The recent layoffs at BioWare, the studio behind Dragon Age: The Veilguard, have sparked significant conversations 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 project completions. He stresses the importance of retaining institutional knowledge, which is crucial for the success of future projects. He critiques the common justification of "trimming the fat" or reducing redundancies, especially when companies face financial difficulties. While he acknowledges the rationale behind this approach, he questions the aggressive efficiency measures adopted by large corporations.
He points out that such aggressive cost-cutting measures, like layoffs, are not the solution, particularly when companies are not consistently releasing successful games. Daus suggests that the root of the problem lies in the strategies devised by higher-ups, yet it's the employees at the lower levels who bear the brunt of these decisions. He humorously proposes that game companies should be managed like pirate ships, where the captain—symbolizing the decision-makers—would be held accountable for the ship's fate.
This discussion highlights a broader issue within the gaming industry: the need for more responsible management practices that prioritize the well-being and retention of skilled employees, rather than resorting to layoffs as a primary means of cost management.
