Devan Soyka
@windmilljouster.bsky.social
Senior Narrative Designer at Crytek | She/Her | 🖤🤍💜 | A proud founder of the VOW game writers union | Opinions here are mine alone | PFP by @diansakhuart
Pinned
Devan Soyka
@windmilljouster.bsky.social
· Oct 19
Hi new folks! I'm a senior narrative designer who has written everything from FPS to RPGs to dating sims. My work is always looked over by my editor in chief, Basil the cat.
I was gifted the cutest set of tiny tarot cards with cats on them, so naturally I had to do a reading for Basil, who was v interested in this cat-toy-sized development.
He drew The Heirophant, indicating his need for routine and tradition (the ritual of dinnertime, accurate to the nanosecond)
He drew The Heirophant, indicating his need for routine and tradition (the ritual of dinnertime, accurate to the nanosecond)
January 17, 2026 at 8:07 PM
I was gifted the cutest set of tiny tarot cards with cats on them, so naturally I had to do a reading for Basil, who was v interested in this cat-toy-sized development.
He drew The Heirophant, indicating his need for routine and tradition (the ritual of dinnertime, accurate to the nanosecond)
He drew The Heirophant, indicating his need for routine and tradition (the ritual of dinnertime, accurate to the nanosecond)
Nikolai and I were chatting about his game WIP at devcom and it's so cool to see it announced!! The 80s miami vibe rules. You can wishlist on steam to give this small team a leg up!
We've just revealed our game on Steam as part of Detective Fest!
It's a turn-based strategy game with choice-driven storytelling, where you infiltrate the Mafia in an adult fable world inspired by 80s Miami. If that sounds interesting to you, check it out 🙂
store.steampowered.com/app/2719620/...
It's a turn-based strategy game with choice-driven storytelling, where you infiltrate the Mafia in an adult fable world inspired by 80s Miami. If that sounds interesting to you, check it out 🙂
store.steampowered.com/app/2719620/...
Mafia Infiltration on Steam
Here's some advice for you, pal: If you can't beat them, join them. Befriend them, learn their flaws, sabotage their operations, pit them against each other, climb the ranks. And then—burn it all down...
store.steampowered.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:17 AM
Nikolai and I were chatting about his game WIP at devcom and it's so cool to see it announced!! The 80s miami vibe rules. You can wishlist on steam to give this small team a leg up!
Reposted by Devan Soyka
A friend once told me he crunched from the time his daughter was born until she was 12. He took a new job so he could spend the next 5 years building a relationship with her.
But he’ll never get those 12 years back. He missed her childhood, and for what? A 91 Metacritic?
But he’ll never get those 12 years back. He missed her childhood, and for what? A 91 Metacritic?
In my books, I talk about a writer who has holes in his memory from crunch. Forever. He's never getting that part of his memory--his life!--back. And for what? A video game.
January 14, 2026 at 12:50 PM
A friend once told me he crunched from the time his daughter was born until she was 12. He took a new job so he could spend the next 5 years building a relationship with her.
But he’ll never get those 12 years back. He missed her childhood, and for what? A 91 Metacritic?
But he’ll never get those 12 years back. He missed her childhood, and for what? A 91 Metacritic?
I've said it before and I'll say it again: The people viewing you as expendable, crunchable labor do not view you as people. They don't have empathy for you. They don't care about your health or goals.
That's hard for a lot of folks to truly grasp because most people do care about other people.
That's hard for a lot of folks to truly grasp because most people do care about other people.
January 14, 2026 at 9:47 AM
I've said it before and I'll say it again: The people viewing you as expendable, crunchable labor do not view you as people. They don't have empathy for you. They don't care about your health or goals.
That's hard for a lot of folks to truly grasp because most people do care about other people.
That's hard for a lot of folks to truly grasp because most people do care about other people.
Reposted by Devan Soyka
In these trying times I think it would be very interesting for everyone to learn about what happened to captain Charles Boycott. If you happen to know the name of someone who deserves to be shunned from the community, there are ways to organise to make that happen en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles...
Charles Boycott - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
January 13, 2026 at 8:08 PM
In these trying times I think it would be very interesting for everyone to learn about what happened to captain Charles Boycott. If you happen to know the name of someone who deserves to be shunned from the community, there are ways to organise to make that happen en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles...
Reposted by Devan Soyka
Hey y’all: if you use Libby and you hate them allowing generative AI content and incorporating it in other ways you can go to your profile, scroll down to “help and support”, and take a survey to tell them that you hate it
Our official policy provides clarity on our AI usage and the broader impact of AI on the book industry as a whole. Read OverDrive's full policy here: https://bit.ly/4be33jB
January 13, 2026 at 5:53 AM
Hey y’all: if you use Libby and you hate them allowing generative AI content and incorporating it in other ways you can go to your profile, scroll down to “help and support”, and take a survey to tell them that you hate it
Reposted by Devan Soyka
don't share medical information with AI chatbots don't share medical information with AI chatbots don't share medical information with AI chatbots don't share medical information with AI chatbots don't share medical information with AI chatbots don't share medical information with AI chatbots don't
January 12, 2026 at 4:02 PM
don't share medical information with AI chatbots don't share medical information with AI chatbots don't share medical information with AI chatbots don't share medical information with AI chatbots don't share medical information with AI chatbots don't share medical information with AI chatbots don't
Elevator Jazz Elysium
Slightly diminish a game:
Good Enough I Guess
Good Enough I Guess
Slightly diminish a game.
Dragon Errand
Dragon Errand
January 11, 2026 at 12:45 AM
Elevator Jazz Elysium
Reposted by Devan Soyka
oh hey! Discord is asking how we feel about AI. Here's the survey!
Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com
January 10, 2026 at 4:09 AM
oh hey! Discord is asking how we feel about AI. Here's the survey!
Reposted by Devan Soyka
Every woman has heard it. Your daughter, your sister, your mother, your wife. We have ALL heard it.
I haven’t (and most likely won’t) watch the recently released video but I swear I can hear that “fucking bitch” in my head clear as day. The snarling hate and disgust. Every woman has heard it.
January 9, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Every woman has heard it. Your daughter, your sister, your mother, your wife. We have ALL heard it.
These organizer trainings are free and very helpful. I've both attended this series and taught it, and it was really the spark of hope that I needed--from the trainer as I learned, and later from the learners as I trained.
YOU AREN'T ALONE. YOU AREN'T POWERLESS
YOU AREN'T ALONE. YOU AREN'T POWERLESS
2026 is already bringing about studio closures and corporate decisions without worker input.
Now is the time to build a better future. As tech and video game workers, organizing is how we fight back.
Learn how @ one of our organizer trainings this month ⤵️
Now is the time to build a better future. As tech and video game workers, organizing is how we fight back.
Learn how @ one of our organizer trainings this month ⤵️
Upcoming CODE-CWA Trainings
code-cwa.org
January 9, 2026 at 8:35 PM
These organizer trainings are free and very helpful. I've both attended this series and taught it, and it was really the spark of hope that I needed--from the trainer as I learned, and later from the learners as I trained.
YOU AREN'T ALONE. YOU AREN'T POWERLESS
YOU AREN'T ALONE. YOU AREN'T POWERLESS
This is one of the FE greats! This game goes for hundreds on ebay so I'm so glad there's another way to access it now. Ike is a great hero, the conflicts are political and layered, and it's far from a "good guy fights war against bad guys" story.
Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics adds Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is now available via the Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics app for Switch 2, Nintendo announced.
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is now available via the Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics app for Switch 2, Nintendo announced.
Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics adds Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is now available via the Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics app for Switch 2, Nintendo announced.
www.gematsu.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:32 AM
This is one of the FE greats! This game goes for hundreds on ebay so I'm so glad there's another way to access it now. Ike is a great hero, the conflicts are political and layered, and it's far from a "good guy fights war against bad guys" story.
Reposted by Devan Soyka
Like the bible says: live by the sword, no worries
January 8, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Like the bible says: live by the sword, no worries
Reposted by Devan Soyka
Hey! You can always report X, the everything app for generating child exploitation material in the App Store.
On the App Store page for X on iOS, scroll ALLL the way down and tap on Report a Problem. You’ll be prompted to sign in and detail the problem.
On the App Store page for X on iOS, scroll ALLL the way down and tap on Report a Problem. You’ll be prompted to sign in and detail the problem.
January 8, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Hey! You can always report X, the everything app for generating child exploitation material in the App Store.
On the App Store page for X on iOS, scroll ALLL the way down and tap on Report a Problem. You’ll be prompted to sign in and detail the problem.
On the App Store page for X on iOS, scroll ALLL the way down and tap on Report a Problem. You’ll be prompted to sign in and detail the problem.
And just like that, I buy everything Hooded Horse publishes--
Oh wait! I already buy everything Hooded Horse publishes, because this take of theirs reflects knowledge of 1) how games are made, AND 2) what makes them good, which is why their portfolio is so full of unique, high-quality bangers
Oh wait! I already buy everything Hooded Horse publishes, because this take of theirs reflects knowledge of 1) how games are made, AND 2) what makes them good, which is why their portfolio is so full of unique, high-quality bangers
Not every game company is hopping onboard the AI hype train. Manor Lords publisher Hooded Horse bans gen AI art in its contracts.
"If I sound frustrated, it's because, like, honestly, all this thing has done is made our...
https://kotaku.com/hooded-horse-gen-ai-art-ban-4x-strategy-steam-2000658179
"If I sound frustrated, it's because, like, honestly, all this thing has done is made our...
https://kotaku.com/hooded-horse-gen-ai-art-ban-4x-strategy-steam-2000658179
One Game Publisher Is Pushing Back Against AI Art With Contracts That Ban It: 'It's Cancerous' - Kotaku
Hooded Horse won't work with developers that use gen AI
kotaku.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:59 PM
And just like that, I buy everything Hooded Horse publishes--
Oh wait! I already buy everything Hooded Horse publishes, because this take of theirs reflects knowledge of 1) how games are made, AND 2) what makes them good, which is why their portfolio is so full of unique, high-quality bangers
Oh wait! I already buy everything Hooded Horse publishes, because this take of theirs reflects knowledge of 1) how games are made, AND 2) what makes them good, which is why their portfolio is so full of unique, high-quality bangers
An old lady just watched me do my recycling and then came over to tell me that it was good of me to break down the cardboard boxes first.
German integration levels [over9000.mpg]
German integration levels [over9000.mpg]
January 6, 2026 at 10:10 PM
An old lady just watched me do my recycling and then came over to tell me that it was good of me to break down the cardboard boxes first.
German integration levels [over9000.mpg]
German integration levels [over9000.mpg]
Reposted by Devan Soyka
Love this from Guillermo del Toro
January 5, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Love this from Guillermo del Toro
Reposted by Devan Soyka
I still believe in human art, & craft, & spirit. I always will. but the people making it need us to circulate it, to make sure it doesn’t get lost in aggregate networks of noise. read curiously. circulate, on social & off. and support the people pushing for a stranger, kinder world. like the above.
January 4, 2026 at 1:16 AM
I still believe in human art, & craft, & spirit. I always will. but the people making it need us to circulate it, to make sure it doesn’t get lost in aggregate networks of noise. read curiously. circulate, on social & off. and support the people pushing for a stranger, kinder world. like the above.
Reposted by Devan Soyka
“Sometimes you don’t survive whole. You only survive in part. But the *grandeur* of life is that attempt. It’s not about the solution. It’s about being as fearless as one can and behaving as beautifully as one can under completely impossible circumstances.”
Toni Morrison on Trauma, Survival, and Finding Meaning
YouTube video by CTFORUM
youtu.be
January 3, 2026 at 4:14 PM
“Sometimes you don’t survive whole. You only survive in part. But the *grandeur* of life is that attempt. It’s not about the solution. It’s about being as fearless as one can and behaving as beautifully as one can under completely impossible circumstances.”
Anger is a tool. It's raw energy and motivation. It connects people over shared feelings. Without acting on anger, it smolders and hurts you internally.
What will you do with yours?
What will you do with yours?
January 3, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Anger is a tool. It's raw energy and motivation. It connects people over shared feelings. Without acting on anger, it smolders and hurts you internally.
What will you do with yours?
What will you do with yours?
My games of the year:
"Tightest Vice Grip on Me Mentally": Blue Prince
"Is It Recency Bias Because I Played It Later or Is It That Good? I Think It's That Good": Hades II
"Most Fun with My Friend and Random Strangers AKA the Reason this Artform Speaks to Me": Elden Ring Nightreign
"Tightest Vice Grip on Me Mentally": Blue Prince
"Is It Recency Bias Because I Played It Later or Is It That Good? I Think It's That Good": Hades II
"Most Fun with My Friend and Random Strangers AKA the Reason this Artform Speaks to Me": Elden Ring Nightreign
December 31, 2025 at 8:26 PM
My games of the year:
"Tightest Vice Grip on Me Mentally": Blue Prince
"Is It Recency Bias Because I Played It Later or Is It That Good? I Think It's That Good": Hades II
"Most Fun with My Friend and Random Strangers AKA the Reason this Artform Speaks to Me": Elden Ring Nightreign
"Tightest Vice Grip on Me Mentally": Blue Prince
"Is It Recency Bias Because I Played It Later or Is It That Good? I Think It's That Good": Hades II
"Most Fun with My Friend and Random Strangers AKA the Reason this Artform Speaks to Me": Elden Ring Nightreign
The most important thing of 2025 is that my husband won the championship of our fantasy football league.
And the league trophy is a gigantic rubber duck.
So our commissioner is now obligated to get on an airplane, buy a seat for the duck, and bring it to us.
And the league trophy is a gigantic rubber duck.
So our commissioner is now obligated to get on an airplane, buy a seat for the duck, and bring it to us.
December 31, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The most important thing of 2025 is that my husband won the championship of our fantasy football league.
And the league trophy is a gigantic rubber duck.
So our commissioner is now obligated to get on an airplane, buy a seat for the duck, and bring it to us.
And the league trophy is a gigantic rubber duck.
So our commissioner is now obligated to get on an airplane, buy a seat for the duck, and bring it to us.
I spent 2025 pitching in to improve the games industry for devs, and survived all the hills I was ready to die on, so let's go pick some more 💪
December 31, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I spent 2025 pitching in to improve the games industry for devs, and survived all the hills I was ready to die on, so let's go pick some more 💪
Reposted by Devan Soyka
I cleared Hades 2 in 3 days, and didn't even get into the meat of the narrative (yet)... I may have gotten too good at video games
December 28, 2025 at 11:27 PM
I cleared Hades 2 in 3 days, and didn't even get into the meat of the narrative (yet)... I may have gotten too good at video games