Super happy that strong unions in gaming are becoming a thing. Modern games are absolutely massive undertakings, and well made games provide so much more than just a one-off revenue stream that is often ignored by executives as business exists solely for money at the top.
A union made game that’s allowed to take the time it needs to be fully cooked will probably be the most popular/best game in the (any) franchise.
Unfortunately it will probably make 10% the money of some Fallout mobile game they churned out over a weekend that lets you buy a gold vault suit that doesn’t do anything for $4.99.
I don’t have a problem with companies making money off the free to play (and pay to win) model, but it’s sad to see them mistreat the IP that generates a dedicated fan base because the only thing that matters is immediate profit - which will hopefully be heavily mitigated by a union.
Why would being unionised make a difference to the quality of the work? Hopefully it means less insane crunch but it’s still up to the higher ups to say “ok good enough” and release before it’s polished right? I could definitely be missing something here though.
There’s all sorts of reasons being unionized could help create a better product.
Hopefully it means less insane crunch but it’s still up to the higher ups to say “ok good enough” and release before it’s polished right?
Yes you’re correct, but the union beyond just meaning less crunch, also means that the average worker has more pathways to be vocal about problems with the product. They also now have a “nuclear option” of going on strike if management makes a decision regarding the product that the union really doesn’t like.
Good points and I hadn’t thought about the fact that you can be more vocal about problems at work which should make for a much healthier environment. I’m now also very interested to see how different things are for the next game especially the next one that starts development after this.
Isn’t Bethesda unionized now? Curious to see the diff in the next release.
Super happy that strong unions in gaming are becoming a thing. Modern games are absolutely massive undertakings, and well made games provide so much more than just a one-off revenue stream that is often ignored by executives as business exists solely for money at the top.
A union made game that’s allowed to take the time it needs to be fully cooked will probably be the most popular/best game in the (any) franchise.
Unfortunately it will probably make 10% the money of some Fallout mobile game they churned out over a weekend that lets you buy a gold vault suit that doesn’t do anything for $4.99.
I don’t have a problem with companies making money off the free to play (and pay to win) model, but it’s sad to see them mistreat the IP that generates a dedicated fan base because the only thing that matters is immediate profit - which will hopefully be heavily mitigated by a union.
Better rested and cared for workers.
Why would being unionised make a difference to the quality of the work? Hopefully it means less insane crunch but it’s still up to the higher ups to say “ok good enough” and release before it’s polished right? I could definitely be missing something here though.
There’s all sorts of reasons being unionized could help create a better product.
Yes you’re correct, but the union beyond just meaning less crunch, also means that the average worker has more pathways to be vocal about problems with the product. They also now have a “nuclear option” of going on strike if management makes a decision regarding the product that the union really doesn’t like.
Beyond all that though, even just basic stuff like job satisfaction/happiness at your job, can lead to a better product in creative industries, and unions are proven to lead to happier workers.
Good points and I hadn’t thought about the fact that you can be more vocal about problems at work which should make for a much healthier environment. I’m now also very interested to see how different things are for the next game especially the next one that starts development after this.