Bethesda Softworks’ former senior vice president of global marketing and communications, Pete Hines, says gaming subscription services like Xbox Game Pass are “worth jack s***” if the game developers who create content for them are not properly supported.
The ex-Bethesda figurehead, who announced his retirement in 2023 after 24 years with the company, opened up about the state of the gaming industry during a new interview with DBLTAP. In addition to touching on the early days of the company behind Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, Hines spoke about what he feels the future of services like Game Pass looks like.
He admits his retirement from the Microsoft-owned Bethesda means his view on the matter may not be up to date. However, Hines says he witnessed what he “considered to be some short sighted decision making several years ago” that now appears to be “bearing out the way I said.”
“Subscriptions have become the new four letter word, right? You can’t buy a product anymore,” Hines said. “When you talk about a subscription that relies on content, if you don’t figure out how to balance the needs of the service and the people running the service with the people who are providing the content – without which your subscription is worth jack s*** – then you have a real problem.”
That tension is hurting a lot of people, including the content creators themselves, because they’re fitting into an ecosystem that is not properly valuing and rewarding what they’re making.
Gamers have discussed the viability of platforms like Game Pass since its launch in 2017. While a service flooded with hundreds of games for subscribers to play sounds like a dream come true for players, how the developers behind these games receive support has been hazy.
“You need to properly acknowledge, compensate and recognize what it takes to create that content and not just make a game, but make a product,” he elaborated. “That tension is hurting a lot of people, including the content creators themselves, because they’re fitting into an ecosystem that is not properly valuing and rewarding what they’re making.”
Two Bethesda studios – Redfall developer Arkane Austin and Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks – were shut down in May 2024, though the latter was eventually saved after PUBG publisher Krafton acquired it from Xbox. In the wake of mass layoffs and studio closures, original Arkane founder Raphael Colantonio called Game Pass the “elephant in the room” and an “unsustainable model.” He added, “I don’t think GP can co-exist with other models, they’ll either kill everyone else, or give up.”
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
With Hollow Knight: Silksong out now, many players are celebrating its unexpectedly low $20 price tag. But some independent developers are pointing out that great as this may be, it could lead to unreasonable expectations for other indie games that can’t afford to sell for that low.
This comes from a number of threads on social media from developers of games such as Unbeatable, Dorfromantik, and others. In one Bluesky thread, Unbeatable director RJ Lake says that Silksong should cost $40, “and I’m not even joking.”
But Lake isn’t upset at Team Cherry for charging $20 – that’s their perogative. But it will have an impact on gaming audiences. As Lake explains:
“millions of people will probably buy silksong on day one, and it was a game that had a very ‘low’ budget, because the budget is ‘these devs worked on it without direct pay for however long they wanted to do that,'” Lake writes. “it had a ‘these devs are independently wealthy’ budget of ‘effectively zero dollars.’
“they can price however low they want, as a result. their return on investment is infinite no matter what they do. but by charging such a low amount, they are causing lizard brain signals to fire off saying ‘this kind of game is worth twenty dollars. you should expect this game for twenty dollars.’
“if enough of those lizard brain signals fire, some kinds of games with actual budgets to pay people who need to live are going to get priced out of existence unless they can get the kind of organic groundswell you can’t plan for”
A lot of other indie devs think Lake might have a point here, including folks from Deck 13 and Red Squirrel Games. Over on Twitter/X, Basti Games, the developer of Lone Fungus: Melody of Spores, asked the audience how much Lone Fungus should cost given Silksong’s $20 price. Basti had originally been planning on making Lone Fungus $20, too. But because it’s shorter in length than Silksong, should it be cheaper?
As a dev making a smaller Metroidvania than Silksong, which I originally though would be fairly priced at 20 USD… what should I price it now?
It’ll be a 10-15+ hours game, but it was made by one person with limited dev time and funds, I can’t afford to give it away for free. https://t.co/FFcgz6TI1z
Fortunately for Basti, the replies overwhelmingly encourage them to price it at $20 if that’s what’s required. “Dude charge 20$,” wrote one fan. “Price is not about the game is about context. They are able to price 20$ for a bigger game because they steem to receive a million times the cost. You are a small company, dude charge 20$ you deserve thst”
Another wrote, “10-20 is totally fair imo. Team cherry could have made silksong 40 and still sold hotcakes, the fact they didn’t just means they are cool as fuck. Don’t hold yourself to standards of giants, or else you’ll have to climb a staircase.”
Still, other developers are worried too. In an Eurogamer article on the subject, Dorfromantik developer Toukana’s co-founder, Zwi Zausch, said that the studio’s next game, Star Birds, would have its pricing impacted by Silksong.
“We’re trying not to compete too directly with Silksong, both in terms of release date and pricing. Of course, these are two very different games with potentially different player bases, but there’s definitely some overlap. That makes things tricky, especially since Star Birds is a joint project between two studios, together employing more people than Team Cherry.”
Indie game prices has historically been a challenging subject, as teams balance needing to ensure all their members are adequately paid, uncertainty around sales numbers, and the volatility of audiences in deciding not to buy smaller games at prices they perceive as too high. As AAA game prices climb fro $60 to $70 to $80, there has been renewed discussion on where indies should fall – many can’t afford to go lower than $20, but many will also lose sales if they don’t.
“People have less money now and are buying fewer games,” says Mike Rose, founder of No More Robots, “so you have to set yourself up to hopefully be that one game they buy when they do have money. And if you are a higher price, it’s now actually a bit offputting.”
We’re finally ready to ascend — Hollow Knight: Silksong is out now, and Pharloom is ready and waiting to be explored.
Just like Hollow Knight, Team Cherry has stuffed its second game with tons of challenges, hidden collectibles, and a whole bunch of news systems for you to dig into. And as we got the game at the very same time you lovely readers did, our full review won’t be ready for a few days yet.
Writing on social media, Ubisoft audio architect Rob Bantin shared the real reason why the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Star Wars Outlaws uses a Game-Key Card — a physical cartridge that requires owners still download the game, rather than including the full thing on the cart.
The answer? It’s all due to the Switch 2’s data speeds, and how quickly the hardware can read information from its bespoke cartridges, versus games downloaded to the console’s internal memory.
“[Star Wars Outlaws game engine] Snowdrop relies heavily on disk streaming for its open world environments, and we found the Switch 2 cards simply didn’t give the performance we needed at the quality target we were going for,” Bantin wrote.
The information has come as a surprise to some Nintendo fans who have previously grumbled over the use of Game-Key Cards, which are cheaper and therefore increasingly popular among developers of larger games which would otherwise require more costly cartridges with increased memory capacity.
“I don’t recall the cost of the cards ever entering the discussion – probably because it was moot,” Bantin continued.
While not a comprehensive reason for all developers to use Game-Key Cards, Bantin went on to explain that it was important for Ubisoft and its Snowdrop development team, especially as Outlaws was originally developed for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S — console platforms that had faster SSD memory on board.
“I think if we’d designed a game for Switch 2 from the ground up it might have been different,” Bantin said. “As it was, we’d build a game around the SSDs of the initial target platforms, and then the Switch 2 came along a while later. In this case I think our leadership made the right call.”
Last month, Nintendo launched a fresh fan survey that quizzed Switch 2 owners for their opinions on buying digital games instead of boxed copies, and specifically asked for feedback on Game-Key Cards, following their less-than-stellar initial reception among fans who prefer their physical games to include… well, the full game.
I don’t mind skipping over fluff deals, and you know by now I don’t put up with nonsense like that. These are solid markdowns on products people are already paying attention to, including two solid PS5 games, a collectible Blu-ray, or just a cheap snack to stash away.
Resident Evil 4
This remake was already a must-play for me when it launched, but at $15 it would be rude not too. Capcom rebuilt a survival horror classic with modern controls, polished visuals, and new mechanics that keep it feeling fresh while still honoring the original. If you missed it at full price, this is a great chance to grab it.
Final Fantasy XVI
Final Fantasy XVI goes big in every way . Darker storytelling, faster combat, and those cinematic Eikon battles that really show off the PS5’s power. It’s a dense, story-driven game that still feels very approachable thanks to its action-first design. Getting a major release like this for under $25 feels like strong value, especially if you’ve been waiting for the right price to dive in.
The Boy and The Heron
This is Miyazaki’s latest film and it’s already an award-winner, so owning it on SteelBook is an easy call if you’re a Studio Ghibli fan. Beyond the collectible packaging, there are some worthwhile extras too (interviews, storyboards, behind-the-scenes looks) that make this more than just a standard Blu-ray release. The discount isn’t massive, but it’s still nice to save a few bucks on a title you’d probably want in your library anyway.
HORI USB Camera for Nintendo Switch 2
This one’s a little more niche, but I was surprised to see such a steep discount on an officially licensed Switch 2 accessory. HORI’s USB camera works across different play modes and comes with everything you need to set it up right away. It’s not something everyone will need, but if you’ve been curious about adding a camera to your Switch setup, this is a good time to try it without paying full price.
OREO Gluten Free Original & Double Stuf
I’ll be honest: this one caught my eye because it’s just a crazy-good pantry deal. Twenty snack packs for just over $5 is tough to beat, especially since gluten-free products rarely see discounts this steep. At about a quarter per pack, these are perfect for tossing in a bag or keeping at your desk.
007 First Light: Legacy And Standard Edition Preorders
The standard edition of 007 First Light includes the base game for $69.99 and is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (via Steam or Epic). Physical copies are offered for all consoles, though Switch 2 uses a game-key card rather than a full cartridge, meaning you’ll still need the card inserted to play but can lend or resell it like a typical game card. Preorders also come with the deluxe edition upgrade at no extra cost, adding early access for digital buyers plus exclusive DLC skins and outfits. For fans who want something more collectible, the Legacy Edition ($299.99) comes packed with extras. Alongside the full game in a steelbook case, it includes a Golden Gun figurine with a stand and hidden compartment, a certificate of authenticity, and a bundle of deluxe DLC skins and outfits. Between the display-worthy replica and the bonus in-game content, this edition is tailored for Bond enthusiasts who want both a showpiece for their shelf and extra flair in-game.
LEGO Disney & Pixar Wall-E & EVE
The LEGO Disney & Pixar WALL-E & EVE Building Set (43279) is one of the new LEGO sets for September. It comes with 811 pieces and builds four characters from the movie: WALL-E, EVE, M-O, and Hal. Each has movable parts, like WALL-E’s rolling tracks and EVE’s poseable arms, plus small accessories like the plant in a boot. Once built, the figures stand about 5 inches tall and work well as shelf or desk décor.
EUKI Compressed Air Duster
The EUKI Compressed Air Duster ($39.99) is a rechargeable alternative to disposable air cans, built with a 150,000 RPM motor and three speed settings for different cleaning tasks. It weighs just 315 grams and can handle everything from clearing dust out of keyboards and PCs to inflating air beds or drying surfaces. A full charge takes about 2.5 hours and provides up to 100 minutes of use, with built-in protections for safe performance. The kit comes with a USB-C cable, storage bag, brushes, and a non-slip handle.
Runbox Slim Card Holder
RUNBOX Slim Card Holder Wallet is a minimalist aluminum case designed to hold 6–12 cards securely, with a quick-access pop-up button for easy retrieval. At just 0.5 inches thick and 2.6 ounces, it fits comfortably in any pocket while still offering expandable storage thanks to its metal backplate. Built-in RFID blocking helps protect against digital theft, and silicone clips inside keep cards firmly in place.
Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution – Phantasmal Flames Preorders
With the Pokémon Center listings going live for preorder at any moment, it’s only a matter of time until the first expansion for the new era of Pokémon TCG, Mega Evolution: Phantasmal Flames, comes pouring down to other retailers. First up will be Best Buy, normally around 24 hours after the Pokémon Center launch, followed by Target then secondary market and small seller allocations being available on TCGPlayer. Amazon and Walmart have been known to stock Pokémon TCG preorders in the past, but it’s not always a guarantee. Phantasmal Flames drops on November 14, with prerelease events running the week before, and the big headline is Mega Charizard X ex returning in full force. What makes this set even more exciting is its size , about 90 cards before secret rares, which makes it the smallest English set in nearly a decade. For collectors like me, that usually means a much more manageable chase, while still packing in plenty of heavy hitters for players.
The product lineup looks pretty stacked too. We’ll be getting the usual booster packs and booster box (36 packs), a 9-pack Elite Trainer Box featuring a shiny new Charcadet promo, and an Ultra-Premium Collection built around Mega Charizard X ex. On top of that, two theme decks for Mega Gengar ex and Mega Diancie ex are arriving a few weeks early on October 24, which is a fun way to get a taste of the set before launch. If you’re like me and love cracking packs, the booster box is the way to go, but the UPC is already looking like the big collector piece this time around.
What ties it all together is the Japanese set Inferno X, which hit shelves there in late September. That set had only 80 cards, and once you add in the Mega Gengar and Mega Diancie decks, you basically get the full Phantasmal Flames lineup. We’ve already seen some killer reveals, including the Mega Charizard X ex secret rare previewed at Worlds, so I’m fully expecting that to be the chase card when this launches. Between the smaller set size, Charizard hype, and some solid gameplay cards, I think this one’s going to fly off shelves and I’m definitely locking in my preorder.
Back To The Future Steelbook Preorders Are Live
The 40th anniversary Back to the Future steelbooks are a collector’s dream. Each movie in the trilogy is getting its own limited-edition release on October 14, with sleek new steelbook packaging featuring inside-and-out film artwork. Priced between $29.99 and $34.99, each edition includes the movie on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and digital, along with a treasure trove of bonus features, from archival documentaries and outtakes to new retrospectives with co-writer Bob Gale and cast/crew members.
Pokémon TCG: Holiday Calendar (2025) Cheaper At TCGPlayer
The 2025 Pokémon TCG Holiday Calendar is shaping up to be a holiday highlight for fans without breaking the bank. While Amazon has it listed for $67.94, with the lowest price right now is actually at TCGplayer, where you can snag it for just $61.97. Inside, you’ll get a festive advent-style box with 25 surprises: eight foil promo cards with a snowflake Poké Ball stamp, six booster packs, seven fun packs, two coins, sticker sheets, and a bonus code card for Pokémon TCG Live. With boosters pulled from recent Scarlet & Violet expansions like Destined Rivals and Journey Together, this calendar offers both collectible promos and real gameplay value at the best price you’ll find online today.
Marvel Legends Series Wolverine Premium Roleplay Mask
Hasbro’s Marvel Legends Series Wolverine Premium Roleplay Mask is a must-have for fans of the clawed mutant, whether you’re into cosplay or just want a striking display piece. Priced at $99.99 and set to release on October 1 (with preorders live now at Amazon), this full-scale 1:1 mask recreates Wolverine’s look from Deadpool & Wolverine. It sports the classic yellow-and-black design with realistic battle damage and white eye screens, giving it a screen-accurate edge. The mask also comes with its own display stand, so it’ll look just as good on a shelf as it does when you wear it.
Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 + 4 Under $35
As part of Amazon’s Labor Day sale, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 has dropped to its lowest price yet, making now the perfect time to grab it. Normally priced higher, this updated collection delivers classic arcade skateboarding with a modern polish. In our review where we scored it an 8/10, we praised the game for proving “the series’ over-the-top skateboarding formula is totally timeless,” even if some of the tweaks to THPS4 and the soundtrack choices didn’t fully land. At this price, though, you’re getting an iconic piece of gaming history for less than ever before.
Pokémon TCG ETBs and Booster Bundles
When it comes to sealed Pokémon TCG products, the real bargains today are on ETBs and booster bundles. White Flare is sitting at just $75 on TCGPlayer, which is a nice break from the usual $90+ price tags. Even the newer Destined Rivals and Black Bolt boxes are running cheaper there than anywhere else. And if you don’t want to spring for a full ETB, Prismatic Evolutions booster bundles are going for as low as $59, which feels like an easy pickup if you’re chasing singles without committing to a whole box.
I’m also eyeing a few of the new Funko Pop! preorders that just went live. Turtwig drops at the end of September for $15.99, while Ninetales and Absol are both set for mid-December at $14.99 each. These usually disappear around launch week, so if you’re the type who likes locking in new releases before they vanish, it’s probably worth snagging them now instead of hunting later at inflated prices.
Pokémon Funko Pop! Deals
Amazon’s been quietly slashing prices on a bunch of Pokémon Funko Pops, and some of them are cheaper than a booster pack. The biggest surprise for me was Horsea at just $4.31—that’s wild considering it normally goes for $12.99. There are plenty of others worth adding to your shelf too, like Fidough for $7.99, Dratini for $11.30, and even the 10-inch Pikachu for $62, which is a solid drop from its usual $75.99. Whether you’re filling gaps in your collection or just want a budget-friendly pick-up, today’s lineup has a nice mix of starters, legendaries, and fan favorites.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
It’s that time of year again folks. We would love to ask you some questions and would greatly appreciate it if you could take the time to respond to our anonymous survey.
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Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict – Introducing Some of the 12 New Bosses in the Latest Update
Mark Roberts & Kane BennettGame Director & Audio and Narrative Director, Path of Exile 2
The Third Edict, the next major update for Path of Exile 2 in Game Preview, is out now, and brings a massive amount of new content alongside overall improvements to the game. One of the largest additions is the introduction of Act Four, with 12 new bosses to challenge players.
Alongside diving deeper on some of those bosses, we’d like to offer an introduction to some of the new areas included in The Third Edict.
In Act Four, you will have 8 islands to explore, each with its own dangers and, of course… bosses! As each island has a distinct identity, we were able to create a completely unique set of monsters on every single island, allowing us to explore many different cultures of Wraeclast. In total, Act Four brings over 100 new monster varieties to Path of Exile 2!
With nature left to its devices, it seems the creatures on these islands have evolved in rather interesting ways. One such fierce creature is The Great White One. This boss is a trophy kill, dropping a quest item for an optional quest. This is just one of many optional boss encounters throughout Act Four.
The Great White One is a shark – at least at first. As you approach the edge of the rocks on its island you’ll see its fin swim by. You feel safe and comfortable on land, but only for a moment – because, in short order, it will leap out of the water to reveal a very unexpected form. It’s at this moment the player will think “Of course I should have seen this coming… It’s Wraeclast!” as you begin in an epic battle against this land-shark, which attacks with vicious bites and tail swipes, and frequently burrows underground to attack you from below. If it manages to land a bite on you, you’ll find it frenzied by your blood loss, making its attacks more accurate, and more deadly.
After you’ve faced the creatures of the island above, you’ll descend into the Singing Caverns beneath. In these eerie caves, a beautifully disturbing voice echoes throughout, enticing you to its origin. The Siren, Diamora, Song of Death, is the reason the settlements have been abandoned on the shores of Whakapanu Island. Countless Karui and wanderers have met their end here, but perhaps you can put a stop to it.
Diamora is an awesome boss fight that utilizes some pretty difficult mechanics. Diamora initially appears as a Siren, singing and conveying absolute beauty as she shines and maneuvers in the serene water filling her arena. As you approach, you are lured in by her voice and glow. Just as you get close, that’s when things turn dark – she immediately goes into the water, and what emerges is the opposite of what initially brought you there. She is a mutant hybrid fish creature that uses a human form to attract people in to be eaten.
As she dives in and out of the water, summons walls of water, fires concentrated water beams and performs deafening screeches, you’re left fighting to survive. Look closely at her arena and you’ll notice that, in the darkness, there are figures turned to stone – unlucky victims preserved as pets until she grows tired and uses them for food.
This attention to detail is reflected in a mechanic in the fight – as she dives back into the middle and begins singing, you find yourself turning to stone if you look at her directly. You must avoid looking at her, while fighting off swarms of her siren spawn. As you progress through this mechanic, walls of reflective water appear around the outside of the arena too, which can also turn you to stone if facing in the wrong direction. You’ll need to keep moving, face in the right direction, and survive the swarm in order to overcome Diamora. Good luck!
In your travels you may eventually visit the most sacred of all Karui locations: The Eye of Hinekora, a massive sinkhole in the middle of the ocean. After venturing down into the Eye, the worthy are invited into The Halls of the Dead, where notable Karui spend their afterlife. If you are so lucky to be invited, you will face many tests of mettle within.
One such test comes from The Mother of Death’s Speaker – Navali. Navali gives this task to her faithful companion, Yama, the White. This monkey may not look like much at first, but don’t be fooled… his true form reveals a challenging final test you must pass before you can speak with the Mother of Death herself.
Yama, the White combines high agility combat with two powerful spells to truly test your limits. He is extremely agile, able to maneuver around the arena with ease, and jump on top of clusters of totems to get a height advantage over you – only to flip off them, slamming down back onto you. On top of that he embraces Chaos Magic, a type of damage rarely seen in Wraeclast, which shreds your Energy Shield, and your Life.
His true power, though, is one granted to him by Hinekora herself – the power of Foresight. Yama has the capability to see many futures all at once, meaning he can predict what you will often do. This is reflected by a unique mechanic where, all of a sudden, the arena becomes completely dark. You are alone – until you see a copy of yourself running and dying. Then another… and another. These are alternate futures, showing what will happen to you if you follow them. Your job is to find the one version of your future where you don’t die, and attempt to follow it – easier said than done…
As if all of that wasn’t enough, the final boss of Act Four is an entirely different challenge — but we will not be spoiling that fight for you today. Let’s just say we can’t wait to see your reactions…
Path of Exile 2: The Third Edictis available on Xbox Series X|S now.
This game is a work in progress. It may or may not change over time or release as a final product. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game. Path of Exile 2 is a next generation free-to-play Action RPG created by Grinding Gear Games. Journey across the deadly continent of Wraeclast, meeting multiple immersive cultures while facing off against evil in many forms. Path of Exile 2 features twelve character classes, 240 Skill Gems, hundreds of equipment base types, a six-act campaign, more than a hundred unique boss fights, a deep endgame system and so much more. Play with your friends without losing any progress with couch co-op, cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms. Full details on the latest status of the game, how you can give feedback and report issues can be found at pathofexile2.com.
This past week players snuck through Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and shared memorable moments using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:
Michael_Jamborshares a detailed close-up of Snake’s face
Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme, or be inspired by other great games featuring Photo Mode. As for next week…Share of the Week will be taking a short break! Check back in a few weeks when we focus our lens on Fall games.
While we eagerly await Resident Evil: Requiem to give us a good scare next year, Amazon’s dropped an excellent deal on a slightly older Resi title that’s worth picking up to keep you on your toes in the meantime. The excellent Resident Evil 4 remake for PS5 has dropped to just $15 at the retailer. Yes, you read that correctly! This marks its lowest price yet, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, making now an excellent time to scoop it up for your library if you haven’t had the chance to yet.
Resident Evil 4 for PS5 Down to $15 at Amazon
Considering when it first came out it was listed for $59.99, this makes for a 75% discount from that original price, which is an incredible amount of savings for a game we absolutely adored (awarding a shining 10/10 in our review). IGN’s Tristan Ogilvie said at the time that, “Its combat is friction-free but no less stress-inducing thanks to its ferocious cast of creatures, its story rapidly shuttles through a series of action scenes that are diverse in structure but uniformly unwavering in intensity, and its world is rich in detail and full of fun and often snarling surprises.”
If you’ve yet to add it to your libary, there’s truly no better time than now to do it. Especially considering Resident Evil: Requiem is set to arrive next year in February. Plus, with spooky season right around the corner, now is the perfect time to have a scary game ready to play when October hits. And if you’re curious which order these games should be played in before the new one drops, check out our breakdown of how to play the Resident Evil games in order so you can set yourself up for success next year.
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelancer who writes with the guides and commerce teams here at IGN.
For most of his game-making career, Australian developer dweedes has projected an image of cheeky, punkish rebellion. His website WET GAMIN has accumulated a trove of experimental games over the last decade: short works by various freeware developers that exemplify a scribbly, DIY spirit. Now, making and selling games on Steam under his studio Nonsense Machine, dweedes finds himself in the position of stepping up his commercial and craft ambitions while trying to stay true to his anti-corporate roots.
“I’ll put out games for free because it kind of lightens the load off my head,” he tells me as we chat over Discord. “I don’t have to market it, I don’t have to invest time in it. I just want to get the idea out, and then people can play it. There’s no quality target, so it’s fun for trying new ideas and throwing whatever you want out and not thinking too hard about it.”
