Cameron Nicoll
@cnicollrun.bsky.social
Associate Lead Programmer @RiyoGames
Full-time gender disaster (They/Any)
Part-time problem
Opinions are my own!
Full-time gender disaster (They/Any)
Part-time problem
Opinions are my own!
Reposted by Cameron Nicoll
happy fullmetal mean girls day to all who celebrate
October 3, 2026 at 5:46 PM
happy fullmetal mean girls day to all who celebrate
This feels like one of those moments where, even if it's not their thing, folks should still step up.
The internet's fucked, creative expression is constantly getting pressured to fit a very limited view, and here's a website trying to stand firm against that - hell yeah, I'll try to help!
The internet's fucked, creative expression is constantly getting pressured to fit a very limited view, and here's a website trying to stand firm against that - hell yeah, I'll try to help!
GONDOR CALLS FOR AID
FA Announcement: Support Fur Affinity’s Community Funding
www.furaffinity.net/journal/1143...
gofund.me/8126f11cb
FA Announcement: Support Fur Affinity’s Community Funding
www.furaffinity.net/journal/1143...
gofund.me/8126f11cb
Gondor Flame
ALT: Gondor Flame
static.klipy.com
October 3, 2026 at 7:28 PM
This feels like one of those moments where, even if it's not their thing, folks should still step up.
The internet's fucked, creative expression is constantly getting pressured to fit a very limited view, and here's a website trying to stand firm against that - hell yeah, I'll try to help!
The internet's fucked, creative expression is constantly getting pressured to fit a very limited view, and here's a website trying to stand firm against that - hell yeah, I'll try to help!
Excitedly explaining to various friends the magic of OG Maple Story with its features like 'fighting to get into party quests' and 'XP loss on death' and 'waiting 15m for the boat to show up so you can spend 15m travelling'
I'm *so* hyped for Maple Story Classic you can't tell!
I'm *so* hyped for Maple Story Classic you can't tell!
September 21, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Excitedly explaining to various friends the magic of OG Maple Story with its features like 'fighting to get into party quests' and 'XP loss on death' and 'waiting 15m for the boat to show up so you can spend 15m travelling'
I'm *so* hyped for Maple Story Classic you can't tell!
I'm *so* hyped for Maple Story Classic you can't tell!
Back in Canada! Now to be a potato for the last week of my vacation...
By which, of course, I mean trying to work on personal projects!
By which, of course, I mean trying to work on personal projects!
September 15, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Back in Canada! Now to be a potato for the last week of my vacation...
By which, of course, I mean trying to work on personal projects!
By which, of course, I mean trying to work on personal projects!
Reposted by Cameron Nicoll
I’ve been the game lead on a project with crunch and I want to say this with full throat:
Crunch is a failure of project management, not a failure of workers to get things done. The scope was wrong, the budget was wrong, the release date was wrong, or something else, but management fucked up.
Crunch is a failure of project management, not a failure of workers to get things done. The scope was wrong, the budget was wrong, the release date was wrong, or something else, but management fucked up.
Wardogs lead says the studio won't hire people who decry crunch on social media
Wardogs lead says the studio won't hire people who decry crunch on social media
'If you care about the work you’re making and the result of what you make here, you’ll feel really valued. If you don’t, you will feel slave-driven.'
www.gamedeveloper.com
September 15, 2026 at 6:43 PM
I’ve been the game lead on a project with crunch and I want to say this with full throat:
Crunch is a failure of project management, not a failure of workers to get things done. The scope was wrong, the budget was wrong, the release date was wrong, or something else, but management fucked up.
Crunch is a failure of project management, not a failure of workers to get things done. The scope was wrong, the budget was wrong, the release date was wrong, or something else, but management fucked up.
Reposted by Cameron Nicoll
as a guy who will put in an extra hour or two here and there, A) it's always something I'm choosing to do 2) it's because I didn't plan better and iii) I know I do better work with proper rest and that includes having a life and hobbies
Wardogs lead says the studio won't hire people who decry crunch on social media
Wardogs lead says the studio won't hire people who decry crunch on social media
'If you care about the work you’re making and the result of what you make here, you’ll feel really valued. If you don’t, you will feel slave-driven.'
www.gamedeveloper.com
September 15, 2026 at 7:11 PM
as a guy who will put in an extra hour or two here and there, A) it's always something I'm choosing to do 2) it's because I didn't plan better and iii) I know I do better work with proper rest and that includes having a life and hobbies
Reposted by Cameron Nicoll
NEW Heritage Minute: Gander and 9/11
YouTube video by Historica Canada
youtu.be
September 3, 2026 at 12:17 AM
Reposted by Cameron Nicoll
this is a conversation I would overhear from my game designer coworkers after asking them how they want the door I just modeled to open
August 31, 2026 at 4:24 AM
this is a conversation I would overhear from my game designer coworkers after asking them how they want the door I just modeled to open
First day being off for 3 weeks and I've spent most of my time in the kitchen...
On the bright side? I have SO MANY baked goods to enjoy now
On the bright side? I have SO MANY baked goods to enjoy now
August 29, 2026 at 10:16 PM
First day being off for 3 weeks and I've spent most of my time in the kitchen...
On the bright side? I have SO MANY baked goods to enjoy now
On the bright side? I have SO MANY baked goods to enjoy now
Some times we have a little whimsy at work. As a treat.
August 17, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Some times we have a little whimsy at work. As a treat.
If you had told the me from 5 years ago how often they'd end up doing late night baking, they'd have thought it was a joke.
And yet here I am, once again taking brownies out of the oven at almost 11pm...
And yet here I am, once again taking brownies out of the oven at almost 11pm...
August 14, 2026 at 2:49 AM
If you had told the me from 5 years ago how often they'd end up doing late night baking, they'd have thought it was a joke.
And yet here I am, once again taking brownies out of the oven at almost 11pm...
And yet here I am, once again taking brownies out of the oven at almost 11pm...
Reposted by Cameron Nicoll
My new plan for retirement is to open a game dev bar for the sole purpose of being able to make a bunch of cocktails with silly names
Current ideas are Cut Feature, Maya Crashed, Code Finally Compiled, Passed Cert, and a shot called "The 2h Meeting"
Current ideas are Cut Feature, Maya Crashed, Code Finally Compiled, Passed Cert, and a shot called "The 2h Meeting"
August 8, 2026 at 8:56 PM
My new plan for retirement is to open a game dev bar for the sole purpose of being able to make a bunch of cocktails with silly names
Current ideas are Cut Feature, Maya Crashed, Code Finally Compiled, Passed Cert, and a shot called "The 2h Meeting"
Current ideas are Cut Feature, Maya Crashed, Code Finally Compiled, Passed Cert, and a shot called "The 2h Meeting"
Reposted by Cameron Nicoll
Ran across this trailer by accident and they have my full attention. So glad to see that, even amidst all the bullshit, there are still teams out there making Games With Teeth.
War Fantasy - Official Trailer
YouTube video by Indie Games Hub
www.youtube.com
August 6, 2026 at 1:57 AM
Ran across this trailer by accident and they have my full attention. So glad to see that, even amidst all the bullshit, there are still teams out there making Games With Teeth.
Reposted by Cameron Nicoll
An exceptional exploration of genAI in game development from a producer who absolutely Gets It: www.productionalchemist.com/p/inever-see...
I Have Never Seen a Game Fail Because the Artists Were Too Slow
AI is optimising the cheapest part of production
www.productionalchemist.com
August 5, 2026 at 10:40 PM
An exceptional exploration of genAI in game development from a producer who absolutely Gets It: www.productionalchemist.com/p/inever-see...
Didn't realize it was #nonbinarypeoplesday! I'm very happy to be living my best life as a game developer who reached into the bin and grabbed a handful of gender.
July 14, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Didn't realize it was #nonbinarypeoplesday! I'm very happy to be living my best life as a game developer who reached into the bin and grabbed a handful of gender.
Reposted by Cameron Nicoll
It’s #NonBinaryDayofVisibility, so uh… Hi! My name is Luther. I’m a 38 year old game designer living in San Francisco. I like J-Fashion, Nachos, Warhammer 40K, night clubs and mirror selfies (clearly). Been on HRT for nearly 2 years.
July 14, 2026 at 9:44 PM
It’s #NonBinaryDayofVisibility, so uh… Hi! My name is Luther. I’m a 38 year old game designer living in San Francisco. I like J-Fashion, Nachos, Warhammer 40K, night clubs and mirror selfies (clearly). Been on HRT for nearly 2 years.
I'm honestly still reeling from getting flashbanged by a pre-HRT, pre-30s picture of myself during an all-hands on Monday
But hey, just hit 4 years at my current place as of yesterday so that's cool!
But hey, just hit 4 years at my current place as of yesterday so that's cool!
July 12, 2026 at 8:34 PM
I'm honestly still reeling from getting flashbanged by a pre-HRT, pre-30s picture of myself during an all-hands on Monday
But hey, just hit 4 years at my current place as of yesterday so that's cool!
But hey, just hit 4 years at my current place as of yesterday so that's cool!
Reposted by Cameron Nicoll
Is there another games industry I can join? I think this one's broken.
July 7, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Is there another games industry I can join? I think this one's broken.
Reposted by Cameron Nicoll
The game industry is so fucking back
July 6, 2026 at 4:21 PM
The game industry is so fucking back
As I've gotten older, I've come to really appreciate owning a physical piece of media. There's something about looking through a shelf of games, pulling out the one you want, popping it in...it just adds something special
As I've gotten older, companies have tried to make me own less and rent more.
As I've gotten older, companies have tried to make me own less and rent more.
July 1, 2026 at 3:30 PM
As I've gotten older, I've come to really appreciate owning a physical piece of media. There's something about looking through a shelf of games, pulling out the one you want, popping it in...it just adds something special
As I've gotten older, companies have tried to make me own less and rent more.
As I've gotten older, companies have tried to make me own less and rent more.
Reposted by Cameron Nicoll
Games aren't made by studios, they're made by people. The studio is just the logo on the side of the building.
The way this industry is undervaluing, abusing, and discarding people is shameful, and it's doing damage to this medium we will never fully know.
All while execs line their pockets.
The way this industry is undervaluing, abusing, and discarding people is shameful, and it's doing damage to this medium we will never fully know.
All while execs line their pockets.
June 25, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Games aren't made by studios, they're made by people. The studio is just the logo on the side of the building.
The way this industry is undervaluing, abusing, and discarding people is shameful, and it's doing damage to this medium we will never fully know.
All while execs line their pockets.
The way this industry is undervaluing, abusing, and discarding people is shameful, and it's doing damage to this medium we will never fully know.
All while execs line their pockets.
Reposted by Cameron Nicoll
Between the insane console price hikes during a recession (I said it) where people can't even afford healthcare, and the jettisoning of talent and institutional knowledge in favor of AI slop and more zeroes on the shareholder paycheck, these industry "leaders" should leave. Devs are not the problem.
June 25, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Between the insane console price hikes during a recession (I said it) where people can't even afford healthcare, and the jettisoning of talent and institutional knowledge in favor of AI slop and more zeroes on the shareholder paycheck, these industry "leaders" should leave. Devs are not the problem.
Reposted by Cameron Nicoll