David Shimomura
@unwinnabledavid.bsky.social
EIC of Unwinnable, views own.
Reposted by David Shimomura
ICYMI: "Devil May Cry’s excellence is defined by its ingeniously designed world and flawless usage of ludonarrative harmony."
Vincent Dilworth digs into what makes the original Devil May Cry so good:
Vincent Dilworth digs into what makes the original Devil May Cry so good:
Cool As Hell: The Excellence of The Original Devil May Cry - Unwinnable
A cool, calm and collected, red-coat-wearing badass who executes demons on behalf of his slain mother and brother.
unwinnable.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
ICYMI: "Devil May Cry’s excellence is defined by its ingeniously designed world and flawless usage of ludonarrative harmony."
Vincent Dilworth digs into what makes the original Devil May Cry so good:
Vincent Dilworth digs into what makes the original Devil May Cry so good:
This administration wants to kill people
Congress’s shutdown deal eliminated key food safety rules, blocking agencies from enforcing measures to prevent contamination and trace outbreaks. This rollback has coincided with a surge in hospitalizations and deaths from foodborne illnesses.
Shutdown Deal Kills Rules to Prevent Food Contamination and Foodborne Illnesses
The gutting of these rules coincides with a huge increase in hospitalizations and deaths from foodborne illnesses.
truthout.org
November 15, 2025 at 3:19 PM
This administration wants to kill people
He could have always launched this investigation. Literally nothing was stopping him from doing it on day 1. Obviously it's a distraction but it's one he deliberately kept in his pocket. Just something to ask your family about at Thanksgiving.
November 15, 2025 at 1:32 PM
He could have always launched this investigation. Literally nothing was stopping him from doing it on day 1. Obviously it's a distraction but it's one he deliberately kept in his pocket. Just something to ask your family about at Thanksgiving.
There's probably a lot of reasons but one familiar to me is stimming.
I don't really even "want" to do this. Sometimes it feels like if even 1% of my brain is not engaged then 0% is engaged.
For a group of people, our "normal" is barrage of stimulus.
I don't really even "want" to do this. Sometimes it feels like if even 1% of my brain is not engaged then 0% is engaged.
For a group of people, our "normal" is barrage of stimulus.
lots of people i know listen to podcasts while playing games, even story-heavy single-player games, and i struggle so much to comprehend why anyone would want to do this
November 15, 2025 at 2:54 AM
There's probably a lot of reasons but one familiar to me is stimming.
I don't really even "want" to do this. Sometimes it feels like if even 1% of my brain is not engaged then 0% is engaged.
For a group of people, our "normal" is barrage of stimulus.
I don't really even "want" to do this. Sometimes it feels like if even 1% of my brain is not engaged then 0% is engaged.
For a group of people, our "normal" is barrage of stimulus.
Reposted by David Shimomura
Anyway I wrote about the original Shadow Tower for @unwinnable.com!
Of course I've long since beaten it before the story made it onto the site, but after watching the credits roll... this might actually be peak Fromsoft..? 😅
Of course I've long since beaten it before the story made it onto the site, but after watching the credits roll... this might actually be peak Fromsoft..? 😅
I’m Having a Bad Time (and Loving it) - Unwinnable
While on a "classic Fromsoft" binge of the King’s Field series, Rob finally returns to Shadow Tower's exceptionally hostile halls.
unwinnable.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Anyway I wrote about the original Shadow Tower for @unwinnable.com!
Of course I've long since beaten it before the story made it onto the site, but after watching the credits roll... this might actually be peak Fromsoft..? 😅
Of course I've long since beaten it before the story made it onto the site, but after watching the credits roll... this might actually be peak Fromsoft..? 😅
Abolish the lottery.
Maybe not my MOST woke but the lottery is an under discussed regressive tax on people who can least afford it.
No person should be hungry, unhoused, or lack access to medical/child care and education in a country with billionaires.
Maybe not my MOST woke but the lottery is an under discussed regressive tax on people who can least afford it.
No person should be hungry, unhoused, or lack access to medical/child care and education in a country with billionaires.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Abolish the lottery.
Maybe not my MOST woke but the lottery is an under discussed regressive tax on people who can least afford it.
No person should be hungry, unhoused, or lack access to medical/child care and education in a country with billionaires.
Maybe not my MOST woke but the lottery is an under discussed regressive tax on people who can least afford it.
No person should be hungry, unhoused, or lack access to medical/child care and education in a country with billionaires.
To an extent, that this did not reduce the number of millionaires this should be seen as a failure.
Happy there's data to show a rising tide is possible but there's a vision of the world without the ultra wealthy that is really cool.
Happy there's data to show a rising tide is possible but there's a vision of the world without the ultra wealthy that is really cool.
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:19 AM
To an extent, that this did not reduce the number of millionaires this should be seen as a failure.
Happy there's data to show a rising tide is possible but there's a vision of the world without the ultra wealthy that is really cool.
Happy there's data to show a rising tide is possible but there's a vision of the world without the ultra wealthy that is really cool.
One of the single greatest skills a reporter can gain is learning any amount of financial statement/earnings report analysis.
we do know it's not as good as ff/lotr but its still good enough to warrant a mention in their earnings report
November 13, 2025 at 3:35 PM
One of the single greatest skills a reporter can gain is learning any amount of financial statement/earnings report analysis.
As someone who does not "play" MTG, won't learn, and bought a bunch of Final Fantasy cards, this is not healthy for MTG players but probably printing money for its owners.
Magic: The Gathering’s future looks like Fortnite, and fans are split
Magic: The Gathering’s future looks like Fortnite, and fans are split
Does everything have to be Universes Beyond?
buff.ly
November 13, 2025 at 3:17 PM
As someone who does not "play" MTG, won't learn, and bought a bunch of Final Fantasy cards, this is not healthy for MTG players but probably printing money for its owners.
There was a State of Play today?
November 13, 2025 at 2:50 AM
There was a State of Play today?
Chaos theory is kind of a shitty vision for leadership.
This is a very fun accident, not a grand political strategy. The Senate Dems could have said "guys we're about to do the funniest thing" and they would have averted a leadership crisis. Instead they have that and won't get credit for this.
This is a very fun accident, not a grand political strategy. The Senate Dems could have said "guys we're about to do the funniest thing" and they would have averted a leadership crisis. Instead they have that and won't get credit for this.
Imagine if Dems in the Senate hadn't caved. The House wouldn't be in session rn, the discharge petition wouldn't be signed, people wouldn't have SNAP, govt workers would be RIF'd & the GOP would have some decent talking points. But also online rage addicts would be happier! YMMV!
November 13, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Chaos theory is kind of a shitty vision for leadership.
This is a very fun accident, not a grand political strategy. The Senate Dems could have said "guys we're about to do the funniest thing" and they would have averted a leadership crisis. Instead they have that and won't get credit for this.
This is a very fun accident, not a grand political strategy. The Senate Dems could have said "guys we're about to do the funniest thing" and they would have averted a leadership crisis. Instead they have that and won't get credit for this.
The proliferation of AI is also a bizarre symptom of how non-functional the American government has become.
In a functional system, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is taking action to prevent harm to users.
The Patent and Trademark Office is blocking the theft of work.
In a functional system, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is taking action to prevent harm to users.
The Patent and Trademark Office is blocking the theft of work.
November 12, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The proliferation of AI is also a bizarre symptom of how non-functional the American government has become.
In a functional system, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is taking action to prevent harm to users.
The Patent and Trademark Office is blocking the theft of work.
In a functional system, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is taking action to prevent harm to users.
The Patent and Trademark Office is blocking the theft of work.
It's really cool seeing people try to hold RGG accountable in some way.
I think a lot of critics either feel they lack standing or the ickiness totally bypasses them but this is great actually.
I think a lot of critics either feel they lack standing or the ickiness totally bypasses them but this is great actually.
Hamazaki Has To Goh - where does Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio draw the line on casting, and why is it not at sexual assault? by @ashlikeadragon.bsky.social
"it’s particularly insulting and disgusting for him to be cast in a series that has historically featured sex pests being (rightly) beat up"
Read on:
"it’s particularly insulting and disgusting for him to be cast in a series that has historically featured sex pests being (rightly) beat up"
Read on:
Hamazaki Has To Goh - where does Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio draw the line on casting, and why is it not at sexual assault?
A look at the bizarre decision to cast Teruyuki Kagawa's in Yakuza Kiwami 3, through a lens of previous re-casting decisions from RGG Studio.
skyboxcritics.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:39 PM
It's really cool seeing people try to hold RGG accountable in some way.
I think a lot of critics either feel they lack standing or the ickiness totally bypasses them but this is great actually.
I think a lot of critics either feel they lack standing or the ickiness totally bypasses them but this is great actually.
Feels somewhat icky to me to talk about Ghost of Yotei's sales in Japan versus the rest of the world considering it's an American re-mything of Japan and not a product of Japan.
November 12, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Feels somewhat icky to me to talk about Ghost of Yotei's sales in Japan versus the rest of the world considering it's an American re-mything of Japan and not a product of Japan.
We shouldn't frame the release of the Epstein emails as some sort of win for Democrats, they massively failed us. We should however enjoy it as a massive middle finger thrown in the face of Trump
November 12, 2025 at 3:12 PM
We shouldn't frame the release of the Epstein emails as some sort of win for Democrats, they massively failed us. We should however enjoy it as a massive middle finger thrown in the face of Trump
Just watched a full on scam commercial with an AI doctor telling seniors to call this number now.
At least in the olden days it was a human trying to scam your grandparents.
At least in the olden days it was a human trying to scam your grandparents.
November 12, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Just watched a full on scam commercial with an AI doctor telling seniors to call this number now.
At least in the olden days it was a human trying to scam your grandparents.
At least in the olden days it was a human trying to scam your grandparents.
We can and should boycott Geoff's show.
Just want you to know that when I asked Geoff why he gave the silent treatment to an open letter written by his own "future of games" program (& co-signed by 3000+ industry peers), he replied:
"Because that's my show and nobody gets to tell me how I should use my platform". 💀💀💀
"Because that's my show and nobody gets to tell me how I should use my platform". 💀💀💀
“Don’t gather some of the most brilliant activists in the industry, treat us like crap, and then expect us to do nothing about it.” After the Game Awards cancelled its Future Class programme, @alyssamerc.bsky.social talked to its former honorees
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
November 11, 2025 at 9:34 PM
We can and should boycott Geoff's show.
Not only is this a skill issue, it's a fundamental misread of the character. As soon as the stinger gets played when the actor turns into the light or whatever all will be new again.
James Bond’s death in No Time to Die is causing a nightmare for the next film. Writers are stuck because Bond “was blown to pieces.”
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
November 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Not only is this a skill issue, it's a fundamental misread of the character. As soon as the stinger gets played when the actor turns into the light or whatever all will be new again.
Alyssa doing amazing work with this one.
I once thought "well it's at least one good thing Geoff is doing to meaningfully improve the industry." Shocking to see how performative and how little he really did.
I once thought "well it's at least one good thing Geoff is doing to meaningfully improve the industry." Shocking to see how performative and how little he really did.
Chatting with Future Class inductees for my latest at @theguardian.com. They paint a pretty clear picture of the perils of performative allyship.
Thanks to all who spoke with me, and always, to Keza for the chance to do important work!
Thanks to all who spoke with me, and always, to Keza for the chance to do important work!
“Don’t gather some of the most brilliant activists in the industry, treat us like crap, and then expect us to do nothing about it.” After the Game Awards cancelled its Future Class programme, @alyssamerc.bsky.social talked to its former honorees
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
November 11, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Alyssa doing amazing work with this one.
I once thought "well it's at least one good thing Geoff is doing to meaningfully improve the industry." Shocking to see how performative and how little he really did.
I once thought "well it's at least one good thing Geoff is doing to meaningfully improve the industry." Shocking to see how performative and how little he really did.
Episode 1 is much better than we give it credit for. Lucas really went for something and mostly got it. I don't think the contemporary mind is capable of understanding how completely Phantom Menace consumed the culture.
November 10, 1998: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace:
Amazing teaser poster released #OTD, designed by Ellen Lee.
The title simply states, “Episode I,” but the long shadow of Darth Vader hangs over the film.
#StarWarsArchives19992005
youtu.be/Ocm__ZQTZVk
Amazing teaser poster released #OTD, designed by Ellen Lee.
The title simply states, “Episode I,” but the long shadow of Darth Vader hangs over the film.
#StarWarsArchives19992005
youtu.be/Ocm__ZQTZVk
November 10, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Episode 1 is much better than we give it credit for. Lucas really went for something and mostly got it. I don't think the contemporary mind is capable of understanding how completely Phantom Menace consumed the culture.
Primary both of them. Call your electeds and demand they turn resign from leadership.
Jeffries and Schumer are a team. h/t @aaronparnas.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Primary both of them. Call your electeds and demand they turn resign from leadership.
Primary all of them. Normal people cannot thrive in a system calibrated to maximally serve the will of billionaires.
The failure of the Democrats is not only their failure to secure concessions. It is that they cannot be trusted to even fight for when given massive public support.
The failure of the Democrats is not only their failure to secure concessions. It is that they cannot be trusted to even fight for when given massive public support.
I received this email about Democrats caving to end the shutdown from one of the SNAP recipients I spoke to:
November 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Primary all of them. Normal people cannot thrive in a system calibrated to maximally serve the will of billionaires.
The failure of the Democrats is not only their failure to secure concessions. It is that they cannot be trusted to even fight for when given massive public support.
The failure of the Democrats is not only their failure to secure concessions. It is that they cannot be trusted to even fight for when given massive public support.
"Dear Senator [Name], as one of your constituents I urge you to call for Senator Schumer to step aside as Minority Leader."
Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Enough is enough. Contact your Democratic senators TODAY and tell them to call for Senator Schumer to step aside as Minority Leader. We desperately need new leadership in the Democratic Party.
CALL NOW: Tell Your Democratic Senator It's Time for Chuck Schumer to Step Aside
indivisible.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:17 PM
"Dear Senator [Name], as one of your constituents I urge you to call for Senator Schumer to step aside as Minority Leader."
Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Tim Kaine is a craven fool
November 10, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Tim Kaine is a craven fool
Dick Durbin's DC office doesn't have a voicemail and his IL office doesn't accept voicemails on weekends. A completely craven and cowardly set of behaviors.
Call the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and they will connect you with your senator's office.
If you're represented by one of the squishier centrists, be sure to make a call. Now.
If you're represented by one of the squishier centrists, be sure to make a call. Now.
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Dick Durbin's DC office doesn't have a voicemail and his IL office doesn't accept voicemails on weekends. A completely craven and cowardly set of behaviors.