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Aron Durkin

@arondurkin.bsky.social
1.6K followers 1.6K following 238 posts

Co-Founder Super Spline Studios bsky.app/profile/supersplinestudios… UK - The People First 4 Day Week Game Animation Specialists! - 19 years a 3D Animator / Tech Animator | BAFTA Member supersplinestudios.com

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Reposted by Aron Durkin
Abby Denton is a Rabbit for Halloween Every Year @abbydenton.com · 5h
I think people are resistant to the idea of LLMs imminently becoming essential to life in the future because, about 5 years ago, everyone said the same thing about pictures of monkeys getting high
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Parkscope Joe @parkscopejoe.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This is insane.
Christopher Hale w @ChristopherHale
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NEW: According to a bombshell report in the New York Times, Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah threatened to walk out of Pope Leo XIV's Al encyclical launch in May because the pope rejected the idea that machines can be conscious.
Olah's team then privately lobbied the pope's advisers "to take the possibility of model consciousness seriously." Pope Leo XIV held firm.
For months, Anthropic has wined and dined theologians and religious scholars under nondisclosure agreements, hoping they would bless the idea that Claude has moral standing.
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Bithell Games @bithellgames.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
You can see everything on sale from us right here: store.steampowered.com/developer/Bi...
A graphic showing a robotic Tek from Subsurface Circular, overlaid with the library art of several Bithell Games titles, with their discounts beneath them.

Thomas Was Alone - 50% Off
Volume - 75% Off
Subsurface Circular - 50% Off
Quarantine Circular - 50% Off
The Solitaire Conspiracy - 50% Off
The Banished Vault - 33% Off
Amberspire - 10% Off
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VGC @videogameschronicle.com · 02/10/2026
Star Wars Galactic Racer review: Somehow, Burnout returns in a modern racing classic. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ www.videogameschronicle.com/review/star-...
videogameschronicle.com
Star Wars Galactic Racer review: Somehow, Burnout returns in a modern racing classic | VGC
The thrilling throwback to arcade racing’s glory days wows with visual might and a great single-player offering…
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Two Point Museum 🦕 @twopointstudios.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The Steam Autumn sale is live! 🍂 🦕 Two Point Museum 33% 🎓 Two Point Campus 90% 🏥 Two Point Hospital 75% Or grab all three in the Two Point Triple Pack bundle at 66% off them all! ✨
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TheGamer @thegamerweb.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
We speak with one of the 34 Rockstar workers who lost their job last year, in the midst of a high-profile employment tribunal.
bit.ly
Inside Rockstar's Union Busting Trial
We speak with one of the 34 Rockstar workers who lost their job last year, in the midst of a high-profile employment tribunal.
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Jón Kristinsson @jonkk.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Zaslav saying “Warner Bros is not for sale” four years ago.
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Luke Plunkett @lukeplunkett.com · 02/10/2026
a masterpiece. ill be thinking about this video game until the day i die.
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George E. Osborn @georgeosborn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I've spoken to plenty of officials in Brussels over the past year. Not a single one has i) objected to the idea of the UK rejoining the EU or ii) suggested that the UK would need to adopt the Euro or even join Schengen to be allowed back in
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MattLakeTA @mattlaketa.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Technical Animation in Video Games returns for a second edition! Included are nearly 100 new pages, major rewrites and factors to update the text for the latest software versions, plus corrections, bug fixes, and rewrites throughout to communicate more info to you!
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Debug Magazine @debugmag.com · 29/09/2026
We’re on the hunt for games writers! Our dream? To find our next staff writer… But freelance opportunities come up each and every month, too. Please DM @mostlyalright.com (Nick, our Games Editor) or if you’re old-school like us, you can also send an email: nick@teamdebug.com Location irrelevant
Nick of Debug magazine reading Debug magazine
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Zach Soares @voxels.ca · 11/09/2026
I'm available for work! - Characters - Rigging and Animations - Environments Art I've worked on Teardown, Vampire Crawlers, Moonglow Bay and many more! Feel free to DM me or email zachary.soares@zsinked.com
Teardown Marketing screenshot showcasing the second level of the Relics of Barkuna DLC. Vampire Crawlers screenshot from within the library. Environment art can be seen with the array of bookshelves and propsMoonglow Bay selfies screenshot from the main character. Soft and light art styleA screenshot from On The Nose, interrogating our first suspect Mr. Deerest.
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Mike Bithell @mikebithell.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I heard the term ‘meat proxy’ recently, meaning someone who places themself as a human middleman between an employer and genAI, and it is simultaneously a perfect term for the practice, and existentially depressing when you realise how many want to nominate themselves for the role.
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Vaida @vaida.me · 26/09/2026
FuturLab (makers of PowerWash Simulator) are hiring a Senior QA Tester UK Remote or Brighton www.futurlab.co.uk/careers/seni... #gamejobs
futurlab.co.uk
Senior QA Tester (UK Only - Remote/Hybrid - Brighton) - FuturLab
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Vaida @vaida.me · 26/09/2026
Pretty Cool Games are hiring: - Lead Designer - Level Designer - Environment Artist Last two state "considering applications from all levels of experience" UK Remote New studio from the Human: Fall Flat team www.gamesindustry.biz/human-fall-f... www.prettycoolgames.co.uk/careers #gamejobs
prettycoolgames.co.uk
Careers — Pretty Cool Games
We Are Pretty Cool… A Game Development Studio Crafting Original New IP.
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Ben Prunty @benprunty.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I'M SORRY I SLEPT ON ALAN WAKE 2 FOR SO LONG THIS IS THE GREATEST GAME OF ALL TIME
Dance sequence from Alan Wake 2: colored lights, Alan and Mr. Door dancing with spooky backup dancers, confetti everywhere Guitarist from Old Guards of Asguard absolutely shredding Mr. Door looking triumphant with bright lights behind him and confetti everywhere
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404 Media @404media.co · 27/09/2026
In reality, Meta is testing having these calls being made by human beings in call centers, 404 Media has learned. www.404media.co/meta-tests-m...
404media.co
Meta Tests Muse AI Agent Calls That Are Actually Made By Humans in a Call Center
"This has potential for so much negative PR. It could portray us as ‘their AI is not good enough so they still need humans’ kind of coverage for this launch."
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Cage @ridiculouscage.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"why would I deceive you?"
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Kat the Lore Mistress @loremistress93.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This is exactly the news I’ve been hoping to hear about UKGE, kinda wish they’d announced it on their comms, but this just proves that change CAN happen if you shout loudly and proudly about something. 💛
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IWGB Game Workers Union @gameworkers.co.uk · 24/09/2026
When workers come together in a union, and fight - they win!🙌 Every game dev deserves a union. If you work in the UK games industry, join our union today: iwgb.org.uk/en/join/game...
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Mikhail Klimentov @leadergrev.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
For nearly two years, I've been investigating a pattern of ominous legal letters sent to journalists by defamation counsel representing Bobby Kotick. That investigation is finally live. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKwp...
youtube.com
Inside Bobby Kotick's Campaign Against the Press
YouTube video by People Make Games
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Double Fine @doublefine.com · 23/09/2026
Enjoy a story told without words, about an unlikely companionship and mystifying metamorphosis! The unknowable awaits...KEEPER is available now on PC, Xbox, and PS5! www.doublefine.com/games/keeper#buy…
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Animation World @animation-world.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
First trailer for Ray Gunn - sci-fi and noir from master Brad Bird
animationworld.net
First trailer for Ray Gunn - sci-fi and noir from master Brad Bird
Visionary director and author Brad Bird returns with one of his most ambitious projects: Ray Gunn. Watch the first original trailer below.
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vibe-free lifestyle and smiling apple purveyor @ellaguro.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
heads up, looks like the trailer for this movie is out now www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvW_...
youtube.com
You Can See Everything | Official Trailer HD | A24
YouTube video by A24
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Aron Durkin @arondurkin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Maybe if you get tax breaks that we all pay for, you should be forbidden from laying off people for the sole reason of pursuing "line go up".
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Aron Durkin @arondurkin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Just got asked on Linkedin by some company if they can licence my "games source code for AI training" - gross, hopefully no one is actually doing this.
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MattLakeTA @mattlaketa.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
In today's tutorial, I show how to import a camera with an animated f stop / aperture from #Maya into #UnrealEngine5! 👨‍🏫 Tutorial - youtu.be/Ri53ry5qbtk 🔗 Join the Tech Anim Corner Discord community - TechAnimCorner.com
youtu.be
Import Camera With F Stop / Aperture Into Unreal Engine from Maya #unrealengine5 #gamedev
YouTube video by Matt Lakeᵀᴬ
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CWA @cwaunion.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Earlier this month, CWA members at Blizzard Entertainment secured layoff protections and recall rights in a breakthrough union contract that has the power to set new standards for the industry. Every video game worker deserves the dignity of layoff protections and a voice.
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Dan Whitehead @danwhitehead.net · 22/09/2026
Nothing will ever be enough for these people.
Microsoft gross profit for the quarter ending June 30, 2026 was $60.482B, a 15.36% increase year-over-year.
Microsoft gross profit for the twelve months ending June 30, 2026 was $225.465B, a 16.28% increase year-over-year.
Microsoft annual gross profit for 2026 was $225.465B, a 16.28% increase from 2025.
Microsoft annual gross profit for 2025 was $193.893B, a 13.38% increase from 2024.
Microsoft annual gross profit for 2024 was $171.008B, a 17.09% increase from 2023.
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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Posts like these are becoming far too common, but if you're an Xbox / Halo Studios worker impacted by the layoffs today and want to share your story confidentially, please do reach out. Can also answer any questions you have about speaking to press. Email in bio. DMs open. Signal: kerrblimey.43
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Wario64 @wario64.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Xbox - "Continuing Our Reset" - 'First, we are eliminating 268 roles across Halo Studios, other first-party studios, and the XGS management and central functions layer.' More: news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/0...
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Rebekah Valentine @duckvalentine.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
"due to their open views about gender, sexuality, and politics" what views are those, polygon? which ones do you consider controversial? let's hear it.
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Alexander Sliwinski @sliwinski.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
It's BAFTA season and I've noticed several UK devs do not have their games in the Best British category. I'mma stop you before your neurodivergency "buts" kick in. As someone who lost to fucking Forza (a wholly-owned American mega-franchise) you belong in there. You belong. Get in there!
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Eurogamer @eurogamer.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Silent Hill's stellar revival continues as new developer Screen Burn melds stealth, meticulous world design, and a dash of social realism for a different sort of survival horror. Here's our Silent Hill: Townfall review: www.eurogamer.net/silent-hill-...
Silent Hill: Townfall screenshot showing a close-up of St. Amelia nurse Zoe Ellis bathed in blue and red light with a serene expression on her face. A four star Eurogamer rating badge is overlaid in the top-right corner.
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Miss Self Destruct @miss-self-destruct.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The only people claiming AI is inevitable in gamedev are those that value how cheap and fast a game can be made, above all else. I value quality. Games made with passion and soul. AI is not inevitable. Don't let the bastards grind you down.
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Game Developer @gamedeveloper.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Workers at Candy Crush maker King have called a strike after collective agreement negotiations reached an impasse
gamedeveloper.com
King workers to strike after collective agreement talks stall
Unionized employees at the Candy Crush studio will down tools on September 25 if the impasse cannot be overcome.
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alexis @steppinlazer.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
it would be helpful to mention japanese labor laws re: layoffs as a factor in these types of stories
Quiet Restructuring vs. U.S.-Style Layoffs

In Japan, U.S.-style sudden mass layoffs are rare by law and custom. Instead, firms practice a "quiet change". They curb hiring, redeploy staff internally, and expand early-retirement schemes. For example, Tokyo Shoko Research reports that 46 listed companies in FY2025 offered early retirement to over 20,000 workers. Notably, many announcements emphasized retraining and redeployment over firing. A consultant's study notes that Japanese companies are focusing on "eliminating redundant tasks" to boost productivity, rather than simply cutting headcount.What, if any, additional considerations apply if large numbers of dismissals (redundancies) are planned? How many employees need to be affected for the additional considerations to apply?
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In cases of layoffs, courts tend to determine the validity of the dismissal by comprehensively considering the specific circumstances related to the following four elements (Tokyo District Court Decision, January 21, 2000; Osaka High Court Judgment, March 24, 2016, etc.).Since restructuring dismissals are dismissals based on the employer’s circumstances, stricter standards are applied in determining their validity than for dismissals attributable to the employee’s fault. These standards apply regardless of the number of employees targeted for dismissal.

(i) Necessity of Personnel Reduction: The implementation of personnel reduction must be based on sufficient necessity arising from corporate management issues such as recession, decline, or poor business performance, or be recognised as an unavoidable measure.

(ii) Efforts to Avoid Dismissal (Necessity of Selecting Layoffs as a Means of Workforce Reduction) : Measures to avoid layoffs must have been implemented, such as reducing expenses (including cutting overtime pay by stopping overtime work), reducing temporary workers, reducing or eliminating executive compensation and employee bonuses, not renewing fixed-term contracts, halting new hires, suspending pay raises, reassigning employees, or offering voluntary retirement programs.

(iii) Rationality of Selection: Objective and reasonable criteria must be established for selecting employees subject to dismissal, and these criteria must be applied fairly.

(iv) Fairness of the termination process: Conducting labour-management negotiations, individual interviews, and other procedures to provide explanations, disclose information, and engage in consultation with workers.
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A.R. Moxon @juliusgoat.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Same people who seem to think it’s bad for China to beat us at AI are perfectly fine with China beating us at high speed rail, solar energy, wind energy, shall we go on
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Ju Li Khaw @juleshortstuff.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
My counterpoint to "if you cared about your work, you would crunch" is if you cared about the quality of your game and your workers, you would give them appropriate time to craft it.
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Leigh Alexander @leighalexander.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
these teams have long running institutional knowledge of the franchises they work on and don’t make every new installment with a team of underpaid juniors being bossed around by clueless suits
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Wario64 @wario64.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Heart Machine founder Alx Preston - "nearly everyone at the studio had to be laid off" after a publisher is no longer moving forward with an unannounced game "Right now, I'm not sure yet how or if Heart Machine survives" www.linkedin.com/posts/alx-pr...
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Mike Bithell @mikebithell.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Seriously. Even if you are a monster, a person driven to hurt other people, an absolute piece of shit… Even THEN all the data demonstrates that prolonged crunch lowers productivity. Those who cling to it are ignorant, and with the evidence available, actively and intentionally so.
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Jaime Cross @speedyjx.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I really REALLY need game devs, and especially those who are in higher up positions, indie or otherwise, to clue into the fact that crunching away for weeks or months of a time is neither normal nor something you should wear as a badge of honour.
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DiscussingFilm @discussingfilm.net · 16/09/2026
Zach Cregger's ‘RESIDENT EVIL’ debuts with 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. The highest rated video game movie OF ALL TIME. Read our review: bit.ly/DFEvil
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Robin-Yann Storm @rystorm.com · 16/09/2026
There is also a less nefarious one: M&E, Media and Entertainment. Many companies organize their games devrel with that name, and it's no good. Game development is such a unique beast that it requires its own way of thinking, although the devrels of games and M&E should be in close contact.
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Aura/Moom @moomanibe.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
As a bonus, he is bragging on linkedin about forcing his staff to work in-office through the pandemic, so you can ALSO get long covid in addition to the health issues from crunching
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Aron Durkin @arondurkin.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
We have run a games business for 10 years. indie, AA, AAA, mobile. We’ve done all of it. Not a single bit of overtime has been done. 4 day weeks for years too. The whole team is super committed and passionate. Less toxic bullshit in our industry please.
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Mando @mrmandolino.itch.io · 15/09/2026
hey remember that article ages ago interviewing the spouses and close family members of devs doing crunch why don't we do that again
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James Youngman @jyoungman.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
But we should all get lifetime rev share anyway.
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