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The Drama Behind L.A. Noire’s Lengthy Development Cycle

What happens during seven years of development?

Oh, a whole lot of drama, it seems. More than a few ex-Team Bondi employees – over 100, in fact – have launched a website that outlines the real credits of the game; a list of names that doesn't omit those 100+ ex-workers. But a whole lot more has been revealed at IGN , where 11 former Team Bondi members and current studio boss Brendan McNamara dished on the rocky and lengthy development cycle for the critically acclaimed title. It's an interesting read, as there are all sorts of complaints and rebuttals from McNamara; this includes an issue involving overtime, as one employee said no overtime was ever paid over a span of three years and three months. That's bound to tick people off.

And that's only the beginning. Quite a few ex-employees had a bone to pick with their boss; one called him a "24/7 corpse grinder" who just never let up. Reading that in-depth look at the elongated design process of L.A. Noire makes us appreciate the final product even more, doesn't it?

Related Game(s): L.A. Noire

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frylock25
frylock25
13 years ago

typo: That's bound to tick pople off.

im sure a lot of games have drama stories to them. seems like most jobs have drama stories to them.


Last edited by frylock25 on 6/26/2011 9:45:14 PM

Bandit1
Bandit1
13 years ago

Well hearing this I'm glad we got our hands on the game at all!

SpikeSpiegel
SpikeSpiegel
13 years ago

At least it didn't end up like 3D Realms… Then we would've waited twice as long, eventually another studio would have resumed development, and the experience would be nowhere near what it is in the game's current form… Bullet dodged.


Last edited by SpikeSpiegel on 6/26/2011 10:45:12 PM

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

*Duke Voice*

Welcome to game development pussies.


Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 6/26/2011 11:20:09 PM

Geobaldi
Geobaldi
13 years ago

I'll wait for the PC version this fall before I play it. Got enough on my plate now as it is.

kingjose
kingjose
13 years ago

I would of rather have gotten mk. The audio sucks for the game on my system

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
13 years ago

Shrink ze avatar. Eet ees too big… Also, do not like.

Qubex
Qubex
13 years ago

Do something about that Avatar dude…

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"

Pandacastro
Pandacastro
13 years ago

Im going to miss this guy.

frylock25
frylock25
13 years ago

well he was warned once. Ben deleted his avatar. so long dude, enjoy getting banned.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
13 years ago

No, I've warned him three times. So now he goes away.

Underdog15
Underdog15
13 years ago

@Ben
He might just never check back after leaving a comment. He probably just comes back and thinks, "Dang, my avitar is gone. I'll put it back. There we go!"

lol, maybe you should email him?

Qubex
Qubex
13 years ago

Pretty sad. One of the reasons that stops me from making the move from the Telecommunications industry to the Games industry. I have looked into it and have spoken to Ubisoft (amongst others) and the like; but I have to say, I don't think I want those long hours, no matter how creative I feel right now…

I enjoy playing the games and having the job I have now… well paid, with normal working hours… for as long as it lasts of course.

Things could change, I could get bored, but hell, who wants to be a polygon-pusher being grinded into the ground… is "passion" really worth that?

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
13 years ago

Yah, I read that the other day. Bloody shocking conditions, and if what the employees say is true, then they can hardly be blamed for dishing the dirt. And don't get me wrong, I'm glad the game was released, I really am, but I still feel as though there was something lacking about it, and that feeling only grows as I continue to look at it in retrospect.

I only hope that this information becoming public doesn't damage the reputation of the studio, because by god, L.A. Noire was the biggest video game undertaking ever done in Australia, and THAT needs to continue, particularly now that developers get tax cuts… or rebates or something. I wasn't playing too much attention at the announcement. Yay for Labor (and I still don't understand why it is officially spelt like that :/).

___________
___________
13 years ago

does not surprise me, if you look back at brendans track record theres been heaps of complaints him being a arrogant prick, pushing too hard, and just not listening to reason!
sounds familiar…………

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
13 years ago

Sounds like the foreman at work… Familiar indeed.

___________
___________
13 years ago

thats a surprise, every foreman i have had has been a lazy &^%$!
always sitting in his office filling out paperwork, never leaving, and come 5 he was the first one out the door!
never checked if everyone had there white card, or steel caps on.
half the guys there were not qualified, hell the guy driving the crane did not have his crane license!

Lord carlos
Lord carlos
13 years ago

If development is taking 7 years then being a ball busting pr!ck is the corporate way of things usually.
"If you can't do it then i'll get somebody who can"
Unpaid overtime however is unacceptable,peoples gotta eat!
End transmission.

Underdog15
Underdog15
13 years ago

Sweet. So if you own LA Noir, you have a guarantee it was made with human sweat and tears?

Definite must purchase.

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
13 years ago

This gives new definition to the name "Sweat Shops"

Spanky
Spanky
13 years ago

So … the LA Noire follow up to be available on PS5?? 😉

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