Austin Kelmore
@austinkelmore.com
Unionizing the games industry one person at a time. Cofounder and active member of @gameworkers.co.uk and @gameworkersolidarity.com.
Game worker, rock climber, cat hugger based in Glasgow, Scotland.
https://www.austinkelmore.com
Game worker, rock climber, cat hugger based in Glasgow, Scotland.
https://www.austinkelmore.com
Pinned
Austin Kelmore
@austinkelmore.com
· Oct 17
Welcome new followers! I've been making video games for over 17 years now, which is a long time.
I co-founded and help run the IWGB Game Workers, which is the UK's largest game worker union. www.gameworkers.co.uk
I also co-founded and help run www.gameworkersolidarity.com.
And I have two cats!
I co-founded and help run the IWGB Game Workers, which is the UK's largest game worker union. www.gameworkers.co.uk
I also co-founded and help run www.gameworkersolidarity.com.
And I have two cats!
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
The problem with fetishizing the rule of law is that people have to break the law to resist fascism, state violence, and oppression. This has always been true, and is very much the case RIGHT NOW.
November 29, 2025 at 1:44 AM
The problem with fetishizing the rule of law is that people have to break the law to resist fascism, state violence, and oppression. This has always been true, and is very much the case RIGHT NOW.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
And I don't know if the answer is: everyone is too traumatized to do work and we need to reinvent society. Or if it's more like: generations are losing their cognitive abilities and willpower due to destructive technologies. Or: we all have post-viral brain damage. Or: all of the above.
November 28, 2025 at 11:34 PM
And I don't know if the answer is: everyone is too traumatized to do work and we need to reinvent society. Or if it's more like: generations are losing their cognitive abilities and willpower due to destructive technologies. Or: we all have post-viral brain damage. Or: all of the above.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
One of the reasons I'm so interested in getting full rights the first day of employment is I've been seeing more and more games industry companies firing workers for bullshit reasons before their probation is up.
So they're giving one-week pay and notice after 6-9 months of work.
So they're giving one-week pay and notice after 6-9 months of work.
Much will be said about this, but I can't help but think that the biggest losers will be seasonal agricultural workers.
The six-month threshold is meaningless since their visa forces them to leave the country before it kicks in. It will remain completely legal to sack them unfairly at any time.
The six-month threshold is meaningless since their visa forces them to leave the country before it kicks in. It will remain completely legal to sack them unfairly at any time.
Government to ditch day-one unfair dismissal policy from workers’ rights bill
November 28, 2025 at 11:39 AM
One of the reasons I'm so interested in getting full rights the first day of employment is I've been seeing more and more games industry companies firing workers for bullshit reasons before their probation is up.
So they're giving one-week pay and notice after 6-9 months of work.
So they're giving one-week pay and notice after 6-9 months of work.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
I barely got over the 2 year threshold at a studio in my career because, I shit you not, I got ousted from my first role in the industry 1 year and 11 months in.
Why the heck
Why the heck
One of the reasons I'm so interested in getting full rights the first day of employment is I've been seeing more and more games industry companies firing workers for bullshit reasons before their probation is up.
So they're giving one-week pay and notice after 6-9 months of work.
So they're giving one-week pay and notice after 6-9 months of work.
Much will be said about this, but I can't help but think that the biggest losers will be seasonal agricultural workers.
The six-month threshold is meaningless since their visa forces them to leave the country before it kicks in. It will remain completely legal to sack them unfairly at any time.
The six-month threshold is meaningless since their visa forces them to leave the country before it kicks in. It will remain completely legal to sack them unfairly at any time.
November 28, 2025 at 11:55 AM
I barely got over the 2 year threshold at a studio in my career because, I shit you not, I got ousted from my first role in the industry 1 year and 11 months in.
Why the heck
Why the heck
One of the reasons I'm so interested in getting full rights the first day of employment is I've been seeing more and more games industry companies firing workers for bullshit reasons before their probation is up.
So they're giving one-week pay and notice after 6-9 months of work.
So they're giving one-week pay and notice after 6-9 months of work.
Much will be said about this, but I can't help but think that the biggest losers will be seasonal agricultural workers.
The six-month threshold is meaningless since their visa forces them to leave the country before it kicks in. It will remain completely legal to sack them unfairly at any time.
The six-month threshold is meaningless since their visa forces them to leave the country before it kicks in. It will remain completely legal to sack them unfairly at any time.
Government to ditch day-one unfair dismissal policy from workers’ rights bill
November 28, 2025 at 11:39 AM
One of the reasons I'm so interested in getting full rights the first day of employment is I've been seeing more and more games industry companies firing workers for bullshit reasons before their probation is up.
So they're giving one-week pay and notice after 6-9 months of work.
So they're giving one-week pay and notice after 6-9 months of work.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
When the proposal for day-one unfair dismissal rights was last under threat @ieruk.bsky.social said the impact of replacing it with a 6-month qualifying period was profound: 5-month fixed term contracts, no rights for seasonal workers & people pressured into 0-hours.
www.ier.org.uk/comments/a-b...
www.ier.org.uk/comments/a-b...
November 28, 2025 at 10:58 AM
When the proposal for day-one unfair dismissal rights was last under threat @ieruk.bsky.social said the impact of replacing it with a 6-month qualifying period was profound: 5-month fixed term contracts, no rights for seasonal workers & people pressured into 0-hours.
www.ier.org.uk/comments/a-b...
www.ier.org.uk/comments/a-b...
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
This is something we've raised since "day one" rights were first mentioned.
Farm workers here on temporary visas remain without unfair dismissal protections-even when returning every year.
Last yr we had 145 dismissal cases: used as a threat, used when people complain, used to maintain power.
Farm workers here on temporary visas remain without unfair dismissal protections-even when returning every year.
Last yr we had 145 dismissal cases: used as a threat, used when people complain, used to maintain power.
Much will be said about this, but I can't help but think that the biggest losers will be seasonal agricultural workers.
The six-month threshold is meaningless since their visa forces them to leave the country before it kicks in. It will remain completely legal to sack them unfairly at any time.
The six-month threshold is meaningless since their visa forces them to leave the country before it kicks in. It will remain completely legal to sack them unfairly at any time.
Government to ditch day-one unfair dismissal policy from workers’ rights bill
November 28, 2025 at 9:48 AM
This is something we've raised since "day one" rights were first mentioned.
Farm workers here on temporary visas remain without unfair dismissal protections-even when returning every year.
Last yr we had 145 dismissal cases: used as a threat, used when people complain, used to maintain power.
Farm workers here on temporary visas remain without unfair dismissal protections-even when returning every year.
Last yr we had 145 dismissal cases: used as a threat, used when people complain, used to maintain power.
I'm co-launching a new project next week that I'm both incredibly excited and terrified for and want to make sure it launches well.
At the same time my partner and I are dealing with three (!!!) family emergencies at the same time across two continents. I have zero energy.
At the same time my partner and I are dealing with three (!!!) family emergencies at the same time across two continents. I have zero energy.
November 27, 2025 at 9:25 PM
I'm co-launching a new project next week that I'm both incredibly excited and terrified for and want to make sure it launches well.
At the same time my partner and I are dealing with three (!!!) family emergencies at the same time across two continents. I have zero energy.
At the same time my partner and I are dealing with three (!!!) family emergencies at the same time across two continents. I have zero energy.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Anyone, if don’t have a union, you need a union.
November 27, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Anyone, if don’t have a union, you need a union.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
“Human Resources” at least reveals the extractive nature of the exercise.
November 27, 2025 at 7:39 PM
“Human Resources” at least reveals the extractive nature of the exercise.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Also whoever decided to start calling HR head People Officer should be launched into the sun.
November 27, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Also whoever decided to start calling HR head People Officer should be launched into the sun.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Much will be said about this, but I can't help but think that the biggest losers will be seasonal agricultural workers.
The six-month threshold is meaningless since their visa forces them to leave the country before it kicks in. It will remain completely legal to sack them unfairly at any time.
The six-month threshold is meaningless since their visa forces them to leave the country before it kicks in. It will remain completely legal to sack them unfairly at any time.
November 27, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Much will be said about this, but I can't help but think that the biggest losers will be seasonal agricultural workers.
The six-month threshold is meaningless since their visa forces them to leave the country before it kicks in. It will remain completely legal to sack them unfairly at any time.
The six-month threshold is meaningless since their visa forces them to leave the country before it kicks in. It will remain completely legal to sack them unfairly at any time.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
On this day, Indigenous people and allies confront the settler-colonial narratives of “Thanksgiving,” observing it instead as a National Day of Mourning.
November 27, 2025 at 3:12 PM
On this day, Indigenous people and allies confront the settler-colonial narratives of “Thanksgiving,” observing it instead as a National Day of Mourning.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
just asking a question
November 26, 2025 at 10:53 PM
just asking a question
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Against Settler Colonialism: A Reading List
Against Settler Colonialism: A Reading List
From Turtle Island to Palestine, Indigenous people across the world continue to resist settler-colonial domination, extraction, and exploitation of their land and communities.
We center these tradi...
www.haymarketbooks.org
November 26, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Against Settler Colonialism: A Reading List
New York friends, there's a Rockstar protest coming near you!
NYC 🌆 Protest at Rockstar’s NY offices next Friday, Dec 5th with us! We will be there with organizers across the industry — let’s make the fight against their illegal union-busting international ✊
🗓️ Friday, December 5th
⏰ 5PM onwards
📍 622 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
🗓️ Friday, December 5th
⏰ 5PM onwards
📍 622 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
November 26, 2025 at 8:23 PM
New York friends, there's a Rockstar protest coming near you!
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
"Studio wide consultation" for somewhere with hundreds of workers is just grotesque.
And if you're the type of person that is gonna post something like "imagine all the new indie studios that'll come out of this ☺️☺️☺️" have a think before you speak and a look around first.
And if you're the type of person that is gonna post something like "imagine all the new indie studios that'll come out of this ☺️☺️☺️" have a think before you speak and a look around first.
November 26, 2025 at 5:39 PM
"Studio wide consultation" for somewhere with hundreds of workers is just grotesque.
And if you're the type of person that is gonna post something like "imagine all the new indie studios that'll come out of this ☺️☺️☺️" have a think before you speak and a look around first.
And if you're the type of person that is gonna post something like "imagine all the new indie studios that'll come out of this ☺️☺️☺️" have a think before you speak and a look around first.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
UK games industry is having a fuckin moment this week.
Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.
Splash Damage places entire studio into consultation ahead of extensive layoffs: 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 5:28 PM
UK games industry is having a fuckin moment this week.
Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.
You ever have one of those meetings where you're just so utterly impressed with your comrades? Ya, that was tonight for me.
November 25, 2025 at 10:18 PM
You ever have one of those meetings where you're just so utterly impressed with your comrades? Ya, that was tonight for me.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Israel’s genocide has destroyed nearly 90% of Gaza’s economy, causing the worst economic collapse ever recorded. In 2024 alone, Israel caused Gaza’s GDP to decline by 83%, according to data reported by the UN Trade and Development agency. Now, Gaza’s economy stands at just 13% of its 2022 levels.
Gaza Economy at 13 Percent of Pre-Genocide Level, With Worst Collapse on Record
“Multidimensional poverty now engulfs all Gazans,” one UN official said.
truthout.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Israel’s genocide has destroyed nearly 90% of Gaza’s economy, causing the worst economic collapse ever recorded. In 2024 alone, Israel caused Gaza’s GDP to decline by 83%, according to data reported by the UN Trade and Development agency. Now, Gaza’s economy stands at just 13% of its 2022 levels.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Shoutout to this low-poly mockup I did for an unreleased management sim a few years ago. You were a real one 🥲
November 25, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Shoutout to this low-poly mockup I did for an unreleased management sim a few years ago. You were a real one 🥲
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
We did something different with the credits for Demonschool. We used this format: name, title, lengthy description of what they did. Often you see credits in games where you don't know what the credited developer was actually responsible for. We wanted to give people proper, actual credit.
November 24, 2025 at 10:23 PM
We did something different with the credits for Demonschool. We used this format: name, title, lengthy description of what they did. Often you see credits in games where you don't know what the credited developer was actually responsible for. We wanted to give people proper, actual credit.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
This bodes well for myself as this is currently hanging in my kitchen.
November 24, 2025 at 8:21 PM
This bodes well for myself as this is currently hanging in my kitchen.
I am really interested to see what Rockstar possibly offers as a defense for their actions.
Because right now, it seems they're completely indefensible.
Because right now, it seems they're completely indefensible.
November 24, 2025 at 6:06 PM
I am really interested to see what Rockstar possibly offers as a defense for their actions.
Because right now, it seems they're completely indefensible.
Because right now, it seems they're completely indefensible.