Daniel Beahn’s Post

Here are all the game studios that have undergone massive layoffs in 2024 so far - (Note: Only studios that laid off people in triple digits are mentioned. 93 more studios have also laid off people besides these studios, but their numbers are less than 100, and LI can’t handle all the names of studios without hitting its word limit. The sequence is from oldest to most recent, starting from January ‘24.) Unity - 1800 Twitch - 500~ Playtika - 350~ Lost Boys Interactive - 125 Riot Games - 530 Activision Blizzard - 1900 Eidos Montreal - 100~ PlayStation Studios - 900 Electronic Arts - 670~ Wildlife Studios - 130 Creative Assembly / SEGA Hardlight - 240 TakeTwo Interactive - 600~ Tango Gameworks - 150~ Gameloft Cluj - 136 Phoenix Labs - 162 These numbers, added to the number of impacted by 93 other studios, resulted in more than 10,000 job cuts in the gaming industry. The worst part is that we haven't even reached halfway through the year! This doesn’t seem any less than what happens after a war. The Giant Kings of the gaming industry will continue feasting on their wine and meat while the game developer heads home for a sleepless night. Projects have been cancelled or snatched from game developers who chose that same project over spending time with their families. This is the current condition of the gaming industry that has forced game devs to reach a point of “What Next?” Thankfully, this community has warriors who are always looking out for game developers during these tough times. So, to give them another helping hand, here are 3 resources to help game developers in this industry upskill themselves. First💎 Layoff Support Kit 2.0 - https://lnkd.in/gCCXW_Wp My team and I have dedicated countless hours to curating hundreds of online game development resources so you don't have to. This comprehensive collection includes top programming boot camps, renowned game dev educators, free game assets to help you build great games, insightful podcasts, and much more. Second💎 A 100% scholarship on our $11,000 Full Stack game dev program - https://lnkd.in/dyjmJkEw If you were impacted by the recent bloodshed of layoffs, here’s a chance to Re-skill and revise your game dev knowledge with our advanced C++, OOPs, Unity, and Data Structure modules. Additionally, you will receive exclusive one-on-one mentorship from top game programmers who will help you strengthen your already solid foundations. Third💎 Our Discord Community of over 10K game devs - https://lnkd.in/gH-wZe2G Here, we listen to everyone’s take on game development, support aspiring game developers in building stronger portfolios, and solve each other's doubts. Also requesting Kelly Bender, Alexander Rehm, Caitlin Cooke, Jordan Mazer, Ruty Rutenberg, Hailey Rojas, Kevin F., Kat Craig, Ali Farha, Matt Barney, and Ash C. to help this reach all the folks who can benefit from this. #layoffsupport

As we witness yet another series of layoffs, not only within the gaming industry but also across the broader technology sector, it raises important questions about communication, resilience, and the evolving landscape of game development. One notable aspect of these layoffs is the apparent surprise expressed by many employees in the affected studios. This begs the question: Is there a shortfall in communication between management and staff? Clear and transparent communication is crucial during times of transition, helping employees better understand the rationale behind decisions and enabling them to plan for their futures. Moreover, as more studios close their doors, we're left to ponder the long-term implications for the industry. Does this trend result in a strengthening of core developers, as resources become more concentrated in fewer hands? Or does it simply represent a slimming of the competitive field, with only the largest AAA studios deemed safe from such upheavals? As the landscape evolves, it's essential to consider how these changes impact innovation, creativity, and the diversity of voices within the gaming community. Ultimately, navigating through these challenges requires a collective effort from all stakeholders in the industry. By fostering open communication, supporting affected employees, and investing in sustainable growth strategies, we can work towards building a more resilient and inclusive gaming ecosystem. https://lnkd.in/gDBNK8UP

There have been 11,400 layoffs in the game dev industry since the start of 2024. In contrast, 2023 had around 10,000 in its entirety. 11,400. And I was part of that unfortunate group. Let's stop calling these events "restructuring". Because by how it felt like, it was "getting rid of people's livelihoods to optimize the company's earnings." I even had to beg my former company to send my severance package earlier because I won't have enough to get by with my loans about to default and my eldest son was starting school soon. These companies won't ask their employees how they are doing, how's their welfare, finances, or mental health. They just kick them out with a quick, callous notice. 11,400 left their companies and were thrust into a volatile job market. Many of my former collegues haven't found a full-time job yet. If I didn't have a rare stroke of luck, I won't get the job I have now. Many others won't be as fortunate. Once upon a time, game development was one of the most lucrative careers. Today, I can't even give my students a straight face whenever they ask me about their chances of landing a job. It breaks my heart to see so much passion and creativity in this industry that just goes to waste. I fear that it might still get worse before it becomes better. But I hope I'm wrong. I hope everyone affected by these layoffs would soon find a way to get back to the grind, building games they love without worrying about losing their livelihoods or whether or not to skip another meal. #gamedev #layoffs #opentowork #unity #unreal #godot #games #indiegames #casual #aaa #hybridcasual #midcore #ai #gamedevelopment #3d #console #mobile #pc #pcgames

High costs of living, the need to “fund for failure,” and other factors drive up #gamedev costs. Bryant Francis takes a deep dive into problems and possible solutions on Game Developer: #gameindustry #gamedevelopment #games #videogames #indiegames #indiedev 

From layoffs to strikes: The gaming industry's wild ride through 2024's perfect storm! The gaming industry is experiencing unprecedented turbulence in 2024. From unexpected layoffs and studio closures to union strikes and strategic pivots, the landscape is shifting rapidly. As major players grapple with financial pressures and technological disruptions, the industry faces a critical juncture that could reshape its future. Let's examine the key developments that are sending shockwaves through the gaming world. 📅🎮 Game delays and strategic shifts: Ubisoft pushes "Assassin's Creed Shadows" to 2025, while Sony cancels live service games and shuts down "Concord" just days after launch 👥💼 Mass exodus and industry turmoil: Annapurna Interactive's entire workforce resigns, leaving indie partners in limbo, while the industry faces 13,000 layoffs in 2024 alone 🎙️⚖️ Union strikes intensify: SAG-AFTRA expands strike to include "League of Legends," highlighting ongoing tensions between voice actors and gaming companies 🤖💻 AI's double-edged sword: Electronic Arts embraces AI as its core business strategy, while concerns grow over AI-related job redundancies across the industry 🎮📈 Console conundrum: PlayStation 5 Pro's launch met with skepticism, as the industry grapples with declining sales and a lack of next-gen showcases While the media spotlight fixates on the gaming industry's layoffs, there's a glaring omission in the narrative: the thriving companies actively hiring and turning profits. This success isn't tied to economic fluctuations or AI advancements; it exposes a troubling trend among public gaming companies. In their quest to appease investors, these corporations are willing to sacrifice the very talent that creates their products. Witnessing how readily they dismantle their creative core to boost short-term financial metrics is disheartening. What's equally concerning is the lack of deeper analysis. Why aren't we examining the stark contrast between the numerous game companies flourishing financially and the struggling U.S. gaming giants? This disparity begs for closer scrutiny. Are we overlooking fundamental differences in business models, corporate culture, or market approach? We miss valuable insights that could reshape the industry's future by failing to dig deeper. It's high time we shifted our focus from merely reporting layoffs to understanding the success stories and the underlying factors driving this divide in the gaming world. #GamingIndustryAnalysis #CorporateAccountability #InvestorRelations #CreativeValue #GameDevelopmentEthics

Guess what? - Sign up for the GI Daily here to get the biggest news straight to your inbox Saints Row developer Volition was the first major studio to shut down in the current wave of layoffs and closures. Yet, as often happens, when a large studio closes its doors, this is not the end for some of the talent that it housed with a new studio rising from the ashes. That studio is Shapeshifter Games, a new co-development house founded by Volition alumni, including studio head Matthew Madigan, creative director Brian Traficante, and studio director Rob Loftus. The developer is currently assisting InXile Entertainment with its upcoming Xbox exclusive Clockwork Revolution, operating as a fully remote studio with plans to go hybrid in the long term. Read more - and consider kaedim3d.com for AI that turns sketches into 3D game assets in minutes #gdc #gdc2024 #a16z #VideoGameIndustry #Gaming #GameNews #UnrealEngine #BuildingBetterGames

Breaking News - Sign up for the GI Daily here to get the biggest news straight to your inbox Saints Row developer Volition was the first major studio to shut down in the current wave of layoffs and closures. Yet, as often happens, when a large studio closes its doors, this is not the end for some of the talent that it housed with a new studio rising from the ashes. That studio is Shapeshifter Games, a new co-development house founded by Volition alumni, including studio head Matthew Madigan, creative director Brian Traficante, and studio director Rob Loftus. The developer is currently assisting InXile Entertainment with its upcoming Xbox exclusive Clockwork Revolution, operating as a fully remote studio with plans to go hybrid in the long term. Read more 🔴 Kaedim is the future of 3D asset creation. It’s a platform that uses machine learning and in-house artists to generate 3D models from 2D images in minutes. You can create anything you want, from characters to environments, with just a few clicks. Kaedim works with your team’s tools and integrates with the best game studios in the industry. 🟢 Get Started Today: Kaedim3d.com or Check out our Showcase: app.kaedim3d.com/showcase #gdc #gdc2024 #a16z #GameIndustryUpdates #Gaming #IndieGame #BuildingBetterGames #VideoGameDevelopment

🤖Layoffs in #VideoGame industry : 2024- we are in the middle of the year and the total number of video game industry layoffs is over 10,000. But, there hasn’t been a blockbuster from AAA studio in 2024. New products are blooming within small indie studios. So, in-house small/mid team is not a magic pill - fast scale up with dedicated teams gives more value to the product and business 📈 In 2024, the Video Games market is projected to reach a revenue of US$282.30bn. It is expected to grow at an annual rate of 8.76% between 2024 and 2027, resulting in a projected market volume of US$363.20bn by 2027.

Insider scoop - Sign up for the GI Daily here to get the biggest news straight to your inbox Saints Row developer Volition was the first major studio to shut down in the current wave of layoffs and closures. Yet, as often happens, when a large studio closes its doors, this is not the end for some of the talent that it housed with a new studio rising from the ashes. That studio is Shapeshifter Games, a new co-development house founded by Volition alumni, including studio head Matthew Madigan, creative director Brian Traficante, and studio director Rob Loftus. The developer is currently assisting InXile Entertainment with its upcoming Xbox exclusive Clockwork Revolution, operating as a fully remote studio with plans to go hybrid in the long term. Read more - and consider kaedim3d.com for AI that turns sketches into 3D game assets in minutes #gdc #gdc2024 #a16z #Gamers #IndieGames #GameDevelopment #GameDesign #GamingUpdates

Dear Games' Industry, I've had enough of remaining silent, and you should too. If there's going to be any change in the way our community does things, it needs to start with us. THE PEOPLE. 👏 How many layoffs is it going to take? How many people have to uproot their entire lives, only to have it ripped from them right before they even start? How many more IPs, corrupted by microtransactions are we willing to put up with?? Is this the Industry we want to leave behind for the next generation??? As someone who's had friends give up on their dreams because of the sheer hopelessness they felt, I already know my answer. I'm sure these Indies do too. Cave Bear Games Digital Scorpion Interactive DigiPen Institute of Technology WTTW Games Kyrie Studios Steelion Studios Serious Point Games Dontae Phillips Willem Delventhal Kat Craig Raftur Games Dinobyte Softworks LLC Indie Game Academy Things need to change. And I want to help dedicate my platform to accomplish that. #IndieRevolution #GameIndustry #GameDev #IndieDev #Games #Change #Movement #EnoughIsEnough #Indie #OpenToNetwork #ProjectManager #Community #Networking