Editorial Team
Contributor
-
370articles
-
559Features
Page 12
About Shayna Josi
Shayna Josi is a Features Writer from South Africa. Shayna has always been passionate about stories, and has dedicated her life to learning how to tell them. Aside from writing about her favorite video games on the digital publication The Best War Games, Shayna has taught English in Japan, is a ghostwriter, copywriter, and editor in the publishing industry. Shayna enjoys traveling, and spends most of her time between South Africa, the EU, and Japan. She believes the best of people come out in the stories they tell, and with stories comes the power to connect people across any divide - be it language, geography, culture, or time. To this end, Shayna’s research at university dealt with narrative worlds within video games, and how they use their environments to tell stories. Her hope is that the incredible stories told through video games will be recognized as literary, just as much as traditional storytelling mediums.
Industry Focus
Shayna’s industry focus is primarily on RPGs and life sims, but she does venture into cozy games if they're set to the backdrop of LotR. RPGs encompass everything from Dragon Age to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, with focus on commentary about character, storytelling, and game design. Life sims are also great vehicles for storytelling, with customizable environments allowing for imaginative sandbox gameplay.
Favorite Games
Shayna’s favorite games are: The Mass Effect Legendary Edition, Hades, Baldur’s Gate 3, Dragon Age: Inquisition (with Trespasser), Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Journey. Hades and Hades 2 triggered a deep appreciation for the Classics, while KotOR and Oblivion formed the backdrop of her childhood.
Favorite Console
Shayna grew up playing games on her family’s desktop and fighting with her brother for her turn. Having her own PC to access whenever she wanted somewhere in her teens turned gaming from a habit into a full-blown obsession. She never got the chance to play console games and missed the Nintendo boat, but does admire it from afar and dreams of owning a Switch one day. She did once own a PlayStation 4 while living in Japan and enjoyed it immensely.
Latest
Marvel x Sony's Spider-Man Deal Rumors Explained
Marvel and Sony are rumored to be in the midst of a new deal that will innovate both studios' depictions of their most iconic character.
How Baldur's Gate 3 Makes One Tragic Decision All The More Painful
There are many paths in Baldur's Gate 3 that could potentially lead to disaster, but one decision in particular has far-reaching consequences.
Every Feature Confirmed for Starfield's Shattered Space DLC So Far
Starfield: Shattered Space is due to bring some big changes to Starfield, including a shift in focus, new enemies, and some new combat builds.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard - Where You May Have Seen Solas' Lyrium Dagger Before
Solas' lyrium dagger first appears in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, but fans of Dragon Age may feel like there's something familiar about it.
Starfield: How Shattered Space's Great Serpent Compares to The Elder Scrolls' Sithis
Starfield: Shattered Space's Great Serpent has some striking similarities to another infamous deity worshiped by outcasts in The Elder Scrolls.
How Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Completion Time Compares to Past Games
Dragon Age: The Veilguard has a completion time that falls right in the middle of its predecessors, but one thing tips the balance in its favor.
Fallout's Mysterious Stranger Explained
The Mysterious Stranger is one of the most enduring characters of the Fallout games and always appears right on time to turn the tide of combat.
Project Rene Could Be Gearing Up for its Biggest Reveal Yet in Fall 2024
Simmers looking for more news on Project Rene should keep an eye on EA's socials during Fall 2024 thanks to a major development milestone.
No The Sims 5 Leaves Project Rene with More Questions Than Answers
Many assumed that Project Rene was going to be The Sims 5, but recent statements from EA have raised questions about The Sims franchise' future.
Star Wars Jedi's Threequel Being the Final Chapter is Sad But Necessary
The news that Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is getting a sequel comes with the caveat that it'll be the last, but endings shouldn't be feared.
The Witcher 4: Gwent Might Be a Secret Weapon of Storytelling
Gwent is a fun diversion to many players, but its unique mechanics may prove to be an unlikely essential tool for storytelling in The Witcher 4.
One PlayStation 5 Exclusive Proves It’s Time For a Ciri-Led Witcher Game
Ciri's powerful abilities in The Witcher have a lot of untapped potential, and one PS5 game could provide the blueprint for her own title.
Tales of the Shire Already Has One Leg Up on Animal Crossing's Customization
Customization is one of the most important parts of any cozy sim, and Tales of the Shire has a decoration trick that gives it an advantage.
The Sims 4's New Expansion Timed Its Release Perfectly
The Sims 4: Life and Death is set to launch this Halloween, giving Simmers the perfect content add-on for the spookiest day of the year.
Mass Effect Romance Tier List
Romances in Mass Effect are renowned for their compelling storylines with a diverse and exciting cast of characters from across two galaxies.
Fallout 5 Could Take Some Notes From Fallout 4
Fallout 5 is still some years away but needs to include some new key gameplay mechanics like Fallout 4 to stand out as an industry trailblazer.
What the Rooms in the Lighthouse Reveal About Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Companions
Rook and their companions will be spending a lot of time in the Lighthouse, which serves as the new home base for Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
Tales of the Shire May Want to Take a Page Out of Disney Dreamlight Valley’s Book
Tales of the Shire has the chance to include a gameplay element inspired by Disney Dreamlight Valley with a twist from The Lord of the Rings.
How Elder Scrolls 6's 'Starter Follower' Could Improve on Skyrim's Lydia
Lydia is one of Skyrim's most iconic followers, but The Elder Scrolls 6 can improve on Lydia to create its new starter follower in many ways.
How The Elder Scrolls Oblivion Paid Homage to The Series' Roots
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion came out in 2007 but already contained a great deal of potential for player nostalgia from its predecessors.