Despite a series of brutal layoffs, soaring hardware prices fueled by AI development, and an overall sense of unease within the gaming industry, Saber Interactive’s chief creative officer, Tim Willits, remains optimistic. He believes that the accessibility of platforms like Fortnite and mobile devices makes this “actually, honestly, a good time” to be involved in gaming.
A Silver Lining Amidst Layoffs and High Prices
Willits, speaking with PC Gamer, acknowledged the cyclical nature of the industry. “I’ve seen a lot of downturns,” he said. “Remember the death of the consoles and no more PC gaming?” However, he emphasized the unique power of interactive entertainment: “What’s so amazing about our industry and the people that work in it is, we make art. We make something that no other industry can make.” He believes that great games will always find a way to reach players.
Willits also touched upon the shifting landscape of game development, hinting at potential changes in where games are made. This could be a reference to the rise of AI and its impact on the traditional game development powerhouse model. “But if there are a handful of talented individuals that have an idea, this is a great time to be in the industry because you can put a game on anything.”
He elaborated, “You can put a game on your phone. You can make an independent game on any platform. You can make a Fortnite cloud game. You know, you can make a mega-hit. You can do so much. This is actually, honestly, a good time. Yes, RAM is expensive. Yes, GPUs are expensive. But your phone is—you already have your phone. Make a game there.”
Encouragement for Displaced Developers
Willits addressed the concerning trend of mass layoffs that have impacted thousands of game developers in recent years. While acknowledging the sadness surrounding these events, he urged those affected to remain proactive. “It’s always sad when you hear about [layoffs]. I mean, heck, I know some people that got caught up in that,” Willits said. “But I do encourage them—and I know I’m maybe a half full kind of guy—but I do encourage them to find a handful of their friends and start working on something. There are so many tools out there, and it doesn’t take a huge effort, doesn’t take a huge development budget, and make something cool.”
For those who may not achieve instant indie success, Willits expressed confidence that they will eventually find opportunities within the industry: “Other developers and publishers and companies around the world are looking at these super talented people that are free, and I bet you’ll see some news that will come out soon.”
While individual developers can create surprise hits or carve out sustainable niches, as seen with [examples], hobby development by individuals with day jobs often doesn’t address the systemic problems facing the mainstream gaming industry. The GDC’s 2026 State of the Game Industry Report highlighted that over the past two years, nearly half of laid-off game developers have been unable to find new work in the industry. Meanwhile, companies like [list of companies] have continued to reduce their workforce, exacerbating the already crowded job market.
2026 games : All the upcoming games
Best PC games : Our all-time favorites
Free PC games : Freebie fest
Best FPS games : Finest gunplay
Best RPGs : Grand adventures
Best co-op games : Better together
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