Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
@soupdragonbea.bsky.social
sparkle emoji semantics fan | games & disability researcher at Abertay and Bonn but also still a linguist | @gameassistyt.bsky.social | @TakeThis.org Accelerate Fellow '25 | @IGDAFoundation.org Grantee | pan-accessibility dreamer | crip and proud | she/her
Pinned
Hi, I'm Bea! I'm an analogue games researcher at Abertay University in Scotland, and I do games cluster policy research with GAME-ER. I'm a member of @gameassistyt.bsky.social - we talk about liberation politics through the lens of games. I am normal abt game accessibility
bsky.app/profile/soup...
bsky.app/profile/soup...
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
Our finalists for AA Excellence are:
Abiotic Factor
Atomfall
The Rogue Prince of Persia
South of Midnight
PowerWash Simulator 2
Public vote now open at gaconf.com/gaconf-awards-2025/
Abiotic Factor
Atomfall
The Rogue Prince of Persia
South of Midnight
PowerWash Simulator 2
Public vote now open at gaconf.com/gaconf-awards-2025/
November 24, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Our finalists for AA Excellence are:
Abiotic Factor
Atomfall
The Rogue Prince of Persia
South of Midnight
PowerWash Simulator 2
Public vote now open at gaconf.com/gaconf-awards-2025/
Abiotic Factor
Atomfall
The Rogue Prince of Persia
South of Midnight
PowerWash Simulator 2
Public vote now open at gaconf.com/gaconf-awards-2025/
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
I was on the road to becoming a high-school German teacher, but then MA wouldn't accept my IA licensure and so then I fell into a job with a unique media archive as well as into the social circles of a fabulous indie game design community. And I liked my apartment at the time too!
November 22, 2025 at 11:52 PM
I was on the road to becoming a high-school German teacher, but then MA wouldn't accept my IA licensure and so then I fell into a job with a unique media archive as well as into the social circles of a fabulous indie game design community. And I liked my apartment at the time too!
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
One of my most popular one-hour larps is the Golden Cobra game Sublime Flickering Light, which is my brute-force "parable of the cave" metaphor with virtually no layout effort to speak of.
Sometimes things come out the way they do and take on a life of their own.
www.goldencobra.org/pdf/2016/Sub...
Sometimes things come out the way they do and take on a life of their own.
www.goldencobra.org/pdf/2016/Sub...
November 22, 2025 at 10:48 PM
One of my most popular one-hour larps is the Golden Cobra game Sublime Flickering Light, which is my brute-force "parable of the cave" metaphor with virtually no layout effort to speak of.
Sometimes things come out the way they do and take on a life of their own.
www.goldencobra.org/pdf/2016/Sub...
Sometimes things come out the way they do and take on a life of their own.
www.goldencobra.org/pdf/2016/Sub...
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
America's first ever esports champion was Rebecca Heineman, a trans woman. She went on to found some of your favorite video game studios and worked on your favorite video games. Next time you see somebody rail about 'woke' and 'DEI'
Remember that.
Remember her.
Remember that.
Remember her.
"I code so others can dream."
Gayming Icon and LGBTQ+ video game pioneer, Rebecca Heineman, has sadly passed away after a short, tough fight with aggressive cancer.
Read our obituary to this true industry trailblazer: gaymingmag.com/2025/11/gaym...
Gayming Icon and LGBTQ+ video game pioneer, Rebecca Heineman, has sadly passed away after a short, tough fight with aggressive cancer.
Read our obituary to this true industry trailblazer: gaymingmag.com/2025/11/gaym...
Gayming Icon and LGBTQ+ games pioneer, Rebecca Heineman, has died - Gayming Magazine
Rebecca Heineman, a trailblazing figure in the video game industry and a celebrated icon within the LGBTQ+ gaming community, has died.
gaymingmag.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:11 PM
America's first ever esports champion was Rebecca Heineman, a trans woman. She went on to found some of your favorite video game studios and worked on your favorite video games. Next time you see somebody rail about 'woke' and 'DEI'
Remember that.
Remember her.
Remember that.
Remember her.
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
Calling all indie game developers working on a better future for the planet! Would you like to be part of an easy and fun session with the EU project STRATEGIES where we talk about what it means to make a game, challenges with funding, and more? #indiedev #gamesdev #indiegames (key art: Synergy)
November 18, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Calling all indie game developers working on a better future for the planet! Would you like to be part of an easy and fun session with the EU project STRATEGIES where we talk about what it means to make a game, challenges with funding, and more? #indiedev #gamesdev #indiegames (key art: Synergy)
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
did you know you can support us on patreon or ko-fi? we want to hear from you guys about how you want to support/keep up to date with the work we're doing at Game Assist
Have you ever watched our video essays or Twitch streams? If so, we want to hear from you about how we can keep you up to date with our work, whether or not you're a paid Patron. Did you know you can join Patreon/Kofi as a free member? Please share widely! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Game Assist Patreon Survey Form: New 2026, New Game Assist!
We want to better understand what our Patrons want to see from us in terms of perks, content, and interaction. Your support is what enables us to continue doing high-quality research and activism whil...
docs.google.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM
did you know you can support us on patreon or ko-fi? we want to hear from you guys about how you want to support/keep up to date with the work we're doing at Game Assist
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
Live now!
More Silent Hill 3 tomorrow at 4pm GMT! twitch.tv/gameassistyt
November 18, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Live now!
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
thing about autism is if you work really hard for many years, you can learn through trial-and-error how to navigate social situations and interpersonal connections SO effectively that people don't really believe you're autistic anymore and resent you for not being perfect at nonverbal communication
November 16, 2025 at 8:21 PM
thing about autism is if you work really hard for many years, you can learn through trial-and-error how to navigate social situations and interpersonal connections SO effectively that people don't really believe you're autistic anymore and resent you for not being perfect at nonverbal communication
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
ever watched a GA video or Twitch stream, and want to keep up to date with our work? Please fill this out, and share as widely as you can!
Have you ever watched our video essays or Twitch streams? If so, we want to hear from you about how we can keep you up to date with our work, whether or not you're a paid Patron. Did you know you can join Patreon/Kofi as a free member? Please share widely! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Game Assist Patreon Survey Form: New 2026, New Game Assist!
We want to better understand what our Patrons want to see from us in terms of perks, content, and interaction. Your support is what enables us to continue doing high-quality research and activism whil...
docs.google.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:44 PM
ever watched a GA video or Twitch stream, and want to keep up to date with our work? Please fill this out, and share as widely as you can!
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
@jdragsky.bsky.social flagged this for me today while I have been debating what my students and I are going to play in the last week of the 18C novels class.
Reader, I just bought two copies.
(Thanks Patreon.)
Reader, I just bought two copies.
(Thanks Patreon.)
Finally, @xoe.gay 's Persuasion. There are a lot of Jane Austen games out there, but for me, this is the only one that really feels like it understands the books, that has any bite to it, and that feels like it's interested in people. It's a remarkable game.
hollandspiele.com/products/per...
hollandspiele.com/products/per...
Persuasion
Game Design: Xoe AllredHex Number: 92Duration: 60 minutesPlayers: 3-8MSRP: $60.00
"Allred has done something remarkable. It’s taken the courtship rituals of a bygone era and zeroed in on what gives th...
hollandspiele.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:08 PM
@jdragsky.bsky.social flagged this for me today while I have been debating what my students and I are going to play in the last week of the 18C novels class.
Reader, I just bought two copies.
(Thanks Patreon.)
Reader, I just bought two copies.
(Thanks Patreon.)
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
The first most important thing you can do to support workers is to listen to them.
They love their work and they want to keep making games, and they deserve a union to make their work safe and sustainable.
Very glad to see People Make Games follow this closely. Staying tuned and in solidarity ✊
They love their work and they want to keep making games, and they deserve a union to make their work safe and sustainable.
Very glad to see People Make Games follow this closely. Staying tuned and in solidarity ✊
I went to meet the 'Rockstar 31', the developers who were suddenly fired from their work on GTA 6 for what the studio has described as gross misconduct.
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
The Rockstar Workers Fired Before They Could Finish GTA 6
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:29 AM
The first most important thing you can do to support workers is to listen to them.
They love their work and they want to keep making games, and they deserve a union to make their work safe and sustainable.
Very glad to see People Make Games follow this closely. Staying tuned and in solidarity ✊
They love their work and they want to keep making games, and they deserve a union to make their work safe and sustainable.
Very glad to see People Make Games follow this closely. Staying tuned and in solidarity ✊
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
The best way you're going to be win conditions like they did here is by expecting to strike and being prepared to do it for a while.
If you think company execs will do the right thing and just agree up front, you won't be prepared for when they don't. Better to be prepared and not need to strike.
If you think company execs will do the right thing and just agree up front, you won't be prepared for when they don't. Better to be prepared and not need to strike.
Workers with @kickstarterunited.org end their six-week strike victorious, enshrining 4-day work weeks and salary floors while also adding protections against gen AI replacing human labor.
Kickstarter United ends six-week strike with a resounding victory
Workers secure a 4-day work week, minimum salary floor, and protection against AI.
www.rascal.news
November 13, 2025 at 11:47 AM
The best way you're going to be win conditions like they did here is by expecting to strike and being prepared to do it for a while.
If you think company execs will do the right thing and just agree up front, you won't be prepared for when they don't. Better to be prepared and not need to strike.
If you think company execs will do the right thing and just agree up front, you won't be prepared for when they don't. Better to be prepared and not need to strike.
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
Over 200 Rockstar staff have written to management in support of unfairly fired union members.
We have published more details on our website, although we have not yet released the exact contents of the letter: www.gameworkers.co.uk/rockstar-ope...
We have published more details on our website, although we have not yet released the exact contents of the letter: www.gameworkers.co.uk/rockstar-ope...
Over 200 Rockstar staff write to management in support of unfairly fired union members - IWGB Game Workers
220 letters signed by staff members at Rockstar, the studio behind the Grand Theft Auto series, were delivered to management at the company last week, demanding that the 31 employees fired are immedia...
www.gameworkers.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Over 200 Rockstar staff have written to management in support of unfairly fired union members.
We have published more details on our website, although we have not yet released the exact contents of the letter: www.gameworkers.co.uk/rockstar-ope...
We have published more details on our website, although we have not yet released the exact contents of the letter: www.gameworkers.co.uk/rockstar-ope...
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
You thought the word metroidbrainia was painful, wait till you read my academic article about why these games essentially encourage you to roleplay as an archaeologist
November 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
You thought the word metroidbrainia was painful, wait till you read my academic article about why these games essentially encourage you to roleplay as an archaeologist
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
Game professionals form coalition to 'push against the dehumanization of Palestinians'
"The dehumanisation of Palestinians is tied to their rare visibility in the cultural sphere. This dehumanisation costs lives–as the world remains indifferent to the ongoing genocide in Gaza."
"The dehumanisation of Palestinians is tied to their rare visibility in the cultural sphere. This dehumanisation costs lives–as the world remains indifferent to the ongoing genocide in Gaza."
Game devs form coalition to amplify Palestinian voices
Palestinian Voices in Games wants to help Palestinian developers tell their own stories and reach global audiences.
www.gamedeveloper.com
September 22, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Game professionals form coalition to 'push against the dehumanization of Palestinians'
"The dehumanisation of Palestinians is tied to their rare visibility in the cultural sphere. This dehumanisation costs lives–as the world remains indifferent to the ongoing genocide in Gaza."
"The dehumanisation of Palestinians is tied to their rare visibility in the cultural sphere. This dehumanisation costs lives–as the world remains indifferent to the ongoing genocide in Gaza."
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
My awesome pal @eleanorturney.co.uk has set up www.many-hats.org to provide affordable (including low income and lottery places) professional development for Freelancers!
Many Hats | Professional development for freelancers
Many Hats offers professional development workshops tailored for freelancers to enhance skills, stay up-tp-date, and advance careers.
www.many-hats.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:07 PM
My awesome pal @eleanorturney.co.uk has set up www.many-hats.org to provide affordable (including low income and lottery places) professional development for Freelancers!
begging game devs to implement toggles or other accessibility measures to mitigate fast looping visuals, especially in menus. i know a 'reduced motion' setting like Discord's isn't always possible in the exact same way, but i want to play your games PLEASE
November 12, 2025 at 12:52 PM
begging game devs to implement toggles or other accessibility measures to mitigate fast looping visuals, especially in menus. i know a 'reduced motion' setting like Discord's isn't always possible in the exact same way, but i want to play your games PLEASE
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
Three German universities offering post-docs for researchers "who cannot conduct or continue their work in the USA appropriately because of actual political pressure. "
www.uni-konstanz.de/zukunftskoll...
www.uni-konstanz.de/zukunftskoll...
Early Career Rescue Fellowship
www.uni-konstanz.de
November 11, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Three German universities offering post-docs for researchers "who cannot conduct or continue their work in the USA appropriately because of actual political pressure. "
www.uni-konstanz.de/zukunftskoll...
www.uni-konstanz.de/zukunftskoll...
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
I went to meet the 'Rockstar 31', the developers who were suddenly fired from their work on GTA 6 for what the studio has described as gross misconduct.
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
The Rockstar Workers Fired Before They Could Finish GTA 6
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I went to meet the 'Rockstar 31', the developers who were suddenly fired from their work on GTA 6 for what the studio has described as gross misconduct.
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
Over the moon with this kind #bookreview from the Mystery Review Crew: "Player Elimination is the fabulous series starter in the now three-book Wren Winters Mystery series by Shelly Jones."
Read the full review here: mysteryreviewcrew.com/player-elimi...
⚡️📚
📚💙
🌈📚
🎲
Read the full review here: mysteryreviewcrew.com/player-elimi...
⚡️📚
📚💙
🌈📚
🎲
November 11, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Over the moon with this kind #bookreview from the Mystery Review Crew: "Player Elimination is the fabulous series starter in the now three-book Wren Winters Mystery series by Shelly Jones."
Read the full review here: mysteryreviewcrew.com/player-elimi...
⚡️📚
📚💙
🌈📚
🎲
Read the full review here: mysteryreviewcrew.com/player-elimi...
⚡️📚
📚💙
🌈📚
🎲
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
We meet a group of kids who want to repurpose hallowed ground for the worship of anodic dance music, but before going to church we find someone we've been looking for!
youtu.be/7ijFIxyqO-g
youtu.be/7ijFIxyqO-g
November 10, 2025 at 6:02 PM
We meet a group of kids who want to repurpose hallowed ground for the worship of anodic dance music, but before going to church we find someone we've been looking for!
youtu.be/7ijFIxyqO-g
youtu.be/7ijFIxyqO-g
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
In the 2010s in particular, our international role-playing communities faced a lot of "Law of Jante" crap that, looking back on it, was this perfect feedback loop between Others' Jealousy and Creator-Inherent Internalized Feelings of Inadequacy.
In the 2020s, I think we all deserve more hugs.
In the 2020s, I think we all deserve more hugs.
y'know, as a kid you say you wanna be a writer or you wanna make video games & your family not only tells you how unrealistic it is but also that "you think you're better than us?!" & "you just want attention" & you quickly learn that having or expressing ambition is dangerous & will be punished
November 11, 2025 at 11:10 AM
In the 2010s in particular, our international role-playing communities faced a lot of "Law of Jante" crap that, looking back on it, was this perfect feedback loop between Others' Jealousy and Creator-Inherent Internalized Feelings of Inadequacy.
In the 2020s, I think we all deserve more hugs.
In the 2020s, I think we all deserve more hugs.
Reposted by Bea[trix] Livesey-Stephens
Every few weeks we gotta make posts like this”call your dem reps to tell them to not vote to allow Lord Killdude to shove people into a volcano” and then the dem reps go “we’ve made an amazing deal where Lord Killdude can have his volcano so long as he promises not to shove people into it”
November 10, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Every few weeks we gotta make posts like this”call your dem reps to tell them to not vote to allow Lord Killdude to shove people into a volcano” and then the dem reps go “we’ve made an amazing deal where Lord Killdude can have his volcano so long as he promises not to shove people into it”