Does that old buses phrase still apply in 2025? Can I apply it to builds I need to test?

Hello again, and welcome to another 15 Days.

It appears that for all my smarts, sometimes I just don’t quite understand stuff. I’ve been writing up 15 Days since the start of the year, adding them to my website, and wondering why subscribers are not getting an email saying they’re available to read. Do you know why? It’s because when I add them, it’s as pages, not posts. All exactly the same, just pages instead of posts. So, there you are; I’m always learning.

In case you’re looking for some previous reading, all current pages, posts, whatever, are here:

15 Days: Introduction

15 Days: Part 1

15 Days: Part 2

15 Days: Part 3

Since Part 4, I’ve had some free time and, while tinkering with the above, found myself also catching up on a few other long-overdue updates, including Substack which is quietly catching up with these posts, and setting up my Linktree so it has everything any welcome visitors may need.

I’ve also been invited as a guest to chat with Middle Aged Gamer Guy (AKA MAGG) on Twitch on Tuesday 18^th March so you can watch me talk about testing and other gaming related things from 9pm via this link. It’s my first appearance on Twitch, and the first time anyone’s asked me about testing so I’m looking forward to that very much. You’re very welcome to join us, if you’re free.

There’s not much to show as far as adding to the collection is concerned, although I did receive my two pre-orders from Evercade which included the Indie Heroes 4 and Broken Sword 1 & 2 carts.

This reminds me, I caught up with a friend of mine who has been following my testing journey over the last few years and we were reflecting on where I started and where I am now. The website, the credits, IMDB, the character in a game, the events and the wonderful people I’ve met, the fun of doing something I really enjoy, the blog, etc., and how when I mentioned Indie Heroes 4 which includes FLEA!2 and I have a credit for, my friend exclaimed “You can buy that in Argos!”. It took a moment to understand what he was talking about before realising that it’s the first game I’ve helped test that you can buy in a shop on the high street. Like I can go in and just buy a copy, and for someone who grew up in the 80s and 90s and would buy games from GAME (or Future Zone as it was called back then), that’s a very cool feeling. I’m smiling as I write that. It’s a small thing but, to me, it’s wonderful.

On the health and fitness front, I did go for my first run in a very long time. I got tired of procrastinating (I annoyed myself!) and went late at night. It was very stop start but I am really glad to have gone. I’ve always enjoyed running. It clears my head and energises me. Although I’m writing this as I sip a glass of wine so there’s a long way to go but, tiny step by tiny step, I will get there. I always do.

Writing and reading has been slow but I do try to find time for both. I think I’m trying to get into new habits and finding a routine that works. There’s no wasted time but perhaps there’s too much of one thing and not enough time for anything else. That’s such a vague sentence. What I am trying to say is I’m moving forward slowly and that’s better than just standing still.

Saying that, the feeling of moving slowly didn’t last long because BOOM!, after a quiet couple of weeks, I now find myself with four games to test. Two are new builds I’ve been waiting for and are ready to go, and another two are brand new projects. The timings on these are all spaced out or not urgent which means I can sit down and concentrate on each one properly without compromising my work. So far, so good, and it’s nice to get into them. I’ve caught some tricky stuff so far.

And finally, I sometimes find time to watch a bit of TV. I can highly recommend Paradise on Disney+. I really enjoyed this. I won’t spoil anything but I think it’s worth a watch. I’ve listened to the soundtrack quite a lot lately as well.

And that’s it for now. Until next time, stay safe, and thank you for reading.

Paul.