Ben Jones
@bagelbeard.bsky.social
Game Director at Zenimax Online | We're hiring for our amazing new AAA IP: https://www.zenimaxonline.com/careers
Formerly: Sony, EA/DICE, Valve, others…
These are my personal ramblings 🤪
Formerly: Sony, EA/DICE, Valve, others…
These are my personal ramblings 🤪
Pinned
Ben Jones
@bagelbeard.bsky.social
· Sep 24
Here's my #GameDevDNA, four games that inspired me on my journey
Feel just as much for my former colleagues who remain employed as those of us who were let go…
Survivor’s guilt is real, as are the challenges for those left to pick up the pieces.
Survivor’s guilt is real, as are the challenges for those left to pick up the pieces.
NEW: Multiple employees at ZeniMax, including two union members, have accused Microsoft of once again failing workers with its latest round of layoffs.
Sources described the way the company handled the cuts as "inhumane" and claimed work will be hampered after the loss of key talent.
More below:
Sources described the way the company handled the cuts as "inhumane" and claimed work will be hampered after the loss of key talent.
More below:
ZeniMax staff lambast chaotic Xbox layoffs: 'It's difficult to work when you're looking at a graveyard'
Employees at The Elder Scrolls maker ZeniMax explain how Microsoft's latest round of colossal layoffs unfolded and what they mean for the studio and its developers.
www.gamedeveloper.com
July 23, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Feel just as much for my former colleagues who remain employed as those of us who were let go…
Survivor’s guilt is real, as are the challenges for those left to pick up the pieces.
Survivor’s guilt is real, as are the challenges for those left to pick up the pieces.
I’m pretty sure this is EXACTLY what we all need in these dark times… bring it on!
July 17, 2025 at 6:54 PM
I’m pretty sure this is EXACTLY what we all need in these dark times… bring it on!
As I’ve spent the last 7.5 years assembling the AAA team at Zenimax Online, I have a deep understanding of their strengths/passions and where those might line up with YOUR team’s needs. So if you’re in #talent #recruiting or just hiring for your project, my DMs are open!
RIP to the best team ever.
RIP to the best team ever.
July 2, 2025 at 10:23 PM
As I’ve spent the last 7.5 years assembling the AAA team at Zenimax Online, I have a deep understanding of their strengths/passions and where those might line up with YOUR team’s needs. So if you’re in #talent #recruiting or just hiring for your project, my DMs are open!
RIP to the best team ever.
RIP to the best team ever.
Reposted by Ben Jones
Reposted by Ben Jones
Skyrim saved -- and delayed -- the Elder Scrolls Online.
April 14, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Skyrim saved -- and delayed -- the Elder Scrolls Online.
Sometimes, you get a glimpse of the future and it’s scary… but this is absolutely thrilling.
I could not be more excited to eventually share gaming with my daughter!
I could not be more excited to eventually share gaming with my daughter!
April 10, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Sometimes, you get a glimpse of the future and it’s scary… but this is absolutely thrilling.
I could not be more excited to eventually share gaming with my daughter!
I could not be more excited to eventually share gaming with my daughter!
Me: “I’m okay.”
Also me:
Also me:
April 10, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Me: “I’m okay.”
Also me:
Also me:
It was an amazing two weeks back in Redmond showing off our latest progress and discussing the future of @xbox.com - Though it’s difficult to be broadly optimistic in this moment, both as a gamer and an American, I’m very confident in our future at ZOS!
April 5, 2025 at 7:35 PM
It was an amazing two weeks back in Redmond showing off our latest progress and discussing the future of @xbox.com - Though it’s difficult to be broadly optimistic in this moment, both as a gamer and an American, I’m very confident in our future at ZOS!
Reposted by Ben Jones
My favorite car chase scene in cinema is from 'Os Normais' (2003)
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Minha cena favorita de perseguição no cinema é de 'Os Normais' (2003)
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Minha cena favorita de perseguição no cinema é de 'Os Normais' (2003)
February 3, 2025 at 4:07 AM
My favorite car chase scene in cinema is from 'Os Normais' (2003)
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Minha cena favorita de perseguição no cinema é de 'Os Normais' (2003)
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Minha cena favorita de perseguição no cinema é de 'Os Normais' (2003)
There are few compliments in this business that hit harder than fans reviving or reimagining something you helped build in the past.
Looks like a dedicated group of folks did just that with one of our earliest levels for the PS3 classic MAG:
youtu.be/twQyLq3ifD4?...
Looks like a dedicated group of folks did just that with one of our earliest levels for the PS3 classic MAG:
youtu.be/twQyLq3ifD4?...
Battle for C with 30 MAG vets
YouTube video by znignflo72
youtu.be
February 22, 2025 at 8:54 PM
There are few compliments in this business that hit harder than fans reviving or reimagining something you helped build in the past.
Looks like a dedicated group of folks did just that with one of our earliest levels for the PS3 classic MAG:
youtu.be/twQyLq3ifD4?...
Looks like a dedicated group of folks did just that with one of our earliest levels for the PS3 classic MAG:
youtu.be/twQyLq3ifD4?...
Absolutely tragic… trying to focus on his incredible contributions to the medium, but this one stings.
Half-Life 2 and Dishonored art lead Viktor Antonov dies aged just 52
www.eurogamer.net/half-life-2-...
www.eurogamer.net/half-life-2-...
February 16, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Absolutely tragic… trying to focus on his incredible contributions to the medium, but this one stings.
Reposted by Ben Jones
6/10 games can be good games.
7/10 games can be good games.
8/10 games can be great games.
9/10 games can be amazing games.
Games that are not a 10/10 are still very much worth your time I promise. Sometimes you can find a hidden gem this way & not even know it. Scores are subjective too. 👌🏻
7/10 games can be good games.
8/10 games can be great games.
9/10 games can be amazing games.
Games that are not a 10/10 are still very much worth your time I promise. Sometimes you can find a hidden gem this way & not even know it. Scores are subjective too. 👌🏻
February 16, 2025 at 4:19 PM
6/10 games can be good games.
7/10 games can be good games.
8/10 games can be great games.
9/10 games can be amazing games.
Games that are not a 10/10 are still very much worth your time I promise. Sometimes you can find a hidden gem this way & not even know it. Scores are subjective too. 👌🏻
7/10 games can be good games.
8/10 games can be great games.
9/10 games can be amazing games.
Games that are not a 10/10 are still very much worth your time I promise. Sometimes you can find a hidden gem this way & not even know it. Scores are subjective too. 👌🏻
You should pick this up at any price… but at THIS price?!
February 15, 2025 at 10:49 PM
You should pick this up at any price… but at THIS price?!
Reposted by Ben Jones
More restaurants should offer this.
February 13, 2025 at 7:04 PM
More restaurants should offer this.
Reposted by Ben Jones
Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition + Fallout New Vegas Ultimate (Steam) is $6.99 on Fanatical Build your own Special Editions Bundle buff.ly/3YjEaKY #ad
add more game packs to save more
add more game packs to save more
February 12, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition + Fallout New Vegas Ultimate (Steam) is $6.99 on Fanatical Build your own Special Editions Bundle buff.ly/3YjEaKY #ad
add more game packs to save more
add more game packs to save more
Reposted by Ben Jones
It's the weekend, baby
February 8, 2025 at 12:16 AM
It's the weekend, baby
Reposted by Ben Jones
Reposted by Ben Jones
this haptic display absolutely rocks. basketball is for everyone.
February 6, 2025 at 9:56 PM
this haptic display absolutely rocks. basketball is for everyone.
This piece neatly encapsulates my feelings on the matter. NONE of this makes sense and it’s the kind of trade the league should veto (they won’t because they benefit from having a fresh superstar in LA).
There HAS to be something more to this story, but what we know now is devastating. #NBAsky
There HAS to be something more to this story, but what we know now is devastating. #NBAsky
I wrote about the worst trade I’ve ever seen: www.theringer.com/2025/02/02/n...
The Luka Doncic Trade Is the Dumbest NBA Move I’ve Ever Seen
There’s no living this one down. In a trade that makes zero basketball sense and will go down in NBA infamy, the Dallas Mavericks are sending prime Luka to the Los Angeles Lakers. For real.
www.theringer.com
February 2, 2025 at 4:53 PM
This piece neatly encapsulates my feelings on the matter. NONE of this makes sense and it’s the kind of trade the league should veto (they won’t because they benefit from having a fresh superstar in LA).
There HAS to be something more to this story, but what we know now is devastating. #NBAsky
There HAS to be something more to this story, but what we know now is devastating. #NBAsky
Reposted by Ben Jones
Kind of a long title but this movie sounds wild
January 27, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Kind of a long title but this movie sounds wild
Reposted by Ben Jones
Layoffs always suck but to see people I’ve looked up to for years - who wrote, animated, edited, and brought to life so many stories and characters I love - hurts.
BioWare devs, thank you for bringing wonder, compassion, intrigue, and magic to millions of fans, me included. We’re all in your corner
BioWare devs, thank you for bringing wonder, compassion, intrigue, and magic to millions of fans, me included. We’re all in your corner
January 30, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Layoffs always suck but to see people I’ve looked up to for years - who wrote, animated, edited, and brought to life so many stories and characters I love - hurts.
BioWare devs, thank you for bringing wonder, compassion, intrigue, and magic to millions of fans, me included. We’re all in your corner
BioWare devs, thank you for bringing wonder, compassion, intrigue, and magic to millions of fans, me included. We’re all in your corner
Reposted by Ben Jones
funniest possible end game event has entered the field of play
January 28, 2025 at 7:31 PM
funniest possible end game event has entered the field of play