DON'T NOD
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Don't Nod might not have enough cash to make it through January 2027, and even if it does, pulling up could…
Developer Don't Nod is facing severe financial difficulties, with a material uncertainty about its ability to continue operating beyond January 31, 2027. Poor sales of recent titles like Jusant and Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, coupled with increased development costs for a Netflix collaboration, have led to a significant decrease in operating revenue. The company is undergoing a restructure in France that may involve up to 90 layoffs.
"Material uncertainty" hangs over the future of Life is Strange developers Don't Nod beyond January 2027, as negotiations over potential layoffs begin
Life is Strange developer Don't Nod is facing significant financial uncertainty, with a "material uncertainty regarding the company's ability to continue as a going concern beyond January 31st, 2027." The studio is initiating negotiations for potential layoffs that could affect up to 90 staff as part of a transformation project aimed at refocusing operations. CEO Oskar Guilbert stated these measures are essential for the company's continued operations.
Don't Nod considering laying off 90 workers in France
Life is Strange developer Don't Nod has warned it may lay off 90 employees in France due to financial difficulties and systemic pressures in the video game industry. The company's operating revenue declined by 56 percent year-on-year, resulting in a significant operating EBITDA loss. Don't Nod is proposing a restructure to adapt to new market conditions and ensure its survival.
DON’T NOD Announces Lay Offs Affecting Up To 90 Employees as Part of New Business Plan
DON’T NOD has announced potential layoffs of up to 90 employees as part of a new business plan and restructuring effort. The company cited profound changes in the economic conditions of the video game industry and its financing as reasons for the difficult measures, which are essential for its continued operations and long-term growth.
Don't Nod warns it may not have enough funding to operate beyond January 2027
Don't Nod, the studio behind Life is Strange, has warned it may not have enough funding to continue operating beyond January 2027 without securing external financing. The company is also considering cutting up to 90 jobs in France as part of a restructuring plan due to declining revenue and widening operating losses.
Free Play Days – EA Sports College Football 27, The Survivalists, The Lonesome Guild, and Under The Waves
Xbox is offering Free Play Days for several titles including EA Sports College Football 27, The Survivalists, The Lonesome Guild, and Under The Waves. EA Sports College Football 27 and The Survivalists have specific availability windows, with The Survivalists requiring Xbox Game Pass membership, while The Lonesome Guild and Under The Waves are available as two-hour timed trials for all Xbox members.
Life is Strange developer Don't Nod look primed for layoffs, as the studio announces a "transformation intitiative"
Life is Strange developer Don't Nod is initiating a "transformation initiative" that is likely to result in layoffs, as the company cites deteriorating economic conditions in the video game industry. The studio has convened employee representative bodies to discuss a potential job protection plan and has begun negotiations with labor unions.
Life is Strange and Aphelion studio Don't Nod probably facing layoffs again, as it announces ominous-sounding "transformation initiative"
French developer Don't Nod, known for Life is Strange and Aphelion, is initiating a "transformation initiative" that strongly suggests impending layoffs. The company cited "profound changes in the economic conditions of the video game industry" and deteriorating economic indicators as reasons for adapting its operating model, with negotiations underway for a job-preservation plan.
DON’T NOD Announces Restructuring to “Maintain its Competitiveness”, Might Involve Layoffs
DON'T NOD has announced a restructuring aimed at maintaining competitiveness, which is expected to involve layoffs. The company will meet with employee representatives to implement a job protection plan, with further details anticipated soon. This follows previous rumors and industry-wide concerns about job cuts.
Underrated 2024 PS5 RPG 70% Off on PlayStation Store, Lowest Price
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, an action RPG developed by Don't Nod, is currently available for 70% off on the PlayStation Store, priced at $17.99 until September 10, 2026. The game is also included in the PlayStation Plus Extra Game Catalog and is available on PC and Xbox Series X|S.
Find balance in abstract puzzle adventure What Surrounds Us, now available on Steam
What Surrounds Us, the debut indie game from former Don't Nod developer Florent Martinais, is now available on Steam for PC. This minimalist puzzle adventure invites players to explore a delicate ecosystem and restore balance by solving environmental puzzles without dialogue or narration. The game explores themes of environmental anxiety and coexistence, encouraging reflection on real-world issues.
Aphelion Review – A Stunning Yet Frustrating Sci-Fi Experience | Invision Game Community
Aphelion is a visually stunning but frustrating sci-fi experience from Don't Nod, featuring a slow-paced narrative and inconsistent checkpoint system. While the game boasts beautiful icy vistas and good voice acting, it lacks the character development and meaningful choices found in the studio's previous titles. Ultimately, it's a serviceable walking simulator with a standard sci-fi mystery that falls short of its potential.
How games can "queer the concept of time" - and help us explore, interrogate, and reinvent our relationship with life's many milestones
This article explores how video games are examining the concept of 'queer time,' a non-linear and personal experience of life milestones often faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Games like Life is Strange, If Found, and Killing Time At Light Speed are highlighted for their narrative and mechanical explorations of identity, temporality, and societal pressures.
Report: Tencent mulling exits from multiple Japanese studios
Chinese conglomerate Tencent is reportedly considering selling off minority stakes in several Japanese game studios, potentially at a financial loss. This move is part of a portfolio reassessment aimed at refocusing on user-generated content platforms. While investments in PlatinumGames Inc and FromSoftware are reportedly safe, the future of other studios like Marvelous remains uncertain.
Tencent is reportedly looking to back out of several studio investments like Story of Seasons developer Marvelous, but…
Tencent is reportedly looking to divest from several minority investments in video game studios, including a 20% stake in Marvelous, the developer of Story of Seasons. This reassessment of its portfolio may involve selling stakes back to original management, even at a loss. Investments in studios like PlatinumGames and FromSoftware are reportedly unaffected.
French union STJV to commence national strike outside Quantic Dream
French labor union STJV is organizing a national strike on June 25, 2026, to protest widespread layoffs in the video game industry, particularly at companies like Ubisoft and Quantic Dream. The strike will begin with a picket outside Quantic Dream's Paris office, as the developer is reportedly planning to cut around 115 jobs. The union criticizes mismanagement, poor working conditions, and calls for government oversight on subsidies.
Rockstar's legal setback, Final Fantasy tax incentives, and PlayStation swaps 'PC' for 'AI' - Patch Notes #57
This week's gaming news includes Rockstar Games facing a trial date for union busting allegations, Sony Interactive Entertainment shifting its business strategy focus from 'PC' to 'AI' in SEC filings, and Microsoft's Xbox division reportedly preparing for studio closures. Additionally, Don't Nod is seeking new financing after Tencent withdrew short-term investment, Shibuya ward is offering Final Fantasy 14 in-game items for tax donations, and Epic Games is merging Unreal Engine 5 and UEFN into a unified Unreal Engine 6. The UK government is also set to implement a ban on social media for under 16s, impacting high-risk features in games.
Business and Finance
Don't Nod has stated it possesses multiple strategies to improve its financial standing, following a report from auditors detailing the company's cash flow challenges. The company is actively working to secure its financial future.
Don't Nod says it has "several levers" to secure financial position after auditors detailed cash woes
French developer Don't Nod is actively pursuing financing initiatives and cost optimizations to secure its financial position, following an auditor's report indicating potential cash flow issues by November. The company confirmed Tencent remains a shareholder but will not provide further investment, while Don't Nod seeks support for its in-development Project P14.
Don't Nod pursuing 'several levers' to secure financial future after Tencent decides against short-term investment
Developer Don't Nod is actively seeking financial solutions to extend its cash runway after Tencent decided against a short-term investment. The company is working to optimize its cost base and secure funding for 'Project P14' amidst a challenging industry environment.
