Recent layoffs at BioWare, developer of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, have sparked widespread conversation about the current state of the gaming industry. Larian Studios' publishing director, Michael Daus, has again taken to social media, this time addressing the prevalent issue of industry layoffs. He emphasizes the importance of valuing employees and holding leadership accountable, rather than sacrificing rank-and-file workers:

Avoiding widespread layoffs between or after projects is achievable. Preserving institutional knowledge is vital for future success.

While "trimming the fat" is frequently cited as justification, Daus questions the necessity of such aggressive cost-cutting measures in large corporations, especially when not consistently producing blockbuster hits. Layoffs, he argues, represent the most drastic, and often unnecessary, cost-reduction strategy.

The core problem, Daus asserts, lies with the strategic decisions made by upper management, while the consequences disproportionately affect lower-level employees. He uses the analogy of a pirate ship, where the captain would be the first to be thrown overboard in times of crisis, suggesting that game development companies should adopt a similar approach to accountability.