Into The Spine
@intothespine.bsky.social
Stories about video games and what they leave behind /// Patreon: http://patreon.com/intothespine /// Founder: @diegoarguello.bsky.social /// Email: [email protected] /// https://intothespine.com/
"The students noticed first: my pink backpack, pink bike helmet, pink sneakers. I didn’t start loud. It built slowly."
Jervon Perkins shares the story of Serenity Hart and learning to be seen in Final Fantasy XIV.
intothespine.com/2025/08/23/s...
Jervon Perkins shares the story of Serenity Hart and learning to be seen in Final Fantasy XIV.
intothespine.com/2025/08/23/s...
August 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
"The students noticed first: my pink backpack, pink bike helmet, pink sneakers. I didn’t start loud. It built slowly."
Jervon Perkins shares the story of Serenity Hart and learning to be seen in Final Fantasy XIV.
intothespine.com/2025/08/23/s...
Jervon Perkins shares the story of Serenity Hart and learning to be seen in Final Fantasy XIV.
intothespine.com/2025/08/23/s...
"For those of us who struggle with mental health, it offers a sanctuary — a space to dream of a life that feels out of reach."
Jastine Beatrice Yap shares her story of playing The Sims 4 as a depressed queer, and turning 25.
intothespine.com/2025/07/10/t...
Jastine Beatrice Yap shares her story of playing The Sims 4 as a depressed queer, and turning 25.
intothespine.com/2025/07/10/t...
July 10, 2025 at 7:48 PM
"For those of us who struggle with mental health, it offers a sanctuary — a space to dream of a life that feels out of reach."
Jastine Beatrice Yap shares her story of playing The Sims 4 as a depressed queer, and turning 25.
intothespine.com/2025/07/10/t...
Jastine Beatrice Yap shares her story of playing The Sims 4 as a depressed queer, and turning 25.
intothespine.com/2025/07/10/t...
"An act that is supposed to deny uncertainty ironically becomes complicit in a rigid state of stagnation and exhaustion."
Zonghang Zhou (@zhzhou86.bsky.social) examines the meaning of repetition via Papers, Please, and Tang Shanjun's Sisyphean efforts.
intothespine.com/2025/05/23/t...
Zonghang Zhou (@zhzhou86.bsky.social) examines the meaning of repetition via Papers, Please, and Tang Shanjun's Sisyphean efforts.
intothespine.com/2025/05/23/t...
May 23, 2025 at 7:09 PM
"An act that is supposed to deny uncertainty ironically becomes complicit in a rigid state of stagnation and exhaustion."
Zonghang Zhou (@zhzhou86.bsky.social) examines the meaning of repetition via Papers, Please, and Tang Shanjun's Sisyphean efforts.
intothespine.com/2025/05/23/t...
Zonghang Zhou (@zhzhou86.bsky.social) examines the meaning of repetition via Papers, Please, and Tang Shanjun's Sisyphean efforts.
intothespine.com/2025/05/23/t...
"A fourth-wall break moment early on, however, quickly changed my mind."
Mikhail Madnani (@va11halla.bsky.social) is pulled into Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo by one specific sequence.
intothespine.com/2025/02/22/t...
Mikhail Madnani (@va11halla.bsky.social) is pulled into Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo by one specific sequence.
intothespine.com/2025/02/22/t...
February 22, 2025 at 6:23 PM
"A fourth-wall break moment early on, however, quickly changed my mind."
Mikhail Madnani (@va11halla.bsky.social) is pulled into Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo by one specific sequence.
intothespine.com/2025/02/22/t...
Mikhail Madnani (@va11halla.bsky.social) is pulled into Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo by one specific sequence.
intothespine.com/2025/02/22/t...
"Perhaps that's why this scene felt so angsty, because Vertin is me, and Schneider had said that to me. Schneider was bidding farewell, and I would no longer see her again."
Ree Summers explores a dialogue line in Reverse: 1999.
intothespine.com/2025/01/27/g...
Ree Summers explores a dialogue line in Reverse: 1999.
intothespine.com/2025/01/27/g...
January 27, 2025 at 7:19 PM
"Perhaps that's why this scene felt so angsty, because Vertin is me, and Schneider had said that to me. Schneider was bidding farewell, and I would no longer see her again."
Ree Summers explores a dialogue line in Reverse: 1999.
intothespine.com/2025/01/27/g...
Ree Summers explores a dialogue line in Reverse: 1999.
intothespine.com/2025/01/27/g...
"I’m afraid, but my mouth isn’t. 'Would they see him if he was a little girl?'”
Autumn McGarr (@flamingo-teeth.bsky.social) shares their story about gardening in Sonic Adventure 2.
intothespine.com/2025/01/13/o...
Autumn McGarr (@flamingo-teeth.bsky.social) shares their story about gardening in Sonic Adventure 2.
intothespine.com/2025/01/13/o...
January 13, 2025 at 6:51 PM
"I’m afraid, but my mouth isn’t. 'Would they see him if he was a little girl?'”
Autumn McGarr (@flamingo-teeth.bsky.social) shares their story about gardening in Sonic Adventure 2.
intothespine.com/2025/01/13/o...
Autumn McGarr (@flamingo-teeth.bsky.social) shares their story about gardening in Sonic Adventure 2.
intothespine.com/2025/01/13/o...
Following the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 roundups, writers deconstruct the year with short stories.
This was 2024, told by 102 people.
intothespine.com/2024/12/30/s...
This was 2024, told by 102 people.
intothespine.com/2024/12/30/s...
December 30, 2024 at 4:28 PM
Following the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 roundups, writers deconstruct the year with short stories.
This was 2024, told by 102 people.
intothespine.com/2024/12/30/s...
This was 2024, told by 102 people.
intothespine.com/2024/12/30/s...
"She’s the ship that’s going to get you where you need to go, no matter the cost."
Harry Sprinks muses about Bastion's narration and Weeping Nellie.
intothespine.com/2024/12/01/w...
Harry Sprinks muses about Bastion's narration and Weeping Nellie.
intothespine.com/2024/12/01/w...
December 1, 2024 at 7:31 PM
"She’s the ship that’s going to get you where you need to go, no matter the cost."
Harry Sprinks muses about Bastion's narration and Weeping Nellie.
intothespine.com/2024/12/01/w...
Harry Sprinks muses about Bastion's narration and Weeping Nellie.
intothespine.com/2024/12/01/w...
"Why should a game about creative problem solving underpinned by actual magic employ the most tired imagery in gaming?"
Dayten Rose asks to stop giving wizards, and games, guns.
intothespine.com/2024/11/24/p...
Dayten Rose asks to stop giving wizards, and games, guns.
intothespine.com/2024/11/24/p...
November 24, 2024 at 8:35 PM
"Why should a game about creative problem solving underpinned by actual magic employ the most tired imagery in gaming?"
Dayten Rose asks to stop giving wizards, and games, guns.
intothespine.com/2024/11/24/p...
Dayten Rose asks to stop giving wizards, and games, guns.
intothespine.com/2024/11/24/p...
"She curses Brad with one breath and repeats his behavior the next."
Isaiah Williams (@iwilliamsvo.bsky.social) reflects on parental figures through the lens of Buddy and Brad's relationship in Lisa: The Painful.
intothespine.com/2024/11/17/h...
Isaiah Williams (@iwilliamsvo.bsky.social) reflects on parental figures through the lens of Buddy and Brad's relationship in Lisa: The Painful.
intothespine.com/2024/11/17/h...
November 17, 2024 at 5:47 PM
"She curses Brad with one breath and repeats his behavior the next."
Isaiah Williams (@iwilliamsvo.bsky.social) reflects on parental figures through the lens of Buddy and Brad's relationship in Lisa: The Painful.
intothespine.com/2024/11/17/h...
Isaiah Williams (@iwilliamsvo.bsky.social) reflects on parental figures through the lens of Buddy and Brad's relationship in Lisa: The Painful.
intothespine.com/2024/11/17/h...
"It is 2024. You’ve been using they/them pronouns in one social group or another for about four years. One of those social groups has started playing Helldivers 2."
Megan B. Wells details their history with gender through video games.
intothespine.com/2024/11/09/m...
Megan B. Wells details their history with gender through video games.
intothespine.com/2024/11/09/m...
November 9, 2024 at 9:45 PM
"It is 2024. You’ve been using they/them pronouns in one social group or another for about four years. One of those social groups has started playing Helldivers 2."
Megan B. Wells details their history with gender through video games.
intothespine.com/2024/11/09/m...
Megan B. Wells details their history with gender through video games.
intothespine.com/2024/11/09/m...
“(…) while we’re our own worst enemy, we’re also our own best champion.”
Conor Killmurray on heralding our darkness.
intothespine.com/2024/10/31/h...
Conor Killmurray on heralding our darkness.
intothespine.com/2024/10/31/h...
October 31, 2024 at 9:27 PM
“(…) while we’re our own worst enemy, we’re also our own best champion.”
Conor Killmurray on heralding our darkness.
intothespine.com/2024/10/31/h...
Conor Killmurray on heralding our darkness.
intothespine.com/2024/10/31/h...
“You never know when your boss is going to bury you in a mine for profit.”
Lucas Asher reflects on a decision he made in Frostpunk 2, and how the game did not let him forget it.
intothespine.com/2024/10/22/t...
Lucas Asher reflects on a decision he made in Frostpunk 2, and how the game did not let him forget it.
intothespine.com/2024/10/22/t...
October 22, 2024 at 9:43 PM
“You never know when your boss is going to bury you in a mine for profit.”
Lucas Asher reflects on a decision he made in Frostpunk 2, and how the game did not let him forget it.
intothespine.com/2024/10/22/t...
Lucas Asher reflects on a decision he made in Frostpunk 2, and how the game did not let him forget it.
intothespine.com/2024/10/22/t...
"The one strong enough to carry the weight,
The one strong enough to quell the demons and put darkness in its place,
The one who made it through."
Isaiah Luck offers introspection through Final Fantasy XVI.
intothespine.com/2024/10/12/m...
The one strong enough to quell the demons and put darkness in its place,
The one who made it through."
Isaiah Luck offers introspection through Final Fantasy XVI.
intothespine.com/2024/10/12/m...
October 12, 2024 at 7:30 PM
"The one strong enough to carry the weight,
The one strong enough to quell the demons and put darkness in its place,
The one who made it through."
Isaiah Luck offers introspection through Final Fantasy XVI.
intothespine.com/2024/10/12/m...
The one strong enough to quell the demons and put darkness in its place,
The one who made it through."
Isaiah Luck offers introspection through Final Fantasy XVI.
intothespine.com/2024/10/12/m...
"'Why am I paying taxes to support the United States military industrial complex, aka, Mayor Onion?'"
Madison Pimental examines the mirrored realities of Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion and the U.S. presidential debate.
intothespine.com/2024/10/06/e...
Madison Pimental examines the mirrored realities of Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion and the U.S. presidential debate.
intothespine.com/2024/10/06/e...
October 6, 2024 at 4:38 PM
"'Why am I paying taxes to support the United States military industrial complex, aka, Mayor Onion?'"
Madison Pimental examines the mirrored realities of Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion and the U.S. presidential debate.
intothespine.com/2024/10/06/e...
Madison Pimental examines the mirrored realities of Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion and the U.S. presidential debate.
intothespine.com/2024/10/06/e...
"Where must we go, we who wander this wasteland, in search of our better selves?"
Wyeth Leslie portrays the moods and colors of the wasteland in Max Mad through a 56-screenshot gallery.
intothespine.com/2024/09/26/5...
Wyeth Leslie portrays the moods and colors of the wasteland in Max Mad through a 56-screenshot gallery.
intothespine.com/2024/09/26/5...
September 26, 2024 at 8:38 PM
"Where must we go, we who wander this wasteland, in search of our better selves?"
Wyeth Leslie portrays the moods and colors of the wasteland in Max Mad through a 56-screenshot gallery.
intothespine.com/2024/09/26/5...
Wyeth Leslie portrays the moods and colors of the wasteland in Max Mad through a 56-screenshot gallery.
intothespine.com/2024/09/26/5...
"As someone with a degree in the arts, it gave me joy to see Princess Peach: Showtime! hold much appreciation for the profession."
Monique Barrow (@moniquebarrow.bsky.social) on the importance of protecting the arts from being disparaged and disrespected.
intothespine.com/2024/09/14/s...
Monique Barrow (@moniquebarrow.bsky.social) on the importance of protecting the arts from being disparaged and disrespected.
intothespine.com/2024/09/14/s...
September 14, 2024 at 5:15 PM
"As someone with a degree in the arts, it gave me joy to see Princess Peach: Showtime! hold much appreciation for the profession."
Monique Barrow (@moniquebarrow.bsky.social) on the importance of protecting the arts from being disparaged and disrespected.
intothespine.com/2024/09/14/s...
Monique Barrow (@moniquebarrow.bsky.social) on the importance of protecting the arts from being disparaged and disrespected.
intothespine.com/2024/09/14/s...
"(...) this scene is a microcosm of the character: finding joy in an unlikely place, even with hell behind and ahead of him."
Ashley Schofield (@hazzahazzahazza.bsky.social) explores the working class heart of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and the worth of a ¥400 gyudon.
intothespine.com/2024/08/28/t...
Ashley Schofield (@hazzahazzahazza.bsky.social) explores the working class heart of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and the worth of a ¥400 gyudon.
intothespine.com/2024/08/28/t...
August 28, 2024 at 5:30 PM
"(...) this scene is a microcosm of the character: finding joy in an unlikely place, even with hell behind and ahead of him."
Ashley Schofield (@hazzahazzahazza.bsky.social) explores the working class heart of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and the worth of a ¥400 gyudon.
intothespine.com/2024/08/28/t...
Ashley Schofield (@hazzahazzahazza.bsky.social) explores the working class heart of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and the worth of a ¥400 gyudon.
intothespine.com/2024/08/28/t...
"Paint your own sunflowers, and then pay a fiver for a slice of dry cake."
Samiee "Gutterpunk" Tee recalls their time in "Van Gogh Alive" and reflects upon it through the virtual artwork gallery of Cuccchi.
intothespine.com/2024/08/19/g...
Samiee "Gutterpunk" Tee recalls their time in "Van Gogh Alive" and reflects upon it through the virtual artwork gallery of Cuccchi.
intothespine.com/2024/08/19/g...
August 19, 2024 at 8:42 PM
"Paint your own sunflowers, and then pay a fiver for a slice of dry cake."
Samiee "Gutterpunk" Tee recalls their time in "Van Gogh Alive" and reflects upon it through the virtual artwork gallery of Cuccchi.
intothespine.com/2024/08/19/g...
Samiee "Gutterpunk" Tee recalls their time in "Van Gogh Alive" and reflects upon it through the virtual artwork gallery of Cuccchi.
intothespine.com/2024/08/19/g...
"Buying a game console was equivalent to months of living costs. Buying a single game could mean skipping out on buying groceries for the month."
Dea Ratna (@dearatna.bsky.social) tells their story of growing up with video games via emulation.
intothespine.com/2024/08/12/e...
Dea Ratna (@dearatna.bsky.social) tells their story of growing up with video games via emulation.
intothespine.com/2024/08/12/e...
August 12, 2024 at 7:06 PM
"Buying a game console was equivalent to months of living costs. Buying a single game could mean skipping out on buying groceries for the month."
Dea Ratna (@dearatna.bsky.social) tells their story of growing up with video games via emulation.
intothespine.com/2024/08/12/e...
Dea Ratna (@dearatna.bsky.social) tells their story of growing up with video games via emulation.
intothespine.com/2024/08/12/e...
"Going on make-believe adventures with friends and strangers or attending festivals with my pretend spouse helped me to be more comfortable with the concept of ‘me.'"
Timo Reinecke explores how roleplaying in FFXIV turned gender dysphoria into gender euphoria.
intothespine.com/2024/08/05/c...
Timo Reinecke explores how roleplaying in FFXIV turned gender dysphoria into gender euphoria.
intothespine.com/2024/08/05/c...
August 5, 2024 at 7:07 PM
"Going on make-believe adventures with friends and strangers or attending festivals with my pretend spouse helped me to be more comfortable with the concept of ‘me.'"
Timo Reinecke explores how roleplaying in FFXIV turned gender dysphoria into gender euphoria.
intothespine.com/2024/08/05/c...
Timo Reinecke explores how roleplaying in FFXIV turned gender dysphoria into gender euphoria.
intothespine.com/2024/08/05/c...
"The sound of rushing water, the relaxing atmosphere of a hotel… they fill you with determination."
Xyla Storm examines Undertale's unforgettable one-word line, and what it says about video game completionism.
intothespine.com/2024/07/28/d...
Xyla Storm examines Undertale's unforgettable one-word line, and what it says about video game completionism.
intothespine.com/2024/07/28/d...
July 28, 2024 at 9:06 PM
"The sound of rushing water, the relaxing atmosphere of a hotel… they fill you with determination."
Xyla Storm examines Undertale's unforgettable one-word line, and what it says about video game completionism.
intothespine.com/2024/07/28/d...
Xyla Storm examines Undertale's unforgettable one-word line, and what it says about video game completionism.
intothespine.com/2024/07/28/d...
"Alive as I grow older and begin to date, wondering to myself if I set my standards too high at sixteen years old, waiting for a man who will become worthy of my love."
This week, Kyle Tam (@percypropa.bsky.social) on Hidetoshi Odagiri's confession in Persona 3.
intothespine.com/2024/07/21/t...
This week, Kyle Tam (@percypropa.bsky.social) on Hidetoshi Odagiri's confession in Persona 3.
intothespine.com/2024/07/21/t...
July 21, 2024 at 7:42 PM
"Alive as I grow older and begin to date, wondering to myself if I set my standards too high at sixteen years old, waiting for a man who will become worthy of my love."
This week, Kyle Tam (@percypropa.bsky.social) on Hidetoshi Odagiri's confession in Persona 3.
intothespine.com/2024/07/21/t...
This week, Kyle Tam (@percypropa.bsky.social) on Hidetoshi Odagiri's confession in Persona 3.
intothespine.com/2024/07/21/t...
"Those weren’t tables; they were desks. I wasn’t among offices, but classrooms. This was a school."
Alexander B. Joy describes a horrifying moment with a lowercase letter in Door in the Woods.
intothespine.com/2024/07/14/l...
Alexander B. Joy describes a horrifying moment with a lowercase letter in Door in the Woods.
intothespine.com/2024/07/14/l...
July 14, 2024 at 7:20 PM
"Those weren’t tables; they were desks. I wasn’t among offices, but classrooms. This was a school."
Alexander B. Joy describes a horrifying moment with a lowercase letter in Door in the Woods.
intothespine.com/2024/07/14/l...
Alexander B. Joy describes a horrifying moment with a lowercase letter in Door in the Woods.
intothespine.com/2024/07/14/l...
"(...) they’re all these intersecting, coiled beings that respond to one another as elements of a singular setting."
Eithan Rosemberg (@eithi.bsky.social) revisits familiar ground with newfound curiosity in The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero.
intothespine.com/2024/06/30/c...
Eithan Rosemberg (@eithi.bsky.social) revisits familiar ground with newfound curiosity in The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero.
intothespine.com/2024/06/30/c...
June 30, 2024 at 8:40 PM
"(...) they’re all these intersecting, coiled beings that respond to one another as elements of a singular setting."
Eithan Rosemberg (@eithi.bsky.social) revisits familiar ground with newfound curiosity in The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero.
intothespine.com/2024/06/30/c...
Eithan Rosemberg (@eithi.bsky.social) revisits familiar ground with newfound curiosity in The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero.
intothespine.com/2024/06/30/c...