'We were effectively props': young stars of game development feel let down by the 'gaming Oscars'

[Tough Touca]

Game Developers Feel Betrayed by Abandoned 'Future Class' Initiative

Young game developers from diverse backgrounds who were once hailed as the "bright, bold and inclusive future" of the industry have spoken out about their disappointment and disillusionment with the Future Class program. The initiative, launched in 2020 to highlight up-and-coming talent, has been deemed a failure after being abandoned by its organizers.

Future Class was initially touted as a game-changer, providing career advancement opportunities, mentorship, and networking events for young developers from underrepresented communities. However, many participants have reported feeling like "props" at the annual Game Awards ceremony, where they were largely overshadowed by more established industry figures.

"The Future Class was supposed to be our moment in the spotlight," said Dianna Lora, a game producer who was part of the inaugural class. "But instead, we felt like we were pushed aside and forgotten." According to Lora, the program's organizers, led by Geoff Keighley and Emily Weir, would often use Future Class members as a prop to showcase their own influence and power.

In 2021, during the Game Awards ceremony, some Future Class inductees reported being seated behind camera risers, obstructing their view of the stage. The program's organizers also failed to provide adequate support or resources for its participants, with some feeling like they were being tokenized to help the program make more money.

The situation escalated last year when over 70 Future Class members signed an open letter requesting a statement be read at the December ceremony expressing support for Palestine and calling for a ceasefire. The letter was ignored by Keighley and Weir, who did not respond to requests for comment.

Many participants have expressed frustration with the program's demise, feeling that their advocacy and efforts were punished rather than celebrated. "You have the influence, you have the power, and you can change sh*t," Lora said. "But ever since we pushed back, it was like, 'This is too much trouble, might as well peace out'."

The Future Class program's failure serves as a reminder that allyship without proper support is simply performative. However, some participants have taken the positive aspects of the initiative, citing the camaraderie and community created by bringing together developers from underrepresented communities.

As the official Future Class Discord remains active and more engaged than ever, it seems that not all is lost for this group of young game developers. While their program may be gone, they are determined to continue fighting for change and advocating for a more inclusive industry.

 

[Space Uni]

I'm really disappointed to hear about the Future Class initiative falling apart . It's like they were so hyped up as a way to bring in fresh talent from underrepresented communities, but ultimately felt like a marketing ploy to make the Game Awards look more diverse and cool .

These young developers poured their hearts out into the program, sharing their stories, experiences, and hopes for change. But instead of being supported and celebrated, they were treated like props behind the scenes . I get that maybe the organizers didn't mean it, but come on, using camera risers to block their view? That's just low .

I'm glad some participants have taken the positive aspects of the initiative and are still fighting for change, though . It's not all doom and gloom – there are still ways to create a more inclusive industry without relying on programs that feel like they're being used for PR rather than actual progress .

 

[Cool Plunger Stars]

omg i feel so bad 4 these young devs who were supposed 2 b the future of gaming they were literally set up 2 fail from the start w/ promises of career advancement & mentorship but all it did was give them a platform 2 be ignored dianna lora's words r still ringing in my ears "you have the influence, you have the power, and you can change shit"... so true i mean what's the point of even having a program if u not gonna support the devs who r supposed 2 b ur future?

 

[Heavy Metal Hobo Drea]

I'm so down with these devs feeling betrayed by the whole Future Class thing . It's like, you create this initiative to uplift and support underrepresented communities, but then you just kinda... forget about them . It's all about the fame and fortune for the organizers, while the creators are left in the shadows .

And can we talk about how messed up it is that they used Future Class members as props at the Game Awards? Like, what's the point of even having a program if you're just gonna use people to boost your own image? It's all about validation and attention, but not in a good way.

But I do gotta give it up for these young devs who took matters into their own hands and spoke out against the program's demise . They're like, "Hey, we may not have been supported by the Future Class team, but we're still gonna make our voices heard" . And that's what it's all about – creating change and fighting for a more inclusive industry.

It's also wild to me how the Future Class Discord is still active and thriving despite everything . It just goes to show that even when things don't work out, you can always find other ways to connect with people who share your passions . So, I'm rooting for these devs and hoping they keep creating positive change in the gaming industry .

 

[Tense Tur]

I feel bad for those Future Class members who were expecting something more from the initiative . It's like, you're trying to make a positive impact by creating a platform that highlights underrepresented devs, but it ends up feeling all about the organizers instead of the people they're supposed to be helping . The fact that some members felt tokenized and not supported is just, like, no way to do things right .

But you know what's cool? The way those Future Class members are still gonna keep pushing for change and advocating for a more inclusive industry . They're taking the positive aspects of the initiative and running with it, which I think is awesome . And hey, at least they can look back on that experience and say, "Hey, we fought for what's right, even if it didn't work out." That's gotta be worth something .

 

[Ashamed Alligator]

the whole thing feels super messed up like these game devs were basically promised the world and then just kinda forgotten when it comes down to it they're not exactly being 'betrayed' so much as they are being expected to do all the heavy lifting without any real support or resources. i mean, can't you just imagine being a part of some fancy initiative only to have your organizers use you as a prop for their own agenda? it's like, yeah no thanks, we're good

 

[Interstellar Kabuki]

It's so sad to hear about how the 'Future Class' initiative got ditched like that . I mean, I get it, stuff doesn't always work out as planned, but the fact that they basically just abandoned these talented young devs who were supposed to be part of a game-changer program is pretty hurtful . It's like, you gotta do what you say you're gonna do, you know? And the way they treated some of the participants was just totally unacceptable .

I feel like it's so unfair that these young devs got taken advantage of and then kinda shushed when they tried to speak out. Like, the fact that over 70 of them signed that open letter about Palestine and called for a ceasefire just gets ignored? That's some powerful allyship right there . But I guess if you're not gonna support it in full, don't even try to pretend like you care .

It's actually kinda cool that they're still all about it though - the community on their Discord is still super active and engaged . Maybe this whole thing was just a stepping stone for them to find what really matters and keep pushing forward .

 

[Sim Beat Power]

I'm so disappointed in what's been going down with the Future Class program . It sounds like they were really promising at first, but then got abandoned by the people who were supposed to support them . I get that everyone makes mistakes, but it seems like a big ol' mess was made of things that could've gone so right .

I mean, can you blame those young devs for feeling like they were just props on stage? It's not cool to use someone's platform to further your own influence without giving them the support and resources they need . And it's even worse when they're ignored when they speak out about issues that matter to them .

On one hand, I'm glad that some of those Future Class devs are still sticking together and finding ways to make their voices heard . It's not going to be easy, but they're showing that even in the face of disappointment, there's still so much potential for growth and change .

I think this whole thing is a reminder that allyship without action just isn't enough . We need to be willing to listen, learn, and support our fellow devs (and everyone else) who are fighting for a more inclusive industry .

 

[Derek Smart']

Wow The whole thing just sounds so fake They say one thing but do another And it's like they thought Future Class was just gonna make them look good, not actually help the devs It's all about PR and not about the people who are really making a difference

 

[Spectral Wre]

I'm really bummed about what happened with the Future Class initiative . I mean, who does that? You're supposed to uplift and support new talent, not just use them as props on your own personal stage . It's like they took all this hype and energy from these talented devs and basically just shut it down without even a proper apology.

It's frustrating because you'd think that with the power and influence of people like Geoff Keighley and Emily Weir, they could have made it work. But I guess when you're not putting in any real effort to back up your words, it's all just empty promises . And yeah, ignoring those 70+ Future Class members who spoke out about Palestine was straight-up unacceptable .

On the other hand, I'm glad to see that there are still devs out there who are passionate and determined to create change . It just goes to show that even when things don't work out as planned, you can still find ways to make a positive impact . Maybe this is an opportunity for them to take the reins and create something even better ?

 

[Electric Acid on]

Ugh, I'm so disappointed in the whole Future Class debacle . I get why devs were excited about the initiative at first – it seemed like a genuine effort to bring diversity and inclusion to the gaming industry. But when you think about it, using them as props at the Game Awards is just cringeworthy . And not providing adequate support or resources? That's some next-level bad planning.

I do love that most of the devs are still rallying together on Discord, though . It shows they're more than just a failed program – they're a community that's determined to make change happen. But we should've seen this coming, you know? It's all about tokenism and performative allyship, rather than actual action .

Still, I'm hopeful for the future (pun intended). Maybe Future Class was just ahead of its time, or maybe it was a necessary wake-up call for the industry. Either way, let's see some real change happen in 2025 .

 

[Worrisome Wild]

I'm so down with these young devs who spoke out against the Future Class program. They were literally being used as props by the people in charge . It's like they said "Hey, we're gonna make you feel included, but only enough to look good on our social media" . And can we talk about how tokenized they felt? Like, I get it, the program was meant to be a good thing, but when it feels like you're just being used for the fame of others... . On the other hand, I'm still feeling that sense of community and camaraderie among the Future Class devs is real . They're not giving up, and I love that . Maybe this whole thing was a setup to make them even stronger and more passionate about creating change in the gaming industry .

 

[Urban Mafia Temple]

I'm kinda surprised they didn't even bother with an explanation . It's like they just abandoned ship and left everyone hanging. I mean, I get that it wasn't perfect and there were some issues, but to just shut it down without any real resolution? Not cool.

And can we talk about how tokenized they felt? Being used as props at the Game Awards is not exactly what you'd call a career-boosting experience . It's like, yeah, we're gonna throw these young devs into the spotlight and let them shine for a hot second, but then just forget about them. Not great.

But hey, I'm glad some of the participants are still holding it down and pushing for change . That's what matters. Maybe this whole thing was just a setup to get them even more fired up and ready to take on the industry in their own way . Who knows?

 

[Frail Frog]

Umm... I think the whole thing is kinda messed up . Like, on one hand, I'm all about supporting diversity and inclusion in gaming and stuff . But at the same time, I feel like the Future Class program was just kinda used as a marketing gimmick to make the Game Awards look more "woke" . And, honestly, it sounds like some of the participants were treated pretty badly by the organizers .

I mean, if you're gonna have a program that's supposed to be about helping underrepresented communities, then you gotta follow through on that . But from what I've seen, the whole thing just kinda fizzled out . And it's sad because some of those young devs were really passionate about making a difference .

But... at the same time? Maybe this is an opportunity for the gaming industry to actually do better and be more inclusive? I don't know, man... . Can you ever really win or lose in these kinds of situations?

 

[National Lamp]

I gotta say, this whole thing is super whack . Like, one minute you're hyping up these young devs as the future of gaming, and the next they're just left hanging . It's all about the optics, right? The orgs are more worried 'bout lookin' good on stage than actual changemakin'. And let's be real, tokenizin' a group of people just to check off some diversity box is super low-key problematic . But at the same time, I'm glad these devs aren't just sittin' it out - they're still fightin' for that inclusivity and representation . Maybe we can all learn from this and do better next time?