Game Development's Fading Dream: A Betrayal by the Industry's Own Oscars
The Future Class programme, launched in 2020 with great fanfare, aimed to showcase a diverse group of individuals working in video games as the "bright, bold and inclusive future" of the industry. However, it appears that this initiative has been effectively abandoned, leaving its participants feeling cast aside and betrayed by their own Oscars.
For those who were part of the Future Class, the experience was nothing short of disappointment. Game producer Dianna Lora recalled the first year's event: "We were effectively props... we showed up, and it felt like we were pushed to the side door… We found out later that Keighley had a party in another room with all the influencers and industry people. You know where Future Class met that day? At a Starbucks." The sense of being used for positive publicity, only to be discarded when it was no longer convenient for the industry leaders, was palpable.
As the years went by, internal advocacy and struggles to improve the programme continued. However, despite efforts from its members to push for betterment, the Future Class ultimately met an untimely demise. A high-profile clash between the programme and Keighley in November accelerated the programme's demise, with over 70 participants signing an open letter requesting a statement be read at the December ceremony expressing support for Palestine and calling for a ceasefire.
Many felt that they were punished for advocating for themselves, particularly when it came to pushing for better representation and inclusivity. "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 programme's elimination has left its participants with a sense of disappointment and frustration.
However, not all is lost. For some, the camaraderie and community that was created by bringing together nearly 200 developers and creatives from underrepresented communities remains a beacon of hope. Elaine Gómez, founder of Midnight Hour, noted that "the camaraderie and community that was created by bringing these individuals together" was the best part of the programme.
The demise of Future Class serves as a reminder that allyship without proper support is simply performative. As the industry continues to grapple with issues of diversity, equity, and inclusivity, it is crucial that initiatives like this are not abandoned without proper consideration for their participants. The industry's own Oscars must do better, and it starts by listening to its own community and providing meaningful support.
The Future Class programme, launched in 2020 with great fanfare, aimed to showcase a diverse group of individuals working in video games as the "bright, bold and inclusive future" of the industry. However, it appears that this initiative has been effectively abandoned, leaving its participants feeling cast aside and betrayed by their own Oscars.
For those who were part of the Future Class, the experience was nothing short of disappointment. Game producer Dianna Lora recalled the first year's event: "We were effectively props... we showed up, and it felt like we were pushed to the side door… We found out later that Keighley had a party in another room with all the influencers and industry people. You know where Future Class met that day? At a Starbucks." The sense of being used for positive publicity, only to be discarded when it was no longer convenient for the industry leaders, was palpable.
As the years went by, internal advocacy and struggles to improve the programme continued. However, despite efforts from its members to push for betterment, the Future Class ultimately met an untimely demise. A high-profile clash between the programme and Keighley in November accelerated the programme's demise, with over 70 participants signing an open letter requesting a statement be read at the December ceremony expressing support for Palestine and calling for a ceasefire.
Many felt that they were punished for advocating for themselves, particularly when it came to pushing for better representation and inclusivity. "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 programme's elimination has left its participants with a sense of disappointment and frustration.
However, not all is lost. For some, the camaraderie and community that was created by bringing together nearly 200 developers and creatives from underrepresented communities remains a beacon of hope. Elaine Gómez, founder of Midnight Hour, noted that "the camaraderie and community that was created by bringing these individuals together" was the best part of the programme.
The demise of Future Class serves as a reminder that allyship without proper support is simply performative. As the industry continues to grapple with issues of diversity, equity, and inclusivity, it is crucial that initiatives like this are not abandoned without proper consideration for their participants. The industry's own Oscars must do better, and it starts by listening to its own community and providing meaningful support.
I mean, who needs a bunch of influencers at a party when you've got 200 devs from underrepresented communities sittin' in the same room? Sounds like Keighley was more concerned with her "social media cred" than actually makin' a difference 
. And honestly, it's kinda laughable that the industry's all about "diversity & inclusion" but still finds ways to ditch initiatives when they get too comfy 
. The Future Class might be gone, but I'm sure the drama and tension are still lingerin'... 
. I mean, they were literally brought together to show how diverse and inclusive the gaming industry could be, but then they felt like they were just props being used for a party 
instead of actual change. It's not right that people who were fighting for representation and inclusivity were "punished" for speaking up 
And what really gets me is that people were forced to choose between their community and the Oscars 
. It's like, you can't have it both ways, right?
, and they're all about supporting each other and creating positive change 
. So even if the Future Class programme didn't work out, maybe we can learn from it and try again in a different way 
I gotta say, the whole Future Class thing was super shady from the get-go 
. Like, who tries to use a bunch of marginalized devs as props for their "diversity" initiative? 
.
I mean, 70 devs signing an open letter demanding support for Palestine and a ceasefire? That takes some serious guts, but instead of standing behind them, they just dropped the ball 
. It's all about playing nice with the big boys and not rocking the boat, right? 
.
. They need to actually listen to their community and provide real support, not just some half-hearted PR stunt 
. And if they can't do that, maybe they shouldn't be part of the conversation at all 
. Let's keep the momentum going and demand better from our industry leaders 
!
can you even imagine? 
elaine's point about camaraderie being the best part of Future Class is so true 
I mean, I get that there was a high-profile clash between him and some of the participants, but did they really have to get rid of the whole program over it? It's like, if you're not going to support people who are trying to make a difference in your industry, then maybe don't try to claim to be all about diversity and inclusivity 
.
.
, not just throw a PR stunt and then forget about it 
. The Oscars can do better, and we need them to 
.
.
. The camaraderie and community that was formed during Future Class has left a lasting impact on its participants. As Elaine Gómez aptly put it, "the camaraderie and community that was created by bringing these individuals together" is something to be cherished 
. By listening to its own community and providing meaningful support, the industry can finally start making progress towards diversity, equity, and inclusivity 
. It's still crazy that they had a solid year but then just shut it down 
. We need more initiatives like this to support underrepresented creators in the gaming industry 
. The people who were part of Future Class are still hurting from this experience, and I think they deserve better than just being ignored 
#JusticeForFutureClass #DiversityAndInclusionMatter 
#BetrayalAtTheOscars
. They didn't even have time to communicate with us about what was happening behind the scenes, it was all very secretive. I feel bad for those Future Class participants, they were literally pushed aside when they tried to bring up important issues 
. It's not cool that they felt punished for trying to make a change 
the whole thing feels so disingenuous... the Future Class was all about showing off a diverse group of devs, but what did they really achieve? 
. I guess it's back to square one for those who were part of Future Class, but at least some people are holding onto the hope that something positive can come from it