I actually work for an Outsourcing Company that works with multiple well known studios and has quite alot of Veterans. What many also don't know is that Developers are often Prohibited from interacting with social media except a few and that's what Community Managers are for. Even though many Players don't see them but they are the shield and filter feedback and take the backlash off them.
This kind of thing is very common in the music industry too, so many big artists use teams of session musicians, writers and producers who can often go completely unnamed. Great video once again!
I dont know if there is a form of funding your excellent work besides using your sponsor service with your code but here is a small amount just to say thank you and keep doing your great journalistic job. If you use the membership option here in RUclips i would sign in a sec.
reminds me a lot of ghost producers in the music industry. Having ghost-produced for others myself, it offers the freedom to create different content for different clients rather than having to build a brand up for yourself. Less risk and more flexibility It’s also a lot more reliable in an industry like gaming where actual profit isn’t guaranteed after the increasing development costs. Dev/publishing teams are taking a financial risk on you rather than you risking the market itself. If a game actually turns a considerable profit then you made your client happy, and if it doesn’t then you’re the one who’s happy since you don’t have investors breathing down your neck.
imagine being a ghost dev for 50 years then suddendly going public showing that u actually develloped like all the best games ever made and litteraly become the biggest gaming company in the world
Maybe I am naive or ignorant but I genuinely had no idea this kind of thing happens, it's wrong and sad that developers don't get the recognition they deserve for the incredible work that they do. Thank you Belinda for yet another fascinating video and shining a light on this topic, by the way was it cold in your office? wow lol.
I love these videos. I genuinely wish that they keep coming. They are really a fresh view from the usual gaming themed documentary/video essay types of vids.
And this is mostly about big names and known development phases, like the ground coding of levels, audio design, etc. I spent 11.5 years working on Localization Quality Assurance and the creditting rules or the invisibilization of work is broader. Neglected from publishers and managers alike, it's quite tough to be credited from an external vendor perspective. I do understand the importance of NDAs and other factors that would require a worker to stay silent about their involvement in a product, but 7 out of 10 times it's simply not being recognized as an important development phase
oh yes, there's massive oversight ESPECIALLY with loc and QA teams, and they're just as important - if not more so - than those 'big name' dev roles. I totally get the frustration, because there's simply no good game without proper QA...Thanks for sharing your story - we need more conversations like this.
If you're a dev in this position, fight for your rights and cite the IGDA guidelines. While they're not law, the more they are spoken and cited, hopefully the more industry used they become.
Nice shoutout for our side of things. We also go by white label studios. Why did we do it at our studio? Money, profits and sometimes longevity in the studio. It's easier to get work when you are knowledgeable as you have covered, but what you didn't cover is that sometimes you earn two to three times as much as a white label. Much in the same way that a contractor will earn more as a staffed employee.
Very good point that these companies, as "clients", pay more for white label work. Where I used to work I think half the jobs, if not more, were like that. Our stuff is everywhere in the industry, but credit is rare.
Thinking more about this, guessing being a ghost developer also means being shielded from social media harassment. Still remember people sending threat pizzas to Bungie employees.
Game dev here: Being in the credits is almost completely irrelevant to finding a job. Unless you're one of the primary creatives nobody cares what you worked on any more than other corporate employees. It was weird to put my name publicly the first time. 99% of credits are stupidly complex enforcement and pointless. A great example of the bad part of unions.
I think we all remember beating Gameboy, NES, Sega or some arcade games, and seeing some credits that just seemed like random names. I always thought Castlevania's credits where a joke.
A lot of people don't want to be hidden this way, but have no choice if they want to keep their job like you say. The choice is made by management, often before the rest are even hired. Funny that EA did the opposite a long time ago, not so much lately. Leads put their names on things and people give them the credit. Sometimes leads do help hone a vision, just like a director of a film, but they have a lot of people they work with that really gives the game its distinct identity. Do any smaller devs hide themselves like this? Interesting to learn about TOSE, hadn't heard of them before
12:52 what? protection in japan? for workers? you mean for corporations? the work culture is the worst in japan, have you seen their work offices su1c1de rates? they are a different colour than USA, but still on the same line
Yeah but what about ghost dev studios in other regions of the world like southeast asia, MENA region and south america? we dont talk about those? we only mention the good example from ✨JAPAN✨ where workers have right?
I know exactly what type of public you’re trying to appeal to with your comment about sweet baby inc, but they’re not precisely“useless” they’re consultants,and they’re just one among many companies you never heard of. Their job if done well, is simply to provide perspective for developers to appeal to broader market a.k.a More Money. It’s not a conspiracy to blackmail studios into woke ideology like many maidenless guys on twitter believe.
Use the code BELINDA at nordpass.com/belinda to get a free 3-month NordPass Business trial. No credit card required.
Thanks for coming back to longer videos🎉
Belinda with the sponsors 🙌 let's goo
Top notch game journalism. Love all your vids.
@@sembiance7 🥹🙏 top notch help for my production costs 🙏
I actually work for an Outsourcing Company that works with multiple well known studios and has quite alot of Veterans. What many also don't know is that Developers are often Prohibited from interacting with social media except a few and that's what Community Managers are for. Even though many Players don't see them but they are the shield and filter feedback and take the backlash off them.
And community manager is most of what makes a team of dev looks bad in our eye.
This kind of thing is very common in the music industry too, so many big artists use teams of session musicians, writers and producers who can often go completely unnamed. Great video once again!
The Concord developers probably wished to be unmentioned ghost devs
😅
💀
most of them did a decent job. As so often it was the fault of the management
@@lukasgruber1280 They were also complicit given the way they talked about the game online
Concord's credits scene lasts 72min. It was a lot of people involved.
Top-notch RUclips gaming content! I absolutely love this channel-it's a must-watch for any gamer!
Thanks for the encouragement. Very grateful 🙏🙏🙏
There was somthing distracting in this video, I can't quite point it out.
Well, it's getting cold.
I dont know if there is a form of funding your excellent work besides using your sponsor service with your code but here is a small amount just to say thank you and keep doing your great journalistic job.
If you use the membership option here in RUclips i would sign in a sec.
🙏🙏🙏🙏
reminds me a lot of ghost producers in the music industry. Having ghost-produced for others myself, it offers the freedom to create different content for different clients rather than having to build a brand up for yourself. Less risk and more flexibility
It’s also a lot more reliable in an industry like gaming where actual profit isn’t guaranteed after the increasing development costs. Dev/publishing teams are taking a financial risk on you rather than you risking the market itself. If a game actually turns a considerable profit then you made your client happy, and if it doesn’t then you’re the one who’s happy since you don’t have investors breathing down your neck.
It happened in every entertainment industry as it would seem. You'd also get ghost writer for movies and books, too.
Happy Xmas and Merry New Year!!! I could watch you talk about anything.🥰
@@ericmikuta Thank you so much, Eric! 🙏 happy Xmas
Your content is really great! It deserves much more recognition.
Amazing as always Belinda!
imagine being a ghost dev for 50 years then suddendly going public showing that u actually develloped like all the best games ever made and litteraly become the biggest gaming company in the world
And then get sued to hell for breaching multiple NDAs
Learn something new everyday. Time to look into this more.
Maybe I am naive or ignorant but I genuinely had no idea this kind of thing happens, it's wrong and sad that developers don't get the recognition they deserve for the incredible work that they do. Thank you Belinda for yet another fascinating video and shining a light on this topic, by the way was it cold in your office? wow lol.
Its cold out there
It's winter in Canada 😉
I can't believe it took me 10 other comments to find this one.
It was hard to focus
I called my wife and demanded explanation. Thought I was safe searching “shait” no one cares about. I’m sticking to podcasts. 😂
That's what shorts are for. Hooked me for the whole video. Good job.
It’s even worse for us so-called ‘Enterprise Application devs’. No mention of our names anywhere.
I love these videos. I genuinely wish that they keep coming. They are really a fresh view from the usual gaming themed documentary/video essay types of vids.
What a gem! I've just discovered your channel. The quality is craaaazy. Well done, keep going!
I’m quickly becoming a bigger fan of this channel and its tip top breakthrough content. Keep up the great work Belinda!🙂
Thanks for coming back to longer videos appreciate it
Your ‘’ghost development’’ are looking good.
👀
Another great video
Glad to see some excellente Journalistic work in the gaming industry
And this is mostly about big names and known development phases, like the ground coding of levels, audio design, etc. I spent 11.5 years working on Localization Quality Assurance and the creditting rules or the invisibilization of work is broader. Neglected from publishers and managers alike, it's quite tough to be credited from an external vendor perspective. I do understand the importance of NDAs and other factors that would require a worker to stay silent about their involvement in a product, but 7 out of 10 times it's simply not being recognized as an important development phase
oh yes, there's massive oversight ESPECIALLY with loc and QA teams, and they're just as important - if not more so - than those 'big name' dev roles. I totally get the frustration, because there's simply no good game without proper QA...Thanks for sharing your story - we need more conversations like this.
i've been waiting for your next video welcome back
THIS is real journalism.
Yeah you can really see her ability... it pops out so to speak xD
@@regalgiant1597 maybe it was a bit cold :'D
Shes BACK!! LESSGOO!
If you're a dev in this position, fight for your rights and cite the IGDA guidelines. While they're not law, the more they are spoken and cited, hopefully the more industry used they become.
Finally more videos ❤🎉
Merry christmas🎉
Nice shoutout for our side of things. We also go by white label studios. Why did we do it at our studio? Money, profits and sometimes longevity in the studio. It's easier to get work when you are knowledgeable as you have covered, but what you didn't cover is that sometimes you earn two to three times as much as a white label. Much in the same way that a contractor will earn more as a staffed employee.
Very good point that these companies, as "clients", pay more for white label work. Where I used to work I think half the jobs, if not more, were like that. Our stuff is everywhere in the industry, but credit is rare.
This channel is goated, thanks for another great video Belinda.
4:51 Damn we ain’t holding back anymore 😂 love it ❤
deserved
Great top. i appreciate your points.
It's a human thing. No need to shame, appreciation is the right thing to do
Thinking more about this, guessing being a ghost developer also means being shielded from social media harassment. Still remember people sending threat pizzas to Bungie employees.
Just four words:
Stellar work.
Criminally underrated.
Three letters: B-R-A
Game dev here:
Being in the credits is almost completely irrelevant to finding a job. Unless you're one of the primary creatives nobody cares what you worked on any more than other corporate employees.
It was weird to put my name publicly the first time. 99% of credits are stupidly complex enforcement and pointless. A great example of the bad part of unions.
6:17 Bandi naco actually makes alot of the modern nintendo titles now
🎉 welcome back!
This is also happening in Visual Effects. :'( Especially with the "We didn't use CGI" movement.
So sad.
Yes, especially in that industry. Not so much these days anymore, but it used to be pretty bad in the past.
This probably the only video that portrait Activision & EA as good company at the same video.
Another solid work
I think we all remember beating Gameboy, NES, Sega or some arcade games, and seeing some credits that just seemed like random names. I always thought Castlevania's credits where a joke.
Another fantastic video, thanks keep ‘em comin’:)
Great job on the video, had no idea about this
Neuron activation
Like for the cold room, cause I feel llke that couldn't have been accidental
Don't mind the creepy comments, this is an amazing video!
A lot of people don't want to be hidden this way, but have no choice if they want to keep their job like you say. The choice is made by management, often before the rest are even hired. Funny that EA did the opposite a long time ago, not so much lately. Leads put their names on things and people give them the credit. Sometimes leads do help hone a vision, just like a director of a film, but they have a lot of people they work with that really gives the game its distinct identity. Do any smaller devs hide themselves like this? Interesting to learn about TOSE, hadn't heard of them before
Awesome video, again!
You always have good videos!
Belinda's looking gorgeous today😻
Great video Belinda. Thanks.
Retro Studios getting shafted in credits is karma for denying crediting people themselves.
another great vid!
Gaming industry employees should be afforded the same protections, and rights, as anyone working in any other form of media. Credit where it is due.
There are ghosts artists as well in games. Ghost devs and artists usually get paid more.
Good video comrade!
There were a couple of good points in this video..
THIS
IS REAL
JOURNALISM
Merci pour le vidéo!
another banger video from Belinda - she always know what gamers want 😅
This channel is so great. I regret only having one like.
i do wonder how long it'll be before game devs have actual unions.
Great video, having the greatest boxer edit your video genius! lol
Is this an early holiday gift?! Belinda, you too kind! I always love your insights on these reports. So entertaining to watch and listen to!
oh no, those are ai generated images in the background...
4:47 earned the video a big like and a sub lol
haha yeah that was awesome, and what we all think
keep uploading! I love your videos, I found you through asmongold.
is it IA generated images in the background? they seem a little off...
So instead of saying my uncle works at Nintendo, I can just say I'm a ghost dev! Easy!
12:52 what? protection in japan? for workers? you mean for corporations? the work culture is the worst in japan, have you seen their work offices su1c1de rates? they are a different colour than USA, but still on the same line
Hahaha, the editor of the video left an Easter egg.
you've caught it! nice one!
We do get "star" developers from time to time. And then those developers proceed to disappoint everyone.
Even SBI get strays where least expected lmaooo
I LOVED Starfy! lol!
This also happens in Animation studios
Great video thanks.
3:49 / 14:32
Always here for a Belinda video.
interesting, i wonder if these ghost devs are the ones coding the hacks to sell them online for these big games.
Yuji naga. Good one.
You're back! 🔥
Love your work!
and the sweet baby part... ahaha you're good
why your videos are so goooood
i love you cheers
Remember LA Noire video game controversial history some developer name removed from credit
Very interesting
Wow. Those are some beautiful big facts presented there. Great video!
Yeah look at these credits
Bruh
Crazy, did not know
Yeah but what about ghost dev studios in other regions of the world like southeast asia, MENA region and south america? we dont talk about those? we only mention the good example from ✨JAPAN✨ where workers have right?
That room cold af I see 😂😂. Amazing work as always
Guys calm down calm down !!
No 🍌🍌🍌
Damn, I was just thinking it'd probably be great to work with Tose, shame they're doing poorly.
I’ve been waiting patiently for months…. Hello again 😂
5:43 glitch in the matrix? 😆
It's funny that the subtitles say something completely different from the original audio and the voice-over.
In a world where credits goes to family pets 🤣
Isn't that what sbi is aiming for? 😅
They worked on battle cats?
I know exactly what type of public you’re trying to appeal to with your comment about sweet baby inc, but they’re not precisely“useless” they’re consultants,and they’re just one among many companies you never heard of. Their job if done well, is simply to provide perspective for developers to appeal to broader market a.k.a More Money. It’s not a conspiracy to blackmail studios into woke ideology like many maidenless guys on twitter believe.