Almost broke video game NDA close to E3. How does everyone keep their info secret and why do some choose to leak?

[F34R]

I find it pretty simply to keep the cards close to my chest so to speak. I sign the NDA, and 100% abide by it, period. I don't even let my wife and kids know or see the stuff I am under a NDA with.

Always a lot cooler for me when my kids play a game and see my name in there, and they've been following the dev for the past year for the game.

 

[Deleted member 8860]

The fact that journalists actually have all this information on upcoming products -- and even have reviews/impressions written up before official announcements -- has really soured me on hype culture.

Particularly egregious are websites/podcasters/YTers that slow-drip rumors and fan speculation for weeks or months while their writers already have the product in hand or have been to a private event to experience it. (Yes, I realize that such websites usually have separate people writing the rumor articles and the actual hands-on material.)

This sort of manufactured hype is really shitty IMO. It's using journalists as pure PR and does a disservice to the audience.

 

[Thoraxes]

I personally handle it by just not talking about it to anyone.

Kind of a all-encompassing thing. It's just something I don't ever talk about.

 

[Vincent Alexander]

This is why people leak.

Even just a drop is too tempting.

Click to shrink...

Yep. It's so weird too. Like...who remembers the people who leak this crap anyway? It feels like the same sad mentality as people reading Game of Thrones leaks, then going into threads to post "predictions."

 

[Son Lamar]

This is my alt account

you can reach me at NDA_Breaker_ BronsonLee @gmail.com

Click to shrink...

......

 

[Liam Allen-Miller]

People leak because the idea of secrets in the video game industry (or any industry) is silly. Everything should be announced the moment work gets underway, almost like you hear about movies hiring directors or writers years before the first logo or trailer is released.

Click to shrink...

In the world we live in where people hiss and scream about games being announced too early I strongly disagree. Let companies and developers choose what's right for them every time imo.

 

[Vilam]

People who leak things are just in it to stroke their own egos. It's incredibly selfish.

 

[Deleted member 38050]

Because most people value their jobs more highly than their 15 minutes of e-fame.
I don't work in videogames, but I do work in television production for one of Australia's major TV networks. I've never had to sign any NDAs or anything like that, but there's an unspoken understanding that if I "leak" anything, there will be consequences. It's just not worth the headache.

 

[Instro]

Leak everything I say. Knowing about stuff, getting to hear about the process, being involved in the development, etc., is far more interesting than the secretive hype machine nonsense this industry operates in. I get it for hardware and important proprietary items, but for most software it seems silly. Look how popular crowdfunding and early access have become, that model of knowing upfront and the feedback cycle is way more fun.

 

[Sanctuary]

People leak because the idea of secrets in the video game industry (or any industry) is silly. Everything should be announced the moment work gets underway, almost like you hear about movies hiring directors or writers years before the first logo or trailer is released.

Click to shrink...

Not really. The entire point is to surprise the public and get them hyped on your terms. Not "Oh, by the way, we started work on X, but we have nothing to show for it, see you in a year with our Alpha footage!". The movie comparison doesn't really fit here.

 

[Arex]

I just don't talk of what we're working on outside of workplace really. Only when official trailer or screenshots or announcements are out then I share them on social media.

It's harder when we can't say or show anything on cancelled projects, but you get used to it I guess.

 

[noyram23]

and then we have this:

https://www.resetera.com/threads/games-are-announced-too-soon.33498/

:)

Click to shrink...

Or people not understanding how everything is in flux while still in development, attacking devs for downgrade or changes. I rather respect their choice to keep any project secrets if they like, it's their project and has the right to.

 

[MadMike]

Unless it's truly important, ie. whistleblowing, I think it's mostly done for that street cred. As a contractor working in software QA, I've had to sign more NDAs than I can even remember. I don't really find it hard not to disclose information I agreed not to.

 

[Deleted member 11976]

I signed an NDA, I respect my coworkers, and I wish for fans to be surprised when our Comms+Marketing teams (work hard to) announce things. It's really that simple.

 

[Dreamwriter]

Back in the day I used to have access to top secret info - like the Wii development docs right after the controllers were first shown off, or I got to play with a 3DS dev kit before the device was revealed to the public (it had only been announced that Nintendo was working on a 3D handheld that didn't need 3D glasses). I found it really fun to continue to post in the forums about these devices without spilling any secrets. I took part in speculation threads as if I knew nothing, only using publicly announced information, but using what I knew to give a little extra context to the info, as if I were guessing or speculating. I never leaked anything, but had a lot of fun.

 

[Neiteio]

I have good news for you: The NDA you signed is actually a Neiteio Disclosure Agreement, which means you can tell me

 

[CircusOfValues]

How was your flight?

 

[Angie]

Some people are just ok with putting their or someone else that shared with him information, finacial security at risk over internet points and attention.

 

[Truly Gargantuan]

I once got to see and test a game by a renowned developer but of course I signed an NDA. The moment I got home I went and told my roommate AAAAAALLL about it.
Mostly because he's a big fan of the devs and the game was right up his alley.

 

[Quinton]

I remind myself any time I nearly leak anything that I have a loving pet cat who would be disappointed in my life decisions if her wet food routine were interrupted on account of my losing employment.

 

[Bakercat]

Leaks generate talk and hype. There is a reason why every Assassin's Creed game gets "leaked" before official announcements.

 

[ThingsRscary]

Leaks are more effective than the official ones, in my opinion. You can say it's a more promoting strategy to test people if they want it.

 

[Syriel]

Give me info under NDA, and I'll protect it like Fort Knox.

If I get info through another source, I'm publishing it.

First person to Paypal me $1000 gets the list of the PS5 launch games and the date it comes out

Click to shrink...

Now this would get you in trouble. Publishing leaked information isn't a risk. Inducing someone to break an NDA by offering payment can get you sued.

If I leak the bits of info I know can't be traced to a specific person (like very general things that tons of people know) and use a device and an internet access that is public and use something like 4chan with a 1 time-use email, how are companies be able to trace me back? like I feel investigating this thing must be hard if someone really doesn't wanna be known.

Click to shrink...

Most people are dumb. Companies are also good at security.

One random example was the 360 NXE dash. Beta builds had unique watermarks encoded in the design. A screenshot could be traced back to the individual console it ran on.

 

[StallionDan]

I don't know why games companies are more transparent like movie companies. With those we know when they are greenlight, the moment actors and directors etc are attached, when filming starts, then at release we know budget, how it performs exactly etc.

Video games...we don't even have a clue how most sell, yet alone if they profitable, or how profitable, budget, we know pretty much nothing.

 

[Deleted member 5621]

People leak because the idea of secrets in the video game industry (or any industry) is silly. Everything should be announced the moment work gets underway, almost like you hear about movies hiring directors or writers years before the first logo or trailer is released.

Click to shrink...

What.

Not, it absolutely should not.

 

[Nothing Loud]

People leak because the idea of secrets in the video game industry (or any industry) is silly. Everything should be announced the moment work gets underway, almost like you hear about movies hiring directors or writers years before the first logo or trailer is released.

Click to shrink...

I can't believe what I'm reading.

Trade secrets.

 

[XaviConcept]

omg
Id be fired so fast

 

[Champion]

Not being a clout chaser probably helps.

 

[Solobbos]

It gets easier over time. You understand that eventually everyone gets to experience what you saw, usually as a more refined version and the secretness of the information feels less and less exciting until you basically get no buzz from knowing NDA'd information.

 

[John Harker]

Not everyone who works on games is a fanboy that posts on forums. A significant and substantial quantity of people involved in bringing you games... this is their day job. It's like, if you work at a post office, are you going to the internet to talk about the letters you've seen? Most don't give a shit about what they are seeing/doing.

And then there are people who really want attention but build their identities around the people that work at these companies - maybe friends or relatives or whatever, enthusiasts but they aren't bound by NDAs. Press or rumor mongersers or whatever. That's where most "unsubstantiated" rumors come from.

And then the middle ground are people who work on games and then love talking about games but those people tend to be adults who like to keep their jobs and know better.

At the end of the day most real leaks happen because some Jr social media manager put the wrong time zone in a social post or some retailer printing signage for pre orders gets material 8 weeks before announce and accidentally posts something they shouldn't have earlier.

Though there Is a 4th class, a secret cabal that plays poker once a month and just tells each other everything interesting

 

[Shpeshal Nick]

Its very hard not to post stuff you know about or have heard about. Particularly when it's something cool and exciting.

If it's known, you don't want to spoil the surprise and betray the trust of the one who told you

If it's a rumour you don't want it turning out false and again, don't want to betray the trust of the one who told you

 

[Deleted member 1635]

Never share or even hint at shit. It's not worth it.

Lose your job and reputation for 15 seconds of unappreciated Internet semi-fame.

 

[XaviConcept]

Like, this is probably what would happen

 

[eraFROMAN]

If you ruin a company's bottom line, they can legally ruin your life with an NDA. I remember that, then I keep quiet. I barely even let anyone know who I worked for, and that's not a secret.

 

[Chamon]

Hahahaha, I have actually written a couple of posts with some big Sony exclusive information, but in the end never published them. It's like I'm diying to talk about it but also what do I get for telling some strangers on the internet? 🤷‍♂️

 

[kirby_fox]

I personally handle it by just not talking about it to anyone.

Kind of a all-encompassing thing. It's just something I don't ever talk about.

Click to shrink...

Bingo. I understand the desire to talk about it and all but just don't go into the threads where discussion is going on or mention it to anyone. Becomes really easy then.

 

[NinjaScooter]

OP just PM'd me the news he was afraid of leaking. It just said "Demon Souls Remake is never happening".

 

[StarStorm]

NDA's are no joke. Termination would be the least of your worries. I wouldn't risk it.

 

[Piichan]

Just be professional and do your job I guess.

 

[Flipyap]

Like, this is probably what would happen

Click to shrink...

Are you allowed to mock the prequels, or are you just stopping by before pulling a Whitta?

 

[Deleted member 412]

I have played Super Mario Galaxy 3 and Donkey Kong Country: Thunderdome thanks to my uncle who works at Nintendo. Oh shit, did I write that out loud

 

[Professor Beef]

Do people do it knowing they are putting their job at risk?

Click to shrink...

yes, all for a drop of clout

How do people decide to keep certain things and leak others?

Click to shrink...

they try and gauge what is the juiciest info

it's all stupid anyways, since it's dumbass easy to not break NDA: you just keep your mouth shut and keep it moving

 

[MajesticSoup]

So pretty much every developer knows what's the next gen console specs are right?? Its funny just picturing them read the spec thread.

'Lol 500 pages and they still think its using gcn'

 

[Professor Beef]

I don't know why games companies are more transparent like movie companies. With those we know when they are greenlight, the moment actors and directors etc are attached, when filming starts, then at release we know budget, how it performs exactly etc.

Video games...we don't even have a clue how most sell, yet alone if they profitable, or how profitable, budget, we know pretty much nothing.

Click to shrink...

probably because video games are toys, first and foremost, and not comparable to movie studios

 

[nekkid]

How was this "accidental"? You were about to consciously share content you knew was covered by the NDA but thought stripping out any company details would make it harder to identify.

I'm really not sure what either you or your boss were thinking, OP...

 

[Deleted member 3758]

.

 

[XaviConcept]

Are you allowed to mock the prequels, or are you just stopping by before pulling a Whitta?

Click to shrink...

I fukkkkin hate them

and Solo

 

[Domino Theory]

I don't say anything or move forward until our Brand Manager has sanctioned it.

 

[Jawmuncher]

I fukkkkin hate them

and Solo

Click to shrink...

Whoa hold up. The thread ain't even about NDA's anymore. It's about this.

 

[Militaratus]

It's easy to uphold an NDA if the content is not morally objectionable. But sometimes you got to break it for the greater good.