That's the case at many companies, not just games. The real agreement is that if you don't talk shit on them then they won't talk shit on you come reference time.
One thing I keep seeing in GDC talks and similar things is these CEO's wrapped up in controversy doing everything but owning their fuck-ups. This is extremely unprofessional and a terrible example of how to run a business. I doubt it's any coincidence that these are the same companies losing billions and drawing scrutiny…
And the case is that many companies exploit workers. It's a major problem. I'm kind of on a rant about this right now because I started looking into it, and I can tell you it looks exactly like the same stupid reasons I left the army. Fucktard, spineless, weak-ass coward leaders who are afraid of their own fucking shadow…
Well this kind of stuff persist because people keep signing shitty agreements like this. It may be commonplace but it is not normal. This is not how humans interact with eachother. It's how a manipulative creep controls people. There is zero mutual respect. People have to speak up and warn others. How can you tell tell…