The recent layoffs at BioWare, the studio behind Dragon Age: The Veilguard, have sparked significant conversation about the state of the gaming industry. Michael Daus, the publishing director at Larian Studios, has taken to social media to voice his concerns and opinions on the matter. He emphasizes the importance of valuing employees and suggests that responsibility should fall on decision-makers rather than the workforce.
Daus argues that it's possible to avoid mass layoffs between or after projects, stressing the importance of retaining institutional knowledge, which is crucial for the success of future projects. He critiques the common corporate justification of "trimming the fat" as a means to address financial difficulties, pointing out the unnecessary aggressive efficiency often employed by large corporations. While he acknowledges the potential rationale behind such actions, he questions their effectiveness, especially when companies aren't consistently releasing successful games.
He further highlights the flawed strategy developed by upper management, noting that it's the employees at the bottom who suffer the consequences. Daus uses a colorful analogy, suggesting that video game companies should be managed more like pirate ships, where the captain (management) is held accountable rather than the crew (employees).
These insights from Daus contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the need for more sustainable and employee-focused practices within the gaming industry.
