Carla Carmona -Contributor

Carla Carmona

Contributor

March, 2025
BA in English & Creative Writing | MA in English
RPG, Life Simulation, The Sims
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    articles
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    News
  • 325
    Features
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About Carla Carmona

Carla is a writer from Peñuelas, Puerto Rico, now based in Atlanta. She’s an Emory alum with both a BA and MA in English, but more importantly, she’s a Pisces with lots of opinions about video games.

Her work has ranged from academic institutions to nonprofits and even Fortune 500 companies, but these days she’s happiest writing about games. As a Contributor for GameRant, she dives into fandoms, industry trends, and the weird little corners of gaming culture. She especially loves picking apart stories in RPGs and analyzing how games shape the way we think about modern storytelling.

When she’s not writing, she’s probably deep into yet another The Sims 4 playthrough (her 2,100+ hours say "sul, sul, GameRant readers"), crying about Shadow the Hedgehog, overanalyzing vampire lore, or flirting with disaster in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Favorite Games

Baldur's Gate 3
• Pentiment
• Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
• Red Dead Redemption 2
• Super Mario Galaxy

Industry Focus

Is your girlfriend/wife playing it? Carla is likely writing about it. 

But in all seriousness, Carla has been covering RPGs and cozy games throughout her time at GameRant with the same energy some people reserve for sports. From mega hits like Baldur's Gate 3 and The Sims to indie needles in haystacks, she's got you covered. 

Favorite Movies

Cabaret (1972)
Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Nosferatu (2024)
In the Mood for Love (2000)

Latest

What to Get the Mom Who Loves Games (or Might Soon)
What to Get the Mom Who Loves Games (or Might Soon)

Know a gamer mom that you want to spoil this Mother's Day? These are the best gifts for the moms who change the world—both digitally and in real life.

Mom in The Sims 4 Feeding Toddler
How Modern Sims Expansions Made Motherhood More Than a Life Stage

Family gameplay has been a cornerstone of The Sims' core systems, but modern Sims 4 Expansion Packs have taken motherhood to the next level.

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Baldur's Gate 3's Endings Split Gamers

Baldur's Gate 3's branching endings lead to a fandom-based problem: gamers just can't agree on what a "perfect" ending in BG3 looks like.

Dungeons & Dragons Fans are Spoiled With Upcoming 2026 Book Releases
Dungeons & Dragons Fans are Spoiled With Upcoming 2026 Book Releases

The rest of 2026 is a fantastic ride for Dungeons & Dragons fans, with a book lineup that ranges from character workbooks to a Baldur's Gate 3 novel.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Has an Interesting Relationship with Grand Theft Auto
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Has an Interesting Relationship with Grand Theft Auto

Assassin's Creed: Black Flag and Grand Theft Auto share a unique connection in gaming history, and they will meet again in 2026.

My Honeymoon Phase Didn’t Last Long in Tomodachi Life Living the Dream
My Honeymoon Phase Didn’t Last Long in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream

I was deeply in love with my first few hours playing Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. But my honeymoon with this game was short-lived.

Burning Questions the Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion Prequel Needs to Answer
7 Burning Questions the Baldur's Gate 3: Astarion Prequel Needs to Answer

While fans are buzzing at the news of the upcoming Baldur's Gate 3: Astarion prequel novel, they also have these questions about the pale elf in mind.

Mass Effect 5’s Story Directions Have Gamers Seriously Hyped
Mass Effect 5’s Story Directions Have Gamers Seriously Hyped

Gamers are excited about the possibilities for Mass Effect 5's story, with diverse ideas ranging from high-stakes conflicts to personal narratives.

Grand Theft Auto 6 Jason Close Up
The GTA 6 Story Length Praised by Gamers

GTA 6's story length is a hot topic among gamers—some players want an almost endless experience, and others claim it needs to earn its length.

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Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Lumiere
Best RPG Cities Inspired by Real-World Cultures Like Clair Obscur's Lumiere

Clair Obscur's Lumiere proves that some of the best cities in RPGs have a little slice of the real world in them, with a few other clear examples.

Act 3 Baldur's Gate 3 Lae'zel Looking over Sorcerous Sundries
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Worst Act Has All Gamers in Agreement

Baldur's Gate 3 players have different opinions on seemingly everything which — except Act is the worst of the D&D-based bunch.

bg3 companions best debate karlach astarion shadowheart
Baldur's Gate 3's Best Companion Still Leaves Players Divided

Three years after launch and countless of playthroughs later, players still can't agree on one thing: who is Baldur's Gate 3's best companion?

Neil Newbon's Relationship with the Astarion Role is the Right One
Neil Newbon's Relationship with the Astarion Role is the Right One

Neil Newbon loves Astarion just like his fans—but his refusal to repeat the character's formula is what makes his career so compelling.

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These 4 Baldur's Gate 3 Class Combos Are Worth Trying At Least Once
These 4 Baldur's Gate 3 Class Combos Are Worth Trying At Least Once

Even if you're not into multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3, these 4 multiclass combos result in builds that can sway even the toughest fights.

baldurs gate 3 city load screen
Where Baldur's Gate 3 Gets Player Agency vs. Narrative Control Right (and Wrong)

Baldur’s Gate 3 shines because of its player choice, but its ambitious design reveals some subtle storytelling trade-offs beneath the surface.

Disney Dreamlight Valley's Pocahontas Addition Splits Gamers
Disney Dreamlight Valley's Pocahontas Addition Splits Gamers

Pocahontas joins Disney Dreamlight Valley, but her arrival sparks debate over nostalgia, representation, and the character’s controversial history.

Why Restarting a Cozy Game Feels Better Than Finishing It
Why Restarting a Cozy Game Feels Better Than Finishing It

Cozy gamers avoid post-game depression by not finishing their favorite comfort games at all — and there's some brilliance to this madness.

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Invincible VS's Timing is Well-Planned, But Be Sure to Manage Expectations

Invincible VS launches at the perfect time, but it remains to be seen whether it actually delivers on long-term depth or even its promises.

Pokopia DLC Wish List
Pokopia DLC Wish List

Pokopia DLC feels like a matter of "if" and not "when," and this wish list features some of the most sought-after features dominating fandom chatter.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Cover
A Super Smash Bros. Movie is Definitely Happening

After seeing The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, I was in love with the nostalgia and cameos, and they obviously set the stage for a Smash Bros. movie.

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