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ashlikeadragon.bsky.social
Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
@ashlikeadragon.bsky.social
2.7K followers 1.3K following 3.5K posts
freelance journalist/critic🏳️‍⚧️
wrote VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works @lostincult.co.uk
words: Unwinnable, VGC, Polygon, GamesRadar+, Rock Paper Shotgun, PLAY, EDGE, Into The Spine, Skybox, startmenu
https://muckrack.com/ash-like-a-dragon

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ashlikeadragon.bsky.social
Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉 @ashlikeadragon.bsky.social · 13d
hey, i'm looking for work! full-time or freelance 💜

journalist, critic, author
proficient in features, criticism, reporting, reviews, previews, news, guides

words at lost in cult, RPS, VGC, unwinnable, gamesradar+, polygon, EDGE, PLAY

muckrack.com/ash-like-a-d...
[email protected]
'Few games capture the spirit of indie game development quite like VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action. What initially started out as a short game for a Cyberpunk Game Jam back in 2014, soon became a standout indie hit. VA-11 Hall-A delivers a heartfelt story of happiness in the depths of disaster, draped in a unique cyberpunk aesthetic and set to a distinctive synthwave soundtrack to match. It’s a truly remarkable visual novel, and the perfect choice for our Design Works range. Produced in collaboration with Sukeban Games and Ysbryd, VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works explores the corrupt metropolis of Glitch City, its culture, and the people who frequent the game’s beloved hole in the wall, VA-11 Hall-A. Written by talented journalist and author Ashley Schofield (Polygon, EDGE, Unwinnable and VGC), you’ll hear how this world came to be and the cyberpunk touchstones that inspired it — all the while lending insight into the history of Venezuela, where the team is located, and the unique challenges of developing a game there. VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works will be a celebration of this beautiful indie masterpiece, and the people that made it all possible. Alongside contemporary interviews with writer/programmer Fernando Damas and artist/designer Christopher Ortiz conducted exclusively for VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works, the book also features a collection of highlights from the ‘Daily VA-11 Hall-A’ blog posts directly from Sukeban.moe. You can also expect deep dives into the development of the game’s prototype and prologue; the bartending mechanics that put you in the shoes of disaster bisexual bartender Jill Stingray, and interviews exploring its iconic synthwave soundtrack/jukebox with composer Michael Kelly. VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works features detailed insight into the game’s early concepts and development, an exploration of Glitch City itself, and a deep dive into the programming, art and soundtrack — an unmissable read for any fan.' A magazine cover of Unwinnable Monthly #191, with the feature being my essay 'I Don't Want To Be This Kind of Animal Anymore' and art by Shafer Brown. An excerpt reads: In the dark times, should the stars also go out? 'Revachol is still. Silent. Decades of unrest, corruption and capital gain have reduced it to a shell of a city. And yet, under these sullen skies, a miracle is happening. The limbed and headed machine of pain and undignified suffering is firing up again.' My review of Hollow Knight: Silksong for Video Games Chronicle. 'Hollow Knight: Silksong review: A game that intends to make you suffer, even to its own detriment. Team Cherry’s sequel has a clear mission statement, but doesn’t seem to consider the consequences. 3/5 stars.' My review of Demonschool for Rock Paper Shotgun, included in RPS' Bestest Bests category. 'Demonschool review Saturday morning carcasses.'
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
antlervel.vet
I want all of us to win. Even you bitches.
December 5, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
antlervel.vet
Transition is work. HRT is cool and effective but it’s just one small part of a long and permanent process of self-discovery and praxis. Sometimes it will feel overwhelming. Lean on your friendly neighborhood hot girls when that’s the case and you’ll get rolling on your own eventually.
December 5, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
raxkingisdead.bsky.social
Park Car. Drop Phone. Sleep Floor. Dream Me
December 5, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
darkfry.bsky.social
NEW VIDEO! REPOSTS APPRECIATED!
I talk about an often overlooked part of the best game of 2024, @sunsetvisitor.studio 's 1000xResist! Its Gameplay, or rather, the lack of it, and what it does for the overall experience! youtu.be/Jjy0DvtfsEk
The Best Game Of 2024 Has No Gameplay
YouTube video by Darkfry
youtu.be
December 5, 2025 at 6:40 PM
ashlikeadragon.bsky.social
love is awful
December 5, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
bloomedwings.bsky.social
Was super stoked to write two essays for Stop Caring! Also while the first one dipped into the personal essay, I kept myself distant from this one, but still did my favorite things of looking at mechanics and theme.
stopcar.ing Artemis Octavio @stopcar.ing · 13h
New Stop Caring article is live!

@bloomedwings.bsky.social wrote about Crown Gambit. Aside from being an excellent game analysis, they parallel the paladins' actions with real-life law enforcement in a really effective way

APAB (All Paladins Are Bastards)
All Paladins Are Bastards
The paladins in Crown Gambit, like real-life cops, can only make the world worse.
www.stopcar.ing
December 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
stopcar.ing
New Stop Caring article is live!

@bloomedwings.bsky.social wrote about Crown Gambit. Aside from being an excellent game analysis, they parallel the paladins' actions with real-life law enforcement in a really effective way

APAB (All Paladins Are Bastards)
All Paladins Are Bastards
The paladins in Crown Gambit, like real-life cops, can only make the world worse.
www.stopcar.ing
December 5, 2025 at 4:53 PM
ashlikeadragon.bsky.social
currently struggling to write a personal essay and feeling very miles morales

ironically, it's because of my own great, crushing expectations for it
A frame from Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse. Miles Morales sits at his desk laden with a notepad containing only the words 'Great Expectations' written at the top alongside the Charles Dickens book itself by its side. He's flicking his pen impatiently, willing the words to come out.
December 5, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
startmenu.bsky.social
Lost In Cult’s @abrambuehner.bsky.social joins us to break down his experience returning to Metroid and learning to experience old things anew instead of attempting to relive previous highs.

www.startmenu.co.uk/home/abram-b...
Abram Buehner Reflects On Reliving Metroid Prime | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
Lost In Cult’s Abram Buehner joins us to break down his experience returning to Metroid and learning to experience old things anew instead of attempting to relive previous highs.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
schillingc.bsky.social
Working with Ash on her brilliant VA-11 Hall-A book has been comfortably among the most enjoyable things I've done in 2025. Please consider commissioning her!
ashlikeadragon.bsky.social Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉 @ashlikeadragon.bsky.social · 13d
hey, i'm looking for work! full-time or freelance 💜

journalist, critic, author
proficient in features, criticism, reporting, reviews, previews, news, guides

words at lost in cult, RPS, VGC, unwinnable, gamesradar+, polygon, EDGE, PLAY

muckrack.com/ash-like-a-d...
[email protected]
'Few games capture the spirit of indie game development quite like VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action. What initially started out as a short game for a Cyberpunk Game Jam back in 2014, soon became a standout indie hit. VA-11 Hall-A delivers a heartfelt story of happiness in the depths of disaster, draped in a unique cyberpunk aesthetic and set to a distinctive synthwave soundtrack to match. It’s a truly remarkable visual novel, and the perfect choice for our Design Works range. Produced in collaboration with Sukeban Games and Ysbryd, VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works explores the corrupt metropolis of Glitch City, its culture, and the people who frequent the game’s beloved hole in the wall, VA-11 Hall-A. Written by talented journalist and author Ashley Schofield (Polygon, EDGE, Unwinnable and VGC), you’ll hear how this world came to be and the cyberpunk touchstones that inspired it — all the while lending insight into the history of Venezuela, where the team is located, and the unique challenges of developing a game there. VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works will be a celebration of this beautiful indie masterpiece, and the people that made it all possible. Alongside contemporary interviews with writer/programmer Fernando Damas and artist/designer Christopher Ortiz conducted exclusively for VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works, the book also features a collection of highlights from the ‘Daily VA-11 Hall-A’ blog posts directly from Sukeban.moe. You can also expect deep dives into the development of the game’s prototype and prologue; the bartending mechanics that put you in the shoes of disaster bisexual bartender Jill Stingray, and interviews exploring its iconic synthwave soundtrack/jukebox with composer Michael Kelly. VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works features detailed insight into the game’s early concepts and development, an exploration of Glitch City itself, and a deep dive into the programming, art and soundtrack — an unmissable read for any fan.' A magazine cover of Unwinnable Monthly #191, with the feature being my essay 'I Don't Want To Be This Kind of Animal Anymore' and art by Shafer Brown. An excerpt reads: In the dark times, should the stars also go out? 'Revachol is still. Silent. Decades of unrest, corruption and capital gain have reduced it to a shell of a city. And yet, under these sullen skies, a miracle is happening. The limbed and headed machine of pain and undignified suffering is firing up again.' My review of Hollow Knight: Silksong for Video Games Chronicle. 'Hollow Knight: Silksong review: A game that intends to make you suffer, even to its own detriment. Team Cherry’s sequel has a clear mission statement, but doesn’t seem to consider the consequences. 3/5 stars.' My review of Demonschool for Rock Paper Shotgun, included in RPS' Bestest Bests category. 'Demonschool review Saturday morning carcasses.'
December 5, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
ashlikeadragon.bsky.social
hey, i'm looking for work! full-time or freelance 💜

journalist, critic, author
proficient in features, criticism, reporting, reviews, previews, news, guides

words at lost in cult, RPS, VGC, unwinnable, gamesradar+, polygon, EDGE, PLAY

muckrack.com/ash-like-a-d...
[email protected]
'Few games capture the spirit of indie game development quite like VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action. What initially started out as a short game for a Cyberpunk Game Jam back in 2014, soon became a standout indie hit. VA-11 Hall-A delivers a heartfelt story of happiness in the depths of disaster, draped in a unique cyberpunk aesthetic and set to a distinctive synthwave soundtrack to match. It’s a truly remarkable visual novel, and the perfect choice for our Design Works range. Produced in collaboration with Sukeban Games and Ysbryd, VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works explores the corrupt metropolis of Glitch City, its culture, and the people who frequent the game’s beloved hole in the wall, VA-11 Hall-A. Written by talented journalist and author Ashley Schofield (Polygon, EDGE, Unwinnable and VGC), you’ll hear how this world came to be and the cyberpunk touchstones that inspired it — all the while lending insight into the history of Venezuela, where the team is located, and the unique challenges of developing a game there. VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works will be a celebration of this beautiful indie masterpiece, and the people that made it all possible. Alongside contemporary interviews with writer/programmer Fernando Damas and artist/designer Christopher Ortiz conducted exclusively for VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works, the book also features a collection of highlights from the ‘Daily VA-11 Hall-A’ blog posts directly from Sukeban.moe. You can also expect deep dives into the development of the game’s prototype and prologue; the bartending mechanics that put you in the shoes of disaster bisexual bartender Jill Stingray, and interviews exploring its iconic synthwave soundtrack/jukebox with composer Michael Kelly. VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works features detailed insight into the game’s early concepts and development, an exploration of Glitch City itself, and a deep dive into the programming, art and soundtrack — an unmissable read for any fan.' A magazine cover of Unwinnable Monthly #191, with the feature being my essay 'I Don't Want To Be This Kind of Animal Anymore' and art by Shafer Brown. An excerpt reads: In the dark times, should the stars also go out? 'Revachol is still. Silent. Decades of unrest, corruption and capital gain have reduced it to a shell of a city. And yet, under these sullen skies, a miracle is happening. The limbed and headed machine of pain and undignified suffering is firing up again.' My review of Hollow Knight: Silksong for Video Games Chronicle. 'Hollow Knight: Silksong review: A game that intends to make you suffer, even to its own detriment. Team Cherry’s sequel has a clear mission statement, but doesn’t seem to consider the consequences. 3/5 stars.' My review of Demonschool for Rock Paper Shotgun, included in RPS' Bestest Bests category. 'Demonschool review Saturday morning carcasses.'
November 22, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
unwinnable.com
"[W]alking away from the practice of homogenous heterosexual cohesion is just as legitimate as walking towards it."

@chiltonm.bsky.social examines the subversion of heterosexual gender norms hidden within conformity in But I'm a Cheerleader the A League of Their Own show:
Does This Dress Make Me Look Straight - Unwinnable
Walking away from the practice of homogenous heterosexual cohesion is just as legitimate as walking towards it.
unwinnable.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
jhensliterature.bsky.social
Unwinnable showed me that my words actually meant something and I wasn't just screaming into the void <3
unwinnabledavid.bsky.social David Shimomura @unwinnabledavid.bsky.social · 1d
If you want to directly support a publication founded on elevating new voices and providing space to folks who otherwise might never be able to tell that story because it doesn't align with the SEO chasing overlords, subscribing to @unwinnable.com is a really easy way to do it!
stuhorvath.com Stu Horvath @stuhorvath.com · 1d
Now that the holiday sales days are over, consider subscribing to @unwinnable.com! Your subscription dollars fund our writers AND keep 95% of the stories they write FREE for everyone. No logins, no hassle, you don't lose access if you cancel. We even do gift subs.

unwinnable.com/subscribe/
December 4, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
hazelmonforton.com
You ever feel creatively dead?
December 4, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
unwinnabledavid.bsky.social
If you want to directly support a publication founded on elevating new voices and providing space to folks who otherwise might never be able to tell that story because it doesn't align with the SEO chasing overlords, subscribing to @unwinnable.com is a really easy way to do it!
stuhorvath.com Stu Horvath @stuhorvath.com · 1d
Now that the holiday sales days are over, consider subscribing to @unwinnable.com! Your subscription dollars fund our writers AND keep 95% of the stories they write FREE for everyone. No logins, no hassle, you don't lose access if you cancel. We even do gift subs.

unwinnable.com/subscribe/
Subscribe - Unwinnable
Monthly subscriptions are $5. Annual subscriptions are $55. Subscriptions rebill automatically unless cancelled. Exploits comes out on or about the 1st of the month. Unwinnable comes out on or about t...
unwinnable.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
chlowski.bsky.social
a whole new world to explore
fanart of Samus, from the Metroid games she's wearing her signature power suit/armor, only her helmet's off, she's holding it in her left hand she's standing in a dark wire-filled place, with only a vertical ray of green light falling on her fierce-looking face, like a door's opening on the outside, off screen
December 4, 2025 at 3:16 PM
ashlikeadragon.bsky.social
me opening my mouth on a date
December 4, 2025 at 3:37 PM
ashlikeadragon.bsky.social
just remembered

woke up with a beautiful woman yesterday
chatted about underrated games, she mentioned freelancer and noted that george takei was in it (which is crazy), asking 'you know him?'

i had to genuinely restrain myself from replying "yeah! he's Masumi Arakawa in Yakuza: Like A Dragon"
December 4, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
botherer.bsky.social
Hello. I just want to say that trans and non-binary people deserve infinite love at a time when the scant few rights they had are being so cruelly torn away.

I am so blessed to have trans and non-binary friends, colleagues, neighbours and relatives, who inspire me every day.

Love to you all.
December 4, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
brendelbored.bsky.social
I’ve sometimes fallen into the trap of thinking that complementing a creative person for their work is less sophisticated or desired than discussion or debate about it but very often the best thing you can say to them is hell yeah and that doesn’t make you dumb it just makes you nice
December 4, 2025 at 3:05 AM
ashlikeadragon.bsky.social
it's that time of year again
A screenshot of Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Kasuga strolls down Tenkaichi Street, still rocking his punch perm from before it all goes wrong.
December 4, 2025 at 11:33 AM
ashlikeadragon.bsky.social
hey, that's me again!! i had a wonderful time guesting previously, so i'll be around on sunday 7th 💜

please watch, support, and hang out for a good cause 💜
zeitgeistmistress.bsky.social Nina @zeitgeistmistress.bsky.social · 1d
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

On Saturdays December 6th and 13th @darkfry.bsky.social and I will be hosting the first two 24 hour fundraisers with a bunch of cool guests to help me move to safety and finally marry @deviousbec.bsky.social

Oh yeah, and we'll be playing Signalis! Info below:
A poster for a fundraiser stream showing the face of Elster from Signalis against the red background. The text says: Get Nina to Safety Fundraising Stream (Part 1) Featuring: Darkfry, Noah Caldwell-Gervais, Errant Signal, Daryl Talks Games, The Cursed Judge, Ashley Heather Quills, Casey Explosion, Codex Entry, Ashley Schofield, Hoots, RickiHirsch, Sam (afterthoughts), Talistheintrovert, Kai After Kai and More! December 6th, December 13th 15:00 (GMT), 10:00 (ET), 07:00 (PT), 09:00 (CT), 02:00 (AEST)
December 4, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
ela-bambust.bsky.social
Hey I wrote a little guide for you aspiring smut peddlers out there :)
Anatomy Of A Fuck: How To Write A Sex Scene And Not Have It Be Really Fucking Cringe | Ela Bambust
Get more from Ela Bambust on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Reposted by Ashley Schofield is looking for work!🐉
katie.bzky.team
more and more people are saying pghrt.diy is really cool actually
December 3, 2025 at 10:01 PM
ashlikeadragon.bsky.social
signed and also read/internalise this if you somehow haven't already

aftermath.site/microsoft-bd...
December 3, 2025 at 9:48 PM