Devs raise $130,000 in just five days to support laid-off peers
The game industry is rallying to support laid-off developers through a charitable bundle initiative. Organized by Necrosoft Games in response to widespread layoffs, a $10 bundle featuring over 100 games has raised $130,000 in just five days, surpassing its initial $100,000 goal within the first four days. Nearly 10,000 players have purchased the bundle, which organizers credit to the urgent need created by what they describe as an “unprecedented number of game developers laid off this year.”
The fundraising effort has proven so successful that organizers have increased their target to $200,000, which the bundle is now 64 percent of the way toward achieving. According to Necrosoft Games director Brandon Sheffield, the campaign reflects the scale of industry upheaval impacting developers across the sector.
The funds raised are distributed through the United Videogame Workers union, bolstering a hardship fund that was originally launched in early July. The distribution system includes two separate application streams: one specifically targeting developers who have been laid off, and another providing assistance to workers facing financial hardship from other circumstances. This two-track approach allows the fund to support a broader range of workers within the industry during the current employment crisis.