Larian Publishing Director Michael Douse called games industry layoffs an 'avoidable f*ck up' in a new interview, touting what he says is the Baldur's Gate 3 dev's healthy and sustainable work environment.
I think the narrow minded perspective is coming from this comment. Yes. Of course layoffs are inevitable in business. That’s not what the discussion is about. Take a look at how short-sighted these companies behaved during the lock-down. People are stuck at home, and they’re buying more games? OMG let’s just pretend this is a trend that will never end and start expanding as much as possible! Nope. Anyone with two brain cells could tell you that was going to drop as soon as the lockdowns lifted and people could go outside again.
Avoidable? Abso-fucking-lutely.
However, I agree with you that it’s not at all a fuck up. I believe it is flat out malicious. Publishers have more than two brain cells, and they knew this was going to happen, so they took advantage of an obvious opportunity to get rid of costly, experienced employees in favor of cheap, new blood. Smart, and evil.
I think the narrow minded perspective is coming from this comment. Yes. Of course layoffs are inevitable in business. That’s not what the discussion is about. Take a look at how short-sighted these companies behaved during the lock-down. People are stuck at home, and they’re buying more games? OMG let’s just pretend this is a trend that will never end and start expanding as much as possible! Nope. Anyone with two brain cells could tell you that was going to drop as soon as the lockdowns lifted and people could go outside again.
Avoidable? Abso-fucking-lutely.
However, I agree with you that it’s not at all a fuck up. I believe it is flat out malicious. Publishers have more than two brain cells, and they knew this was going to happen, so they took advantage of an obvious opportunity to get rid of costly, experienced employees in favor of cheap, new blood. Smart, and evil.