Unearthing Positivity Amidst Adversity: A Year in Review

The year 2023 presented numerous difficulties for many, but our yearly recap discovers reasons to be optimistic. This Week in Business is a weekly column that compiles recent statistics and quotes, presented with a touch of opinion, to shed light on various trends. As the year draws to a close, we reflect on the positives. The Cantonese phrase 'Sik see sik zoek dau' translates to 'finding a pea while eating poop,' symbolizing the discovery of pleasant surprises amidst unpleasant tasks. Despite the abundance of layoffs and closures in the games industry, 2023 had its share of happy surprises. For instance, the year saw a bumper crop of great games offering top-notch escapism, new unions at major game studios giving workers additional leverage, and the US Federal Trade Commission considering a ban on non-compete clauses. As we bid farewell to 2023, we focus on the positive and find the 'peas' in the mess. The 52 stats and quotes reflect a mix of everything: the good, the bad, and the ugly, providing a comprehensive overview of the year. We also highlight a This Week in Business column from each month that holds up well, even now. Whatever the situation, we hope you enjoy a fulfilling break and look forward to 2024.