Monday, Feb 2, 2009
I remember the time when I first had my Sega Genesis. I was actually one of the "unlucky" ones that didn't get Super Nintendo and instead I got Sega Genesis. At the time I did not care much of the competition (or may be I just did not know much of the competition). I was happy to get whatever I got from my parents. The point is that gaming was one thing that I know I was good at and at the time I realized that I wanted to be a game designer.
Recently I got fired from a gaming company (well at least that's what they claimed anyway). This stroke a massive bruise to my ego as I felt that the recent of the firing was unfair. Anyway in other hand I was actually happy to get out from this industry. Like what I have explained before, I always thought that entertainment business is fun just like when I was playing my Genesis years ago. This hit me after couple months working in the company and I found myself to be more and more unhappy everyday. My work schedule was always hit by one deadline to another. A lot of times companies change the work system and we are forced to change the way we work and I realized that gaming company is one place that try to release products for holiday season which put us into a lot of crunch time in the holiday.
Now my question is that why do people want to be in this business. Well glamor is obviously one of the answers and of course the illusion of "fun" aspect to be in the business. When we are in the entertainment business, we are totally expendable to our employer. I am not saying that this doesn't affect any other type of business but this proves to be the worst in gaming industry. I can see that every day people will line up in front of the office wanting a piece of a pie from this business, people yelling "Hire me! hire me!" Because of this, the employer expects higher of all the employees. What if we cannot meet that expectation? If I pretended to be the employer, I would say, "I am sorry but there are so many people that want your job outside and we have to let you go".
Of course incompetence is not one thing that anyone wants to have in any type of business or industry but I can see how gaming industry expect people to give their 200%. Ever heard of the case EA spouse? Google this if you haven't. It is not a surprise when a company puts you in a crunch time and you have nothing to say to it because once again like I said there are just so many people outside there that want your job especially in this time of the worst recession in the last 80 years.
Remember the good old time when a game were just designed by one or two persons? In the time where the game is so big that a company has to hire some developer to just create one tiny sweat or skin specialist or water designer in the game, somehow this type of abuse has become necessary. Does anyone fight for this cause? Yes! There are some organizations out there that try to defend the rights for game developers such as IGDA (International Game Developer Association). Of course in the end, it is like a boxing match, you see 2 people beating the crap out of each other but well...it is all for entertainment.
Recently I got fired from a gaming company (well at least that's what they claimed anyway). This stroke a massive bruise to my ego as I felt that the recent of the firing was unfair. Anyway in other hand I was actually happy to get out from this industry. Like what I have explained before, I always thought that entertainment business is fun just like when I was playing my Genesis years ago. This hit me after couple months working in the company and I found myself to be more and more unhappy everyday. My work schedule was always hit by one deadline to another. A lot of times companies change the work system and we are forced to change the way we work and I realized that gaming company is one place that try to release products for holiday season which put us into a lot of crunch time in the holiday.
Now my question is that why do people want to be in this business. Well glamor is obviously one of the answers and of course the illusion of "fun" aspect to be in the business. When we are in the entertainment business, we are totally expendable to our employer. I am not saying that this doesn't affect any other type of business but this proves to be the worst in gaming industry. I can see that every day people will line up in front of the office wanting a piece of a pie from this business, people yelling "Hire me! hire me!" Because of this, the employer expects higher of all the employees. What if we cannot meet that expectation? If I pretended to be the employer, I would say, "I am sorry but there are so many people that want your job outside and we have to let you go".
Of course incompetence is not one thing that anyone wants to have in any type of business or industry but I can see how gaming industry expect people to give their 200%. Ever heard of the case EA spouse? Google this if you haven't. It is not a surprise when a company puts you in a crunch time and you have nothing to say to it because once again like I said there are just so many people outside there that want your job especially in this time of the worst recession in the last 80 years.
Remember the good old time when a game were just designed by one or two persons? In the time where the game is so big that a company has to hire some developer to just create one tiny sweat or skin specialist or water designer in the game, somehow this type of abuse has become necessary. Does anyone fight for this cause? Yes! There are some organizations out there that try to defend the rights for game developers such as IGDA (International Game Developer Association). Of course in the end, it is like a boxing match, you see 2 people beating the crap out of each other but well...it is all for entertainment.
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Posted Feb 2, 2009 3:48 am PT
I have noticed before that some games end up crappy because they are rushed too much in order to get them on the shelves in time for the holidays. And some of the cool smaller companies got absorbed by the larger ones - too much money. Even Peter Molyneaux sold his studio - still makes games but lost his independence for wealth.
That is crappy what happened but I expect you will land on your feet. You always do. Good Luck, Mike - my prayers are with you and yours.
That is crappy what happened but I expect you will land on your feet. You always do. Good Luck, Mike - my prayers are with you and yours.
Posted Feb 2, 2009 9:57 am PT
It saddens me to hear of someone suffering directly from the gaming industry lay-offs, but don't let it bruise your ego or cause doubt in what talent you do possess.
There could be hundreds of people outside screaming for a chance, claiming how willing and capable they are to sacrifice there well being for the company and your employer may hear that and lean heavy on the employees, which is a tough place to be since such things occur in many facets of business and life on a daily basis... but think of this... what if those people are NOT as good as you
Say what you want of such cynical thoughts, but I say have faith in the people you invest in. Your lover, family, friends, co-workers and so forth. Society has a nasty tendency for breeding a lot of folks willing to jump ship even before spotting the fire... it human nature
Keep your wits about having skills and knowledge many others are still acquiring. And always be willing to build upon such abilities so that way when an employer or some other big wig in life questions your worth you can easily address their doubts with conviction. Best of luck in 2009 fellow gamer.
There could be hundreds of people outside screaming for a chance, claiming how willing and capable they are to sacrifice there well being for the company and your employer may hear that and lean heavy on the employees, which is a tough place to be since such things occur in many facets of business and life on a daily basis... but think of this... what if those people are NOT as good as you
Say what you want of such cynical thoughts, but I say have faith in the people you invest in. Your lover, family, friends, co-workers and so forth. Society has a nasty tendency for breeding a lot of folks willing to jump ship even before spotting the fire... it human nature
Keep your wits about having skills and knowledge many others are still acquiring. And always be willing to build upon such abilities so that way when an employer or some other big wig in life questions your worth you can easily address their doubts with conviction. Best of luck in 2009 fellow gamer.
Posted Feb 12, 2009 8:40 pm PT
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khatibi22
But this is an interesting blog altogether and I do agree with most points you have made.
Well what you have written is valid in almost every workplace, especially in privately owned business. It is better in council service sort of jobs where it is not solely based on profit making. Working in gaming industry sounds fun, but I guess it is a stressy job and you have to carry a lot of weight and pressure on your shoulder. I think choosing the right job is not just a matter of liking, one has to evaluate his abilities which means also consider his kind of character and personality. Some people are just live to work and some work to live...