March 21, 2026
Green rings, red flags
The Impact of AI on Game Dev Jobs. Open to Work Crisis
LinkedIn goes Shrek‑green: AI scapegoat or exec layoff play
TLDR: Darko Tomic says game‑dev jobs are cooling after a pandemic hiring bubble as LinkedIn floods with Open to Work rings. Commenters argue it’s corporate cost‑cutting, roast the green ring, call out influencer hype, and demand practical help—why it matters: careers are wobbling while the AI scapegoat debate rages.
Darko Tomic’s blog paints LinkedIn as greener than his site thanks to Open to Work rings—evidence of a game‑dev chill after 2020–21’s “infinite money glitch” of overhiring, NFT/Metaverse hype, and even a Zuma clone staffing 50–100 people. But the comments? Pure chaos. The loudest take: it’s not AI, it’s cover. One user blasts layoffs as PR spin, warning the green ring “has the stink of desperation” and joking it’s like dating—“act casual.” Others slam the post itself as a milquetoast alarm bell that offers no help, demanding actionable advice instead of doom. Then came the influencer beef: a commenter accuses big‑name tech YouTubers of deceiving viewers about what’s really happening, which ignited a mini‑war over who people trust to understand the industry. Some try to balance the vibes, saying their managers are preaching similar caution, while a philosophical voice wonders what happens when one class keeps taking and the other runs out. The meme factory fired up too: LinkedIn “Shrek‑green” jokes, “Zuma clone sweatshop” riffs, and the running gag of “speed‑running unemployment” by ditching the ring. Verdict: AI vs. exec scapegoat is the cage match, but everyone agrees the vibes are off and the guidance is thin.
Key Points
- •The author observes widespread 'Open to Work' indicators on LinkedIn among game developers.
- •During 2020 lockdowns, gaming demand rose sharply, leading studios to accelerate hiring and new company formation.
- •In Serbia, a small Unity market saw a surge in interviews and hiring, mirroring global growth.
- •A Serbian company running a Zuma-like game reportedly supported 50–100 employees, illustrating revenue scale during the boom.
- •In 2021, NFTs and metaverse hype coincided with intensified recruiting; the author received multiple daily messages from recruiters.