Sarah Elmaleh
@selmaleh.bsky.social
games x performance. acting, directing, consulting, forever advocating for joyful collaboration & sustainability for all. @eggplantshow.bsky.social, queer vox, indiecade, sagaftra etc.
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
Eggplant is one of, if not the best, videogame podcasts I've ever heard. Made by game developers, their conversations are approachable and lighthearted all the same. This latest one, being about Consume Me, fills me with joy.
new pod and it's a special one! we talk to @qdork.bsky.social and @apthomson.bsky.social about CONSUME ME, the multi-award-winning overachievement simulator that took me personally on a real ride through my own history with academics, pressure, and food. incredible game eggplant.show/149-making-a...
Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games: 149: Making A Meal Of It with Jenny Jiao Hsia and AP Thomson (Consume Me)
Rob, Sarah, and Doug chat with Jenny Jiao Hsia and AP Thomson about Consume Me, an award-winning autobiographical resource-management RPG about the pressure cooker of young adulthood. We discuss the g...
eggplant.show
November 8, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Eggplant is one of, if not the best, videogame podcasts I've ever heard. Made by game developers, their conversations are approachable and lighthearted all the same. This latest one, being about Consume Me, fills me with joy.
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
Video game giant Rockstar has sacked more than 30 workers across the UK, including my constituents working at their Edinburgh office. I urged Ministers to support workers who have lost their jobs, and stop this from happening again.
November 13, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Video game giant Rockstar has sacked more than 30 workers across the UK, including my constituents working at their Edinburgh office. I urged Ministers to support workers who have lost their jobs, and stop this from happening again.
And when actors went on strike over AI protections - literally fighting the bots - they wrote satirical dialogue to explain absences that was fully aligned with their own world-building, instead of replacing them with AI, or other actors.
Cognitive assonance, so cool, so classy, so appreciated 😭😭😭
Cognitive assonance, so cool, so classy, so appreciated 😭😭😭
The insight and emotion you can get from a real actor can't be replicated by ai. And that's without accounting for what an actor can provide via collaboration.
Like, Helldivers 2 is a great game. But it is ELEVATED by the scenery chewing VA they were able to invoke from their actors.
Like, Helldivers 2 is a great game. But it is ELEVATED by the scenery chewing VA they were able to invoke from their actors.
November 12, 2025 at 10:03 PM
And when actors went on strike over AI protections - literally fighting the bots - they wrote satirical dialogue to explain absences that was fully aligned with their own world-building, instead of replacing them with AI, or other actors.
Cognitive assonance, so cool, so classy, so appreciated 😭😭😭
Cognitive assonance, so cool, so classy, so appreciated 😭😭😭
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
SAG-AFTRA stands in solidarity with the Condé United and NewsGuild of New York union members who were retaliated against for questioning the closure of Teen Vogue.
November 12, 2025 at 9:34 PM
SAG-AFTRA stands in solidarity with the Condé United and NewsGuild of New York union members who were retaliated against for questioning the closure of Teen Vogue.
(curious, do we know what the *terms* were for actors who did AI licenses for arc raiders? “They agreed to it” - to what?
Core to our negotiation: some stuff you should not be pressured to agree to, you deserve certain info beforehand, & have union enforcement if violated.
I wish them the same.)
Core to our negotiation: some stuff you should not be pressured to agree to, you deserve certain info beforehand, & have union enforcement if violated.
I wish them the same.)
November 12, 2025 at 8:26 PM
(curious, do we know what the *terms* were for actors who did AI licenses for arc raiders? “They agreed to it” - to what?
Core to our negotiation: some stuff you should not be pressured to agree to, you deserve certain info beforehand, & have union enforcement if violated.
I wish them the same.)
Core to our negotiation: some stuff you should not be pressured to agree to, you deserve certain info beforehand, & have union enforcement if violated.
I wish them the same.)
Half the battle is realizing nothing is inevitable, no matter how hard the sell. The harder the sell, the more dubious the value.
When folks say “the genie is out of the bottle”, it doesn’t mean “and now we must invite him to all of our parties.”
When folks say “the genie is out of the bottle”, it doesn’t mean “and now we must invite him to all of our parties.”
Honored to be featured on the freshly-relaunched @aftermath.site with this new piece!
It's about AI and Fascism, and also the beloved Y2K-era teen comedy Mean Girls.
It's about AI and Fascism, and also the beloved Y2K-era teen comedy Mean Girls.
AI Is The Ultimate "Forced Meme"
There are few things in this world more insufferable than a rich person trying to force their shitty ideas on everyone else. And in 2025, there are very few things that feel more forced than “Generati...
aftermath.site
November 12, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Half the battle is realizing nothing is inevitable, no matter how hard the sell. The harder the sell, the more dubious the value.
When folks say “the genie is out of the bottle”, it doesn’t mean “and now we must invite him to all of our parties.”
When folks say “the genie is out of the bottle”, it doesn’t mean “and now we must invite him to all of our parties.”
The first most important thing you can do to support workers is to listen to them.
They love their work and they want to keep making games, and they deserve a union to make their work safe and sustainable.
Very glad to see People Make Games follow this closely. Staying tuned and in solidarity ✊
They love their work and they want to keep making games, and they deserve a union to make their work safe and sustainable.
Very glad to see People Make Games follow this closely. Staying tuned and in solidarity ✊
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 12, 2025 at 4:29 AM
The first most important thing you can do to support workers is to listen to them.
They love their work and they want to keep making games, and they deserve a union to make their work safe and sustainable.
Very glad to see People Make Games follow this closely. Staying tuned and in solidarity ✊
They love their work and they want to keep making games, and they deserve a union to make their work safe and sustainable.
Very glad to see People Make Games follow this closely. Staying tuned and in solidarity ✊
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
We've got 31 game devs who are keen to get to work, @rockstargames.com.
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 PM
We've got 31 game devs who are keen to get to work, @rockstargames.com.
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
And if you’re looking to help from afar (or locally, I suppose), IWGB set up a fund for the workers who were dismissed.
bsky.app/profile/game...
bsky.app/profile/game...
Rockstar union workers have set up a solidarity fund to help our fight after 30 of them were fired in an attempt to destroy the union.
Help us fight back! Anything you can donate will massively help our efforts to hold Rockstar to account.
actionnetwork.org/fundraising/...
Help us fight back! Anything you can donate will massively help our efforts to hold Rockstar to account.
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 5, 2025 at 3:48 PM
And if you’re looking to help from afar (or locally, I suppose), IWGB set up a fund for the workers who were dismissed.
bsky.app/profile/game...
bsky.app/profile/game...
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
Any London based game devs out there, I think this would be an important demo to show up to if you can.
The UK industry has to show Rockstar and Take Two higher ups that union busting will not be tolerated.
The UK industry has to show Rockstar and Take Two higher ups that union busting will not be tolerated.
November 5, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Any London based game devs out there, I think this would be an important demo to show up to if you can.
The UK industry has to show Rockstar and Take Two higher ups that union busting will not be tolerated.
The UK industry has to show Rockstar and Take Two higher ups that union busting will not be tolerated.
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
“Turn the volume up” is just insane contemporary speech work.
November 5, 2025 at 4:37 AM
“Turn the volume up” is just insane contemporary speech work.
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
Southern Democrats get shit upon by the least worthy and useful of our coalition, and that sucks, so it's important to take a minute and say:
What an accomplishment. What a *feat*.
What an accomplishment. What a *feat*.
BREAKING: Democrats just broke the GOP supermajority in the Mississippi Senate!
In a stunning victory, Democrats gained seats in court-ordered special elections and will now head to Jackson to represent and fight on behalf of their constituents.
In a stunning victory, Democrats gained seats in court-ordered special elections and will now head to Jackson to represent and fight on behalf of their constituents.
November 5, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Southern Democrats get shit upon by the least worthy and useful of our coalition, and that sucks, so it's important to take a minute and say:
What an accomplishment. What a *feat*.
What an accomplishment. What a *feat*.
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
Mamdani: Whether you are an immigrant, a member of the trans community, one of the many black women that Donald Trump has fired from a federal job, a single mom still waiting for the cost of groceries to go down, or anyone else with their back against the wall—your struggle is ours too
November 5, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Mamdani: Whether you are an immigrant, a member of the trans community, one of the many black women that Donald Trump has fired from a federal job, a single mom still waiting for the cost of groceries to go down, or anyone else with their back against the wall—your struggle is ours too
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
you could not make up an arc like "hunger strike outside of city hall" to "mayor who now works at city hall'
November 5, 2025 at 6:21 AM
you could not make up an arc like "hunger strike outside of city hall" to "mayor who now works at city hall'
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
This person took this when they called the race
November 5, 2025 at 6:07 AM
This person took this when they called the race
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
😎😎😎😎 GOOD THINGS CAN STILL HAPPEN 😎😎😎😎
November 5, 2025 at 5:22 AM
😎😎😎😎 GOOD THINGS CAN STILL HAPPEN 😎😎😎😎
We know Rockstar can work productively with unions - making games that make huge money - because they do. These devs deserve everything. 💜✊💜
SAG-AFTRA stands in solidarity with the IWGB Game Workers Union exercising their right to organize following reports of union-busting at Rockstar. Our members’ union performances on Rockstar games are an integral part of the success and legacy of games like Grand Theft Auto.
November 4, 2025 at 5:13 PM
We know Rockstar can work productively with unions - making games that make huge money - because they do. These devs deserve everything. 💜✊💜
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
The fact that some of the companies who run the games industry are fighting so hard to stop unionization just proves how much power the workers have when they stand together. This disgusting action only delays the inevitable; solidarity will win.
This is the most ruthless act of union busting in the history of the UK games industry. Yesterday, @rockstargames.com unfairly fired over 30 employees for union activity.
We won't back down, and we're not scared - we will fight for every member to be reinstated.
We won't back down, and we're not scared - we will fight for every member to be reinstated.
BREAKING: Yesterday Grand Theft Auto VI maker Rockstar Games fired dozens of people, all of whom were involved in union efforts. A British union calls it "blatant and ruthless" union-busting. Take-Two Interactive says it was due to misconduct.
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 1, 2025 at 1:15 AM
The fact that some of the companies who run the games industry are fighting so hard to stop unionization just proves how much power the workers have when they stand together. This disgusting action only delays the inevitable; solidarity will win.
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
Dan Houser (co-founder and former Head Writer and VP of Creativity at Rockstar) acknowledges the critical role workers have had in the success of Rockstar’s titles, yet Rockstar is engaging in one of the most ruthless acts of union-busting in UK video game history.
www.pcgamer.com/gaming-indus...
www.pcgamer.com/gaming-indus...
November 1, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Dan Houser (co-founder and former Head Writer and VP of Creativity at Rockstar) acknowledges the critical role workers have had in the success of Rockstar’s titles, yet Rockstar is engaging in one of the most ruthless acts of union-busting in UK video game history.
www.pcgamer.com/gaming-indus...
www.pcgamer.com/gaming-indus...
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
Announcing: Eggplant Community Game Jam aka Eggjam #28, "Make A Broughlike"!! Join the talented devs from our discord in celebrating the oeuvre of @smestorp.bsky.social and getting into the spirit of our upcoming series, A Year of Michael Brough! itch.io/jam/eggjam-28
Eggjam #28
A game jam from 2025-10-24 to 2025-11-24 hosted by Eggplant Game Jams. The Jam Welcome to the Eggplant Game Jam! Or as it is more affectionately known in the community: The Eggjam. In celebration of t...
itch.io
October 21, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Announcing: Eggplant Community Game Jam aka Eggjam #28, "Make A Broughlike"!! Join the talented devs from our discord in celebrating the oeuvre of @smestorp.bsky.social and getting into the spirit of our upcoming series, A Year of Michael Brough! itch.io/jam/eggjam-28
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
Looking for a party game that combines social deduction with the pleasant absurdity of rating animals, films, and the weather on a scale of ★ to ★★★★★? And it's just a simple deck of cards? AND it's live on Kickstarter now?!?! Guess what, STARFRIENDS has launched! www.kickstarter.com/projects/bra...
Starfriends: The 5-Star Game About What Everyone Else Thinks
A party game where you get into your friends' heads. Kinda like a blend of Wavelength and Letterboxd that fits into a deck of cards.
www.kickstarter.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Looking for a party game that combines social deduction with the pleasant absurdity of rating animals, films, and the weather on a scale of ★ to ★★★★★? And it's just a simple deck of cards? AND it's live on Kickstarter now?!?! Guess what, STARFRIENDS has launched! www.kickstarter.com/projects/bra...
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
It's that time of year... 🍂
🎃 The Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival is BACK for 2025! 🎃
This year we can support up to 800 players at once in this seasonal pumpkin carving MMO!
This year's update comes with new areas and new secrets to find.
Hope you don't mind if I re-use the trailer from last year! 😅
🎃 The Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival is BACK for 2025! 🎃
This year we can support up to 800 players at once in this seasonal pumpkin carving MMO!
This year's update comes with new areas and new secrets to find.
Hope you don't mind if I re-use the trailer from last year! 😅
October 16, 2025 at 7:40 PM
It's that time of year... 🍂
🎃 The Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival is BACK for 2025! 🎃
This year we can support up to 800 players at once in this seasonal pumpkin carving MMO!
This year's update comes with new areas and new secrets to find.
Hope you don't mind if I re-use the trailer from last year! 😅
🎃 The Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival is BACK for 2025! 🎃
This year we can support up to 800 players at once in this seasonal pumpkin carving MMO!
This year's update comes with new areas and new secrets to find.
Hope you don't mind if I re-use the trailer from last year! 😅
👏👏👏✊✊✊
UK workers at Disco Elysium studio ZA/UM have unionized
UK workers at Disco Elysium studio ZA/UM have unionized
Employees have formed the first recognized workplace union in the UK game industry.
www.gamedeveloper.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
👏👏👏✊✊✊
Reposted by Sarah Elmaleh
And to give you a sense of the book club experience, check out this lovely article from @sporkyreeve.bsky.social on GameSpot about his experience!
www.gamespot.com/articles/an-...
www.gamespot.com/articles/an-...
An Unconventional Way Of Playing A Fake Retro Game Collection Made It Something Much Greater
Slowly digesting UFO 50 over the course of a year with a podcast has given me the opportunity to understand this game, and all games, better.
www.gamespot.com
September 18, 2025 at 11:03 PM
And to give you a sense of the book club experience, check out this lovely article from @sporkyreeve.bsky.social on GameSpot about his experience!
www.gamespot.com/articles/an-...
www.gamespot.com/articles/an-...