Olivia Rolls

She did the Challengers wind!!!!!!

Happy "The Subway" music video Friday! Never getting over Chappell's visuals or this concept.

I'm floored (again!) by the thoughtful dialogue and all the interactive bits added with the new dating mechanic in Fields of Mistria's third major update. We've all seen the jokes that dating/marriage in most farm and life sims is like giving your partner a lobotomy, but it only gets better here!

I am soooooo excited to actually look like a Pokémon Trainer again. I will be matching with my ace Noivern and I'm going to make it everyone's problem.

Side note: Streaks and gradient hair dye are so back.

After sitting with the news of his passing last week, I wanted to sum up how important James Carter Cathcart's work has been for a generation that grew up with it.

When I finished writing this, I got my roommates to watch Pokémon: The First Movie with me. Thanks again for all the memories.

Inside the Media’s Traffic Apocalypse The whole premise of internet publishing — that you could reach audiences far and wide — is starting to crumble.

An reminder to folks that EVERYONE who runs a site from big news sites to tiny fansites are ALL being affected by what's happening.

If you run a site, definitely give it a read. Know that your traffic going down isn't your doing, it's Google fucking everyone over.

nymag.com/intelligence...

Kiki's Delivery Service has been my comfort movie since I got my own place. It hits home when times are tough, and Kiki's resolve never fails to inspire. She's the perfect pick this week!

Read the rest of GGA's Crush of the Week here!

The Grand Opening of an American Concentration Camp The Republicans are proudly calling it “Alligator Alcatraz.” Let’s call it what it is.

I wrote about the day the president attended the opening of an American concentration camp:

I'm in the same boat as most freelancers who were removed from The Escapist's Slack channels following its sale this morning. I'm currently looking for FT or PT work in digital media and come with 2.5 years of experience covering games and pop culture.

Portfolio here: muckrack.com/olivia-rolls...

Samantha Puc | The Verbal Thing Samantha Puc is a fat, disabled, lesbian writer and editor who has been working in digital and print media since 2010.

As of today, my contract with The Escapist has officially been terminated. I’m searching for PT or FT writing or editorial work in the digital media or publishing sphere! I have 10+ years of experience and am eager for a new role. See my portfolio for bylines et al.

Endless Mode: It's the New Thing Welcome to Endless Mode: infinite possibilities in games, anime, theme parks, and a whole lot more--like, uh, pinball.

Paste Games is now Endless Mode: infinite possibilities in games, anime, theme parks, and more. www.endlessmode.com/video-games/...

Excited to see where Starsand Island's affection system goes and how it compares to established favorites in the genre!

While I'm gushing over Yona, I'll also take this moment to say she deserves a second season!

From lackluster sprites and landscapes to features that erase community and cut meaningful interaction with a world modeled after our own, there's a lot more in need of fixing than lag and frame drops now that you can play Pokémon Scarlet & Violet on Switch 2.

Find the rest of my deep dive here!

This is the only thing that's actually made me want a Switch 2. Mudkip, my love, if only I didn't need that $500 for rent.

David Lynch as FBI Director Gordon Cole, "FIX YOUR HEARTS OR DIE!"

happy pride

We're here for you — and this fight isn't over. You can still access abortion in Illinois at our Fairview Heights health center or at Hope Clinic in Granite City.

Need transportation, lodging, or financial assistance in order to access abortion? Call our Regional Logistics Center at 618-607-5080.

What a day, I was so scared to press the release button. Now it is out for you all to play and hopefully enjoy <3. Whatever happens, I'm so proud of us that we managed get through the three years and are able to celebrate this milestone now :)

I had the chance to try out @flawberrystudio.bsky.social's Projected Dreams before launch! It's a comfort to play with the stuff that defined so many childhoods and to see these toys through new eyes. Best part of my winding down routine this month, for sure. Check out my review here!

After CDC cuts, doctors fear women will lose access to contraception research A small team of researchers responsible for keeping clinicians up to date on contraception research has been cut. Doctors say they rely on the team's guidance when advising women about contraception.

A small team of researchers responsible for keeping clinicians up to date on contraception research has been cut. Doctors say they rely on the team's guidance when advising women about contraception.

Time to make things official with Caldarus! Fields of Mistria is adding dating and friendship mechanics in its next major update.

I was sold from the moment I saw Dalmatians and the 80% off sale price. Had to share this with everyone who grew up playing Nintendogs on the DS!

Anno 117: Pax Romana hands-on preview | GameWatcher Anno 117: Pax Romana is shaping up to be a welcoming and calming city builder that isn't sacrificing any of the series' complexities to sell newcomers on its ancient Mediterranean setting.

I checked Anno 117: Pax Romana out earlier this month. It was pretty dang nice. Here's my hands-on preview, which is less about explaining the intricacies of the game's systems and more about my experience playing it, for @gamewatcher.com: www.gamewatcher.com/news/anno-11...

Shelfdust One Issue At A Time

Hello! Shelfdust here, sentient comic book website. I:

* Pay people to write about comics
* Cover comics nobody else covers
* Publish a new essay every week
* Feature the widest range of critical opinions ANYWHERE in comics
* Fly far under the radar: so follow us on Bluesky!

www.Shelfdust.com

Very happy to share that @rewinder.co.uk, is now live! I've been working with @lexluddy.xyz and @craezytaxi.bsky.social, and I'm serving as its EIC. We're an independent games-focused publication looking at the middle ground, not going exclusively indie but not ruling out AAA either.

I LOVED writing this piece about fat rep in TTRPGs! I’m so grateful to @glowpinkstah.bsky.social, @quinnntastic.bsky.social, and @cdiganon.bsky.social for talking to me about creating fat characters and narratives in their stories.

Support Rascal with just $1 to read this piece!

Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: FRIEREN Today's Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week is Frieren, the unstoppable mage and titular protagonist of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.

For GGA's Crush of the Week, I HAD to talk about Frieren, one of my all-time favorite female characters. This column explores series fast facts and what we can learn from the great mage.

www.geekgirlauthority.com/frieren-beyo...

Synergy Is City-Building Chess for the Cozy Gamer [Review] - The Escapist I spent the last week racking up hours in Synergy, an ecosystem city builder from developer Leikir Studio, following its full 1.0 release.

I had the pleasure to review Synergy, a stylized city builder from Leikir Studio and @goblinzstudio.com. This one plays fast, with several modes and difficulties to choose from. If you're looking for a strategy title to wind down with, check it out!

www.escapistmagazine.com/synergy-is-c...

Here's Your Reminder That ALIEN and PREDATOR Began as Feminist Franchises The Alien and Predator films have dominated sci-fi and horror conversations for decades. Let's not forget where they started.

With Alien: Earth arriving this summer and Predator: Badlands coming later this year, I took a moment to explore the feminist commentary behind these iconic sci-fi/horror franchises and their monsters.

www.geekgirlauthority.com/alien-predat...