Games industry ‘burns out talent’

The games industry has a long hours culture that is burning out young talent, UK union Bectu has warned.

Bectu’s Gerry Morrissey said: "It’s not unusual… to do 12 to 16 hours a day for three to four months at a time".

Games giant Electronic Arts recently settled legal cases with ex-employees in the US over working conditions.

"The industry can take young, green people, put them through the mill and spit them out," said Gareth Wilson of developer Bizarre Creations.

"People are generally happy with their pay. However, the big complaint is about the long hours culture," said Mr Morrissey, assistant secretary general at Bectu.

"People are asking us to get involved and speak to employers’ associations," he added.

Mr Morrissey said Bectu was trying to build up a membership within the industry in the UK.

"We are trying to build up membership so we can go to employers’ associations and show we represent the industry, the critical mass.

"We are a long way from that."