Why did they take a holiday break? Can't wrap my head around it.

CaptainKremmen

CaptainKremmen
When I worked in London (software industry), things were gradually tightening up when it came to accrued leave.


In the early 1990s, we were all working incredibly hard, and holidays just built up and built up. Management allowed that to continue for a good while.

But towards the end of the 1990s, a change began. We were told that we either took our yearly leave entitlements each year... or we lost them!


I remember the people in the admin/accounting department complaining that massive accrued leave was a nightmare for them, as they had to account for it in the books - and at a certain point, it became a serious millstone/liability.

Not really my area, and I haven't worked in Europe for a good while now.



I'm very impressed that the FD developers got a clean, stable game together for release date. I bet they were all completely exhausted, though. Christmas/New Year time off? Perfect. I bet there were a good few pints raised up in celebration. Well earned. :)
 

Muthax

M
I am so happy I was born in Europe.....

You guys really have to start doing something about your lives, for a very rich country your citizens don't really live better than people in developing countries.
 

Marikc0

Marikc0
Krighten said:
I know this may seem like trolling, but I swear it isn't. I'm legitimately curious with my own toes dipping into the industry.

If I just spent years developing a game (Most I've spent is a few months), kick-starters, a labor of passion and love, and finally made it to release and put it out in the world - the last thing I would do is take the holidays off. Most developers view that initial window as a crucial time to get into the community, provide feedback, address bugs, keep that first wave "hooked". I know the holidays are a time to spend with family and perhaps I understand having a day off, but a two-three week hiatus? If I was in that position, I'd have a heart attack. This isn't a criticism of a game nor a criticism of the developers, I'm just awe struck.
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You are trolling. They have every right to take a break during the holidays just like you. Get a grip kid.
 

Shannon

S
Reading this makes me so glad I live in a country with sensible labour laws where I don't have to work every waking minute to feed and house myself, or pay for a doctor if I get sick.

Having said that, I bet some devs are working over the holidays and others will be 'on call' to come in if any major problems occur.
 

Space

Space
It's nice because all the disappointment is happening now, and we won't have to deal with people screaming unreasonable things at the developers after every update. I am fed up how people are judging this as a final release with no updates but bug fixes coming.
 

Milky82

M
You can live to work or work to live, I know what makes me happy.

FD deserve a few days off and the team will come back refreshed and recharged to allow us to enjoy our free time.
 

CloneWarrior85

CloneWarrior85
Krighten said:
Yup, I'm American. Regardless of that 4 week policy, a company (especially a game development company) would never place those 2 weeks post launch.
I can't recall anytime a game development company took a hiatus immediately post launch, even in SP development. It's unheard of.

I'm not saying that ethically they don't deserve that time off, I just know if I was in their shoes, there's no way I could take that time off.
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Valve
Blizzard
Raven
Bethsoft
Bohemia
Rocksteady Studios
Treyarch
Infinity Ward
2K Games

Must i go on?

Every single company, either after one or another game took a good and well deserved time off after the release of a game.

They are workers, and they also deserve a time off after the completion of a project.


Also.. it's Christmas, know any company, specially a gaming company that works on these weeks? Not a single one.
 

Agony_Aunt

Agony_Aunt
@OP - lol.

Guess this must really be a US mentality thing. Come live on the other side of the pond. We like to relax a little. Try Spain, who tend to sleep after lunch. Or France, where the whole country goes on strike if someone dare suggest they work more than 36 hours per week.
 

MikeSnos

MikeSnos
Krighten said:
I know this may seem like trolling, but I swear it isn't. I'm legitimately curious with my own toes dipping into the industry.

If I just spent years developing a game (Most I've spent is a few months), kick-starters, a labor of passion and love, and finally made it to release and put it out in the world - the last thing I would do is take the holidays off. Most developers view that initial window as a crucial time to get into the community, provide feedback, address bugs, keep that first wave "hooked". I know the holidays are a time to spend with family and perhaps I understand having a day off, but a two-three week hiatus? If I was in that position, I'd have a heart attack. This isn't a criticism of a game nor a criticism of the developers, I'm just awe struck.
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Blimey... a potential late entrant for 2014's selfish and stupid awards...

Glad you're awe-struck though... :)
 
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antonygoldrick

antonygoldrick
Angelo said:
As someone already mentioned FD are UK based and here in EU we put health & family above all else. It looks crazy from the business perspective, but that's how it is. At least you get to learn something about our way of life for a change :D .
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Sounds suspiciously socialist if you ask me. :eek:

True capitalists would have the staff manning the desk 24/7

and no tea breaks I might add :D
 

Muthax

M
Loki_666 said:
@OP - lol.

Guess this must really be a US mentality thing. Come live on the other side of the pond. We like to relax a little. Try Spain, who tend to sleep after lunch. Or France, where the whole country goes on strike if someone dare suggest they work more than 36 hours per week.
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LOL we don't sleep after lunch! Well, at least not in Catalunya and winter... (though I wish we did!)

The 'siesta' thing is more in the south where in later spring/summer you go over 40º at noon so shops close and people stay inside

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

antonygoldrick said:
Sounds suspiciously socialist if you ask me. :eek:

True capitalists would have the staff manning the desk 24/7

and no tea breaks I might add :D
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Sudden flashbacks of "The Meaning of Life"
 

Korenwolf

K
saviornt said:
What companies are these? All of the companies I've worked for only give employees 1 week off,
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UK (and European Law), 20 days paid holiday per year minimum (this can include public holidays). Please remember that FD is a UK company not a US one where the employee has near zero rights.
 

Nøhr

Nøhr
Rockspider said:
A lot of company's shut down for 2 weeks over Christmas.
Whats the big deal ?
They still have staff on to monitor servers, forums etc
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This.
What's the hurry OP?
I'd rather have well rested devs, all full of fire and energy to take op further developments in the new year - than a bunch of exhausted, ineffective stressed people who will make rookie mistakes for lack of sleep.
Also, since I have some of that empathy thing, I generally want people to be content with what they do. I root for other people.

Can I be impatient? Sure, but that doesn't entitle me anything.

FD rocks big time.
 

Muthax

M
Korenwolf said:
UK (and European Law), 20 days paid holiday per year minimum (this can include public holidays). Please remember that FD is a UK company not a US one where the employee has near zero rights.
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Thank God after 2-3 crappy years we finally got Xmas on Thursday ;)
 

Jay8ch

J
The launch was a technical success and it went really smoothly. They deserve a break. They're not our slaves just because we paid a few quid for a game. If they get really fed up with their work they'll change jobs and then where will we be?
 

Korenwolf

K
CaptainKremmen said:
When I worked in London (software industry), things were gradually tightening up when it came to accrued leave.
Click to expand...

My employer allowed us to carry forward five days from one holiday year to the next, providing they were used before the end of Q1, that's now gone. Use it or lose it. All my direct reports get me nagging them from ~May each year to think about their holiday plans (I need to ensure cover over Summer and Xmas holiday periods) and to use it all before year end.

Better to have relaxed / rested staff than overworked grumpy people.
 

Ben_BigBen

Ben_BigBen
I know job competition is tough in the US and taking holiday is seen as not being a committed team player, etc. Things are different in the UK and doesn't affect the quality/quantity of the work either.

FWIW I'm in work right now (just to clarify that the whole UK doesn't shut down for two weeks !)
 
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