Kareem
@shadetooth.bsky.social
Dialogue Lead @ Insomniac Games
he/him
he/him
Pinned
Kareem
@shadetooth.bsky.social
· Nov 19
A question I often get: "So what's a Dialogue Lead? What is it you actually do?" I'm happy to break it down:
Game audio can be divided into three categories; music, sound effects, and dialogue. On the dialogue team our priority is to ensure that all spoken content sounds believable and immersive.
Game audio can be divided into three categories; music, sound effects, and dialogue. On the dialogue team our priority is to ensure that all spoken content sounds believable and immersive.
Reposted by Kareem
Heading into 2026, I'm still looking for fulltime or contract work as a senior writer or narrative designer. If you need someone who can write sharp characters, poetic prose, and emotional stories, I'm available! You can find my portfolio here: www.hazelmonforton.com
December 28, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Heading into 2026, I'm still looking for fulltime or contract work as a senior writer or narrative designer. If you need someone who can write sharp characters, poetic prose, and emotional stories, I'm available! You can find my portfolio here: www.hazelmonforton.com
A great article that I generally agree with, especially this quote from Tim Friedlander:
December 27, 2025 at 2:20 AM
A great article that I generally agree with, especially this quote from Tim Friedlander:
Reposted by Kareem
Yeah. When I was in school I was big into “networking”, I would read networking guides, constantly redo my business card, think about how to stand out, etc
I made a lot of linkedin connections!
…None of which have ever been even 1% useful.
That whole concept is worthless
I made a lot of linkedin connections!
…None of which have ever been even 1% useful.
That whole concept is worthless
Just gonna say this again for games sphere cus we get the same question:
Networking doesn't mean schmoozing up to famous people, it means making friends with your peers. Then in 10 years, 20, one of you might be famous? And sure you're still helping each other cus well yeah friends.
Make. Friends.
Networking doesn't mean schmoozing up to famous people, it means making friends with your peers. Then in 10 years, 20, one of you might be famous? And sure you're still helping each other cus well yeah friends.
Make. Friends.
Talking to one of these types at a con who asked how I 'got in' with so many 'famous writers' who I'd been talking to and I said "we made friends before anyone knew who we were decades ago by striking up interesting conversations and enjoying each other's company" and he kept re-asking the question.
December 27, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Yeah. When I was in school I was big into “networking”, I would read networking guides, constantly redo my business card, think about how to stand out, etc
I made a lot of linkedin connections!
…None of which have ever been even 1% useful.
That whole concept is worthless
I made a lot of linkedin connections!
…None of which have ever been even 1% useful.
That whole concept is worthless
I have completed a 4th draft of a Light Novel I've been working on for years. I'm really happy with how the story has turned out and I'm ready for Beta Readers.
If any mutuals would like to read it and give me feedback please let me know!🧵
If any mutuals would like to read it and give me feedback please let me know!🧵
December 23, 2025 at 1:24 AM
I have completed a 4th draft of a Light Novel I've been working on for years. I'm really happy with how the story has turned out and I'm ready for Beta Readers.
If any mutuals would like to read it and give me feedback please let me know!🧵
If any mutuals would like to read it and give me feedback please let me know!🧵
My 3 y.o. saw this album art on my phone while we were listening to music and asked me:
"Papa, is that your brother?"
"Papa, is that your brother?"
December 14, 2025 at 3:49 AM
My 3 y.o. saw this album art on my phone while we were listening to music and asked me:
"Papa, is that your brother?"
"Papa, is that your brother?"
I would give an award to the people who write meaningful documentation that solves problems long after they've left a company.
Gamedevs don’t get enough appreciation for what they do, and often the biggest impact comes from people the public never hears about.
Which gamedevs would YOU give an award to, and for what?
Which gamedevs would YOU give an award to, and for what?
December 12, 2025 at 12:21 AM
I would give an award to the people who write meaningful documentation that solves problems long after they've left a company.
Reposted by Kareem
This really is a must read for anyone in academia.
December 7, 2025 at 5:12 PM
This really is a must read for anyone in academia.
How do you know you're in a fancy mall? There are signs...
December 2, 2025 at 6:46 PM
How do you know you're in a fancy mall? There are signs...
Reposted by Kareem
Two months after firing over Charlie Kirk comments, Ghost of Yotei dev blames harassment campaign, not 'bad joke'
aftermath.site/sucker-punch-c...
aftermath.site/sucker-punch-c...
November 24, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Two months after firing over Charlie Kirk comments, Ghost of Yotei dev blames harassment campaign, not 'bad joke'
aftermath.site/sucker-punch-c...
aftermath.site/sucker-punch-c...
Reposted by Kareem
A Knight’s Tale is a sports anime
a man is holding a sword in his hand and saying `` william ! ''
ALT: a man is holding a sword in his hand and saying `` william ! ''
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:11 AM
A Knight’s Tale is a sports anime
Audio (sound effects, music, and dialogue) has a weird relationship with temp assets, mostly because of issues revolving around human psychology.
Problem #1: How do you communicate that something you're hearing is temp?
Problem #1: How do you communicate that something you're hearing is temp?
The annoying thing about the "oh we left a placeholder" generative AI slop excuse is that that is EXACTLY NOT how you should be using placeholders. Anything "not obviously terrible with a panicked hurried half-awake glance" is getting shipped.
In gamedev, if you're using a placeholder asset, best practices involve marking it as placeholder so garishly and offensively clearly PLACEHOLDER that you can't possibly miss it. Also flagging that asset in the dev process so it can be identified quickly before the final build.
November 19, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Audio (sound effects, music, and dialogue) has a weird relationship with temp assets, mostly because of issues revolving around human psychology.
Problem #1: How do you communicate that something you're hearing is temp?
Problem #1: How do you communicate that something you're hearing is temp?
Reposted by Kareem
If your game has voice acting, then working with the voice actors is half of your writing process. It's not complete until you've heard it interpreted and reimagined by a voice actor. And they always reimagine it in ways that elevate the writing, in ways you never would have imagined yourself.
November 11, 2025 at 2:52 PM
If your game has voice acting, then working with the voice actors is half of your writing process. It's not complete until you've heard it interpreted and reimagined by a voice actor. And they always reimagine it in ways that elevate the writing, in ways you never would have imagined yourself.
All these people were trying to do was make sure they could continue to work at a massive game studio in a safe and fair environment.
If you love videogames you should be outraged. People make games, not corporations.
youtu.be/c9nOwjeznjI?...
If you love videogames you should be outraged. People make games, not corporations.
youtu.be/c9nOwjeznjI?...
The Rockstar Workers Fired Before They Could Finish GTA 6
YouTube video by People Make Games
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 6:08 AM
All these people were trying to do was make sure they could continue to work at a massive game studio in a safe and fair environment.
If you love videogames you should be outraged. People make games, not corporations.
youtu.be/c9nOwjeznjI?...
If you love videogames you should be outraged. People make games, not corporations.
youtu.be/c9nOwjeznjI?...
Reposted by Kareem
Chatting with Future Class inductees for my latest at @theguardian.com. They paint a pretty clear picture of the perils of performative allyship.
Thanks to all who spoke with me, and always, to Keza for the chance to do important work!
Thanks to all who spoke with me, and always, to Keza for the chance to do important work!
“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 12:41 PM
Chatting with Future Class inductees for my latest at @theguardian.com. They paint a pretty clear picture of the perils of performative allyship.
Thanks to all who spoke with me, and always, to Keza for the chance to do important work!
Thanks to all who spoke with me, and always, to Keza for the chance to do important work!
Reposted by Kareem
One of the things I’m most proud of at my time at Bungie was creating Veteran Vanguard there, especially as a veteran myself that really struggled coming back to civilian life at first.
I ugly-cried in the best way seeing this, love it 🥹😭
I ugly-cried in the best way seeing this, love it 🥹😭
In honor of Veterans and Military Families Month, donate $10 through the Bungie Foundation campaign by November 30, and receive the new Tribute to Bravery emblem. Funds raised will support Gold Star Gamers & @stackup.org.
Get your emblem now at bung.ie/VAMF2025
Get your emblem now at bung.ie/VAMF2025
November 4, 2025 at 1:15 AM
One of the things I’m most proud of at my time at Bungie was creating Veteran Vanguard there, especially as a veteran myself that really struggled coming back to civilian life at first.
I ugly-cried in the best way seeing this, love it 🥹😭
I ugly-cried in the best way seeing this, love it 🥹😭
Reposted by Kareem
For gamers who aren't in game dev, you should know that we are in one of the worst periods in game dev history in terms of industry stability and the reason you're not seeing that play out through products is because the average development window of games is 3-7 years so it hasn't reached you yet.
October 29, 2025 at 8:49 PM
For gamers who aren't in game dev, you should know that we are in one of the worst periods in game dev history in terms of industry stability and the reason you're not seeing that play out through products is because the average development window of games is 3-7 years so it hasn't reached you yet.
Reposted by Kareem
A chat with Insomniac’s WOLVERINE (Liam McIntyre), Ghost of Yotei’s Atsu (@erikaishii.bsky.social) & SAROS’ Arjun Devraj (@rahulkohli13.bsky.social)! It was so lovely to get to chat to these three awesome people about their careers, and their new roles as PlayStation leads!
youtu.be/e2eLJ8KHlDU
youtu.be/e2eLJ8KHlDU
The new faces of PLAYSTATION! | Acting 101 w Erika Ishii, Liam McIntyre, & Rahul Kohli!
YouTube video by Play, Watch, Listen+ with Alanah Pearce
youtu.be
October 22, 2025 at 9:41 PM
A chat with Insomniac’s WOLVERINE (Liam McIntyre), Ghost of Yotei’s Atsu (@erikaishii.bsky.social) & SAROS’ Arjun Devraj (@rahulkohli13.bsky.social)! It was so lovely to get to chat to these three awesome people about their careers, and their new roles as PlayStation leads!
youtu.be/e2eLJ8KHlDU
youtu.be/e2eLJ8KHlDU
Reposted by Kareem
I really enjoyed working on this image! Congratulations @suckerpunchprod.bsky.social and @erikaishii.bsky.social on the release of Ghost of Yōtei! 🧡
It looks stunning, and I can't wait to play it myself!
It looks stunning, and I can't wait to play it myself!
October 2, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I really enjoyed working on this image! Congratulations @suckerpunchprod.bsky.social and @erikaishii.bsky.social on the release of Ghost of Yōtei! 🧡
It looks stunning, and I can't wait to play it myself!
It looks stunning, and I can't wait to play it myself!
He wouldn't call himself a hero...
youtu.be/s3pDMUWlA6I?...
youtu.be/s3pDMUWlA6I?...
Marvel’s Wolverine - Gameplay Trailer | PS5 Games
YouTube video by PlayStation
youtu.be
September 24, 2025 at 9:47 PM
He wouldn't call himself a hero...
youtu.be/s3pDMUWlA6I?...
youtu.be/s3pDMUWlA6I?...
Reposted by Kareem
If you’re one of the companies I work for, and need a brilliant writer, hire Hazel.
My contract with Blizzard ends in one month. I'm still looking for a fulltime role as a senior writer or narrative designer! If you need someone who can write poetic prose, emotive dialogue, and sharp stories, I'm here. ✨
Hello new followers! I'm Hazel.
🐔 Chicken keeper 🐕 Tripod dog owner 📃 Writer 🎮 Senior Narrative Designer 🍞 Bread baker ⛪️ Amateur medievalist 🌱 Gardener 🧶 Knitter 🎓 PhD in English lit 🦇 ATX
Presently: 💛⚔️ Blizzard
Previously: 💙💫 Bungie 🧡🐀 Arkane
Find my work on my website! www.hazelmonforton.com
🐔 Chicken keeper 🐕 Tripod dog owner 📃 Writer 🎮 Senior Narrative Designer 🍞 Bread baker ⛪️ Amateur medievalist 🌱 Gardener 🧶 Knitter 🎓 PhD in English lit 🦇 ATX
Presently: 💛⚔️ Blizzard
Previously: 💙💫 Bungie 🧡🐀 Arkane
Find my work on my website! www.hazelmonforton.com
September 3, 2025 at 9:31 PM
If you’re one of the companies I work for, and need a brilliant writer, hire Hazel.
I just finished "Blood Over Bright Haven", a novel by M. L. Wang.
I highly recommend it! It's like a fantasy version of "This is what radicalized me." It's curious, detailed, and infuriating in all the best ways. I blasted through it and now I can't stop thinking about it!
I highly recommend it! It's like a fantasy version of "This is what radicalized me." It's curious, detailed, and infuriating in all the best ways. I blasted through it and now I can't stop thinking about it!
September 8, 2025 at 11:41 PM
I just finished "Blood Over Bright Haven", a novel by M. L. Wang.
I highly recommend it! It's like a fantasy version of "This is what radicalized me." It's curious, detailed, and infuriating in all the best ways. I blasted through it and now I can't stop thinking about it!
I highly recommend it! It's like a fantasy version of "This is what radicalized me." It's curious, detailed, and infuriating in all the best ways. I blasted through it and now I can't stop thinking about it!
Reposted by Kareem
What impact is AI having on jobs in the tech industry? I've been collecting stories from tech workers—from engineers at giants like Google to content mods at TikTok to coders at small startups—to find out.
Here, in their words, is how AI is transforming, degrading, and yes, replacing their jobs.
Here, in their words, is how AI is transforming, degrading, and yes, replacing their jobs.
How AI is killing jobs in the tech industry
Tech workers at TikTok, Google, and across the industry share stories about how AI is changing, ruining, or replacing their jobs.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
June 25, 2025 at 3:52 PM
What impact is AI having on jobs in the tech industry? I've been collecting stories from tech workers—from engineers at giants like Google to content mods at TikTok to coders at small startups—to find out.
Here, in their words, is how AI is transforming, degrading, and yes, replacing their jobs.
Here, in their words, is how AI is transforming, degrading, and yes, replacing their jobs.
One game you've worked on - no words just trailers
youtu.be/YEuUgJpFi9Y?...
youtu.be/YEuUgJpFi9Y?...
June 24, 2025 at 7:32 AM
One game you've worked on - no words just trailers
youtu.be/YEuUgJpFi9Y?...
youtu.be/YEuUgJpFi9Y?...
My 6 y.o. daughter asked why Juneteenth is a holiday and that led to a discussion of slavery at the dinner table.
I didn't get into the gnarly details and I think I managed to explain the large concepts pretty well. And quickly brought it back to how Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom.
I didn't get into the gnarly details and I think I managed to explain the large concepts pretty well. And quickly brought it back to how Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom.
June 20, 2025 at 7:52 AM
My 6 y.o. daughter asked why Juneteenth is a holiday and that led to a discussion of slavery at the dinner table.
I didn't get into the gnarly details and I think I managed to explain the large concepts pretty well. And quickly brought it back to how Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom.
I didn't get into the gnarly details and I think I managed to explain the large concepts pretty well. And quickly brought it back to how Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom.