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PS3 Developer Fired For Comments
Posted by
Zonk
on Thu Feb 02, 2006 05:24 PM
from the unfortunate dept.
from the unfortunate dept.
Next Generation reports on the unfortunate fallout from one PS3 developer's unflattering comments. Early in January, a developer made comments on his feelings regarding the Xbox 360 and its power/design ease vs. the PS3. Thanks to widespread internet reaction, he has been fired from his development position. From the article: "I can't believe how out of control everything got ... It's absolutely absurd how the Internet can take something relatively harmless and turn it into something so insane... Did I knowingly break NDA? I absolutely did not. I would never do that and I would never want to hurt Sony Online. Did I dance in the grey area by even opening my mouth? Yes I did and I was fired for it. So I guess the new rule for me is, don't ever say anything at all about anything. Ever...ever."
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"I work for for "Big Company USA... (Score:5, Insightful)
Just what the hell was he expecting would happen? They'd give him a reward for breaking ranks and giving his subjective views about Sony's PS3?
Good luck finding a new job Asshat.
Re:"I work for for "Big Company USA... (Score:5, Insightful)
I would have let this guy go even for stating these opinions privatly. He obviously really does not want to work for Sony. This guy didn't get fired, he quit.
Parent
Re:"I work for for "Big Company USA... (Score:3, Insightful)
Chalk this up to a lesson learned the hard way.
On the other hand, this doesn't leave Sony management covered in glory either.
First, they called a huge amount of attention to a somewhat amateurish screed that would have fallen into the bitbucket otherwise. In this sense the develper was right. They'd be better off if they publicly laughed it off and said, "We're our own toughest critics. Our platform is the best one there is, and we're not standing still."
I think a more sutb
Re:"I work for for "Big Company USA... (Score:5, Insightful)
At the same time, a new issue has emerged, digital rights, an arena where Sony (a giant corporation representing the MPAA *and* RIAA) is the devil figure (rootkit CDs, locked out storage formats, and the upcoming Blu-ray ultra restrictive DRM).
Much as IBM, for it's own financial convience, became a "good guy" by supporting Linux and open source, Microsoft may make a similar transformation: They split with Sony over Blu-ray because they demanded that the next DVD format allow consumers to use media they had purchased the way they wanted to (i.e. store on a Microsoft powered media center). Microsoft's position of having no interest in content (Sony) or hardware (Apple) makes it to their financial benefit to demand both sides provide a positive experience for consumers (since Microsoft will have Windows something running in the middle).
Even Microsoft's own DRM lends to this: It isn't tied to a single music store or mp3 player, and it isn't fixed in what it controls - companies protecting content can choose how restrictive it should be, resulting in open competition for consumers without fractured standards - if consumers don't like the restrictions placed on them by music store A, they can just go to music store B and get the same music, that will play on the same mp3 player, but with less restrictions. Instead of consumers being held hostage to a set of DRM demands, it's the content sellers that have to compete for the sweet spot between protecting the content and giving the user fare use of what they've purchased.
Parent
Re:"I work for for "Big Company USA... (Score:3, Informative)
Much as IBM, for it's own financial convience, became a "good guy" by supporting Linux and open source, Microsoft may make a similar transformation: They split with Sony over Blu-ray because they demanded that the next DVD format allow consumers to use media they had purchased the way they wanted to (i.e. store on a Microsoft powered media center).
That's weird. . . I thought they split
does the word OOOPPPSSS come to mind? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:does the word OOOPPPSSS come to mind? (Score:3, Insightful)
Welcome to the Real World (Score:5, Insightful)
Seriously, welcome to the Real World. In college, perhaps, you were encouraged to speak your mind and be free like a little birdie. Big difference: you *paid* to go to college. Within limits, you could do what you want. Things are different when you're the one receiving the money. Within limits, you have to do what *they* want.
Or to misapply the meme: In college, you owned a Sony. In Corporate [America|Japan], SONY own YOU!
Re:Welcome to the Real World (Score:3, Interesting)
I started working for a startup WISP, and was on the front-lines designing, engineering, building, and installing the network. Being in that position, I knew a HELL of LOT MORE than the owner about what was and wasn't going to work. It also helped that my co-worker saw eye to eye on the wireless network implementation, but the po
He's surprised about this? (Score:5, Funny)
I'm guessing this is what got him fired (Score:5, Insightful)
Here's a link to his blog (Score:5, Informative)
To avoid
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:jgeFRxdfvuIJ
Great Rule (Score:4, Funny)
I found this rule to work best at home and at work. The less you talk, the less trouble you get yourself into.
Tough issue, this... (Score:5, Insightful)
It is a tragedy to lose one's job, no doubt. I would wish joblessness on no-one. However, one must always converse about one's product in a very careful way - always think of oneself as a public representative of the company. It is generally best to preserve the interests of one's company. Comments made on the internet are nearly intractable, and will generally find their way to unexpected places.
Re:Tough issue, this... (Score:5, Insightful)
Not in this case. I think the correct word for costing your company more money and good will then you're worth, resulting in a firing, is "example".
Losing your job because your office building burned down and your employer doesn't want to rebuild is tragic. Losing your job because you don't have the common sense God gives a dog is just plain stupid and not really something worth pitying.
What's worse is that he doesn't sound like he learned a single thing from the episode.
Parent
Yah, I read his post, and... (Score:5, Insightful)
There isn't really that much of a "gray area." They give you an NDA that basically just says "SHUT THE FUCK UP." And usually when they give it to you, they narrate that bit for you too. You really aren't supposed to talk about anything to do with the job, ever, ever.
There are few things in the business more secrecy intensive than a platform launch like this.
The guy is a big idiot for thinking he could write this and keep his job, without doing a damn good job of remaining anonymous. For that matter, he's just kind of uninformed; this is a 3D artist who obviously doesn't understand much about the hardware or the engines or the development cycle of either, in general....
OK, you got your 15 seconds of fame. Bye.
Re:Yah, I read his post, and... (Score:3, Insightful)
In other words, I don't think all 3D artists would be unqualified to comment, as this question seems to imply. Just this particular 3D artist. It's more likely you'd get some more informed commentary from a developer or a hardware engineer, and the fact that he's not already should color your expectations a little from the outset, but... let me put it this way:
I've worked with a lot of 3D artists, and it's a to
If I were him (Score:4, Funny)
seems right up his alley
Don't say anything, ever? (Score:5, Funny)
what's with the "dumb person got fired" news?? (Score:5, Funny)
Next up: a real estate agent is amazed, amazed!, when he loses a client after telling potential buyers "This is house is OK, but I wouldn't want to live here."
The subconscious mind. (Score:4, Interesting)
This has happened to me several times...where I've deleted a relationship, business or otherwise, by being brutally honest about it. The truth is that I always, deep down, wanted the relationship/job to end because I couldn't stand my internal bullshit meter going off every three seconds. Of course the opposite is also true, anything I truly want to be a part of will be afforded all maner of clemency.
Maybe this guy just knew that coming up with games for this thing was going to be an ordeal and his subconscious pre-empted him.
Then again, maybe this guy got fired because he is simply a classic dumbass.
Either way, you're now free to go make those soon-to-be-classic-Xbox-360-games now, former Sony developer guy.
Re:The subconscious mind. (Score:5, Funny)
Are you talking about people or databases?
;-)
Parent
that was the very last thing I will say...ever (Score:3, Funny)
no..wait..that was.
dammit.
I will never, ever say anything about anything ever. starting from.....now
I take a different lesson from this (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:ZOMG FIRST (Score:3, Insightful)
Obviously you didn't hear about the former Microsoft manager who accidently let a little too much info slip on his blog.
Google is the LAST place that would hire this guy. The reason why we never know what they're doing is because Google employees don't talk about Google. Period.