Allie Ast
@agast98.bsky.social
Founder, creative director, and writer of Sundew Studios. Currently working on Witchy Life Story.
Reposted by Allie Ast
There are a ton of wonderful people in this article discussing the realities of LLM based character interaction
I always return to the fact that parser games are not mainstream juggernauts and that people don't want to have to learn to be improv actors to participate as a character in a setting
I always return to the fact that parser games are not mainstream juggernauts and that people don't want to have to learn to be improv actors to participate as a character in a setting
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:45 PM
There are a ton of wonderful people in this article discussing the realities of LLM based character interaction
I always return to the fact that parser games are not mainstream juggernauts and that people don't want to have to learn to be improv actors to participate as a character in a setting
I always return to the fact that parser games are not mainstream juggernauts and that people don't want to have to learn to be improv actors to participate as a character in a setting
Reposted by Allie Ast
and if your first game from Santa Ragione was Horses, and you DIDN’T enjoy that, you should check out Mediterranea Inferno
If your first game from Santa Ragione was Horses, and you enjoyed that, you should check out their previous game, Saturnalia
the good news is that the media attention and support from an audience has helped Horses do well enough that Santa Ragione has been able to pay all its owed royalties and loans. so it's not in debt.
the bad news is it's still not enough to keep the studio together.
www.ign.com/articles/hor...
the bad news is it's still not enough to keep the studio together.
www.ign.com/articles/hor...
December 18, 2025 at 10:13 AM
and if your first game from Santa Ragione was Horses, and you DIDN’T enjoy that, you should check out Mediterranea Inferno
Reposted by Allie Ast
Rob Reiner made THE PRINCESS BRIDE. He made WHEN HARRY MET SALLY. He made MISERY, SPINAL TAP, and countless other classics.
Rob gave us a great gift, and his and his wife's senseless murders are a devastating loss.
Rob gave us a great gift, and his and his wife's senseless murders are a devastating loss.
December 15, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Rob Reiner made THE PRINCESS BRIDE. He made WHEN HARRY MET SALLY. He made MISERY, SPINAL TAP, and countless other classics.
Rob gave us a great gift, and his and his wife's senseless murders are a devastating loss.
Rob gave us a great gift, and his and his wife's senseless murders are a devastating loss.
Reposted by Allie Ast
the people of this great republic yearn for locomotive transport
Amtrak reports Mardi Gras service among most successful ever https://mynbc15.com/news/local/amtrak-provides-boost-to-mobile-businesses
Amtrak's Mardi Gras service boosts Mobile tourism with higher than expected ridership
Amtrak says the new Mardi Gras service that connects Mobile to New Orleans is one of the most successful services ever launched and it's on track to double the
mynbc15.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM
the people of this great republic yearn for locomotive transport
Reposted by Allie Ast
One of the many reasons AI can't produce good writing is it can't hate its own writing. It can't think to itself "Maybe I'm illiterate" during the writing process. And that's essential
December 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
One of the many reasons AI can't produce good writing is it can't hate its own writing. It can't think to itself "Maybe I'm illiterate" during the writing process. And that's essential
Reposted by Allie Ast
Horses' only sin is that its broad themes don't entirely pay off its loaded imagery. Otherwise, it's an effectively uncomfortable games that turns life's mundane humiliations into surreal horror. If anything, its bans fill in its thematic gaps for it. My review. www.polygon.com/horses-banne...
Horses review - the banned Steam game doesn't deserve its ban
Horses tackles life's daily humiliations with surreal horror that will make you squirm
www.polygon.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Horses' only sin is that its broad themes don't entirely pay off its loaded imagery. Otherwise, it's an effectively uncomfortable games that turns life's mundane humiliations into surreal horror. If anything, its bans fill in its thematic gaps for it. My review. www.polygon.com/horses-banne...
Reposted by Allie Ast
the HORSES affair is a startlingly low bar to cross to see if people actually care about protecting games from censorship of upsetting themes because it's far tamer and has way more moral clarity than a lot of stuff that doesn't get banned. but it's also very clarifying to see who can't cross it
December 4, 2025 at 2:50 AM
the HORSES affair is a startlingly low bar to cross to see if people actually care about protecting games from censorship of upsetting themes because it's far tamer and has way more moral clarity than a lot of stuff that doesn't get banned. but it's also very clarifying to see who can't cross it
Reposted by Allie Ast
Yesterday, the Epic Games Store decided at the last minute not to distribute the game, after having previously approved a release build. HORSES is otherwise now available on GOG, Itch, and Humble for $4.99. www.horses.wtf
December 2, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Yesterday, the Epic Games Store decided at the last minute not to distribute the game, after having previously approved a release build. HORSES is otherwise now available on GOG, Itch, and Humble for $4.99. www.horses.wtf
Reposted by Allie Ast
First HORSES reviews are in!
December 2, 2025 at 7:32 PM
First HORSES reviews are in!
Just finished this brilliant game, and just saw someone describe it as Saló meets Stardew Valley. If that’s your thing (I guess it’s mine???) definitely pick it up! Seriously, bravo @santaragione.com 🐴❤️
Yesterday, the Epic Games Store decided at the last minute not to distribute the game, after having previously approved a release build. HORSES is otherwise now available on GOG, Itch, and Humble for $4.99. www.horses.wtf
December 3, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Just finished this brilliant game, and just saw someone describe it as Saló meets Stardew Valley. If that’s your thing (I guess it’s mine???) definitely pick it up! Seriously, bravo @santaragione.com 🐴❤️
Reposted by Allie Ast
Special thanks to GOG for being so supportive of the project! HORSES preorders are now available on the store: www.gog.com/en/game/horses 🙏
November 28, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Special thanks to GOG for being so supportive of the project! HORSES preorders are now available on the store: www.gog.com/en/game/horses 🙏
Reposted by Allie Ast
We're excited to announce YOUNG SUNS: a new narrative-rich co-op life sim set on Jupiter. Experience life in an optimistic future full of colorful characters. Play solo or with up to 3 friends. Visit planetoids, ruins, and stations. Craft and decorate. Help society heal.
youtu.be/rVEWbp1FiKg?...
youtu.be/rVEWbp1FiKg?...
KO_OP Game Reveal & Presentation
YouTube video by KO_OP
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM
We're excited to announce YOUNG SUNS: a new narrative-rich co-op life sim set on Jupiter. Experience life in an optimistic future full of colorful characters. Play solo or with up to 3 friends. Visit planetoids, ruins, and stations. Craft and decorate. Help society heal.
youtu.be/rVEWbp1FiKg?...
youtu.be/rVEWbp1FiKg?...
Reposted by Allie Ast
This is infuriating and tragic but I also wonder if we couldn’t crowdfund 100k to keep Santa Ragione open—they make some of the strangest and most interesting games.
Santa Ragione co-founder Pietro Righi Riva addresses the studio's potential closure in an exclusive interview with GamesIndustry.biz. "There will likely be no money left to make a new [game]... Unless a miracle happens and Horses does very well."
www.gamesindustry.biz/santa-ragion...
www.gamesindustry.biz/santa-ragion...
Santa Ragione co-founder Pietro Righi Riva on Horses, Steam, and possible closure of the studio
"No publisher will fund a game that's not coming out on Steam"
www.gamesindustry.biz
November 25, 2025 at 6:36 PM
This is infuriating and tragic but I also wonder if we couldn’t crowdfund 100k to keep Santa Ragione open—they make some of the strangest and most interesting games.
Reposted by Allie Ast
Oh, I guess GOTY comes out in a week? Well when it does, buy it everywhere. Buy it for your friends and family. Santa Ragione don't deserve to go down like this.
Our upcoming game HORSES was preemptively banned from Steam, with no path to appeal. The game will still launch next week on December 2nd and will be available on EGS, GOG, Humble, and Itch for $4.99. Here is a detailed FAQ covering what happened: horses.wtf/BannedFromSt...
November 25, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Oh, I guess GOTY comes out in a week? Well when it does, buy it everywhere. Buy it for your friends and family. Santa Ragione don't deserve to go down like this.
Reposted by Allie Ast
"It's extremely frustrating and also f*cked up" - one of the world's best indie studios is facing shock closure following confounding Steam ban
www.eurogamer.net/its-extremel...
www.eurogamer.net/its-extremel...
November 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM
"It's extremely frustrating and also f*cked up" - one of the world's best indie studios is facing shock closure following confounding Steam ban
www.eurogamer.net/its-extremel...
www.eurogamer.net/its-extremel...
Reposted by Allie Ast
Our upcoming game HORSES was preemptively banned from Steam, with no path to appeal. The game will still launch next week on December 2nd and will be available on EGS, GOG, Humble, and Itch for $4.99. Here is a detailed FAQ covering what happened: horses.wtf/BannedFromSt...
November 25, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Our upcoming game HORSES was preemptively banned from Steam, with no path to appeal. The game will still launch next week on December 2nd and will be available on EGS, GOG, Humble, and Itch for $4.99. Here is a detailed FAQ covering what happened: horses.wtf/BannedFromSt...
Reposted by Allie Ast
Reposted by Allie Ast
Announcing... Tearoom of Terror!
As the new proprietor, you’re responsible for completing orders, handling morally questionable requests, and perhaps causing—I mean, solving—a murder or two.
Wishlist now on Steam & sign up for our newsletter for updates!
As the new proprietor, you’re responsible for completing orders, handling morally questionable requests, and perhaps causing—I mean, solving—a murder or two.
Wishlist now on Steam & sign up for our newsletter for updates!
October 9, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Announcing... Tearoom of Terror!
As the new proprietor, you’re responsible for completing orders, handling morally questionable requests, and perhaps causing—I mean, solving—a murder or two.
Wishlist now on Steam & sign up for our newsletter for updates!
As the new proprietor, you’re responsible for completing orders, handling morally questionable requests, and perhaps causing—I mean, solving—a murder or two.
Wishlist now on Steam & sign up for our newsletter for updates!
Reposted by Allie Ast
If you want to understand what Take Us North actually is and the work its developers have put into this game, I talked to @kreyes121.bsky.social back in March www.wired.com/story/take-u...
September 4, 2025 at 6:33 PM
If you want to understand what Take Us North actually is and the work its developers have put into this game, I talked to @kreyes121.bsky.social back in March www.wired.com/story/take-u...
Reposted by Allie Ast
Kind of feel like it should be bigger national news that the poorest major city in the country is being forced to accept devastating service cuts to our public transit system because PA Republicans actively hate Philly and want to cause us pain
August 14, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Kind of feel like it should be bigger national news that the poorest major city in the country is being forced to accept devastating service cuts to our public transit system because PA Republicans actively hate Philly and want to cause us pain
Reposted by Allie Ast
one of the single best deals in streaming. i've been paying for PBS Passport for years. it rules
August 2, 2025 at 8:20 PM
one of the single best deals in streaming. i've been paying for PBS Passport for years. it rules
Reposted by Allie Ast
the republican party hates public goods and wants to force feed you and your family slop produced by its billionaire allies
"WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 1, 2025) – The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced today that it will begin an orderly wind-down of its operations"
cpb.org/pressroom/Co...
cpb.org/pressroom/Co...
August 1, 2025 at 5:09 PM
the republican party hates public goods and wants to force feed you and your family slop produced by its billionaire allies
Reposted by Allie Ast
Heartworm - the retro, fixed camera survival horror inspired game I have been working on for five years is out NOW on Steam. Please check it out if you're into that sort of thing! And if you enjoy it, leave a review as it really helps! Thank you
store.steampowered.com/app/1257030/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1257030/...
July 31, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Heartworm - the retro, fixed camera survival horror inspired game I have been working on for five years is out NOW on Steam. Please check it out if you're into that sort of thing! And if you enjoy it, leave a review as it really helps! Thank you
store.steampowered.com/app/1257030/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1257030/...
Reposted by Allie Ast
