Amir Satvat’s Post

Another games jobs cut situation today at CI Games as reported by Game Developer's Christopher Kerr and confirmed by the company, saying "This restructure affects approximately 30 roles across production" https://lnkd.in/eHmMFztw Here's where this puts us. I will start exposing these statistics regularly as a reminder of the human cost of these decisions: 100+ games layoffs in 2024 One games layoff situation on average every 1.3 days in 2024 (apologies for getting this inverted in the picture) Over 10,000 games layoffs in 2024 YTD Within 500 cuts of hitting 2023's games layoff number...in May If you were in fact affected by these cuts, I have no words to express my feelings. However, our community has three resource "homes" built to help you: HOME 1 - 🔗 AMIRSATVAT.COM: Our hub offering 15 resources to help you find work, including a fully updated design. - 🔗 Games Org Support Posts: Find a template at AMIRSATVAT.COM (Category 4, Resource 10). If you can provide information from your team (with their consent), I’ll help edit and disseminate the final product, reaching 100,000+ people. These posts are highly effective in increasing visibility and we have done 96 of them. HOME 2 - 🔗 Please visit discord.gg/amirsatvat to join our Discord, a live extension of our community resources. With over 2,700 members, we are in an open-join phase. HOME 3 - 🔗 LinkedIn: Our community here includes over 86,000 members, with 1-3 daily posts offering support and career assistance in the games industry. To our broader community, your involvement makes a difference. Here’s how you can help: - Spread the word: Reshares and comments on this post amplify the visibility of these resources. - Offer support: Utilize the 13 ways listed on AMIRSATVAT.COM under "How You Can Help" to assist, or simply lend an ear or advice on our Discord server. - Join our movement: Volunteer with us at AMIRSATVAT.COM to support our colleagues in the games industry. Our network has facilitated over 1,800 jobs and 33,000 coaching conversations to date and has been visited by over 3,000,000 gamers lifetime. We're committed to providing daily encouragement and support during these challenging times. We will never stop fighting for you!

Updated Games Layoff Forecast for 2024 (As of 10/14/24) While there were several layoffs over the past two weeks, the estimated cuts were slightly lower than anticipated. As a result, the overall forecast for 7/7/24 to 12/31/24 has been adjusted down from 4,350 to 4,334. Considering the millions of data points our community tracks in the games jobs market, my projection for break-even (trailing 60 days of hires vs. layoffs) remains December 2024. I have projected for more than 12 months that Q4 2024 would be the breakeven point, and I continue to believe this based on the data. I hope this is not incorrect and that unforeseen changes don’t disrupt this outlook. To put this in perspective, this projection suggests that layoffs in the second half of 2024 would be 62% lower than those in the first half.

I've been thinking a lot about the recent wave of layoffs in our industry. Of course, my heart goes out to everyone affected. Losing your job is never easy, especially in an industry you're passionate about. But beyond the immediate impact, I can't help but wonder what this means for the industry’s future. When I see veteran developers leaving studios, they're not just clearing out their desks. They're walking out with decades of irreplaceable knowledge. Example? DA: Veilguard. Love it or hate it, you can feel it's a different game than previous Dragon Ages. It’s not the only reason, but it’s made by different people. And let's talk about quality - how can we keep making amazing games when teams are constantly shuffling? Inexperienced teams and lost internal knowledge lead to avoidable production issues. Innovation? I strongly believe that innovation comes from experience. You need to have a few games under your belt to really understand what makes them tick and how to push boundaries. Stability? What stability? Even making a hit game doesn't guarantee anything anymore. Look at Tango Gameworks or the talented folks behind Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. You can pour your heart and soul into a project, hit it out of the park, and still be fired. We need to accept that this is becoming more like project-based work. It always was, but there was this illusion - if you keep creating great games, you might do it with the same people for the next 20-30 years. But the days of spending your whole career at one studio might be behind us. And I worry about newcomers to our industry. You fight hard to get a low-paying junior job. You face tough competition. And, you're usually first to go when cuts happen. Even if you absolutely love games (and don't we all?), you really need to know what you're signing up for. On the other hand, the crazy costs of AAA development are actually pushing us to find creative new ways to make games. More people are playing games than ever before, and we've got fresh talent bringing new ideas to the table. Plus, there's still nothing quite like that feeling when someone enjoys something you helped create. I'm trying to stay hopeful about the future, even if I'm not entirely sure what it looks like. What do you think? Where do you see our industry heading? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

Instability within the games industry continues to fuel support for unionization. Layoffs and working conditions, including increasing AI use, are just a few reasons some developers are pro-union. The full impact of 2023’s layoffs may not be obvious immediately, but the massive loss of jobs, and in some cases whole studios, as well as consolidation, will inevitably mark the games people play. This well-sourced piece from WIRED includes statistics and surveys from the Game Developers Conference. If you are a #gamedev, I strongly encourage you to give it a read. #videogames #gamesdevelopment #gamesjobs

💭 What are your thoughts? The gaming industry has been experiencing layoffs in 2023 for several reasons, including: 💲 Overspending: 💲 According to IGN, overspending by developer studios is a factor in the layoffs. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has said that the company has been spending more money than it earns. 📈 Inflation: 📈 Increased inflation has made money more expensive, which means that companies need to reduce their expenditures. 😷 Pandemic-related factors: 😷 Some developers believe that the layoffs are due to the pandemic. As revenue returns to normal levels, many studios are facing harsh realities. 📆 Delayed release dates: 📆 The delay of many games in development means potential revenue sources are pushed back to 2024 or beyond. 👨💼 Labor issues: 👨💼 The industry has long been dealing with labor issues. ⬆ Rising costs: ⬆ Many AAA companies are either overcrowded or overspending. This could be due to rising costs, poor money management, or high salaries for CEOs. #gamingindustry #layoffs2023 #gamingnews #Layoffs #gamingjobs #workforcecorrection #2024 #gaminglayoffs2024 https://lnkd.in/grQVxSzr.

The Harsh Reality of Game Industry Layoffs The recent wave of layoffs in the game industry has had a significant impact, raising concerns about the stability of the industry and the treatment of its workforce. From major studios to independent developers, the widespread nature of these job cuts has sent shockwaves throughout the industry, prompting a necessary conversation about the treatment of employees in the game development sector. This trend of layoffs has been particularly alarming due to its occurrence in studios that have produced some of the most iconic and well-received games in recent years. The affected studios boast an impressive portfolio of massively successful titles. However, recent job cuts have highlighted a disheartening truth – even exceptional performance and critical acclaim are no guarantee of job security in the current climate. These layoffs have sparked broader discussions about the prioritization of profits over maintaining a talented and experienced workforce. The impact of these job losses extends beyond the individuals directly affected, as entire projects have been canceled, leaving countless developers with uncertain futures in an already competitive job market. The pervasive nature of these layoffs necessitates industry-wide conversations about job stability, fair labor practices, and the ethical treatment of employees. It is crucial for the industry to address these challenges and work towards creating a more sustainable and supportive environment for its workforce. The recent events serve as a call for change, urging the game industry to reevaluate its approach to employee welfare and job security. As we move forward, it is essential for industry leaders, stakeholders, and communities to come together to ensure a more equitable and sustainable future for all game industry professionals. https://lnkd.in/eRKrMMJa

Hey LinkedIn, In light of Gamescom and the industry coming together, I want to talk about hiring today. As we all know, layoffs are the norm right now and that's what gives gamescom such a bitter note this year. All over the world, highly talented people are losing their jobs because companies are mismanaging and sometimes living above their means for years. In many cases, studios or strategies fail due to a product that falls short of expectations... a very clear management mistake, no backup strategy, putting all their eggs in one basket, everything for profit and shareholders.Celebrating the industry that treats its employees and veterans like this is somehow a very strange feeling. Almost shameful. To those who are affected by the layoffs, I have only one real tip for you. If you are applying outside your home country, look at the culture in application processes, what is important in the countries? For example: Germany loves certificates and proof of ability, the USA loves elaborate stories about why you really want to work in company XY. It's a lot of effort, but it might help you to get the edge to get the job. I wish all of you out there, whether you're at Gamescom or affected by the layoffs, all the best!

🌟 Deviation Games Shutdown and Layoff News - Urgent Call for Support 🌟 The games community is facing a significant ordeal as Deviation Games announces its shutdown and subsequent layoffs, impacting numerous individuals and their livelihoods. I URGE EVERYONE TO SPREAD THIS MESSAGE TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SUPPORT TO OUR FELLOW GAME DEVELOPERS AND INDUSTRY PEERS DURING THIS CRITICAL TIME. My heart is with everyone touched by this unfortunate event. 🔗 I strongly recommend visiting AMIRSATVAT.COM, a vital resource that offers 13 indispensable tools for those aiming to find their footing again in the games industry. These resources are accessible free of charge and are continually updated. I want to highlight tool #7, which is part of our commitment to aiding those impacted by collecting and sharing their stories. We have already published 89 support narratives, each reaching over 100,000 individuals, and with your collaboration, our impact can grow even further. Please follow the necessary steps, secure consent from the individuals involved, and send their stories to me to amplify our message. How you can contribute: - Spread the Word: Distribute this information as widely as possible. Each share matters. - Provide Support: Stand by those affected by offering advice, a sympathetic ear, or any form of support you can muster. - Get Involved: Join our vast network of thousands of volunteers at AMIRSATVAT.COM, dedicated to assisting our peers in the games industry. Together, we are stronger. - Take Action: Begin with any small step you can take. Your efforts are valuable and can lead to meaningful change.