Ruth Cassidy
@velcrocyborg.bsky.social
games critic and journalist · excessive use of Emphatic Title Case · bylines including Unwinnable, Eurogamer, Rock Paper Shotgun, and more · they/them · linktr.ee/ruthvcassidy
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
omg the talk/speaker lineup for Roguelike Celebration (@roguelike.club) 2025 looks sooo good:
www.roguelike.club/event2025.html
So obviously one of the most vital events in videogames right now, I really hope I can make the time to attend this year.
www.roguelike.club/event2025.html
So obviously one of the most vital events in videogames right now, I really hope I can make the time to attend this year.
Roguelike Celebration - Event 2025
www.roguelike.club
September 23, 2025 at 3:54 AM
omg the talk/speaker lineup for Roguelike Celebration (@roguelike.club) 2025 looks sooo good:
www.roguelike.club/event2025.html
So obviously one of the most vital events in videogames right now, I really hope I can make the time to attend this year.
www.roguelike.club/event2025.html
So obviously one of the most vital events in videogames right now, I really hope I can make the time to attend this year.
I have far too many tabs open from the game devs of color expo event but I wanted to *at least* shout out Amarantus, which is one of my all-time favourites, and is 50% off
store.steampowered.com/app/1941100/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1941100/...
Save 50% on Amarantus on Steam
Roadtrip across the country. Confront a tyrant. The revolution will be messy—but the relationships will be messier.
store.steampowered.com
September 17, 2025 at 7:53 PM
I have far too many tabs open from the game devs of color expo event but I wanted to *at least* shout out Amarantus, which is one of my all-time favourites, and is 50% off
store.steampowered.com/app/1941100/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1941100/...
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
Just 11 hours left to submit your games, game assets, tools, tilesets, soundtracks, music packs, zines, artbooks, short fiction, comics, whatever you got(!) to the Play for Palestine charity drive.
Funds go directly to the UNRWA in support of direct humanitarian aid in Palestine! Info below. 🇵🇸🍉🎮
Funds go directly to the UNRWA in support of direct humanitarian aid in Palestine! Info below. 🇵🇸🍉🎮
I NEED YOUR HELP.
We're down to the last 30+ hours of the games submission for the Play for Palestine charity drive and we are at 258 submissions. I'm hoping we can hit 300 by the close 🇵🇸
Link: itch.io/jam/games-fo...
BIG THREAD BELOW 🧵/
We're down to the last 30+ hours of the games submission for the Play for Palestine charity drive and we are at 258 submissions. I'm hoping we can hit 300 by the close 🇵🇸
Link: itch.io/jam/games-fo...
BIG THREAD BELOW 🧵/
July 13, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Just 11 hours left to submit your games, game assets, tools, tilesets, soundtracks, music packs, zines, artbooks, short fiction, comics, whatever you got(!) to the Play for Palestine charity drive.
Funds go directly to the UNRWA in support of direct humanitarian aid in Palestine! Info below. 🇵🇸🍉🎮
Funds go directly to the UNRWA in support of direct humanitarian aid in Palestine! Info below. 🇵🇸🍉🎮
It's a little harder to promote your work when you've been hiding your bylines away in print, but this month I have *two* pieces in Edge, which is very cool - my review of The Alters, and a feature about the growing genre of tile synergy games
July 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM
It's a little harder to promote your work when you've been hiding your bylines away in print, but this month I have *two* pieces in Edge, which is very cool - my review of The Alters, and a feature about the growing genre of tile synergy games
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
I've spruced up our Steam page with all the games we recommended in the newsletter last year. Maybe soon I'll add the ones from this year, but let's be honest, probably next June.
store.steampowered.com/curator/1178...
store.steampowered.com/curator/1178...
June 24, 2025 at 9:37 AM
I've spruced up our Steam page with all the games we recommended in the newsletter last year. Maybe soon I'll add the ones from this year, but let's be honest, probably next June.
store.steampowered.com/curator/1178...
store.steampowered.com/curator/1178...
having just been listening to a recorded interview for transcription purposes I have to say: I have no idea what my accent is anymore. what are those vowels. where are they going.
May 24, 2025 at 12:29 PM
having just been listening to a recorded interview for transcription purposes I have to say: I have no idea what my accent is anymore. what are those vowels. where are they going.
I spent about 40 minutes on a Clair Obscur miniboss that I was not good at and had the spontaneous thought "what if I engage my shoulder blades" (thank you, physio) and did it in the next go around
so if anyone is looking for any guides writers,
so if anyone is looking for any guides writers,
April 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
I spent about 40 minutes on a Clair Obscur miniboss that I was not good at and had the spontaneous thought "what if I engage my shoulder blades" (thank you, physio) and did it in the next go around
so if anyone is looking for any guides writers,
so if anyone is looking for any guides writers,
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
Friends, it's time once again! Check out our year in videogame blogging post to see what works excited and incited us to think differently about games last year!
critical-distance.com/2025/01/01/t...
critical-distance.com/2025/01/01/t...
This Year in Videogame Blogging: 2024
Welcome back to Critical Distance’s annual roundup of great videogame blogging! We’ve taken one more trip around the Sun in our ongoing mission to highlight and archive some of the best…
critical-distance.com
January 2, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Friends, it's time once again! Check out our year in videogame blogging post to see what works excited and incited us to think differently about games last year!
critical-distance.com/2025/01/01/t...
critical-distance.com/2025/01/01/t...
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
Disappointed by your Spotify Wrapped this year? Not a Spotify user but want to join in? Don't worry, I've got just the answer. Generate some end-of-year summaries of your (entirely fake) listening habits.
Play it here (currently desktop only): illomens.itch.io/unwrapped
Play it here (currently desktop only): illomens.itch.io/unwrapped
Unwrapped by ILL OMENS
What did *you* listen to this year? Not this, probably.
illomens.itch.io
December 8, 2024 at 4:40 PM
Disappointed by your Spotify Wrapped this year? Not a Spotify user but want to join in? Don't worry, I've got just the answer. Generate some end-of-year summaries of your (entirely fake) listening habits.
Play it here (currently desktop only): illomens.itch.io/unwrapped
Play it here (currently desktop only): illomens.itch.io/unwrapped
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
It's also time for the annual call for submissions to This Year In Videogame Blogging! Check the public post for details.
critical-distance.com/2024/12/01/c...
critical-distance.com/2024/12/01/c...
Call for Submissions: This Year in Videogame Blogging 2024
Hello everyone, It’s December 1st, which means it’s time to start compiling Critical Distance’s annual This Year in Videogame Blogging roundup. Through the rest of this month, we&…
critical-distance.com
December 1, 2024 at 5:28 PM
It's also time for the annual call for submissions to This Year In Videogame Blogging! Check the public post for details.
critical-distance.com/2024/12/01/c...
critical-distance.com/2024/12/01/c...
I was wondering why Dwarf Fortress feels like such a seasonal game to me when it textually isn't but I just checked the (Steam) release date and that would indeed have done it. I hope everyone else is having a nice Dorfcember
December 1, 2024 at 4:57 PM
I was wondering why Dwarf Fortress feels like such a seasonal game to me when it textually isn't but I just checked the (Steam) release date and that would indeed have done it. I hope everyone else is having a nice Dorfcember
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
The every lovely @geoffreybunting.bsky.social interviewed me a few months back as part of this piece about Twitch and YouTube content creation as a disabled gamer.
Disabled content creators discuss what platforms like Twitch and YouTube must do to make content creation accessible
www.gamesindustry.biz/how-accessib...
www.gamesindustry.biz/how-accessib...
How accessible is being a gaming content creator?
Influencers and content creators have rapidly become one of the most visible aspects of the games industry. In courting…
www.gamesindustry.biz
November 5, 2024 at 12:29 PM
The every lovely @geoffreybunting.bsky.social interviewed me a few months back as part of this piece about Twitch and YouTube content creation as a disabled gamer.
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
The #AdvX2024 Steam event starts within the hour!
For the next 7 days, you can check out some of the best recent & upcoming narrative games. Over 140 games total, on sale and/or with a playable demo!
store.steampowered.com/sale/Adventu...
For the next 7 days, you can check out some of the best recent & upcoming narrative games. Over 140 games total, on sale and/or with a playable demo!
store.steampowered.com/sale/Adventu...
Steam Store
Steam is the ultimate destination for playing, discussing, and creating games.
store.steampowered.com
November 4, 2024 at 5:12 PM
The #AdvX2024 Steam event starts within the hour!
For the next 7 days, you can check out some of the best recent & upcoming narrative games. Over 140 games total, on sale and/or with a playable demo!
store.steampowered.com/sale/Adventu...
For the next 7 days, you can check out some of the best recent & upcoming narrative games. Over 140 games total, on sale and/or with a playable demo!
store.steampowered.com/sale/Adventu...
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
ANNOUNCEMENT: I'm releasing my first video game! Introducing INTERSTATE 35, an experimental visual novel about going home, set in the irradiated ruins of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Words & design by me, illustrations by Porcelain Bones, music by Josie Brechner. Links below.
October 31, 2024 at 7:53 PM
ANNOUNCEMENT: I'm releasing my first video game! Introducing INTERSTATE 35, an experimental visual novel about going home, set in the irradiated ruins of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Words & design by me, illustrations by Porcelain Bones, music by Josie Brechner. Links below.
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
In conclusion, if you enjoy my thoughts on video games, please help me not be homeless so I can continue thoughtting them at you
Hello friends, unfortunately disability has continued to wreck my ability to survive, and I am fundraising for this month's rent. There is very good news ahead in the thread, but, the money part first:
Paypal: rowankaiser
Venmo: @rowankaiser
Cashapp: $rowankaiser
Patreon.com/totalmassacre
Paypal: rowankaiser
Venmo: @rowankaiser
Cashapp: $rowankaiser
Patreon.com/totalmassacre
September 26, 2024 at 1:57 AM
In conclusion, if you enjoy my thoughts on video games, please help me not be homeless so I can continue thoughtting them at you
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
Today is a great day to hire @crapstacular.bsky.social.
Hi there, I'm looking for more work to pay off my ever-increasing bills. I can write anything, but specifically I can do reviews, features, and copywriting (I have a decade of marketing exp and eight years of journalism exp). Portfolio here: www.kheehoon.me
Khee Hoon Chan
Copywriter, writing, videogames, marketing, ad, advertising, video games, journalism
www.kheehoon.me
September 9, 2024 at 12:28 PM
Today is a great day to hire @crapstacular.bsky.social.
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
@murthynikhil.bsky.social was amazing to discuss with about both this project and its philosophy! 4X games like Syphilisation need more press. We need more postcolonial game designers that genuinely believe in that philosophy. Not to mention deindustrialisation!
Here’s @phoenixsimms.bsky.social doing one of my favorite things; putting Syphilisation in conversation with literature.
unwinnable.com/2024/09/05/a...
unwinnable.com/2024/09/05/a...
Advancing Together - Unwinnable
Nikhil Murthy’s Syphilisation emerged as a way to address some enduring colonial-imperialist assumptions in the 4X classic series Civilization.
unwinnable.com
September 7, 2024 at 2:41 PM
@murthynikhil.bsky.social was amazing to discuss with about both this project and its philosophy! 4X games like Syphilisation need more press. We need more postcolonial game designers that genuinely believe in that philosophy. Not to mention deindustrialisation!
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
Ok apparently it's Make a Terrible Comic Day. So here's my entry for #makeaterriblecomicday2024
June 24, 2024 at 6:52 PM
Ok apparently it's Make a Terrible Comic Day. So here's my entry for #makeaterriblecomicday2024
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
The Imaginary Engine Review (or TIER) is a new journal of video games criticism from me and @phoenixsimms.bsky.social. We cover independent, obscure, or retro games. We are ecstatic to debut our first issue over the next month!
June 6, 2024 at 1:34 PM
The Imaginary Engine Review (or TIER) is a new journal of video games criticism from me and @phoenixsimms.bsky.social. We cover independent, obscure, or retro games. We are ecstatic to debut our first issue over the next month!
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
Time for a new accessibility community check-in:
GAconf October dates and location.
Access-Ability Summer Showcase and Summer Game Fest with audio description and sign language tomorrow (June 7th).
And a new hybrid event in July: Nothing Without Us!
GAconf October dates and location.
Access-Ability Summer Showcase and Summer Game Fest with audio description and sign language tomorrow (June 7th).
And a new hybrid event in July: Nothing Without Us!
Accessibility community check-in: GAconf, Access-Ability, Summer Game Fest, Nothing Without Us - Can I Play That?
Time for a check-in with the accessibility community. With GAconf, Access-Ability Summer Showcase, Summer Game Fest, and Nothing Without Us.
caniplaythat.com
June 6, 2024 at 12:07 PM
Time for a new accessibility community check-in:
GAconf October dates and location.
Access-Ability Summer Showcase and Summer Game Fest with audio description and sign language tomorrow (June 7th).
And a new hybrid event in July: Nothing Without Us!
GAconf October dates and location.
Access-Ability Summer Showcase and Summer Game Fest with audio description and sign language tomorrow (June 7th).
And a new hybrid event in July: Nothing Without Us!
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
We're proud 🌈 to present the 4th Queer Games Bundle, with 500 games, TTRPGs, comics, and more from LGBTQ+ creators around the world.
For the price of one AAA game, you can directly support queer artists today. Buy it here for $60 (or $10+):
✨ itch.io/b/2506/
For the price of one AAA game, you can directly support queer artists today. Buy it here for $60 (or $10+):
✨ itch.io/b/2506/
June 5, 2024 at 5:01 AM
We're proud 🌈 to present the 4th Queer Games Bundle, with 500 games, TTRPGs, comics, and more from LGBTQ+ creators around the world.
For the price of one AAA game, you can directly support queer artists today. Buy it here for $60 (or $10+):
✨ itch.io/b/2506/
For the price of one AAA game, you can directly support queer artists today. Buy it here for $60 (or $10+):
✨ itch.io/b/2506/
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
i am always looking to diversify my freelance base of people who do video game reviews/criticism but right now i am definitely looking for more folks who are into strategy games (all kinds) and roguelikes/lites. send to: maddy at polygon dot com with writing examples! (please repost/share this)
May 23, 2024 at 7:26 PM
i am always looking to diversify my freelance base of people who do video game reviews/criticism but right now i am definitely looking for more folks who are into strategy games (all kinds) and roguelikes/lites. send to: maddy at polygon dot com with writing examples! (please repost/share this)
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
The Access-Ability Summer Showcase 2024 will be airing June 7th at 4pm UK, 11am Eastern, 8am Pacific.
Tune in for 45 minutes of accessibility focused game trailers, reveals, and announcements.
ASL, BSL, and Audio Described versions available.
access-ability.uk/2024/05/08/a...
Tune in for 45 minutes of accessibility focused game trailers, reveals, and announcements.
ASL, BSL, and Audio Described versions available.
access-ability.uk/2024/05/08/a...
Access-Ability Summer Showcase 2024 Date and Time Announcement
On June 7th 2024 at 4pm UK, 11am Eastern, 8am Pacific, the Access-Ability Summer Showcase 2024 will be aired live, showcasing recently released and upcoming video games made by disabled game develo…
access-ability.uk
May 8, 2024 at 12:25 PM
The Access-Ability Summer Showcase 2024 will be airing June 7th at 4pm UK, 11am Eastern, 8am Pacific.
Tune in for 45 minutes of accessibility focused game trailers, reveals, and announcements.
ASL, BSL, and Audio Described versions available.
access-ability.uk/2024/05/08/a...
Tune in for 45 minutes of accessibility focused game trailers, reveals, and announcements.
ASL, BSL, and Audio Described versions available.
access-ability.uk/2024/05/08/a...
Reposted by Ruth Cassidy
I wanted to bring in the work of other games journalists on DE in this piece, including (deep breath)
www.pcgamer.com/why-i-love-f... by
@diegoarguello.bsky.social
bulletpointsmonthly.com/2019/11/06/t... by reidmccarter.bsky.social
unwinnable.com/2021/10/01/h... by @velcrocyborg.bsky.social
www.pcgamer.com/why-i-love-f... by
@diegoarguello.bsky.social
bulletpointsmonthly.com/2019/11/06/t... by reidmccarter.bsky.social
unwinnable.com/2021/10/01/h... by @velcrocyborg.bsky.social
I’m a contributor to post45’s first videogame cluster “Reading Disco Elysium”. My essay is the final one in the collection, about detective fiction and alienation in the city. Especially after za/um’s closure I see this essay as a work of love, I hope you’ll read it 🔎
post45.org/2024/04/furt...
post45.org/2024/04/furt...
Further and Further Away - Post45
The most expensive thing you can buy in Disco Elysium is a streetlight. It sits in the corner of the pawn shop on Rue de Saint-Ghislaine and has been modified to plug into a wall. The street lamp is p...
post45.org
April 8, 2024 at 2:02 PM
I wanted to bring in the work of other games journalists on DE in this piece, including (deep breath)
www.pcgamer.com/why-i-love-f... by
@diegoarguello.bsky.social
bulletpointsmonthly.com/2019/11/06/t... by reidmccarter.bsky.social
unwinnable.com/2021/10/01/h... by @velcrocyborg.bsky.social
www.pcgamer.com/why-i-love-f... by
@diegoarguello.bsky.social
bulletpointsmonthly.com/2019/11/06/t... by reidmccarter.bsky.social
unwinnable.com/2021/10/01/h... by @velcrocyborg.bsky.social