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Chris Pranger, Out-Spoken Nintendo Treehouse Localizer, was Fired

When you see someone get fired for very obvious reasons, seek pity that gets major media coverage, and then a bunch of people saying Nintendo was wrong without any context (listening to the podcast) - it can be frustrating.

I know, tis the internet. Not like I'm dwelling on this all day. ;)
For what it's worth, I enjoyed reading your post and I don't think it could have been shortened. You used the right amount of words to say what you needed to.

As for the situation at hand, the guy did this to himself. There's no way he was coming out of this with a job and I'm amazed he didn't see this coming.
 
D

Deleted member 17706

Unconfirmed Member
You should all be grateful for the PR talk from guys like Reggie, no straight talk allowed.

It's not about what we as fans and industry followers want. Not at all.

This thread makes it very clear that a lot of people on these forums are most certainly not working in a corporate environment. Glad I was able to get a reminder of that.
 

Calamari41

41 > 38
While I think it's within Nintendo's rights to fire him, I doubt this guy has been playing NX games.

As I said, if he wasn't playing them he certainly knows details about them. He was part of the group responsible for localizing and QA testing Nintendo's games. If the NX is releasing in 2016, they're certainly starting to do work on it over there.
 
Personally after listening to the podcast, I didn't hear anything worth being fired for. Sure maybe he could have been put on a course of corrective action but getting fired was overkill. It seems as though it got attention from a minority group of Nintendo fans that didn't like what they heard and maybe these same fans pushed it into the limelight so that higher ups at Nintendo would take notice. I mean if you listen to the whole thing it wasn't like this guy was being malicious. I wouldn't be surprised if most just saw the one or two paraphrased quotes without listening to the whole thing.

Then I guess you've never worked in a corporate setting then.
 

Joni

Member
As I said, if he wasn't playing them he certainly knows details about them. He was part of the group responsible for localizing and QA testing Nintendo's games. If the NX is releasing in 2016, they're certainly starting to do work on it over there.
Probably not. Unless they are launching with a huge rpg, it wouldnt start that early. And titles for new consoles would be kept really close to the chest. Certainly in companies like Nintendo.
 

Calamari41

41 > 38
Probably not. Unless they are launching with a huge rpg, it wouldnt start that early. And titles for new consoles would be kept really close to the chest. Certainly in companies like Nintendo.

Does Zelda count? At the very least he knows the game's fate with regards to whether its cross-gen or not.
 
It's not about what we as fans and industry followers want. Not at all.

This thread makes it very clear that a lot of people on these forums are most certainly not working in a corporate environment. Glad I was able to get a reminder of that.

Yeah, its kind of funny in a sense. I mean there are annual required corporate trainings and exams at my job specifically about social media. There are very strict rules and guidelines on what can and cant be said and how "this is my opinion and mine alone" truly means nothing. *shrugs*
 
D

Deleted member 17706

Unconfirmed Member
Companies do not give a shit about you.

Not necessarily true at all. The people in decision making positions may very well give a shit about you. They give a much bigger shit (by necessity) about the company as a whole, though.
 
D

Deleted member 17706

Unconfirmed Member
43:30 is interesting, as he talks about how employees aren't allowed to be vocal about issues which are brought up in the press about Nintendo, or about how some of the processes work. And how if he were to have an opinion on something (like Xbox One), the press would take his views to mean Nintendo's. He then clarifies again (as an example) that everything he's saying then is his opinion, not Nintendo's.

Does anyone know if the content of the podcast from May 2014 found its way into the press/media/forums as well? I'd imagine the exposure of last week's podcast is one factor that contributed to this saddening outcome, even if it meant that people higher up ended up noticing it, and they weren't bothered about secretive processes and details making their way out. He said in the more recent podcast that Nintendo's social media policy had recently changed, I wonder if that's why he appeared on another podcast.

I listened to that segment just now, and that was kind of surreal...

He says:

"No one realizes more than anything about localization or any job at Nintendo is how you have to impose silence at a certain point, and you cannot get on a social media website and you cannot get on any gaming website and start defending and go "let me tell you the real story."

And yet he doesn't seem to realize that he is doing exactly what he is saying that one cannot do at Nintendo.
 
*snip*

Maybe I am not being human in this reaction - I am more angered at those that feel bad for him. Why? Listen to the podcast - how any reasonable person can think he's not getting fired for how he talked publicly in representing Nintendo is beyond me. He obviously got too comfortable with his job and thought there is no way he can get fired. Nintendo gave him that sweet security. Except you know, when you go on to tarnish the image of the company you work for. Not really going to survive that. That security you have just goes to show you how well Nintendo treats their employees. You screwed up, suck it up and move on.

You know, while it isn't unreasonable to say that his firing was deserved and he should have seen it coming, spending this many redundant words to justify your own anger at him and his reaction, and moreover getting angry at those who are expressing sympathy for him, doesn't strike me as the most well-adjusted reaction either. Feeling sympathy for those who are in a bad spot isn't a bad thing.

(Note: I'm not speaking as a mod here and I'm not saying this post is bannable. Feel free to disagree. But I wanted to register my thoughts that going overboard with grave dancing -- even if he ultimately is responsible for what happened -- is IMO kind of tactless.)
 
I have and it's never cut and dry. Your worth to the company supercedes most policies. In this case Nintendo thought he wasn't valuable enough to keep around.

Your "worth" isn't cut and dry either. Breaking a NDA sets a bad future precedent that allows others to get away. Sometimes you can be worth quite a bit to the company and none of that matters regarding their policies.
 

Tripon

Member
While I think it's within Nintendo's rights to fire him, I doubt this guy has been playing NX games.
Chris Pranger was part of the localization team. I would be hoping that Nintendo is already localizing games for the likely 2016 launch of the NX.
 

NickMitch

Member
Rule of thumb!

Read your employee contract - if there are regulations about what you are allowed to share with the public it should be stated.

Join some kind of union who can legally aid you if you come to a disagreement regarding your employment

If you're gonna whistleblow to shed light on problems inside a corporation - Make shure you are anonymous and that the outlet you make contact with can assure your confidentiality
 

Joni

Member
At what point in the leadup to launch would Treehouse know more details about a game like Zelda?
I'd expect them to see the game in action at the moment their initial translation has been done and has been implemented in the game. Supposing it is them that are doing that check and not QA. It will depend from game to game, but for stuff like Zelda they're more likely to receive text documents first which they translate, send it back and only then actually get to see the game. So you'd be reading something without knowing if it is a Wii U or a Nintendo 3DS game even.

Chris Pranger was part of the localization team. I would be hoping that Nintendo is already localizing games for the likely 2016 launch of the NX.
Animal Crossing: New Leaf was their biggest translation project as of 2013. That translation process took 15 months. And they'd have to know they are translating NX games. Suppose Zelda is a NX game, how would the script make that difference?
 

Calamari41

41 > 38
I'd expect them to see the game in action at the moment their initial translation has been done and has been implemented in the game. Supposing it is them that are doing that check and not QA. It will depend from game to game, but for stuff like Zelda they're more likely to receive text documents first which they translate, send it back and only then actually get to see the game. So you'd be reading something without knowing if it is a Wii U or a Nintendo 3DS game even.


Animal Crossing: New Leaf was their biggest translation project as of 2013. That translation process took 15 months. And they'd have to know they are translating NX games. Suppose Zelda is a NX game, how would the script make that difference?

Thanks for the insight, I didn't realize it worked that way.
 

Mxrz

Member
Its like you work for a Whaling Company and you get out there on the boat and start shouting that all whales are dumb assholes. Probably not going to go well.

Can't help but feel bad for the guy after reading the facebook thing. Sounds like his life revolved around Nintendo, even long before he got the job. Now its not only gone, but tarnished in his eyes. That is some therapy level stuff. Hope he finds some peace with it someday.
 

Exile20

Member
Well this happened

utUF4Aa.png


https://twitter.com/therealcliffyb/status/632056084254076929
https://twitter.com/therealcliffyb/status/632056169897590784
https://twitter.com/therealcliffyb/status/632058498805796864
 

Did Nintendo "can" employees who use Twitter (re: first tweet)? There are plenty of Nintendo employees on Twitter, the only thing I can think of is Dan Adelman losing his right to tweet after speaking about the region locking. Seems off that he says that's the next thing that happens, when Chris Pranger talking about Nintendo's new "social media policy" on the podcast hints that Nintendo has become a bit more open about that kind of thing.
 

Victrix

*beard*
Independently wealthy guy with two Lamborghinis speaks up in support of regular joe employee with student debt, wife, kid. Corporations hate him!
 

rhandino

Banned
What I found more amusing about this whole deal is that Nintendo didn't fired him immediately or when the news about the podcast started to go around.

No, they took their sweet time in which, I imagine, were looking at all kind of different options on how to approach this mess, trying to not stir the pot more and look for the best for both parties and after that they quietly fired him BUT Chris goes and post that legit Facebook SobStory™ that, most likely, only damaged more him in the eyes of future employers.

=/
 
Going on a Nintendo focused podcast as a Nintendo Treehouse employee without permission is dumb. And I think the main reason he was fired. You can not have employees who think it's ok to speak to the public in a unofficial capacity without explicit permission to do so.

Also, I found this just now: http://geekswithwives.com/gww-podcast-135-chris-pranger-escapist/

So it wasn't even his first time doing this. I haven't listened to it, but from the description: "He cautiously goes on a fantastic rant about the state of Nintendo from his own perspective."

Jesus christ this man is stupid, he probably had multiple warnings.
Guy probably thought he was king of nintendo , ignored all their warnings and just continued to do podcasts and rant about inside policies and practices.
I am now 100% on nintendo's side, this kind of revelation deserves it's on thread really as so many people think nintendo are in the wrong.
 

BitStyle

Unconfirmed Member
Sad to hear this happened. I mean, I can understand why, but I feel for him nonetheless. Losing a job you have held for a long time can be heartbreaking.
Chris Pranger is the first mainstream localizer in years to actually have something to say.
lmao
 
What I found more amusing about this whole deal is that Nintendo didn't fired him immediately or when the news about the podcast started to go around.

No, they took their sweet time in which, I imagine, were looking at all kind of different options on how to approach this mess, trying to not stir the pot more and look for the best for both parties BUT Chris goes and post that legit Facebook SobStory™

=/

Exactly, Chris dug his own grave because no one would've known about his termination if not for his blasting it out there. He should have been discreet and it might have saved his career.

Now, I doubt he will have much luck for the foreseeable future.
 
Jesus christ this man is stupid, he probably had multiple warnings.
Guy probably thought he was king of nintendo , ignored all their warnings and just continued to do podcasts inside policies and practices.
I am now 100% on nintendo's side, this kind of revelation deserves it's on thread really as so many people think nintendo are in the wrong.

"Nintendo is vindicated" doesn't come to my mind; rather, "this dude is out of control/reckless".
 
All the people in this thread who are blaming GAF for this should punch themselves in the groin. Repeatedly.

Now, I doubt he will have much luck for the foreseeable future.
Chris has a professional background in SEO. That's a solid $75k a year job. Dream job? Maybe not. But either way I'm sure he will be fine.
 

Cipherr

Member

The fuck at "transparency". Did someone reveal an oppressing government, or documents detailing genocide? Was there some expose on arms dealing or the mistreatment of minorities or women, or perhaps corruption in a local or foreign government?


No? So what are we talking about here? Transparency in the translation of the latest action adventure video game?


The fuck? I hate social media for giving me a glimpse into the minds of people who were once heroes to me.
 

Exile20

Member
Going on a Nintendo focused podcast as a Nintendo Treehouse employee without permission is dumb. And I think the main reason he was fired. You can not have employees who think it's ok to speak to the public in a unofficial capacity without explicit permission to do so.

Also, I found this just now: http://geekswithwives.com/gww-podcast-135-chris-pranger-escapist/

So it wasn't even his first time doing this. I haven't listened to it, but from the description: "He cautiously goes on a fantastic rant about the state of Nintendo from his own perspective."

Oh wow.
 

KingBroly

Banned
Going on a Nintendo focused podcast as a Nintendo Treehouse employee without permission is dumb. And I think the main reason he was fired. You can not have employees who think it's ok to speak to the public in a unofficial capacity without explicit permission to do so.

Also, I found this just now: http://geekswithwives.com/gww-podcast-135-chris-pranger-escapist/

So it wasn't even his first time doing this. I haven't listened to it, but from the description: "He cautiously goes on a fantastic rant about the state of Nintendo from his own perspective."

I can only wonder what gems are found here.
 
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