Nicole Maines (Aimu)
@aimunicolem.bsky.social
QA Analyst II at Sledgehammer Games & Kingdom Hearts fanatic. All opinions/tweets are my own. She/her/hers
https://nicolemainesgamedev.wordpress.com/
https://nicolemainesgamedev.wordpress.com/
Pinned
ALL RIGHT FINE, FUCK IT!
IF STAR WARS IS IN KINGDOM HEARTS 4 I'LL GET ANOTHER TATTOO!
I WILL DIE ON THE HILL THAT IT'S NOT AN AT-ST FOOT IN THE TRAILER
IF STAR WARS IS IN KINGDOM HEARTS 4 I'LL GET ANOTHER TATTOO!
I WILL DIE ON THE HILL THAT IT'S NOT AN AT-ST FOOT IN THE TRAILER
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Football is a bullet hell.
November 27, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Football is a bullet hell.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Another episode from the Archives is coming your way this weekend~
Can you guess who the special archived guest is!?
Can you guess who the special archived guest is!?
November 27, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Another episode from the Archives is coming your way this weekend~
Can you guess who the special archived guest is!?
Can you guess who the special archived guest is!?
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Hello gamedev folks 💔
It's my final straw. If I don't find work in 1 month, I'll have to quit gamedev definitely, and make a big career change for something more stable.
👉 I'm a UI/UX Designer, worked on Rematch, Sifu, Time Rift, and more. I'm looking for a job! My work here: politessier.webflow.io
It's my final straw. If I don't find work in 1 month, I'll have to quit gamedev definitely, and make a big career change for something more stable.
👉 I'm a UI/UX Designer, worked on Rematch, Sifu, Time Rift, and more. I'm looking for a job! My work here: politessier.webflow.io
Jun Poli Tessier - Portfolio
Game UI/UX Designer
politessier.webflow.io
November 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Hello gamedev folks 💔
It's my final straw. If I don't find work in 1 month, I'll have to quit gamedev definitely, and make a big career change for something more stable.
👉 I'm a UI/UX Designer, worked on Rematch, Sifu, Time Rift, and more. I'm looking for a job! My work here: politessier.webflow.io
It's my final straw. If I don't find work in 1 month, I'll have to quit gamedev definitely, and make a big career change for something more stable.
👉 I'm a UI/UX Designer, worked on Rematch, Sifu, Time Rift, and more. I'm looking for a job! My work here: politessier.webflow.io
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Frierenlookingup_final_finalfinal_GHHHRRGGHH.png
November 26, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Frierenlookingup_final_finalfinal_GHHHRRGGHH.png
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
The East LA level in Tony Hawk's American Sk8land has an elaborate secret involving an invisible rail that clips you through geometry to an out-of-bounds section of the map, revealing a message telling you to hide in the bushes in the Beverly Hills map.
When you do so, the game plays a fart noise.
When you do so, the game plays a fart noise.
November 26, 2025 at 8:35 AM
The East LA level in Tony Hawk's American Sk8land has an elaborate secret involving an invisible rail that clips you through geometry to an out-of-bounds section of the map, revealing a message telling you to hide in the bushes in the Beverly Hills map.
When you do so, the game plays a fart noise.
When you do so, the game plays a fart noise.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
🦃🎮 Creator Day returns this Friday with the start of our Black Friday 2025 Sitewide Sale. For 24 hours we'll waive our free on all transactions. Over 15,000 projects to be on sale from this Friday through December 3rd. More details here itch.io/blog/1124058/creator...
November 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
🦃🎮 Creator Day returns this Friday with the start of our Black Friday 2025 Sitewide Sale. For 24 hours we'll waive our free on all transactions. Over 15,000 projects to be on sale from this Friday through December 3rd. More details here itch.io/blog/1124058/creator...
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
The reason I was able to start learning my first instrument, music theory, & music performance was because my public school had a youth orchestra
We don't need "more AI music." We need more arts funding so that students are able to access education & equipment, and so that educators can get paid
We don't need "more AI music." We need more arts funding so that students are able to access education & equipment, and so that educators can get paid
November 26, 2025 at 7:08 PM
The reason I was able to start learning my first instrument, music theory, & music performance was because my public school had a youth orchestra
We don't need "more AI music." We need more arts funding so that students are able to access education & equipment, and so that educators can get paid
We don't need "more AI music." We need more arts funding so that students are able to access education & equipment, and so that educators can get paid
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
I strenuously object to the implicit assertion that people don't want to hear about other people's holidays. I do! In Iran they have an outdoor picnic day (Sizdah Bedar). In Japan there's a bean-throwing day (Setsubun). There's a whole world of fascinating rituals and traditions.
November 26, 2025 at 7:28 PM
I strenuously object to the implicit assertion that people don't want to hear about other people's holidays. I do! In Iran they have an outdoor picnic day (Sizdah Bedar). In Japan there's a bean-throwing day (Setsubun). There's a whole world of fascinating rituals and traditions.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
TODAY! #WakeUpDeadMan! THEATERS! 600 US screens, 500 more internationally, hopefully more to come in the next week. See my pinned post for a theater finder. I’m so proud of this movie and everyone’s work on it, I hope you enjoy it!
November 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM
TODAY! #WakeUpDeadMan! THEATERS! 600 US screens, 500 more internationally, hopefully more to come in the next week. See my pinned post for a theater finder. I’m so proud of this movie and everyone’s work on it, I hope you enjoy it!
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Studios hold credit-removal over employees heads to prevent them leaving before ship, and we need to normalise credits being of less value than simply listing what you did on a project and (if needed) proving it by getting former colleagues to vouch for you.
My controversial take is that if you didn't get credited on a game you have proof you've worked on, just list it on your CV.
I do with one. Never had any issues.
Not being credited still sucks but you don't need to be polite when they're not.
I do with one. Never had any issues.
Not being credited still sucks but you don't need to be polite when they're not.
November 26, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Studios hold credit-removal over employees heads to prevent them leaving before ship, and we need to normalise credits being of less value than simply listing what you did on a project and (if needed) proving it by getting former colleagues to vouch for you.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Me and my friend started a YouTube channel where we play drawing games (and sometimes video games) and chat and be goofy. Our new video goes up in 6 mins and we usually hang out in the live chat for the premiere :3
youtu.be/CEZhu5PuHF4?...
youtu.be/CEZhu5PuHF4?...
November 26, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Me and my friend started a YouTube channel where we play drawing games (and sometimes video games) and chat and be goofy. Our new video goes up in 6 mins and we usually hang out in the live chat for the premiere :3
youtu.be/CEZhu5PuHF4?...
youtu.be/CEZhu5PuHF4?...
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
My controversial take is that if you didn't get credited on a game you have proof you've worked on, just list it on your CV.
I do with one. Never had any issues.
Not being credited still sucks but you don't need to be polite when they're not.
I do with one. Never had any issues.
Not being credited still sucks but you don't need to be polite when they're not.
November 26, 2025 at 8:43 AM
My controversial take is that if you didn't get credited on a game you have proof you've worked on, just list it on your CV.
I do with one. Never had any issues.
Not being credited still sucks but you don't need to be polite when they're not.
I do with one. Never had any issues.
Not being credited still sucks but you don't need to be polite when they're not.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
“I have asked ChatGPT to locate the remaining golden tickets…”
November 26, 2025 at 4:06 AM
“I have asked ChatGPT to locate the remaining golden tickets…”
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
🚨Event Announcement🚨
To fundraiser rent for this month, this Thursday [11/27] I will be doing a FIVE GAME Kingdom Hearts Deathstream. I will not stop until I clear all of these games.
A KH Marathon Mini.
Stream: kzxcellent.live
Donate: streamlabs.com/kzxcellent/
To fundraiser rent for this month, this Thursday [11/27] I will be doing a FIVE GAME Kingdom Hearts Deathstream. I will not stop until I clear all of these games.
A KH Marathon Mini.
Stream: kzxcellent.live
Donate: streamlabs.com/kzxcellent/
November 25, 2025 at 12:24 AM
🚨Event Announcement🚨
To fundraiser rent for this month, this Thursday [11/27] I will be doing a FIVE GAME Kingdom Hearts Deathstream. I will not stop until I clear all of these games.
A KH Marathon Mini.
Stream: kzxcellent.live
Donate: streamlabs.com/kzxcellent/
To fundraiser rent for this month, this Thursday [11/27] I will be doing a FIVE GAME Kingdom Hearts Deathstream. I will not stop until I clear all of these games.
A KH Marathon Mini.
Stream: kzxcellent.live
Donate: streamlabs.com/kzxcellent/
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
I need help. So this scene in Avatar: The Last Airbender is a specific reference to a Chinese historical epic film. I thought it was from 'Curse of the Golden Flower' (2006) but apparently it's not. Does anyone remember a scene like this in a live action movie? I'm going insane.
November 25, 2025 at 3:47 AM
I need help. So this scene in Avatar: The Last Airbender is a specific reference to a Chinese historical epic film. I thought it was from 'Curse of the Golden Flower' (2006) but apparently it's not. Does anyone remember a scene like this in a live action movie? I'm going insane.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Drew is a friend and seeing her struggle after Sucker Punch failed to protect her from coordinated chuds makes me livid. Stop rewarding this bad behavior. They'll never buy your games anyway, they literally do not care. They just want to feel powerful and in control of others lives.
Two months after firing over Charlie Kirk comments, Ghost of Yotei dev blames harassment campaign, not 'bad joke'
aftermath.site/sucker-punch-c...
aftermath.site/sucker-punch-c...
November 25, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Drew is a friend and seeing her struggle after Sucker Punch failed to protect her from coordinated chuds makes me livid. Stop rewarding this bad behavior. They'll never buy your games anyway, they literally do not care. They just want to feel powerful and in control of others lives.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
For @aftermath.site, I spoke to @imodrew.bsky.social, the Sucker Punch dev fired after making a Charlie Kirk joke.
She paints a picture of an industry that all too often ignores bad actors until those bad actors threaten them financially.
aftermath.site/sucker-punch...
She paints a picture of an industry that all too often ignores bad actors until those bad actors threaten them financially.
aftermath.site/sucker-punch...
Two Months After Firing Over Charlie Kirk Comments, Ghost Of Yotei Dev Blames Harassment Campaign, Not ‘Bad Joke’
"I really don’t want this to happen to anyone else, because I feel like with the state of everything, it will absolutely happen to other people," says Drew Harrison
aftermath.site
November 24, 2025 at 6:58 PM
For @aftermath.site, I spoke to @imodrew.bsky.social, the Sucker Punch dev fired after making a Charlie Kirk joke.
She paints a picture of an industry that all too often ignores bad actors until those bad actors threaten them financially.
aftermath.site/sucker-punch...
She paints a picture of an industry that all too often ignores bad actors until those bad actors threaten them financially.
aftermath.site/sucker-punch...
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
In self-interest but also general interest, folks: Black Friday is coming up, and small publishers/independent creators will always be a better choice than megacorps.
When the sales drop, please remember that!
When the sales drop, please remember that!
November 24, 2025 at 3:43 PM
In self-interest but also general interest, folks: Black Friday is coming up, and small publishers/independent creators will always be a better choice than megacorps.
When the sales drop, please remember that!
When the sales drop, please remember that!
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
one of the things that makes me most mad about genAI (and there are many) is we've been told there's not enough money for hiring. but there's billions poured into ai.
so not enough money to hire workers. but infinite money to pour into technology whose goal is never having to pay workers again.
so not enough money to hire workers. but infinite money to pour into technology whose goal is never having to pay workers again.
November 23, 2025 at 7:50 PM
one of the things that makes me most mad about genAI (and there are many) is we've been told there's not enough money for hiring. but there's billions poured into ai.
so not enough money to hire workers. but infinite money to pour into technology whose goal is never having to pay workers again.
so not enough money to hire workers. but infinite money to pour into technology whose goal is never having to pay workers again.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Gmail users!!
They've turned on AI scraping by default now...Here's how to turn it off.
Pass it on!!
www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/20...
They've turned on AI scraping by default now...Here's how to turn it off.
Pass it on!!
www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/20...
Gmail can read your emails and attachments to train its AI, unless you opt out
A new Gmail update may allow Google to use your private messages and attachments for AI training. Here's how to turn it off.
www.malwarebytes.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Gmail users!!
They've turned on AI scraping by default now...Here's how to turn it off.
Pass it on!!
www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/20...
They've turned on AI scraping by default now...Here's how to turn it off.
Pass it on!!
www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/20...
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Hey y'all, I'm looking for my next role!
- 💻 Staff/principal Software Engineer or DevRel
- 🧰 Mostly focused on JavaScript tech stacks
- 👨🏻💼 I'm also open to moving into management
- 🎮 Bonus points if it's #GameDev or adjacent
If you know of something, my DMs are open. ❤️
- 💻 Staff/principal Software Engineer or DevRel
- 🧰 Mostly focused on JavaScript tech stacks
- 👨🏻💼 I'm also open to moving into management
- 🎮 Bonus points if it's #GameDev or adjacent
If you know of something, my DMs are open. ❤️
November 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Hey y'all, I'm looking for my next role!
- 💻 Staff/principal Software Engineer or DevRel
- 🧰 Mostly focused on JavaScript tech stacks
- 👨🏻💼 I'm also open to moving into management
- 🎮 Bonus points if it's #GameDev or adjacent
If you know of something, my DMs are open. ❤️
- 💻 Staff/principal Software Engineer or DevRel
- 🧰 Mostly focused on JavaScript tech stacks
- 👨🏻💼 I'm also open to moving into management
- 🎮 Bonus points if it's #GameDev or adjacent
If you know of something, my DMs are open. ❤️
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
The amount of people I know who have been laid off from games industry jobs and are deciding to leave games entirely as a result is not only extremely saddening (of course), but also genuinely scary. We have lost legitimately thousands of years of knowledge and experience in the last four years.
November 21, 2025 at 2:13 AM
The amount of people I know who have been laid off from games industry jobs and are deciding to leave games entirely as a result is not only extremely saddening (of course), but also genuinely scary. We have lost legitimately thousands of years of knowledge and experience in the last four years.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
After Midnight Mass came out, I remember reading comments online from folk saying the Sheriff was playing the victim card, or that Islamophobia isn’t a thing anymore etc…
And then Zohran Mamdani enters the chat in 2025 and is greeted with abhorrent Islamophobia & 9/11 jibes.
Well well well…
And then Zohran Mamdani enters the chat in 2025 and is greeted with abhorrent Islamophobia & 9/11 jibes.
Well well well…
November 21, 2025 at 11:19 PM
After Midnight Mass came out, I remember reading comments online from folk saying the Sheriff was playing the victim card, or that Islamophobia isn’t a thing anymore etc…
And then Zohran Mamdani enters the chat in 2025 and is greeted with abhorrent Islamophobia & 9/11 jibes.
Well well well…
And then Zohran Mamdani enters the chat in 2025 and is greeted with abhorrent Islamophobia & 9/11 jibes.
Well well well…
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
DM: The orange fascist lurks in his lair, hunched behind his massive desk, revelling in his stolen power. His acolytes hiss at you as you approach. What does your human bard do --
MAMDANI: Active perception check.
DM: ...that's a natural 20
MAMDANI: Let's fucking go. <FLUTE TRILL>
MAMDANI: Active perception check.
DM: ...that's a natural 20
MAMDANI: Let's fucking go. <FLUTE TRILL>
November 21, 2025 at 11:22 PM
DM: The orange fascist lurks in his lair, hunched behind his massive desk, revelling in his stolen power. His acolytes hiss at you as you approach. What does your human bard do --
MAMDANI: Active perception check.
DM: ...that's a natural 20
MAMDANI: Let's fucking go. <FLUTE TRILL>
MAMDANI: Active perception check.
DM: ...that's a natural 20
MAMDANI: Let's fucking go. <FLUTE TRILL>
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
You're not ready for my entry. It's absolute chaos!
November 21, 2025 at 7:24 PM
You're not ready for my entry. It's absolute chaos!