Joshua Rivera

Chris Plante, co-founder of Polygon and host of Post Games; Maddy Myers, former deputy editor at Polygon; and Joshua Rivera, freelance writer with deep Mario insights, come together for a lively draft of the greatest Mario games. They reminisce about their gaming origins, discuss the character's timeless appeal, and share hilarious personal anecdotes. The trio debates game mechanics while highlighting quirky Mario titles. With playful banter and nostalgia, they navigate the rich legacy of Mario in a fun, competitive format.

Giovanni Colantonio, Polygon editor-at-large who reviewed Requiem, and Joshua Rivera, freelance games columnist, join to unpack Resident Evil: Requiem. They debate its tone shifts between horror and action. They argue about thematic reads like Giovanni’s Hiroshima comparison and whether the series can handle real-world trauma. They riff on remakes, Capcom’s creative choices, and why the franchise still endures.

Joshua Rivera, freelance critic steeped in Resident Evil lore, and Matt James, deputy art lead and longtime series fan, dig into Sony’s Bluepoint closure and Xbox leadership changes. They discuss how Requiem blends survival horror and action, dual-protagonist design, standout hospital level, accessibility for newcomers, and platform performance. Short, lively takes and final verdicts keep the conversation moving.

Joshua Rivera, a freelance critic known for film, TV, and games writing, and Ash Parrish, a veteran games reporter who covers culture, labor, and unconventional sexual content in games, join Aftermath as regular contributors. They discuss media layoffs and resilience. Conversation jumps from Bobby Kotick and Epstein ties to Nintendo Direct news, Overwatch’s relaunch, spooky visual novels, party-game trends, and transfers of skills after layoffs.

In this lively discussion, Matt James, Ringer's deputy art lead known for his gaming insights, joins Steve Ahlman, a senior audio producer with a passion for indie trends, and Joshua Rivera, a thoughtful critic offering cultural context on games. They dive into the impressive volume and quality of 2025's releases, share their 'naughty and nice' industry observations, and passionately draft their favorite games across categories. Highlights include Joshua's critique of Xbox strategy, Matt's hopes for Steam Frame, and a nostalgic pick for Final Fantasy Tactics.