Nina Kiel
@beurkeek.bsky.social
Game developer, journalist, researcher, diversity and inclusion advocate, IGF finalist
Research fellow at TH Köln/Cologne Game Lab, promoting accessibility in games and developing Open Educational Resources
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ they/them, sier/sien
Research fellow at TH Köln/Cologne Game Lab, promoting accessibility in games and developing Open Educational Resources
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ they/them, sier/sien
Reposted by Nina Kiel
Ana has done great work that keeps being screwed over by payment processors, frankly we need to support each other across the industry. If you've ever read an article from her over the years, give a little back so she can keep making more.
Given how bad this is getting, I've opened a Donation Tier on SubscribeStar. One-time or recurring, this is one way to help me while combating this nonsense
Content permissions being updated as I speak
subscribestar.adult/acvalens
Content permissions being updated as I speak
subscribestar.adult/acvalens
November 11, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Ana has done great work that keeps being screwed over by payment processors, frankly we need to support each other across the industry. If you've ever read an article from her over the years, give a little back so she can keep making more.
Reposted by Nina Kiel
At risk of flogging a dead horse: this whole letter is a reminder that the creative process is an end in and of itself, and vital to self-actualisation. You can’t experience BECOMING, as he puts it, by outsourcing it to ChatGPT.
In 2006 a high school English teacher asked students to write to a famous author & ask for advice.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
November 11, 2025 at 10:44 AM
At risk of flogging a dead horse: this whole letter is a reminder that the creative process is an end in and of itself, and vital to self-actualisation. You can’t experience BECOMING, as he puts it, by outsourcing it to ChatGPT.
Ana has lost access to her Patreon account due to sudden content restrictions, and thus a big part of her monthly income. Please consider supporting her!
Keep in mind that Patreon was an enormous source of income for me (~$350). Kindly ask folks to help donate a few dollars to my Ko-fi if able right now, as I now need to figure out how to recover from these changes
ko-fi.com/acvalens
ko-fi.com/acvalens
Buy Ana Valens a Coffee
Become a supporter of Ana Valens today!
ko-fi.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Ana has lost access to her Patreon account due to sudden content restrictions, and thus a big part of her monthly income. Please consider supporting her!
Reposted by Nina Kiel
Just to be 100% clear: do not *trust* your employers - that's super silly. The relationship is economical, not based in loyalty, trust, or kindness. There's no judgement in forming a union, just understanding that capitalism requires a risk of financial loss to get companies to do the right thing.
"Unionisation efforts just signal to employers you don’t trust them"
"Just profit share"
Have you been in the industry these past three years? Some ppl just wanna marry the boot
"Just profit share"
Have you been in the industry these past three years? Some ppl just wanna marry the boot
November 1, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Just to be 100% clear: do not *trust* your employers - that's super silly. The relationship is economical, not based in loyalty, trust, or kindness. There's no judgement in forming a union, just understanding that capitalism requires a risk of financial loss to get companies to do the right thing.
Unsere Podcastfolge zu #SilentHillF ist online!
In knapp zweieinhalb Stunden sprechen wir über die Serienkonventionen, zahlreiche Interpretationsmöglichkeiten und... schwärmen einfach gemeinsam über dieses Highlight im Gaming-Jahr 2025.
insertmoin.de/silent-hill-...
(Patreon-exklusiver Inhalt)
In knapp zweieinhalb Stunden sprechen wir über die Serienkonventionen, zahlreiche Interpretationsmöglichkeiten und... schwärmen einfach gemeinsam über dieses Highlight im Gaming-Jahr 2025.
insertmoin.de/silent-hill-...
(Patreon-exklusiver Inhalt)
October 31, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Unsere Podcastfolge zu #SilentHillF ist online!
In knapp zweieinhalb Stunden sprechen wir über die Serienkonventionen, zahlreiche Interpretationsmöglichkeiten und... schwärmen einfach gemeinsam über dieses Highlight im Gaming-Jahr 2025.
insertmoin.de/silent-hill-...
(Patreon-exklusiver Inhalt)
In knapp zweieinhalb Stunden sprechen wir über die Serienkonventionen, zahlreiche Interpretationsmöglichkeiten und... schwärmen einfach gemeinsam über dieses Highlight im Gaming-Jahr 2025.
insertmoin.de/silent-hill-...
(Patreon-exklusiver Inhalt)
Reposted by Nina Kiel
yeah, that's definitely what devs are missing these days, a sense of urgency. Everyone knows constantly feeling like you're about to lose your job ,esp in a job market such as this, is bound to produce top work
Interim Remedy CEO wants to instil 'sense of urgency' after FBC: Firebreak underperforms
Interim Remedy CEO wants to instil 'sense of urgency' after FBC: Firebreak underperforms
The Alan Wake and Control developer is attempting to course correct after its cooperative shooter missed the mark.
www.gamedeveloper.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:52 AM
yeah, that's definitely what devs are missing these days, a sense of urgency. Everyone knows constantly feeling like you're about to lose your job ,esp in a job market such as this, is bound to produce top work
Company that financially benefits from selling overpriced tickets for an event tries to guilt-trip people into buying overpriced tickets for said event.
How original.
How original.
GDC is insanely expensive
prohibitively expensive
It’s sending the message GDC is at best overpriced and at worst a scam
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/gdc-say...
prohibitively expensive
It’s sending the message GDC is at best overpriced and at worst a scam
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/gdc-say...
GDC says companies that don’t attend ‘send a message they don’t care about developers’ | VGC
GDC will undergo a revamp in 2026 as a ‘Festival of Gaming’…
www.videogameschronicle.com
October 25, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Company that financially benefits from selling overpriced tickets for an event tries to guilt-trip people into buying overpriced tickets for said event.
How original.
How original.
Reposted by Nina Kiel
Just a thought: How about we stop shaming the poor for buying things that may not be essential, and start shaming the rich for making a profit off things that are essential?
October 23, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Just a thought: How about we stop shaming the poor for buying things that may not be essential, and start shaming the rich for making a profit off things that are essential?
Reposted by Nina Kiel
For a report for Access Granted, I'm looking to speak with accessibility consultants who HAVEN'T been credited for the games they've worked on. I'm aware of this impacting future opportunities, so I can assure anonymity. Feel free to send me a message if you wish to speak about your experiences!
October 24, 2025 at 6:33 PM
For a report for Access Granted, I'm looking to speak with accessibility consultants who HAVEN'T been credited for the games they've worked on. I'm aware of this impacting future opportunities, so I can assure anonymity. Feel free to send me a message if you wish to speak about your experiences!
Reposted by Nina Kiel
Anonymous adult Steam dev asked if NSFW titles can no longer be released in Early Access, Steam rep replied evaluation is “on a case-by-case basis” during build, store review
“There is no blanket policy preventing certain games from using the Early Access model of development.”
“There is no blanket policy preventing certain games from using the Early Access model of development.”
October 23, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Anonymous adult Steam dev asked if NSFW titles can no longer be released in Early Access, Steam rep replied evaluation is “on a case-by-case basis” during build, store review
“There is no blanket policy preventing certain games from using the Early Access model of development.”
“There is no blanket policy preventing certain games from using the Early Access model of development.”
Hey eveyone, we've already received very thoughtful responses from two developers, but would like to include a wider range of opinions. So if you have time to answer a few questions, please get in touch!
Dear #AdultGame devs:
For the upcoming episode of our podcast "Random Encounters", we're looking for developers who'd like to share their perspectives on depictions of sexualised violence in interactive fiction.
We'd need your answers, either in writing or as voice recordings, until October 31.
For the upcoming episode of our podcast "Random Encounters", we're looking for developers who'd like to share their perspectives on depictions of sexualised violence in interactive fiction.
We'd need your answers, either in writing or as voice recordings, until October 31.
Random Encounters – Insert Moin
insertmoin.de
October 24, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Hey eveyone, we've already received very thoughtful responses from two developers, but would like to include a wider range of opinions. So if you have time to answer a few questions, please get in touch!
Reposted by Nina Kiel
I don't inherently dislike cosy games as a concept, but what dismays me is presenting stuff as wholesome fun gameplay and totally ignoring the ethical context it comes from... cosy capitalist growth, cosy colonisation, etc ... your design is tweewashing via your assumptions of what's morally neutral
October 23, 2025 at 7:44 AM
I don't inherently dislike cosy games as a concept, but what dismays me is presenting stuff as wholesome fun gameplay and totally ignoring the ethical context it comes from... cosy capitalist growth, cosy colonisation, etc ... your design is tweewashing via your assumptions of what's morally neutral
I'm currently doing a deep dive into #SilentHillF and the more it reveals about the intricacies of its story and mechanics, the more I'm enjoying it.
In particular, players growing and learning more about the world alongside the protagonist through repeated playthroughs works incredibly well.
In particular, players growing and learning more about the world alongside the protagonist through repeated playthroughs works incredibly well.
October 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
I'm currently doing a deep dive into #SilentHillF and the more it reveals about the intricacies of its story and mechanics, the more I'm enjoying it.
In particular, players growing and learning more about the world alongside the protagonist through repeated playthroughs works incredibly well.
In particular, players growing and learning more about the world alongside the protagonist through repeated playthroughs works incredibly well.
A regular in-person meeting is announced. Several people mention that being on-site is difficult for them due to scheduling issues. I emphasise it's also an accessibility problem, and point to e.g. commuting and COVID.
The scheduling conflicts are being addressed. My remarks are completely ignored.
The scheduling conflicts are being addressed. My remarks are completely ignored.
October 22, 2025 at 9:54 AM
A regular in-person meeting is announced. Several people mention that being on-site is difficult for them due to scheduling issues. I emphasise it's also an accessibility problem, and point to e.g. commuting and COVID.
The scheduling conflicts are being addressed. My remarks are completely ignored.
The scheduling conflicts are being addressed. My remarks are completely ignored.
Reposted by Nina Kiel
Nothin else for it
October 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Nothin else for it
Reposted by Nina Kiel
To the one person who saved this post
I hope your paper writing is going well 🫡
I hope your paper writing is going well 🫡
The key to a good academic paper is to open with “What’s up gamers”
Then move onto a webster’s dictionary definition of your topic.
And finally close with “but of course, I had the last laugh.”
Then move onto a webster’s dictionary definition of your topic.
And finally close with “but of course, I had the last laugh.”
October 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM
To the one person who saved this post
I hope your paper writing is going well 🫡
I hope your paper writing is going well 🫡
Reposted by Nina Kiel
Reposted by Nina Kiel
More than 26% of all video game workers in Europe were laid off in the past year, with over 10% of those still looking for work.
(Read more: GamesIndustry)
(Read more: GamesIndustry)
October 21, 2025 at 1:15 PM
More than 26% of all video game workers in Europe were laid off in the past year, with over 10% of those still looking for work.
(Read more: GamesIndustry)
(Read more: GamesIndustry)
Ana and I actually discussed this topic on my podcast "Random Encounters" in early 2021, and (unfortunately) what we said in that episode is still relevant. So I asked for permission to publicly share the audio file (which used to be Patreon-exclusive content). You can listen and download it here:
October 20, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Ana and I actually discussed this topic on my podcast "Random Encounters" in early 2021, and (unfortunately) what we said in that episode is still relevant. So I asked for permission to publicly share the audio file (which used to be Patreon-exclusive content). You can listen and download it here:
Dear #AdultGame devs:
For the upcoming episode of our podcast "Random Encounters", we're looking for developers who'd like to share their perspectives on depictions of sexualised violence in interactive fiction.
We'd need your answers, either in writing or as voice recordings, until October 31.
For the upcoming episode of our podcast "Random Encounters", we're looking for developers who'd like to share their perspectives on depictions of sexualised violence in interactive fiction.
We'd need your answers, either in writing or as voice recordings, until October 31.
Random Encounters – Insert Moin
insertmoin.de
October 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Dear #AdultGame devs:
For the upcoming episode of our podcast "Random Encounters", we're looking for developers who'd like to share their perspectives on depictions of sexualised violence in interactive fiction.
We'd need your answers, either in writing or as voice recordings, until October 31.
For the upcoming episode of our podcast "Random Encounters", we're looking for developers who'd like to share their perspectives on depictions of sexualised violence in interactive fiction.
We'd need your answers, either in writing or as voice recordings, until October 31.
“Modern man has transformed himself into a commodity; he experiences his life energy as an investment with which he should make the highest profit [...]. Life has no goal except the one to move, no principle except the one of fair exchange, no satisfaction except the one to consume."
– Erich Fromm
– Erich Fromm
Dead Space and Call of Duty’s Glen Schofield says he’s been experimenting with generative AI for 2 years and believes it can help ‘fix’ the games industry.
“AI isn’t here to replace us, it’s here to make us better, faster, and more efficient,” he says. “It’s a tool”.
“AI isn’t here to replace us, it’s here to make us better, faster, and more efficient,” he says. “It’s a tool”.
October 16, 2025 at 9:34 AM
“Modern man has transformed himself into a commodity; he experiences his life energy as an investment with which he should make the highest profit [...]. Life has no goal except the one to move, no principle except the one of fair exchange, no satisfaction except the one to consume."
– Erich Fromm
– Erich Fromm
Artists and sex workers: Get shamed, banned and demonetised for carefully crafted adult content and services.
Tech bros: Get billions in funding, praise, will likely face no issues for offering similiar content.
#AdultContent #ChatGPT #SexWork
Tech bros: Get billions in funding, praise, will likely face no issues for offering similiar content.
#AdultContent #ChatGPT #SexWork
Sam Altman suggests ChatGPT is cannibalizing your fanfic and erotica to make its own clanker porn, rolling out this December.
ChatGPT just got filthy after new update lets it talk dirty to you
'You won't get it unless you ask for it.'
metro.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Artists and sex workers: Get shamed, banned and demonetised for carefully crafted adult content and services.
Tech bros: Get billions in funding, praise, will likely face no issues for offering similiar content.
#AdultContent #ChatGPT #SexWork
Tech bros: Get billions in funding, praise, will likely face no issues for offering similiar content.
#AdultContent #ChatGPT #SexWork
Reposted by Nina Kiel
I’m very very tired of “living in fear” being lobbed at maskwearers by people who frequently say they can’t wear one because no one else around them is.
Living in fear is ignoring science and endangering lives and your own health because you’re terrified of not fitting in.
Living in fear is ignoring science and endangering lives and your own health because you’re terrified of not fitting in.
October 14, 2025 at 9:23 PM
I’m very very tired of “living in fear” being lobbed at maskwearers by people who frequently say they can’t wear one because no one else around them is.
Living in fear is ignoring science and endangering lives and your own health because you’re terrified of not fitting in.
Living in fear is ignoring science and endangering lives and your own health because you’re terrified of not fitting in.
"[D]isabled players are pushed out by an industry that purportedly championed their inclusion."
#Gaming #Accessibility #Disability #AAA
#Gaming #Accessibility #Disability #AAA
With the continuous rise of prices for games, systems, and tech, and as companies like Xbox announce further increases for services like Game Pass, some disabled individuals are choosing to forgo AAA gaming altogether. Read my latest Access Granted report here:
accessgranted.ghost.io/as-prices-in...
accessgranted.ghost.io/as-prices-in...
As Prices Increase, Disabled Players Feel Left Behind
Rising costs of games, systems, and tech forces some disabled players to leave behind their favorite accessible hobby.
accessgranted.ghost.io
October 15, 2025 at 8:51 AM
"[D]isabled players are pushed out by an industry that purportedly championed their inclusion."
#Gaming #Accessibility #Disability #AAA
#Gaming #Accessibility #Disability #AAA
Let's define "game" first.
In honor of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand
I'll go first: Six page commercial lease.
I'll go first: Six page commercial lease.
October 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Let's define "game" first.