Pixel a Day
@pixeladay.bsky.social
Youtube video essays critically analysing games and how they make us feel (youtube.com/pixeladay). Articles published in Uppercut, Into the Spine, Kritiqal, Gamers With Glasses. She/her. Support: patreon.com/pixeladay
My yearly director's commentary video is out, where you can hear behind-the-scenes snippets on the making of all my videos this year! Support me on Patreon for just a dollar a month to get access to six years' worth of this and other special features :) www.patreon.com/posts/146758...
December 27, 2025 at 5:59 AM
My yearly director's commentary video is out, where you can hear behind-the-scenes snippets on the making of all my videos this year! Support me on Patreon for just a dollar a month to get access to six years' worth of this and other special features :) www.patreon.com/posts/146758...
My advent calendar mini-review series (24 shorts in 24 days) is now done, and all the vids are in a handy playlist for your holiday viewing. Have a look and see what I thought about 24 games I played this year! youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Pixel a Day's Advent Gaming Calendar 2025 - YouTube
I review 24 games in 24 days
youtube.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:20 PM
My advent calendar mini-review series (24 shorts in 24 days) is now done, and all the vids are in a handy playlist for your holiday viewing. Have a look and see what I thought about 24 games I played this year! youtube.com/playlist?lis...
This is a banger of a video and I'm proud to have been a small part of it
Reviewers and commenters call Terra Nil “peaceful” and “hopeful.“ Nothing could be farther from how I feel.
Hope y’all enjoy this casual little video about hope(??) in the apocalypse.
youtu.be/-_ZbAeUs7Tk
Hope y’all enjoy this casual little video about hope(??) in the apocalypse.
youtu.be/-_ZbAeUs7Tk
Terra Nil: A hopeful(?) apocalypse
YouTube video by Afterthoughts
youtu.be
December 23, 2025 at 12:34 AM
This is a banger of a video and I'm proud to have been a small part of it
PARADISE KILLER FREE ON EPIC RIGHT NOW THIS IS NOT A DRILL
Paradise Killer is currently FREE on Epic Games Store as one of their festive free games! 😱
May the Silent Goat walk with you!
💗💜💙
https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/paradise-killer-c3ea1c
May the Silent Goat walk with you!
💗💜💙
https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/paradise-killer-c3ea1c
December 22, 2025 at 11:13 PM
PARADISE KILLER FREE ON EPIC RIGHT NOW THIS IS NOT A DRILL
Fascinating, essential reading.
GenAI reference images “plant an image in the client’s head which becomes difficult to iterate upon,” said Canavan. “So my job turns into arguing with said client about why my ideas are better than whatever series of flashy nothings they generated this morning."
GenAI reference images “plant an image in the client’s head which becomes difficult to iterate upon,” said Canavan. “So my job turns into arguing with said client about why my ideas are better than whatever series of flashy nothings they generated this morning."
We spoke to a dozen professional concept artists who are currently or have previously worked in game development about whether generative AI image tools have made their jobs any easier.
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Zero said it did. Most said it made things harder.
thisweekinvideogames.com/feature/conc...
Concept Artists Say Generative AI References Only Make Their Jobs Harder
“The ‘early ideation stages’, when worlds are being fleshed out by writers and artists, are literally crucial to the development of a game’s vision,” said one artist.
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Fascinating, essential reading.
GenAI reference images “plant an image in the client’s head which becomes difficult to iterate upon,” said Canavan. “So my job turns into arguing with said client about why my ideas are better than whatever series of flashy nothings they generated this morning."
GenAI reference images “plant an image in the client’s head which becomes difficult to iterate upon,” said Canavan. “So my job turns into arguing with said client about why my ideas are better than whatever series of flashy nothings they generated this morning."
My first day of leave, and look what arrived in the mail!
December 18, 2025 at 7:51 AM
My first day of leave, and look what arrived in the mail!
This is the frustration I tried to articulate in my video. Indie games at their best (weird, personal, creative, experimental etc.) are a much-needed challenge to AAA - but often the most successful ones are those that most resemble AAA games (but smaller). youtu.be/67V-GSaceFQ
December 13, 2025 at 4:11 AM
This is the frustration I tried to articulate in my video. Indie games at their best (weird, personal, creative, experimental etc.) are a much-needed challenge to AAA - but often the most successful ones are those that most resemble AAA games (but smaller). youtu.be/67V-GSaceFQ
Hello! Have you been watching my Advent Shorts series, where I briefly review 24 games in 24 days? Here's the latest one (at this point I still had not realised YT shorts can be up to three minutes long, or I would've said more lol): youtube.com/shorts/WOcbq...
PaD's Advent Gaming Calendar DAY ELEVEN #shorts
YouTube video by Pixel a Day
youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Hello! Have you been watching my Advent Shorts series, where I briefly review 24 games in 24 days? Here's the latest one (at this point I still had not realised YT shorts can be up to three minutes long, or I would've said more lol): youtube.com/shorts/WOcbq...
Fuck Valve and their cowardly bullshit.
I'm hoping for more articles on this situation, because we cannot stay quiet: www.gamesradar.com/games/simula...
Publisher says Valve rejected complaint about hateful Steam review: "'Has Muslims, not recommended' is literal racism, so there should be no conversation needed"
"I just don't know what to do about this"
www.gamesradar.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Fuck Valve and their cowardly bullshit.
Every time I talk about Outer Wilds I get people who are absolutely baffled that I had a frustrating time with it, and I, conversely, am absolutely baffled that even one single person had a perfectly smooth time playing it. Isn't that kind of incredible?
December 8, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Every time I talk about Outer Wilds I get people who are absolutely baffled that I had a frustrating time with it, and I, conversely, am absolutely baffled that even one single person had a perfectly smooth time playing it. Isn't that kind of incredible?
Pixel a Day is six years old today! 😎😎😎
a group of pokemon are standing next to each other with the words `` happy birthday '' written in the foreground .
Alt: a group of pokemon are standing next to each other with the words `` happy birthday '' written in the foreground .
media.tenor.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Pixel a Day is six years old today! 😎😎😎
This bit made me lol
Great stuff as usual from Kaile
Great stuff as usual from Kaile
December 3, 2025 at 11:02 PM
This bit made me lol
Great stuff as usual from Kaile
Great stuff as usual from Kaile
Here's the bottom line: Horses is only 5 US bucks and the devs have been utterly screwed and need support.
Option 1
Head to GOG and pick it up: www.gog.com/en/game/horses
Option 2
Head to itch.io and pick it up: santaragione.itch.io/horses
Option 1
Head to GOG and pick it up: www.gog.com/en/game/horses
Option 2
Head to itch.io and pick it up: santaragione.itch.io/horses
December 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Here's the bottom line: Horses is only 5 US bucks and the devs have been utterly screwed and need support.
Option 1
Head to GOG and pick it up: www.gog.com/en/game/horses
Option 2
Head to itch.io and pick it up: santaragione.itch.io/horses
Option 1
Head to GOG and pick it up: www.gog.com/en/game/horses
Option 2
Head to itch.io and pick it up: santaragione.itch.io/horses
ICYMI - Santa Regione is a legit game dev who has had their game banned by Valve and now also Epic, in both cases for what seems like very misguided reasons. Both studios have been needlessly opaque, refusing to specify exactly which bits of the game are in violation. It's censorship by vibes
Horses banned from Epic Games Store just 24 hours before launch
Horses banned from Epic Games Store just 24 hours before launch
The surreal indie horror title was previously barred from Steam by Valve, casting the future of developer Santa Ragione in doubt.
www.gamedeveloper.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:06 PM
ICYMI - Santa Regione is a legit game dev who has had their game banned by Valve and now also Epic, in both cases for what seems like very misguided reasons. Both studios have been needlessly opaque, refusing to specify exactly which bits of the game are in violation. It's censorship by vibes
Microsoft is a key supporter of Israel's genocide and can therefore get absolutely fucked. I won't be buying or covering games they (or their subsidiaries) publish. (If I feel I have to cover one of these games the fact that they support genocide and can get absolutely fucked will be clear)
SIGN OUR BOYCOTT XBOX PLEDGE: We are asking gamers, game workers, streamers & journalists to join us in boycotting & divesting from Xbox, to force Microsoft to end its complicity in the genocide of Palestinians.
We’ve provided concrete actions everyone can take. Sign here: nogamesforgenocide.com
We’ve provided concrete actions everyone can take. Sign here: nogamesforgenocide.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Microsoft is a key supporter of Israel's genocide and can therefore get absolutely fucked. I won't be buying or covering games they (or their subsidiaries) publish. (If I feel I have to cover one of these games the fact that they support genocide and can get absolutely fucked will be clear)
Reposted by Pixel a Day
PRO TIP
If you have YouTubers you like and follow and watch their videos a lot
leave innane/positive comments on their videos. The algo is all fucked up for YT creators and a lot of videos get sent to the void for whatever reason.
I hate doing it, but I've been trying to do it.
If you have YouTubers you like and follow and watch their videos a lot
leave innane/positive comments on their videos. The algo is all fucked up for YT creators and a lot of videos get sent to the void for whatever reason.
I hate doing it, but I've been trying to do it.
December 2, 2025 at 1:48 AM
PRO TIP
If you have YouTubers you like and follow and watch their videos a lot
leave innane/positive comments on their videos. The algo is all fucked up for YT creators and a lot of videos get sent to the void for whatever reason.
I hate doing it, but I've been trying to do it.
If you have YouTubers you like and follow and watch their videos a lot
leave innane/positive comments on their videos. The algo is all fucked up for YT creators and a lot of videos get sent to the void for whatever reason.
I hate doing it, but I've been trying to do it.
"Surprisingly"
Three years into the generative-AI wave, demand for the technology seems surprisingly flimsy
Investors expect AI use to soar. That’s not happening
Recent surveys point to flatlining business adoption
econ.st
November 30, 2025 at 9:58 PM
"Surprisingly"
This is what we're opposing when we reject AI art - the desire for a bizarrely "perfect" digital world, the hypnotic comfort of familiar images with no human soul behind them. Like the Surrealists, we have to hold on to the human in ourselves and in art. The wonky, the jagged, the imperfect.
November 30, 2025 at 7:26 AM
This is what we're opposing when we reject AI art - the desire for a bizarrely "perfect" digital world, the hypnotic comfort of familiar images with no human soul behind them. Like the Surrealists, we have to hold on to the human in ourselves and in art. The wonky, the jagged, the imperfect.
An incredible essay on what Surrealism had to say about what it means to not only be antifascist, but to be the antithesis of fascism, in who you are and how you exist in the world. (And of course, in the art you make).
@naomiaklein.bsky.social: ”Where the Surrealists made irreverent and untameable art, the fascists sought a world of perfect symmetry. While the Surrealists embraced the frailties and mysteries of the human body, the fascists waged war on deviance.’’ www.equator.org/articles/sur...
www.equator.org
November 30, 2025 at 7:18 AM
An incredible essay on what Surrealism had to say about what it means to not only be antifascist, but to be the antithesis of fascism, in who you are and how you exist in the world. (And of course, in the art you make).
To everyone who's watched the video, shared or commented, THANK YOU. The reception has been more positive than I could have dreamed. I was honestly a bit (OK a lot) scared of the die-hard Blue Prince defenders but the thoughtfulness with which the video has been received has blown me away.
***New video is out!***
I made the Blue Prince video. It took me 6 months. It's here.
Video here: youtu.be/RYQl5hcipUM
Support me here: patreon.com/pixeladay
Thanks to @electrondance.com for lending his voice and also doing the best writing on puzzle games that the Earth has ever known
I made the Blue Prince video. It took me 6 months. It's here.
Video here: youtu.be/RYQl5hcipUM
Support me here: patreon.com/pixeladay
Thanks to @electrondance.com for lending his voice and also doing the best writing on puzzle games that the Earth has ever known
Blue Prince is the Best (and the Worst) of Exploration Puzzle Games
YouTube video by Pixel a Day
youtu.be
November 29, 2025 at 11:47 AM
To everyone who's watched the video, shared or commented, THANK YOU. The reception has been more positive than I could have dreamed. I was honestly a bit (OK a lot) scared of the die-hard Blue Prince defenders but the thoughtfulness with which the video has been received has blown me away.
I couldn't help myself
November 29, 2025 at 9:52 AM
I couldn't help myself
YEEAHHHHH NEW PIM VID
🟥!!NEW VIDEO!!🟥
In which I talk about Pablo Picasso, his (deeply misogynistic) view of women as "machines for suffering", and how both relate to the narrative of Silent Hill f.
youtu.be/nD_TgaxUOsE
In which I talk about Pablo Picasso, his (deeply misogynistic) view of women as "machines for suffering", and how both relate to the narrative of Silent Hill f.
youtu.be/nD_TgaxUOsE
November 28, 2025 at 10:14 AM
YEEAHHHHH NEW PIM VID
This is why it's bad to have huge companies that control this large a share of the market. One bad call by some corporate blowhard and your game dev studio is all but dead in the water.
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 27, 2025 at 10:59 PM
This is why it's bad to have huge companies that control this large a share of the market. One bad call by some corporate blowhard and your game dev studio is all but dead in the water.
Reposted by Pixel a Day
i take frenzy damage every time i see someone go "well i just use it for the boring stuff". what are you TALKING about? if it's boring or unimportant, why are you putting it in? NPC dialogue is fertile ground for worldbuilding, creating verisimilitude, conveying important information, and hijinks!!
Buy a solo indie dev's game because I want to support them.
Find out it uses OpenAI to write "non-important NPC dialogue".
🫠
Find out it uses OpenAI to write "non-important NPC dialogue".
🫠
November 26, 2025 at 9:08 PM
i take frenzy damage every time i see someone go "well i just use it for the boring stuff". what are you TALKING about? if it's boring or unimportant, why are you putting it in? NPC dialogue is fertile ground for worldbuilding, creating verisimilitude, conveying important information, and hijinks!!
Have you watched my new video on Blue Prince yet? Here's what folks are saying!
"Brilliant stuff, and a brilliant essay."
"this is the new best blue prince analysis/ review"
"one of the best videos I've seen all year"
"I hurt my neck nodding along"
"There's a clue for the reservoir water level??"
"Brilliant stuff, and a brilliant essay."
"this is the new best blue prince analysis/ review"
"one of the best videos I've seen all year"
"I hurt my neck nodding along"
"There's a clue for the reservoir water level??"
***New video is out!***
I made the Blue Prince video. It took me 6 months. It's here.
Video here: youtu.be/RYQl5hcipUM
Support me here: patreon.com/pixeladay
Thanks to @electrondance.com for lending his voice and also doing the best writing on puzzle games that the Earth has ever known
I made the Blue Prince video. It took me 6 months. It's here.
Video here: youtu.be/RYQl5hcipUM
Support me here: patreon.com/pixeladay
Thanks to @electrondance.com for lending his voice and also doing the best writing on puzzle games that the Earth has ever known
Blue Prince is the Best (and the Worst) of Exploration Puzzle Games
YouTube video by Pixel a Day
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Have you watched my new video on Blue Prince yet? Here's what folks are saying!
"Brilliant stuff, and a brilliant essay."
"this is the new best blue prince analysis/ review"
"one of the best videos I've seen all year"
"I hurt my neck nodding along"
"There's a clue for the reservoir water level??"
"Brilliant stuff, and a brilliant essay."
"this is the new best blue prince analysis/ review"
"one of the best videos I've seen all year"
"I hurt my neck nodding along"
"There's a clue for the reservoir water level??"