Nigel. Gay AF. Weightlifter, Producer on
@MarathonTheGame
, Pitbull Dad & Pokemon master. BLM. Trans Rights! Chinga La Migra! IG & other socials: Princezexu
As Pride month rapidly approaches I want to let all people who play video games in on an industry secret. Your favorite franchise/company isn't just making lgbtq characters, lgbtq cosmetics, or lgbtq themes because of SJW boogeypeople, but because LGBTQ+ people work on games.
I am relieved on the charges, but this is not the end. Justice is black and other PoC not being afraid of the police. Justice is undoing the immense damage the Justice system has done to Black & PoC communities.
This is a start. Justice is still not here. Do not get complacent.
Lets talk about
@SonicFox5000
award speech last night. He was excited, nervous and proud of who he is as a person, not just a gamer.
Of course now there is a large group of people asking why does it matter that he's gay, & black? How does a person's identity impact competition?
You will be hard pressed in the year 2019 to find a single major company without any LGBTQ developers. We work in engineering, test, narrative, design, art, and every other discipline under the sun.
So don't do the whole "forced diversity" narrative.
Good morning. If you think us putting a trans emblem in game is too political, the door is right there.
There is no place for hate in the Destiny community.
Let's talk All Lives Matters vs Black Lives Matters because apparently we didn't learn the difference the first time.
Black Lives Matters was a phrase and movement created to stop police brutality. The movement isn't a single organization, but a collective.
We work on these games with all our heart and soul, and if you really believe artists/franchises should be allowed to have our own creative ideas without people demanding it, then beleive me when I say we the lgbtq devs are the ones choosing to create that content.
I helped write this article.
It's time gaming and online communities start talking about the role we play in these tragedies. People are recruited on our platforms, they are radicalized right in front of us.
We cannot remain neutral, if we want to be a force for good.
A lot of what is being said here, is not exclusive to Activision Blizzard. The low wages of QA are rampant in this industry, as is the 12 months on 3 months off contract system.
Y'all never really wanted to stop abortions.
Studies show us sex education, easy access to birth control and easier access to doctors is a far better way to prevent abortions.
But y'all don't like that either.
Not at GDC this year, but always happy to partake in
#WhatAGameDevLooksLike
!
I'm Nigel, I'm an associate producer at Bungie! I've worked with a bunch of teams and have been dedicated to Diversity and Inclusion!
Bonus pic of me and my dog in matching hoodies.
Excited for
#WhatAGameDevLooksLike
starting tomorrow! If you consider yourself a
#gamedev
, take a selfie and share what you do!
Yes, this includes:
✅QA
✅Marketing/publishing
✅Streamers
✅Consultants
✅Students
This is your industry too! You belong here 💜
#BlackLivesMatter
Be Heard, a collectible pin and emblem where the profits will be donated to the Equal Justice Initiative, is coming soon to
@BungieStore
. Learn more:
I believe every single story. I've sat in break rooms with colleagues crying.
Things are improving, but we still have a lot of work to do. Believe women and PoC. Pay Women and PoC.
Hey y'all! I'm Nigel and
#IamPOCinPlay
! I'm currently working as a producer
@Bungie
making cool memes, videos, and emblems for y'all! I've been at Bungie for four years now, but in the industry for about 6 years.
Can't wait for you all to play
#BeyondLight
#Destiny2
We have so much more work to do, in terms of accessibility for competitive gaming.
Sonicfox's declaration of being gay, black and a furry is important, because you cannot erase history or the way society has treated minorities.
NEW: Supreme Court grants Republican request to require witness signatures for mail-in ballots in South Carolina (except for ballots already sent or currently in the mail)
If you've followed me for a while you'll know video games helped me feel comfortable with my sexuality.
I wrote about it in this week's TWAB and I'm excited to say we at Bungie have been hard at work preparing a pride emblem in game.
I see a lot of people confusing my colleagues saying don't harass them, and equating to not giving feedback. So I'm gonna give some examples of how to give good feedback: 🧵
I am disgusted by Blizzard's treatment of Women and stand by them today. I implore others to stand with women in games. You shouldn't have to face discrimination for just wanting to make a cool video game.
#ActiBlizzWalkout
💙
I'm out here trying to figure out how to defend myself against proud boys, and y'all are saying, "I miss Bernie! I miss Warren!"
I say this from the deepest essence of my soul, stop. The president just called his cult to arms. Worry about your PoC friends and family.
Competitive gaming isn't a meritocracy. If you want to go hard at fighting games, you'll need the income to travel constantly, and that shit adds up.
If you're a girl and want to go hard at any FPS or MoBA good luck finding a group who won't treat you like shit the entire time.
Black people have been systematically oppressed for centuries in America.
"Civil rights act was like 54 years ago!" My living parents and grandparents were alive then. Everything didnt magically fix itself after the law was created either. But thats another talk.
Gamers have this idea that society and the real world has no impact on competitive gaming, and that gaming is this meritocracy (definition below).
That idea could not be farther from the truth.
Every one who is into competitive gaming should absolutely read, "The Toxic Meritocracy of Video Games" by
@real_chris_paul
I promise its worth the read and I'm only 60% done it.
How many LGBTQIA+ people have been thrown out of their homes for coming out to loved ones? 40% of Homeless Youth are LGBTQIA+, do you think they have the opportunity to grind out laddder wins in Street fighter when they may not have a place to sleep tomorrow? They don't.
Never forget when Ruby Bridges integrated her elementary school a white woman woman held up a black baby doll in a coffin & another white woman threatened to poison her.
The entire school year Ruby was only allowed to eat food that she brought from home, for her own safety.
Black people have not had the same financial opportunities as their white counter parts, until recently. Many black people been systemically oppressed into poverty. Thats a fact, yeah there are many of us who have begun to cultivate wealth but many haven't.
So imagine growing up your parents didn't have the money to get you a PC or a Nintendo 64. The skills I learned playing goldeneye I now use in Overwatch. I have decades of experience in first person shooters. The same can be said about fighting games etc.
Sure you may now be able to afford games, consoles and PCs, but how much of a learning gap does the person whose been poor most of their life have compared to me? A lot. That already isn't a meritocracy because I'm entering the competition with skills the poor person may not.
Hey y'all! My name is Nigel! I'm a producer over at Bungie working on Systems. I'm also a co-lead at Black at Bungie. I got my start in games working in QA over at Microsoft Studios.
#WhatAGameDevLooksLike
This even extends to anyone living in a rural area. Internet access in America is mediocre at best if you're not in a major metropolitan area.
You can't get better at a game if you're lagging online every 30 seconds or getting constantly disconnected.
I'm seeing a lot of people wanting to thank/kiss
@joegoroth
but remember we're in a Panera, and Destiny is made by a team. Please give credit to everyone working on the game at the moment! Teams are stronger than heroes!
I'm seeing a lot of people say devs dont deserve to make this much.
Almost everyone working in games is taking a pay cut. If we were to work in other tech fields we'd make much more.
I've known a lot of devs who have left games to work on other tech fields & now make way more
ElectricBrands has unveiled its eBussy concept; a modular electric vehicle that can be transformed into 10 different body types. Find out more:
Photo: ElectricBrands
Saying "All Lives matter" when someone says, "Black lives matter" shows that you do not care about the struggles of black people, and want to shut down the conversation about black people being unfairly treated by police.
I'm so excited for Trans @ Bungie. David, the club's lead is one of the kindest and most intelligent people I've had the privilege of working with. Also the club is working on a trans pride emblem! Destiny is for everyone!
One of Bungie's core values is wanting everyone to feel that their identity is welcome. Today, on International Transgender Day of Visibility, we'd like to share the efforts of another Bungie Inclusion Club: Trans at Bungie.
💠
Men. Stop laughing at casually sexist jokes. Interrupt that guy who keeps cutting off the women in your meetings. Listen when a woman tells you that someone is a creep, and stop covering for them cause you raid with them on Tuesday nights.
I'm not upset about how much some of the top streamers on Twitch are making. I am upset that a lot of them use rage and negativity to drive their channels. You get paid Millions, on top of tips, and subscriptions. How are ya'll so negative?
I'm super excited to announce I'll be hosting tomorrow's Deep Stone Crypt Deep Dive! Be sure to join us at 10 AM PST at to check our newest Raid, as well as hear from the devs themselves!
Today marks my 5th year at Bungie. While my job is incredibly rewarding, it can also be hectic and frustrating at times. I'm excited to continue learning and making Bungie a better place to work.
I helped write part of the TWAB this week, focusing on how we at Bungie are celebrating Black History Month!
Also last year we were able to earn $425,000 in donations from the Be Heard Pin + Emblem. Thank you all so much for stepping up for equality!
The idea behind it is that black people, no matter what we do, deserve a fair trial and to go through the legal system just like white people do.
But often times black people are deined that right and killed by police officers, even when compling with the police.
All lives matters, was created to push back against the idea of "Black lives matter". It's a reaction to black people speaking out about their current issues with the American judicial system.
All lives matter wasn't created to push for the end any sort of brutality.
And if your response to Black Lives Matters is, "Well white people are killed by police too!"
Than you haven't given the BLM movement a fair chance, because they routinely protest for all victims of police brutality.
If you believe in the America judicial system, of right to a lawyer, a trial, and to be judged by your peers, then you should absolutely be Pro-Black Lives Matter.
Because that right now isn't happening with Black victims of police brutality.
Five years ago we launched Destiny 2. I remember everyone working so hard to get it out the door. I remember players being so excited, and then not.
I remember the long hours spent trying to push the game into what its become now. Despite everything, I'm so proud of this game.
Games helped one of my best friend in his final days with cancer.
Games helped me come to terms with being gay.
Games have connected me to so many fantastic people.
I'm a game dev because games are transformative and powerful. If my work helps someone then it's all worth it.
Can y’all tell me about your favorite games/experiences this year? And game devs, can you share things that you’re proud of? I want to see things that made y’all happy 💜
I find it astonishing that Americans are raised and taught to stand up to tyranny and injustice, but when injustice is shown they are quiet. They look for reasons to justify the injustice.
I make $90k + bonuses a year as an Associate Producer at Bungie.
Started at $22/HR as a media tester in 2017. $18/hr as a contract QA in 2016.
Support your colleagues by promoting transparency and championing pay equity!
Like its so wild to me that White people can't hold other white people accountable. Limbaugh was a racist. Why do so many people have such a hard time just calling it out? Whenever a white person in power does something racist the excuses line up around the block.
First Supreme Court opinion: An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender violates Title VII. Seems a big win for LGBT rights. 6-3
I'm calling on my coworkers who do Diversity and Inclusion work at Bungie to sign this petition. While we may not be under the ActiBlizz label anymore, we still have colleagues who are. Let's help them make this industry a better place.
We have had several people reaching out and asking what they can do to be an active supporter of ABK Worker's Alliance. As employees move to sign a petition calling for the removal of Bobby Kotick, we call for our supporters to sign a petition of their own
mel medarda's character designer being a part of hobie's visual development process makes so much sense and just proves
@evan_monteiro
is a design genius. how can someone be so effortlessly good
"I feel" statements are really really useful.
"I feel like my agency as a player is gone when I'm hit with this stun every 10 seconds, and is incredibly frustrating."
"I feel like I'm not being challenged when I use xyz setup."
This is way more constructive then you think.
Always imagine you are talking to the team/individual in person.
If you just finished a game and are tilted AF, don't give feedback in that moment.
Your anger will speak for you, and no one wants to show their angry side in first meetings/conversations.
Yesterday, I saw this god awful tweet sent to one of my coworkers.
Gamers, you're not being blocked because you're giving critical feedback. You're being blocked because your "critical feedback" is just you being a jerk.
*taps microphone*
Hello.
This whole Pfizer vs Moderns vs JJ vs other vaccines thing is stupid, and comes from a position of privilege. It is baffling that people to want to judge others about what vaccine they took when there is a GLOBAL FUCKING PANDEMIC. Stop it
Thank you.
Using this phrase will almost always devalue your feedback:
"Do the devs even play their own game after releasing this change?"
Of course we do. But how players interact with an update or new design is way different than we might so we might miss something. We're humans too.
Try to avoid suggesting solutions to problems.
Yes this seems counter productive, but often times as players we have no idea what goes on in back end of a game, or how it's developed, how much a suggestion would cost, or what's planned for future releases.
Its black history month. We’re going to see a lot of black creators asking companies and individuals to spend this month not only to amplify Black voices, but also hire them. I want to tackle that dog whistle we all see under recruiting posts calls for diverse candidates-