FromSoftware Setting The Bar High For Developers Amid Industry Layoffs Is How They Are Able To Make Absolute Masterpieces Like Elden Ring

FromSoftware has announced that from April 2025, its employees will receive an average basic salary increase of approximately 11.8%. In a time when the gaming industry has been plagued with layoffs and staff cuts, FromSoftware is raising the standards of job security and creativity.

With leadership that prioritizes workers’ security, FromSoftware’s ability to craft masterpieces like Elden Ring is no accident. This commitment to its people has allowed the company to maintain a high standard of quality in its games.

FromSoftware’s Employee Welfare Policy Needs to Be Followed

The video game industry has faced unprecedented challenges over the past two years. In 2023, more than 10,000 industry professionals lost their jobs. As reported by Polygon, this trend has continued into 2024, with layoffs already surpassing last year’s total by mid-year.

フロム・ソフトウェアでは、働きがいのある環境創出の一環として、基本給および新卒初任給の引き上げを実施します。これからもユーザーの皆様にさらなる感動と「価値あるゲーム」を提供するべく、ゲーム開発に取り組んでまいります。

— FROMSOFTWARE (@fromsoftware_pr) October 4, 2024

FromSoftware recently announced a salary increase for its employees, raising both base salaries and starting salaries for new graduates. The studio’s president, Hidetaka Miyazaki, has previously stated that the studio won’t face mass layoffs “as long as this company is my responsibility.”

Miyazaki even cited the late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who famously took a personal pay cut to avoid layoffs, as a key part of his leadership style. This focus on employee welfare contrasts with the more volatile nature of the gaming industry in regions like the U.S. and Europe, where layoffs are often seen as a routine part of business operations.

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This philosophy has not only helped FromSoftware retain its talented developers but has also contributed to the studio’s ability to create groundbreaking titles. Games like Elden Ring and Armored Core 6 are not just technical achievements; they are products of a stable, well-supported team.

Miyazaki has made it clear that he prioritizes the long-term well-being of his employees, which, in turn, allows them to focus on pushing creative boundaries and delivering exceptional games to players.

Japan Has Remained Largely Unaffected, And That Should Say Something

The Japanese gaming industry has shown resilience in the face of global economic challenges. Companies like Sega, Capcom, and Nintendo have all implemented salary increases for their employees in recent years, recognizing the importance of investing in their workforce.

let’s never forget this is how the great Iwata handled the poor reception of Wii U, not with layoffs, but by cutting his own wage. pic.twitter.com/OjEpdeqczG

— David Amador 🐙 (@DJ_Link) September 28, 2023

Japan’s stricter labor laws provide additional protection for workers, helping them avoid the mass layoffs that have become so prevalent in other parts of the world. However, this doesn’t mean that the Japanese gaming industry is free of challenges, as many developers still face grueling work hours and high expectations.

FromSoft’s commitment to its employees has not gone unnoticed by the gaming community. Fans have expressed their support, noting that happy employees are more likely to create exceptional games.

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As layoffs in the gaming industry continue, it is clear that FromSoftware’s approach to employee retention is more than just a corporate strategy. The studio’s ability to foster a supportive environment, free from the fear of job loss, allows its team to focus entirely on innovation and quality.

This freedom is one of the reasons Elden Ring and other FromSoftware titles have achieved such widespread acclaim. As companies continue to struggle with rising costs and changing player habits, it’s clear that the current model of hire-and-fire cycles is unsustainable.

What do you think of FromSoft and Miyazaki’s way of doing things? Let us know in the comments!