Recent layoffs at BioWare, the creators of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, have sparked widespread conversation about the current state of the gaming industry. Larian Studios' publishing director, Michael Daus, recently weighed in on social media, addressing the issue of industry-wide layoffs. He emphasizes the importance of valuing employees and holding leadership accountable, rather than sacrificing rank-and-file workers.
Daus argues that the loss of experienced developers between projects is preventable. He stresses the critical role of institutional knowledge in future projects, stating that retaining this knowledge is paramount. While acknowledging that financial pressures can necessitate cost-cutting measures, he questions the aggressive efficiency strategies employed by large corporations, suggesting they often lead to unnecessary layoffs. He points out that such drastic measures are only justified if a company consistently releases successful titles. Otherwise, layoffs represent an extreme, and ultimately ineffective, cost-cutting approach.
Daus concludes that the core problem lies in the strategic decisions made by upper management, while the consequences are disproportionately borne by lower-level employees. He uses the analogy of a pirate ship, where the captain, rather than the crew, would be the first to be thrown overboard in times of crisis. He suggests that the gaming industry should adopt a more responsible, and arguably more pirate-like, management style.
