Layoffs in the games industry: When it rains, it pours | Kaser Focus

We’re solely two months into 2024, and we’ve already seen 7,800 members of our business laid off.

Generally I really feel that reality must be reiterated, as a result of it’s very simple to turn into numb to the state of affairs. Often, I have to remind myself that this example isn’t regular — it’s a disaster. I need to give myself and everybody hope by saying that issues are cyclical and our business will come again from this. However, being trustworthy, the longer this gloomy interval goes on, the larger the ripple results are searching for the whole business.

It’s laborious to report on layoffs at one of the best of instances, however the previous few weeks have been nothing however hit after hit: Microsoft, Eidos Montreal, Sony, Electronic Arts, Build a Rocket Boy, Deck Nine, Supermassive, ZA/UM, Crop Circle, Hidden Path and Die Gute Fabrik. These are simply those I can recall for the time being, and that’s only one month. I’ve nothing so as to add to this, per se — I simply need to remind everybody of the scope of what’s taking place so we don’t all turn into inured to it and cease caring. Nothing’s going to get higher if we do.

Okay, let’s see — optimistic information, optimistic information, is there any available? I suppose the Pokémon Presents this week provided a pleasant reprieve. There wasn’t a complete lot of stories, however we’re getting a brand new Pokemon cellular sport, this time bringing again the nostalgia of card battles (I can’t imagine how lengthy it’s been because the first time I held a Pokémon card in my palms). The announcement of Legends: Z-A intrigued me, because it seems to be going right into a future model of Lumiose Metropolis, versus Legends: Arceus’s journey to the distant previous.

As for what video games I’m taking part in this week — I don’t know, it’s laborious to search out escapism in video games given what I do know concerning the business. However on condition that Remaining Fantasy VII: Rebirth has simply dropped, I suppose I can’t be too down (assuming my husband lets me inside a rustic mile of the PlayStation 5). Additionally, I feel I’ll lastly throw myself into Helldivers 2 correctly now that among the server points have been mitigated. If all else fails, there’s all the time Tomb Raider to fall again on.

What to play this week:

What’s new:

• Remaining Fantasy VII: Rebirth
• Brothers: A Story of Two Sons Remake
• Star Wars: Darkish Forces Remaster
• Welcome to ParadiZe
• Dicefolk
• Shiren the Wanderer: The Thriller Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island
• Terror at Oakheart
• Disney Iwájú: Rising Chef

New on subscription providers:

• Maneater (Xbox Recreation Go)
• Madden NFL 24 (Xbox Recreation Go)
• Indivisible (Xbox Recreation Go)
• Area Engineers (Xbox Recreation Go)
• Gravitar: Recharged (Prime Gaming)
• Name of Obligation HQ (GeForce Now)
• Diablo IV (GeForce Now)
• Fort Solis (GeForce Now)
• Hearthstone (GeForce Now)
• Overwatch 2 (GeForce Now)