Reconnect Recap, w/e 23rd March - The error logs are finally empty.

Connecting you to incredible games writing.

Kia Ora team.

I know this week was a good week for games writing, because I launched my own BlueSky integration on Reconnect, meaning articles I curate automagically get posted to BlueSky, and that integration broke like 15 times due to the different types of articles being fire-hosed into the activity-pub protocol.

It’s all working now, so I can finally sit back and read these articles rather than the error logs.

If you are new here, the Reconnect Recap is the companion newsletter to Reconnect, the games discovery platform. Each week I cherry pick a selection of articles from the site you might like and then I chuck in some few extra fun bits for your entertainment.

Let’s get started shall we?

If you’re on Bluesky, I’ve made a starter pack so that you can follow all the Reconnect writers in one spot. Not 100% complete yet but I’ll keep adding to it.

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The Recap

• GameWisdom breaks down the pros and cons of early access games, the only con I ever encounter is the fact that most EA games done support the Steamdeck.

• Gaming Insights Digest
  explains how Turkey became a mobile gaming powerhouse.

• SuperJump Magazine shows off an extremely batshit web browser game featuring a Sit’n’Spin toy and some very dark humour. I’m not joking about the dark humour either, like dead children jokes.

• GameDev Reports - sponsored by Neon
  presents the research that shows that the African gaming market is growing in a very promising manner. This is great news as games are predominantly dominated by Eurocentric and Asian countries, more diversity in this space is a win for everyone.

• RetroDodo brings us a history of the GameBoy Advance, the only gameboy I never owned, yes I owned the original, the colour, the SP and even the Micro.

• Multiplier
  has yet another interview with a real life person in the industry (are their any left?) and this time they are talking about the work needed to get pacing in a game great.

• TimeExtensions has not one, not two, but three awesome things to share this week. Trust me I tried to cut one but I couldn’t. First we have a look at a cute new owl-themed platformer for the Playdate, which reminds me I need to charge mine. Secondly we have more news about the Nintendo Playstation with another one appearing in the wild. Finally, we have a look at the UI for the upcoming FPGA PS1, which I thought would be more PS1 retro, but it looks great.

• Games & Writing by Greg Buchanan
  guides us through making your writing portfolio great and more importantly, employable.

• AusRetroGamer talks horror in gaming with a five part documentary that dives into the games that make us jump.

• Game Production Alchemist
  explains how game producers can get the most out of their teams by allowing them to get into flow.

• Big Nerd Gaming provides light in a world of negativity, arguing that Game Reviewers are actually doing an alright job, despite the backlash. Because let’s be fair, these people just want to be mad and miserable.

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Something Extra

Valve published their own document recapping the success of the console and it is PACKED with amazing insights. Examples of device mockups, server details, developer details and STUNNING screenshots of games that were definitely taken on a more capable device. Give it a read!

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Writer Recap

My favourite thing about Seyran,

Good Game Lobby

, is that they use animated images for their article covers and gives their blog an elevated look, something I should give a go. But my second favourite thing is their consistent coverage of indie games, something I rely on to determine what I’m playing next on my SteamDeck. From their Friday Follow Up series to individual coverage like Arco and Keep Driving, it’s a great publication to be subscribed to, and they have a Youtube channel also.

Go give them a follow!

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