Thoroughly enjoyed this read. The alternate history with firm moorings in actual video game development timelines made it feel very grounded and relatable. The principals are all folks with whom I would enjoy having as friends, making it all the more wrenching as they encounter their various heartbreaks and difficulties loving each other as well as they might wish. (And I want to play most of the fictional games!) The Sadie/Sam "we love each other deeply but are never together romantically" angle was refreshing; that sort of dynamic seems underexplored in fiction. Great stuff.