Mixed emotions
During the months following our company's separation from Green Screen, we have been working diligently to secure game project contracts. As of last week, we had two definite, signed contracts, and a 3rd that looked like it was all but a done deal.
Yesterday, however, our company owners gathered us all together and informed us that the 3rd project fell through over the weekend. As a result, our company only has two projects to work on, and thus cannot afford to pay the full staff. Six of our employees were let go yesterday, out of the blue.
Our company owners looked really haggard, as if they had been up all night agonizing over this decision. I don't envy them the choices they had to make, and I ache for my co-workers that had to be let go yesterday. This has got to be one of the worst times (that I can remember in my own lifetime) to lose a job! It appears that the gaming industry isn't so "recession-resistant" as experts once thought.
By some miracle, I still have a job. I honestly don't fully understand why my team lead Mike was let go and I was kept on. While I am very grateful to still work at SuperVillain Studios, I am very nervous about the future. Granted, with two definite, signed contracts, the projects will be there and the money will come in. Furthermore, with a leaner staff, we are in a much more sustainable position to move forward.
Lay-offs always make me nervous, though.
On a more positive note, I have nearly completed the arctic fox tail that my friend Xaqtly ordered for the convention. I closed up the main body this morning, cut and formed two belt loops out of denim, and was stitching one of the belt loops to the tail when it came time for me to go to work. I will finish it this evening, for certain.
I'm pretty happy with this tail--it's thick, soft, and fluffy, like a fox tail should be. :) I hope he likes it.
Yesterday, however, our company owners gathered us all together and informed us that the 3rd project fell through over the weekend. As a result, our company only has two projects to work on, and thus cannot afford to pay the full staff. Six of our employees were let go yesterday, out of the blue.
Our company owners looked really haggard, as if they had been up all night agonizing over this decision. I don't envy them the choices they had to make, and I ache for my co-workers that had to be let go yesterday. This has got to be one of the worst times (that I can remember in my own lifetime) to lose a job! It appears that the gaming industry isn't so "recession-resistant" as experts once thought.
By some miracle, I still have a job. I honestly don't fully understand why my team lead Mike was let go and I was kept on. While I am very grateful to still work at SuperVillain Studios, I am very nervous about the future. Granted, with two definite, signed contracts, the projects will be there and the money will come in. Furthermore, with a leaner staff, we are in a much more sustainable position to move forward.
Lay-offs always make me nervous, though.
On a more positive note, I have nearly completed the arctic fox tail that my friend Xaqtly ordered for the convention. I closed up the main body this morning, cut and formed two belt loops out of denim, and was stitching one of the belt loops to the tail when it came time for me to go to work. I will finish it this evening, for certain.
I'm pretty happy with this tail--it's thick, soft, and fluffy, like a fox tail should be. :) I hope he likes it.