After Helldivers 2 took home four Golden Joysticks awards earlier this week, an Arrowhead Game Studios developer spoke out about the state of the gaming industry and the work that needs to be done to remedy the problems facing it. currently affect.
During an interview at the event, Helldivers 2 production director Alex Bauwl explained that while it's currently an “incredible time” when it comes to games being released, the industry as a whole is in a situation quite poor. “I think the industry is in a very serious situation today,” he begins. “It's very important to take the time to recognize that games are being released and that it's an incredible time… but we need to be aware that the games industry is in crisis and we need to be there to help each other.”
Over the past two years, the gaming industry has been devastated by layoffs: PC Gamer reported that approximately 11,250 people in 2023 lost their jobs. In 2024, things have only gotten worse: Eurogamer estimates put the number of jobs lost between January and September alone at already 13,000.
One of the biggest sources of layoffs in 2024 has been Microsoft, which has reportedly laid off more than 2,500 workers alone, with several successful studios closing in the process, including Tango Gameworks developer Hi-Fi Rush and Arkane. Austin, developer of the Dishonored series. and red fall.
Unfortunately, these layoffs currently show no signs of stopping, and developers are calling for more to be done to protect the livelihoods of their peers and ensure that the people who make 2024 such an incredible time for gaming can continue to do so in the future. .
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