A collection of who and what I'm most often reading and listening to. I find them by turns inspiring, entertaining, informative and jealousy-inducing, making me want to be a better writer!
There's so much fantastic writing out there on the internet, and most of it doesn't get the audience it deserves because there's just too much noise. It takes more work to hear people's voices when they're siloed to their personal websites, but as the cacophany and algorithms of social media prove less sustainable, it's on all of us to go out and find each other and recommend that fantastic writing to our own small circles.
When you read something you love tell the author! And help beat back the encroaching lonliness of the web by passing it on.
Gaming and emulation
Has any human on earth played more games than Kimimi? If so, they def haven't written about them with as much zeal.
Marc Normandin from Retro XP
I like Marc's mix of celebrating his old favorites while also regularly exploring retro games he's never touched, so he never strikes a know-it-all tone.
JMC47
The best way to learn about the intricacies of emulation, the Dolphin blog chronicles years of performance advancements and obscure bug fixes.
Shonumi's dedication to emulating obscure Nintendo handheld accessories is incredible. Many of them would be entirely forgotten, otherwise.
Bo
Now this is podrac- er, romhacking. Bayles makes it clear there are new things to learn about virtually every game if someone with the right skills goes looking.
A gorgeous print-only gaming publication. I wrote features in issues 4 and 5!
Blogs I love
Baxter writes about Japanese media with a probing critical insight but also the warmth of someone who falls in love with everyone he meets
Cabel's rabbit holes are fascinating, often related to Nintendo, Disney or retro tech ephemera. "More than you bargained for" every time.
Alex Wiltshire
Former Edge and PC Gamer writer Alex has also written several gaming books and pretty much always has something interesting going on. Good blog!
Maddi's got a hell of a voice, which I try to get onto PC Gamer with regularity. Will read her on any topic.
A famous San Francisco venue with a lowkey fascinating blog about running an independent business in these helltimes. And some good punk anecdotes.
The legendary Jenn Frank. I don't know how to write this real.
Stellar indie publications and newsletters
Kelsey McKinney
I don't really like sports and I'm still giving Defector $120 a year because the culture writing is that good.
Today in Tabs
A bitingly funny web culture roundup that is the equivalent of a broken-toothed grin on a blood-soaked face.
Samantha Cole
The best tech/privacy/government reporting online by a mile.
Hamilton Nolan
In my "should read more" pile but when he hits he hits hard.
Podcasts I always listen to
Sam & Matthew have such great rapport, I'll eagerly listen to them talk about any game and the old magazine days.
These guys know computer.
Chris Plante
There are a million "just chatting" gaming podcasts but virtually none that feel like warm, reported magazine journalism in podcast form. But there's this one!
The legendary gaming version of This American Life. I hope Robert keeps making one every 5 years.
Hyperfixed is helping fill that Reply All hole in my heart with fun, human stories and mini mysteries.
The savviest film reviewers working today
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If I ever write a review as good as a Walter Chaw review I'll feel like I've really made it.
Darren Franich
Franich used to absolutely kill it at EW, and has continued to do so after striking out solo.