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GTA 6 Developers Unionize

rockstarintel.com

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Re: GTA 6 Developers Unionize

#161

Post by psvv »

simonjgreen wrote: post #60
WarmWash wrote: post #4

Can anyone comment on why "big video game" dev pay has lagged "big tech" pay so badly? Ostensibly they are doing remarkably similar engineering problem solving, so why is there such a disparity?

You could invert this question and it would be equally valid. The question is why the gulf, rather than why the lag. Why is big tech pay so high? When you compare it to other trades and industries video game dev pay is much more “normal”

Flipping the question like this was my instinct as well. I think the passion tax and supply and demand are definitely factors, but the real reason for the gap is that big tech has gotten increasingly exploitative and monopolistic, leading to larger margins and higher competition for talent.

Re: GTA 6 Developers Unionize

#162

Post by matchbok3 »

ionwake wrote: post #140
matchbok3 wrote: post #124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If this "management" is so incompetent and ineffective, the workers shouldn't need them, right? They should just start their own company. Didn't think so. This simplistic view of "management" is detrimental to a productive conversation and doesn't reflect reality.

A comment from a new account with Negative inference statements. This is the kind of weird ass replies I just said appeared last time. PS - You are editing your comment which is fine, but in turn I have to reply. If it is not reflective of reality feel free to add to the discussion and explain what is false. Also ironically your statement doesnt add to the discussion by elaborating on any part of it. This is exactly…

Your avoidance of answering my question provides me with more than enough knowledge about your capabilities regarding engaging in this topic in a thoughtful, intelligent manner.

Re: GTA 6 Developers Unionize

#163

Post by AndrewKemendo »

strictnein wrote: post #136
AndrewKemendo wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Police unions aren’t labor unions and are illegal in many countries including Japan. https://theconversation.com/why-police-unions-are-not-part-o... Notably, American police (the country that invented police unions) are a modern invention that largely exist as a output of slave catching and bounty hunting services.

The police union in my city, in a state that borders Canada and fought against slavery, was founded in 1915. I'm guessing they would be surprised to learn that they are a "modern invention" that was from "slave catching" (I guess they do time travel?) and "bounty hunting services". I'm not even sure how you can say something is both a "modern invention" and the "output of slave catching". There's nothing modern about…

Modern being post Industrial Revolution

Re: GTA 6 Developers Unionize

#164

Post by matchbok3 »

Apocryphon wrote: post #144
matchbok3 wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is an entirely different argument that's not particularly germane to this topic. One can agree that unions, in the past, have helped workers, and also understand that they are not always in the best interest of the general public. It's complex, but possible!

Then that is an argument to reform and innovate on unions, not do away with them altogether.

Is Rockstar try to ban unions? Or just deciding they don't want to work with one. Those are very, very different things.

Re: GTA 6 Developers Unionize

#166

Post by ihaveajob »

WarmWash wrote: post #4

Can anyone comment on why "big video game" dev pay has lagged "big tech" pay so badly? Ostensibly they are doing remarkably similar engineering problem solving, so why is there such a disparity?

In my time I heard some people called this the "Tower Records effect". If the workplace is cool enough (record store, video game company, rock band), enough kids will want to work there that the employer can pay peanuts and won't run out of applicants.

Re: GTA 6 Developers Unionize

#167

Post by geriatricguy »

WarmWash wrote: post #4

Can anyone comment on why "big video game" dev pay has lagged "big tech" pay so badly? Ostensibly they are doing remarkably similar engineering problem solving, so why is there such a disparity?

My guess would be that game prices haven't dramatically changed in 20-30 years and development costs have skyrocketed. Easiest way to save money is on payroll.

Re: GTA 6 Developers Unionize

#168

Post by Apocryphon »

matchbok3 wrote: post #164
Apocryphon wrote: post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Then that is an argument to reform and innovate on unions, not do away with them altogether.

Is Rockstar try to ban unions? Or just deciding they don't want to work with one. Those are very, very different things.

I’m not talking about Rockstar, I’m talking about your implied position.

Re: GTA 6 Developers Unionize

#169

Post by GuinansEyebrows »

parineum wrote: post #70
HugoTea wrote: post #5

This is great news, unions not only improve working conditions, but also improve the final product by not having underpaid stressed staff with high turn-over. It's a good sign for the future product quality of any company to see workers unionise.

> but also improve the final product by not having underpaid stressed staff with high turn-over. We'll see. It's not like police unions are making life better for citizens. Unions are there for one reason, the union members. This will most likely be good for the employees and good on them for acting in their best interest but it seems just as likely that a unionized rockstar is negative for the consumer in either inc…

> It's not like police unions are making life better for citizens.

which is precisely why many union advocates argue that police should not have unions. the police exist as the physical arm of the capital class in direct opposition to the labor class. they are class traitors. police unions are not the same.

Re: GTA 6 Developers Unionize

#170

Post by Sevii »

WarmWash wrote: post #4

Can anyone comment on why "big video game" dev pay has lagged "big tech" pay so badly? Ostensibly they are doing remarkably similar engineering problem solving, so why is there such a disparity?

Employee pay depends on the margins of the industry. High margin industries can afford to pay high wages. Game publishers have nowhere near the margins of Google.
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