Will Helmke
@williamhelmke.com
He/Him
Level 38
Wisconsin farm kid turned Scholar
Almost Ph.D (University of Illinois)
So-called "Dr. Videogames" 😆 (I play video games, explore the physical places they recreate, & write research)
The Marxist college instructor Fox News warned you about
Level 38
Wisconsin farm kid turned Scholar
Almost Ph.D (University of Illinois)
So-called "Dr. Videogames" 😆 (I play video games, explore the physical places they recreate, & write research)
The Marxist college instructor Fox News warned you about
Pinned
First 2026 #promosky
I'm Will, Academic gamer and media scholar, I like video games, sci-fi, Tabletop RPGs, anime, and fantasy.
Some favs:
-Chrono Trigger
-Final Fantasy
-Fallout
-Star Trek
-Cyberpunk
-Digimon
-Armored Core
-The Dark Tower
-Dark Cloud
-FMA: Brotherhood
#gamingsky
#academicsky
I'm Will, Academic gamer and media scholar, I like video games, sci-fi, Tabletop RPGs, anime, and fantasy.
Some favs:
-Chrono Trigger
-Final Fantasy
-Fallout
-Star Trek
-Cyberpunk
-Digimon
-Armored Core
-The Dark Tower
-Dark Cloud
-FMA: Brotherhood
#gamingsky
#academicsky
What’s your favorite game from every Nintendo console you’ve owned
NES: Mother
SNES: Chrono Trigger
GB/GBC: Pokemon Crystal
GBA: Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
GC: Super Smash Bros Melee
Wii: Xenoblade Chronicles
3DS: Bravely Default
Wii U: Breath of the Wild
Switch: Super Mario RPG remake
NES: Mother
SNES: Chrono Trigger
GB/GBC: Pokemon Crystal
GBA: Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
GC: Super Smash Bros Melee
Wii: Xenoblade Chronicles
3DS: Bravely Default
Wii U: Breath of the Wild
Switch: Super Mario RPG remake
NES: Final Fantasy
SNES: Final Fantasy IV
Virtual Boy: Wario Land
N64: Mischief Makers
GB/GBC: SaGa 2
GBA: Aira of Sorrow
GC: Skies of Arcadia Legends
DS: Wario Ware Touched
Wii: Chocobo’s Dungeon
3DS: Dragon Quest VIII
Wii U: Hyrule Warriors
Switch: Dragon Quest IX
SNES: Final Fantasy IV
Virtual Boy: Wario Land
N64: Mischief Makers
GB/GBC: SaGa 2
GBA: Aira of Sorrow
GC: Skies of Arcadia Legends
DS: Wario Ware Touched
Wii: Chocobo’s Dungeon
3DS: Dragon Quest VIII
Wii U: Hyrule Warriors
Switch: Dragon Quest IX
What’s your favorite game from every Nintendo console you’ve owned
NES: Mario Bros 3
SNES: Mario World
N64: Ocarina of Time
GB/GBC: Pokemon Crystal
GBA: Mother 3
GC: Paper Mario TTYD
DS: Pokemon Platinum
Wii: Mario Galaxy 2
3DS: Link Between Worlds
Wii U: Bayonetta 2
Switch: Breath of the Wild
NES: Mario Bros 3
SNES: Mario World
N64: Ocarina of Time
GB/GBC: Pokemon Crystal
GBA: Mother 3
GC: Paper Mario TTYD
DS: Pokemon Platinum
Wii: Mario Galaxy 2
3DS: Link Between Worlds
Wii U: Bayonetta 2
Switch: Breath of the Wild
January 23, 2026 at 5:34 AM
What’s your favorite game from every Nintendo console you’ve owned
NES: Mother
SNES: Chrono Trigger
GB/GBC: Pokemon Crystal
GBA: Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
GC: Super Smash Bros Melee
Wii: Xenoblade Chronicles
3DS: Bravely Default
Wii U: Breath of the Wild
Switch: Super Mario RPG remake
NES: Mother
SNES: Chrono Trigger
GB/GBC: Pokemon Crystal
GBA: Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
GC: Super Smash Bros Melee
Wii: Xenoblade Chronicles
3DS: Bravely Default
Wii U: Breath of the Wild
Switch: Super Mario RPG remake
Day 15: Favorite boss fight
The final fight against God Kefka in FFVI.
The final fight against God Kefka in FFVI.
January 23, 2026 at 5:04 AM
Day 15: Favorite boss fight
The final fight against God Kefka in FFVI.
The final fight against God Kefka in FFVI.
Day 14: Favorite Summoner
Clive from FFXVI. Look, he totally counts, ok?
Clive from FFXVI. Look, he totally counts, ok?
January 22, 2026 at 7:29 AM
Day 14: Favorite Summoner
Clive from FFXVI. Look, he totally counts, ok?
Clive from FFXVI. Look, he totally counts, ok?
Ya know what, I think I'm actually excited about teaching today.
Amazing what being able to teach a class I've actually shaped myself does for my enthusiasm 😅
Amazing what being able to teach a class I've actually shaped myself does for my enthusiasm 😅
January 20, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Ya know what, I think I'm actually excited about teaching today.
Amazing what being able to teach a class I've actually shaped myself does for my enthusiasm 😅
Amazing what being able to teach a class I've actually shaped myself does for my enthusiasm 😅
🙏🤞🍀
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
Big tech boss tells delegates at Davos that broader global use is essential if technology is to deliver lasting growth
www.irishtimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:33 PM
🙏🤞🍀
Copy and paste the bunny and then put something else in their hand
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(°-°)
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Copy and paste the bunny and then put something else in their hand
(\_/)
(°-°)
/>🎮<
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(°-°)
/>🎮<
Copy and paste the bunny and then put something else in their hand
(\_/)
(°-°)
/>🎙️<
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(°-°)
/>🎙️<
January 20, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Copy and paste the bunny and then put something else in their hand
(\_/)
(°-°)
/>🕹️<
(\_/)
(°-°)
/>🕹️<
Been having kinda a rough day mentally, but catching up on some new seasons of anime has helped a little.
January 20, 2026 at 5:05 AM
Been having kinda a rough day mentally, but catching up on some new seasons of anime has helped a little.
Day 13: Favorite Black Mage
Vivi. An amazing character arc that almost surpasses that of the main character in FFIX, plus a very powerful mage to boot.
Vivi. An amazing character arc that almost surpasses that of the main character in FFIX, plus a very powerful mage to boot.
January 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Day 13: Favorite Black Mage
Vivi. An amazing character arc that almost surpasses that of the main character in FFIX, plus a very powerful mage to boot.
Vivi. An amazing character arc that almost surpasses that of the main character in FFIX, plus a very powerful mage to boot.
Day 12: Favorite White Mage
Strictly speaking, there's not classes in FF7 per se, but In my eyes Aerith is meant as the game's white mage, so I'm going with her.
Strictly speaking, there's not classes in FF7 per se, but In my eyes Aerith is meant as the game's white mage, so I'm going with her.
January 18, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Day 12: Favorite White Mage
Strictly speaking, there's not classes in FF7 per se, but In my eyes Aerith is meant as the game's white mage, so I'm going with her.
Strictly speaking, there's not classes in FF7 per se, but In my eyes Aerith is meant as the game's white mage, so I'm going with her.
No new pictures.
Where are you at mentally?
Where are you at mentally?
January 17, 2026 at 4:48 AM
No new pictures.
Where are you at mentally?
Where are you at mentally?
Reposted by Will Helmke
Whenever I see people post their kitties.
a group of people standing in front of a stone wall with the words game of thrones on the bottom right
ALT: a group of people standing in front of a stone wall with the words game of thrones on the bottom right
media.tenor.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:11 AM
Whenever I see people post their kitties.
Day 11: Favorite Dragoon
Estinien has such a great story arc, and is perhaps one of the most OP Dragoons. So he's my pick.
Estinien has such a great story arc, and is perhaps one of the most OP Dragoons. So he's my pick.
January 16, 2026 at 5:50 AM
Day 11: Favorite Dragoon
Estinien has such a great story arc, and is perhaps one of the most OP Dragoons. So he's my pick.
Estinien has such a great story arc, and is perhaps one of the most OP Dragoons. So he's my pick.
Day 10: Favorite Class.
Even before it became my main in FFXIV, Red Mage. Always Red Mage.
Even before it became my main in FFXIV, Red Mage. Always Red Mage.
January 15, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Day 10: Favorite Class.
Even before it became my main in FFXIV, Red Mage. Always Red Mage.
Even before it became my main in FFXIV, Red Mage. Always Red Mage.
Reposted by Will Helmke
Seriously:
I have no time for doomers.
I’m not “cooked,” it’s not “all over” until we all give up.
And when it comes to giving up, I think I speak for everyone still putting in the effort every single day when I say:
Fuck you, make me.
I have no time for doomers.
I’m not “cooked,” it’s not “all over” until we all give up.
And when it comes to giving up, I think I speak for everyone still putting in the effort every single day when I say:
Fuck you, make me.
January 14, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Seriously:
I have no time for doomers.
I’m not “cooked,” it’s not “all over” until we all give up.
And when it comes to giving up, I think I speak for everyone still putting in the effort every single day when I say:
Fuck you, make me.
I have no time for doomers.
I’m not “cooked,” it’s not “all over” until we all give up.
And when it comes to giving up, I think I speak for everyone still putting in the effort every single day when I say:
Fuck you, make me.
I fucking hate health insurance.
January 14, 2026 at 3:16 PM
I fucking hate health insurance.
Reposted by Will Helmke
This is also about eliminating the concept of the “personal computer” and pushing everything into the cloud where all actions, every byte of data, can be surveilled and monetized.
once again where we're at right now with the runaway price increases on SSDs isn't even because of usage demand, it's hoarding behavior from companies who may not have even broken ground on the data centers they want to install it in.
my storage last year vs my storage now:
January 14, 2026 at 5:39 AM
This is also about eliminating the concept of the “personal computer” and pushing everything into the cloud where all actions, every byte of data, can be surveilled and monetized.
Day 9: Favorite Battle System
Well, I can't say Chrono Trigger because it's technically not a FF game, so I think I'll go with FF9. The last, best realization of the ATB in Mainline Final Fantasy games.
Well, I can't say Chrono Trigger because it's technically not a FF game, so I think I'll go with FF9. The last, best realization of the ATB in Mainline Final Fantasy games.
January 14, 2026 at 4:59 AM
Day 9: Favorite Battle System
Well, I can't say Chrono Trigger because it's technically not a FF game, so I think I'll go with FF9. The last, best realization of the ATB in Mainline Final Fantasy games.
Well, I can't say Chrono Trigger because it's technically not a FF game, so I think I'll go with FF9. The last, best realization of the ATB in Mainline Final Fantasy games.
It just dawned on me:
By the term's broader definition, Farscape is an isekai.
By the term's broader definition, Farscape is an isekai.
January 14, 2026 at 12:01 AM
It just dawned on me:
By the term's broader definition, Farscape is an isekai.
By the term's broader definition, Farscape is an isekai.
Day 8: Favorite Cutscene
No pictures for this one because spoilers. The end cutscene of the level 87 quests in FFXIV Endwalker. If you know, you know.
No pictures for this one because spoilers. The end cutscene of the level 87 quests in FFXIV Endwalker. If you know, you know.
Day 7: Favorite Job system
Final Fantasy Tactics (War of the Lions, specifically; frustrates me to no end they took away Dark Knight from us in the remake, which is like 40% of the reason I haven't played it yet 😅)
Final Fantasy Tactics (War of the Lions, specifically; frustrates me to no end they took away Dark Knight from us in the remake, which is like 40% of the reason I haven't played it yet 😅)
January 13, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Day 8: Favorite Cutscene
No pictures for this one because spoilers. The end cutscene of the level 87 quests in FFXIV Endwalker. If you know, you know.
No pictures for this one because spoilers. The end cutscene of the level 87 quests in FFXIV Endwalker. If you know, you know.
My feelings on the Jerome Powell situation:
January 12, 2026 at 6:53 AM
My feelings on the Jerome Powell situation:
Going to he driving 6 hours tomorrow, so give me some fun questions/messages to answer when I stop for gas (or when I get home)
ngl.link/eisenwill
ngl.link/eisenwill
Anonymous messages!
Anonymous messages!
ngl.link
January 12, 2026 at 6:04 AM
Going to he driving 6 hours tomorrow, so give me some fun questions/messages to answer when I stop for gas (or when I get home)
ngl.link/eisenwill
ngl.link/eisenwill
Day 7: Favorite Job system
Final Fantasy Tactics (War of the Lions, specifically; frustrates me to no end they took away Dark Knight from us in the remake, which is like 40% of the reason I haven't played it yet 😅)
Final Fantasy Tactics (War of the Lions, specifically; frustrates me to no end they took away Dark Knight from us in the remake, which is like 40% of the reason I haven't played it yet 😅)
January 12, 2026 at 4:50 AM
Day 7: Favorite Job system
Final Fantasy Tactics (War of the Lions, specifically; frustrates me to no end they took away Dark Knight from us in the remake, which is like 40% of the reason I haven't played it yet 😅)
Final Fantasy Tactics (War of the Lions, specifically; frustrates me to no end they took away Dark Knight from us in the remake, which is like 40% of the reason I haven't played it yet 😅)
Day 6: Worst NPC
In the sense of most awful, not like poorly written: Valens, FFXIV
In the sense of most awful, not like poorly written: Valens, FFXIV
January 11, 2026 at 6:51 AM
Day 6: Worst NPC
In the sense of most awful, not like poorly written: Valens, FFXIV
In the sense of most awful, not like poorly written: Valens, FFXIV
After spending time back where I grew in WI, I often wonder how noticeable my own Wisconsin accent is.
January 10, 2026 at 9:21 PM
After spending time back where I grew in WI, I often wonder how noticeable my own Wisconsin accent is.