Respawn has responded to a negative review left on Glassdoor that complained of “exhaustion, stress and great anxiety in the Apex Legends draft.”
Glassdoor is a review website where current and former employees can share their experiences working at companies around the world. Respawn’s review (also highlighted on Reddit) was published by a current full-time employee and indicated that the study has had difficulty coping with the effects of COVID-19.
In his assessment of the study, the anonymous employee praised Respawn’s creative sensitivity and recent improvements to the office. However, they also complained about tight deadlines in Apex Legends, poor planning and lack of attention from employees.
“Most gaming companies have extended project deadlines […] to accommodate lower efficiencies and general stress or anxiety during COVID-19, but not in the Appendix project, “read the review.
“I feel extremely stressed and exhausted trying to keep our seasonal releases on the same aggressive timeline as pre-shelter productivity on-site. I currently work 12-13 hours a day and there is no separation between my home and my working life. ”
“We have no idea how to do a live service project, which means a poor planning decision without dimensioning the job. [There has been] no attention to employee health during this period. We received two conflicting messages of ‘please take care of your health’ and ‘we must keep the same schedule and work even longer hours to meet our deadlines.’ “
It’s not worth it that the vast majority of Respawn reviews on Glassdoor are positive, but in response to these recent complaints Appendix Game director Chad Grenier has acknowledged that the studio had problems during the pandemic.
In addressing the situation on Reddit, Grenier insisted that Respawn has always had the best interests and health of its employees in mind, but that the transition to work from home was “really very difficult for the team.”
“We certainly didn’t have the tools, the technology, or the systems to make a smooth transition from multiple teams of hundreds of people on the same campus to a completely remote study. During this transition, I knew it wasn’t just going to be more work. difficult and less productive, but people would also face a terrifying global pandemic, “he wrote.
“Add to that the pressures, even in a normal live service game environment, and we prepare for the biggest challenge we’ve ever faced, and we still face it as we continue to work from home.”
Grenier said he was vocal in telling workers to “just work as hard as they can,” and that the study leadership along with EA bosses also reiterated that message. He explained that developers were told that delays would be fine, and to speak to their managers or producers if they couldn’t finish the job without getting it. Employees were also reportedly offered benefits, including unlimited free time, to ensure the welfare of staff.
That said, the creative director acknowledges that the person who wrote the review “is absolutely right in how he felt and clearly was working too hard” despite being told that it was okay to miss deadlines. He suggested that a “rock star” attitude often leads to people breaking their backs, and said that all team leaders at Respawn have “learned to look for the signs” and to register more regularly with staff.
“No one wants to be the person who raises their hand and says they are not going to meet their deadline. No one wants to be the one with a late performance. No one wants to disappoint their teammates or disappoint fans. Everyone wants to fix that mistake. , finish that cool new character, or put that new gameplay to work, and they will unknowingly crush themselves to do it, “he continued.
“That’s how dedicated this team is, they’re amazing. Because of this, all team leaders have learned to better look for cues, check in more regularly with developers, and proactively push features after reading the cues, rather than wait for someone to raise their hand.
“Are we perfect? No, of course not. Respawn and EA 100 percent care more about the team’s health than the game and its winnings? Absolutely, even in non-pandemic times. As one of the original Respawners, honestly I can tell you that Respawn (and EA) has been a great place to be for the last 10 years and it is a place that puts people first. “
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