Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
In today’s gaming industry, layoffs are a regular thing. Many big studios are buying and closing studios to maintain their balance sheet. Most of these layoffs consist of senior members who have worked in the industry for over 20 years, or fairly new ones who don’t have much experience.
Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke addressed the issue of senior employees getting layoffs in an interview and confirmed that such practices do not occur in his studio. This approach can create results as shown by the success of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Larian Studios Cultivating a Culture of Trust withBaldur’s Gate 3 Success
In aninterview, Larian Studio’s Swen Vincke discussed various topics from his award speech to issues in the game development industry. The interviewer asked Vincke, how Larian Studios still holds on to their veteran developers and why is that. Vincke answered with a straightforward answer:
Well, I mean – by not firing them?! [laughs] That’s really straightforward. I mean, whenever you lose a senior developer – it happens, there’s a variety of reasons, people move on, they have partners that move elsewhere – so it’s not that you’re able to maintain all your seniority forever.
At first glance, the answer may startle many people, but it shows that Larian Studios maintains a different approach to management and team dynamics. They don’t resort to layoffs or dismissals when the going gets tough but keep the veteran talent to get their help in those times.
Larian Studios keeps its commitment to its employees, who have spent time with the team and can provide valuable insight.Vincke even gave an example where firing senior talent can lead to disaster and how Larian Studios is hiring them:
If you fire your Technical Artist, you’re an idiot. Because they define your entire pipeline, which is going to define your cost of your assets. They can define so many things and they know your games – especially if the senior ones, it really doesn’t make any sense. Anyway, we’re hiring them to come work for us.
This enables Larian Studios to gain mutual trust and respect towards each other. Not only this help in creating higher morale but the team would also produce great results likeBaldur’s Gate 3. The game received many awards and showed that keeping faith for long terms always pays off.
Larian Studios is Navigating Stability in an Unstable Industry
After showing commitment towards senior developers and extensive knowledge, Larian Studios also follows a completely different approach to game development. Vincke explained that in Larian Studios, they take ideas based on the potential and not on the person’s rank or seniority.
This freedom and openness in the studio encourage everyone to innovate and come up with various ideas. Then in a meeting, all the ideas are shared and combined to create one concept. On the other spectrum, big studios like Electronic Arts andMicrosoftare laying off employees as part of their business strategies to maintain their balance sheets.
“We have disappointing news to share with you”: Larian Studios Have More Bad News for Baldur’s Gate 3 Fans
Nowadays, the gaming industry has become unstable and uncertain for most developers. But Larian Studios is standing as a beacon of hope for developers who seek stability and respect. They prioritize the well-being of their employees and aim to create games with their heart and soul. Just like Vincke said, other studios also need to put more trust in their senior employees and don’t fire them.
Shubham Chaurasia
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :1368
At FandomWire, Shubham has spent over a year diving into the evolving world of live-service, action, and open-world games. Whether it’s the democratic galaxy of Helldivers 2 or finishing enemies in titles like Assassin’s Creed or Ghost of Tsushima, Shubham brings a sharp eye and genuine enthusiasm to everything he writes.When he’s not writing, you’ll probably catch him clutching rounds in Valorant or leaping off virtual cliffs into a pile of enemies for the perfect finisher. Outside of gaming, Shubham recharges by hitting the gym or heading out on long, spontaneous bike rides, always chasing the next open road. No matter the game or the gear, he’s always committed to bringing readers timely, accurate, and engaging updates from across the gaming industry.
