Recent layoffs at BioWare, the studio behind Dragon Age: The Veilguard, have sparked a wider conversation about the current state of the gaming industry. Larian Studios' publishing director, Michael Daus, weighed in on social media, criticizing the practice and emphasizing the importance of valuing employees.
Daus argues that significant layoffs 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 employed by large corporations, suggesting they're often unnecessary. He points out that this approach, while potentially viable for consistently successful studios, is ultimately a drastic cost-cutting measure, not a solution.
Daus highlights a fundamental flaw: the strategic decisions made by upper management often lead to the dismissal of lower-level employees. He uses the analogy of a pirate ship, where the captain would be the first to be sacrificed, suggesting that the gaming industry should adopt a more responsible leadership model.
