Capcom's Ono Blasts Company For Overworking Employees
Street Fighter X TekkenRemember when everyone was shocked to hear about the supposedly terrible working conditions at L.A. Noire developer Team Bondi?
Well, unfortunately, that's not exactly new in the world of interactive entertainment. And now a new voice has risen to complain about his work environment: It's Capcom Street Fighter producer Yoshinori Ono.
Ono fell ill this past April and apparently, it was no laughing matter. Capcom wouldn't issue a statement on the executive's health, which prompted rumors that he had passed away. But he's very much alive and mostly recovered, and he has a lot to say; he said it to Eurogamer with great emphasis:
"Capcom doesn't allow a trade union or any sort of worker movement you see. So if I complain I will probably get sacked. You have to say it for me, OK? I want you to write: 'Capcom overworks Ono.' That's your headline."
Ono's health scare forced him to temporarily abandon his position, but even a visit to the hospital didn't provide him with a whole lot of relaxation. In fact, things only get more ominous as Ono explains how the company showed little sympathy and expected him to just keep grinding away:
"Nobody told me to take a rest. When I returned to work, Capcom didn't even acknowledge that I had been in hospital. There was no change in my schedule. I was at home for an entire week before the doctors allowed me to return to work. When I returned to my desk there was a ticket to Rome [for a publicity junket] waiting for me. There's no mercy. Everyone in the company says: 'Ono-san we've been so worried about you.' Then they hand me a timetable and it's completely filled with things to do."
Capcom has yet to officially respond to Ono's accusations but you can bet journalists will keep after the publisher for an answer. We know Japanese game makers often feel pressured to deliver top-quality products in an increasingly competitive environment, so maybe some really are pushing too hard... It might even be likely.
Tags: street fighter x tekken, capcom, yoshinori ono, tekken
6/12/2012 8:50:53 PM John Shepard
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Comments (11 posts)
CH1N00K
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 @ 10:13:06 PM
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2 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 @ 10:33:43 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 @ 10:53:05 PM
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Sorry you got sick Ono, now man up and find another job if you hate working for Crapcom.
2 up, 12 down
ZettaiSeigi
Wednesday, June 13, 2012 @ 4:43:27 AM
4 up, 0 down
pillz81
Thursday, June 14, 2012 @ 12:00:36 PM
I think him "whining" at this stage in his career at Capcom was a matter of time. It is also a rarity.
"now man up and find another job if you hate working for Crapcom"
That is probably easier said than done, I'm afraid. Plus, I don't think he is confident enough that he will get another job.
"what if there are reasons that make it hard for him to leave?"
I believe it is a matter of job security. There was an asian economic crisis in the 1990's and Japan's economy experienced its worst recession since World War II in early 2009, propelling the nation's jobless rate in July 2009. So it makes sense that he stayed at the company for so long.
0 up, 0 down
___________
Wednesday, June 13, 2012 @ 6:37:37 AM
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no one gives a sh*t about their employees any more!
its not only the games industry either, everywhere its like that.
a family friend of mine he use to love his job he was treated like a king!
hes tech support, anything he wants he gets!
he has a work car, work phone, work laptop, work pays his phone bills, they pay for all the software on his laptop, they pay for his petrol.
anything he wants at work, a new desk, a new chair, new software, anything they will buy it for him!
last few years though because of the recession companies going broke they have changed their tune and now they wont do sh*t for him!
they use to have him as manager and 4 people under him.
now its just him they fired everyone else, and expect him to do all the work!
there still running XP because their too tight a$$ed to upgrade!
he wants a new printer because hes is broken and it will cost too much to fix but they wont buy him one, they just say oh what do you need one for?
unfortunately this is how companies are these days they dont give a f*ck about their employees!
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, June 13, 2012 @ 9:59:36 AM
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Personally I think that corporate America stinks to high heaven for a number of reasons. But their treatment of employees as chattel is definitely one reason. The fact that to get good health care you're effectively beholden to your employer does tend to make you feel a little like an indentured servant as well.
Last edited by Highlander on 6/13/2012 9:59:50 AM
3 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, June 13, 2012 @ 1:37:44 PM
2 up, 0 down
berserk
Thursday, June 14, 2012 @ 2:23:32 AM
"I had an interview for another job" .... he said nothing and walked away .Saying the truth feel so good sometime .
1 up, 0 down
pillz81
Thursday, June 14, 2012 @ 12:28:12 PM
0 up, 0 down
Alienange
Reply
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 @ 9:46:22 PM