Follow The Creators

By almost any measure, the business behind games is in turmoil. While the reasons are manifold, there’s no denying the number of out-of-work professionals, studio closures, and surprising cancellations that have become all too commonplace over the last few years.

That can seem like a strange reality from the perspective of gamers, since the hobby itself is thriving, with some remarkable games released during the same period that the industry behind them is in upheaval.

For those of us who follow games closely, it can lead to a strange disconnect. Often, there’s little apparent connection between the quality or success of a given product and the possibility that a connected developer’s livelihood may be affected. One need only look at the recent and striking phenomenon of layoffs at Battlefield Studios, only months after the launch of a celebrated installment.