Brief Summary
The video discusses the recent layoffs at Square Enix, suggesting they are targeting activists and individuals associated with "woke" translations and DEI initiatives like Limit Break. The hosts speculate that Square Enix is using AI as a cover to remove these individuals and shift back to a more traditional approach to game development, potentially improving the quality of their future games. They highlight specific examples of laid-off individuals and discuss the broader trend of companies correcting course after experiencing financial losses due to prioritizing diversity and inclusion over competence and experience.
- Square Enix is reportedly laying off individuals associated with "woke" translations and DEI initiatives.
- The hosts speculate that AI is being used as a cover for these layoffs.
- The layoffs are seen as a potential step towards improving the quality of Square Enix's games.
Intro
The hosts introduce the topic of Square Enix's recent layoffs, noting that the individuals being let go are those associated with woke translations and initiatives like Body Type A and B in the Dragon Quest 3 HD remaster. They suggest that Square Enix is cleaning house and using AI as a convenient excuse to remove activists from the company. The speed at which these changes are happening is surprising, and the hosts express hope that Square Enix will improve, although some OG producers still hold current year views.
Layoffs at Square Enix
The hosts discuss specific individuals who have been laid off from Square Enix, including a marketing manager in charge of Dragon Quest portfolio across Western territories, who was involved in the Dragon Quest 3 HD 2D remake. The hosts criticize the focus on gender issues in the game. They also mention a global brand manager at Square Enix external studio, who was a star mentor of the lobbying agency Limit Break mentorship. Limit Break is described as an activist group within Square Enix focused on bringing more DEI into the company. A narrative designer from Square Enix, previously with Life is Strange, was also terminated and was part of Limit Break Mentorship, described as a lobbying agency for marginalized people in the video game industry intending to replace cishat white men.
Limit Break Mentorship
The hosts discuss Limit Break mentorship, highlighting its goal to facilitate connections and provide structure for the ever young workforce to those with experience, aiming to keep the games industry rich with diverse talent and passion. The hosts suggest that the original plan was for experienced men to bring in diverse talent, but the experienced men are now being pushed out. However, the hosts believe that Square Enix is now reversing this trend by retaining experienced people and removing those who prioritized checking boxes over competence.
Industry Demographics and the Correction
The hosts address the demographics of the UK games industry, noting that 67% of people working in the games industry are male, compared to 30% female and 3% non-binary. They explain that historically, more men were fans of video games, leading to more men entering the industry. The hosts argue that this doesn't mean the industry is problematic or that people should be pushed out based on demographics. They emphasize the importance of talented, experienced people working for the company. The hosts suggest that the AAA gaming industry is undergoing a massive correction due to unsustainable practices and venture capital failures. They conclude that Square Enix is undergoing mass layoffs as it reorganizes to consolidate development in Japan. The hosts encourage viewers to check out The Reunion for tracking all the layoffs.
