Andrew Bluett
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drubie.bsky.social
Andrew Bluett
@drubie.bsky.social
1.8K followers 410 following 1.6K posts
He/Him. I make video essays and media retrospectives on YouTube. No follow-for-follow.

Kingdom Hearts | Final Fantasy | Doctor Who | Jak and Daxter | Pokémon | Dragon Ball | Fallout | Halo

https://www.youtube.com/@AndrewBluett/
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drubie.bsky.social
Andrew Bluett @drubie.bsky.social · Jan 3
Saw a bunch of people doing 2024 Media Threads last year, so I think I'll do a 2025 Media Thread. I'll do my best to log everything that I started and finished this year.
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
casuallyars.bsky.social
As a newer player, I don't know half of the things people talk about in FFXI, especially what a DD is and what DT means when setting up my gear.
So I thought I'd make a small graphic for just a few terms I felt were important/used often enough for new people like me to use as reference!
BCNM - Burning Circle Notorious Monster "A burning circle, here?!" - Alxaal In FFXIV terms, these would be most similar to your trial fights. It places you and your party members into an instanced zone to fight an enemy; buffs will typically wear on entry, but some can be outliers. HTMB - High-Tier Mission Battlefield If BCNMs are your trial fights, these are your Extreme versions. These use a KI to get in, which can be bought for varying amounts of Merits. Most of the gear has been outstripped these days, but it's still neat to get some for lockstyle or the experience! These come in varying difficulties that will be explained later here. If you clear on the highest difficulty, you can get a title specific to that boss! Occasionally, events will run where you're able to get special items from these (looking at all of you, people that joined from San d'Oria The Second Walk). The POL website will announce these. ilvl - Item Level Like in FFXIV, there's a level for your gear to denote how strong it is. Since FFXI stopped player progression past level 99, it's the gear that strengthens people beyond the threshold. If gear has <119> in the lower right corner of the box, it's considered 'ilvl gear' and is 'current', as in 'added in the last five years'. Often contested as a term because some gear will rocket players past the 119 mark, even when not written. DIFFICULTY LEVELS This applies to content like Ambuscade and HTMBs, and uses item levelto show how much trouble the fight ahead will be. (Note that these are NOT indicative of damage because some will push your shit in even on VE, looking at you in particular Kammy.) VE - Very Easy - 113 E - Easy - 116 N - Normal - 119 D - Difficult - 119+ VD - Very Difficult - 119+ KI - Key Item Exactly as it says on the tin. There's a special inventory just for these, so they won't take up space in your main bags thankfully. There's temporary key items that will be consumed on use, often items used to get into specific battles. Some of these have humorous descriptions, so don't be afraid to take your time and read through them if you get the chance! AH - Auction House If you're familiar with FFXIV, this is the market board. It works a bit differently though, where you put up how much you'd pay for an item, and if someone listed it for that amount or less, you buy it! You can lowball something and occasionally get LUCKY. Could also mean 'FFXIAH', a website where you can check player bazaars across the server you're on as well as what an item recently sold for. LP - Limit Points Points accumulated after you hit level 75, or whatever your level cap would be. Rather than EXP, you begin gaining Limit Points. If you gain 10,000 Limit Points, you get a single Merit Point! Merits - Merit Points These can be used to strengthen your character further, with your first cap being 45. This can ALSO be raised, up to holding 75 merit points that can be used on battlefield orbs! CP - Capacity Points The next level after you get to 99. You begin to accumulate CP as you kill monsters around your level. When you hit 30,000 CP, you gain a Job Point. JP - Job Points Every 30,000 CP you get a JP, which is the pinnacle of strengthening your job's specific qualities. These are gained per-job, unlike Limit Points that can be obtained across all your jobs. As you use JP for attribute increases, you gain Gifts that will overall improve things like your damage, how many CP you earn, and other more job-specific things like wyvern stats. When you hit 2,100 JP, you become a job master and can get those little stars above your head! DT - Damage Taken If you hear someone talk about 'DT sets' or 'DT gear', they're talking about gear that keeps you alive! There's PDT (physical damage taken) and MDT (magical damage taken). This doesn't include MTDT (mental damage taken from yell chat). (Jokingly) DD - Damage Dealer While 'tank' and 'healer' are still the main terms used in FFXI for those specific jobs, rather than calling something like a Dragoon a DPS, they're called a DD. 2HR - Two Hour Ability In FFXI, all jobs have an ability specific to them that has a crispy full 2 hour cooldown in real life. Be careful on misclicking it; it's not something to worry about when you're going through for story, but it can mean life or death in a particularly hard fight sometimes. LB - Limit Break quests A set of quests starting at level 75 that will allow your character to get to level 99. Happens every 5 levels; get used to saying hi to Maat and the moogle! TP - Tactical Points 1,000 of these and you can execute a Weapon Skill! WS - Weapon Skill In the early game, it's best to think of these as a Limit Break from the Final Fantasy franchise as a whole. As you level up and gain new abilities, you're be able to use these MUCH faster. SC - Skillchain When two Weapon Skills used in succession are appropriate and used at the right time, a Skillchain is activated. This can go MUCH further in-depth, but there's online charts dedicated to telling you how to make specific SCs depending on your WS you have available. Or you could just not bother with these and spam Savage Blade, which is not very advisable. Fudo - Tachi: Fudo A Great Katana weapon skill. Used for cheese. Naegling Weapon used to make cheese out of Savage Blade. Savage Blade Also used for cheese. Mostly memes with these last few, but you'll see people talking about them sometimes so I thought it'd be good to add them! Lockstyle If you're familiar with XIV, this is your glamour system! Rather than having a glamour chest and plates, you have up to 200 sets! These share slots with gear sets though, so balance is key when you begin to make gear sets for playing the game (which I'll admit is terrifying). Which means, technically, you have 200 glamour plates with no restrictions on use in any zone AND no restriction on the type of gear you can use for your appearance!. My own lockstyle is a mashup of both melee, ranged, and caster gear because I think it looks cool all together! As long as you have a job leveled that can equip it, it can be used as lockstyle/glamour on any other gear piece! The major snag for lockstyle is weapon types; you can't lock some types of weapon over others. If you want a sword on a spear, for instance, it'll flag an error at you. Just something to keep an eye on! Also known as the TRUE end game of FFXI. Go forth and make your mark on the fashion world!
November 15, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
radiodeadair.com
Once again, if you abide Catholic dogma then the Pope is the divine instrument of God on Earth. Deny that and you deny the faith.

If instead you just like to use all the trappings of Catholicism to oppress and rob a nation, the Pope is a glaring impediment to your consolidation of power.
christopherjhale.bsky.social Christopher Hale @christopherjhale.bsky.social · 15h
The U.S. bishops defended migrant families. Tom Homan snapped. Nan Hayworth called Pope Leo a “tool of our enemies.” Tim Burchett accused the church of getting rich off of sex trafficking.

Matt Walsh, Lara Logan, and the rest joined in. This is what MAGA anti-Catholicism looks like.
“Pope Leo Is a Tool of Our Enemies”: Homan Leads MAGA Attacks as Hayworth, Others Pile On
It’s the latest MAGA attack on Pope Leo’s pro-immigrant stance. Disgraced border chief Tom Homan — caught taking a $50,000 bribe in a Cava takeout bag — led the charge against Leo and the bishops.
www.thelettersfromleo.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
talkinghenry.bsky.social
Bill Oakley shared this sad news on Twitter, hadn’t seen it here yet: Dan McGrath has passed away.

A fantastic writer for SNL, Simpsons, Mission Hill (he wrote many fan’s favorite episode), King of the Hill, The PJs, and Gravity Falls. Any comedy nerd of the last 40 years knows so much of his work
R.I.P. today to Dan McGrath, great person and super-talented writer at The Simpsons, SNL, King of the Hill, and Mission Hill, where he was right-hand man to @Joshstrangehill and me -- and responsible for the incredible Gus & Wally episode.
November 15, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
ash243x.bsky.social
"one day, when it's safe, when there's no personal downside to calling a thing what it is, when it's too late to hold anyone accountable, everyone will have always been against this"
November 14, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
jametc.bsky.social
steam is apparently allowing "this game had AI in it that it didn't disclose" as a valid return statement, so if you or anyone you know actually paid $70 for slop, get that money back
November 15, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
radiodeadair.com
BY THE WAY

If you've updated to Windows 11 recently, you're probably on version 25H2.

There's a new setting in Settings: Privacy & Security.

Scroll aaaaaaaalll the way to the bottom and you'll see "Text and Image Generation."

TURN IT OFF.
Screenshot from Windows Settings>Privacy and Security>Text and image Generation. "Text and image generation uses on-device AI technologies to quickly respond to requests. Turning this settings off will not affect apps and features using cloud AI technologies. Text and image generation Windows and anyone using this device can use Text and image generation.
October 17, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
treeky.bsky.social
The Koudelka Video is now Live for $6 Patreon Andy's and higher!

Public video will be live in a few days so no pressure! I hate when cool people ask me for money too.

Link Below:

www.patreon.com/posts/koudel...
Koudelka Early Access! | Treeky's Trust Fund
Get more from Treeky's Trust Fund on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
winterk.bsky.social
Final Fantasy VI Remake
Initial Planning Meeting

Square-Enix Business: The source material appears to be some kind of Yoshitaka Amano prog rock OVA. How do we make it look like Takashi Miike live action anime with Nomura costumes?

Square-Enix Creative: I'm sorry sir, we've tried but it's too prog.
November 15, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
radiodeadair.com
I am still amazed at how thick Republicans are that Democratic voters really, *really* do not like the Clintons.

They're establishment-popular, not actually popular.

"You come for Trump we'll come for Clinton!" they say, ignoring the constant stream of memes and jeering over Bill.
November 14, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
brainlordspod.bsky.social
In between discussions of art and philosophy, here at Brainlords we often take time for more important issues like how awful modern Yoshi looks.
November 14, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
cutemonster.bsky.social
I'm going to be helping at Shoebox!

There will be a lot more cool things to reveal as we get closer to the event but this is definitely something you won't want to miss out on.
shoebox.gg Shoebox @shoebox.gg · 1d
Step right up! Introducing the eight fabulous cosplayers who will be your Carnival game hosts at Shoebox! Come and challenge them to mini-games and indie format showdowns all weekend. Will you find your new favorite way to play?

Get your badge ➡️ shoebox.gg/badges
The Shoebox Carnival Cosplayers! Individuals are tagged in the post below.
November 14, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
mrdo.pro
don't worry everyone! my contacts at nintendo have informed me that after the first hour of metroid prime 4, miles mackenzie leaves and is replaced by the guy from the best buy spider man commercial
November 14, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
strucci.bsky.social
Your biggest rival/obstacle should be your former self. Doc Hammer had a great bit where he was like, "When I say I suck, what I mean is what's inside of me is better than my previous work, I have to apologize for it with my next piece" (paraphrasing)
ethankocak.com Ethan Kocak @ethankocak.com · 1d
I think most artists hit a point where they’re like, well if I can’t be the best artist, I shall be the most ME artist.
November 14, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
aidanmoher.com
Go get 'em.
November 14, 2025 at 7:31 PM
drubie.bsky.social
I'll whip out my Kermit voice with minimal provocation. It's just too much silly fun.
November 14, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
maxnichols.bsky.social
lmao

That's ridiculous and can only be correct with horribly skewed averages + very biased sampling (both, in this case).

I was making $150k as a Senior Designer at Bungie with 15 years of industry experience in one of the highest-paying job markets in a high cost-of-living area with geopay
November 14, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
coachfinstock.bsky.social
'Matt Gaetz Raped A Homeless Teenager' is what you mean.

A teenager with a homeless parent? What? The fuck? Did she have a home and not allow her parent to live in it? Ended up having sex with? What? Yeah clearly you guys been caping for pedos long enough and you understand the assignment here
nytimes.com The New York Times @nytimes.com · 2d
A teenager in Florida with a homeless parent wanted money for braces and ended up having sex for money with powerful men, setting off a chain of events that would have a dramatic impact on her life and help upend the political career of Representative Matt Gaetz. nyti.ms/49PSkL9
Matt Gaetz, wearing a paisley tie and black suit jacket. A headline reads: "In Matt Gaetz Scandal, A 17-year-Old Was Left Vulnerable to Exploitation." Photo by Kenny Holston/New York Times
November 14, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
bgmaguid.com
absolutely heartbroken to announce that i was part of the crystal layoffs today 💔

if y’all spot any openings for a soft, dedicated, smiley games writer — please send them my way 💫

i was on the most perfect narrative team on an exciting, ambitious project. i will cherish it all forever. 💖
November 13, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
ashlikeadragon.bsky.social
happy transgender awareness week 💜

to celebrate, please remain aware of my desire for a job and/or freelance work
November 13, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
aidanmoher.com
Happy to speak with @adashtra.bsky.social about Magic and UB (alongside the brilliant @shivambhatt.bsky.social & @emmapartlow.com).

I actually like UB more than many people I know, because I view MTG as a game system, but it’s undeniably and forcibly encroaching on the game’s longstanding flavour.
"The number one problem with Universes Beyond is that [Wizards] decided to put them in the core competitive formats so they're no longer an opt-in product," said writer, games journalist, and Magic enthusiast Aidan Moher. "You can no longer ignore it." In 2025, the split between in-universe sets and UB sets was even at three apiece. Next year will feature a Ninja Turtles set, a Marvel superheroes set, The Hobbit, and Star Trek. For the first time, UB sets will outnumber the in-universe ones, which could be alienating to players who enjoy Magic for its own distinct storytelling universe. "I think a lot of people are feeling threatened in their space just because here's all this advertisement seeping into Magic," Partlow said.
November 13, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
reichlinmelnick.bsky.social
NEW: @propublica.org investigated the Chicago apartment raid where kids were zip-tied and citizens detained for hours. They find:

- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
As a Black Hawk helicopter roared overhead, the slender, 28-year-old immigrant from Venezuela answered softly, his eyes darting to a television crew invited to film the raid. Next to Caicedo, masked Border Patrol agents inspected another man’s tattoos and asked him if he belonged to Tren de Aragua, the Venezuelan gang that the Trump administration has designated a terrorist group. Until that moment, Caicedo’s only interaction with law enforcement in his two-and-a-half years in the United States had been a traffic stop two weeks earlier for driving without a license or insurance, according to the records we reviewed. Chicago police had run a background check on him and found no prior arrests, no warrants and no evidence that he was in a gang. Caicedo said he had a pending asylum application, a steady job at a taco joint and a girlfriend whose daughter attended elementary school across the street. None of that mattered. The U.S. government paraded him and his neighbors in front of the cameras and called their arrests a spectacular victory against terrorism. But later, after the cameras had gone, prosecutors didn’t charge Caicedo with a crime. They didn’t accuse him of being a terrorist. And after a brief hearing in immigration court, the government sent him back to the country he had fled nine years earlier. “I lost everything,” he said in a phone interview from his mother’s home in the Venezuelan city of Valencia. “For those fools, everyone from Venezuela is a criminal.”
November 13, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
reidman.bsky.social
Fangamer is hiring a 🚨 Product Designer 🚨

very rare posting for a very cool job, RT's appreciated~

www.fangamer.com/pages/job-li...
Graphic Designer
Fangamer is looking for a full time experienced designer with strong product and layout design skills to join our creative team. This position will be responsible for conceptualizing, speccing and pro...
www.fangamer.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
brainlordspod.bsky.social
For our Part Two on PT, we're talking with @bobvids.com about the present era of horror inspired by PT, liminal spaces in games, homages vs ripoffs and more.

Got a question or comment? Use the form! forms.gle/S9WWS6Xg81TP...
Brainlords Podcast Question
Tonight we're talking with Bobvids about the era of games inspired by PT and liminal spaces in games. Questions or comments can be about anything though!
forms.gle
November 12, 2025 at 9:51 PM
drubie.bsky.social
If you're not listening to Brainlords yet...you should.
brainlordspod.bsky.social Brain Lords Podcast @brainlordspod.bsky.social · 3d
Wednesday means Brainlords! This week returning guest @superbunnyhop.bsky.social joins us in Past Tense - The Legacy of PT, the first of a two part episode on the past and future of the most influential game that doesn't exist.

open.spotify.com/episode/3jdj...
November 12, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Reposted by Andrew Bluett
brainlordspod.bsky.social
Wednesday means Brainlords! This week returning guest @superbunnyhop.bsky.social joins us in Past Tense - The Legacy of PT, the first of a two part episode on the past and future of the most influential game that doesn't exist.

open.spotify.com/episode/3jdj...
November 12, 2025 at 4:50 PM