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Alex Donaldson

@apzonerunner.com

4.3K followers 760 following 1.4K posts

Video game critic. Owner/Final Boss @RPGSite.net, Editor-at-large @Eurogamer.net, occasional freelancer & consultant. Into: Arcade cabs, Watches, Dogs, Whisky, fighting games (esp SF), RPGs (esp FF), NFL (Rams), Lego, Poker & Blackjack www.donaldson.zone

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Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 1h

don't tempt me into writing this for eurogamer as a joke

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 2h

Incidentally, a CVG domain is actually a pretty good aggregator of some 100% or almost-100% independent games media. Not really publicised, but it's there
computerandvideogames.net

CVG - The best video game news from independent publishers

CVG has been created as the one-stop destination for video game news and updates from the best independent publishers in the games media.

computerandvideogames.net

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 2h

Yeah, 100%. People would probably call me quite a "big gambler", but I don't do sports, and I don't do digital, because I think they are really pervasive. Only in person, and only the 'traditional' games. I honestly think the other stuff should be so tightly controlled

Reposted by Alex Donaldson

Jonty @fairless.xyz · 3h

Windows 10 goes out of support today. My fave useless fact about w10 is that the iconic blue desktop background is a *photograph* - not CGI.

Tiny 'making of' vid here - youtu.be/_2RacX9DgWM...

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 3h

Both can accomplish different stuff too, to be fair. But the indie stuff is most at risk and most in need of direct support to keep a thread of what you describe alive imo

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 3h

It's definitely got harder in the couple decades I've been at it, yeah. I have the weird perspective of both running one of those indie websites that is a successful business /and/ still having fingers in part-time for a big brand, and both are uniquely difficult in different ways.

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 3h

I look at some outlets running front page articles literally about how to gamble while circumventing ID verification (which only has bad implications) next to kid-friendly embargo time reviews from major publishers and think -- do the PRs making calls on access/placement have no shame whatsoever?

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 3h

And the beauty of a narrower focus is... well, focus. Quality & expertise goes up. Which again, is worth support as opposed to the generalist viewpoints

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 3h

I think the future is generally smaller not bigger anyway - the age of visiting one domain to get everything is largely over, at least in games. But some of those 'narrow' purviews can be quite wide, like a VGC or a Gematsu. And with support, those brands /could/ broaden

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 3h

this goes for readers with direct (patreon etc) or indirect (consuming w adblock off, & sharing) support, but it also goes for the industry. PRs and marketers can simply withdraw their support from brands that don't respect their audiences! Plus, think about what your coverage is sitting alongside

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 3h

The point is, it isn't! There's a suite of great independent sites out there, like VGC, or Gematsu. Or (cough) my site. But reader support (direct via patreon or whatever, or indirect by simply reading the sites with adblock off) is all that stands between us and /this/ future

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 3h

this is how you make your millions @andyrobinson.bsky.social

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 3h

you'll be hard pressed to find someone in games media who will go to bat for (legislatively controlled) gambling as much as I. I'll have been to Vegas to play three times /this year/ come December. But the sites they're pushing are shady af, & gambling doesn't belong anywhere near video game content

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 3h

google will really derank websites for relatively minor infractions but then allow a brand to pedal codes pages and guides for PEGI 12 games aimed at children right next to pages encouraging people to sign up to predatory online casinos with legally grey offshore gaming licenses lmao

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 3h

Videogamer's new logo a screaming exclamation mark on the 'support independent games media' argument. Legitimately thought this was someone taking the piss when it was first posted in a discord, but no, it's on the site. You have to laugh (or else you'll cry)

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 3h

support @videogameschronicle.com @gematsu.com @rpgsite.net @trueachievements.com @vooks.net et al (there are many, many more, I know) for the love of christ

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 3h

Videogamer's new logo a screaming exclamation mark on the 'support independent games media' argument. Legitimately thought this was someone taking the piss when it was first posted in a discord, but no, it's on the site. You have to laugh (or else you'll cry)

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 4h

My TV having a native Xbox streaming app is cool, but it does my head in when I click an Xbox button thinking it is going to switch to the HDMI input my actual box is plugged into (which gets recognized & slapped with a logo) and it instead boots to the streaming interface

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 5h

If you're a PR/marketing/studio friend at a place with RPG pedigree/history, we have genre-celebrating things planned your teams can join in with. I'll be reaching out to folk more over the coming months, but equally if you see this & wanna reach out, do... cool stuff planned, not just online.

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 5h

Next summer @rpgsite.net is twenty, and as we've been planning for various celebratory bits it's been v gratifying going thru the archive. It also makes me feel ancient. It was my 3rd website, so it turning 20 means I'll soon have been at this, hobbyist or pro, for 26 years. Urgg. From age 11!

Reposted by Alex Donaldson

Sara D. Bunny ~ Universally Misaligned Creature @aliensara.bsky.social · 1d

Reposted by Alex Donaldson

Daniel Vuckovic @vook64.bsky.social · 7h

"I bought it on the AU store"

"Also, here's my 200 page guide"

Josh W @mariobones.bsky.social · 7h

Oh I see we’re doing the “My local store happened to be selling this game early at the same time that it leaked on pirate sites” thing again

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 1d

In many ways, Z-A's new combat is like Xenoblade lite. In that spirit, here's the genre nerd perspective and review:

RPG Site @rpgsite.net · 1d

Much like Pokemon Legends: Arceus before it, Pokemon Legends: Z-A is a bold and unorthodox take on the series' formula, and yet more proof that Pokemon is better when it pushes the boundaries of what a Pokemon game can be. Our review: https://www.rpgsite.net/review/18695-pokemon-legends-z-a-review

Reposted by Alex Donaldson

Ana Valens | 🔞 | Comms Open @acvalens.net · 1d

Per Reddit: Steam adult developer in the UK is sitting on a USD equivalent of six figures, can’t find a bank to take his money because the developer creates adult games

www.reddit.com/r/UKPersonal...

r/UKPersonalFinance
3 hr. ago
Previous-Camera1641

I develop adult video games on Steam. I can't find a bank that will actually let me withdraw my money from Steam. Can I get some advice?
Game has sold quite well on Steam. I've got almost £90,000 ready to withdraw after Steam's cut + VAT taken off.

However, it's been 2 months now and I can't find ANY bank in the UK who will let me withdraw my money from Steam.

I've been banned/refused/unable to get a business account with:

Wise
Revolut
Monzo
Monese
Chase
Starling
Nationwide
Halifax
Barclays
Lloyds
RBS

It always comes down to, "Where did you get this money from?"

"It's coming from games I sell on Steam."

"Can we see the store page?"

"Sure."

"I'm sorry, we can't do business with you at this time."

It keeps coming down to a commercial decision purely because I make adult content.

What the hell am I supposed to do? I've pretty much exhausted the whole banking system. I just want to be able to be paid for products I've sold.

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 1d

I find his style fairly tiresome, but something I don't is how disinterested Ian Fleming is in describing the vast majority of his cast, including his protagonist. It's a great instinct that only evaporates, sadly, when he's clearly got the horn

Alex Donaldson @apzonerunner.com · 1d

James May's rebirth as a YouTuber that goes on little adventures & undertakes new hobbies with his gen z video producer who he has a really warm sort of student/teacher relationship with is really quite lovely