Tim Schafer: Greed as the Reason? Developer Legend Criticizes Mass Layoffs

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  "detected_at": "2026-09-24T06:59:00+00:00",
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  "data": {
    "url": "https://www.eurogamer.de/tim-schafer-double-fine-massenentlassungen-gier-kritik",
    "title": "Tim Schafer: Greed as the Reason? Developer Legend Criticizes Mass Layoffs - Eurogamer.de",
    "excerpt": "Double Fine founder Tim Schafer looks at the industry with incomprehension in light of the mass layoffs at Xbox and the industry-wide studio closures. In recent years, thousands of employees have been laid off in numerous development studios, including the teams of successful titles like Battlefield 6. Xbox is also undergoing restructuring, most recently this week. These measures had previously led to Double Fine separating from Xbox as one of several studios and regaining its independence.\\n\\n\"To be honest, I no longer understand the economics behind game development,\" Schafer explains in a video interview with the BBC. \"For years, I thought I understood the principle. There are layoffs, which is bad, and then the people in charge suddenly realize: 'Oh, we need people to make games!' The management thinks: 'Oh, we fired everyone, we need developers for this game again,' they rehire them, and the whole thing starts over.\"\\n\\n\"I always assumed it was a constant up and down. But the curve has been pointing downwards for four years now, and I don't know why. Really, I don't. People play video games and money is being made. So why there are these massive job cuts, I don't understand. I just suspect that greed is involved somewhere. But I hope it's a cycle and the situation will recover.\"\\n\\nAccording to him, there is unrest throughout the industry, from indie developers to AAA...",
    "summary": "Double Fine Productions has separated from Xbox and regained its independence amidst industry-wide restructuring and layoffs.",
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    "confidence": 0.9,
    "published_at": "2026-09-24T06:59:00Z",
    "article_sentence": "These measures had previously led to Double Fine separating from Xbox as one of several studios and regaining its independence.",
    "related_company_name": "Double Fine",
    "related_company_domain": "doublefine.com"
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