed to identify with if none of the characters is improving their stats and acquiring better equipment
October 21, 2025 at 12:14 AM
dont understand all the hype around The Brothers Karamazov. there's no progression system at all. who am i supposed to identify with if none of the characters is improving their stats and acquiring better equipment
I finished Act 3 of Silksong, & I haven't stopped thinking about it since. Getting to that true ending is BRUTAL, Sisyphean at times, & you're consenting to dozens of hours of failure. Yet, as difficult as the game is, Team Cherry deserves recognition for how well they teach you to endure & improve.
October 16, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I finished Act 3 of Silksong, & I haven't stopped thinking about it since. Getting to that true ending is BRUTAL, Sisyphean at times, & you're consenting to dozens of hours of failure. Yet, as difficult as the game is, Team Cherry deserves recognition for how well they teach you to endure & improve.
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
this is true and it was terrible and i used to complain about it all the time back then. but the backlash to this, resulting in the current near-total lack of personal memoir writing, is not great either. it was concurrent with the backlash to "identity politics" imo
I think a lot of people don’t realize how insanely pervasive and coercive the early 2010s “the only way to make it as a young writer is to publish insanely confessional, raw online essays about your darkest secrets and trauma” culture was.
October 16, 2025 at 2:49 PM
this is true and it was terrible and i used to complain about it all the time back then. but the backlash to this, resulting in the current near-total lack of personal memoir writing, is not great either. it was concurrent with the backlash to "identity politics" imo
Reposted by Joshua Novalis
I will go down swinging against Windows 11
aftermath.site/windows-11-nope
aftermath.site/windows-11-nope
October 16, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I will go down swinging against Windows 11
aftermath.site/windows-11-nope
aftermath.site/windows-11-nope