Interview with Kurolily: gaming in all its forms

We met Sara Stefanizzi, known online as Kurolily, on the occasion of the release of the “Atlante dei Videogiochi” (“Atlas of Video Games”), for which she wrote the afterword. A content creator, charismatic streamer, and passionate gamer, she’s a Red Bull player and was the first Italian woman to become a Twitch partner. With a background as a TV and radio host, she has taken the stage at Lucca Comics & Games as an official presenter and is now the face of Milan Games Week & Cartoomics. Between her daily livestreams—where she skillfully navigates between gaming, TV series, pop culture, and gamebook readings—she even wrote her own adventure, L’isola Maledetta (“The Cursed Island”). Cheerful and genuine, with a past as a regional track and field champion for Emilia Romagna, Kurolily promotes an idea of entertainment that blends energy and professionalism with a healthy lifestyle. A unique voice in Italy’s digital scene, she has the ability to turn every project into a shared experience. We had a chat with her.
 

Today, being a streamer goes far beyond just gameplay: there’s entertainment, connection, identity. What really keeps people glued to a livestream?
In my opinion, people stay because they feel a connection. Of course, the game matters, but what really makes the difference is how people feel during the stream: if it’s a place where you can relax, laugh, maybe even vent a little... that’s where you want to come back. The best thing is when you get that “group” feeling, like we’re all sitting on the couch playing together.

What are the most interesting—and also the most concerning—trends you’re seeing in the gaming world?
Lately, I’ve been really struck by the return of retro gaming, especially when it’s combined with new ideas and formats. I also love that there’s more talk about representation: we’re starting to see more diverse characters, both physically and psychologically.
What worries me? The insane pace that many game studios are working at. Expectations are sky-high, and there’s an obsession with instant success. If a game doesn’t make a splash immediately, it gets abandoned. That kind of pressure can kill off a lot of great ideas—thankfully, many of them are still finding a home in the indie market.

What makes the Italian gaming scene unique compared to the international one?
Italy has its own special way of experiencing video games. On one hand, there’s still a bit of cultural skepticism—some people still think games are just a waste of time—but on the other hand, we have a super passionate and creative community. Just look at all the indie gems that have come out in recent years. More and more new voices are emerging, especially in the indie scene.



Where does the nickname "Kurolily" come from?
It’s a fusion of two parts of me: “Kuro,” which means black in Japanese—a color I’ve always felt connected to, deep and intense—and “Lily,” like the flower, delicate but also strong. It’s a contrast I’ve always carried with me, a duality that has a personal meaning and ties into the idea of the “black sheep.”

In the afterword of the Atlante, you shared a personal story about your relationship with video games. Is there one game that changed how you see the world—or yourself?
Absolutely. If I had to pick one game that really moved me inside, I’d say Metal Gear Solid. I only recently played through the saga, and I fell so in love with it that it even led me to get my first—and only—tattoo inspired by it. The story is incredibly complex, and it made me reflect on how often people are used as pawns in a bigger game. It blends action and stealth with characters who have depth, humanity, and contradictions. It makes you think about themes like identity, free will, war, and technology. There are moments so iconic, with music so evocative, that I’ll remember them for the rest of my life.



There are many publications about video games. What makes the Atlante different?
The Atlante is different because it doesn’t just talk about video games—it talks through video games. It’s not a technical manual, and it’s not a classic academic essay either. It’s a collection of experiences and emotions. A way to show how deeply games can touch people’s lives.
It’s made both for longtime gamers and for those who want to understand this world with fresh eyes.