The Dream Job

I realized two things about the gaming industry in the Huntemann article. First of all, the gaming industry is not a friendly environment. Despite the loose dress-code and working the “dream job”, the job itself is very strenuous and low pay. Secondly, the racial and sexual disparity of the industry is limited to young white male who are single.

I knew beforehand that the gaming industry environment is not as ideal as most people perceived. However, this article delved deep into real accounts of frustration and anger by the family and relatives of game developers. The article pointed out the Rockstar Spouses who posted anonymous articles on the real working condition of their counterpart. The article coined the phrase “crunch time” as the correct industry terminology for working overtime. Various other concerns was brought up in the article, but the main idea that Rockstar Spouses wanted to convey was the unjust working conditions that is causing mental and physical strain on their beloved ones. It makes me wonder… Where is the workers’ union for these individuals?

The racial and sexual disparity in the industry is understandable but it needs to be changed. When games first took off, it was generally targeted towards males. Naturally, the industry will be dominated by males as well. However, with casual games and other hardcore games that are tailored to women, it is only fair that this disparity should shift. Maybe, when that happens, the hyper sexuality of womens’ physique will be toned down to “normal”.

Question: If you were the director of a new ACTION game and you need to hire an extra member onto your “all male” team of game developers then who would you hire?

a) Very experienced female developer

b) Not so experienced male developer

Keep in mind that synergy and cooperation within a group is crucial…