Recent layoffs at BioWare, the studio behind Dragon Age: The Veilguard, have sparked widespread conversation about the current state of the gaming industry. Larian Studios' publishing director, Michael Daus, has again taken to social media, this time addressing the prevalent issue of industry layoffs. He argues for a greater appreciation of employees and emphasizes that accountability should rest with decision-makers, not rank-and-file workers.
Daus contends that substantial layoffs between or after projects are avoidable. He stresses the critical importance of retaining institutional knowledge for future projects. While acknowledging that "trimming the fat" is often cited as a reason for such actions, particularly during financial difficulties, he questions the necessity of large corporations' aggressive efficiency drives. He points out that this approach, while potentially justifiable with consistent hit releases, is ultimately a drastic cost-cutting measure, not a solution.
Daus highlights the flawed strategies of upper management as the root problem, arguing that those at the bottom always bear the brunt. He uses the analogy of a pirate ship, where the captain would be the first to be thrown overboard, suggesting that game development companies should adopt a similar approach to accountability.