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Rockstar grants permission to current devs to talk about company on social media
- Thread starter dex3108
- Start date
I ask this hoping it will not be buried, but the only post mentionned in all the developper return is tools programmer (twice)
Can someone explain what is the role of this job?
In my understanding it looks like developping the tools with which the game are going to be made, so a really upstream job no? the crunch being more of a thing in the end of projects, isn't it totally understandable than some upstream function are not really affected? (because except correct some bugs in the tools, it isn't them that are the most busy during the end i think, on contrary with the QA for exemple)
Can someone explain what is the role of this job?
In my understanding it looks like developping the tools with which the game are going to be made, so a really upstream job no? the crunch being more of a thing in the end of projects, isn't it totally understandable than some upstream function are not really affected? (because except correct some bugs in the tools, it isn't them that are the most busy during the end i think, on contrary with the QA for exemple)
You don't know that. Those people could just as easily Tweet they got fired due to their Tweets and drum up some more outrage.
just saw this on twitter..
not sure how relevant this is..
Yes, I noticed a lot of R*N tags on those accounts speaking out.
Nothing from the various US dev groups tho.
Yup this won't fit with their need to rag on the evil AAA industry companies.
I don't doubt anyone who says that they like working there in relation to work hours and stuff.
But also I don't see a lot of people saying bad things and complaining in such a public manner without anonymity. Permission or no permission. Who is going to publicly shit on their company?
Altought I also believe that quote was taken out of context and exacerbated a bit and the "Rockstar is a hellhole" stories were amplified. Crunch in the industry is still a problem of course, even if things at Rockstar are better than that quote made it seem.
EDIT: I read a bit more tweets and overall I think it portrays a pretty normal company. Some long hours if needed but not ridiculous or anything and, more importantly, just on rare occasions and deadlines. It's not 6 months of crunch like some places.
But also I don't see a lot of people saying bad things and complaining in such a public manner without anonymity. Permission or no permission. Who is going to publicly shit on their company?
Altought I also believe that quote was taken out of context and exacerbated a bit and the "Rockstar is a hellhole" stories were amplified. Crunch in the industry is still a problem of course, even if things at Rockstar are better than that quote made it seem.
EDIT: I read a bit more tweets and overall I think it portrays a pretty normal company. Some long hours if needed but not ridiculous or anything and, more importantly, just on rare occasions and deadlines. It's not 6 months of crunch like some places.
To be fair the entire West coast of the US is still asleep pretty much.
Funny but true lol
These things wont even matter once they make the OT
Honestly, you know why. we don't need to expound further, but what you stated is beyond factual.
Working 100 hours out of your own volition is fine. Your choice and consent. However, a healthy and productive company would not allow or even facilitate such hours in the first place. They'd actively stop their workers going into such long hours because it's incredibly unhealthy, shortens one's lifespan and productivity in actuality drops significantly. That's the issue present with Rockstar and gaming companies in general
And then be subsequently sued and barred from the entire industry as a result.
I'm excited for Jason's article because it will be stories from actual employees instead of Era making up tin-foil hat scenarios about how bad it is there.
just saw this on twitter..
not sure how relevant this is..
I live in Lincoln, have friends that have (and still do) work at R* (heck, one of the writers on my site used to, but I'm not posting anything he's told me as that's completely unfair). I've heard both sides of things over the years. Way back when I had a number friends actively involved there, there were stories of some people sleeping in the office to get stuff finished while management brought in food for everyone during crunch. There were also a ton of positive stories as well, but crunch always sounded difficult. Most of the QA there when I knew people were quite young, so it seemed like an inherent 'downside to the job' rather than a soul crushing behemoth.
There's no point discussing this further, stick to your mindset where nuance doesn't exist.
Why should anyone feel bad period? Its already been stated that no one was forced to work hours beyond the basic limits and if they did its because they wanted to and those who did got paid for their work.
All sounds like a nice PR move from Rockstar.
Saying that anyone can speak out, but the only ones who said something are from countries with stric labor laws.
And as if anyone would dare to be open about it. They are easy targets for management.
We all should better wait from reports from trusted journalists
Saying that anyone can speak out, but the only ones who said something are from countries with stric labor laws.
And as if anyone would dare to be open about it. They are easy targets for management.
We all should better wait from reports from trusted journalists
I'm guessing some positions are far worse than others. As a programmer that's worked on huge projects I've worked long-ass hours at the tail end of a project. It's always the first 90% is easy and the last 10% is hell. Trying to make all the pieces come together, catching bugs, all of that shit and when you get momentum sometimes you don't want to stop. I've worked 14-15 hour long days just because I was in the zone.
Really interested now to know what were the working conditions on games like botw and the Witcher 3 for example
Rockstar is scared they won't get new guys to their place and now they take their own employes to tell the world everything is fine.
I guess that some places where you also have good workplace rules in the country will tell you good things where as the bad locations like everything in the US won't say a thing or it's just very bad.
I guess that some places where you also have good workplace rules in the country will tell you good things where as the bad locations like everything in the US won't say a thing or it's just very bad.
This is it for me. I doubt its a hellhole like some people are trying to make it out to be, but probably has the same problems that are widespread in the industry
Need to hear anonymous views, but hopefully this being in media encourages better work environments and unionising for all aspects of the industry
I've heard way worst stories from normal software companies. I'll be curious about Jason's article but Rockstar seems pretty okay right now and nothing like that quote suggested.
Are they going to grant permission for rockstar employees to attend game developer meetings? I recall they prevented this years ago.
Anyway, sure hundred hour work weeks are rare but 80 hour work weeks are common. I know people that worked 2.5 years of overtime on certain games for Rockstar. I also have knowledge that they told people in interviews about 60hr weeks and weekend work. If they didnt want it, then there's the door. For the most part rockstar hasn't cared if people turned them down. I have tons of horror stories that only go back a few years.
Not all employees are treated equal. Id be willing to bet theres many more that havent come forward for various reasons. Id be very surprised if rockstar paid overtime for all employees. Imo it probably is something they do for contract work. I know the studio im familiar with doesn't get overtime pay.
Anyway, sure hundred hour work weeks are rare but 80 hour work weeks are common. I know people that worked 2.5 years of overtime on certain games for Rockstar. I also have knowledge that they told people in interviews about 60hr weeks and weekend work. If they didnt want it, then there's the door. For the most part rockstar hasn't cared if people turned them down. I have tons of horror stories that only go back a few years.
Not all employees are treated equal. Id be willing to bet theres many more that havent come forward for various reasons. Id be very surprised if rockstar paid overtime for all employees. Imo it probably is something they do for contract work. I know the studio im familiar with doesn't get overtime pay.
Believable under umbrella of many us companies and cultures
This wouldn't fly in some other places though less in France or some Eu countries but still possible there
And every placr to work has drawbacks
Permission to talk is not the same as permission to speak freely. I'll wait for investigative journalism to do its thing.
It's not, it affects your physical and mental health.
If you know someone that's working that many hours, stop them.
I'd like to see the actual email transcript, if so. Hopefully someone gives it to Jason.
Doesn't change my stance on this not even 0.001%. I'll wait and then compare the statements.
I think that goes for a lot of people on both sides of the issue.
Yes, because if an employee blasted his employer on social media regarding their working conditions they wouldn't totally be fired within a year for some bullcrap excuse.
Gotta think that anyone who dares to speak up in a negative way is kinda putting their heads on the chopping block. Not specifically R* employees related to this, but anyone in general.
This
This
Nah it's not, I'm just not going to accuse Rockstar employees of lying to fit my narrative.
As a game developer thats worked on a bunch of triple A titles, this whole thing has baffled me a bit. There are definitely studios with the mantra of "crunch hard" but if you are not a fan of crunching then you just kind of avoid those studios and the list is pretty short. The most I've crunched so far is about 55 hours in a week and got paid for it.
I don't like to crunch, so I wont unless it's super important and brief or if I am bored and want to. There are a LOT of people that live at the studio, but they are the people also that even when it is time for them to go home they linger and talk for hours.
There are just some people with lives that make them more eager to want to stay and work for some reason. I've always told those people to go the fuck home, get a hobby or some shit cause you are setting this weird precedent, but as I get older I no longer give a shit.
With all that said, I'm super happy that gamers feel it is important that the people that make the games are cared for! You all rule. It's definitely a practice that has to go bye-bye (outstide of like a last month crunch, those are just exciting).
I don't like to crunch, so I wont unless it's super important and brief or if I am bored and want to. There are a LOT of people that live at the studio, but they are the people also that even when it is time for them to go home they linger and talk for hours.
There are just some people with lives that make them more eager to want to stay and work for some reason. I've always told those people to go the fuck home, get a hobby or some shit cause you are setting this weird precedent, but as I get older I no longer give a shit.
With all that said, I'm super happy that gamers feel it is important that the people that make the games are cared for! You all rule. It's definitely a practice that has to go bye-bye (outstide of like a last month crunch, those are just exciting).
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