Deus Ex designer Warren Spector has voiced strong criticism regarding the accountability of executives in the video game industry, particularly in the wake of Electronic Arts' decision to close BioWare.
Spector, who has worked on landmark titles, expressed his dismay on LinkedIn, calling the closure of the studio behind games like Mass Effect and Dragon Age "utter bullshit." He highlighted what he perceives as a systemic issue where executives responsible for decisions leading to studio closures and mass layoffs rarely face professional consequences.
"For some reason, BioWare hit me on an emotional level that nothing had before," Spector stated, describing the news as "gut-punching." He emphasized that while business decisions might lead to such outcomes, the individuals making those decisions are often insulated from the fallout that impacts developers.
He pointed to the significant salaries of EA executives, including CEO Andrew Wilson, Laura Miele, Stuart Canfield, Jake Schatz, and Mala Singh, contrasting them with the thousands of developers who find themselves unemployed due to what he described as poor management. Spector questioned the justification for such compensation when studios are shuttered and talent is diluted.
"Do those same executives suffer like developers when the needs of financial partners and private investors take precedence over the people who actually create value, let alone over the interests of players?" Spector questioned in his post. "Is there ANY accountability left in this world?"
Spector concluded by stating that if one believes these actions are solely about sound business decisions, they should never be in a position to run a business, or at least not expect others to work for them.