Developer Fired for Dissing PS3
Sony coder learns the hard way that sometimes it's better to keep your opinion to yourself.
Opinions are like...well, let's just say everyone's got one. But when you work for one of the biggest companies around, it's sometimes better to keep your opinions to yourself. This is something Josh Robinson, formerly of Sony Online Entertainment (home to EverQuest and more), learned the hard way.
A while ago, Robinson posted uncomplimentary impressions on his site, Down In Front, of the PlayStation 3. Despite the nine-year development veteran making sure not to break any privacy agreements, Robinson was warned by friends that he could be stirring the pot. And they were right.
Robinson's criticisms of the PlayStation 3, which is supposedly shipping this spring or summer in Japan, and kind words for the rival Xbox 360 got him fired after bosses were shown his comments.
Though he lost his job for them, Robinson stands by his criticisms, as he explained in a follow-up interview with game site PlayStation 3 Week:
"If I am looking at a next-generation system (the Xbox 360 for example) I expect to see next-gen technology. If I don't see that next-gen technology then I'm inclined to be disappointed."
Don't feel too bad for him, though. Robinson was offered five jobs in the week after Sony fired him.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games
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