30,000 layoffs means a third of the US games industry has lost a job in the last 2 years. What the fuck.
But AI is harmless, right?
Gulp. It's going to harder to spot in the film and television world as contacted staff are in the minority.
My only real thought and recommendations at this point: unionize. It may not be the solution to all but would give the employee a lot more of leverage, vs ai, vs cancellation for tax benefit, vs crunch and unacceptable conditions, vs appropriate credit for work.
Only way to make money for shareholders is to cut staff it seems. But I don't have an economics degree so what do I know!
I heard a very good point that gives me hope though: the talent isn't leaving the industry, they're joining new studios and launching their own The Forever Winter has me excited since it's the result of that, going to be hype seeing what new studios come up with
My company laid off 50,000 people. Over a million laid off in my region (white collar jobs).
I think part of the problem (from this side of the fence) are studios constantly being bought because the founders want to get rich. We need more unionization in the industry and ownership of these studios.
Meanwhile Zuck lost 40 billion on Meta in a single year and gets to keep his job.
Some people probably multiple times