Game developers sound off on industry layoffs
by Jason Dobson 
{ Jan 12th 2009 at 1:06PM }
"In our industry, there's a relatively high chance that once your game is finished, the studio will make some cuts," noted David Lewis, a software test engineer at Ensemble, which will close its doors after Halo Wars (pictured) rolls out the door later this year. "But I had no reason to suspect that the whole studio would be closed." Even so, some, like recruiter T.J. Summers, believe that there is work to be had for those willing to stretch beyond their comfort zones and look for work in "new growth sectors" such as web or mobile. Still, we sympathize with those impacted, especially knowing that the drop off from developing AAA titles to Flash games has to be enough to lose your stomach.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alien Lord @ Jan 12th 2009 1:11PM
While I feel for those people who lost their jobs it really is still a business.
Noshino @ Jan 12th 2009 1:16PM
Although it is sad to see studios close/people be laid off, I understand that said changes are often necessary might it be because of bad management or just restructuring.
But to this date I still don't understand why Microsoft is going to close Ensemble, for what has been reported over the years, the studio was profitable, not only that, they created one of the biggest franchises out there....
the_insider @ Jan 12th 2009 1:30PM
Unfortunately it is ussually the people that put in the most effort and sacrifice a lot of personal time in unpaid over time that get chopped.
Whilst, quite often, the managers/execs on their cushiony salaries and regular-ish work hours (who probably had more to do with the demise of the studio in the first place) get to live (and mess up) another day...
Not trying to sound disgruntled here but its quite disheartening to see people sacrifice themselves and then get tossed out like a bag of rubbish. Unfortunately that is how this industry is run...
Strategy_Panda (The Sandwich Poisoning Crew) @ Jan 12th 2009 2:02PM
From what I understand, Microsoft wants to lessen the amount of games that their internal teams produce, and at the same time want to focus their development on the 360.
Ensemble is a great development house but they mainly produce RTS games, and those don't play or sell very well on consoles.
Microsoft probably could have given the team a more console friendly title to work on, but it was probably easier and more cost effective to just axe the studio.
Noshino @ Jan 12th 2009 2:42PM
Strategy_panda,
That's the thing, why did they do that to Ensemble? I mean, Lionhead was pretty much on the same boat, yet they were still given a chance, Ensemble, with not only bigger/better franchises, still was not given the chance, I mean, Microsoft didn't even wait to see how well Halo Wars performs!
It is an awful move from every perspective, its like if Microsoft just wanted to piss off PC gamers and in a quick dick move decided that closing Ensemble would achieve that...
Strategy_Panda (The Sandwich Poisoning Crew) @ Jan 12th 2009 3:16PM
well, I think it just has to do with what Microsoft wants to focus on, which is the 360.
Lionhead's Fable series sells well, and performs well on the 360. Its also a franchise that has potential to move forward in great numbers.
Halo wars could very well be a great game, but it probably won't sell as much as Microsoft would like and it will definitely not reach Fable numbers.
The people who worked at Ensemble were talented and have a history of making good games. They will probably form another studio or get absorbed into other studios. Unfortunately, a company is only worth its latest project and its potential and not its entire back catalog. Like I said before, its probably easier for Microsoft to simply dissolve the studio than keep it running, and it falls in line with their future plans for development.
soviet chick @ Jan 12th 2009 1:22PM
Where's jobstaxi guy when you really need him...
gb @ Jan 12th 2009 1:24PM
I really question the intelligence of some game developers. They work twice as many hours, get paid half as much, and are in constant fear of being laid off. Application developer job ftw.
Noshino @ Jan 12th 2009 1:46PM
No need to question it, their main motivation doesn't tend to be the money but the love for what they do...
It actually happens quite a lot on the entertainment businesses, might it be gaming, writing, music, or even tv/movies...
Tiptup300 @ Jan 12th 2009 2:10PM
http://www.codecomics.com/servlet/SiteBuilder?type=comics&action=open&id=35
Bbopr @ Jan 12th 2009 3:21PM
I really question the intelligence of some of those application programmers. Most work at a job that they can "check out" mentally with little creativity or recognition , get paid a steady salary but have no up potential to get a huge bonus if their application does well regardless of effort, and are in fear that their job will be outsourced to anyone who can program.
I rather have a less security for much more creativity and a potential financial payoff and seeing my work affect potentially millions of people. If you're good enough, you'll find another gig. Game programmer job ftw.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Jan 13th 2009 1:46AM
http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/416/the_game_industry_salary_survey_.php?page=2
The source is from a survey done by Game Developer Magazine.
For me that's enough money to be happy.
Evan @ Jan 12th 2009 1:25PM
My sympathies to all those laid off.
the_insider @ Jan 12th 2009 1:34PM
Sure, thats fine and dandy for any programmers out there but it doesn't help all the other people in the industry out. Unfortunately there aren't a ton of 3D modeling, Character Animation/Modeling, Environment design, Special FX creation, Shader writing jobs to be had in "Application development". There are more than just programmers in this industry you know...
the_insider @ Jan 12th 2009 1:35PM
That was meant to be a response to gb's comment btw...
Shmil @ Jan 12th 2009 2:02PM
Sounds like the game industry is turning into the film industry, where people hop from job to job, studio to studio
Noshino @ Jan 12th 2009 2:13PM
its not "turning", it has always been like that, but now due to the global economy, lay offs by the biggest studios, and the fact that nowadays we are more informed about developers in general, it is more noticeable.
Shmil @ Jan 12th 2009 3:15PM
Oh, ok.
mr mobius @ Jan 12th 2009 2:06PM
If it means more really great flash games, then it won't be all that bad.
Some flash games are better designed for what they are than some console games.
Cobra951 @ Jan 12th 2009 2:29PM
I guess this is where the old guy with a lot of past experience speaks out in a fatherly voice.
Game programming is one of the worst careers you can devote yourself to. You constantly jump through hoops, work crazy hours, get the rug pulled out from under you, and eventually end up looking for work. It is extremely volatile, and in the hands of business people who care nothing for the artform. It is a fine way to enjoy yourselves while young and unattached. But once you decide to grow up, move on to better, steadier work, preferably not coding.
Bbopr @ Jan 12th 2009 3:29PM
I'm slightly offended your "grow up" comment. I've been in the industry for years and have a full family life.
Would you say that if you were working in the film industry as a tech or visual effects artist? How about the broadcast industry as a camera man, set designer, or key grip?
There is no difference in this volatile industry as in the other entertainment sectors.
Just because you might not have any "juice" left and tut-tutting others because of some unfortunate layoffs because of the cyclical nature of the business doesn't mean that's it's any less of a career path and someone must be immature to still be in it.
Josh @ Jan 12th 2009 4:14PM
I don't even know how to fix this... I think we might need a real paradigm shift in the whole development model/industry.
I don't think I have the answers to this problem, though.