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Reposted by Chris Kerr

Game Developer @gamedeveloper.bsky.social · 15h

'CEOs need to take a backseat:' MindsEye devs accuse studio execs of fumbling layoffs and mandating crunch

Almost 100 current and former Build A Rocket Boy employees have signed an open letter containing allegations of debilitating mismanagement–and some workers are even filing legal claims.

www.gamedeveloper.com

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 1d

P.S. If you aren’t already following Game Developer (and our rad editorial team + mega talented freelancers) you definitely should so we can continue putting out stories like this!

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Reposted by Chris Kerr

Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 1d

If you only read one story today, make it @nicolecarpenter.bsky.social's breakdown of the Saudi-backed EA buyout, which includes thoughts from multiple business analysts and experts who explain what the $55B deal could mean for EA workers, its video games, and the wider industry.

Essential reading.

Game Developer @gamedeveloper.bsky.social · 1d

'Gaming is the new oil:' How the EA buyout 'diverges from the traditional playbook'

Analysts explain how the high-risk leveraged buyout will impact Electronic Arts and the video game industry.

www.gamedeveloper.com

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 1d

I'm sure the developers partnered with Blumhouse Games will be thrilled to hear Mr. Blum is completely sold on AI and the death of authorship.

P.S. This isn't surprising considering the below ⬇️

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 1d

The notion (and probable reality) of EA titles being used to further the geopolitical objectives of a Saudi government that flagrantly abuses human rights should be ringing alarm bells across the industry.

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 1d

If you only read one story today, make it @nicolecarpenter.bsky.social's breakdown of the Saudi-backed EA buyout, which includes thoughts from multiple business analysts and experts who explain what the $55B deal could mean for EA workers, its video games, and the wider industry.

Essential reading.

Game Developer @gamedeveloper.bsky.social · 1d

'Gaming is the new oil:' How the EA buyout 'diverges from the traditional playbook'

Analysts explain how the high-risk leveraged buyout will impact Electronic Arts and the video game industry.

www.gamedeveloper.com

2 120 240

Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 1d

Indie studio Heart Machine confirmed it is making layoffs.

In a statement to Game Developer, the company said it is wrapping work on Hyper Light Breaker—which only launched into early access in January—and cutting jobs.

The studio will continue making games as a "smaller core team."

Game Developer @gamedeveloper.bsky.social · 1d

Heart Machine making layoffs and ending development on Hyper Light Breaker

The news comes around nine months after Hyper Light Breaker launched into early access.

www.gamedeveloper.com

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 2d

No problem! Thanks for pulling it together. I'm sure it'll help a lot of people.

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 2d

Game devs! @aceottorney.bsky.social and the Deviant Legal team have published what looks to be a super helpful legal explainer that breaks down the ins and out of publishing agreements.

Lots of details on all the common clauses and terms you might find, and what they mean for you as a developer!

Game Developer @gamedeveloper.bsky.social · 2d

Deviant Legal just released an in-depth guide to publishing agreements

The European law firm wants to 'democratize access to legal knowledge' within the video game industry.

www.gamedeveloper.com

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 3d

On the flip side, I’ve also penned extremely damning and critical reports about major companies and haven’t been blacklisted (to my knowledge).

Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 3d

Let’s just say I have been asked, on very rare occasions, whether I’d allow internal comms to review copy before it heads to print.

My answer was obviously no—but the fact they asked is rather concerning.

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Reposted by Chris Kerr

Game Developer @gamedeveloper.bsky.social · 3d

Our news editor @kerrblimey.bsky.social has some advice for developers and PR reps looking to navigate the press slalom:

A quote from an article discussing how to engage with journalists that reads:

"No matter how cordial our correspondence, there might come a time when I have to report on you, your product, or your company in a way you no longer find beneficial or flattering. That is the job. Reporters are not an extension of your marketing department. We are not there to promote you, your product, or tailor headlines to meet your specific needs.

"Acknowledge this before you agree to an interview. Let the truth wash over you like a salve. You'll be better off for it."

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 4d

Ah! Thanks for that—very proud of our miscrediting coverage. Glad to hear it helped!

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 4d

P.S. This is also why good PR reps and press training are worth their weight in gold!

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 4d

oh no! What an embarrassing faux pas!

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 4d

To be clear, I'm not trying to call out anybody in particular, but I think it's important for comms teams and devs to prepare accordingly before engaging with journalists.

I've been surprised as how many times that evidently hasn't happened in recent months/years.

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 4d

Hello! I wrote this op-ed because I've fielded some awkward requests from devs and PR (who shall remain anonymous) this year and I think it's indicative of a wider issue in the game industry that stems from some folks not fully understanding the role of reporters.

THOUGHTS on Game Dev Dot Com:

Game Developer @gamedeveloper.bsky.social · 4d

Dear game developers, please remember what 'on the record' means

Let's discuss the role of journalists and journalism in the video game industry.

www.gamedeveloper.com

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Reposted by Chris Kerr

Nicole Carpenter @nicolecarpenter.bsky.social · 5d

i wrote about consume me for @theverge.com ✨

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 6d

What could go wrong?

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Reposted by Chris Kerr

Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 7d

Fresh existential musings from my brain.

Game Developer @gamedeveloper.bsky.social · 7d

Baby Steps has me questioning my entire existence

Why am I doing this?

www.gamedeveloper.com

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 7d

Fresh existential musings from my brain.

Game Developer @gamedeveloper.bsky.social · 7d

Baby Steps has me questioning my entire existence

Why am I doing this?

www.gamedeveloper.com

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 7d

I must unsee those lyrics.

Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 7d

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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 7d

I expect every video game corporation to spend millions attempting to brute force AI into workflows despite the protestations of employees before realizing you cannot use derivative tools to deliver originality.

Kotaku @kotakudotcom.bsky.social · 7d

Netflix Gaming is looking for someone to "evaluate opportunities to apply Gen AI across our portfolio and studios" https://kotaku.com/netflix-generative-ai-gaming-animal-crossing-studio-ghibli-2000631485

Netflix Will Pay You $840K To Figure Out How Gen AI Can Make Games Better

The person will be responsible for applying 'Gen AI across our portfolio and studios'

kotaku.com

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Reposted by Chris Kerr

Game Developer @gamedeveloper.bsky.social · 7d

Saudi Arabia welcomes EA, Starbreeze and Funcom make layoffs, and Xbox Game Pass unravels - Patch Notes #25

Plus: Peacemaker gives Epic Games a headache and Riot launches Game Dev Resource hub.

Saudi Arabia welcomes EA as Xbox Game Pass unravels

Plus: Peacemaker gives Epic Games a headache and Riot launches Game Dev Resource hub.

www.gamedeveloper.com

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