Replying to Electronic Arts: The Human Story

Really big shock to read this from such a huge company such as EA. I've always enjoyed playing their games. But what big company doesn't have dirty secrets that they don't want anyone knowing. Fast food companies are horrible, brand name clothing stores have slave labor.... theres always something out there for there to be a shocker. It is too bad to hear this though.

Yea I had read about this elsewhere awhile ago... and frankly it sucks but I don't see it changing unless people more directly involved act. Not only will people keep buying their games...if you like games you WILL eventually probably buy one of theirs. EA has their hands in alot more products then most people think. Saying its only sports is so far from true its not even funny. Just think how many games have that wonderfuly annoying logo at the first... I would like to see this change but at the same time I know I won't stop buying/playing their games since...as the article said... the big game companies are buying up the smaller ones at a fast rate. Soon there will be none OTHER then the big names meaning if u don't buy their stuff, eventually you'll only be getting open source basic games, none of the high rollers.

Thanks for the story it was a great read. It doesn't give me much insurance as to the type of career I myself am planing on venturing into. I'm currently going to DeVry University where I'm learning CIS (Computer Information Systems - big fancy way of saying computer programer in general). I plan on going down a promised "Software Development Track" at DeVry and I want to join a software development company someday. Of course I'd love to go outside the industry and manage my own company but that isn't the easiest thing to do in the world (probably as hard as a highschool football player becoming NFL). In any case these situations are not right. I know of crunches and how they will be, but, I never heard of such a harsh work week in my life.

Stranger's Wrath was awesome!

Myself I am thinking of never buying an EA developed (sports) game myself. I read much of that blog before particularly when they actually had some info in it in my Electronics Gaming Monthly magazine.

Right now though EA is not doing very well relations wise because after that latest (semi-)exclusivity deals they have in their sports games it has not been taken very well. Especially for thsoe that were looking forward to a half decent $25 football game *cough cough*

Need For Speed

it's not like it'll be that hard to avoid ea games. i mean mostly they did sports games, and those weren't very good, and with this new monoply deal, they'll have no reason to improve them in any tangible way except make them prettier. big whoop, i can get realistic football by getting my ball out and playing it.

i only have one ea game, thats lotr third age.

That is so terrible, why would they treat their employees like that? Its just bad, no more buying from EA for me. So that brings the list to...
Nike...sadly including Converse
Philip Morris... that includes Kraft
EA
Microsoft

I heard about this story a while back. It's interesting to hear a story like this about a big company that produces some of the most critically acclaimed games yet does something dirty in the background. This reminds me when I first learned about the whole Nike sweatshop thing. It it similar except for the fact it involves us locally making the product. It's still a wonder to me why these types of things aren't caught and stopped in the beginning.

No, programmers arent unionized. It doesn't help that many(or at least almost all the ones I know) are libertarians. My view is that they, as white collar workers, don't want to unionize because that would mean their skills are a commodity instead of being a part of some elite club. Its too bad too, since they could really use a union right now.