Holden Jones-Video Producer

Editorial Team

Video Producer

April, 2024
Lifelong gamer and video producer with a degree in film and TV production
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Kingdom Hearts, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy
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About Holden Jones

Holden Jones is a video producer and editor based in Chicago, IL. Holden has been making videos since 2008, and has been a lifelong gamer. When not making videos, Holden can usually be found with a Nintendo Switch in tow, or with a book on his way to the park.

Favorite TV Shows

Lost, to me, is one of the best shows of all time. No other show I've seen manages to catch my attention and get me as invested in the characters' lives and backstories. Plus, TV shows these days are too short- who can grow to love a character after only 10 episodes?

Favorite Console

I think in my hearts of hearts I'm a Nintendo guy. My first console was a Gameboy Color and I took that thing everywhere. Then, when the Wii came out I was head over heels for the creative and unique Wii-mote gameplay. And now, of course, I adore the portability of the Switch.

Favorite Movies

Two very different answers: Titanic and Inception. Both appeal to different parts of me. Titanic is peak cinematic drama and offers something for everyone. Inception itches the part of my brain that loves a sci-fi thriller, and it's always a treat to rewatch and see what new details I find.

Latest

1:38
Grand Theft Auto 6 Not Delayed
No Need to Worry About the GTA 6 Release Date Delay Rumors Yet

Grand Theft Auto 6 is still on track for its expected 2025 release, with recent reports confirming that there have been no internal discussions at Rockstar Games about delaying the game. This follows rumors that claimed the release had been pushed to 2026. As the follow-up to the highly successful GTA 5, which came out in 2013, GTA 6 has become one of the most anticipated games in recent years, so rumors of a delay have been pretty concerning for fans.

2:15
LEGO Minecraft game
Despite Countless LEGO Video Games, One Obvious Franchise Has Yet to Be Adapted

LEGO has come a long way from its beginnings as a Danish toy company in 1932, evolving into a global entertainment powerhouse. In addition to its iconic toys, LEGO has expanded into movies, TV shows, and video games, becoming a major name in various media. One of its most successful ventures has been video game adaptations of popular franchises like Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. The next big step for LEGO is the upcoming LEGO Horizon Adventures crossover with the Horizon franchise. While this is an exciting collaboration, the one partnership that seems to be missing is a crossover with Minecraft.

2:37
Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag Pirates Thumbnail
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag's Rumored Remake Has A Critical Decision to Make

Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag is widely regarded as one of the best games in the Assassin's Creed series, with many fans considering it the top installment. As a result, rumors of a potential remake have excited fans. There are two potential approaches: a faithful recreation using modern technology or a more drastic reimagining. Both options present challenges. A faithful remake would honor the original, but a more ambitious overhaul could also bring risks if it strays too far from what made the original successful.

2:11
hades-zagreus-unwritten-rules-explained
The Best Tips for Hades

Hades has earned numerous accolades and is widely regarded as one of the best in its genre. However, its lack of direction and difficulty may cause some players to struggle, potentially missing out on the captivating story, charming characters, and challenging combat. That said, there are a few unwritten rules newer players, and longtime players who still don't know about them, can learn and help with their run through one of gaming's best roguelikes.

2:18
Zelda Master Sword
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom’s Swordfighter Form May Solve the Master Sword Problem

When The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was first announced, it was believed that Zelda's only weapon would be the Tri Rod, potentially replacing the series' traditional sword combat and the iconic Master Sword. However, a recent trailer introduced Zelda's Swordfighter Form. This alternate form allows Zelda to temporarily transform into a swordfighter, resembling Link and bringing back a familiar combat style. This new form may even replace the traditional role of the Master Sword in the game.

2:37
Palworld Weapon Update
Why Palworld's Next Big Update Needs to Prioritize Pal Weapons

Back in June, Palworld received a significant update with the introduction of the Sakurajima biome, adding 24 new Pals to its world. This update has generated excitement for the game's future, as Palworld continues to make waves in early access. With its blend of creature collection and survival gameplay, Palworld has become one of the year’s surprise hits. However, while the Sakurajima update brought many exciting features, it also missed an opportunity to expand on one of the game’s most unique aspects—Pal weapons.

2:28
Astro Bot Forbidden West
Horizon: Forbidden West Continues a Precedent That Could Help Astro Bot Soar

PlayStation’s extensive catalog of exclusive titles has long been a key factor in driving console sales. However, in recent years, Sony has begun porting some of these exclusives to PC, broadening their audience. Titles like Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition, 2018’s God of War, and Days Gone have found success on PC, allowing a new segment of gamers to experience the vast worlds and engaging gameplay that PlayStation exclusives have to offer. This trend could continue with the upcoming PlayStation 5-exclusive Astro Bot, rumored to be headed to PC in the future.

2:35
GTA Online and GTA 6
How GTA Online Can Tie in to GTA 6

As the anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6 builds, GTA Online may serve as the perfect platform to introduce players to the upcoming game’s story and characters. While it’s unlikely that players will get to explore parts of the new map or directly interact with GTA 6’s protagonists, GTA Online could offer a sneak peek into the world of GTA 6. Rockstar could introduce supporting characters from the new game, perhaps providing backstory or setting up key events leading into GTA 6.

2:08
sea-of-stars-anniversary-90s-jrpgs-current-generation-how
One Year Ago, Sea of Stars Found Success by Modernizing JRPGs

Sabotage Studio's Sea of Stars was celebrated as an instant classic upon its release on August 29, 2023. Set in the same universe as the developer's 2018 hit, The Messenger, the game made a strong impact with its retro-inspired presentation and emotionally resonant narrative. It quickly garnered critical acclaim, ultimately winning Best Indie at The 2023 Game Awards.

1:51
Stardew Valley and Haunted Chocolatier
One Change Could Make Haunted Chocolatier Better Than Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is often hailed for revitalizing the life sim genre, sparking a wave of similar games. With its creator, ConcernedApe, now developing a new title called Haunted Chocolatier, there's an opportunity to improve upon some of Stardew Valley's limitations rather than repeating them.

2:44
Grand Theft Auto 6 Gameplay Thumbnail
Why GTA 6's Gunplay and Combat May Need a Rework

As one of the most influential crime-focused game franchises, Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto has maintained a dominant presence in the gaming industry since its first release in the late '90s. With GTA 6 on the horizon, expected to arrive late next year, the franchise is set to solidify its status as the top dog in the genre. That said, a lot has changed since the 2013 release of GTAV. With the extended wait for GTA 6 being over 10 years, other game mechanics, particularly combat, may come under closer scrutiny.

2:10
Mario & Luigi Brothership
Mario and Luigi: Brothership Needs to Put Gameplay First to Move the Series Forward

Mario & Luigi: Brothership marks the return of a beloved Nintendo franchise, but it also faces the challenge of revitalizing a series that has been dormant for nearly a decade. As the first new story in the series since the closure of its original developer, AlphaDream, Brothership carries the weight of rekindling the magic that made the previous Mario & Luigi games so cherished.

1:38
naughty-dog-job-listing-the-last-of-us-3
New Naughty Dog Job Listing Seems to Hint at The Last of Us 3

Naughty Dog may already be working on The Last of Us 3, based on a new job listing on its official website. While fans expected Part 3 to be years away, this recent job posting raises hopes that it might release sooner than expected. The job ad is for a Senior Gameplay Animator with a "strong understanding of creature animation and mechanics." The emphasis on "creatures" rather than animals hints at the Infected from The Last of Us, suggesting that the position is related to the development of The Last of Us 3.

5:48
2025-new-games-movies-tv-gta-6-cena-retirement-stranger-things-dcu (1)
2025 will be an Amazing Year for Gaming, Movies, and TV

2024 has been a big year for entertainment, but 2025 is shaping up to be even bigger, with numerous highly anticipated releases across video games, movies, and TV shows. Although release dates could change, the current lineup suggests that 2025 will be a monumental year for the industry. The DC cinematic universe is rebooting, John Cena is making a major change, Stranger Things is ending, and we’re finally, finally getting Grand Theft Auto 6 and the Switch 2.

1:52
horizon-forbidden-west-hollwood-sign-1
Horizon 3 Needs to Live Up to Forbidden West in One Key Area

Horizon: Forbidden West managed to enhance the machine designs from the first game, Horizon: Zero Dawn, by introducing new and more challenging enemies. The existential threat posed by these machines is at the heart of Horizon's story and combat, making it difficult for Guerrilla Games to top their previous efforts. The art design of Forbidden West's machines set a high bar, and the third game will need to bring something truly innovative to meet or exceed those standards.

2:04
haunted-chocolatier-recipe-book
Stardew Valley Could Leave a Delicious Legacy for Haunted Chocolatier

Cooking seems to be a central element in Haunted Chocolatier, as one of the game's screenshots shows an open cookbook with recipes for a Chocolate Bar and a Simple Truffle. Cooked items in the game can benefit players when consumed, but their primary purpose is to be sold at the confectionery store, which is the core of the game's premise. Given this emphasis on cooking, a real-life Haunted Chocolatier cookbook would make perfect sense and would likely focus on baking, making it more accessible than the full meal recipes found in the Stardew Valley cookbook.

2:14
Thumbnail Dragon Quest in Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts 4 Should Leave Final Fantasy Behind for Another Major Square Enix Franchise

Kingdom Hearts is known for blending Square Enix and Disney elements, though in recent years, the focus has leaned more towards Disney. But With Kingdom Hearts 4, there's an opportunity to balance this by introducing another classic Square Enix franchise into the mix. While previous games have included small references to other Square Enix titles, like the characters from The World Ends With You in Dream Drop Distance, Kingdom Hearts 4 could take things even further.

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1:41
Last of Us 2 Abby and Ellie
HBO's The Last of Us May Make TLoU 2's Biggest Moment Even More Controversial

As a recent sneak peek of The Last of Us season 2 emerged ahead of its early 2025 premiere, there's concern that the HBO series might repeat the same divisive storytelling approach from the game. The show's potential focus on Abby's perspective, similar to the game, could lead to further controversy. Given the show's wider reach, handling this dual narrative will be challenging, especially as many viewers may find it difficult to sympathize with Abby after what she did to Joel.

1
1:53
Tales of the Shire
Tales of the Shire Needs a Specific Type of DLC to be Successful

J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings has been a rich source for various adaptations, including video games. Despite some recent inconsistencies in the quality of these games, successes like the Shadow of Mordor series and The Lord of the Rings Online show the franchise's enduring appeal. Now, Private Division and Weta Workshop's Tales of the Shire aims to add to the growing library of LotR games with a unique focus on the cozy life of Hobbits. The extent of content in Tales of the Shire and potential post-launch DLC remains unconfirmed. However, if substantial DLC packs are planned, the game should expand its LotR premise by exploring regions beyond Bywater, specifically within the Shire's Westfarthing.

2:21
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Zelda and Link, Zelda holding Tri Rod
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is Like Tears of the Kingdom in One Key Way

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is poised to offer players significant freedom in their journey, as showcased in its announcement trailer. This new entry in the Zelda series, revealed during the June 2024 Nintendo Direct, has captured fans' attention, particularly because players will take control of Zelda herself for the first time. The game's top-down action-adventure format, combined with innovative mechanics and features, has the potential to revolutionize the genre if executed well.