Industry Group to Set Video Games Work Standards

Chris Reimer writes "C|Net News is reporting that a new industry group will establish ethics and work standards for video game workers. From the article: 'With an aging work force of video game creators, the game industry is going through growing pains similar to what Hollywood once experienced. Today there are more programmers, artists and producers in their 30s, 40s and 50s, many with families, who are looking for better pay, fewer work hours and improved benefits. PEER will focus on representing these experienced programmers.'" This is more information on an organization that we've previously talked about (related, below).

General Technology

[sedyn]

Has the general computer software industry gone through a similar phase?

If not, should they change the scope to include everyone who designs computer software? (I know that the game industry is reputed to be particularly brutal to its workers, but I think it is a question worth asking none the less.)

Re:General Technology

[amorita]

I've worked for over five years in both the general computer software industry and in the games industry as a programmer.

I don't think the general computer software industry ever went through anything like this. This industry originated at universities and research institutions. The requirements are generally more detailed from the beginning and the planning is much more thorough and the management is better so there is less/no crunch time. Also, if a project is behind schedule, either more people are br

Recruiters talking about benefits is kinda like...

[jevvim]

So a bunch of recruiters think "the game industry is going through growing pains similar to what Hollywood once experienced", and that their new Professional Electronic Entertainment Recruiters (PEER) organization "will provide an alternative to any potential unionization of game creators" with "a stringent standard of professionalism and conduct within game recruiting" because "by being honest with [game makers] about their options, "quality of life" problems like those that surfaced last year eventually will subside."

Sounds vaguely like a protection racket to me - 'work with us or we might recommend unionization to those who want better benefits.' Recruiters talking about benefits is kinda like the user car dealer talking about the car - all they care about is moving you out in one & getting their cut on the deal.

Re:Recruiters talking about benefits is kinda like

[Kuvter]

Don't you like how the word 'ethics' magically got taken out of the meaning behind it all.

Sounds great?

[TychoCelchuuu]

Today there are more programmers, artists and producers in their 30s, 40s and 50s, many with families, who are looking for better pay, fewer work hours and improved benefits. Heck, I know all sorts of people who want better pay, fewer work horus and improved benefits! Maybe these PEER guys should contact them, too! This could be some sort of revolution: more money and goodies for less work! It's amazing nobody has thought of this before.

Re:Because we really feel sorry for you....

[__aaclcg7560]

Ironically, that's one of the reasons why I got out of the video game industry after six years. Why be a lead QA tester working 80-hours a week for months on end when you can work the Help Desk at a major corporation for 40-hours a week for the same amount of money? I now have the free time I need to enjoy the money I'm making now without some insecure boss snapping the whip at me.

Re:Dupe Alert

[Spy der Mann]

This story is a dupe of the "related story" shown above.

So THAT's why the "related story" feature was invented! :)

Cool.

Re:they should get more pay when they make NEW gam

[Stormwatch]

Why do we need another generic shotemup game, like Halo or Fear.

This doesn't sound right...

Why do we need another generic shotemup game, like Gradius or Truxton.

There, I fixed it for you!

Re:they should get more pay when they make NEW gam

[ScurvyMro]

They don't make new and innovative...they make what sells. And people that play games rarely want something new. They want something that is fun. And whats fun is fun, whether its new or not. Having said that, I think that with the new wave of consoles we are coming upon new things. From the sounds of the new Elder Scrolls, its going to similar, but much better. New, well sort of. And whats wrong with shoot-em-ups? And finally, on the topic, I think that no one ever takes you seriously until you are

Re:they should get more pay when they make NEW gam

[masamax]

That's not entirely true. If you are a developer and you have an idea you are set on, you will do it. The fact is that a lot of developers are just like the publishers. Doing new things involves risks, and for the development studio that can mean going under. Many developers would rather have safe games that pay consistent paychecks rather than a potential hit or flop.

Re:they should get more pay when they make NEW gam

[jackbird]

When McDonald's employees get paid for making a hamburger, no matter how bad it tastes.

When lawyers get paid for providing legal services, win or lose.

When GM employees get paid for building a new car no matter how it drives.

When the band at your wedding gets paid regardless of whether people dance.

What does your enjoyment of the product have to do with whether the people who worked 80-hour weeks to bring it to you are being treated fairly? Would slavery be OK if you really liked the products it made p

Just move to Europe

[valen]

Where sensible Health & Safety laws fine employers who don't do enough to make sure people don't work over 48 hours a week - and that includes on-call time. In our company, we all do 40 hour weeks. If you do more than eight hours of on call, you *must* get a day off the following week. In our French office, there is someone who is responsible for kicking people out by 18:00, in case they work too long by accident, or get carried away.

Don't listen to big business who say it harms the econ

Re:Just move to Europe

[2old2rockNroll]

Just move to Europe? Oh sure, we're real popular over there.

Re:Just move to Europe

[hal2814]

"Don't listen to big business who say it harms the economy"

Ok, then I'll listen to the 8%-10% unemployment rate in most parts of Europe.

If these game developers want to unionize (even if they don't call it a union), I'm all for that. I hope for them that they can pull it off since they are in an industry with seemingly more workers than demand for workers. However, I wouldn't neccesarily use Europe as an example of how to set work policy.

Union by any other name

[NorbrookC]

As I read this, what popped to mind was that they're acting like a union, but they don't want to call themselves a union. It's a sad commentary on unions that you have an organization negotiating with employers (or muscling them) for better pay, benefits, and working conditions for their employees, but it's "not a union."

It is a function of the industry maturing. The days when one or two people could sit down and turn out a killer game are pretty much gone - the technology has gotten too complex. It's also gotten to the point where the ability to hire the "young and foolish" is no longer a plus. The advanced skills needed are in the group of people who no longer feel like working 80+ hours a week.