Layoffs
Ongoing coverage on Layoffs.
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"A Difficult And Painful Situation" - Metroid Dread Developer MercurySteam Suffers Layoffs
Spanish developer MercurySteam, known for Metroid Dread and Metroid: Samus Returns, has announced layoffs. The studio described the situation as a "workforce adjustment process" and is seeking to help affected employees find new opportunities. The studio's most recent game, Blades of Fire, did not meet sales expectations.
MercurySteam Hit With Layoffs | Console Creatures
Video game developer MercurySteam has initiated a workforce adjustment process, impacting an unspecified number of employees. This news comes shortly before the Version 2.0 update for their game, Blades of Fire. The studio, known for titles like Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and Metroid Dread, expressed gratitude and support for the affected staff.
AI Yi-Yi!
Cloudflare has announced significant job cuts, reducing its workforce by 20%, which amounts to approximately 1,100 employees. The company attributes these layoffs to the integration and impact of artificial intelligence technologies. Following the news, Cloudflare's stock experienced a notable decline of 19%.
Project ETHOS Faces Layoffs as 31st Union Head Says “Changes Need To Be Made”
31st Union, the developer of Project ETHOS, has conducted layoffs, with studio head Ben Brinkman citing the need for the team to work more quickly and nimbly. Publisher 2K confirmed the news, which follows a period of silence since the game's reveal in October 2024. The studio described Project ETHOS as a skill-based PVP roguelike experience.
Business and Finance
Nintendo reported a 98.6% surge in fiscal year sales, reaching $14.6 billion, boosted by the launch of the Nintendo Switch. In separate news, 2K has laid off staff working on the free-to-play shooter Project Ethos, indicating a shift in focus for the project.
MMO Business Roundup: 2K’s layoffs, Indiana’s Roblox lawsuit, CCP’s rename, and the Tarkov effect
This MMO business roundup covers several industry developments, including layoffs at 2K Games' 31st Union studio working on Project Ethos. Indiana is suing Roblox and Discord over child safety concerns, while Escape from Tarkov's popularity is cited as a driver for the extraction shooter genre. CCP Games rebranded to Fenris Creations to avoid conflict with China, and Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated Grand Theft Auto VI is being developed without crunch.
2K Games confirms layoffs at Project Ethos shooter studio and hints at new design direction: 'It's become…
2K Games studio 31st Union has confirmed layoffs as it shifts the direction of its free-to-play hero shooter Project Ethos towards a skill-based PVP roguelike experience. Studio head Ben Brinkman expressed confidence in the new vision despite the team changes. This follows previous reports of trouble with the project, including the departure of its original studio head.
2K Lays Off Staff at Project Ethos Dev 31st Union
2K has laid off employees at its studio 31st Union, which is developing the free-to-play roguelike shooter Project Ethos. Studio head Ben Brinkman stated the cuts are necessary to align with the game's development, despite expressing confidence in its future. The exact number of employees affected and the game's current development stage remain unclear amidst concerns about the viability of live-service titles.
2K makes layoffs at Project Ethos developer 31st Union
2K-owned studio 31st Union, developer of the free-to-play shooter Project Ethos, has undergone layoffs. Studio head Ben Brinkman stated the downsizing is necessary for a renewed direction and to work more quickly. This follows a previous round of layoffs in January 2024 and the reported firing of former studio head Michael Condrey.
GamesStop wants eBay, Nintendo confirms Switch 2 price hike, and union boss says EA buyout is a national security risk - Patch Notes #51
This week's gaming news roundup covers GameStop's $55.5 billion takeover bid for eBay, Nintendo's confirmation of price hikes for the Nintendo Switch 2, and concerns raised by a union boss regarding the potential Saudi Arabian buyout of Electronic Arts, citing national security risks. The article also touches on internal leadership changes at Xbox, layoffs at 2K, and the rebranding of CCP Games.
Bungie’s value keeps on dropping in latest Sony financials
Sony reported significant impairment losses of approximately $565 million USD in the last quarter related to its acquisition of Bungie, bringing the total annual loss to around $765 million USD. This financial downturn coincides with declining player counts for Destiny 2 and underperformance of the newly released Marathon, as well as substantial layoffs at Bungie since its acquisition.
STJV union strikes at Kylotonn as Nacon moves WRC license and layoffs loom
The French video game union STJV has initiated strikes at Nacon subsidiary Kylotonn, anticipating significant layoffs and a judicial reorganization. Nacon is reportedly moving the WRC license to a new studio, Grit Games, composed of former Kylotonn employees, which the union alleges is an attempt to shed unionized workers. This follows the closure of another Nacon studio, Spiders, amidst the publisher's financial difficulties.
2K lays off staff at 31st Union, studio behind Project Ethos
2K has laid off staff from its 31st Union studio, which was developing the live-service hero shooter Project Ethos. Studio head Ben Brinkman cited the need to work more quickly and nimbly as the reason for scaling back the team. This follows earlier layoffs and a change in leadership at the studio, with Project Ethos reportedly undergoing a visual and directional overhaul.
2K lays off staff working on free-to-play shooter Project Ethos, while hinting at "new direction and focus"
2K has laid off staff at its studio 31st Union, which was developing the free-to-play shooter Project Ethos. Studio head Ben Brinkman stated the team was scaled back to align with the game's development stage and a renewed direction towards a skill-based PVP roguelike experience. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick previously championed the title as part of a strong upcoming lineup.
Developer Behind 2K's Project Ethos Suffers Layoffs, but Take-Two Is Sticking With the Game
The developer working on 2K's Project Ethos has experienced layoffs, but publisher 2K and its parent company Take-Two Interactive have confirmed their commitment to the game's development. Despite the workforce reduction, the project is expected to continue.
What's going on at Build A Rocket Boy? Layoffs, legal action, and more
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio behind MindsEye, has conducted a third round of layoffs, reducing its staff to 80 employees. This follows previous rounds of redundancies and ongoing legal action from employees and the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain over alleged mistreatment and the installation of surveillance software without consent. The studio's leadership has attributed the game's poor performance and studio issues to corporate sabotage, a claim that led to the termination of their partnership with publisher IO Interactive.
BioShock 4 delay "deeply disappointed" Take-Two CEO, who thinks the studio "wasted a lot of time and…
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed deep disappointment over the prolonged development of BioShock 4, stating that the studio wasted time and money on dead ends. Following significant layoffs at developer Cloud Chamber in 2025 and the appointment of Rod Fergusson to lead the project, Zelnick feels more optimistic, though the game still lacks a release date. The company is also eager for the BioShock movie to coincide with potential new game releases.
MindsEye developer Build a Rocket Boy has reportedly laid off even more staff
Build a Rocket Boy, the developer behind the upcoming game MindsEye, has reportedly laid off approximately 170 employees. This follows previous reports of staff reductions at the company.
EA hopes you don't remember all the Battlefield 6 devs it laid off as it reports "record" financial year…
Electronic Arts reported a record financial year with net bookings reaching $8.026 billion, largely driven by the performance of Battlefield 6. The company's financial success comes amidst reports of developer layoffs, though EA has not directly addressed this in its fiscal release.
MindsEye’s salvaged Hitman DLC cuts Agent 47, and seemingly a good chunk of its staff, too
Build A Rocket Boy (BARB), the studio behind MindsEye, has reportedly conducted another round of layoffs, impacting senior staff and other developers. This follows the release of a salvaged DLC, now titled Blacklisted, which was originally a Hitman collaboration but had Agent 47 removed. IO Interactive confirmed the end of its partnership with BARB, and the DLC was released with significant changes.