David Varela
@writingstudio.bsky.social
Degenerate freelancer. Narrative test pilot. Senior Narrative Designer on Clockwork Revolution at inXile. Previously provided interactive words for Wallace & Gromit, Sherlock, Need for Speed, a bit of Star Wars and a lot of other games. 🔀davidvarela.com
Grim news from Splash Damage. As this article notes, the London dev scene has taken a kicking over the past year or so. www.gamesindustry.biz/splash-damag...
Splash Damage places entire studio into consultation ahead of redundancies
Splash Damage has announced a consultation process affecting all staff at the Bromley-based studio, which will conclude…
www.gamesindustry.biz
November 26, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Grim news from Splash Damage. As this article notes, the London dev scene has taken a kicking over the past year or so. www.gamesindustry.biz/splash-damag...
Looks like Hangar 13 is hiring a Lead Narrative Designer based in Brighton (hybrid): hangar13games.com/jobs-gaming/...
#gamedevjobs #gamejobs #gameswriting
#gamedevjobs #gamejobs #gameswriting
Lead Narrative Designer - Hangar 13 Games
Who We AreHangar 13 is an internal 2K development studio that crafts unforgettable AAA gaming experiences across all major platforms . With studios in Brighton (UK), Brno, and Prague (CZ), we work as ...
hangar13games.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Looks like Hangar 13 is hiring a Lead Narrative Designer based in Brighton (hybrid): hangar13games.com/jobs-gaming/...
#gamedevjobs #gamejobs #gameswriting
#gamedevjobs #gamejobs #gameswriting
Reposted by David Varela
i’m not crying you’re crying
xkcd: Fifteen Years
xkcd: Fifteen Years
Fifteen Years
xkcd.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 AM
i’m not crying you’re crying
xkcd: Fifteen Years
xkcd: Fifteen Years
A great day at #AdventureX today, catching up with old friends and making a few new ones. More tomorrow!
November 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
A great day at #AdventureX today, catching up with old friends and making a few new ones. More tomorrow!
Reposted by David Varela
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 David Varela
Hey authors! Check to see if Anthropic stole your book to train their slop generator on. You’re entitled to $1500 per stolen Work.
Look up your work, and if you’re in the database, file a claim
secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
Look up your work, and if you’re in the database, file a claim
secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
Submit a Claim
secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Hey authors! Check to see if Anthropic stole your book to train their slop generator on. You’re entitled to $1500 per stolen Work.
Look up your work, and if you’re in the database, file a claim
secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
Look up your work, and if you’re in the database, file a claim
secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
When Peter Sallis died, people thought Wallace & Gromit would never be the same again - or might die with him. Then Ben Whitehead stepped in and has been seamlessly superb. Human talent beats AI every time.
Saw someone arguing about the AI voices situation and their point in defense of using AI was “there’s a new Max Payne remake coming out, the main voice actor died, how else are they supposed to give him a voice?”
It is absurd to me that this is even considered a “good point” from either side.
It is absurd to me that this is even considered a “good point” from either side.
November 14, 2025 at 4:46 PM
When Peter Sallis died, people thought Wallace & Gromit would never be the same again - or might die with him. Then Ben Whitehead stepped in and has been seamlessly superb. Human talent beats AI every time.
LOL at the realistic armour.
November 13, 2025 at 10:01 AM
LOL at the realistic armour.
Reposted by David Varela
she’s a 10 but Excel thinks she’s October
November 13, 2025 at 8:08 AM
she’s a 10 but Excel thinks she’s October
The Square Enix UK offices are literally on my street. Hugs and commiserations to everyone impacted by the restructuring. Also, good luck to anyone working on a game where the QA dept is AI. 🤬https://gamerant.com/square-enix-layoffs-november-2025/
Square Enix is Laying Off Over 100 People
In an effort to rework its overseas operations, Square Enix is letting go of over 100 employees across the US and UK in mass layoffs.
gamerant.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:53 AM
The Square Enix UK offices are literally on my street. Hugs and commiserations to everyone impacted by the restructuring. Also, good luck to anyone working on a game where the QA dept is AI. 🤬https://gamerant.com/square-enix-layoffs-november-2025/
Reposted by David Varela
Back on the market after, uh, quite a while, so I made a little portfolio site. Feeling like an actual grown up. Please have a look!
Nathan Long: Writer
Resume and Portfolio site for Nathan Long
nathanlongwriter.carrd.co
November 5, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Back on the market after, uh, quite a while, so I made a little portfolio site. Feeling like an actual grown up. Please have a look!
Reposted by David Varela
NEW: Rockstar now says it fired 30 employees in the UK for leaking information (not for engaging in union activity), but UK union IWGB told Game Developer that staff in the country have a statutory right to engage in private conversation with union organisers that supersedes any employment contract.
Rockstar accused of deflecting after claiming fired union workers leaked information
Rockstar accused of deflecting after claiming fired union workers leaked information
Rockstar claims its former employees had been "distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum," but UK union IWGB claims the studio is simply deflecting from the truth.
www.gamedeveloper.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:49 AM
NEW: Rockstar now says it fired 30 employees in the UK for leaking information (not for engaging in union activity), but UK union IWGB told Game Developer that staff in the country have a statutory right to engage in private conversation with union organisers that supersedes any employment contract.
Reposted by David Varela
The worst people you know are upset and I think that’s wonderful
November 5, 2025 at 4:25 AM
The worst people you know are upset and I think that’s wonderful
Reposted by David Varela
Andrew is a sort of non-prince now, a… well, I’m sure there’s some sort of portmanteau word that would describe him well.
October 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Andrew is a sort of non-prince now, a… well, I’m sure there’s some sort of portmanteau word that would describe him well.
Go George!
Judge rules George R.R. Martin and other authors can sue OpenAI for copyright infringement
• Said ChatGPT generated 'Game of Thrones' content similar enough to infringe copyright
• OpenAI’s motion to dismiss was denied
• Said ChatGPT generated 'Game of Thrones' content similar enough to infringe copyright
• OpenAI’s motion to dismiss was denied
October 30, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Go George!
I was lucky enough to go to the launch today. Apart from the astonishing programme of shows (which means even *Gary Oldman* doesn't get his name in the fucking headline below), my overall sensation was of *hope*: there is an outlet for new writers, and a theatre willing to stage their wildest ideas.
Tilda Swinton will feature in the 70th anniversary programme from the Royal Court in London.
Read more 👉 www.thestage.co.uk/news/pro...
Read more 👉 www.thestage.co.uk/news/pro...
October 28, 2025 at 12:18 PM
I was lucky enough to go to the launch today. Apart from the astonishing programme of shows (which means even *Gary Oldman* doesn't get his name in the fucking headline below), my overall sensation was of *hope*: there is an outlet for new writers, and a theatre willing to stage their wildest ideas.
So it seems like forty different people from forty different countries each suddenly clicked on a different page of my website. The bots are swarming. Is this AI trawling, or some kind of search engine spider?
October 21, 2025 at 12:08 PM
So it seems like forty different people from forty different countries each suddenly clicked on a different page of my website. The bots are swarming. Is this AI trawling, or some kind of search engine spider?
Reposted by David Varela
One of the most TRUE signs I have ever seen at a march. Write this down and act upon it, friends.
#NoKings #Manhattan
#NoKings #Manhattan
October 18, 2025 at 9:13 PM
One of the most TRUE signs I have ever seen at a march. Write this down and act upon it, friends.
#NoKings #Manhattan
#NoKings #Manhattan
Reposted by David Varela
Hey narrative folks my team is looking for a narrative designer to come work with me in Iceland! If you have solid storytelling fundamentals, some technical experience, and live ops or adjacent experience, we are looking for someone like you!
careers.ccpgames.com/en/postings/...
careers.ccpgames.com/en/postings/...
Narrative Designer
Job Opening: Narrative Designer at CCP Games in Reykjavík.
careers.ccpgames.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Hey narrative folks my team is looking for a narrative designer to come work with me in Iceland! If you have solid storytelling fundamentals, some technical experience, and live ops or adjacent experience, we are looking for someone like you!
careers.ccpgames.com/en/postings/...
careers.ccpgames.com/en/postings/...
The brilliant @arvonfoundation.bsky.social is launching an 18-month residency programme for emerging UK-based writers. Applications open on Monday but get a head start and read the details here: www.arvon.org/jerwood-arvo...
Jerwood Arvon Writer Residencies 2026-7 | Arvon
The Jerwood Arvon Writer Residencies are a fully funded, self-directed development opportunity for 12 emerging writers.
www.arvon.org
October 15, 2025 at 5:27 AM
The brilliant @arvonfoundation.bsky.social is launching an 18-month residency programme for emerging UK-based writers. Applications open on Monday but get a head start and read the details here: www.arvon.org/jerwood-arvo...
Spotted near Russell Square today.
October 14, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Spotted near Russell Square today.
Actually, it’s pronounced ‘Moonk’.
October 12, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Actually, it’s pronounced ‘Moonk’.
Stephen is a great writer and part of the excellent Clockwork Revolution narrative team that’s starting to taper down as we finish the bulk of the writing. Snap him up for your project!
A weekly (soon to be daily!) reminder that I need a new job!
My Narrative Design contract at InXile ends 10/17 and I would love to have something resembling gainful employment before then if at all possible.
www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-b...
My Narrative Design contract at InXile ends 10/17 and I would love to have something resembling gainful employment before then if at all possible.
www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-b...
www.linkedin.com
October 11, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Stephen is a great writer and part of the excellent Clockwork Revolution narrative team that’s starting to taper down as we finish the bulk of the writing. Snap him up for your project!
Two Point Studios is looking for a Senior Designer/Writer.
No affiltiaton. Just sharing the link...
jobs.jobvite.com/sega-europe-...
No affiltiaton. Just sharing the link...
jobs.jobvite.com/sega-europe-...
Two Point Studios is looking for Senior Designer/Writer.
Two Point Studios is looking for Senior Designer/Writer. Learn more or Jobvite a friend.
jobs.jobvite.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Two Point Studios is looking for a Senior Designer/Writer.
No affiltiaton. Just sharing the link...
jobs.jobvite.com/sega-europe-...
No affiltiaton. Just sharing the link...
jobs.jobvite.com/sega-europe-...