Clover’s Kamiya on Protecting Workers from Layoffs
- What: Clover Studio,the developer of Okami 2,is prioritizing staff retention over potential layoffs.
- This trend has created a climate of uncertainty for developers and fueled discussions about the sustainability of current business models within the industry.
- In a recent interview with Video Games Chronicle (VGC), Clover Studio head and chief game designer Hideki Kamiya expressed a "very strong responsibility" to protect the studio's employees...
Clover Studio Prioritizes Staff Retention Amidst Industry Layoffs
Table of Contents
Updated September 16,2025,08:50:44 AM PDT
Industry Context: A Wave of Layoffs
The video game industry has experienced notable upheaval in 2024 and 2025, marked by widespread layoffs at major companies. according to GamesIndustry.biz’s Layoffs Tracker, over 8,000 employees in the gaming sector have been affected by job cuts as of September 16, 2025.Companies like Microsoft, Sony, and Unity have all announced substantial reductions in their workforce, citing economic pressures and restructuring efforts.
This trend has created a climate of uncertainty for developers and fueled discussions about the sustainability of current business models within the industry. The pressure to deliver profitable titles quickly frequently enough leads to arduous decisions regarding staffing levels.
Clover Studio’s Commitment to its Team
In a recent interview with Video Games Chronicle (VGC), Clover Studio head and chief game designer Hideki Kamiya expressed a “very strong responsibility” to protect the studio’s employees during this period of industry instability. Kamiya emphasized the studio’s “deep commitment” to its staff and a desire to prioritize their well-being.
“That means we can’t just say, ‘oh, the project has failed and didn’t go well, goodbye everyone.’ We really have a deep commitment to keep the company going for these peopel,who we’re grateful to,” Kamiya stated. “of course, I understand there are circumstances that force large companies to make layoffs, but for us, that’s a route that we don’t want to go down.We want to take care of our staff.”
Cultural Differences: japan vs. the West
VGC observed a noticeable disparity between the frequency of layoffs, project cancellations, and studio closures in Japanese companies compared to their Western counterparts.This observation prompted a discussion about potential cultural factors influencing these differences.
Clover Studio CEO and president Kento Koyama suggested that Japan possesses a “culture of respecting creators.” “I can’t say for sure sence I don’t have experience in overseas development,but I feel that Japan does have a culture of respecting creators,” Koyama explained. “In the West, I imagine there’s always a constant push and pull between marketing-driven decisions and creative decisions. For us,we feel there is a willingness to place a bit more trust in the creative side.”
This perspective aligns with broader analyses of Japanese business culture, which often prioritizes long-term relationships and employee loyalty over short-term profits. The concept of *shushin koyo* (lifetime employment), while less prevalent than in the past, still influences employment practices in many Japanese companies.