Behind the Boom: The Meaning of Game Industry Restructuring -- Mass Layoffs and Structural Changes: The gaming industry still appears to be in boom with global market revenue approaching 200 billion USD. But voices from the field are different. News of mass layoffs, studio closures, and project cancellations continues, and industry worker anxiety is growing. The past 3 years reality: global gaming market size has steadily increased -- approximately 184 billion USD in 2022, exceeding 187 billion USD in 2023, with 200 billion USD expected in 2025. But the layoff count tells a different story: 2023 saw approximately 10,000 game industry layoffs; 2024 surpassed 14,000 -- the worst year on record. Major studios affected include EA, Microsoft Gaming after Activision acquisition, Unity after pricing controversy, and dozens of mid-size studios. Why boom coexists with layoffs: revenue growth is concentrated in a few mega-hits and mobile platforms; pandemic hiring boom created unsustainable headcount now being corrected; AAA game development cost inflation means fewer games can justify investment; AI productivity tools are reducing headcount needed for certain production tasks. The ecosystem implication: talent being laid off is forming indie studios, creating new development tools, and moving into adjacent sectors; the medium-term ecosystem effect may be positive even if the short-term human cost is significant.