Video game workplace

     The reading by Nina B. Huntemann from Suffolk University discusses the irreconcilable differences of gender and labor in the video game workplace. The controversy discussed in the reading is the working conditions at a major game development company are a rare public opportunity to consider the gender and class politics of the video game industry. According to the reading, “the key issues include prolonged unpaid overtime (referred to in the industry as “crunch time”), declining morale and depression, physical and emotional suffering, lack of raises or cost of living increases despite record-breaking game sales, and the toll these working conditions take on the domestic life of employees, spouses and their children.” The mistreatments towards female in workforces are growing problems today. Like it is mentioned in the reading, some of the workers are not getting paid, although they worked really hard and spend hours on their task. Worse issue is that Rockstar San Diego is a very successful video game company, learning millions of dollars with their successful game ,Grand Theft Auto series, they don’t pay their workers. Also, the workplace discourages many of the works. Receiving stresses and depression from the work force is the worst problem because these can be leading factors of illness.

     After months of mistreatment and in force on the part of the company, Rockstar Spouse stated that, “action must be taken to protect the rights of employees and those who depend on them.” Those outrageous partners of EA Spouse and several of coworkers took a legal action against EA resulting in a $14.9 million settlement in 2006. This has changed the EA Company’s attitudes towards the workers, and women and labor within the company. Just like EA Spouse took an action on Electronic Art Company, Rockstar Wives are threatening the same action. They announce that “If these working conditions stay unchanged in the upcoming weeks, preparation will be made to take legal action against Rockstar San Diego.” The actions of EA Spouse and Rockstar Wives became a good example in the history of women and labor in the United States.  Mistreatment in workforce not just happens in these two companies, but it is a global issue today. Many women are mistreated in their workforces just like the EA Spouse and Rockstar Wives. Mistreatment of gender and labor in the video game workplace towards female needs to be fixed and people need to realize the seriousness of it.