Apple »

Tiny Diggers – An iPad Construction Truck Game for Kids Age 2-5

February 20, 2012 – 12:39 pm | 3 Comments

Tiny Diggers has just been released on the iPad and soon the Mac computer. Here’s the details on this fun, educational game from TouchTilt Games.
Tiny Diggers Delivers Learning With Construction Trucks For Kids on the …

Read the full story »

Home » Industry

EA Spouse: EA has completely turned around

Submitted by George Walker on July 21, 2006 – 10:26 amOne Comment

Apparently long working hours are a problem for British game developers, as this BBC article points out that BECTU, a union for game industry (and film, TV, and other media) workers in the UK, has been drumming up membership in order to help employees get more reasonable working hours.

Most of the article focuses on recent issues in the US, especially regarding EA. Original EA Spouse, Erin Hoffman, even stated, “EA in Los Angeles has completely turned around its work practices.”

Well there you go. Is it true? Can my EA boycott end? Certainly this doesn’t mean that EA games will automatically be better, but at least if I rent or buy one, I don’t feel like I’m supporting a development sweatshop.

| via BBC News |

http://pfff.net Justin

The debate has raged for so long. Let’s disregard the concept game companies are low-wage peddlers working from hand-to-mouth (which they often are).

All overtime I’ve ever had has been unpaid, but generally with some end-project reward. It’s also been essentially voluntary with perks such as take-out from anywhere you want (including some swanky restaurants at times).

The problem as devs is that we’re caught between the passion of wanting to ship something great and keeping sane. There’s a lot of merit in the philosophy of working effectively for eight hours or ineffectively for sixteen.

Time away makes you more effective because you have time for your brain to mull problems and not pursue blind alleys.

All I’m saying is that while some companies frown if you don’t put in the hours, others just want the job done. Sometimes long hours are self inflicted showing you’re part of the team or because you just can’t walk away from your work for a good nights sleep.