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[Akuun]

Sounds good. A smaller team means everyone at least kinda knows each other after a while.

The kitchen really helps a lot. A well-stocked kitchen does wonders for morale, and a shitty kitchen is a very clear message that your employer doesn't give two fucks about you.

kitchen..!?

edit: he's right, in my current work, they charge for coffe and it's a totaly bummer

This is some serious horseshit right there. Charging for coffee?

 

[TheOfficeMut]

Lmao. You're either a dissociative recluse if you think a warm work environment equipped with amenities and items that aren't necessarily required, but still appreciated, is stupid or illogical, or you simply haven't worked at all.

The smalls things go a long way in boosting worker moral and productivity. You feel appreciated. You don't feel like just another disposable worker, which, at the end of the day, you still are, but you don't need to be reminded that you are by working in a fucking cubicle with no personality and nothing but a bathroom stall to serve as a break room when you need it.

Then again I've been argued with on this forum that fun is not allowed in the work place. That's fucking pathetic.

 

[mckmas8808]

Lmao. You're either a dissociative recluse if you think a warm work environment equipped with amenities and items that aren't necessarily required, but still appreciated, is stupid or illogical, or you simply haven't worked at all.

The smalls things go a long way in boosting worker moral and productivity. You feel appreciated. You don't feel like just another disposable worker, which, at the end of the day, you still are, but you don't need to be reminded that you are by working in a fucking cubicle with no personality and nothing but a bathroom stall to serve as a break room when you need it.

Then again I've been argued with on this forum that fun is not allowed in the work place. That's fucking pathetic.

Most managers I worked for don't like fun at work either. Or they want to limit it. They think fun, limits your focus.

 

[Zaventem]

Is there a Japanes studio office that doesn't look depressing?

Level-5's studio looks nice.

http://kotaku.com/5927292/no-this-isnt-a-star-wars-set-its-a-japanese-game-studio/

 

[Alx]

Most managers I worked for don't like fun at work either. Or they want to limit it. They think fun, limits your focus.

As a former manager myself, I think there's a time for work and a time for fun, and you have to know how to balance them on your workplace. Hence why I have no issue with austere work stations and comfy rest areas.

 

[Orca]

Lmao. You're either a dissociative recluse if you think a warm work environment equipped with amenities and items that aren't necessarily required, but still appreciated, is stupid or illogical, or you simply haven't worked at all.

The smalls things go a long way in boosting worker moral and productivity. You feel appreciated. You don't feel like just another disposable worker, which, at the end of the day, you still are, but you don't need to be reminded that you are by working in a fucking cubicle with no personality and nothing but a bathroom stall to serve as a break room when you need it.

Then again I've been argued with on this forum that fun is not allowed in the work place. That's fucking pathetic.

The dealership I work at now has a workout room with showers, staff kitchen, small lounge to unwind if you need to, and a masseuse comes in every two weeks to do massages on a rotation through the staff. The last dealership I worked at had nothing but a policy that if you don't appreciate having a job, find another one.

For Christmas here my boss had us take over a Japanese Village for the night, all food and drinks paid for, plus there was a kids Christmas on another week where he rented the movie theatre and we watched a kids movie and there was a gift for every kid. Christmas there, they'd give you $100 per year you'd worked there - when there was some rumbling of discontent the manager said our real bonus was "still having a job"

Unsurprisingly, the turnover rate here is WAY lower than it is at the old place, and people do a lot more 'extra' stuff to make sure customers are happy.

 

[qa_engineer]

Keep people well fed for little to zero cost and they will be more productive. Working in NYC you come to realize how much it sucks to pack your own lunch and how expensive it is to eat out every day

 

[Kuro Madoushi]

The dealership I work at now has a workout room with showers, staff kitchen, small lounge to unwind if you need to, and a masseuse comes in every two weeks to do massages on a rotation through the staff. The last dealership I worked at had nothing but a policy that if you don't appreciate having a job, find another one.

For Christmas here my boss had us take over a Japanese Village for the night, all food and drinks paid for, plus there was a kids Christmas on another week where he rented the movie theatre and we watched a kids movie and there was a gift for every kid. Christmas there, they'd give you $100 per year you'd worked there - when there was some rumbling of discontent the manager said our real bonus was "still having a job"

Unsurprisingly, the turnover rate here is WAY lower than it is at the old place, and people do a lot more 'extra' stuff to make sure customers are happy.

...may I kill you and take over your body?

Seems most companies don't give a shit. Are they making money? Yes. Should we spend money to keep people happy? No. That's a long term thing that will cause short term cash infusions.

But with low morale, people will leave. So? Hire new people (ignoring the cost of training and on boarding)
But if workers are unhappy, they won't do a good job. So? Are they doing enough and still bringing money in? Then leave it. If they aren't bringing money then fire them (they'd have to somehow do a cost benefit analysis on whether amenities are worth it and that costs money).

 

[Mr_Appleby]

I assume it relates more to his actual experiences with Konami rather than a blanket statement overall but maybe that's just me.

That would be the logical thing. I don't know why people keep referring to a studio he never worked at.

 

[kyser73]

As a former manager myself, I think there's a time for work and a time for fun, and you have to know how to balance them on your workplace. Hence why I have no issue with austere work stations and comfy rest areas.

Between this and your comment about where creative interaction 'shouldn't happen' I would absolutely hate you to be my manager, sorry.

 

[Easy_D]

lol @ the people windmill tilting when giants roam the land.





Given what #FucKonami said about Castlevania becoming too "feminine" and what happened to Team Silent, it's not a surprise.

Guessing that's why they forced Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin into super anime territory, can't have that strange feminine Kojima art!

 

[BudokaiMR2]

LOL Kojima knows whats up.

We don't have a kitchen here, but some of the essentials are here at least.

My last company fucking refused to get a goddamn microwave for years. I wonder if they have one yet.... I should check in with a friend who is still there.

 

[SinCityAssassin]

This wouldn't be a problem KojiPro was next to a Family mart.

 

[entremet]

Looking at Kojima food tweets i guess the kitchen is important.

Yeah, he's definitely a gourmand. Shows in his games too.

 

[SomTervo]

Ah, I see what KojiPro is going to make now.

The giant kitchen is actually the R&D department

Kojima is fully aware of the dangers an amateurish kitchen promotes.

that fucking game

LOL Kojima knows whats up.

We don't have a kitchen here, but some of the essentials are here at least.

My last company fucking refused to get a goddamn microwave for years. I wonder if they have one yet.... I should check in with a friend who is still there.

Place I'm at refuses to get a microwave.

Miserable.

 

[Jmille99]

I guess this confirms we will see concept art of KojiPro's kitchen at E3 on Sonys stage.

 

[Alx]

Between this and your comment about where creative interaction 'shouldn't happen' I would absolutely hate you to be my manager, sorry.

Well, my teams loved working with me, if it helps. You have to realize that such considerations aren't meant to bother people, but on the contrary improve their comfort and working conditions.

Why shouldn't creative interactions be done at a desk ? First because such interactions require people to freely talk to each other, throw ideas, and yes even do jokes (which are usually great for creativity). If you do that in an open space, you will disturb other people who aren't part of your discussion and may want to focus on something complex or important.
Also for more practical reasons, creative discussions are better handled around a whiteboard, letting people write doodles, schematics, general ideas etc. Some people also like walking around when thinking, changing places with others, etc. That's why you need a dedicated space.

As for identifying the right time for serious work and the right time for fun, it's for the same consideration of focus and respect for your colleagues. All devs need to let off some steam from time to time, but they also need some quiet times when they won't be disturbed.

 

[PtM]

Level-5's studio looks nice.

http://kotaku.com/5927292/no-this-isnt-a-star-wars-set-its-a-japanese-game-studio/

It looks like a nightmare.

 

[Datschge]

Bandai Namco's HQ is supposedly very sleek and modern.

That's the old one (formerly Shinagawa Panasonic Building), the HQ moved a year ago an the building's already torn down.