📖 THE GAME NARRATIVE KALEIDOSCOPE ❄️ is out NOW! www.inklestudios.com/kaleidoscope 100+ essays on writing & narrative design, with articles from the writers of Baldur's Gate 3, Control, Call of Duty, Prince of Persia, Tomb Raider, Sam and Max... ALSO the Kaleidoscope Podcast with 2 full eps!

I will not be at GDC again this year, but for those who are: Please be safe! Remember that while this industry is much smaller and more precarious than maybe it’s ever been, your work matters and a lot of people out there are rooting for you to keep the torch lit, developers and players alike.

The TTD factor for this has been, as expected, rather quick. 😂

I’ve been talking about Alysa Liu’s story about her quitting skating only to come back and become even better because she did it for herself and this came to me in a dream…

I was watching the closing ceremony of the Olympics, and when the piano started to play I immediately clocked that the song was by Ludovico Einaudi. I don’t remember how I first discovered his music, but it’s bellisima. Highly recommend if you enjoy stringed instruments/classical music.

One of this year’s Olympic gold medalists in figure skating went out on the ice today in a Kungfu Panda costume, skated to the dulcet tones of Jack Black, and somehow completed a triple axel while doing it. Whimsy is making a comeback and I love this for us. youtu.be/CDpO6zgVCrk?...

I respect Sarah Bond and hope her next role is a great one. She’s persevered through a lot of challenges over her career, not the least of which was being underestimated and underappeciated in past roles, and she’s someone women can look up to. Really shocked that she’s not staying at Xbox.

I’m a small fish in a very big lake, but Phil Spencer is a chill guy who talked to me like any other person. He responded to emails from anyone in the company. When I once suggested he use his platform to advocate for the marginalized developers at Xbox, he did. He cares about games and people.

I’m shocked about Sarah and curious to see where she goes next. She and Phil have been transparently passionate about Xbox over the years. I’m always happy to see more women taking leadership roles in the industry, but actions will speak louder than words in the months to come, particularly with AI.

I don't know how to articulate it exactly but this is the energy I want to have as a game developer

I’ve been trying to reduce the amount of red meat I consume lately, but omg the prime rib at Salty’s is so good I’m still thinking about it from yesterday. 🤤 It’s expensive, but I’ll need to find an excuse to go back. And the steelhead fish with Thai chili pineapple salsa? Also delicious.

No one told me there’s a cat who plays support and heals people and flies via jet pack in Overwatch now?!?! New lunch break activity.

The video game industry lives by the support network of its people - developers who just want to help each other make fun and innovative experiences. These massive layoffs are devastating not just on an individual level, but because of the exponential cost to morale, knowledge, and connection.

GO HAWKS! Very weird to go from having such a dour afternoon to watching the Seahawks win the Superbowl, but I still remember watching the Hawks game that shall not be named all those years ago, so it’s a nicer way to round out the day. I feel bad for the Pat’s QB, though.

I no longer have any living grandparents. 😔 I wish we had better options for elder care in this country so we could all go out on our own terms with as much comfort and dignity as possible. Time marches on.

I spent a few hours at the ER tonight (I’m fine, was visiting a patient who is less fine) and I’m so grateful for nurses and doctors. Met nearly a dozen of them and every single one was kind, respectful, and knowledgeable. They’re tired, overworked, underpaid, and still care.

I updated my profile pic, so for folks that attune to images to remember people (read: me), I apologize for the disruption. 😅 It’s not even a super recent photo, but it proves my “yes I am a woman who works in game development” credentials. It also reminds me that I need another haircut.

Perhaps this is the push I need to start migrating to Proton. Jfc.

Blizzard QA workers' newly ratified union contract locks in pay increases, better benefits aftermath.site/blizzard-qa-wo...

One of the best mental resets? Having a cat curl up on top of you and purr like crazy. 😌 Sophie still has many months left before she’ll be fit and healthy again, but she’s taken her meds every day so far without issue which is a huge relief. Now to hope things go as smoothly for my dad soon. 🤞

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free

We’re excited to introduce GLAAD Gaming’s 2026 Queer Emerging Developers cohort! These video game developers are passionate about their work in gaming and about creating authentic LGBTQ representation in the games they make.

Reminder: ICE’s budget has not been renewed — the House voted, but not the Senate — It will take 10 Democratic votes to stop it Pressure your senators

Four-time Grammy Award nominee Jesse Welles performs his song "Join Ice." Bob Dylan once said a single folk singer could defeat an entire army. Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have our man.

Unfortunately she’s been diagnosed with severe hyperthyroidism, so now I’ll have two family members needing some form of radiation therapy soon. 😭 Cool cool cool. I’m handling this super well and totally not crying about it.

Amtrak, this is your moment. You have the beginnings of an ad campaign right here. “A journey where if you fall asleep, you can rest assured that you’ll end up at your destination.” 😆

My cat needed to go to the vet yesterday and I feel awful for traumatizing her. More awful still because she’ll have to go back for follow-ups with new blood work! 😭 She’s incredibly anxious by default. Silver lining: When I mentioned this, an anti-anxiety med was prescribed. Thank you, gabapentin!

Cancel. Genuinely. Cancel. A rejection at the border is a permanent mark against entry, forever. If you insist, follow dangerous territory protocols: know your embassy details, make sure someone knows your travel details, and have funds for emergency legal, health, and departure expenditures.

Hey uh quick question. Literally what is going on.

Sometimes all you need to find a little morale and healthy distraction is to start another playthrough of BG3, romance Karlach (or at least become her ride or die bff), and use the photo mode to pose your silly traumatized friends together.

We've removed the paywall from this guide so everyone can access it. 👇 Stay safe.

At what point do we collectively commit to things like general strikes and withholding federal taxes? Many of the awful things folks predicted would happen are real now, and it will get worse before it gets better.

Abolish and prosecute ICE. They did a murder in broad daylight today. Imagine what they're doing in the closed facilities we're somehow not even allowed to see.

Just woke up even angrier. Impeach, convict, remove. Draft articles now. Either we have a representative government or we don’t. Do not shut up about this until there’s a vote.

The #SpaceGirls campaign just implausibly pulled off a dangerous prison break! 👏 We rolled terribly and lost a party member (core NPC), but ultimately it’s still satisfying because of classic Star Wars themes: narrative grandeur and a last-minute rescue driven by hope. You wish you had our GM.

Merry Christmas! Even though a lot of this year has been utter shit in many ways, I hope today provides some comfort, peace, and fun for you.

Gamers. It’s time

This is incredibly painful for me. I have never asked for help like this before. But I have had people reach out to me asking if they can help, so I am sharing my story and finally asking for help. I've been lucky to have a lovely group of followers here, please share if you can, anything helps <3

I just closed all of my browser tabs at mass-marked all of my Slack messages as read before shutting down my machine for the holiday break. Please clap.

If you appreciate someone you work with, tell them! Let them know you think they’re awesome and why! A few of my colleagues have reached out with gratitude about my “people first, product second” approach. I’m both really happy and gratified that focusing on people works. Positive reinforcement!

I am so deeply sorry to be in the position to have to pull this lever again, but I just watched my car get towed away and I don't really know what else to do anymore. More details in the update & description, but if you're able to help out or share, we would be grateful beyond words.

I now know of three people close to me who either have or are at immediate risk of having cancer. My brain is struggling to process it. If anything feels off or you have a genetic risk of any particular health risks, please get things checked out. Take care of yourself.

trans rights NOW

I’m so happy with the live action Percy Jackson show! There are changes from the books, sure, but it embodies the wholesome and entertaining essence of what I remember from reading those books so many years ago. They’re powerful demigods second and snarky, earnest, neurodivergent teenagers first.

Alright gang, there's a Senior Level Designer opening on my team. You know the drill. 👇 Please pass this along and AMA* jobs.zenimax.com/requisitions...

Rob Reiner: “Silence in the face of authoritarianism is complicity. Speaking out is a patriotic act. Democracy doesn’t defend itself. It requires participation, vigilance, and courage from ordinary people."

Awful things happening this weekend. Truly awful. So much senseless, violent hate. I’m so sorry that this is the kind of world we live in right now. I hope for better, one day in my lifetime. Perhaps another watch of The Princess Bride is in order.

I had one of those “gamer chairs” for a while and it sucked, especially if you spend many hours sitting at a desk. I did some research and bought a Herman Miller chair a few years ago and I’m never going back. I immediately felt the difference and still do. My cat also steals it regularly. 😆

Seattle area little guy alert! Please adopt him! He’s so good!