Sam Woods
@samwoods.bsky.social
32 | He/Him | News Editor/Reporter TheGamer | Former DualShockers Managing Editor/Global Head of Gaming GRV | [email protected] | ITFC ST Holder |
Pinned
Sam Woods
@samwoods.bsky.social
· Nov 4
Mass Effect, Baldur's Gate, And Assassin's Creed Stars Unite For All-Female And Non-Binary Audiobook, And We Spoke To Them All
TIVA is a self-funded audiobook project featuring a wealth of talent, aiming to "stand against the exploitation of artists by corporations and AI."
www.thegamer.com
Here’s the reason I spoke to so many video game actors. I attended the launch of TIVA, an independently run audiobook series with all of your favourite voice actors, aiming to fight back against AI and corporations, featuring an all female/non-binary cast.
www.thegamer.com/tiva-intervi...
www.thegamer.com/tiva-intervi...
Reposted by Sam Woods
🚨 I reviewed KIRBY AIR RIDERS for Kotaku 🚨
Noise is not chaos! Quantity is not depth! Don't believe the siren song of the cult fanbase of the original!
Once you get past all that, Air Riders is an extremely fun game that's kinda hard to play for more than an hour at a time!
Noise is not chaos! Quantity is not depth! Don't believe the siren song of the cult fanbase of the original!
Once you get past all that, Air Riders is an extremely fun game that's kinda hard to play for more than an hour at a time!
"Kirby Air Riders is not deep; it's candy. Good thing I like candy." Read our full review of the Switch 2's new sugar rush of a racer:
Kirby Air Riders Review: A Shallow, Sweet Sugar Rush For Switch 2
The pink puffball's frenzied racer wears its shallowness on its sleeve
kotaku.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:43 PM
🚨 I reviewed KIRBY AIR RIDERS for Kotaku 🚨
Noise is not chaos! Quantity is not depth! Don't believe the siren song of the cult fanbase of the original!
Once you get past all that, Air Riders is an extremely fun game that's kinda hard to play for more than an hour at a time!
Noise is not chaos! Quantity is not depth! Don't believe the siren song of the cult fanbase of the original!
Once you get past all that, Air Riders is an extremely fun game that's kinda hard to play for more than an hour at a time!
Good podcast. You should check it out.
December 3, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Good podcast. You should check it out.
Fun little story after speaking to Abigail Thorn. Baldur’s Gate 3’s Nocturne was pitched to her as a “sexy demon” and was only changed as she was in the booth.
www.thegamer.com/baldurs-gate...
www.thegamer.com/baldurs-gate...
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Nocturne Was Originally Pitched As A “Mephistophelian Demon” Before Becoming A Little More “Girl Next Door”
The character's initial description sent actor Abigail Thorn "in a particular Mephistophelian direction."
www.thegamer.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Fun little story after speaking to Abigail Thorn. Baldur’s Gate 3’s Nocturne was pitched to her as a “sexy demon” and was only changed as she was in the booth.
www.thegamer.com/baldurs-gate...
www.thegamer.com/baldurs-gate...
Reposted by Sam Woods
Skate’s early access launch pulled in over 20M players, a massive moment for the series. Steam numbers have dipped since, but the team says they’re focused on rebuilding trust and shaping the game fans want. I talked with the devs about what’s next.
www.thegamer.com/skate-early-...
www.thegamer.com/skate-early-...
Skate Interview: The Delicate Balance Between Fixing The Game And Making It Better
We spoke to Skate’s development team about player criticism, prioritizing stability, and what you can expect in upcoming updates.
www.thegamer.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Skate’s early access launch pulled in over 20M players, a massive moment for the series. Steam numbers have dipped since, but the team says they’re focused on rebuilding trust and shaping the game fans want. I talked with the devs about what’s next.
www.thegamer.com/skate-early-...
www.thegamer.com/skate-early-...
Reposted by Sam Woods
I spent a large portion of my day crunching numbers, finding out just how much Nintendo is neglecting marketing Metroid Prime 4, and oh boy.
www.thegamer.com/nintendo-rea...
www.thegamer.com/nintendo-rea...
Nintendo Really Doesn't Seem To Care About Metroid Prime 4
We crunched the numbers, and Nintendo is pushing Metroid Prime 4 far less than any other Switch 2 title.
www.thegamer.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I spent a large portion of my day crunching numbers, finding out just how much Nintendo is neglecting marketing Metroid Prime 4, and oh boy.
www.thegamer.com/nintendo-rea...
www.thegamer.com/nintendo-rea...
I spent a large portion of my day crunching numbers, finding out just how much Nintendo is neglecting marketing Metroid Prime 4, and oh boy.
www.thegamer.com/nintendo-rea...
www.thegamer.com/nintendo-rea...
Nintendo Really Doesn't Seem To Care About Metroid Prime 4
We crunched the numbers, and Nintendo is pushing Metroid Prime 4 far less than any other Switch 2 title.
www.thegamer.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I spent a large portion of my day crunching numbers, finding out just how much Nintendo is neglecting marketing Metroid Prime 4, and oh boy.
www.thegamer.com/nintendo-rea...
www.thegamer.com/nintendo-rea...
Reposted by Sam Woods
Forgot to share this last week but I wrote a little piece about Jennifer English's win at the Golden Joysticks and the sheer importance of queer joy in the lives of LGBTQ+ people:
www.thegamer.com/clair-obscur...
www.thegamer.com/clair-obscur...
Clair Obscur's Jennifer English Is Right, Queer Joy Is Worth Pursuing No Matter The Cost
After winning Best Performance at this year's Golden Joysticks, Jennifer English touched on the importance of queer joy in her life.
www.thegamer.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Forgot to share this last week but I wrote a little piece about Jennifer English's win at the Golden Joysticks and the sheer importance of queer joy in the lives of LGBTQ+ people:
www.thegamer.com/clair-obscur...
www.thegamer.com/clair-obscur...
Doing my second playthrough of Dispatch with my fiance and it’s great, but boy do the hacking sections really mess up the pacing when you’re playing with somebody else.
November 23, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Doing my second playthrough of Dispatch with my fiance and it’s great, but boy do the hacking sections really mess up the pacing when you’re playing with somebody else.
Reposted by Sam Woods
My album Defeater is streaming everywhere.
This record is the sound of 39 minutes of rainfall while you sit inside with the windows open.
FFO: Modern Baseball, The Wonder Years, boygenius, Future Teens, Spanish Love Songs.
This record is the sound of 39 minutes of rainfall while you sit inside with the windows open.
FFO: Modern Baseball, The Wonder Years, boygenius, Future Teens, Spanish Love Songs.
November 21, 2025 at 5:11 PM
My album Defeater is streaming everywhere.
This record is the sound of 39 minutes of rainfall while you sit inside with the windows open.
FFO: Modern Baseball, The Wonder Years, boygenius, Future Teens, Spanish Love Songs.
This record is the sound of 39 minutes of rainfall while you sit inside with the windows open.
FFO: Modern Baseball, The Wonder Years, boygenius, Future Teens, Spanish Love Songs.
Interesting comments in here from Horizon Steel Frontier’s executive producer. Suggests that Sony is the reason it’s not coming to PlayStation as NCSoft would have “no reason” not to bring it to the platform.
www.thegamer.com/seems-like-s...
www.thegamer.com/seems-like-s...
It Sure Seems Like Sony Is The Reason The New Horizon MMO Isn't Coming To PlayStation
The devs admit they have "no reason" not to bring the game to PS5.
www.thegamer.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Interesting comments in here from Horizon Steel Frontier’s executive producer. Suggests that Sony is the reason it’s not coming to PlayStation as NCSoft would have “no reason” not to bring it to the platform.
www.thegamer.com/seems-like-s...
www.thegamer.com/seems-like-s...
This is great, but the lack of Monster Train 2 is astonishing.
Introducing the nominees for The Indie Game Awards 2025, airing on December 18th at 3:30 PM PT / 6:30 PM ET on @ign.com, @gamespot.com, and @sixoneindie.com's YouTube and Twitch channels.
Visit indiegameawards.gg for the full list of nominees, presenters, and judges.
Visit indiegameawards.gg for the full list of nominees, presenters, and judges.
November 13, 2025 at 3:41 PM
This is great, but the lack of Monster Train 2 is astonishing.
Reposted by Sam Woods
🚨new piece on kotaku... from me!🚨
I wrote about the hollow feeling of a story that mistakes movement for change.
Hades II Isn’t a Story—It’s Maintenance:
I wrote about the hollow feeling of a story that mistakes movement for change.
Hades II Isn’t a Story—It’s Maintenance:
Hades 2's story is a rite of passage tale that's missing the most important ingredient:
Hades II Isn’t A Story—It’s Maintenance - Kotaku
Supergiant's roguelike sequel confuses repetition for revelation
kotaku.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:03 PM
🚨new piece on kotaku... from me!🚨
I wrote about the hollow feeling of a story that mistakes movement for change.
Hades II Isn’t a Story—It’s Maintenance:
I wrote about the hollow feeling of a story that mistakes movement for change.
Hades II Isn’t a Story—It’s Maintenance:
Reposted by Sam Woods
I've launched a new interview series on women in esports! My first piece is with G2 Hel's Caltys, but I've already spoken to several more participants. If anyone feels they have a unique perspective worth sharing, then feel free to email me. www.thegamer.com/women-esport...
Maya "Caltys" Henckel On Her Career, Sexist Attitudes In Esports And How To Change The Culture
G2 Hel's franchise player reflects on her seven years as a professional.
www.thegamer.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:52 PM
I've launched a new interview series on women in esports! My first piece is with G2 Hel's Caltys, but I've already spoken to several more participants. If anyone feels they have a unique perspective worth sharing, then feel free to email me. www.thegamer.com/women-esport...
Saw Hanabie yesterday, who were, quite frankly, excellent.
November 8, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Saw Hanabie yesterday, who were, quite frankly, excellent.
Announcing that I’ve delayed my bedtime to play some more Pokemon
November 6, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Announcing that I’ve delayed my bedtime to play some more Pokemon
Tell me you didn’t read the 1,600 word interview with 11 members of the cast without telling me you didn’t read the 1,600 word interview with 11 members of the cast.
The problem with breathlessly reporting a press release with some names you recognize in it is you don't stop to realize what this actually is:
A dude wrote some scifi/fantasy, has money, is hiring a bunch of nerd-famous women/femme nonbinary actors to voice his writings as podcast-audiobooks.
A dude wrote some scifi/fantasy, has money, is hiring a bunch of nerd-famous women/femme nonbinary actors to voice his writings as podcast-audiobooks.
Here’s the reason I spoke to so many video game actors. I attended the launch of TIVA, an independently run audiobook series with all of your favourite voice actors, aiming to fight back against AI and corporations, featuring an all female/non-binary cast.
www.thegamer.com/tiva-intervi...
www.thegamer.com/tiva-intervi...
November 4, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Tell me you didn’t read the 1,600 word interview with 11 members of the cast without telling me you didn’t read the 1,600 word interview with 11 members of the cast.
Reposted by Sam Woods
This is a fantastic project with an amazing cast! Sam has been working hard on this for a bit. So so great to see women and non-binary people championed in an industry that can often feel like it is not made for us at all
Here’s the reason I spoke to so many video game actors. I attended the launch of TIVA, an independently run audiobook series with all of your favourite voice actors, aiming to fight back against AI and corporations, featuring an all female/non-binary cast.
www.thegamer.com/tiva-intervi...
www.thegamer.com/tiva-intervi...
Mass Effect, Baldur's Gate, And Assassin's Creed Stars Unite For All-Female And Non-Binary Audiobook, And We Spoke To Them All
TIVA is a self-funded audiobook project featuring a wealth of talent, aiming to "stand against the exploitation of artists by corporations and AI."
www.thegamer.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:52 PM
This is a fantastic project with an amazing cast! Sam has been working hard on this for a bit. So so great to see women and non-binary people championed in an industry that can often feel like it is not made for us at all
Here’s the reason I spoke to so many video game actors. I attended the launch of TIVA, an independently run audiobook series with all of your favourite voice actors, aiming to fight back against AI and corporations, featuring an all female/non-binary cast.
www.thegamer.com/tiva-intervi...
www.thegamer.com/tiva-intervi...
Mass Effect, Baldur's Gate, And Assassin's Creed Stars Unite For All-Female And Non-Binary Audiobook, And We Spoke To Them All
TIVA is a self-funded audiobook project featuring a wealth of talent, aiming to "stand against the exploitation of artists by corporations and AI."
www.thegamer.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Here’s the reason I spoke to so many video game actors. I attended the launch of TIVA, an independently run audiobook series with all of your favourite voice actors, aiming to fight back against AI and corporations, featuring an all female/non-binary cast.
www.thegamer.com/tiva-intervi...
www.thegamer.com/tiva-intervi...
Reposted by Sam Woods
I also spoke to Lae’zel actor Devora Wilde who told me how Baldur’s Gate 3 made her realise games could tell “proper stories”, and how it’s one of the best things she’s ever acted in.
www.thegamer.com/devora-wilde...
www.thegamer.com/devora-wilde...
Lae’zel Actor Says Baldur’s Gate 3 Was The First Time She Realised Video Games Had “Proper Storytelling”
"It's one of the best-written things I've ever acted in across all mediums."
www.thegamer.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I also spoke to Lae’zel actor Devora Wilde who told me how Baldur’s Gate 3 made her realise games could tell “proper stories”, and how it’s one of the best things she’s ever acted in.
www.thegamer.com/devora-wilde...
www.thegamer.com/devora-wilde...
Reposted by Sam Woods
Important piece this and also jelly you got to chat to her 🐣
October 30, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Important piece this and also jelly you got to chat to her 🐣
Reposted by Sam Woods
Last week, I had the honour of attending an event with many of gaming's top actors. You'll find out what the event was for in the near future, and I'll have another larger report from it, but I also used it as an opportunity to discuss the many injustices video game actors still face.
October 29, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Last week, I had the honour of attending an event with many of gaming's top actors. You'll find out what the event was for in the near future, and I'll have another larger report from it, but I also used it as an opportunity to discuss the many injustices video game actors still face.
Last week, I had the honour of attending an event with many of gaming's top actors. You'll find out what the event was for in the near future, and I'll have another larger report from it, but I also used it as an opportunity to discuss the many injustices video game actors still face.
October 29, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Last week, I had the honour of attending an event with many of gaming's top actors. You'll find out what the event was for in the near future, and I'll have another larger report from it, but I also used it as an opportunity to discuss the many injustices video game actors still face.
Just binge-listened to three episodes of Critical Error while Pokemoning. While I don’t always necessarily agree with everything, these are two incredibly intelligent, articulate, and engaging gentlemen and you owe it to yourself to listen.
October 28, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Just binge-listened to three episodes of Critical Error while Pokemoning. While I don’t always necessarily agree with everything, these are two incredibly intelligent, articulate, and engaging gentlemen and you owe it to yourself to listen.