Stephen Totilo
@stephentotilo.bsky.social
Reporter covering video games at Game File (gamefile.news). Previously launched games coverage at Axios and MTV News. Was Kotaku EiC. stephen(at)gamefile(dot)news he/him
For those who wanted to see the source, here's the official March 2025 deposition transcript of longtime Lucasfilm Games VP Douglas Reilly
The start of this is a lawyer reading him a comment from a colleague in 2020
There should be a "Q" in font of "What was Juliet"
The start of this is a lawyer reading him a comment from a colleague in 2020
There should be a "Q" in font of "What was Juliet"
December 9, 2025 at 1:52 AM
For those who wanted to see the source, here's the official March 2025 deposition transcript of longtime Lucasfilm Games VP Douglas Reilly
The start of this is a lawyer reading him a comment from a colleague in 2020
There should be a "Q" in font of "What was Juliet"
The start of this is a lawyer reading him a comment from a colleague in 2020
There should be a "Q" in font of "What was Juliet"
Reposted by Stephen Totilo
Earlier this year I broke the news that Take-Two was close to rescuing Xbox’s Perfect Dark but the deal fell apart.
Now, a new development: Take-Two has hired Perfect Dark studio head Darrell Gallagher and director Brian Horton to start a brand new studio within 2K.
Now, a new development: Take-Two has hired Perfect Dark studio head Darrell Gallagher and director Brian Horton to start a brand new studio within 2K.
SCOOP: Perfect Dark was almost revived.
The game's developers were close to a deal with Take-Two to fund and publish the game following its cancellation by Xbox in July, sources say, but negotiations fell through, leading to layoffs at Crystal Dynamics last week. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The game's developers were close to a deal with Take-Two to fund and publish the game following its cancellation by Xbox in July, sources say, but negotiations fell through, leading to layoffs at Crystal Dynamics last week. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
‘Perfect Dark’ Developer Lays Off Staff After Funding Deal Falls Through
Crystal Dynamics was close to moving the game to Take-Two, but negotiations fell apart
www.bloomberg.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Earlier this year I broke the news that Take-Two was close to rescuing Xbox’s Perfect Dark but the deal fell apart.
Now, a new development: Take-Two has hired Perfect Dark studio head Darrell Gallagher and director Brian Horton to start a brand new studio within 2K.
Now, a new development: Take-Two has hired Perfect Dark studio head Darrell Gallagher and director Brian Horton to start a brand new studio within 2K.
I made this nice thread, but let’s not kid ourselves.
The part people are going to be buzzing about the most is that Disney/Lucasfilm Games, as recently as March, has been planning a full KOTOR II remake
Yes, that’s a 2
And, no, not a port.... a full remake. With Obsidian's cut content back in
The part people are going to be buzzing about the most is that Disney/Lucasfilm Games, as recently as March, has been planning a full KOTOR II remake
Yes, that’s a 2
And, no, not a port.... a full remake. With Obsidian's cut content back in
NEW: “We’ve hit a snag” - The untold saga behind a missing Star Wars video game DLC that spawned a lawsuit
One of the most detailed stories I’ve ever run. An inside look at the year-long struggle to make KOTOR II’s cut content available in the game’s Switch port.
www.gamefile.news/p/kotor-ii-r...
One of the most detailed stories I’ve ever run. An inside look at the year-long struggle to make KOTOR II’s cut content available in the game’s Switch port.
www.gamefile.news/p/kotor-ii-r...
Who killed Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II’s 'Restored Content DLC' for Switch? Disney lawyers.
EXCLUSIVE: How a studio's multi-year effort to give Switch (and mobile) gamers official access to KOTOR II’s infamously cut content collapsed. The emails. The timeline. Plans B and C. The inside story
www.gamefile.news
December 8, 2025 at 8:53 PM
I made this nice thread, but let’s not kid ourselves.
The part people are going to be buzzing about the most is that Disney/Lucasfilm Games, as recently as March, has been planning a full KOTOR II remake
Yes, that’s a 2
And, no, not a port.... a full remake. With Obsidian's cut content back in
The part people are going to be buzzing about the most is that Disney/Lucasfilm Games, as recently as March, has been planning a full KOTOR II remake
Yes, that’s a 2
And, no, not a port.... a full remake. With Obsidian's cut content back in
NEW: “We’ve hit a snag” - The untold saga behind a missing Star Wars video game DLC that spawned a lawsuit
One of the most detailed stories I’ve ever run. An inside look at the year-long struggle to make KOTOR II’s cut content available in the game’s Switch port.
www.gamefile.news/p/kotor-ii-r...
One of the most detailed stories I’ve ever run. An inside look at the year-long struggle to make KOTOR II’s cut content available in the game’s Switch port.
www.gamefile.news/p/kotor-ii-r...
Who killed Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II’s 'Restored Content DLC' for Switch? Disney lawyers.
EXCLUSIVE: How a studio's multi-year effort to give Switch (and mobile) gamers official access to KOTOR II’s infamously cut content collapsed. The emails. The timeline. Plans B and C. The inside story
www.gamefile.news
December 8, 2025 at 8:46 PM
NEW: “We’ve hit a snag” - The untold saga behind a missing Star Wars video game DLC that spawned a lawsuit
One of the most detailed stories I’ve ever run. An inside look at the year-long struggle to make KOTOR II’s cut content available in the game’s Switch port.
www.gamefile.news/p/kotor-ii-r...
One of the most detailed stories I’ve ever run. An inside look at the year-long struggle to make KOTOR II’s cut content available in the game’s Switch port.
www.gamefile.news/p/kotor-ii-r...
If you're into things that are far, far away, today's Game File is going to be of interest. Before the paywall and definitely after, too.
Coming soon.
Coming soon.
December 8, 2025 at 7:21 PM
If you're into things that are far, far away, today's Game File is going to be of interest. Before the paywall and definitely after, too.
Coming soon.
Coming soon.
I didn't realize that Tencent was part of Paramount/Skydance's original bid for Warner Bros. Axios reports it's not part of Paramount's new hostile bid (but President' Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is; he's also part of the likely EA sale to a Saudi-led group)
www.axios.com/2025/12/08/j...
www.axios.com/2025/12/08/j...
Jared Kushner is part of Paramount's hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Paramount is telling WBD shareholders that it has a smoother path to regulatory approval than does Netflix.
www.axios.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:59 PM
I didn't realize that Tencent was part of Paramount/Skydance's original bid for Warner Bros. Axios reports it's not part of Paramount's new hostile bid (but President' Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is; he's also part of the likely EA sale to a Saudi-led group)
www.axios.com/2025/12/08/j...
www.axios.com/2025/12/08/j...
I asked a Netflix rep if they had anything to share about Netflix's plans for the WB game studios (Rocksteady, Netherrealm, etc) and how they'd operate vis a vis the Netflix games group. The rep had nothing to share.
(Seems to reflect today’s deal focus on streaming, movies, shows and franchises)
(Seems to reflect today’s deal focus on streaming, movies, shows and franchises)
December 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I asked a Netflix rep if they had anything to share about Netflix's plans for the WB game studios (Rocksteady, Netherrealm, etc) and how they'd operate vis a vis the Netflix games group. The rep had nothing to share.
(Seems to reflect today’s deal focus on streaming, movies, shows and franchises)
(Seems to reflect today’s deal focus on streaming, movies, shows and franchises)
Fascinating review by @papapishu.bsky.social.
Despite the controversy, Horses is only shocking if you're unfamiliar with the history movies, theater, literature, or basically any art form that does not have stats. aftermath.site/horses-indie-g...
Horses Is Tame
Horses, the indie game that is too scandalous for either Valve or Epic, is only beyond the pale if you're not familiar with any other art form.
aftermath.site
December 5, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Fascinating review by @papapishu.bsky.social.
December 5, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Biig question about what happens with WB's video game studios (Rocksteady, Netherrealm, TT Games...), which were originally going to be part of the "Streaming & Studios" part of the planned WBD split but not mentioned in today's Netflix announcement
Netflix expects deal to close in 12-18 months
Netflix expects deal to close in 12-18 months
“The Company also expects to realize at least $2-3 billion of cost savings per year by the third year “
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Following the Separation of Discovery Global for a Total Enterprise Value of $82.7 Billion (Equity Value of $72.0 Billion) - About Netflix
Combination Will Offer More Choice and Greater Value for Consumers, Create More Opportunities for the Creative Community and Generate Shareholder Value
about.netflix.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Biig question about what happens with WB's video game studios (Rocksteady, Netherrealm, TT Games...), which were originally going to be part of the "Streaming & Studios" part of the planned WBD split but not mentioned in today's Netflix announcement
Netflix expects deal to close in 12-18 months
Netflix expects deal to close in 12-18 months
“The Company also expects to realize at least $2-3 billion of cost savings per year by the third year “
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Following the Separation of Discovery Global for a Total Enterprise Value of $82.7 Billion (Equity Value of $72.0 Billion) - About Netflix
Combination Will Offer More Choice and Greater Value for Consumers, Create More Opportunities for the Creative Community and Generate Shareholder Value
about.netflix.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:58 PM
“The Company also expects to realize at least $2-3 billion of cost savings per year by the third year “
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
about.netflix.com/news/netflix...
Bad Robot putting out a game is a long time coming
In some shape or form, they've been talking about getting into gaming since at least 2013, when Gabe Newell and JJ Abrams c0-keynoted the DICE Summit--and spoke about making a game together (not sure what came of that)
My pic from that panel
In some shape or form, they've been talking about getting into gaming since at least 2013, when Gabe Newell and JJ Abrams c0-keynoted the DICE Summit--and spoke about making a game together (not sure what came of that)
My pic from that panel
December 4, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Bad Robot putting out a game is a long time coming
In some shape or form, they've been talking about getting into gaming since at least 2013, when Gabe Newell and JJ Abrams c0-keynoted the DICE Summit--and spoke about making a game together (not sure what came of that)
My pic from that panel
In some shape or form, they've been talking about getting into gaming since at least 2013, when Gabe Newell and JJ Abrams c0-keynoted the DICE Summit--and spoke about making a game together (not sure what came of that)
My pic from that panel
I'm in this, making a case for reader-paid support:
"True, honest, earnest, fearless, curiosity-driven reporting and criticism of video games can be valuable. The highest quality execution of such work largely costs money to produce. Reporters gotta eat. Critics (most of them) need to wear clothes"
"True, honest, earnest, fearless, curiosity-driven reporting and criticism of video games can be valuable. The highest quality execution of such work largely costs money to produce. Reporters gotta eat. Critics (most of them) need to wear clothes"
'We survive or fail on our own terms:' The rise and risk of independent game media
'We survive or fail on our own terms:' The rise and risk of independent game media
Can worker-owned outlets create a brighter future for video game journalists and their readers?
www.gamedeveloper.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I'm in this, making a case for reader-paid support:
"True, honest, earnest, fearless, curiosity-driven reporting and criticism of video games can be valuable. The highest quality execution of such work largely costs money to produce. Reporters gotta eat. Critics (most of them) need to wear clothes"
"True, honest, earnest, fearless, curiosity-driven reporting and criticism of video games can be valuable. The highest quality execution of such work largely costs money to produce. Reporters gotta eat. Critics (most of them) need to wear clothes"
This tracks. Kids seem to love motion games.
My 8-year-olds’ most-played Switch 1 game is probably WarioWare Move It
(One thing keeping them from more Switch 2 use is probably that game’s partial incompatibility; it needs an S2 patch that deactivates microgames that need the JoyCon 1’s IR sensor)
My 8-year-olds’ most-played Switch 1 game is probably WarioWare Move It
(One thing keeping them from more Switch 2 use is probably that game’s partial incompatibility; it needs an S2 patch that deactivates microgames that need the JoyCon 1’s IR sensor)
I've had one since launch and it's the number one played system in the house by my wife and kids. It really is an optimized kinnect in the best way
December 4, 2025 at 12:48 AM
This tracks. Kids seem to love motion games.
My 8-year-olds’ most-played Switch 1 game is probably WarioWare Move It
(One thing keeping them from more Switch 2 use is probably that game’s partial incompatibility; it needs an S2 patch that deactivates microgames that need the JoyCon 1’s IR sensor)
My 8-year-olds’ most-played Switch 1 game is probably WarioWare Move It
(One thing keeping them from more Switch 2 use is probably that game’s partial incompatibility; it needs an S2 patch that deactivates microgames that need the JoyCon 1’s IR sensor)
Back in March I was sent a press release about the Nex, stating that
“In just its first holiday season last year, Nex Playground sold nearly 150,000 units, completely selling out on Black Friday at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy”
I failed to investigate further
“In just its first holiday season last year, Nex Playground sold nearly 150,000 units, completely selling out on Black Friday at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy”
I failed to investigate further
US best-selling hardware SKUs for week ending Nov 22, 2025, ranked on units sold:
1) NS2 Mario Kart World Bundle
2) NEX Playground Interactive Gaming System
3) PS5 Slim Digital 1 TB
So that's neat.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
1) NS2 Mario Kart World Bundle
2) NEX Playground Interactive Gaming System
3) PS5 Slim Digital 1 TB
So that's neat.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
December 4, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Back in March I was sent a press release about the Nex, stating that
“In just its first holiday season last year, Nex Playground sold nearly 150,000 units, completely selling out on Black Friday at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy”
I failed to investigate further
“In just its first holiday season last year, Nex Playground sold nearly 150,000 units, completely selling out on Black Friday at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy”
I failed to investigate further
Reposted by Stephen Totilo
Hi. There has been $38 million worth of activity on the game of the year results on gambling platform Polymarket.
December 3, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Hi. There has been $38 million worth of activity on the game of the year results on gambling platform Polymarket.
NEW: Netflix is selling cozy game studio Spry Fox back to its founders as the streamer shrinks from six game studios in 2024 to three
Spry Fox is avoiding closure, still working on the ambitious MMO Spirit Crossing
Netflix is releasing games, but has changed focus
www.gamefile.news/p/netflix-se...
Spry Fox is avoiding closure, still working on the ambitious MMO Spirit Crossing
Netflix is releasing games, but has changed focus
www.gamefile.news/p/netflix-se...
Netflix sells game studio Spry Fox back to its founders
Exclusive: The streamer’s six-studio gaming operation is down to three, as Netflix pursues an altered video game strategy
www.gamefile.news
December 3, 2025 at 7:25 PM
NEW: Netflix is selling cozy game studio Spry Fox back to its founders as the streamer shrinks from six game studios in 2024 to three
Spry Fox is avoiding closure, still working on the ambitious MMO Spirit Crossing
Netflix is releasing games, but has changed focus
www.gamefile.news/p/netflix-se...
Spry Fox is avoiding closure, still working on the ambitious MMO Spirit Crossing
Netflix is releasing games, but has changed focus
www.gamefile.news/p/netflix-se...
Great to see a new review by @dreamcastaway.bsky.social on Kotaku!
"Meet this game with your own child-like sense of earnestness, and you will have an experience that you’ll not forget anytime soon."
kotaku.com/octopath-tra...
"Meet this game with your own child-like sense of earnestness, and you will have an experience that you’ll not forget anytime soon."
kotaku.com/octopath-tra...
Octopath Traveler 0: The Kotaku Review - Kotaku
A mobile spin-off transforms into the best game in the RPG series
kotaku.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Great to see a new review by @dreamcastaway.bsky.social on Kotaku!
"Meet this game with your own child-like sense of earnestness, and you will have an experience that you’ll not forget anytime soon."
kotaku.com/octopath-tra...
"Meet this game with your own child-like sense of earnestness, and you will have an experience that you’ll not forget anytime soon."
kotaku.com/octopath-tra...
December 3, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Drawing a blank on a 2D puzzle game that I thought I saw is about to get a demo. Kind of a metroidvania,
I think? Nonogame or something like that? Anyone have any idea what I’m talking about?
I think? Nonogame or something like that? Anyone have any idea what I’m talking about?
December 3, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Drawing a blank on a 2D puzzle game that I thought I saw is about to get a demo. Kind of a metroidvania,
I think? Nonogame or something like that? Anyone have any idea what I’m talking about?
I think? Nonogame or something like that? Anyone have any idea what I’m talking about?
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Franklin the Turtle
- Norman Rockwell
- Thomas Kinkade
- Celine Dion
- Rufus Wainright
- Theo Von
- Halo
NYT: All have been featured in provocative Trump admin posts
Describes public pushback from parties/rights-holders...from all but one
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
- Franklin the Turtle
- Norman Rockwell
- Thomas Kinkade
- Celine Dion
- Rufus Wainright
- Theo Von
- Halo
NYT: All have been featured in provocative Trump admin posts
Describes public pushback from parties/rights-holders...from all but one
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
Neither Franklin the Turtle Nor Sabrina Carpenter Wants to Appear in Trump Posts
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:39 PM
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Franklin the Turtle
- Norman Rockwell
- Thomas Kinkade
- Celine Dion
- Rufus Wainright
- Theo Von
- Halo
NYT: All have been featured in provocative Trump admin posts
Describes public pushback from parties/rights-holders...from all but one
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
- Franklin the Turtle
- Norman Rockwell
- Thomas Kinkade
- Celine Dion
- Rufus Wainright
- Theo Von
- Halo
NYT: All have been featured in provocative Trump admin posts
Describes public pushback from parties/rights-holders...from all but one
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
For those interested in more info, here's the list of publicly traded companies that Nintendo had the biggest stakes in, as of the end of March
Several game companies in there
Several game companies in there
December 2, 2025 at 6:39 PM
For those interested in more info, here's the list of publicly traded companies that Nintendo had the biggest stakes in, as of the end of March
Several game companies in there
Several game companies in there
"Products with AO ratings cannot be distributed on the Epic Games Store (the only exception is for products in cases where an AO rating was applied solely due to the usage of blockchain or NFT technology)."
Please find our updated FAQ covering this news here www.horses.wtf/BannedFromSt...
Why is HORSES Banned from Steam?
First person horror adventure HORSES was unjustly refused by Steam prior to release with no path to appeal.
www.horses.wtf
December 2, 2025 at 6:18 PM
"Products with AO ratings cannot be distributed on the Epic Games Store (the only exception is for products in cases where an AO rating was applied solely due to the usage of blockchain or NFT technology)."
I recently played through Metroid Prime for the first time in nine years. This time via the gorgeous Remastered remake for Switch
Such a great game (except for that penultimate boss battle)
Alien archaeology with some combat mixed in. You’re sci-fi Indiana Jones, but sometimes a sci-fi boulder
Such a great game (except for that penultimate boss battle)
Alien archaeology with some combat mixed in. You’re sci-fi Indiana Jones, but sometimes a sci-fi boulder
December 2, 2025 at 3:07 AM
I recently played through Metroid Prime for the first time in nine years. This time via the gorgeous Remastered remake for Switch
Such a great game (except for that penultimate boss battle)
Alien archaeology with some combat mixed in. You’re sci-fi Indiana Jones, but sometimes a sci-fi boulder
Such a great game (except for that penultimate boss battle)
Alien archaeology with some combat mixed in. You’re sci-fi Indiana Jones, but sometimes a sci-fi boulder
I wrote about Nintendo's 5th acquisition in 5 years
And about Nintendo's ties to Bandai Namco. Not just buying BN's Singapore studio, not just co-dev on Kirby, but how Nintendo holds about $300m in BN stock. Bigger than their stakes in Square, Konami & Koei Tecmo
www.gamefile.news/p/nintendo-b...
And about Nintendo's ties to Bandai Namco. Not just buying BN's Singapore studio, not just co-dev on Kirby, but how Nintendo holds about $300m in BN stock. Bigger than their stakes in Square, Konami & Koei Tecmo
www.gamefile.news/p/nintendo-b...
Nintendo's acquisition streak
Plus: A look back at Metroid Prime 1
www.gamefile.news
December 1, 2025 at 10:12 PM
I wrote about Nintendo's 5th acquisition in 5 years
And about Nintendo's ties to Bandai Namco. Not just buying BN's Singapore studio, not just co-dev on Kirby, but how Nintendo holds about $300m in BN stock. Bigger than their stakes in Square, Konami & Koei Tecmo
www.gamefile.news/p/nintendo-b...
And about Nintendo's ties to Bandai Namco. Not just buying BN's Singapore studio, not just co-dev on Kirby, but how Nintendo holds about $300m in BN stock. Bigger than their stakes in Square, Konami & Koei Tecmo
www.gamefile.news/p/nintendo-b...