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[ClayKavalier]

Break policies, get fired, no matter who you are.

And an English Degree is a Masters Degree.

Not sure you know how degrees work.

 

[panty]

Fired for just one podcast interview? Ugh, NoA is fucking terrible.

 

[akidnamededdy]

Break policies, get fired, no matter who you are.

And an English Degree is a Masters Degree.

Uhhhhhhhh

Dang beaten

 

[Parakeetman]

He also had a wife and kid to worry about.

Which is what makes it even worse that he went and opened his mouth. If its yourself and no one else sure go feel free to sink your own ship. But when you have family to worry about, yeah thats just plain unwise.

 

[Pikma]

Poor guy. Even if I thought he had said some daft things, he didn't deserve a firing. Hopefully we can get one of those magical Internet moments and he gets a job offer from another dev that works on Nintendo consoles. Go work for Next Level Games! :v

No no no he need to work for Retro, that way he'll tell us all of their secrets!

 

[Imperfected]

Ironically they probably inadvertently do a big amount of damage to their image partly by being so draconian and protective on a range of policies. With this termination, their strict NDA's, their enforcement of copyright rules and uses of their materials, their policies on YouTube, towards game streamers and anyone who uses even their publicly shared materials, through non official channels and so forth. I've personally been getting increasingly frustrated at some of Nintendo's recent decisions, though I appreciate this termination is more par for the course within the industry.

Oh, certainly. I personally find their policies quite dated. However, the entire reason they're dated is because they've been in place forever; they were there long before Pranger was hired, and he was almost certainly aware of them, and they certainly aren't the result of the interim leadership left behind in Iwata's absence.

I don't think he should have been fired, but if you asked me if he would have been fired for doing this sort of thing without permission, I would have said yes. The entire reason everyone was thinking his podcast appearance was a sign of "changing times" at Nintendo was because no one familiar with their employment policies would have thought he'd go out and do something like that otherwise.

He had a momentary lapse in judgment, and it's unfortunate that it resulted in such a terrible outcome, but more or less exactly what would have been anticipated.

 

[Neuromancer]

Listening to the podcast, he also talked shit about Square Enix and said he doubted the FF7 remake will be finished in time to appear on PS4.

 

[diablos991]

Break policies, get fired, no matter who you are.

And an English Degree is a Masters Degree.

haha!
Not all English Degrees are MS degrees. It is very possible to get a BS, MS, and Ph.D in English in the USA.

 

[injurai]

There is always Xbox.

 

[Petrae]

Fired for just one podcast interview? Ugh, NoA is fucking terrible.

Fired for failing to comply with company corporate communications policy, something that many other companies have in place and would also have done in a similar scenario. NoA isn't "fucking terrible" for terminating this employee. Sorry.

 

[JMDSO]

he also talked shit about Square Enix and said he doubted the FF7 remake will be finished in time to appear on PS4.

Given past performance this is not entirely inaccurate, but probably not going to happen. Fans would riot if this went to FFXV levels of delays.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

There is always Xbox.

Microsoft having a long history for not letting people go who make controversial public statements.

By the way, have you seen Adrift?

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

If you work for a major company, and you:

• Go on a public interview without permission.
• Air some of your company's less popular decisions and dirty laundry.
• Discuss internal decisions made at your company at length.
• Criticize some of your company's decisions and say that some aspects of a current product were a mistake.
• Mock some of your company's most enthusiastic customers in a stereotypical dumb-guy voice.

Obviously, obviously, you're going to get fired.

BRAVO

 

[papercan55]

Fired for throwing fans under the bus to do it. There are ways to explain that decision without showing contempt for your fanbase.

This is also an important factor despite everyone laughing about it.
Think about it, who says those kinds of things about their customers? the very people that are helping to pay your wages, the only people i can think that would say this are people in jobs that they hate, working for companies that they don't like.
He acts and speaks like someone in dead end job that hates who they work for and thinks all the customers are idiots.

No company in the world wants an employee speaking out against their customers, talking about them like idiots.

 

[barit]

So just to get it clear: He tried to defend his company and got fired by his company for doing so?

I really get some Adam Orth vibes from this

Sure maybe his tone should have been more "neutral" but everything he said seems reasonable. And he even explained why he thought so and not like Adam who just used 140 signs for a snarky comment to end his career

 

[Hyrule Warrior]

u cant really talk the way he did about ur fanbase and all that other shit in a public way and expect to keep ur job

Yet Nintendo doesn't seem to care if they do that. I mean, I know it was just a joke, how is this any different than what that guy said about Nintendo's fans.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

Yet Nintendo doesn't seem to care if they do that. I mean, I know it was just a joke, how is this any different than what that guy said about Nintendo's fans.

One's a comedy skit.

I do not think Reggie actually set someone who is alarmingly like Chris Kohler on fire.

 

[Alucrid]

Yet Nintendo doesn't seem to care if they do that. I mean, I know it was just a joke, how is this any different than what that guy said about Nintendo's fans.

Nintendo gave that the a-okay.

One's a comedy skit.

I do not think Reggie actually set someone who is alarmingly like Chris Kohler on fire.

Going to remember this post when Reggie sets Chris Kohler on fire.

 

[Interceptor]

Good fucking hell, that headline...

Oh, Kotaku

We trusted you Jason...

His biggest mistake was to talk even more about all this on FB. Instant nogo for future employers.

 

[A Link to the Past]

No no no he need to work for Retro, that way he'll tell us all of their secrets!

I considered Retro, but Retro's a straight-up division of Nintendo so it might be a little more complicated :v

 

[DigitalRicket]

So just to get it clear: He tried to defend his company and got fired by his company for doing so?

I really get some Adam Orth vibes from this

Sure maybe his tone should have been more "neutral" but everything he said seems reasonable. And he even explained why he thought so and not like Adam who just used 140 signs for a snarky comment to end his career

For the hundredth time this thread, he wasn't fired simply for what he said. He probably has a clause in his contract or terms of employment that specifically state not talking or sharing company policy or company information with the media.

Heck, I work a low-tier job at a big hotel chain and even the janitor type employees have to sign over NDA's about speaking to media about company information on any subject. This is just standard procedure.

Obviously, there are exceptions to this sort of thing, for instance with higher-ups like Reggie and maybe even Bill Trinen, but these smaller unknown employees don't get that benefit of the doubt.

 

[Tripon]

Speaking as a person who only glaced at the transcript and haven't listened to the podcast. I wouldn't have fired the guy, but can't fault the decision Nintendo took.

Dude went public with info that could be potentially embarrassing. Most companies won't look past that.

 

[Silvawuff]

Don't talk negative, especially about your work, online. That's not to say "don't have an opinion," just be careful with how you're presenting it, and to the right crowd.

I'm sure he'll land on his feet and move on from this.

 

[diablos991]

So just to get it clear: He tried to defend his company and got fired by his company for doing so?

I really get some Adam Orth vibes from this

Sure maybe his tone should have been more "neutral" but everything he said seems reasonable. And he even explained why he thought so and not like Adam who just used 140 signs for a snarky comment to end his career

He wasn't defending his company. He made fun of their decision process and customers.

 

[BY2K]

Fired for just one podcast interview? Ugh, NoA is fucking terrible.

He broke his NDA.

People get fired for that.

It's sad but that's how it works.

 

[Kyou]

Going to remember this post when Reggie sets Chris Kohler on fire.

"Well, I mean, they gave him fair warning"

 

[Faustek]

....OK what I learned from this.

USA is really fucked up.

That student debt is really fucked up.
Even more fucked up is that they are without insurance. That should never be a money thing. That's a basic human right.
Hope NintyBoy pulls through.
Other than that fuck Konami Nintendo.

[PSA]Never criticise your company, user base, anyone without having been given the greenlight or you have no one above you.

 

[Creamium]

Listening to the podcast, he also talked shit about Square Enix and said he doubted the FF7 remake will be finished in time to appear on PS4.

I'm listening now too and it's all the details about Sakurai that struck me the most so far. He just completely ran his mouth there.

Second and nobody knows this but Chris, but this could have very well just been the nail in the coffin. For all we know this dude could have been on his last legs and this was the last thing they needed to let him go. Rarely do companies fire people without intervention at some point. Normally you are given 2nd and 3rd chances.

Yeah absolutely, and tbh listening to him now on the podcast I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

 

[rhandino]

So just to get it clear: He tried to defend his company and got fired by his company for doing so?

I know right? It's not like he also said some unflattering things of another employee of the company (Sakurai), talked harshly about an important project of one important partner (Square-Enix and FFVIIIr) and talked a bit to harsh about the core audience and how important they are in the grand scheme of things for the company...

 

[Hyrule Warrior]

One's a comedy skit.

I do not think Reggie actually set someone who is alarmingly like Chris Kohler on fire.

I'm just saying, they too are presenting Nintendo's fans, specifically Mother 3 fans in a way that makes them sound obnoxious, and whiny.

 

[Sammy Samusu]

Tragic, but I guess Nintendo needs to set the example.

He was a big fan, but there are tons of Nintendo fans out there looking for a job at Nintendo too.

Oh well.

There is always Xbox.

I'm a "Nintendo Boy" too and we don't do Xbox. Bye.

 

[Interceptor]

....OK what I learned from this.

USA is really fucked up.

That student debt is really fucked up.
Even more fucked up is that they are without insurance. That should never be a money thing. That's a basic human right.
Hope NintyBoy pulls through.
Other than that fuck Konami Nintendo.

[PSA]Never criticise your company, user base, anyone without having been given the greenlight or you have no one above you.

Having Jobs is exclusive to the US now.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

I'm just saying, they too are presenting Nintendo's fans, specifically Mother 3 fans in a way that makes them sound obnoxious, and whiny.

And if he was fired solely for that, it would at most be hypocritical.

But I think we both know that's not the case.

 

[jooey]

I'm just saying, they too are presenting Nintendo's fans, specifically Mother 3 fans in a way that makes them sound obnoxious, and whiny.

The right side of history

 

[papercan55]

Yet Nintendo doesn't seem to care if they do that. I mean, I know it was just a joke, how is this any different than what that guy said about Nintendo's fans.

One was fully approved by nintendo and the other was some guy acting like a CEO being specially interviewed when nintendo knew nothing about it.

 

[kiguel182]

This really sucks, poor guy.

It's really scary how this kind of thing works these days. You can say some dumb stuff and then it goes viral and it snowballs to the point where you lose your job. Even if your job performance was good and had no influence on it.

Hopefully he gets back on his feet and finds another good job.

 

[Rydeen]

How is this so hard for some of you to understand? He violated his NDA with NoA by going on a podcast to spout his mouth, and represented himself as a Nintendo employee, without prior approval.

There's a reason guys like Bill Trinen are allowed to: Because Bill's been with the company for over 20 years, and has the trust and approval of the higher-ups in the company to not go on a podcast and dilute the brand or talk smack about other employees / decisions the company has made in the past.

 

[rhandino]

I'm just saying, they too are presenting Nintendo's fans, specifically Mother 3 fans in a way that makes them sound obnoxious, and whiny.

Look at his badge and then look at the badges of the other people around him...

Spoiler

That skit was a lowkey jab a the gaming press

Reggie has said FAR worse stuff but hey he's the exec so its OK right

Can you please tell us more about those things Reggie said...

 

[n0razi]

He was like the greatest Nintendo fan ever than NOA straight up kicked him to the curb... I don't understand fanboys who put a for profit company on a pedestal.


Reggie has said FAR worse stuff but hey he's the exec so its OK right

 

[Dawnbuster]

The minute you start working for a massive game company (or even a small one), you cease to be a "gamer" in the sense that you can discuss gaming freely. You've still got your NeoGaf account, but you cannot say anything about your company or its internal business unless your role is as a community manager or PR spokesperson ... and in those roles you will know what you can/can't say.

There are likely loads of people typing behind NeoGaf avatars who have real sales figures, who know backroom politics, and who know what really happened in "legendary" NeoGaf speculation/leak threads, but cannot say anything for fear of losing their jobs.

Feel bad for this guy.

 

[entremet]

We trusted you Jason...

His biggest mistake was to talk even more about all this on FB. Instant nogo for future employers.

Writers usually don't do headlines, right?

 

[Aselith]

Even more fucked up is that they are without insurance. That should never be a money thing. That's a basic human right.

You can get COBRA insurance to cover gaps in employment and he could apply for Obummercare so if he doesn't have insurance, it's because he's not doing his due diligence.

 

[Supermanisdead]

with the things he said, i assumed he was a former employee. not surprised by this tbh

 

[Interceptor]

Writers usually don't do headlines, ri

Isnt Jason like the head of Kotaku?

Edit: Nah, Totilo is. My fault.

 

[Harmen]

I feel for the guy and hope he finds another good job.

But from a professional point of view it was a poor decision from him. Usually companies have clear and strict guidelines for employees and it is not surprising that Nintendo follows suit.

 

[Rydeen]

He was like the greatest Nintendo fan ever than NOA straight up kicked him to the curb... I don't understand fanboys who put a for profit company on a pedestal.

In my experience, "super-fans" like this sometimes make the worst employees within a company like Nintendo, they have poor judgement skills and build their lives around working at a place like it. His Facebook post highlighted that pretty well:

Even before that, I'd made my entire identity around my hope to one day have this perfect job. I was mocked here and there as "Nintendo Boy" from maybe middle school on, but I thought that if I succeeded, it'd all be worth it.

And now it's gone and I honestly don't know how to handle myself. A central part of my personality revolves around Nintendo. Anything that I've decorated with around my house has a very clear Nintendo theme. My shirts and jackets overwhelmingly show that as well.

Lesson kids: Don't build your dreams around working at particular corporation, just pursue what you like and your passions, and maybe you'll fall into something you like. Making it your life's goal to work at Nintendo of America just seems short-sighted and naive.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

I think speaking out of turn probably would have gotten him a reprimand.

Insinuating Sakurai is a control-freak that makes people miserable probably escalated it to termination. That outright interferes with marketing plans and is naming a contractor Nintendo works with by name and talking shit about him.

It's not easy to do Sakurai Directs when the new narrative is that he's a jerk that no one likes working with.

 

[Finale Fireworker]

You can get COBRA insurance to cover gaps in employment and he could apply for Obummercare so if he doesn't have insurance, it's because he's not doing his due diligence.

It's not that simple at all.

 

[Kyou]

He was like the greatest Nintendo fan ever than NOA straight up kicked him to the curb... I don't understand fanboys who put a for profit company on a pedestal.

"Hey man you violated NDA and breached your contract which normally would lead to instant dismissal buuuuuuut you're such a biiiig fan we've decided to forget this whole thing *tears up contract*"

 

[crazyrabbits]

The minute you start working for a massive game company (or even a small one), you cease to be a "gamer" in the sense that you can discuss gaming freely. You've still got your NeoGaf account, but you cannot say anything about your company or its internal business unless your role is as a community manager or PR spokesperson ... and in those roles you will know what you can/can't say.

This.

Some people forget that in certain industries (especially game development) you're always "on the clock", even when you're not. You have to be mindful of what you say about your company's image all the time, and I'm not surprised at all that this happened. I've seen people (moderators and staff members) demoted/let go for less.

He should consider this a learning experience and keep moving forward.