Katya Ryabova
@katyar.bsky.social
Video games freelance writer & journalist. Gaming, motherhood, drinks. She/her.
Substack: playingthisweek.substack.com
Coffee and games fund: https://ko-fi.com/katyar
Substack: playingthisweek.substack.com
Coffee and games fund: https://ko-fi.com/katyar
Well, the timing is funny, isn't it?
I'm really proud of this piece and was fascinated to learn about the development process behind Clair Obscur's combat.
My gaming feature for @mobilesyrup.com:
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/27/c...
I'm really proud of this piece and was fascinated to learn about the development process behind Clair Obscur's combat.
My gaming feature for @mobilesyrup.com:
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/27/c...
Expedition 33 devs always wanted combat to be ‘hard but juicy’
At a recent talk at MIGS, the lead game designer on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 shared the process of creating the games unique combat.
mobilesyrup.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Well, the timing is funny, isn't it?
I'm really proud of this piece and was fascinated to learn about the development process behind Clair Obscur's combat.
My gaming feature for @mobilesyrup.com:
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/27/c...
I'm really proud of this piece and was fascinated to learn about the development process behind Clair Obscur's combat.
My gaming feature for @mobilesyrup.com:
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/27/c...
Played Young Suns a little bit tonight, and it's so darn cute! Very much in the early access trenches, but as a fan of the genre I'm excited to see where it goes 🚀
Congrats to Montreal-based @ko-op.com on the reveal (and shadow drop) of Young Suns, a new 1-4 player narrative life sim! 🇨🇦 🎮
Really dug what the team did with Goodbye Volcano High, so I'm looking forward to checking this out.
It's on Game Preview on Xbox Game Pass now!
Really dug what the team did with Goodbye Volcano High, so I'm looking forward to checking this out.
It's on Game Preview on Xbox Game Pass now!
KO_OP Game Reveal & Presentation
YouTube video by KO_OP
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Played Young Suns a little bit tonight, and it's so darn cute! Very much in the early access trenches, but as a fan of the genre I'm excited to see where it goes 🚀
Reposted by Katya Ryabova
best we've got right now is Murdoch Mysteries, a detective show set in late 1800's Toronto, where the lead characters regularly invent modern technology by accident. Detective Murdoch created the Roomba. Tatiana Maslany's brother plays a gay jewish cop. It's incredible.
November 26, 2025 at 7:38 PM
best we've got right now is Murdoch Mysteries, a detective show set in late 1800's Toronto, where the lead characters regularly invent modern technology by accident. Detective Murdoch created the Roomba. Tatiana Maslany's brother plays a gay jewish cop. It's incredible.
Reposted by Katya Ryabova
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Toronto's High Park Zoo with local indie dev @kittencupstudio.bsky.social & @saffronaurora.bsky.social to learn more about their upcoming cozy game, Capy Castaway.
It's both a wholesome adventure and surprisingly poignant love letter to Toronto's history. 🇨🇦 🎮
It's both a wholesome adventure and surprisingly poignant love letter to Toronto's history. 🇨🇦 🎮
Your next cozy game obsession is a charming tribute to Toronto's nature and history
Local indie developer Kitten Cup Studio takes us to the High Park Zoo to unpack its wholesome Toronto-inspired animal adventure game.
mobilesyrup.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Toronto's High Park Zoo with local indie dev @kittencupstudio.bsky.social & @saffronaurora.bsky.social to learn more about their upcoming cozy game, Capy Castaway.
It's both a wholesome adventure and surprisingly poignant love letter to Toronto's history. 🇨🇦 🎮
It's both a wholesome adventure and surprisingly poignant love letter to Toronto's history. 🇨🇦 🎮
Presented without comment:
Why I no longer cheer for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
playingthisweek.substack.com/p/why-i-no-l...
Why I no longer cheer for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
playingthisweek.substack.com/p/why-i-no-l...
Why I no longer cheer for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Separating the art from the artist has always been impossible for me.
playingthisweek.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Presented without comment:
Why I no longer cheer for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
playingthisweek.substack.com/p/why-i-no-l...
Why I no longer cheer for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
playingthisweek.substack.com/p/why-i-no-l...
Writing something that will surely cost me subscribers.
Most things worth saying usually do.
Most things worth saying usually do.
November 26, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Writing something that will surely cost me subscribers.
Most things worth saying usually do.
Most things worth saying usually do.
Thank you for doing these explainers, Steve! This is hugely important, especially for folks with less direct experience with disability and no immediate recognition of how big of a difference these accessibility settings can make in reducing barriers.
I'm breaking down the nominations for "Innovation in Accessibility" at @thegameawards.com.
Yesterday I talked about Atomfall, today is @compulsiongames.bsky.social's South Of Midnight
youtu.be/NrBcdAWBvFU
Yesterday I talked about Atomfall, today is @compulsiongames.bsky.social's South Of Midnight
youtu.be/NrBcdAWBvFU
The Game Awards Nominated South Of Midnight for Accessibility - Let Me Show You Why
YouTube video by Steve Saylor
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Thank you for doing these explainers, Steve! This is hugely important, especially for folks with less direct experience with disability and no immediate recognition of how big of a difference these accessibility settings can make in reducing barriers.
Getting to the level of overloaded with writing work this week, but it's good because this means I can buy more gifts for friends and family 🥹
November 25, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Getting to the level of overloaded with writing work this week, but it's good because this means I can buy more gifts for friends and family 🥹
"AI and machine learning may in fact transform the world, but there's no reason to assume that the transformation will be a good thing unless we actively try to make it a good thing."
Microsoft's head of AI doesn't understand why people don't like AI, and I don't understand why he doesn't understand because it's pretty obvious
Is it really "mindblowing" that people are skeptical of software that consistently doesn't do the things we're told it can do?
www.pcgamer.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:25 PM
"AI and machine learning may in fact transform the world, but there's no reason to assume that the transformation will be a good thing unless we actively try to make it a good thing."
Reposted by Katya Ryabova
Some familiar indie games here 👀
At #MIGS25, I got to test drive a bunch of very fun, very creative games in development by Canadian game studios 🇨🇦
So much to get excited for!
My highlight list feature for @mobilesyrup.com 👇
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/21/c...
So much to get excited for!
My highlight list feature for @mobilesyrup.com 👇
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/21/c...
Canadian video games take centre stage at Montréal International Game Summit
Exciting new Canadian-made games were on display at MIGS, and these are some the highlights we got to play.
mobilesyrup.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Some familiar indie games here 👀
Give these amazing studios and devs a follow to stay up to date and be the first to know when the playtests open (if that's your thing):
@altkeygames.bsky.social @ravinestudios.ca @maarti.net @styraxstudios.bsky.social @studiolazulite.bsky.social
@altkeygames.bsky.social @ravinestudios.ca @maarti.net @styraxstudios.bsky.social @studiolazulite.bsky.social
At #MIGS25, I got to test drive a bunch of very fun, very creative games in development by Canadian game studios 🇨🇦
So much to get excited for!
My highlight list feature for @mobilesyrup.com 👇
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/21/c...
So much to get excited for!
My highlight list feature for @mobilesyrup.com 👇
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/21/c...
Canadian video games take centre stage at Montréal International Game Summit
Exciting new Canadian-made games were on display at MIGS, and these are some the highlights we got to play.
mobilesyrup.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Give these amazing studios and devs a follow to stay up to date and be the first to know when the playtests open (if that's your thing):
@altkeygames.bsky.social @ravinestudios.ca @maarti.net @styraxstudios.bsky.social @studiolazulite.bsky.social
@altkeygames.bsky.social @ravinestudios.ca @maarti.net @styraxstudios.bsky.social @studiolazulite.bsky.social
At #MIGS25, I got to test drive a bunch of very fun, very creative games in development by Canadian game studios 🇨🇦
So much to get excited for!
My highlight list feature for @mobilesyrup.com 👇
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/21/c...
So much to get excited for!
My highlight list feature for @mobilesyrup.com 👇
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/21/c...
Canadian video games take centre stage at Montréal International Game Summit
Exciting new Canadian-made games were on display at MIGS, and these are some the highlights we got to play.
mobilesyrup.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:31 PM
At #MIGS25, I got to test drive a bunch of very fun, very creative games in development by Canadian game studios 🇨🇦
So much to get excited for!
My highlight list feature for @mobilesyrup.com 👇
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/21/c...
So much to get excited for!
My highlight list feature for @mobilesyrup.com 👇
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/21/c...
Last call! Nominate a Canadian game you loved for the Canadian Games Awards! Games that came out December 2024 onwards are eligible.
Self-nominations are totally fine and welcome!
Self-nominations are totally fine and welcome!
TGAs are all well and good, but did you know about the existence of the Canadian Game Awards? We got some cool games going up here too, just sayin' 🇨🇦
Public nominations for the CGA 2026 are still open! The deadline to nominate is November 20: cgameawards.com
Public nominations for the CGA 2026 are still open! The deadline to nominate is November 20: cgameawards.com
The Canadian Games Awards - Home
The most epic time of the year to celebrate Canadian-made games! This event highlights the creativity, passion, and innovation of Canada’s gaming industry, showcasing the incredible talent behind the ...
cgameawards.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Last call! Nominate a Canadian game you loved for the Canadian Games Awards! Games that came out December 2024 onwards are eligible.
Self-nominations are totally fine and welcome!
Self-nominations are totally fine and welcome!
Reposted by Katya Ryabova
Haha I try to be as eclectic as I can from Hotel Barcelona to Rue Valley to The Knightling but I sure gravitate towards striking artstyles it's true! Thank you.
November 20, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Haha I try to be as eclectic as I can from Hotel Barcelona to Rue Valley to The Knightling but I sure gravitate towards striking artstyles it's true! Thank you.
Reposted by Katya Ryabova
You should definitely subscribe to Katya's newsletter, btw.
A sneak peek at what's to come in 2026 and beyond from immensely talented Canadian game studios 🇨🇦
@lecatnipcollective.bsky.social @cosmicrungame.bsky.social @heartloopgames.bsky.social @mhdante.com @indigodoyle.bsky.social
The future of gaming is bright.
#MIGS25 #indiegames
@lecatnipcollective.bsky.social @cosmicrungame.bsky.social @heartloopgames.bsky.social @mhdante.com @indigodoyle.bsky.social
The future of gaming is bright.
#MIGS25 #indiegames
Five more Canadian indie gems
The first look at future hits, courtesy of the MIGS 2025 indie pitch competition
playingthisweek.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:04 PM
You should definitely subscribe to Katya's newsletter, btw.
One more day to nominate a Canadian game you loved for the Canadian Games Awards consideration!
Self-nominations are welcome!
Self-nominations are welcome!
TGAs are all well and good, but did you know about the existence of the Canadian Game Awards? We got some cool games going up here too, just sayin' 🇨🇦
Public nominations for the CGA 2026 are still open! The deadline to nominate is November 20: cgameawards.com
Public nominations for the CGA 2026 are still open! The deadline to nominate is November 20: cgameawards.com
The Canadian Games Awards - Home
The most epic time of the year to celebrate Canadian-made games! This event highlights the creativity, passion, and innovation of Canada’s gaming industry, showcasing the incredible talent behind the ...
cgameawards.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:21 PM
One more day to nominate a Canadian game you loved for the Canadian Games Awards consideration!
Self-nominations are welcome!
Self-nominations are welcome!
Reposted by Katya Ryabova
Over the next few days I'll be posting clips of my main video doing a breakdown of #TheGameAwards Accessibility category to help explain why each game was nominated.
First up today is #Atomfall
youtu.be/QB6gh77RwR4
First up today is #Atomfall
youtu.be/QB6gh77RwR4
The Game Awards Nominated Atomfall for Accessibility - Let Me Show You Why
YouTube video by Steve Saylor
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Over the next few days I'll be posting clips of my main video doing a breakdown of #TheGameAwards Accessibility category to help explain why each game was nominated.
First up today is #Atomfall
youtu.be/QB6gh77RwR4
First up today is #Atomfall
youtu.be/QB6gh77RwR4
Reposted by Katya Ryabova
To celebrate Morsels' release, that's the game I will be streaming today!
See you at 6PM EST: twitch.tv/andresplays93
See you at 6PM EST: twitch.tv/andresplays93
November 18, 2025 at 5:59 PM
To celebrate Morsels' release, that's the game I will be streaming today!
See you at 6PM EST: twitch.tv/andresplays93
See you at 6PM EST: twitch.tv/andresplays93
We can't wait for RollerGirl @rollergirlgame.bsky.social @pushingvertices.bsky.social! 🛼💙
Looks sooo good! Why don’t we have more skating games?!
And RollerGirl — any game that puts me on wheels, vibing to music zipping around town, is speaking straight to my heart.
And RollerGirl — any game that puts me on wheels, vibing to music zipping around town, is speaking straight to my heart.
November 18, 2025 at 5:35 PM
We can't wait for RollerGirl @rollergirlgame.bsky.social @pushingvertices.bsky.social! 🛼💙
A sneak peek at what's to come in 2026 and beyond from immensely talented Canadian game studios 🇨🇦
@lecatnipcollective.bsky.social @cosmicrungame.bsky.social @heartloopgames.bsky.social @mhdante.com @indigodoyle.bsky.social
The future of gaming is bright.
#MIGS25 #indiegames
@lecatnipcollective.bsky.social @cosmicrungame.bsky.social @heartloopgames.bsky.social @mhdante.com @indigodoyle.bsky.social
The future of gaming is bright.
#MIGS25 #indiegames
Five more Canadian indie gems
The first look at future hits, courtesy of the MIGS 2025 indie pitch competition
playingthisweek.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:47 PM
A sneak peek at what's to come in 2026 and beyond from immensely talented Canadian game studios 🇨🇦
@lecatnipcollective.bsky.social @cosmicrungame.bsky.social @heartloopgames.bsky.social @mhdante.com @indigodoyle.bsky.social
The future of gaming is bright.
#MIGS25 #indiegames
@lecatnipcollective.bsky.social @cosmicrungame.bsky.social @heartloopgames.bsky.social @mhdante.com @indigodoyle.bsky.social
The future of gaming is bright.
#MIGS25 #indiegames
TGAs are all well and good, but did you know about the existence of the Canadian Game Awards? We got some cool games going up here too, just sayin' 🇨🇦
Public nominations for the CGA 2026 are still open! The deadline to nominate is November 20: cgameawards.com
Public nominations for the CGA 2026 are still open! The deadline to nominate is November 20: cgameawards.com
The Canadian Games Awards - Home
The most epic time of the year to celebrate Canadian-made games! This event highlights the creativity, passion, and innovation of Canada’s gaming industry, showcasing the incredible talent behind the ...
cgameawards.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:46 PM
TGAs are all well and good, but did you know about the existence of the Canadian Game Awards? We got some cool games going up here too, just sayin' 🇨🇦
Public nominations for the CGA 2026 are still open! The deadline to nominate is November 20: cgameawards.com
Public nominations for the CGA 2026 are still open! The deadline to nominate is November 20: cgameawards.com
Read more Canadian games journalism, folks! MobileSyrup @mobilesyrup.com is a great place to start 😉
On that note, it's been great to have @katyar.bsky.social start contributing to @mobilesyrup.com over the past few months. She's done a few pieces for us, especially a wonderful feature on Indigenous Canadian games, and also has her own insightful Substack called Playing This Week. Check it out!
Playing This Week | Katya Ryabova | Substack
Decidedly unserious video game essays, reviews, and interviews from a recovering marketer and average human based in Toronto. Open-minded but a sucker for good RPGs, adventure, and cozy games (whateve...
playingthisweek.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Read more Canadian games journalism, folks! MobileSyrup @mobilesyrup.com is a great place to start 😉
Reposted by Katya Ryabova
Still a bit surreal to see this even as a returning outlet as
this follows years of slowly growing @mobilesyrup.com's gaming coverage, in no small part thanks to @patrickorourke.bsky.social.
It's great to be here with friends & colleagues like @cgmagazine.bsky.social & CBC's @jonore.bsky.social!
this follows years of slowly growing @mobilesyrup.com's gaming coverage, in no small part thanks to @patrickorourke.bsky.social.
It's great to be here with friends & colleagues like @cgmagazine.bsky.social & CBC's @jonore.bsky.social!
November 17, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Still a bit surreal to see this even as a returning outlet as
this follows years of slowly growing @mobilesyrup.com's gaming coverage, in no small part thanks to @patrickorourke.bsky.social.
It's great to be here with friends & colleagues like @cgmagazine.bsky.social & CBC's @jonore.bsky.social!
this follows years of slowly growing @mobilesyrup.com's gaming coverage, in no small part thanks to @patrickorourke.bsky.social.
It's great to be here with friends & colleagues like @cgmagazine.bsky.social & CBC's @jonore.bsky.social!
This is what I'm here for, truly
Shoutout to the Canadian #TheGameAwards nominees!
🇨🇦Compulsion's South of Midnight (Innovation in Accessibility, Games for Impact)
🇨🇦Don't Nod MTL's Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Impact)
🇨🇦EA Vancouver's EA Sports FC 26 (Accessibility, Sports)
🇨🇦Ubisoft Quebec's Assassin's Creed Shadows (Accessibility)
🇨🇦Compulsion's South of Midnight (Innovation in Accessibility, Games for Impact)
🇨🇦Don't Nod MTL's Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Impact)
🇨🇦EA Vancouver's EA Sports FC 26 (Accessibility, Sports)
🇨🇦Ubisoft Quebec's Assassin's Creed Shadows (Accessibility)
November 17, 2025 at 5:45 PM
This is what I'm here for, truly
Reposted by Katya Ryabova
Shoutout to the Canadian #TheGameAwards nominees!
🇨🇦Compulsion's South of Midnight (Innovation in Accessibility, Games for Impact)
🇨🇦Don't Nod MTL's Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Impact)
🇨🇦EA Vancouver's EA Sports FC 26 (Accessibility, Sports)
🇨🇦Ubisoft Quebec's Assassin's Creed Shadows (Accessibility)
🇨🇦Compulsion's South of Midnight (Innovation in Accessibility, Games for Impact)
🇨🇦Don't Nod MTL's Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Impact)
🇨🇦EA Vancouver's EA Sports FC 26 (Accessibility, Sports)
🇨🇦Ubisoft Quebec's Assassin's Creed Shadows (Accessibility)
November 17, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Shoutout to the Canadian #TheGameAwards nominees!
🇨🇦Compulsion's South of Midnight (Innovation in Accessibility, Games for Impact)
🇨🇦Don't Nod MTL's Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Impact)
🇨🇦EA Vancouver's EA Sports FC 26 (Accessibility, Sports)
🇨🇦Ubisoft Quebec's Assassin's Creed Shadows (Accessibility)
🇨🇦Compulsion's South of Midnight (Innovation in Accessibility, Games for Impact)
🇨🇦Don't Nod MTL's Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Impact)
🇨🇦EA Vancouver's EA Sports FC 26 (Accessibility, Sports)
🇨🇦Ubisoft Quebec's Assassin's Creed Shadows (Accessibility)