Jess T @jesstomp Twitter profile

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Jess T

7 months

Hey there fellow nerds, we've published a book on the psychology of The Mandalorian! You can download a digital copy FOR FREE or purchase it in print: #starwars #themandalorian

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Last Seen Profiles

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 months

Fantastic. So my cosplay made with the physical labour of my own hands is being labeled as AI content on Instagram, with no way to correct this tag. Fucking brilliant.

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 months

@Manuell16777041 1. I have skinny legs 2. The photographer did some color correction, which probably included muting the shadows so they're less harsh.

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 months

Holy moly this has popped off. I'm gonna plug the the photographer, @TightPhoto , if you like cosplay, give her a follow on Instagram!

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 months

@SkabPixels That's awful, I'm sorry 😞

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 months

@TheLudensAtlas That's quite a process, especially when I usually post to insta from my phone, but I'll have to give it a shot!

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Jess T

@jesstomp

1 year

Look who I found on my walk @GatorsDaily

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 months

@ebk_lars Yeah. I've certainly learned some tips on how to avoid this thanks to my venting here 😂

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

So many AAA games and devs today tweeting about notable father (and father figure) NPCs and playable protagonists. I don't recall the same outpouring on Mother's day; those characters just aren't there. We need more positive celebrations of mothers and mothering in games 💜

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Jess T

@jesstomp

1 year

Every woman in the games industry has heard some iteration of this statement about "women aren't core gamers" or "women don't play action genres" and it needs to STOP

GamesIndustry

@GIBiz

1 year

More and more women in the games industry are speaking out about toxicity targeting them - but men need to speak up too (and on their own behalf), says Skillfull's Gina Jackson

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 months

@theastralj The photographer did some color correction and subtle effects in photoshop, but like, that was also done manually by a human 💀💀💀

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

Today was my last day at id software/Bethesda. For nearly two years, I worked with some of the smartest, most passionate and dedicated folks in this industry. I'm so grateful for the memories and friends I've made. Thank you. 💜

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 years

I just gave one of the most important talks of my career in my slippers 😁 #WhatAGameDevLooksLike

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 years

I'm rather in shock: For Christmas, I asked my partner for a body pillow case featuring either Din Djarin or Garrus Vakarian, and instead he surprised me with a proposal on our 6 year anniversary. Anyway, I'm engaged

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 years

I got my brother the cat harness and kitty carrier inspired by the Stray game and he sent pics!!! @HKdevblog @A_i

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Jess T

@jesstomp

5 months

Painting makes a hell of a difference #BG3 #cosplay

Jess T

@jesstomp

6 months

I try to make a decent cosplay roughly once every few years. This year I wanted to do something I'd never done before and create with eva foam! This is my take on the penumbral armor from #bg3 before paint!

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

I was once (or twice) told as a 10 year old that playing games for hours would rot my brain I'm sure I'm not the only kid who heard that Today, I have a PhD and am speaking this morning at a global conference about my games research 🤩 How have games positively impacted you?

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 months

@TightPhoto also if you're reading this, please note how this has 2m views now-- I am *abundantly* aware now it is an issue with photoshop / adobe's meta data. 😂

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

So I passed my defense yesterday. Jess T, PhD Working ~3 years fulltime in games and chugging away at the dissertation on weekends - needless to say, I'm relieved. I had an emotional outpour after the committee made their decision 😭 But also, yay I get to have weekends!😅

Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

whatever happens tomorrow, at least I love my job 💜

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

I wish we didn't have to keep doing this work in #gamestudies , but here we are. I started this project in grad school ~5 years ago. And 5 years later, recent events show us that sexism is all too real and alive in the games industry today

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

Recruiting and hiring diverse folks on your team is only one side of the coin. If your team isn't putting structure in place to support, grow, and retain diverse folks, that is also a huge oversight and not addressing the problem.

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

every damn time

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Jess T

@jesstomp

5 years

It was costume day at work. 🤟 #StarWars #TheMandalorian

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Jess T

@jesstomp

5 years

not so humble brag: my 1st game credit in Rage 2 & I got positive feedback on my overall job performance. Good week

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

Does this mean my imposter syndrome can go away now? I'm speaking at #GDC this year on improving character design in #gamedevelopment 🥳 👉Full session info here:

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

Excited to share this morning I am staring remotely with @EA as a UX Researcher based out of the Tiburon Studio in Orlando! Thrilled to meet my new colleagues and conduct research on some challenging and exciting new projects! 😊

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 months

@TedMDickinson Thank you, I've worked very hard on it 🫶

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 months

@1nectarine It was not turned on when I posted it

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

If you check the "sent" folder immediately after sending an email, congratulations I'm pretty sure you, too, have anxiety

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

I'm here!

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

One thing I learned early in my career is the biggest pay increases happen when you change companies / roles If I'm somewhere too long but not seeing a company / team invest in ME, I look elsewhere Know your worth. Make moves that give you the comp you deserve

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Jess T

@jesstomp

9 months

A hair dresser once told me to never cut my hair above my shoulders, because of my face shape... Last week I said fuck it

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 months

@magusnikola @Manuell16777041 The details of the costume are not painted on. There might've been a drainage pipe removed or an electric box cloned out, but that warrants an AI label?

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 years

@umikochannart Every time I like thirsty call of duty fan art featuring dudes with a skull mask and a mohawk, I remind myself that my followers follow me for professional content... and I'm just praying my likes aren't showing up on their feeds lmao

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 years

Career update! Today is my first day as a Sr. Researcher on EA's Consumer Insights team. My research will support the pillars of the company's Postive Play initiative

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 years

Your feedback about games is being listened to. Researchers, community managers, marketers, devs, etc. are in fact reading your surveys, social messages, and Reddit posts. But, just like every bug cannot be fixed, realistically not every piece of feedback can be acted o

Will (PushDustIn)

@PushDustIn

2 years

Game devs, what's something that you wish the general public knew about making games?

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

Welling up while reading an email from my PhD advisor because I'm going to actually defend my dissertation!!!!!!!! Roughly 2.5 years in the works after leaving academia as an ABD to start my industry career. 😭😭😭 #phdchat

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Jess T

@jesstomp

1 year

Normal people: Boba Fett emerged from the Sarlacc pit a new man Me: Boba Fett entering the Sarlacc pit was the closest experience he's had to being in a womb, thus his escape is not solely survival but a rebirth, born again of the monstrous maw that consumed and destroyed his--

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

Massive shout out to who ever created this meme because I've use it in so many presentations 😙🤌

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 years

Awkward pose for test fit. See you at #StarWarsCelebration

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

Friendly reminder with everything happening in the industry (*gestures wildly*) that team leadership will be asking for volunteers to improve the culture Make sure you hold leadership teams accountable so the burden to fix issues isn't placed on the folks struggling the most 🌠

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Jess T

@jesstomp

1 year

"The devs are posting memes on Twitter instead of fixing the game" I assure you, these are not shared responsibilities of a single person You've described different jobs, with different responsibilities and schedules

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Jess T

@jesstomp

1 year

If I can boil down some of the more salient and consistent UX issues in single player games I've seen in player feedback it comes down to this: Respect the player's time 🫶 Here are three easy ways to do that 🧵

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Jess T

@jesstomp

6 months

What artists are taking commissions right now??? I want to commission an illustration of my current #DnD character (a Dhampir) from a Ravenloft campaign.

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Jess T

@jesstomp

7 months

Sure, game dev takes forever but have you tried to get an academic research paper published?! Research I started in grad school is JUST NOW hot off the press! Major kudos to friend + kick ass scholar @teresa_lynch for leading this project about sexism in game character designs

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Jess T

@jesstomp

5 years

You don't have to play competitive, ranked online games to be a hardcore gamer

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@Thafnine

5 years

your most controversial video game opinion, go

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

I'm officially one month @ EA doing User Experience Research! Starting a new job is HUMBLING. Just when you've gotten comfortable with structure, processes, and relationships - you start all over again. But you learn! I'm excited to keep growing.

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 years

I'm starting a new opportunity in Oct and that meant sadly saying goodbye to the incredible folks at EA! I'm so grateful for the work & relationships EA provided for my professional growth. More to come, soon! In the meantime send good vibes for the hurricane; I'm still in FL😅

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

I have to admit, my first couple years of being in gamedev, I didn't quite fully grasp the concept of 'motivational spite' that a lot of marginalized folks experience in the industry For better or worse... I get it now

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

I've been a UX Researcher at @EA for 6 months now! A few weeks ago, I was awarded a UXR team Inspire Award for demonstrating Passion in my work. It's an honor to know my work is being appreciated despite the challenges brought about by WFH 😭💖

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

After graduating in the spring, I made plans for Dec commencement but Covid had other plans... I booked a photoshoot instead~ 💃 #PhDLife #phdchat

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 years

Massively honored to be among the diverse folks participating in TGA Future Class this year! Beyond grateful for the friends and colleagues who value my work & the causes I've championed. Thank you for the nomination. 💜

The Game Awards

@thegameawards

2 years

We are honored to welcome 50 new individuals to #TheGameAwards Future Class for 2022. Visit our website to meet the people who represent the bright, bold and inclusive future of gaming:

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

Hey new followers, thanks for having me on your timeline! 👋 I'm a games user researcher who's been working in industry for 3 years - most of that time, I've been working part time on my PhD, which I defended in April.

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Jess T

@jesstomp

5 years

@Windex @SCJohnson @PlasticBank Looking forward to the day when the onus to prevent plastic waste in our oceans isn't placed on consumers and instead, we have companies actively funding research into biodegradable plastic alternatives and/or offering significantly reduced plastic packaging.

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

The value of having game tutorial content accessible at any time? Your players are more likely to finish after a hiatus. A case study:

Tim Spencer

@ThatThereTim

4 years

My 2 year old #NieRAutomata save is 7hrs in. I have _NO_ idea wtf the controls are or wtf is going on. Might as well restart yep?

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

It was my birthday yesterday! I got to spend it with my mom and brother for the first time in years! 💜

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Jess T

@jesstomp

5 years

I'm a user research analyst on the Bethesda Softworks UR team based at id Software. And it's #MyFirstGamesJob I got the job offer nearly a year ago (last May! ). I can't wait to celebrate 1 year in the games industry this July!

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

Seasonal decorations are up. @bobafettfanclub

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 years

Well, its been two months and now I have swag, so I guess time to share the news on the delightful bird app that I'm currently the UX Research Director at @SkeletonKeyDev , building a strategy and operations for UXR in our studio 💀🗝

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

User researchers reading this thread 👀👀👀📝

PC Gamer

@pcgamer

4 years

What's the first setting you change when starting a new game?

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 years

Quantitative data is not morally superior to qualitative Numbers are susceptible to biases just as interpretative analysis is Numbers are biased by human and machine error Numbers are influenced by the way in which data is categorized and stored Numbers can be manipulated

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

It doesn't matter how often I see Experience Design = XD in workspaces, I still can't unsee this

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Jess T

@jesstomp

9 months

Why yes, i am a 30 something engaged woman with a big girl professional job... who's game awards look was not complete without a few references to my video game husband astarion 🧛‍♂️🩸🗡

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

Hot take: Lara Croft should probably look more like this tbh. via @Polygon

The Last of Us Part 2 proves gaming doesn’t know how to deal with muscular women

Abby, a new character introduced in The Last of Us Part 2, does not fit the mold when it comes to the types of women games typically let us play. Her muscles and beefed-up body have drawn debate over...

www.polygon.com

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Jess T

@jesstomp

7 months

Love seeing how even the simple act of routinely discussing and mentioning accessibility at weekly standups starts prompting devs to adapt an accessibility mindset and 'bake-in' accessibility to designs from the get go 🥰 #a11y

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 years

working in a corporate environment, its so easy my identity to become wrapped up in the capitalist rat race in pursuit of promotions, raises, etc... When I go on vacation, it's a good reminder to slow down and reflect on what really matters, like meeting iguanas on the beach

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

The email you write and re-read several times over: ✅polite salutation ✅carefully worded description of request ✅thank you ✅best wishes The email you receive: ✅single word reply ✅"sent from my iphone"

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

Why is there a roast turkey on my carpet

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

I got the best email from a key stakeholder thanking me for my research support on their project 😭 UX research isn't always the most recognizable games industry job and, as a discipline, strives to build confidence with dev teams - so this was a big boost💜

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

Got the confirmation email from my university that I've completed all degree requirements for my PhD Now, will the nightmares about being short the 1 course credit required to graduate *finally* stop?! 😂

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Jess T

@jesstomp

1 year

DATA Among women who play PC and console games: 🧭53% play Action-Adventure games 🔫50% play Shooter games Source: .

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Jess T

@jesstomp

5 years

What playing Beat Saber feels like vs. What playing Beat Saber looks like

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 years

Things I thought provided value early in my #gamesUR career when writing UX Research reports - Quantity of issues (lengthy reports) - exhaustive evidence (dense content) - provide ALL the recommendations (stating the obvious) 🧵(1/5)

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 months

@HarderLetsTry There's some color balancing the photographer did. The second photo in the set also has particle effects to create some smoke in the image, as others have said, that would be baked into the images meta data

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

Games user researchers aren't playtesters. We're social scientists and usability advocates. Sorry we can't reliably measure fun. We'll ask the questions that give us good data. Our job involves a lot more than watching people play games. We use rigorous research methods.

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 years

At my mom's and rediscovered my old drawings from when I was 15-16 years old... theres a bittersweet feeling of wondering how my art might look now if I had kept at it over the years (these are roughly 15 years old btw)

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Jess T

@jesstomp

1 year

❌STOP making excuses about why you don't hire diverse ❌STOP making outdated assumptions about your players ✅DO hire folks from diverse backgrounds ✅DO recognize women are a significant portion of core player segments

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

My previously anti-Covid vax parent got the Pfizer vaccine this week. 😭🙏 Keep having those difficult conversations, if you can. Change can happen.

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Jess T

@jesstomp

5 years

🌟 Friendly reminder that when writing tech documentation, your user doesn't have to be explicitly gendered 🌈

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Jess T

@jesstomp

1 year

While my partner would disagree with the message given my shouting of obscenities every single time there's a controller in my hand, I love my new 'gaming is self care' shirt from @kohizeri 💜

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Jess T

@jesstomp

5 years

Just over 1 year ago today! I've grown so much as a user researcher since then, all thanks to the folks on the Bethesda team who have mentored and inspired me daily. It's exciting to move forward in this field with the confidence this last year has given me. I'm grateful. 💜

Jess T

@jesstomp

6 years

Wrapped up my first day (aka orientation) at @idSoftware / ZeniMax Media as a User Research Analyst. Excited to see where my journey in the video games industry takes me! Also, my co-researchers are amazing people who blessed me w/ appropriate swag...

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

My dissertation is now published on Pro Quest! If you don't have access, let me know - happy to share a PDF. #AcademicTwitter #phdlife #GameStudies

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Jess T

@jesstomp

5 years

Hey gamers, what is a game (or game series) that in unpopular in mainstream gaming culture and/or games criticism that you genuinely enjoy?

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Jess T

@jesstomp

7 years

This is me in 2013, my 1st game design class. I was 1 of 2 women and a 24 year old Master's student. I am so glad to see more women in game design undergrad courses at IU, and seeing less women sitting isolated in #gamedev . This is why my work with @IU_CEWiT is so important to me

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

Me during quarantine: I need to take better care of my hair... Also me during quarantine: I'll shave off about a quarter of it

Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

What I should be doing during shelter in place: working on the dissertation What I'm actually doing: researching and buying products that will (hopefully) restore my natural wavy hair that I've damaged by brushing out way too frequently over the last year

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Jess T

@jesstomp

5 years

My Mandalorian won 1st place in the studio costume content! Got a sweet golden trophy and sick #DOOM messenger bag as a prize 🤟

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

PhDs who are considering industry will sometimes ask me, how do I convince these companies they need *me* / *my research*? It's less about that & more about positioning yourself in way that makes clear you can translate your skillset and knowledge into an industry setting

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

Congratulations to my former colleagues and friends at Bethesda for Deathloop's release and critical praise! It's one of the last projects I touched at Bethesda, but I didn't see enough to have it all spoiled -- I'm looking forward to giving it a go!

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

This Polygon article says it much better than I ever could. Written in 2014, it continues to hold up.

Where are all the video game moms?

While dads are everywhere in games, mothers are almost invisible

www.polygon.com

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Jess T

@jesstomp

1 year

No pinching 🍀 #bobafett

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Jess T

@jesstomp

5 years

First #BE3 as a Bethesda/id employee! Stoked for the show to begin. 😁

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

Just a friendly reminder

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Jess T

@jesstomp

4 years

Today I start moving to a new project + team at work It's a better fit for my skills, but when I first asked about it I was told no A few weeks later, I was offered to lead that project. So here I am, starting the year with a new set of responsibilities + growth to embrace 💖

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Jess T

@jesstomp

6 years

Hi, I'm a games user researcher. You may know me from my greatest hits including, "I'm not QA/design," "yes, you can make games better with science" and "Actually, UX is not the same as UI."

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Jess T

@jesstomp

5 years

@IUBloomington @IUBProvost The dark side of tenure exposed. Tenure protects a a blatant sexist on campus, who can continue to espouse harmful views in front of students.

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Jess T

@jesstomp

2 years

Happening TODAY @ 10.30 am PT / 1.30 PM ET 🎮Three Opportunities to Improve Character Design in the Games Industry 📍Room 3016, West Hall 🗣️This lecture discusses 3 social & cultural opportunities for industry practitioners & educators to adopt a more inclusive approach #GDC22

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

A couple years ago, I submitted a paper to an academic journal about sexist portrayals of female characters in games. One of the reviewers, Reviewer 2 if you will, felt the paper was dated. (1/7)

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Jess T

@jesstomp

3 years

Am I... actually getting to a point in my career where I actually think I'm good at what I do?! 💃

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Jess T

@jesstomp

6 years

Wrapped up my first day (aka orientation) at @idSoftware / ZeniMax Media as a User Research Analyst. Excited to see where my journey in the video games industry takes me! Also, my co-researchers are amazing people who blessed me w/ appropriate swag...

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