Current Events > Kotaku: Inside Rockstar Games Culture Of Crunch

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Darmik 10/23/18 9:32:28 PM #1:	https://www.kotaku.com.au/2018/10/rockstar-games-red-dead-redemption-2-culture-of-crunch/ In the final year of development on Red Dead Redemption 2, the upcoming Western game, the top directors decided to add black bars to the top and bottom of every non-interactive cutscene in hopes of making those scenes feel more cinematic, like an old-school cowboy film. Everyone agreed it was the right creative move, but there was a catch: It would add weeks of work to many peoples schedules. You cant just slap black bars on the cinematics weve already shot, said one person who worked on the game. You have to reframe the camera so that the cinematics flow in a particular way, and youre emphasising what you werent emphasising initially with that shot. With no hope of delaying the game any further Red Dead Redemption 2 had already been bumped internally before it was announced, then publicly delayed twice there was no way for the developers at Rockstar Games to add more time to their schedule. Instead, they would have to crunch, putting in extra nights and weekends in order to redo these scenes and deal with the rest of the massive workload that was ahead of them. Would the black bars prove to be worth it? This has been a common occurrence in the last years of development on a Rockstar game. Dan and Sam Houser, the co-founders of Rockstar and creative leads on Red Dead Redemption 2, are renowned for rebooting, overhauling and discarding large chunks of their games. Last Thursday, Rockstar told current employees that they were allowed to speak to journalists (so long as they gave HR a heads up), but almost all of the people who spoke to me for this story requested anonymity. Some said they feared retaliation for being candid about their negative experiences at Rockstar, and some said they were worried about coming across as dishonest for sharing positive stories. In addition, Rockstar provided us interviews with 12 current employees over group video chats as well as its head of publishing, Jennifer Kolbe, who oversees all of Rockstars studios. The tale of Red Dead Redemption 2s development is complicated and sometimes contradictory. For some people at Rockstar, it was a satisfying project, an ambitious game that took reasonable hours and far less crunch than the companys previous games. Many current employees say theyre happy to work at Rockstar and love being able to help make some of the best games in the world. Others described Red Dead 2 as a difficult experience, one that cost them friendships, family time and mental health. Nobody interviewed said they had worked 100-hour weeks that would equate to seven 14-hour days but many said their average weekly hours came close to 55 or 60, which would make for six 10-hour days. Most current and former Rockstar employees said they had been asked or felt compelled to work nights and weekends. Some were on hourly contracts and got paid for overtime, but many were salaried and did not receive any compensation for their extra hours. Those who are still at the company hope that their 2018 bonuses expected to be significant if Red Dead 2 does well will help make up for that. Many of the most harrowing stories shared by current and former employees anecdotes of damaged relationships, mental breakdowns, and heavy drinking at work were impossible to print without risking that the individuals involved might be identified. There's a lot of stories behind the link. Game development is hard work folks --- Kind Regards, Darmik <cite>Darmik posted [p:911048053] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>https://www.kotaku.com.au/2018/10/rockstar-games-red-dead-redemption-2-culture-of-crunch/ <quote>In the final year of development on Red Dead Redemption 2, the upcoming Western game, the top directors decided to add black bars to the top and bottom of every non-interactive cutscene in hopes of making those scenes feel more cinematic, like an old-school cowboy film. Everyone agreed it was the right creative move, but there was a catch: It would add weeks of work to many peoples schedules. You cant just slap black bars on the cinematics weve already shot, said one person who worked on the game. You have to reframe the camera so that the cinematics flow in a particular way, and youre emphasising what you werent emphasising initially with that shot. With no hope of delaying the game any further Red Dead Redemption 2 had already been bumped internally before it was announced, then publicly delayed twice there was no way for the developers at Rockstar Games to add more time to their schedule. Instead, they would have to crunch, putting in extra nights and weekends in order to redo these scenes and deal with the rest of the massive workload that was ahead of them. Would the black bars prove to be worth it? This has been a common occurrence in the last years of development on a Rockstar game. Dan and Sam Houser, the co-founders of Rockstar and creative leads on Red Dead Redemption 2, are renowned for rebooting, overhauling and discarding large chunks of their games. </quote> <quote>Last Thursday, Rockstar told current employees that they were allowed to speak to journalists (so long as they gave HR a heads up), but almost all of the people who spoke to me for this story requested anonymity. Some said they feared retaliation for being candid about their negative experiences at Rockstar, and some said they were worried about coming across as dishonest for sharing positive stories. In addition, Rockstar provided us interviews with 12 current employees over group video chats as well as its head of publishing, Jennifer Kolbe, who oversees all of Rockstars studios. The tale of Red Dead Redemption 2s development is complicated and sometimes contradictory. For some people at Rockstar, it was a satisfying project, an ambitious game that took reasonable hours and far less crunch than the companys previous games. Many current employees say theyre happy to work at Rockstar and love being able to help make some of the best games in the world. Others described Red Dead 2 as a difficult experience, one that cost them friendships, family time and mental health. Nobody interviewed said they had worked 100-hour weeks that would equate to seven 14-hour days but many said their average weekly hours came close to 55 or 60, which would make for six 10-hour days. Most current and former Rockstar employees said they had been asked or felt compelled to work nights and weekends. Some were on hourly contracts and got paid for overtime, but many were salaried and did not receive any compensation for their extra hours. Those who are still at the company hope that their 2018 bonuses expected to be significant if Red Dead 2 does well will help make up for that. Many of the most harrowing stories shared by current and former employees anecdotes of damaged relationships, mental breakdowns, and heavy drinking at work were impossible to print without risking that the individuals involved might be identified. </quote> There's a lot of stories behind the link. Game development is hard work folks</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
DarkTransient 10/23/18 9:33:47 PM #2:	> Kotaku --- Proud to be part of the 1% of society that's smart enough to realise Australia is not real. Tiamat is best babe. <3 <cite>DarkTransient posted [p:911048150] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>> Kotaku</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Darmik 10/23/18 9:35:25 PM #3:	If you left early on a weekday or weekend, youd get dirty looks, said one former employee of Rockstar San Diego who told me they worked an average of 70 hours a week during Red Dead Redemption. Youd feel the stare down, and sometimes youd see it as you were leaving. There was this culture of, if you dont put in the hours, youre not worth working here. In the thick of this crunch, Rockstar San Diego began offering laundry service, according to two people who worked there, which as another former employee pointed out left some people feeling uncomfortable they wouldnt even have enough spare time to do their own laundry? Rockstars Red Dead Redemption (2010) was a massive critical and commercial success. The temperament from these guys has always been: It should be a privilege to serve in this organisation, said a person who was there. And if you dont agree with that, theres a long line of people waiting to take your place. Thats a common sentiment from those who have had negative experiences at Rockstar, especially those who were there during the first Red Dead. I would normally never speak about my time at Rockstar its not my style, said another person who worked at Rockstar San Diego during that games development, but we absolutely were forced to work six-day weeks in the six to nine months leading to launch. Even Rockstars management now admits that it was a problematic time for the company, despite originally dismissing the anonymous letter. We certainly looked at Red Dead 1 and what came out of that, and knew we did not want to have a situation like that again, said Rockstars Jennifer Kolbe. I think naturally as the team has grown in its working practices together, we have made improvements into how the teams are run. Rockstars next project after Red Dead Redemption was LA Noire (2011), which went through a rough production under the Australian studio Team Bondi, and then came Max Payne 3 (2012), a third-person shooter about an alcoholic vigilante. People who worked on Max Payne 3 have described it as a death march, a brutal period of time for the company that involved long nights and plenty of mandatory crunch. Max Payne 3, released in 2012, was made under heavy crunch and did not sell well, leading to low annual bonuses for its developers. Im gonna be honest, a lot of the details of my life during that time are pretty blank, said one person who worked on Max Payne 3 at Rockstars New England office in Massachusetts. It was a lot of getting into the office at 9 or 10AM and leaving at 10 or 11 at night. That person, who was salaried, did not get paid for their extra hours. Instead, they had to hope that the game would sell well enough to net everyone on staff a healthy bonus. Bonuses are a big deal at Rockstar Games. The standard compensation package for a Rockstar employee includes an annual bonus, one that grows substantially during years when the company ships a game. Its tied to a number of factors, Rockstar says, including the sales of that game and individual employee performance. Some former Rockstar employees described receiving hefty bonuses after the first Red Dead Redemption, sometimes reaching the mid-five digits. But Max Payne 3 did not sell well, according to the former Rockstar employee, so bonuses in 2012 were significantly lower than expected. Then came 2013s Grand Theft Auto 5, which required crunch from many who worked across Rockstars studios. One former employee at Rockstars Toronto office shared documents showing how many hours one team had worked during a week in the months leading up to GTA 5s release. Those who had worked fewer than 60 hours were marked with the word Under in red letters. --- Kind Regards, Darmik <cite>Darmik posted [p:911048223] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><quote>If you left early on a weekday or weekend, youd get dirty looks, said one former employee of Rockstar San Diego who told me they worked an average of 70 hours a week during Red Dead Redemption. Youd feel the stare down, and sometimes youd see it as you were leaving. There was this culture of, if you dont put in the hours, youre not worth working here. In the thick of this crunch, Rockstar San Diego began offering laundry service, according to two people who worked there, which as another former employee pointed out left some people feeling uncomfortable they wouldnt even have enough spare time to do their own laundry? Rockstars Red Dead Redemption (2010) was a massive critical and commercial success. The temperament from these guys has always been: It should be a privilege to serve in this organisation, said a person who was there. And if you dont agree with that, theres a long line of people waiting to take your place. Thats a common sentiment from those who have had negative experiences at Rockstar, especially those who were there during the first Red Dead. I would normally never speak about my time at Rockstar its not my style, said another person who worked at Rockstar San Diego during that games development, but we absolutely were forced to work six-day weeks in the six to nine months leading to launch. Even Rockstars management now admits that it was a problematic time for the company, despite originally dismissing the anonymous letter. We certainly looked at Red Dead 1 and what came out of that, and knew we did not want to have a situation like that again, said Rockstars Jennifer Kolbe. I think naturally as the team has grown in its working practices together, we have made improvements into how the teams are run. Rockstars next project after Red Dead Redemption was LA Noire (2011), which went through a rough production under the Australian studio Team Bondi, and then came Max Payne 3 (2012), a third-person shooter about an alcoholic vigilante. People who worked on Max Payne 3 have described it as a death march, a brutal period of time for the company that involved long nights and plenty of mandatory crunch. Max Payne 3, released in 2012, was made under heavy crunch and did not sell well, leading to low annual bonuses for its developers. Im gonna be honest, a lot of the details of my life during that time are pretty blank, said one person who worked on Max Payne 3 at Rockstars New England office in Massachusetts. It was a lot of getting into the office at 9 or 10AM and leaving at 10 or 11 at night. That person, who was salaried, did not get paid for their extra hours. Instead, they had to hope that the game would sell well enough to net everyone on staff a healthy bonus. Bonuses are a big deal at Rockstar Games. The standard compensation package for a Rockstar employee includes an annual bonus, one that grows substantially during years when the company ships a game. Its tied to a number of factors, Rockstar says, including the sales of that game and individual employee performance. Some former Rockstar employees described receiving hefty bonuses after the first Red Dead Redemption, sometimes reaching the mid-five digits. But Max Payne 3 did not sell well, according to the former Rockstar employee, so bonuses in 2012 were significantly lower than expected. Then came 2013s Grand Theft Auto 5, which required crunch from many who worked across Rockstars studios. One former employee at Rockstars Toronto office shared documents showing how many hours one team had worked during a week in the months leading up to GTA 5s release. Those who had worked fewer than 60 hours were marked with the word Under in red letters. </quote></quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Smashingpmkns 10/23/18 9:35:29 PM #4:	What's the average salary for those employees? --- Clean Butt Crew <cite>Smashingpmkns posted [p:911048230] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>What's the average salary for those employees?</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Coffeebeanz 10/23/18 9:35:31 PM #5:	Nearly all developers are like this, apparently --- Physician [Internal Medicine] <cite>Coffeebeanz posted [p:911048232] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>Nearly all developers are like this, apparently</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
NeoShadowhen 10/23/18 9:36:33 PM #6:	Yeah. There isn't anybody in that industry who wouldn't want to work for Rockstar. Kotaku is a joke. <cite>NeoShadowhen posted [p:911048292] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>Yeah. There isn't anybody in that industry who wouldn't want to work for Rockstar. Kotaku is a joke.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
DarthAragorn 10/23/18 9:37:43 PM #7:	Maybe they should have just spent less time on horse balls --- A thousand eyes, and one. <cite>DarthAragorn posted [p:911048345] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>Maybe they should have just spent less time on horse balls</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Darmik 10/23/18 9:38:32 PM #8:	Overall it sounds RDR2 didn't have as stressful development compared to RDR and Max Payne 3. But there was still a ridiculous amount of crunch. This is total bullshit though One common fear at Rockstar is that if you leave during a games production your name wont be in the credits, no matter how much work you put in. Several former Rockstar employees lamented this fact, and Rockstar confirmed it when I asked. That has been a consistent policy because we have always felt that we want the team to get to the finish line, said Jennifer Kolbe. And so a very long time ago, we decided that if you didnt actually finish the game, then you wouldnt be in the credits. Kolbe later told me that for Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar was planning to recognise many people who made a contribution, including many former employees, which turned out to be a list of their names on the companys website. That list includes those who worked on Red Dead Redemption 2 for years but left before the game shipped, leading Rockstar to exclude their names from the in-game credits. This appears to be the first time Rockstar has credited former employees in a fashion such as this. --- Kind Regards, Darmik <cite>Darmik posted [p:911048389] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>Overall it sounds RDR2 didn't have as stressful development compared to RDR and Max Payne 3. But there was still a ridiculous amount of crunch. This is total bullshit though <quote>One common fear at Rockstar is that if you leave during a games production your name wont be in the credits, no matter how much work you put in. Several former Rockstar employees lamented this fact, and Rockstar confirmed it when I asked. That has been a consistent policy because we have always felt that we want the team to get to the finish line, said Jennifer Kolbe. And so a very long time ago, we decided that if you didnt actually finish the game, then you wouldnt be in the credits. Kolbe later told me that for Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar was planning to recognise many people who made a contribution, including many former employees, which turned out to be a list of their names on the companys website. That list includes those who worked on Red Dead Redemption 2 for years but left before the game shipped, leading Rockstar to exclude their names from the in-game credits. This appears to be the first time Rockstar has credited former employees in a fashion such as this.</quote></quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
X-Pac_Heat 10/23/18 9:38:57 PM #9:	It's funny how bad game journalists and their types want everyone to hate Rockstar. --- https://i.imgtc.com/Ua09CsZ.jpg https://i.imgtc.com/LdHV3SP.jpg <cite>X-Pac_Heat posted [p:911048405] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>It's funny how bad game journalists and their types want everyone to hate Rockstar.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Darmik 10/23/18 9:40:04 PM #10:	Coffeebeanz posted... Nearly all developers are like this, apparently Apparently Insomniac isn't. Most of the AAA ones would be though yeah. It sounds like a really big issue. Most of them don't even seem to be paid for the extra hours. NeoShadowhen posted... Yeah. There isn't anybody in that industry who wouldn't want to work for Rockstar. Kotaku is a joke. What on Earth are you talking about? What does that have to do with the article. --- Kind Regards, Darmik <cite>Darmik posted [p:911048461] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>Coffeebeanz posted...</cite> <quote>Nearly all developers are like this, apparently</quote> Apparently Insomniac isn't. Most of the AAA ones would be though yeah. It sounds like a really big issue. Most of them don't even seem to be paid for the extra hours. <cite>NeoShadowhen posted...</cite> <quote>Yeah. There isn't anybody in that industry who wouldn't want to work for Rockstar. Kotaku is a joke.</quote> What on Earth are you talking about? What does that have to do with the article.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Darmik 10/23/18 9:41:36 PM #11:	You can tell the people who don't read the article and just wanna whine about Kotaku or game journalism. I wasted a large part of the OP explaining how this article was researched and all of their sources and that still wasn't enough. This explains that leaked map that was posted here a little bit ago. At one point, Red Dead Redemption 2s biggest city was called New Bordeaux, two sources confirmed, but when Rockstar found out that the open-world game Mafia 3 (developed by 2K, which is also owned by Rockstar parent company Take-Two Interactive) had used that name, they changed it to Saint Denis. That meant taking voice actors into the dialogue booth for a whole lot of re-recording, which meant a whole lot of extra work for anyone involved with cinematics not to mention all the artwork and interface changes. Ask any game developer what the most important part of making games is and theyll likely give you a single-word answer: Iteration. What that means is experimenting and prototyping and changing your game until you learn what works best. Inevitably, that means throwing out work thats already done, and even more inevitably, that means that an entire team will have to put extra hours into a game. Many game developers see this as one of the reasons that crunch is unavoidable, especially for those at the end of the pipeline. The audio team, for example, cant work until other parts of the game are finalised. You cannot possibly accurately plan out a project as complicated as RDR2, said a current Rockstar employee. There are always going to be unexpected problems or dependencies that arise that generate bottlenecks which are going to require somebody get some work done quickly, otherwise 20 other people are held up. If someone is looking for an absolute 9-5 no surprises type job, then there are plenty of those jobs available in different industries that someone who works in games is more than qualified to do. --- Kind Regards, Darmik <cite>Darmik posted [p:911048545] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>You can tell the people who don't read the article and just wanna whine about Kotaku or game journalism. I wasted a large part of the OP explaining how this article was researched and all of their sources and that still wasn't enough. This explains that leaked map that was posted here a little bit ago. <quote>At one point, Red Dead Redemption 2s biggest city was called New Bordeaux, two sources confirmed, but when Rockstar found out that the open-world game Mafia 3 (developed by 2K, which is also owned by Rockstar parent company Take-Two Interactive) had used that name, they changed it to Saint Denis. That meant taking voice actors into the dialogue booth for a whole lot of re-recording, which meant a whole lot of extra work for anyone involved with cinematics not to mention all the artwork and interface changes. Ask any game developer what the most important part of making games is and theyll likely give you a single-word answer: Iteration. What that means is experimenting and prototyping and changing your game until you learn what works best. Inevitably, that means throwing out work thats already done, and even more inevitably, that means that an entire team will have to put extra hours into a game. Many game developers see this as one of the reasons that crunch is unavoidable, especially for those at the end of the pipeline. The audio team, for example, cant work until other parts of the game are finalised. You cannot possibly accurately plan out a project as complicated as RDR2, said a current Rockstar employee. There are always going to be unexpected problems or dependencies that arise that generate bottlenecks which are going to require somebody get some work done quickly, otherwise 20 other people are held up. If someone is looking for an absolute 9-5 no surprises type job, then there are plenty of those jobs available in different industries that someone who works in games is more than qualified to do. </quote></quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Delirious_Beard 10/23/18 9:44:12 PM #12:	adding hundreds of hours of development for fucking letterboxing. what a sad state the AAA game industry is in --- https://i.imgtc.com/hB9W4JK.gif "Does our ruin benefit the earth? Does it help the grass to grow, the sun to shine? Is this darkness in you, too?" <cite>Delirious_Beard posted [p:911048672] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>adding hundreds of hours of development for fucking letterboxing. what a sad state the AAA game industry is in</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Youngster_Joey_ 10/23/18 9:47:11 PM #13:	I don't follow game development and even I know crunch is a thing. Why is this suddenly becoming such a big fucking deal right before RDR2 comes out? <cite>Youngster_Joey_ posted [p:911048836] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>I don't follow game development and even I know crunch is a thing. Why is this suddenly becoming such a big fucking deal right before RDR2 comes out?</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Frolex 10/23/18 9:47:30 PM #14:	but unions bad --- https://imgur.com/HOLHd4k https://imgur.com/six2WTN <cite>Frolex posted [p:911048858] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>but unions bad</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Darmik 10/23/18 9:47:35 PM #15:	Rockstar forced the QA team in Lincoln to close their window blinds after spotting a drone that might have been attempting to film them. Either they're really paranoid or a dude literally tried to use a drone to leak early RDR2 footage lol --- Kind Regards, Darmik <cite>Darmik posted [p:911048865] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>Rockstar forced the QA team in Lincoln to close their window blinds after spotting a drone that might have been attempting to film them. Either they're really paranoid or a dude literally tried to use a drone to leak early RDR2 footage lol</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
littlebro07 10/23/18 9:50:01 PM #16:	Youngster_Joey_ posted... I don't follow game development and even I know crunch is a thing. Why is this suddenly becoming such a big fucking deal right before RDR2 comes out? This Bungie did this for Halo 3 and no one said a thing --- http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb289/volcaitlin/gifs/dancning.gif <cite>littlebro07 posted [p:911048981] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>Youngster_Joey_ posted...</cite> <quote>I don't follow game development and even I know crunch is a thing. Why is this suddenly becoming such a big fucking deal right before RDR2 comes out?</quote> This Bungie did this for Halo 3 and no one said a thing</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Darmik 10/23/18 9:50:32 PM #17:	Youngster_Joey_ posted... I don't follow game development and even I know crunch is a thing. Why is this suddenly becoming such a big fucking deal right before RDR2 comes out? This isn't been a sudden issue at all. This has been a problem for a really long time and has been discussed for a while. There were pushes for developers to form unions for better working conditions during E3. The reason it specifically blew up for RDR2 was because Houser was bragging about employees working 100 hour weeks in an interview. --- Kind Regards, Darmik <cite>Darmik posted [p:911049017] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>Youngster_Joey_ posted...</cite> <quote>I don't follow game development and even I know crunch is a thing. Why is this suddenly becoming such a big fucking deal right before RDR2 comes out?</quote> This isn't been a sudden issue at all. This has been a problem for a really long time and has been discussed for a while. There were pushes for developers to form unions for better working conditions during E3. The reason it specifically blew up for RDR2 was because Houser was bragging about employees working 100 hour weeks in an interview.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Darmik 10/23/18 9:51:53 PM #18:	littlebro07 posted... Youngster_Joey_ posted... I don't follow game development and even I know crunch is a thing. Why is this suddenly becoming such a big fucking deal right before RDR2 comes out? This Bungie did this for Halo 3 and no one said a thing https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-08-04-bungies-13-year-battle-to-kill-crunch-culture --- Kind Regards, Darmik <cite>Darmik posted [p:911049099] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>littlebro07 posted...</cite> <quote><cite>Youngster_Joey_ posted...</cite> <quote>I don't follow game development and even I know crunch is a thing. Why is this suddenly becoming such a big fucking deal right before RDR2 comes out?</quote> This Bungie did this for Halo 3 and no one said a thing</quote> https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-08-04-bungies-13-year-battle-to-kill-crunch-culture</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
DarkBuster22904 10/23/18 9:52:32 PM #19:	NeoShadowhen posted... Yeah. There isn't anybody in that industry who wouldn't want to work for Rockstar. Kotaku is a joke. X-Pac_Heat posted... It's funny how bad game journalists and their types want everyone to hate Rockstar. Look guys, I like their games and think RDR2 will be great, too. But, like... can we just call a spade a spade and admit that working conditions like this are objectively bad? Will it make it easier for you if you just imagine they're saying it about ea or activision? <cite>DarkBuster22904 posted [p:911049136] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>NeoShadowhen posted...</cite> <quote>Yeah. There isn't anybody in that industry who wouldn't want to work for Rockstar. Kotaku is a joke.</quote> <cite>X-Pac_Heat posted...</cite> <quote>It's funny how bad game journalists and their types want everyone to hate Rockstar.</quote> Look guys, I like their games and think RDR2 will be great, too. But, like... can we just call a spade a spade and admit that working conditions like this are objectively bad? Will it make it easier for you if you just imagine they're saying it about ea or activision?</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Johnny_Nutcase 10/23/18 9:53:37 PM #20:	Fucking game better be great then. --- I've learned that life is one crushing defeat after another... until you just wish Flanders was dead. - Homer Simpson <cite>Johnny_Nutcase posted [p:911049203] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>Fucking game better be great then.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Kaliesto 10/23/18 9:55:47 PM #21:	Agree with TC, I think the hatetrain for Kotaku is a little silly and Kotaku has cleaned itself up since it's more controversial days. I just don't like Kotaku's bullshit stance when it came to Emulation and talking down on Modders related to it. --- https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/1088-mech-anime Gimme dat, gimme dat, gimme dat DramaFAQs-misterbum <cite>Kaliesto posted [p:911049314] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>Agree with TC, I think the hatetrain for Kotaku is a little silly and Kotaku has cleaned itself up since it's more controversial days. I just don't like Kotaku's bullshit stance when it came to Emulation and talking down on Modders related to it.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Zack_Attackv1 10/23/18 9:56:56 PM #22:	If they have a problem with it, then just don't buy the game. It's not rocket science. --- https://imgur.com/R5yco90 <cite>Zack_Attackv1 posted [p:911049385] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>If they have a problem with it, then just don't buy the game. It's not rocket science.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Johnny_Nutcase 10/23/18 9:58:50 PM #23:	Zack_Attackv1 posted... If they have a problem with it, then just don't buy the game. It's not rocket science. They're gonna turn right around and review the fucking thing in a few days. They'll probably give it a 6/10 just to be dickheads. --- I've learned that life is one crushing defeat after another... until you just wish Flanders was dead. - Homer Simpson <cite>Johnny_Nutcase posted [p:911049482] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>Zack_Attackv1 posted...</cite> <quote>If they have a problem with it, then just don't buy the game. It's not rocket science.</quote> They're gonna turn right around and review the fucking thing in a few days. They'll probably give it a 6/10 just to be dickheads.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Darmik 10/23/18 10:00:53 PM #24:	Zack_Attackv1 posted... If they have a problem with it, then just don't buy the game. It's not rocket science. Who's 'they' and why does make sense? Wanting developers to have better working conditions and wanting to buy the game don't conflict with each other. Johnny_Nutcase posted... They're gonna turn right around and review the fucking thing in a few days. They'll probably give it a 6/10 just to be dickheads. Kotaku don't give scores anymore. --- Kind Regards, Darmik <cite>Darmik posted [p:911049593] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>Zack_Attackv1 posted...</cite> <quote>If they have a problem with it, then just don't buy the game. It's not rocket science.</quote> Who's 'they' and why does make sense? Wanting developers to have better working conditions and wanting to buy the game don't conflict with each other. <cite>Johnny_Nutcase posted...</cite> <quote> They're gonna turn right around and review the fucking thing in a few days. They'll probably give it a 6/10 just to be dickheads.</quote> Kotaku don't give scores anymore.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Youngster_Joey_ 10/23/18 10:01:43 PM #25:	DarkBuster22904 posted... Will it make it easier for you if you just imagine they're saying it about ea or activision? I'd find it a lot less suspect if they actually did do this for EA, Activision, Ubisoft or Naughty Dog tbqh. This just reeks of ResetEra types holding a grudge from GTA V not having any good female characters or whatever the complaints were back then. <cite>Youngster_Joey_ posted [p:911049653] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>DarkBuster22904 posted...</cite> <quote>Will it make it easier for you if you just imagine they're saying it about ea or activision?</quote> I'd find it a lot less suspect if they actually did do this for EA, Activision, Ubisoft or Naughty Dog tbqh. This just reeks of ResetEra types holding a grudge from GTA V not having any good female characters or whatever the complaints were back then.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
OmegaShinkai 10/23/18 10:04:47 PM #26:	It's well known that Rockstar fired people from San Diego who had been there since it was Angel Studios just because they complained about the poor working conditions during the last game's development. It's why Midnight Club is dead, that series was SD's pride and joy and Rockstar killed it out of spite because the employees spoke out against poor working conditions while developing Red Dead. <cite>OmegaShinkai posted [p:911049810] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>It's well known that Rockstar fired people from San Diego who had been there since it was Angel Studios just because they complained about the poor working conditions during the last game's development. It's why Midnight Club is dead, that series was SD's pride and joy and Rockstar killed it out of spite because the employees spoke out against poor working conditions while developing Red Dead.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Jeff AKA Snoopy 10/23/18 10:06:06 PM #27:	This is not abnormal for a lot of game developers unfortunately. Sega has started an initiative to remove OT as much as possible and has said it's been a positive experience for everyone. https://gamedaily.biz/article/313/sega-says-long-overtime-hours-cut-by-80-as-part-of-new-initiative --- https://i.imgtc.com/oKFWxht.jpg https://imgur.com/GWG5c3r <cite>Jeff AKA Snoopy posted [p:911049882] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>This is not abnormal for a lot of game developers unfortunately. Sega has started an initiative to remove OT as much as possible and has said it's been a positive experience for everyone. https://gamedaily.biz/article/313/sega-says-long-overtime-hours-cut-by-80-as-part-of-new-initiative</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blue_Inigo 10/23/18 10:06:41 PM #28:	Youngster_Joey_ posted... DarkBuster22904 posted... Will it make it easier for you if you just imagine they're saying it about ea or activision? I'd find it a lot less suspect if they actually did do this for EA, Activision, Ubisoft or Naughty Dog tbqh. This just reeks of ResetEra types holding a grudge from GTA V not having any good female characters or whatever the complaints were back then. What a fucking idiotic post. Calm down your childish hate boner for a site and pay attention to the awful shit happening to developers --- "This is your last dance." <cite>Blue_Inigo posted [p:911049922] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>Youngster_Joey_ posted...</cite> <quote><cite>DarkBuster22904 posted...</cite> <quote>Will it make it easier for you if you just imagine they're saying it about ea or activision?</quote> I'd find it a lot less suspect if they actually did do this for EA, Activision, Ubisoft or Naughty Dog tbqh. This just reeks of ResetEra types holding a grudge from GTA V not having any good female characters or whatever the complaints were back then.</quote> What a fucking idiotic post. Calm down your childish hate boner for a site and pay attention to the awful shit happening to developers</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Darmik 10/23/18 10:07:01 PM #29:	Youngster_Joey_ posted... I'd find it a lot less suspect if they actually did do this for EA, Activision, Ubisoft or Naughty Dog tbqh. Err https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Sweat-Pixels-Triumphant-Turbulent/dp/0062651234 https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/12/the-messy-true-story-behind-the-making-of-destiny/ Jason Schreier has written several stories like this. Youngster_Joey_ posted... This just reeks of ResetEra types holding a grudge from GTA V not having any good female characters or whatever the complaints were back then. Or y'know, Rockstar went through a recent controversy thanks to Houser's comments and gave Jason permission to interview several employees within the company along with going to an actual meeting with the bosses and employees in the Rockstar building. Which is pretty unprecedented. Which I quoted in the OP if you bothered to read it. --- Kind Regards, Darmik <cite>Darmik posted [p:911049940] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>Youngster_Joey_ posted...</cite> <quote>I'd find it a lot less suspect if they actually did do this for EA, Activision, Ubisoft or Naughty Dog tbqh.</quote> Err https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Sweat-Pixels-Triumphant-Turbulent/dp/0062651234 https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/12/the-messy-true-story-behind-the-making-of-destiny/ Jason Schreier has written several stories like this. <cite>Youngster_Joey_ posted...</cite> <quote>This just reeks of ResetEra types holding a grudge from GTA V not having any good female characters or whatever the complaints were back then.</quote> Or y'know, Rockstar went through a recent controversy thanks to Houser's comments and gave Jason permission to interview several employees within the company along with going to an actual meeting with the bosses and employees in the Rockstar building. Which is pretty unprecedented. Which I quoted in the OP if you bothered to read it.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Darmik 10/23/18 10:09:12 PM #30:	Jeff AKA Snoopy posted... This is not abnormal for a lot of game developers unfortunately. Sega has started an initiative to remove OT as much as possible and has said it's been a positive experience for everyone. https://gamedaily.biz/article/313/sega-says-long-overtime-hours-cut-by-80-as-part-of-new-initiative Yeah it does seem like things are starting to change. Bungie has apparently improved a lot in the last couple of years. This article even seems to pain a picture that the change is happening within Rockstar for some teams and studios. Just not everyone is there yet. It also seems like Rockstar are treating this like a wake up call too considering their response to all of this. --- Kind Regards, Darmik <cite>Darmik posted [p:911050056] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>Jeff AKA Snoopy posted...</cite> <quote>This is not abnormal for a lot of game developers unfortunately. Sega has started an initiative to remove OT as much as possible and has said it's been a positive experience for everyone. https://gamedaily.biz/article/313/sega-says-long-overtime-hours-cut-by-80-as-part-of-new-initiative</quote> Yeah it does seem like things are starting to change. Bungie has apparently improved a lot in the last couple of years. This article even seems to pain a picture that the change is happening within Rockstar for some teams and studios. Just not everyone is there yet. It also seems like Rockstar are treating this like a wake up call too considering their response to all of this.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Prestoff 10/23/18 10:09:42 PM #31:	Having worked at a public accounting firm for 5 years before quitting when becoming a Senior Manager, I faced crunch time on a yearly basis because of tax season so I can understand why people would hate it, but it is something that needs to be disclosed when people work for the company. Otherwise you're literally signing up for it when working there, so yes it sucks but you accepted those conditions. --- It's what all true warriors strive for! <cite>Prestoff posted [p:911050083] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>Having worked at a public accounting firm for 5 years before quitting when becoming a Senior Manager, I faced crunch time on a yearly basis because of tax season so I can understand why people would hate it, but it is something that needs to be disclosed when people work for the company. Otherwise you're literally signing up for it when working there, so yes it sucks but you accepted those conditions.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Sad_Face 10/23/18 10:11:08 PM #32:	I wish for bigger games. Bigger worlds, more detailed leaves, more lifelike NPCs and believable towns, more, more, more, more, MORE! Sacrifice ever last one of those developing grunts, their hopes, their dreams, their relationships, anything to achieve mine. YES. YES. YES. YEEEESSSSS. --- imgtc.com/i/4HgTl0ebzq.jpg imgtc.com/i/60CWP2Gtlg.gif <cite>Sad_Face posted [p:911050148] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>I wish for bigger games. Bigger worlds, more detailed leaves, more lifelike NPCs and believable towns, more, more, more, more, MORE! Sacrifice ever last one of those developing grunts, their hopes, their dreams, their relationships, anything to achieve mine. YES. YES. YES. YEEEESSSSS.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
billcom6 10/23/18 10:14:16 PM #33:	the most recent Easy Allies podcast had a great discussion about these type of working conditions within the gaming community and if anything can be done about it --- //constant loneliness// --- Steam and Fortnite: billcom6 My Teams: The Ohio State Buckeyes, New York Yankees, Buffalo Bills, The CBJ, Cavs <cite>billcom6 posted [p:911050275] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>the most recent Easy Allies podcast had a great discussion about these type of working conditions within the gaming community and if anything can be done about it</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Darmik 10/23/18 10:14:52 PM #34:	Keep in mind a lot of developers there don't feel like they're working overtime to get more work done. But that they're working overtime because they'll be judged if they don't. You're judged for being in the office longer instead of your actual productivity. As long as your boss sees your ass in that chair you're more likely to get rewarded for it. That's a really shitty place to be in as an employee. --- Kind Regards, Darmik <cite>Darmik posted [p:911050305] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>Keep in mind a lot of developers there don't feel like they're working overtime to get more work done. But that they're working overtime because they'll be judged if they don't. You're judged for being in the office longer instead of your actual productivity. As long as your boss sees your ass in that chair you're more likely to get rewarded for it. That's a really shitty place to be in as an employee.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
andel 10/23/18 10:15:28 PM #35:	nothing wrong with optional overtime if you actually pay people for it. to some extent people being overworked on a big project is understandable if you work for a prestigious firm/company but these conditions sound abysmal and shameful --- I am thinking about just walking into the river now that Megaupload is gone and condoms are in porn.-Fubonis <cite>andel posted [p:911050332] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>nothing wrong with optional overtime if you actually pay people for it. to some extent people being overworked on a big project is understandable if you work for a prestigious firm/company but these conditions sound abysmal and shameful</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Kaliesto 10/23/18 10:16:23 PM #36:	Jeff AKA Snoopy posted... This is not abnormal for a lot of game developers unfortunately. Sega has started an initiative to remove OT as much as possible and has said it's been a positive experience for everyone. https://gamedaily.biz/article/313/sega-says-long-overtime-hours-cut-by-80-as-part-of-new-initiative If this is SEGA Japan this would make sense since Japan has been doing that for the past few years due to Karoshi. --- https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/1088-mech-anime Gimme dat, gimme dat, gimme dat DramaFAQs-misterbum <cite>Kaliesto posted [p:911050386] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>Jeff AKA Snoopy posted...</cite> <quote>This is not abnormal for a lot of game developers unfortunately. Sega has started an initiative to remove OT as much as possible and has said it's been a positive experience for everyone. https://gamedaily.biz/article/313/sega-says-long-overtime-hours-cut-by-80-as-part-of-new-initiative</quote> If this is SEGA Japan this would make sense since Japan has been doing that for the past few years due to Karoshi.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Tmaster148 10/23/18 10:18:19 PM #37:	andel posted... nothing wrong with optional overtime if you actually pay people for it. to some extent people being overworked on a big project is understandable if you work for a prestigious firm/company but these conditions sound abysmal and shameful Let's be real here. This isn't optional overtime. --- https://imgur.com/BBcZDLJ <cite>Tmaster148 posted [p:911050479] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>andel posted...</cite> <quote>nothing wrong with optional overtime if you actually pay people for it. to some extent people being overworked on a big project is understandable if you work for a prestigious firm/company but these conditions sound abysmal and shameful</quote> Let's be real here. This isn't optional overtime.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blue_Inigo 10/23/18 10:20:22 PM #38:	andel posted... nothing wrong with optional overtime if you actually pay people for it. to some extent people being overworked on a big project is understandable if you work for a prestigious firm/company but these conditions sound abysmal and shameful It's totally optional until you realize that you're being strong armed into doing it or losing your job for not being a "team player" --- "This is your last dance." <cite>Blue_Inigo posted [p:911050589] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>andel posted...</cite> <quote>nothing wrong with optional overtime if you actually pay people for it. to some extent people being overworked on a big project is understandable if you work for a prestigious firm/company but these conditions sound abysmal and shameful</quote> It's totally optional until you realize that you're being strong armed into doing it or losing your job for not being a "team player"</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
andel 10/23/18 10:20:28 PM #39:	Tmaster148 posted... andel posted... nothing wrong with optional overtime if you actually pay people for it. to some extent people being overworked on a big project is understandable if you work for a prestigious firm/company but these conditions sound abysmal and shameful Let's be real here. This isn't optional overtime. yeah, i just mean in general. obviously this situation is fucked when managament p much acknowledged that you wont have time to do your own laundry there is a major issue. this kind of overworking is common in high end legal jobs too but this seems absurd even among that kind of thing --- I am thinking about just walking into the river now that Megaupload is gone and condoms are in porn.-Fubonis <cite>andel posted [p:911050594] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>Tmaster148 posted...</cite> <quote><cite>andel posted...</cite> <quote>nothing wrong with optional overtime if you actually pay people for it. to some extent people being overworked on a big project is understandable if you work for a prestigious firm/company but these conditions sound abysmal and shameful</quote> Let's be real here. This isn't optional overtime.</quote> yeah, i just mean in general. obviously this situation is fucked when managament p much acknowledged that you wont have time to do your own laundry there is a major issue. this kind of overworking is common in high end legal jobs too but this seems absurd even among that kind of thing</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
KamenRiderBlade 10/23/18 10:25:12 PM #40:	This is why regulations need to be placed even on salaried workers to function similar to hourly and make sure they get Over-Time pay based on the 40 hour work week model. --- Are you a MexiCAN or a MexiCAN'T - Johnny Depp '*Once Upon A Time in Mexico*' <cite>KamenRiderBlade posted [p:911050862] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>This is why regulations need to be placed even on salaried workers to function similar to hourly and make sure they get Over-Time pay based on the 40 hour work week model.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
andel 10/23/18 10:28:18 PM #41:	KamenRiderBlade posted... This is why regulations need to be placed even on salaried workers to function similar to hourly and make sure they get Over-Time pay based on the 40 hour work week model. iirc obama proposed some kind of workers rights thing that did just that but the trump administration came in and rolled it back --- I am thinking about just walking into the river now that Megaupload is gone and condoms are in porn.-Fubonis <cite>andel posted [p:911051010] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>KamenRiderBlade posted...</cite> <quote>This is why regulations need to be placed even on salaried workers to function similar to hourly and make sure they get Over-Time pay based on the 40 hour work week model.</quote> iirc obama proposed some kind of workers rights thing that did just that but the trump administration came in and rolled it back</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
KamenRiderBlade 10/23/18 10:30:27 PM #42:	andel posted... KamenRiderBlade posted... This is why regulations need to be placed even on salaried workers to function similar to hourly and make sure they get Over-Time pay based on the 40 hour work week model. iirc obama proposed some kind of workers rights thing that did just that but the trump administration came in and rolled it back Well, I would enforce it Federally and it make it Non-Exemptable. Time is money, and people have a right to their free time. Employers have a right to people on the clock not wasting company time. Be efficient, get work done on work hours; then go home and do whatever you want on your own personal time. It's not really complicated. Eliminate ALL distractions possible in the workplace. --- Are you a MexiCAN or a MexiCAN'T - Johnny Depp '*Once Upon A Time in Mexico*' <cite>KamenRiderBlade posted [p:911051131] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>andel posted...</cite> <quote><cite>KamenRiderBlade posted...</cite> <quote>This is why regulations need to be placed even on salaried workers to function similar to hourly and make sure they get Over-Time pay based on the 40 hour work week model.</quote> iirc obama proposed some kind of workers rights thing that did just that but the trump administration came in and rolled it back</quote>Well, I would enforce it Federally and it make it Non-Exemptable. Time is money, and people have a right to their free time. Employers have a right to people on the clock not wasting company time. Be efficient, get work done on work hours; then go home and do whatever you want on your own personal time. It's not really complicated. Eliminate ALL distractions possible in the workplace.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
AvantgardeAClue 10/23/18 10:34:47 PM #43:	And y'all gonna spend one billion dollars in Red Dead Online anyway and it'll happen all over again This is why the higher ups don't mind the bad PR and openly talk about it; Rockstar is too big to fail at this point --- Sometimes I say things and I'm not voice acting. <cite>AvantgardeAClue posted [p:911051313] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>And y'all gonna spend one billion dollars in Red Dead Online anyway and it'll happen all over again This is why the higher ups don't mind the bad PR and openly talk about it; Rockstar is too big to fail at this point</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
KamenRiderBlade 10/23/18 10:42:55 PM #44:	AvantgardeAClue posted... And y'all gonna spend one billion dollars in Red Dead Online anyway and it'll happen all over again This is why the higher ups don't mind the bad PR and openly talk about it; Rockstar is too big to fail at this point Let RockStar Burn!! --- Are you a MexiCAN or a MexiCAN'T - Johnny Depp '*Once Upon A Time in Mexico*' <cite>KamenRiderBlade posted [p:911051730] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>AvantgardeAClue posted...</cite> <quote>And y'all gonna spend one billion dollars in Red Dead Online anyway and it'll happen all over again This is why the higher ups don't mind the bad PR and openly talk about it; Rockstar is too big to fail at this point</quote>Let RockStar Burn!!</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
fan357 10/23/18 10:46:34 PM #45:	Six ten hour days isn't bad at all. I've done worse. --- Never forget where you came from. <cite>fan357 posted [p:911051903] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>Six ten hour days isn't bad at all. I've done worse.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Tupacrulez 10/23/18 10:58:03 PM #46:	Clearly these people have never had a multi-million dollar construction project fall behind. Nothing to have 60+ hours a week when a substantial is coming up. --- Suck less, Rock Moar Have I licked butt hole before? All the time. --r4xor <cite>Tupacrulez posted [p:911052456] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>Clearly these people have never had a multi-million dollar construction project fall behind. Nothing to have 60+ hours a week when a substantial is coming up.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
DarkBuster22904 10/23/18 11:01:11 PM #47:	Youngster_Joey_ posted... DarkBuster22904 posted... Will it make it easier for you if you just imagine they're saying it about ea or activision? I'd find it a lot less suspect if they actually did do this for EA, Activision, Ubisoft or Naughty Dog tbqh. This just reeks of ResetEra types holding a grudge from GTA V not having any good female characters or whatever the complaints were back then. Hope you enjoy being blindly loyal to a company just because you like their games. Because they sure as fuck arent loyal to you. <cite>DarkBuster22904 posted [p:911052581] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>Youngster_Joey_ posted...</cite> <quote><cite>DarkBuster22904 posted...</cite> <quote>Will it make it easier for you if you just imagine they're saying it about ea or activision?</quote> I'd find it a lot less suspect if they actually did do this for EA, Activision, Ubisoft or Naughty Dog tbqh. This just reeks of ResetEra types holding a grudge from GTA V not having any good female characters or whatever the complaints were back then.</quote> Hope you enjoy being blindly loyal to a company just because you like their games. Because they sure as fuck arent loyal to you.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Spam_n_eggs 10/24/18 7:57:13 AM #49:	Darmik posted... https://www.kotaku.com.au/2018/10/rockstar-games-red-dead-redemption-2-culture-of-crunch/ In the final year of development on Red Dead Redemption 2, the upcoming Western game, the top directors decided to add black bars to the top and bottom of every non-interactive cutscene in hopes of making those scenes feel more cinematic, like an old-school cowboy film. Everyone agreed it was the right creative move, but there was a catch: It would add weeks of work to many peoples schedules. You cant just slap black bars on the cinematics weve already shot, said one person who worked on the game. You have to reframe the camera so that the cinematics flow in a particular way, and youre emphasising what you werent emphasising initially with that shot. With no hope of delaying the game any further Red Dead Redemption 2 had already been bumped internally before it was announced, then publicly delayed twice there was no way for the developers at Rockstar Games to add more time to their schedule. Instead, they would have to crunch, putting in extra nights and weekends in order to redo these scenes and deal with the rest of the massive workload that was ahead of them. Would the black bars prove to be worth it? This has been a common occurrence in the last years of development on a Rockstar game. Dan and Sam Houser, the co-founders of Rockstar and creative leads on Red Dead Redemption 2, are renowned for rebooting, overhauling and discarding large chunks of their games. Last Thursday, Rockstar told current employees that they were allowed to speak to journalists (so long as they gave HR a heads up), but almost all of the people who spoke to me for this story requested anonymity. Some said they feared retaliation for being candid about their negative experiences at Rockstar, and some said they were worried about coming across as dishonest for sharing positive stories. In addition, Rockstar provided us interviews with 12 current employees over group video chats as well as its head of publishing, Jennifer Kolbe, who oversees all of Rockstars studios. The tale of Red Dead Redemption 2s development is complicated and sometimes contradictory. For some people at Rockstar, it was a satisfying project, an ambitious game that took reasonable hours and far less crunch than the companys previous games. Many current employees say theyre happy to work at Rockstar and love being able to help make some of the best games in the world. Others described Red Dead 2 as a difficult experience, one that cost them friendships, family time and mental health. Nobody interviewed said they had worked 100-hour weeks that would equate to seven 14-hour days but many said their average weekly hours came close to 55 or 60, which would make for six 10-hour days. Most current and former Rockstar employees said they had been asked or felt compelled to work nights and weekends. Some were on hourly contracts and got paid for overtime, but many were salaried and did not receive any compensation for their extra hours. Those who are still at the company hope that their 2018 bonuses expected to be significant if Red Dead 2 does well will help make up for that. Many of the most harrowing stories shared by current and former employees anecdotes of damaged relationships, mental breakdowns, and heavy drinking at work were impossible to print without risking that the individuals involved might be identified. There's a lot of stories behind the link. Game development is hard work folks Hahaha forget it. Their bonuses may even be smaller than usual. Companies have a way to demoralize employees like that, on purpose <cite>Spam_n_eggs posted [p:911065940] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>Darmik posted...</cite> <quote>https://www.kotaku.com.au/2018/10/rockstar-games-red-dead-redemption-2-culture-of-crunch/ <quote>In the final year of development on Red Dead Redemption 2, the upcoming Western game, the top directors decided to add black bars to the top and bottom of every non-interactive cutscene in hopes of making those scenes feel more cinematic, like an old-school cowboy film. Everyone agreed it was the right creative move, but there was a catch: It would add weeks of work to many peoples schedules. You cant just slap black bars on the cinematics weve already shot, said one person who worked on the game. You have to reframe the camera so that the cinematics flow in a particular way, and youre emphasising what you werent emphasising initially with that shot. With no hope of delaying the game any further Red Dead Redemption 2 had already been bumped internally before it was announced, then publicly delayed twice there was no way for the developers at Rockstar Games to add more time to their schedule. Instead, they would have to crunch, putting in extra nights and weekends in order to redo these scenes and deal with the rest of the massive workload that was ahead of them. Would the black bars prove to be worth it? This has been a common occurrence in the last years of development on a Rockstar game. Dan and Sam Houser, the co-founders of Rockstar and creative leads on Red Dead Redemption 2, are renowned for rebooting, overhauling and discarding large chunks of their games. </quote> <quote>Last Thursday, Rockstar told current employees that they were allowed to speak to journalists (so long as they gave HR a heads up), but almost all of the people who spoke to me for this story requested anonymity. Some said they feared retaliation for being candid about their negative experiences at Rockstar, and some said they were worried about coming across as dishonest for sharing positive stories. In addition, Rockstar provided us interviews with 12 current employees over group video chats as well as its head of publishing, Jennifer Kolbe, who oversees all of Rockstars studios. The tale of Red Dead Redemption 2s development is complicated and sometimes contradictory. For some people at Rockstar, it was a satisfying project, an ambitious game that took reasonable hours and far less crunch than the companys previous games. Many current employees say theyre happy to work at Rockstar and love being able to help make some of the best games in the world. Others described Red Dead 2 as a difficult experience, one that cost them friendships, family time and mental health. Nobody interviewed said they had worked 100-hour weeks that would equate to seven 14-hour days but many said their average weekly hours came close to 55 or 60, which would make for six 10-hour days. Most current and former Rockstar employees said they had been asked or felt compelled to work nights and weekends. Some were on hourly contracts and got paid for overtime, but many were salaried and did not receive any compensation for their extra hours. Those who are still at the company hope that their 2018 bonuses expected to be significant if Red Dead 2 does well will help make up for that. Many of the most harrowing stories shared by current and former employees anecdotes of damaged relationships, mental breakdowns, and heavy drinking at work were impossible to print without risking that the individuals involved might be identified. </quote> There's a lot of stories behind the link. Game development is hard work folks</quote> Hahaha forget it. Their bonuses may even be smaller than usual. Companies have a way to demoralize employees like that, on purpose</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
DarthWendy 10/24/18 7:57:41 AM #50:	DarthAragorn posted... Maybe they should have just spent less time on horse balls B-b-but your immersion ! --- Ave Caesar, Rosae Rosam et Spiritus Rex ! - Voila, ca ne veut absolument rien dire mais l'effet reste le meme https://i.imgtc.com/eRE0ORV.jpg <cite>DarthWendy posted [p:911065952] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote><cite>DarthAragorn posted...</cite> <quote>Maybe they should have just spent less time on horse balls</quote> B-b-but your immersion !</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
apolloooo 10/24/18 8:00:35 AM #51:	I love videogames, but working in a game industry would absolutely kill any passion i have for videogames. Altho, do want to work on small indie project of my my own, like maybe grav 2 or 3 buddies to work , it would be cool. --- http://i.imgtc.com/iJyp6bF.png http://i.imgtc.com/ZBw36Qh.png Thanks for the peeps that made the pics <3 if i make typos it means i am on phone <cite>apolloooo posted [p:911066020] in Kotaku: In... [t:77126060]...</cite> <quote>I love videogames, but working in a game industry would absolutely kill any passion i have for videogames. Altho, do want to work on small indie project of my my own, like maybe grav 2 or 3 buddies to work , it would be cool.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
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Current Events > Kotaku: Inside Rockstar Games Culture Of Crunch (+) Yeah! (+)

Current Events > Kotaku: Inside Rockstar Games Culture Of Crunch