Chris Deering, former president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, commented on the ongoing layoffs in the gaming industry during the My Perfect Console podcast.

He stated that he does not view the layoffs as a result of greed, contrary to what Swen Vincke, the game director of Baldur's Gate III, had suggested. The former Sony president called the situation a natural outcome: if a game doesn't generate profit, it becomes difficult to justify allocating a budget for its continuation.

Deering hinted at mismanagement within Sony, which had rapidly expanded its workforce in a short period. He explained that during his leadership, the company aimed to minimize the hiring rate, understanding this would lead to a cycle of growth followed by massive layoffs in the future — something that many companies, including Sony, are now facing.

Deering compared the current state of the industry to a pandemic, one that developers and those affected need to find a way to endure. He suggested options for those laid off, such as working as Uber drivers, moving to more affordable housing, or simply "going to the beach for a year" until the situation improves.

Chris Deering's comments sparked a strong reaction online, with many criticizing him for what they saw as a "typical executive attitude from someone who's never had to worry about going hungry."

Some layoffs in the industry can be considered necessary, especially when it comes to small teams. However, in 2024, numerous layoffs have also been carried out by large corporations like Microsoft and Sony, which have even shut down several studios.

Main image: youtube.com

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