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Do game companies suffer from "Pointy haired boss syndrome"?

Started by Dominus Nox, September 09, 2006, 05:03:22 PM

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Dominus Nox

September 09, 2006, 05:03:22 PM
For those of you that find "Dilbert" too depressing to read, The term "Pointy haired boss" refers to a boss that is arrogant and never listens to anyone or takes anyone elses views into account.

Pointy haired boss syndrome is when someone running something becomes a PHB.

I was wondering if game companies suffer from PHB syndrome. From what I've heard they do. A lot of people bust on Gary Gygax for being arrogant and not listening to people.

Likewise, Steve jackson and Kevin Seimbada have often been accused of showing some signs of PHBS.

Do you know of any game company officials that are latent, bloosoming or full bore PHBs?
RPGPundit is a fucking fascist asshole and a hypocritial megadouche.

Mr. Analytical

#1
September 09, 2006, 05:27:07 PM
Gygax isn't arrogant.  He's a Jehova's Witness... one of god's own people.

I don't think PHB is the right characterisation.  If anything it's the opposite.  PHB's are people who know nothing about the field they're managing, they just have generic management training.

If anything, I imagine that the problem with games companies is that the bosses know all about the thing they're making, they just have no idea how to manage.

ColonelHardisson

#2
September 09, 2006, 09:13:24 PM
Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalI don't think PHB is the right characterisation.  If anything it's the opposite.  PHB's are people who know nothing about the field they're managing, they just have generic management training.

If anything, I imagine that the problem with games companies is that the bosses know all about the thing they're making, they just have no idea how to manage.

That all sounds reasonable to me. Some of the top guys at game companies - and I'll emphasize the "some" - seem inflexible. They have a definite idea of what they feel is "right" when it comes to games, and feel that anything that deviates from that paradigm is "wrong." This focused vision can result in something really great, but it can also cause them to be incapable of recognizing how good something is simply because it deviates from their vision. It also explains why fans can ask for something until they're blue in the face with nary a hint that the top guys being asked actually hear the requests.
"Illegitimis non carborundum." - General Joseph "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell

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