Japanese Studios Retain 97% Staff by Paying Executives Less, Avoiding Live-Service Trend

Expert Amir Satvat says Capcom, Konami, and Nintendo retain over 97% of employees, while the gaming industry expects 14,500 layoffs in 2026. The reason is small teams, modest executive bonuses ($2–3 million instead of $30 million), and avoiding live-service bets.

• Staff retention at Japanese studios exceeds 97%
• 14,500 layoffs expected in gaming in 2026
• 18,000–25,000 new employees enter industry annually
• Top executive bonuses in Japan: $2–3 million vs $30 million