[Cameron read an article on Kotaku titled "New Year's Resolutions For The Game Industry" by Leigh Alexander. Among the many points argued, she calls for more recognition of the people who actually make the games - Ed]
Among the resolutions Ms. Alexander discussed, the ever so hopeful “Value Your Talent” section caught my eye. I’ll just say that Marketing will never entertain the thought. The very last thing they would want is for someone in press to talk to a designer who’s been knee-deep in 65 hour-a-week shifts knowing all the things, good and bad, with the game’s development. It’s far more convenient and safe (for their own job security) to throw out the PR-spiel prepared Producer to the media. A producer won’t be disgruntled. A producer will want to protect his “project” just as much as the PR bum in charge. A producer is more refreshed than the drained, disgruntled designer.
Not saying all, but many producers don’t have to (nor want to) sit around in the office as long as the design team, and they don’t. They clock in their 30 hours for the week and maybe keep up with the team from the comfort of their office chair…at casa del producer. That’s not to say they aren’t team players, some will actually stick it through and kudos to them. However, from my experiences, unless they have to take on the final boss that is the almighty deadline, forget about it. Even in deadline, there’s no lingering issue that a “Will Not Fix, Legacy” tag won’t cure.
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