Fallout from the Tiberium Cancellation Begins

[Sonic 295]

Gamasutra have an article about the cancellation of Tiberium, that's no surprise as it was splashed across every major gaming news site. What is shocking is that many of the ex-developers who were probably on the Tiberium team or who have previously worked at EALA have used the comments section of this article as their public forum to air some dirty laundry. It paints a horrible picture about EALA and as you read though some of the comments you can understand why Tiberium got axed. Many of the comments from the ex-developers are posted as "Anonymous", true or untrue they do shine some light on what happens behind closed doors.

 

I should also point out the cancellation of Tiberium has nothing to do with the EALA C&C RTS team working on Red Alert 3. Its a completely separate team. But its a real shame to see rubbish like this get out for all the public to see. Not very professional. If you want to read some the comments posted follow this link. Hurry though they may not last.

[hagren 0]

They are a bunch of disrespectful individuals, even if it may be legitimate. Almost everyone is treated badly at their workplace, no reason for name calling and spewing venom. I'm refusing to post this link at CnC-Files for that very reason.

 

Before anyone flames me to death, let me explain why I'm writing this:

I talked about the issue with some of the LA employees and whilst EA was a bad place to work some years ago, it's a good enviroment since 05.

[sith_wampa 6]

Wow, that's rough... Wouldn't want to be any of them. There seems to be a unanimous feeling about the management, and not a very good one.

[recover 2]

It looks pretty legit.

A real development hell.

 

Interesting to note the predictions from the first anonymous:

-EALA will shut down, the RTS team is great but only sells 1mill units, hardly enough to stay in business for EA

-Tiberuim shuts down, lays off jrs, moves experienced to MOH

-MOH team is moved to Pandemic, keeps same GM as Exec Prod. on new IP.

-EA Casual, which has now hired a horrible ex Brasher SR Prod Trujillo, will also move to Pandemic.

Just posting this since that person probably know more what's going on internally at EA than the rest of us.

[Saracen 16]

My, My, That comments section is one hell of an anti EALA venting forum right now.

 

So, we're back to buying tickets to board this boat again. Unrest amongst the staff, complaints about management, and dirty mouth comments? There are so many ways to look at this, and so many ways to imagine the scenarios. The question begs.... are the EA guys actually happy with their jobs? or was all this original unhappy stuff just swept under the rug? Could it be a pretence on many a behalf to something greater? Or do we just have a few upset developers who are struggling to come to terms with the heat in this cut-throat industry?

 

Such words here, given the right media attention can do some serious damage. On all levels this could send another shockwave through the industry. If this was a smaller company, no one would really take note, or batter an eye-lid. But being EA, as big as they are, this could mean a little trouble.

 

I believe somewhere between the main EA CEO and the peons known as the developers, there's a Hierarchical rift. The main CEO is probably a genuine guy who believes everything is running smoothly. He carries one huge axe, but it sits in a case on the wall, because he tells his executives what he wants and such, and is generally very happy with his company that's entertaining the world. He appreciates the work of every person from his right hand team all the way down to Aaron Kaufman and beyond, and even the cleaning lady who mops the floors. They all do an excellent job, and he values that fact.

 

But of course, those underneath him have large axes too, and they're not there for show... Big Boss is a happy guy, but since he has the biggest axe of all, then you've gotta make/keep big boss happy. Somewhere down the line is a boss who sharpens his axe more than he brushes his own teeth, and he/she is the rift that causes problems for all below him. Cos this guy wants a bigger axe, his greed is not enough, he needs big Boss's axe! In order to get that, everyone below him will suffer.

 

It's the same in any major company. It's all about the Hierarchy and the capitalist gain, the targets and the push to keep Big Boss happy. So axes will be used... things get chopped! Jobs, projects, funding... it happens, it's business. But the one thing I believe EA don't have is Employee prosperity and morale. And I think if decisions were made within the company on a more respectful basis rather than grabbing its employees by the throat and making demands, then EA would prosper internally, and you wouldn't get stuff like these comments come out.

 

But no, something tells me that back when employees were complaining about hours and pay... they were told to shut up or get out... the problem swept under the rug, and everything sugar coated to the outside world to make things appear better. Such comments from this article do give me the impression that not much was really resolved. A few kicks up the backside instead dealt with the voices crying for help.

[hagren 0]

I heard these are only a handful of dissatisfied devs. I also asked about the state of EALA and it's doing well, especially the RTS team.

Edited October 3, 2008 by hagren

[Louis EX 0]

Hurhurhur! Its really a big clusterf**k in there!

Edited October 3, 2008 by Louis EX

[Sonic 295]

If any of them are ex-Tiberium devs maybe they should have worked on the damn game and try to make something worthwhile out of the project, but they didn't and now they have had the plugged pulled on them. These people were hired to create a potential smash hit game but they failed and have been give the boot as a result of that.

Reading through some of the comments there gives me the impression that are just ****** off people who can't hack it in the industry.

 

I don't want to sound so cold hearted but why we should we care? The C&C franchise is all that matters to me. And if the worst were to happen and EALA shut up shop EA would simply move the C&C franchise to another studio.