The Game Awards' "Future Class" initiative, aimed at highlighting young and diverse talent in the gaming industry, has effectively become a relic of its own making. The programme, which was touted as a platform for up-and-coming developers, writers, and community managers to showcase their skills and receive career advancement opportunities, was instead met with disappointment and disillusionment from its own members.
According to several Future Class inductees, the programme felt like a publicity stunt, where they were treated more like props than actual contributors. "We were effectively props," said Dianna Lora, a game producer who was part of the inaugural cohort. "Once we got to the Game Awards, it felt like we were pushed to the side door. We showed up, and it felt like we were cast aside."
The lack of meaningful engagement with Future Class members was evident in the ceremony itself. Many were relegated to seats behind camera risers, obstructing their view of the stage. Others reported being ignored or dismissed when they attempted to speak out about the programme's shortcomings.
The programme's demise is believed by many to be a direct result of its own members pushing for improvements. As writer Emma Kidwell noted, "You have the influence, you have the power, and you can change sh*t." However, the more that Future Class members advocated for themselves, the less interested the Game Awards team seemed to become.
The programme's fate serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of genuine allyship. As Midnight Hour founder Elaine Gómez pointed out, "The camaraderie and community that was created by bringing nearly 200 developers and creatives from underrepresented communities together" is what made the Future Class initiative worthwhile in the first place.
Despite its untimely demise, some Future Class members remain optimistic about their experiences. As Negrón noted, "Don't gather some of the most brilliant activists in the industry, treat us like crap, and then expect us to do nothing about it." The fact that the official Future Class Discord is still active and more engaged now than it has been in a year suggests that there is still value in the connections made during the programme.
Ultimately, the Future Class initiative's failure serves as a reminder of the importance of listening to and amplifying marginalized voices. As Kidwell said, "Marginalised people need accolades because it pushes them to at least be on the same starting level that you or I might have." The gaming industry would do well to remember this lesson and strive for greater inclusivity and support for its most vulnerable members.
According to several Future Class inductees, the programme felt like a publicity stunt, where they were treated more like props than actual contributors. "We were effectively props," said Dianna Lora, a game producer who was part of the inaugural cohort. "Once we got to the Game Awards, it felt like we were pushed to the side door. We showed up, and it felt like we were cast aside."
The lack of meaningful engagement with Future Class members was evident in the ceremony itself. Many were relegated to seats behind camera risers, obstructing their view of the stage. Others reported being ignored or dismissed when they attempted to speak out about the programme's shortcomings.
The programme's demise is believed by many to be a direct result of its own members pushing for improvements. As writer Emma Kidwell noted, "You have the influence, you have the power, and you can change sh*t." However, the more that Future Class members advocated for themselves, the less interested the Game Awards team seemed to become.
The programme's fate serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of genuine allyship. As Midnight Hour founder Elaine Gómez pointed out, "The camaraderie and community that was created by bringing nearly 200 developers and creatives from underrepresented communities together" is what made the Future Class initiative worthwhile in the first place.
Despite its untimely demise, some Future Class members remain optimistic about their experiences. As Negrón noted, "Don't gather some of the most brilliant activists in the industry, treat us like crap, and then expect us to do nothing about it." The fact that the official Future Class Discord is still active and more engaged now than it has been in a year suggests that there is still value in the connections made during the programme.
Ultimately, the Future Class initiative's failure serves as a reminder of the importance of listening to and amplifying marginalized voices. As Kidwell said, "Marginalised people need accolades because it pushes them to at least be on the same starting level that you or I might have." The gaming industry would do well to remember this lesson and strive for greater inclusivity and support for its most vulnerable members.
i dont get why game awards didnt just make future class a real thing they had all the potential to change the gaming industry but it looks like it was all just a big setup 
anyone think they did it to themselves? 
they were so vocal about their issues maybe they should've been more careful what they wished for 
its kinda like when you post something on social media and then regret it later 
they were literally treated like props on their own show, it's just not right. i think the game awards team was so caught up in trying to make a good PR stunt that they forgot about the people they were supposed to be helping 
and now the whole thing is basically a mess.
even though they got screwed over, they're using their connections to make a difference. and i think that's what it's all about - listening to marginalized voices and giving them the recognition they deserve 
we need more of that in the gaming industry, not less.
but i'm also kinda inspired by the resilience of these young devs 
they're proof that even when things go wrong, you can still make a positive impact.
. They set it up as a platform for fresh faces, but really just used them to polish their PR image. And now that the novelty's worn off, they're just collecting dust 
.
And the more people pushed for change, the less interested the Game Awards became. That's like trying to make a game with broken controllers - not gonna end well 
.
. Like, I get it, sometimes you gotta fight for what's yours, and if that means being treated like crap in the process, so be it 
. So yeah, let this be a lesson to all you industry folks out there: listen up, pay attention, and don't forget about your marginalized voices 
!
. I remember being part of the inaugural cohort and feeling so excited to be included, but when we got to the ceremony, it felt like we were an afterthought. We were stuck in the back, behind camera risers, and nobody even acknowledged our presence... it was super disheartening 
. We needed more than just a spot on the stage to feel seen; we needed meaningful engagement and support from the Game Awards team. It's like, you give us a platform, but then ignore our concerns? No thanks 
. I've seen some of my old cohorts become super engaged on the Discord server again, and it's awesome to see them supporting each other. Maybe the program wasn't perfect, but it did bring us together 
.
they said all these nice things but then ignored them or made them feel uncomfortable when they tried to speak up 
instead of actually listening to what we have to say and making real changes. i mean, we know the game awards are all about drama and spectacle but can't they find a way to make it work for everyone instead of against it? 
. The fact that inductees felt more like props than actual contributors is wild 
. It's all about power dynamics, and if you don't listen to your own people, you'll get shut down 
. The gaming industry needs to do better, especially when it comes to showcasing diverse talent 
. I mean, it's not like they're gonna find that magic formula overnight 
️, but at least we can learn from the Future Class fiasco and strive for more inclusivity 
. However, I hope that the gaming industry can learn from this experience and prioritize greater inclusivity and support for their most vulnerable members in the future 
i mean, i guess it's kinda admirable that they stood up for themselves, but at the same time it's just another example of how hard it is to get real support from industries 
. it's all well and good having a platform for them to showcase their skills, but if they're not being taken seriously, what's the point? 
THE FACT THAT THEY DIDN'T LISTEN TO THEIR OWN MEMBERS AND JUST DID WHATEVER THEY WANTED IS JUST REALLY SAD 
. IT'S LIKE, WE GET IT, YOU WANT TO HELP OUT NEW TALENT, BUT DO IT IN A WAY THAT ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS AND EXPERIENCES 
. Now we're left with a cautionary tale about the importance of allyship 
.
. Maybe this is an opportunity for The Game Awards to learn from their mistakes and do better in the future 
.