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
You can hear how angry and hurt these devs are. It's in their shaky voices and the way they talk about their work. It's an awful situation, for those who were forced out and those who remain
I went to meet the 'Rockstar 31', the developers who were suddenly fired from their work on GTA 6 for what the studio has described as gross misconduct.
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
The Rockstar Workers Fired Before They Could Finish GTA 6
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:43 PM
You can hear how angry and hurt these devs are. It's in their shaky voices and the way they talk about their work. It's an awful situation, for those who were forced out and those who remain
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Fun fact - the Oscars were literally created to union bust!
Studio execs wanted something they solely controlled that others desired and then used the Oscars to force workers to get in line with threats of never giving it to them if they didn't.
Feels eerily similar...
Studio execs wanted something they solely controlled that others desired and then used the Oscars to force workers to get in line with threats of never giving it to them if they didn't.
Feels eerily similar...
“Don’t gather some of the most brilliant activists in the industry, treat us like crap, and then expect us to do nothing about it.” After the Game Awards cancelled its Future Class programme, @alyssamerc.bsky.social talked to its former honorees
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
“We were effectively props”: young stars of game development feel let down by the ‘gaming Oscars’
Announced in 2020 by the Game Awards as an inclusive programme for the industry’s next generation, the Future Class initiative has now been discontinued. Inductees describe clashes with organisers and...
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Fun fact - the Oscars were literally created to union bust!
Studio execs wanted something they solely controlled that others desired and then used the Oscars to force workers to get in line with threats of never giving it to them if they didn't.
Feels eerily similar...
Studio execs wanted something they solely controlled that others desired and then used the Oscars to force workers to get in line with threats of never giving it to them if they didn't.
Feels eerily similar...
I kind of appreciate how open and up front people used to be back in the day about how malicious they were.
Louis B. Mayer, co-founder of the Academy Awards stated:
"I found that the best way to handle filmmakers was to hang medals all over them. If I got them cups and awards, they'd kill themselves to produce what I wanted. That's why the Academy Award was created."
"I found that the best way to handle filmmakers was to hang medals all over them. If I got them cups and awards, they'd kill themselves to produce what I wanted. That's why the Academy Award was created."
November 11, 2025 at 6:23 PM
I kind of appreciate how open and up front people used to be back in the day about how malicious they were.
I'm really proud of my friends and comrades for standing up and fighting when something like this is done to them.
This is the first time I've seen them speak on camera in public about their experiences and they do it with such courage and strength.
✊
This is the first time I've seen them speak on camera in public about their experiences and they do it with such courage and strength.
✊
I went to meet the 'Rockstar 31', the developers who were suddenly fired from their work on GTA 6 for what the studio has described as gross misconduct.
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
The Rockstar Workers Fired Before They Could Finish GTA 6
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:46 PM
I'm really proud of my friends and comrades for standing up and fighting when something like this is done to them.
This is the first time I've seen them speak on camera in public about their experiences and they do it with such courage and strength.
✊
This is the first time I've seen them speak on camera in public about their experiences and they do it with such courage and strength.
✊
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
“Say sorry, be nice is a Rockstar slogan, it has been for many, many years. At least in this instance, it doesn’t seem like the company is interested in living by it.”
Watch the video of our demonstration & interviews with dismissed workers at Rockstar North here!
Watch the video of our demonstration & interviews with dismissed workers at Rockstar North here!
I went to meet the 'Rockstar 31', the developers who were suddenly fired from their work on GTA 6 for what the studio has described as gross misconduct.
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
That's not what the workers call it though. They have another couple of words they prefer to use: union busting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9nO...
The Rockstar Workers Fired Before They Could Finish GTA 6
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
“Say sorry, be nice is a Rockstar slogan, it has been for many, many years. At least in this instance, it doesn’t seem like the company is interested in living by it.”
Watch the video of our demonstration & interviews with dismissed workers at Rockstar North here!
Watch the video of our demonstration & interviews with dismissed workers at Rockstar North here!
Fun fact - the Oscars were literally created to union bust!
Studio execs wanted something they solely controlled that others desired and then used the Oscars to force workers to get in line with threats of never giving it to them if they didn't.
Feels eerily similar...
Studio execs wanted something they solely controlled that others desired and then used the Oscars to force workers to get in line with threats of never giving it to them if they didn't.
Feels eerily similar...
“Don’t gather some of the most brilliant activists in the industry, treat us like crap, and then expect us to do nothing about it.” After the Game Awards cancelled its Future Class programme, @alyssamerc.bsky.social talked to its former honorees
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
“We were effectively props”: young stars of game development feel let down by the ‘gaming Oscars’
Announced in 2020 by the Game Awards as an inclusive programme for the industry’s next generation, the Future Class initiative has now been discontinued. Inductees describe clashes with organisers and...
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Fun fact - the Oscars were literally created to union bust!
Studio execs wanted something they solely controlled that others desired and then used the Oscars to force workers to get in line with threats of never giving it to them if they didn't.
Feels eerily similar...
Studio execs wanted something they solely controlled that others desired and then used the Oscars to force workers to get in line with threats of never giving it to them if they didn't.
Feels eerily similar...
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Support the video game workers who were unfairly fired by Rockstar for unionizing: actionnetwork.org/fundraising/...
Support Rockstar Workers Fighting Unfair Dismissals!
Last week over 30 members of staff at Grand Theft Auto VI developer Rockstar were fired en masse in a “calculated attack on workers”. The IWGB described Rockstar’s actions as ‘the most blatant and rut...
actionnetwork.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Support the video game workers who were unfairly fired by Rockstar for unionizing: actionnetwork.org/fundraising/...
I don't know how it managed to get made, but Andor is an incredible show that I go back to time and time again.
It grounds me to know that these struggles we're in are part of a much larger struggle and that all we have to do is our part.
It grounds me to know that these struggles we're in are part of a much larger struggle and that all we have to do is our part.
November 10, 2025 at 10:47 PM
I don't know how it managed to get made, but Andor is an incredible show that I go back to time and time again.
It grounds me to know that these struggles we're in are part of a much larger struggle and that all we have to do is our part.
It grounds me to know that these struggles we're in are part of a much larger struggle and that all we have to do is our part.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
I really do think this is true.
Rockstar leadership deciding to fire 30+ union workers and the workers deciding to fight back is going to be something we look back on as a turning point for our unionization effort.
Rockstar leadership deciding to fire 30+ union workers and the workers deciding to fight back is going to be something we look back on as a turning point for our unionization effort.
November 10, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I really do think this is true.
Rockstar leadership deciding to fire 30+ union workers and the workers deciding to fight back is going to be something we look back on as a turning point for our unionization effort.
Rockstar leadership deciding to fire 30+ union workers and the workers deciding to fight back is going to be something we look back on as a turning point for our unionization effort.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
They held the line for more than three years. Three fucking years. Incredible.
BREAKING: We won!
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
November 10, 2025 at 7:31 PM
They held the line for more than three years. Three fucking years. Incredible.
One of the benefits of working on @gameworkersolidarity.com for so many years is that I have an incredible overview of just how much unionization activities there are from game workers all over the world.
Trying to fire people won't stop that because the unfair conditions persist. We won't stop.
Trying to fire people won't stop that because the unfair conditions persist. We won't stop.
November 10, 2025 at 6:47 PM
One of the benefits of working on @gameworkersolidarity.com for so many years is that I have an incredible overview of just how much unionization activities there are from game workers all over the world.
Trying to fire people won't stop that because the unfair conditions persist. We won't stop.
Trying to fire people won't stop that because the unfair conditions persist. We won't stop.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
The best thing you can do for yourself next year is to join an organization if you can.
November 10, 2025 at 6:37 PM
The best thing you can do for yourself next year is to join an organization if you can.
When companies think they can fire people to stop unionization efforts and try to get away with it, they teach the workers one of two things:
1. Don't unionize, or else you'll be fired.
2. Unionize even harder and take bigger, more powerful actions together.
I know which takeaway I've learned.
1. Don't unionize, or else you'll be fired.
2. Unionize even harder and take bigger, more powerful actions together.
I know which takeaway I've learned.
November 10, 2025 at 6:38 PM
When companies think they can fire people to stop unionization efforts and try to get away with it, they teach the workers one of two things:
1. Don't unionize, or else you'll be fired.
2. Unionize even harder and take bigger, more powerful actions together.
I know which takeaway I've learned.
1. Don't unionize, or else you'll be fired.
2. Unionize even harder and take bigger, more powerful actions together.
I know which takeaway I've learned.
I really do think this is true.
Rockstar leadership deciding to fire 30+ union workers and the workers deciding to fight back is going to be something we look back on as a turning point for our unionization effort.
Rockstar leadership deciding to fire 30+ union workers and the workers deciding to fight back is going to be something we look back on as a turning point for our unionization effort.
November 10, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I really do think this is true.
Rockstar leadership deciding to fire 30+ union workers and the workers deciding to fight back is going to be something we look back on as a turning point for our unionization effort.
Rockstar leadership deciding to fire 30+ union workers and the workers deciding to fight back is going to be something we look back on as a turning point for our unionization effort.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
new website! two years later of owning and running a publication later, we’ve learned a lot. thank you to everyone who made it possible
Despite the ravages of age and an internet steeped in misinformation, your eyes – in this one case – do not deceive you: Website different. It’s taken an immense amount of time and effort, but welcome to Aftermath version 2.0:
aftermath.site/aftermath-rela...
aftermath.site/aftermath-rela...
November 10, 2025 at 5:43 PM
new website! two years later of owning and running a publication later, we’ve learned a lot. thank you to everyone who made it possible
I don't know a single person who has high energy these days. Most folks I know are seriously struggling for one or multiple reasons.
I'm not sure how we get out of this collective hole. I mean, I know the answer is organizing and fighting back, but also what does that even look like right now?
I'm not sure how we get out of this collective hole. I mean, I know the answer is organizing and fighting back, but also what does that even look like right now?
November 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I don't know a single person who has high energy these days. Most folks I know are seriously struggling for one or multiple reasons.
I'm not sure how we get out of this collective hole. I mean, I know the answer is organizing and fighting back, but also what does that even look like right now?
I'm not sure how we get out of this collective hole. I mean, I know the answer is organizing and fighting back, but also what does that even look like right now?
I still remember the day this came out and how impactful it was. It was all anyone was talking about that week.
#OtD 10 Nov 2004 the ea_spouse letter drew public attention to Electronic Arts workers crunching for excessive amounts of hours. Workers later filed two class action lawsuits which were settled for a total of $30.5 million. https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2004-11-ea-spouse-open-letter
November 10, 2025 at 11:06 AM
I still remember the day this came out and how impactful it was. It was all anyone was talking about that week.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
unconditional support to the workers at R*, organizers, and IWGB folks
November 9, 2025 at 9:55 PM
unconditional support to the workers at R*, organizers, and IWGB folks
Something I've not seen any journalists ask Rockstar - what was the motivation for the 30+ workers to "leak" information? Was it because they were unionizing?
If that wasn't it, you'd think Rockstar would mentioned why. Otherwise we're to think 30+ workers are making basic security mistakes? As if.
If that wasn't it, you'd think Rockstar would mentioned why. Otherwise we're to think 30+ workers are making basic security mistakes? As if.
November 9, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Something I've not seen any journalists ask Rockstar - what was the motivation for the 30+ workers to "leak" information? Was it because they were unionizing?
If that wasn't it, you'd think Rockstar would mentioned why. Otherwise we're to think 30+ workers are making basic security mistakes? As if.
If that wasn't it, you'd think Rockstar would mentioned why. Otherwise we're to think 30+ workers are making basic security mistakes? As if.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
When I was an organizer talking with folks about forming a union, a common refrain was people wanted management to respect them and their work. I would explain that we can’t change the bosses heart, but we could build enough power to force them to pretend.
November 8, 2025 at 2:55 AM
When I was an organizer talking with folks about forming a union, a common refrain was people wanted management to respect them and their work. I would explain that we can’t change the bosses heart, but we could build enough power to force them to pretend.
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
New postcard print from Monica Trinidad! justseeds.org/product/soli...
November 8, 2025 at 7:12 PM
New postcard print from Monica Trinidad! justseeds.org/product/soli...
Reposted by Austin Kelmore
Union comrades - does your union have some sort of relief for people currently going through something? Be it a dispute, casework, organizing drive, etc?
Could you tell me (or even better link me) about the policy and how it works?
Could you tell me (or even better link me) about the policy and how it works?
November 8, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Union comrades - does your union have some sort of relief for people currently going through something? Be it a dispute, casework, organizing drive, etc?
Could you tell me (or even better link me) about the policy and how it works?
Could you tell me (or even better link me) about the policy and how it works?
Union comrades - does your union have some sort of relief for people currently going through something? Be it a dispute, casework, organizing drive, etc?
Could you tell me (or even better link me) about the policy and how it works?
Could you tell me (or even better link me) about the policy and how it works?
November 8, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Union comrades - does your union have some sort of relief for people currently going through something? Be it a dispute, casework, organizing drive, etc?
Could you tell me (or even better link me) about the policy and how it works?
Could you tell me (or even better link me) about the policy and how it works?
I've started playing Dispatch, and it's incredible. It's part tv show part game part hilarious sexy comedy.
I haven't laughed this hard while playing a game in a long time. The range the writers have is impressive.
I haven't laughed this hard while playing a game in a long time. The range the writers have is impressive.
November 7, 2025 at 10:34 PM
I've started playing Dispatch, and it's incredible. It's part tv show part game part hilarious sexy comedy.
I haven't laughed this hard while playing a game in a long time. The range the writers have is impressive.
I haven't laughed this hard while playing a game in a long time. The range the writers have is impressive.