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[StueyDuck]

HeisenbergFX4 being an experienced athlete says it best. It's probably the ultimate in juggling performance, attitude and budget without needing to shoehorn in DEI loser policies. You dont see a sports team purposely saying they got to sign Player X due to race, Player Y due to age, Player Z due to gender or whatever other demographic metric something can think of. But a lot of desk jobber roles push for it. Funny how you never see the same DEI push in blue collar roles getting dirty outside or working a factory floor.

Just imagine if the Leafs, Jays or Raptors had to follow DEI ratio rules . Instead of building the best team they can, they purposely construct a team that reflects the GTA demographics (Greater Toronto Area, not the game!). It would be something like:

Keeping to sports

The South African Springbok Rugby side is currently the strongest it's ever been throughout the history of the sport, and thats mostly because they are picking players based on merit and skill.

You will notice that the ethnicity of the team is extremely varied and naturally diverse, along with the first black captain to take the side to 2 consecutive world cup victories, making them the first team to ever win the world cup twice in a row and the first team to have ever won the cup 4 times overall.

It's a tremendously incredible team. Anyone who knows anything about the sport can see this list and know just how nasty it is. It's like 2 full World Cup championship-winning sides, and that's just the pool to pick from

Then you take the rest of South African sport, especially things like Cricket, which we used to be a top-tier side, ruined by race theory and quotas.

 

[Nostalgic Nightmare]

These AAA companies hired a bunch of no-talent racist activists during the past decade, put them in prominent roles, and decimated established IPs with existing fan bases. As the games failed they blamed the customer and let their warped hires do PR smears on socials instead of asking why the 1% (aka the modern audience) didn't show up and buy (hint, they are miserable, terminally online, performative victimhood gooners)
These same companies now want you to get on the trolley with their $80 game narrative to make up for their misguided morality grandstanding and shit business acumen.
Remember this when you mindlessly chuck your hard earned money at their treadmill slop - or maybe show some fucking restraint and let them lie in the bed they made.

 

[DeafTourette]

Lets put aside the shitty ideas argument.

Hundreds of people lost their job because they were NOT able to produce a game. Even if those hundreds of people were legimetely hired (highly unlikely), they proved themselves unfit for the job. That Starbucks chick may be the nicest person in this world, but she can't work in the videogame industry at a managerial level.

As a player, I mostly want to enjoy good games. If they can't make good games, I want someone else in their place. It's that simple.

Finding out that they are assholes is the cherry on top.

So... Non-white people can't be legitimately hired with the actual skills needed to make a game? WOW

 

[StueyDuck]

So... Non-white people can't be legitimately hired with the actual skills needed to make a game? WOW

lol you know that's not they are saying.

get outta here with that shit.

 

[DeafTourette]

lol you know that's not they are saying.

get outta here with that shit.

He literally said "highly unlikely" ...

 

[StueyDuck]

He literally said "highly unlikely" ...

he's talking about merit, not race.

 

[DeafTourette]

he's talking about merit, not race.

OK.

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

So... Non-white people can't be legitimately hired with the actual skills needed to make a game? WOW

Dude, cut the race crap. The Starbucks barista girl I was referring to is whiter than your teeth.

Non-qualified people should NOT be hired, regardless of any other personal circumstance. This studio has been shut down due to extreme incompetency, nothing to do with political views or biases from their staff.

 

[DeafTourette]

Dude, cut the race crap. The Starbucks barista girl I was referring to is whiter than your teeth.

Non-qualified people should NOT be hired, regardless of any other personal circumstance. This studio has been shut down due to extreme incompetency, nothing to do with political views or biases from their staff.

Ok. Maybe I'm wrong so I'll concede

 

[StueyDuck]

This studio has been shut down due to extreme incompetency, nothing to do with political views or biases from their staff.

It's not going to be the last either, people need to ready themselves for a lot more of this.

A good example already is Haven Studios at Sony, with FairGames already sounding like a bust and the Head of the company jumping ship, the writings on the wall.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

First, you're not understanding my perception because you're either not American black or haven't experienced certain things in this country.

Second, I said "kinda" because there have been many instances of black people not feeling safe or heard in majority white spaces. If you don't understand that, you don't understand and that's ok. And given the history of this country (and yes, there was plenty of racism in the 90s against black and brown people), I understand why so many (non-white) people want to have safe spaces.

And 3rd, i get wanting to have a group of mostly POC folks. Again, because of those instances.

In no way am I saying "black people are racist"... It's just not the direction I'd go (that she took). There are plenty of talented black and brown (as well as white) people in that industry and I'd want them to have a seat at the table, a table they're more often than not even invited to despite their talent. But I'd also have white people in my company. Talent above all and there ARE talented black and brown folks in the gaming industry.

If I want a black protagonist, I'd ask for black folk's perspective and experience to contribute... Same if I had a Native American protagonist, I'd have Native American input... Or if I had an Asian American protagonist... You get what I'm saying? I can't use my own singular perspective and apply it to any protagonist if it's a different "race" or culture from my own. Neither your or my experiences are universally applicable. Just like you can't apply yours to an Appalachian woman character's experience and I can't apply mine to a South African character's...

In the past, having an all black group like the Tuskegee Airmen was because of circumstance beyond their control... Having, as an example, an all black flight crew is also a matter of circumstances (so is an all white flight crew). In business, it's good to have a group with varied life experiences and viewpoints, even ones you may not agree with.

I hope I made that as clear as possible but I have a feeling some will not see my meaning. And my meaning is exactly what I said. I don't do hidden messages.

There is also a massive difference between WANTING a team made of mixed backgrounds for better input vs going out of your way to exclude an entire race to make you feel safer

I also in no way implying all black or all whites are racist but this person in this video clearly is

I just tend to think there would be a lot more backlash if a white guy went on video and was bold enough to say they wont hire POC because they do not feel safe around them

Ok. Maybe I'm wrong so I'll concede

People can feel however they like but I think if you as a POC kind of gets what they are saying and tell me an older white guy you couldn't work with me because you wouldn't feel safe that becomes a you problem

You help me achieve a successful end goal I personally don't care what the color of your skin is

You bring that stuff into the work environment we likely wont achieve our goals

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Non-qualified people should NOT be hired, regardless of any other personal circumstance. This studio has been shut down due to extreme incompetency, nothing to do with political views or biases from their staff.

Unfortunately, tech and media companies have been amping up on tons of employees for years. So it's now time to trim the fat. It wasnt a matter of if, but when and how much.

Tech/media/entertainment companies always seem to have so much money floating around itching to be spent.

A lot of this had to do with politics and seeds planted during covid when digital based companies all skyrocketed as people were at home buying up stuff. So they amped up hiring trying to pump out more games. And sometimes politically driven. 2024-2025 is the worst time to releasing the final product as it's a different sentiment.

Consumer goods companies also skyrocketed during covid as people sat home bored. Aside from dumbass Peloton loading up (not surprising since they have a tech heavy product), most boring consumer goods companies just tried to make more product adding more shift work. Thats kinds of it. I dont think any went ape shit building more plants hiring an extra 40,000 people. Everyone knew things would normalize. So just ride it out. But many tech and gaming companies loaded up on too many people. And when you hire too much and too fast, there is no way they can be all good.

It's like when youd read about the dot.com wild west 25 years ago when tech company recruiters would be hiring college science and tech kids asap by roaming the residency grounds hiring any students they can find. No wonder so many companies died back then. Too much bad hiring, bad product strategies and too much easy money floating around.

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

Ok. Maybe I'm wrong so I'll concede

I'm just sexist, not racist.

 

[DeepEnigma]

I'm just sexy, and racy.

 

[Shmunter]

First, you're not understanding my perception because you're either not American black or haven't experienced certain things in this country.

Second, I said "kinda" because there have been many instances of black people not feeling safe or heard in majority white spaces. If you don't understand that, you don't understand and that's ok. And given the history of this country (and yes, there was plenty of racism in the 90s against black and brown people), I understand why so many (non-white) people want to have safe spaces.

And 3rd, i get wanting to have a group of mostly POC folks. Again, because of those instances.

In no way am I saying "black people are racist"... It's just not the direction I'd go (that she took). There are plenty of talented black and brown (as well as white) people in that industry and I'd want them to have a seat at the table, a table they're more often than not even invited to despite their talent. But I'd also have white people in my company. Talent above all and there ARE talented black and brown folks in the gaming industry.

If I want a black protagonist, I'd ask for black folk's perspective and experience to contribute... Same if I had a Native American protagonist, I'd have Native American input... Or if I had an Asian American protagonist... You get what I'm saying? I can't use my own singular perspective and apply it to any protagonist if it's a different "race" or culture from my own. Neither your or my experiences are universally applicable. Just like you can't apply yours to an Appalachian woman character's experience and I can't apply mine to a South African character's...

In the past, having an all black group like the Tuskegee Airmen was because of circumstance beyond their control... Having, as an example, an all black flight crew is also a matter of circumstances (so is an all white flight crew). In business, it's good to have a group with varied life experiences and viewpoints, even ones you may not agree with.

I hope I made that as clear as possible but I have a feeling some will not see my meaning. And my meaning is exactly what I said. I don't do hidden messages.

This stay in your lane stuff where one can only comment or write from one's own experience is absurd to me. Countless novels, stories and other literature has been created by single individuals commenting on things beyond their own identity or skin color. No wonder game production is in the toilet budget wise, you need one of everything dare you step out of bounds.

I guess that's why every female protag in our entertainment is a hairy armpit skank or a land whale that is always right - liberal women devs that don't shower.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

This stay in your lane stuff where one can only comment or write from one's own experience is absurd to me. Countless novels, stories and other literature has been created by single individuals commenting on things beyond their own identity or skin color. No wonder game production is in the toilet budget wise, you need one of everything dare you step out of bounds.

I guess that's why every female protag in our entertainment is a hairy armpit skank or a land whale that is always right - liberal women devs that don't shower.

Exactly.

Stay in your lane views come from people who are afraid to lose stuff or think they are know it alls. Kind of like grandma's house filled with junk for 50 years like she's a candidate for Hoarders tv show. They love to take things, but hate to give up things. Or Cliff Clavin thinking he's the smartest guy in the room.

Knowledge is based on a combination of learning and experiences, which should hopefully also lead to being smart and intuitive (learn from example kind of thing). To do something, nobody needs to cover all bases. You can do a good job just from learning. If everything was based on actual experiences, then there should be zero teachers in the world because everything they teach is based on ancient math and content from 100s or even 1000s of years ago. They never lived it. They are just regurgitating what they read in textbooks.

One of my fav TV shows is Married with Children. Legendary show. One of the key guys who made the show is a black guy Michael Moye. Who cares if he's Black. If he wants to make a TV show based on suburban white people go for it. It would be stupid if he was relegated to only sticking in his lane like his past work on 227 and Jeffersons.

 

[Ozzie666]

As long as the next Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order / Survivor conclusion releases, all these marvel games can die in a fire.

Blank Panther died so Cal Kestis can finish his story. Black Panther could have had some really cool combat mechanics though and the scenary of Wakanda would have been a great setting.

 

[GymWolf]

Some people in here acting like black people are a single entity that think and act all the same like fucking robots.

Like born place, upbringing and all that shit has no effect on people and only skin color matter...

A white dude from the ghetto is gonna have more in common with a black dude from the ghetto than a rich black dude born in a rich family.


Some Black people acting like they have the same shit coded in their dna is never gonna be not funny.

Then don't get mad if some people stereotype your asses, this is what you think of yourselfs to begin with.

 

[PeteBull]

A white dude from the ghetto is gonna have more in common with a black dude from the ghetto than a rich black dude born in a rich family.

Yups, i wonder how many black ppl living in rich/good homes saw 6 policemen(with guns, altho no riot gear, they wore normal everyday clothes) arrest their neighbour who lives 2 floors above them(guy was/is career criminal, never worked honest job in his life and is already in his mid 40s ;p ), and im polish(aka 99,9% white catholic christians), just living in relatively poor/dangerous area.

There are perks to that stuff tho, mortgage is very tiny and when u got high security prison about 200 meters/220 yards away its best ever reminder to keep being upstanding law obidient citizen, u keep urself fit/going to the gym/workout regulary when u know u can get jumped every day, pr0 tip- use this to carry ur phone/wallet/id/keys so u keep ur hands free incase they are needed

 

[Bradamante3D]

Last year, CEO Andrew Wilson announced the company would be "moving away from development of future licensed IP that we do not believe will be successful in our changing industry."

Thank you for clarifying, Andrew. So I guess until now EA was fully invested in licensed IP that they never believed will be successful in our changing industry.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

When this cull is done, is EA going to do anything outside of sports games and maybe letting Hazelight do something every 3-5 years?

No.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Thank you for clarifying, Andrew. So I guess until now EA was fully invested in licensed IP that they never believed will be successful in our changing industry.

Or that the changes in the industry makes these IP more difficult than when they initially invested in them.

Not every game is going to be Hogwarts Legacy or Spider-Man. Most are going to be Guardians or Avengers and that just doesn't fly when the games can cost 200+ million dollars.

We see games that have an 85+ metacritic not sell super well. Again, that doesn't fly when games cost 200+ million.

Indiana Jones is a great example of that. With no Blade movie, I wouldn't be surprised if the Blade game gets canceled. It's way easier to create your own IP like Naughty Dog has done with Uncharted, The Last of Us, and Intergalactic. More risky for sure, but look at what you can do on the backend owning full rights.

Mixed rights things like The Witcher and Cyberpunk and full rights things like Fallout and The Last of Us have changed the industry in the last 6 years.

 

[Rhazer Fusion]

the era of licensed IPs are dead (again)

I definitely wouldn't mind. That's perfectly fine with me.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Game companies getting ripped off with licensing fees. 30% is tossed around. LOL.

Every company I've worked at with licensed IPs like Marvel, Disney, animated characters XYZ etc... have been somewhere between 5% and 12.5%. Who the fuck wants to pay 30%? lol

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Some people in here acting like black people are a single entity that think and act all the same like fucking robots.

Like born place, upbringing and all that shit has no effect on people and only skin color matter...

A white dude from the ghetto is gonna have more in common with a black dude from the ghetto than a rich black dude born in a rich family.


Some Black people acting like they have the same shit coded in their dna is never gonna be not funny.

Then don't get mad if some people stereotype your asses, this is what you think of yourselfs to begin with.

Yup.

No white people or other ethnic background thinks this way. But often times it seems like a Black person born and bred in USA thinks random Black people who grew up in South Africa, the Caribbean, or let's say in UK or Germany are all global brothers and sisters like they all act and think American. It's like that funny Maddox post from way back (that guy running the best page in universe). He posted a pic of I think Andy Cole (UK soccer player), but it might had been someone else. If you didnt know who he was, you'd think he's African American. Then Maddox said if you thought that youre an idiot because he's British. Dont be a moron thinking every Black guy is American.

There's a lot of Indian people in Canada (often heavily pocketed in BC and Ontario). Pretty sure a family who was born and grew up in Victoria is a lot different than someone growing up in India. Heck, a lot of Indian people born in BC living there their whole life have probably never even visited India.