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I worked for EA many years ago (on a game, not tech/tools) and while I wouldn't call it a shit show (I liked the people for the most part, for example), that ex
by usefulcat 8y ago
I worked for EA many years ago (on a game, not tech/tools) and while I wouldn't call it a shit show (I liked the people for the most part, for example), that experience is definitely the reason why I have never even considered working for another game company. Absolutely ridiculous hours, every year. Everyone else just seemed to act like it was normal, even people who had young kids. At the time it seemed crazy. With many years of hindsight, it still seems crazy.
- gameswithgo 8y agoHunting for jobs in the Austin area or remote this year I got 4 offers, one was from EA, which was 20% less than the top 2 offers, 15% less than the 3rd best offer. So you get a bit less pay for your trouble too :D Unless you make your OWN game and it is a big hit, but that is VERY hard right now.
- usefulcat 8y agoYes, that was my experience as well. In my case I think it was a minor pay increase compared to my previous job, but a significant portion of that total compensation came in the form of an annual bonus (so from my perspective it was as though they were basically withholding a big chunk of my income each year).
- ethbro 8y agoThat does seem to be a feature in the game industry -- a lot riding on bonuses (and often the contract terms defining their payout). And when you have compensation terms without being empowered to influence them... burnout. Capricious bonus terms with a large public company always felt slimy to me. It seems a pretty large conflict of interest. In contrast to: 'We agree on what my work is worth, if I don't do the work as expected then you fire me.'