The former technical director of the Microsoft devices and entertainment division, Jay Allard, believes that hard work in the gaming industry forces many developers to quit creating titles and go to other industries.
In his opinion, the creation of video games constantly requires a person to neglect personal interests and give all his free time to work. This disrupts the balance between work and life, which inevitably leads to burnout and loss of interest.
Allard added that due to network titles and the “game as a service” model, this situation is only getting worse, because the team of such a project has to support and develop it for a very long time.
“When Matt Damon plays in a movie, he spends 2 to 6 months on the set, then gives several interviews before the premiere — and his work is ready. And the Halo team does not have a moment at all when their work is finally ready,” said Jay Allard.
Allard said that gaming companies need to protect employees, create better working conditions and not exploit the enthusiasm of developers, because many of them easily find better-paying jobs outside the gaming industry, where they are not required to constantly recycle.
Jay Allard himself left Microsoft in 2010 and today heads the company Project 529, which develops mobile software for cyclists.
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