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
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)
Thank god Kingdom Come Deliverance II got the GOTY nomination, I thought for a second we lost the plot
South of Midnight sound design snub so bad tho
South of Midnight sound design snub so bad tho
November 17, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Thank god Kingdom Come Deliverance II got the GOTY nomination, I thought for a second we lost the plot
South of Midnight sound design snub so bad tho
South of Midnight sound design snub so bad tho
Reposted by Katya Ryabova
With this drive I am opening up pitches for writing about the games and developers that have contributed to Indiepocalypse.
It's $200 for ~2 pages(~1k words ) with the only requirement be that it be about past contributors. (luckily there's ~700 of them)
Email me at indiepocalypse@gmail.com
It's $200 for ~2 pages(~1k words ) with the only requirement be that it be about past contributors. (luckily there's ~700 of them)
Email me at indiepocalypse@gmail.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:39 PM
With this drive I am opening up pitches for writing about the games and developers that have contributed to Indiepocalypse.
It's $200 for ~2 pages(~1k words ) with the only requirement be that it be about past contributors. (luckily there's ~700 of them)
Email me at indiepocalypse@gmail.com
It's $200 for ~2 pages(~1k words ) with the only requirement be that it be about past contributors. (luckily there's ~700 of them)
Email me at indiepocalypse@gmail.com
Reposted by Katya Ryabova
Almost time.
November 13, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Almost time.
A no less energizing #MIGS25 Day 2, which I actually preferred to yesterday—the talks today were top-notch. Good meetings, too, can't wait to share the games I've seen. An exceedingly positive first MIGS experience overall!
November 12, 2025 at 9:21 PM
A no less energizing #MIGS25 Day 2, which I actually preferred to yesterday—the talks today were top-notch. Good meetings, too, can't wait to share the games I've seen. An exceedingly positive first MIGS experience overall!
Reposted by Katya Ryabova
Toronto-based @softrains.bsky.social’s Ambrosia Sky Act One is out today. Haven’t had time for a full review but I really dig what I’ve played.
Wonderfully atmospheric with a lot of narrative intrigue & clever traversal.
A solid foundation that I’m excited to see the team build upon in future acts!
Wonderfully atmospheric with a lot of narrative intrigue & clever traversal.
A solid foundation that I’m excited to see the team build upon in future acts!
November 10, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Toronto-based @softrains.bsky.social’s Ambrosia Sky Act One is out today. Haven’t had time for a full review but I really dig what I’ve played.
Wonderfully atmospheric with a lot of narrative intrigue & clever traversal.
A solid foundation that I’m excited to see the team build upon in future acts!
Wonderfully atmospheric with a lot of narrative intrigue & clever traversal.
A solid foundation that I’m excited to see the team build upon in future acts!
At the @ubisoft.com VIP Mixer for #MIGS25 Frightful weather outside, but this is why I love Montreal 😍
November 11, 2025 at 12:33 AM
At the @ubisoft.com VIP Mixer for #MIGS25 Frightful weather outside, but this is why I love Montreal 😍
Ban the word "visceral" from video game pitch decks, I beg you
November 10, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Ban the word "visceral" from video game pitch decks, I beg you
Reposted by Katya Ryabova
One of the few business-focused video games conferences in Canada returns to Montréal in November.
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/04/m...
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/04/m...
Montréal International Game Summit comes to Québec next week
The Montréal International Game Summit (MIGS) kicks off on November 11 and brings together developers, publishers, and players.
mobilesyrup.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:32 PM
One of the few business-focused video games conferences in Canada returns to Montréal in November.
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/04/m...
mobilesyrup.com/2025/11/04/m...
Later to the Mount Holly party than most, but Blue Prince is simply outstanding.
playingthisweek.substack.com/p/best-games...
playingthisweek.substack.com/p/best-games...
Catching up on the best games of 2025: Blue Prince
Now you're dreaming with blueprints.
playingthisweek.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Later to the Mount Holly party than most, but Blue Prince is simply outstanding.
playingthisweek.substack.com/p/best-games...
playingthisweek.substack.com/p/best-games...
After a short break, I once again cannot put Blue Prince down. Mount Holly is haunting me and I must discover all of its secrets.
November 5, 2025 at 12:10 AM
After a short break, I once again cannot put Blue Prince down. Mount Holly is haunting me and I must discover all of its secrets.
November 4, 2025 at 5:18 PM
According to some of the crew's hoodies, they're filming the fifth season of The Boys in my neighbourhood
November 3, 2025 at 11:46 PM
According to some of the crew's hoodies, they're filming the fifth season of The Boys in my neighbourhood
The Montréal International Game Summit is next week, and my only mission in life right now is to NOT GET SICK prior!
But baby has an ear infection.
Place your bets, everyone.
#MIGS25
But baby has an ear infection.
Place your bets, everyone.
#MIGS25
November 3, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The Montréal International Game Summit is next week, and my only mission in life right now is to NOT GET SICK prior!
But baby has an ear infection.
Place your bets, everyone.
#MIGS25
But baby has an ear infection.
Place your bets, everyone.
#MIGS25