Thanks to a rather telling and candid letter put forth in the Gamasutra Blog, the wives of many Rockstar San Diego employees are fed up with the working conditions their loved ones have to supposedly endure. Allegations were made of reduced vacation time, reduction of benefits, reduction of overtime pay, six-day 12-hour work weeks, and claims about Rockstar's apparent "thirst for power."
The letter concludes with a claim that if working conditions are not improved, the group will take legal action against Rockstar.
As a result, Rockstar Games has responded to the allegations and stated that they "do not agree" with them. Here is what Rockstar Games, headquarted in New York, had to say about the claims of the wives.
The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) also responded to the claims made in the letter.
Erin Hoffman, the "EA Spouse", supports the cause of the Rockstar wives. We'll have more on this story in the coming weeks.
The managers at Rockstar San Diego continue in their dishonesty, pushing their employees to the brink promising temporariness fully equipped with the knowledge of another deadline just around the corner. The reigns whip again, and it becomes mandatory to work close to twelve hours a day including Saturdays, regardless if an employee has finished all his duties prior.(...)
Working harder, longer, faster, yet there was never a guarantee of a bonus nor if there was any earned, when they will be received! Moreover, bonuses could significantly be reduced based on ANYTHING management comes up with, while the employee would have no way to know about it. Thus bringing to light, the current Rockstar management has grown a thirst for power as it enables itself to grow in the Rockstar's structure. Besides bonuses, financial appreciation has lacked in other aspects as well. For four consecutive years, salary raises have not adjusted properly to cover inflation. This is especially unjust to those who significantly contribute to projects.
Working harder, longer, faster, yet there was never a guarantee of a bonus nor if there was any earned, when they will be received! Moreover, bonuses could significantly be reduced based on ANYTHING management comes up with, while the employee would have no way to know about it. Thus bringing to light, the current Rockstar management has grown a thirst for power as it enables itself to grow in the Rockstar's structure. Besides bonuses, financial appreciation has lacked in other aspects as well. For four consecutive years, salary raises have not adjusted properly to cover inflation. This is especially unjust to those who significantly contribute to projects.
The letter concludes with a claim that if working conditions are not improved, the group will take legal action against Rockstar.
As a result, Rockstar Games has responded to the allegations and stated that they "do not agree" with them. Here is what Rockstar Games, headquarted in New York, had to say about the claims of the wives.
"We do not agree with the allegations in the Gamasutra post (e.g. there has been no reduction in health benefits or ancillary benefits and perks (such as free dinners and massages etc), wage increases across the studio have kept track with cost of living increases, and anyone who feels they have been overlooked for a bonus for a game they worked on please contact HR to discuss as soon as possible).
We are committed to working through any issues anyone at the studio may have, and to providing support wherever possible."
We are committed to working through any issues anyone at the studio may have, and to providing support wherever possible."
The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) also responded to the claims made in the letter.
"The IGDA finds the practice of undisclosed and constant overtime to be deceptive, exploitative, and ultimately harmful not only to developers but to their final product and the industry as a whole. While our research shows that many studios have found ways to preserve quality of life for their employees, unhealthy practices are still far too common in our industry."
Erin Hoffman, the "EA Spouse", supports the cause of the Rockstar wives. We'll have more on this story in the coming weeks.
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