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EA's Open Letter to Ubisoft

Posted by Zonk on from the pot-i'd-like-you-to-meet-kettle dept.

Alex Petraglia writes "I'd actually laugh at this if I didn't find it so disturbing. An open letter sent from Alain Tascan, General Manager of EA Montreal, to Joel Tremblay, Ubisoft Montreal, begins as such: 'On behalf of all game makers in Quebec, I urge Ubisoft to stop the illegitimate practice of forcing talented people to sign employment contracts that restrict their creative and economic freedom.' EA came under great scrutiny last year with claims of stifling employee creativity, refusing to pay for overtime, and generally engaging in less-than-savory practices. Additionally, it's widely known that EA currently seeks to gain greater control over Ubi through a hostile takeover."

2 of 104 comments (clear)

  1. Have to understand Cdn. (and Quebecois) culture... by renehollan · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    See, us Canadians, and Quebecois (for those who make a distinction, and there's a valid argument to making one, at several levels), are both a "tolerant" society. We do not take kindly to "offensive" remarks and practices.

    In Quebec, for example, it is often considered "offensive" to speak English on a public street, and represents intolerance of the pure laine Quebecois majority.

    Similarly, it is "offensive" for Ubisoft to engage in a practice that shows intolerance for EA's desires, EA being the larger, "majority" employer.

    Standard Orwellean doublespeak - nothing to see.

    Of course, I viewed this attitide as disgustingly fascist (both in Quebec, *and* the rest of Canada), and left. YMMV

    Realize that you're talking about a place where the government can overrule the highest court in the land, and routinely does so ("notwithstanding clause"). Democracy unchecked by law is mob rule. Some might argue that Canada sucks less than the U.S. under Bush *in practice*, but it can suck far, far worse, in *principle*. Another example: Canada models it's socialized health care system after Cuba and North Korea. Comparing it *constitutionally* to Nazi Germany doesn't strike me as much of a stretch -- we just haven't found our Hitler yet. (Yeah, yeah, Godwin can shove it).

    --
    You could've hired me.
  2. No, you're wrong. by Seek_1 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    >>(for those who make a distinction, and there's a valid argument to making one, at several levels)

    No, I'm sorry, but there's not. Get over it.

    Do the rest of Canada a favour and pull your head out of your ass and get along with the rest of the country. We love Quebec, but frankly I'm getting more than a little tired of this separatist bullsh*t.