Game Over? Exploring the Exploitative Industry of Gaming

As we read about the various wars being waged in different corners of the world, we are often painfully reminded of the fragility of human life. And as we dwell on the sorrow and pain that the thought of death brings with us, it is this uncertainty that makes us want to live life to the fullest.

          In consequence to this fact, it is natural that we seek happiness and fulfillment in our professional lives as well. And what better way there is to achieve that than working in an industry which holds a special connection to you. The works that this industry has produced has given you countless hours of joy with a variety of people. For a video game enthusiast, surely working at such a place would be like a dream come true.

But what if this passion is exploited by people for their own benefit.

Imagine pouring your heart and soul into crafting immersive worlds, intricate and compelling narratives, and exhilarating gameplay. Now picture doing so under immense pressure, with long hours blurring into sleepless nights, all while facing uncertain job security and meagre compensation. This, unfortunately, is the reality for many within the booming video game industry.

The glittering facade of blockbuster AAA video game releases often masks a culture plagued with "crunch time," a euphemism for excessive, mandatory overtime leading up to launch deadlines. A 2022 Game Developer State of the Industry report found that 72% of respondents experienced crunch in the past year, with 21% exceeding 60 hours per week during these periods. This gruelling pace extracts a heavy toll, leading to burnout, mental health issues and an overall decline in employee performance.

But long hours are just one piece of the puzzle. Compensation often fails to reflect the immense talent and dedication poured into game development. While a select few at the top may receive impressive salaries, the median game programmer earns around $88,000 annually, according to a 2023 Glassdoor analysis. This figure masks significant disparities, with junior developers often struggling to make ends meet, and freelance or contract work offering even less security and benefits.

Job security itself is a luxury many in the industry can't afford. Studio closures and project cancellations are commonplace, leaving developers vulnerable to sudden unemployment. This constant pressure adds to the pervasive feeling of uncertainty in the industry, making it difficult to achieve professional growth in the industry.

These issues go beyond isolated incidents. In 2022, Riot Games, one of the biggest and most profitable video game companies, faced a $100 million settlement following a class-action lawsuit alleging gender discrimination and unequal pay. Similar stories have emerged from Activision Blizzard, Ubisoft, and other industry giants, highlighting a pattern of unfairness, gender discrimination and a toxic “bro culture”.

The path to a more sustainable future for video game development requires a comprehensive approach. Companies must prioritize well-being over deadlines, minimising “crunch”. Fair compensation structures that value experience and expertise are crucial, coupled with security and peace of mind. Furthermore, fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion is essential to combat discrimination and harassment.

Unionization efforts, like those underway at Raven Software and Ubisoft studios, represent another hopeful step towards worker empowerment. Collective bargaining can give employees a stronger voice in advocating for fair treatment and improved working conditions.

Ultimately, appreciating the human element behind the video games we love is critical. The countless individuals who dedicate their talents and passion to crafting these works of art deserve not just our cheers, but our utmost respect. By recognizing the challenges, they face and working towards solutions, we can ensure that the video game industry becomes sustainable.

"If we reduce the number of employees for better short-term financial results, employee morale will decrease, and I sincerely doubt employees who fear that they may be laid off will be able to develop software titles that could impress people around the world."

- Nintendo president Satoru Iwata on staff layoffs, 2013.