<![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out - Kotaku Comments]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out - Kotaku Comments]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> I think Kotaku should ramp up the Banhammer scare. I think about 50% of the commenters in this thread need to seriously fear for their commenter-lives.

Pope John Peeps II

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> People should quit ragging on the guy. He's pointing out the obvious. Manhunt 1 & 2 are the most self-destructive, idiotic titles I have seen any firm produce. It would be obvious to a ten year old that neither game was advisable in any context, even for a company courting the kind of controversy that Rockstar does. It would be obvious to an objective observer that both games were going to get banned, and indeed they did.

I'm sure you put some feeble argument about a game selling on "artistic" or "free speech" grounds, but reality disagrees. Consoles require games to be rated, stores require games to be rated. Producing something which is banned / unrated means Rockstar lost millions which could have been used to produce a successful game. They are idiots to persist with Manhunt. Just drop it and learn where the line is.

DrXym

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @Bargo: Thanks.

Chintz

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> The main article for this is probably one of the most fascinating reads about the gaming industry I've ever seen. This is good stuff, and if he could stretch it out into a book, it would do pretty well.

Coherent

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Everyone, read the post before you comment. He was vocal about his distaste for Manhunt 1. Not Manhunt 2. He left before San Andreas was marketed. That was over three years ago. He was not involved in Manhunt 2. He kept his mouth shut about Rockstar until the controversy over Manhunt 2 flamed up recently. He's not a pissed off employee getting back at his boss.

thenino85

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @CHINTZ:

about the CMYK values of the R* logo. Black is not always black. In print, they usually put 50% of Cyan Magenta and Yellow underneath Black to give it a nicer and richer look. 100 % Black doesn't look as good. oh yeah... I'm a print expert.

Bargo

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> What a whiner. R* isn't so great, but I can't believe he's whining about manhunt. The other stuff he's whining about is well known and legit...but he's not adding anything.

RonJeremy4Pres

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> fact is lots of people left the Manhunt 2 dev team over content. at least that's what I was told by former R* Vienna employees (who worked on the title before that branch got the axe).

nordkreuz

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Hmmm,
There's nothing in this article that's particularly disturbing and its hardly a expose on the level of EA spouse, as it doesn't feel like he was exploited into slavery.

A messy office is pretty much down to the workers given freedom in the workplace.
Multiple chains of approvals and constant changes to your work seems about standard in a place where each iteration of your work needs to be QA'ed.
And a conflicting opinion on what the company is doing happens.
So to me this just seems like a square peg in a round hole, as opposed to a square peg in hell exploiting him till he drops.
There are far were places where you wouldn't have the freedom to be "pretty vocal in telling my superiors that while I'd do whatever they asked me to do (within reason), I didn't support Manhunt's release."

If we're talking about arrogance I think the poster has a fair amount himself. He certainly doesn't spare words in telling us how important he was, how many great sites he had a hand in and how great he is at taking screenshots.
I'd certainly be surprised if he was C&D'd








NinjaPoo

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> What? None of you guys (who're reprimanding this guy's rant for his ex-employers) ever quit a job in anger and ranted about the reasons why you left afterwards? Clearly, you're all saints, aren't ya?

StormTec

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> This guy doesn't sound all too intelligent to me. At least in writing. But then considering how everyone's IQ seems to drop when typing on the web... meh.

While I won't say the working environment he described promoted creativity and such, I'd say it did something right since Rockstar makes so many top-selling games. Some people actually do work better in those kinds of stressful environments. I'd prefer a more quiet one, but I'm the type that has trouble concentrating if I don't tune everything out.

Shadowmist

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @TheDollHouse: Is it strange that games tend to make me "happy"? I thought enjoying them was the point!

Anyways, so the guy doesn't want to be associated with excessively violent video games (or whatever his reason was to leave), there's no need to chastise him for it.

brello

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Seriously I think the only ones who can understand this guy are people who have worked in game development.

Or just have been in a poorly run company.

Witzbold

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> The whole thing reads like a bad high school essay about what you did last summer.

"I worked at this company last summer and it was awesome at first and then I did a website for them and then another website and but then it kinda started to suck and I left. And now I am back in school."

EA Spouse at least knew how to write.

Pixelantes Anonymous

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> I like how commenters who didn't work at Rockstar are trying to call this guy out as if they knew whether his words were true or not.

phinehas

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @TheDollHouse: Please stop trying so hard.

NighTrekr

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Working in the game industry isn't full rainbows, candy mountains, and waterfalls of caremel. It's harsh stressful and alot of times thankless career path. Marrages have fallen apart and people have been institutionalized because of their jobs. I still don't understand myself why I'm chosing this as a career path. It's probaly beacause I'm stupid.

After reading this article I would still love to work for Rockstar. It's partially about my fangirlness about the games they produce. The other reason is because unlike the person who wrote this article I'm not a very good person. On the outside I may seem like the girl nextdoor but secretly I'm a very horrible and depraved individual. I don't want to go the Miyamoto rute and only make games that make people "happy".

I'm not saying I disrespecting the guy about him leaving Rockstar. I totally give the man props for standing up for what he believes in and not willing to be abused. For me I'm a bit of a masochist.

TheDollHouse

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> *unless there's another person

Goddamn editless posts...

NighTrekr

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Whoa wait a second, this guy posts around here regularly! I thought I recognized the handle.

I mean, unless there's more another person coincidentally using the handle "badasscat" on Kotaku.

NighTrekr

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> As someone else who voluntarily left Rockstar, I can back up exactly what this guy is saying.

Specifically the "a few individuals who thought they were hot shit but really didn't know anything about either video games" quote. Frankly, the banning of Manhunt 2 is wonderful. It's actually a really good game and I feel bad for some (but not all) of the people that worked ridiculous hours on it, but as a "F**k you" to Rockstar's arrogance the banning of it is great.

Frankly, I sincerely hope they can't dig GTA 4 out of its current mire. Somehow, though, I suspect that they probably will...


Pizzicato

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Interesting look inside Rockstar. Really does sound like Rockstar is arrogant. GTA is one thing, but Manhunt is another. Played it on the PS2 and I thought it was a bit extreme to put it as a M rating. Well, opinions aside, good luck finding a job!

-

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @kyosen:

In all honesty... that's how my company is and we're aerospace. If I had an opportunity to vent about the shit my company does and someone lent me an ear... I'd be talking for days. You have to be in an environment like that to really understand how toxic it can be.

okenny_unbanned

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @Latonone: No way, now i know how R* works thanks to him. If he didn't speak out, some pour soul would have gone through the same stuff.

ffmusicdj

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @Neo_X:
A little, but thats what happens when you eat piss laced cornflakes for breakfast. Everything has a side effect.

ca$h

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @Intrepid_Homoludens:

agree, however making it public is a cheap shot at attention imho.

Latonone

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @Crecente

Why does the Rockstar graphics have the CMYK color values right on the logo? Is that normal?

okenny_unbanned

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> In a perfect world every job would be filled with understanding smart people. Every job would start you off at a million a year and Unicorns would ride you to and from work.

mikemayhem

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> I love it when these guys spill the beans. Remember the wife of an EA employee? Which I feel Rockstar is far from decrowning...

Razorwing

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @ARboom: Wow little harsh huh?

Neo_X

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Heaps of money and success in the hands of those too inexperienced and/or immature to properly manage it? I think it's his fault for not looking at the name of the company before he signed up. Rockstar seems to be doing their job just fine.

futurebiblehero

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> I'm glad he spoke his mind and admitted that Manhunt was in bad taste.
I've never been a fan of anything Rockstar has made and I enjoy seeing I have good reasons to stand by that opinion.


AdmiralRupert

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Having worked in a very stressful (but non-gaming) work environment as a software developer, I can relate to a lot of his experiences with late nights, arguments at work, etc. I didn't read this and think "bitter", I thought he was pretty fair and fairly proud of most of the work he accomplished when he was there.

And to the people saying he "named names", you must not have read the beginning of the entry: he stated he changed names and only named people already in the public spotlight. Sounds fair to me.

ビッグ ボス

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Good thing the guy left because Manhunt 2(Wii edition) would've sent him over the edge. I can't wait to see how they implement the stabbing, chocking, throat slitting, icepicking, bashing, kneeing, hooking, poking etc with the Wii controller. Fun times are a coming...

randymonk

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @UGOTPWNED:

Jeff Williams: Hi, my name is Jeff.
HR: Hi, there. We've got a bunch of 'tards running the show. Here's where you sign.

Yes, I'm sure the very first thing Rockstar HR told him about was the management with the maturity of 14 year olds.

Please don't comment on shit you've got no clue about.

SmilingPolitely

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> I was introduced to one of the former art guys from Blizzard when World of Warcraft launched, and we had a chance to talk about how they experienced huge turnover due to some various broken promises. He had a very similar song and dance about managerial incompetence, egos and arrogance, that kind of thing. It's pretty much a universal condition, but very few people actually want to go on record badmouthing people and companies who can hurt their careers. That's just the industry and how it works, however.

Hagglegaggle

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @UGOTPWNED: Elaborate. With thought please.

AsauPrime

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Why should i care about this crybaby bitch? Didnt this guy know what he was getting into by joining rockstar?

UGOTPWNED

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Wow, sounds like this guy might be telling the truth, but what do you expect if a company's called Rockstar? They're living up to their name.

YotaruVegeta

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> It's been said many times, but, really can't be said enough. This guy is certainly no pussy. As someone else said, he's got balls of steel for standing up for his values and leaving. A few weeks ago, I participated in a week long business simulation course that was like a college preparation thing. Our company got first place, but, the way we worked together was an absolute DISASTER. Everyone was yelling non stop. We were lucky that we got first. Most of the time our yelling pushed us to the absolute last minute possible on our daily deadlines, and someone had to sprint to turn in our financial decisions. Simply put, I would've definitely quit that company had it been real.

That isn't even a real job, and being in that situation alone, I can certainly get a feel for where this guy is coming from.

LucasKane

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @Seven_Is_Darker: What company wants to hire a guy that is badmouthing his prior employer? Sure, what he says is probably true. I believe him, even.

But, realistically, who is to say that this guy wouldn't badmouth other companies if he were hired there? That's the risk employers may not be willing to take with this guy, and I can't blame them.

Again, though, what he says seems very believable to me. Doesn't change the fact that it's unprofessional to say these things about past employers.

Soka

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @Latonone: "Listen, there IS a difference between a company making great games and a company that makes great games and abuses its employees one way or another.

I suggest you find something else to whine about. Some of us here have our own stories of not being respected as employees, no matter how great a product or service our employers put out. Remember, WE were the ones who collectively created those products and services.

Intrepid_Homoludens

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> I didn't read all the posts, but it seems like if you think this guy is a jerk or a pussy for some reason you've never been in the workforce. Legitimate differences of opinion come up. Sometimes people part ways because of it. Shit happens. And if this dude really believes in what he's saying, then I think he'll be OK. A genuine aura of conviction can go a long way. Also, with regards to Rockstars' game choices, just because you can do something does not really mean that you should. GTA's aren't that great. I've actually given away every GTA that I have bought. That's just me though. Millions of people have bought the game so what do I know. I never saw the draw personally. BTW, I don't think censorship is the best thing before anyone decides to go there. But, people have to balance free speech and all that good stuff with some thought.

AsauPrime

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> who cares as long as they make great games. guys a fucking whiner.

Latonone

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> love how many fanboy's are in town.

tbh even tho we will never get the full picture, adults in a work place shouting and screaming at each other is childish and totaly unaceptable. and i personaly would have walked then.

bald_gye

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> It seems a lot of you don't realize this is just the LATEST in reports of people at Rockstar, and Take Two in general, acting like pricks, before the takeover.

Note that Take Two and Rockstar are under NEW management, so I don't think they mind what he says about the guys that basically got them that position anyway.

Lord_The_Night_Knight

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> R* = great games, just don't work there.

nullterm

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> I am seeing a number of posts saying "good luck finding a job after this?" Why is that? I have no doubt that a company would hire someone who has a head on a shoulders...

Seven Is Darker

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> I'm no print expert, but what's the point in defining such specific CMY values if you're going to put the K all the way up to max? Black IS black.

Chintz

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> "I mainly blame ... a few individuals who thought they were hot shit but really didn't know anything about either video games or marketing."

That's pretty much the standard for the majority of video game companies... At least the one's I've worked for / known people to work for...

FunkyJ

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @strangepork: Man you are so right. Lots of people would hirer him. He has worked on some AAA titles I'm assuming and get has hopefully got some skills from working on GTA4 maybe. Even though the art sorta sucked compared to others yet that could have been because of his management which will speak well of him. Hopefully when he really can do hi resolution art if he is indeed an artist.

Hey I respect his decision. He seems like a cool guy. This is not the fist time I've heard or talk to some one that didn't like how that rockstar thing was going.

Runna

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> He says he left after San Andreas so I can only imagine things have gotten better there with Man...Hunt...2....

Um, nevermind.

WaterMedia

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> he's got a real point - rockstar has a huge problem with the fact that they only have one popular franchise and can't seem to get out of it.

In recent years, table tennis was the closest they've got, but really that was a test/demonstration of GTAIV tech. Bully was a commercial failure.

All of Rockstar's other games are forgettable, have mediocre sales, and usually only stand out if they are like Manhunt and just include senseless violence just to attract controversy.

After reading the whole article, it sounds like Rockstar would operate in a much better way if they could run as a small studio separately from Take 2 management and be free to create their own ideas. T2's branding that this guy described was silly and pointless - throwing everyone in a crowded room and assigning them to teams basically randomly doesn't seem like the best organization...or any organization for that matter.

akhomerun

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Honestly he had a problem with the content in Manhunt. Not gameplay. No one can deny that GTA games sell .. and sell incredibly well for one reason. they are completely fun, free, and usually offer something relatively new witch each outing.

He was angry at a lack of cohesion, lack of profession and general direction of different areas in the company. And when your NOT HAPPY ... it takes a lot of brass balls to just get up and leave .. especially when that's your paycheck .. and as anyone who has even come close to trying to enter this biz you know it's not easy.

Personally.. i think this guy will have pretty good chances finding another job.. seeing as how this quite clearly spells out not only the type of company he would want to look for.. but also the type of company he would want to help CREATE and BUILD towards. I know quite a few big studios out there who admire traits like Professionalism, integrity and principles. These are the traits that always GET THINGS DONE... without scandal, corporate theivery and underhanded business bullshit .. no less.

Those of you bashing this guy.. good luck growing up and understanding what it's like to work with real pulled-together pros and not a bunch of arrogant overgrown kids.

silkysm00th

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Jeff's first quote sadly applies to 99% of the media companies in America. Most of them should go ahead and tack "clusterfuck" and "inefficient" right onto their letterhead.

And to those of you saying his opinions are worthless (or worth less) because he's not a game developer: I'm glad I don't have to work with you.

sethmad

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @ThisCharmingMan:

Well said. Now imagine if the game was actually *good*, and then we could get behind it for the most important reason --- we want to play it.

FlapjacksAreTasty

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> This was a great read. Its not everyday that you get the info about the ongoings inside an entertainment company during the booms and/or busts that happen based on a few games over a limited span of years.

Anyone that thinks this guy is a whiner or a pussy needs to have their head examined. This isn't the first (and it won't be the last) time that someone who is disappointed in how their penultimate time at the job, that they used to thoroughly enjoy going to, made damn near a complete 180 and left quite the sour taste in their mouth.

SpishackCola

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Good on him, I just wouldn't mention names. Unless he's willing to have them arrested, I'd respect their privacy.

FlapjacksAreTasty

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @crecente: A book in them, eh? [xkcd.com]

humilitybecomeshim

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> I, for one, respect his decision. Sure snuff games aren't for everyone, and he's eloquently stated just that. However, I still think Rockstar should continue fighting for the release of their game based on mere principle alone.

ThisCharmingMan

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @devil-illusion: "I think he is looking for more meaningful things in a game other than, bussin caps in yo ass."

o/\o BINGO! That's what I meant by Jeff Williams sticking to his own principles. I think he has paid his dues and has taken the abuse long enough. He certainly thinks so, and he deserves much better now. Again, good luck to the guy.

Intrepid_Homoludens

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Interesting read, I don't think he was bitter but maybe ... disappointed? I mean your working with a company with a huge ego so you would expect the games to be the top of top quality and to be honest gta games never really looked spectacular even for the amount of detail the game had. I think he is looking for more meaningful things in a game other than, bussin caps in yo ass.

devil-illusion

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @BigChiefSmokem: maybe thats cause they are true?

ffmusicdj

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> sounds like a bitch of a company to work for, like being in raid full of 13 yr olds and your the only one with the smallest bit of sense.


either way i hope this guy finds a good place, while some of the things did sound a bit harsh it didn't sound like he was overreacting by the sounds of it.


ittekimasu

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @yashichi8bit: I think this is really great information he is providing. I'll stay away from getting hired at R*, thanks!

ffmusicdj

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @VakeroRokero: "This company is all about making games for 15 year olds."

;-) Heh heh, makes you wonder what the average age is of those in here who are attacking Jeff Williams.

Intrepid_Homoludens

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> meh, the same can be said about many companies in and outside the game industrty

BigChiefSmokem

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @Kantwon:

It's lollypop country wheeeeeeeeeeeee!!

Vidunder

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Second post was a rewrite because it looked like my first didn't show up - sorry about the double post

radiodave1102

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Most of the posts here are oozing with unabashed ignorance. Yeah, let's just knock this guy because he left R* over totally valid reasons. What a "whiny brat". What a "pussy." Give me a break.

It's unreal how people will jump to the defenses of a company when they obviously know absolutely nothing about the topic. I feel like the guy is a little more qualified to comment on R* than any of you. Just a guess though.

That's fine though you can all collectively follow the carrot at the end of the stick, drooling all over yourselves with that classic glazed look in your eyes. Better yet, just go stick your heads in the sand because that's all you're probably good for anyhow.

radiodave1102

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Good on him i say. I hope a good companies hires him. I don't like R*. I don't think i've enjoyed any of there games.

adsfsa

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @strangepork: "He's a "pussy"? Are you kidding? Wait another 8 years until you graduate from college and tell us again how much you love working for companies where 18-hour days are demanded and your boss bellows..."

Exactly! Often times a lot of teens and college gamers just don't understand how it is once they're out of school and have to worry about paying off student loans, car payments, rent, etc., and THAT is before having to deal with shit at work and sticking to their principles and self-respect.

Intrepid_Homoludens

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> This company is all about making games for 15 year olds. This has been a business forever. Gore and sex always sell with this kids. Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, Porky's, Revenge Of The Nerds, Hostel, Scream, American Pie, etc. etc. etc. They may carry an adult rating but, no adult would go see it, kids trying to be adults will...

Rockstar just goes for that audience. GTA, Bully, Manhunt are great games but would be ok games it they didn't carried that "break-the-rules" theme they all have.

I

VakeroRokero

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> He just sounds like he was burnt out in general.

Barbara

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> I think Kotaku has to cleanup its posters and ban more than a couple before this becomes a GameFAQs forum. Having a variety of opinions is one thing, but having each newspost end up being like this is incredibly unproductive.

Total respect to the guy for having and sticking to his principles.

littleman

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> This all sounds accurate based on what I've heard about the company, and the quality (or lack thereof) of the games they produce.

etho

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> I think people are misunderstanding the article. He isn't attacking Rockstar, he's writing about his time there. Parts of the article are very optimistic, and he hsa very good things to say about many of the individuals there.

However, he ultimatley didn't like it there, and quit. He revealed some of the things bothering him. No big whoop.

Overall I thought the article was very well written and it was interesting to see his take on Rockstar.

Bluur

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> It's funny how this Rockstar GAMES employee is complaining. His job exists solely because of what Rockstar NORTH accomplished with their games. After dutifully turning out GTA's, they deserve a pet project.

Thankfully this person is not a developer, so really, i couldn't care less about his opinions.

JCtheMC

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Most of the posts here are just oozing with unabashed ignorance. Yeah let's knock some guy about the fact that he left a company because the work environment at R* sucked for him and the company doesn't function the way any professional company should. Nevermind that he had personal principles and instead of compromising them for a paycheck he decided to walk away and actually say something about the crappy management at the company he worked for.

No he must just be a "whiny brat" or a "pussy," that's it. Look you guys can just keep following the carrot at the end of the string, drooling all over your idiot radiating selves. Man, talk about blind submission at it's best. Go stick your heads in the sand because that's all you're good for.

radiodave1102

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> He's a "pussy"? Are you kidding? Wait another 8 years until you graduate from college and tell us again how much you love working for companies where 18-hour days are demanded and your boss bellows like he's trying out for "Full Metal Jacket" whenever he (and I do mean "he") wants his ass wiped.

This guy's story is mild in comparison to what I've heard from others at R*. And yeah, name disclosure notwithstanding, I'd still hire him...and so will someone else. He's smart, which is damned rare, especially in this business.

strangepork

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> He had a problem with the company so he left. Understood.

But why is he attacking them after he left, whats the benefit? I think it would be hard to go into an interview for a new company and having that floating over your head.

yashichi8bit

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Hey hope he finds a great job I really feel if the company wants to make a violent game only because controversy sells then that is the wrong reason to make the game. I know this is an idealistic perspective and that is why I just dont buy these games. So maybe they got what they disearved with the Manhunt ESRB rating.

The bad thing that Rockstars actions do to the industry is now the ESRB will view Rockstar games with greater scrutiny and thus other developers games will be measured according to standards set for rockstars releases. Meaning the bar gets lowered and other games suffer because of it. The Flip side to this is it can do the opposite but I think Rockstar has pushed there luck too long for that.

Konchu

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Im sure Take 2 can take a lot of the blame for the attitudes of Rockstar's management/founders. Seeing first hand the relationship between the two its easy to imagine their huge ego after having Donovan/Houser's dick in Take 2's mouth for so long.

It might be time for Take 2 to assimilate or consume Rockstar like it did with Gathering of Developers and Talonsoft. Rockstar's heyday is long gone.

vulgar

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Well, I did have a great time playing GTA3. When R* aren't being dicks and getting into trouble over tax evasion and whatnot, they can make a pretty good game, really. Looking forward to GTAIV.

Intrepid_Homoludens

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> GTA is way freakin overrated. There I said it.

Heihachi.vs.Kazuya

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @Kantwon: What I expect is different from what actually happens. And that doesn't surprise me anyhow. In person our dialogue about this would have a different atmosphere.

I own a copy of Manhunt, btw. Never finished it. After a while I thought, what exactly is the point? Also, the control setup was awful, so counterintuitive.

Intrepid_Homoludens

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> I think he did the right decision if the product he worked on bothered him that much. Exposing what happens in these studios behind closed doors is quite interesting. The screaming and tantrums even happen at Microsoft.

DigitalHero

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> You'd be surprised. I can see this guy being an advisor over at Gamasutra.com and given his years of experience, he'll have lots under his belt to make him a disireable hiree. And I agree that he could have a book in the works here, giving a former employee's take on the company and how it operates.

Frankly, since he quit the company he could probably get away with describing a lot of things without breaching the confidentiality agreement. I know for sure I'd buy it!

~Otaku-Man

OtakuMan

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @Intrepid_Homoludens: It's the internet what did you expect. Things likes respecting other people's opinions and understanding their viewpoints are rare.

Kantwon

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> He wanted out, he got out. Great for him.

Keep rockin' Rock*.

Shumina

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> So he worked at RockStar New York (Note: Rock Star North did the GTA and Manhunt games) as a Production Team member (Joystiq has him pegged as web producer) and I should really give a shit about the "inside information" he is relaying to us?

No thanks, I will pass.

LostToys

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Im sure people working at rockstar will write him a great reference and he will find it really easy to get another job now.
''Hire this guy, he's great. If he doesn't like you expect him to personally name you and trash you.''

I imagine he wasn't thinking it would get picked up by a big site like kotaku. However it seems very silly to publically trash a company you used to work for.

I find the way he tries to claim GTA is fine but Manhunt is just too far funny though. Im sure the developers are well aware of what people do in GTA. Not only that but unless im wrong in manhunt 2 you can sneak past enemies and you also don't need to kill them in the most brutal way. You have a choice. Just like how in GTA 3 you don't have to run around town killing civilians yet I bet most of the players do.


Zim

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Manhunt sold on its shock factor alone, it had nothing to do with the public liking it, most just wanted to see what the fuss was about. It was an absolutely horrendous game, gameplay wise.

With that said, everything he's saying seems about right, and theres no reason to start insulting him for it. "Quick, that guy doesn't like making games about torturing people, he's a pussy!"

The management problems and arguements all seem pretty standard, its to be expected, apart from the childish throwing stuff around the room bit.

aden.exe

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Jeezus, people can be so insensitive and lacking in understanding around here. The guy left because he stuck to his principles, and you're calling him a pussy and whiny brat? I, for one, have respect for him for believing in HIMSELF and having the courage to say 'no thanks'.

I agree that R* has a reputation for pushing the envelope. However, are they pushing the envelope for the right reasons?

Intrepid_Homoludens

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Lame.. Quit for whatever reason you want, but trying to get attention by badmouthing the company you were part of and benefited from is just that, lame.

kyosen

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Still banning a game (or not selling it in normal stores) cause you think it crosses a line is dumb. End of story.

Cartman86

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> @ARboom: The guy's just giving anecdotes about his time working with the company. There's nothing arrogant or self-righteous about anything he says.

Considering the amount of controversy that R* seems to relish, I trust what he says is true.

Kuraudo

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Well, sorta what the work atmosphere I imagined from a company that gave the green light on a project where you could "surgically" remove men's reproductive organs.
While I am totally against censorship I do believe there's a line that shouldnt be crossed and Rockstar's been pushing it for the past 7 years.
I totally agree with this former employee.



Alex_Mexico

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> good luck finding a job at all after those words

Jad35

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Sounds like a whiney brat. They made games you didnt agree with so you left. Good for you. Besides manhunt, which just wasnt that good of a game, they have made great consistently fun titles one after another for years. You have a problem get out. oh wait you did that already!

Belain

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Oh wow, what an arrogant and self-righteous asshole. Truth is, those games sold well and made the company a lot of money, so the consumers must've liked them. Sounds like R* will be better off having this pussy out the door.

ca$h

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Good read, its interesting to see whats going on inside of rockstar.

Totally sounds like where I used to work in some sense.

Witzbold

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> I've heard anecdotal reports of Rockstar being a shitty company to work for, mostly from artists. He sounds bitter, but nothing he says is particularly hard for me believe.

Toasticus

]]> <![CDATA[How Manhunt Drove One Person Out]]> Why am I not surprised by what this Jeff Williams fellow wrote about?

Good luck to him finding a much better company.

Intrepid_Homoludens

]]>