EA: The Human Story

[unastrike]

Well, to continue the trend of EA related topics, I'll throw in my offering:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/ea_spouse/

Just an interesting read. Check it out.

[Gekko]

Indeed it is. DOWN WITH EA! DOWN WITH EA!

[Nogrick]

Man, I think EA needs to take a real look at what they're doing. It doesn't seem like they're about the games anymore, but just out to make a profit. Go back to your roots EA and quit pissing everybody off.

[Sciler]

[Gekko]

Well, I've seen his work, he's talented, he could get a job with another developer. But I will continue my pointless effort to not give EA another dime of my money, ever again.

[Sciler]

but see, what you read isnt everything, its just one side of teh story. its not just EA that this happens with, its all gaming companies have extended hours and horrible crunch. The newest and last GMR talks about it, Ill try to post the article later sometime for you, but it doesnt matter where you go, you're still going to deal with it, its just part of the job unfortunately. no one is made to stay in that job, they always have the option to leave, but usually money talks heh.

[Gekko]

It's that kind of victimized thinking that if it had been thought of that way during the Industrial Revolution, we would still have Labor warlords that pushed ppl to the brink of death. Actually, considering EA and the entire business is that way, just means to me that the entire industry needs a crackdown. Trying to discredit bad behavior by pointing at other bad behavior doesn't fix anything, it just prolongs the agony. I'll say it again. DOWN WITH EA!!!

[Dubcee]

Actually from what that said, crunch periods happen for short times near the release of a game, not for a majority of the time like EA. It also says nothing about lack of compensation at the other companies.

Down with EA.

[Sciler]

arg, unless you personally know someone who works in the gaming business, you are just going off what you read, on the internet....remember that. I personally know many people who work at gaming companies, and ts not just EA that does this...and they ARE compensated. if you are part time, lets say you start at $8 an hour. you get 40 hr weeks for a part time job...not to shabby in my opinion. Then crunch hits, you get 40 hours, plus usually another 40 hours...so yes, you're working an 80 hour week, but the second 40 is time and a half so that gives you $12 for 40 hours as well. Lets do some simple math using that formula shall we?

Normal work week for what is considered PART TIME at $8/hr * 40 hrs:
2 week paycheck is $640 before tax

During crunch, using that same $8/hr * 40 + $12/hr * 40 hrs:
2 week paycheck is $1500 before tax

this happens generally for about a month, so you can NOT tell me they arent compensated, again, they have a CHOICE to work there, no one makes them stay, many DO leave, but those who dont, CHOOSE to stay.

now my BF, yes he works more hours than that sometimes, sometimes it lasts up to 3 months. Do I think its right what they do? not at all, BUT he does get paid pretty nicely. Now that hes full time, he doesnt get that hourly luxury, BUT he does make a nice salary year around, and has nice benefits, and nice accumulated time off/vacation time. Is he always happy with it? No of course not, but he stays with it because the pay is decent and it has its good moments/points as well. If he gets unhappy enough, he'll leave, but for now, he hasnt hit that point.

If you all can sit there and tell me youve NEVER been unhappy at a job, Ill call you a liar :p

Gekko- you arent being fair, if you want to really put a damper on this and put your money where you mouth is, you might as well find other hobbies or start reading and not support the video game industry period.

use a lil brain power here, its not that hard, trust me I should know lol

[Doot]

We can all say down with EA (or fill in your obligatory gaming company of choice) but is it going to hinder you from buying a game and finanically supporting that company?

I gotta agree with Sciler in most parts that anyone at any time can leave that situation if they choose to. We can call it close to slave labor but I can throw a nickel in any direction and find some lazy ass who would just love to work in the gaming industry because "Hey, I play a lot of games, my opinion is worth gold" that thinks it's just a big frag party. But when you are held accountable for your "game-playing" and are called upon to work the grueling hours so that consumers (as ourselves) can appreciate a sparkly new life distraction that we honestly don't think twice about how much testing or programming has gone into it, then those same people are like, "Oh, I thought this was supposed to be fun!" Work is gonna be work. Those who really want to be in the gaming industry will put up with the grunt work. There is payoff for those who stick it out, those who have the passion for it, those who understand what it takes to get to the good side of it all.

In the same token, I'm not going to fly out to Hollywood and become an actress and expect to get what Julia Roberts makes. Hell, even low billed first timers go out there and put in 16 hour days - 6 days a week just to be a part of a movie but you don't see anyone taking up arms and saying DOWN WITH FILMMAKING.

I didn't walk into the office building of Cox and say, "Hey, why am I not the CEO? I DESERVE it because I'm here." I'm busting my ass, just as the guys in the gaming industry have to and I'm not waiting for things to be handed to me, because I know it's much more worth the victory having known I've earned it.

Take something that means the most to you in life, something you have this burning passion for and apply the drive to that. Would you not work day and night for it? Love, children, hobbies, etc?

Down with EA? Best way to do that is to stop buying any of their games. In fact, stop buying any games for that matter.

Not a flame, just putting some stuff in persepctive.