Avery Delany

Avery Delany

@softfutures.bsky.social

just a little creature on a hopeful journey towards softer futures || anthropologist | worldbuilder | writer || they/them Find my blog at: wayfarerofworlds.com or on instagram @fieldnotesfromthefuture

149 followers116 following679 posts

Avery Delany reposted

Chris Kerr
@kerrblimey.bsky.social

NEW: I spoke with current and former EA employees to understand how the latest layoff round played out and the realities of daily life at the U.S. publisher. The short version? EA is controlled by an executive class that "cannot fail, only be failed." Workers, then, will always pay the price.

Vertical Slice@verticalslice.news

"I don't want to work at this place anymore:" EA workers decry mismanagement and corporate greed after mass layoffs Current and former EA employees paint a bleak picture of daily life at one of the video game industry's most prominent publishers

verticalslice.news"I don't want to work at this place anymore:" EA workers decry mismanagement and corporate greed after mass layoffsCurrent and former EA employees paint a bleak picture of daily life at one of the video game industry's most prominent publishers.
Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

I know that shouting into the void of socmed isn't great but god I forgot how much it fucking sucks to make a post admitting to how much of a struggle things are and how isolated you feel, only to get barely any response outside of "care emojis" rather than an actual message or reply from anyone 😔

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

Its horrible feeling so reliant on social media for connection when you live so far away from people and yet all it does it exacerbate your loneliness. We are all just yelling into a void and the only sound we get back is ourselves.

Avery Delany reposted

Future Worlds Prize
@futureworldsprize.bsky.social

Future Worlds Prize 2027 is now open for entries! If you're writing a work of SFF, are based in the UK and Ireland, identify as a writer of colour, and are over 18, we want to hear from you! Full details of how to enter are here: www.futureworldsprize.co.uk/2027-prize/

futureworldsprize.co.ukFuture Worlds Prize 2027 - FUTURE WORLDS PRIZEFuture Worlds Prize 2027 is now open for entries! We are on the lookout for great works of science fiction and fantasy by unpublished writers of colour based in the UK. Whether you’re writing a space ...

Avery Delany reposted

RJ BaHarker
@rjbarker.bsky.social

Just got my first email angry that the ship in BEASTS OF THE WILD BLACK is called the Thunberg. They're going to be really cross when they get to the concept of "petrozoic ecocide."

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

I know people don't care to play Magic but honestly the worldbuilding, lore & art side of it is REAL good AND you don't even have to play to enjoy it cause you can read the stories instead. I highly recommend EoE for SF. Seanan McGuire has also written Duskmourn (horror) & Strixhaven (magic school)

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

Ordered these 2 cards for my next commander/s as I want to try something a little and OHHHH MY FUCKING GODDDDDD I loveeee the characters and the art so much 😭😭😭 LOOK AT THEMMMMMM

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

#LGBTQWriteAThon: I've completely dropped off of keeping up with this recently as my schedule has been different & its knocked me off kilter 😬 But I did have a productive meeting for a collaborative article I'm co-writing which is a small win this week

AmaraJLynn 🦹 drafting Fire & Feathers@amaralynn.bsky.social

#LGBTQWriteAThon October 24: Check in day! How was your week? Did you accomplish your goals? @rebeccafrostwrites.com #queerwriters #writingcommunity #lgbtqwriters

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

My first 5 TTRPGs, in a vague order I might have played them in: 1. D&D (5E) 2. Paranoia 3. The Deep Forest 4. Mothership 5. AD&D

ButterDroid@butterdroid.bsky.social

My first 5 TTRPGs, in the order I (think I) played them: 1. D&D (2/advanced box set?) 2. WoD 3. L5R 4. Teenagers from Outer Space 5. Torg? Honestly, real hard to remember which and in what order haha been a little while since I started playing haha

Avery Delany reposted

Aliette de Bodard
@aliettedebodard.com

So errrrrr we should stockpile for a climate emergency facilitated by the resumption of drilling and the encouragement of generalised AI use?

Mark Chadbourn@chadbourn.bsky.social

More attempts to encourage the UK public to stockpile food and water for three days.

bbc.co.ukStreeting: Prepare for supply chain disruption from cyber or climate emergenciesThe defence secretary says the UK needs to be ready for scenarios including impact to essential supply chains.
Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

Back in the summer I got so hyper about Magic's 2027 release schedule and spent nights laying awake writing scripts in my head for YouTube video essays about MtG's worldbuilding. But then quickly got overwhelmed by not knowing how to make or edit videos 😂 One day all of these ideas will happen...

Avery Delany reposted

Leicester Gazette
@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *
Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

Last night we played 5 pod commander. After a grindy 2.5 hour game where the threat was constantly swinging and people were hanging on by their nails then clawing back the game was spectularly over The newest person in the pod sat there quietly for a few minutes then went: I LOVE MAGIC 😂 I feel ya

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

When we got home I literally spent 3+ hours researching new decks to try out and shoving my phone in my partners face like OMG LOOK AT THIS CHARACTER, LOOK AT THIS ART, WOW DO YOU SEE THIS, DAMN LOOK AT THIS CARD Because I too LOVE MAGIC 😂 (honestly its way better than you think it will be)

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

Related to RT of Tanya's post, I was surprised to see so many people calling on Larian to be the savior of Mass Effect like... oh. So... its ok when Larian uses genAI and has some frankly shitty work & writing practices The loops people will jump to continue sucking on Larian's d is astounding 🙄

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

I think its playing on my mind a lot atm bc people were so quick to throw Sandfall Interactive into the bin over early placeholder genAI & subsequent removal but we'll look the other way for an egotistical CEO openly welcoming genAI usage bc its LARIANNN GUYSSSS. ITS LARIANNNN

Avery Delany reposted

Tanya D. || Writer || Narrative Designer
@cypheroftyr.bsky.social

Me, seeing people beg Larian to buy out Dragon Age & Mass Effect. Not with embracing Gen AI and lack of a diverse staff & writing room. If this pipe dream were to occur? I’d rather it be CDPR, especially after learning how BioWare gave them a chance to show the Witcher.

Avery Delany reposted

Las 🐺🪽
@featherfangart.bsky.social

Jumping on the bandwagon to show my love for Bioware 💕 I'm still way too heartbroken to really say much. DA was the series that shaped me over the past eleven yrs. The stories, the characters, the worldbuilding, the art direction. I will never be able to thank the studio enough. Thank you, Bioware.

Lynaiss | COMMISSIONS OPEN@lynaiss.bsky.social

Let's keep the train of art inspired by Bioware games going 💖 DAO was one of the first games I played as an adult and Veilguard lifted me from a creative slump. I'd not be where I am artistically without it. ME and DA got me through so much and I'll forever be thankful to the devs for creating them

Avery Delany reposted

Adrian Tchaikovsky
@aptshadow.bsky.social

While I'm shouting at clouds, UK gov telling everyone to stockpile for climate-change-driven emergencies while fast-forwarding fossil fuel drilling is... I had thought it was the government's responsibility to fix problems, not cause problems and then tell us to deal with the fallout at our expense.

Avery Delany reposted

Candace the Magnificent 🔜 PAXU
@thecandacemarie.bsky.social

If you claim to be a white ally, pls make sure you advocate for PoC even when none are in the room. Especially. I’m so tired of seeing TTRPG events that have a single PoC or none. If you’re white, slide into comments/DMs to ask about the lack of representation. That’s how change happens.

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

Feeling very sad this evening as we had to return the foster kitties as one of them was especially struggling w/being confined to the foster room so has been yowling most of the nights, ripped up the carpet all along the door & generally very upset whenever we leave the room 😔

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

On the 2nd day they'd also shit & pissed all over the carpet so it keeps getting worse. Unfortunately as its not even our house (partners parents) we can't have the room getting destroyed and its obviously not fair on the cats either but it still sucks to have to send them back

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

This has now been our 2nd experience of having to send a cat back to the rescue b/c of destructive behaviour & I feel SUPER complicated about it. There's a big part of me that feels like I've failed them & and an even bigger part that holds a lot of grief over my own trauma of rehoming

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

I've been doing this little voice for Ralph for the last couple of months of how I think he talks, and its only today I clocked that its how Fabian (Lou Wilson's character in Fantasy High) speaks but w/o the accent So today I have been adding the accent in and its amazing

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

Making new decks is such a great way to busy hands & minds Finally converting my Haliya pauper brawl deck into a commander deck themed around knights 😍😍 and reminding myself how much I fucking love Edge of Eternities #magicthegathering

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

Damn...Just seen the news about Bioware and in shock. Like a lot of people Bioware has not only played a huge role in my gaming journey but in my life as well. I cannot imagine how horrible this sad news must come to those working there and send my condolences to all of the staff

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

Like... I cannot really explain how much of an impact or how comforting I found the DA series. Or the part Mass Effect played in me doing my PhD and securing funding. Or the influence SW:KOTOR had on my taste in video games Bioware was the absolute peak of games & it sucks this is its end

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

This is what its like where we had to move to. Marginalised people are verbally and physically assaulted in the streets, in parks, on public transport all the time by fascists, racists, bigots of all kinds of all kinds who have been given permission to behave like this Its fuckint awful

ScouseLakes@scouselakes.bsky.social

What the hell? This is shocking. www.theargus.co.uk/news/2665180...

theargus.co.ukActor describes 'abysmal racism and homophobia' he faced in ChichesterAn assault on a cast member of a play in Chichester was "just the tip of the iceberg" of the "racism, xenophobia and homophobia" the cast faced in the town, an actor has claimed.
Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

You can tell i was tired and upset about the state of my own country by the rampant typos 😮‍💨 But genuinely, the UK is a deeply unpleasant place to be in for many people at the moment. The level of toxicity and spewing of vitriolic hatred online AND in person is shocking, saddening, and frightening

Avery Delany reposted

leah jade
@legenette.bsky.social

do not scroll steam next fest if you don't want to be assaulted by ai-generated hoo-hahs and other repellant paraphernalia. check out my list of rec'd steam next fest demos instead. i've gone with nicher titles this go around, so hopefully you find something new!

screenhub.com.au8 major demo highlights from Steam Next Fest | ScreenHub: Film, TV, Streaming and GamesSteam Next Fest has officially kicked off, with a raft of demos available for keen game players. Here's some highlights to get you started.
Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

A nice end to an otherwise rough day. Playing a bit of draft with our Reality Fracture bundle feat Ralph the Magic cat who legitimately likes watching magic as well as ensuring he offers a wide board presence 🤣

Avery Delany
@softfutures.bsky.social

If you are in Glasgow (or nearby) please go along to this! I am sad I cannot go as I am all the way down in SEA England so you must go on my behalf to support all of the lovely people who have lovely stories in this

Meghan Ellis Brown@meghan0n.bsky.social

#Haverin is having its official Glasgow launch tomorrow at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street! There'll be chat, books, and most importantly: tablet 🧡 Word on the street is that I'm doing a reading from my story, The Weaver (my first ever) so wish me luck for that 🙏 www.waterstones.com/events/celeb...

waterstones.comCelebrating 40 Years of the GSFWC | Events at Waterstones Bookshops | WaterstonesEvents at Waterstones get you closer to the books and authors you admire most. Find information and tickets about Celebrating 40 Years of the GSFWC today.