4 ms·
I starting working in games in the early 2000s. The first game I worked on (Black & White) had me working 16-20 hour days, 6-7 days a week for 9 months. It de
by cmpxchg8b 9y ago
I starting working in games in the early 2000s. The first game I worked on (Black & White) had me working 16-20 hour days, 6-7 days a week for 9 months. It destroyed my health and turned me into an agoraphobic for at least a year, with related conditions lasting much longer. I've seen people have to check into mental health institutions after shipping games.
At one place I worked, there was a "crack board", where they would have sweepstakes on who was going to come apart at the seams and lose it. Who knew mental health issues could be so fun? "lol".
Needless to say I no longer work in games, it has done damage to my body and psyche for very little return..
- toomuchtodo 9y agoDo employers ever get sued for having an abusive work culture?
- 77pt77 9y agoNo.
- cmpxchg8b 9y agoNever seen it happen. I even had a car crash due to the pressure of insane hours. Companies just love "externalised cost". Screw the lives of the employees, environment, etc. Society is pretty broken.
- paulddraper 9y agoHaving a culture of ridiculous work hours is not a crime. And as long as thousands of developers handle/enjoy the game industry environment, there's no compelling reason to change.
- toomuchtodo 9y ago> Having a culture of ridiculous work hours is not a crime. But it should be, per labor law. At a minimum, its wage theft.
- fyrepuffs 9y agoRidiculous. Time for a union. The game industry is fun, but it is not worth your health, especially just to line someone else's pocket.
- paulddraper 9y agoI think it lines your own pockets too.
- rnprince 9y agoSorry to hear about what you went through. Any tips about how you recovered, or what you would have done differently?