Mumble Media 5

Video Game Unions?

It is a video game mumble this time. A deep and serious tone this time about video game labour. Also why the letter g on my keyboard is a tad broken that give ggg input on one click.

The reference article today is on Giant Bomb’s guest column by Ian Williams. This is a brief outline of the current stance right now in 2016 of work labour of the video game industry. It is also the first of many to come as there are problems within the game industry and the people who work in it.

Read the article here

http://www.giantbomb.com/articles/guest-column-its-time-to-talk-about-labor-in-the-g/1100-5393/

The game industry is harsh but also showing signs it is getting better as the wide spread of video games. Though the game industry is having a larger presence that does not discount the labour conditions currently faced today.

An excerpt from the article

Here are the facts, in raw form. A video game worker averages 2.7 employers every five years. 48% of those unemployed are over a year looking for a job. Figures from 2014 show a layoff rate twice the national average. 62% of workers still crunch, with 17% of those working over 70 hours a week. 36% of those who work over 40 hours a week receive no extra compensation. And 44% of those who don’t crunch work well over 40 hours a week; they don’t even know that they’re crunching.

These numbers were also referenced from the international game developer association report from 2015. This Ian Williams article is part one of many to come. He is a past developer and currently a writer who cares about video games as he also cares for the well being for people who work in them.

Video Game Production Trouble

In the article also mention about the SAG-AFTRA about voice actors in video games about their oncoming strike. That strike in particular is an example about the conditions that occurred. Voice actors who are hired for a video game role are sometimes pushed to time given. Risking their voice while the game is on a strict deadline. Yet, we skip that problem and wait for the next great game.

Ian Williams respects and adore video games and express that in his article. He also express his concerns about the people who develop them. Ian Williams layout how we can as people who love video games should care about the people who make them. Finding solutions how to prevent someone going overboard or possibly losing a job.

I love video games

I support Giant Bomb’s website for creating a platform that allows guest columns like Ian Williams.

I also want to spread the word about this as it concerns myself as I enjoy video games but I do not want anyone to be hurt while making them. It is understandable that making an AAA game is hard. There are signs that indie development is a better solution but also have it faults as well.

Again this is one part of Ian Williams articles that I want to learn and understand  more.

Thanks for reading!