United Kingdom
they/them
Staff Writer at Pocket Tactics and Co-founder of Game Assist
Bylines can be found in The Guardian, The Queerness, DIVA Magazine, Restless Magazine, PCGamesN, Anime Feminist, Mancunian Matters
LG(BT)Q+, diversity and accessibility in gaming, J-fashion culture
Gaming
With our Project Sekai download guide, you can find out how to get the game on your platform of choice, whether that’s iOS, Android, PC, or all of the above
NIS America today announced the GrimGrimoire OnceMore release date, as well as details about the remaster’s gameplay, visuals, and story
If you’re looking for a challenging, free, 2D shape-themed rhythm game to play, Geometry Dash SubZero might just be the pick for you
Season Two of XD Games’ ARPG, Blacksail, brings endgame content, controller support, new gear, and new skills to beef up your builds
It’s been a few months since the new Avatar game soft launched, so we’re wondering when we’ll next hear about an Avatar: Generations release date
Birdo’s gender has been in question for almost as long as she’s been a Mario character, so much that she’s become a transgender icon
Are you a flower Pokémon fanatic? Whether you’re looking to crush a water gym, or simply surround yourself with sweet scents, these are the ‘mons for you
The new KH mobile game is getting ever closer to release as Square Enix has announced a closed test period for Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link
The pixel remasters of the first six Final Fantasy games are coming to Switch next year, so prepare yourself for a nostalgia fest marathon
If you prefer to grab physical copies of your games and bask in your collection, check out the pre-order for this JRPG. It comes with exclusive goodies
Prepare your tapping fingers, we’re taking a look at the Project Sekai events schedule! Expect heartwarming stories, new cards, and free stuff
If you’re looking for a new fast-paced, team-based mobile shooter to play in 2023, Rogue Company: Elite could be the game for you.
Hop in your time machine and prepare to travel back to the golden age of the arcade, all from the comfort of your sofa thanks to this new Wonder Boy release
Fans of Another Eden and the Tales of franchise will jump for joy as these two games have announced a crossover for late December - just in time for Christmas
Tetris 99’s 31st Maximus Cup is a collaboration with everyone’s favourite ultra-powerful pink pal, Kirby! Compete online to earn tasty rewards
Ever wondered just how many Project Sekai cards there are? Well, here’s your one stop shop for all the cards currently available on the EN server
If you thought Merge Fantasy Island couldn’t get any cuter, three of Sanrio’s most famous faces are joining the Kuyas for more island fun
All the major Project Sekai characters listed for you in one convenient place. Hopefully we can help you decide who you want to come home
The December T3 Arena update brings the Winterland treatment to this mobile shooter, adding a strangely cheese-related new map and more
The current Overwatch 2 meta is beholden to the 5v5 format, so here's our tips and tricks to succeed in the latest iteration of Blizzard's hero shooter
If you're looking for a breakdown of the Overwatch 2 Junker Queen abilities then here's everything you need to know about the Australian tank hero
Our top two picks for the best Overwatch 2 hero for each role, including DPS, Tank, Support, and extra picks for Brawler and Aerial Ace
Video essays
With transmisogynistic violence on the rise around the globe, Daz decided to tackle two of gaming’s most famous trans girls. How does a game that is explicitly about horrible people tackle relationships between trans people and their surroundings? This video explores the representation of trans women and transfeminine people in Atlus’s 2019 game Catherine: Full Body, as well as the 2011 original version.
We return with a splash to the video essay scene with this absolute GOLIATH covering settler colonialism and Indigeneity in video games, using Tuck and Yang's 'Decolonization is not a metaphor' as a framework. Thank you for your patience while we took a break from video essays, and we hope you enjoy this one!
Coming off the back of Cyberpunk 2077’s release, Daz explores the representation of sex worker characters in video games through the years, focusing on the last decade. From the mean streets of Los Santos, San Andreas, to the neon lights of Night City’s Japantown, join us on a journey to see how far sex worker representation has come, and how much further we still have to go.
In this Inqueery, Daz dives into the world of Overwatch to see just how good the game’s representation of queerness is. They also take a look at the wider community’s response to the characters, and to queer players in the public eye.
After a few edits, we're back to talk about how narrative structures often work to reinforce the structures of power and oppression which marginalise queer people. The trope of “player-sexual” NPCs, or characters that are bisexual due to a game mechanic, only serves to worsen these structures and limit the people we see in games. In this Inqueery, we’re going to cast a wide net and look at romance as a queer person in videogames.
In this latest addition to the Game Assist Explores series, Daz takes us on a deep dive into one of the most well known NSFW dating sims on the market: HuniePop. Be prepared for a wild ride as they uncover the deep-rooted racism and misogyny hidden behind cheap jokes and colourful puzzles.
In their first video for Game Assist, Daz investigates Nintendo's rocky relationship with LGBTQ+ representation in its many games, from Animal Crossing to Tomodachi Life.
LGBTQ+
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has announced the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is committed to ending conversion therapy for all members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The mini pill might have helped with dysphoria, but dealing with doctors was a very gendered experience, writes Daz Skubich
If you're looking for the perfect Christmas novel to curl up with over the festive period, look no further than critically acclaimed author Juno Dawson's latest release - Stay Another Day.
A Manchester transgender student has been forced to crowdfund thousands of pounds after waiting three years for a gender clinic appointment.
What does it mean to feel 'Loveless'? Daz Skubich finds out in Alice Oseman's fourth novel.
Daz Skubich explores why young trans folx are finding a sense of peace during lockdown BY DAZ SKUBICH
The holidays can be a difficult time for the queer community, especially when spent with family. Daz Skubich explores the joys of spending Christmas with friends, and making new traditions.
You may think you know everything there is to know about gay slang, but there's a secret language from the past that's a mystery to many. Daz Skubich reads 'Fabulosa!' to learn more about Polari.
"After three years in the army and seven years in prison, the real Chelsea Manning finally emerges in XY Chelsea" BY DAZ SKUBICH
J-fashion
Fans of lolita fashion in Manchester and around the world are celebrating International Lolita Day today - with many meeting up with their communities for the first time in person since before the pandemic began in 2020.
How can Western fans of Japanese alt-fashion help keep Harajuku brands alive?
Ten years after it started in 2010, the UK's largest celebration of traditional and modern Japanese culture, is returning to London today for three days.
News
After two weeks of diverse programming across five venues in the city, the Manchester Indian Film Festival (MIFF) 2022 came to a close on Wednesday 6th July at the Everyman Cinema on Quay Street.
New NHS data has shown the number of patients in the North West being referred for ADHD diagnoses has grown significantly.
Demonstrators recently gathered outside Manchester Central Library in a protest against the conviction of ten young black men for conspiracy to murder and cause grievous bodily harm.
The White House has plans to host a screening of anti-abortion indie film Gosnell this Friday, Slate reports. This screening takes place just weeks after the Donald Trump raised concerns about late-term abortions following the passing of New York's Reproductive Health Act.