The Game Awards' "Future Class" programme, designed to highlight promising young talent in the gaming industry, has effectively fizzled out. The initiative, launched in 2020 with great fanfare, aimed to showcase diverse and inclusive voices in the industry. However, it appears that efforts to improve the programme fell flat.
Former Future Class member Dianna Lora described being part of the inaugural class as "being used for positive publicity" before being cast aside when their advocacy for the initiative became too vocal. The group's seat at the 2021 Game Awards ceremony was also obstructed by camera risers, further highlighting the programme's exclusivity.
The programme promised career advancement opportunities and networking events, but these seemed to be little more than token gestures. In fact, some inductees found themselves fighting for basic perks like hotel accommodations and flights. Those who pushed back against these issues were met with resistance from Keighley and his team.
The final nail in the coffin came when over 70 Future Class members signed an open letter calling for a statement of support for Palestine and a ceasefire. The letter was ignored, and some members received "insulting" responses to their concerns. It's clear that the programme's demise was not due to lack of interest but rather a lack of commitment from its leaders.
The Future Class's failure serves as a stark reminder that allyship without proper support is simply performative. The gaming industry still has a long way to go in terms of diversity and inclusivity, and initiatives like this one need concrete backing if they are to have any real impact.
On the bright side, some members of the former class have taken matters into their own hands. The official Future Class Discord remains active, with many more voices speaking out against systemic issues within the industry. As Elaine Gómez, founder of Midnight Hour, noted, "the camaraderie and community that was created by bringing nearly 200 developers and creatives from underrepresented communities together" is a testament to the power of grassroots activism.
As for Keighley and his team, they remain tight-lipped on the matter. The programme's website has been removed, leaving no official record of its members or achievements. It seems that any hope of growth and improvement was sacrificed in favor of maintaining appearances rather than taking meaningful action.
Former Future Class member Dianna Lora described being part of the inaugural class as "being used for positive publicity" before being cast aside when their advocacy for the initiative became too vocal. The group's seat at the 2021 Game Awards ceremony was also obstructed by camera risers, further highlighting the programme's exclusivity.
The programme promised career advancement opportunities and networking events, but these seemed to be little more than token gestures. In fact, some inductees found themselves fighting for basic perks like hotel accommodations and flights. Those who pushed back against these issues were met with resistance from Keighley and his team.
The final nail in the coffin came when over 70 Future Class members signed an open letter calling for a statement of support for Palestine and a ceasefire. The letter was ignored, and some members received "insulting" responses to their concerns. It's clear that the programme's demise was not due to lack of interest but rather a lack of commitment from its leaders.
The Future Class's failure serves as a stark reminder that allyship without proper support is simply performative. The gaming industry still has a long way to go in terms of diversity and inclusivity, and initiatives like this one need concrete backing if they are to have any real impact.
On the bright side, some members of the former class have taken matters into their own hands. The official Future Class Discord remains active, with many more voices speaking out against systemic issues within the industry. As Elaine Gómez, founder of Midnight Hour, noted, "the camaraderie and community that was created by bringing nearly 200 developers and creatives from underrepresented communities together" is a testament to the power of grassroots activism.
As for Keighley and his team, they remain tight-lipped on the matter. The programme's website has been removed, leaving no official record of its members or achievements. It seems that any hope of growth and improvement was sacrificed in favor of maintaining appearances rather than taking meaningful action.
. We pour our hearts into something to make a difference, but when the heat gets on, we can't seem to keep the flame lit 
. The gaming industry thought it had created this "Future Class" initiative with the best of intentions, but it's all about appearance now - shiny awards and fancy titles, but no real substance 
. It's like, what even is the point of being part of a program if you're just gonna get pushed aside when your advocacy gets too loud? 
And don't even get me started on the lack of support from Keighley... it's all just so... concerning 
. I guess that's what happens when we prioritize aesthetics over actual change 
. It's actually kinda inspiring to see these ex-Future Class members taking matters into their own hands, though - grassroots activism is where it's at, you know? 
. And now that the programme has fizzled out, you're left with these talented individuals fighting for basic respect and support... it's not right.
. The fact that the Discord is still active is a testament to the power of community and solidarity. And Elaine Gómez said something really wise about the camaraderie that was created by bringing these underrepresented voices together... it's a shame more people didn't take notice back then.
. They're just being super shady by not commenting on what happened or even taking down their website. It's like they're trying to sweep everything under the rug 
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... 70% of Future Class members felt ignored or dismissed by Keighley & co. 
That's a whopping 70%! 
Meanwhile, only 20% reported seeing tangible benefits from the programme 
️
? and don't even get me started on the 'insulting' responses from keighley's team 
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. like, i'm all for grassroots activism 
I think it's really sad to hear about the Future Class programme failing so spectacularly. I mean, who doesn't love seeing more diverse voices in gaming? 
It's like they were all set up for a great thing, but then things fell through.
. Dianna Lora's story is wild - being used for publicity but then having her voice silenced when she spoke out? No thanks 
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. It's like they're taking the lessons from the Future Class program and running with them 
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. And the fact that Keighley and his team didn't take any real action to address these issues just shows how out of touch they are with what matters most 
. That's something we can all get behind! And hey, at least there's a new community formed out of this – solidarity is key, right? 
it's a shame they couldn't make it work. I mean, who doesn't want to support up-and-coming talent in gaming? 
. It's like they wanted to have their cake and eat it too, you feel? 
and that's the kind of real growth i can get behind. we need more people pushing for change from the inside out rather than just waiting for someone else to do it 
so here's to all the grassroots activists out there, keep pushing forward! 
. Some of these former Future Class members are speaking out and organizing on their own, which is actually kinda cool 
I think the Gaming Awards' Future Class programme was a total letdown 
. They claimed to want diversity and inclusivity, but it sounds like they just wanted to coast on their good vibes 
. Former members are speaking out about how they were used for publicity and then cast aside when they got too vocal 
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