Nicole Maines (Aimu)
@aimunicolem.bsky.social
QA Analyst II at Sledgehammer Games & Kingdom Hearts fanatic. All opinions/tweets are my own. She/her/hers
https://nicolemainesgamedev.wordpress.com/
https://nicolemainesgamedev.wordpress.com/
Pinned
ALL RIGHT FINE, FUCK IT!
IF STAR WARS IS IN KINGDOM HEARTS 4 I'LL GET ANOTHER TATTOO!
I WILL DIE ON THE HILL THAT IT'S NOT AN AT-ST FOOT IN THE TRAILER
IF STAR WARS IS IN KINGDOM HEARTS 4 I'LL GET ANOTHER TATTOO!
I WILL DIE ON THE HILL THAT IT'S NOT AN AT-ST FOOT IN THE TRAILER
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
If you work a studio that’s been nominated for a Game Award this year (or even years’ past), I would love to speak to you about your experience getting tickets! How many did your studio get? How many did you buy?
This can be anonymous. DMs are open and email is alyssamerc[at]gmail[dot]com.
This can be anonymous. DMs are open and email is alyssamerc[at]gmail[dot]com.
November 29, 2025 at 4:38 PM
If you work a studio that’s been nominated for a Game Award this year (or even years’ past), I would love to speak to you about your experience getting tickets! How many did your studio get? How many did you buy?
This can be anonymous. DMs are open and email is alyssamerc[at]gmail[dot]com.
This can be anonymous. DMs are open and email is alyssamerc[at]gmail[dot]com.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
in abstract this really represents how the larger game industry much prefers to have loyal fandoms do all the unpaid work to represent the interests of big companies while treating the actual people who work on games as completely disposable
Devs were only allowed a few (I believe two) tickets per nomination before Geoff charged them. Resale tickets were in the hundreds. And we all know what happened to Future Class (if you don’t, read my piece).
November 29, 2025 at 4:47 PM
in abstract this really represents how the larger game industry much prefers to have loyal fandoms do all the unpaid work to represent the interests of big companies while treating the actual people who work on games as completely disposable
Gee, I wonder how non-devs keep getting onto the stage? Weird. /j
Devs were only allowed a few (I believe two) tickets per nomination before Geoff charged them. Resale tickets were in the hundreds. And we all know what happened to Future Class (if you don’t, read my piece).
November 29, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Gee, I wonder how non-devs keep getting onto the stage? Weird. /j
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Special bonus episode coming tomorrow morning! We're gonna dive into the past with my 2017 interview with the director of the lost Kingdom Hearts animated pilot: Seth Kearsley: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HtJ...
November 28, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Special bonus episode coming tomorrow morning! We're gonna dive into the past with my 2017 interview with the director of the lost Kingdom Hearts animated pilot: Seth Kearsley: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HtJ...
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Has it really been THREE MONTHS since I finished one of these? My bad!
Here's Cinderella! (My favorite Disney Princess)
Here's Cinderella! (My favorite Disney Princess)
November 28, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Has it really been THREE MONTHS since I finished one of these? My bad!
Here's Cinderella! (My favorite Disney Princess)
Here's Cinderella! (My favorite Disney Princess)
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Kingdom Hearts x Grand Theft Auto
November 28, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Kingdom Hearts x Grand Theft Auto
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
i know WHY this is but that just makes it even more of a kick in the pants lmao
November 28, 2025 at 3:28 AM
i know WHY this is but that just makes it even more of a kick in the pants lmao
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Football is a bullet hell.
November 27, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Football is a bullet hell.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Another episode from the Archives is coming your way this weekend~
Can you guess who the special archived guest is!?
Can you guess who the special archived guest is!?
November 27, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Another episode from the Archives is coming your way this weekend~
Can you guess who the special archived guest is!?
Can you guess who the special archived guest is!?
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Hello gamedev folks 💔
It's my final straw. If I don't find work in 1 month, I'll have to quit gamedev definitely, and make a big career change for something more stable.
👉 I'm a UI/UX Designer, worked on Rematch, Sifu, Time Rift, and more. I'm looking for a job! My work here: politessier.webflow.io
It's my final straw. If I don't find work in 1 month, I'll have to quit gamedev definitely, and make a big career change for something more stable.
👉 I'm a UI/UX Designer, worked on Rematch, Sifu, Time Rift, and more. I'm looking for a job! My work here: politessier.webflow.io
Jun Poli Tessier - Portfolio
Game UI/UX Designer
politessier.webflow.io
November 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Hello gamedev folks 💔
It's my final straw. If I don't find work in 1 month, I'll have to quit gamedev definitely, and make a big career change for something more stable.
👉 I'm a UI/UX Designer, worked on Rematch, Sifu, Time Rift, and more. I'm looking for a job! My work here: politessier.webflow.io
It's my final straw. If I don't find work in 1 month, I'll have to quit gamedev definitely, and make a big career change for something more stable.
👉 I'm a UI/UX Designer, worked on Rematch, Sifu, Time Rift, and more. I'm looking for a job! My work here: politessier.webflow.io
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Frierenlookingup_final_finalfinal_GHHHRRGGHH.png
November 26, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Frierenlookingup_final_finalfinal_GHHHRRGGHH.png
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
The East LA level in Tony Hawk's American Sk8land has an elaborate secret involving an invisible rail that clips you through geometry to an out-of-bounds section of the map, revealing a message telling you to hide in the bushes in the Beverly Hills map.
When you do so, the game plays a fart noise.
When you do so, the game plays a fart noise.
November 26, 2025 at 8:35 AM
The East LA level in Tony Hawk's American Sk8land has an elaborate secret involving an invisible rail that clips you through geometry to an out-of-bounds section of the map, revealing a message telling you to hide in the bushes in the Beverly Hills map.
When you do so, the game plays a fart noise.
When you do so, the game plays a fart noise.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
🦃🎮 Creator Day returns this Friday with the start of our Black Friday 2025 Sitewide Sale. For 24 hours we'll waive our free on all transactions. Over 15,000 projects to be on sale from this Friday through December 3rd. More details here itch.io/blog/1124058/creator...
November 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
🦃🎮 Creator Day returns this Friday with the start of our Black Friday 2025 Sitewide Sale. For 24 hours we'll waive our free on all transactions. Over 15,000 projects to be on sale from this Friday through December 3rd. More details here itch.io/blog/1124058/creator...
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
The reason I was able to start learning my first instrument, music theory, & music performance was because my public school had a youth orchestra
We don't need "more AI music." We need more arts funding so that students are able to access education & equipment, and so that educators can get paid
We don't need "more AI music." We need more arts funding so that students are able to access education & equipment, and so that educators can get paid
November 26, 2025 at 7:08 PM
The reason I was able to start learning my first instrument, music theory, & music performance was because my public school had a youth orchestra
We don't need "more AI music." We need more arts funding so that students are able to access education & equipment, and so that educators can get paid
We don't need "more AI music." We need more arts funding so that students are able to access education & equipment, and so that educators can get paid
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
I strenuously object to the implicit assertion that people don't want to hear about other people's holidays. I do! In Iran they have an outdoor picnic day (Sizdah Bedar). In Japan there's a bean-throwing day (Setsubun). There's a whole world of fascinating rituals and traditions.
November 26, 2025 at 7:28 PM
I strenuously object to the implicit assertion that people don't want to hear about other people's holidays. I do! In Iran they have an outdoor picnic day (Sizdah Bedar). In Japan there's a bean-throwing day (Setsubun). There's a whole world of fascinating rituals and traditions.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
TODAY! #WakeUpDeadMan! THEATERS! 600 US screens, 500 more internationally, hopefully more to come in the next week. See my pinned post for a theater finder. I’m so proud of this movie and everyone’s work on it, I hope you enjoy it!
November 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM
TODAY! #WakeUpDeadMan! THEATERS! 600 US screens, 500 more internationally, hopefully more to come in the next week. See my pinned post for a theater finder. I’m so proud of this movie and everyone’s work on it, I hope you enjoy it!
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Studios hold credit-removal over employees heads to prevent them leaving before ship, and we need to normalise credits being of less value than simply listing what you did on a project and (if needed) proving it by getting former colleagues to vouch for you.
My controversial take is that if you didn't get credited on a game you have proof you've worked on, just list it on your CV.
I do with one. Never had any issues.
Not being credited still sucks but you don't need to be polite when they're not.
I do with one. Never had any issues.
Not being credited still sucks but you don't need to be polite when they're not.
November 26, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Studios hold credit-removal over employees heads to prevent them leaving before ship, and we need to normalise credits being of less value than simply listing what you did on a project and (if needed) proving it by getting former colleagues to vouch for you.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Me and my friend started a YouTube channel where we play drawing games (and sometimes video games) and chat and be goofy. Our new video goes up in 6 mins and we usually hang out in the live chat for the premiere :3
youtu.be/CEZhu5PuHF4?...
youtu.be/CEZhu5PuHF4?...
November 26, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Me and my friend started a YouTube channel where we play drawing games (and sometimes video games) and chat and be goofy. Our new video goes up in 6 mins and we usually hang out in the live chat for the premiere :3
youtu.be/CEZhu5PuHF4?...
youtu.be/CEZhu5PuHF4?...
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
My controversial take is that if you didn't get credited on a game you have proof you've worked on, just list it on your CV.
I do with one. Never had any issues.
Not being credited still sucks but you don't need to be polite when they're not.
I do with one. Never had any issues.
Not being credited still sucks but you don't need to be polite when they're not.
November 26, 2025 at 8:43 AM
My controversial take is that if you didn't get credited on a game you have proof you've worked on, just list it on your CV.
I do with one. Never had any issues.
Not being credited still sucks but you don't need to be polite when they're not.
I do with one. Never had any issues.
Not being credited still sucks but you don't need to be polite when they're not.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
“I have asked ChatGPT to locate the remaining golden tickets…”
November 26, 2025 at 4:06 AM
“I have asked ChatGPT to locate the remaining golden tickets…”
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
🚨Event Announcement🚨
To fundraiser rent for this month, this Thursday [11/27] I will be doing a FIVE GAME Kingdom Hearts Deathstream. I will not stop until I clear all of these games.
A KH Marathon Mini.
Stream: kzxcellent.live
Donate: streamlabs.com/kzxcellent/
To fundraiser rent for this month, this Thursday [11/27] I will be doing a FIVE GAME Kingdom Hearts Deathstream. I will not stop until I clear all of these games.
A KH Marathon Mini.
Stream: kzxcellent.live
Donate: streamlabs.com/kzxcellent/
November 25, 2025 at 12:24 AM
🚨Event Announcement🚨
To fundraiser rent for this month, this Thursday [11/27] I will be doing a FIVE GAME Kingdom Hearts Deathstream. I will not stop until I clear all of these games.
A KH Marathon Mini.
Stream: kzxcellent.live
Donate: streamlabs.com/kzxcellent/
To fundraiser rent for this month, this Thursday [11/27] I will be doing a FIVE GAME Kingdom Hearts Deathstream. I will not stop until I clear all of these games.
A KH Marathon Mini.
Stream: kzxcellent.live
Donate: streamlabs.com/kzxcellent/
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
I need help. So this scene in Avatar: The Last Airbender is a specific reference to a Chinese historical epic film. I thought it was from 'Curse of the Golden Flower' (2006) but apparently it's not. Does anyone remember a scene like this in a live action movie? I'm going insane.
November 25, 2025 at 3:47 AM
I need help. So this scene in Avatar: The Last Airbender is a specific reference to a Chinese historical epic film. I thought it was from 'Curse of the Golden Flower' (2006) but apparently it's not. Does anyone remember a scene like this in a live action movie? I'm going insane.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
Drew is a friend and seeing her struggle after Sucker Punch failed to protect her from coordinated chuds makes me livid. Stop rewarding this bad behavior. They'll never buy your games anyway, they literally do not care. They just want to feel powerful and in control of others lives.
Two months after firing over Charlie Kirk comments, Ghost of Yotei dev blames harassment campaign, not 'bad joke'
aftermath.site/sucker-punch-c...
aftermath.site/sucker-punch-c...
November 25, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Drew is a friend and seeing her struggle after Sucker Punch failed to protect her from coordinated chuds makes me livid. Stop rewarding this bad behavior. They'll never buy your games anyway, they literally do not care. They just want to feel powerful and in control of others lives.
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
For @aftermath.site, I spoke to @imodrew.bsky.social, the Sucker Punch dev fired after making a Charlie Kirk joke.
She paints a picture of an industry that all too often ignores bad actors until those bad actors threaten them financially.
aftermath.site/sucker-punch...
She paints a picture of an industry that all too often ignores bad actors until those bad actors threaten them financially.
aftermath.site/sucker-punch...
Two Months After Firing Over Charlie Kirk Comments, Ghost Of Yotei Dev Blames Harassment Campaign, Not ‘Bad Joke’
"I really don’t want this to happen to anyone else, because I feel like with the state of everything, it will absolutely happen to other people," says Drew Harrison
aftermath.site
November 24, 2025 at 6:58 PM
For @aftermath.site, I spoke to @imodrew.bsky.social, the Sucker Punch dev fired after making a Charlie Kirk joke.
She paints a picture of an industry that all too often ignores bad actors until those bad actors threaten them financially.
aftermath.site/sucker-punch...
She paints a picture of an industry that all too often ignores bad actors until those bad actors threaten them financially.
aftermath.site/sucker-punch...
Reposted by Nicole Maines (Aimu)
In self-interest but also general interest, folks: Black Friday is coming up, and small publishers/independent creators will always be a better choice than megacorps.
When the sales drop, please remember that!
When the sales drop, please remember that!
November 24, 2025 at 3:43 PM
In self-interest but also general interest, folks: Black Friday is coming up, and small publishers/independent creators will always be a better choice than megacorps.
When the sales drop, please remember that!
When the sales drop, please remember that!