Harper Jay
@dreamcastaway.bsky.social
fmr. community at Double Fine Productions | ex journalist (kotaku) | blue rogue | they/she
Pinned
Harper Jay
@dreamcastaway.bsky.social
· May 6
I've never actually posted about this on Bluesky but over the last few years I've been novelizing the now-retro JRPG 'Skies of Arcadia," a game very dear to my heart.
The process has been gradual but I think it's a very fun read for folks looking for some adventure.
Read at: tinyurl.com/skiesao3!
The process has been gradual but I think it's a very fun read for folks looking for some adventure.
Read at: tinyurl.com/skiesao3!
Horses was shown on the floor of Day of the Devs for a general audience. It's challenging material in some respects but it's not something so intense that you need to keep it locked up.
seeing people being like "ehhh Idkkkkk horses DOES sound kinda icky, I get why it was banned" like barely 2 months after a bunch of people kicked up the wildest possible hostile campagn against _itch_ makes me feel like I'm losing my mind lol
November 26, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Horses was shown on the floor of Day of the Devs for a general audience. It's challenging material in some respects but it's not something so intense that you need to keep it locked up.
Reposted by Harper Jay
Sunday reading from me over at @inverse.com on the ongoing strength of "friendslop" and the ways in which players continue to expand online spaces beyond developer intentions.
People feel isolated and anxious RN but keep seeking fresh ways to connect online.
www.inverse.com/gaming/frien...
People feel isolated and anxious RN but keep seeking fresh ways to connect online.
www.inverse.com/gaming/frien...
Friendslop Is The Biggest Gaming Trend in 2025 — And It’s Just Getting Started
2025 is the year gaming embraced friendslop. From new games like R.E.P.O and Peak to the friendslop-ification of Fortnite & GTA, it's just getting started.
www.inverse.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Sunday reading from me over at @inverse.com on the ongoing strength of "friendslop" and the ways in which players continue to expand online spaces beyond developer intentions.
People feel isolated and anxious RN but keep seeking fresh ways to connect online.
www.inverse.com/gaming/frien...
People feel isolated and anxious RN but keep seeking fresh ways to connect online.
www.inverse.com/gaming/frien...
Reposted by Harper Jay
happy ten year anniversary to my favourite fighting game post of all time
November 25, 2025 at 5:26 PM
happy ten year anniversary to my favourite fighting game post of all time
Reposted by Harper Jay
A big story on EG this eve - the incredible @santaragione.com seems likely to close, after a bizarre decision from Valve to ban Horses from the platform, submit it to several unusual extra layers of scrutiny in the application process, and offer the studio no recourse to make changes or re-apply.
"It's extremely frustrating and also f*cked up" - one of the world's best indie studios is facing shock closure following confounding Steam ban
www.eurogamer.net/its-extremel...
www.eurogamer.net/its-extremel...
November 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
A big story on EG this eve - the incredible @santaragione.com seems likely to close, after a bizarre decision from Valve to ban Horses from the platform, submit it to several unusual extra layers of scrutiny in the application process, and offer the studio no recourse to make changes or re-apply.
Reposted by Harper Jay
The people demand more Skies drawings!
And by people I mean 3 of you!
We’ll finish fina on the last stream of the month next Sunday!
And by people I mean 3 of you!
We’ll finish fina on the last stream of the month next Sunday!
November 23, 2025 at 8:40 PM
The people demand more Skies drawings!
And by people I mean 3 of you!
We’ll finish fina on the last stream of the month next Sunday!
And by people I mean 3 of you!
We’ll finish fina on the last stream of the month next Sunday!
Reposted by Harper Jay
We finished Akia on stream, will post her later in the week Skies fans!
November 16, 2025 at 9:07 PM
We finished Akia on stream, will post her later in the week Skies fans!
Reposted by Harper Jay
Kevin Perjurer (suddenly getting serious 195 minutes into a special): On September 12, 2009, Autonomous Waste Compactor, Wall-E, my friend, died. He fucking died.
November 24, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Kevin Perjurer (suddenly getting serious 195 minutes into a special): On September 12, 2009, Autonomous Waste Compactor, Wall-E, my friend, died. He fucking died.
Reposted by Harper Jay
Thinking a lot about how when Schreier's exposé on R* working conditions came out, several mid-level devs I used to respect came out with very defensive "well *I've* never worked 90 hour weeks" as though it negated the fact that many contract and QA devs demonstrably were.
PMG understands Rockstar became aware of these messages after at least one non-union member of the server raised concerns about these discussions with management and this either kicked off, or contributed to, a wider investigation.
November 24, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Thinking a lot about how when Schreier's exposé on R* working conditions came out, several mid-level devs I used to respect came out with very defensive "well *I've* never worked 90 hour weeks" as though it negated the fact that many contract and QA devs demonstrably were.
Updating the Skies of Arcadia collection with these cute magnets. Chance for a little rare collectors plate and I got a bronze one!
Gonna publish a new chapter to the novelization fic once I’m done with my last assignment of the year. 🌤️🌤️
Gonna publish a new chapter to the novelization fic once I’m done with my last assignment of the year. 🌤️🌤️
November 24, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Updating the Skies of Arcadia collection with these cute magnets. Chance for a little rare collectors plate and I got a bronze one!
Gonna publish a new chapter to the novelization fic once I’m done with my last assignment of the year. 🌤️🌤️
Gonna publish a new chapter to the novelization fic once I’m done with my last assignment of the year. 🌤️🌤️
Reposted by Harper Jay
Oh, hey! I'm *writing* again!
Let's talk about a man named named Ramza Beoulve. Let's talk about the "ease at which men are branded heretics..."
Let's talk about revolution.
www.eurogamer.net/the-revoluti...
Let's talk about a man named named Ramza Beoulve. Let's talk about the "ease at which men are branded heretics..."
Let's talk about revolution.
www.eurogamer.net/the-revoluti...
The revolutionary politics of Final Fantasy Tactics, and why Ramza Beoulve is a hero for our times
Final Fantasy Tactics' original writer-director Yasumi Matsuno signalled the timeliness of this remake for a reason: its hero offers a model of resistance.
www.eurogamer.net
October 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Oh, hey! I'm *writing* again!
Let's talk about a man named named Ramza Beoulve. Let's talk about the "ease at which men are branded heretics..."
Let's talk about revolution.
www.eurogamer.net/the-revoluti...
Let's talk about a man named named Ramza Beoulve. Let's talk about the "ease at which men are branded heretics..."
Let's talk about revolution.
www.eurogamer.net/the-revoluti...
Reposted by Harper Jay
Fresh writing for the morning! I want to talk to you all about vampires, player expectations, and looking art in the eyes.
aftermath.site/vampire-masq...
aftermath.site/vampire-masq...
The Art Of Playing The Damn Video Game
Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 has a lot to offer if you play the game that's in front of you, instead of the one in your head
aftermath.site
November 13, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Fresh writing for the morning! I want to talk to you all about vampires, player expectations, and looking art in the eyes.
aftermath.site/vampire-masq...
aftermath.site/vampire-masq...
Reposted by Harper Jay
For Aftermath, @alyssamerc.bsky.social spoke with the Sucker Punch dev fired over Charlie Kirk comments and others, who highlighted the unique way the backlash played out in games
November 24, 2025 at 6:43 PM
For Aftermath, @alyssamerc.bsky.social spoke with the Sucker Punch dev fired over Charlie Kirk comments and others, who highlighted the unique way the backlash played out in games
New Defunctland making my jaw hit the ground as I learn that Disney made a Metal Gear?
November 24, 2025 at 5:39 PM
New Defunctland making my jaw hit the ground as I learn that Disney made a Metal Gear?
Reposted by Harper Jay
in case you missed it, I was really happy to commission @dreamcastaway.bsky.social on this extensive weekend essay on friendslop and why we're living in it now (and loving it) www.inverse.com/gaming/frien...
Friendslop Is The Biggest Gaming Trend in 2025 — And It’s Just Getting Started
2025 is the year gaming embraced friendslop. From new games like R.E.P.O and Peak to the friendslop-ification of Fortnite & GTA, it's just getting started.
www.inverse.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:36 PM
in case you missed it, I was really happy to commission @dreamcastaway.bsky.social on this extensive weekend essay on friendslop and why we're living in it now (and loving it) www.inverse.com/gaming/frien...
In Skies of Arcadia, your recruit-able crew members all give bonuses to you ship but Merida the Dancer's bonus (increasing the ship's monetary value) doesn't do anything because the ability to buy and sell ships never made it into the game.
i was going through my X archives and found this by @superpodsaga.com, which I qrt'd at some point years ago
so, let me bring the question back: what is the most useless piece of video game knowledge you know?
so, let me bring the question back: what is the most useless piece of video game knowledge you know?
November 24, 2025 at 4:21 PM
In Skies of Arcadia, your recruit-able crew members all give bonuses to you ship but Merida the Dancer's bonus (increasing the ship's monetary value) doesn't do anything because the ability to buy and sell ships never made it into the game.
A takeaway here, as someone who was in a union, is how even though game dev is a field in need of increased worker protections, there's many people (nominally curious about unions!) who still may flutter to management with "concerns" about organizing groups.
They should be brought into things LAST.
They should be brought into things LAST.
EXCLUSIVE: So far it's been unclear what proof Rockstar Games has to justify its firing of 34 union members, who it claims were leaking "confidential information in a public forum".
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
The Messages Rockstar Saw Before Firing 34 Union Members
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:34 PM
A takeaway here, as someone who was in a union, is how even though game dev is a field in need of increased worker protections, there's many people (nominally curious about unions!) who still may flutter to management with "concerns" about organizing groups.
They should be brought into things LAST.
They should be brought into things LAST.
Reposted by Harper Jay
when people say friendslop they mean the game de-emphasises itself to facilitate better functioning as social space. which ironically usually means having way less slop (progression systems and live service bullshit)
November 24, 2025 at 12:09 AM
when people say friendslop they mean the game de-emphasises itself to facilitate better functioning as social space. which ironically usually means having way less slop (progression systems and live service bullshit)
Taking a break from some assignment stuff and went to see “Now You See Me, Now You Don’t.”
MAGIC IS REAL MAGIC IS REAL THEY DO CRIMES WITH MAGIC AND ITS REAL
MAGIC IS REAL MAGIC IS REAL THEY DO CRIMES WITH MAGIC AND ITS REAL
November 23, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Taking a break from some assignment stuff and went to see “Now You See Me, Now You Don’t.”
MAGIC IS REAL MAGIC IS REAL THEY DO CRIMES WITH MAGIC AND ITS REAL
MAGIC IS REAL MAGIC IS REAL THEY DO CRIMES WITH MAGIC AND ITS REAL
I'm actively freelancing again at a variety of websites but still looking for more steady work. If you need a writer with clear communication skills who also have experience working studio marketing and social media management...
Well, lemme tell you about this gal Harper!
Well, lemme tell you about this gal Harper!
News from me! Last week was my last week at Double Fine. It was an exciting time and I am very grateful to have learned so much at a beloved studio.
This means I am looking for work! If you need someone with social media/community expertise, please reach out.
Eager to start a fresh adventure!
This means I am looking for work! If you need someone with social media/community expertise, please reach out.
Eager to start a fresh adventure!
November 23, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I'm actively freelancing again at a variety of websites but still looking for more steady work. If you need a writer with clear communication skills who also have experience working studio marketing and social media management...
Well, lemme tell you about this gal Harper!
Well, lemme tell you about this gal Harper!
Sunday reading from me over at @inverse.com on the ongoing strength of "friendslop" and the ways in which players continue to expand online spaces beyond developer intentions.
People feel isolated and anxious RN but keep seeking fresh ways to connect online.
www.inverse.com/gaming/frien...
People feel isolated and anxious RN but keep seeking fresh ways to connect online.
www.inverse.com/gaming/frien...
Friendslop Is The Biggest Gaming Trend in 2025 — And It’s Just Getting Started
2025 is the year gaming embraced friendslop. From new games like R.E.P.O and Peak to the friendslop-ification of Fortnite & GTA, it's just getting started.
www.inverse.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Sunday reading from me over at @inverse.com on the ongoing strength of "friendslop" and the ways in which players continue to expand online spaces beyond developer intentions.
People feel isolated and anxious RN but keep seeking fresh ways to connect online.
www.inverse.com/gaming/frien...
People feel isolated and anxious RN but keep seeking fresh ways to connect online.
www.inverse.com/gaming/frien...
Reposted by Harper Jay
My core problem with these action games and their relentless mix of both fidelity and spectacle is...
... if a game is trying that hard at every second to dazzle you and jangle the keys, I actually believe that shows a gross lack of respect for the player on the part of the developers.
... if a game is trying that hard at every second to dazzle you and jangle the keys, I actually believe that shows a gross lack of respect for the player on the part of the developers.
We've got an extended cut of yesterday's awesome boss fight trailer for Tides of Annihilation, the action-adventure based on Arthurian legend: https://bit.ly/3XIaWFG
November 22, 2025 at 10:44 PM
My core problem with these action games and their relentless mix of both fidelity and spectacle is...
... if a game is trying that hard at every second to dazzle you and jangle the keys, I actually believe that shows a gross lack of respect for the player on the part of the developers.
... if a game is trying that hard at every second to dazzle you and jangle the keys, I actually believe that shows a gross lack of respect for the player on the part of the developers.
Every video of this meeting is insane?
Trump is acting like he was Pluribus'd. he's spent his days surrounded by the most miserable people and is GLOWING after twenty minutes with a regular human being
Trump is acting like he was Pluribus'd. he's spent his days surrounded by the most miserable people and is GLOWING after twenty minutes with a regular human being
November 21, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Every video of this meeting is insane?
Trump is acting like he was Pluribus'd. he's spent his days surrounded by the most miserable people and is GLOWING after twenty minutes with a regular human being
Trump is acting like he was Pluribus'd. he's spent his days surrounded by the most miserable people and is GLOWING after twenty minutes with a regular human being
Reposted by Harper Jay
DONALD TRUMP FIVE MINUTES AFTER MEETING ME: And, you know, the Game Awards, they gave Best Music to God of War instead of Xenoblade 3, and it was very unfair
November 21, 2025 at 9:20 PM
DONALD TRUMP FIVE MINUTES AFTER MEETING ME: And, you know, the Game Awards, they gave Best Music to God of War instead of Xenoblade 3, and it was very unfair