Podcast Summary
Gaming Industry's Shift Towards Unionization: Rockstar's unionization move is a significant step in the gaming industry's shift towards labor organizing. Listeners can support Triple Click, an ad-free podcast, and help create bonus content.
The gaming industry is shifting towards unionization, as exemplified by Rockstar's recent move. Another important point is that Triple Click, the podcast we're listening to, is entirely listener-supported and ad-free. If you want to help create bonus content, consider becoming a MaxFun member. The hosts, Jason Schreyer, Kirk Hamilton, and Matty Meyers, are currently planning a bonus episode discussing the entire series of Better Call Saul, which is ending soon. So, if you're not caught up yet, now might be the perfect time to start! Additionally, Maddie, one of the hosts, revealed that she's only seen four out of the nine seasons of Better Call Saul, making it clear that the upcoming cast will cover the entire series.
Bungie Takes Legal Action Against Cheaters and Threats: Video game developer Bungie is suing cheaters and threatening individuals who stream cheating in their game Destiny, marking a shift from consumer-first mentality and prioritizing game integrity and employee safety.
Video game developer Bungie, now owned by Sony, is taking a bold step against harmful player behavior by suing fans who cheat in their game Destiny and threaten their employees. This shift in approach marks a significant change from the consumer-first mentality that has been prevalent in the gaming industry for the past decade. The lawsuits also target individuals who stream cheating in the game. The threats received by Bungie employees have been intense and violent, making these cases lawsuit worthy. The new general counsel, Don McGowan, is leading this crusade to defend the integrity of the game and the safety of their employees. This news is a reminder that online communities need to be held accountable for their actions, especially when they negatively impact others. Join us for our upcoming book club discussion on "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin. September 8th, don't forget!
Companies cracking down on unauthorized sales and harassment: Companies are taking a stronger stance against unauthorized sales of digital items and harassment towards employees, with Bungie's actions being a recent example. This raises questions about fan behavior boundaries and the need to protect workers from online threats.
Companies are taking a firmer stance against unauthorized use and sale of digital items, as well as harassment towards their employees. This was seen in Bungie's recent actions against individuals selling in-game items and engaging in harassment. While some may see this as a corporation taking back ownership, others view it as a labor issue and an attempt to protect employees from harassment and threats. This trend could potentially lead to a slippery slope, raising questions about the boundaries of what is acceptable fan behavior. It's important to remember that these actions are not about punishing "bad gamers," but rather about ensuring the safety and well-being of employees. The prevalence of such incidents highlights the growing power of workers and the need for effective measures to protect them from online harassment.
Rockstar Games makes changes to prioritize worker welfare: Rockstar Games responds to employee discontent with financial support, increased mental health benefits, a new flexible work policy, and the announcement of two playable characters in Grand Theft Auto 6 for more inclusive representation.
There's a growing trend among video game companies to prioritize worker welfare following controversies over long working hours and poor working conditions. Rockstar Games, known for its intense work culture, is one such company that has made significant changes in response to employee discontent. These changes include financial support during the pandemic, increased mental health benefits, and a new flexible work policy. The company has also announced that its upcoming game, Grand Theft Auto 6, will feature two playable characters, one male and one female, marking a shift towards more inclusive representation. While these changes are a positive step, it's important to note that the full impact of these initiatives may not be felt until the game's release, which is still a few years away. Overall, the gaming industry is facing increasing pressure to address worker rights and create a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
Rockstar's internal changes lead to inclusion of female protagonist: Rockstar's decision to include a female protagonist in the new GTA game is a natural progression driven by internal changes and industry evolution, not external pressure.
Rockstar Games, the developer behind the Grand Theft Auto series, has undergone significant internal changes over the past few years, leading to the decision to include a female protagonist in the upcoming game. These changes were driven by the evolving video game industry and the company's own growth, rather than external pressure. The discussion also touched upon the lack of attention given to similar issues at Rockstar compared to other gaming companies, such as Activision Blizzard, and the shift towards more in-depth reporting in the gaming journalism landscape. The inclusion of a female protagonist in the new GTA game is seen as a natural progression for the series, rather than a response to current trends. The speakers expressed excitement about the upcoming game and their faith in Rockstar's ability to tell compelling stories, as demonstrated in Red Dead 2.
Impact of cultural shifts and toxic employees on project development: Cultural shifts and removing toxic employees can lead to substantial changes in project development. Unpredictability in game development can result in leadership changes and delays, which can derail projects if the studio lacks experience in handling large-budget productions.
Cultural shifts and getting rid of toxic employees can significantly impact the development process of a project. The removal of bad apples, even at the top level, can lead to substantial changes that may be difficult for some people to adapt to. For instance, implementing flexible work hours would be a significant cultural difference compared to the traditional 100-hour workweek. Additionally, game development can be unpredictable, and delays or changes in leadership can derail projects. The Knights of the Old Republic remake, for instance, faced trouble when its art director and design director were fired, causing the project to be put on hold. Such incidents can lead to a disaster, especially when the studio lacks experience in handling large-budget productions.
The unpredictability of the video game industry: Game development can be unpredictable and disappointing, with projects being cancelled or delayed, leaving those involved feeling disheartened and uncertain about the future.
The video game industry can be unpredictable and disappointing, as shown by recent developments like the cancellation of the Knights of the Old Republic remake and Ubisoft's ongoing struggles. These events can leave those involved feeling disheartened and uncertain about the future of their projects. Despite the excitement and anticipation surrounding these games, they can ultimately fizzle out and never see the light of day. Ubisoft, in particular, has faced a string of setbacks this year, with delays and cancellations of highly anticipated titles like Skull and Bones, Avatar, and Assassin's Creed. These disappointments can be especially disheartening for those who have dedicated significant time and resources to these projects. The industry's volatility serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges that come with game development.
Disappointment with Ubisoft's Delays and Lack of Innovation: Speaker expresses disappointment over Ubisoft's prolonged game development, perceived lack of new content, and the impact of remote work on delivering large, open-world games under tight deadlines. They suggest focusing on smaller, purposefully-scoped projects for innovation.
Ubisoft, a company known for producing beloved franchises like Assassin's Creed, has been facing challenges in delivering new and innovative games. The speaker expresses disappointment over the prolonged development of Beyond Good and Evil 2 and the perceived lack of new content from the company. The case of Assassin's Creed Rift, which was supposed to be a DLC but was turned into a full game, illustrates the issues. Ubisoft has been struggling to adapt to working from home conditions and the pressure to meet fiscal year deadlines, resulting in delays and the blame being placed on remote work. Despite the promise of a smaller-scaled Assassin's Creed game, the speaker is looking forward to hearing about new, non-Assassin's Creed projects from Ubisoft. The concept of Assassin's Creed Infinity, a platform for releasing modules or biomes, has been met with skepticism. Overall, the speaker's perspective is that Ubisoft could benefit from focusing on smaller, purposefully-scoped projects instead of trying to deliver large, open-world games under tight deadlines.
Ubisoft and the video game industry face challenges of lack of senior staff, high turnover, and unionization: Ubisoft, and the wider video game industry, are grappling with a lack of experienced staff due to burnout and turnover, and unionization as a response to poor working conditions and lack of job security. First union contracts are being negotiated, potentially leading to better pay and benefits for developers.
The video game industry, specifically Ubisoft, is facing significant challenges due to a lack of senior staff, high turnover rates, and a wave of unionization among game developers. These issues are interconnected, with burnout and the great resignation contributing to the shortage of experienced staff, and unionization being a response to poor working conditions and lack of job security. The first union contracts are starting to be negotiated, which could lead to better pay and benefits for game developers, potentially setting off a trend of unionization across the industry. This comes at a time when other industries, like Starbucks, are also seeing a surge in unionization. The situation highlights the need for better working conditions and more protections for game developers, who have historically been among the most underpaid and undervalued workers in the industry.
Video game industry facing challenges but hope remains with unions: Unions like Vodio Games Union offer hope for better working conditions and job security in the video game industry amidst sales downturns and fewer major hits.
The video game industry is facing challenges, with sales down due to various factors including economic conditions, the end of the pandemic leading to less time spent playing games, and a lack of major hits. However, despite these challenges, there are signs of hope, such as the formation of video game unions, which can provide benefits and job security for workers. For instance, the Vodio Games Union was the first North American video game union and served as an inspiration for other QA workers to unionize. Additionally, stories of workers' persistence, like the Amazon labor union, provide inspiration for those seeking better working conditions. Despite the industry's current challenges, the potential for positive change remains.
Impact of pandemic on video game industry and labor issues: The pandemic has caused labor issues in the video game industry, leading to a lack of leadership, training, and networking opportunities, resulting in burnout and brain drain. Unions could potentially help mitigate these issues by providing better working conditions and reducing burnout.
The pandemic has significantly impacted the video game industry with numerous delays due to labor issues, particularly the inability to retain and recruit senior staff. This has led to a lack of leadership and training, contributing to a cycle of burnout and brain drain. The absence of in-person networking events and the shift to remote work have further complicated the situation. Despite these challenges, some argue that the implementation of unions could help mitigate these issues by providing better working conditions and reducing burnout, potentially leading to a more stable workforce and a more productive industry overall.
Shifts in the gaming industry: remote work and unionization: The gaming industry is evolving with remote work and unionization, bringing opportunities and challenges such as changes in game creation, communication, societal norms, and entertainment through podcasts and shows.
We are witnessing a significant shift in the gaming industry as remote work and unionization become more prevalent. This change brings both opportunities and challenges, including how games are created, communication between teams, and societal perceptions. For instance, revisiting older games like Marvel's Spider-Man reveals how public perception and societal norms have evolved, making certain elements of these games feel disconcerting. This industry flux is a natural part of growth, and we can only wait and see what the net effects will be. Additionally, there are various podcasts and shows to explore, such as Batra Game Show and Depression Mode, offering unique perspectives and entertainment.
Spider-Man's 2018 game raises ethical concerns with heavy policing and surveillance: The 2018 Spider-Man game's emphasis on policing and surveillance raises ethical concerns, contrasting with Spider-Man's traditional role as a neighborhood hero. The Ferguson situation added relevance, while standout moments like Peter and MJ's text conversation balanced the frustrations.
The 2018 Spider-Man game, despite having heartfelt moments and impressive gameplay mechanics, raises ethical concerns due to its heavy emphasis on policing and surveillance. This is a departure from Spider-Man's character, who is traditionally seen as a neighborhood hero helping people at a ground level. The Ferguson situation in 2014 marked the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement, adding a layer of relevance and complexity to the discussion. The game's phone calls and constant interruptions can be frustrating for players, but the standout moments, like Peter Parker and Mary Jane's text conversation, make up for it. The conversation also touched upon the comparison between Spider-Man and Batman, with Batman's police-like methods feeling more fitting for his character. The discussion will be continued in an upcoming episode. Additionally, Kirk recommended the movie "Prey" on Hulu, which shares a name with the video game "Prey" but is a Predator movie with a similar theme of an extraterrestrial threat requiring human ingenuity to defeat.
A visually stunning and thrilling action movie set in the 1700s focusing on the Comanche Nation: Prey is a must-watch movie with stunning visuals, thrilling action, and a unique representation of indigenous people. It's a fresh take on the classic Predator series, available on Hulu.
"Prey" is a visually stunning and thrilling action movie set in the 1700s focusing on the Comanche Nation. The story revolves around the arrival of a predator on their land, leading to a cultural clash between the Native Americans and the extraterrestrial hunters. The movie explores themes of hunting, survival, and underdog stories, with a standout performance from Amber Midthunder. The unique feature of the film is its representation of indigenous people, with a cast of indigenous actors and an option for a Comanche dub. Additionally, the movie features a remarkable canine performance. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, "Prey" is a must-watch for fans of the Predator series and newcomers alike. Available on Hulu, it's a fresh and exciting take on the classic franchise. Another recommendation is "The Quarry," a game by Supermassive Games that follows the same interactive movie-style format as "Until Dawn." Players can control multiple camp counselors as they navigate through a terrifying night in the woods. With engaging gameplay and a compelling storyline, "The Quarry" is a worthy addition to any horror fan's collection.
Experience 'The Quarry' with friends or a loved one on a big screen: Enjoy an interactive movie-like experience with unexpected twists and turns, best enjoyed in a weekend or week with others
"The Quarry" is an engaging and fun cooperative horror game that should be experienced on a big screen with friends or a significant other. The game, developed by Supermassive Games, offers a schlocky and stupid yet entertaining experience with its couch co-op mode, where players can switch off controlling different characters and make decisions together. The game's narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it an interactive movie-like experience. Although it cannot be binge-played in one sitting, as it is divided into chapters, it is recommended to spend a weekend or week to complete the game. Overall, "The Quarry" is a hidden gem of the summer that deserves more attention and is best enjoyed with others.
