Katya Ryabova - Mothership

How do I form a video gaming group?

"Playing with random people online is not particularly appealing..."

Maddy Myers Jun 12, 2026

Opinion

Awful women deserve better games

When it comes to portrayals of women behaving badly, we deserve better than consequence-free power fantasies or unthinking vilification

Cat Bussell Jun 11, 2026

Opinion

I loved Geralt, but Ciri actually makes a lot of sense for The Witcher 4

Ciri's status as a Witcher is not as lore-breaking or clear-cut as some people claim

Katya Ryabova Jun 10, 2026

Katya is a games journalist writing at the intersection of gaming, motherhood, and gender. She reports on all things Canadian video games and enjoys playing indies and cozy sims. She lives in Toronto with her husband and toddler.

2 articles

A close-up on Ciri's face from The Witcher 4 debut trailer. She has her long silver hair in a braid and has thick black eyeliner around her eyes.

Opinion

I loved Geralt, but Ciri actually makes a lot of sense for The Witcher 4

Ciri's status as a Witcher is not as lore-breaking or clear-cut as some people claim

Katya Ryabova Jun 10, 2026

A wedding shows the player-character marrying Elliot in the town square in Stardew Valley.

Analysis

10 years in, Stardew Valley's binary approach to gender still gets a failing grade

We can marry whoever we like in Pelican Town, so why no they/them pronouns?

Katya Ryabova Feb 23, 2026