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Catherine (she/they)

@catherinemasters.bsky.social
128 followers 346 following 168 posts

Writing about games and more. Bylines at AV Club Games (RIP). Memory Card : linktr.ee/rin.but.online Email : [username]@proton.me Signal : @rin.411 Icon by @redbird-art.bsky.social

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Reposted by Catherine (she/they)
Jordan Wood @thecrossoverappeal.com · 9h
Apropos of nothing, here's bunch of women, femme, nb writers whose work I've appreciated over the past year. First, @katyar.bsky.social. I've shared her work a bunch before because her sharp coverage balances enthusiasm for the form with wide-eyed crit. playingthisweek.substack.com/p/the-games-...
playingthisweek.substack.com
To the games I won't ever play...
An ode to those who make experiencing them still possible.
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Brandon Sheffield @brandon.insertcredit.com · 24/02/2026
"Culturally normal:" - throw trans people under the bus - podcast with fascists - NO pronouns at your uncle's dinner table - unhoused folks viable as a fuel source? "Culturally Nermal:" - cute - sassy - show up whenever you want - change gender depending on region - free trips to abu dhabi
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dan mentos @danmentos.com · 22/09/2026
[job interview] interviewer: so god killed all your kids? job: that's right
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Ana Diaz @pokachee.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Very random (but important) question: What are your favorite non-profits doing work in media, journalism, and (for my own interests) video games? Looking to get a better idea of the kind of work happening out there for a larger project. Likes and RTs appreciated.✨
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Alan Hazelden @alanhazelden.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Earlier versions of the game did acknowledge the creators of the original games at the start of each section, and I consider it unacceptable that this was removed at Jon’s direction. Stephen Totilo noticed this change and wrote a nuanced article here: www.gamefile.news/p/a-complica...
gamefile.news
A complicated game
Who gets credit for Order of the Sinking Star? Where should the names appear for the creators of its source material? And would you notice if a great game designer sat next to you?
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What The Trans?! 🏳️‍⚧️ @whatthetrans.com · 19/09/2026
🔴 TRANS PRIDE BIRMINGHAM - a live thread There's roughly 5 minutes before Trans Pride Birmingham begins, and so far roughly a few dozen people have turned up. 🧵
Trans flag held at Trans Pride Birmingham
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FLEB @flebpuzzles.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Okay, it's out! store.steampowered.com/app/4428890/...
store.steampowered.com
20 More, Somehow Even Smaller, Mazes on Steam
A puzzle game with twenty small mazes.
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Isaiah D. Colbert @shineyezehuhh.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Let Shueisha know you don't want AI-translated manga. mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp/www/custom_p...
mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp
MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA Survey Language Selection
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Catherine (she/they) @catherinemasters.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I've been running a Free Game Club each week for the past few months to curate a list of high quality free titles in our age of deluge. I might write some games up soon but there's a small Discord server to allow for discussion. If you aren't a troublemaker, shoot me a DM and I'll send an invite.
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Catherine (she/they) @catherinemasters.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
New articles coming soon, but for anyone following who saw the Nintendo Direct and doesn't know already about Level 5's descent into generative AI... maybe hold off on the new Layton.
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Alex Jaffe “Alex Jaffe” Alex Jaffe @alexjaffe.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Took me just about a day and a half to solve a 33 year old comic book mystery, nbd
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Robin Bea @robinbombus.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
imagine if there was a person who got paid to review video games but was also a woman
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Catherine (she/they) @catherinemasters.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Going to be on the Gamescom showfloor today if anyone wants to say hi!
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Ojiro Fumoto @moppin.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Truly honored to be compared to one of the GOATs
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Catherine (she/they) @catherinemasters.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Just bumping this. Have a couple of things lined up now but eager to talk with any developers too!
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Karen K. Ho @karenho.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
If the criticism is "why don't journalists write about X?" the answers usually are: -a word count limit of 600 or less -a publishing quota deterring longer stories -an editor shot down the pitch or cut that detail or angle -a beat reporter was laid off -freelance rates of $250 to $350
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Catherine (she/they) @catherinemasters.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
I'm going to #Gamescom! I'm planning to be on the showfloor on Friday & Sunday, and Congress on Thursday. I'll be in Cologne from the 24th-31st if anyone would like to arrange anything. DM/email me! Developers: I'd love to demo your games and interview you! Websites: I'd love to freelance for you!
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Game&Burger @gamenburger.itch.io · 10/08/2026
Clarifaction: my good friend @coolfonts.online wrote the main theme for horse magnifier. I guess that makes her less cool and thus will be thrown back into the hole. Thank you @rist5.bsky.social for this correction. everyone pls throw money at horse magnifier to send @coolfonts.online hole money
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Catherine (she/they) @catherinemasters.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Only got Wi-Fi again on Friday, but wanted to say congratulations!
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Hayes Madsen @solfleet.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Hey, so, I was so angry today that, for once, I blogged it instead of posting about it. Games media, especially mainstream games media, cannot keep abdicating responsibility in how it talks about these things an-evening-at-the-inn.ghost.io/video-game-s...
an-evening-at-the-inn.ghost.io
Video Game Studios Aren't Monoliths
I'm just going to come right out and say it this time - treating video game studios like some kind of fantasy football draft, in the wake of mass layoffs no less, is sickening. The last three years, ...
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kc 💀 play TRUE LOVE'S CURSE! @npckc.net · 13/07/2026
💛🤍NONBINARY CODED GAMES💜🖤 is live on Steam! For International Nonbinary Day, we're showcasing 150+ games by devs who are nonbinary, genderqueer, & outside the gender binary! Take a look and see the spectrum of what we have to offer 🌈 store.steampowered.com/curator/4610... #NonbinaryCodedGames
Nonbinary Coded Games: July 13-20 2026. Celebrating games made by nonbinary developers! The banner shows a nonbinary witch, cat, bunny, and underling.
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Mat Piscatella @matpiscatella.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
"you do not, under any circumstances, "gotta hand it to them""
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Haley MacLean @haleyfax.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
We have never 'owned' our games, our games just had no technological protection measures. (thread 👇, I'm so mad about the PS no physical decision and I need an IP rant)
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John Wahl @midlifesidequest.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
It’s the final few days of my PRIDE MONTH fundraiser for @outfrontmn.bsky.social and I still have TONS of prizes to give away! Including the latest game from @aerialknight.com! 🏳️‍🌈 Just donate HERE: gofund.me/30f3f241f And then pick a prize HERE: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
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Kate Gray @hownottodraw.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
They let me write a whole Ace Attorney quest for Hello Kitty Island Adventure 😈
Kuromi talks to Hello Kitty and My Sweet Piano in a cafe. she says, "my name is ino'sent biestander (If you're using text to speech, it's supposed to sound like innocent bystander) and I know nothing about any cookies!"The Ace Attorney OBJECTION! text, but done I. Hello Kitty language My Sweet Piano, as a lawyer, says "no, we can't lose... we need something outlandish to happen... to turn this case around..."Detective Badtz-maru says " now everybody knows that the lawyer always does the investigation part too." this is a reference to how the lawyers always seem to be involved in the investigation in the Ace Attorney games
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Catherine (she/they) @catherinemasters.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Played last night and it skyrocketed to the top of the list of my favourite games played this year. Recommending to everyone!
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jordan! @jordanjamboree.pittbert.gay · 19/06/2026
As I mentioned on this week's @trangirlismo.bsky.social, I've written 1700 words about Nostalgia, the Evils of Microsoft, and how racing games are the perfect way to embrace automotive enthusiasm. It would mean a lot if you gave it a read, steal this game if you want to play it, and BDS forever.
patreon.com
Endless Summer 2012: Reflection on Forza Horizon Fourteen Years Later | Tran Girlismo (& Victoria Scott)
Looking back on the first trailer for Forza Horizon, it’s tough to put myself back in the shoes of who I was then, both in terms of the line
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The PS1 startup sound as a lesbian @janus.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
For Pride Month, i wrote about Stop!! Hibari-kun, an accidentally trans-positive gag manga from the 1980s about a girl who serves sickening fish and her idiot boyfriend’s inability to chill out about it. @aftermath.site
aftermath.site
The Obscure 1980s Gag Manga That’s Being Reclaimed By Trans People
The focus of "Stop!! Hibari-kun" isn't that Hibari is trans—it’s other characters’ cartoonish inability to chill out about it
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itch.io @itch.io · 13/06/2026
Bundle Hosting Revamped 📦 🎉 We've taken what we've learned over the past 10 years of co-op bundles and redesigned our bundle creation tools to make it easier than ever to host bundles of all kinds of sizes. Check it out: itch.io/t/6475377/bu...
itch.io
Bundle Hosting Revamped - Developer Updates
Over 10 years ago we introduced “Co-op” bundles as a way for developers to self-organize bundles of content across multiple accounts with custom revenue sharing. Since then we’ve hosted thousands of b
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Jessica Cogswell 🌸 @jessicogs.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Sorry, maybe I shouldn't say this but ahahah. I am very angry. So I went to Xbox's Fan Fest event to attend a preview event. And it was the most flagrant display of wealth imaginable. Five stories filled with caterers and hundreds of smiling faces there to assure me of the brand's strength.
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Brandon Sheffield @brandon.insertcredit.com · 10/06/2026
1/3 of the game industry has lost their job in the last two years. Ubisoft closed two more studios today. Everyone is out of work. To that end I'm starting a new bundle to benefit a layoffs hardship fund. Game devs: please consider submitting your PAID games to the bundle, which will launch in July.
itch.io
Game industry hardship fund
A game jam from 2026-06-10 to 2026-06-24 hosted by Necrosoft Games. PREMISE: The game industry has a problem. Too many people are out of work (reports say 33% of the industry lost their jobs in the la...
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Felipe Pepe @felipepepe.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Since we can now have 10 images per post, let me recommend 10 recent indie games! All from the past 3 years, no big obvious hits. No AI or genocide support either! Names & descriptions on Alt Text.
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Taylor McCue @tmccue.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
After a year of censorship and legal attacks the queer community needs your help. The Queer Games Bundle ended but others have taken on that burden. The Pride Bundle funds 284 queer artists directly. Support people not corporations. 60$: itch.io/b/3682/ 10$: itch.io/b/3684/ #PowerofPride2026
itch.io
The Power of Pride Bundle 2026 — $60 Edition by The Power of Pride Bundle and 284 others
The Power of Pride Bundle 2026 — $60 Edition: 396 items for $60.00
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The Journal @thejournal.ie · 29/05/2026
A boycott of Ireland's games with Israel may have moved a small step closer, as a section of the FAi has backed calls to hold an EGM to discuss a boycott. But the Taoiseach has warned that any boycott may have “no impact at all” on Fifa or Israel. www.thejournal.ie/ireland-isra...
thejournal.ie
Potential boycott of Israeli matches ‘may have no impact at all’, says Micheál Martin
One of the three governing groups of the FAI has backed calls to begin discussion of a boycott.
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Carrot 🥕 @justacarrot.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Hello, all! I am currently gauging interest for a potential Steam festival this fall for games from devs on the asexual spectrum and games that feature characters on the ace spectrum! Please fill out this form if you have a game that applies and would be interested! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
Interest Form for Ace Steam Festival
This is an INTEREST FORM for a potential Steam festival for asexual devs and games with asexual characters. Do note that this is NOT an official submission form and it's NOT guaranteed that the festiv...
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Jesse Guarascia @jesseguarascia.com · 27/05/2026
Feels like Computers are over folks
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Chiitan🌈ちぃたん☆ @chiitan.love · 22/02/2026
They scream “only two genders exist!!” But every soul shines in its own irreplaceable color 🌈✨ No matter how loud the hate gets, Chiitan will keep waving this flag until everyone can sparkle as themselves🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈
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Draknek & Friends @draknek.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
So, “Order of the Sinking Star” by Thekla was just announced, which takes several small free games (two of which are mine) and gives them a major graphical upgrade and mashes up their rulesets. I haven’t been very involved but it’s a great concept and looks cool.
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Rami Ismail (رامي) @ramiismail.com · 12/05/2026
Firing the people isn't good enough, these services needs to be structurally unavailable to genocidal Israel's government and any dual-use companies, and any military contractors. A win nevertheless. Let's keep making Israel a liability for any company. www.pcgamer.com/gaming-indus...
pcgamer.com
Microsoft fires head of Israeli subsidiary and other managers over surveillance of Palestinians
The move follows years of internal and external pressure.
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No Escape from the Tyranny of Virtue 🏴🏳️‍⚧️🇵🇸 @noescapevg.com · 09/05/2026
I have reviewed Mixtape. This is the Hater Zone. Don't be surprised to find Hater Opinions here. I've warned you.
noescapevg.com
Review: Mixtape
I don’t like Mixtape (Beethoven and Dinosaur, 2026). I am going to be a hater in this review. If that’s not something you’re looking for, I have good news! Quite a few other criti…
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BDS movement @bdsmovement.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
The BDS movement salutes the three trade union federations – all affiliated to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) — in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales — for organising an upcoming workplace day of action in solidarity with Palestine.
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Herbert @xxgr1llmast3rxx.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
looks like Nintendo finally hired that man
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Catherine (she/they) @catherinemasters.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Had the chance to attend Ardán in Ireland last year thanks to this!
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Critical Distance | Where’s all the good writing about games? @critdistance.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Sorry for the delay. Here's the living memorial roundup for Paste Games. If your favorites didn't make the cut, feel free to add to the replies on this post, and we'll get them added as soon as possible. critical-distance.com/2026/05/04/r...
critical-distance.com
Remembering Paste Games: 2010 – 2026
Welcome back, readers. This is a rather impromptu edition of the roundup. It’s not something any of us ever envisioned writing. Indeed, when games media has endured other layoffs and outlet c…
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kc 💀 play TRUE LOVE'S CURSE! @npckc.net · 03/05/2026
📢 CALLING ALL NONBINARY GAME DEVS! 📢 i'm helping run a steam sale event to showcase games made by nonbinary devs during the week of international nonbinary day! if you fit this description, fill out the form by may 18 👉 forms.gle/cx9AqFfPqzF9... please share & send to all your nb dev friends!!
forms.gle
Nonbinary Coded Games Submission Form
This is a submission form for the Steam sale event, Nonbinary Coded Games, which will be happening from July 13 10:00 AM Pacific Time to July 20 10:00 AM Pacific Time. (July 14 is International Non-Bi...
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Catherine (she/they) @catherinemasters.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
yenpress.com/titles/97988... Love Bullet volume 2 is coming out in English in October!!! (If any outlets would be interested in a review to follow up on my one for volume 1, my rates are reasonable.) www.avclub.com/love-bullet-...
avclub.com
Love Bullet takes a shot at queer romance, but with a heavily armed twist
Love Bullet is an unconventional romance manga that finds its mark thanks to frenetic action and unexpected musings on grief.
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Critical Distance | Where’s all the good writing about games? @critdistance.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Paste Magazine was a tour de force in games criticism, and @garrettmartin.bsky.social is a legend. In the replies, share your favorite works from the Paste Magazine/AV Club/Endless Mode archives.
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Catherine (she/they) @catherinemasters.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Really grateful for the oppurtinity the site gave me just a few months ago and beyond sad to see it go. Seeing Garrett and everyone give a place for games reporting and crit in this landscape was something of an oasis, but I guess it's dried up. Hope the team and fellow writers can find work soon.
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United Wizards of the Coast - CWA @uwotc-official.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Hello World, we’d like to introduce ourselves. We the workers of the Magic: The Gathering Arena team have come together to unionize as United Wizards of the Coast - CWA! 🧵 unitedwizardsofthecoast.com/news/announcing-united-wizards-coast-cwa
unitedwizardsofthecoast.com
Announcing United Wizards of the Coast - CWA!
MTG Arena workers announce unionization as United Wizards of the Coast-CWA, calling on WOTC to voluntarily recognize their union and begin collective bargaining.
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Kate Gray @hownottodraw.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
the thing that makes trans people's lives hard is not BEING trans. transness itself can be radiant and joyful; it's discovery; it's belonging. the thing that makes trans people's lives hard is other people. we could have made it SO EASY to be trans, to transition, to explore gender. we didn't.
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