Layoffs
Ongoing coverage on Layoffs.
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"As more people play games, even the tiniest niches find a bigger audience" – Why Matt Webster is convinced people want Star Wars: Galactic Racer
Matt Webster, co-founder of Fuse Games, discusses the upcoming release of Star Wars: Galactic Racer, a title he believes can carve out a niche in the current market despite the general decline of racing games. The studio, formed by former Criterion developers, is innovating by incorporating roguelike elements and consequential decision-making, inspired by games like Hades and Slay the Spire, to enhance replayability. Webster also touches on the challenges of independent development, the importance of nurturing young talent, and the industry's aversion to risk.
"Without us, Bethesda games aren’t Bethesda games": Rallies against Microsoft layoffs at Elder Scrolls studio continue, with unionised devs' morale "on the upswing"
Unionized developers at Bethesda Softworks continue to rally against Microsoft's recent layoffs, which have impacted staff across Xbox Game Studios. Developers express concern over the company's handling of the reductions in force and the effect on game development timelines for titles like The Elder Scrolls 6. Despite low morale regarding work, there is optimism about the ongoing union organizing efforts.
Games Inbox: How much disruption will GTA 6 launch cause?
Readers discuss the potential disruption caused by the Grand Theft Auto 6 launch, comparing it to Pokémon Go and anticipating media coverage. Other topics include the success of recent Star Wars games, competition between publishers like Activision and EA, the Amiga retro scene, the high cost of Star Citizen, concerns about Bethesda's game development quality post-layoffs, and the secrecy surrounding Nintendo's Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.
Bethesda Layoffs Were Rare Before Acquisition by Microsoft, Says Developer
A lead character artist at Bethesda, Alex Nguyen, stated that layoffs were rare at the studio before its acquisition by Microsoft. Since the acquisition, however, the studio has experienced yearly layoffs, impacting employees on the ground rather than just management. This shift has led to protests and concerns about employee morale and the impact on game development.
Battlefield 6 is free at same time as Modern Warfare 4 beta as EA trolls rival
EA is offering a free week-long trial for Battlefield 6 that coincides with the beta for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, a move seen as a deliberate attempt to undercut Activision. The trial includes new maps and modes, and features a Top Gun crossover with character skins. While Modern Warfare 4's first beta is pre-order exclusive, Battlefield 6's free access aims to attract new players amidst ongoing pressure for both titles to succeed.
Welcome to Optimism Week!
This article discusses the current challenges and gloom surrounding the video game industry, including widespread layoffs, executive mismanagement, rising game costs, and ethical concerns. It argues for the importance of covering these negative aspects while also acknowledging the need for optimism and celebrating the joy games can bring. The piece introduces 'Optimism Week' as a feature series dedicated to highlighting the brighter side of gaming.
Invincible VS Studio Faces Layoffs, “Skeleton Crew” Reportedly Left to Work on DLC
Developer Quarter Up, known for its debut title Invincible VS, has reportedly undergone significant layoffs, with sources claiming around 75% of the staff were let go. The redundancies are believed to be due to the game not meeting sales expectations, leaving only a skeleton crew to work on upcoming DLC. Skybound Entertainment and Skybound Games have not commented on the situation.
Scabby versus Sharma, Twitch's GenAI admission, and Netflix shutters more studios - Patch Notes #65
Netflix has closed two more internal game studios, Night School Studio and Moonloot Games, despite recent success with its cloud gaming launches. Meanwhile, Twitch confirmed it will use user data to train Amazon's generative AI models by default. In other news, union workers protested Xbox's layoffs with a large inflatable rat and red flags, while the game 'Big Walk' surpassed one million sales and a game preservation project regained funding after previous cuts.
Netflix Announces Closure of Night School Studios and Moonlot
Netflix is shutting down its game development studios Night School Studio and Moonloot, and has confirmed job cuts within its games division. The company stated it aims to focus on more family-friendly and mainstream-appealing games. Night School Studio, known for narrative titles like Oxenfree, was acquired by Netflix in 2021.
Netflix closing Oxenfree developer Night School Studio and Moonloot Games
Netflix has closed Oxenfree developer Night School Studio and Helsinki-based Moonloot Games, while also eliminating additional roles within its games division. The company stated it is refocusing its strategy on key areas like cloud and kids games, shifting away from mobile-first titles. This move follows a pattern of Netflix shutting down acquired studios and comes as the company partners with Rockstar Games for a Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer debut.
Troubled Witcher multiplayer spinoff Project Sirius struck with new round of layoffs
CD Projekt Red has confirmed another round of layoffs for its troubled multiplayer Witcher spinoff, Project Sirius, cutting 18 staff members. This marks the second significant staff reduction for the project, which was originally announced in 2022. The article also highlights broader industry trends of mass redundancies across various game studios, including Supermassive Games, That's No Moon, and Halo Studios, alongside protests by unionized Bethesda workers against Microsoft's planned layoffs.
Elder Scrolls VI år 2031 är inte så orimligt som det låter
An analysis of The Elder Scrolls VI's potential release date suggests it may not arrive until 2030 or later, considering its development phases and recent layoffs at Bethesda. Despite a brief gameplay viewing by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, the game remains in full production, with previous estimates from Phil Spencer placing it at least five years away. The article speculates on how ongoing workforce changes and development timelines could impact the final release.
After this week's Elder Scrolls 6 tease, fans think they've figured out its full name - and it was hidden in Starfield all along
Fans believe the full title for The Elder Scrolls 6 may be 'The Elder Scrolls 6: Sentinel,' a name potentially hidden within Starfield's character creator. This theory gained traction after Xbox CEO Asha Sharma teased a subtitle for the game, which is still a long way from release according to Todd Howard.
CD Projekt Red has laid off nine Project Sirius developers
CD Projekt Red has laid off nine developers working on its upcoming Witcher multiplayer game, codenamed Project Sirius. The company stated that the team size was adjusted to reflect the project's current development needs. This follows previous layoffs in 2023 and a reported change in the project's framework.
Supermassive Games announces third round of layoffs in three years
Supermassive Games has announced a third round of layoffs, impacting up to 75 staff members. This decision follows the disappointing sales and mixed reviews of their latest title, Directive 8020. These redundancies, combined with previous ones, bring the total staff reduction over three years to 204.
Games Inbox: When will The Elder Scrolls 6: Sentinel be released?
Readers discuss the potential release window for The Elder Scrolls 6, with speculation pointing towards 2028 and a possible Hammerfell setting. Other topics include the design of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, the use of AI in game development, and the potential for future Nintendo handhelds.
Project Sirius Faces Further Layoffs to “Reflect the Project’s Needs,” Says CD Projekt RED
CD Projekt RED has confirmed further layoffs for its Project Sirius team, affecting employees in both Warsaw and Boston. The company stated the team size was adjusted to reflect the project's current development needs. This marks another setback for the multiplayer Witcher spin-off, which has undergone significant changes.
CD Projekt cuts more than 20% of The Witcher spinoff development team 'to reflect the project's needs at this…
CD Projekt has laid off nine employees from the development team of its Witcher spinoff, Project Sirius, stating the reduction reflects the project's current needs. This follows a reboot and updated direction for the game, with over 20% of the development team now cut.
Witcher multiplayer spin-off Project Sirius hit by fresh layoffs
CD Projekt Red has reportedly laid off nine employees and reassigned another nine from its Project Sirius team, a multiplayer spin-off of The Witcher. This follows a previous round of layoffs and a rescoping of the project in 2023. The Molasses Flood, the studio acquired by CDPR in 2021 to develop Sirius, was fully absorbed into CDPR in April 2025.
The Witcher multiplayer spin-off Project Sirius reportedly hit with another wave of layoffs
CD Projekt Red's multiplayer spin-off, Project Sirius, developed by The Molasses Flood, has reportedly experienced another wave of layoffs. Nine developers were affected, with an additional nine being moved to other projects as part of a strategic shift. This marks the latest in a series of setbacks for the game, which has been in development for four years.
