Defector
Defector business and news from across the web.
The Sunday PapersThis article uses a metaphorical football match to discuss various aspects of game development and journalism. It touches on character expression in games like God of War, the open-world design of Red Dead Redemption, and the personal experiences of journalists from outlets like Kotaku, PC Gamer, and IGN.
Independent game publications revive bundles in defiance of 'cut-throat competitive market'Several independent game publications are collaborating on subscription bundles to counter a challenging market characterized by layoffs and closures. Publications like Aftermath, Rascal News, and Rogue are partnering with platforms like Trustfnd to offer discounted bundles, aiming to foster solidarity and mutual support rather than direct competition. While initial experiments show modest financial returns and technical hurdles, the initiative highlights a growing trend of independent media pooling resources to survive and thrive.- Gaming media diaspora: where every writer landed | 2026The article maps the post-collapse landscape of gaming journalism, detailing where writers from defunct publications like Kotaku and Vice have relocated. It highlights the rise of independent, worker-owned sites, solo newsletters, and bundled subscription services as the new hubs for quality writing, contrasting them with legacy outlets perceived as publishing press releases.
- The Sunday PapersThis article uses a meta-narrative to discuss various gaming topics and articles. It references reviews of Tomodachi Life and Titanfall, an interview with Egosoft founder Bernd Lehahn about X4: Foundations and MMOs, and a discussion on board game design. The piece touches on esports and the business of gaming through these varied examples.
- The Sunday PapersThis article uses the metaphor of a British Touring Car Championship race to discuss various gaming-related opinions. It touches on the Yakuza series potentially jumping the shark, the community interest in the Marathon soundtrack, an AI agent publishing a critical piece about a software maintainer, and the controversial move of the MotoGP race from Phillip Island. The author uses these diverse topics to illustrate broader points about game narratives, community engagement, AI ethics, and motorsport decisions.