Zara 🏳️‍🌈
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zaravarin.bsky.social
Zara 🏳️‍🌈
@zaravarin.bsky.social
Queer non-binary geek of all trades💗💛💙she/they. Marine. Neurodivergent.♾️
President & Creative Director of Dual Wield Studio ✨⚔️✨
Previously: 343 Industries | Halo | Xbox.
Unions are awesome.
🚫❌NO AI, NO NFTs❌🚫
zaravarin.carrd.co
Pinned
For folks who knew Rowan, or even never met them, this is a little window into the wonderful person they were.

Listening & editing the transcript of this audio interview was difficult but, more than that, a comfort; I hope it can be that for other folks too.
On our 7th anniversary, we look back with former CEO and co-founder Rowan Rowden on the origins of Dual Wield Studio with a never-before-seen interview.

Thank you for your support this year! More to come soon on our store reopening and the future!

dualwieldstudio.com/blogs/news/a...
Fun day at work today 👀
November 12, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Still seeking BIPOC folks for paid modeling in Seattle on Sunday November 9th!

If you’re a Dragon Age fan, even if you aren’t a cosplayer, we want to work with you 💙 Please reply here or send a DM
(just note I’m working remotely today so will get to responses a little later today 🙏)
HELLO SEATTLE-AREA DRAGON AGE COSPLAYERS OF COLOR

Are you available on Sunday November 9th? I have a cool photo shoot project I’m seeking models for, and YES it is paid!!

Please reply here & I’ll reach out with more details 👀

(Signal boosts welcome!!)
#DragonAge
November 6, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Reposted by Zara 🏳️‍🌈
HELLO SEATTLE-AREA DRAGON AGE COSPLAYERS OF COLOR

Are you available on Sunday November 9th? I have a cool photo shoot project I’m seeking models for, and YES it is paid!!

Please reply here & I’ll reach out with more details 👀

(Signal boosts welcome!!)
#DragonAge
November 5, 2025 at 5:11 PM
HELLO SEATTLE-AREA DRAGON AGE COSPLAYERS OF COLOR

Are you available on Sunday November 9th? I have a cool photo shoot project I’m seeking models for, and YES it is paid!!

Please reply here & I’ll reach out with more details 👀

(Signal boosts welcome!!)
#DragonAge
November 5, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Barely out of bed this morning before I was eagerly hitting PLAY on the audiobook (and a physical copy is on the way from local bookseller)

A fantastic revolution centering on the success of some scrappy (demonic) underdogs (& their witch + cat) is just what my heart needs right now!
It's launch day!!

HELL HATH NO FURY is out today in ebook, audio, KU, and print! We're only one book from the end, folks, so buckle up and get ready for a hell of a ride, 'cause the Bex train don't stop!

Get your copy here and thanks so much for being my readers/listeners! --> amzn.to/487RvN8
October 3, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Working with @kevinjaystanton.bsky.social has been so positively lovely. His wealth of knowledge and thoughtful, gorgeous designs have been a project our team has loved collaborating on.
Strengthen your resolve 🗡 The Sacred Blood Capsule Collection by @kevinjaystanton.bsky.social arriving Friday, October 10 at 10AM PT at Dual Wield Studio. Read more about the inspiration behind the collection here: https://bit.ly/3KvlYLk
October 3, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Reposted by Zara 🏳️‍🌈
It’s dangerous to go alone - take the Sacred Blood Capsule Collection’s Pin for stylish protection 🤍

🩸Designed by @kevinjaystanton.bsky.social
🩸3.7 x 3.1 inches
🩸$35 USD
October 3, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Reposted by Zara 🏳️‍🌈
Bloom where you're planted 🌹 with this versatile bandana from our Sacred Blood Capsule Collection.

🩸Designed by @kevinjaystanton.bsky.social
🩸22 x 22 inches, 100% cotton
🩸$30 USD
October 3, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Reposted by Zara 🏳️‍🌈
Embrace your sanguine nature 🩸✨ with the Sacred Blood Capsule Collection Sweater.

🩸Designed by @kevinjaystanton.bsky.social
🩸50% Rayon, 28% Nylon, 22% PBT with printed neck tape
🩸$80 USD
October 3, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Reposted by Zara 🏳️‍🌈
Strengthen your resolve 🗡 The Sacred Blood Capsule Collection by @kevinjaystanton.bsky.social arriving Friday, October 10 at 10AM PT at Dual Wield Studio. Read more about the inspiration behind the collection here: https://bit.ly/3KvlYLk
October 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM
This year has been a rollercoaster, y'all; after an unexpected warehouse move & inventory shuffling, all while still working on multiple active projects & navigating the state of commerce (& tarriffs 🙄), we're happy to have our storefront back up and running!

Our team has put in so much work 💪
With new adventures on the horizon, we're ecstatic to announce that our storefront has officially REOPENED! 🎉

Dragon Age preorders shipping, handling cost updates, and team changes--read all our Dual Wield Studio updates here: https://bit.ly/3KlSFL4
September 26, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Reposted by Zara 🏳️‍🌈
With new adventures on the horizon, we're ecstatic to announce that our storefront has officially REOPENED! 🎉

Dragon Age preorders shipping, handling cost updates, and team changes--read all our Dual Wield Studio updates here: https://bit.ly/3KlSFL4
September 26, 2025 at 5:15 PM
I cannot stop smiling as I play through Metal Gear Solid: Delta, y’all. MGS3: Snake Eater remains one of my all-time favorite games & this remake was clearly done with so much love & attention to detail to remain true to the original game, down to the silly Easter eggs & ridiculous enemy behaviors.
August 29, 2025 at 3:48 AM
For folks who knew Rowan, or even never met them, this is a little window into the wonderful person they were.

Listening & editing the transcript of this audio interview was difficult but, more than that, a comfort; I hope it can be that for other folks too.
On our 7th anniversary, we look back with former CEO and co-founder Rowan Rowden on the origins of Dual Wield Studio with a never-before-seen interview.

Thank you for your support this year! More to come soon on our store reopening and the future!

dualwieldstudio.com/blogs/news/a...
August 24, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Reposted by Zara 🏳️‍🌈
On our 7th anniversary, we look back with former CEO and co-founder Rowan Rowden on the origins of Dual Wield Studio with a never-before-seen interview.

Thank you for your support this year! More to come soon on our store reopening and the future!

dualwieldstudio.com/blogs/news/a...
August 24, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Reposted by Zara 🏳️‍🌈
Hey Gang! Tomorrow I'll be racing my good friend Mith in our annual* Link's Awakening Strictly Glitchless Speedrun! I won last year but when i tell you the race is close... I mean it's REAL close!
August 2, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Reposted by Zara 🏳️‍🌈
Sundays = ignoring self-promo anxiety so...

Support DNA CODEX: The GameDev Library 🧬 - a growing, community funded digital archive we at DnA Creative maintain!

📣 SIGNAL BOOST, tell a friend!
💸 CONTRIBUTE, keep us sustainable!
📩 RECOMMEND, submit a resource!

dnacreative.notion.site/codex?source...
July 27, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Reposted by Zara 🏳️‍🌈
i worked with our director RJ to put together a web page compiling phone numbers, emails, and petitions where you can make your voice heard - protect queer artists and sex workers and tell payment processing companies to end their awful policies harming safe spaces for creative art
July 24, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I know there’s no end to the litany of things calling on our effort, but I hope folks can dedicate some bandwidth to speaking out against Visa/Mastercard/etc puritanically controlling consumer spending.

Excellent resources to help aim efforts:
credit cards shouldn't tell you what to buy. you're supposed to tell the credit card what to buy. thats the point i think
yellat.money
July 25, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Reposted by Zara 🏳️‍🌈
credit cards shouldn't tell you what to buy. you're supposed to tell the credit card what to buy. thats the point i think
yellat.money
July 24, 2025 at 10:35 PM
In the ongoing uphill slog through ever-increasingly complex things I’m handling this year, it goes a long way to share a moment of humanity & humor with someone who, while they can’t solve the situation, is trying their best to do what they can to get things done.

Sure would love some relief tho!
July 18, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Reposted by Zara 🏳️‍🌈
Unconscionable, shameful stuff. Fuck this.
BREAKING: Krafton has delayed the highly anticipated game Subnautica 2 to 2026, potentially costing the development team a $250 million bonus.

The studio's leadership had wanted to release the game this year but were ousted by Krafton last week.

A wild story: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Krafton Delays ‘Subnautica 2’ Game Ahead of $250 Million Payout
The South Korean publisher announced last week that the CEO and founders of ‘Subnautica’ studio Unknown Worlds were departing, but didn’t say why
www.bloomberg.com
July 9, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Think (HOPE) I’m in the home stretch of COVID-19 recovery; my body is still not feeling like home & is very rest-heavy, but I’m also grappling with daily bursts of energy with the want to do shit that I’m doing my darndest to resist; it’s a wild combo. Fingers crossed my next tests are all negative!
July 9, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Continuing on my COVID-19 recovery (have been following all my doc’s instructions, including copious cat-like rest!) and my gosh, the human body really is a magical mystery horror show.
June 29, 2025 at 10:08 PM