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ariella

@agbouskila.bsky.social
480 followers 132 following 217 posts

Narrative designer, writer, erstwhile illustrator. Previously: Destiny 2 and Destiny: Rising. Previously previously: art and layout in 2D animation. They/them. Portfolio: www.agbouskila.com

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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
been doing a lot of compare-and-contrasting since moving back home. so far Seattle has scored wins on tap water taste and web design for updating voter registration, but Toronto's firmly in the lead. the judges acknowledge their bias but stand by their results.
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
in what i have to assume is a last ditch effort to convince me to stay, my terminal at seatac has offered me 1) sky gamerz and 2) boba in my drip coffee
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I'm not flying out for a couple more days but 🫡 it's been a slice, Seattle. Let's do this again sometime.
Suitcases in my empty apartment 🥲"Thank You Ballard" graffiti'd on the side of the derelict boat abandoned at the local pier
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Minute one of PAX people watching I saw an Aerith accompanied by someone in a partial fursuit cross paths with an Aerith accompanied by Solid Snake and at minute approximately sixty nobody else has met that quality bar.
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Anyway, here's a handsome fish I met today.
a small blue-purple fish at the Seattle aquarium. I did not note down the species.
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
re: last repost: I came to games from the 99% non-union Canadian animation industry and my initial reaction to the games industry was, "oh, it's the exact same thing, just with higher budgets and longer contracts between periods of unemployment." Games are and were somehow more stable for me!
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🐔 Brian Bucklew 🐔 ₑͤ>∿<ₑͤ ∞🌮 @unormal.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
aaa video games trying to move to a project based model without any of the labor support or functioning professional project pipeline or etc etc etc that makes it possible in movies
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
I'm bumping up my move date goodbye
Pretend reserved parking sign for Jimothy
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
I think I've said it in all the group threads and servers already, but to put it here in case I missed any: Seattle friends, I'm beating a (positive but unexpectedly quick!) retreat to Toronto in the next couple weeks. If we don't have a goodbye hang booked already, this is last call. 🥺🫴
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Marie 💠 @eiramew.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The Immanent — The Last Time We Were Apart My first piece for @ishtarillustrated.bsky.social volume II 🤍 #destiny2 #destiny2art #ishtarillustratedvol2
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cmrn knzlmn @ckunzelman.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
I went to read the Joanna Russ papers and I wrote about what I learned.
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
the Presto card I bought in 2011, that says it expired in 2016, that I last used in 2023, still works and has my balance active. I will die for my country Toronto Ontario
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Whenever I have to explain the concept of a bark to non-game friends, my go-to example is Overwatch's "it's hiiigh noon...". "It's hiiigh noon..." might be the best bark anyone's ever written. It's definitely my favourite. Let's all get in a room together and fight to the death over the best barks.
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
I've spotted two of these little clay frogs around my neighbourhood recently, and now every time I pass their homes I have to check to make sure they're still there. I live in hopes of finding a third.
little clay frog on an outdoor railingeven littler clay frog on a metal support
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Brandon Sheffield @brandon.insertcredit.com · 30/07/2026
In response to the unprecedented number of game developers laid off this year, we have created a bundle on itch to benefit a Game Industry Hardship Fund, managed by @videogameworkers.bsky.social. More than 100 games for 10+ bucks! Please share widely and donate generously! itch.io/b/3802/game-...
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Workers’ Lit Podcast @workerslit.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Grab your 3-ringed binders, highlighters, and spellbooks. This week we're talking about "The Incandescent," a 2025 academia fantasy novel by Emily Tesh. We've got school and labor fights, demons and bisexuality, plus a fantastic guest, author and organizer @brandoncrilly.bsky.social ! Listen now!
Episode art for Workers' Lit July 27, 2026: The Incandescent ft. Brandon Crilly
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
made a pouch matching this tote I made a couple months ago, to hopefully keep myself from losing my keys/earbuds/various tiny items at the bottom of the bag. very pleased with it! except for the sacrifice of a needle to the zipper. 😔
small floral pouchbroken sewing machine needle, the fateful zipper visible behind itsmall floral pouch against big floral tote
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
achievement unlocked 🏅 crashed Unreal twice doing the tutorial!
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
studios should hire in bulk. I could put together a narrative team of former colleagues who work well together and have complementary skillsets in half an hour. as it is we're all forwarding each other the same listings and showing up one by one in the same hiring manager's inbox anyway
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Weekend resume polishing: I technically have an IMDB page but it kind of implies I worked on one episode of TV and then fell into a swamp for six years before climbing out again. However. However. I don't want to update it because it sounds like a lot of work. And the swamp thing makes me laugh.
my total IMDB credits: one Destiny expansion and one episode of a kid's show called Xavier Riddle
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
I'm putting off filing for unemployment for one day to hang out at Paper Pushers and do some lino printing, come do some lino printing with us!
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Alright so the process of texting friends at affected studios to ask if they're safe sucks from both sides ☹️ I wish things were otherwise. What else can you even say. I wish things were otherwise!
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AK Slaydeau 👻 @akfedeau.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
I'm very sorry to announce that I was one of the devs affected by the Obsidian layoffs today. At least for four years, it was a beautiful dream. If you need a writer with experience in everything from the fog of war to romance - especially if you're open to remote - please get in touch.
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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Proud to announce our HARDSHIP FUND: uvw-cwa.org/hardship-fun... If you've been recently laid off and need support, we got you.
A red poster with a white logo (a polygonal heart lifted by 2 hands) and the title "United Videogame Workers – Hardship Fund", followed by this copy:

"UVW-CWA stands for every game worker: for those still employed and fighting for union contracts and those who have been callously treated as disposable by executives who've never shipped a title. 

We are proud to announce our launch of a hardship fund for game workers across the US and Canada who have been subjected to layoffs. If you are a game worker in need of support, please apply."

Below the text is a link to the initiative (as in the post) and the UVW-CWA logo.
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
I got into Destiny 1 and accidentally swerved my entire career when I got hit by layoffs in animation (Ms. Frizzle, I'll see you in hell), and now everything I might get into now feels freighted. I could read Dragon Ball for the first time since my childhood, but am I ready for a career in Goku...?
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
‪a final old work post before I go back to occasional bird pics: I'm thinking fondly of the dumbest (affectionate) name I got into D2. better than Boondoggle. better than the gunpla joke I had to explain word-by-word to loc. I was convinced I'd have to rewrite it. but she endures... Wee-Woo Shell.
Ambulance-themed Ghost cosmetic named Wee-Woo Shell
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Johannah approaches her writing with a depth of thought that amazes me. She grasps complicated topics in a way not many can, and then explains them in a way that doesn't leave anyone behind. I would walk through fire to work with Johannah again. For the love of god someone hire her immediately.
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
While I'm just saying stuff, I would do anything for a gig that let me move back to Toronto. I have come to love Seattle but, with affection, it is a toy city for children.
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Thank you to everyone who shared this or expressed sympathy. I really really appreciate it. I don't know what's next for me but, I don't know, after you get a baseball bat to the head it's nice to have someone pass the bag of frozen peas. :')
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Amanda @draseria.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Survived two layoffs only finally lose it on this one. To the RAD Team: it’s been an honor and a privilege. To the D2 Team: y’all were incredible and deserve better. To the players: I’m sorry.
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Artem Sorokin @artagah.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
I got impacted by today's layoffs, as is essentially the entire Destiny VFX team, leads and all. It was a good half decade, Bungie. If y'all know a project that needs a VFX artist I can make you some pretty sparkles :) www.artstation.com/artagah
artstation.com
Artem Sorokin
Senior VFX Artist at Bungie
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Josh Kulinski @joshkulinski.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
I sincerely thought Bungie was going to be my forever home in this industry. Alas, I'm back on the job market. I'm immensely proud of the work I got to do on Destiny, and the people I got to build an experience of a lifetime with.
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Tyson @tysonsteele.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
After almost ten years at Bungie I was laid off today. I started on Destiny 2 in 2016 and was one of the first handful of people to join the Marathon incubation team at the end of 2019. The loss today, like so many of these days, is immeasurable. We built some really incredible things together.
Concept art for the Triage runner from Marathon. Close, cropped shot of the character's face, black and neon green, with glowing eyes. The background is a red, blurred bokeh. The image has a distinctive, digital film grain effect that gives it a retro, dreamlike feeling.
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Johannah O. @ohalloranjh.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Hello world! I'm bringing a professional account forward out of fandom lurking. I'm Johannah, I've been a narrative designer on Destiny 2 since 2022 and contributed to releases since then. :) Like many of my beloved colleagues I am now on the market. Watch this space question mark?
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Prince Zexu @princezexu.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
After a decade of working at Bungie, today was my last day as I am being laid off. If anyone needs a Producer, let me know.
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🎃ALL HALLOW'S VERMIN👻 @legendaryvermin.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Bungie and Sony deemed me too powerful to continue working for them and—fearing for their very lives—have loosed me upon the world.
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Olive is an inventive designer AND an incredibly thoughtful collaborator. I'm really going to miss working with her. Hire Olive!!!
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Lynne is an incredibly sharp writer, with expertise across both AAA and indie dev. Hire them right now immediately.
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John Ebenger @johnebenger.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
The entire Cinematic org was included. Let me know if you're looking to pick up a Director and/or other talented cine folks at any level.
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
QRTing Becca's QRT both because I'm proud of this set of frameworks AND because learned discussion with Becca helped crystallize multiple of them. I'm very stressed today of course but it is still a nice reminder of how many brilliant and generous peers I have :') www.agbouskila.com/lenses
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Lynne @overquailified.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Well folks, the hand of the market got me: I've been impacted by layoffs at Bungie. It's been an incredible, astonishing pleasure working on Destiny 2 and a small part of Marathon with so many wonderful, talented folks. This was my first AAA job, at a studio whose games I'd played since childhood.
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Can I say. May I engage in some humour from up on this set of gallows. I was playing chicken with a required training module due July 1 and I think I won.
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Garrett Jones @supersamuri0987.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Goes without saying, if you have a lead on any Activity Design positions or Feature Lead roles, I'd love to hear about them! My linkedin and portfolio: www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-j... garrettjonesdesign.netlify.app
garrettjonesdesign.netlify.app
Garrett Jones — Portfolio
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Well, I've been affected by the Bungie layoffs, and I guess I'm now looking for work. I'm a senior narrative designer on Destiny 2. I'm going to thread a little list of stuff I've done on the game; normally I go out of my way to avoid attention, but today I'd appreciate reposts.
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
from a walk up to Golden Gardens last week: crow with god ray
Crow posing on a parking sign on the beach
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Sights of Seattle:
A red brick building with the bottom third painted a pleasant, warm yellow Much closer on the building: two dogs with their heads sticking out a window! They're the same pleasant yellow as the paint under them!
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ariella @agbouskila.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
"I've lived a long time and been a lot of things, but I think the best thing I've ever been is your friend." 💙💠
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Destiny 2 @destinythegame.bungie.net · 12/06/2026
"Thank you for walking with me all these years." youtu.be/TyUzUuzlPmY
Destiny 2 - So Far, Together thumbnail, showing Zavala, Ikora, Crow, the Guardian, and Ghost watching over the Last City as many red paper lanterns fly up into the night.
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