John Hartzell
johnhartzell.bsky.social
John Hartzell
@johnhartzell.bsky.social
Senior Game Systems Designer. MMO Enjoyer. Currently Blizzard Entertainment. Previously ZeniMax Online Studios & EA Sports. Opinions are my own.
Unfortunately I am a part of the mass layoffs at Xbox. Our incredible new MMORPG at ZeniMax Online Studios has been cancelled.
July 2, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Reposted by John Hartzell
CWA members employed by the Trevor Project are condemning the decision by the Department of Health and Human Services to end funding for specialized suicide hotline services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults.

Thread 🔽
June 23, 2025 at 2:10 PM
www.engadget.com/gaming/zenim...
Congrats @zenimaxworkers.bsky.social and @codecwa.bsky.social ! This is a historic moment for every person working in games across the United States.

Another important step closer to our destination on the path to a more sustainable and fair games industry for all.
ZeniMax and Microsoft ratify union agreement
The agreement with ZeniMax Workers United-CWA is Microsoft's first union contract in the US with any industry.
www.engadget.com
June 21, 2025 at 3:59 AM
I remember fondly playing the original Oblivion in my college dorm room. Before I knew that being a game developer was a path I could take.

Such a wonderous world, compelling characters, and freedom of choice.

I am excited to experience it again and so many to experience it for the first time!
April 22, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Seeing the deluge of AI generated art, poorly imitating Studio Ghibli, being vomited onto the internet after a new AI update. It reminds me of a famous clip of Miyazaki. In which, Miyazaki describes the use of AI to imitate human made art "an insult to life itself".

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngZ0...
Hayao Miyazaki's thoughts on an artificial intelligence
YouTube video by Manhattan Project for a Nuclear-Free World
www.youtube.com
March 27, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Reposted by John Hartzell
ZeniMax Online Studios workers form union, because unions rule
aftermath.site/zenimax-onli...
December 13, 2024 at 4:51 PM
I am so intensely proud of my coworkers tonight. We are celebrating this historic win because of the hard work, dedication, and support of devs from wall to wall at ZOS.
Today we, a majority of video game workers at ZeniMax Online Studios and the workers behind ESO, are proud to announce the launch of our union with
@cwaunion.bsky.social! ✊
December 13, 2024 at 12:34 AM
September 23, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Great view to start day 1 of Iceland. Ready for an excellent EVE Fanfest.
September 18, 2023 at 11:32 AM
Hello, World!
September 17, 2023 at 11:51 PM