NationStates Jolt Archive

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

I know this is old, but it has a very valid point. As a part time game developer myself, I fell sympathy for this woman.

I've worked in that, and related industries, and believe me, it came as no surprise when I overheard my CEO laugh while telling a crony, 'Talent? Big deal. Burn 'em out, rinse, repeat!'

I kid you not.

But they make cool games!

Ah, the white-collar proletariat.

I've already boycotted them anyway. Not out of principle, but because I don't like sports games, and their others suck.

But they make cool games!

If you want cool games, try something from id software or Valve. EA arn't doing anything good, and they are stopping innovation within the industry.

I've worked in that, and related industries, and believe me, it came as no surprise when I overheard my CEO laugh while telling a crony, 'Talent? Big deal. Burn 'em out, rinse, repeat!'

I kid you not.

i've heard something similar to that before. That's one reason why i have gone indie, and decided to work outside of the spotlight. much more rewarding and I don't have a boss to tell me I'm a piece of shit.

i've heard something similar to that before. That's one reason why i have gone indie, and decided to work outside of the spotlight. much more rewarding and I don't have a boss to tell me I'm a piece of shit.

What do you work on?

I swear, if I had the patience, i'd learn how to program an ASCII roguelike :p

What do you work on?

I swear, if I had the patience, i'd learn how to program an ASCII roguelike :p

I'm working on a Space-based RTS which is part age of empires and part galactic civilizations and part sims. It'll only be sold via the internet because I don't want any publishers annoying me.

I mostly work on software rather then games but software is too competative at the moment.

I'm working on a Space-based RTS which is part age of empires and part galactic civilizations and part sims. It'll only be sold via the internet because I don't want any publishers annoying me.

I mostly work on software rather then games but software is too competative at the moment.

That sounds like something i'd enjoy :) Advertise it here when you're done :D

Well hey Petsburg, if ever you need any graphics/models/motion graphics sequences get in touch with me, willya?

Geez...networking on NS? Who'd a-thunk it?

They still make fantastic games, especially I think they monopolize nearly all sports games. I doubt people who read this would 'boycott' EA games anyhow.

With the gaming industry becoming more and more competitive, I'm not surprised their doing things like that. But I believe sooner or later it might be the death of themselves.

What could be done, is go out with your disgruntled developer mates and create your own games. (I think there's a few companies like that), then build yourself a good game, and let EA buy you out. Make tons of cash and finally be happy. :)

man, it sucks to hear that. i don't have many EA games, but i have the SSX Tricky games and i love them to death. i cannot say that i will stop purchasing EA products just because of something i read online, since i require more evidence before convicting, but it will make me think twice; if there is another game i want equally that is not made by EA, this issue will probably tip the balance and i will buy a non-EA game (all other things being equal).

What could be done, is go out with your disgruntled developer mates and create your own games. (I think there's a few companies like that), then build yourself a good game, and let EA buy you out. Make tons of cash and finally be happy. :)

Even though EA have been known to work some developers to death. If i were to work for anyone, it would be sierra. I've heard good things about them and they let you do everything at your own pace.

That sounds like something i'd enjoy :) Advertise it here when you're done :D

Will do ;)

Even though EA have been known to work some developers to death. If i were to work for anyone, it would be sierra. I've heard good things about them and they let you do everything at your own pace.

I think thats why it takes Half-Life 2 so long to release :D

If you want cool games, try something from id software or Valve. EA arn't doing anything good, and they are stopping innovation within the industry.

Have you played the Sims 2?

Actually, I heard that Blizzard is a complete *nightmare* to work with.

As for EA, I don't even think I play any of their games to begin with.

I worked 84.25 hours in one week once, but my employer pays double-time over 58 hours and triple-time over 75. It was worth it.

If this woman's story is true, I'd really like to know what sort of employment contracts are signed here. My guess would be that EA promises nothing in writing but has employees make all sorts of written promises. I would demand a written contract before working 5 minutes for them. Then, when I can't find work in gaming I'd do something else.

I don't really play EA games much. They pissed me off when the abandoned Sega.

I got another reason: they shut down Earth & Beyond, one of the best MMORPG's I've ever played - and the only one I could run well on a 56k connection. Goddamn EA.

Couldn't the EA workers just go on strike? Let's see how management reacts when they have a deadline to meet, no workers to get the job done, and a tremendous ammount of cash hanging in the balance.

If I could get EA CEO Larry Probst on the phone, there are a few things I would ask him. "What's your salary?" would be merely a point of curiosity. The main thing I want to know is, Larry: you do realize what you're doing to your people, right? And you do realize that they ARE people, with physical limits, emotional lives, and families, right? Voices and talents and senses of humor and all that? That when you keep our husbands and wives and children in the office for ninety hours a week, sending them home exhausted and numb and frustrated with their lives, it's not just them you're hurting, but everyone around them, everyone who loves them? When you make your profit calculations and your cost analyses, you know that a great measure of that cost is being paid in raw human dignity, right?And he'd say "Yeah, right. Whatever. How did you get in here? SECURITY!!!"

People don't get to be CEO's by being nice, you know. Studies have indicated that a large number of them show traits that are considered to be clinically psychopathic. If you want a boss who is going to give a shit about you, work for yourself.

That said, I don't use EA anyway....

I got another reason: they shut down Earth & Beyond, one of the best MMORPG's I've ever played - and the only one I could run well on a 56k connection. Goddamn EA.
I was a fan of E&B, initially. Then every patch was nothing but a nerf for the JE, and I grew very tired of it. Plus their constant lies about the upcoming expansions, and extra class, etc. Kind of a pity, I rather enjoyed being one of the major reactor manufacturers on Orion.

Then I got into Eve (which I neglected during the beta phase, silly me) and discovered a game much more detailed, though less "free enterprise".

EA has continually let me down as well, however, which is why aside from the SSX trilogy on the PS2, we dont touch'em.

Couldn't the EA workers just go on strike? Let's see how management reacts when they have a deadline to meet, no workers to get the job done, and a tremendous ammount of cash hanging in the balance.

Nope, because they are specialist workers, they have very few if any laws protecting them.

Moneymakers want to make money, pure and simple, it doesn't make it right... unfortunately, but it does make it the way it is.