James Batchelor
@jamesbatchelor.bsky.social
Comms Manager at @digitalbandidos.bsky.social. Runs Non-Violent Game of the Day (@nvgotd.bsky.social). Former journalist
Author (The Best Non-Violent Video Games, Wandless, Blow The House Down) www.jamesbatchelor.me
Father. Gamer. Soundtrack Nerd
Author (The Best Non-Violent Video Games, Wandless, Blow The House Down) www.jamesbatchelor.me
Father. Gamer. Soundtrack Nerd
A Wild Pokémon (Book) Appears!
First sighting of my upcoming book as an actual physical thing you'll be able to buy and read. Pre-order your copy now (please): www.jamesbatchelor.me
(And also Ryan Janes' upcoming Mario book. Treat yourself!)
First sighting of my upcoming book as an actual physical thing you'll be able to buy and read. Pre-order your copy now (please): www.jamesbatchelor.me
(And also Ryan Janes' upcoming Mario book. Treat yourself!)
November 10, 2025 at 6:18 PM
A Wild Pokémon (Book) Appears!
First sighting of my upcoming book as an actual physical thing you'll be able to buy and read. Pre-order your copy now (please): www.jamesbatchelor.me
(And also Ryan Janes' upcoming Mario book. Treat yourself!)
First sighting of my upcoming book as an actual physical thing you'll be able to buy and read. Pre-order your copy now (please): www.jamesbatchelor.me
(And also Ryan Janes' upcoming Mario book. Treat yourself!)
My new book is here - and you can't read it! (Sorry)
I can finally give my daughter the book of short stories I've written about her (which means I can also give her brother the one I've been hiding since he was a toddler).
Also means I can finally focus solely on Wandless!
I can finally give my daughter the book of short stories I've written about her (which means I can also give her brother the one I've been hiding since he was a toddler).
Also means I can finally focus solely on Wandless!
November 9, 2025 at 11:37 AM
My new book is here - and you can't read it! (Sorry)
I can finally give my daughter the book of short stories I've written about her (which means I can also give her brother the one I've been hiding since he was a toddler).
Also means I can finally focus solely on Wandless!
I can finally give my daughter the book of short stories I've written about her (which means I can also give her brother the one I've been hiding since he was a toddler).
Also means I can finally focus solely on Wandless!
Lapland UK has a map showing Father Christmas' route around the world. Mexico seems to be on the naughty list 😬
November 8, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Lapland UK has a map showing Father Christmas' route around the world. Mexico seems to be on the naughty list 😬
Dammit! The longer Rockstar spends polishing GTA6, the longer we have to wait for this.
November 7, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Dammit! The longer Rockstar spends polishing GTA6, the longer we have to wait for this.
She's Espio the Chamelon. Apparently
October 24, 2025 at 8:48 AM
She's Espio the Chamelon. Apparently
I *think* I'm on the right train for Comic-Com. Not 100% sure
October 24, 2025 at 8:01 AM
I *think* I'm on the right train for Comic-Com. Not 100% sure
Refreshing my memory before I finally start writing book two. Apparently, this one is still a pretty good read! 😉
October 18, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Refreshing my memory before I finally start writing book two. Apparently, this one is still a pretty good read! 😉
Much easier tonight
October 13, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Much easier tonight
"You don't need to see my identification. I'm not the scoundrel you're looking for. I can go about my business."
October 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
"You don't need to see my identification. I'm not the scoundrel you're looking for. I can go about my business."
Gaming tonight may prove tricky
October 11, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Gaming tonight may prove tricky
Important News: You can now pre-order The History of the Pokémon Games from @penandswordbooks.bsky.social!
💻The making of Gen 1-9
🎮Over 150+ games
🎙️Foreword by @theveronicat.bsky.social, the original Ash Ketchum
Also available via Amazon, Waterstones, etc
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
💻The making of Gen 1-9
🎮Over 150+ games
🎙️Foreword by @theveronicat.bsky.social, the original Ash Ketchum
Also available via Amazon, Waterstones, etc
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
October 10, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Important News: You can now pre-order The History of the Pokémon Games from @penandswordbooks.bsky.social!
💻The making of Gen 1-9
🎮Over 150+ games
🎙️Foreword by @theveronicat.bsky.social, the original Ash Ketchum
Also available via Amazon, Waterstones, etc
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
💻The making of Gen 1-9
🎮Over 150+ games
🎙️Foreword by @theveronicat.bsky.social, the original Ash Ketchum
Also available via Amazon, Waterstones, etc
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-History-...
This might be blasphemous. Would Blue Prince be any less brilliant if it were a Metroidvania or like Skyward Sword's room-moving Sky Keep dungeon? Can't help but feel I'd be having a slightly better time if I had a little more control, rather than just praying for the room I need
October 6, 2025 at 5:32 PM
This might be blasphemous. Would Blue Prince be any less brilliant if it were a Metroidvania or like Skyward Sword's room-moving Sky Keep dungeon? Can't help but feel I'd be having a slightly better time if I had a little more control, rather than just praying for the room I need
Blue Prince
How It Started vs How It's Going
How It Started vs How It's Going
October 4, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Blue Prince
How It Started vs How It's Going
How It Started vs How It's Going
Sod the new Taylor Swift album - this is the best music arrival of the day. 10+ years and three house moves ago, I lost the disc for my TWINE soundtrack. Now I finally have the full two-disc expanded edition!
October 3, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Sod the new Taylor Swift album - this is the best music arrival of the day. 10+ years and three house moves ago, I lost the disc for my TWINE soundtrack. Now I finally have the full two-disc expanded edition!
I'm well and truly down the Blue Prince rabbit hole. First time I've ever made notes for a game, and it's so satisfying solving puzzles like this. Haven't even finished but open to recommendations for similar games!
October 2, 2025 at 5:26 PM
I'm well and truly down the Blue Prince rabbit hole. First time I've ever made notes for a game, and it's so satisfying solving puzzles like this. Haven't even finished but open to recommendations for similar games!
BioShock movie was delayed "for a little bit." Fans have been waiting for a film adaptation since... [frantically Googles]... 2008ish?
(I know it was a completely different project, but still!)
(I know it was a completely different project, but still!)
September 10, 2025 at 4:42 PM
BioShock movie was delayed "for a little bit." Fans have been waiting for a film adaptation since... [frantically Googles]... 2008ish?
(I know it was a completely different project, but still!)
(I know it was a completely different project, but still!)
Something something scum and villainy
September 5, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Something something scum and villainy
Can FINALLY announce my next book: The History of the Pokémon Games, from White Owl Books
Out on Jan 30, 2026. Features:
🖥️ The making of each generation
🎮 Over 150 games profiled
⭐ Foreword by Veronica Taylor, voice actress and the original Ash Ketchum!
Get updates via subscribe.jamesbatchelor.me
Out on Jan 30, 2026. Features:
🖥️ The making of each generation
🎮 Over 150 games profiled
⭐ Foreword by Veronica Taylor, voice actress and the original Ash Ketchum!
Get updates via subscribe.jamesbatchelor.me
September 4, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Can FINALLY announce my next book: The History of the Pokémon Games, from White Owl Books
Out on Jan 30, 2026. Features:
🖥️ The making of each generation
🎮 Over 150 games profiled
⭐ Foreword by Veronica Taylor, voice actress and the original Ash Ketchum!
Get updates via subscribe.jamesbatchelor.me
Out on Jan 30, 2026. Features:
🖥️ The making of each generation
🎮 Over 150 games profiled
⭐ Foreword by Veronica Taylor, voice actress and the original Ash Ketchum!
Get updates via subscribe.jamesbatchelor.me
Just a quick little shameless plug/author update, if I may. I finally spruced up www.jamesbatchelor.me, so it's cleaner, ad-free, and more readable on mobile. Check it out!
(And, as a reminder, www.wandless.co.uk still takes you that section of the site)
(And, as a reminder, www.wandless.co.uk still takes you that section of the site)
August 23, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Just a quick little shameless plug/author update, if I may. I finally spruced up www.jamesbatchelor.me, so it's cleaner, ad-free, and more readable on mobile. Check it out!
(And, as a reminder, www.wandless.co.uk still takes you that section of the site)
(And, as a reminder, www.wandless.co.uk still takes you that section of the site)
Let's have a quick game of 'Find The Book'! Who can find The Best Non-Violent Video Games among this excellent line-up of White Owl gaming titles? (If you're heading to Timeless Gaming Convention in Liverpool on Wednesday, you'll be able to actually buy these, courtesy of Sega Mags)
August 11, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Let's have a quick game of 'Find The Book'! Who can find The Best Non-Violent Video Games among this excellent line-up of White Owl gaming titles? (If you're heading to Timeless Gaming Convention in Liverpool on Wednesday, you'll be able to actually buy these, courtesy of Sega Mags)
Everyone else at the pool vs me at the pool
July 16, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Everyone else at the pool vs me at the pool
Me watching The Lego Movie for the first time: I'll never be that strict with Lego as a parent
Me as a parent: This is Daddy's Lego. It's not for playing, it's for sitting there and looking cool. Go play with your own Lego.
Me as a parent: This is Daddy's Lego. It's not for playing, it's for sitting there and looking cool. Go play with your own Lego.
July 13, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Me watching The Lego Movie for the first time: I'll never be that strict with Lego as a parent
Me as a parent: This is Daddy's Lego. It's not for playing, it's for sitting there and looking cool. Go play with your own Lego.
Me as a parent: This is Daddy's Lego. It's not for playing, it's for sitting there and looking cool. Go play with your own Lego.
This applies to games backlogs as well, right? Right?!
July 2, 2025 at 9:23 PM
This applies to games backlogs as well, right? Right?!
Okay, DK having a purple rock monster on his shoulder made some sort of sense, but how is Pauline not going to be seriously injured / ripped to shreds as you're punching your way through rock or rolling through the levels?!
June 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Okay, DK having a purple rock monster on his shoulder made some sort of sense, but how is Pauline not going to be seriously injured / ripped to shreds as you're punching your way through rock or rolling through the levels?!