The game might’ve been a huge success, but LA Noire dev Team Bondi is now in trouble over its allegedly “brutal” working conditions. Over the past weekend, disgruntled employees took their grievances to IGN, with particular vehemence pointed at Team Bondi boss, Brendan McNamara, whom one person described as “the angriest person” he’d ever met.
Responding to the complaints, the International Game Developers Association has launched an investigation into the matter.
“[But] certainly reports of 12-hour a day, lengthy crunch time, if true, are absolutely unacceptable and harmful to the individuals involved, the final product, and the industry as a whole,” the IGDA’s board of directors chair Brian Robbins told Develop.
“We encourage any Team Bondi employee and/or family member to email [email protected] with comments about the recent past and current situation – positive or negative.”
Meanwhile, McNamara has defended the long working hours, telling IGN that “We all work the same hours. People don’t work any longer hours than I do. I don’t turn up at 9am and go home at 5pm, and go to the beach. I’m here at the same hours as everybody else is. We’re making stuff that’s never been made before. We’re making a type of game that’s never been made before. We’re making it with new people, and new technology. People who’re committed to put in whatever hours they think they need to.”
The drama is ongoing.
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