Summerfall Studios co-founder and former Dragon Age head writer, David Gaider, has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind about the gaming industry. In a recent interview with PCGamer, the industry veteran expressed his concern over the current direction the industry is heading in, warning that it may soon be at risk of collapse.
“The direction the games industry and game developers are going right now isn’t necessarily sustainable. There’s another way. I just want to see them all eventually unionize and be treated fairly,” Gaider stated.
Gaider went on to criticize the industry’s focus on AAA games with massive budgets and endless hours of gameplay, arguing that this mindset is leading to a culture of overwork and burnout among developers. “If that’s true, then maybe the industry should die. If that’s true. The problem is I don’t think it’s true,” he added.
The gap between studio executives and developers is widening, with more and more studios chasing after the next big hit like Grand Theft Auto V or FIFA. While not every game can be a blockbuster success, many studios are pouring resources into projects with the hopes of recouping their investments.
Gaider’s comments serve as a stark warning to the industry, urging for a shift towards more sustainable practices and fair treatment of developers. As the industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether his words will spark a meaningful change or if the industry is indeed heading towards a breaking point.