Video Game Developers Are Leaving The Industry And Doing Something, Anything Else

From line cooks to bike repairs, people who used to be video game developers are being forced to try something new

[Sonic1881]

Not surprised at all

[pwnmaster3000]

Why be a game developer when you can make money else were. Game leader ship sucks.
Gamers in general might be even worse.
Quick to judge and pray on your downfall, while demanding more. I would hate to be a game developer knowing my customer

[isarai]

Passion, there are many professions using the same skillset that pay the same and more. But gaming is a creative industry, and most people enter creative industries because they have a passion for it

[Cacabunga]

it is a very unstable industry. this gen we touched the bottom of instability.
where is Ubisoft, EA, Sony? sad times to be a gamer...

[cloganart]

Very much so. It's hard to survive just being a Game Developer nowadays unless you have the cushion and security.

Not to mention the customer base being almost completely vile at times on Twitter and Instagram.

[JackBNimble]

Cacabunga
More like sad times to be a dev, and I mean just an average dev putting in the hours and eating a ton of shit only to be laid off when the executives don't make bonus money.

[Darkegg]

Other careers not necessarily greener but I can’t imagine life without stability. Think that’s why I found a career in video games unattractive. It’s also the first to go when times are not prosperous. Stability is in things ppl need and something to have. To be happy, lose the desire and craving for what you think you want. Be content with less or little. Appreciate the small aspects, that leads to greater fulfillment.

[neutralgamer1992]

The game development industry is facing a serious challenge with the exodus of talented individuals due to the increasingly unstable job market and toxic work culture. While this instability is concerning, another major issue is the shift in hiring practices. Instead of focusing solely on bringing in the most qualified or talented candidates, there seems to be an emphasis on inclusivity—hiring based on race, sexual orientation, or gender identity. While diversity is important, it feels like the industry is moving toward fulfilling quotas rather than ensuring the best talent gets the job. This ‘woke’ culture, while well-intentioned, may be contributing to the decline in quality and is alienating many experienced professionals.

Additionally, we’ve seen a dramatic shift in the kinds of games being produced. Once upon a time, developers focused on creating epic games like Gears of War and God of War—games that appealed to a core demographic of straight male gamers who just wanted fun, engaging experiences. Now, it feels like PR campaigns are more focused on the sexual preferences of fictional characters rather than making great games. Regardless of where the industry is heading, it’s clear that the majority of gamers just want enjoyable, immersive experiences—not political statements in their games

[jwillj2k4]

Good. This will force change for the better in the industry. More job longevity guarantees, hopefully lower salaries for executives and more for the production staff.

[Einhander1972]

I'm not sure how you think this will force any change for the better. None of the executives are getting fired, meanwhile the workforce is being replaced by AI.

These profitable companies aren't firing people because of lack of money, its so they can be replaced by AI. The two major cuts are customer service and creatives,.both things that are getting replaced by AI at the fastest rates.

People are leaving the industry because there is less job creation than loss, and it's not going to change for the better.

[RhinoGamer88]

Fair. Game leadership really sucks...

[pwnmaster3000]

Game leadership and gamers in general sucks.
Hardcore gamers is probably one the most judgmental, demanding, and straight annoying group.

[Crows90]

Nope. Maybe you suck but don't lump me in with your own issues.

Love how non judgemental you are btw

[cloganart]

I don't know why you got so many downvotes.

Quite a few colleagues have been plagued with senseless comments & DMs on social media, for games they've worked on where they assisted in development. A majority of the time the people who initiate these "attacks" are gamers who are not even customers who bought the product, but are people who are basing their attacks because of a primitive culture war that finally made its way into the video game circle since GamerGate.

Gaming culture of the 80s and 90s was different. Developers and Publishers would get letters from actual people with names, who put in the effort for genuine feedback.

Today, we get "Go fucking kill yourself, you ruined X" from 'lula' with an anime profile picture, hidden behind anonymity. This person has likely not even bought the product, and is there because they got offended by something they saw from an influencer, a clip out of context, or just didn't like something in a promotion.

Of course developers start to hate the craft they do.

[thorstein]

@cloganart

Reexamine what you just said. A person posts something online, a few thousand people might like it, but many haven't even played said game.

Now, compare that few thousand to the multitude of "gamers" who dgaf about what some loser posted online.

You're projecting the beliefs of a tiny few onto the masses.

For example N4G gets 1 million views almost everyday. Total comments on a top post are usually about 50. Upvotes in the 30s.

The comments section is not indicative of the beliefs or thoughts of all the people who come here.

So while your colleagues were attacked, they were attacked by a vocal, ignorant minority that is ignored by millions.

[cloganart]

@thorstein

I'm not disagreeing with your point, hence why I'm not really arguing against it. I'm just giving a perspective as to why some are not so enthusiastic about staying in this field when they put weeks, months and years into something, then get flooded with "You made trash" "You ruined [X]" "Go KYS" messages and reactions - Do you really think they want to stick with it? Would you want to keep doing a job where loud customers keep cussing you out in droves? Unless the Stockholm Syndrome has hit, probably not. If a better opportunity has presented itself with less risk of backlash, you'd jump to that rightaway.

Some may say "Don't pay attention to that stuff." but negative voices are usually louder in these cases sadly.

And again, this is not for every dev. But if I had to gauge; almost 6 out of every 10 dev I've met has gone through a form of this and have expanded into other fields to not just rely on the games industry.

Job security is a bigger concern. Sometimes it all depends on a single product's success for you to keep your job. And if that doesn't work out, you're let go. Contracts are being cut left and right. People are turning to academics, which feels more secure but is usually not enough to keep the lights on. So people are just exploring more options.

[thorstein]

@clog

I understand that more than you know. My profession has been under attack for over 30 years, 27 of those years I've been actively engaged in it.

I tune out most of it and I empathize with those that leave my profession for exactly what your saying. The loud astoundingly uninformed minority ruins it for everyone.

And in the gaming industry, as with my own profession, journalism propagates falsehoods.

It's not that I'm mentally tougher than others, I realized early on that those naysayers didn't represent the majority.

[TheNamelessOne]

Welcome to N4G lol. I haven't come across (as a whole, there are good ones here) a worse group than I have here. It's entertaining though.

[WolfSeed]

Gaming leadership is one of the most constantly evolving careers. You can't take the best leaders of the 90's and expect them to do well in today's market. Tools and engines evolve, expectations change, genre saturation, etc.

[Zombieburger638]

Sucks for all the good developers but hopefully this means all the dei tourist devs leave as well. Go back to being a nuisance for another industry and leave gaming alone.

[Lightning77]

It's investors over players that's the issue. Corporate lead games instead of player lead. Don't blame you guys at all. This industry is going to trash.

[Petebloodyonion]

Why should investors be blamed? Creating highly desired AAA games requires significant funding, which means utilizing investors' money. It's unlikely that one would accept a lower return rate from their bank than another, simply because the people are nice.
Would anyone invest their hard-earned retirement savings into a company that admits to carrying the risk of a single stock, yet offers a return that might be the same or lower compared to a safer option like index funds?

Here's an example: Visit your bank and inquire about a new mortgage. You can anticipate the bank will review your application, request guarantees, etc. before they provide any funds. Similarly, investors are like banks and behave in the same manner before providing money.

[Mr_cheese]

Investors can definitely yield some of the blame. After all, it's their money and they have a big say in the bs that gets put out there because they're expecting their pockets to be lined.

The wheel doesn't have to be invented every time, but it certainly needs air in it to get it rolling

[Lightning77]

The reason why Kill The Justice League exists instead of a AAA highly quality Batman game is due to Investors over at WB Games and will double down on LS DC stuff still even after the failure of Kill The Justice League, instead of learning and understanding what the players actually want.

Investor lead VS player lead.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

This, it's partially corporate greed, trend chasing and trying to trick or nickle and dime customers into spending more, shutting down studios regardless of sales, then they'res the push for ESG/DEI (gamer gate part 2), and spending big AAA budgets that no one wants to buy/play, mostly ignoring AA opportunities... I never thought the industry would implode so spectacularly in the past 4 or 5 years, there's so many issues, I don't blame developers for leaving.

[TwistedXenos]

natural selection

[PRIMORDUS]

Governments need to step in and really investigate the gaming industry and see if layoffs are needed in companies. MS worth trillions should be #1 on that list, clearly they have no need to layoff and should be forced to keep employees on, because they are not going to go bankrupt not now or in the future.

[repsahj]

Thank MS for that? XD

[SimpleDad]

It's interesting for an industry, that made the most money during pandemic, and is still in such a high demand, got infested with wrong investments and is now giving undesirable products.

Congrats to exceptions... But teenagers and parents are not impressed.

[isarai]

Sucks man, you don't become a dev without a passion, and they've been taken advantage of to the point of having that passion beat out of them. The industry as a whole needs to change, the rise in unions is a start but it's slow going

Hope these people find new passions out there

[__y2jb]

Unions are definitely not the answer.

[isarai]

Yes it is

[WolfSeed]

They must. Generative A.I. is evolving and along with it, layoffs.

[EternalTitan]

Where would the Concord developers go?

[CrimsonWing69]

It’s not a stable career and the industry has stifled creativity. Look at the library from the NES up to the Xbox 360 era. You had so much variety and always new IPs… now, well, now it’s Concord and Suicide Squad, everything has to be DEI and if you make your Stellar Blade and Black Wukong games the games media go absolute ape sh*t trying to get you canceled.

I can’t imagine being full of these great ideas only to get slapped down by upper management, told you can’t by consulting firms, then let go after every project. It’s gotten to the point where I’m starting to get bored with this hobby, myself.

[Crows90]

A lot of the great developers of today where created at a time when there was much more passion in the industry and the industry was much smaller ...now the industry is greedy as hell due to the recognition it has made in being a profitable industry.

If devs shut down due to greed and clear out of touch with gaming directions then I say good. Other instances like Microsoft and Sony's stunts with clearly great studios is not excusable.

[gold_drake]

i think so due to the stress the job brings right, its not for everyone certainly.

but if you are a developer, u have aaaalot of options these days.

[Walalon]

Why? If they are treated like puppets that can be kicked off any minute, suits change everything you are trying to do for trends and feeling like even if you create a jewel your studio can shut down? Oh wow.. /Big S

[ChasterMies]

Momma’s, don’t let you babies grow up to be game developers.

[tombfan]

Gamer's have been a pain in the arse to work for lately.

[MetroidFREAK21]

Good. Get out while you can

[joab777]

Elections have consequences. We have to remember this when we vote. We can’t just tow the line in November because we always have and look back in another 2 yrs and wonder why it hasn’t got any better.

I feel bad for these people as I do so many who have lost their well paying jobs. And it’s been hard for me to admit that maybe just maybe, we change the course.

[Einhander1972]

This has nothing to do with the election, but if you want to make it about that, one side is clearly pro union, pro wages, and pro worker. And the other side is clearly union busting, pro corporate, and pro removing worker protections and public safety nets.

So yeah, one side is clearly helping labor and the unemployed aka these types of people more than the other. Oh and lets not forget that one side wants to eliminate hundreds of thousands of good paying, healthcare providing civil service positions.

[HankHill]

What a surprise that the 50 year old fanboy is a liberal. 🤣

[VariantAEC]

Who runs our countries can impact the economy and the global economy being in shambles scares top brass in every publication firm (the ones greenlighting our games), which leads to more 'safe' bets determined by non-gamers in suits with loads of cash. You think games are made with fairy dust and good will? No dude, it's called venture capital and loans.

Our hobby is bankrolled by useful idiots with cash which is why wokeness is infecting all media including games. It's also what stifles innovation because new mechanics have no data backing up the idea that a game will make more money. But these suits are the reason why have anything to play at all, so there is a small amount of gratitude we should show to them as well. It is what it is.

Games aren't ever made for us, they are made by people who what do do something interesting that are reigned in by suits. About 20 years ago the balance was suitable for major innovation in gaming and incredible games with some significant meat on their bones (in the form of lots of replayability). Today, suits have so much power that devs are kneecapped.

Crunch is pretty bad for devs and ultimately it can lead to burn out. So, it's good to reduce it, but suits say we stop feature creep and still push hard and fast launches leading to less innovation with the same burn-out. So, gamers are upset that games are boring and devs are upset that they weren't allowed to do what they wanted. Everyone loses.

Making matters worse is that we can't even trust reviewers anymore. It's not like all reviewers were golden back when, but today, nearly every reviewer is a paid shill or has a niche that they aren't reviewing games for anyway so couldn't care less and puts out a ridiculous review that doesn't even make any sense. Great games get middling or terrible review scores while trash is hyped to the nines, which also contributes to another vicious cycle that makes gaming itself seem much worse and dumber than it is.

It also really doesn't help that most alleged gamers or really just people in general are complaining about completely stupid and incredibly selfish things in massive droves shaping gaming in ways that really only helps the loudest parrots that claim to love video games.

[VariantAEC]

Whoops, sorry my last was at Einhander1972, not at you joab777. I just clicked the wrong reply button after leaving and returning to this page to help someone else out in the meat space.

[Dandizzle]

This is only true with the middling and low talent devs. Developers that are highly skilled are very sought after and are never out of work.

[Agent75]

Current game prices don't help. Laughable that Sony raised the price of PS4 games from £50 to £60 so that there was a £10 price difference with PS5 games at £70. I said 2 years ago, the 1983 Gaming Crash is incoming.

[ChiefofLoliPolice]

Yup this was bound to happen. Failures left and right all throughout the gaming industry, leadership and publishers not allowing devs to give gamers what they want.

Every major publisher chasing after live service over and over again wanting to nickel and dime the hell out of gamers.Injecting social and political agendas in games trying to shove it down people throats. Games coming out broken, buggy, and glitchy and gamers have had enough. They are voting with their wallets now. The fuck you think was going to happen??

[Gamings-Last-Legend]

Unless any of those developers leaving are named Amy Henning, then it doesn't matter. Y'all can be replaced, she can not.

[Demetrius]

Well the selfish moron execs and others part of management caused this, imagine being forced to make something like saints row 2022, suicide squad or a dead on arrival online only focused game. Then turn around you got fans telling you it's your fault! Why did YOU make this game, YOU DESERVE DEATH! Smh all kinda bs, I remember back in the ps2, ps360 era folks enjoyed gamin more without bashing eachother, it wasn't perfect but nowadays you can't even like certain games cause mfs want to get in their feelings about you playing it. I get that we will most likely see a ps6 but with the route most devs are forced to take, well crafted games will be even more scarce, I'm starting to thinking next gen will be the shortest idk

[LoveSpuds]

The industry being so US centric is a factor in my view, the terrible state of workers rights in the US makes it so easy to just fire people with no consequence.

[jjb1981]

The entire landscape has changed. It went from people having a true vision for their creation to investors milking their customers with microtransactions and DLCs disguised as such. Ubisoft is a copy pasta developer that puts a different skin on each game. EA just makes turds now. Activision only cares about CoD Points now and the modern campaigns are atrocious. Some Indie developers make a masterpiece, grab attention, get bought out and become apart of the corporate umbrella. With all this political nonsense and everything needing to be inclusive, I am curious as to how far GTA 6 will push the needle. It's terrible when someone is told to adjust their vision to meet modern social standards.

[Asterphoenix]

Job security is the killer now. Limited creativity with the amount of rules too depending on the company you work for. Because of
CEOs/Managers/Shareholders laying off people so they can keep their bonuses
I can't blame them.

[Rols]

Maybe if game developers made games that appeal to the majority of gamers rather than self-indulgent projects that are currently infesting the gaming sphere. Pretending it is just games leadership is the problem is delusional. Games like Concord had the full support of the leadership and Sony. It was the game directors, concept artists that tanked this game. The investors of this game torched $100-200 million dollars and is it any wonder why no one will want to put money down for this studio’s next game?

[VariantAEC]

I agree... if we are talking only about the small segement of poorly conceived games from untested devs which the Concord devs fit into. That isn't the majority, though.

[BlackTar187]

Well judging by the quality of games on average lately i would say maybe they are making a great decision for themselves and us gamers.