Austin Kelmore
@austinkelmore.com
Unionizing the games industry one person at a time. Cofounder and active member of @gameworkers.co.uk and @gameworkersolidarity.com.
Game worker, rock climber, cat hugger based in Glasgow, Scotland.
https://www.austinkelmore.com
Game worker, rock climber, cat hugger based in Glasgow, Scotland.
https://www.austinkelmore.com
Pinned
Austin Kelmore
@austinkelmore.com
· Oct 17
Welcome new followers! I've been making video games for over 17 years now, which is a long time.
I co-founded and help run the IWGB Game Workers, which is the UK's largest game worker union. www.gameworkers.co.uk
I also co-founded and help run www.gameworkersolidarity.com.
And I have two cats!
I co-founded and help run the IWGB Game Workers, which is the UK's largest game worker union. www.gameworkers.co.uk
I also co-founded and help run www.gameworkersolidarity.com.
And I have two cats!
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Shoutout to this low-poly mockup I did for an unreleased management sim a few years ago. You were a real one 🥲
November 25, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Shoutout to this low-poly mockup I did for an unreleased management sim a few years ago. You were a real one 🥲
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
We did something different with the credits for Demonschool. We used this format: name, title, lengthy description of what they did. Often you see credits in games where you don't know what the credited developer was actually responsible for. We wanted to give people proper, actual credit.
November 24, 2025 at 10:23 PM
We did something different with the credits for Demonschool. We used this format: name, title, lengthy description of what they did. Often you see credits in games where you don't know what the credited developer was actually responsible for. We wanted to give people proper, actual credit.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
This bodes well for myself as this is currently hanging in my kitchen.
November 24, 2025 at 8:21 PM
This bodes well for myself as this is currently hanging in my kitchen.
I am really interested to see what Rockstar possibly offers as a defense for their actions.
Because right now, it seems they're completely indefensible.
Because right now, it seems they're completely indefensible.
November 24, 2025 at 6:06 PM
I am really interested to see what Rockstar possibly offers as a defense for their actions.
Because right now, it seems they're completely indefensible.
Because right now, it seems they're completely indefensible.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
"All these workers have ever tried to do is discuss their pay and conditions to improve them, so they can make a game loved by millions."
EXCLUSIVE: So far it's been unclear what proof Rockstar Games has to justify its firing of 34 union members, who it claims were leaking "confidential information in a public forum".
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
The Messages Rockstar Saw Before Firing 34 Union Members
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
"All these workers have ever tried to do is discuss their pay and conditions to improve them, so they can make a game loved by millions."
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
my partner and i can no longer buy a home together because they were fired by Rockstar, without warning,
*checks notes*
for talking about working conditions with their colleagues in a private union discord server.
🙂
*checks notes*
for talking about working conditions with their colleagues in a private union discord server.
🙂
EXCLUSIVE: So far it's been unclear what proof Rockstar Games has to justify its firing of 34 union members, who it claims were leaking "confidential information in a public forum".
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
The Messages Rockstar Saw Before Firing 34 Union Members
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:26 PM
my partner and i can no longer buy a home together because they were fired by Rockstar, without warning,
*checks notes*
for talking about working conditions with their colleagues in a private union discord server.
🙂
*checks notes*
for talking about working conditions with their colleagues in a private union discord server.
🙂
I don't know how I feel about this.
On one hand it feels like a good thing to teach people how shit LLMs are, but on the other this feels like giving kids cigarettes and telling them to smoke to find out how bad it is.
On one hand it feels like a good thing to teach people how shit LLMs are, but on the other this feels like giving kids cigarettes and telling them to smoke to find out how bad it is.
November 24, 2025 at 1:14 PM
I don't know how I feel about this.
On one hand it feels like a good thing to teach people how shit LLMs are, but on the other this feels like giving kids cigarettes and telling them to smoke to find out how bad it is.
On one hand it feels like a good thing to teach people how shit LLMs are, but on the other this feels like giving kids cigarettes and telling them to smoke to find out how bad it is.
Something I really dislike about LLMs are that they push people to trust secondary, untrusted sources, more than primary ones.
That is clearly an intentional design choice and hugely benefits the LLM creators, but is a very, very bad thing on a societal level.
That is clearly an intentional design choice and hugely benefits the LLM creators, but is a very, very bad thing on a societal level.
November 24, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Something I really dislike about LLMs are that they push people to trust secondary, untrusted sources, more than primary ones.
That is clearly an intentional design choice and hugely benefits the LLM creators, but is a very, very bad thing on a societal level.
That is clearly an intentional design choice and hugely benefits the LLM creators, but is a very, very bad thing on a societal level.
Is there any game company which has released its games for free once they've made enough money?
November 22, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Is there any game company which has released its games for free once they've made enough money?
This is going to mean very little to folks outside the probably 10 people who follow me who know Trackmania, but this is the first time I've gotten all AT's in a season and I'm incredibly proud of this.
November 22, 2025 at 11:19 AM
This is going to mean very little to folks outside the probably 10 people who follow me who know Trackmania, but this is the first time I've gotten all AT's in a season and I'm incredibly proud of this.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
This is well worth a listen.
I spoke on the Notes From Below podcast this week about unions and the choices @gameworkers.co.uk made to be an organizing union instead of a service based one.
I also spoke about the Rockstar situation and the games industry at large! Have a listen if you fancy.
pocketcasts.com/podcast/work...
I also spoke about the Rockstar situation and the games industry at large! Have a listen if you fancy.
pocketcasts.com/podcast/work...
November 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
This is well worth a listen.
I spoke on the Notes From Below podcast this week about unions and the choices @gameworkers.co.uk made to be an organizing union instead of a service based one.
I also spoke about the Rockstar situation and the games industry at large! Have a listen if you fancy.
pocketcasts.com/podcast/work...
I also spoke about the Rockstar situation and the games industry at large! Have a listen if you fancy.
pocketcasts.com/podcast/work...
November 21, 2025 at 4:36 PM
I spoke on the Notes From Below podcast this week about unions and the choices @gameworkers.co.uk made to be an organizing union instead of a service based one.
I also spoke about the Rockstar situation and the games industry at large! Have a listen if you fancy.
pocketcasts.com/podcast/work...
I also spoke about the Rockstar situation and the games industry at large! Have a listen if you fancy.
pocketcasts.com/podcast/work...
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Prison guards rushing to take jobs with ICE. Almost like all of this is connected. I wonder which people have been making this case for a few decades.
November 21, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Prison guards rushing to take jobs with ICE. Almost like all of this is connected. I wonder which people have been making this case for a few decades.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
journo friends: gimme your top interviewing tips and tricks, things to make interviews go smoother, ways to ask follow-ups, that kinda thing!
November 21, 2025 at 3:14 PM
journo friends: gimme your top interviewing tips and tricks, things to make interviews go smoother, ways to ask follow-ups, that kinda thing!
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
A statement from the Game Workers of the IWGB this Transgender Day of Remembrance. Please join us in marking this important day by remembering those we have lost due to trans violence and hate.
Further resources:
empower-up.com/topic/gender...
lgbthero.org.uk/tdor-vigils-2025
Further resources:
empower-up.com/topic/gender...
lgbthero.org.uk/tdor-vigils-2025
November 20, 2025 at 3:51 PM
A statement from the Game Workers of the IWGB this Transgender Day of Remembrance. Please join us in marking this important day by remembering those we have lost due to trans violence and hate.
Further resources:
empower-up.com/topic/gender...
lgbthero.org.uk/tdor-vigils-2025
Further resources:
empower-up.com/topic/gender...
lgbthero.org.uk/tdor-vigils-2025
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Ubisoft confirms €1.16 billion Tencent investment in new subsidiary is 'imminent'
Ubisoft confirms €1.16 billion Tencent investment in new subsidiary is 'imminent'
The French company said the deal is 'on track to close in the coming days,' marking the start of a new era at the Assassin's Creed publisher.
www.gamedeveloper.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Ubisoft confirms €1.16 billion Tencent investment in new subsidiary is 'imminent'
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
The weather was cold, but the fire in everyone's heart will carry the union to victory!
November 19, 2025 at 4:48 PM
The weather was cold, but the fire in everyone's heart will carry the union to victory!
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
What are your favorite resources for conflict management in organizing spaces?
November 20, 2025 at 11:41 PM
What are your favorite resources for conflict management in organizing spaces?
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Our statement in solidarity with our fellow workers' ongoing protest against @rockstargames.com's gross union busting!
November 21, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Our statement in solidarity with our fellow workers' ongoing protest against @rockstargames.com's gross union busting!
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Reinstate the workers, Rockstar.
I attended the protest outside of Rockstar North in Edinburgh this evening to stand in solidarity with the more than 30 workers across the UK, including a number of my constituents who have been sacked.
November 20, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Reinstate the workers, Rockstar.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Near Glasgow? Come on out on the 4th to hear me talk about unions and the games industry.
I'd especially love to see folks who know nothing at all about unions, I think this talk will be perfect for you.
I'd especially love to see folks who know nothing at all about unions, I think this talk will be perfect for you.
Seen the recent news around Rockstar and their treatment of pro-union staff? Want to find out how unions can help the games industry? Come along to the next Glasgow Games Soapbox where we have former IWGB Games Union chair @austinkelmore.com speaking
www.meetup.com/videogames-g...
www.meetup.com/videogames-g...
Glasgow Games Soapbox, Thu, Dec 4, 2025, 6:00 PM | Meetup
An evening of talks about games and game development.
We have a small selection of speakers from in and out of the games industry sharing their wisdom. Expect talks to be
www.meetup.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Near Glasgow? Come on out on the 4th to hear me talk about unions and the games industry.
I'd especially love to see folks who know nothing at all about unions, I think this talk will be perfect for you.
I'd especially love to see folks who know nothing at all about unions, I think this talk will be perfect for you.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Another Member of Scottish Parliament (@ross-greer.bsky.social was at a demo two weeks ago as well) joins the fired workers outside Rockstar North in Edinburgh.
"I stand with the workers. I hope that they will be reinstated before Christmas to this job that they love..."
"I stand with the workers. I hope that they will be reinstated before Christmas to this job that they love..."
I attended the protest outside of Rockstar North in Edinburgh this evening to stand in solidarity with the more than 30 workers across the UK, including a number of my constituents who have been sacked.
November 20, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Another Member of Scottish Parliament (@ross-greer.bsky.social was at a demo two weeks ago as well) joins the fired workers outside Rockstar North in Edinburgh.
"I stand with the workers. I hope that they will be reinstated before Christmas to this job that they love..."
"I stand with the workers. I hope that they will be reinstated before Christmas to this job that they love..."
Reinstate the workers, Rockstar.
I attended the protest outside of Rockstar North in Edinburgh this evening to stand in solidarity with the more than 30 workers across the UK, including a number of my constituents who have been sacked.
November 20, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Reinstate the workers, Rockstar.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
It snowed today in London... You know what that means for A Good Snowman is Hard To Build ☃️
Pay what the weather is!
draknek.itch.io/a-good-snowman
Pay what the weather is!
draknek.itch.io/a-good-snowman
November 19, 2025 at 3:38 PM
It snowed today in London... You know what that means for A Good Snowman is Hard To Build ☃️
Pay what the weather is!
draknek.itch.io/a-good-snowman
Pay what the weather is!
draknek.itch.io/a-good-snowman
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
November 19, 2025 at 3:49 PM