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Ben Carnow

@carniferus.bsky.social
683 followers 194 following 574 posts

Senior and sometimes Lead Character Artist at Bethesda Game Studios. 99% personal sketch/garbage art here. All opinions my own AI and NFTs go right in the trash

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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I don’t know who needs to hear this but Thou- Inconsolable is a superb album for rocking a sad infant to sleep and it won’t fuck up your algorithm. Ask me what I have listened to every night for months and will probably continue for the foreseeable future. On a good night she’s out by track 3.
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Put that away Sapiosexual Steven. No one wants to see your podcast made flesh.
Digital sketch. A figure mostly made of brainy/intestiny looking flesh.
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Eyes of the Autarch
Digital sketch. Symmetrical arrangement of 3 skulls interwoven above a strange suggestive face. Flanked by many fingered arms.
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I threw together an artstation now that they are not owned by epic/claim to no longer AI scrape. Just a lot of art from previous games presented pretty raw and unglamorous. Enjoy! Carniferus.artstation.com
carniferus.artstation.com
Ben Carnow
Lead Character Artist at Bethesda Game Studios
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Don’t like yer face.
Digital painting. Symmetrical abstracted skull face with big dark shiny eyeballs.
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Digital painting. Colorful symmetrical globby creature.
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Corey Brickley * Blight's Hollow Dot Com @coreybrickley.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
TECH CEO: WE INVENTED GUN
DOG CAN USE

Crowd Cheers


Little guy wearing Yaoi hat: "OH MY GOD, WHY?"


Crowd: WOOO

Tech CEO: WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT BY 2027 10000% OF ECONOMY
WILL BE DOG GUN
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Jeff Grubb @grubb.wtf · 10/09/2026
DLSS 5 is just a lighting pass and not an ai hallucin--
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Krista A. Leemhuis 🎨 @moss-demon.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I don't normally post about work things, but this one is pretty huge for Blizzard and (I hope) for the game industry as a whole. Here's to a brighter future for game devs 💚 aftermath.site/blizzard-uni... #blizzardunion #blizzard
aftermath.site
After Years Of Company Stalling, Blizzard Workers Win Mega-Contract That Applies To All Unionized Teams
"Really strong" layoff protections are just the tip of the iceberg for a contract that covers 1,900 workers
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The 40 hour work week. Compensation for overtime. The right to organize and strike. These were not inherent rights given to all in the US and Canada. They were fought for by the courageous workers who came before us. On Labor Day, we remember how far we've come, as well as our fight left ahead.
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Goat
Symmetrical digital painting. Humanoid creature with one central eye and large horns. Bright primary colors.
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Just want to paint weird bugs
Digital painting of a strange brightly colored insect thing.
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
When leadership makes poor decisions and tries to fix them with layoffs, they don't just hurt devs like Anelise. They hurt our players and our games, and never pay the price themselves. Join us to #SaveGameWorkers and gaming overall by using the link in our bio to make your voice heard.
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Jellybox Studio @jellybox.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
UMBERT ACTUALLY! EP 7!!! Why are we paying for incomplete games?! #UmbertActually #UnionYaoi #MistermanGuyfella #Jellybox #IndieAnimation
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Devs like Marie want to make great games. But with the sword of layoffs poised over our heads, we are forced to split our attention between our work and the campaign to save our industry. #SaveGameWorkers by going to the link in our bio and telling Microsoft to take bargaining seriously.
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Hostile mindform
Digital painting. Symmetrical brightly colored weird creature?
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Our union in the news today! From The Guardian, read interviews from our members on the impact of XBOX's mass lay-offs. With 1,600 more to come, we must act now to protect the future of the games industry. Read more: tinyurl.com/2p9m32f5
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Developers like Ruben care about making games players can enjoy for years and improving with every update and future release. You can support devs like Ruben by using the link in our bio to #SaveGameWorkers.
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Rik Godwin @rikgodwin.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
To work 60 hours a week just to be laid off before the game you destroyed yourself to make is released is... Fuck I don't even know what that is. Disgusting, at a minimum.
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Queen of Ghosts
Symmetrical digital painting. Floatibg elongated feminine figure with elaborate horns in a strange chitinous dress. Surrounded by phantasmal forms. Bright colors.
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Even with over 17 years of experience in AAA games, Kitty was laid off on July 6th. Making profitable games doesn’t spare developers from mass lay-offs; only fighting for their protections will. Help us #SaveGameWorkers by going to the link in our bio and tell Microsoft to stop killing our games.
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
When you get lay off devs who care about the games they make, you tear out a studio's heart. Stephanie was part of that heart, loving the Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises. We won't let corporations destroy us from the inside out. Join us to #SaveGameWorkers by going to the link in our bio!
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
I love this cat this cat is Wynn Duffy Justified.
Character Wynn Duffy from the show Justified.
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Big ol’ skull
Grayscale digital sketch.  Big gnarly skull.  Small suggestion of body and tiny figure in front.
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Just new bike creepin’
Digital greyscale sketch. Horned figure joined with a fleshy motorbike.
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Marie Jasmin @mariejasmin.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Every single one of us protesters in these pictures would rather be at our desks making excellent games. The tragedy is that our owners are making that impossible: stabbing the goose repeatedly won't make the golden eggs come out faster. These photos are what's left of our passion for our craft.
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
www.mymcmedia.org/bethesda-gam... Love to be the local news! Thanks for everyone that showed up! Also is my voice really that low? I sound insane.
mymcmedia.org
Bethesda game developers keep up fight against XBOX layoffs
Video game developers held another protest to keep up the fight against job cuts and support their fellow game developers.
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Today!!! Come out if you are able and support the developers making the games that you love! Our power to negotiate and make things better for our teams and those who were laid off is directly tied to the visible support we get from all of you.
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Printed my exotic horsey design large. In a metallic purple as they would appear in the wild. Obnoxious matcap irl.
Photo. 3D print of a rotund horse-like creature.Another viewIn hand for scaleZbrush screenshot. A rotund horse-like creature covered in armored plates and spikes.
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Xbox layoffs did not remove "14 layers of management"; they removed talented on-the-ground developers like Griffin who were hard at work on Bethesda's next great title. Join us and #SaveGameWorkers by telling Microsoft leadership to stop downsizing development teams (link in bio)
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
New god in progress.
Symmetrical greyscale digital sketch. Being with a bunch of faces and chitinous limbs and such.
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Why did Bobby Libby, a community content manager, come out to the Save Our Devs rally in July? Because Microsoft has shown they only have one plan to manage their own poor choices - layoffs. We'll be fighting again on August 18th across the country. #saveourdevs #savegameworkers
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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
We've seen some questions pop up around layoffs: "well, if they were laid off, didn't that mean they weren't doing a good job? Maybe they deserved it." And on its face, that sounds logical and legitimate. Because the opposite would just be pure cruelty, right? ...Right? ...So here's the thing.
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Hell-anor 🔥 @eleanrrr.rocks · 13/08/2026
The most crazy part of this is when I see folks not in the industry say workers deserved to be laid off because they suck. This industry is competitive. If you're bad at your job, you will wash out long before layoffs and be replaced with the next competent person in line. Unless you're an exec...
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
When massive corporations lay off foundational team members like Ching, they tear out the soul of a team. It is up to all of us to protect video games and it starts with the real people who make them. #SaveGameWorkers and tell Microsoft to correct course on these layoffs (link in bio).
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Nathan Grayson @nathangrayson.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
workers also planted flags outside the office, one for each laid-off dev. the union sent me a video of all of them, and the number is truly striking. imagine just... ignoring that
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Without game developers, there are no video games. Join us across nine cities next Tuesday, August 18th, as we rally for the rights of workers in the games industry. All allies welcome - when we fight boss battles together, WE WIN! ✊ Details: actionnetwork.org/event_campai...
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Game developers like David want to make games for adventurers like you - but they can't do if their colleagues keep getting arrows to the knee. The future of video game development belongs to you, hero. #SaveGameWorkers and tell Microsoft how these layoffs impact the worlds you love (link in bio).
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Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
NEW: CWA union members have inflated a giant rat and deployed a wall of red flags representing laid off Xbox workers outside the Bethesda office in Rockville. The protest was timed to coincide with a visit from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who is apparently at the studio today.
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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
SCABBY THE RAT HAS SPAWNED INTO THE LEVEL
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Developers like Eric just want to make games that enrich player's lives. But too often, multi-billion dollar companies like Microsoft, Sony, and EA want to enrich shareholders via layoffs. #SaveGameWorkers and tell these companies to stop treating game developers as disposable: shorturl.at/5ruBE
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
There are no video games without video game developers. Trillionaire corporations will continue to treat devs as line items on a balance sheet unless we fight back. Join us on August 18th to #SaveGameWorkers, as we rally across nine studios in the US and Canada. More location details to come soon.
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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Really heartening to see both game workers and players wake up to the realities of what collective action can do to change things. The tide is turning. Everyone, including you, deserves a union.
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
When Microsoft lays off veteran developers like Johnmichael, it's the decimation of a studio itself. This cycle of acquiring and discarding studios will continue unless we speak up. #SaveGameWorkers and tell Microsoft to end these unnecessary layoffs NOW: shorturl.at/5ruBE
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Fun fact 5 years at BGS you get an Elder Scroll as a celebration of tenure! You get pins for each shipped project. This Elder Scroll (from Skyrim) was concepted by Ray Lederer and in game art was made by Dane Olds. Both were laid off by Microsoft. Sends a message about what tenure means now at BGS
Physical prop of an Elder Scroll suspended over a closet door because I mount things like an idiot.  Covered in pins for various projects and years of service.Concept art for the Elder Scroll from TES V: Skyrim. Concepted by Ray Lederer.In game model of the Elder Scroll from TES V: Skyrim.  In game asset made by Dane Olds.
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Steal this look
Digital sketch. A monstrous lizard like woman in a questionable and proactive outfit. Also got blood on hands and teeth.
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Person by person, Microsoft has gutted teams that support Xbox players. Cameron Miller was Zenimax's German Billingual Customer Support Lead until he was laid off on July 6th. Together, we can still send a message to Microsoft and #SaveGameWorkers. These layoffs cannot continue! shorturl.at/5ruBE
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Manda Farough @ GCAP, MIGW, PAX Aus | Causeway Studios @amandafarough.ca · 05/08/2026
An exceptional exploration of genAI in game development from a producer who absolutely Gets It: www.productionalchemist.com/p/inever-see...
productionalchemist.com
I Have Never Seen a Game Fail Because the Artists Were Too Slow
AI is optimising the cheapest part of production
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Ben Carnow @carniferus.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
I was adjusting our newly installed child car seat and found a little purple/blue disc wedged in the butt seam. Pulled it out and uhhh? I don’t really believe in this stuff, but I am assuming the person that left it in the car seat had some sort of intentions for the next rider. Warded or cursed AF?
Photo. Hand holding a glass “evil eye” trinket over a child car seat.
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OneBGS - Bethesda Game Studios Union @bethesdaunion.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Developers like Atran Raikany from ZOS are responsible for making the game worlds we love feel alive. Microsoft's lay-offs aren't just short sighted business decisions - they're threats to the future of these worlds. #SaveGameWorkers and tell Microsoft to end these layoffs: shorturl.at/5ruBE
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