A burgeoning indie game bundle on Itch.io, created to assist game developers who have been laid off, is rapidly approaching its $200,000 fundraising target. The initiative, named the Game Industry Hardship Fund, has already surpassed its initial goal of $100,000 and has accumulated more than $163,000 with seven days left in its campaign.
The bundle offers 127 games for a minimum price of $10, with all proceeds directed towards helping unemployed developers cover essential living expenses. Notable titles included in the collection range from "Skatebird" and "A Short Hike" to "Arranger." The project was conceived by Brandon Sheffield, director at Necrosoft Games, in collaboration with the United Videogame Workers, a CWA union that advocates for game developers.
"The game industry has a problem," reads a statement from the bundle's description. "Too many people are out of work. Reports say 33% of the industry lost their jobs in the last two years, and the jobs they could fill are disappearing as CEOs try to replace them with AI. It's hard for companies to adjust to the new shape of the game industry, but even harder for the people they should be employing."
Developers based in the United States and Canada are eligible to apply for financial assistance from the fund. These funds are intended to cover costs such as food, healthcare, rent, and moving expenses, with the union managing the distribution of aid. Over 11,000 individuals have contributed to the fund so far, and while $10 is the minimum contribution, higher donations are encouraged. One notable donation reached $5,000.
The impact of the fund is already being felt. OneBGS, the union representing employees at Bethesda Game Studios, announced that the fund had assisted a member with moving expenses, enabling them to return home after being laid off. The campaign is scheduled to conclude on August 13, and Sheffield has expressed his hope to double the current amount raised by the end of the fundraiser.
The past six months have been marked by a significant number of layoffs across the gaming industry. Major companies such as Microsoft have implemented substantial cuts, with Xbox laying off 1,600 employees and planning further reductions. Riot Games also announced layoffs following the release of its fighting game "2XKO." Ubisoft experienced significant layoffs despite the success of titles like "Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced," and Sony even closed down developer Bluepoint Games earlier this year. These workforce reductions have not been limited to large corporations, with smaller studios like ZA/UM, the developer of "Disco Elysium," and Double Fine also affected.