More than half of the layoffs in the gaming industry have occurred in California

The video game industry continues to see widespread layoffs, with California being the hardest hit, accounting for over half of the job losses. Amir Satvat, who serves as business development director at Tencent Games and offers resources for those affected, has highlighted this trend.

In an interview with The Game Business, Satvat mentioned that an overwhelming majority, approximately 70% to 75% in certain years, of these redundancies have occurred in North America.

Despite a rise in overall employment numbers within the sector since the pandemic's start, layoffs remain significant in American AAA game studios. To adapt, Satvat is urging industry professionals to consider positions outside the traditional game development sphere.

He likens this shift to concentric circles, describing one circle as moving from a game studio at Amazon to a non-gaming role at Prime Video. He notes a significant increase in people finding non-gaming roles, aligning with his observation that 85% of individuals seeking game industry employment will need to explore different fields.

While the current landscape presents challenges, Satvat remains hopeful regarding future opportunities, particularly in co-development and other related areas.

He expressed confidence that the gaming market is on a path of expansion, potentially becoming the foremost interactive and entertainment platform of the next century. Satvat believes the path to creating and publishing games has become more accessible than ever, emphasizing the need for an entrepreneurial mindset to thrive in this evolving industry.

He advises against expecting the conventional long-term role within AAA studios, suggesting that while it's increasingly difficult, there are unprecedented opportunities for those willing to pursue them with an open mindset.