Jam Ferguson

I used to think I was just fine being alone for the rest of my life. That it was just the way things were to be. But I am really starting to grieve the loss of opportunity of really getting to share the rest of my life, as dull as it is, and have another's life shared with me. Strange really.

Feeling pretty good and steady in myself these days. Just really settled into myself, and what matters to me, a lot.

But oh boy, the loneliness has really to start to set in, in a novel and interesting way I've never experienced before.

💣💣💣 (WIP)

So my best friend is currently working real fucking hard on his own indie project. Having had just a bit of involment in it, I am super-hyped for this project. There is a really cool and fun game in this cute, cozy city-builder, there is some really fun art, and even more cool ideas going forward.

You're avoidant,
You're alone and your despondent,
Angry this is the life you choose,
And you'll be wondering what it all meant,
When you're hanging, lonely, in the noose.

If it's any consolation, some of those folks are still around in Leamington and doing good work. I was lucky enough to do some work experience with Andy and Alex shortly after they founded Pixel Toys and they are still going strong in Leamington today, afaik.

Careers - Playground Games As a team, we are passionate about quality and innovation and we’re always looking for great people who can help us push further. If that sounds like you, have a look below at all of the positions we ...

Really sorry to hear about the loss of jobs at Ubisoft Leamington. :( That really sucks.

If you're affected, please, reach out, we're hiring for #Fable at Playground Games - we're just around the corner!
#gamedev
playground-games.com/careers/

Not in game dev, but have been so proud to Leamington home for most of my life.

It'll be weird to not see all the Ubisoft folks out and about on their lunch breaks as I'm trekking down Holly Walk into town.

Really hope most of those folks get picked up by some of the other studios in town.

Ubisoft announces studio closure as it lays off 185 staff Ubisoft is set to close its UK studio based in Leamington, as it sheds 185 jobs across the business.

www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-anno...

Fuck this, dude. I walk past this studio so often. They're part of the lifeblood of my home town. I hope anyone and everyone affected isn't suffering too badly, and they can bounce back to a new job soon. Fuck the big corporations bosses, dude.

I know this feeling, like I'm living in Al Capone's residential block.
I feel soft-locked,
Like I can't progress but I've made too much progress to reset.
So I'm left swimming in an empty lake that used to be filled with memories of regret.

I know this feeling, like life isn't real and I'm stuck reticulating spleens.
Camus imagines that I'm happy, whilst everyone else pretends they're living out their dreams.

Harrowing report alleges years of horrific abuse at Brandoville Studios, an Indonesian support studio that worked on Assassin's Creed Shadows and The Last of Us Remake Former employees share a shocking history of abuse, crunch, and financial control.

“Horrific” barely scratches the surface on what happened. People were living at the studio, and that’s not even the subject of the article because of all the physical torture that was going on. IMO the whole way we work with outsource studios is practically designed to create suffering.

So excited for Monster Hunter Wilds, enjoying these behind the scenes clips to tide me over. So many talented people involved in these games!

I have a lot of concerns about the lack of credit given to outsourcers, and the casual erasure of that credit by folks in industry who absolutely know better.

But this goes further, we need to take responsibility when this stuff is outed, and take reasonable steps to keep it away from our projects.

PMG's video thumbnail for the most recent investigation, showing an illustrated representation of Christa Sydney slapping her own face.

What we found was one of the very worst examples of workplace abuse in the history of this industry. That may sound hyperbolic. I really don't think it is.

Here's our investigation:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR9H...

(5/7)

The video thumbnail for PMG's original documentary, showing a white, American hand clasping cash in exchange for the labour of a Southeast Asian workforce, represented here as being weighed down by their immense workload.

Back in 2021, PMG reported on the unseen games industry crunch taking place at outsourcing studios in SE Asia.

Since then, the companies we looked at have continued to work on some of the biggest games in the world, without any push to improve the conditions of the artists doing that work. (1/7)

YouTube video by People Make Games 100 Slaps: The Breaking News The Games Industry Ignored in 2024

This is... well there's no word other than heartbreaking.

I really do love the games industry with all my heart. Its home to some of the brightest, most talented and creative people.

And sometimes, especially over the last few years, I really fucking hate it.

youtu.be/RR9HQ2C6h_4?...

Our Disco Elysium Documentary | Noclip Get more from Noclip on Patreon

Hyped. #DiscoElysium is one of the greatest gaming experiences of modern generations. After the fallout of the PMG doc, the discussion around Disco and ZA/UM really needs some fine handling. I really trust Danny and the Noclip team to deliver a fantastic documentary.

www.patreon.com/posts/our-di...

Quote with a title screen that is iconic to you.

Man the music and vibe going forward into one of the best trilogies I've ever played... so damn good.

Sometimes being a living, conscious being, lonely in the world by it's very nature, sucks. It just fucking massively sucks. I just don't know if I can do it.

Loved this year's @indiegameawards.gg,
But no nominations at all for @detectivesim.bsky.social? Absolute travesty if you ask me, SoD has been such an overlooked work of brilliance.

We are so excited to be part of the #JingleJam2024 Games Collection!

By donating £35+ you can get your hands on 18 fantastic games including Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers, and you'll be supporting some incredible charities too!

Happy Jingle Jamming! 🎄

jinglejam.tiltify.com

Plus, it's currently in the Jingle Jam Bundle! All the proceeds of which go to charity! So if you fancy getting it cheap with a few other awesome games (£35 quid for 18 games!) get it now.

Also if anyone can grab a bundle for me cuz I'm broke and won't get my next paycheck in time 😂

I've spent too many hours on this game this year, and I really can't think of a game that has ever felt more like it was designed precisely for me alone. It stands head and shoulders above any other so-called 'detective' game I've played.

Might as well get this out there, seeing as it's that time of year.

@detectivesim.bsky.social Shadows of Doubt is, undoubtedly (haha), my Game of the Year. An ImSim detective game with great scifi noir vibes and some of the most compelling and intricate systems I've played with in a long time.

My 2024 Wrapped - Get yours 2024 Wrapped

Hahaha, and my top 5 songs are just the first 5 from the best playlist I've ever made.

open.spotify.com/wrapped/shar...

My music evolution in 2024 - Get yours 2024 Wrapped

Yeah this feels about right tbh. Gotta gotta all the hours playing shadows of doubt and listening to my noir playlist.

open.spotify.com/wrapped/shar...

At some point I'll get socially comfortable and confident enough to be able to play TTRPGs again, irl or vtt. I swear.

If only to finally get to use those Expanse RPG books that I have been repeatedly reading for the last few years.

Or so I can play an angry dumbass Dwarf again.

I was asked to be a interviewee for "The Blood on our Controllers", a documentary about Palestine & their dehumanization in games by @hippolyte.bsky.social. It's out now.

There are parts where I don't quite keep it together, and it is hard to watch myself struggle. Proud to have spoken up, though.

YouTube video by Hippolyte 🪐 The blood on our Controllers - The Complicity of the Game Industry in the Palestinian Genocide

The blood on our Controllers - The Complicity of the Game Industry in the Palestinian Genocide

Is OUT!!

youtu.be/g7488to6Jpc?...