Layoff update

Leinad · Apr 29 2026

Hi Polycount!

It’s been a while. So a while back I posted about being laid off from my last job as a Lead 3D Artist. I am sure I speak for many people here when I say that I really really dislike the job search.

I interviewed at many of my “Dream” jobs/studios. But unfortunately I never had a chance to get past the filtering stage in the interview process.

Most of the jobs that I got offered either paid laughably too little (think 50% pay cut), or ended up just asking me to manage the outsourcing department.

I feel like I am a world class 3D artist now, but most of the IC (individual contributor) jobs are simply moved out of the US mostly due to outsourcing.

In a few years I’ll be 40 years old… So at this point I’ve settled on the reality that I’ll likely never get a chance to truly work onsite at my “dream studios”...

Eventually I landed on the idea that I am just going to make my own game using AI to fill in for all of the technical gaps like coding. I am 1 year into that journey, my game is on steam now and I am running public playtests and hoping to launch the demo in a few months.

I say all this here because I am actively reading Polycount everyday, and realized I almost never post. So here is my update. I am still making art, it’s just not the kind of workflow I had hoped to be using. I landed here because I simply couldn't land the kind of job I wanted that would actually pay my US living costs. Also, it was a bit embarrassing going through so many interviews where it felt like nobody cared and I was just a number in the process.

I don’t know what’s going on with the game industry, but 2014 felt like a magical time to me as I started my first 3D art job. Now it’s just quite disappointing seeing layoff after layoff from many game studios.

Here is a screenshot of my game:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/hk/llccvopc2ple.jpg

Here is the link to my steam page for those interested:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4003040/Dino_Card_Hunt/

Eric Chadwick · Apr 29 2026

Congrats on the game, and yeah it's unfortunately a really tough market.

I'm heartened somewhat though by knowing there are lots of opportunities for 3D artists if you're willing to branch outside of game development. That's been my personal experience, I haven't worked in gamedev for nine years now, but have managed to stay employed, and do work I personally find interesting and engaging, working with and learning from talented people. So it's actually much the same.

zetheros · Apr 29 2026

It's a barren wasteland in the US for 3d art, I checked earlier. I knew it was really bad but I never actually knew to what extent. It's extra unfortunate for a lot of us who have worked hard for years to 'git gud' only for the floor to fall out beneath us. Good luck with your game Leinad

Jaisheel · Apr 29 2026

Thats really disheartening to read, Can I see your portfolio?

sacboi · Apr 29 2026

Very nice, great job on your project!

I'll have to take a peek at it on steam and as for game dev employment - yes needless to say things have been a bit turbulent imho ever since covid but opportunities still do exist for art aligned roles. I mean just on these boards alone had occasionally noticed members exchanging an 'internal heads up' via WAYWO or 3D Art Showcase that a studio place might be up for grabs so "...PM me" which in turn I'd agree routinely logging on too Polycount could potentially payoff. Also posting new pieces here or other places as you're probably well aware, tend to attract eyeballs that matter, anyway all the best keep plugging away

Leinad · Apr 29 2026

Thanks for the responses everyone!

Thanks Eric! That's a great point and it’s something I am learning now. On a positive note, I am having a lot more fun now that I get to work on my own things, even though I am making negative money doing it lol…

Zetheros, I still don’t know how bad it is. I just interviewed for a few months and noped out. My experience is not even unique so I don’t need to go into details. I stopped logging into Linkedin 7 months ago because it was just sad seeing so many layoffs in my network.

Jaisheel, my portfolio is in my signature area, click on the text that says “Artstation”. Sorry for the disheartening post. I am hopeful, it’s just going to take some more work for me to make this right.

Thanks sacboi, yea I agree. I am just a bit burnt out from the 2 major layoffs I’ve experienced in my career. I’ve worked at 2 different studios 5 years each (10 years total), and the way management laid off the art team has been the fuel I need to find another way to do what I love.

iam717 · 10:39AM

Congrats i guess but being a person who despises the aye.eye. trend regardless of do it cause "everyone else will, b.s. ideology", i was curious & have to ask with 10 years of possible "networking", you couldn't find any people to fill the rolls for your game idea?

Small Rant: (no need to address.)

As much as i wish i was not opposed to aye.eye. its the lying & the way they went about getting there is what the issue is for me & will never go away since they've already learned things via the thievery, & no amount of lying on top of that saying its made off its own generation will alter its beginnings for me, anyway.

Layoff update

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