The recent layoffs at BioWare, the creators behind the upcoming game Dragon Age: The Veilguard, have sparked significant conversation within the gaming community about the state of the industry. Michael Daus, the publishing director at Larian Studios, has taken to social media to voice his concerns about these layoffs, emphasizing the importance of valuing employees and holding decision-makers accountable.
Daus argues that it's possible to avoid mass layoffs between or after projects, stressing the importance of retaining institutional knowledge which is vital for the success of future endeavors. He critiques the common corporate practice of "trimming the fat" as a justification for layoffs, especially when companies face financial difficulties. He questions the necessity of such aggressive efficiency measures, particularly when they do not consistently lead to a string of successful game releases.
He points out that the real issue lies with the strategies developed by those at the top of the corporate hierarchy, yet it's the employees at the bottom who bear the brunt of these decisions. Daus humorously suggests that video game companies should be managed like pirate ships, where the captain—symbolizing the decision-makers—would be held directly responsible for the ship's fate.
This discussion highlights a broader concern within the gaming industry about how companies manage their workforce and the impact of corporate strategies on employees and the quality of games produced.
