You know that feeling when you’re so passionate about something that you’d do it for free? Well, Bungie has tapped into that fervor, at least according to their former chief legal officer, Don McGowan. In a recent interview, he explained how the studio hired fans who were willing to work for peanuts to be part of the Destiny universe.
During an engaging chat with IATSE on YouTube (which you can check out right here):
McGowan didn’t hold back. He mentioned how gaming companies often exploit this passion-driven workforce to save on salaries. “We totally took advantage of that at Bungie,” he said, adding with a hint of resignation, “We hired fans because fans would work for less.” Ouch! That’s like finding out your favorite band only plays gigs in your town because they don’t want to pay for travel expenses.
The man’s got experience, too, as he’s worked with heavyweights like Pokémon and Microsoft Games. When he switched to Bungie, his peers were shocked by what they assumed was a massive pay cut. McGowan explained that this reputation isn’t excellent for business but becomes easier to manage if you only bring in die-hard fans excited to be there. It’s as if they’ve created a cult where love trumps financial stability, or at least that’s what it sounds like.
