247videogame I laid off 1,000 people…but at least their resumes are amazing 🤡
#epicgames #fortnite #layoffs #gamedev #news #pcgaming #pcgamer
X: https://x.com/pcgamer TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pcgamer_mag Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcgamer_mag/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pcgamermagazine/ Forum: https://forums.pcgamer.com/
To subscribe to the magazine in the US, UK, or elsewhere, visit magazines direct.
PC Gamer is the global authority on PC games. For over 30 years, we’ve been at the forefront of covering PC gaming with worldwide print editions, around-the-clock news, features, esports coverage, hardware testing, and game reviews, as well as our popular PC Gaming Shows.
I laid off 1,000 people…but at least their resumes are amazing 🤡
In the wake of a significant organizational pivot, I faced a decision that would shape the company’s future and test my leadership in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Laying off 1,000 people is not a victory lap; it’s a raw, human milestone that forces a reckoning with responsibility, strategy, and the future we owe to those affected.
This post isn’t about smoke and mirrors or euphemisms. It’s about the hard realities that accompany large-scale restructuring—aligning resources with reality, preserving the company’s viability, and maintaining dignity for every person who has contributed to the journey. The process is never easy, but it can be approached with transparency, empathy, and a clear plan that honors both the individuals impacted and the remaining team who must carry the work forward.
Key lessons emerge from this experience:
- Clarity over chaos: When the market shifts or a product strategy pivots, success depends on a lucid, data-driven plan. Sudden, opaque moves erode trust and complicate what comes next. Communicate the rationale, the criteria, and the path forward with as much specificity as possible.
-
Compassion as a strategic asset: A layoff event tests an organization’s humanity. Providing severance, outplacement support, and ongoing communication helps those leaving transition more smoothly and preserves the morale of those staying. Treat every departure with respect, and acknowledge the contributions of every individual.
-
Responsibility to the remaining team: The people who stay carry increased workloads, elevated stress, and a renewed sense of accountability. Begin with redefined roles, realistic expectations, and clear metrics. Invest in leadership and resilience to sustain momentum.
-
Execution with rigor: Timing, logistics, and follow-through matter. A well-planned cadence—news, details, resources, and ongoing updates—reduces uncertainty and accelerates the rebuilding process.
-
The long arc of opportunity: Workforce reductions can be a catalyst for focusing on core capabilities, customer value, and the strategic bets that will drive sustainable growth. While painful, they can free up energy and resources to emerge stronger and more intentional.
Amid the gravity of the moment, one practical byproduct often emerges: the resumes. In a labor market that values versatility and potential, the caliber of talent who have contributed to this organization is undeniable. For those transitioning to the next chapter, this is an asset—proof of adaptability, resilience, and proven performance under pressure. It’s a reminder that a layoff does not define a person’s worth or potential; it marks a moment in a broader career arc.
What comes next is not a glossed-over promise but a concrete plan:
- A transparent communication framework to explain the rationale, criteria, and opportunities ahead. – A structured outplacement program that includes career coaching, resume workshops, and interview preparation. – A renewed focus on core capabilities aligned with market demands and customer needs. – Support for the remaining team to rebuild trust, rebuild capacity, and pursue ambitious, achievable goals. – A commitment to ethical leadership, ongoing accountability, and lessons learned that strengthen governance and culture.
If you’re navigating a similar crossroads, start with candor, then move to action. Name the challenge, articulate the plan, and provide tangible support for both those leaving and those staying. The documents and the resumes may be remarkable, but the human impact—and the opportunity to learn and grow from it—will define the next chapter more than any spreadsheet ever could.
In leadership, the true measure isn’t avoidance of hard decisions; it’s how you steward people through them and how you translate difficult moments into durable, principled growth.
24/7 Video Game
All the best video games, all the time. Watch no commentary gaming videos live and on demand. By Adrian M ThePRO the Game Professional.
Join The Pro Gamers Community
• You are a pro gamer! • Share your content! • Get discovered!
Join The Pro Gamers Community on social media or login to 24/7 Video Game and submit your posts right to this website.
Up Game Shop
New & used video games, consoles, handhelds, retro, and gaming merchandise. Up Game Shop has the latest and greatest video game deals on the internet.
