In this episode of Tarot Interviews, we spoke with Kate Gray - an award-winning games writer and journalist who has worked with Kotaku, Rock Paper Shotgun, The Guardian, and on titles like Winding Worlds and Moonstone Island. Kate’s experience bridges traditional journalism and interactive storytelling, and our conversation explored how tarot, creativity, and collaboration all play a part in that journey.
We kicked things off by talking tarot. Kate shared that one of her decks was hand-drawn by a friend and brought up a hilarious IKEA-themed tarot deck she came across. This set a relaxed tone before we got into the deeper stuff - like how her writing preferences are influenced by her love for cute, soft Pokémon (yes, we’re talking about you, Snom).
The first card, the Page of Pentacles, sparked a thoughtful discussion about working with her partner, who’s a programmer. Kate talked about how learning to collaborate creatively at home is very different from office life - it's more about balance than hierarchy.
Next up was the Six of Pentacles, which brought up the topic of giving back. Kate was honest about the struggles games journalism faces, especially how hard it is for new writers to access knowledge hidden behind paywalls or gatekept by the industry. She stressed the importance of sharing what you know.
The third card, the Knight of Pentacles, led to one of the most relatable parts of the episode - Kate’s reflection on being a “former gifted kid” learning to build discipline as an adult. She talked about setting up systems like hiring a trainer or using calendar reminders to keep herself on track creatively.
Throughout the episode, Kate’s mix of mischievous humor and honesty stood out. From thoughts on Dragon Age: Veilguard and Baldur’s Gate 3 to her own sewing projects and art plans, it’s clear she brings curiosity and care to everything she does. The tarot cards helped surface some unexpected but powerful ideas about storytelling and relationships.
