Chris Tapsell
@christapsell.bsky.social
Editor-in-Chief, Eurogamer. He/him.
For tips & confidential chat: Signal - @EGChris.99
For tips & confidential chat: Signal - @EGChris.99
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Chris Tapsell
@christapsell.bsky.social
· May 14
Hello from Eurogamer's new editor-in-chief
An introduction blog from Chris Tapsell, Eurogamer's new editor-in-chief.
www.eurogamer.net
Hello! I am absolutely delighted to say that I’m Eurogamer’s new Editor-in-Chief. Please accept my apologies in advance.
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
🎉 HUGE CAREER ANNOUNCEMENT 🎉
Today, I'm launching Vertical Slice, a new independent trade outlet committed to producing quality video game journalism that inspires, informs, and interrogates. That means daily news, incisive interviews, vital investigative work, and more.
www.verticalslice.news
Today, I'm launching Vertical Slice, a new independent trade outlet committed to producing quality video game journalism that inspires, informs, and interrogates. That means daily news, incisive interviews, vital investigative work, and more.
www.verticalslice.news
October 12, 2026 at 9:55 AM
🎉 HUGE CAREER ANNOUNCEMENT 🎉
Today, I'm launching Vertical Slice, a new independent trade outlet committed to producing quality video game journalism that inspires, informs, and interrogates. That means daily news, incisive interviews, vital investigative work, and more.
www.verticalslice.news
Today, I'm launching Vertical Slice, a new independent trade outlet committed to producing quality video game journalism that inspires, informs, and interrogates. That means daily news, incisive interviews, vital investigative work, and more.
www.verticalslice.news
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
This gets said constantly, but it worth reiterating: Games Workshop being bigger than fishing is important to shout about because you wouldn't know it from government talking points, which are rarely about anything creative or artistic. Growth won't involve fish or steel, it will involve goblins.
October 6, 2026 at 6:19 AM
This gets said constantly, but it worth reiterating: Games Workshop being bigger than fishing is important to shout about because you wouldn't know it from government talking points, which are rarely about anything creative or artistic. Growth won't involve fish or steel, it will involve goblins.
Glad someone's taken the time to gather these all together - lots of incremental cuts add up, for all the obvious reasons. Thoughts to everyone involved and I hope people can find their feet somewhere that treats them better in the future.
"Techradar and Gamesradar have lost writers, while Metro has put some its team on notice, including its games division.... Reed’s Popverse has fired its editorial staff... These latest cuts follow job losses at IGN, and Walmart laying off the entire editorial team of Restart"
A big edition this week. We discuss the cuts in the video game media, plus we interview Bloober Team about its hunt for video games' 'Backrooms', and building a relationship with Nintendo. Plus, New Your Games Week pop in to discuss the surprising event www.thegamebusiness.com/p/games-medi...
October 1, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Glad someone's taken the time to gather these all together - lots of incremental cuts add up, for all the obvious reasons. Thoughts to everyone involved and I hope people can find their feet somewhere that treats them better in the future.
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
I spoke to several sources working hard at The Coalition, who have experienced increased anxiety around layoffs and promised Metacritic bonuses since Xbox's Reset. The sudden cut of story director Juan Vaca only fueled these fears.
Read it below!
Read it below!
As Xbox swings the axe, Gears of War: E-Day developers fear they'll be laid off straight after launch - and right before they'd be due their bonuses.
"It's hard to believe anything they say anymore," Coalition devs tell Eurogamer.
www.eurogamer.net/the-coalitio...
"It's hard to believe anything they say anymore," Coalition devs tell Eurogamer.
www.eurogamer.net/the-coalitio...
October 1, 2026 at 10:05 AM
I spoke to several sources working hard at The Coalition, who have experienced increased anxiety around layoffs and promised Metacritic bonuses since Xbox's Reset. The sudden cut of story director Juan Vaca only fueled these fears.
Read it below!
Read it below!
An excellet report here from @connormakar.bsky.social on the brewing situation at Gears studio The Coalition, where - unsurprisingly - there seems to be rapidly vanishing trust between developers (who have been "crunching hard") and their parent company.
As Xbox swings the axe, Gears of War: E-Day developers fear they'll be laid off straight after launch - and right before they'd be due their bonuses.
"It's hard to believe anything they say anymore," Coalition devs tell Eurogamer.
www.eurogamer.net/the-coalitio...
"It's hard to believe anything they say anymore," Coalition devs tell Eurogamer.
www.eurogamer.net/the-coalitio...
October 1, 2026 at 9:58 AM
An excellet report here from @connormakar.bsky.social on the brewing situation at Gears studio The Coalition, where - unsurprisingly - there seems to be rapidly vanishing trust between developers (who have been "crunching hard") and their parent company.
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
Games media cuts have felt unending for a while, but the mood feels especially grim among indie outlets with the latest wave of layoffs.
More than ever, if the game industry values its media, it needs to support them. Buy some advertising, sponsor content, purchase subs. It makes a big difference.
More than ever, if the game industry values its media, it needs to support them. Buy some advertising, sponsor content, purchase subs. It makes a big difference.
September 30, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Games media cuts have felt unending for a while, but the mood feels especially grim among indie outlets with the latest wave of layoffs.
More than ever, if the game industry values its media, it needs to support them. Buy some advertising, sponsor content, purchase subs. It makes a big difference.
More than ever, if the game industry values its media, it needs to support them. Buy some advertising, sponsor content, purchase subs. It makes a big difference.
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
The last few months haven't been easy on me financially, so if you need an artist on your project or would like to request a personal commission, now is the best time. My working schedule is empty rn so feel free to hit me up anytime!
September 22, 2026 at 3:43 PM
The last few months haven't been easy on me financially, so if you need an artist on your project or would like to request a personal commission, now is the best time. My working schedule is empty rn so feel free to hit me up anytime!
Started reading the Horus Heresy books for a bit of mindless non-screen time and they're great. Story's like the Star Wars prequels but if Lucas had just kept all the baddie names. Young Darth. Senator Sidious. I can't believe all these good dudes called, ahem, "Maloghurst the Twisted" might go bad!
September 29, 2026 at 8:12 AM
Started reading the Horus Heresy books for a bit of mindless non-screen time and they're great. Story's like the Star Wars prequels but if Lucas had just kept all the baddie names. Young Darth. Senator Sidious. I can't believe all these good dudes called, ahem, "Maloghurst the Twisted" might go bad!
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
i reviewed control resonant and it was very video, very game
Control Resonant is a more action-RPG oriented follow-up to Control, but in leaving the Oldest House it also leaves behind some of what gave the original its magic.
Our review:
www.eurogamer.net/control-reso...
Our review:
www.eurogamer.net/control-reso...
September 18, 2026 at 1:11 PM
i reviewed control resonant and it was very video, very game
New statement here with more context on the crunch - including: "it was optional; four people opted out" but acknowledging "maybe the social pressure within a very tight-knit team might make those individuals feel less than great"
Also a response to possible legal Q regarding social media screening
Also a response to possible legal Q regarding social media screening
"I apologised... we admitted to staff that this was crunch."
Wardogs studio CEO Joe Brammer has issued a new statement to Eurogamer, after backlash to saying his studio won't hire people who "constantly tweet anti-crunch messaging"
www.eurogamer.net/wardogs-ceo-...
Wardogs studio CEO Joe Brammer has issued a new statement to Eurogamer, after backlash to saying his studio won't hire people who "constantly tweet anti-crunch messaging"
www.eurogamer.net/wardogs-ceo-...
September 16, 2026 at 7:22 PM
New statement here with more context on the crunch - including: "it was optional; four people opted out" but acknowledging "maybe the social pressure within a very tight-knit team might make those individuals feel less than great"
Also a response to possible legal Q regarding social media screening
Also a response to possible legal Q regarding social media screening
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
Just learned that after being acquired, GameReactor has in several territories laid off its entire editorial team & is pivoting its content creation to gen AI. Apparently includes the UK as well. Another sorry end (and trust me, it will be an end) to a once proud games media brand
Clap de fin pour GameReactor.dk, le premier site JV au Danemark 🇩🇰
Le site continuera à exister (?!), mais la rédaction a été remerciée (virée).
Selon Arkaden.dk, Game Reactor remplace les rédactions nordiques (Danemark, Suède, Finlande et Norvège) par l'IA générative
📰 arkaden.dk/nyheder/game...
Le site continuera à exister (?!), mais la rédaction a été remerciée (virée).
Selon Arkaden.dk, Game Reactor remplace les rédactions nordiques (Danemark, Suède, Finlande et Norvège) par l'IA générative
📰 arkaden.dk/nyheder/game...
Gamereactor i Norden erstattes med AI | Arkaden
En mindre chokbølge ramte den danske spilmediebranche, da Gamereactor Danmark meddelte, at deres afdeling lukker. I mange år har Gamereactor været de danske læseres foretrukne spilmedie, men de senest...
arkaden.dk
September 16, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Just learned that after being acquired, GameReactor has in several territories laid off its entire editorial team & is pivoting its content creation to gen AI. Apparently includes the UK as well. Another sorry end (and trust me, it will be an end) to a once proud games media brand
Feel like I’ve written this paragraph at least 3 times now.
There’s a separate feature in this, but I think PlayStation’s first-party fare has gone from a (relative) strength to a ticking time bomb. Keep remaking the same thing people liked 5-10 years ago and one day you’ll wake up as Xbox.
There’s a separate feature in this, but I think PlayStation’s first-party fare has gone from a (relative) strength to a ticking time bomb. Keep remaking the same thing people liked 5-10 years ago and one day you’ll wake up as Xbox.
September 10, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Feel like I’ve written this paragraph at least 3 times now.
There’s a separate feature in this, but I think PlayStation’s first-party fare has gone from a (relative) strength to a ticking time bomb. Keep remaking the same thing people liked 5-10 years ago and one day you’ll wake up as Xbox.
There’s a separate feature in this, but I think PlayStation’s first-party fare has gone from a (relative) strength to a ticking time bomb. Keep remaking the same thing people liked 5-10 years ago and one day you’ll wake up as Xbox.
My Wolverine review here. Big fan of this gentle, sensitive take on Wolverine the character, and likewise the rest of the cast's performances, but otherwise this was a disappointing one for me, lacking the invention or pizzazz that makes other more successful linear action games interesting.
Wolverine's characterisation is a bright spot in this otherwise underwhelming, old-school romp that reminds us how far action games have come.
Our Marvel's Wolverine review: www.eurogamer.net/marvels-wolv...
Our Marvel's Wolverine review: www.eurogamer.net/marvels-wolv...
September 10, 2026 at 3:06 PM
My Wolverine review here. Big fan of this gentle, sensitive take on Wolverine the character, and likewise the rest of the cast's performances, but otherwise this was a disappointing one for me, lacking the invention or pizzazz that makes other more successful linear action games interesting.
November news cycle where there’s just a couple incomprehensibly MASSIVE games and absolutely nothing else (no disrespect mr Godzilla) is going to be bizarre. It never works like this, I’m fascinated to see how that month actually goes.
September 8, 2026 at 2:59 PM
November news cycle where there’s just a couple incomprehensibly MASSIVE games and absolutely nothing else (no disrespect mr Godzilla) is going to be bizarre. It never works like this, I’m fascinated to see how that month actually goes.
Well that just looks absolutely wonderful
September 8, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Well that just looks absolutely wonderful
Brilliant to get @alexspencerdale.bsky.social on Eurogamer with a sharp take on Orbitals, which looks absolutely glorious but seemingly doesn't quiiiiite back that up in the playing.
Immaculate anime stylings aside, Orbitals doesn't bring an awful lot to the post-It Takes Two co-op renaissance, but switch to Japanese and it's never a bad hang.
Our review:
www.eurogamer.net/orbitals-rev...
Our review:
www.eurogamer.net/orbitals-rev...
September 1, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Brilliant to get @alexspencerdale.bsky.social on Eurogamer with a sharp take on Orbitals, which looks absolutely glorious but seemingly doesn't quiiiiite back that up in the playing.
Shout out to @dompepin.bsky.social and @clert.bsky.social for turning around both the Onimusha review while travelling to (and getting stranded returning from) Gamescom, and the Dawnwalker review while covering both GTA/Gamescom live respectively. Heroic stuff hitting embargoes amid short staffing.
August 31, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Shout out to @dompepin.bsky.social and @clert.bsky.social for turning around both the Onimusha review while travelling to (and getting stranded returning from) Gamescom, and the Dawnwalker review while covering both GTA/Gamescom live respectively. Heroic stuff hitting embargoes amid short staffing.
FWIW I think this is also true! What Alex and I are saying can both be true at once, thought the nuances of how and why and how the business models differ are maybe a bit beyond what's possible to explain in public/a bluesky thread.
One example: 12hrs of wall-to-wall GTA coverage is not a big risk.
One example: 12hrs of wall-to-wall GTA coverage is not a big risk.
I run a website that from its remit literally can't cover GTA, certainly not in depth, so when I see folk saying it's impossible to not put every resource into it I do roll my eyes a bit. It's possible if your business is built carefully to not be fragile to the whims of the single biggest game
August 28, 2026 at 1:19 PM
FWIW I think this is also true! What Alex and I are saying can both be true at once, thought the nuances of how and why and how the business models differ are maybe a bit beyond what's possible to explain in public/a bluesky thread.
One example: 12hrs of wall-to-wall GTA coverage is not a big risk.
One example: 12hrs of wall-to-wall GTA coverage is not a big risk.
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
I found another opportunity to write about Elden Ring for Eurogamer, and it won't be the last. Simply can't stop talking about this game years on, and glad I'm constantly being given new reasons to do so.
Elden Ring plays much better than I'd expected on Switch 2, but it isn't without its flaws
www.eurogamer.net/elden-ring-t...
www.eurogamer.net/elden-ring-t...
August 28, 2026 at 12:19 PM
I found another opportunity to write about Elden Ring for Eurogamer, and it won't be the last. Simply can't stop talking about this game years on, and glad I'm constantly being given new reasons to do so.
If that one subscription could cover an entire writer’s salary, you gotta deal!
Will subscribe to any games website right now that pledges for the next 6 months to write 2 articles about indie games for every GTAVI article they publish.
August 28, 2026 at 11:07 AM
If that one subscription could cover an entire writer’s salary, you gotta deal!
Bonus Donlan article here. YOU'RE WELCOME.
Star Wars Zero Company understands that Star Wars games should feel less like the movies and more like the toys.
Our impressions so far:
www.eurogamer.net/star-wars-ze...
Our impressions so far:
www.eurogamer.net/star-wars-ze...
August 28, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Bonus Donlan article here. YOU'RE WELCOME.
This Matthew guy gets it
Have enjoyed following Eurogamer’s GTA VI coverage tonight. Op eds from Taps and Donlan! News breakouts! Guides updates! A live blog!
Grand Theft Auto VI
Discover everything you need to know about Grand Theft Auto VI.
www.eurogamer.net
August 27, 2026 at 9:42 PM
This Matthew guy gets it
Donlan with a stunner - you should read this article.
August 27, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Donlan with a stunner - you should read this article.
Sublime
August 27, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Sublime