Recent layoffs at BioWare, the studio behind Dragon Age: The Veilguard, have sparked a wider conversation about the gaming industry's current state. Larian Studios' publishing director, Michael Daus, has again commented on social media, this time addressing the issue of industry-wide job cuts. He argues that companies should prioritize employee value and hold leadership accountable, rather than blaming rank-and-file workers:
Avoiding widespread layoffs between or after projects is achievable. Retaining institutional knowledge is vital for future success.
While "trimming the fat" is often cited as a reason for these cuts, and understandable given financial pressures, Daus questions the necessity of such aggressive cost-cutting measures in large corporations. He suggests this approach might be justifiable with consistent hit releases, but frequent layoffs are simply a drastic, and ultimately ineffective, cost-saving measure.
Daus points out that the strategic decisions made by upper management are the root cause, yet lower-level employees always bear the brunt. He uses the analogy of a pirate ship, where the captain would be the first to be thrown overboard in times of crisis. He concludes that the video game industry needs a more responsible leadership model, suggesting a more decisive and accountable approach similar to that of a pirate captain.
