A blog from a EA programmers wife...

[warcrow]

Its an interesting read ..it shows just how nasty working in games, sometimes can be.



-=Edit=-

Looks like another person is posting about their bad esperience with EA, but this time is a programmer who's not incognito.

Link!

 

[zodder]

That's a damn long work week! :Q

 

[notfred]

Note to self: Don't work for EA.

 

[styrafoam]

I've gotten that impression before, EA being the Katy Lee of video game developers.

 

[Nocturnal]

All I know is I'd give my right testicle to be a programmer and work for EA or any other company. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do and sacrifices are part of that. You guys who do and can program are very fortunate. My life long dream is still to one day become some type of programmer. I am not in school anymore due to work but I wish to go back this coming semester and try to put my self to the test once again.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
All I know is I'd give my right testicle to be a programmer and work for EA or any other company. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do and sacrifices are part of that. You guys who do and can program are very fortunate. My life long dream is still to one day become some type of programmer. I am not in school anymore due to work but I wish to go back this coming semester and try to put my self to the test once again.

I didn't learn to program in school (although I did learn some programming concepts in school). It's entirely possible to learn to program outside of school.

 

[imported_jediknight]

Yikes. I wonder if this is really representitive of the work experience at EA..

 

[GiggityGiggity]

This is what happens when you code for consoles. Lack luster huried games that are never updated/fixed due to unjustifiable production methods. It's corporate America at its finest of course. Cater to the sales season and not the quality of the product.

 

[rh71]

software is like that. they are the core of many companies... and it is common the turnover rates are high (Computer Associates are a few exits down the expressway - and I know a handful of people who USED to work for them). All you are ... is a code monkey. The profit is theirs, not yours.

Anyway, I hope they get their message out there though... cause 80+ hour work weeks are ridiculous no matter what you do... no matter your aspirations and drive. Without proper compensation, that would take its toll sooner than later.

 

[Modeps]

I've got a buddy that works for EA, I think I'll forward this to him and see what he thinks

 

[Armitage]

I've done some "crunch time" ... what they describe here isn't "crunch time". It's simply incompetent and/or greedy management.

 

[yhelothar]

So let me get this straight, they work over 90hrs a week and they don't get paid overtime? Why the hell would they work 90 hours and only be paid for 48hours?

 

[CrackaLackaZe]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
So let me get this straight, they work over 90hrs a week and they don't get paid overtime? Why the hell would they work 90 hours and only be paid for 48hours?

salary

 

[KillyKillall]

I have some friends that program for EA...PC wise. They have never complained about anything like this.

 

[Dacalo]

Originally posted by: KillyKillall
I have some friends that program for EA...PC wise. They have never complained about anything like this.

Maybe the article is full of it?

 

[danzig]

She now knows what its like to own a busy small business.

 

[Nothinman]

All I know is I'd give my right testicle to be a programmer and work for EA or any other company.

Sounds like that's just the interview fee, once you actually work for them you end up paying a lot more than you get in return.

So let me get this straight, they work over 90hrs a week and they don't get paid overtime? Why the hell would they work 90 hours and only be paid for 48hours?

Anyone being paid salary, I'll be salary soon and I sure as hell won't be putting in more than 45hrs a week unless something really bad happens.

I have some friends that program for EA...PC wise. They have never complained about anything like this.

Maybe it's only certain games and your friends have just been lucky with project assignment.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: notfred
I didn't learn to program in school (although I did learn some programming concepts in school). It's entirely possible to learn to program outside of school.

Dedication, common sense, several good resources, and an idea of what you want to create is my favorite way to learn how to program

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Originally posted by: skace

Originally posted by: notfred
I didn't learn to program in school (although I did learn some programming concepts in school). It's entirely possible to learn to program outside of school.

Dedication, common sense, several good resources, and an idea of what you want to create is my favorite way to learn how to program

Or just being a big fricken' nerd.

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: BingBongWongFooey

Originally posted by: skace

Originally posted by: notfred
I didn't learn to program in school (although I did learn some programming concepts in school). It's entirely possible to learn to program outside of school.

Dedication, common sense, several good resources, and an idea of what you want to create is my favorite way to learn how to program

Or just being a big fricken' nerd.

:beer:

 

[bot2600]

I guess it wouldnt be too bad if they are allowed to drink at work. We can drink at work, and sometimes its hard to get some of the marketing team to leave

Bot

 

[mugs]

Where does it say wife? All I see is spouse and significant other. You think only men can write games? Sexist pig!

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Originally posted by: mugs
Where does it say wife? All I see is spouse and significant other. You think only men can write games? Sexist pig!

Actually when reading it I was thinking that the guy wrote it himself posing as a spouse. In one of "her" replies to a reply, "she" even says "and I always appreciate the chance to extend my contacts in the industry."

 

[stnicralisk]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
All I know is I'd give my right testicle to be a programmer and work for EA or any other company. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do and sacrifices are part of that. You guys who do and can program are very fortunate. My life long dream is still to one day become some type of programmer. I am not in school anymore due to work but I wish to go back this coming semester and try to put my self to the test once again.

You want to work 91 hours a week? After you eat sleep and drive you wont have any time to do anything else at all. You wont have time to make love to your wife or to even really KNOW her at all. You wont have time to read a novel or go to the football game with your best friend. You wont have time to play Warcraft 3 before bed.

My question is.. if it is illegal why not sue. It seems very lucrative. A lawyer would take them on class action style quickly for this amount of cash. If you figure their salary is about 60k on average theyre missing alone is for this month is ~8k each. There is a team of probably 25 programmers 200k dollars. Low level management is likely not very happy either (read paid correctly) and it sounds as if this is only one project being "crunched" of many.

 

[caivoma]

when you going to be a salary employee, it hard to say no when the corporate need you overtimes. It sucks that they mostly dont pay or compensate for it and with the job market right now, they dont have too. I hate those company.