If someone treats you like 💩 then leave. True for any relationship.
I can’t believe it’s come to unions.
You’ve got options.
You build the most complex, multi-discipline software products on the planet. You create products that not only have to be engaging but full-on fun. The sticky products that every business wants.
It’s worth considering an industry change.
I quit producing games back in 2008. I was unsure what to do next and found myself in the worst economy since the Great Depression.
One email to a game-adjacent software company in Sweden changed everything.
Since then, I’ve:
-> Traveled the world (all expenses paid) – one year, it was literally two trips around the globe. -> Gone to every game conference and event in existence. -> Visited hundreds upon hundreds of studios and publishers to see how they work.
Now, I can live and work from anywhere.
Has it been all roses? No. But it’s been an incredible adventure.
Plus, I’ve had the time to play way more games than when helping to make them.
I’m just saying… you have options. It might be time for you to leave games.
It doesn’t have to be forever.
Leave and come back. The experience you’d gain from another industry could make the game industry better.
All of your skills transfer to other types of product development and tech.
Granted, the broader tech industry has also taken a hit, but nothing like games.
-> The game industry has lost almost 9,000 jobs in 2024. -> Tech has gained almost 3,000 jobs in 2024 in the US alone. -> There are approximately 22X more tech jobs in the US than game development jobs.
Something to think about 💭 If you haven’t already.