In the stillness of the night, as shadows creep into the corners of my heart, I can’t help but feel the weight of loss pressing down like an unshakable burden. The news of layoffs at Don't Nod’s Montreal studio echoes in my mind, a painful reminder of the fragility of dreams. 💔 It’s disheartening to witness talented individuals, who poured their souls into creating worlds we loved, facing such harsh realities. This isn’t just about numbers on a balance sheet or corporate decisions made in cold boardrooms. For so many, it’s a devastating blow to their passion and purpose. Each layoff represents a story halted, a vision interrupted, and a community fractured. The statement from the studio—“reflects the challenging reality of maintaining sustainable operations in a difficult economic context”—feels like a dagger, slicing through the hope that once thrived within those walls. 😢 I think of all the late nights spent in front of screens, the laughter shared over brainstorming sessions, and the tears shed in moments of vulnerability. The bonds formed amidst the chaos of deadlines and creative blocks are now overshadowed by uncertainty. Loneliness creeps in, making it hard to breathe, as I wonder about the futures of those who have given so much to their craft. This is a reminder that the world of creativity isn’t always kind. It can be a lonely road, filled with sacrifices and uncertainties. The joy of creation is often met with the harshness of reality, where dreams can shatter overnight. The heartache is palpable, and it feels like we are collectively mourning a loss, even if we don’t know each individual affected. As I sit here, reflecting on the stories that will go untold and the games that will never be made, I feel a profound sense of grief. It’s hard to reconcile the beauty of art with the cruelty of circumstance. I wish there were something more we could do to support those affected—something to remind them that their worth isn't defined by a paycheck or a title, but by the passion they hold within. Let us stand together in solidarity, acknowledging the struggles faced by creators everywhere. Let’s not forget the power of community, the strength we find in unity, and the hope that still flickers, even in the darkest of times. 🌧️ In the end, we are all part of this tapestry of creativity, woven together by our shared experiences and losses. May we find solace in each other and continue to uplift those in need. #DontNod #Layoffs #GameDev #Creativity #Solidarity

Ah, the sweet symphony of corporate optimism! Our dear Hermen Hulst, the maestro of PlayStation Studios, recently delivered a riveting monologue about their upcoming live service title, Marathon. In a delightful twist of fate, he expressed unwavering confidence that this time, they won’t stumble into the same pit of despair that was Concord. Isn’t that charming? Let’s take a moment to applaud the audacity of hope! After all, what is the gaming industry without a sprinkling of optimism and a hearty helping of wishful thinking? Live service titles are apparently still a “great opportunity” for PlayStation, according to Hulst. One can only imagine the brainstorming sessions filled with bright ideas swirling around like confetti in a tornado. “What if we create a game that keeps players engaged forever... or until they realize they’ve been duped?” Genius! Now, we all remember Concord, don’t we? The title that was supposed to be the next big thing but ended up being the gaming equivalent of a soggy sandwich. It’s almost poetic how a project can be marketed with such flair only to fizzle out faster than a soda left open overnight. But fear not, dear gamers, for Marathon is here to save us from the looming shadow of Concord’s failure. Imagine the conversations at PlayStation Studios: “Let’s learn from our mistakes!” they say, while simultaneously crafting the same formula that flopped before. What a revolutionary idea! Who knew that taking a step back and re-evaluating one’s approach could be so groundbreaking? Maybe instead of a marathon, they should have called it a sprint—straight to the nearest exit when things go south. Hulst’s confidence is truly inspiring, though. If only we could bottle it and sell it to aspiring indie developers who are struggling under the weight of reality. “Hey, developers, just don’t be like Concord! It’s that simple!” They might even create a new genre: the “Don’t Be Concord” genre. And let’s not overlook the fact that live service titles have been the bread and butter of many developers, but at what cost? The endless grind for microtransactions, the “battle passes” that feel more like a ticket to a never-ending circus, and the promise of new content that seems to vanish quicker than a mirage. Who doesn’t want to invest their time and money into a project that might just become another cautionary tale? In conclusion, let’s all raise a glass to Marathon—may it rise like a phoenix from the ashes of Concord’s mistakes! And if it doesn’t, well, at least we’ll have another story to tell, complete with a healthy dose of irony. So gear up, gamers; we’re about to embark on yet another thrilling adventure in the unpredictable world of live service gaming! #PlayStation #MarathonGame #GamingCommunity #LiveServiceGames #GameDevelopment

De chaos rond de lancering van MindsEye is absoluut onacceptabel! Leslie Benzies, de man die de hoop heeft om deze falende onderneming opnieuw leven in te blazen, moet zich afvragen hoe het zo ver heeft kunnen komen. Het is eenvoudigweg schandalig dat er beweerd wordt dat er "saboteurs" zowel intern als extern actief zijn. Dit klinkt als een slecht excuus voor een rampzalige lancering die iedereen had kunnen en moeten voorzien. Laten we eerlijk zijn: als je een project als MindsEye lanceert, moet je voorbereid zijn op elke mogelijke tegenwind. De beloftes die gedaan zijn, waren groot, maar de uitvoering was ronduit beschamend. Het lijkt wel alsof er een complete gebrek aan planning en visie was. De mensen die verantwoordelijk zijn voor deze fiasco zouden zich diep moeten schamen. In plaats van de schuld te leggen bij vermeende saboteurs, zou Benzies beter moeten kijken naar de interne processen en de besluitvorming die geleid heeft tot deze blunder. Het is onbegrijpelijk dat na een maand van chaos en frustratie, er nog steeds geen duidelijke verantwoordelijkheid is genomen. Iedereen wacht op een wonder, maar wonderen gebeuren niet als je geen solide basis hebt. De gebruikers hebben recht op een product dat werkt, en niet op een verzameling halfslachtige ideeën die nooit van de grond komen. MindsEye had een kans om iets revolutionairs te creëren, maar het lijkt erop dat de mensen aan de top meer bezig zijn met het uitwisselen van vingerwijzingen dan met het daadwerkelijk oplossen van de problemen. Dit is niet alleen slecht voor de reputatie van Benzies, maar ook voor de industrie als geheel die nu staat te kijken naar een project dat volledig van de rails is gelopen. In plaats van de aandacht te vestigen op vermeende sabotage, zou Benzies moeten focussen op transparantie en communicatie met zijn gebruikers. Ze verdienen het om te weten wat er mis is gegaan, en wat de stappen zijn die ondernomen worden om deze fouten recht te zetten. We zijn het zat om constant teleurgesteld te worden door bedrijven die niet in staat zijn om hun beloftes waar te maken. Kortom, als MindsEye ooit een kans wil maken op succes, moet het leiderschap zich herpakken en de juiste stappen ondernemen. De tijd van excuses en beschuldigingen is voorbij. Er moet actie ondernomen worden, en dat nú! #MindsEye #LeslieBenzies #GameDevelopment #TechnologieFiasco #Verantwoordelijkheid

Ah, the joy of corporate downsizing! It seems that Cyan Worlds, the esteemed developers of the enigmatic Myst, have decided to embark on a new adventure — this time, not in a mystical world, but in the realm of layoffs. Isn’t it just the perfect plot twist? Just when you thought you’d seen it all, they cut their workforce again, and what a thrilling sequel this is! Imagine the brainstorming session: “How can we make our team feel more like a ghost town?” “I know! Let’s lay off another handful of workers! It’ll be like a real-life puzzle, just without the fun!” Truly, nothing screams ‘we care about our staff’ like a second round of layoffs within mere months of slashing half the team. Just think of the savings! Who needs a full team when you can have a skeleton crew? And what’s the best part? No details about the number of layoffs! It’s all so delightfully vague. It’s like the company is playing a game of “Guess Who?” — except instead of charming characters, we’re left with a handful of confused ex-employees wondering which of them got the axe this time. What a touching tribute to the values of transparency and communication in the workplace! It’s almost poetic, really. In a world where every developer is trying to expand their horizons and create immersive experiences, Cyan Worlds is out here redefining the concept of “less is more.” Who needs a talented group dedicated to creating intricate, mind-bending puzzles when you can just have a few overworked individuals struggling to keep the lights on? Let’s give a round of applause to Cyan Worlds! After all, they’re not just laying off workers; they’re paving the way for a new age of gaming where the fewer the resources, the more creative the solutions! Just think of the innovative games they’ll come up with when they’re all burnt out and juggling multiple roles. One can only imagine the exhilarating chaos that will ensue from a team that’s forever on the brink of a breakdown. So here’s to you, Cyan Worlds! We salute your valiant efforts to keep costs down while simultaneously keeping us all entertained with the gripping saga of corporate efficiency. Keep up the good work, and who knows? Maybe there’s a sequel to this story waiting to unfold, featuring even fewer employees and even more thrilling gameplay. #CyanWorlds #Layoffs #GameDevelopment #CorporateCulture #Myst