IGDA Urges Efforts to Prevent Lay-offs

The International Game Developers Association calls on studio management to take steps to ensure sustainable job stability and avoid redundancies for a resilient and thriving industry.

The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) has issued a call to action to game studio executives. Studio leaders must implement sustainable measures within their organizations to avoid unnecessary layoffs. "With more than 8,700 game developers affected by lay-offs this year, the gravity of this situation and its impact on the industry cannot be overstated," reads the announcement. The igda explains that developers are right to be concerned about the stability of their jobs, their careers and the industry as a whole.

"Talented individuals, particularly those from historically marginalized communities, may seek opportunities beyond the games industry due to the instability, leading to skill gaps and under-representation of various demographics," says the IGDA. Studios need to plan better for sustainable growth and stop laying off talent from their own companies and the industry as a whole to foster a resilient and thriving industry.

The idga recommends the following steps: - "Maintain short term and long term company and industry forecasts with an understanding that periods of accelerated growth are usually followed by periods of stagnation or even decline. - Keep headcount reductions to a minimum. Drastically reducing headcount only helps short term finances and is costly both in terms of team morale and in training and onboarding when those teams need to be regrown later. - Reduce risk and headcount fluctuations by maintaining multiple projects if possible. Spreading risk over several projects in different stages of development provides a better chance of success and a place to utilize talent as they ramp off of other projects. - Maintain transparent communication with your team and address concerns related to well-being and job security when raised. - Support diversity initiatives and internal roles to help retain the increased diverse talent the games industry has developed over the last decade. - Provide ample support to departing employees to ensure their wellbeing and future success."

"The IGDA will work to create resources for studio leaders and other decision makers to help them to sustainably grow, reduce headcount reductions, and better forecast the future of their company and the game industry. If you would like to contribute to any of these resources or to recommend or provide additional resources, please contact us at info@igda.org."

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