Dear Paradox: Please don't outsource your content design

[Sultan Suleiman]

I'm someone who is generally very supportive of the PDS team. But I was deeply disappointed to learn that the design work of the new country pack had been outsourced to freelancers.

I'm not intending to disparage anyone. I'm sure the people who worked on this pack are talented and devoted. This is about corporate policy and the integrity of the product.

In regards to policy, content should be designed in house. Period. If a freelancer is good enough to contribute to the game, they're good enough to be paid a salary and provided benefits. Anything less smacks of exploitation. As to integrity, when I pay for a PDS product, I expect the work to be done by PDS. Sub-contracting is for shady home repairs, not titles crafted by the masters of Grand Strategy.

I know we all want content faster. But I, at least, want it done right, and done ethically. It wouldn't be fair to boycott this particular DLC, having not made my opinion known earlier, but I won't be purchasing DLC in the future that has been created in such a manner.

P.S. I know art and focus tree design have been hired out to freelancers in the past, and, to be honest, it's a practice that's always bothered me. Having a country pack whose design has been wholly outsourced, however, crosses a line that I find profoundly troubling. Paradox needs to be a better company than this.

 

[kimidf]

Personally, it doesn't bother me that they hire outside people for certain tasks and are supervised by the game developers.

Paradox precisely demanded that it do so and it created the best option to insert new content more regularly and faster than the pace of developers.


In addition, these can be completely dedicated to making higher quality products

Also among the community of modders there are very talented people who have, as shown by some mods such as the famous road 56 that are ideal to dedicate themselves to these minor countries or insert things of flavors that always make the game richer for all we enjoy with this game

 

[blahmaster6k]

Nothing wrong with hiring freelancers. Said freelancers wouldn't have applied for or accepted the job if they felt the terms of their contract were unfair or exploitative. At the end of the day, I would assume that most of the people working for or with paradox are living out their dream jobs. Games are best made in whatever way is quickest and most efficient while still ensuring the highest quality possible.

 

[brantodb01]

Sure freelance work can be used as an excuse to exploit people but it can also be used just to take on some extra people easily and temporarily. I don't think we can really say much without seeing the terms of the contract (which we don't need to see).

 

[Sultan Suleiman]

I don't question the freelancers Paradox hires. I question why their work is valued less. Why does someone who works in house receive a salary and benefits, when someone who freelances doesn't? There's no way around it: either freelancers are not as qualified as in-house developers, or they're being underpaid.

@blahmaster6k

Yes, there is plenty wrong with hiring freelancers. It is inherently predatory, aimed at short-term profits over long-term viability or employee welfare. In a nutshell, older, more experienced employees (aware of their worth) are shafted in favor of less expensive (but enthusiastic) newcomers. These younger employees are tasked to do the same job at a fraction of the reward of their older, more experienced peers. Some freelancers may get staff positions, usually after decades in their respective fields, but many, after growing old enough to become aware of their exploitation, are simply passed over in favor for the next generation of cheaper substitutes. Most artists and designers dream, not of freelancing, but of having an actual position that provides a financial safety net. As a freelancer, one might live from contract to contract: fail to get picked up one month, and it's off to a temp agency, whereupon you'll be hard-pressed to find time to pursue your passion.

See both the American newspaper industry and adjunct professors for further examples of this unethical and shortsighted practice.

 

[Jays298]

Maybe it's the right idea. I'd rather they focus on core game mechanics and things like major powers that have the greatest impact on games. Even if I bought this DLC it would probably be invisible 95% of the time.

You should consider from a contractor's perspective that benefits are really irrelevant, probably a bad thing actually because they aren't cash. It's simply a matter of moving from contract to contract with clients that are willing to spend money.

 

[blahmaster6k]

I don't question the freelancers Paradox hires. I question why their work is valued less. Why does someone who works in house receive a salary and benefits, when someone who freelances doesn't? There's no way around it: either freelancers are not as qualified as in-house developers, or they're being underpaid.

@blahmaster6k

Yes, there is plenty wrong with hiring freelancers. It is inherently predatory, aimed at short-term profits over long-term viability or employee welfare. In a nutshell, older, more experienced employees (aware of their worth) are shafted in favor of less expensive (but enthusiastic) newcomers. These younger employees are tasked to do the same job at a fraction of the reward of their older, more experienced peers. Some freelancers may get staff positions, usually after decades in their respective fields, but many, after growing old enough to become aware of their exploitation, are simply passed over in favor for the next generation of cheaper substitutes. Most artists and designers dream, not of freelancing, but of having an actual position that provides a financial safety net. As a freelancer, one might live from contract to contract: fail to get picked up one month, and it's off to a temp agency, whereupon you'll be hard-pressed to find time to pursue your passion.

See both the American newspaper industry and adjunct professors for further examples of this unethical and shortsighted practice.

Sorry, but you're wrong. I'll use one of your own examples to prove you wrong because i'm actually very familiar with it. The american newspaper industry is different because the same freelance writers have their articles published in multiple papers. In fact, when a recent law in California was passed that would force papers to classify their independently contracted writers as full employees, the writers themselves protested until an exception was added to the law. It didn't work for the writers OR the newspapers and actually made it harder for journalists to have their work published. You wouldn't suggest that they be considered full time employees at five papers at the same time, would you?

As long as people are happy with the compensation they receive for their work, that's all that matters. It's not our job to soapbox or dictate what other people are allowed to do with their time, or even what is ethical. Especially not on a gaming forum. What paradox is doing is just how things are done in many industries, and they're done that way because they work better than other options for all parties (most of the time). But sure, spout ideological nonsense, it doesn't serve any purpose other than virtue signaling.

 

[Sultan Suleiman]

@Jays298

Who works on what content isn't the issue. It's the question of why some work, if it's worth putting in the game at all, is rewarded less. The games industry is abusive. More and more articles come out every month revealing the harsh reality of "crunch time" and the hardship of un-unionized labor. Freelancing, while not egregious as some offenses, contributes to exploitation of artists and designers.

Considering a contractor's perspective was one of my main motivations for starting this thread. Why should some artists have to float from company to company, while others have the security of a salary and a place of work to call their own? No single contract is going to cover bills for very long, and time spent scrambling to find a new sources of income is time that could be spent honing a craft or producing content.

Freelancing also has negative effects on non-freelancers. An older employee laid off to make room for someone with a quarter of their experience (and asking price) is another casualty of the outsource business model. It's not a "simple matter" for these people to navigate industries that prioritize profit over principle.

 

[Sultan Suleiman]

@blahmaster6k

My father was a journalist of some thirty years and witnessed firsthand the decline of the newspaper industry. As profits plummeted due to competition from online sources (don't get me wrong: there were other contributing factors), businesses like Gannett flailed to stop the bleeding. Their chief tactic was to gut their papers' staffs by laying off experienced reporters and hiring freelancers to fill the void. With respect to your example, I've never heard of a journalist turning down a job at a good paper to remain a freelancer. Most likely, the writers you mentioned feared publishers would run free AP (Associated Press) copy if freelancing was discontinued, rather than pay for any new content at all.

"As long as people are happy..."

My whole point is that the outsource business model does not result in employees that are happy, or at least as happy and secure as they could be, and I find "That's just how things are!" to be an unconvincing argument.

I'm going to post on issues relating to the game, its production, or its distribution that concern me. You're more than welcome to offer your opinion in return, but, in regard to what is and isn't appropriate, the moderators here are than capable of determining that on their own.

Also, just because you disagree with my views doesn't make yours any less "ideological." You just happen to be coming from a different ideology.

 

[Jays298]

@Jays298

Why should some artists have to float from company to company, while others have the security of a salary and a place of work to call their own? No single contract is going to cover bills for very long, and time spent scrambling to find a new sources of income is time that could be spent honing a craft or producing content.

Well, no job at any corporation or private company is ever safe or secure. Ideally so called freelancers work for a third company that provides services to many different companies and avoids being dependant on any individual firm because a significant portion of them will fail anyway.

But the reality is that private companies cut costs, often as a prelude to failure. Sometimes simply to reorganize. And it doesn't matter who they hire or fire or replace because they probably won't be around in a decade or will be bought by someone else.

If their games start to resemble encyclopedias on various nations maybe it makes sense for it to be more of a collaborative effort.

 

[Sultan Suleiman]

Well, no job at any corporation or private company is ever safe or secure. Ideally so called freelancers work for a third company that provides services to many different companies and avoids being dependant on any individual firm because a significant portion of them will fail anyway.

But the reality is that private companies cut costs, often as a prelude to failure. Sometimes simply to reorganize. And it doesn't matter who they hire or fire or replace because they probably won't be around in a decade or will be bought by someone else.

If their games start to resemble encyclopedias on various nations maybe it makes sense for it to be more of a collaborative effort.

Having a steady job, even one with an "at will" termination clause, is safer and more secure than being an independent contractor (I've done both).

You characterize the ideal working situation for freelancers, but do you really think what you describe fits the picture of the freelancer we've been talking about, or have anything to indicate that's how the majority of freelancers are living?

Your second paragraph is a a grim, yet accurate, assessment of the potential end for an outsource business model, and it doesn't worry you more that Paradox is moving in that direction?

I've never thought PDS' games resembled encyclopedias, or that they needed outside intervention, but I suppose that's a matter of taste.

 

[Edungeon]

I dont like it either

 

[blahmaster6k]

My whole point is that the outsource business model does not result in employees that are happy, or at least as happy and secure as they could be

I will say that I'm glad you're concerned for freelance workers. There are certainly some employers who mistreat their independent contractors, but I wouldn't say that's the norm. If you had bad experiences working freelance, I'm sorry. But many people are happy like that and have had nothing but good experiences. Keep in mind that every country is different and has different labor laws, there isn't a one-size-fits-all best practice for things like this. But I don't think you or anyone else has the right to tell someone whether or not they should be happy with what they have.

Furthermore, the job of a business is not to ensure that its employees are happy. They are under no obligation to do so, legally or morally. It's good if they do, some might even say it's important, but it's not the goal of a business. The job of a business is to put out a product or service that people want and are willing to spend money for. People are paid based on the monetary value they produce for their employer, not based on how much time they spend working or how "hard" they work. I could hypothetically work hard and put 100% of my effort into being a great cook at a fast food restaurant but I still wouldn't deserve the pay of a software engineer, doctor, or professional athlete. Now, of course any successful business will put effort into ensuring that its employees are happy, or else no one will want to work there. Websites like Glassdoor exist which let people see what it's like to work for a company before they accept a position. But even many full time jobs don't result in a happy employee, it doesn't matter if you're a freelancer or salaried worker.

I'd argue that salaried employees working 8 hours a day at a job they hate with coworkers they hate are probably less happy than an independent contractor making cool focus trees for an awesome game company that they've been a fan of for years and always wanted to work for. Money can't buy happiness, and happiness isn't based on whether you make tons of money or not. Some of the happiest people I've met were some of the poorest, and vice versa.

I'm going to refrain from replying to this thread any further, it just feels like a pointless debate. I respect your opinion, but I think we should agree to disagree.

 

[Nicolas-]

There is a misconception that hiring independent contractors is unethical. It's not necessarily true. Sometimes you need people on short term basis only regardless of geographical location. So that's when freelance becomes the better option.
I see no issue with PDX hiring independent contractors to deal with the increased demand of work following a major release like CK3.

And honestly, the best content designers PDX can find are modders. These are generally young people who may not be living in Sweden. So asking them to move to a new country just to contribute isn't really great. So this type of remote work contract probably works for them.

 

[Indyclone77]

I feel you misunderstand the usage of freelance in this sense, Freelance in the PDS sense is working remotely for large periods of time interspersed with time spent in Sweden working within the office environment. It's different to what I feel you mean in "outsourcing" which is paying an outside entity a fixed rate to create content for a title.

 

[MR2]

My father was a journalist of some thirty years...

Well that right there explains a whole lot.

 

[seymouruk]

My only concern is that with multiple different freelancers doing all these little bits and pieces how well will they all integrate into the overall game? There will surely be some lack of continuity, in scope, quality, gameplay effects etc. across all these overlapping trees and paths. That's already a problem in the main game and it's main DLCs made by the experienced developers. I can't begin to imagine the number of issues that will crop up if they start farming out these little packs to multiple different people/teams with differing levels of knowledge of the game and skills.

I do not wish to denigrate or disparage the Greece content pack designer but when I read that they used to read the HOI IV dev diaries in their high school breaks I had to re-read it thinking surely I read it wrong and it was HOI II or III dev diaries. That person may be super enthusiastic but experienced? That's not much game design experience in that time frame or even real world work experience. I just worry as some of the others posting in this thread that the balance in this deal may be skewed too far in favour of PDX. Using the inexperience and enthusiasm of these younger freelances instead of utilising a more experienced designer and paying them their fair dues based on their knowledge/skills and their real worth. Especially after reading the Rock Paper Shotgun article this does leave a bit of a bad taste in the mouth.

I hope that we are all wrong though and this is all above board and fair and equitable.

EDIT. Also it made me feel really old as I remember reading the HOI manual at work...

 

[Sultan Suleiman]

@blahmaster6k

Thank you for your polite and well-considered post. I'm more than happy to accept our differences and leave it be after this.

My intention was never to tell people whether they should or shouldn't be happy, only to insist on equality of reward and quality of product. I understand what you're saying with the fry cook/doctor comparison, but we're talking about two people doing the exact same job: content designer.

Businesses exist for profit. I get that. But if people never tried to challenge them, we'd still be working 14-hour days alongside child laborers, coming home to a neighborhood filled with toxic crud. We have the right to stand up for ourselves and demand a better quality of life, even at the expense of our employer's profit.

Life as an independent contractor wasn't necessarily unhappy, just objectively more difficult and less certain. It's simply harder to plan your life when you're not sure where your next check is coming from (or if it's coming). When you clock in to a 9 to 5, you might hate your job, but odds are, you'll have a paycheck at the end of it.

"Quality of product" simply means not settling for sub-contract work. Basic consumer rights stuff. If I pay for a PDS product, I want it made by PDS. If it's not by PDS, but it's just as good, why was it sub-contracted? The only answer is that it was cheaper, and that's where exploitation comes into it.

Anyway, I'm sorry we don't have more common ground, but I appreciate your weighing in. That's what forums are for!

 

[Archangel85]

I'm someone who is generally very supportive of the PDS team. But I was deeply disappointed to learn that the design work of the new country pack had been outsourced to freelancers.

I'm not intending to disparage anyone. I'm sure the people who worked on this pack are talented and devoted. This is about corporate policy and the integrity of the product.

In regards to policy, content should be designed in house. Period. If a freelancer is good enough to contribute to the game, they're good enough to be paid a salary and provided benefits. Anything less smacks of exploitation. As to integrity, when I pay for a PDS product, I expect the work to be done by PDS. Sub-contracting is for shady home repairs, not titles crafted by the masters of Grand Strategy.

I know we all want content faster. But I, at least, want it done right, and done ethically. It wouldn't be fair to boycott this particular DLC, having not made my opinion known earlier, but I won't be purchasing DLC in the future that has been created in such a manner.

P.S. I know art and focus tree design have been hired out to freelancers in the past, and, to be honest, it's a practice that's always bothered me. Having a country pack whose design has been wholly outsourced, however, crosses a line that I find profoundly troubling. Paradox needs to be a better company than this.

I think you are reading a little too much into the dev diary we posted yesterday. I don't blame you, because I have seen the same processes play out across the economy at large, and it is completely understandable that you would be worried about what this means for Paradox as a company and for the quality of the products. When I was first informed that we would start to employ freelancers several years ago, I was also concerned.

There are however a number of factors that make this a little different.

For one, our freelancers are absolutely getting paid roughly the same amount of money that they would make if they were in-house (after taxes). This is in no small part because making content for a Paradox game does require a very specific skillset that is fairly rare - you need to be good at historical research AND at game design AND at technical implementation AND at narrative design AND at writing. A skilled content designer is nearly irreplacable, and our freelancers do know this when they go in to renegotiate or extend their contract. A skilled content designer could find work almost everywhere else in the games industry. There have been no cases at Paradox where an in-house position in the CD department has been involuntarily replaced by a freelancer, although several people have moved from an in-house position to a freelance/consultant position for a variety of reasons (such as not wanting to work in an office any longer or moving abroad for a time period to be with family). People who were originally hired as freelancers are now working in-house as regular employees on EU4, Stellaris, CK3, HoI4, and Imperator.

Secondly, this was not done to get content faster or cheaper than if it was done inhouse. The underlying idea was to be able to grow a team where needed, while we were quite literally running out of physical space in our old offices (I am not 100% certain but I can not recall any new freelancers being hired after we moved offices - at any rate far more in-house positions have been created than freelancers have been hired since then). Any CD who is hired freelance is considered a significant time investment, just to get them to the point where they are as productive as an in-house team member. The notion that we can just grab someone from the streets to replace a freelancer who has gotten fed up is simply not true (and I would get very loud with anyone who would suggest that it is). Busby took about 9 months to recruit and started almost two years ago.

Lastly, your impression of how we work internally seems to be off in several aspects. Focus Tree design and implementation is the main task of Content Designers on HoI (and I am not entirely sure where you got the impression that they have been outsourced before - they haven't been, at least on HoI). The decision which focus trees to include in a country pack was taken internally before Busby was even hired. Afterwards it was up to Busby to design and implement the focus trees, with feedback and oversight from us, including QA testing and design reviews. As he himself noted in the DevDiary, the difference between him and the rest of the CD department during the WFH period is essentially just the timezone. He is as integrated into the team as any of the other content designers. He is contracted for for the same amount of work as the other CDs, and Paradox has a very strong anti-crunch culture that does extend to the freelancers. Our producer would get extremely upset if he tried to sneak in unpaid overtime.

I don't want to paint a picture of a happy fluffy family at Paradox where capitalism isn't real and there are never any problems. We are a game studio. But when we hire people, be it in-house or freelance, we hire professionals to do a professional job. I don't think we will ever stop having freelancers, but having freelancers does not mean that we have stopped hiring for in-house positions (if anything, we now have a much better understanding of what kind of jobs you can outsource and which ones are better done in-house).

 

[Voigt]

Lastly, your impression of how we work internally seems to be off in several aspects. Focus Tree design and implementation is the main task of Content Designers on HoI (and I am not entirely sure where you got the impression that they have been outsourced before - they haven't been, at least on HoI).

I think this notion comes from Mexico and Portugal Focus Trees. But there only the basis was created by external help, but making the basis into a real Focus Tree with Gamemechanics and ingame narration was done by an internal content designer, as far as I know.