Gonçalo Santos
@mushwrites.bsky.social
Freelance writer on all things videogames.
https://buttonmusher.substack.com/
https://buttonmusher.substack.com/
Pinned
"We were worried about how our Monster Sanctuary community would react to the change in genre"- moi rai games' community-first approach to game development with Aethermancer
Interview with the studio behind indie hit Monster Sanctuary on how they're striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built as they develop Aethermancer.
buttonmusher.substack.com
"We were worried about how our Monster Sanctuary community would react to the change in genre"- moi rai games' community-first approach to game development with Aethermancer
How @moiraigames.bsky.social are striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built.
How @moiraigames.bsky.social are striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built.
Reposted by Gonçalo Santos
Our upcoming game HORSES was preemptively banned from Steam, with no path to appeal. The game will still launch next week on December 2nd and will be available on EGS, GOG, Humble, and Itch for $4.99. Here is a detailed FAQ covering what happened: horses.wtf/BannedFromSt...
November 25, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Our upcoming game HORSES was preemptively banned from Steam, with no path to appeal. The game will still launch next week on December 2nd and will be available on EGS, GOG, Humble, and Itch for $4.99. Here is a detailed FAQ covering what happened: horses.wtf/BannedFromSt...
Reposted by Gonçalo Santos
hey, i'm looking for work! full-time or freelance 💜
journalist, critic, author
proficient in features, criticism, reporting, reviews, previews, news, guides
words at lost in cult, RPS, VGC, unwinnable, gamesradar+, polygon, EDGE, PLAY
muckrack.com/ash-like-a-d...
[email protected]
journalist, critic, author
proficient in features, criticism, reporting, reviews, previews, news, guides
words at lost in cult, RPS, VGC, unwinnable, gamesradar+, polygon, EDGE, PLAY
muckrack.com/ash-like-a-d...
[email protected]
November 22, 2025 at 11:52 AM
hey, i'm looking for work! full-time or freelance 💜
journalist, critic, author
proficient in features, criticism, reporting, reviews, previews, news, guides
words at lost in cult, RPS, VGC, unwinnable, gamesradar+, polygon, EDGE, PLAY
muckrack.com/ash-like-a-d...
[email protected]
journalist, critic, author
proficient in features, criticism, reporting, reviews, previews, news, guides
words at lost in cult, RPS, VGC, unwinnable, gamesradar+, polygon, EDGE, PLAY
muckrack.com/ash-like-a-d...
[email protected]
Reposted by Gonçalo Santos
Hello indies! It's almost Thanksgaming 2025!
If you have an unknown indie project in dev or just released, please could you email me at [email protected] with the subject "THANKSGAMING 2025", and a store page and YouTube link? I'll put as many as I can on Kotaku.
Rules next. Reposts appreciated!
If you have an unknown indie project in dev or just released, please could you email me at [email protected] with the subject "THANKSGAMING 2025", and a store page and YouTube link? I'll put as many as I can on Kotaku.
Rules next. Reposts appreciated!
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Hello indies! It's almost Thanksgaming 2025!
If you have an unknown indie project in dev or just released, please could you email me at [email protected] with the subject "THANKSGAMING 2025", and a store page and YouTube link? I'll put as many as I can on Kotaku.
Rules next. Reposts appreciated!
If you have an unknown indie project in dev or just released, please could you email me at [email protected] with the subject "THANKSGAMING 2025", and a store page and YouTube link? I'll put as many as I can on Kotaku.
Rules next. Reposts appreciated!
Excellent scoop from VGIM. Steam has a monopoly on PC storefronts and they've proven that they will cower to autocratic ideals. This is why monopolies are bad and stores like GOG and EGS should be relevant. As it stands, there is no relevant competitor that Flick Games can go to be sold in Russia.
An @vgim.bsky.social exclusive: we reveal how Steam is censoring games featuring LGBTQ+ content in Russia on behalf of state censor Roskomnadzor.
Thank you to Ian Masters and the Flick Games team for being brave enough to share their story.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/how-steam-...
Thank you to Ian Masters and the Flick Games team for being brave enough to share their story.
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com/p/how-steam-...
How Steam censors LGBTQ+ content on behalf of the Russian Government, 27/11/2025
When Roskomnadzor calls, Valve answers
videogamesindustrymemo.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Excellent scoop from VGIM. Steam has a monopoly on PC storefronts and they've proven that they will cower to autocratic ideals. This is why monopolies are bad and stores like GOG and EGS should be relevant. As it stands, there is no relevant competitor that Flick Games can go to be sold in Russia.
Reposted by Gonçalo Santos
"We were worried about how our Monster Sanctuary community would react to the change in genre"- moi rai games' community-first approach to game development with Aethermancer
How @moiraigames.bsky.social are striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built.
How @moiraigames.bsky.social are striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built.
"We were worried about how our Monster Sanctuary community would react to the change in genre"- moi rai games' community-first approach to game development with Aethermancer
Interview with the studio behind indie hit Monster Sanctuary on how they're striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built as they develop Aethermancer.
buttonmusher.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:52 PM
"We were worried about how our Monster Sanctuary community would react to the change in genre"- moi rai games' community-first approach to game development with Aethermancer
How @moiraigames.bsky.social are striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built.
How @moiraigames.bsky.social are striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built.
"We were worried about how our Monster Sanctuary community would react to the change in genre"- moi rai games' community-first approach to game development with Aethermancer
How @moiraigames.bsky.social are striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built.
How @moiraigames.bsky.social are striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built.
"We were worried about how our Monster Sanctuary community would react to the change in genre"- moi rai games' community-first approach to game development with Aethermancer
Interview with the studio behind indie hit Monster Sanctuary on how they're striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built as they develop Aethermancer.
buttonmusher.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:52 PM
"We were worried about how our Monster Sanctuary community would react to the change in genre"- moi rai games' community-first approach to game development with Aethermancer
How @moiraigames.bsky.social are striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built.
How @moiraigames.bsky.social are striking a balance between innovating and staying true to the community they've built.
Reposted by Gonçalo Santos
EXCLUSIVE: So far it's been unclear what proof Rockstar Games has to justify its firing of 34 union members, who it claims were leaking "confidential information in a public forum".
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
The Messages Rockstar Saw Before Firing 34 Union Members
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:06 PM
EXCLUSIVE: So far it's been unclear what proof Rockstar Games has to justify its firing of 34 union members, who it claims were leaking "confidential information in a public forum".
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
Reposted by Gonçalo Santos
NEW: In a court exhibit obtained by Game Developer, former Unknown Worlds exec Charlie Cleveland outlines a plan to take down Krafton.
The document—entitled 'Litigation Help'—suggests Krafton will struggle to win in a Delaware court and describes Korea as the "Joe Pesci of countries."
The document—entitled 'Litigation Help'—suggests Krafton will struggle to win in a Delaware court and describes Korea as the "Joe Pesci of countries."
How one Unknown Worlds exec sought to take down Krafton
Charlie Cleveland seemingly documents advice from former Nexon CEO Owen Mahoney in a series of notes submitted as evidence in his trial against Krafton.
www.gamedeveloper.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:27 AM
NEW: In a court exhibit obtained by Game Developer, former Unknown Worlds exec Charlie Cleveland outlines a plan to take down Krafton.
The document—entitled 'Litigation Help'—suggests Krafton will struggle to win in a Delaware court and describes Korea as the "Joe Pesci of countries."
The document—entitled 'Litigation Help'—suggests Krafton will struggle to win in a Delaware court and describes Korea as the "Joe Pesci of countries."
Here is the first edition of Monday Mushings, my weekly newsletter covering what I’ve been playing, who I’ve been reading, and why you should care.
buttonmusher.substack.com/p/monday-mus...
buttonmusher.substack.com/p/monday-mus...
Monday Mushings- November 17th, 2025
Anno 117, Arc Raiders, Dishonored, and five excellent pieces.
buttonmusher.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Here is the first edition of Monday Mushings, my weekly newsletter covering what I’ve been playing, who I’ve been reading, and why you should care.
buttonmusher.substack.com/p/monday-mus...
buttonmusher.substack.com/p/monday-mus...
Reposted by Gonçalo Santos
It was great to have Luna review the game and I loved talking about a review before release! Thanks Luna!
I loved her insights into the gameplay and coziness in a survival game. Check out the review!
I loved her insights into the gameplay and coziness in a survival game. Check out the review!
I reviewed Winter Burrow for @goodgamelobby.bsky.social as a guest writer! Thanks Sey for this opportunity. Check it out if you’re thinking about getting the game!
Winter Burrow Review - Can a game about surviving in the freezing wilderness feel cozy?
In this review fellow games writer Luna from Luna's Gaming Log takes us through the cozy and survival aspects of Winter Burrow.
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:34 AM
It was great to have Luna review the game and I loved talking about a review before release! Thanks Luna!
I loved her insights into the gameplay and coziness in a survival game. Check out the review!
I loved her insights into the gameplay and coziness in a survival game. Check out the review!
November 12, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Here is my third and final article (at least for now) covering my time @devgamm.bsky.social Lisbon 2025. I muse on what made this conference so cool, why it seemed much more optimistic than the industry as a whole, and highlight the coolest business cards I collected.
DevGamm Lisbon 2025 Award Winners
Helping smaller game creators reach for the stars.
buttonmusher.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Here is my third and final article (at least for now) covering my time @devgamm.bsky.social Lisbon 2025. I muse on what made this conference so cool, why it seemed much more optimistic than the industry as a whole, and highlight the coolest business cards I collected.
I have a bit of a devil’s advocate take on the Eurogamer review Arc Raiders.
Using AI TTS to replacing voice actors is undeniably bad and distopic, but is that really what is happening here? Embark is a studio inserted squarely in the AA scope.
Using AI TTS to replacing voice actors is undeniably bad and distopic, but is that really what is happening here? Embark is a studio inserted squarely in the AA scope.
Rich PvE combat and an unusually friendly community make Arc Raiders a more approachable extraction shooter than most, but Embark Studios' continued use of AI voice generation is a black mark against its reputation.
Our review:
www.eurogamer.net/arc-raiders-...
Our review:
www.eurogamer.net/arc-raiders-...
November 12, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I have a bit of a devil’s advocate take on the Eurogamer review Arc Raiders.
Using AI TTS to replacing voice actors is undeniably bad and distopic, but is that really what is happening here? Embark is a studio inserted squarely in the AA scope.
Using AI TTS to replacing voice actors is undeniably bad and distopic, but is that really what is happening here? Embark is a studio inserted squarely in the AA scope.
Reposted by Gonçalo Santos
I went to meet the 'Rockstar 31', the developers who were suddenly fired from their work on GTA 6 for what the studio has described as gross misconduct.
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
The Rockstar Workers Fired Before They Could Finish GTA 6
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I went to meet the 'Rockstar 31', the developers who were suddenly fired from their work on GTA 6 for what the studio has described as gross misconduct.
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
Reposted by Gonçalo Santos
For non-subscribers, here's a gift: For the next 30 days, Aftermath subscriptions for new readers are on sale at $1 for your first month:
aftermath.ghost.io/11-06-2025...
aftermath.ghost.io/11-06-2025...
November 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
For non-subscribers, here's a gift: For the next 30 days, Aftermath subscriptions for new readers are on sale at $1 for your first month:
aftermath.ghost.io/11-06-2025...
aftermath.ghost.io/11-06-2025...
Reposted by Gonçalo Santos
read the site but never subscribed? you can get a month for $1. try it out, read some blogs, support worker-owned media.
been hesitant to give us your cc details? fair! we now accept link, google pay and apple pay as well.
been a $7 subscriber but wanted to comment? now you can comment!
been hesitant to give us your cc details? fair! we now accept link, google pay and apple pay as well.
been a $7 subscriber but wanted to comment? now you can comment!
For non-subscribers, here's a gift: For the next 30 days, Aftermath subscriptions for new readers are on sale at $1 for your first month:
aftermath.ghost.io/11-06-2025...
aftermath.ghost.io/11-06-2025...
November 10, 2025 at 4:07 PM
read the site but never subscribed? you can get a month for $1. try it out, read some blogs, support worker-owned media.
been hesitant to give us your cc details? fair! we now accept link, google pay and apple pay as well.
been a $7 subscriber but wanted to comment? now you can comment!
been hesitant to give us your cc details? fair! we now accept link, google pay and apple pay as well.
been a $7 subscriber but wanted to comment? now you can comment!
Reposted by Gonçalo Santos
WE HAVE A NEW WEBSITE
This has consumed around 4 months of my life. We've rebuilt the business from the ground-up. New site, new backend, new customer experience, new platform, new everything.
we spent two years flailing, having no idea how to run a business. now...we have more of an idea.
This has consumed around 4 months of my life. We've rebuilt the business from the ground-up. New site, new backend, new customer experience, new platform, new everything.
we spent two years flailing, having no idea how to run a business. now...we have more of an idea.
Despite the ravages of age and an internet steeped in misinformation, your eyes – in this one case – do not deceive you: Website different. It’s taken an immense amount of time and effort, but welcome to Aftermath version 2.0:
aftermath.site/aftermath-rela...
aftermath.site/aftermath-rela...
November 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM
WE HAVE A NEW WEBSITE
This has consumed around 4 months of my life. We've rebuilt the business from the ground-up. New site, new backend, new customer experience, new platform, new everything.
we spent two years flailing, having no idea how to run a business. now...we have more of an idea.
This has consumed around 4 months of my life. We've rebuilt the business from the ground-up. New site, new backend, new customer experience, new platform, new everything.
we spent two years flailing, having no idea how to run a business. now...we have more of an idea.
Reposted by Gonçalo Santos
Here is my second piece covering my time at @devgamm.bsky.social Portugal 2025. I go over the 8 most interesting games I played at the event and my experience talking to some of the developers.
I challenge you to finish this piece without at least a new game on your Steam Wishlist.
I challenge you to finish this piece without at least a new game on your Steam Wishlist.
8 DevGAMM Portugal 2025 Games To Add To Your Wishlist
Here are the most interesting titles I played at the event.
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Here is my second piece covering my time at @devgamm.bsky.social Portugal 2025. I go over the 8 most interesting games I played at the event and my experience talking to some of the developers.
I challenge you to finish this piece without at least a new game on your Steam Wishlist.
I challenge you to finish this piece without at least a new game on your Steam Wishlist.
Here is my second piece covering my time at @devgamm.bsky.social Portugal 2025. I go over the 8 most interesting games I played at the event and my experience talking to some of the developers.
I challenge you to finish this piece without at least a new game on your Steam Wishlist.
I challenge you to finish this piece without at least a new game on your Steam Wishlist.
8 DevGAMM Portugal 2025 Games To Add To Your Wishlist
Here are the most interesting titles I played at the event.
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Here is my second piece covering my time at @devgamm.bsky.social Portugal 2025. I go over the 8 most interesting games I played at the event and my experience talking to some of the developers.
I challenge you to finish this piece without at least a new game on your Steam Wishlist.
I challenge you to finish this piece without at least a new game on your Steam Wishlist.
Great piece! I spent the last day of Next Fest playing Final Sentence and it was a genuinely stressful experience, loved it.
my first for gamespot, about the typing games that are doing a bunch of fun things with the genre:
www.gamespot.com/articles/typ...
www.gamespot.com/articles/typ...
Typing Games Are Cool Again Thanks To Wildly Unexpected Twists
Typing games have come a long way since Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing.
www.gamespot.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Great piece! I spent the last day of Next Fest playing Final Sentence and it was a genuinely stressful experience, loved it.
Reposted by Gonçalo Santos
my first for gamespot, about the typing games that are doing a bunch of fun things with the genre:
www.gamespot.com/articles/typ...
www.gamespot.com/articles/typ...
Typing Games Are Cool Again Thanks To Wildly Unexpected Twists
Typing games have come a long way since Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing.
www.gamespot.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:45 PM
my first for gamespot, about the typing games that are doing a bunch of fun things with the genre:
www.gamespot.com/articles/typ...
www.gamespot.com/articles/typ...
Reposted by Gonçalo Santos
buttonmusher.substack.com/p/devgamm-li...
Here is the first part of my @devgamm.bsky.social Lisbon 2025 coverage: Award Winners. I'll recommend games that I played in another piece, but this list is curated by people a lot more qualified than me.
Prepare your Wishlists and hide your wallets.
Here is the first part of my @devgamm.bsky.social Lisbon 2025 coverage: Award Winners. I'll recommend games that I played in another piece, but this list is curated by people a lot more qualified than me.
Prepare your Wishlists and hide your wallets.
DevGamm Lisbon 2025 Award Winners
Helping smaller game creators reach for the stars.
buttonmusher.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:02 PM
buttonmusher.substack.com/p/devgamm-li...
Here is the first part of my @devgamm.bsky.social Lisbon 2025 coverage: Award Winners. I'll recommend games that I played in another piece, but this list is curated by people a lot more qualified than me.
Prepare your Wishlists and hide your wallets.
Here is the first part of my @devgamm.bsky.social Lisbon 2025 coverage: Award Winners. I'll recommend games that I played in another piece, but this list is curated by people a lot more qualified than me.
Prepare your Wishlists and hide your wallets.
Reposted by Gonçalo Santos
A plea for help. 🙏
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
November 8, 2025 at 12:42 AM
A plea for help. 🙏
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
buttonmusher.substack.com/p/devgamm-li...
Here is the first part of my @devgamm.bsky.social Lisbon 2025 coverage: Award Winners. I'll recommend games that I played in another piece, but this list is curated by people a lot more qualified than me.
Prepare your Wishlists and hide your wallets.
Here is the first part of my @devgamm.bsky.social Lisbon 2025 coverage: Award Winners. I'll recommend games that I played in another piece, but this list is curated by people a lot more qualified than me.
Prepare your Wishlists and hide your wallets.
DevGamm Lisbon 2025 Award Winners
Helping smaller game creators reach for the stars.
buttonmusher.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:02 PM
buttonmusher.substack.com/p/devgamm-li...
Here is the first part of my @devgamm.bsky.social Lisbon 2025 coverage: Award Winners. I'll recommend games that I played in another piece, but this list is curated by people a lot more qualified than me.
Prepare your Wishlists and hide your wallets.
Here is the first part of my @devgamm.bsky.social Lisbon 2025 coverage: Award Winners. I'll recommend games that I played in another piece, but this list is curated by people a lot more qualified than me.
Prepare your Wishlists and hide your wallets.