All articles tagged with #industry layoffs
Originally Published 5 months ago — by Fortune
Despite the U.S. not officially being in a recession, over half of industries are shedding jobs, and employment data revisions suggest a potential downturn, with experts warning that persistent job declines across industries could signal an upcoming recession, even though current unemployment rates remain stable.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by IGN
Newly appointed PlayStation CEOs Hideaki Nishino and Hermen Hulst discussed their strategy for live service games, PC releases, and AI integration in their first presentation. They emphasized the profitability of the PS5, the use of external development teams to maintain game quality, and the potential of AI to enhance productivity and player experiences. They also addressed industry layoffs, including those at PlayStation, and highlighted the strategic importance of multi-platform releases, using Helldivers 2 as an example. Despite recent job losses, they believe the gaming industry is in a strong position.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by TrueAchievements
Larian Studios' head of publishing criticizes industry layoffs as avoidable mistakes, attributing Baldur's Gate 3's success to the company's nimbleness and independence from a publisher. He emphasizes the challenges faced by larger companies in adapting to rapidly changing industry trends and believes that layoffs are unnecessary and avoidable. Despite this, Larian Studios won't be developing new Baldur's Gate 3 DLC and will be stepping away from Dungeons & Dragons altogether.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Eurogamer.net
Larian Studios' publishing director, Micheal Douse, criticizes recent industry layoffs as "avoidable" and asserts that the affected companies are not at risk of bankruptcy but are focused on pleasing shareholders. He also suggests that Larian's success with Baldur's Gate 3 is partly due to the studio's independence from shareholders, expressing concerns that going public could compromise game quality. As Larian moves on from the franchise, speculation arises about who might develop Baldur's Gate 4.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by IGN
Larian Studios' publishing director, Michael Douse, criticizes the gaming industry's trend of avoidable mass layoffs, calling them a "f*ck up" and arguing that they are not inevitable but rather a result of poor planning and shareholder-driven greed. He emphasizes the importance of financial reserves and nimbleness in decision-making, contrasting Larian's privately owned structure with larger companies. Douse also discusses the changing landscape of game marketing and highlights the success of socially resonant games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Palworld.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Eurogamer.net
Former EA and Microsoft exec Peter Moore raises concerns about the future of traditional home video game consoles, questioning whether players really need to spend significant amounts on bespoke hardware when they can enjoy games on their phones or PCs. He highlights the financial risks for companies and the potential reluctance of gamers to embrace new console generations, especially in light of industry layoffs and tough economic times.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Rock Paper Shotgun
The magical first-person shooter game Immortals Of Aveum, which cost around $125 million to make, failed to attract an audience, leading to significant layoffs within its development team. Despite positive reviews, the game's sales were far below projections, with developers attributing its underperformance to being overscoped for a debut project and struggling to find its core fantasy or target audience. The industry-wide layoffs also affected other game developers, such as those at Relic impacted by the underperformance of Company Of Heroes 3.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Kotaku
The development and subsequent failure of Immortals of Aveum, a single-player shooter, highlights the challenges faced by single-player games in the current AAA market, where large budgets and the need for continuous revenue streams make it difficult to recoup costs. Despite positive reviews, the game's overscoped, bloated campaign and lack of in-game purchases led to poor sales, resulting in layoffs at developer Ascendant Studio. The industry trend towards massive budgets and live-service elements is making it increasingly difficult for single-player games to succeed, leading to thousands of layoffs and a collapsing business model.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Guardian
Despite a successful year for video games in 2023, the industry has seen widespread redundancies, with major companies like Microsoft, Epic Games, and Electronic Arts shedding thousands of staff. Factors driving the layoffs include the aftermath of Covid-19, revenue projection corrections, raised interest rates, and high inflation. The industry's reliance on external investment, aggressive mergers and acquisitions, and the potential rise of artificial intelligence in game development are also contributing to the job losses. As a result, there is growing pressure for industry self-regulation and unionization among development staff, while companies are expected to focus on safer bets and known hits to sustain and fund risks.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Insider Gaming
The Game Awards, hosted by Geoff Keighley, failed to address the mass layoffs in the gaming industry during the three-and-a-half-hour show. Despite thousands of people being let go from studios and publishers this year, there was no mention or sympathy expressed for their work. The focus seemed to be more on promoting studios, publishers, and sponsors, rather than addressing the concerns of those affected by the industry layoffs. This lack of acknowledgment showcased a cowardice on the part of Keighley and the entire team behind The Game Awards, turning the event into a marketing spectacle rather than a platform for meaningful discussion.