Umbrella Terms
@umbrellaterms.bsky.social
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Umbrella Terms
@umbrellaterms.bsky.social
· Sep 14
Umbrella Terms' Blog
Zonelets is a scrappy blogging workflow designed to encourage creative fun on the internet!
umbrellaterms.neocities.org
umbrellaterms.neocities.org
With the death of Cohost soon, I made a neocities and imported all my important posts to it. If I get a decent enough following here I will post when there's new stuff on the site
Here's my YouTube also if I ever feel like making a video again: youtube.com/@UmbrellaTerms
With the death of Cohost soon, I made a neocities and imported all my important posts to it. If I get a decent enough following here I will post when there's new stuff on the site
Here's my YouTube also if I ever feel like making a video again: youtube.com/@UmbrellaTerms
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
This piece is part of the CANON FIRE project, an alternative history for videogames that focuses on the obscure, underappreciated and strange games.
If you like this piece, consider supporting the project:
www.patreon.com/siegarettes
If you like this piece, consider supporting the project:
www.patreon.com/siegarettes
Get more from Amr Al-Aaser on Patreon
creating an alternative history for videogames.
www.patreon.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:25 PM
This piece is part of the CANON FIRE project, an alternative history for videogames that focuses on the obscure, underappreciated and strange games.
If you like this piece, consider supporting the project:
www.patreon.com/siegarettes
If you like this piece, consider supporting the project:
www.patreon.com/siegarettes
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
INCOMING CANON FIRE!
A deep dive into the ABSOLUM, the latest from the Streets of Rage 4 team!
I dig into how it evolves the arcade spirit of games like Capcom's Dungeons and Dragons beat-em-ups, its remix of fantasy tropes, and even its take on gender and identity.
canonfire.net/post/7992333...
A deep dive into the ABSOLUM, the latest from the Streets of Rage 4 team!
I dig into how it evolves the arcade spirit of games like Capcom's Dungeons and Dragons beat-em-ups, its remix of fantasy tropes, and even its take on gender and identity.
canonfire.net/post/7992333...
055: Absolum brings the arcade spirit of its fantasy inspirations roaring into the modern age
The latest from Guard Crush Games, one of the main developers on Streets of Rage 4, Absolum takes plenty from their work on SEGA’s brawler. The skeleton of the game can be seen in their experiments...
canonfire.net
November 3, 2025 at 10:23 PM
INCOMING CANON FIRE!
A deep dive into the ABSOLUM, the latest from the Streets of Rage 4 team!
I dig into how it evolves the arcade spirit of games like Capcom's Dungeons and Dragons beat-em-ups, its remix of fantasy tropes, and even its take on gender and identity.
canonfire.net/post/7992333...
A deep dive into the ABSOLUM, the latest from the Streets of Rage 4 team!
I dig into how it evolves the arcade spirit of games like Capcom's Dungeons and Dragons beat-em-ups, its remix of fantasy tropes, and even its take on gender and identity.
canonfire.net/post/7992333...
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
1982 was very early for Japanese adventure games, with only a small number of releases. Takara Building Adventure thus is one of the earliest adventure games in Japanese, but it was not generally available...
...until today.
Includes some unexpected history!
bluerenga.blog/2025/10/29/t...
...until today.
Includes some unexpected history!
bluerenga.blog/2025/10/29/t...
Takara Building Adventure Part 1 (1982)
The last time I wrote about a Japanese game was with The Palms, where I mentioned skipping over two games from 1982 because there were no copies available. This was one of them. Brief history recap…
bluerenga.blog
October 30, 2025 at 1:59 AM
1982 was very early for Japanese adventure games, with only a small number of releases. Takara Building Adventure thus is one of the earliest adventure games in Japanese, but it was not generally available...
...until today.
Includes some unexpected history!
bluerenga.blog/2025/10/29/t...
...until today.
Includes some unexpected history!
bluerenga.blog/2025/10/29/t...
On my website I now have a button if you want to share the site that way, created by my wonderful girlfriend @maidrobo.bsky.social!
October 22, 2025 at 4:45 AM
On my website I now have a button if you want to share the site that way, created by my wonderful girlfriend @maidrobo.bsky.social!
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
I am covering EVERY First Person Shooter EVER made in Japan.
From 1985 to 2025, that's over 40 years and 70 games of gaming history.
Link: youtu.be/F80Cl6WzBNo?...
This was without a doubt the most ambitious video I've ever made.
From 1985 to 2025, that's over 40 years and 70 games of gaming history.
Link: youtu.be/F80Cl6WzBNo?...
This was without a doubt the most ambitious video I've ever made.
October 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I am covering EVERY First Person Shooter EVER made in Japan.
From 1985 to 2025, that's over 40 years and 70 games of gaming history.
Link: youtu.be/F80Cl6WzBNo?...
This was without a doubt the most ambitious video I've ever made.
From 1985 to 2025, that's over 40 years and 70 games of gaming history.
Link: youtu.be/F80Cl6WzBNo?...
This was without a doubt the most ambitious video I've ever made.
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
I’ve started a GoFundMe to help with my cancer battle gofund.me/6850175a3
Donate to Help Rebecca Ann Heineman Fight Aggressive Cancer, organized by Rebecca Heineman
I’m Rebecca Ann Heineman. The very first video game champion, creat… Rebecca Heineman needs your support for Help Rebecca Ann Heineman Fight Aggressive Cancer
gofund.me
October 4, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I’ve started a GoFundMe to help with my cancer battle gofund.me/6850175a3
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
Skate & Date - lesbian roller derby, rhythm game is out now! Come get your yuri on wheels!!
https://f.mtr.cool/scjlbborbl
https://f.mtr.cool/ugehecznam
(I've linked steam codes to itch.io so you can easily get it for both and have Valve take less money from me <3)
https://f.mtr.cool/scjlbborbl
https://f.mtr.cool/ugehecznam
(I've linked steam codes to itch.io so you can easily get it for both and have Valve take less money from me <3)
October 4, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Skate & Date - lesbian roller derby, rhythm game is out now! Come get your yuri on wheels!!
https://f.mtr.cool/scjlbborbl
https://f.mtr.cool/ugehecznam
(I've linked steam codes to itch.io so you can easily get it for both and have Valve take less money from me <3)
https://f.mtr.cool/scjlbborbl
https://f.mtr.cool/ugehecznam
(I've linked steam codes to itch.io so you can easily get it for both and have Valve take less money from me <3)
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
TIER (The online journal of games criticism) just published this conversation with me!
www.tier-review.com/a-conversati...
it was a lot of fun, deeply thoughtful, and i appreciate the opportunity to have chatted with them.
#GameDev #GamesCrit
www.tier-review.com/a-conversati...
it was a lot of fun, deeply thoughtful, and i appreciate the opportunity to have chatted with them.
#GameDev #GamesCrit
A Conversation with Nathalie Lawhead
Nathalie Lawhead joined us on Zoom to talk about their work, interactive fiction, internet subcultures, social media and lots more.
www.tier-review.com
September 23, 2025 at 7:10 AM
TIER (The online journal of games criticism) just published this conversation with me!
www.tier-review.com/a-conversati...
it was a lot of fun, deeply thoughtful, and i appreciate the opportunity to have chatted with them.
#GameDev #GamesCrit
www.tier-review.com/a-conversati...
it was a lot of fun, deeply thoughtful, and i appreciate the opportunity to have chatted with them.
#GameDev #GamesCrit
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
!!NEW VIDEO!!
This time I cover Chunsoft’s Sound Novel franchise, a hugely important series in the history of Japanese video games that served as the progenitor to the visual novel genre and was a source of inspiration for all kinds of developers.
WATCH - www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9BT...
This time I cover Chunsoft’s Sound Novel franchise, a hugely important series in the history of Japanese video games that served as the progenitor to the visual novel genre and was a source of inspiration for all kinds of developers.
WATCH - www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9BT...
September 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
!!NEW VIDEO!!
This time I cover Chunsoft’s Sound Novel franchise, a hugely important series in the history of Japanese video games that served as the progenitor to the visual novel genre and was a source of inspiration for all kinds of developers.
WATCH - www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9BT...
This time I cover Chunsoft’s Sound Novel franchise, a hugely important series in the history of Japanese video games that served as the progenitor to the visual novel genre and was a source of inspiration for all kinds of developers.
WATCH - www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9BT...
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
We played the ORIGINAL survival horror and watched the movie it was tied in with. We had a great time!
Episode 37: Sweet Home www.abnormalmapping.com/the-safe-roo...
Episode 37: Sweet Home — Abnormal Mapping
Rose and Grace enter the very heart of survival horror in Sweet Home. We talk over the genre's (now mostly-absent) RPG roots, the game's campy and self-aware charm, and its systemic adaptation of the ...
www.abnormalmapping.com
September 8, 2025 at 2:05 PM
We played the ORIGINAL survival horror and watched the movie it was tied in with. We had a great time!
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
btw if u dig my work and wanna support me making more, you can always drop a donation via ko-fi.com/cathroon 💜
EVERYTHING SPIRALS TO A FINAL POINT OF UNIFICATION
THE SACRED ΩMEGA POINT
cathroon.itch.io/omega-point
A MIXTAPE AT THE END OF THE WORLD
[FLASHING IMAGE WARNING]
THE SACRED ΩMEGA POINT
cathroon.itch.io/omega-point
A MIXTAPE AT THE END OF THE WORLD
[FLASHING IMAGE WARNING]
September 8, 2025 at 12:19 AM
btw if u dig my work and wanna support me making more, you can always drop a donation via ko-fi.com/cathroon 💜
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
EVERYTHING SPIRALS TO A FINAL POINT OF UNIFICATION
THE SACRED ΩMEGA POINT
cathroon.itch.io/omega-point
A MIXTAPE AT THE END OF THE WORLD
[FLASHING IMAGE WARNING]
THE SACRED ΩMEGA POINT
cathroon.itch.io/omega-point
A MIXTAPE AT THE END OF THE WORLD
[FLASHING IMAGE WARNING]
September 7, 2025 at 2:47 AM
EVERYTHING SPIRALS TO A FINAL POINT OF UNIFICATION
THE SACRED ΩMEGA POINT
cathroon.itch.io/omega-point
A MIXTAPE AT THE END OF THE WORLD
[FLASHING IMAGE WARNING]
THE SACRED ΩMEGA POINT
cathroon.itch.io/omega-point
A MIXTAPE AT THE END OF THE WORLD
[FLASHING IMAGE WARNING]
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
INCOMING CANON FIRE!
A slice of life comedy about... being abandoned by your family.
TALES FROM TOYOTOKI is
surprisingly lighthearted, until it's not.
Conbining real and magical history, it's a story about finding your place when you've been tossed aside.
canonfire.net/post/7937752...
A slice of life comedy about... being abandoned by your family.
TALES FROM TOYOTOKI is
surprisingly lighthearted, until it's not.
Conbining real and magical history, it's a story about finding your place when you've been tossed aside.
canonfire.net/post/7937752...
053: Tales from Toyotoki: Arrival of the Witch
Abandoned by his deadbeat aunt and uncle, Hikaru Nishime finds himself stranded on the remote Okinawan island of Toyotoki, unwelcome, broke, and homeless. Taking shelter in a field, he meets Lilun, a....
canonfire.net
September 4, 2025 at 4:32 PM
INCOMING CANON FIRE!
A slice of life comedy about... being abandoned by your family.
TALES FROM TOYOTOKI is
surprisingly lighthearted, until it's not.
Conbining real and magical history, it's a story about finding your place when you've been tossed aside.
canonfire.net/post/7937752...
A slice of life comedy about... being abandoned by your family.
TALES FROM TOYOTOKI is
surprisingly lighthearted, until it's not.
Conbining real and magical history, it's a story about finding your place when you've been tossed aside.
canonfire.net/post/7937752...
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
i reviewed NBA 2K26 for @endlessmode.bsky.social because someone had to while you're all playing silksong: www.endlessmode.com/article/comm...
September 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
i reviewed NBA 2K26 for @endlessmode.bsky.social because someone had to while you're all playing silksong: www.endlessmode.com/article/comm...
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
Pleased to have such a thorough and thoughtful reflection on TIER, it really reflects the scale of what we can do!
For our second contribution, Kaelan Doyle-Myerscough reflects on their first entry into IFComp, the joys and problems of insular art cultures, and the boundaries of interactive fiction.
My Waltz into the IFComp
Just a month before I entered it, I had no idea what the IFComp was.
The year was 2017. I was dealing with a triple-whammy spring season: I broke up with my long-term partner, lost my cat to kidney ...
www.tier-review.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Pleased to have such a thorough and thoughtful reflection on TIER, it really reflects the scale of what we can do!
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
when i replayed Repeat the Ending to write this piece, i thought about how there aren’t that many spaces these days to publish personal games without feeling unwelcome.
everything is gazed upon with this “critical” eye that pathologizes or fawns over any vulnerability: bsky.app/profile/tier...
everything is gazed upon with this “critical” eye that pathologizes or fawns over any vulnerability: bsky.app/profile/tier...
For the first essay in our Interactive Fiction issue, @highimpactsex.bsky.social writes about the shrinking available space for personal art through the metafiction of Repeat the Ending.
Repeat the Ending: Where Do Personal Games Go?
If anything, outsider art exists because our expectations of art are not at all inclusive.
We don't need excuses like historical significance to justify the existence of personal games like Repeat th...
www.tier-review.com
August 29, 2025 at 10:05 PM
when i replayed Repeat the Ending to write this piece, i thought about how there aren’t that many spaces these days to publish personal games without feeling unwelcome.
everything is gazed upon with this “critical” eye that pathologizes or fawns over any vulnerability: bsky.app/profile/tier...
everything is gazed upon with this “critical” eye that pathologizes or fawns over any vulnerability: bsky.app/profile/tier...
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
At this point think a statement is in order.
Framing itch.io as anti-queer is genuinely maddening.
Besides the horrific pressures exerted on it recently that every other company, including steam, has folded on far more harshly and thoughtlessly, Itch has bee nothing but supportive of queer games.
Framing itch.io as anti-queer is genuinely maddening.
Besides the horrific pressures exerted on it recently that every other company, including steam, has folded on far more harshly and thoughtlessly, Itch has bee nothing but supportive of queer games.
Download the latest indie games
itch.io is a simple way to find, download and distribute indie games online. Whether you're a developer looking to upload your game or just someone looking for something new to play itch.io has you co...
Itch.io
August 15, 2025 at 12:51 AM
At this point think a statement is in order.
Framing itch.io as anti-queer is genuinely maddening.
Besides the horrific pressures exerted on it recently that every other company, including steam, has folded on far more harshly and thoughtlessly, Itch has bee nothing but supportive of queer games.
Framing itch.io as anti-queer is genuinely maddening.
Besides the horrific pressures exerted on it recently that every other company, including steam, has folded on far more harshly and thoughtlessly, Itch has bee nothing but supportive of queer games.
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
it was wonderful to come through and talk about this game, had a pretty good time even with a pretty poor translation
Novel Not New returns for July with a banger! @polarbearsummer.online joined us to talk the seminal Chinese RPG The Legend of Sword and Fairy, plus some banter on Persona 5, Death Stranding 2, Robocop, and more! www.patreon.com/posts/novel-...
Novel Not New - The Legend of Sword and Fairy | Scanline Media
Get more from Scanline Media on Patreon
www.patreon.com
July 31, 2025 at 7:22 PM
it was wonderful to come through and talk about this game, had a pretty good time even with a pretty poor translation
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
and here: stop-paypros.neocities.org
Stop payment processors from censoring games!
stop-paypros.neocities.org
July 25, 2025 at 4:54 AM
and here: stop-paypros.neocities.org
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
hate to ask but it's been a miserable week, and I've been hit with a lot of unexpected bills
anything you can give would help me afford food next week
www.paypal.com/paypalme/sie...
anything you can give would help me afford food next week
www.paypal.com/paypalme/sie...
Pay Omar Elaasar using PayPal.Me
Go to paypal.me/siegarettes and type in the amount. Since it’s PayPal, it's easy and secure. Don’t have a PayPal account? No worries.
www.paypal.com
July 11, 2025 at 5:12 PM
hate to ask but it's been a miserable week, and I've been hit with a lot of unexpected bills
anything you can give would help me afford food next week
www.paypal.com/paypalme/sie...
anything you can give would help me afford food next week
www.paypal.com/paypalme/sie...
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
I do not like Date Everything, but it is so fascinating... I tried to work though just how weird this thing is.
With its frictionless romance and surface-level take on "lockdown loneliness," Date Everything is peak millennial cringe, writes Grace Benfell. www.endlessmode.com/video-games/...
Date Everything Is Peak Millennial Cringe
With its frictionless romance and surface-level take on "lockdown loneliness," Date Everything is peak millennial cringe.
www.endlessmode.com
July 10, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I do not like Date Everything, but it is so fascinating... I tried to work though just how weird this thing is.
Reposted by Umbrella Terms
the BDS requests on microsoft are extremely clear and also targeted. they aren't "uninstall windows now and change your entire life," they aren't even a huge ask for games media outside of like exclusive world of warcraft streamers. there is no reason for the near total silence other than shame
April 8, 2025 at 12:30 AM
the BDS requests on microsoft are extremely clear and also targeted. they aren't "uninstall windows now and change your entire life," they aren't even a huge ask for games media outside of like exclusive world of warcraft streamers. there is no reason for the near total silence other than shame