Rockstar has reportedly responded to accusations that work conditions at its San Diego branch are "deteriorating" and that Red Dead Redemption's creation faced "big problems".
According to Kotaku, Rockstar responded via the following leaked internal e-mail, in which it states that it doesn't agree with the allegations and that Red Dead Redemption is looking like a "stellar game".
Here it is, in full:
"Dear Rockstar San Diego
"No doubt you are all aware of the comments made on Gamasutra regarding some internal dynamics at the studio and some people's dissatisfaction with the environment. We take issues related to working conditions extremely seriously and will look to address any genuine concerns immediately.
"It's been a challenging few years, and a tough last few months as the game moves towards completion, but the final product of all that incredible effort is on the verge of finally being received by the public: the stellar game that is Red Dead Redemption, a game of which you all should be justifiably proud and which you should be excited to see come to market.
"We do not agree with the allegations in the Gamasutra post (e.g. there has been no reduction in health benefits or ancillary benefits and perks (such as free dinners and massages etc), wage increases across the studio have kept track with cost of living increases, and anyone who feels they have been overlooked for a bonus for a game they worked on please contact HR to discuss as soon as possible). Nevertheless, we do know that the team is working very hard right now, and we care deeply about the physical health and mental well-being of every single person on our team.
"We are committed to working through any issues anyone at the studio may have, and to providing support wherever possible. Please, if you have concerns, discuss them with Sarah Shafer or with Rob Spampinato who heads up HR for the whole of Rockstar and who will be on-site in the studio for the next few days (Rob is sitting in the "new york" office). If you would prefer to speak to someone in confidence outside of Rockstar, please contact Chris Casazza, who oversees HR for Take Two.
"Red Dead Redemption is rightly one of the most anticipated games of 2010, and we're incredibly proud of the entire team for the truly outstanding work that's gone into making this remarkable game as good as it is. Here's hoping we can give this game the reception it deserves this April."
Earlier this week a Gamasutra letter penned by San Diego employees' wives claimed that the working conditions at the developer "persists to deteriorate as employees are manipulated by certain hands that wield the reigns of power in Rockstar San Diego.
I really, really hope that this ends up as good as it looks. Hopefully, whatever issues that are happening internally are not impacting on the game itself.
I hope this will see things improve for the guys. I've said many a time and on many a forum; Rockstar is on of my favourite developers and when they announce or release a new game I feel a genuine excitement. With this hitting so close the whole EA debacle, it does make you more enclined to believe the reports. Hopefully someone in Rockstar or Take Two will find the people responsible and make an example of them. Our industry could do without s**t like this and no company in the Western world should employ and use such practices as this. On another note, I tried setting up a facebook group to show fan support for them and posted links at every opportunity on a range of sites and forums. Very dissapointed that I got no response. These guys; not just at Rockstar but in every developer, put in alot of hardwork to give us our many hours of enjoyment. They don't just deserve our money, but our respect and loyalty also. Makes you realise how fickle some gamers are
...no company in the Western world should employ and use such practices as this
They don't, the Western world usually employs poor countries to do the slave labour kind of work. The retail industry has made quite an art of profit-making from the poor. Any attempt to suggest game developer employees are mistreated is a joke.
While I think this story has been started by bitter ex employees, or possibly angry wives the treatment of the Rockstar employees is never going to amount to anything remotely resembling the worst of working conditions. The disgruntled Rockstar employees always have the option to leave their jobs with, I'm sure, far less harsh consequences than in many other countries.
No offense to those who feel all protective of the poor videogames industry workers, but I think the reactions, this story and the arguments involved are pathetic. Rockstar don't need to offer any public explanation or apology. If there are issues they are between employee and employer. Perhaps they need to be a little more careful about who they employ in future.
No offense but there were very good reasons for the creation of unions and labour movements in the 19th Century. Thankfully some of our forefathers had the where with all to stand up and demand various worker rights, working conditions, benefits and safety standards. Thankfully there were also some people in a growing and increasingly influential middle class that were willing and able to listen and thus help bring about changes that in many instances have led to the sort of working conditions many Westerners enjoy today where we don't have to fear being automatically fired for disagreeing with management and have the option of speaking up. Make no mistake however: Despite the regulations all sorts of dirty stunts and blows below the belt get pulled by various employers. Granted, unions can, and do, have their own agendas too which can be just as deplorable. The point being that there may well be undue pressure and demands of the working staff by management at R*. It's certainly a reported phenomenon with EA.
As for gamers owing loyalty to developers, why is that exactly? What have they done that warrants my personal bond of loyalty to them for developing an entertainment/artistic product which they hope to make a profit from? I can certainly appreciate the labour, skill and vision that goes in to making some games (not all games are created equal, IMO), yet they are for the most part not doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. I like to think that many developers genuinely like their craft and that it is a labour of love and that they may have some sincere good will towards their target audience besides financial incentives. In instances where I perceive that to be the case I usually am more forgiving, and yes even supportive, of such developers than others where I do not get the same impression. However I owe none of them any particular loyalty and vice versa as some gamers are so fond of reminding other gamers of. The door swings both ways. Always.
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