During mid-2011, a bomb-shell was exposed on the working conditions over at Gameloft Auckland. Inspired by the reports that unearthed the harsh working conditions at Team Bondi, head programmer Glenn Watson opened the lid on the sweat-shop like work conditions at Gameloft's new studio in New Zealand.
Glenn described the 70 hours of overtime for 5-6 weeks and the multiple weeks of 100-120 work hours he endured, putting in an average of over 17 hours a day for seven days straight at the worst of times. The continual and unnecessary crunch periods and long hours were the cause of fatigue and work errors for those working at the game studio, according to Glenn.
Upon leaving the studio, Glenn was in discussions with the New Zealand Department of Labour to get Gameloft Auckland to adhere to NZ's Health and Safety in Employment Act of 1992 where fatigue is listed as a health and safety hazard.
Stuff.co.nz has reported on the results of those talks with the New Zealand Department of Labour ending its own investigation on Gameloft Auckland and clearing the studio of any negligence. From Stuff.co.nz...
Spokeswoman Ailsa Mannell "no substantial evidence" of a breach of health and safety laws had been found and no action would be taken against the French multinational.
For the full report, head on over to Stuff.co.nz.