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Recent layoffs at BioWare, the studio behind Dragon Age: The Veilguard, have sparked a much-needed conversation about the current state of the gaming industry. Larian Studios' publishing director, Michael Daus, has again taken to social media to address these troubling trends. He argues for a fundamental shift in how game studios value and treat their employees, placing the onus of responsibility squarely on leadership, not the rank-and-file.
Daus contends that the widespread layoffs between projects, or even after successful project completion, are avoidable. He emphasizes the critical importance of retaining institutional knowledge—the collective expertise and experience of the development team—which is vital for future projects.
While acknowledging that "trimming the fat" (reducing redundancies) is often cited as justification, particularly during financial difficulties, Daus questions the necessity of such aggressive cost-cutting measures in large corporations. He points out that this approach only seems viable for studios consistently releasing successful titles. Layoffs, he argues, are not a solution, but rather the most drastic form of cost-cutting.
Daus ultimately concludes that the problem lies with the strategic decisions made by upper management. He uses a striking analogy: "The people at the bottom of the chain always suffer. The captain would be tossed overboard on a pirate ship. Companies that make video games ought to be managed like pirates." This highlights his belief that accountability for these industry-wide issues rests with leadership, not the developers who bear the brunt of the consequences.
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