Chris Bratt
@chrisbratt.bsky.social
One of the people who makes People Make Games. chris@peoplemakegames.com | Signal: chrisPMG.31
I'm so very grateful for PeopleMakeGames giving me a platform to speak about the impact the dismissal from Rockstar has had on my family because it has been profound. We miss our dogs more than anything in the world and would do anything to have them both back. Unfortunately that cannot happen.
IWGB@iwgbunion.bsky.social · last wk.Listen to fired Rockstar worker Will Masilane detail how losing his job meant losing the life he had built in Edinburgh, with his girlfriend and his beloved dogs Abby and Lonnie The four of them had made the move to the Scottish capital from Australia two and half years prior.
Order of the Sinking Star is a complex puzzle game that updates and combines older puzzle games (with permission) Last year, the source games' developers criticized the lead dev of the new game How might those creators be credited in OotSS? It's been changing www.gamefile.news/p/a-complica...
A complicated game
Who gets credit for Order of the Sinking Star? Where should the names appear for the creators of its source material? And would you notice if a great game designer sat next to you?
gamefile.news
Reporting on the R* firings has meant multiple trips to London, Edinburgh & Glasgow over the last several months in order to be on the ground as the story developed. It's been a different style of video for us, with more frequent updates, rather than one big doc right at the end of the process.
Back in October, Rockstar Games fired 34 employees for alleged gross misconduct. The severity of these firings could have spelled the end for a burgeoning union effort that was underway, but it didn't. In fact, the union is now *bigger* than it's ever been before. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym4z...
Rockstar Fired 34 People, but the Union Is Bigger than Ever
YouTube video by People Make Games
youtube.com
In October last year I was fired by Rockstar Games in what we believe was a union busting move. We lost our home. We lost 2 jobs with my partner being forced to resign. We lost a community. Most importantly however we had to leave our two dogs behind, one of which will never return.
Chris Bratt@chrisbratt.bsky.social · 2w agoBack in October, Rockstar Games fired 34 employees for alleged gross misconduct. The severity of these firings could have spelled the end for a burgeoning union effort that was underway, but it didn't. In fact, the union is now *bigger* than it's ever been before. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym4z...
Back in October, Rockstar Games fired 34 employees for alleged gross misconduct. The severity of these firings could have spelled the end for a burgeoning union effort that was underway, but it didn't. In fact, the union is now *bigger* than it's ever been before. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym4z...
Rockstar Fired 34 People, but the Union Is Bigger than Ever
YouTube video by People Make Games
youtube.com
I know this feeling is unlikely to survive first contact with the cabinet positions being announced later today, but damn, hearing a British Prime Minister commit to end rough sleeping in his first speech is really great.
The whole design team are on the chopping block. I worked with all those being let go and they are an incredible people and skilled artists. Anyone looking for any designers?
ZA/UM Studio@zaumstudio.bsky.social · 3w ago
Sadly, the entire audio team at ZA/UM is being made redundant as part of the layoffs. If you're looking (or expect to be looking) for Sound Designers or Tech Sound Designers, please don't hesitate in reaching out to @eliforster.bsky.social, @missgameaudio.bsky.social and @soundbear.bsky.social
ZA/UM Studio@zaumstudio.bsky.social · 3w ago
Scrap the Romesh thing just clip Wayne Rooney saying he thought the half time show was crap and the licence fee QR code
I'm one of the folks affected. *Many* on the list are gifted; their work was crucial to the weird little miracle that is ZP. Please, consider hiring them. Dust is still settling on my end, but my inbox is open.
ZA/UM Studio@zaumstudio.bsky.social · 3w agoGame workers protested outside the Build A Rocket Boy offices on Saturday, as the studio hosted a playtesting event for fans. BARB has laid off 250-300 employees over the last 13 months & has been accused of installing surveillance software on workers' PCs to root out "saboteurs" within the company
Making two Northern European teams play knockout football in the Miami heat counts as cruel and unusual punishment imo
Big news! @apzonerunner.com and I have launched a new video games website. @respec.net is our attempt to create a highly curated multi-format site that has that club feel you used to get from the best magazines (and frankly, my beloved VideoGamer back in the day) www.respec.net/feature/87-w...
Welcome to Respec: A word from the Editors | Respec
Welcome to our new little corner of the internet. Why a new video game website, and why now? Allow us to explain...
respec.net
I'd managed to avoid listening to Farage recently, so hadn't realized he was now at "men can't wear watches in our capitol city" territory lol
The majority of chatter today will be about the fate of studios who build the games we love. But we cannot forget that these cuts will include hundreds of less visible folk w top expertise in a variety of supporting departments. No studios close today, but the loss personal & professional is immense
BREAKING: Xbox will cut 3,200 jobs as part of a major reorganization, and divest from five studios: - Compulsion and Double Fine will go indie - Ninja Theory and Undead Labs will be sold - Arkane to enter consultation process Here's the full story: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Microsoft’s Xbox to Cut 3,200 Jobs, Divest Five Studios in Major Overhaul
Compulsion and Double Fine studios will become independent; Undead Labs and Ninja Theory will be sold. Xbox will also look to sell or spin out Arkane Studios.
bloomberg.com
Our campaign for a union at Rockstar continues! Today, we've filed for recognition with @rockstargames.com, asking Rockstar to meet with their workers to agree a deal for good working conditions, fairness and a say at work. We await Rockstar's response. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Grand Theft Auto workers seek union recognition after mass firings
Exclusive: Staff at Rockstar Games hope move can be completed before release of GTA VI scheduled for November
theguardian.com
The Rockstar Games Workers Union - which I firmly believe my involvement with was the reason Rockstar fired me and 34 people last October - is formally seeking voluntary recognition from the company. I hope the right thing is done here ✊ 🌱 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Grand Theft Auto workers seek union recognition after mass firings
Exclusive: Staff at Rockstar Games hope move can be completed before release of GTA VI scheduled for November
theguardian.com
Inspired by Jerry's Map, we're going to be sending out a "seed panel" designed by Anni to our art print patrons next month along with a blank panel for them to begin working on themselves (only if they'd like to, obvs). We're not posting these for two more weeks, if you'd like to get involved!
We're all laughing now, but remember this moment when it's your turn to be prime minister.
I know we point this out every time, but... Here's the expected future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom winning the most important election of his life last night in a major blow to the British far right, flanked by somebody dressed as a fox and perennial novelty candidate, Count Binface.
I'm thrilled to have been part of this monumentally special project by @jerrysmap.bsky.social. Thank you to the entire People Make Games team for this tremendous gift of a documentary to celebrate my friend Jerry Gretzinger and his Map.
Chris Bratt@chrisbratt.bsky.social · 2mo agoPeople Make Games traveled to Michigan to meet Jerry Gretzinger, an 84-year-old man, who's spent most of his life working away on a single, giant map to an imaginary world. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is8N...
watched this last night and wow. a testament to the power of what we can make, and what we can share with each other in the process. great story @itsquinns.bsky.social @chrisbratt.bsky.social , and shoutouts to @itsvanaken.games on the cams, gorgeous work. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is8N...
He Won’t Stop Building a Map to an Imaginary Place
YouTube video by People Make Games
youtube.com
BREAKING: Rockstar has been dealt a blow in its legal battle against workers who claim they were fired for unionising. A UK employment tribunal has upheld the right of union workers to bring blacklisting claims against the studio at the final trial, which will begin on September 10.
Rockstar suffers legal blow in union busting dispute
The decision means fired union workers will be able to bring blacklisting claims against the studio at trial later this year.
gamedeveloper.com
Oh god damn.
Jason Schreier@jasonschreier.bsky.social · 2mo agoBREAKING: Several Xbox studios, including Compulsion, Ninja Theory and Double Fine, are negotiating with Xbox as they try to avoid closure. Some or all could spin off. Lots still in flux as many studios remain unsure about what's happening. Here's the latest: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...