Layoffs
Ongoing coverage on Layoffs.
Latest coverage
Embracer chairman says cost control 'does not get enough respect' after presiding over years of layoffs
Embracer Group chairman Lars Wingefors defended the company's extensive layoffs and studio closures, stating that cost control is often underestimated. He argued that the company worked to retain as many employees as possible while balancing business needs. Wingefors' comments come amid ongoing restructuring and studio divestments following a significant investment collapse in 2023.
Former Embracer CEO says Fellowship Entertainment spin-off is the "most effective long-term solution"
Embracer Group's former CEO Lars Wingefors has stated that spinning off Fellowship Entertainment is the most effective long-term solution for its undervalued intellectual properties. The new entity will focus on IPs like Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Tomb Raider, and Lord of the Rings, aiming for industry-leading profitability and organic growth. This move is part of Embracer's broader restructuring efforts following significant layoffs and asset sales.
Star Wars Eclipse “Continues as Planned” As Studio Shutters Live Service Game and May Face Layoffs
Quantic Dream has discontinued its live service game Spellcasters Chronicles due to a lack of audience and is undergoing an internal reorganization, though the studio stated Star Wars Eclipse is unaffected and continues as planned. The developer acknowledged the difficult market environment and the need for a disciplined approach, while not commenting on potential layoffs due to legal processes in France.
Comings and Goings
MercurySteam has announced significant and difficult job cuts. This news comes as the studio's God of War-inspired hack 'n' slash game has launched on Steam for PC.
Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (16th May)
This weekend's gaming plans include playing Sektori, Aliens: Fireteam Elite on PlayStation 5, and revisiting classics like Pokémon Blue and Yellow. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is highlighted as a standout release, with several staff members planning to play it. The article also notes a Nintendo Switch bundle announcement and a slight delay for The Legend of Zelda movie.
Amazon Games exposé suggests a dev team was forced to pivot to AI and then laid off
Amazon Game Studios employees in San Diego were reportedly forced to pivot their game, Project Trident, to incorporate generative AI features before the entire team was laid off. Despite a mandate for AI integration across development divisions, the team's efforts to adapt the game for AI-driven NPC interactions ultimately proved futile as the studio underwent layoffs.
NBA 2K and WWE 2K Developer Visual Concepts Hit With Layoffs
Visual Concepts, the developer behind NBA 2K and WWE 2K, has reportedly undergone a round of layoffs. Multiple former employees announced their departures on LinkedIn, with some indicating that a significant number of staff were affected. One employee shared a personal account of being laid off while on sick leave due to a recent autoimmune disorder diagnosis.
WWE 2K Team at Visual Concepts Hit Harder by Layoffs Than NBA 2K Team – Rumor
Developer Visual Concepts, responsible for the NBA 2K and WWE 2K franchises, has reportedly experienced significant layoffs, with the WWE 2K teams being more heavily impacted than the NBA 2K teams. Sources suggest the underperformance of WWE 2K25: Netflix Edition, which failed to meet Netflix's expectations of it being a mobile game, contributed to the decision, leading Netflix to skip future editions. This situation left the development team for WWE 2K25: Netflix Edition without future projects.
Report: WWE 2K26 dev Visual Concepts is laying off staff
WWE 2K26 developer Visual Concepts is reportedly laying off staff, with at least seven employees posting about their departures on LinkedIn. This marks the third round of job cuts at the studio in three years, following similar incidents in September 2023 and August 2024. Layoffs have also affected other 2K subsidiaries, including Cat Daddy Games, Firaxis Games, and 31st Union, in recent months.
Amazon reportedly had a studio pivot away from a game 'everyone was excited by' to make something with more AI stuffed in it, then laid them all off anyway
Amazon Games reportedly shifted a development team away from an anticipated game to focus on incorporating more artificial intelligence, only to lay off the entire team afterward. According to sources, the team was working on a single-player game featuring AI-driven dialogue for special moves and convincing NPCs, with a demo planned for early 2026. Amazon Games head Jeff Gattis stated that AI was not the reason for the layoffs, attributing them to a strategic business shift.
Amazon pressured one of its teams to develop an AI game, they scrambled to make it work - then got laid off anyway
Developers at Amazon Game Studios were laid off in October 2025, following a company-wide push to integrate generative AI into game development. Project Trident, an AI-powered third-person action game, was cancelled despite internal promise and adherence to the AI mandate. The layoffs affected multiple teams, including those working on New World and The Lord of the Rings MMO, as Amazon shifted its strategy away from big-budget internal development.
MercurySteam "initiates a workforce adjustment process"
Spanish studio MercurySteam has initiated a workforce adjustment process, citing industry production cycles as the reason for the difficult decision. The company expressed deep respect and gratitude for the affected employees and invited other studios to reach out for potential openings. The exact number of staff impacted by the cuts is not yet clear.
Night Street Games cuts jobs after Last Flag fails to "achieve the financial success we anticipated"
Night Street Games has conducted layoffs due to the underperformance of its recently released game, Last Flag. Executive producer Jonathan Jelinek confirmed the reduction in team size, stating the game did not meet anticipated financial success. Despite the layoffs, the studio intends to continue supporting Last Flag with upcoming patches and new content.
LinkedIn is reportedly laying off five percent of its workforce
LinkedIn is reportedly laying off five percent of its workforce, impacting marketing, engineering, and product teams. This news comes from a leaked internal memo.
Last Flag dev Night Street Games is laying off staff
Night Street Games, the studio funded by members of Imagine Dragons, has laid off staff due to the multiplayer shooter Last Flag not achieving anticipated financial success. The studio is focusing on keeping the game alive for its community and is assisting affected developers in finding new employment. This follows a trend of recent layoffs in the gaming industry.
Metroid Dread developer MercurySteam announces layoffs
MercurySteam, the developer behind Metroid Dread, has announced layoffs. The studio did not disclose the number of employees affected by the recent job cuts.
Metroid, Castlevania dev hit with layoffs just 2 days before its latest game launches
Metroid Dread developer MercurySteam has undergone layoffs just two days before the launch of its new game, Blades of Fire. The studio described the situation as a "workforce adjustment process" in a LinkedIn post. MercurySteam previously developed Metroid: Samus Returns and the Castlevania: Lords of Shadow series.
Metroid Dread developer MercurySteam announces layoffs
Spanish studio MercurySteam, known for developing Metroid Dread, has announced layoffs. The studio's newest title is scheduled for release on PC later this week.
Metroid Dread developer MercurySteam is latest to announce layoffs
MercurySteam, the studio behind Metroid Dread, has announced layoffs. The company described the situation as difficult and painful, common within the industry's production cycles. MercurySteam stated they will assist affected workers in finding new employment opportunities.
Metroid Dread developer MercurySteam conducts layoffs
Video game studio MercurySteam, known for Metroid Dread and Blades of Fire, has announced layoffs. The studio cited industry-wide trends and expressed gratitude for the affected employees' contributions. This news follows previous accusations of harassment and forced crunch at the studio.
