PS3 Developer Fired For Comments

Next Generation reports on the unfortunate fallout from one PS3 developer's unflattering comments. Early in January, a developer made comments on his feelings regarding the Xbox 360 and its power/design ease vs. the PS3. Thanks to widespread internet reaction, he has been fired from his development position. From the article: "I can't believe how out of control everything got ... It's absolutely absurd how the Internet can take something relatively harmless and turn it into something so insane... Did I knowingly break NDA? I absolutely did not. I would never do that and I would never want to hurt Sony Online. Did I dance in the grey area by even opening my mouth? Yes I did and I was fired for it. So I guess the new rule for me is, don't ever say anything at all about anything. Ever...ever."

Comments

"I work for for "Big Company USA...

[Anonymous Coward]

...and I think our product is a pain to use"

Just what the hell was he expecting would happen? They'd give him a reward for breaking ranks and giving his subjective views about Sony's PS3?

Good luck finding a new job Asshat.

Re:"I work for for "Big Company USA...

[XenoRyet]

He very clearly stated that he does not like, and is not committed to his (formerly) current project. He also clearly stated that he dislikes the platform he's working on, as well as stating that he thinks the competitor's platform is better.

I would have let this guy go even for stating these opinions privatly. He obviously really does not want to work for Sony. This guy didn't get fired, he quit.

Re:"I work for for "Big Company USA...

[Michalson]

In many ways it seems like Sony is becoming the new Microsoft, just as Microsoft replaced IBM as the Big Bad. With the shift in software distribution (internet making it easy to distribute and collaborate on free and open software like Linux) Microsoft's role of "evil" has become nearly moot, much like IBM's hold fell with open commodity architecture.

At the same time, a new issue has emerged, digital rights, an arena where Sony (a giant corporation representing the MPAA *and* RIAA) is the devil figure (rootkit CDs, locked out storage formats, and the upcoming Blu-ray ultra restrictive DRM).

Much as IBM, for it's own financial convience, became a "good guy" by supporting Linux and open source, Microsoft may make a similar transformation: They split with Sony over Blu-ray because they demanded that the next DVD format allow consumers to use media they had purchased the way they wanted to (i.e. store on a Microsoft powered media center). Microsoft's position of having no interest in content (Sony) or hardware (Apple) makes it to their financial benefit to demand both sides provide a positive experience for consumers (since Microsoft will have Windows something running in the middle).

Even Microsoft's own DRM lends to this: It isn't tied to a single music store or mp3 player, and it isn't fixed in what it controls - companies protecting content can choose how restrictive it should be, resulting in open competition for consumers without fractured standards - if consumers don't like the restrictions placed on them by music store A, they can just go to music store B and get the same music, that will play on the same mp3 player, but with less restrictions. Instead of consumers being held hostage to a set of DRM demands, it's the content sellers that have to compete for the sweet spot between protecting the content and giving the user fare use of what they've purchased.

Welcome to the Real World

[RobertB-DC]

So I guess the new rule for me is, don't ever say anything at all about anything. Ever...ever.

Seriously, welcome to the Real World. In college, perhaps, you were encouraged to speak your mind and be free like a little birdie. Big difference: you *paid* to go to college. Within limits, you could do what you want. Things are different when you're the one receiving the money. Within limits, you have to do what *they* want.

Or to misapply the meme: In college, you owned a Sony. In Corporate [America|Japan], SONY own YOU!

He's surprised about this?

[qbwiz]

Who would have expected that an employee of a company who goes out of his way to publicly badmouth his company's products would be fired? I was expecting Sony to give him a bonus for all the extra sales he's going to bring in.

I'm guessing this is what got him fired

[TubeSteak]

Now in my opinion it doesn't matter how good the PS3 is. If the XBOX 360 is better, then it doesn't really matter how the cell processors work or how good they say it is. Realistically one of them will be better over all. Now I've spoken with people who are on the technical side of the PS3. I've also talked with people on the technical side of the XBOX 360. The consistent comment I am hearing from people on my end is, "The XBOX 360 is better". They are saying that it is capable of just doing more. (shrugs) Now take that for what its worth. If you watch all the videos on the PS3 they will say how much more powerful it is than the XBOX and vice versa. Im just telling you what I am hearing. They proceeded to go into a lot of technical info that I don't understand. So I just nod.

Then he hits us with this firing worthy blurb

The game that we are creating for a launch title is a "just get it out" title in my opinion. It doesn't look next generation. I don't see how anyone could debate otherwise. It looks good. But it looks good for a game that has come out in the last couple years or so. I mean we are talking about a box that will be with us for the next 5+ years! In 5 years will the games we are making today look good? The only way for that to be possible is if the new games coming out for the PS3 are drastically improved. So good that they can stand the test of time until the next system comes out. We've all seen Gears of War for the xbox 360. If that even looks half as good when it comes out then I'll be floored! The game we are making isn't even in the same league as Gears of War. In fact there are many current games out that look just as good and are using the exact same specs. So, on our end we are either not pushing the bar or were just trying to "get a title out". To be fair, this is a business. Sometimes you have to treat it as a business and not make the best title you can.

He's trashing the game he's working on. What boss would put up with that?

Here's a link to his blog

[giblfiz]

Though as it points out in the article, he took the post that got him fired down, and will never be putting it back up.

To avoid /.ing him harder (he has allready been dugg) I'm going to link to a google cache ...

http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:jgeFRxdfvuIJ: weblogs.asp.net/josh.robinson/+josh+robinson&hl=en &lr=&strip=1

Tough issue, this...

[ursabear]

Here in North Carolina, we work in a "work at will" state. This means that you can quit or be fired without ANY reason, other than reasons covered by discrimination precedence.

It is a tragedy to lose one's job, no doubt. I would wish joblessness on no-one. However, one must always converse about one's product in a very careful way - always think of oneself as a public representative of the company. It is generally best to preserve the interests of one's company. Comments made on the internet are nearly intractable, and will generally find their way to unexpected places.

Re:Tough issue, this...

[Just Some Guy]

It is a tragedy to lose one's job, no doubt.

Not in this case. I think the correct word for costing your company more money and good will then you're worth, resulting in a firing, is "example".

Losing your job because your office building burned down and your employer doesn't want to rebuild is tragic. Losing your job because you don't have the common sense God gives a dog is just plain stupid and not really something worth pitying.

What's worse is that he doesn't sound like he learned a single thing from the episode.

Yah, I read his post, and...

[Concern]

I've worked in the industry. Yeah, you would definitely get fired for that. No question.

There isn't really that much of a "gray area." They give you an NDA that basically just says "SHUT THE FUCK UP." And usually when they give it to you, they narrate that bit for you too. You really aren't supposed to talk about anything to do with the job, ever, ever.

There are few things in the business more secrecy intensive than a platform launch like this.

The guy is a big idiot for thinking he could write this and keep his job, without doing a damn good job of remaining anonymous. For that matter, he's just kind of uninformed; this is a 3D artist who obviously doesn't understand much about the hardware or the engines or the development cycle of either, in general....

OK, you got your 15 seconds of fame. Bye.

Don't say anything, ever?

[Threni]

Not really. Just assume that what you type, wearing your pyjamas in your bedroom at 2:16 am after you've smoked a spliff and drunk some whisky is going straight to your boss/parents/partner.

what's with the "dumb person got fired" news??

[corbettw]

First that law student who was shocked, shocked!, that an IP firm would not want a lawyer on staff who is against IP (and who advocates breaking the law when you don't agree with it). Now we have a developer who's flabbergasted, flabbergasted!, that an employer would fire an employee for publicly dissing its product.

Next up: a real estate agent is amazed, amazed!, when he loses a client after telling potential buyers "This is house is OK, but I wouldn't want to live here."

The subconscious mind.

[Song for the Deaf]

This has happened to me several times...where I've deleted a relationship, business or otherwise, by being brutally honest about it. The truth is that I always, deep down, wanted the relationship/job to end because I couldn't stand my internal bullshit meter going off every three seconds. Of course the opposite is also true, anything I truly want to be a part of will be afforded all maner of clemency.

Maybe this guy just knew that coming up with games for this thing was going to be an ordeal and his subconscious pre-empted him.

Then again, maybe this guy got fired because he is simply a classic dumbass.

Either way, you're now free to go make those soon-to-be-classic-Xbox-360-games now, former Sony developer guy.

Re:The subconscious mind.

[Digital Vomit]

This has happened to me several times...where I've deleted a relationship...

Are you talking about people or databases?

;-)