Tumbler wrote on Aug 16, 2012, 21:06:
I'm shocked! I've never heard of companies...oh wait wait, yes I have. this is how you run a successful game studio. you refuse to give me any credit employees that don't bend to every demand you can possibly think up. That's right 14 hour days, you want credit don't you? And before the game ships you drop an employment contract on them and if they don't sign it, you fire them. if they do sign you just signed skilled labor for another 2 years at pennies on the dollar. the best part is they are going to burn out within a year or two and you can replace them with somebody even cheaper who hasn't finished the first game yet. rinse and repeat.
This industry need unions.
Why does it need unions? If you have the skills they want and need you're going to get paid well and do things on your terms, if not then they really don't need you and you should feel fortunate you have a job. No one is forcing anyone to work in this industry and anyone that has skillsets that can be applied to it can easily be applied elsewhere. There's a ton of mediocre and bad talent in this industry and they're happpy to take that sort of abuse just so they can say they work making games for a living.
I worked for EA and put up with abuse for 2 years because I fell into that category of being non-essential but wanting to be involved in gaming. When I had enough of their shit I left. I make a lot more money, work a lot less hours, and I'm a lot happier. Problem solved. No union required. I've worked for unions too and they can be just as bad if not worse. Difference is I've never heard of a good union but I've heard of - and worked for - good management.
"Some motherfuckers are always trying to ice skate up hill." - Blade