According to a September 14 report by Kuai Technology, layoffs in the gaming industry continue to persist and show signs of intensifying, with a significant number of employees laid off globally since the beginning of 2022.

According to data tracked by game developers, approximately 10,500 employees were laid off last year, and so far this year, approximately 11,540 employees have lost their jobs.

Recently, Microsoft's gaming division announced that it would lay off another 650 employees. Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft Xbox, stated that no games, devices, or experiences would be cut as a result of these layoffs, and no studios would be closed.

Against this backdrop, former Sony executive Chris Deering's remarks sparked widespread controversy.

In a podcast interview, he said that faced with industry changes and layoffs, laid-off game developers could choose to become Uber drivers (similar to Didi) or even take a vacation to relax until the job market in the gaming industry improves.

He said, "It (layoffs) is like a pandemic, and you have to find a way to get through it, whether it's by driving for Uber or finding a place with a low cost of living and taking a year-long beach vacation. But stay informed about industry news because once you get off the bus, it will be harder to catch up again."

Overseas communities have almost unanimously criticized Deering's remarks. An important point is that many laid-off employees do not earn high incomes and cannot afford the lifestyle suggested by Deering while waiting for the job market to improve.

One netizen bluntly stated, "How can these executives be so out of touch with the industry, giving advice like telling people to become Uber drivers or take a year-long beach vacation while waiting for the industry's problems to be resolved?"