Unionization movement amongst gaming employees

[Gelston]

The tech sector. As laid out in examples here. Or did you mean where it works like normal?

What examples? I just saw a dude that has been in the sector for 2 years at one job whining about the company laying him off and then folding.

[leifastagsweed]

Ahhhh, Digipen. They aren't quite "across" the street anymore...

I live here now and to be completely accurate the new Digipen complex is across the PARKING LOT from some of Microsoft's newest offices on Willows Rd. Facebook has moved into this complex, too. I was over there last week as a day tester for the new Facebook VR technology that's coming out shortly. Redmond is growing like a motherfucker.

[Tgo01]

Industry: *does something bad*
Workers: "Maybe we should do something"
Status Quo Motherfuckers: "HEY THAT'S THE NATURE OF THE INDUSTRY MAN NOTHING YOU CAN DO"

I see nothing wrong if these people want to try and unionize. I just hate how the media is acting like these are the most down trodden people on the entire planet. It's crazy the amount of "Oh woe is the game coder!" stuff I read in articles about this.

They want to unionize? Good for them. Let's not act like they are some sort of victims or something though. They aren't exactly down in a coal mine somewhere with no safety equipment making 50 cents an hour.

Case in point? Look at this shit from the article in the original post:

One developer for Mortal Kombat 11 recently told gaming site Kotaku that he was diagnosed with PTSD after working on the extravagantly violent and gory fighting game.

Really? PTSD because he was working on a violent and gory game?

Like the software industry more broadly, the gaming world is known for “crunch,” the period just before a launch when workers are expected to put in 100-hour weeks with no extra pay. In decades past, especially for console games, that crunch period was typically limited to the weeks before a game’s release date. But conditions are worsening in part because the underlying technology powering video games is changing, altering players’ expectations — and the industry more broadly — in the process.

Oh no! They have to work long hours in an air conditioned office for maybe a few weeks before the launch of a game?

There is really nothing in this article that is world shattering or unhealthy or unfair, but for some reason Time magazine of all places felt the need to talk about the poor misunderstood game worker. I'm sure this has nothing at all to do with the residual effects of GamerGate, oh wait they mentioned accusations of "sexism" in the article too so maybe it does.

[Parkbandit]

Industry: *does something bad*
Workers: "Maybe we should do something"
Status Quo Motherfuckers: "HEY THAT'S THE NATURE OF THE INDUSTRY MAN NOTHING YOU CAN DO"

You make it sound like industries aren't competitive.. like they don't want to steal other employees from other companies by offering them more money, better benefits and a better work environment.

I've never worked in an industry that "it's the nature of the industry" to treat their employees poorly. What industries are these?

[leifastagsweed]

Thought this was an interesting article about gaming employee stress and working conditions. A bit over-hyped, but some interesting info in there. Good luck to all the contract employees!

https://time.com/5603329/e3-video-game-creators-union/

Interesting article and I appreciate you sharing it. I would say that Seattle is a little ahead of the curve in this area having already been using and abusing contractors for decades. That said, there is a NEW controversial model that's evolving here in the tech sector and folks are taking notice....

https://www.inc.com/magazine/201511/...re-growth.html

[Stumplicker]

What examples? I just saw a dude that has been in the sector for 2 years at one job whining about the company laying him off and then folding.

The ones I've been going through in this thread. Those weren't made up. Microsoft, Gearbox, Thoughtworks, 2K Games. The Sierra example I only know from Sierra employee recollections on youtube, but the rest were all from direct professional (and in one case personal) relationships. They're not mine specifically, though I could go through a few of mine if you like too. They're less relevant because I've only really been on the outskirts as a contractor.

[Gelston]

The ones I've been going through in this thread. Those weren't made up. Microsoft, Gearbox, Thoughtworks, 2K Games. The Sierra example I only know from Sierra employee recollections on youtube, but the rest were all from direct professional (and in one case personal) relationships. They're not mine specifically, though I could go through a few of mine if you like too. They're less relevant because I've only really been on the outskirts as a contractor.

Sorry man, I was looking for articles or blogs from dudes that are in the industry. I'm not going to take your word for it, because well, you're you.

[Stumplicker]

Sorry man, I was looking for articles or blogs from dudes that are in the industry. I'm not going to take your word for it, because well, you're you.

Which part of what I've said do you find to be inaccurate? For that matter, what of anything I've said do you find to be inaccurate specifically? I generally cite a great deal of sources.

[Gelston]

Which part of what I've said do you find to be inaccurate? For that matter, what of anything I've said do you find to be inaccurate specifically? I generally cite a great deal of sources.

PRetty much the part where you said the gaming industry doesn't care about your resume and pays you entry level regardless.

[mgoddess]

I live here now and to be completely accurate the new Digipen complex is across the PARKING LOT from some of Microsoft's newest offices on Willows Rd. Facebook has moved into this complex, too. I was over there last week as a day tester for the new Facebook VR technology that's coming out shortly. Redmond is growing like a motherfucker.

Oh fucking balls, I didn't realize MS had bought up officespace over there... though, I just really am not surprised to hear it. Also not surprised that FB is getting Redmond-ized.

Edit: So glad Redmond has the six-stories-tall statute, though aren't there some companies trying to lobby to grow past that these days? (Says the lady who's now living across the border in BC...)