[Aptorian]

So far all I've seen is a poorly lighted photograph of a magazine, but the map seems to fit with prior leaks.

[Khellendros]

In-depth article on Rockstar and crunch, apparently Schreier started investigating before Houser even gave that interview about 100-hour week which blew up.

http://www.kotaku.co...lture-of-crunch

Worth reading all the way through, especially the bit where Rockstar invite him to their offices to interview people.

[Malankazooie]

[Aptorian]

Review embargo lifts in 5 hours. Anticipation rising.

[Aptorian]

Khellendros, on 24 October 2018 - 02:04 PM, said:

In-depth article on Rockstar and crunch, apparently Schreier started investigating before Houser even gave that interview about 100-hour week which blew up.

http://www.kotaku.co...lture-of-crunch

Worth reading all the way through, especially the bit where Rockstar invite him to their offices to interview people.

Read about half of the article yesterday. I don't really care what their working hours are as long as they are compensated for their work. That's what the outrage should be about. Waving some potential big bonus 3-7 years into the future is a load of bullshit.

It's easy to be motivated when you're the owner and you're earning tens of millions a game. It's anothe thing to ask your employees to sign away their life for "the project".

This post has been edited by Alternative Goose: 25 October 2018 - 06:12 AM

[Maark Abbott]

Alternative Goose, on 25 October 2018 - 06:11 AM, said:

Khellendros, on 24 October 2018 - 02:04 PM, said:

In-depth article on Rockstar and crunch, apparently Schreier started investigating before Houser even gave that interview about 100-hour week which blew up.

http://www.kotaku.co...lture-of-crunch

Worth reading all the way through, especially the bit where Rockstar invite him to their offices to interview people.

Read about half of the article yesterday. I don't really care what their working hours are as long as they are compensated for their work. That's what the outrage should be about. Waving some potential big bonus 3-7 years into the future is a load of bullshit.

It's easy to be motivated when you're the owner and you're earning tens of millions a game. It's anothe thing to ask your employees to sign away their life for "the project".

I've heard some horror stories to be honest. Who's that person here who used to work for Bioware? I'd ask them...

[Khellendros]

Alternative Goose, on 25 October 2018 - 06:11 AM, said:

Khellendros, on 24 October 2018 - 02:04 PM, said:

In-depth article on Rockstar and crunch, apparently Schreier started investigating before Houser even gave that interview about 100-hour week which blew up.

http://www.kotaku.co...lture-of-crunch

Worth reading all the way through, especially the bit where Rockstar invite him to their offices to interview people.

Read about half of the article yesterday. I don't really care what their working hours are as long as they are compensated for their work. That's what the outrage should be about. Waving some potential big bonus 3-7 years into the future is a load of bullshit.

It's easy to be motivated when you're the owner and you're earning tens of millions a game. It's anothe thing to ask your employees to sign away their life for "the project".

It also paints a different picture on the employees coming out with positive comments after Rockstar lifted their ban on employees talking about their jobs: they need the game to succeed in order to be paid for the overtime they put in already.

However, I would argue that it's not just about being paid your due. What's the point of getting the money if the hours you've put in leave you in a state of nervous breakdown, with relationships with family and friends destroyed, and perhaps unable to work long-term again in the industry you love because of the effect it's had on your mental health.

I found Jennifer Kelbe's (I think that was her name, the manager person) comments the most interesting: She talked about how she herself worked crazy long hours, but stopped after her child was born because she realised there are more important things and she needed a better balance, and she felt everyone should do the same. But the lack of self-awareness about her position in comparison to those below her was quite astonishing. She didn't seem to understand that those in lower positions felt like they simply didn't have the option of working fewer hours, because it was so ingrained in the culture that if you wanted to advance to any level of seniority, or, indeed, simply keep your job, you had to do it.

Oh, and the 'you don't work here till the game is finished, you don't get on the credits' thing is bullshit.

This post has been edited by Khellendros: 25 October 2018 - 08:41 AM

[Morgoth]

Alternative Goose, on 25 October 2018 - 06:11 AM, said:

Khellendros, on 24 October 2018 - 02:04 PM, said:

In-depth article on Rockstar and crunch, apparently Schreier started investigating before Houser even gave that interview about 100-hour week which blew up.

http://www.kotaku.co...lture-of-crunch

Worth reading all the way through, especially the bit where Rockstar invite him to their offices to interview people.

Read about half of the article yesterday. I don't really care what their working hours are as long as they are compensated for their work. That's what the outrage should be about. Waving some potential big bonus 3-7 years into the future is a load of bullshit.

It's easy to be motivated when you're the owner and you're earning tens of millions a game. It's anothe thing to ask your employees to sign away their life for "the project".

So you don't care whether people are forced to work 80-100 hour weeks as long as they get paid for their time? That sort of predatory practices are illegal in Denmark if I'm not mistaken.

[Aptorian]

Well, the key word is forced. If it's communicated straight up - Hey we work day and night on this shit, like on an oil rig. But we'll reward you beyond your wildest desires. - Then it's fine. They know what they're getting in to.

Lots of people in Denmark work ridiculous hours, like for example a lawyer trying to make Partner in a law firm but there's an understanding there and there's a substantial pay off.

In Denmark we have over-time that will double or triple your wages. Depending on the hours you work.

This post has been edited by Alternative Goose: 25 October 2018 - 12:47 PM

[Aptorian]

The reviews are in and it looks really good.

I'd watch out for the reviews though. Just skimmed the final verdicts and of course an asshole spoiled a part of the games ending.

[Malankazooie]

God of War sat at the top of OpenCritic's best rated game of the year at 95. Red Dead Redemption 2 just replaced GoW for the best rated game of the year with a 97. Other then that, probably staying away from most reviews.

[Traveller]

I've still seen nothing. And I'm not going to even look. Flying back home tonight; hopefully Amazon will be reliable (despatched already) and I'll be downloading it soon.

This post has been edited by Traveller: 25 October 2018 - 03:06 PM

[Serenity]

I watched the Easy Allies review. It looks awesome indeed. I'll get it at some point.

[Malankazooie]

Whew! I was getting worried, but I just checked my email and finally got a shipping notice and tracking # for my copy of RDR2. The estimated delivery time is 10:30 AM (Friday morning).

I was so worried about not getting any notifications that I sent them an email on Tuesday asking about the order (squeaky wheel gets the grease ). They replied back with a canned response with something like:

"Your product is a pre-order and has not been released yet. We do not have an estimate of when your product will be released. As soon as your order is available it will promptly be fulfilled and you will be notified via email."

It was going to be a total bummer if they didn't ship it in time for release day. Now I just gotta hope that UPS is on the ball. I've had bad experiences with them in the past. The driver/deliverer may just receive a punch in the dick if he doesn't deliver a per the time posted in the email.

[Khellendros]

Alternative Goose, on 25 October 2018 - 12:45 PM, said:

Well, the key word is forced. If it's communicated straight up - Hey we work day and night on this shit, like on an oil rig. But we'll reward you beyond your wildest desires. - Then it's fine. They know what they're getting in to.

Lots of people in Denmark work ridiculous hours, like for example a lawyer trying to make Partner in a law firm but there's an understanding there and there's a substantial pay off.

In Denmark we have over-time that will double or triple your wages. Depending on the hours you work.

Just because someone is willing to put in crazy hours does not mean they should. A business *should* have a responsibility for its employees' wellbeing. A football player who suffers a concussion but is desperate to play on because he loves the team, his job, and feels both need him, is nevertheless taken off the field for their own safety.

This post has been edited by Khellendros: 25 October 2018 - 10:11 PM

[Aptorian]

You're right of course. People should avoid overworking themselves.

CSR should have a handle on something like that.

[Traveller]

Beautiful game so far.

Those snow tracks...

Good to see that hog-tying someone is as satisfying as ever.

This post has been edited by Traveller: 27 October 2018 - 04:57 PM

[Malankazooie]

Damn, that was a brutal install. Took both discs.

Just finished the opening. Damn this is a beautiful game. The snow effects are gorgeous.

Spoiler

Damn, I was smacking around the O'Driscoll gang member in the barn, and just wanted to put as much scare as possible in him and let him live, bit I hit him one too many times and killed him. I was like - 'oh shit, that's probably going to have consequences later'. But right after, when I found out what the O'Driscoll gang did to Sadie Adler, I didn't feel bad about it at all.

Definitely going to keep my eye on Micah. Dude aint right in the head and I know he's going to be trouble eventually

[Malankazooie]

Okay, played through the second mission. Damn, there is a lot more managing aspects about your physical vitality then I was expecting. It's something I think I will need to adjust to and it will become second nature after awhile.

Spoiler

Aw. Second mission was saving John Marston. I sure hope he and Arthur Morgan (character you play) stay steadfast friends after the story of RDR2. Since this is a prequel to RDR, and playing through that, I have my doubts.

Tried to go with 'Free Aim' while mounted/riding in vehicle. But in the mission those wolves were not easy to lock in on, so changed option back to 'Normal' aim assist. Keeping 'Free Aim' turned on for when I'm on foot. Did ok with it on that first mission (but not great). Will continue a little more with this setting until I feel I need aim assist.


[EDIT]Forgot to add that after this second mission, game opens up a little now, and I can choose which mission (that is available) to do next.

This post has been edited by Malankazooie: 27 October 2018 - 02:43 AM

[Traveller]

That's the one I played last night, plus a deer hunt in the forest.

Spoiler

weird seeing John so early on, and getting flashbacks to RD1, and what he does to certain people! I love the seamless integration of gameplay and story. Can't really call them cut scenes as there's no cut! I played the Driscoll fight a few times to practice, bit rusty with the controls and still only got a bronze - will have to work on that. Lost my hat at one point, was able to find it later though while looting. I went straight into the food gathering mission as he was the first person I spoke to, I'm guessing there's more training missions, all leading up to a train heist.

This post has been edited by Traveller: 27 October 2018 - 06:22 AM