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
Typo in the Pragmata post, as I was multitasking too much. The demo asked for my age but said my age would NOT impact gameplay.
December 15, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Typo in the Pragmata post, as I was multitasking too much. The demo asked for my age but said my age would NOT impact gameplay.
If you can find this demo event on an Xbox, please let me know where it is. I keep clicking around to no avail
news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/1...
news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/1...
3… 2… 1... ID@Xbox Indie Selects Demo Fest Starts Now! - Xbox Wire
The Indie Selects Demo Fest begins today, running through December 30 - discover over 30 game demos, including Pathologic 3, Knuckle Jet, Raging Bill, and more!
news.xbox.com
December 14, 2025 at 2:28 AM
If you can find this demo event on an Xbox, please let me know where it is. I keep clicking around to no avail
news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/1...
news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/1...
Former Bungie designer Christopher Barrett's wrongful termination lawsuit against Sony/Bungie was dismissed in Delaware chancery court this week for technical reasons
Can be brought back in another court and even go to a jury trial. Sony tried to avoid this
Item 2
www.gamefile.news/i/181281770/...
Can be brought back in another court and even go to a jury trial. Sony tried to avoid this
Item 2
www.gamefile.news/i/181281770/...
December 12, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Former Bungie designer Christopher Barrett's wrongful termination lawsuit against Sony/Bungie was dismissed in Delaware chancery court this week for technical reasons
Can be brought back in another court and even go to a jury trial. Sony tried to avoid this
Item 2
www.gamefile.news/i/181281770/...
Can be brought back in another court and even go to a jury trial. Sony tried to avoid this
Item 2
www.gamefile.news/i/181281770/...
The Game Awards and the hotel from where I watched last night (and met with lots of game industry folks) is part of the complex that also includes the LA Convention Center (pic 1), longtime venue of e3….
December 12, 2025 at 5:50 PM
The Game Awards and the hotel from where I watched last night (and met with lots of game industry folks) is part of the complex that also includes the LA Convention Center (pic 1), longtime venue of e3….
I'm sifting through all of this week's game announcements, looking to see which ones also have playable PC demos that I can try during my flight home
If you know of any great ones, please share!
If you know of any great ones, please share!
December 12, 2025 at 3:50 PM
I'm sifting through all of this week's game announcements, looking to see which ones also have playable PC demos that I can try during my flight home
If you know of any great ones, please share!
If you know of any great ones, please share!
I just started a Game File reader chat for The Game Awards/Announcements. Went nicely last year, so let’s do it again! At this link: open.substack.com/chat/posts/0...
December 12, 2025 at 12:50 AM
I just started a Game File reader chat for The Game Awards/Announcements. Went nicely last year, so let’s do it again! At this link: open.substack.com/chat/posts/0...
Earlier this week, a major Square Enix shareholder publicized a brutal report slamming company management
Criticisms cover profitability, Taito, lack of movies, even Square's habit of hiding sales figures and vaguely referring to games not meeting "expectations"
www.gamefile.news/p/a-scorchin...
Criticisms cover profitability, Taito, lack of movies, even Square's habit of hiding sales figures and vaguely referring to games not meeting "expectations"
www.gamefile.news/p/a-scorchin...
A scorching critique of Square Enix (and what Square did next)
Let’s put things in order. PLUS: A major lawsuit against Bungie and Sony is dismissed, though could return.
www.gamefile.news
December 11, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Earlier this week, a major Square Enix shareholder publicized a brutal report slamming company management
Criticisms cover profitability, Taito, lack of movies, even Square's habit of hiding sales figures and vaguely referring to games not meeting "expectations"
www.gamefile.news/p/a-scorchin...
Criticisms cover profitability, Taito, lack of movies, even Square's habit of hiding sales figures and vaguely referring to games not meeting "expectations"
www.gamefile.news/p/a-scorchin...
"Sandfall wanted to prove that indie studios were capable of making prestige games at a fraction of the budget and personnel of larger studios....
"Sandfall, which said the budget for Clair Obscur was less than $10 million..."
Wow
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/a...
"Sandfall, which said the budget for Clair Obscur was less than $10 million..."
Wow
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/a...
A Gaming Tour de Force That Is Very, Very French
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:34 PM
"Sandfall wanted to prove that indie studios were capable of making prestige games at a fraction of the budget and personnel of larger studios....
"Sandfall, which said the budget for Clair Obscur was less than $10 million..."
Wow
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/a...
"Sandfall, which said the budget for Clair Obscur was less than $10 million..."
Wow
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/a...
Reposted by Stephen Totilo
This year MinnMax is using our reaction stream for The Game Awards to raise money for the Somali Museum of Minnesota.
People aren't "garbage".
Please donate/share to help the museum's mission of connecting Minneapolis with the beauty of Somali art, dance, and history. www.givemn.org/story/12p1xe
People aren't "garbage".
Please donate/share to help the museum's mission of connecting Minneapolis with the beauty of Somali art, dance, and history. www.givemn.org/story/12p1xe
December 10, 2025 at 7:54 PM
This year MinnMax is using our reaction stream for The Game Awards to raise money for the Somali Museum of Minnesota.
People aren't "garbage".
Please donate/share to help the museum's mission of connecting Minneapolis with the beauty of Somali art, dance, and history. www.givemn.org/story/12p1xe
People aren't "garbage".
Please donate/share to help the museum's mission of connecting Minneapolis with the beauty of Somali art, dance, and history. www.givemn.org/story/12p1xe
Like Edwin Diaz, I’m heading to LA (but just for three days, not three years)
December 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Like Edwin Diaz, I’m heading to LA (but just for three days, not three years)
Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters on WB Games: "great studios and great folks working there"
"we're super excited because some of those properties that they've built...Hogwarts [Legacy] is a great example of that, have been done quite well, and we think...we can incorporate that into what we're offering"
"we're super excited because some of those properties that they've built...Hogwarts [Legacy] is a great example of that, have been done quite well, and we think...we can incorporate that into what we're offering"
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 9, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters on WB Games: "great studios and great folks working there"
"we're super excited because some of those properties that they've built...Hogwarts [Legacy] is a great example of that, have been done quite well, and we think...we can incorporate that into what we're offering"
"we're super excited because some of those properties that they've built...Hogwarts [Legacy] is a great example of that, have been done quite well, and we think...we can incorporate that into what we're offering"
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"