It’s not about the impact, it’s about the terms of employment. He knew full well what he did was wrong, even acknowledges it. Most jobs, even crappy ones, don’t allow any form of talking to the media without permission. His is even more important. It was a simple rule to follow. How is that a mistake? Even I know not…

Right, but the terms of one’s employment contract generally specify no breaking of any NDA agreements you may have with the company, and it's widely known that Treehouse employees are subject to a strict NDA agreement.

And then hope he doesn’t do it again? You could never trust the guy with anything secret, and the is most everything they work on at treehouse.

Actually, most corporations make it very clear that any public discussion of the company itself HAS to go through their media relations department.

Incidentally, there is nothing in this decision making process that I, not working in the gaming industry myself, would not have expected.

I’d love it if everyone you care about read this comment and realized what a toxic, thoughtless person you’re capable of being and reconsidered having you in their lives, but only by weighing in your good qualities as well.

Why would that make your day? ARe you dumb, angry or both?

Large corporations do risk management extensively. All risk management models lead to this conclusion. He had to be fired. There was zero benefit to the corporation from keeping him. (unless you project the ‘human” side of his potential contributions)

You’re a douchebag, then. And even then, I wouldn’t wish for you to lose your job.

Maybe this is why Nintendo is one of the most effective game companies out there at preventing leaks and being secretive. Because their staff knows the consequences of being indiscreet are really, really harsh?

That was needlessly hateful. Honestly, man, any sympathy you might’ve expressed for the poor guy in this story is now null and void. Why would you ever wish destitution on someone?

He has a family to take care of and I highly doubt he would have willingly risked that if he thought it through.

well you’re more of an asshole than him.

Your expectations aren’t laws of nature. There are countries in which he’d very much be protected against firing, especially immediate firing, unless there is substantial damage done.

My own NDA (I work at a very small mobile game studio) basically only allows me to repeat what’s on the company’s LinkedIn page (i.e. not much); so while I certainly feel sorry for the guy that he lost his job, I don’t think its the least bit surprising, nor do I hold it against Nintendo or think them backward and out…

I assume you are a reasonable and responsible adult, so let’s be mature.

That's awfully mean spirited and unwarranted. Why wish that on someone who is just explaining the truth? The guy messed up. Made an error in judgment and paid for it. That's how things work.

For acknowledging that a dumb course of action was dumb? It’s very very standard for that sort of rule to exist. I once worked a minimum wage amusement park job that was insanely low on the totem pole and I still had to sign something that had a bit saying that I would be fired for speaking to the press in general,…

Why? Because I’m smart enough to abide by my company’s media policy?

Yep exactly. It’s not like a new concept we are talking about. Any company where your work is influenced by the public at large has stipulations that they can basically cut a large chunk out of your ass should you go mouth off about your own or your clients work prior to them doing it.