Game industry loses team behind Darksiders series
Working in the game industry can be rough. What many see as a dream job sometimes involves a high rate of turnover.
Some of that turnover has unfortunately hit Vigil Games, the studio behind the critically praised Darksiders series. During the Jan. 23 THQ sale, Vigil did not find a new publisher, and the entire team was laid off.
Ben Cureton, former lead combat designer at Vigil, took to NeoGAF to write a post reflecting on the turn of events and his experiences at Vigil. The post began by comparing the empty Vigil offices to “a warzone”: “The walls look bare. It’s quiet.”
Cureton goes on to explain that turnover has been part of his experience in the game industry: “Seriously… if you work in the video game industry you have to be resilient. Doing what you love often comes with a price — anyone who has been around for a while can tell you that. Today, that price has been paid.”
Still, he added he would never dissuade anyone from getting into the game industry: “While it’s not as romantic as it sounds, it’s sure a hell of a lot of fun.”
While Cureton wrote he’s been fired before, he explained this time will be different: “I’m sad because it won’t be THIS job. It won’t be at Vigil. That’s why I’m sad. The people I waged war with are no longer together. The people that I bled with, vented with, argued with (often times LOUDLY), and kicked back with… these people will never be together again in the same combination.”
The entire post shows the struggles of working in the game industry. In such a highly competitive market, even some of the best studios can be shut down.
What do you guys think? Are you sad Vigil Games are shutting down? Do these kind of stories make you skeptical of entering the game industry? Make sure to comment below.
