An hour ago, news broke that the entire staffs and talent of 38 Studios and Big Huge Games had been notified that they were being laid off.

Moments later the video game industry, via the Internet, took to action. It began with a few thoughts of support but immediately shifted into salvation mode, offering jobs to the newly unemployed.  Countless families are being affected by the dissolution of the company and studios, many having not been receiving a paycheck since the beginning of May.

Social media came to the rescue, with #38Jobs becoming an almost immediate trending topic.

Facebook walls are overflowing with support. Twitter status updates are exploding. The game industry, a competitive and often “every man for himself” world of product development, is showing such incredible support that it’s humbling… even for those of us sitting on the sidelines.

We’re a family — developers, publishers, journalists, and gamers — and any support we can create in times like these is more than welcome.

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To get involved, send messages to game developers and publishers to offer jobs to these hard-working individuals and teams. Use the #38Jobs hashtag on Twitter and Facebook. Join the Facebook page and post jobs that you see available for the teams. Help former SideQuester Alex Rubens curate the 38Jobs Google Doc (send him an email at alex@alexrubens.com). Show your support, any way you can!

[Source: Joystiq]