I'm Noelle and here's
#WhatAGameDevLooksLike
🔥
- Game producer at Blizzard for Diablo
- Owns 3D art production for classes, cosmetics, monsters, and NPCs
- Supports DE&I and making our team more inclusive!
- Mentors in the games industry
- Just got promoted! 💕
#BlizzardWomen
Please offer kindness and support to the folks at Activision Blizzard and Xbox today. 1900 people (potentially me, my colleagues, and friends) are getting laid off. We won't know any more information until later today, but I'll be RTing and boosting my peers who are affected. 💔
Reminder to please treat the devs on Overwatch with respect. A lot of tough decisions happen behind the scenes. Yes, the PvE news is a bummer for many players, but that's no excuse for treating someone badly when the news may not even be in their control. Choose to be kind. 💙
Hi! I'm Noelle, a producer on
#DiabloIV
! 🔥 I work with the 3D artists / tech artists who bring our heroes, monsters, NPCs, and our awesome armors to life! I also support DE&I on our team, and I love mentoring students & early career devs!
#WhatAGameDevLooksLike
#BlizzardWomen
I'm thrilled to finally announce that I'm an Associate Game Producer for Diablo IV! 🔥 I'm SO excited to be working with the Character Art team to help bring this game to life. ❤️ Wish me luck!!
Just to be clear, I will not be engaging with any twitter trolls that want to diminish the hard work and livelihoods of the game developers that are losing their jobs. You are blocked immediately. You have no voice here.
The sudden realization that I'm shipping a AAA game, I'm managing multiple big initiatives on the project, I have 7 different mentees that I meet with bi-weekly / monthly, and on top of all of this, I am somehow about to get married in... *checks notes* 12 days... 🤪 No pressure.
What better way to celebrate the Diablo IV Open Beta than with an amazing new headshot? 🔥
I'm so happy to have found my place as a dev on this team and with the character artists that bring our heroes & monsters to life. I hope you have an awesome weekend playing the game! ❤️
When I was in 5th grade, I told my teachers that I wanted to make video games. Now I get to wake up every day and do that. 🎮
It didn't feel real at first, but going to the Blizzard campus made the success of my career sink in. So to the past mini-Noelle: We made it. 💙
Please stop telling laid off devs that instead of looking for a new job they should make their own studio or startup venture. 💀 Not everyone wants to do that in their career. OR their lives may be at a stage where that isn't a risk they can take.
I hate saying this. But it is VERY easy to tell when someone is talking to you just to get a job. At its worst, someone is clearly not listening, didn't do their research, and doesn't care about me as a person. I am not the hiring manager / not a secret pass to skip the line. 😔
We're MARRIED!! 💍 Stay tuned for professional photos in the next few weeks, but for now please enjoy the only two selfies I have from our wedding, right before we were introduced as the newlyweds! 💕
As someone who made her debut in AAA
#gamedev
last week, I wrote down my reflections in hopes of paying it forward. Since I'm still learning, I'd rather reflect on what mindset has been most helpful for me. So here's my thread of 5 lessons learned so far: 🧵
They like us! They really like us! 🥹💗 A heartwarming moment for me and my team. Some of us have been here since the beginning, while others have only recently joined. Even so, it's a beautiful moment for all of us who are working incredibly hard on this game.
#DiabloIV
Here's a fun fact for aspiring devs. Don't have a referral to a job you're excited about? Just apply! ✨️ My job offer came from a cold app. No connections, no secret backdoors. It's easy to dismiss our industry as "referral or nothing" but don't count yourself out! Keep going!
Critics and players agree that
#DiabloIV
is something special. ❤️🔥 I think so, too! When I first interviewed with Blizz, I fell in love with not just the game, but also the world-class team crafting it. All this to say, I'm honored to be one small part of this huge dev team! ❤️
See you in Hell (or as I like to call it, Times Square NYC). 🔥❤️
It isn't every day that you get to see your game on a giant billboard in Manhattan. Absolutely honored to be a small part of Lilith's massive arrival.
#DiabloIV
I joined Diablo IV! 🔥 I'm surrounded by an incredible team, I love everything about characters & monsters, and I'm thtilled to be recognized for my work in the industry over the last few years. ❤️
Game developers! 🎮 👋 It's time. Tell me at least one thing you did that you are proud of this year. Everything is valid, no matter how big or small. Something you learned, a job you found, a smart fix, a promotion, an award, a realisation, you closing a JIRA ticket on time...
I'm too young for this, but that's nothing new by now. I'm sad to share that my dad has suddenly passed away.
He was so excited for my wedding in May. We may not get to celebrate, but he'll be burried in the suit that he was going to walk me down the aisle in. Rock on, Dad. 💔
Had a magical time at the
#DiabloIV
launch party in Albany this evening. 🔥 My coworkers and I took SO MANY great pictures, but these are my favorite aesthetic ones that really capture the mood of the night. ❤️
@ISamOmega
Hi!! I'm Noelle and I'm a producer in AAA on Diablo IV! 🔥 I care a lot about diversity and talent retention in the industry, and I want to find more game dev mutuals who love this work as much as I do. 💕
Hey, so it looks like I'm okay, but it's going to be a hard day for everyone on the game teams at ABK and Xbox. Thank you to everyone who has reached out so far. In these next few days, please take the opportunity to boost & support folks who are impacted today.💙
Oh, that's me! 🥹💕 It was so kind to be one of the nominated devs - and now also a finalist! My teams work incredibly hard to make the art in D4 as cool as possible! I hope you all enjoy the monsters you slay, cosmetics you wear, and NPCs that you meet in Sanctuary! 🔥
I ran a top guild on the NA server of an MMORPG, and this amazing human was my officer! We were "guild mom and dad" until we finally disbanded, but it was an amazing group with members on all the leaderboards. And now, 7 years later, we're getting married in less than a month! 💗
I am so thankful that we have such an amazing, proactive QA team on Diablo IV. 🔥 Our QA colleagues are such an integral part of the work we do, and without them, shipping this game wouldn't be possible.
I interviewed for a job, but I got a message about it being filled internally. A week later, my recruiter reached back out to ask if I was interested in another role on the team. ❤️ In everything you do, it makes a difference to treat people sincerely and kindly.
Did I.... hit 1K followers?? Thank you for being interested in me and my career in games! 🥹
Never did I imagine I'd make so many mutual friends on twitter, be a developer on such an amazing game, and work with such talented, awesome people in the games industry! 🔥
THE BEAUTIFUL
@ArinGoldsmith
is your iFOLIO Trailblazer of the Year at
@thegamehers
Awards!! ✨👏 Arin is a pillar for the games industry, and she does so much to break down the barriers in gaming. I am so proud to be your colleague and friend at
@Blizzard_Ent
! 💙
Before I post about myself (soon), I want to celebrate my biggest believer. I was three when we lost my Mom. My Dad raised me with all of his heart. He'd say, "you have your mother's beautiful mind." I lost him at the start of 2023.
Dad, you'll always be my personal rockstar. 🎸
I'm honored to be in
#TheGameAwards
Future Class for 2022! It's truly amazing to see so many beloved peers & colleagues on this list. Together, let's continue to make this industry a better, brighter place! 🎮
Read more about this year’s recipients here:
My body is still in shock and my heart is broken. We were so close to the wedding. He was so close to being there with me. He had health issues but he was stable. This suddenly happened out of nowhere...
I'll be off social media for a while, but thank you for such kind messages.
Thinking about how my 6th grade math teacher told me I couldn't play WoW with him and my classmates bc I was a girl. So instead I played every other MMO out of spite. And now I'm living the dream doing awesome work at Blizz. Who's laughing now?! 😤🔥
🔥 The Player // The
#DiabloIV
Beta Character 🔥
Hope everyone had a blast playing the early access. Show me your beautiful characters! And if you haven't pre-ordered the game yet, no worries! Can't wait to see you in the Open Beta next weekend. 💕
I keep delaying sharing this news, but the voting closes this Sunday so...
Hey! Someone nominated me for Game Dev of the Year at
@thegamehers
Awards! The decision is entirely by public vote, so any support helps. ✨
🏆 Vote Here!
The Diablo IV Open Beta dates have finally been revealed! 🔥 I hope you are as excited for the game as we are! I can't wait. ❤️
Looking for all the important details? Here you go!
Happy International Women’s Day! 💜
Our industry still struggles with having women in long-term leadership, especially at the director / exec level.
Shout out to the amazing women, mentors, and peers who inspire me every day in games. I am so thankful and proud to know you.✨
Day 8: Star 🎤
My good and personal friend
@cfm_miku_en
will always be the star of my life. I'm glad I finished this before the day ended.
#MikuMonday
#Inktober
It's so crazy to think about how I'm almost at 1600 followers. When I first started my new job on D4, I had 300 close friends & mutuals following me. And now 1600 of you want to learn about my career, my work, and my ✨️ magical girl ✨️ self! Thank you. I'm so honored!
The truth is that many juniors level up quickly with the right direction! If you are in a leadership position, please advocate for junior devs, especially in the face of layoffs that negatively affect them as they try to build a foundation for their careers in the games industry.
I talk to a lot of marginalized folks trying to get games job & "keep trying, hang in there" is inadequate advice. They're already doing that at a high skill level.
The ball is not on their side of the court. It's on senior & leadership folks to advocate for hiring more juniors
Woke up to a very sweet bouquet of flowers from my lovely husband. This may be a rough end to the week, but I'm thankful that he is always by my side. 🌷
Looking back on 2023:
🔥 Shipped D4 with my amazing team. Still making cool stuff!
💍 Married my best friend!
🎓 Visited universities to talk about gamedev.
📝 Mentored dozens of devs, some getting new internships & jobs!
Feeling very blessed & excited for 2024's journey. 🥂💕
It's finally announced at
#Blizzcon
! Diablo IV's first expansion
#VesselofHatred
is coming, and we CANNOT WAIT to share it with you next year in late 2024! 💚
You might not have heard from me recently. Turns out, I won't be able to travel to The Game Awards due to some health issues. I'll need to prioritize my medical care.
Similarly, I'm limiting social media to focus on work & recovery. Thanks for your well wishes and thoughts! 💊❤️
It's International Women's Day!! 💜 Super glad to celebrate with some of the awesome women at the office. Women have always been making games, and we are stronger together! 💙
@LifeatBlizzard
also let's talk about this red velvet CAKE?? 🍰
#BlizzLife
It's my mom's death anniversary, and for the last few years it hasn't really bothered me. But now she and my dad get to be like this again. It's... bittersweet? Sort of nice, but sort of hard, too.
HELLOOO! Since you last heard from me...✨
- New PC for all of my gaming needs 🎮
- Still love my job with all my heart 💙
- Joined a bowling league?? slowly improving...🎳
- About to get super spooky this October!! 🎃🦇
- Speaking & mentoring gamedev w/ such awesome students 📚
@javi_draws
My mom died when I was very little. I could walk, but I was too short to reach the doorknobs. My dad says the doors would open and close for me in the house!!
In the process of writing nearly a dozen LinkedIn recommendations and endorsements for the amazing members of my team impacted by today's layoffs, as well as many of my ABK mentees. My focus is on giving them all of the support that I can offer. ✏️
HEY SO if you haven't seen this and you're looking for a job... 👀 🌻
@javierabegazo
's Job Application Manager on Notion is free and a great template for getting organized & tracking all the jobs you might be applying to.
It isn't easy, but you aren't alone in the journey. 💗
Oh hey! 🔥 I've been so excited about this Diablo video for Global Accessibility Awareness Day!
#GAAD
It was super fun to interview
@vicariouslydrew
and others who develop our game's accessibility features. It's great to see such a cool player-focused perspective on the process.
Hell welcomes ALL 🔥
In honor of
#GAAD
see how
#DiabloIV
developers and the User Research teams partner with play testers and the
#accessibility
#a11y
community to ensure Sanctuary can be enjoyed by everyone.
Sending ALL of the love to my dear friend
@ActuallyArcane
for winning Diversity Advocate of the Year at
@thegamehers
tonight. 💕Thank you for celebrating Diablo with us, for loving our characters, and for being a champion for diversity. It is a joy to be in the industry with you!
2. When you begin, your job is to learn. At the start of the week, I heard new terms & kept asking myself "what the hell does that mean?" Ask questions. Be thoughtful. Take your time. Resist the need to start doing too much too quickly. Gain knowledge from the people around you.
I woke up this morning and realized that 700+ people follow me now. 🥺 Thank you for joining me on my adventure! In terms of game news, I won't have much to share with you since I'm on an NDA. But I can tell you I love this team, and I adore the work I do here. 💕
Well, I've wrapped up for my dad's funeral. I feel like (for now) I have the closure I need bc everything came out so perfect. It was fit for a proper musician w/ old bandmates, rock music, dozens of flowers, 5 photo boards, guitars on display, & custom music notes on the casket.
I am WELL AWARE that I'm about to "overdress" for this production game dev trip, but these are just my clothes. In middle school, I wore the same hoodie, t-shirts and jeans every day for years. Then, I swore "never again" and now I'm here. I'm just going to be myself. 🌸
Sometimes your workday is making a cool video game, other times it's a weapon demonstration where you get to swing axes and swords as men in armor fight for ur honor!! 🔥🪓
@LifeatBlizzard
2k followers?? That's crazy! 💕
My usual reminders:
- Personal account. I post D4, but also daily life, career advice, anime, games, etc!
- Complaining to me about my company's game is not a good use of your time. D4 is a huge team, I'm one small part of it.
- Don't be creepy.
5. Express gratitude. This one is HUGE. I've been reaching out to so many people that have been cheering me on through the years. It feels amazing to tell them how much their support has meant to me. We as a society don't do this enough. So be recklessly thankful and gracious.
Happy
#BlizzCon
folks! 💙🔥 Some ways to find me today:
❤️ Portal Lounge at 11am
❤️ Exchanging friendship bracelets by the fountain at 3pm
❤️ Signing autographs in Hall A at 6pm!
I'm a bit shy and have trouble recongizing faces sometimes, but I can't wait to meet people! 🥹
SO ABOUT THIS... 👑 May or may not have dressed up as a princess in a 9th century castle when we were in Spain a few months ago to celebrate the wedding with my bridal party. 💗
4. You belong! My first meeting had 400+ people in it, and I asked myself "wow, should I be here?" Have no fear, little fish! Do not let the vastness unknown of the ocean, or the bitter cries from other fish, scare you into thinking that you do not deserve to swim in the sea.
Me, trying to explain to my wedding DJ that all of my friends are quiet, introverted nerds and that he needs to play anime openings and japanese future funk / city pop if he really wants people to be on the dance floor and have a good time.... 💀
HEY SO the 3D character artist and tech artists who brought this season's Battle Pass armor to life are AMAZING???🔥⚙️
I am so incredibly proud of my team and all of the work they do (from shop cosmetics, to monsters, to NPCs, to all the other cool stuff in game!)
Hi! I'm Noelle, a producer on
#DiabloIV
! 🔥 I work with the 3D artists / tech artists who bring our heroes, monsters, NPCs, and our awesome armors to life! I also support DE&I on our team, and I love mentoring students & early career devs!
#WhatAGameDevLooksLike
#BlizzardWomen
My controversial opinion about not being an asshole is rapidly falling into the weird side of twitter so I'm switching replies to followers only. 👀 I definitely don't have time for flame wars, so I'll be auto-blocking haha.
1. Reduce the noise. When I started, I had 300+ emails on my first day to go through. Not only that, the hype of all of my social media accounts completely overwhelmed me. Silence your phone. Mute what doesn't matter. Remove the clutter and prioritize what's really important.
As of today, my first month on the D4 team draws to a close. 🔥 I've learned so much from my fellow producers, and I even got to present in front of our entire team of 400+ people with
@ashsweetring
by my side! Look out world, this game is gonna be AMAZING.❤️
Today marks the start of International Women's Month, and I'm proud to be one of the many amazing women at Blizz! 💙 Super thankful for all I've learned so far, and to everyone who has made me feel at home here.
My entire nail salon started clapping and ran up to congratulate me when I said my wedding is tomorrow. 🥺 I'm so happy they've been so kind to me over the years.