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Geekly News: October 26, 2025, Warner Bros. For Sale

Published on October 26, 2025October 27, 2025 by Kyra1 Comment

Happy Sunday, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here with another week of Geek News. This past week confirmed a months-long rumor: Warner Bros. is for sale.

Bugs Bunny looks enthused with being on the market. We’ll discuss Warner Bros. posting a for-sale sign and this week’s new releases for board games and video games during this week’s Geek News.

Warner Bros. For Sale

No. Yakko and Wakko aren’t for sale. Warner Bros., as a property, is for sale. After months of speculation that Paramount would purchase all of Warner Bros., Warner Bros. removes all doubt by announcing it intends to sell, but the entertainment giant states it wants as much money as possible. If that means a single party purchases Warner Bros., great, but if Warner Bros. can accrue more money by slicing its properties into smaller pieces, fantastic.

My guess–and this is just a guess–is Warner Bros. will choose to split up its properties. Unless one entity blows away Warner Bros. with an offer for everything, the studio will most likely sell to numerous buyers. Of course, Paramount has expressed interest. The rumors appear to have been true, and Warner Bros. rejected Paramount’s first offer. Apple TV has also expressed interest. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Disney wanted to acquire a property or two. Looney Tunes could be added to classic Disney characters. Marvel and DC Comics could have crossover movies. I could continue. The possibilities are endless; only time will tell what will become of Warner Bros.’s properties.

Geekly tends to cover superhero movies, so we’ll focus on what a Warner Bros. sale would mean for the newly minted DCU. While DCU Chairmen James Gunn and Peter Safran could lose their jobs after DC Studios is sold, I doubt this will actually happen. Love Gunn and Safran’s DCU or hate it, I don’t expect new leadership to pull the plug on a profitable franchise this soon after it launches. And yet, profits may regulate the DCU’s future.

Producing DCU films and shows costs a lot of money. At the moment, Gunn and Safran intend to accelerate the DCU’s slate of projects. Lanterns, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and Clayface are slated for a 2026 release. We could see another season of Harley Quinn and Creature Commandos next year, too. And the DCU has plenty more scheduled for the not-so-distant future. Wonder Woman: War of the Gods, The Brave and the Bold, The Batman 2, Booster Gold, and Waller have all been rumored or announced for a 2027 release. New ownership may slow down the frequency of upcoming DCU releases.

I don’t believe anything will change with the DCU’s release schedule until after a sale takes place. So, the DCU’s 2026 release schedule should remain mostly untouched. Who knows? Depending on DC Studios’ buyer, nothing may change. Who would you like to purchase DC Studios?

While I wouldn’t mind a single Marvel-DC Comics crossover movie (or even a trilogy of them) or a series, I prefer these two worlds to remain separate. Apple could use the content more than Paramount, but it’d be interesting to see Star Wars and Marvel on one platform, while Star Trek and the DCU were on the other. Share your thoughts in the comments.

Threshold Launches on GameFound

Blending tactical card-based combat, deep character customization, and endless loot, Threshold immerses its players in a massive, open, living world that responds to their choices. While I have yet to play Threshold, player turns appear easy to understand. Each player’s round plays out with the same rhythm: 1) Draw 5 cards from your deck, 2) Spend cards to perform actions, 3) Enemies act, and 4) Advance the day. I like the Threshold’s streamlined design.

As of the writing of this post, Threshold has yet to launch, so I can only speculate on its gameplay. It appears as if players may mismatch the cards in their deck, creating a unique character. If that’s the case, count me in. Combat seems quick and tactical. I like the idea of Threshold’s world adapting to my choices, but I hope that extends beyond combat. Threshold’s description suggests that players will travel from region to region, where dynamic events occur. Could this be a great blend of MMOs and action RPGs?

I’ve been looking for a good RPG in board game form. Threshold piques my interest. If you’re interested in Threshold, check out its GameFound page.

Drawing Dead Launches on GameFound

After meeting an untimely end in a saloon poker game turned deadly, you awake in purgatory. With new powers and a set of poker cards forged from your soul, you must play your way through the three gates of purgatory and ride into the afterlife. Drawing Dead has a killer theme. Pun intended. I love the Solo Game of the Month company. I don’t know how they’re able to produce stellar solo games most months (I’ve seen them skip one or two months here and there). I’ve been playing a ton of Balatro recently, so Drawing Dead is right up my alley.

Drawing Dead’s player deck is a fully functional poker deck. I am down with the four-colored suits and may pick up a few copies of Drawing Dead to play standard card games. Just ignore the special effects printed in the middle of each card. While we don’t yet know the pledge values for Drawing Dead, Solo Game of the Month tends to sell their games for around $30. If you’re interested in Drawing Dead, check out its GameFound page.

Joyride: Full Throttle Speeds onto GameFound

Who wants to play a destruction derby? Joyride: Full Throttle is equal parts Formula D, Mario Kart, and Destruction Derby (this was a Mad Max-like video game back in the day). Comic book artist Ant Williams’ work gives Joyride: Full Throttle character. Joyride: Full Throttle oozes character from its pores. I can’t wait to drift around the beachfront boardwalk and abandoned mall. Each map has its own identity.

And each driver and vehicle has their own vibe, too. And you know I’ll be loading up on Thumpers, Wrenches, and Volleybombs, waiting for the perfect moment to drop them on my opponents.

Push your luck as you take corners at speed. Manipulate dice on your dashboard, balancing precision and speed. Smash into your rivals to knock them off course. I love how interactive Joyride: Full Throttle is. And publisher Rebellion Unplugged just announced full miniatures. I’m certain these will cost extra (as an upgrade) when Joyride: Full Throttle releases its pledge details later this week. We don’t yet know these pledge details, but if you’re interested in Joyride: Full Throttle, check out its GameFound page.

Cascadia: Alpine Lakes Launches on KickStarter

I may need a refreshing dip in a lake after that last entry. Fortunately, Cascadia: Alpine Lakes has you covered. Alpine Lakes is the standalone sequel to the wildly popular Cascadia. Take your tile-laying to new puzzly heights with Cascadia: Alpine Lakes.

Cascadia: Alpine Lakes is designed by Randy Flynn, creator of the original Cascadia. Alpine Lakes shakes up the original gameplay by adding double hex tiles. These tiles add to the strategic nature of the original, and the development team behind Alpine Lakes is the same award-winning team behind Calico, Verdant, Fit to Print, Nocturne, and Knitting Circle (Molly Johnson, Robert Melvin, Shawn Stankewich, and Dylan Mangini). And Beth Sobel returns as the artist.

Cascadia: Alpine Lakes builds off the original in interesting ways. You won’t need the base Cascadia game to play this version, but there is a pledge level that includes the original Cascadia. Pledges range from $39 to $129. If you haven’t yet played the modern classic Cascadia, Cascadia: Alpine Lakes may be a great place to start. If you’re interested in Cascadia: Alpine Lakes, check out its KickStarter page.

Garage Rock Crashes the KickStarter Party

Garage Rock transports gamers back to the 1980s: big hair, cassette tapes, and BMX bikes ruled the neighborhood streets. Garage Rock is a medium-weight, worker-placement game where players step into the shoes of a teenage garage band. Fight for glory in the high-stakes “Battle of the Bands,” hosted by the infamous local pirate radio DJ, Johnny Law.

I love Garage Rock’s table presence. Check out that treehouse dice tower in the middle of the board. The stage (in the top right-hand corner) looks amazing. Garage Rock looks as if it uses a lot of table space, but that’s okay. Its toy factor and theme make up for what appears to be a large game. Who wants to rock out with me?

Compete against other players to perform at gigs. Grow your band’s popularity. And it looks as if Mariposa Games thought of everything for this game’s box insert, even a spot for the Jean Jacket expansion, should you choose to add it to your pledge. Garage Rock looks amazing. The bits are thematic like demo tapes, song tokens, talent ribbons, and 16 unique transparent acrylic instruments. Pledges range from $79 to $250. If you’re interested in Garage Rock, check out its KickStarter page.

Kavango: Lodges Expansion Launches on KickStarter

Designed by conservationists, Kavango tells inspirational conservation success stories of southern Africa. In fact, 20% of Kavango’s profits are donated to African-based charities working to safeguard the region’s extraordinary wildlife. The Lodges Expansion marks Kavango’s first major expansion. I have yet to play Kavango, but Season has and swears by this game. Seriously, it’s on her Christmas list. She’s probably editing this post, and I expect a message suggesting we back Kavango: Lodges Expansion for “research.”

Kavango uses simultaneous turns, which I love, because it keeps gameplay fast. Kavango’s theme is an important one, and I also love that Mazaza Games commits to charity. It’s a good feeling knowing your pledge goes toward a worthy cause. Kavango’s pledges are also reasonable: $20 (for just the expansion if you already have the base game), $40 for all the extras without the base game, or $60 for everything, including the original Kavango. If you don’t have the base game, I’d go with the $60 pledge; you get a lot of game for the price point. If you’re interested in Kavango, check out its KickStarter page.

Video Game Round-Up

I already covered six board game releases in quick succession. This week saw a ton of new releases, because we’re ramping up for the holidays. I’m going to go through video games quickly as well. Like the board games, these won’t be the only video games that were released this past week. Consider this section video game new release highlights.

Ninja Gaiden 4 was released over a decade after Ninja Gaiden 3 (2012). According to multiple critics, Ninja Gaiden 4 is a triumphant return to the series and well worth the wait. Like other games in the series, Ninja Gaiden 4 features punishing gameplay. Ninja Gaiden was the video game that made players “Git Gud” before Dark Souls, and 4 continues that brutal legacy. Ninja Gaiden 4 is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Sticking with the theme of older video game titles receiving their first new entry in over a decade, Katamari returns for the first time in 14 years with Once Upon a Katamari. I’ve spent countless hours rolling that funky-shaped ball, trying to get as many objects to stick to the katamari as I can. Once Upon a Katamari has received plenty of positive reviews. So, it looks like we’re two for two with returning franchises this week. I can’t wait to pick up a copy of Once Upon a Katamari. It’s available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

The streak doesn’t continue, it would seem. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines fans–like me–have waited 21 years for a proper sequel to the open-world, action role-playing indie. According to many critics, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 stumbles to live up to the original. This doesn’t surprise me. Bloodlines 2 had a torturous development cycle. The lead game designer changed multiple times. The lead writer was canned over a year before the game’s release. But Bloodlines 2 has a silver lining. From what I’ve heard, the writing is stellar. Any outlet that gives Bloodlines 2 a higher grade will most likely mention how deep and well-written the story’s characters are, but the janky combat and occasionally woeful performance issues make Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 a game I may wait to pick up at a discounted price.

Plants Vs Zombies: Replanted compiles all the game’s various iterations over the past 16 years, but the final product has been leaving critics wanting. Plants Vs Zombies’ original gameplay stays mostly intact–for better and for worse. The original game was fair and balanced most of the time, but the game had some unwarranted difficulty spikes that Replanted does little to quell. Plants Vs Zombies: Replanted tries to update the graphics, but many of the upgrades don’t quite land. Plants Vs Zombies: Replanted’s ending music video may be the most egregious. Players watch the original video on a tube television (picture inside of a picture) with downgraded graphics, which diminishes the ending’s impact.

But Replanted’s best addition may be the Cloudy Day Mode, where gameplay cycles between day and night. I may have found my way of new way to play Plants Vs Zombies. Plants Vs Zombies is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Ever want to run your own dinosaur theme park? That’s the theme of Jurassic World Evolution 3. Yes. Jurassic World Evolution 3 is the third entry in this popular game series. Jurassic World Evolution 3 has received good reviews. I’m certain Season has played at least one game in this series. Let us know if you’d like to see a future review.

I knew little about Bounty Star before its release this past week. Bounty Star’s subtitle, The Morose Tale of Graveyard Clem, sums up the game’s story. Bounty Star begins with the worst day of Clementine McKinney’s life. She hopped into a mech, tried to save the people she loved, and lost everything. Clementine McKinney died that day. Graveyard Clem was born from the ashes. Graveyard Clem rebuilds her life in the wastes. Bounty Star bounces between mech combat and daily life on a farm, raising chickens and growing crops. Gamers will embody all aspects of the flawed Graveyard Clem. Bounty Star offers two disparate gameplay loops that I can’t wait to try. Equal parts mech combat game and farming sim? Sign me up.

That’s all we have for Geekly News this week. With the holidays around the corner, we may do more quick recaps in the coming weeks. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Quirky Video Game Review: Organ Trail

Published on October 25, 2025October 25, 2025 by Kyra5 Comments

Organ Trail gives a zombie apocalypse twist to the classic Oregon Trail. Not to be confused with the 2023 film of the same name, Organ Trail was developed by Men Who Wear Many Hats in 2010. 2010! That makes this game a decade and a half old. Yikes! Organ Trail began as a web game before a 2012 Kickstarter campaign expanded its release to Steam and iOS. Organ Trail has gone on to sell over half a million copies.

Hey, hey, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. Today, we’re reviewing the 2013 Organ Trail: Director’s Cut. The developer claims that this version moves past the original’s pure parody of Oregon Trail to become a game in its own right. Trade in your Conestoga wagon for a station wagon. It’s time to see how Organ Trail rates against our criteria.

Game Mechanisms: 8/10

Organ Trail follows its inspiration’s lead (Oregon Trail) with its game mechanisms, but it differs enough to warrant a higher than average score. The Director’s Cut adds Choose Your Own Adventure aspects to the original’s release. Fighting off biker gangs and avoiding zombie deer stampedes are nice touches. But the bulk of the game (at least for me) was with scavenging. Honestly, I spent most of Oregon Trail hunting, so spending a lot of time scavenging (Organ Trail’s version of hunting) makes sense.

Despite being essentially the same mini-game, scavenging (in Organ Trail) feels far different from hunting (in Oregon Trail). First, the zombies are heading toward you. While you may find the occasional wild animal that will attack you (like a bear), animals like deer in (Oregon Trail) run away from you. Organ Trail even references the bear by having a bear be a boss fight, so there is a tip of the cap there. Second, killing zombies doesn’t give you any resources. Instead, you must pick up randomly generated items in the wilderness. While this makes thematic sense, I kind of miss the push and pull of do I use bullets to kill animals for food, trading one resource for another. But ultimately, the zombies are fun.

I do my best to dodge zombies, which is easy to do if you don’t face a horde. Zombies in the scavenging mini-game will follow your movements, so you can trap them behind fences, walls, trees, and other obstacles. The other mini-games, like avoiding a zombie deer stampede, shake up the doldrums, but repairing your station wagon is the most pervasive mini-game outside of scavenging. Repairing your car is a timing mini-game, and I stink at it. Looks like I’ll have to carry plenty of extra scrap. Even so, the trickiest mini-game to master is the one where a bandit randomly picks one of your friends/family members to kidnap. You’ll only get one shot to shoot the bandit in the head. Don’t miss.

There are 20 stops before you reach your destination, Safe Haven (in the Pacific Northwest), and each stop has some combination of an Auto Shop, Combat Training, and supplies for you to purchase, but every stop has a Job Board. Jobs add even more mini-games. These jobs become more important at higher difficulty settings. If you begin on “Easy” mode, you won’t need to do them beyond the halfway point on your trip. Player choice is paramount in Organ Trail.

Note: I’ve played the PlayStation4 and Steam versions. The PlayStation version is better than Steam’s. Unfortunately, players have fewer options if they play on Steam, so I’d lower the rating by a point for the Steam version.

Gameplay Loop: 9/10

Organ Trail’s core gameplay loop of scavenge, repair, shop, rest, and travel is a satisfying one, especially when you throw in the day/night cycle. You may want to rest or repair during the evening, when zombie activity is higher. This is a consideration when leaving a stop. There’s a percentage chance you’ll encounter a zombie horde, but player choice comes into play. You can sneak past the horde, floor the gas and try to speed past them, or bust out your shotguns and shoot while you drive. Even with a set gameplay, Organ Trail offers micro choices that have a profound impact.

Just like Oregon Trail, random events occur while you drive. Some are silly, like “Mike gets bored and starts making an annoying noise.” Others are more serious, like “Your mom has dysentery,” and you may need to stop and rest or risk her dying. And since Organ Trail is set in a zombie apocalypse, someone, like Jamie, could be bitten by a zombie (which is indicated by a green skull). So long as you keep them healthy with med packs, which aren’t cheap, they won’t turn. I hear there’s a weirdo at Safe Haven who pays for someone who’s infected.

Add in some combat upgrades for yourself and some car upgrades, and Organ Trail has plenty of options for you to explore. This improves Organ Trail’s already stellar gameplay loop.

Narrative/Storytelling: 8/10

Organ Trail has a simple but effective narrative. You’re traveling from one side of the United States to the other. The game uses liminal space to tell its story. I could see plenty of gamers missing Organ Trail’s story. To get the most out of Organ Trail (from a narrative perspective), it’s best to talk to strangers at each stop. They fill in the gaps by asking why the government thought nuking its people would “solve” the zombie crisis.

Nuclear strikes are the reason why you must take an indirect route to make it from Washington DC to Safe Haven. Other tidbits of information are sprinkled during these interactions. Organ Trail manages to add in a few more with merchants and the random bandits who abduct your passengers. Organ Trail has an interesting world. How did the disease (if zombism is a disease) cross over from humans to deer and bears?

User Interface: 8/10

While clunky (or outdated) at times, Organ Trail has a simple-to-understand and navigate user interface. If you’ve ever played Oregon Trail, you’ll know how to play Organ Trail. The game keeps players informed with specific details about their party. You can check the map and see how many stops you have remaining, and if you know anything about geography, you can plan when you may need certain upgrades like snow tires. Hint: most likely when you’re traveling through the Rockies.

Notifications will pop up on the main screen if any major issues occur. The tabs work and are self-explanatory. I have few issues with Organ Trail’s user interface.

Graphics: 6/10

I struggled with scoring Organ Trail’s graphics. Yes. The graphics aren’t the best, but they’re not meant to be the best. Organ Trail is a retro game, parodying a video game released in the mid-80s. And yet, Organ Trail finds ways to make its graphics unsettling. This works to steep the game in atmosphere.

Audio: 8/10

Organ Trail has a good mix of sound effects meant to mimic Oregon Trail (like clinks and bloops after a stage is complete) and others that subtly suggest a game with a darker subject matter (like splattering brains and cocking a gun). Organ Trail’s soundtrack, by Ben Crossbones, does a lot of heavy lifting. I often play video games on mute; I didn’t with Organ Trail. Crossbones does a great job of capturing the game’s mood and theme without going too over the top. Organ Trail’s soundtrack is the right level of creepy.

Replay Factor: 7/10

Organ Trail plays quickly, no less than five hours, so it’s easy to replay this title. It offers multiple difficulty settings, and the higher ones offer a good challenge. There’s even a leaderboard (Organ Trail grades your accomplishments during each playthrough). I even like the addition of finding your tombstone from a previous playthrough. All of this is fantastic, but I don’t see gamers playing Organ Trail more than a handful of times. I could see replaying it after several years. I sure have. I can only give this game a slightly above-average replay factor.

Organ Trail is typically sold for $5-10. That’s a steal for the amount of game you get. I recommend giving it a try, especially if you like zombie apocalypses and the original Oregon Trail.

Aggregated Score: 7.9

Geekly Tunes: October 2025

Published on October 22, 2025October 23, 2025 by KyraLeave a comment

Happy Wednesday, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. Today, our writers share the music they’ve been listening to over the past month. Feel free to share what you’ve been listening to over the past month, because we’re all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll get things started with my geekly tunes for October.

Kyra’s Tunes

I’ve been revisiting Gorillaz’s catalog after their recent announcement of their upcoming ninth studio album, The Mountain. Gorillaz’s early stuff is phenomenal. Their first three albums resonate today. I’ll throw on Gorillaz, Demon Days, and Plastic Beach, while cleaning or doing some other chore. I giggle at “Clint Eastwood’s” beat. I had a Casio keyboard with the same “Rock” beat. All one had to do was hold down the drum break at the beginning to create the intro. So good.

Demon Days and Plastic Beach allowed Damon Albarn to stretch his creative muscles. And he got political. “Dirty Harry” tackled The War on Terror, while most of Plastic Beach addressed climate change. “Superfast Jellyfish” may be the catchiest song about destroying oceanic wildlife. But hey, the jellyfish left behind taste just like chicken. Yum.

Despite The Fall’s interesting premise (most songs were written and recorded while Gorillaz was touring in different cities), it may just be Gorillaz’s weakest album. It’s a quieter version of what the Foo Fighters would try a few years later in Sonic Highways (easily the Foo’s weakest album). Writing and recording music during a road trip sounds like a good idea, but I haven’t heard it done well recently. Let me know if another band does a great job with this concept.

While Humanz has some catchy tunes, it shows the band leaning heavily into featured artists and collaborations. I’ll still jam to “Saturn Barz” or “Strobelight.” Heck, “We Got the Power” is a catchy tune for positive change. Albarn admitted to rushing The Now Now with B-sides from Humanz, so the two albums have similar sensibilities. Several critics trashed The Now Now for not taking enough risks, and I can see that, but there are plenty of great tracks like “Humility” and “Tranz” from The Now Now. And I love that Ace (from Powerpuff Girls) filled in on bass for Murdoc. The Now Now is Gorillaz at their most optimistic. I liked this change of pace.

And then we get to my favorite modern Gorillaz album: Song Machine. “Aries” was my COVID-19 anthem. It’s so good, and it differs from “Momentary Bliss” and “Désolé,” which are both amazing. The latter may be my favorite track from this album. Featured artist Fatoumata Diawara is a queen. Gorillaz stretch their artistic muscles with Song Machine. The group ventures into world music, reggae punk, new wave, RnB, and even bossa nova. With so many music styles, I’m certain you’ll find your favorite Gorillaz deep-cut on Song Machine.

Cracker Island is more of a mixed bag. The singles are probably the best tracks from the band’s latest album, so they knew which ones to release. The title track is a bop. “Skinny Ape” lives rent-free in my head. And “New Gold” is synth-pop warmth. But many of the other tracks fall flat. Still, there’s enough to like from Cracker Island that I’m excited for The Mountain, which is scheduled for a March 2026 release. We should be hearing plenty of singles in the coming months.

I took longer with Gorillaz than I thought. While I have listened to many more artists, I’ll save those for later and check in with Season to see what she’s been listening to over the past month.

Season’s Tunes

I decided to go back in time for this month’s tunes, Geekly Gang. I watched a live (recorded) performance of “Runaround Sue” on YouTube, then listened to it for the rest of the week on repeat. No wonder “Runaround Sue” has so many covers. If you’re looking for an older bop, “Runaround Sue” is definitely worth a listen. Fun fact: Two years after “Runaround Sue” was released, Dion married Susan Butterfield. Coincidence?

“Sukiyaki” or “Ue o Muite Arukou/上を向いて歩こう” (“I Look Up When I Walk”) was released the same year as “Runaround Sue”: 1961. “Sukiyaki” didn’t break into the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 until 1963. Sukiyaki is a type of Japanese hot-pot dish that contains beef. They called the song “Sukiyaki” in English because it was easier for English speakers to recognize as a Japanese word.

Kyu Sakamoto performed “Sukiyaki,” but Rokusuke Ei wrote the song. Rokusuke Ei would write another of Sakamoto’s songs in 1963, “Miagate Goran Yoru no Hoshi wo/見上げてごらん夜の星を” (“Look Up at the Stars in the Night”). There’s a lot of looking up in Rokusuke Ei’s songs. Sadly, Kyu Sakamoto passed away in a plane crash in 1985.

Okay. So, I had a theme, but this song threw my theme out the window. Let’s get into some weird ’90s bubblegum pop with “Candy” by the K-pop boy band H.O.T.. They knew what they were doing with that band name. I originally saw a clip of a “Candy” cover by NCT Dream on Instagram and thought the lyrics were wacky. So, I watched the original music video. I recommend watching with the closed captions on, because this song is toxic. LOL. In a nutshell, they sing about waking up and wanting to break up with someone, then deciding to stick around because their lover smiles. What?

Outside of that, the outfits are bizarre. They’re in a mall theme park for part of this video, and most of them sport a single fuzzy mitten on one hand. I think the target audience for the music video was supposed to be tweens, but it came off as Sesame Street gone wrong.

That’s all from me. What are you listening to this week, Skye?

Skye’s Tunes

I’ve been revisiting the oldest records in my collection. Whenever I listen to Californication, I remember opening presents with my folks, who were all too eager to feed my vinyl hobby. My family’s discriminating musical taste has exposed me to all kinds of music, and some of my favorite memories come from the soft-rock tracks found on Californication. Notable tunes like “Scar Tissue,” “Otherside,” “Porcelain,” “Road Trippin’,” and the title track (my favorite) “Californication,” make appearances on Californication. Good times.

Transformer was also among the first records in my collection. I hadn’t heard of it before I received it as a present. In fact, at the time, my knowledge of Lou Reed was limited. My family provided me a quick history lesson, which piqued my interest, resulting in Transformer becoming a classic album in my record case. I listened to Transformer on repeat that Christmas Day. Songs like “Perfect Day,” “Hangin’ Round,” “Walk on the Wild Side,” “Satellite of Love,” and “Wagon Wheel” quickly became favorites, and now I can’t imagine life without Transformer. Thanks, fam.

Hey, hey! Kyra Kyle here again. Those are the tunes our writers have been listening to over the past month. Feel free to share the music you’ve been listening to over the past month, Geekly Gang. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Board Game Buddies: Chibithulhu Plushie

Published on October 18, 2025July 23, 2025 by Season1 Comment

Happy Spooky Month, Geekly Gang! Season here. I’ve decided to do a throwback this week. Remember the card game, Munchkin Cthulhu? Specifically, the Chibithulhu card? That’s right. I’m going to be talking about Steve Jackson Games’ Chibithulhu plushie that serves a cuddly and practical purpose (for games of Munchkin Cthulhu).

Before we begin, let’s review the categories. I’ll be looking at size, softness, kid-friendliness, and cuddliness. There won’t be an aggregated score.

Size

Chibithulhu comes in various sizes, but I’ll be looking at the standard size. Chibithulhu is a moderately sized plushie that easily fits in most laps. They lean against you with ease and can fit perfectly in a car seat. Don’t ask me how I know that.

Softness Versus Firmness

Like Krypto and Toothless, Chibithulhu is firmly in the middle with softness. They have a few different textures. The heart on their belly feels silky, while their eyes are a bit rougher due to the stitching. My Chibithulhu plushie is fifteen years old, so they aren’t as soft on the surface as they were when I first got them.

Kid Friendly Versus Adult Only

Chibithulhu is definitely kid friendly. There are no bits for kids to eat and everything is stitched on. Chibithulhu would make a great gift for a kid who wants a cute monster to play with. Then again, Chibithulhu would make a great gift for an adult, too. If someone has a Chibithulhu plushie at the table while playing Munchkin Cthulhu, they gain a special effect. Yes. The physical Chibithulhu plushie gives players a special effect during a game of Munchkin Cthulhu. I’ve also used Chibithulhu as a prop during other Cthulhu-themed games, such as Cthulhu Dice.

Cuddle Buddy Versus Desk Buddy

I use Chibithulhu more as a cuddle buddy, but I think they could go either way. I’ve seen a lot of pictures online of people showing off their Chibithulhu plushie collection on a couch or bed. So, I’m leaning more toward cuddle buddy. Chibithulhu fits perfectly on a shelf or in a display case, especially since they sit upright without support.

Final Thoughts

I love the concept of using a plushie in a tabletop game for a special effect. I haven’t seen other companies using this, which is surprising. There’s definitely a market for plushies based on board games. I haven’t been able to find the original Chibithulhu plushie on secondhand websites. But Steve Jackson Games sells a couple of specialty Chibithulhus for $19.99, and Zombie Chibithulhu for $22.95.

Do you agree with my assessment of Chibithulhu? Which board game character would you like to own as a plushie? Let us know in the comments. Thank you for reading and have a spooktacular day.

Whatcha Watching, Geekly? October 2025

Published on October 15, 2025October 15, 2025 by KyraLeave a comment

Happy Wednesday, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. Since it’s Wednesday, our writers will be sharing what they’ve been watching (television or movies, or other content) over the past month. Feel free to share what you’ve been watching over this past month, too. We’re all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll get us started with what I’ve been watching.

Kyra’s Movie

If Sinners hadn’t been released this year, Companion would be the best horror film of 2025. Despite how good Sinners is, it has limited rewatchability. Companion may be one of the most rewatchable recent horror films I’ve seen. Companion’s blend of comedy and horror helps. There are laugh-out-loud moments. Dialogue is on point. The characters are as well-developed as any you’ll find in Sinners. Sophie Thatcher’s portrayal of Iris (Companion’s main character and emotional support robot who f***s) is the reason I chose her to play Apex Legends’ Wraith in an upcoming Geekly Casting (scheduled for February 2026). Thatcher does an amazing job, growing from naive f***bot to self-aware heroine. Companion is a joy to watch over and over again. Perfect for Spooky Season.

While Sinners tackles systemic racism, Companion takes on misogyny, toxic masculinity, and male fragility. And Companion doesn’t bother with straw man arguments or spend too much time on obviously misogynistic men. Antagonist Jack Quaid is affable. He’s likable, even after he reveals himself as a complete jerk. It’s those affable misogynists who are the worst. Quaid’s Josh gaslights. He refuses to take any responsibility for his own actions. Josh is the perfect representation of peak incel, broculture. And it’s fun hating Josh and laughing at his impotence. You should give Companion a watch.

I also love Harvey Guillén. I’ll watch anything that features Guillén, especially now that What We Do in the Shadows has concluded, and I won’t get to watch any more Guillermo. And I adore the scene depicted above with Guillén’s Eli and Lukas Gage’s Patrick. It’s so good. Companion even managed to squeeze in a bizarro tender moment or two.

Kyra’s Shows

I watched Orphan Black when it first released over a decade ago and couldn’t remember when or why I stopped watching the series. Spoiler: I figured out why by season 3. But seasons 1 and 2 are some of the best television has to offer. Orphan Black was one of the shows–along with Breaking Bad and the better seasons of Game of Thrones–that made me (and a lot of others) think a decade plus ago was peak television. The series holds up. Tatiana Maslany deserves all the accolades she earned for Orphan Black. Maslany portrays over a dozen clones. With the somewhat cringy exception of Tony Sawicki (the transman Leda clone who shows up in a one-off episode in season 2), who’s little more than a male version of Sarah, most of the clones are chef’s kiss good.

Over the course of Orphan Black’s five seasons, all of the clones develop and grow. I’m going to take a moment and mention how five seasons seems to be a television show’s sweet spot. Breaking Bad lasted five seasons. Game of Thrones and Mad Men began falling apart after five seasons. Heck, What We Do in the Shadows only added a sixth season. And isn’t Stranger Things planning its fifth season as its finale? Five is the magic number.

Anyway, I won’t go into too many Orphan Black details. This show is best watched with little to no prior knowledge. Discovery is key. But I will say that season 3 is where Orphan Black originally lost me. It lost sight of its core characters by adding too many auxiliary characters, and that’s not just my opinion. Many of those extra characters were removed for season 4, and Orphan Black went back to brass tacks. Originally, I had given up on this show too soon. I’m glad I gave the later seasons a second chance, and if you’re interested in biopunk (sci-fi based in biotechnology), Orphan Black is a great place to start.

And Orphan Black pays homage to a novel that may have begun biopunk, H.G. Wells’s The Island of Dr. Moreau.

With the rumors of a Mindhunter season three or a couple of Mindhunter movies to close out the series, entering the zeitgeist, I rewatched the only two seasons of Mindhunter available on Netflix…for now. Simply put, Mindhunter is the best true crime series. Period. It chronicles the people who started the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI’s) Behavioral Science Division. Because Mindhunter focuses on investigators, it manages to not glorify serial killers. It treats serial killers as cautionary tales and gives insight into how psychopaths think and behave.

You will find plenty of name-brand serial killers (or, in the case of Charles Manson, serial killer adjacent) in Mindhunters’ episodes. But the focus is always on what makes these people tick. Even the fictionalized versions of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Division’s founders explore how a push here or there may drive someone to do something unthinkable. Mindhunters is infinitely rewatchable. The show throws out so many references and breadcrumbs (for seasons that haven’t yet been released–fingers crossed), you’ll have to watch it more than once.

That’s all I have for what I’ve been watching this past month. Let’s check in with Season and Skye.

Season’s Shows

I’ve had a pretty full schedule lately, Geekly Gang. I haven’t had as much time to branch out and find new things to watch. However, I discovered Haunted Hotel on Netflix and fell in love with it. Needless to say, this show is on my most rewatched list (I’ve been falling asleep to it). The show follows a single mom with her two children as the owner of a haunted hotel that gets no business. How is it still standing? Who knows? I like to think the ghosts sell ectoplasm.

Kidding aside, Haunted Hotel is a comedy that has an overarching plot filled with family issues and the meaning of companionship. Each of the characters copes in unhealthy ways, which leads to the main plots (sometimes subplots) of the episodes. Each episode is between 21-25 minutes long, and there are only ten episodes so far. Haunted Hotel is easy to binge-watch in an afternoon.

That’s all I’ve got for this week. What have you been watching, Skye?

Skye’s Movies

Most excellent! That’s how I’d sum up Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey. I didn’t have a reason for wanting to watch the Bill & Ted movies; I just felt like it. Oddly enough, that also seems like the vibe these movies give off. “I just felt like it.” Are they dumb? Yes. Are they pointless? Absolutely. But are they bad? I can’t bring myself to say yes. Despite centering around a utopian future created by a couple of lovable half-wit teenagers, I still really enjoyed the Bill & Ted movies. While they may not be winning any high artistic awards, the original Bill & Ted movies are great for some dumb fun. Party on, dudes!

Skye’s Show

You’re welcome for the 180° tone shift. After watching Monster: The Ed Gein Story, I can confirm that I enjoyed it. Only to a point, though. For the most part, Monster: Ed Gein felt like a deep dive into the creation of an infamous killer, which is what you’d want, but they often blended reality and fantasy in ways that were hard to follow. There are several rewinds and fast-forwards, which jumble the pacing even more. Charlie Hunnam’s (portrayer of Ed Gein) UK accent in the middle of small-town Wisconsin was distracting. Also, the overemphasis on Gein’s relationship with Adeline Watkins (played by Suzanna Son) didn’t feel right.

When you look at the real story of Ed Gein, Watkins was a long-time friend of his, but much of what’s shown on Monster: Ed Gein about her is heavily dramatized. It also makes bold claims by showing Watkins beating her landlady to death in New York City. In truth, much of Gein and Watkins’ relationship is unknown. All we know is what Watkins explained to reporters after Gein’s crimes came to light: they had known each other for 20 years and were relatively close. The prospect of romance was brought up by Gein when he proposed to her, but she declined. I wouldn’t mind this so much if Monster addressed these facts, but the show goes out of its way to paint her as a major influence on Gein’s character.

If you’re going to adapt a true story to the screen, particularly one as gruesome as this, you should try to be as truthful and forthright as possible. Implying that someone loosely connected to it had this much influence and could’ve even been a criminal themselves is insulting. I don’t always engage in true crime, especially if it’s a dramatized version of the real story. These stories are harrowing to listen to because they really happened, but when showrunners try to lighten up the events or change aspects, I get upset. These were real things that happened to real people, and that’s disrespectful.

Rant over. But if you enjoy true crime stories, you’ll probably enjoy Monster: Ed Gein. I’ll also say that I don’t think you’re wrong if you like it. While Monster: Ed Gein pushed specific buttons for me, it may be a perfect fit for you. What matters most is knowing the facts from fiction. What you’re watching is based on true events; it’s not a window to the past. Stay safe out there.

Hey, hey! Kyra Kyle here again. Those are the television shows and movies we’ve seen over the past month. Let us know in the comments what you’ve been watching. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Dark Walking Simulators

Published on October 13, 2025October 11, 2025 by KyraLeave a comment

Hey, hey, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. We’re keeping the theme of Spooky Season alive with today’s post, but we’ll be taking horror or dark themes in a different direction. I’ll be up front, this post may meander more than usual. I didn’t know what to call these types of video games at first. Some of these video games could fall under the term “empathy games.” I mentioned some of these games in a previous post, but the prevailing term for the type of video game we’ll cover today is Walking Simulator. That name doesn’t do these games justice.

In fact, the Walking Simulator term is beyond reductive. It’s demeaning. All you’re doing is walking. This pejorative name reminds me of the terms Euro-Trash or Ameri-Trash board game from a decade or two ago. We’ll use the modern, friendlier terms for these board game types. Euro board games focus on mechanisms and balanced gameplay, while Amerithrash–they’re totally metal and they “thrash”–board games place more emphasis on theme. If you used the negative terms, you’re thumbing your nose at the other board game type. Many “hardcore” video gamers despise “Walking Simulators.”

“Hardcore” video gamers not liking “Walking Simulators” makes sense. Video games sprang from the Military Industrial Complex. The first video games came from military facilities. Many “hardcore” video games promote wanton violence where the player kills countless enemies, feature “heads-up displays” one might find in a fighter jet, and some video games are even military recruitment tools. Of course, something quieter and geared toward empathy would ruffle the feathers of “hardcore” video gamers.

Getting back to Euro and Amerithrash board games, modern board games often blur the lines between these two game types. I reviewed Cretaceous Rails a couple of months ago, and it’s equal parts interlocking mechanisms and heavy on theme. Death Stranding notwithstanding, I don’t know if AAA video games have adopted enough from indie Walking Simulators, but that’s another topic. I told you I would meander. Despite the negative connotation (all you’re doing is walking), Walking Simulator is the term most people use. We’ll use that one. Since we’ll be dealing with psychological horror and/or darker themes, let’s call these games Dark Walking Simulators. Let’s cover a brief history with some of my favorite Dark Walking Simulators.

Prior to 2012: [domestic]

Point and click games could and sometimes do fall under the heading of a Walking Simulator, because they involve movement and interacting with the game world’s environment (which are hallmarks of Walking Simulators), and point and click games have been around since the early 80s. But we’ll begin this quick history with 2003’s [domestic] by Mary Flanagan. Flanagan repurposed the Unreal gaming engine to recreate a childhood memory of a house fire. One look at [domestic], and you can see why many consider it the first modern Walking Simulator.

In fact, the term Walking Simulator gained prominence in the late 2000s, perhaps as a direct result of [domestic]’s release. When you have the chance, you should check out Mary Flanagan’s website. She discusses at length her artistic choices while designing [domestic]. While she doesn’t have a link for a playable version of the game, Flanagan provides a two and a half minute video of [domestic]’s gameplay. There are so many innovative choices, like family photos and text constructing the walls of this 3D space, that we’ll see in future Walking Sims.

Dear Esther (February 2012)

First, Dear Esther is gorgeous. Look at that uninhabited Hebridean island. My partner and I made our way to one of the Inner Hebridean islands in Scotland, and this looks close. I could smell the salt air and the heather on the wind. Second, Dear Esther’s gameplay is minimal. I would almost classify this game as a Walking Simulator, but in the best possible way. An anonymous man reads a series of letter fragments to his deceased wife, Esther. Each location on the island reveals a new letter fragment. Players can unlock different audio fragments with each playthrough of the game, leading to a different narrative each time you play Dear Esther.

So, you’re literally walking from one area of the island to the next and listening to various letters, but the letters reveal more about the titular Esther’s life. Esther has passed under mysterious circumstances, and her husband is looking for answers. Dear Esther has a gripping narrative, but the tension comes from internal struggles. The Chinese Room developed this Walking Simulation classic, and this won’t be the last time we’ll see one of their games on this list.

The Unfinished Swan (October 2012)

The Unfinished Swan marks Giant Sparrow’s first major release. It has a simple premise. Monroe is a young boy whose mother recently died. Monroe’s mother was a painter famous for never finishing a painting. Over 300 paintings and not one of them complete. The orphanage tells Monroe he can keep only one of his mother’s paintings, so he chooses his favorite, a swan missing its neck. The swan escapes, and Monroe follows it. Armed with his mother’s silver paintbrush, Monroe explores the painted world.

As you can guess, The Unfinished Swan ventures into magical realism. It tackles themes of loss. It puts players into the shoes of a young child, making sense of the world without their parents. The Unfinished Swan is the first of Giant Sparrow’s games to make this list. It showcases the studio’s knack for eclectic settings and its flair for the dramatic.

Gone Home (August 2013)

Gone Home puts the player in the role of a young woman returning from overseas to her rural Oregon family home to find her family absent and the house empty. She must piece together recent events to determine why her family’s home is empty. Gone Home is similar to the previous year’s Dear Esther, but the anonymous protagonist in Dear Esther knew that his wife had died. Katie, Gone Home’s protagonist, has no clue why her family is missing.

Dark Walking Simulators do a great job of presenting mysteries. In fact, I’d wager most great video game mysteries have large elements of Walking Simulators. Even the AAA titles that lean more into the mystery genre borrow heavily from Walking Simulators. Traveling in someone else’s shoes and interacting with your environment can make for a great mystery premise.

The Stanley Parable (October 2013)

The Stanley Parable stands out in a group of video games that stand out. This Walking Simulator challenges preconceived notions about video games with a thick coat of sarcasm. Developed by Davey Wreden and William Pugh, The Stanley Parable tackles themes like choice in video games and fate/pre-destination. British actor Kevan Brighting narrates while the silent protagonist (Stanley) conducts a day at the office. As you can see in the image above, Stanley may follow the adventure’s line, or he may contradict The Narrator’s directions, which, if disobeyed, will be incorporated into the story. Depending on the choices made, the player will encounter different endings before the game resets to the beginning.

The Stanley Parable proves that Walking Simulators can strike a chord with “hardcore” gamers. The Stanley Parable crossed over into mainstream video game culture. Developer Davey Wreden has gained a following, and his follow-up game, The Beginner’s Guide, actually deals (in part) with Wreden’s struggles with success. Showrunner Dan Erickson cited The Stanley Parable as an inspiration for Apple+’s Severance.

The Static Speaks My Name (August 10, 2015)

While the previous games on this list have dark themes, The Static Speaks My Name is the first true horror video game.

Quick trigger warning: The Static Speaks My Name includes self-harm. If you’re sensitive to the subject of self-harm, feel free to skip this entry to our next one.

In The Static Speaks My Name, players assume the role of Jacob Ernholtz, a man who has committed suicide by hanging at the age of 31. We start as an amorphous blob in a dark void until we inhabit Ernholtz during his last day. We awake in his dimly-lit apartment with boarded-up windows and doors as he performs a series of menial tasks, including using the restroom, eating breakfast, and chatting with online friends. Exploring Ernholtz’s apartment reveals that he’s obsessed with a painting of two palm trees and its painter, Jason Malone. Locked behind a bookcase, we find Malone in a cage. The player has the option to unlock the cage or electrocute Malone. We’re finally presented with the task to go to a small closet with a noose.

Yowza! The Static Speaks My Name is trippy in every sense of the word. Jesse Barksdale developed The Static Speaks My Name in a 48-hour game jam. I’ve participated in a few board game jams, and you can encounter some messed-up concepts during one of these events. I would’ve liked to have seen Barksdale’s creative process for The Static Speaks My Name during these 48 hours. This is a haunting game. I’ve only chosen the electrocute option once, and Malone’s blood-curdling screams invaded my dreams for a few days. Yikes!

We included the exact date The Static Speaks My Name was first released because our next entry in this list was released the next day. This week in August was a great week for Walking Simulators.

Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture (August 11, 2015)

Fresh off their hit Dear Esther, The Chinese Room takes the mysterious disappearance of people from the scope of a family in Gone Home to that of an entire English village’s citizens in Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture. Players assume the role of Katherine “Kate” Collins, which is funny because Gone Home’s protagonist was named Katie. Set in 1984, Dr. Kate Collins and her husband travel to the fictional Shropshire village of Yaughton. Players can interact with floating lights throughout the world, most of which reveal parts of the story.

Feel free to turn on radios, answer the phone, and test the power switches as you unearth why an entire English village’s people vanished. Could this be the beginning of the Rapture and the end of days? Or has some mysterious fate only affected this one village? You’ll have to play Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture to find out.

That Dragon, Cancer (January 2016)

Get ready to reach for the tissues. This next entry is a tear-jerker. Created by Ryan and Amy Green, Josh Larson, and a small team under the name Numinous Games, That Dragon, Cancer is an autobiography based on the Greens’ experience raising their son Joel, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer at twelve months old. Though given a short time to live (four months tops), Joel survived for four more years before succumbing to cancer in March 2014. That Dragon, Cancer harkens to the age of point and click games–see, point and click games are closely related to Walking Simulators–and uses the medium of pointing and clicking to experience the Greens’ lives through interactive storytelling.

That Dragon, Cancer illustrates a video game’s storytelling potential. At first, Ryan and Amy developed the game to relay their personal experience with Joel while they were uncertain of his health, but following his death, the Greens reworked much of That Dragon, Cancer to memorialize and personalize their time and interactions with Joel for the player. Joel Green may have had a short life, but That Dragon, Cancer ensures he won’t be forgotten.

it’s always monday (November 2016)

I’ll start this write-up by commenting on it’s always monday’s title. I love its use of all lowercase letters. Yes, Monday is supposed to be capitalized, but the lack of capital letters gives the impression of words in the middle of a sentence. Brilliant. I debated including it’s always monday on this list. To put it mildly, it’s always monday is surreal.

Players assume the role of an office worker who, as the game’s title implies, is stuck in a loop of perpetual Mondays. My bad…mondays. Frequently, you’ll find moments where a coworker is cut into slices. The player character will freak out–naturally–and then notice a pizza on the conference table and comment, Today’s a pizza day. Score! What? I often wonder what it’s always monday’s overall message is supposed to be. Perhaps we’re supposed to feel trapped in a malaise where we want the character to feel something. Anything. But it’s always monday’s workplace offers plenty of bizarre occurrences that run counter to the mundane.

What Remains of Edith Finch (April 2017)

What Remains of Edith Finch borrows concepts from Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude and applies them to an interactive video game where we follow the titular Edith Finch explores her family home. Like Marquez’s work, What Remains of Edith Finch ventures into magical realism. The game’s narrative works as an interconnected anthology series, and it’s all the better for it. I don’t know which member of the Finch family’s stories I like best. What Remains of Edith Finch is a triumph of video game storytelling. Giant Sparrow took everything they learned from The Unfinished Swan to create a singular gaming experience.

I could go on about What Remains of Edith Finch, but I’ve discussed it in the past. Giant Sparrow even made our 3 List of 3: Video Games as Art post. That was another shameless plug for one of our previous lists. You should check it out.

Walking Simulators in the 2020s: Exit 8

Walking Simulators fizzled out after 2017. I don’t know if the backlash of these games reached a fevered pitch or if the designers who make these games needed time to create something new. Death Stranding was released in 2019. To date, it may be the closest a AAA game has come to a Walking Simulator. It certainly incorporates a lot of Walking Simulator concepts into its gameplay. But our lack of Walking Simulators in the early 2020s can be attributed to the pandemic.

All video game struggles in the early 2020s, but we’ve seen a resurgence of Walking Simulators since 2022. Exit 8 has a premise similar to the Backrooms. Players explore the liminal space of Japanese subways. I’m writing this post in June, but by the time this post goes live, a live-action film based on Exit 8 should have been released. Walking Simulators have gripping stories and an avid fan base. I can’t wait to see what this video game genre has in store over the next decade.

If you’ve made it this far, you’re awesome. We all know it. Be sure to comment on your favorite Walking Simulator or an idea of a better name for this video game type. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a nice day.

Geekly News: October 12, 2025, Will Halo Receive a Third Season?

Published on October 12, 2025October 15, 2025 by KyraLeave a comment

Happy Sunday, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here with another week of Geek News. Plenty of board games and video games released this past week, but we’ll kick off this past week’s Geek News with an update about the Halo television series.

Halo Crashes Netflix’s Top 10. Will there be a Season 3?

Halo is the most expensive television series ever produced in Paramount+’s short history, so it made sense for the streaming service to cancel the show after a couple of seasons (17 episodes in total), and it also made sense for Paramount+ to sell the rights to stream Halo on Netflix. Earlier this month, Halo debuted on Netflix. Its reception was immediate as Halo reached number 4 on Netflix’s United States Top 10, outperforming almost all licensed programming, with the exception of popular original shows like Monster: The Ed Gein Story. Halo even held similar numbers internationally. This shows a demand beyond hardcore gamers.

Netflix has a track record of reviving shows like Longmire and Lucifer after a strong streaming performance. Halo’s global numbers and fan campaigns, like the ones found on Change.org, may sway the streamer to green-light a third season. There’s a chance. But there are a few loopholes, Halo must navigate. Netflix only has a year-long streaming agreement for Halo. For a third season to be possible, Netflix must secure a long-term streaming agreement. And Halo has steep production costs. Season 1 was estimated to cost between $90-200 million. Yikes!

But I wouldn’t count out a third season for Halo. Critics gave Halo a 70% on Rotten Tomatoes–does anyone still use Rotten Tomatoes when looking for reviews–with many appreciating Halo’s production values, while questioning narrative choices like an odd romantic subplot and unmasking Master Chief. Still, #SaveHalo has trended on various social media platforms, and if Halo’s numbers hold strong, Netflix may need to consider a third season, regardless of the cost.

Rolling in Wonderland Launches on KickStarter

This week has seen a lot of dice drafting games (games where players pay to add dice to their dice pool), and Rolling in Wonderland is a great place to begin with board game new releases. Channeling the whimsy of Alice in Wonderland, Rolling in Wonderland features quirky art and vibrant colors.

The game suggests that players may adapt the game’s play how they want. You may play a light and breezy or tight and tense game of Rolling in Wonderland. I don’t know exactly how Rolling in Wonderland attempts to do this (undoubtedly two sets of rules for both playstyles), but I’m intrigued. Rolling in Wonderland offers an affordable $39 entry-level pledge, but players may spend $79 for the deluxe version or add various expansions a la carte. If you’re interested in Rolling in Wonderland, check out its KickStarter page.

Cretaceous Rails Reprint Lands on Gamefound

In preparation for Gen Con, we reviewed Cretaceous Rails a few months ago. If you want to see an extended look at our thoughts, check them out here. Dinosaurs and trains together at last. If you’ve ever wanted a game that combined these two elements (or think this mash-up sounds awesome), then you should consider backing Cretaceous Rails.

The core game is amazing. I love Cretaceous Rails’s dual-action selection mechanism. I even tried my hand at designing a game that did something similar (I mentioned this in the most recent game design brain dump). Cretaceous Rails’s reprint will include the first expansion, Cretaceous Skies, which I’m not too fond of, but it adds the second expansion, Cretaceous Seas, and I’ve enjoyed every iteration of Cretaceous Seas. I can’t wait to see the final version.

Bring on the sea hexes and plesiosaurs. You can pick and choose which rewards you want a la carte. Since I have the base Cretaceous Rails, I’ll most likely pick up Cretaceous Seas for $30 (plus shipping). The project launches in two days. If you’re interested in Cretaceous Rails, check out its GameFound page.

Raas Dances Onto GameFound

Raas adapts the dazzling folk dance of Gujarat to a vibrant dice-drafting, tableau-building game. Players recruit dancers, represented by colorful dice, where each color and pip shows off their style and rhythm. Collect stunning dress swatches, give them dandiya sticks, and match the style of the song to create shining performances.

Raas’s moving dials remind me of the interlocking gears of my design Rustbucket Riots. I may need to keep an eye on this title; I do like that it’s competitive instead of cooperative. I love Raas’s theme. The tight board looks amazing, and I’m always down for splashes of color. Raas looks as if it captures the vibe of its subject matter. As of this write-up, we don’t yet know Raas’s price points. If you’re interested in Raas, check out its GameFound page.

Vampire: The Masquerade, Palermo Conspiracies, Lands on GameFound

The theme Vampire: The Masquerade piqued my interest (I’ve always enjoyed this IP’s mythos), but the statement that Teburu may be the future of tabletop gaming places Vampire: The Masquerade, Palermo Conspiracies in my sights. Per its description, the Teburu system integrates physical and digital gaming, while keeping players focused on the board and its components. Evidently, players won’t need a rulebook. What? You may save your game progress and continue later. Vampire: The Masquerade, Palermo Conspiracies offers immersive storytelling and audio support. You may save player data with smart-technology miniatures.

This all sounds fantastic, and it could be “the future of board games,” but I’m cautious. The Teburu system will most likely be patented and only be available from the company of the same name. As of this write-up, we don’t know the cost of this game, and Palermo Conspiracies sounds as if it will be at least $100 at its cheapest price point. Since it’s launching on GameFound, which offers payment plans, I wouldn’t be surprised if Vampire: The Masquerade, Palermo Conspiracies is upwards of $150-$200 or more (board game meets video game pricing) before shipping. I’m also leery of a game playing itself; I like to know why NPCs take specific actions in tabletop games. But this game looks and sounds amazing.

The miniatures are stunning. And there’s tech in those bases. Yowza! If you’re interested in Vampire: The Masquerade, Palermo Conspiracies, check out its GameFound page.

Battlefield 6 Released

I’ve never been into the Battlefield series. Later titles have leaned into online only, player-versus-player brawls. I have to admit that I’m interested in Battlefield 6 because of the return of campaign mode. It’s been some time since Battlefield has featured a robust campaign mode, and judging from Battlefield 6’s early reviews, it looks as if the game delivers.

I may wait another week or two, or even for the first price decline, before venturing into this highly touted first-person shooter. Battlefield 6 is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Little Nightmares III Releases

Popular puzzle-platform horror adventure game series Little Nightmares returns just in time for Halloween. I see what you did there, Supermassive Games. Little Nightmares III follows two new child protagonists, Low and Alone, as they navigate through The Nowhere and escape from a looming threat.

While I am more interested in the Little Nightmare series than I am in Battlefield, Little Nightmares III has received mixed to average reviews so far. I may wait on Little Nightmares III for a very different reason than Battlefield 6. I’m waiting on Battlefield 6 for the hype to die down a bit. But Little Nightmares III may need an update or two. Still, I’m all for another journey into Nowhere. Little Nightmares III is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Fingers crossed for cross-play and cross-saving between platforms.

That’s all the Geek News we have for this week. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Top 5 Slasher Film Villains

Published on October 11, 2025July 2, 2025 by KyraLeave a comment

It’s Monday the 13th. OoooOOoooo! Happy Spooky Season, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. We’re continuing our Halloween coverage with slash films. Grease your chainsaws. Sharpen your machetes. It’s time to discuss the five best slasher film villains of all time. All time!

5) Art the Clown (Terrifier Franchise)

Art the Clown is a demented killer clown mime who kills people on Halloween nights. He carries a multitude of crude weapons and mutilates his victims in gruesome ways. Art the Clown’s manner of killing–which includes lots of kills and gore–cause his movies to verge on torture porn (popularized by the Saw franchise), but the Terrifier films maintain their slasher film status because of Art the Clown at their center.

Art the Clown has appeared in three movies and two shorts, and in a short time span, he’s become a horror icon. He’s easily the best slasher villain of the past decade. Given enough time, Art the Clown could climb this list, but I’m not so sure. The names above him are horror mainstays. Still, Art the Clown and the movies that feature him are more hardcore than most slasher killers throughout the years. He causes a glorious mess with every kill.

4) Candyman (Candyman Franchise)

Candyman, or Daniel Robitaille, is as much an urban legend or myth as he is a slasher villain. This is only one way he stands out. He’s tragic backstory goes beyond slasher movie tropes. Rooted in themes of racial violence and injustice, Candyman’s origin adds a layer of empathy, making his vengeful actions terrifying and, in an odd way, justified. His phrase, “Be my victim,” adds to the sense of dread and serves as a reminder of buried societal traumas.

The Candyman series had me scared to say his name five times. The first Candyman film remains the best. Tony Todd (rest in peace) gave Candyman a sense of purpose and grace that separated him from any slasher villain of his era. The second film went deeper into Candyman’s lore, while the fourth movie, produced by Jordan Peele, brought back the iconic killer while honoring the Black culture within the story. I love the Candyman series. Its villain just misses out on our top three, but the top three are horror movie royalty.

3) Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street Franchise)

Freddy Krueger’s ability to invade dreams sets him apart from other slasher movie villains. He transforms the safe haven of sleep into a terrifying killing ground. With his burned face, razor-sharp blades, and sinister laugh, Freddy taps into primal fears. He is the boogie man under the bed, in the bed, above the bed, hiding in the closet, and so much more. But Freddy isn’t all horror. He adds enough dark humor and charisma to make him repulsive and magnetic.

There’s no escape from Freddy. He follows victims into their most vulnerable state. Created by Wes Craven, Freddy Krueger will haunt the audience’s dreams long after his movies end. I’m haunted by the children’s song that serves as Freddy’s preamble. One, two, Freddy’s coming for you. Three, four, better lock your door. Five, six, grab your crucifix. Seven, Eight, gonna stay up late. Nine, ten, never sleep again. Try singing that right before you go to bed. You may just stay up an extra hour or two or five.

2) Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th Franchise)

At the end of the first Friday the 13th movie, and after his mother died, Jason rose from the depths of Camp Crystal Lake to become the franchise’s new villain. He machetes his way through the camp and into the audience’s hearts with his bloody kills. Jason is a killing artist. He became more flamboyant through the years. He’s been killed and reanimated more times than a comic book hero, which actually matches his demeanor of an unstoppable zombie-like killer.

Interestingly, Jason is the more sympathetic character in his big crossover movie with Freddy Krueger, despite Jason being an unfeeling killing machine in his solo movies. Few slasher villains are more prolific than Jason. We can only think of one other slasher villain who tops his kill count and takes the number one spot as the true face of evil.

1) Michael Myers (Halloween Franchise)

Black Christmas may have come first, but Halloween’s Michael Myers is the first name and face people think of when they think of a slasher villain. There’s something about a bleached William Shatner mask. Michael Myers completes the slasher villain big three of Michael, Jason, and Freddy. Michael Myers doesn’t claim our haunting number one spot because he’s physically imposing. He’s the shape of evil. He’s the one who began killing when he was a child and never stopped.

John Carpenter’s 1978 Halloween didn’t create the slasher subgenre. The genre bloomed in the wake of Michael Myers’ butcher knife. This horrifying classic had a simple premise. A silent serial killer stalks a quiet town. After decades of movies (and more on the way, we’re sure), Michael Myers petrifies audiences. Michael’s theme music is the stuff of legend. As soon as I wrote this post’s title, it played in my head. Not going to lie, I played the song. Pure movie magic.

That’s our list of the top five slasher film villains. Did we get the list right? Who would you add or take away? Let us know in the comments. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, we hope you’re having a great day.

Game Design Brain Dump: October 10, 2025

Published on October 10, 2025October 15, 2025 by Kyra3 Comments

Hey, hey, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. Last week, we began a series called–for the time being–Writing Brain Dump, and this week is the time to roll out Game Design Brain Dump. The title is a work in progress. Let’s hope I can express my board game design process with this series. Fingers crossed for a cogent thought or two. Strap in for a Board Game Design Brain Dump.

Rustbucket Riots Origins

I’m going a different route from last week’s writing brain dump. Recently, I attended a panel about board game design at Nuke-Con (Omaha’s board game convention) and figured we could begin with what prompted me to begin designing Rustbucket Riots.

I knew Mega Man: The Board Game by Jasco Games wasn’t the best when I purchased it at a severe discount. Honestly, I wanted the bits. Jasco Games did an amazing job with Mega Man’s miniatures and the look of the game. But good luck finishing a game of Mega Man in under 10 hours. Each robot stage plays like five games of Munchkin played back-to-back, with every other player doing their best to prevent you from completing the stage. And you need to complete multiple boss stages. 10 hours may be too few hours to complete this game. You may need to dedicate a table to preserve your month-long game of Mega Man.

I hope I won’t get copyright claimed for any images. Eek! I began with a simple dice chucker of a game. Players would roll standard six-sided dice (I don’t recall the exact number, but it was likely around four or five) and then place the dice on their player boards. Each space on the player board would grant different abilities, with the final four slots variable for powers obtained by defeating robot bosses. Players could place multiple dice in a single space to combine the rolled result. A six may be played with a single die showing a six or with a two and a four or any other combination of six.

I chose dice chucking because rolling dice and placing them with predetermined spaces made for quick turns. Quick turns lead to a game that one can finish within ten hours. This game worked well. Heck, I even tried it as a real-time game, and it worked extremely well. Games lasted less than 15 minutes. I even saw this Mega Man variant as a game that could be played in tournaments of speed runs. Now that I think about it, I may revisit this variant in the future and give it a reskin. Sorry, the ADHD took the wheel for a second.

For some reason, I abandoned the above game concept and went in a different direction. I love Cretaceous Rails. Unlike Jasco’s Mega Man, there isn’t much I’d change with this title. Cretaceous Rails makes this list because I wanted to try using one of its core game mechanisms: dual action selection. I even asked Cretaceous Rails’ designer, Ann Journey, if it’d be okay if I borrowed this game mechanism before trying the next Mega Man remix iteration. The result was a game I nicknamed Rondelande.

Oh my goodness. This game wasn’t just a different direction from my first Mega Man remix; it was different in every possible way. I didn’t keep any of Rondelande’s hardcopy versions. I only have the digital files, and it’s difficult to recreate what the game looked like without a physical copy. But I’ll try my best.

That’s a lot of color going on. Those are supposed to be three rondels (a circular game mechanism with pie wedges representing which actions one may take) stacked on top of one another. Each turn, players would place their gear tokens on one of the hexagon-shaped spaces and take the actions indicated. But before placing gears, players could play up to two cards (depicting one of the actions run, slide, jump, shoot, or climb) underneath the spaces on the outer edge. Players would then be able to take all the actions, including actions on cards, during their turn.

Note: The trapezoid spaces had different actions like draw cards or oil cans (that functioned as wild actions) or even rotating one of the top two rondels, so the action selection could vary.

Rondelande was a lot of fun. It ventured far from what I had originally intended to make. That’s the ADHD brain taking the wheel again. Unfortunately, Rondelande was a space hog. The image above is at least a twentieth of the size of the original game. Despite its size, Rondelande may have been a great game if I had stuck with it. I liked how players could build up the board as they went, benefiting themselves for a turn, but also allowing an opponent to take the same action in a future turn. Players could even refresh (take back their gear tokens) or choose not to refresh for a turn to prevent someone from taking an action their token is currently occupying. Rondelande was great. But something felt off. I wanted interlocking gears for the board because it made sense for a robot theme. I had chosen rondels because they were easier to build. And then I found gears that would work.

I found a file that could work for interlocking gears. Yay! As an aside, I was working on making this file work while producing my Mega Man variant and Rondelande, so a lot of what we’re about to discuss happened concurrently with the previous two games.

At first, I was using a lot of memory foam. Rondelande’s rondels were comprised of foam. I’d print out the digital files (of that rainbow nightmare above) onto full sheet labels and then sticker them over the foam and cut them out. I tried the same concept with the gear pictured above. And it worked…for like one playthrough of the game. Foam likes to shred under friction. Who knew? So, I put the interlocking gears aside until I found a set of wooden gears on Amazon.

Yes! I was in business. I could continue with Rustbucket Riots. The picture above is a modern version of the game; the first version still used foam for its board (the gears haven’t changed too much). I still have a version of the first game and will include a picture of it in a future post. Rustbucket Riots combines multiple ideas. I brought back dice chucking from Mega Man, only this time, I used specialty dice that included run, slide, climb, shoot, and jump. And I always thought Tzolk’in’s gears didn’t move enough. I could fix two issues I saw in other games. Jasco’s Mega Man took too long, and Tzolk’in (Tzolk’in is an amazing game that earns its spot in BGG; I’m nitpicking) could have gears that frequently turn.

The name Rustbucket Riots came swiftly. Originally, I wanted to make a better Mega Man board game, but I couldn’t copy Mega Man exactly. So, I wondered if I could make the player characters villainous. The Boss Robots attempt to free themselves from an oppressive corporocracy and the humans using them as cheap labor, while the players assume the role of corporate robots tasked with bringing the rogue robots under control. Even though the Boss Robots would view what’s happening as a revolution, we’re playing this game from the viewpoint of corporate robots, and they’d see it as riots. Throw in a slur, and you get Rustbucket Riots.

I think that’s everything up to the idea of Rustbucket Riots materialized. We’ll cover early iterations of the game in the next board game design brain dump. If you’ve made it this far through my rambling, you’re awesome. You know it. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Whatcha Reading, Geekly? October 2025

Published on October 8, 2025October 15, 2025 by KyraLeave a comment

Happy Wednesday, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. Today, our writers will share what they’ve been reading over the past month. Feel free to share what you’ve been reading, because we’re all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll kick off this post.

Kyra’s Reads

Kyra’s Comics

Returning to Saga was like reuniting with an old friend. For context, I read Saga in trades (graphic novel format), so I can go at least three months between reading volumes. I seldom need to reread previous volumes, even when Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples took more than a year hiatus from the series, and that’s a testament to Saga’s excellence.

And there happens to be time hops between volumes. That helps. Hazel, Alana, and Squire continue their interstellar circus/casino odyssey. The two children (Hazel and Squire) have hit puberty, and this volume explores the difficulties of being a teen while also on the run from numerous entities. I love Saga and highly recommend it. There’s a reason it’s been nominated and won numerous Hugo Awards. But beware of the ninth volume, the one just before Saga’s extended hiatus. Volume Nine ends with what may be one of Sci-Fi’s greatest gut punches.

That last statement wasn’t even close to hyperbole.

Kyra’s Fiction

Kimberly Lemming’s I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com is the first monster romance I’ve read. Heck, it’s the first romantasy I’ve read. While I may not be I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com’s target audience, I can see why novels like this are swoon-worthy. I wish I could write scenes as steamy as the ones you can find in I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com.

The book’s title says all you need to know about the novel’s premise. The tagline elaborates further. (Talking) Lions and Dinosaurs and sexy Aliens, oh my! Outside the scenes that led to cold showers, Lemming has a knack for comedic timing. I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com delivers.

I’m listening to Brandon Sanderson’s The Way of Kings in audiobook format. I find audiobooks a great way of reading an extra book or two. My two favorite streaming (does it count as streaming?) sites are Libby and Hoopla. All you need is a library card (from a participating library) for both, and you can check out audiobooks, e-books, and other digital content.

Audiobooks totally count for read books for the month. I’m counting The Way of Kings. Audiobooks make for more interesting walks. It only takes almost getting run over twice while reading a physical book and walking at the same time to get you to switch to audiobooks. Anyway, I love how Sanderson introduces the hard magic system in The Stormlight Archive. Sanderson dips just enough information about how magic works for the reader to follow along, while avoiding massive walls of expository text. The Way of Kings is a fun read. And you should check out Libby and Hoopla.

Those are all the books I’ve read over the past month, and it looks as if I’m the only one of our writers with entries. Season began a new job and hasn’t read much beyond instruction booklets. Skye’s rereading a handful of books. Perhaps she’ll share some of those next month.

In the comments, let us know what you’ve been reading this past month and if you count audiobooks as books you’ve read. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.