Contractors
Ongoing coverage on Contractors.
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Halo Studios Has No Planned Layoffs, is Letting Go of Contractors – Rumor
Halo Studios has clarified that recent departures are limited to external contractors hired for Halo: Campaign Evolved, with no planned layoffs for internal staff. Industry analyst Rhys Elliot noted that the game's PlayStation 5 sales were lower than anticipated, selling only 351,000 copies in its launch month and being outsold by older Call of Duty titles.
Halo Studios jettisons long-serving contractors after launch of Halo: Campaign Evolved
Halo Studios has eliminated an unknown number of contract roles following the launch of Halo: Campaign Evolved. Several long-serving contractors have been let go, though no full-time employees were affected. This follows Microsoft's broader decision to cut 3,200 roles across its Xbox division.
Ustwo Games to consider hiring more contractors to reduce development costs
Ustwo Games CEO Maria Sayans stated the studio plans to reduce development costs by increasing reliance on contractors rather than full-time employees. This shift is part of a move towards a PC-first strategy, aiming for smaller budgets compared to previous titles like Monument Valley 3. Sayans also suggested launching games at higher prices with later discounts to ensure studio sustainability.
'We've been a little bit too romantic:' Ustwo CEO says lowering development costs is now paramount
Ustwo Games CEO Maria Sayans states that lowering development costs and increasing the use of contractors are crucial for the studio's future as a PC-first developer. The company is pivoting away from mobile due to declining profitability and is focusing on creating meaningful single-player experiences for PC and consoles, while re-evaluating its budget and pricing strategies.
