Pauline Marlière
@freyakyle.bsky.social
Award-winning Narrative Designer & Game Writer (FR/EN)
Currently working on Rewind And Reclaim 🔪, Teamcrafter ⛏️, and more!
Previously Lead on Caravan SandWitch 🚚🥪🧙♀️, Panoptic 🔶
She/Her 🌈🇧🇪🍉
https://paulinemarliere.com/writing/
Currently working on Rewind And Reclaim 🔪, Teamcrafter ⛏️, and more!
Previously Lead on Caravan SandWitch 🚚🥪🧙♀️, Panoptic 🔶
She/Her 🌈🇧🇪🍉
https://paulinemarliere.com/writing/
Pinned
In a special episode of Digital Diversity I was lucky enough to get to interview @freyakyle.bsky.social, lead narrative designer of @sandwitchdev.bsky.social & prolific game developer about her work in the industry & her writing inspirations
This was a real emotional interview, thank you Pauline 💜
This was a real emotional interview, thank you Pauline 💜
Digital Diversity – Pauline Marlière
At the core of Digital Diversity is a true passion for talking to LGBTQIA+ game developers about who they are and what makes them tick. While we love to talk about the games they make, it’s t…
jamiemarriage.wordpress.com
I had a very good time with @enbykaiju.itch.io talking about a lot of subjects that matter to me.
I’m also being very personal about my work, and how life events have influenced my writing.
Thank you again for the invitation! 🫶🩷
I’m also being very personal about my work, and how life events have influenced my writing.
Thank you again for the invitation! 🫶🩷
Présentez vous via ce qui a failli vous tuer :
Bonjour, je suis la tempête du Pukkelpop de 2011, et plus spécifiquement un chapiteau qui s'effrondre.
(ce jour-là j'ai découvert mes skills de ninja en faisant des sauts au-dessus de tables et de bancs que je n'aurais jamais pu imaginer)
Bonjour, je suis la tempête du Pukkelpop de 2011, et plus spécifiquement un chapiteau qui s'effrondre.
(ce jour-là j'ai découvert mes skills de ninja en faisant des sauts au-dessus de tables et de bancs que je n'aurais jamais pu imaginer)
Présentez vous via ce qui a failli vous tuer :
Bonjour, je suis la flemme de mâcher une patate correctement.
Bonjour, je suis la flemme de mâcher une patate correctement.
Présentez-vous via ce qui a failli vous tuer…
Bonjour, je suis un lac gelé dont la surface craque sous les pieds.
Bonjour, je suis un lac gelé dont la surface craque sous les pieds.
January 2, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Présentez vous via ce qui a failli vous tuer :
Bonjour, je suis la tempête du Pukkelpop de 2011, et plus spécifiquement un chapiteau qui s'effrondre.
(ce jour-là j'ai découvert mes skills de ninja en faisant des sauts au-dessus de tables et de bancs que je n'aurais jamais pu imaginer)
Bonjour, je suis la tempête du Pukkelpop de 2011, et plus spécifiquement un chapiteau qui s'effrondre.
(ce jour-là j'ai découvert mes skills de ninja en faisant des sauts au-dessus de tables et de bancs que je n'aurais jamais pu imaginer)
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
Faisons des jeux bof, des jeux cassés, des non-jeux, des jeux bizarres, des jeux pas fun, des jeux vulgaires...
Arretons de nous aliéner avec la first-hour-experience, avec n'être jamais ennuyeux, avec des gameplay loop, avec des montages de trailers et capsules Steam...
Arretons de nous aliéner avec la first-hour-experience, avec n'être jamais ennuyeux, avec des gameplay loop, avec des montages de trailers et capsules Steam...
January 1, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Faisons des jeux bof, des jeux cassés, des non-jeux, des jeux bizarres, des jeux pas fun, des jeux vulgaires...
Arretons de nous aliéner avec la first-hour-experience, avec n'être jamais ennuyeux, avec des gameplay loop, avec des montages de trailers et capsules Steam...
Arretons de nous aliéner avec la first-hour-experience, avec n'être jamais ennuyeux, avec des gameplay loop, avec des montages de trailers et capsules Steam...
Happy last day of 2025, y'all. We survived another year. Yay.
It's kinda dreading for me to read through everyone's recap. I mean, it's great! And I'm happy for you! But when it comes to looking at my own year…
I can only see a year of grieving. Again.
It's kinda dreading for me to read through everyone's recap. I mean, it's great! And I'm happy for you! But when it comes to looking at my own year…
I can only see a year of grieving. Again.
December 31, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Happy last day of 2025, y'all. We survived another year. Yay.
It's kinda dreading for me to read through everyone's recap. I mean, it's great! And I'm happy for you! But when it comes to looking at my own year…
I can only see a year of grieving. Again.
It's kinda dreading for me to read through everyone's recap. I mean, it's great! And I'm happy for you! But when it comes to looking at my own year…
I can only see a year of grieving. Again.
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
#artvsartist 2025!
It's been quite a ride, so here's a little retrospective ✨
2025 has been quite harsh for the video game industry, and despite some good releases, it's quite hard not to think about all the layoffs and studio closures we've been through.
(1/X)
It's been quite a ride, so here's a little retrospective ✨
2025 has been quite harsh for the video game industry, and despite some good releases, it's quite hard not to think about all the layoffs and studio closures we've been through.
(1/X)
December 30, 2025 at 9:02 AM
#artvsartist 2025!
It's been quite a ride, so here's a little retrospective ✨
2025 has been quite harsh for the video game industry, and despite some good releases, it's quite hard not to think about all the layoffs and studio closures we've been through.
(1/X)
It's been quite a ride, so here's a little retrospective ✨
2025 has been quite harsh for the video game industry, and despite some good releases, it's quite hard not to think about all the layoffs and studio closures we've been through.
(1/X)
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
‘everyone in gamedev is using AI’ the business dumdums are using it to generate decks and write bad copy. They think it’s good because they think their basic lore ideas make a good game. that’s it that’s who is using AI
December 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM
‘everyone in gamedev is using AI’ the business dumdums are using it to generate decks and write bad copy. They think it’s good because they think their basic lore ideas make a good game. that’s it that’s who is using AI
You have to play it. Edgar - Bokbok in Boulzac helped me a lot back in the days when I was looking for Caravan SandWitch’s writing tone! It’s fun!!
If you don't know our first game, it's called Edgar - Bokbok in Boulzac, a small narrative and funny game about a conspiracy in a small town in France. You can find it on Steam during Winter Sales for less than 2€!
store.steampowered.com/app/1007830/...
Bokbok,
store.steampowered.com/app/1007830/...
Bokbok,
December 19, 2025 at 6:50 PM
You have to play it. Edgar - Bokbok in Boulzac helped me a lot back in the days when I was looking for Caravan SandWitch’s writing tone! It’s fun!!
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
just make smaller fucking games, dude
December 18, 2025 at 3:32 PM
just make smaller fucking games, dude
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
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...
You know the drill. 👇 Please pass this along and AMA*
jobs.zenimax.com/requisitions...
ZeniMax Jobs - Senior Level Designer - Arkane Studios - France
Bethesda Softworks is hiring for multiple positions across our award-winning game development studios and global publishing teams!
jobs.zenimax.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:25 AM
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...
You know the drill. 👇 Please pass this along and AMA*
jobs.zenimax.com/requisitions...
As we approach the end of the year, I'm wrapping up some wonderful projects 💫 That also means… I'll have room for new clients starting February 2026!
You're welcome to DM me if you need any kind of narrative support (EN/FR) for your game 💗
You're welcome to DM me if you need any kind of narrative support (EN/FR) for your game 💗
December 11, 2025 at 11:35 AM
As we approach the end of the year, I'm wrapping up some wonderful projects 💫 That also means… I'll have room for new clients starting February 2026!
You're welcome to DM me if you need any kind of narrative support (EN/FR) for your game 💗
You're welcome to DM me if you need any kind of narrative support (EN/FR) for your game 💗
Y'all the update is so cool!
D-Day!💫
Beta is out tonight at 5 pm UTC + 1 (CET)! 🥰
Are you ready, Craftist? ❤️
We are so eager to see what kind of stuff you will create! 🤩
What are you most interested in? Tell us in the comments! 💬
Beta is out tonight at 5 pm UTC + 1 (CET)! 🥰
Are you ready, Craftist? ❤️
We are so eager to see what kind of stuff you will create! 🤩
What are you most interested in? Tell us in the comments! 💬
December 11, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Y'all the update is so cool!
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
European game unions combine forces to protest against AI, toxic workplaces and layoffs
www.gamesindustry.biz/european-gam...
www.gamesindustry.biz/european-gam...
European game unions combine forces to protest against AI, toxic workplaces and layoffs
"Together, workers can transform their jobs, their careers, and their lives for the better"
www.gamesindustry.biz
December 9, 2025 at 5:08 PM
European game unions combine forces to protest against AI, toxic workplaces and layoffs
www.gamesindustry.biz/european-gam...
www.gamesindustry.biz/european-gam...
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
I'm not going to re-write a whole piece I already wrote 8 years ago, so here
www.vice.com/en/article/s...
www.vice.com/en/article/s...
Stories in Games Aren't Problems, They're Solutions
Lots of video games have terrible stories, but that's no reason to give up telling them.
www.vice.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I'm not going to re-write a whole piece I already wrote 8 years ago, so here
www.vice.com/en/article/s...
www.vice.com/en/article/s...
Watching your players find the little clues you hide everywhere in a game and theorycrafting/realizing what's going on is like the best reward ever.
Viewers/readers/players anticipating your plot twists in advance is GOOD ACTUALLY.
YOU DID A GOOD JOB WHY WOULD YOU RUIN IT. YOUR JOB ISN'T TO OUTSMART YOUR AUDIENCE. UNGUESSABLE PLOT TWISTS ARE BAD TWISTS.
sorry for the yelling but holy shit
YOU DID A GOOD JOB WHY WOULD YOU RUIN IT. YOUR JOB ISN'T TO OUTSMART YOUR AUDIENCE. UNGUESSABLE PLOT TWISTS ARE BAD TWISTS.
sorry for the yelling but holy shit
December 4, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Watching your players find the little clues you hide everywhere in a game and theorycrafting/realizing what's going on is like the best reward ever.
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
Meet the 5 shopkeepers of my cozy murder-mystery game! 🔍✨
The visuals are still rough, but each has their own quirks and secrets.
As the detective, you’ll chat with them to uncover the truth, and maybe buy gifts for your dates 👀🛍️
#IndieGame #MysteryGame #IndieDev
The visuals are still rough, but each has their own quirks and secrets.
As the detective, you’ll chat with them to uncover the truth, and maybe buy gifts for your dates 👀🛍️
#IndieGame #MysteryGame #IndieDev
December 3, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Meet the 5 shopkeepers of my cozy murder-mystery game! 🔍✨
The visuals are still rough, but each has their own quirks and secrets.
As the detective, you’ll chat with them to uncover the truth, and maybe buy gifts for your dates 👀🛍️
#IndieGame #MysteryGame #IndieDev
The visuals are still rough, but each has their own quirks and secrets.
As the detective, you’ll chat with them to uncover the truth, and maybe buy gifts for your dates 👀🛍️
#IndieGame #MysteryGame #IndieDev
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
Stop using AI for placeholder assets.
Use sketches. Use lorem ipsum. Use bright pink materials. Use programmer art for fucks sake, literally anything else.
If your studio is using AI even for temp, even if they think they've covered their tracks, SPEAK UP because people WILL FIND IT
Use sketches. Use lorem ipsum. Use bright pink materials. Use programmer art for fucks sake, literally anything else.
If your studio is using AI even for temp, even if they think they've covered their tracks, SPEAK UP because people WILL FIND IT
June 30, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Stop using AI for placeholder assets.
Use sketches. Use lorem ipsum. Use bright pink materials. Use programmer art for fucks sake, literally anything else.
If your studio is using AI even for temp, even if they think they've covered their tracks, SPEAK UP because people WILL FIND IT
Use sketches. Use lorem ipsum. Use bright pink materials. Use programmer art for fucks sake, literally anything else.
If your studio is using AI even for temp, even if they think they've covered their tracks, SPEAK UP because people WILL FIND IT
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
We had a fantastic time at @arttoplay this weekend! ❤️
Having the opportunity to meet all of you was really wonderful, and we loved seeing you play our game and try to defeat our special boss! 💫
Is there anywhere you want us to go? Tell us in the comments!💬
Having the opportunity to meet all of you was really wonderful, and we loved seeing you play our game and try to defeat our special boss! 💫
Is there anywhere you want us to go? Tell us in the comments!💬
November 20, 2025 at 9:03 AM
We had a fantastic time at @arttoplay this weekend! ❤️
Having the opportunity to meet all of you was really wonderful, and we loved seeing you play our game and try to defeat our special boss! 💫
Is there anywhere you want us to go? Tell us in the comments!💬
Having the opportunity to meet all of you was really wonderful, and we loved seeing you play our game and try to defeat our special boss! 💫
Is there anywhere you want us to go? Tell us in the comments!💬
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
Wednesdays is ✨ free ✨ for World Children's Day in order to raise awareness about child sexual abuse.
Grab it on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/2747770/...
or Itch: artefrance.itch.io/wednesdays
before November 21th 9PM CET!
Grab it on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/2747770/...
or Itch: artefrance.itch.io/wednesdays
before November 21th 9PM CET!
November 19, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Wednesdays is ✨ free ✨ for World Children's Day in order to raise awareness about child sexual abuse.
Grab it on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/2747770/...
or Itch: artefrance.itch.io/wednesdays
before November 21th 9PM CET!
Grab it on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/2747770/...
or Itch: artefrance.itch.io/wednesdays
before November 21th 9PM CET!
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
This is what a placeholder asset looks like.
November 17, 2025 at 6:51 PM
This is what a placeholder asset looks like.
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
No.
"Surely there's a middle ground here?" The CEO of Helldivers 2 studio Arrowhead says people "jump to extreme takes" when debating generative AI, and that there needs to be more nuance in the discussion.
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/surely-...
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/surely-...
‘Surely there’s a middle ground here?’ Helldivers studio CEO says people ‘jump to extreme takes’ when debating GenAI | VGC
“This is such a trigger point for big parts of the games industry today”…
www.videogameschronicle.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:53 PM
No.
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
Don't forget Craftists! 💬
Tomorrow and Sunday, for our French friends, we will be at Art-to-play in Nantes to let you test our game for free! 💫
For all the Craftists coming, we prepared two special adventures and some gifts too! ❤️
So come say hi, we'll be more than happy! 😍
Tomorrow and Sunday, for our French friends, we will be at Art-to-play in Nantes to let you test our game for free! 💫
For all the Craftists coming, we prepared two special adventures and some gifts too! ❤️
So come say hi, we'll be more than happy! 😍
November 14, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Don't forget Craftists! 💬
Tomorrow and Sunday, for our French friends, we will be at Art-to-play in Nantes to let you test our game for free! 💫
For all the Craftists coming, we prepared two special adventures and some gifts too! ❤️
So come say hi, we'll be more than happy! 😍
Tomorrow and Sunday, for our French friends, we will be at Art-to-play in Nantes to let you test our game for free! 💫
For all the Craftists coming, we prepared two special adventures and some gifts too! ❤️
So come say hi, we'll be more than happy! 😍
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
Les prochains mois me font très peur, si vous voyez passer des missions de narrative design/game writing, pensez à moi svp 🙏🙏
(honnêtement, je cherche un job alimentaire pour essayer de tanker, si vous connaissez une librairie sur Lyon qui cherche du renfort ou que sais-je, je suis preneur)
(honnêtement, je cherche un job alimentaire pour essayer de tanker, si vous connaissez une librairie sur Lyon qui cherche du renfort ou que sais-je, je suis preneur)
November 14, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Les prochains mois me font très peur, si vous voyez passer des missions de narrative design/game writing, pensez à moi svp 🙏🙏
(honnêtement, je cherche un job alimentaire pour essayer de tanker, si vous connaissez une librairie sur Lyon qui cherche du renfort ou que sais-je, je suis preneur)
(honnêtement, je cherche un job alimentaire pour essayer de tanker, si vous connaissez une librairie sur Lyon qui cherche du renfort ou que sais-je, je suis preneur)
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
Curious about our biome creation process? We made a full breakdown! ❤️
This is a kind of general breakdown, but we will dive deeper into it in our next video on our YouTube channel!🔥
Any biome idea for us? Tell us in the comments!💬
This is a kind of general breakdown, but we will dive deeper into it in our next video on our YouTube channel!🔥
Any biome idea for us? Tell us in the comments!💬
November 13, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Curious about our biome creation process? We made a full breakdown! ❤️
This is a kind of general breakdown, but we will dive deeper into it in our next video on our YouTube channel!🔥
Any biome idea for us? Tell us in the comments!💬
This is a kind of general breakdown, but we will dive deeper into it in our next video on our YouTube channel!🔥
Any biome idea for us? Tell us in the comments!💬
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
Reminder → I'm presenting my course tonight at 5pm (Paris time) and hopefully convince you it is very cool and very useful.
The wonderful and incredibly talented (mainly wonderful though) @iamleyeti.bsky.social will be discussing game narratives and presenting his *Prototyping Video Game Narratives with Short Stories* @d6learning.bsky.social course on the 12th of November.
Be there: www.eventbrite.com/e/prototypin...
Be there: www.eventbrite.com/e/prototypin...
November 12, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reminder → I'm presenting my course tonight at 5pm (Paris time) and hopefully convince you it is very cool and very useful.
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
We don’t use generative AI at Strange Scaffold and I can confirm that a *lot* of other studios are not—whether indie or AAA.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm - AUTOMATON WEST
In an interview following the launch of ARC Raiders, the CEO of Embark Studios' parent company Nexon shares his views on AI.
automaton-media.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:25 AM
We don’t use generative AI at Strange Scaffold and I can confirm that a *lot* of other studios are not—whether indie or AAA.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
Get outta here with this normalization bullshit.
Reposted by Pauline Marlière
Just want you to know that when I asked Geoff why he gave the silent treatment to an open letter written by his own "future of games" program (& co-signed by 3000+ industry peers), he replied:
"Because that's my show and nobody gets to tell me how I should use my platform". 💀💀💀
"Because that's my show and nobody gets to tell me how I should use my platform". 💀💀💀
“Don’t gather some of the most brilliant activists in the industry, treat us like crap, and then expect us to do nothing about it.” After the Game Awards cancelled its Future Class programme, @alyssamerc.bsky.social talked to its former honorees
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
“We were effectively props”: young stars of game development feel let down by the ‘gaming Oscars’
Announced in 2020 by the Game Awards as an inclusive programme for the industry’s next generation, the Future Class initiative has now been discontinued. Inductees describe clashes with organisers and...
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Just want you to know that when I asked Geoff why he gave the silent treatment to an open letter written by his own "future of games" program (& co-signed by 3000+ industry peers), he replied:
"Because that's my show and nobody gets to tell me how I should use my platform". 💀💀💀
"Because that's my show and nobody gets to tell me how I should use my platform". 💀💀💀