My Creative Projects
Hello, and welcome to my site, The Gaming Facilitator. My name is Brian Rubin, and you can read more about me and this project here. This site is ultimately a hub for my creative endeavors, including:
Space Game Junkie – Site Feed Here – YouTube Feed Here
I began Space Game Junkie back in 2011 after being inspired by The CRPG Addict to look back at one of my favorite genres, space games. As there were barely any new space games coming out at the time, the site’s original focus began as a text-based endeavor to look back at classic space games of yore. I began the site while unemployed, but soon found employment, so I found my time and original focus curtailed somewhat.
Then, in 2012, then space game genre began to have life again, so I need to change from entirely looking back to balance looking currently and forward as well. This led to a YouTube channel and a new focus on video, which led to streaming on Twitch as well. I also launched a podcast in 2013 which now has over 500 episodes. In branching out beyond space games, I’ve helped people connect with games and their developers, and it’s been a joy. We launched a Discord in 2016, which has been a lovely and safe community as well. Overall, this has been my longest and most successful project.
Retro Dogfight Podcast – Feed Here
Beyond space games, my other favorite genre of PC game is flight simulations. When I got my first DOS-based computer in 1986, Sublogic’s Flight Simulator 2 was the second game I received for it. I love a certain type of simulation though. A bit more abstract and player-focused, rather than high-fidelity and plane-focused. When I saw that there were no podcasts talking about this era of flight sim, I decided to start my own.
Retro Dogfight launched in May, 2025, and is a collaboration between me and my lovely cohosts, Chase and Denny. Each month we look at one or more sims with a critical eye that tries to look beyond nostalgia and into the deeper ways that make a game great or terrible. Whether it’s the flight modeling, the UI, the artificial intelligence or whatever else, we give each game an honest assessment and, in turn, take a look back at a time when flight sims were more fun than just flipping switches. We also have a lovely Discord full of flight sim enthusiasts who share our love of the genre and the era.
The Joyful Nerd Substack – Feed Here
Recently my wife encouraged me to take up writing again. After all, while I do a lot of video now, writing is what got me a job out here in Los Angeles in the first place. She further suggested I start a Substack, and I thought, what angle can I use to tie things together? Well, joy of course.
The Joyful Nerd launched earlier this year (2026) and is a mix of short articles talking about the games I streamed that day, and longer articles discussing specific topics such as flight sims, joy in gaming, the Nintendo 3DS and more. I try to update it every Monday through Friday, and on weekends when I’m inspired.
3DSCast Podcast – Feed Here
A few months ago (I believe April 2026), thanks to a podcast called Expedition: Handheld, I recently fell back in love with my modded Nintendo 3DS XL. If you’re unaware, it’s an amazing machine, especially when modded, and the community surrounding this handheld is huge and vibrant. After going on Prozac earlier this year, I found myself even more drawn to the console, replacing the original 3DS XL with a New model, and acquiring a 2DS. I found my way to many communities that love to talk about and support each other when it comes to their favorite handheld gaming machine.
3DSCast, like Retro Dogfight before it, was born to fill a void, and was launched just a week or two ago as I write this (July 2026). While I love the 3DS, and I love podcasts, no one in the podcast sphere was talking about the current renaissance of the console. Sure, there a billion YouTube videos about it, but podcasts? Nothing. So, I decided to create my own. 3DSCast is my first solo endeavor, with no cohosts to fall back on, so it’s been a learning experience, let me tell you. I’ve recorded several episodes as I write this, and have many more planned.
Furthermore…
This site is also a starting point for my next creative endeavor, wherein I focus on bringing games, gamers, and game developers together. You can read more about it on the About page.