Nick Calandra
@nickjcal.bsky.social
Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of @secondwindgroup.com Creating the video series Unpacked, and working on secret projects. Former Editor in Chief of The Escapist.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Pinned
Nick Calandra
@nickjcal.bsky.social
· Jan 3
And that's my first game of 2025 completed with Roboquest.
What a gem of a game.
Final boss is hard as nails, but did enough runs with enough unlocks that I got a crazy overpower build in the end.
Will definitely be returning for more runs later.
What a gem of a game.
Final boss is hard as nails, but did enough runs with enough unlocks that I got a crazy overpower build in the end.
Will definitely be returning for more runs later.
A reminder of my rules for engaging in social media these days.
If you're willing to have a discussion, that's cool.
If you immediately act like a jackass, you get blocked. Doesn't matter the platform I'm on.
I have zero patience for it.
If you're willing to have a discussion, that's cool.
If you immediately act like a jackass, you get blocked. Doesn't matter the platform I'm on.
I have zero patience for it.
November 28, 2025 at 5:45 PM
A reminder of my rules for engaging in social media these days.
If you're willing to have a discussion, that's cool.
If you immediately act like a jackass, you get blocked. Doesn't matter the platform I'm on.
I have zero patience for it.
If you're willing to have a discussion, that's cool.
If you immediately act like a jackass, you get blocked. Doesn't matter the platform I'm on.
I have zero patience for it.
I have been loving my time with Arc Raiders.
It's full of emergent moments created by players and has a whole unwritten rule set that the community has created on their own.
It's a fantastic entry point to the extraction genre and one of my favorite games this year now.
It's full of emergent moments created by players and has a whole unwritten rule set that the community has created on their own.
It's a fantastic entry point to the extraction genre and one of my favorite games this year now.
Arc Raiders Lives on Its Emergent Moments and Unwritten Rules
YouTube video by Second Wind
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I have been loving my time with Arc Raiders.
It's full of emergent moments created by players and has a whole unwritten rule set that the community has created on their own.
It's a fantastic entry point to the extraction genre and one of my favorite games this year now.
It's full of emergent moments created by players and has a whole unwritten rule set that the community has created on their own.
It's a fantastic entry point to the extraction genre and one of my favorite games this year now.
Reposted by Nick Calandra
Paradox has taken a US $37.4 million writedown of development costs for Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2.
“The responsibility lies fully with us as the publisher," it said. "The game is outside of our core areas, in hindsight it is clear that this has made it difficult for us to gauge sales."
“The responsibility lies fully with us as the publisher," it said. "The game is outside of our core areas, in hindsight it is clear that this has made it difficult for us to gauge sales."
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 Publisher Takes $37 Million Write-Down
Paradox Interactive took the blame for the failure of Bloodlines 2, with CEO Fredrik Wester calling the game "outside of our core areas"
thisweekinvideogames.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Paradox has taken a US $37.4 million writedown of development costs for Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2.
“The responsibility lies fully with us as the publisher," it said. "The game is outside of our core areas, in hindsight it is clear that this has made it difficult for us to gauge sales."
“The responsibility lies fully with us as the publisher," it said. "The game is outside of our core areas, in hindsight it is clear that this has made it difficult for us to gauge sales."
Very cliche post of being thankful for the Second Wind team and community.
This year, at least work wise, has been productive, fun and successful, and I look forward to our third year.
Between the shows we're working on, Season 5 of AIN, new podcast, Indie Showcase... lots to be excited about.
This year, at least work wise, has been productive, fun and successful, and I look forward to our third year.
Between the shows we're working on, Season 5 of AIN, new podcast, Indie Showcase... lots to be excited about.
November 28, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Very cliche post of being thankful for the Second Wind team and community.
This year, at least work wise, has been productive, fun and successful, and I look forward to our third year.
Between the shows we're working on, Season 5 of AIN, new podcast, Indie Showcase... lots to be excited about.
This year, at least work wise, has been productive, fun and successful, and I look forward to our third year.
Between the shows we're working on, Season 5 of AIN, new podcast, Indie Showcase... lots to be excited about.
Reposted by Nick Calandra
Should sell it through their own website too.
I remember when Red Candles (based in Taiwan) had their game Devotion removed from Steam because of the Chinese government.
They got a lot of support on their own website. Kept the studio in business and they made the excellent Nine Sols too!
I remember when Red Candles (based in Taiwan) had their game Devotion removed from Steam because of the Chinese government.
They got a lot of support on their own website. Kept the studio in business and they made the excellent Nine Sols too!
Our upcoming game HORSES was preemptively banned from Steam, with no path to appeal. The game will still launch next week on December 2nd and will be available on EGS, GOG, Humble, and Itch for $4.99. Here is a detailed FAQ covering what happened: horses.wtf/BannedFromSt...
November 26, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Should sell it through their own website too.
I remember when Red Candles (based in Taiwan) had their game Devotion removed from Steam because of the Chinese government.
They got a lot of support on their own website. Kept the studio in business and they made the excellent Nine Sols too!
I remember when Red Candles (based in Taiwan) had their game Devotion removed from Steam because of the Chinese government.
They got a lot of support on their own website. Kept the studio in business and they made the excellent Nine Sols too!
Reposted by Nick Calandra
Yahtzee and I have a very productive working relationship.
November 26, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Yahtzee and I have a very productive working relationship.
Should sell it through their own website too.
I remember when Red Candles (based in Taiwan) had their game Devotion removed from Steam because of the Chinese government.
They got a lot of support on their own website. Kept the studio in business and they made the excellent Nine Sols too!
I remember when Red Candles (based in Taiwan) had their game Devotion removed from Steam because of the Chinese government.
They got a lot of support on their own website. Kept the studio in business and they made the excellent Nine Sols too!
Our upcoming game HORSES was preemptively banned from Steam, with no path to appeal. The game will still launch next week on December 2nd and will be available on EGS, GOG, Humble, and Itch for $4.99. Here is a detailed FAQ covering what happened: horses.wtf/BannedFromSt...
November 26, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Should sell it through their own website too.
I remember when Red Candles (based in Taiwan) had their game Devotion removed from Steam because of the Chinese government.
They got a lot of support on their own website. Kept the studio in business and they made the excellent Nine Sols too!
I remember when Red Candles (based in Taiwan) had their game Devotion removed from Steam because of the Chinese government.
They got a lot of support on their own website. Kept the studio in business and they made the excellent Nine Sols too!
Having to watch "reaction" videos for some research I'm doing and my brain is deflating as I listen to them provide their verrrry valuable insight on topics... like worker's rights.
November 26, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Having to watch "reaction" videos for some research I'm doing and my brain is deflating as I listen to them provide their verrrry valuable insight on topics... like worker's rights.
Yahtzee and I have a very productive working relationship.
November 26, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Yahtzee and I have a very productive working relationship.
Private Equity and Layoffs.
November 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Private Equity and Layoffs.
This is weird considering what other types of stuff Steam lets on there… you know… like full on porn games and a game that just came out about torturing people for sport.
Update: Valve has responded with a statement, confirming its decision not to release Horses on Steam is "final". bit.ly/48y75RM
Unsettling Horror Game Horses Banned From Steam, Leaving Studio With 'High Risk' of Closure - IGN
Indie horror game Horses is preparing to launch on December 2, on the Epic Games Store, GOG, Itch.io, and the Humble Store. But one place it won't be is on Steam, because Steam has banned the game for...
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 12:02 PM
This is weird considering what other types of stuff Steam lets on there… you know… like full on porn games and a game that just came out about torturing people for sport.
Got one interview done for my upcoming podcast series today, recording another tomorrow, and another in a week or so.
Lined up some really great guests and topics for the first batch of episodes that I think people are going to really love.
Very excited about how it's all coming together!
Lined up some really great guests and topics for the first batch of episodes that I think people are going to really love.
Very excited about how it's all coming together!
November 26, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Got one interview done for my upcoming podcast series today, recording another tomorrow, and another in a week or so.
Lined up some really great guests and topics for the first batch of episodes that I think people are going to really love.
Very excited about how it's all coming together!
Lined up some really great guests and topics for the first batch of episodes that I think people are going to really love.
Very excited about how it's all coming together!
Yea man, I can totally kick some butt in Fortnite. Totally.
November 26, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Yea man, I can totally kick some butt in Fortnite. Totally.
Reposted by Nick Calandra
We're continuing to nail down the format of this new indie-focused recommendation series on @secondwindgroup.com, but we're pretty close with this one!
One of our series where I'm not worried about huge viewership numbers, I just wanted a way for us to cover more interesting games.
One of our series where I'm not worried about huge viewership numbers, I just wanted a way for us to cover more interesting games.
We Recommend Constance and Possessor(s)
YouTube video by Second Wind
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 6:33 PM
We're continuing to nail down the format of this new indie-focused recommendation series on @secondwindgroup.com, but we're pretty close with this one!
One of our series where I'm not worried about huge viewership numbers, I just wanted a way for us to cover more interesting games.
One of our series where I'm not worried about huge viewership numbers, I just wanted a way for us to cover more interesting games.
It’s a new scandal like every five minutes with this administration.
Insane.
Insane.
November 26, 2025 at 3:36 AM
It’s a new scandal like every five minutes with this administration.
Insane.
Insane.
We're continuing to nail down the format of this new indie-focused recommendation series on @secondwindgroup.com, but we're pretty close with this one!
One of our series where I'm not worried about huge viewership numbers, I just wanted a way for us to cover more interesting games.
One of our series where I'm not worried about huge viewership numbers, I just wanted a way for us to cover more interesting games.
We Recommend Constance and Possessor(s)
YouTube video by Second Wind
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 6:33 PM
We're continuing to nail down the format of this new indie-focused recommendation series on @secondwindgroup.com, but we're pretty close with this one!
One of our series where I'm not worried about huge viewership numbers, I just wanted a way for us to cover more interesting games.
One of our series where I'm not worried about huge viewership numbers, I just wanted a way for us to cover more interesting games.
Reposted by Nick Calandra
We're back with another round of Indie Recommendations, with @nickjcal.bsky.social checking out @constancegame.bsky.social and @sigmagears9.bsky.social checking out Possessor(s) from @heartmachine.bsky.social!
We Recommend Constance and Possessor(s)
YouTube video by Second Wind
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 6:06 PM
We're back with another round of Indie Recommendations, with @nickjcal.bsky.social checking out @constancegame.bsky.social and @sigmagears9.bsky.social checking out Possessor(s) from @heartmachine.bsky.social!
Reposted by Nick Calandra
EXCLUSIVE: So far it's been unclear what proof Rockstar Games has to justify its firing of 34 union members, who it claims were leaking "confidential information in a public forum".
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
The Messages Rockstar Saw Before Firing 34 Union Members
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:06 PM
EXCLUSIVE: So far it's been unclear what proof Rockstar Games has to justify its firing of 34 union members, who it claims were leaking "confidential information in a public forum".
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
And once you're on these people's radars, you don't leave it.
Either they keep tabs on you, or their fans do it for them, and any chance they can use your name for content (money) they do it.
Stand up for your employees.
Either they keep tabs on you, or their fans do it for them, and any chance they can use your name for content (money) they do it.
Stand up for your employees.
Two months after firing over Charlie Kirk comments, Ghost of Yotei dev blames harassment campaign, not 'bad joke'
aftermath.site/sucker-punch-c...
aftermath.site/sucker-punch-c...
November 24, 2025 at 6:56 PM
And once you're on these people's radars, you don't leave it.
Either they keep tabs on you, or their fans do it for them, and any chance they can use your name for content (money) they do it.
Stand up for your employees.
Either they keep tabs on you, or their fans do it for them, and any chance they can use your name for content (money) they do it.
Stand up for your employees.
I'm hitting every avenue of gaming right now it feels like.
So much good stuff out there.
So much good stuff out there.
November 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
I'm hitting every avenue of gaming right now it feels like.
So much good stuff out there.
So much good stuff out there.
Ha.
This admin is coming apart at the seams very quickly.
Just keep taking those L's MAGA.
This admin is coming apart at the seams very quickly.
Just keep taking those L's MAGA.
November 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Ha.
This admin is coming apart at the seams very quickly.
Just keep taking those L's MAGA.
This admin is coming apart at the seams very quickly.
Just keep taking those L's MAGA.
Reposted by Nick Calandra
It doesn't matter that Andor cost that much -- it matters that everything else did.
@darrenmooney.bsky.social drafts up a eulogy for the streaming age, available now to read on Patreon -- www.patreon.com/posts/column...
@darrenmooney.bsky.social drafts up a eulogy for the streaming age, available now to read on Patreon -- www.patreon.com/posts/column...
November 24, 2025 at 3:07 PM
It doesn't matter that Andor cost that much -- it matters that everything else did.
@darrenmooney.bsky.social drafts up a eulogy for the streaming age, available now to read on Patreon -- www.patreon.com/posts/column...
@darrenmooney.bsky.social drafts up a eulogy for the streaming age, available now to read on Patreon -- www.patreon.com/posts/column...
Parents told me I need to do something other than play video games.
November 24, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Parents told me I need to do something other than play video games.
Reposted by Nick Calandra
Hell Clock – Major Update 1.2 is LIVE! 🔥
⚔️ Move & attack with the new Movement system
✨ All 52 Constellations unlocked
🛡️ New community Uniques
🔍 Search added to Constellations + Bell screens
🛠️ QoL Improvements
📜 Full Patch Notes: store.steampowered.com/news/app/178...
#OTKGamesExpo | #HellClock
⚔️ Move & attack with the new Movement system
✨ All 52 Constellations unlocked
🛡️ New community Uniques
🔍 Search added to Constellations + Bell screens
🛠️ QoL Improvements
📜 Full Patch Notes: store.steampowered.com/news/app/178...
#OTKGamesExpo | #HellClock
November 22, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Hell Clock – Major Update 1.2 is LIVE! 🔥
⚔️ Move & attack with the new Movement system
✨ All 52 Constellations unlocked
🛡️ New community Uniques
🔍 Search added to Constellations + Bell screens
🛠️ QoL Improvements
📜 Full Patch Notes: store.steampowered.com/news/app/178...
#OTKGamesExpo | #HellClock
⚔️ Move & attack with the new Movement system
✨ All 52 Constellations unlocked
🛡️ New community Uniques
🔍 Search added to Constellations + Bell screens
🛠️ QoL Improvements
📜 Full Patch Notes: store.steampowered.com/news/app/178...
#OTKGamesExpo | #HellClock
Reposted by Nick Calandra
