Rian Floyd
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Rian Floyd
@rianfloyd.com
📚 SF writer & book nerd 🎮 RPG fan 📷 occasional street photographer 🎙️ professional rambler @genreblender.net
🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺♾️ he/they
www.genreblender.net
Reposted by Rian Floyd
The first podcast episode for 2026 is live!

This month, Rian and Kris chat about writing habits, current projects and catch each other up on everything we’ve read, watched and played over the course of January.

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Writing Habits and Routines for 2026 | Genre Blender Podcast 33
YouTube video by Genre Blender
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January 28, 2026 at 12:50 PM
It’s shaping up to be a great year for sci-fi, and of course I gushed about a ton of it.

Does anyone else feel like we’re seeing a sci-fi resurgence? With AI and the state of the world politically, it makes sense. Today’s sci-fi feels smarter, more considered, returning to the heart of it: ideas.
A new year means getting ridiculously excited for all the up and coming releases right … RIGHT !?!

It was really fun to listen to each other babble about the things that have snagged our attention so far for 2026! Talk about a mixed bag!

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We can't wait for these books, movies and games in 2026!
YouTube video by Genre Blender
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January 21, 2026 at 1:53 AM
Also been feeling this way. Also considering this. My PS5 mostly gets used to stream to the Steam Deck. Oh the irony.

But also… what about GTA6? There’s always that one game, dammit.
the more time i spent talking about feeling like this console generation was a whiff, the more i wondered why i didn't just bail and move to pc full-time.

so i did!
wish me luck!

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I'm Finally Done With Consoles
YouTube video by Wavelengths
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January 18, 2026 at 2:53 AM
Oof. This is one I relate to whole-heartedly. And timely, too, since I just (literally an hour ago) paid a once-off sub to Paramount+ to finally catch up on Discovery S5 and start Starfleet Academy. I felt (and still do) like I was being left out because of my values. Good to know I’m not alone.
I can say goodbye to Star Trek because Star Trek raised me: aftermath.site/star-trek-skyd...
January 17, 2026 at 3:11 AM
No more chonky books for a while tho, k? *side-eyes The Stand and EXODUS*
Well, I may not have met my reading goal for 2025 (life always has other plans). But I certainly read some absolute bangers this year. And since it’s a mostly manageable number, I decided to micro-review each one. So… if there’s room on your TBR, have at it! – R

www.genreblender.net/micro-review...
January 7, 2026 at 6:53 AM
Reposted by Rian Floyd
The Dragon Quest VII Reimagined demo is now available on PS5, Xbox (Play Anywhere), Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch. Save data carries over into the full game: www.rpgsite.net/news/19299-d...
January 7, 2026 at 6:10 AM
I’ve been looking for a new reading chair. Found this one and thought it gave big walrus vibes. Showed it to my partner and asked what she saw. She immediately yelled, “Jabba the Hutt!” So proud of her.
January 5, 2026 at 5:45 AM
We took a look back, now it’s time to look forward! There’s nothing quite like a good yearly theme to serve as your North Star. Commence the Year of the Pen and Shovel (I kept the name… hey it’s one I can remember, and that’s half the point).
It is time for the Genre Blender pair to look forward into the new year.

Join us as we share our themes and projects which will see us through 2026!

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Our 2026 Themes, Goals and Projects | Genre Blender Podcast 32
YouTube video by Genre Blender
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January 1, 2026 at 5:42 AM
Reposted by Rian Floyd
I read 36 books in 2025, but I also got every ending in The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy so let's say I read 65 books in 2025
January 1, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Getting married in December is a great way to procrastinate on putting up Christmas decorations.
December 22, 2025 at 3:11 AM
I refuse to get too hyped for this one until we see more of it, even though it’s directed by Casey Hudson. Been burnt waaaaay too many times in a row now. Game development is just different these days. youtu.be/lAmkl1jL0fo?...
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic Teaser Trailer
YouTube video by Star Wars
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December 12, 2025 at 2:33 AM
New EXODUS trailer has dropped, and a release date: Early 2027! Kinda got goosebumps watching it. Love the li’l character quips to make something so epic in scope feel more grounded. Hope that’s the vibe in the game, too. youtu.be/_c80LMt_Uxs
EXODUS – The Rise of Jun Aslan | Official Trailer
YouTube video by EXODUS
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December 12, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Some recent James Baldwin pickups because a) sales and b) there was a very clear gap in my reading and collection (also picked up some Toni Morrison books).

Anyone got a favourite out of these? Thinking of reading Notes of a Native Son first for context then jumping into Go Tell It on the Mountain.
December 8, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Super simple, super awesome solution to a real frustration point for gamers. The Pocket Codex app for retro game guides. I can finally say goodbye to my annoying system of bookmarks. youtu.be/RO7-lkFfrKA?...
Pocket Codex: A simple reading app for retro game guides
YouTube video by Anthony Caccese
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December 5, 2025 at 1:09 AM
I made a thing I have some strong opinions about. I’m not sure @afictionalescapist.bsky.social agrees with me but I guess that’s half the fun? (he says while shaking in his boots because confrontation is scary) 😂

For real though, I think this one is worth talking about. Open to discuss, debate, etc
New video! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rian discusses the broken state of book star ratings, and what we can do instead. 🤔

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Book Star Ratings Are Broken — Do This Instead
YouTube video by Genre Blender
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December 2, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Reposted by Rian Floyd
It's our last episode! We're so grateful to everyone who's listened to us for the past 7 years.

We're using this occasion to talk about the state of science fiction and fantasy in the 21st century — and what has shaped the stories we've loved.

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November 27, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Reposted by Rian Floyd
Novembers episode of #genreblenderpodcast was wolf-PACKED!

Rian breaks out their interviewing skills to help celebrate the launch of Kris’s debut ALPHA 🐺

Kris delves into writing, world-building, and the journey to becoming a published author.

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Interview with ALPHA author K. D. Marchesi - Episode 31: Genre Blender Podcast
YouTube video by Genre Blender
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November 25, 2025 at 11:45 PM
This is exactly the kind of pre-release content that makes me stupid with excitement for a game. I love to know the nerdy details and better understand what the developers are paying special attention to.

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The Expanse: Osiris Reborn - Official 'Life in Space' Overview Trailer
YouTube video by IGN
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November 21, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Reposted by Rian Floyd
ALPHA is finally out in the wild!

A huge thank you to everyone who liked, shared, pre-ordered, ARC read, early reviewed, you name it! This past week has been a blur! I’m extremely grateful 🙏

Happy reading! Welcome to the pack 🐺
November 19, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I’ll say it plainly: I had more fun talking about this book than reading it. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the book at all, or that it wasn’t good, or that it didn’t do its job as a video game tie-in, or…

See, this is why the discussion was an hour long. It’s ✨complicated!✨
On this weeks episode of Books and Bevvies, Rian and Kris delve into the giant tome that is EXODUS!

To say we had mixed thoughts is an understatement 🤔

Books & Bevvies - EXODUS: The Archimedes Engine | What we thought of this 900+ page sci-fi monster!
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Books & Bevvies - EXODUS: The Archimedes Engine | What we thought of this 900+ page sci-fi monster!
YouTube video by Genre Blender
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November 19, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Anyone else who ordered the Savage Raven FissionGrip for Switch 2 getting their orders cancelled & refunded? Happened twice now with 2 different payment methods and all they could tell me was the system flagged it as a risk and was cancelled automatically. I’m starting to think they’re telling fibs.
November 14, 2025 at 3:29 AM
I adore that all the comments on youtube are pointing out Owlcat’s audacity at releasing such a thing on N7 Day. (Genuine goosebumps from the music, though!)
Owlcat Games shares the main theme song for The Expanse: Osiris Reborn composed by Paweł Perepelica (Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader): www.rpgsite.net/news/18910-t...
November 8, 2025 at 3:16 AM
I’m not as cynical about this as the rest of the internet appears to be. We got a pretty sizeable chunk of new info here. Let’s say cautiously optimistic is where I’m at.
BioWare on N7 day: "the next Mass Effect game is in development, and EA and BioWare remain committed to telling more stories in this universe." buff.ly/md0nhGL
November 7, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Rad little interview from @readyaimfire.bsky.social with Jennifer Hale A.K.A. Commander Shepard. Happy N7 Day!

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Mass Effect | Jennifer Hale on Matching Mark Meer & Building Shepard Together
YouTube video by ReadyAimFire Podcast
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November 7, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Reposted by Rian Floyd
Today Kris gets to gush about his dream of running a medieval tavern … with craft beers!

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Live out your Tavern Dreams with Travellers Rest!
YouTube video by Genre Blender
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November 5, 2025 at 11:19 PM