Sounds pretty bad, but I'm not sure manual laborers (even in "first world" developed nations) who work 10 hours days in 90-100 degree summers for barely minimum wage are crying a river over folding chairs or generators. A lot of people suffer terrible work conditions and environments. Maybe the real story here are the offices with so much excess they can afford presumably 100's of $700 chairs and unused gyms.
hopefully they can make a good profit so everyone can make a vacation and a good bonus.
And fuck the use of Ukraine as "The Ukraine". Sorry, that just bothers me to no end.
They take chances on new IP's and single player games that no other publisher will touch. And they seem to allow great freedom to internal studio's that produce profitable games (Fallout: NV was contracted out to Obsidian, a independent developer). But they have contentious relationships with third party developers like Human Head and Obsidian. So, just don't be a independent studio and the relationship between you and Bethesda should be copasetic.
Totally agreed here, really hope the game does well enough to have a positive impact on 4A. They are clearly extremely talented and passionate about the craft.I read this this morning, honestly makes me want to track down one of the developers and shadily pass him $50 directly for a copy of the game. Come at me. Cut out all the middle-men so to speak.
Was the irrational requirement of multiplayer removed as a result of Rubin coming into the equation before the whole THQ collapse? Or was it because of something else entirely?If 4A had been given a more competitive budget, in a saner environment, hadn't wasted a year-plus chasing the irrational requirement of THQ's original producers to fit multiplayer and co-op into the same deadline and budget(!), hadn't had to deal with the transition to a new publisher in the crucial few months before final, what could 4A have created?
If you want, send me a PM and I will forward it to the dev.
(underutilized) gym at EA Los Angeles' offices.
You do realize that graphics by themselves are not what makes budgets massive. Its things we all take for granted like orchestrated music, voice acting, artist, etc. I'm sure metro will be a decent game but it will probably lack the extra magic that other games have in other areas IMO.
If you're in the US, Canada, or Western Europe, it's very easy to live in a bubble of privilege. Most of the world faces such conditions, unfortunately.How do working conditions like that still exist ?
The only thing for which 4A is getting more credit than I think they deserve is the creativity behind the ever frightening, dark, post apocalyptic environment of the game. I've been in Kiev to visit the team, so I know they just stepped outside for reference.
I am amazed at the number of people that are surprised that products that are not made in north america, western europe, japan and a few others, are made in terrible condition.
This kinda makes me want to buy another copy just to support them.
I generally don't imagine anyone in the software design/development business to be in crap conditions.
I was reading the twitter feed of Rubin 'talking' with Kevin Dent. I've heard Dent's name involved with less than pleasant behavior on GAF, but I can't place it. Am I misremembering things?
This is on PS3
Ouch.The only thing for which 4A is getting more credit than I think they deserve is the creativity behind the ever frightening, dark, post apocalyptic environment of the game. I've been in Kiev to visit the team, so I know they just stepped outside for reference.
Ouch.
That last paragraph is a humorous exaggeration, of course, but there's truth behind the lie.
Richard Gardner
Artist
Crytek
Nice article, it brings up interesting points about resources available to different developers around the world. I don't understand why you don't get more studios targeting low living cost areas in nice areas of the world. I really find it hard to understand or justify studios setup in the most expensive cities in the world which end up having to pay staff crazy amounts. Whats worst is that high wage doesn't even go in the developers pocket as most goes on high rent and living costs.
yeah everyone should just read the whole thing, it's great
this was a good comment
so true how many companies in technology have the same idea; Austin Texas, or Silicon Valley.
Damn, it makes sense now. I don't understand why the industry don't look at places like Detroit...Not all of Detroit is in shambles.
exactly.
there is a real sense of nationalism when these countries like poland and ukraine develop these games, it's a source of pride for the whole country.
You might have trouble attracting talent to move their though. At least in a city like Kiev you have a much larger populace to pick from and Kiev is the biggest and most prestigious city in a large area spanning a number of countries.
What?
I think he may mean something akin to, "not a lot of big games come from these countries... so it is like a national pride when one does."
Not sure if I agree with that though. I think the games though do have a certain edge, jank, seriousness/tone to them partially due to their area of origin though.
Maybe in Ukraine, but Poland has been developing games since early 90s and currently releases 3 AAA titles per year, its probably more than or equal to other western countries.
For example just this year it was/will be Gear of War: Judgement, Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, Dead Island Riptide and probably one more i cant think of now.
And smaller like Hellraid, Shadow Warrior 2 and Sniper Ghost Warrior 2
When I get home from the office I am buying a copy of Last Light immediately, cause goddamn...
Very true.
Wouldn't happen to be from Poland.. would you?
Yeah I am, but it doesnt matter Czech is developing less games, but i've never write anything like guy i quoted. Its like they think we are 3rd world countries or something.
You do realize that graphics by themselves are not what makes budgets massive. Its things we all take for granted like orchestrated music, voice acting, artist, etc. I'm sure metro will be a decent game but it will probably lack the extra magic that other games have in other areas IMO.
Who do you think makes the graphics if not artists?You do realize that graphics by themselves are not what makes budgets massive. Its things we all take for granted like orchestrated music, voice acting, artist, etc. I'm sure metro will be a decent game but it will probably lack the extra magic that other games have in other areas IMO.
Time is money since you either have more people working or the same people working longer..."Bells and whistles" are more costly in time than money.
'tis silly.. i can agree with that. Also.. one of my favorite bands is from poland. So kudos!
Would you agree though with the idea that countries like poland or Ukraine offer a different perhaps "more serious" or "more dedicated" group of devs due to the working conditions, lesser pay or something?
All the games I have played from eastern devs seem to be a labor of love.
Yeah I am, but it doesnt matter Czech is developing less games, but i would never write anything like guy i quoted. Its like they think we are 3rd world countries or something.
and it worked on me, not just the article alone but coupled with all the positive reviews. I was interested in the game but was going to wait for a price drop/used copy or borrow from a friend. After reading the article, I went out and bought a copy, to offer my support and just want to see what the team can achieve under those working conditions with little resources, also to see how it holds up against other AAA titles.good marketing pitch to sell more copies of the game
How do working conditions like that still exist ?
They just dont have focus testing and bloated management, thats all