The gaming industry has been rocked by a controversial statement from Chris Deering, former president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE). In a recent podcast appearance, Deering offered advice to laid-off game developers that has been widely criticized as out of touch and insensitive.
The Controversial Comments
Deering, who led SCEE from 1995 to 2005, suggested that developers who have lost their jobs in recent industry-wide layoffs should consider:
- Driving for Uber
- Finding cheap accommodations
- Going to the beach for a year
He also downplayed the role of corporate greed in the layoffs, stating, I don't think it's fair to say that the resulting layoffs have been greed.
Industry Context
These comments come at a time when the gaming industry is facing significant turmoil:
- Over 20,000 video game industry layoffs in the past two years
- Major companies like Microsoft, Sony, and Embracer Group cutting jobs and shutting down entire studios
- Sony recently announced layoffs affecting 900 staff, about 8% of its global PlayStation workforce
Backlash and Criticism
Deering's remarks have sparked outrage among industry professionals and workers' rights advocates:
- The Game Workers branch of the IWGB, a UK trade union, criticized the comments as reinforcing the need for unionization
- Many have pointed out the disconnect between executive perspectives and the realities faced by rank-and-file developers
The Broader Picture
This controversy highlights several ongoing issues in the gaming industry:
- The precarious nature of employment for many game developers
- The growing push for unionization in the sector
- The disconnect between executive leadership and workers on the ground
As the industry continues to grapple with these challenges, it's clear that more empathetic and practical solutions will be needed to address the concerns of affected workers.