Deep down, we wish the video game industry was still a cozy cottage endeavor, populated by nerds in garages. Spoiler alert: it’s not. It’s one of the largest entertainment sectors on Earth, which gives our beloved games plenty of room for “business shenanigans” (or as we like to call it, corporate chaos). Just take a look at what’s been happening…
5 Telltale Games: A Layoff Surprise Party
On September 21, 2018, Telltale Games staff members were herded into a conference room like cattle, only to find out they were about to be financially butchered. The company decided to shut its doors, handing out a big ol’ “no severance package” to its 250 employees, with the only bonus being health insurance that expired in a week. Oh, and don’t cry too hard; they were given a generous 30 minutes to vacate the premises before being sold off to the liquidation buffet.
Imagine being recently hired, or worse, relocating for your dream job just to find it vanish—poof!—in a cloud of corporate neglect. The skeleton crew left to wrap up projects met the same fate. Many, fueled by empathy, criticized Telltale’s focus on completing the last season of *The Walking Dead* over compensating their now-ex-employees. Fun times ahead! As a cherry on top, one former employee was seen shaking hands with a lawyer for violating labor laws. Ain’t that what dreams are made of?
4 Voice Actors: The Real Unsung Heroes of Exploitation
You’d think voice acting is a cakewalk—show up, talk, collect paycheck, right? Well, maybe if you’re in an animated movie, but in gaming, you’re more likely to scream your lungs out for a flat fee with no residuals. Imagine completing a novel-length script and getting pennies compared to Hollywood. What a steal!
Take the case of one unfortunate voice actor who had to scream for hours and ended up tasting blood. Sounds delightful, doesn’t it? Meanwhile, Courtenay Taylor, a voice acting champ, suffered a hemorrhage from whispering—yep, whispering!—for too long. Just so we’re clear, the “exciting” life of voice acting comes with a generous dose of unpaid overtime and health risks that would make even the bravest adventurer think twice.
If you’re wondering why the actors didn’t take a stand, they did—a valiant strike that lasted 11 months, only to be met with puny bonuses and hollow promises. The game industry’s response? “Sorry, no money for you!” Oh, how quaint.
3 Pokémon Go: An Accidental Social Experiment
Ah, *Pokémon Go*: the app that introduced players to a wild new world of augmented reality. Only, apparently, that augmented reality has a demographic bias! Players in predominantly black neighborhoods found themselves vying for Pokéballs and gyms in what felt like an unjust real-world twist. Because why shouldn’t the game reflect harsh realities?
Developers used data from a crowdsourced database to populate the game with Pokestops, conveniently overlooking certain areas and demographics. So, those in communities with a wealth of Pokéstops were likely in majority-white neighborhoods, while those in black neighborhoods were left to fend for themselves. In *Monopoly*, you might call that “pass go, collect nothing.”
2 The Grand Theft Auto Soundtrack Woes
Ah, the *Grand Theft Auto* franchise, which can be summed up in three words: crime, chaos, and commercialism. And its soundtrack? Well, it’s destined to fade away like a bad memory. As licensing agreements expire, beloved tracks are dropped like hot potatoes from the games. Who needs the musical legacy of legends like Michael Jackson or NWA when you can replace it with silence?
This is what happens when nostalgia meets legal paperwork—songs vanish faster than your in-game character can steal a car. God bless stand-up comedy; it’s the only thing still alive after the sonic purge!
1 Red Dead Redemption 2: A Developer’s Hell
Ready for a tale of woe? *Red Dead Redemption 2* unleashed pure chaos behind the scenes as Rockstar’s Dan Houser bragged about 100-hour work weeks like it was a badge of honor. Cue the outrage! Some gamers even shrugged it off, thinking all that overtime was just part of the glamorous game-making life. Because nothing says “dream job” quite like mandatory overtime with a side of anxiety.
Despite Dan’s claims that “no one is forced” to work those hours, whispers from employees tell a different story. Reports of a “culture of fear” abound, with workers pressured to stay late and show up on weekends to prove their dedication. And if anyone dared to compare their workload with the average 40-hour week? Well, that earned them a delightful red “UNDER” label on their files for good measure!
It gets better (or worse, depending on your outlook). Employees who dared to leave before a game’s completion run the risk of being omitted from credits, depriving them of a valuable resume entry. So, at Rockstar, you either work yourself to the bone or simply don’t exist. A brilliant career choice, indeed!
So, as we salute the chaos behind the curtain in the gaming industry, remember: it’s all fun and games until someone gets a red mark on their file! And if you enjoy the delightful madness, remember to give a nod to the unsung hustlers—both behind the scenes and on screen.
