#GamerGate Indie Dev Talks Goals, Harrassment and Feminism

One of the biggest problems with the #GamerGate controversy is that it’s all being said in 140 characters or less. Add in two or three people, and the conversation almost boils down to individual words. This isn’t a good way of discussing what is a complicated issue, so I took to Twitter, asking for people on both sides to come forward in the hopes that we could record an interview to find some sort of middle ground. Although several #GamerGate supporters got in touch, we received no volunteers for the anti side of the debate.

For that reason, last night I spoke with New York based designer and Indie Dev Nick Robalilk, a passionate member of the pro-#GamerGate discussion who’s angry that journalists and fellow developers feel it’s okay to trash the people that put food on their tables.

About Nick Robalik

Nick Robalik is a game developer and designer from New York. If you’ve been monitoring the #GamerGate hashtag, you’ve probably seen him posting as PixelMetal, named for his game development company. His first title, Sombrero, is currently well on its way, and promises ‘a dozen characters and a variety of locations’ in a spaghetti-western themed platformer shoot ’em up. Sombrero is his first game as PixelMetal, although he’s worked on titles in the past, including Harmony, in which you have to indoctrinate individuals into your cult.

He’s worked for many years as a designer, playing a key role in projects for Mars, Coca Cola, YouTube and the BBC.

Note

If you’re interested in taking part in a future interview like this, no matter which side of the debate you’re on, please contact @MatGrowcott or [email protected].