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Games Entertainment

Industry Group to Set Video Games Work Standards 23

Posted by Zonk from the stand-up-stand-up dept.
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).
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Industry Group to Set Video Games Work Standards More

Industry Group to Set Video Games Work Standards

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  • General Technology (Score:5, Interesting)

    by sedyn ( 880034 ) on Monday February 13, 2006 @07:41PM (#14712125)
    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.)
    • 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... (Score:5, Informative)

    by jevvim ( 826181 ) on Monday February 13, 2006 @07:44PM (#14712153) Journal
    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.

  • Sounds great? (Score:5, Interesting)

    by TychoCelchuuu ( 835690 ) on Monday February 13, 2006 @07:48PM (#14712190) Journal
    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.

  • Just move to Europe (Score:2, Insightful)

    by valen ( 2689 )

    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
    • Just move to Europe? Oh sure, we're real popular over there.
    • "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 (Score:4, Insightful)

    by NorbrookC ( 674063 ) on Tuesday February 14, 2006 @10:47AM (#14715729) Journal

    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.

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