Game news This French video game studio is singled out because its employees are “mistreated”
The mistreatment of employees in the world of video games is debated and many studios are denounced because of their corporate policy. Recently, this is the case in this French studio.
Don’t Nod has managed to find a place in the hearts of gamers with titles like Life is Strange, Jusant, and continues to arouse our curiosity for new licenses like Banishers. The strength of the French studio’s various titles lies in the themes addressed which are deemed mature and “progressive”. Except that recently, THE STJV (Video Game Workers Union) sounded the alarm regarding the working conditions of studio employees.
The STJV warns about working conditions at Don’t Nod
The Video Game Workers Union has made it its mission to defend people working in the gaming sector and recently took an interest in the Don’t Nod case. Following an increase in activities of 10.3% and a record result on October 19, 2023, the studio announces 8 games in production. Following this, the STJV is concerned that the company is not able to manage several parameters, which leads to situations such as “frequently changing deadlines, conflicting instructions and information, employees switching between different work groups without having a long-term vision on projects.” And above all “a total reorganization which took more than a year to put in place and which left entire teams behind.”
@DONTNOD_Ent gives itself the image of a progressive and “benevolent” studio.
The reality is not so simple and workers are regularly mistreated. This is evidenced by the numerous sick leaves and testimonies provided to the CSE and the STJV. 2/8https://t.co/wUqJdlW97C
— Video Game Workers Union (@stjv_fr) February 8, 2024
Several situations which can have psychological consequences on employees and add to this eventful game outings. The STJV notes that the developers who worked on Jusant, having not had the expected commercial success, remained without work to carry out for two months. Banishers, the latest, is another example of this management, since its release date was changed from November 7 to February 13. Add to this teams lacking members with 39% of studio employees who feel their workload is too highaccording to the union, there is cause for concern, especially at the start of the year which is marked by massive layoffs for many studios.
Complicated working conditions in the world of video games
Don’t Nod joins the list of many studios having received comments from its employees on working conditions, and for several years there has been a real spotlight on mistreatment and complicated working conditions. We remember in particular the accusations in 2020 against from Ubisoft with complaints of sexual assault within the company which had led to departures within the company.
In 2018, Quantic Dream, the French studio behind Detroit: Become Human in particular, had mainly seen its director, David Cagebeing accused of sexism, racism and homophobia following several complaints from its employees. The main person concerned then declared to the OBS having been shocked by these accusations and had notably won his case against The world after a defamation complaint. And how not to quote Rockstarwhich the same year was accused of mistreating its employees by making them work up to 100 hours a week. In short, there is a long way to go to make the world of work in video games completely healthy.