Evil EA

One, Two, Middlesboogie · #1 11-22-2004, 08:14 AM

Clicky. I had no idea that it was this bad.

I suggest you vote with your wallet, and do not buy EA games. This includes Stranger.

Majic · #2 11-22-2004, 08:44 AM

Ack.

Surely, a problem as drastic as this should spark more concern? I don't see how such an issue could remain under the radar indefinitely from media and lawsuits. Employees could sue, strike, or transfer to a different company. The author specifically states that other companies enjoy compensation and the like. I think I'll look into this more. The "big business ignoring employees' problems" looks appetizing enough.

A personal signiture probably wouldn't hurt the credibility. Or the title of the said game.

Esus · #3 11-22-2004, 08:53 AM

Though it is probably right, I wouldn't trust anything it mentions explicitly.

oddguy · #4 11-22-2004, 09:12 AM

A sad story...

However, if I boycotted every company that was crooked, I would have to go live under a rock. My point being, lots of companies are corrupt. That doesn't make it right, but it's what we live with.

I'm still buying Stranger.

-oddguy

Smell · #5 11-22-2004, 10:09 AM

EA aren't that bad, are they?

Nepharski · #6 11-22-2004, 10:16 AM

I have never possessed the ability to decipher exactly why EA prints out a, "new," football game each year, nor why they continue to generate ample profits, despite their being, "re-packaged," not, "new."

Oh!...the article.

Surely the situation cannot be as grim as this, though maybe close. Surely the employees would leave or strike, would they not?

OANST · #7 11-22-2004, 11:07 AM

I don't mean this in a negative way but you are too young to understand what it's like to have to provide for a family. If I was in their shoes I would not have gone on strike or quit. My children need food and they have become accustomed to a certain lifestyle that my job provides. It is very possible that this is all true.

Majic · #8 11-22-2004, 11:16 AM

:

I don't mean this in a negative way but you are too young to understand what it's like to have to provide for a family. If I was in their shoes I would not have gone on strike or quit. My children need food and they have become accustomed to a certain lifestyle that my job provides. It is very possible that this is all true.

Oh, whats that quote? From John Popper, I believe. Something along the lines of, " I was a bleeding liberal until I got a job".

Statistically, at least, EA is a big corporation. And I'd think more than one simple spouse is willing to speak publically about the problem. This is the sort of thing the media loves, is it not?

Esus · #9 11-22-2004, 11:17 AM

People love their work. They love making games. Perhaps they want to keep doing what they're doing, need the money, yet hate their conditions of work.

Big_Bro_Slig222 · #10 11-22-2004, 11:26 AM

Apparently a class action lawsuit is pending, so it is near to or as bad as the woman says.

OANST · #11 11-22-2004, 11:30 AM

You also have to understand that coming forward or suing decreases the chances of another company hiring you. It's sad but it's true.

***Nate*** · #12 11-22-2004, 12:50 PM

Its not really worth boycotting stranger. You need to differentiate between EA as a developer and as a publisher. It is the former in which these sweatshop conditions occur.

SeaRex · #13 11-22-2004, 01:01 PM

Oh, no worries OTM (heh... nice of you to drop by). I'll be voting with my wallet alright. No chance in Hell I'll be buying Stranger. Of course, my decision has nothing to do with the article you just posted, but still. *snicker*

Tales of unfair working conditions always get to me. I mean, I get pissed off working at a grocery store/video rental place... while some people would kill just to have a job. Man, I'd hate to see me when/if I get into the gaming business.

Heh.

Statikk HDM · #14 11-22-2004, 02:10 PM

Holy Christ 9 in the morning to 10 at night with no overtime or comp time? There oughta be a law! Wait a second? Wouldn't this be a violation called something like fraudulent payment or illegal witholding of wages? This is what Lorne and others have said about Munch's Oddysee, that they liked the game but believed it would have been significantly better if they were not rushed. If this hurts the quality of their games they should pay a big price.

OANST · #15 11-22-2004, 02:47 PM

The problem arises from being a salary employee. Once you agree to this you have to work whatever hours they tell you and they do not have to pay overtime. For instance, I work about 70 hours a week and receive no overtime. I get bonuses but that has nothing to do with the time I spend here.

Nepharski · #16 11-22-2004, 06:04 PM

:

I don't mean this in a negative way but you are too young to understand what it's like to have to provide for a family. If I was in their shoes I would not have gone on strike or quit. My children need food and they have become accustomed to a certain lifestyle that my job provides. It is very possible that this is all true.

A most excellent point...

odd chick · #17 11-22-2004, 06:27 PM

:

I don't mean this in a negative way but you are too young to understand what it's like to have to provide for a family. If I was in their shoes I would not have gone on strike or quit. My children need food and they have become accustomed to a certain lifestyle that my job provides. It is very possible that this is all true.

I completely agree. My parents work themselves into the ground to provide for me and each other. My dad works really hard at his job (trust me, my dad is working these type of hours right now) and neither he nor my mom would quit their jobs or go on strike because then we would be out in the gutter. My mom knows we need clothes and food and she and my dad would work over 12 hours if they knew it would provide for me.

***Alcar*** · #18 11-22-2004, 09:52 PM

As OANST mentioned, it is a salary issue. I've been following the issue since it surfaced, and as far as I can tell, EA was in the correct and legal position to do what it did. The man is complaining that they've pushed him further than what they are allowed to do. The person is complaining because he was forced to do work for long periods of time without overtime, which is understandable, as it was during the crunch period - a few weeks before the release of the game, where they are expected to work extremely long hours.

He's just kicking up a stink because he is greedy. I'm digusted at him, especially as I hear that EA employees are treated a lot better than most game industry employees. A person who has visited one of the EA complexes had this to say:

:

It is just another case of another wealthy American just trying to get even wealthier. I've been to the EA campus and their employes work in the best atmosphere I've ever seen. They've got a gym, a pool, a very nice cafeteria, and awesome offices/cubicals. All software developers know that when release date is near, your life is development. It is sad but true.

Alcar...

***Cloverfield*** · #19 11-23-2004, 02:53 AM

Maybe I don't want to work in the gaming industry. Not really.

I wouldn't boycott Stranger however even if I wan't an OW fan. The game was developed by Oddworld and not EA as the game in mention was. And I am certain that OW are good folks and do the right thing by their employees. Without hearing both sides of it, it's difficult to judge. Like was there a contract that was signed saying this when he first took employment? If so, then it's in his contract and there is nothing he could do as he agreed to the conditions. There's always been the argument about big company/small comapany. I'd generally say that working in a small company is better from personal experience, but larger companies tend to give you more "perks" so to speak.

Abe Babe...

***Nate*** · #20 11-23-2004, 01:21 PM

Alcar the problem that guy has is that EA apparently expects that the whole production period will involve crunch hours, instead of just the last few months before release which is normal in the games industry.

I heard that the reason that there are so many games developers located in California is that there is a special law there stating that games companies don't need to pay overtime.

***Alcar*** · #21 11-23-2004, 11:42 PM

Hmmm, as far as I was aware, it was just in the crunch periods. Last time I checked, EA hadn't announced anything regarding the situation, so I haven't got much to decipher and decided between.

I don't doubt for a second that this guy has hyperbolised his facts, so I'm being cautious.

Alcar...

oddguy · #22 11-24-2004, 09:30 AM

Glad I was able to see the other side of things. Thanks, Alcar.

-oddguy

***Alcar*** · #23 11-24-2004, 10:42 PM

:

Glad I was able to see the other side of things. Thanks, Alcar.

-oddguy

No problem, I didn't want anyone to go anti-EA becaose of misinformation. It is always best to look at both sides

Though I still haven't heard much about it still.

Alcar...