Baldur's Gate 3 publisher thinks developers should become pirates to clean up BioWare's act

The recent layoffs at BioWare, the creators behind the much-anticipated Dragon Age: The Veilguard, have sparked widespread discussion about the current state of the gaming industry. These layoffs have brought to light the challenges and decisions that companies face, prompting industry leaders to voice their opinions on the matter.

Michael Daus, the publishing director at Larian Studios, has been vocal on social media about the issue of layoffs. He argues that it's essential to value employees and that the responsibility for such decisions should fall on those who make them, rather than the regular workforce. Daus emphasizes the importance of retaining institutional knowledge within development teams, which is crucial for the success of future projects.

He critiques the common corporate justification of "trimming the fat" or reducing redundancies, especially when companies face financial difficulties. Daus questions the necessity of such aggressive efficiency measures, particularly when they do not consistently lead to a string of successful game releases. He suggests that these layoffs represent an extreme form of cost-cutting that does not address the root issues.

Daus points out that the strategies developed by higher-ups are often the real problem, yet it's the employees at the bottom of the corporate ladder who suffer the consequences. He humorously suggests that video game companies should be managed like pirate ships, where the captain—those making the decisions—would be held accountable, rather than the crew.

This ongoing debate highlights the need for a more sustainable and employee-focused approach in the gaming industry, where the value of human capital is recognized and preserved, rather than sacrificed for short-term financial gains.