Prominent Gaming Pros Speak Out About Age Discrimination
- Activision Blizzard's controversies including ageism allegations
- Age discrimination concerns in the gaming industry
- Experiences of industry veterans like Bleszinksi, Spector, Miller, Kuperman
- Intense demands of game development leading to layoffs
- Future of game development: work/life balance, indie games, and layoffs
Activision Blizzard: A Controversial History
Notorious game publisher, Activision Blizzard, has faced a slew of controversies in recent years. These range from allegations of a prevalent culture of sexual harassment to accusations of management's union-busting tactics. However, in January 2024, a new lawsuit took many by surprise.
Age Discrimination: A New Allegation
A former executive of the Call of Duty and Overwatch publisher, aged 57, alleged that he was forced to leave the company due to ageism. The lawsuit claims that then-CEO Bobby Kotick expressed that the company's issue was having "too many old white guys" in its workforce.
The Game Industry's Age Issue
While race and gender often dominate the discussion around diversity in the gaming industry, age discrimination is also a growing concern. According to a 2019 survey, only 9% of game developers are 50 years old or older.
Industry Veterans Speak Out
I had the opportunity to speak with industry veterans including Gears of War designer Cliff Bleszinksi, Ultima Underworld creator Warren Spector, Apogee Software founder Scott Miller, and Nightdive Studios business development head Larry Kuperman. These seasoned professionals shared their experiences and insights about navigating the gaming world after decades of work.
The Demands of Game Development
Many former developers transition to the business side of game development due to the intense demands of video game development cycles. The volatility and demands of the industry have led to over 6,000 layoffs in the first month of 2024 alone.
The Impact of Industry Culture
The competitive nature and low pay of the industry often drive even young developers away. The average "lifespan" of a programmer is about five to seven years due to the intense nature of their work. Peer pressure and a culture of overwork can contribute to this issue.
The Future of Game Development
With increasing discussions around crunch and calls for union protections, the industry may need to reconsider its approach to work/life balance. As Bleszinksi notes, "The industry thrives on hungry game developers that are just happy to get an okay salary and free Mountain Dew and Doritos."
The Promise of Indies and The Problem of Layoffs
Despite the challenges, there is consensus among industry veterans on the potential of indie games. However, the problem of frequent layoffs remains a significant concern in the industry.
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