Research on working conditions in the Video Game Industry
polycounter lvl 12
Besides working as an artist for a video game studio I am also a grad student working towards getting my MBA at a local university. For my signature project I am doing a research project which will be an examination of ethical workplace climate and culture type on firm performance outcomes in the Video Game industry.
The long and short of it is that there is alot of research in other industries that clearly draws the line between negative work practices and cultures (unpaid overtime, poisonous working environments, frequent layoffs ..etc etc) and clear negative impact of firm performance. (financial bottom line, employee performance etc).
Unfortunately the video game industry believes itself exempt from these effects and continues to be filled with terrible working environments and practices. My research will attempt to create some hard evidence to back up what most of us already know to be true, that when you treat employees poorly and keep them in a poisonous environment then its bad for your products and your company. The research will take the form of anonymous online surveys and my hope is that it can be a jumping off point for more people to do research in our industry and maybe effect some positive change.
I will keep everyone informed over coming months I get the ball rolling on this.
The long and short of it is that there is alot of research in other industries that clearly draws the line between negative work practices and cultures (unpaid overtime, poisonous working environments, frequent layoffs ..etc etc) and clear negative impact of firm performance. (financial bottom line, employee performance etc).
Unfortunately the video game industry believes itself exempt from these effects and continues to be filled with terrible working environments and practices. My research will attempt to create some hard evidence to back up what most of us already know to be true, that when you treat employees poorly and keep them in a poisonous environment then its bad for your products and your company. The research will take the form of anonymous online surveys and my hope is that it can be a jumping off point for more people to do research in our industry and maybe effect some positive change.
I will keep everyone informed over coming months I get the ball rolling on this.
Replies
we could argue till the cows come home on the profits made, but in an industry that's business model has "$0" cashflow, this is not a viable solution. you run the risk of an even bigger loss if your title doesn't sell.
sad, but true.
hiring more people is only viable if the work is there, like a new contract was signed, or investors are willing to support you as you venture into a different market, etc. if the money isn't there, you can't do shit. every business has to make money to survive, and each new hire is not only an investment, but also a risk. at most places, the money that goes into a new hire is well beyond what you see on your paycheck every other week. you're talking about payouts (profit sharing, health care, taxes, etc.) that all comes out of the employers pocket above and beyond your 5-6 figure salary.
working ridiculous hours is one thing. working crunch from time to time get meet a common goal is something entirely different.
Temporary solution and profit in business though innit? A longer lasting business and profit comes from a well tuned machine. But if you're incompetent or incapable to start with, then the cut and run solution probably is best.
Ya that is a good point, the challenge becomes defining at what point studio culture crosses the line into unhealthy work practices. We do reasonable crunches here all the time, and as long as they make sense and are part of the plan there is usually very little negative impact because of it.