Harrison Polites

Sick! I got a standard version of that card.

That art is epic!

Frosty Phendrana Drifts will always have a warm place in my heart.

So keen to finally dig into it these holidays!

I have discovered panettone this year, and have realised my life has been very empty without it.

An AI recalibration? Indie supremacy and discoverability worsens: The Australian games industry's predictions for 2026 What game developers, journalists and industry insiders see coming in the new year.

Hey, I think prediction pieces can be a bit of a waste of time too.

But... I asked everyone I interviewed this year for a gaming industry prediction, and the piece actually turned out really well! Lots in here about AI, game discovery and the rise of Indies.

Been covering the sector for 18 months.

Still trying to wrap my head around how there’s billions floating around, but everyone in it is struggling financially.

This, at least, nails one aspect of the issue.

The Outer Worlds 2 feels like another victim of ‘game-passification’ REVIEW: The sequel refines the combat but frustratingly loses sight of what made the original special: meaningful choice

I'm coining a new phrase today, don't think it will stick though... and for the sake of gaming more broadly, I hope it isn't really a trend.

'Ship and survive': The Game Awards' GOTY nominees highlight gaming's quiet accessibility crisis Most of this year's Game of the Year nominees are missing basic accessibility features, exposing how industry layoffs and budget cuts are pushing inclusion to the sidelines.

Hit another milestone today! Infinite Lives' first contributor article is up!

@nomibelle.bsky.social looks at accessibility and The Game Awards. The show once championed the issue, now, years on, all GOTY nominees aren't exactly pushing it forward.

Here's why it matters.

We’ve all tried it…

I enjoyed it as well.. But haven't played it in yonks. Though I am about to boot up the new Metroid!

This is kinda my main crux: Refunds (important these days as games can be trash on arrival) and sharing are that much better on Steam. And they have portability too. My Switch used to be my device for Indies, and other niche titles. Now, not so sure.

I almost wish I did for the same reason. But I love the ease of digital?

Six months on: The Switch 2 is fantastic but Nintendo still doesn’t understand the internet REVIEW: While I love playing Nintendo exclusives on it, I’m reluctant to use the console for anything else. And with the evolving device ecosystem, that’s an issue.

I love my Switch 2, but six months on, it's kinda gathering dust. And that's because, I only really play Nintendo-exclusive games on it.

I look at some of the friction points with Nintendo's broader ecosystem, and why they are holding back an otherwise brilliant bit of tech.

Noooooo!!

I mean, good for you. Bit jealous!

It’s a series that has been lost to streaming rights BS.

Can I ask where? Loved that series but hard to watch here in Aus!

Ghost of Yotei is PlayStation's best revenge story to date REVIEW: It may have been snubbed for Game of the Year, but this masterclass in restraint, humanity and storytelling justifies its premium price tag.

In a year full of sequels, another AAA Edo-period Japan game, and yet another PS revenge story... Ghost of Yotei feels skippable.

But I really, really enjoyed my time with it.

It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but that's fine? It's yet another solid game from Sucker Punch. Perhaps snubbed for GoTY.

Cheers! Hugely appreciate the repost! I write Inf Lives as a passion project, so thank you!

The power balance has certainly shifted. That much came across in all of my interviews.

Though, I recently relied on some Youtuber reviews to pick a new game and found myself underwhelmed.

Maybe it's all about finding the source that works best for you? Or using more than one.

Thank you! It's been a really, really interesting series to write, research and interview. Went in with a whole bunch of questions, now have new ones.

The last article will likely be the hardest to stand up, as I want to speak to creators about this topic next.

Appreciate the share mate!

Always wanted to be a journalist.

Fell into tech journalism by chance, loved it. Years later, when career progression slowed, was tricked into tech PR. Was good at it, enjoy giving advice.

Stayed in PR, now work for myself. And feed my passion for journalism - which never died - on Substack.

How the games industry sees the decline of traditional reviews Games journalism once made or broke a game. Today, it’s kept around mostly for scores and pull quotes.

Games journalism once made or broke a game. Today, it’s kept around mostly for scores and pull quotes.

My third piece in a series on the changing nature of videogame reviews. infinitelives.substack.com/p/how-the-ga...

Cheers to @dave.powerhoof.com, Alex Harding and Simon Slee for their thoughts.

I'd agree. I've played most of the games in contention, and they are fantastic. Ghost is up there, but I don't know what I'd cut?

I actually kinda called, way back in Feb that Kingdom Come Deliverance II is GoT worthy. I'm still astonished it got up, after what was a very strong year for gaming.

Explainer: Does release timing really affect The Game Awards? Turns out, recency bias is a slight factor for Game of The Year. But not in a way you'd expect it to be.

Full read here for those interested: infinitelives.substack.com/p/explainer-...

Tiny bit shocked to not see Ghost of Yotei make the shortlist for Game of The Year.

You may say... "It likely released too late to be considered". But I did some data work last week, and Q4 releases (often in October) make the shortlist more often than not.

Sure is! Happy Birthday!

Ah! Were you also born Nov 8?

Those are indeed facts.

I just think more investment is needed? Voice acting for starters, then more attention to the overall look, flow of the game?

In fairness, most models in the game are good. But, I don't think Emma's ass or Jacinthe's hair are worth $110.

Fans may fight me on that.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A shows the franchise may have outgrown Game Freak's capabilities REVIEW: The developer nails yet another very fun, addictive game. But its lack of graphical and audio production values for a premium priced game diminishes the overall experience.

I cannot understate my love for Pokemon. Grew up with the games, stuck with them as an adult.

Which is why it hurts to see the series plateau in terms of production values, with a lack of graphical finesse and voice acting, despite really strong core gameplay mechs.... while also charging $AUD110.

Have played it! Strong agree. So good.

Four words: Fiona Apple Boss Fight.

Though the last fight to Nine Inch Nails Perfect Drug is also epic.

Still listen to the soundtrack regularly.