- The gaming industry’s full of soulless titles and massive layoffs these days.
- Despite problems everywhere, FromSoftware stands out as it increases employee compensation.
- The Souls creator delivers quality titles one after another and refuses to adopt anti-consumer practices.
Over the years, the video game industry has undergone many changes, some good and others not. Many big players of the past have deteriorated in some way or another; the example of Ubisoft is before you. However, one contestant withstood the test of time and continues to deliver greatness: FromSoftware.
Why it matters: We frequently see bad games and layoffs happening, but FromSoftware continues to deliver quality titles and care for its workers.
We Live In Troubled Times
It’s no secret to anyone that the video game industry is radically different now than it was a decade ago. Video game budgets spiraling out of control, lengthy development times, playing it extremely safe with tried-and-tested only, and the resulting mediocre sales of games have created a financial crisis.
The aftershocks of the COVID period can still be felt. Of course, some of these companies’ strategies are to blame for this stressful situation, but it doesn’t change the fact that countless people lost their jobs as we started seeing layoffs one after another. And they were even disrespected on top of that; my heart weeps for them.
With all of these massive lay-offs across the industry, do you think we're in some sort of "recession" period? And if so, how long do you think it'll last for?
byu/Keretor ingamedev
No one is safe from this chaotic situation. Even the largest companies around laid off innumerable people. These companies’ refusal to listen to people is worsening the situation. The brunt of some of these illogical decisions fell upon the employees cruelly laid off.
FromSoftware Stands Strong Still
While this worldwide crisis engulfs the world, there is one company that continues to deliver excellence not only for its consumers but its employees as well. I tip my hat to FromSoftware for remaining so full of quality and ingenuity and honoring the dedication of its workers.
In a recent announcement, FromSoftware announced a base pay raise for all its fresh graduate hires and increased the benefits for existing employees. It publicly acknowledged the efforts of everyone involved in building its masterpieces.
FromSoftware, Inc. announced that from April 2025, enrolled employees will receive an average basic salary increase of approximately 11.8%
byu/Turbostrider27 inGames
In an era when everyone is busy mismanaging their projects and when they fail miserably, laying off people who gave their all for every unfair order they received, FromSoftware is demonstrating how to get the best out of people. To achieve greatness, you need to win your staff’s cooperation, not their enmity.
No Compromise On Quality
It all makes sense when you see that these people have certainly earned this compensation, and FromSoftware recognises this fact. Mass layoffs and closures aren’t the only problems of today. The overall quality of titles has fallen drastically, too.
From microtransactions-infested messes to forced “political correctness” and other agendas people have grown to hate, gaming is moving in a very concerning direction; anti-consumer strategies have become common.
Anyone else feel the state of gaming has severely gone down?
byu/Sweaty-Award2501 injakanddaxter
Monotonous cinematic AAAs, live services, cash-grab remasters, pushing a certain mentality, all this has become the norm. On the contrary, look at FromSoftware. Has it ever delivered a game that was less than a masterpiece? It was the same back then, and despite the changing times, it still is today.
Every title FromSoftware has delivered shows dedication, effort, undeniable quality, and the complete absence of all the stuff gamers hate. This is what gaming ought to be. From non-linear Souls games to action-adventure titles and open worlds, FromSoftware hasn’t strayed from the right path once.
FromSoftware Setting A Much-Needed Example
Why force something the masses obviously hate? After doing something illogical like this, these companies start blaming gamers for their titles failing. How else do they expect people to react when they refuse to change despite overwhelming opposition?
However, I’ve never once needed to criticize FromSoftware for any such aspect. The Souls games speak for themselves. Armored Core was a different title yet perfect in every way, and the developer shocked the entire world with how amazingly detailed and enchanting its open world was in Elden Ring.
And these games all were massive successes. They weren’t live services, P2W, forcing hated concepts, and still succeeded resoundingly.
Not only does it release quality games one after the other, but it also cares for its employees and rewards their efforts. As unbelievable as it sounds, a company like this does exist, and it’s FromSoftware. This means that stuff like quality titles and due compensation are not impossibilities. If FromSoftware can do it, the entire industry has something to learn.
