Recent layoffs at BioWare, developer of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, have sparked widespread conversation about the current state of the gaming industry. Larian Studios' publishing director, Michael Daus, weighed in on social media, emphasizing the importance of valuing employees and holding leadership accountable for industry layoffs.
Daus argues that significant team reductions between or after projects are avoidable. He stresses the critical role of retaining institutional knowledge for future projects. While acknowledging the financial pressures that sometimes necessitate "trimming the fat," he questions the aggressive efficiency strategies of large corporations, suggesting they are often unnecessary. This approach, he points out, is only viable if the company consistently releases successful titles. Layoffs, he concludes, are merely a drastic cost-cutting measure.
He further highlights that the root problem lies in the strategic decisions made by upper management, yet the consequences disproportionately affect lower-level employees. Using the analogy of a pirate ship, he suggests that companies should prioritize their workforce, unlike the practice of throwing the captain overboard in times of crisis. He concludes that the video game industry needs a more responsible leadership model.
