Hailey Rojas’ Post

I did everything wrong at GDC. The event had so much potential for networking and being part of the fantastic game dev community. In my defense, I didn't really grasp the potential of such a wonderful event and I had no mentor to guide me. And this is why, today I will be conducting a live Zoom session on how to leverage IGDC 2023 to network with like-minded individuals and active recruiters. Game development is equally about the community as it is about skill and creativity. A lot of us came into this industry because we just wanted to play our favorite games and talk to others who enjoyed this art form as much as we did. So don't dare forget what makes this journey special. Join us at 9 pm today here - https://lnkd.in/dAxBBc8G In the same light, we are also conducting a mixer to help make this community stronger than ever before. Come meet me, and many other game developers who live and breathe games. Also, there will be an amazing Outscal x Simple Viral Games is hosting a Mixer After Party near IGDC Venue on 3rd Nov, 2023 where founders, working professionals, investors, and Outscal Students will meet to network causally over a beer. Big thanks to Rahul KR 🔜 IGDC and Sourav Badami 🔜 IGDC 🎮🎮 from Timepass Games for partnering with us in this initiative. PS - If you still haven't applied for our IGDC sponsorship, We have given out all 100% Sponsorship passes, but we're still sponsoring people with Upto 55%. Apply now - https://linktr.ee/outscal #gamingcommunity #gamedev #games #igdc #outscal

🎮 Live from GDC: A Glimpse into Our Gaming World 🌟 Hello, fellow game changers and digital dreamers! Fresh off an exhilarating week at the Game Developers Conference (GDC), I wanted to bring a slice of the experience directly to you. I had the incredible opportunity to mingle with some bright minds in our industry, and I couldn't resist capturing a bit of that magic on video. In this clip, you'll hear from various colleagues across the gaming spectrum as they answer three poignant questions: 1. What's your favorite game? 2. What do you love about working in the gaming industry? 3. What do you dislike about working in the gaming industry? Their answers are as diverse and dynamic as the world of gaming itself, reflecting the passion, creativity, and sometimes the frustration that fuel our daily endeavors. A special thanks to our voices: Pablo Ariznabarreta Andrea Rubio Artiom Snegur Wesley Bishop Jason Gilmore Adrian Cuesta Esteban I hope their insights inspire you as much as they did me. But now, it's your turn! Reshare with your answers—I'm eager to read your stories and perspectives! Let's keep the conversation going and continue to support each other in this vibrant community. #GDC2024 #GamingIndustry #GameDevelopment #CommunityEngagement #ShareYourStory

Like many around the world, I enjoyed seeing the recent story of 13-year-old Willis Gibson becoming the first person to ever complete Tetris, which is a fantastic achievement at any age and shows how video games can help convey lessons that link effort, #failure, #resilience and #success...a link many young people are missing today. But what I didn't enjoy was seeing the way it was reported on during a segment on Sky News. The smugness with which presenter Jayne Secker dismissed the achievement by saying "As a mother I would just say step away from the screen, go outside, get some fresh air. Beating Tetris is not a life goal" had me checking the calendar to make sure we are in fact in 2024 yet video games and the people who play them are still regarded with a maddening level of disrespect on a mainstream network. If we hadn't already started the "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" #diversity campaign, I would have gone and bought the domain then and there. When you're immersed in something, it seems crazy that others don't see its value. It's easy to get defensive, but there are a lot of people who don't consume games to the extent they do books, television, sports etc and this isn’t a problem in itself. The issue comes when they only get exposure to games in the form of harmful stereotypes in the media. But gaming is such a massive industry that continues to grow despite the current difficult economic conditions. It offers many opportunities for young people to find enjoyment, a career path and a potential calling…but they won't get there if they're told at the wise, all-knowing and completely self confident age of 13 that they're wasting their lives and need to get outside instead of playing games….I’m also fairly certain you can do both in a day (don’t fact-check me on that though). I'm always of a mind to put energy towards positive approaches and constructive ways to show what #videogames CAN be as a culture and an industry, versus what a misinformed perception might try to paint it as. So, we're continuing the "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" campaign this year as we aim to make it a yearly initiative challenging the negative stereotypes of the word "gamer" and showcasing pathways into the industry and culture for young people and aspiring professionals from underrepresented talent. If you think there needs to be more of YOU represented in games industry/culture and want to help change those perceptions, then get involved! We're currently looking for players & makers to be part of this year’s photo campaign and will have lots of in-person and virtual opportunities across the year including and beyond the photoshoot portion of the campaign so reach out and make yourself known 🎮✨ 📸 Syed Aadil Ali

During this week, there's a significant focus on addressing a question that can sometimes be challenging to ask: "Are you okay?" It's crucial to maintain connections with friends, acquaintances, and even ourselves throughout the year, emphasizing the importance of taking care of each other. This initiative aims to raise awareness of how a simple conversation and active listening can provide support. Veteran Gaming Australia have a variety of events scheduled for this week to highlight that being there for someone and lending an ear can illuminate what may appear to be a dark period for them. The week began with an R U OK? Arma 3 mission, emphasizing the values of friendship, teamwork, and effective communication. Asking someone, "Are you okay?" or initiating such conversations in your own unique way can create an atmosphere where individuals feel comfortable expressing their current struggles. One of the reasons in which Veteran Gaming Australia operates is because it provides an enjoyable medium for fostering discussions. It's a community that utilises platforms that allow people to connect and converse with others who share common interests, no matter where they are, while also strengthening bonds and mateship. Tomorrow, VGA are hosting Halo Infinite Socials, and on Thursday, I will be out with a fellow Brisbane volunteer at the Keith Payne VC Unit, conducting another engaging session on Miniature Figurine Painting for Veterans in the Hospital space. Additionally, on Thursday, VGA Ambassador, John aka IllogicalSports, will be streaming from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm AEST on the VGA Twitch channel. Feel free to drop by and say G'day or join in for some gaming fun. For a complete list of upcoming events, please visit the VGA Discord at: https://lnkd.in/gEaXyUAT PS. It is never weak to speak and when asking are you ok or asking it in your own way, ask the question internally also and remember it is courageous to speak up if you aren't sure or aren't okay. #veterans #families #community #gaming #ruok #mentalhealthmatters

Fellow game devs, I have no adequate words for those of you laid off during this very rough time in our industry. If you are looking for opportunities, or to connect with other devs and build bridges for the future, this group of dedicated recruiters (people dedicated to finding, nurturing, and helping place talented people like you) is holding a Meet Up tomorrow, March 29th at the Hilton on Convention Way in Anaheim! Go meet some new people and get professional help finding new opportunities. As my wife likes to quote the dubious but observant Lord Petyr "Littlefinger" Bailish, "Chaos is a ladder." These folks are convening to hold it steady while you climb. #gamedevs #recruiting #lookingforwork #gamedevelopment #recruiters #opportunities #onward

Back in 2004, a friend and I had a website about video games. I was a shy child, and I was passionate about video games. Games had a bad reputation with the cool kids at school, but my friends and I didn't care about that. We were too busy listening to Radiohead to care what they thought. As a long time fan of Gamespot.com, and then Giantbomb.com, I was obsessed with trying to build my own games site, fostering a community of like-minded people and giving back to a community that had given me so much joy (and still does!). Suffice it to say, it didn’t take off and I don’t have the privilege of reviewing games for a living. But I did learn a few key things about myself: 1️⃣ When I am interested in something, my eyes light up and I draw power from it. I become single-minded, obsessed and fully focussed on achieving my goal. 2️⃣ I am amazing at bringing people together. There’s nothing I find more enjoyable than seeing people share a moment of delight in a topic, so I try and bring this about as much as possible, and I’m pretty good at it these days. 3️⃣ I learnt that however niche, weird or wonderful your interests are, you should fully embrace them. Shame has no place in your life. Never feel embarrassed about your hobbies and interests, they’re what make you interesting. Even if somebody doesn’t share your interests, the joy they bring you will be infectious. So there we are. It’s difficult to believe that that was almost 20 years ago. Yikes! Take a moment as you gnore on your sandwich over lunch today to ponder how your hobbies and interests inform how you operate.

Curiosity got to me, and I checked my Nextdoor app last night. What I saw made me simultaneously happy and sad. This is part of a post from a local man looking to find friends. Particularly, he'd love to connect with people who share his love for euro board games. Humans want - need - connection. It fuels us. When we find others who share common passions (e.g. our love of a specific type of game), we feel at home...at ease...happy. People naturally gravitate toward others who share qualities, interests, backgrounds, etc. that are similar to their own. This man is looking for people he can be silly with. He's looking for folks who enjoy frisbee golf and would like to join him at the foosball table. He's looking for friends who want to play many, many euro board games. This man is looking for his #community. True, authentic connection is the key to Community - whether it's formally organized at an organization or in daily life. And that's what makes it special. My heart is happy to see this real-life example of someone perfectly displaying his need for community. And my heart is equally sad that he's still searching for his tribe. I hope he finds them soon. 🧡 To anyone who's building, maintaining or dreaming about the future of Community...this post is an illustrated validation of your work's value. Keep moving forward, because you're truly changing lives. #customeradvocacy #connection

Dear Friends, October 20, 2023 is a big day. It's both my dad's and son's birthday, Spiderman 2 day, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder day It's also the last day to nominate folks for The 2023 Game Awards Future Class. If the work I've been doing in our community, the content I've shared, or I personally have positively influenced your life, I would be honored if you could consider nominating me. Multiple nominations are allowed and encouraged! The 2023 Game Awards Future Class recognizes 50 individuals each year - builders, thinkers, and dreamers - whose contributions are diversifying and elevating the art form of games. This recognition isn't just for game developers; it extends to educators who use games as teaching tools and any other role that is contributing to the industry's future For me, games is more than a pastime - it's felt like my entire life since before Kindergarten, second only to my family and closest friends. Our community serves as the beating heart of that passion So why am I pursuing this recognition? Every accolade our community has received, such as receiving the nomination only "Top Voice" blue badge award on LinkedIn for contributions to video games, being mentioned in eight articles by GamesBeat (two as a featured subject), to earning a top 100 ranking within the video games industry at Favikon across all social media (despite only posting on LinkedIn) has propelled our community to new heights Since I don't profit from this platform, where does this newfound energy go? Receiving this recognition will lead to: *Greater visibility to those in the games industry, especially those looking for an uplifting, informed community or for work *Increased job listings because of ou ability to engage games companies *More available games mentors and LinkedIn/CV reviews in our volunteer community of nearly 800 people *Additional opportunities for games interviews for all of you - thousands lifetime *More successful job placements - more than 700 already in the last 9 months *Enhanced mutual support and enjoyment of the best games (and more) content I can think of - you can count on my average of 3+ posts a day With this potential boost in visibility, I believe our community's mission to promote happiness and well-being in the games world could reach unimaginable heights If you'd like to support this next chapter in our community's journey and feel that my contributions are worthy of nomination, here are some resources to guide you: Nomination Form: Click here to nominate (Multiple nominations are highly appreciated so please don't wait for someone else to do it - we need all the numbers we can get!) https://lnkd.in/ePxJkJUj Nomination Guide: I've prepared a guide to help you through the information that needs to be filled out. However, feel free to deviate - it's merely a starting point! https://lnkd.in/e2qTrgn4 Thank you for your consideration- your support means the world to me!

I use video games as often as I can in my work because they are a fun exercise in self-discovery. Video Games give us a place where the pixels on our screens help us paint a clearer picture of our inner worlds. 🌟 Gaming isn't just about high scores. It's about unraveling the mysteries of our minds, building resilience, and unlocking the hero within. Every challenge overcome in-game teaches us that we're capable of so much more IRL. 🎮✨ My goal Is to create a community that celebrates this epic win—where sharing our struggles and triumphs becomes our power-up potion, and every chat session adds XP to our life skills. Ready to hit start on this adventure? Let's game on with purpose and press pause on all doubts. Because in this community, we play to grow, and victory is more than just a final boss defeated; it's the level of understanding we reach, inside and out.