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EA and what every dev already knows

bit of a rant here (again)...you've been warned.

I found this post (linked by many places, including Slantdot) from a spouse of an EA employee (that's 'Electronic Arts' for anyone that doesn't know - a video game company) that chronicles the long, long hours her spouse put in working at EA and for what...? overtime? comp days? bonus pay? No, not even a pat on the back or a "good job".

Now, I've been a developer for almost 7 years now so, I'm fully aware of this kind of thing. I know it happens. I've never approved of it...and I've been in the situation myself plenty of times before. Nobody likes the "death march" phase of projects, I know. But, there are two things that really bother me when reading this.

1. Why do developers (as a whole) seem to be so afraid to stand up for themselves when they're being abused like this? Guys and gals...DO SOMETHING. I think part of the reason developers are overworked and underpaid is because they allow it to happen. Stop letting Mr. Corporate "I make more in one day than you do all year" take advantage of you. Do I need to say, "5t0p 13771ng j00rself get pwn3d!" for you to understand?

2. Why do the managers/bosses/whatever still think it's OK to work people like this without any kind of additional compensation? Perhaps I answered this question with #1 but, I'd like to offer a sentiment that I think would be shared by a lot of developers. A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY. I'm talking about money here. Give the people that continually save your business (see: "ass") some rewards for doing so. A christmas bonus. Give out $100 gift certificates to Fry's. Have the company buy them lunch every once in a while. I don't care what you do for them...just show some appreciation every now and then. Whatever happened to "hey, thanks for all the hard work!" in this industry?

All that reading that EA spouse's post has really done for me is to reinforce the way I feel about achieving success in this industry. Either own what you do, (your own business) or prepare for a career of feeling underpaid, underappreciated, overworked, and taken advantage of. For me, the only way to feel good about having worked so hard, for so many hours, is to see a bulge in my wallet. I'm to the point now where I can fully understand why the success of the project comes second to money earned for some people. Just as the EA management tells their employees to put up or shut up (work somewhere else), I think the employees should all yell back, "yeah...? well pay up or shut up!" (figure out how you're going to handle bankruptcy).

Am I the only one that thinks/feels this way?

Posted: Nov 11 2004, 09:43 AM by jamauss | with 5 comment(s)
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Comments

Gabe Halsmer said:


But then why do developers take risks like that? Is it because they have no other choice? So you work really hard, hoping your employer will find you work valuable. Even if they do, does that mean they'll reward you? Well its up to the employer and their self-interest. If you prove yourself to be competent and valuable, then usually they will reward you to keep you happy and working for them on future projects. There are some short-sighted managers who can't resist saving a buck, but you get what you pay for.. They'll never control a team of comptent developers for very long.

So don't feel sorry for youself. The manager/employee relationship works both ways. You are equals trading value for value. And this trade works best when both sides are honest with each other.

# November 11, 2004 1:53 PM

Jason Mauss said:

I agree (mostly) w/ you Gabe. Do you think EA is being honest w/ their employees? Far from it.
# November 11, 2004 2:01 PM

Scott C Reynolds said:

I'm wit' ya homie. The problem is a lot of developers can't stand up for themselves (or at least don't feel like they can) in the post-dot-com-job-loss-trauma era. So they take what they can get because at least they're working, and we all know at least one guy who still can't seem to find a good gig.

The thing is we are all replaceable in some form or another, but the real measure is how much value can you get from your employer before he decides it's easier to replace you than meet your expectations. Fine line to try to find.

Nice touch on the 1337. j00 t0t4lly pwnz0red teh n00bz :D
# November 11, 2004 3:12 PM

Ryan M Jentzsch said:

This has always been a matter of economy. I remember the post dot-com-bomb days where I went from company to company and better offer to better offer, (until I realized that doing things as a consultant is a better way to slither around like a snake with it's head cut off). Companies had no loyality to me or I to them. They were and still are focused on the bottom line not on employees needs or concerns. Employees are looked at as a libility and a nesicary evil.

Anyway, employers will abuse and take advantage of employees when jobs are scarce and employees have a family to feed. Thankfully the economy is changing. 4 key people in my department have left to other companys with better offers because they are sick of the crap and I'm looking as well. (I may start a consultancy again, if people can forget and realize I had nothing to do with their dot-com-bomb losses).

So now it's payback time and an unabashed counter attack-- (sorry to hear that I left you with the web project half done, but you certainly didn't reward me for my hard work or even say "thanks", so employers guess what: You reap what you sow...)

Thanks for your post.

# November 11, 2004 7:44 PM

John said:

guess what? THOUSANDS of programmers in India, Pakistan, Phillippines, etc. would LOVE to take those hours (with they pay associated) and do it. Hard to take? You bet. Find a different job, but keep your eye on the competition out there....
# November 12, 2004 11:08 AM
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