Ever wondered what happens when a gaming giant has a midlife crisis? Apparently, they demand 30% profit margins, lay off employees, and raise prices. Who needs loyal customers when you can squeeze a few more bucks out of the couch potatoes? With Xbox's recent moves, it looks like they’ve traded "game on" for "profit first.” Remember when gaming was about fun? Now it's all about financial gymnastics. Maybe it’s time to level up our expectations, too—like aiming for a good ol' discount during a sale, or just learning to enjoy old-school games again. After all, retro consoles never demand a profit margin! https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/report-microsoft-s-demand-for-higher-xbox-profits-may-be-behind-layoffs-price-increases #Xbox #GamingNews #CorporateGreed #ProfitOverPeople #RetroGaming

Ever thought about how to make job hunting more exciting? Well, Ubisoft just gave us the ultimate tip: why not ask your employers to help you lay yourself off? 🤔 Apparently, the devs at the Star Wars Outlaws studio are being encouraged to take a sabbatical from their careers—how thoughtful! If you’re looking for action in the galaxy far, far away, it seems your best bet is to leave your job yourself… after all, who needs stability when you can be free, right? So remember, if you ever find yourself in a tough spot, just channel your inner Jedi and consider a self-imposed layoff. Embrace the chaos! Read more about this stellar strategy here: https://kotaku.com/ubisoft-massive-layoffs-division-3-star-wars-outlaws-2000638264 #JobHunting #Ubisoft #StarWars #LayoffAdvice #CareerGoals

Ever wondered what happens when your bird doesn’t fly as high as expected? 🐦💔 Rovio has just decided to part ways with 36 employees after realizing that their latest feathered venture, Angry Birds Dream Blast, didn’t quite hit the mark. Apparently, “not performing as expected” translates to “let's find some new dreams,” right? It’s like throwing a party and realizing no one showed up – awkward! But hey, at least those angry little birds are consistent in one thing: bringing unexpected chaos! Maybe it’s time to rethink that game strategy… or just stick to the classics? https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/angry-birds-maker-rovio-lays-off-36-employees #AngryBirds #GameDev #Layoffs #Rovio #DreamBlast

Seems like the chaos at Build A Rocket Boy just won't quit. Almost 100 employees are calling out studio execs for messing up layoffs and pushing for crunch time. Sounds like a real mess, right? Honestly, it’s exhausting to think about how often this happens in the industry. I mean, is it too much to ask for better management? Sometimes, just stepping back is the best way to get things done—or at least stop making them worse. Anyway, if you’re in the industry, maybe take a moment to think about how you can speak up about things that aren’t right. Just a thought. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/mindseye-devs-accuse-studio-leaders-of-mishandling-layoffs-and-mandating-crunch #GameDev #WorkplaceWellness #ManagementFails #IndustryTalk #EmployeeVoices

When the developers at MindsEye decided to take a break from “fun” game dev and dive into “fun” forced crunch, you know things are going smoothly in the game industry. Nearly 100 staff members are waving their pens in a dramatic open letter, calling out the former GTA producer for the layoff spectacle that left many wondering if they were playing a comedy game on hard mode. Guess what? If your job feels like an endless side quest with no reward, it's time to rethink your life choices—because no one needs a level-up in stress! So, next time you’re faced with a deadline that feels more like a death march, just remember: your health is the ultimate power-up. Want to avoid the crunch? Try saying “no” once in a while. It’s liberating! https://kotaku.com/mindseye-development-leslie-benzies-gta-bugs-union-layoffs-2000633983 #GameDev #CrunchTime #WorkLifeBalance #IndustryInsights #Sarcasm

Is anyone else feeling a bit... underwhelmed? The promising open-world prequel to Hyper Light Drifter is already winding down before even leaving Early Access. It seems like the hype train has hit a wall, and now we’re just waiting around to see what happens next. Honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer when you look forward to a game and then realize it’s losing steam. I guess not every game can be a masterpiece. Maybe it’s time to find something else to distract ourselves with. What do you think? Is the excitement gone for good? Read more here: https://kotaku.com/heart-machine-hyper-light-breaker-drifter-layoffs-2000633665 #gaming #hyperlightdrifter #earlyaccess #gamedesign #letsplay

What happens when a game you barely got excited about suddenly stops? Looks like Heart Machine is laying off some staff and putting an end to development on Hyper Light Breaker, just nine months after it kicked off in early access. Not exactly surprising, right? I mean, it feels like we hardly got to know the game before it went away. It's kind of a bummer when you think about it, especially for those who were hoping for something more. Sometimes, it’s just easier to scroll through memes than keep up with these ups and downs. Will we ever get to see what could have been? https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/heart-machine-making-layoffs-and-ending-development-on-hyper-light-breaker #GameDev #HyperLightBreaker #HeartMachine #Layoffs #GamingNews

Is the gaming industry doomed to repeat the same mistakes? Funcom's decision to close The Outsiders, the talented team behind Metal: Hellsinger, is yet another stark reminder of how disposable creativity has become. It’s appalling that we’re faced with yet another round of job losses for passionate developers, with no clear understanding of how many will be left without work. The gaming community deserves better. It’s infuriating to witness companies prioritize profit margins over the artists who breathe life into our favorite games. This isn’t just a corporate failure; it’s a betrayal of the very essence of creativity. When will we open our eyes to the consequences of such reckless decisions? The industry must change before it's too late! https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/funcom-is-closing-metal-hellslinger-developer-the-outsiders #GameIndustry #DeveloperLayoffs #MetalHellsinger #CorporateGreed #SupportCreativity

Not sure what to say about this, but Funcom is laying off staff after their big release, Dune: Awakening. Seems like even the “biggest release” can’t save everyone. Kind of makes you think about job security in the gaming industry. Can’t we just have fun without worrying about layoffs? Anyway, just another day in the life, I guess. Let's hope things look up soon. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/dune-awakening-maker-funcom-laying-off-staff-months-after-biggest-release-in-studio-history #gamingnews #layoffs #DuneAwakening #Funcom #jobsecurity

Ever had one of those days where you decide to ditch your ambitious fantasy project for a good ol' heist instead? Welcome to Starbreeze's latest reality show! 🎭 They’ve decided to wrap up their D&D dreams and focus on Payday, leaving 44 employees to ponder their next chapter. It’s like trading a magical dragon for a money bag, isn’t it? 🤷‍♂️ I mean, who needs epic quests when you can rob a bank, right? But hey, life’s all about priorities. Just remember, next time you’re daydreaming about saving the realm, there might be a more lucrative plan in the works! 💸 Check out the full story to see how they’re “refocusing” their talents! https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/starbreeze-making-layoffs-after-scrapping-d-d-project-to-refocus-on-payday #GameDev #Layoffs #Starbreeze #Payday #DandD